Do we really “support our troops”?
Prayers and parades aren’t enough. Here are some actual ways to make a difference for our Soldiers and Veterans:
People of all backgrounds seem to agree that we should “support our troops”. I see our Stars & Stripes everywhere I go — at sporting events, on T-shirts, bumper stickers, bathing suits and on marketing slogans for everything from cold beers to law firms.
But, of course, we do more than fly the flag to show our support. We play the National Anthem too. And there are also fireworks and cookouts and parades. And we bow our heads, close our eyes, and we pray.
But the honest truth is that prayers, bumper stickers and parades do absolutely nothing to immediately and actively help our Soldiers or our Veterans.
I do believe that most people mean well when they say “support our troops” and when they fly the flag and sing our anthems. These things are a nice show of symbolic support, but these things provide no useful support for the true needs of our Soldiers and Veterans, or actual help for the obstacles they face.
Did you know…
· There are approximately 48,000 veterans who will look for a place to sleep on the streets of America tonight.
· 1.5 million Veterans depend on food stamps — an average of $84 million-worth of food stamps are spent at military commissaries each year (this includes active duty soldier’s purchases as well as veterans).
· 620,000 of the households using Feeding America’s food aid services have at least one member currently in the military. That’s 25% of all U.S. military households.
· Nearly 2 million Veterans lack access to healthcare — along with more than 3 million of their family members.
· About 1.4 million other veterans are considered at risk of homelessness due to poverty, lack of support networks, and dismal living conditions in overcrowded or substandard housing.
· Only 50% of veterans who need mental health treatment will receive services.
· And an even more sobering statistic — The Department of Veteran’s Affairs estimates that 20 veterans commit suicide each day.
Probably the best way to show your support for Veterans and active duty service members is to get involved in your local political arenas. Vote for representatives that have a verifiable track record of working for Veteran’s rights. Vote out the representatives who have voted against Veteran’s rights. Protest the misuse of our soldiers, petition for their rights and speak up loud and strong for bills that help our Military and their families — even if it’s against your own political party.
Initiatives for affordable housing, fair credit standards, healthcare options, educational opportunities, mental health care, the integrity of our banking institutions and successful social programs must be enacted, enforced and protected.
And say no to war.
Sending troops overseas to seize and maintain control of resources, is not fighting for freedom — it’s fighting for corporate profits. This is a misuse of our dedicated men and women in uniform, and a vulgar disrespect for their lives.
If you want to do something right now, this minute, take a look at the following list. Here you will find legitimate charities and nonprofit groups that are doing work every day to ensure the well-being of our Soldiers and Veterans — and they need your help.
Learn about these groups. Share their efforts on social media outlets. Donate to their causes. Volunteer at their events. Roll up your sleeves and take direct action to sincerely support our troops.
Because you know what? They’d do it for you. In fact, they’ve done at least as much for you already.
Get involved with efforts to help our Veterans:
The Farmer Veteran Coalition provides a wide variety of services designed to assist veterans in learning valuable skills and making a successful transition into an agricultural career.
The National Veterans Rights Association provides assistance to physically and psychologically wounded veterans who are seeking medical and financial support for injuries suffered as a result of military service.
Team Rubicon unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy emergency response teams.
Feed Our Vets has provided free food assistance to more than 20,000 Veterans and their family members. Their mission is to help Veterans and their spouses and children, whose circumstances have left them on the battlefield of hunger.
Pets for Patriots helps veterans find a new pet friend while giving the most overlooked, undervalued shelter animals hope and a home.
The Veterans National Assistance Fund is made up of an all-volunteer and Veteran staff. They work to help relieve chronic Veterans issues such as homelessness, continuing medical and emotional issues from devastating wounds, physical disabilities, unemployment and poverty.
The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans strives to end homelessness among veterans by shaping public policy, promoting collaboration, and building the capacity of service providers.
Army Emergency Relief helps Soldiers and their families with scholarships, grants, and loans that are always free of interest and fees.
Warrior Expeditions — in recognizing the therapeutic effects of long distance outdoor expeditions, Warrior Expeditions created the Warrior Hike, Warrior Bike, and Warrior Paddle programs which are designed to help combat veterans transition from their military service.
Fisher House — 91% of their funds go directly to provide free lodging for military families so they can be close to a loved one during an illness or medical treatment.
Homes for Our Troops (see above) builds mortgage-free, specially adapted homes nationwide for severely injured Veterans (post 9–11), to enable them to rebuild their lives.
The Veteran’s Site is a part of a network which has given more than $40 million to charities around the world. There are multiple ways to contribute to the Veteran’s Site, many cost nothing, check ’em out!
And, one of my personal favorites, Veterans For Peace.
This is an international organization made up of military veterans, family members and allies. They are dedicated to building a culture of peace, exposing the true costs of war, and healing the wounds of war. They seek to achieve justice for veterans and victims of war and abolish the act of war as an instrument of national policy.
If you know a Veteran with an immediate need, please use the following:
- Veteran’s Crisis Line for suicide prevention: 1–800–273-TALK
- DoD/VA Suicide Outreach: Resources for Suicide Prevention.
- The National Call Center for Homeless Veterans: 1–877–424–3838
- Live online chat: Homeless Veterans Chat service.
- A list of homeless veterans programs can be found here.
