Does anyone else do volunteer work to help our Veterans and their families?

2024-07-12T18:54:10-04:00

I am 100% disabled (SSA Disabled) and to help give me some purpose in life I started volunteering at a local company, Aegis Healthcare, as a Veteran Representative Volunteer. This work allows me to help veterans that are in a Home Health, Assisted Living, Senior Care, Hospice or End of Life situations. Studies show that veterans connect better with other veterans better than with civilian healthcare workers.
I can't go into specifics due to HIPPA laws, but I can tell you that one of my patients is a WWII vet from Patton's Third Army as a Machinegunner. I sit in awe as he talks about the 100+ mile movement to Bastogne to rescue the guys from the 101st Airborne. He marched most of the way because of vehicles getting stuck in the snow and mud. He had a M1917 air cooled Browning (similar to the water-cooled version but carried vs mounted) which weighed 33 lbs and shared carrying the belts of ammo, weighing over 200 lbs, with his assistant gunner.
His stories make me realize that my service might not be as tough as I thought. His picture is on the Veterans Wall of Glory, and it makes me proud to know him and the sacrifices he made. This gives me purpose and reason to keep my remaining years to not be quite so mundane. I'd like to hear your thoughts and stories of helping our older veterans.

Response by CN John Karcher made Jul 14 at 2024 9:43 AM

2024-07-14T09:43:39-04:00

At the ER at Madison,Wi VA Hospital. Very rewarding..

Response by SGT James Murphy made Jul 15 at 2024 1:06 PM

2024-07-15T13:06:33-04:00

Yes but I'm a lifetime member of DAV Wisconsin Chapter 3 Green Bay Wisconsin: https://gbdav-3.org/

Green Bay DAV Chapter 3

DAV Wisconsin aids veterans with government benefits, free medical transport, and advocacy.

Response by SPC James Neidig made Jul 16 at 2024 2:14 AM

2024-07-16T02:14:55-04:00

My Church Has A Soup Kitchen And Meal Delivery To Many Of The Needy In Our Community.
My Wife And I Both Volunteer Preparing And Delivering The Food, Many Of The People We Serve Are Veterans And Their Families.
We Are Church Of The Brethren And A Hallmark Of Our Faith Is Selfless Service To The Less Fortunate .
We Also Make Care Packages For Active Duty Service Members At Christmas Time.
During The Wars In Iraq And Afghanistan We Were Making Them And Shipping About Every Ten Days To Our Deployed Troops.

Response by CN John Karcher made Jul 16 at 2024 6:02 PM

2024-07-16T18:02:14-04:00

I cherish every conversation as a VA hosp ER Vol here in Madison.

Response by SPC Richard Chelson made Jul 17 at 2024 7:00 PM

2024-07-17T19:00:30-04:00

I am co-founder of Operation Tears of the 22 we help to bring awareness and prevention to veteran suicide. I personally talk with about 6 veterans on a regular basis and talk with others as well. Sometimes all it takes is a simple hello to change a life. Reach out to all our brothers and sisters, you never know what kind of impact it will make.

Response by SGT Stacy Moody made Jul 18 at 2024 11:13 AM

2024-07-18T11:13:25-04:00

http://www.echovets.org

Echo Vets : A Veteran Community : For Veterans by Veterans

Echo Vets is a non-profit Veterans group helping Veterans with their everyday struggles with addiction, PTSD, Homelessness, and the VA. We are here to support each other and take care of each other.