Many of us know the name of a veteran or two, but over 22 million Americans have served in the military. Unfortunately, with the number so high, it’s common to lose touch with veterans after they leave the service. But, several charitable organizations are working towards ensuring greater support to war heroes going through tough times.
Most of the veterans suffer from depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), injury trauma, and homelessness because military training doesn’t prepare them for civilian life. But, as a civilian, we must help our veterans get back to civilian life by providing mental and financial support. Here are a few ideas to help Veterans get back to civilian life.
1. Help Them Get Medical Care
America’s veterans need our help due to a lack of medical facilities. Unfortunately, a lot of veteran hospitals in America are understaffed and underfunded. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the agency that provides healthcare services to all veterans, but the amount allotted by Congress is inadequate.
VHA provides healthcare services to over 6.5 million veterans but is plagued with issues like indoor air pollution, ineffective equipment, and poorly trained medical staff. Hence, a generous donation to any veterans’ organization assisting in providing medical support can go a long way in helping out our war heroes get back on their feet.
2. Volunteer At Local Facilities for Veteran Support
Several charities and non-profit organizations are out there supporting the veterans of the US Armed Forces and military personnel. You can easily locate any local VA support charity and offer your assistance in helping US military service members and their families. Additionally, most VA support groups provide a variety of programs, services, and live entertainment to keep troops connected to family, home, and country throughout their deployments.
You can volunteer with such Veterans Charity groups to provide medical, physical, and financial aid to veterans in need. You can also regularly donate money or volunteer at Veterans Homes in your locality. Such facilities offer quality service to veterans with physical disabilities.
3. Help Veterans Adapt To Civilian Life
Many veterans find it hard to adapt to civilian life after serving in the armed forces because there are huge differences between the two worlds. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a major issue facing veterans after returning from combat zones. Several organizations are working to provide financial and mental support to veterans with PTSD.
A generous donation to any organization that provides a helping hand to veterans suffering from PTSD can go a long way in helping our veterans get back on their feet. In addition, you can join veterans’ charity groups willing to bring greater recognition of the mental health issues faced by veterans and help them push through their transition to civilian life.
4. Show Moral Support & Gratitude Whenever Possible
Most war heroes returning home find it extremely difficult to deal with the challenges of everyday life. They’ve seen the worst and often return home fighting demons no one should ever face. You don’t have to be a veteran to understand what they are going through.
Another thing is that most veterans who do come back injured or wheelchair-bound typically feel inferior to those who are physically fit and sound. So, any form of moral support, whether verbal or financial, can go a long way in helping you show your gratitude for the service these men and women have performed for us.
5. Lobby for Support for Veterans
As a civilian, you can also support veterans with moral support, helping them get back to civilian life. In addition, you can lobby for better healthcare facilities for veterans in your area. Also, get the veterans to shelter in your locality upgraded with better amenities and facilities to provide greater comfort to service heroes.
You can also lobby for more state-run veteran homes in your city and help get government funding. You may be a civilian, but you hold the power to change things around. Be generous towards America’s 22 million veterans; you will be remembered as one of the few civilians to care about what happens to our war heroes when they return home.
6. Know About Family Care Programs That Provide Financial Assistance
Many families find it difficult to cope with our veterans’ medical and financial demands after they return home. Hence, several family support programs have been set up across America to provide financial and other non-medical assistance to service heroes.
Such programs are funded by a generous donation made by a citizen to provide such help to those in need. Additionally, veterans can download the “Veterans Aid” app from any Apple or Android store to get fast, easy access to all the available programs for veteran assistance in their locality.
Final Words
While numerous veterans charities help provide financial assistance, many veterans are still struggling to make ends meet every day. That’s why civilians need to unite and help our veterans get back on their feet and move on with their lives. We owe it to the brave men and women who serve this country with honor and distinction, so let’s show them some respect by doing whatever we can for our war heroes.
