What do you do for service members and veterans outside of duty?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 14:19:20 -0500

I am looking for more ideas on how to make an impact.

I have planted flowers at cemeteries, drove around Chicago and handed out MRE's to homeless vets, Knocked snow off memorials. I'd like to see any ideas or things that others have done to honor those before them, or even with them.

Response by SFC Robert Trodahl made Feb 3 at 2014 2:22 PM

SFC Robert Trodahl — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 14:22:25 -0500

There are alot of things you can do, but I find the biggest help is assisting them in stores. Holding a door, helping them to their car, getting some goods they are looking for. Its not alot, but it is something you can do every day.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2014 4:27 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 16:27:27 -0500

I'll tell you what goes a long way, go by your local American Legion and/or VFW posts. Wow! Those guys just LOVE for you to go in and just talk to them. Their eyes light up when you walk in the door. Don't go if you're on duty though, because the drinks are going to be coming your way as well. You'll also have a blast, the stories that will come out are insane, plus you get to hear the retirees jab at each other and call each other full of crap and everything. They also do a lot of community events and would love for you to come out and help. On a side note, we hosted a Veteran's Day event at the mall where my last recruiting center was, and we invited Future Soldiers to come up and say why they joined and what they were going to do. We invited all the veterans and posted fliers at the VFW and AL, and had a few of them come up and speak. Most of them didn't want to speak, but they spent hours after the ceremony talking with the Future Soldiers and the recruiters. They just need to be reminded that they're still a part of our family and that without them, we wouldn't be able to serve in the capacity that we do.

Response by SSG Mike Angelo made Apr 15 at 2014 12:42 PM

SSG Mike Angelo — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 12:42:07 -0400

I have deployed as an American Red Cross supervisor to the Greater New York area, in support of the recovery efforts caused by Hurricane Sandy. My higher education, training and military experience allowed me to start with bare bone resources, recruit, and take a team of volunteers to Long Island, Coney Island, Stanton Island and south Brooklyn and bring it. "It" meaning whatever the people affected needed; food, shelter, medical treatment. In this capacity, I served with veterans and active duty while attached to FEMA.

As a VISTA, volunteer in service to America, sister organization to the Peace Corps, I am working with veterans and collaborating with NGOs, non-government, and government officials. I have yet to tap into the Army National Guard...hmmm that could be this summer?

As an American Legion Chaplain, I march in parades and conduct veteran funerals in my locale.