“Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.”
– Adlai Stevenson
‘Veteran Champion Communities’ do these kinds of things, and more:
- Become informed & get involved
- Identify Military, Veterans & their family members in your neighborhood
- Take time to get to know them
- Ask sincere, open-ended questions
- Include them in shared-interest activities
- Share your networks and provide meaningful support
- Know when they deploy and support their families while they are gone
- Welcome them home
- Chambers of Commerce promote the hiring of military-connected talent and recognize Civilian Veteran Champions
- Public Schools, Colleges, and Universities purposefully help military children and Veteran students succeed
- Faith communities anticipate & meet needs of military families in their congregation
- Elected officials craft legislation to incentive Veterans to live & stay in their community, offer discounted services & publicly express gratitude for their sacrifices
- Healthcare providers & lawyers do their part
- Community organizations actively recognize, engage & support military-connected people
- Citizens make it a priority to participate in & donate to local Veteran community causes
- The community hosts parades, county fairs & other recognition events
- Neighbors regularly attend community events that honor & support Military, Veterans and their families
Building a ‘Veteran Champion Community’ isn’t rocket science, it’s people science.
– Kathy Lowrey Gallowitz, LtCol, USAF, Retired
To learn how you can become a Civilian Veteran Champion, read this: Beyond ‘Thank you For Your Service:’ the Veteran Champion handbook for civilians, available on Amazon. Order your book, here.
Need a Speaker? Questions? Contact Kathy@VanguardVeteran.com or 270-945-7286. Register for Vanguard Veteran’s monthly newsletter, here.
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