Significant Benefits Valuable in Life After Service — Epic Opportunities

DEP Veteran’s Day contest

Description **English:** Joseph Ambrose, an 86-year-old World War I veteran, attends the dedication day parade for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in 1982. Wearing a doughboy uniform like the ones used during the war, he is holding an American flag. It covered the casket of his son Clement, who was killed in the Korean War. Author Department of Defense. Defense Audiovisual Agency; Scene Camera Operator: Mickey Sanborn. This work is in the **public domain** in the United States because it is a work prepared by an officer or employee of the United States Government as part of that person’s official duties under the terms of *Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 105* *of the US Code.* File :World War I veteran Joseph Ambrose, 86, at the dedication day parade for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in 1982.jpg — Wikipedia

Thanks go to DR Rawson - The Possibilist, and Dr. Gabriella Korosi, DEP, for the opportunity to submit an article for the DEP Veteran’s Day Contest. The writing prompt for this article is: If you could speak directly to a soldier who is now disabled, what would you say?

I would thank the disabled veteran for their sacrifice on behalf of a grateful nation. I would introduce myself and tell the veteran a bit about my background. Let the veteran know that I spent the better part of three decades in uniform (29 years active duty) and that I have supervised and led hundreds of employees.

I would provide that information to the veteran, so the veteran does not think I am just trying to be nosy without the ability to provide them with some much-needed assistance. I want the disabled veteran to trust me and to be at ease.

I also want the person to see that I know the programs available to assist them. I can share information with them, and we can find any assistance they may need. I would then ask the disabled veteran to introduce themselves. I would be sure to listen more than speak.

Description **English:** 030902-N-3228G-003 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (Sept. 2, 2003) — Former crewmembers of the Battleship Missouri (BB 63) pose for photos shortly after the Anniversary of the End of World War II ceremony, held aboard the famous ship. More than 100 former Missouri crewmembers were present at the ceremony, hosted by the Missouri Memorial Association. The ceremony marked 58 years since General Douglas MacArthur and Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz, along with other U.S. and Allied officers, accepted the unconditional surrender of the Japanese, ending World War II on the deck of the Battleship Missouri. AuthorU.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class William R. Goodwin. (RELEASED). This file is a work of a sailor or employee of the U.S. Navy, taken or made as part of that person’s official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, it is in the **public domain** in the United States. File: USS Missouri veterans.JPG — Wikimedia Commons.

I would ask if the veteran knew about the benefits they have earned. I would tell them that there are at least ten different types of benefits a veteran earns and can receive, including:

GI Bill and other education benefits
VA home loan
Life insurance
Educational and career counseling
converting life insurance
Disability claims
Veteran readiness and employment
Support for veteran-owned small businesses
Veterans Pension program
Grants

Veterans’ benefits. (2023, October 1). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veterans%27_benefits

I would then ask whether they are having any difficulties with care since becoming disabled. I would ask the disabled veteran if there was anything I could do to help them.

For any need identified, we could check into whatever they needed assistance with. I assure the veteran that he or she is not alone and that I sincerely desire to help them, whether now or in the future.

English The American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial in Washington DC. Author KnowledgeGoddessDC2. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. CC BY-SA 4.0 Deed | Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International | Creative Commons. File: American-Vets-Disabled-Life-Memorial.jpg — Wikimedia Commons

I would offer to be available for the veteran to contact if needed. I would tell the veteran not to be concerned about contacting me. The reason I would do this is that when a veteran first learns they are disabled, there is a real chance that the person will become discouraged.

If unable to find the care they need, they may even become suicidal. To prevent that, I would want the veteran to call me irrespective of the time of day or night or the issue or concern. I would make sure they understood that my experience with taking care of the people I served included just about anything they could imagine.

If they indicated that there is some need and we work together to get them the support they need, then I would tell the veteran that I plan to call him or her to see how they are doing. The intent would be to ensure the veteran got the help needed. I intend to clarify that I have their best interests at heart and will do my best to ensure they are well cared for.

Information Provided

I would provide the veteran with the following information at a minimum:

Veterans Crisis Line: The line (Call 988 and select 1), text 838255, or start a confidential chat online is available 24/7 and can be used by the veteran or anyone concerned about a veteran. They are caring, qualified responders with confidential help.

Veterans Benefits Administration website: Veterans Benefits Administration Home (va.gov). Veteran information from A to Z about their benefits.

VA Disability Benefits website: Eligibility For VA Disability Benefits | Veterans Affairs

Veterans Benefits for Service-Disabled Veterans: Veterans Benefits — Service Disabled Veteran Advisors — VetLink Solutions

Veterans denied disability rate: Free Evaluation by a Veterans Disability Lawyer | LawLegal.co

I would tell the veteran that the VA offers home loans and other benefits from other agencies. I would inform them about the VA program called The Veteran Readiness & Employment program. It assists veterans with service-connected disabilities in preparing for, obtaining, and maintaining suitable employment, starting businesses, or receiving independent living services. About VBA — Veterans Benefits Administration (va.gov)

Wounded Warrior Project: Helps veterans and service members who served in the military on or after September 11, 2001, and incurred a physical or mental injury, illness, or wound during or after service. We Serve Injured Post 9/11 American Veterans & Service Members | WWP (woundedwarriorproject.org)

I would ask for any additional questions or concerns they might have and do my best to provide a helpful response. I would provide my name and phone number and ask them for the same. Again, I would thank them for sacrificing themselves for our country’s freedom and let them know I would be in touch.

All gave some, some gave all. — attributed to the Korean War veteran and Purple Heart recipient Howard William Osterkamp from Dent, Ohio. He served in the Army from 1951 to 1953.

This article is at its end. I hope it was helpful to you.