Our family supports this organization.
As you might well imagine, these are challenging times for the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes. The people we serve comprise a disproportionate share of those adversely affected by the pandemic and the resulting economic upheaval. Millions of people have been rudely ejected from the workforce, and many of these were marginally employed to begin with. That includes many wounded warriors striving to make a place for themselves in the civilian economy.
Not surprisingly, we have seen a pronounced uptick in calls for emergency financial assistance, many of them from wounded veterans we have helped in the past and who have become part of our extended family. They had thought they were doing okay but suddenly find themselves on the unemployment lines, waiting for the compensation that takes forever and taking a place in the endless food lines. It’s like they are starting all over.
People like injured veteran M.L. from Florida, whose June emergency aid assistance, “Saved my family from possibly losing our home.”
We also are receiving a growing number of calls from people in desperate straits whose depression gives rise to thoughts of suicide. I have found that most of the time what these people really need is someone to listen to their pain. Most of our employees are themselves wounded veterans or caregivers for wounded veterans, so they recognize the problem immediately. It’s hard to keep track of all these calls or to claim credit for our efforts, but I see it happening on a daily basis and know we are doing the Lord’s work. Veterans as a group represent the largest subset of those vulnerable to suicide. We are there for them.
One of our most effective programs in recent years has been our marriage retreats where we arrange for 15-20 veteran couples to get together in some comfortable out-of-the-way place and just spend a 2-3 days sharing their feelings. The best therapy for wounded veterans is to talk about their pain, but it does not come easy to them. Over time we have learned that veterans with troubles, especially those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) are most likely to open up in conversations with other veterans who are dealing with the same issues.
We cannot arrange the usual marriage retreat this year because of the pandemic and the challenge of putting large groups of people together, but we are arranging a virtual marriage retreat. I doubt if it will be as effective, any more than virtual schooling is the same as being there, but we will do our best.
In sum, we are today doing what we always do only more of it and, I hope, we are getting better at it. God knows the need is still there and growing. Because of you and your generous support, we are able to continue our work with wounded veterans and their families. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
Respectfully,
David W. Walker
President and Chief Executive Officer
Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes
P.S. Many servicemen and women were struggling before this global pandemic. Now, they are facing even tougher circumstances, with no clear end in sight. Financial demands combined with isolation takes a toll on the mental health of disabled veterans and their families. We still need support from American patriots like you, to continue helping our wounded veterans in need.
Ms. Elaine Kneeous 