Veterans Helping Veterans

By Kathryn Marchi

Welcoming America’s veterans home from battle after World War I, World War II and Korea was a common practice. But 50 years ago, after the Vietnam War, this was not the case. Americans did not separate the warrior from the war and were not appreciative nor sympathetic to what our soldiers had endured. Because of that attitude, Vietnam veterans did not feel comfortable discussing what had happened there. Consequently, many of them developed mental illness issues, now identified as Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD). Those who were wounded did not always receive proper care or were hospitalized for life. Sadly, many of them became addicts, homeless or victims of suicide. 

After the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, the military recognized the same health conditions with the men and women returning home. The Veterans Affairs (VA) began to implement better inpatient and outpatient care that veterans needed. But despite these efforts, many veterans “fell through the cracks.” Many hesitated to reach out for help or were in denial. Thus, it fell upon the community, especially other veterans, to help. 

One such town, Centreville, on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, has formed a veteran’s group. It began three years ago when a local librarian found out about a federal program that provided books for veterans. The idea was that if a group of veterans read and discussed books, they might feel free to discuss their military experiences. As a result, four veterans started a Book Club. As other veterans joined, a larger venue became necessary. The local Dunk’n Doughnuts offered them a space from 11 a.m. to noon on Mondays. Those who wanted to continue reading and discussing books decided to meet at another time in the library, and continued attending the Monday group as well. As their numbers grew, the group moved these meetings to the local American Legion. One of the vets, a local retired educator and television personality, stepped up as leader. The group was given the official title, “Centreville Vets Information Center.”

Currently, veterans attend the meeting for coffee, doughnuts and comradery every Monday. Guest speakers from the community- at- large are invited to speak to the group about matters of local interest and available community and state resources for veterans.

This meeting is open to all American or foreign veterans, their wives, husbands and those with family members, serving or having served in the military. The numbers vary each Monday but the average attendance is 30 or more. From the beginning, it was agreed that there would be: no money, no religion, no politics, no rank. It’s all about veterans gathering in a safe space and sharing the common experience of having served their country in military service

Aside from the program agenda, the group sought a way to reach out to other veterans. They addressed individual needs within the group … illness, hospitalization, transportation or a friendly call, and extended this outreach to other veterans in their area. The group began a clothing drive that donated personal care items, clothing, books, games and nonperishable food items to veterans who were homebound or permanently hospitalized. Those members and their families who were singers, began singing to veterans twice a month at the local Hospice. To date, they have been asked to sing at community events: A Christmas tree lighting, wreath-laying at the cemetery, the annual Vietnam War Commemoration ceremony in a neighboring town, and in the homes of local shut-ins. They were also asked to present a Christmas program at the VA hospital in Washington D.C. 

As word of the group’s outreach activities became known, local businesses began donating items for their activities. A local grocery store set up a buffet meal for the group’s Christmas and St. Patrick’s Day meetings. This year when their town hosted the local National Vietnam War Veterans Day on March 29, the local high school offered use of their auditorium. The middle school Symphonic Band, high school singers, a Boy Scout Troop, a guest speaker, a County Commissioner, and many others all donated their time to the program. The Ladies Auxiliary of the American Legion Post also provided a reception afterward. This event was well attended. 

The community has also honored this veteran’s group: The Centreville Arts Council has hosted two “Meet and Greet “programs in which veterans tell of their military experiences. A local TV station developed a program called “Thank You For Serving” in which veterans are interviewed about their time in the military. Some of these vets have never shared their experiences and it can be very cathartic. Even their wives have never heard these stories.

One of the group’s latest projects involves planning and creating a monument and plaque, honoring the more than 400 local “Colored” troops, previously enslaved and free men, who fought in the Civil War and were never recognized. In 1863 these men joined approximately 170,000 others to fight in the “United States Colored Troops” (USCT). Another significant program called “Veteran’s In Schools,” involves veterans greeting students, taking lunch and bus duty and tutoring. The group is also in the process of setting up a venue for veterans who continue suffering from PTSD. 

From book club to “coffee and doughnuts,” this veterans group has developed into an active and important community asset. It may be called “Centreville Vets Information Center” but it has morphed into “Veterans Helping Veterans” and beyond!

Hopefully those who read this will consider starting a similar group in their own areas. Not only is the camaraderie enjoyable, the act of helping others is even more so. Veterans helping other veterans also benefits the entire community.

Kathryn Marchi is a contributing writer who especially enjoys writing human interest stories.

MARYLAND VETERANS SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS ON BEING AN AMERICAN SOLDIER

• As a Marine combat vet of Vietnam, I learned the absurdity of war, but more importantly, I learned how lucky I was to be an United States American compared to how people lived in the rest of the world. And things that we take for granted such as freedom, liberty and speech are to be treasured. And held on to.
  — Cpt. Bob Nilsson, Vietnam combat veteran.
  
• I was a very proud soldier, returning home from the Vietnam War, until we landed on American soil! At that time my feelings drastically changed! We were called baby killers and so many other things that I won’t mention. I became ashamed of being a combat veteran from that point on and I suffered mentally, for a long time! I, as a black American soldier, felt horrible about what I had done to a race of people in another land, far away, who had done nothing to me! I had PTSD for a long time because of the war and how I was treated upon my return.
  
  Several years later I sought help from the Veterans Administration for my mental problems, and I received that needed help. While there I met fellow comrades who suffered from the same mental problem as I. I befriended several of them and we realized we had done nothing wrong! We were good combat soldiers, who did what we were trained to do, told to do and we did it well!
  
  I stayed in that PTSD Resocialization group for many years, with the same combat soldiers until February 21, 2025, when the persons in charge of our sessions told us we no longer need the VA services, and we would have to disband and find another location to hold our weekly meetings.
  
  As a Combat Vietnam Veteran, I feel as though our country, once again, is disrespecting us and kicking us to the curb, with no consideration for our PTSD issues, which will be with us forever! We as Vietnam Veterans, are much older, and many of us, I included, feel as though we are of no use to the country that many of us fought for and over 58,000 men and women died for! WHY??
  — E-5 Robert Simms, Sr., Vietnam Veteran 

• “The military taught me the importance of working as a team, treasuring good leadership and honoring our country and its wonderful constitution.”
  — E-4 Fred McNeil