Buddy Check Week: Tell us how you are reaching your battle buddies, family, caregivers, and survivors + check out these Veterans Socials!

RallyPoint News — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 12:26:22 -0400

Take the pledge to talk to 10 buddies, share your stories, insights, show gratitude, and tell us how your buddy checks are going during Buddy Check Week, Oct. 21 – 25!

Buddy Check Week (https://rly.pt/BuddyCheck) is a call to action for all Veterans to reaffirm their bonds and the connections that unite them across the nation. Take time during this week to help organize and facilitate Veteran connections, outreach and education around peer wellness, crisis prevention and community.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the American Red Cross are hosting the first-ever Veteran Buddy Check Summit (https://rly.pt/BuddyCheckSummit) October 22, 2024, from 9:00 – 11:15 a.m. The summit will feature a Buddy Check Townhall with VA leadership and presentations from such organizations as The American Legion, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, and American Corporate Partners.

Veterans Socials (https://rly.pt/VeteransSocials) are peer-led groups located nationwide that offer a space for veterans to connect, discover resources, enjoy themselves, and build relationships with each other and their communities. In October, the 70+ Veterans Socials below will participate in Buddy Check Week by becoming Buddy Check Socials. This initiative highlights the importance of community and coming together to check on peers and emphasizes the power of mutual support within the military-affiliated community. The hosts of these Socials have committed to the Buddy Check Week pledge, which involves reaching out to 10 veterans during the month to foster connection and provide support.

Nationwide Veterans Socials:

VISN 1:

American Legion Post 113 Manchester-by-the-sea MA
VA Bedford Healthcare System MA
14 Church St
Every Saturday in October, 8:30-10 AM

American Legion Post 98 Rockport MA
VA Bedford Healthcare System MA
32 Beach St, Rockport MA 01966
Every Saturday in October, 9:30-11 AM

Sons of American Legion Post 3 Gloucester MA
VA Bedford Healthcare System MA
8 Washington St, Gloucester MA 01930
Saturday, October 5th, 8:30-10 AM

Gloucester Veterans Service Center Gloucester MA (1)
VA Bedford Healthcare System MA
12 Emerson Ave, Gloucester MA 01930
Monday, October 21st-24th, 8:30-10 AM

Gloucester Veterans Service Center Gloucester MA (2)
VA Bedford Healthcare System MA
12 Emerson Ave, Gloucester MA 01930
Friday, October 25th, 8:30-10 AM

Wenham Council on Aging Wenham MA
VA Bedford Healthcare System MA
10 School Street, Wenham MA 01984
Wednesday, October 9th, 10-11 AM

Dunkin’ Donuts Auburn MA
Worcester VA Clinic
386 Southbridge St, Auburn MA 01501
Tuesday, October 22nd, 7-8 PM

American Legion Post 85 and 43 Woonsocket and Warwick RI
Providence VA Medical Care RI
870 River St, Woonsocket RI 02895
Wednesday, October 16th, 11 AM-1 PM

VISN 8:

Goodwill Manasota Veterans Services Sarasota FL
Bay Pines VA Healthcare System FL
8490 N Lockwood Ridge Rd, Sarasota FL 34243
Tuesday, October 22nd, 10 AM-12 PM

Sunshine Senior Center St. Petersburg FL
Bay Pines VA Healthcare System FL
330 5th St. N., St. Petersburg FL 33701
Thursday, October 3rd, 8:30-9:30 AM

Gulfport Senior Center Gulfport FL
Bay Pines VA Healthcare System FL
5501 27th Ave. S., Gulfport FL 33707
Friday, October 4th, 10-11 AM

Mount Herman Missionary Baptist Church Community Room Tarpon Springs FL
James A. Haley VA Hospital FL
5501 27th Ave. S., Gulfport FL 33707
Thursday, October 17th, 10-11 AM

LGBTQ+ Veterans Coffee Connection St. Petersburg FL
James A. Haley VA Hospital FL
3050 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg FL 33712
Thursday, October 10th, 10-11 AM

Women Veterans Coffee Connection Clearwater FL
Bay Pines VA Healthcare System FL
13555 Automobile Blvd. Suite 300, Clearwater FL 33762
Tuesday, October 1st, 11 AM-12 PM

Military and Veteran Family Clearwater FL
Bay Pines VA Healthcare System FL
5771 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater FL 33760 | Gathering Place D
Friday, October 11th, 10:30-11:30 AM

Brandon Senior Center Brandon FL
James A. Haley VA Hospital FL
612 N. Parsons Ave., Brandon FL 33510
Wednesday, October 16th, 10:30-11:30 AM

Wimauma Senior Center Wimauma FL
James A. Haley VA Hospital FL
16621 Lagoon Shore Blvd., Wimauma FL 33598
Friday, October 25th, 11 AM-12 PM

