How AmeriCorps works for Veterans is a cross post from – http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,243603,00.html
Nine years ago last week, Task Force Falcon Brigade Combat Team marched through Southern Iraq on the way to the Battle of Samawah. On Monday, March 19th, 2012, President Obama issued the first Presidential Proclamation of a “National Day of Honor” for Iraq Veterans marking the nine year anniversary of our military presence in Iraq.
For me, the date marked the beginning of the war, and would be the last of two deployments to combat zones before I left the military. I consider myself lucky. Since that time, two, three, or even four or five tours is not unheard of… what is a unique and untold, are stories of those that come back from repeated deployments, leave the military and then decide to serve again – as community volunteers, and as National Service leaders in programs like AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps VISTA, and AmeriCorps NCCC .
Many are faced with challenges, but National Service and volunteerism is one place where they can find a renewed sense of mission and esprit de corps. Paul Rieckhoff, the founder and executive director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America remarked that he would like to see people talking about Veterans as the Calvary – a part of the solution, not the problem. He needs look no further than these men and women … patriots among patriots:
What many people don’t realize is that according to the 2012 Military Lifestyle Survey by Blue Star Families, Military Spouses volunteer at three times the national average. One military spouse has done that, and much more.
MILITARY SPOUSE OF IRAQ VETERAN – EMPOWERED BY AMERICORPS VISTA
Six years ago, Roberta “Bobbie” Davis answered the door to the scene that every military wife fears. A Chaplain stood at her doorstep to announce that her husband, Sgt. David Davis, had been killed in Iraq. Bobbie was also a Veteran, spending six years as a combat medic.
Bobbie moved home and in 2009, was sworn in as an AmeriCorps VISTA member and is an American Legion Auxiliary Call to Service Corps Alumni, helping veterans receive the benefits they have earned though their service and sacrifice. She still works today as a dedicated National Service advocate.
IRAQ VETERAN VOLUNTEER – EMPOWERED BY CNCS
Shortly after the disaster in Katrina, Iraq War Veteran, Alan Petz saw the devastation in Katrina, and marched to the epicenter.
Alan served alongside hundreds of AmeriCorps members, FEMA, and thousands of volunteers as a member of the CNCS empowered Hands On Network, now a part of Points of Light Institute.
For his dedication and many months on the ground volunteering and organizing response and recovery efforts, Alan was awarded a service medal in person by former President George W. Bush at Keesler Air Force Base. Alan went on to marry an AmeriCorps NCCC member, has a successful career, and continues to encourage other veterans to engage in national service and volunteer opportunities like AmeriCorps.
IRAQ VETERAN LEADS AMERICORPS VETCORPS – EMPOWERING STUDENT VETERANS
Timm Lovitt is a U.S. Army Veteran, who served two combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Timm returned to the Seattle area after his deployment and committed himself to helping his brothers and sisters fight the ‘invisible wounds of war’ once they return home.
In 2010, Timm volunteered to help lead the Washington State Veterans Corps project that helps Veterans make the transition from military service to the college environment, and educates Veterans and their family members about these injuries and the benefits. In just one year, the program reported that more than 3,000 veterans were empowered to utilize earned benefits.
Today, the Washington State Veterans Corps testified before Senator Patty Murray, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. The hearing was titled: “Washington Veterans: Helping the Newest Generation Transition Home.” The Director of the Washington State Veterans Corps testified about National Service as a unique solution for many transitioning service members and veterans.
AMERICORPS MEMBER AND IRAQ VETERAN ON THE FIRE TRAIL – EMPOWERED GREEN VETERAN INITATIVE
This year, Iraq War Veteran, Mike Bremer told his story in his own words to hundreds of national service advocates In Washington DC after being honored as a Corps Network Corps member of the year for volunteering with fellow veterans.
Mike’s sentiment about being on an all Veteran AmeriCorps fire team: “We were veterans who served in combat and shared a common experience that bonded us. I had their six, and they had mine. That fact did not change when we came home.”
Mike told me that when he returned from Iraq with the Army Infantry, he “felt like I lost all meaning and purpose in life and I had trouble finding meaningful work … my Corps experience gave me new purpose and a valuable new skill set. I received incredible training and experience alongside other veterans who had similar experiences – we were all looking for a new life after war.”
Mike, and every single member of his all Veteran AmeriCorps fire team from Colorado found that new life, are now gainfully employed with the skills they learned from the Southwest Conservation Corps.
I have had the honor of meeting and speaking with each of these fellow Iraq Veterans and military spouses, and am proud to call them brothers and sisters in continuing service. They are not alone.
• Since 2009, and the passage of the Serve America Act, the Corporation on National and Community Service (CNCS) has expanded investments in serving veterans and military families of all eras to unprecedented numbers.
• More than 16,000 veterans have served in AmeriCorps since its inception, helping other veterans and military families access benefits and services; obtain job training and conduct job searching; provide safe and affordable housing; and mentor and tutor children of service members.
• Today, there are nearly 5000 National Service members and volunteers providing services to wounded warriors, veterans and military families.
The Corporation is now Joining Forces to engage veterans and military families by partnering with over 200 State and Non-Profit entities in all fifty states.
AmeriCorps members, including AmeriCorps NCCC and AmeriCorps VISTA; Senior Corps volunteers; non-profits; and State Service Commissions are also joining community forces by enhancing local solutions to the challenges faced by our veteran and military family members. In 2012, we will work in well over 100 cities, and the efforts in AmeriCorps alone will directly impact over 100,000 lives.
We are expanding our partnerships with the National Guard Bureau with initiatives like the 27 State CADCA VetCorps, and leveraging their national foot print to empower communities from coast to coast with community capacity building expertise.
Last week, Robert Velasco, the Acting CEO for CNCS announced a historic new partnership with the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to strengthen national disaster service network, and I would not be surprised to see Iraq Veterans swell the leadership ranks with peerless commitment and vision.
There are many stories of Iraq Veterans, military spouses and survivors who have been empowered by AmeriCorps, and have also left AmeriCorps better for their continued service. As our President marked an end to war abroad, it is fitting that a month later, he also declared April 10-16 as National Volunteer Week.
So for all of our Iraq Veterans on this new day of honor announced by the President, and as we look forward to the upcoming National Volunteer Week, I want you to know that there is a life for you after war, it can be mission oriented and meaningful, and it can begin with National Service and volunteer leadership opportunities. On this day of honor, on this week of volunteerism, and on every day here at home, your service can continue. Learn more by visiting http://www.nationalservice.gov/.
I am an advocate for wounded warriors and their families.
thewarrioradvocate 