It is impossible to overstate the importance of the role our civilian supporters play within our Veteran community, and we want to highlight that important role today. We hope this will encourage even more folks to take the leap and get involved!
Following their separation from service, one of the most difficult challenges that Veterans face during their reintegration into the civilian world is no longer knowing where they fit. The military gives servicemembers a community, a brotherhood, a family, and a sense of belonging that is unlike anything else. We hear so often that once a servicemember becomes a Veteran, they no longer feel like they have anywhere that they can go and be understood. They feel that the civilian world is not a safe and accepting place for them. And what do we do when we feel there is nowhere we belong? We isolate.
Having non-Veterans who come out to the ranch to volunteer, attend our events, or stop by to just hang out during community dinners is SO essential to showing our Veterans that there are people in the civilian world that do care. There are civilians that accept them, appreciate them, want to spend time getting to know them, and are interested in connecting with them. And it helps civilians better understand the Veteran community!
To any civilian that has hesitated to stop out to the ranch, sign up to volunteer, or attend an event; please know that OUR COMMUNITY IS NOT COMPLETE WITHOUT YOU! We strive to foster meaningful connections between the civilian community and our Veteran community, because we know that both have SO much to offer