Sun Tower Retirement Community Sun City Center FL
James A. Haley VA Hospital FL
101 Trinity Lakes Dr., Sun City Center FL 33573
Monday, October 28th, 10-11 AM

Concordia Village of Tampa Tampa FL
James A. Haley VA Hospital FL
4100 E. Fletcher Ave., Tampa FL 33613
Friday, October 18th, 11 AM-12 PM

LGBTQ+ Veterans Tampa FL
James A. Haley VA Hospital FL
5414 Beaumont Center Blvd., Tampa FL 33634
Monday, October 7th, 10:30-11:30 AM

LGBTQ+ Veterans Venice FL
James A. Haley VA Hospital FL
777 US 41 Bypass S., Venice FL 34385
Thursday, October 10th, 10-11 AM

Ybor City Coffee and Tea Tampa FL
James A. Haley VA Hospital FL
1907 N. 19th Street, Tampa FL 33605
Wednesday, October 23rd, 8-9 AM

Bob Evans Restaurant Temple Terrace FL
James A. Haley VA Hospital FL
12272 Morris Bridge Road, Temple Terrace FL 33637
Thursday, October 24th, 8-9 AM

VISN 9:

Dairy Queen Mt. Sterling KY
Lexington VA Medical Center KY
1100 Camargo Rd, Mt. Sterling KY
Tuesday, October 22nd, 10-11 AM

Sherri’s Pizza House Owingsville KY
Lexington VA Medical Center KY
39 Miller Dr., Owingsville KY
Wednesday, October 23rd, 1-2 PM

Frisch’s Winchester KY
Lexington VA Medical Center KY
843 Bypass Rd., Winchester KY
Tuesday, October 1st (time changes TBD)

Patriot Place Madison TN
VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System TN
314 Williams Ave., Madison TN 37115
Thursday, October 24th, 12-1 PM

Nashville Vet Center Nashville TN
VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System TN
2501 McGavock Pk., Suite 200, Nashville TN 37214
Saturday, October 19th, 9:30-11:30 AM

Primary Care Behavioral Health (virtual learner)
VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System TN
1310 24th Ave. S., Nashville TN 37212
Time changes October day/time TBD

Webex (virtual)
VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System TN
1310 24th Ave. S., Nashville TN 37212
Time changes October day/time TBD

Coffee with a Peer (ACY) Murfreesboro TN
VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System TN
3400 Lebanon Rd., Murfreesboro TN 37129
Thursday, October 24th, 12-1 PM

VISN 12:

Leaders Sharing a Common Experience Madison Senior Center WI
William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital WI
330 West Mifflin St., Madison WI 53703
Tuesday, October 22nd, 10-11:30 AM

Leaders Sharing a Common Experience Rockford Vet Center IL
William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital WI
7015 Rote Rd., Rockford IL 61107
Tuesday, October 22nd, 10-11:30 AM

Billiards Social Rockford Billiard Café Rockford IL
Rockford VA Clinic IL
1436 North Main St., Rockford IL 61103
Wednesday, October 23rd, 6:16-8 PM

Community Volunteer Leadership Breakfast Social Madison WI
William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital WI
5401 Schroeder Rd., Madison WI 53711
Friday, October 25th, 7:30-9 AM

Making the Connection Listen and Learn Social Middleton WI
William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital WI
2500 Overlook Terrace, Madison WI 53705
Friday, October 25th, 10-11:30 AM

Grinds and Grounds Socials Middleton WI
William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital WI
2701 University Ave., Unit D, Madison WI 53705
Thursday, October 24th, 1-2 PM

Grinds and Grounds Socials Rockford IL
Rockford VA Clinic IL
7474 East State St., Rockford IL 61108
Wednesday, October 23rd, 12:30-1:30 PM

Veterans Community Camaraderie Janesville WI
William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital WI
2500 Humes Rd., Janesville WI 53545
Wednesday, October 23rd, 8-10 AM

Women’s Pancake Breakfast Johnny Pamcakes Rockford IL
Rockford VA Clinic IL
3700 East State St., Rockford IL 61108
Tuesday, October 22nd, 9-10:30 AM

Women’s Taco Social Freeport IL
Freeport VA Clinic IL
306 North Galena Ave., Freeport IL 61032
Thursday, October 24th, 3-4:30 PM

Women’s Ice Cream Social Baraboo WI
William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital WI
Tin Roof Dairy, 3rd Ave., Baraboo WI 53913
Wednesday, October 2nd, 1:30-3 PM

Jefferson County Women’s Coffee Social Jefferson County WI
William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital WI
Location not listed
Thursday, October 17th, 3-4:30 PM

