The greatest thing one human can do is to put their own life on the line to protect another human. That is what our service men and women do every day. Some of our Vets are returning from service injured and have some problems in these hard economic times. I think they deserve better.
The government offers a huge range of benefits to vets, such as disability payments, job training and subsidies to buy cars and houses. The average Vet who does apply has to wait at least six months, and sometimes years, to receive them.
Hundreds of private groups try to fill the gap — from the American Legion, Soldiers’ Angels, Fallen Heroes and Community of Veterans. One organization that I found is http://www.USATogether.org. This organization’s web site tells the stories of American Veterans and lets you help them directly. Most of the Vets are asking for very small things, food because their refrigerator died, a washing machine, help with one months rent. A lot of these Vets are loaded down with medical bills, because of injuries sustained during their service to our country. With the help of USATogether.org we can now help.
Today I spoke with Dave Mahler one of the founders of USATogether.org. Dave, an entrepreneur in Silicon Valley, saw a opportunity to utilize the power to the Internet and other new media technologies to get the word out about our vets in need. Dave said “We have specifically tried a new approach of using the net to allow a one-to-one connection between those that need help with those that can help, but don’t know how. Very personal, very efficient in terms of overhead (almost none) and very different”. Dave was very enthusiastic about using his knowledge of technology to help out his fellow Americans. Dave told me, “Our focus is on not just veterans in general, but on those injured while serving the country. To me, that’s a special case that calls for special care from the country. All veterans will have my respect; those injured often need and IMHO opinion deserve a special helping hand.”
How it works
USA Together brings together injured service members who need assistance and the people who want to help them.
For contributors
- Find a request to fill: You can search by hometown, branch of
service, or type of need. Subscribe to be notified by email of new requests that match your search. - Register with the site when you’re ready to help.
- We will connect you with the injured service member or their representative so you can provide goods or services. For cash donations, USA Together pays the bill directly for the service member.
I think we can all give a little, after all they were willing to give everything for us.
It’s a sad fact that many people who are not directly in contact with wounded vets soon forget about them.
In the UK, as in the US, many return injured and others are less fortunate and pay the ultimate sacrifice with their life doing their job to protect others.
You’re opening sentence: ‘The greatest thing one human can do is to put their own life on the line to protect another human’ is very true and something I witnessed first hand many years ago as a young soldier.
To governments who wring their hands and offer their sympathy, these people are but numbers that are soon forgotten.
For those who are wounded there is a need to reduce the amount of red tape and time to assess the individuals needs and provide for them in their time of need which would also reduce the burden on individual groups who do a fantastic job.
Utilizing the power of the internet is sure to be a great way to bring together those who need help and those who can help.
Never forget who serves for your freedom! Thanks Colin!