by: John Nolan, Founder
“Never again will one generation of Veterans abandon another” is the central principle of Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), an organization founded following that war. Those of us returning from that conflict were hardly welcomed as that conflict became less and less popular; rejection for membership in, or services from, established veteran organizations was an even more poignant experience.
Instead of this being a sour grapes experience, hundreds of veteran-focused groups like VVA have been started nationwide to provide services and support to veterans as subsequent generations have returned from their battlefields. As just a single snapshot of this diversity of organizations, the North Alabama Veterans and Fraternal Organizations Coalition (NAVFOC) was founded over 20 years ago to communicate and collaborate in meeting the needs of both veterans and first responders and has grown to over 60 groups ranging everywhere from the Semper Fi Community Task Force, the Warrant Officers Association, Still Serving Veterans and dozens in between.
Whether interacting with the VA on behalf of a veteran whose situations or disabilities render him or her unable to work, who needs help making utilities or mortgage payments, who have child care or other dependent expenses, or needing a wheelchair ramp built, members of these organizations continue their service to the Nation, often using the skills and talents they developed during their active duty time on behalf of our community.
The beneficiaries of such efforts range from senior veterans from World War II and the Korean War to veterans of the continuing strife around the world involving other nations and non-nation entities. Whether young or older, single or married, disabled or needing other assistance, the value of such contributions in terms of dollars, service, buddy-checks, and many others, such as spouses and/or children in Gold Star families, there is hardly any way to calculate the contributions of those who learned to serve and carry that same sense of service into our community.
While most of these organizations are staffed and organized by volunteers, membership dues and contributions represent only a small part of the inevitable expenses associated with their service to veterans in Madison County and beyond. It’s also quite difficult to measure the financial commitment of individuals and commercial organizations in this community of donors. Not surprisingly, veterans are also employed by large and small companies and often are engaged in employee-giving funds that help finance veteran-specific activities and a wide swath of other charitable and service organizations.
In cities and towns across the United States, this spirit of service and continuous contributions to the betterment of our society is often surprising to recent arrivals or visitors to Madison County. There are myriad opportunities for all of us to honor the service and sacrifice of those serving and who have gone before us.
Perhaps, beyond the ubiquitous “Thanks for your service”, there’s an association or group for you where actions, and not words, matter.