Women’s Book Club Social Sequoya Library Madison WI
William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital WI
4340 Tokay Blvd., Madison WI 53711
Friday, October 25th, 11 AM-12:15 PM

VISN 16:

Center for American Veteran Mississippi State University Starkville MS
G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center MS
250 Bailey Howell Dr., Starkville MS 39762
October day and time TBD

Coffee Social Columbus MS
G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center MS
4068 Jess Lyons Rd., Columbus MS 39705
October day and time TBD

Community Counseling Services West Point MS
G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center MS
337 Court St., West Point MS 39773
October day and time TBD

VISN 19:

Black Rifle Coffee Moore OK
Oklahoma City VA Health Care System OK
1909 S Telephone Rd, Moore OK 73160
Tuesday, October 22nd, 1:30-3 PM

White Buffalo Edmond OK
Oklahoma City VA Health Care System OK
17783 N Macarthur Blvd, Edmond OK 73012
Tuesday, October 22nd, 9-10:30 AM

Dale K Graham Veterans Foundation Norman OK
Oklahoma City VA Health Care System OK
1233 W Lindsey St., Norman OK 73069
Friday, October 25th, 8:30-10 AM

Fort Sill Fort Sill OK
Oklahoma City VA Health Care System OK
1718 Macomb Rd., Fort Sill OK 73503
Thursday, October 3rd and 17th, 1-2:30 PM

Honoring America’s Warriors Breakfast Oklahoma City OK
Oklahoma City VA Health Care System OK
4149 Highline Blvd., Ste 280, Oklahoma City OK 73108
Friday, October 25th, 9-10:30 AM

Kiowa Tribe Anadarko OK
Oklahoma City VA Health Care System OK
125 E. Broadway St., Anadarko OK 73005
Wednesday, October 9th and 23rd, 1-2:30 PM

Oakwood Mall Enid OK
Oklahoma City VA Health Care System OK
4125 W Owen K Garriott, Enid OK 73703
Thursday, October 3rd and 17th, 11 AM-12 PM

Student Veteran Success Oklahoma State University Stillwater OK
Oklahoma City VA Health Care System OK
061 Student Union, Stillwater OK 74078
Wednesday, October 2nd and 16th, 11:30 AM-1 PM

The Simple Brew (Women Only) Harrah OK
Oklahoma City VA Health Care System OK
251 S Harrah Rd., Suite 109, Harrah OK 73045
Tuesday, October 1st, 8-9:30 AM

The Simple Brew (Women Only) Harrah OK
Oklahoma City VA Health Care System OK
251 S Harrah Rd., Suite 109, Harrah OK 73045
Thursday, October 17th (time changes TBD)

The Well Norman OK
Oklahoma City VA Health Care System OK
201 James Garner Ave., Norman OK 73069
Tuesday, October 15th, 9-10 AM

Veteran Zone OU Memorial Union The University of Oklahoma
Oklahoma City VA Health Care System OK
900 Asp Ave., Norman OK 73069
Friday, October 25th, 8-10 AM

White Buffalo Coffee Bar Lawton OK
Oklahoma City VA Health Care System OK
2413 NW Cache Rd., Lawton OK 73505
Wednesday, October 9th and 23rd, 1-2:30 PM

Adult Wellness & Education Center Norman OK
Oklahoma City VA Health Care System OK
602 N Findlay Ave., Norman OK 73071
Monday, October 13th and 20th, 9-10:30 AM

White Buffalo Coffee Bar Altus OK
Oklahoma City VA Health Care System OK
2001 N Main St., Altus OK 73521
Monday, October 7th and 21st, 9-10:30 AM

Hot Shots Coffee Durant OK
Oklahoma City VA Health Care System OK
2832 University Blvd., #136, Durant OK 74701
Wednesday, October 16th, 11 AM-1 PM

Cornerstone Church Midwest City OK
Oklahoma City VA Health Care System OK
9900 SE 15th St., Midwest City OK 73020
Saturday, October 12th, 9-10:30 AM

American Legion Post 58 Guthrie OK
Oklahoma City VA Health Care System OK
123 N 1st St., Guthrie OK 73044
Thursday, October 24th, 9-11 AM

White Buffalo Coffee Bar Elk City OK
Oklahoma City VA Health Care System OK
1522 W 3rd St., Elk City OK 73644
Thursday, October 10th, 10-11:30 AM

University of Northern Colorado Roudebush Cottage Greeley CO
VA Cheyenne HCS Sterling VA Clinic CO
1815 8th Ave., Greeley CO 80639
Tuesday, October 22nd, 9:30-11 AM

Homeplate Coffee Social Fort Morgan CO
VA Cheyenne HCS Sterling VA Clinic CO
19719 US-34, Fort Morgan CO 80701
Wednesday, October 23rd, 8-9:30 AM

