Craft, Honor, and Remember this Memorial Day For most of us, Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer. It’s a weekend to relax with friends and family, but it is also a solemn occasion in which we honor and remember the fallen. Each year, Help Heal Veterans (Heal Vets), an organization that provides free therapeutic arts and crafts kits to active duty military and veterans, holds a special event in May leading up to Memorial Day.
Q: What separates this year’s event from the past? And can you tell us more about the #VigilForValor craft kits? A: We are happy to be able to return to in-person events this year. We will continue to share the stories on social media and our website of loved ones lost, but we will also hold four events at local craft centers, where people can get together to build candleholders to honor those lost. Heal Vets will provide customizable craft kits, and crafters can incorporate a photograph, drawing, patch, or other item that they feel best represents the individual they are remembering.
#VigilForValor, is a candlelight vigil to remember veterans and serving military lost to war and suicide. The United States has suffered more than 100,000 military casualties of war since 1950, and in the last 10 years, we’ve lost more than 65,000 veterans to suicide. #VigilForValor will shine a light on the remarkable lives of those who have been lost.
Q: If someone is not able to attend a community craft event, but still wants to be involved, how can they be a part of this initiative?
We caught up with Help Heal Veterans’ CEO and retired Navy Captain Joe McClain to learn more about #VigilForValor and their hopes for the initiative this year.
Q: What are you hoping will be accomplished with this year’s #VigilForValor?
Q: Hi Joe, can you tell us where this idea of a #VigilForValor came from? A: We came up with the idea three years ago as a way we can honor our brave servicemembers and veterans who’ve tragically lost their lives in battle or to suicide. Heal Vets has been helping veterans and active servicemembers recover from the invisible and physical wounds of war for 50 years through therapeutic crafting. This year, we wanted to give them and their community an opportunity to craft and remember loved ones in the days leading up to Memorial Day.
A: Everyone can participate in a meaningful way by sharing a photo of the individual they are remembering and share why they are remembering them on social media. When sharing on social media, please be sure to include #VigilForValor and tag @HHVets. Those who do not use social media should send their stories and photo to remember@healvets.org, so we can share them on our website and social media platforms.
A: Our hope is to shine a light on the remarkable lives of those who have been lost. This year, we want to not only give people a chance to gather in person in honor of the fallen, but to give people an opportunity to tell us who these heroes were by sharing the stories of those who have paid the ultimate price for this country.
To learn more about Heal Vets and how to get involved with #VigilForValor, visit: www.healvets.org/get-involved 24
WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / MAY 2022
