a higher calling THE PURSUIT FOR VETERAN CHAMPIONS

By Trilogy® at Verde RiverTM Member Kathy Gallowitz, LtCol, USAF, Retired

Way back in 2010, the Ohio National Guard’s Family Readiness office sent out 200 letters to churches asking for help assisting Guard members and their families. They hoped the appeal to support those who served overseas as well as local men and women who ser ved across all branches of the military would elicit a big response. Nobody replied.

Since that unfortunate endeavor, I’ve made it my mission to improve things. As the director of the Ohio National Guard Community Outreach Office and founder of Vanguard Veteran, I’ve coached hundreds of faith leaders to become effective champions of our veterans and military families. This is a subject important to me, as I’m a veteran with a long life and career in the military. I grew up moving around the world supporting my father’s Navy career and then served nearly 30 years in the Air Force as a public affairs officer and nurse. My husband is a retired career active-duty soldier and Army combat veteran. Because of my career and experience, I’ve grown deeply aware of the needs of today’s military veterans – especially the lives they lead after their service to this country.

Through my business, Vanguard Veteran, I work hard to equip civilians to become Veteran Champions, improving quality of life, workforce, and community. More specifically, this means helping employers source, hire, and retain veteran talent and hosting Fallen Comrades Ceremonies to foster understanding about the sacrifices of militar y service and help military-connected persons heal.

To put things into context, of the nearly 2.6 million U.S. Iraq and Afghanistan veterans:

• 15% struggle with PTSD.

• 40% have difficulty finding meaning/purpose in life.

• 55% feel disconnected from the civilian world.

And it’s not just recent veterans. Similar struggles also plague older veterans, who account for two-thirds of veteran suicides. It’s an epidemic that unfortunately doesn’t receive the attention it deserves.

So, what can we do at Trilogy communities to help our service men and women around the country? With 93 percent of Americans not ever severing in the U.S. Armed Forces, most civilians aren’t aware of the problems veterans face and don’t understand military culture. This knowledge gap inhibits the delivery of effective support

This is where military ministries play a key role. The faith community can bridge this civilian-military divide by providing connections and opportunities for much-needed spiritual healing. Churches, small groups, fellowship meetings, and so on can anchor newly separated service members and their families who feel at sea as they try to assimilate into new communities.

Furthermore, military ministries can have many faces – there’s no cookie-cutter approach. It all depends on need and what we can provide our friends and neighbors who have served. Some military ministries may be religious – some not. The point is to develop care groups that serve the needs of men and women who are struggling with adapting to civilian life.

How do you get started? Find out if you know any troops who are deploying from your local community. If there are some, consider a send-off ceremony. Are they coming home? Welcome them back to your place of worship or to a special function at Trilogy. Are there some service men and women from your area who are overseas? Deliver meals to families or send letters and packages. For local veterans, create a wall of honor and practice making referrals to support services. The important thing is to build sustainable relationships and build long-lasting friendships. And lastly, this is perhaps the easiest – reach out to your Club’s local Veteran’s group and see how you can get involved.

My husband and I started a military ministry called “VetConnect” in our church two years ago. These people are now friends we can count on and vice versa. It’s enriched us just as much as it’s helped them!

Inspired volunteers with leadership and listening skills, along with patience and a desire to learn, are best positioned to spearhead these efforts. It starts with asking questions. Who are our military families? What programs are in place already? What can we do for our veterans in addition to saying, “Thank you for your service”? It’s not rocket science. It’s “people science.” Learn more and get tips for launching your military ministry at VanguardVeteran.com or contacting me at Kathy@VanguardVeteran.com. n

KATHY GALLOWITZ IS FOUNDER OF VETERAN VANGUARD, WHICH EQUIPS CIVILIAN “VETERAN CHAMPIONS” TO STRENGTHEN OUR WORKFORCE AND COMMUNITY IN WAYS THAT BENEFIT US ALL. SHE IS ALSO THE AUTHOR OF “BEYOND ‘THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE,’ THE VETERAN CHAMPION HANDBOOK FOR CIVILIANS. “