Veterans Day observed on November 11th is the day that we honor the service and sacrifices of those men and women in uniform who have honorably served this nation. For families who have southern roots military service is a tradition dating back to the founding of this great Republic. My family is no exception, having fought in every major conflict since the Revolutionary War. One ancestor COL Jedutha Baldwin fell at Bunker Hill while my Great-Great Grandfather Pvt Willam A Baldwin was struck down at Cold Harbor.
Unfortunately, many veterans of the Commonwealth of Virgina still struggle with both the physical and emotional scars brought about by honorable military service. During the recent Global War on Terrorism or “GWOT” it was common for veterans and their families to have endured multiple back-to-back six-to-eight-month deployments to Iraq and or Afghanistan.
Members of our sea and air services were often away from their families on unaccompanied tours that typically lasted a year in duration. Not only does this put a severe strain on the service member but it takes a heavy toll on the family as well. Sadly, today veterans commit suicide at a 50% higher rate than those who have never served in the military.
During my time as a veteran, I have seen dramatic improvements in the Veteran’s Administration (VA). Its services (transition assistance, the G.I. Bill, the VA Home Loan, medical care, etc.) are indeed welcomed; however, many veterans and their families are in dire need of assistance that the VA is simply unable to provide. Unfortunately, the support the VA offers is limited in scope and sometimes not accessible to our over 700,000 Virgina Veterans. If a veteran or his or her family does not have money to pay rent, buy groceries, or have urgent requirements to whom do they turn?
One organization, the Virginia Veterans Services Foundation (VSF) is an independent agency of the Commonwealth that supports the interests of Veterans and families through the Secretary of Veteran and Defense Affairs with the mission of giving back to our veterans. The Foundation provides supplemental funding when federal and state resources are not available or insufficient to meet the needs of our veterans. Donations support selected programs and critical services through the Department of Veterans Services (DVS). The Foundation’s goal is to support the Governor’s mission to make Virgnia the best place for Veterans to live, work, and raise a family and one can donate online at https://virginiaveteransservicesfoundation.org.
When referring to our nation’s veterans Abraham Lincoln stated “…to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”
On this Veterans Day let us not only thank a veteran for their service but as Lincoln urged help those still in need. You can make that difference no matter how big or small your donation.
