By the end of the year, several hundred thousand members of the military will have served in the Iraq theatre of operations, Afghanistan, and other places in the ongoing global war on terrorism. These numbers will grow as the conflict continues. Another generation of war veterans is being created and Vietnam veterans know what that means for the new veterans, their families, and their communities. They recognize the challenges of reintegration from combat to civilian life.
To ensure that those challenges are effectively addressed, VVA has launched the VETSConnect program. VETSConnect funds projects in support of today’s veterans and current military. VETSConnect will utilize the proven resources of VVA, its associates and members to provide services, assistance, advice and support directly to those who served on active duty after September 11, 2001 and/or their families.
The aim is to connect Vietnam veterans with recent veterans and current members of the military so that VVA’s experience, particularly in the areas of veterans’ benefits and veterans’ health care, can be used to help them and their families.
Vietnam veterans remember well how it felt to come back from a controversial war and to rejoin the civilian world or to continue serving in the military. VVA does not want veterans of Iraq and the global war on terrorism to go through what Vietnam veterans did. In particular we know that sons and daughters of Vietnam veterans and VVA members are among those who have served, are serving, or will be serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other places.
VVA knows that over 160,000 Vietnam veterans are receiving VA disability compensation for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and that thousands of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are already experiencing symptoms of PTSD. Some reports of homeless returning veterans have already emerged (See Most Often Asked Questions Concerning Homeless Veterans).
All across the country VVA members and VVA chapters are reaching out to and assisting returning veterans and their families. We know that veterans often have problems getting benefits they earned from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
VVA’s trained and accredited service representatives are already assisting some returning veterans with claims for benefits. We know that the rising cost of veterans health care is a concern, but we believe that the nation has a solemn obligation to care for those who were wounded or injured while serving in the armed forces.
Vietnam Veterans of America was organized to improve the lives of Vietnam era veterans. VVA is also committed to veterans of all conflicts and feels a special affinity for our veterans returning from Iraq, Afghanistan and the Global War on Terrorism. This commitment has prompted VVA to identify specific activities it carries out for our current Veterans through VVA's program, VetsConnect.
Gather your unwanted clothes and/or household items for a tax-deductible donation to the VVA.
Call 888-518-VETS or schedule online here
Rain or shine, our truck will pick-up your donations.