CSU Northeast Regional Engagement Center Sterling CO
VA Cheyenne HCS Sterling VA Clinic CO
304 Main St., Sterling CO
Wednesday, October 2nd and 16th, 11 AM-12:30 PM

Perkins Laramie Social Laramie WY
Cheyenne VA Medical Center WY
204 S 30th St., Laramie WY 82070
Monday, October 21st, 1-2:30 PM

Beans & Steams Coffee House Sidney NE
VA Cheyenne HCS Sidney VA Clinic NE
610 Glover Rd., Sidney NE 69162
Wednesday, October 16th, 2-3:30 PM

VISN 20:

Coffee Talk with Veterans Lakewood WA
American Lake VA HMC Lakewood WA
6313 75th St. W, Lakewood WA
Thursday, October 17th, 11:30 AM-1 PM

VISN 21:

Dancing with the Drums Reno NV
VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System Reno NV
2055 Idlewild Dr., Reno NV 89509
Wednesday, October 23rd, 3-4 PM

Veteran Buddy Checks - Veterans Experience

Veteran Buddy Checks

Response by SGT Ruben Lozada made Sep 26 at 2024 6:48 PM

SGT Ruben Lozada — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 18:48:38 -0400

Excellent post. Thank you for sharing this on RP.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Sep 27 at 2024 6:00 AM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 06:00:04 -0400

Great idea!

Response by AN Ron Wright made Sep 28 at 2024 10:55 AM

AN Ron Wright — Sat, 28 Sep 2024 10:55:38 -0400

I post similar to this in the American Legion all the time

Response by CPO Charles Helms made Sep 29 at 2024 6:27 AM

CPO Charles Helms — Sun, 29 Sep 2024 06:27:14 -0400

Cool idea!

Response by SFC Jo Ann Klawitter made Sep 29 at 2024 7:06 AM

SFC Jo Ann Klawitter — Sun, 29 Sep 2024 07:06:07 -0400

Still looking for my buddy that I had in the service back in the early
I connect with my best friend that I met in the service and we talk every day. She came back to the states because she’s living in Portugal now just to have her VA physical.
I had a nice conversation with my nephew yesterday we haven’t talked since my sister‘s funeral and we had a nice get together
My brother, his father was in Vietnam and he is 77 now and I think there is a delayed PTSD because he’s different and he doesn’t talk about the war

Response by SP5 Dennis Loberger made Sep 30 at 2024 4:15 PM

SP5 Dennis Loberger — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 16:15:44 -0400

We do buddy checks twice a year at our Post. We separate our membership into 8 groups. I am one of 8 who take on that responsibility to reach out to every member

Response by PO1 Gilbert Esparza made Oct 2 at 2024 7:33 AM

PO1 Gilbert Esparza — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 07:33:00 -0400

Great information for our War Fighters!

Response by SGT James Murphy made Oct 2 at 2024 1:31 PM

SGT James Murphy — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 13:31:06 -0400

Please Share:
Attention Veterans!

DAV Dept. of Wisconsin

DAV Wisconsin aids veterans with government benefits, free medical transport, and advocacy. Join our Small Business Roundtable for veteran support.

Response by SSgt Robert Simonds made Oct 2 at 2024 1:43 PM

SSgt Robert Simonds — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 13:43:45 -0400

I don't discuss medical problems most times.

Response by LCpl Jon Molin made Oct 2 at 2024 5:51 PM

LCpl Jon Molin — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 17:51:14 -0400

Ralph Washington Plt 3012 San Deigo Ca 1965
Jon Molin

Response by SSgt Robert Simonds made Oct 3 at 2024 9:04 AM

SSgt Robert Simonds — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 09:04:45 -0400

I don't reach out any more as I have been living on borrowed time since summer camp 1981 Army reserve duty. Because of PTSD My blood pressure is so erratic it is just a matter of time. I only hope it is fast. You don't pin this type of living on buddies . but thank you.

Response by CPO Charles Helms made Oct 12 at 2024 7:45 PM

CPO Charles Helms — Sat, 12 Oct 2024 19:45:11 -0400

I am in contact at least a couple times a week with some member of my V-1 Division from the USS Enterprise, and we have a V-1 reunion every 2 years! There is about 30 of us who attend the reunion! Also have several other shipmates from other commands I am in contact with! The honestly good thing about Facebook is the ability to find and connect with old shipmates!

Response by PVT Jim Allen made Oct 16 at 2024 11:39 AM

PVT Jim Allen — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 11:39:04 -0400

Yes

Response by PFC Jennifer Hart made Oct 16 at 2024 12:11 PM

PFC Jennifer Hart — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 12:11:28 -0400

Hi all I am a USMC Veteran served 98-04 Scarface, Purple Foxes, and Vipers miss my buddies I also work in Mental Health at the VA I am here for anyone reach out