VETERANS IN NEED

By DELL ARTHUR

             For many veterans returning to civilian life following active service it can sometimes be a bit disconcerting and overwhelming. Taking off the uniform and picking up where they left off prior to military life can, and in many cases, be a bit disturbing. There is a big difference between soldering and going back to a nine to five existence. For some vets the adjustment is a huge challenge and many of these folks find it nearly impossible to adjust.

 

            Regardless what position they held during their service—everything from a sailor, marine, cook, orderly, mechanic, airman or rifleman, no one comes home without some need to adjust. Being away from the familiar surroundings of home and family for months or years takes its toll no matter how a person tries to adapt. But the comforting thing about it is there is help. And a lot of that help comes from people like Jim Pace.

            Pace serves as an accredited Service Officer for the American Legion and also works as a volunteer councilor with the Vet Center located at Bellingham, Washington. He knows first-hand the problems many of these people face. As a former combat Vietnam veteran himself (he also received a 100 per cent service connected disability as a result of battle injuries), he believes it’s his job to help these honorably discharged servicemen and women.

            “We work under the Washington Department of Veteran Affairs and the Vet Center here is good enough to furnish us with office space,” he explained. Many of the people he finds in most need are those who belonged to reserve units such as the National Guard, Air Force Reserve or Navy and Marine Reserve who were called to active service during emergency times. As a result most left wives, husbands, children and jobs resulting in many hardships. Once relieved from active military duty trying to pick up where they left off can be exasperating he noted.

            And this doesn’t take into account those who suffered devastating wounds as a result of combat. Many of the wounds aren’t necessarily physical—some resulted in psychological scars that will never heal. And like Pace said, “Our job is not leaving them by the way-side. We make an effort to right a wrong but some can’t be helped.” As a counselor it’s his job to try to help pick up the pieces. This is where his unique abilities come into play. Like he says, “…for 24 years I have advocated for veterans nationally and in my home state of Washington to get them the rights and benefits they and their families have earned.”

            Pace, along with three other councilors, have a case load of some 3,000 clients. Some of the veterans he works with go as far back to the Korean and Vietnam service. It’s his job to help them find the proper services. For a lot of the more recent discharged vets readjustment is helping them in every area as housing, jobs, or education. But with this high number of people looking for help the workload is suffocating. Pace said that in his office there is almost a two month backlog of people who have made appointments. On top of that are the “walk ins” also seeking help. The result is you can usually find him on his “days off” working at his desk.

            For a lot of veterans Pace works with problems can range from anything from lack of proper paperwork to homelessness. Most of those of the latter are the result of medical concerns including narcotic addiction or alcoholism. Pace said there are many programs designed to help such folks.

            Most recently it has been reported that many Veteran hospitals have been unable to serve veterans in most need. Many of these men and women died while waiting to be admitted because of bureaucrat ineptitude and long waiting times. As a result a new temporary program titled “Veterans Choice Program” has been inaugurated to help solve the problem. Instead of having to wait for admission to a VA hospital, qualified veterans can receive health care from an outside eligible provider. More information can be obtained from Pace’s office.

            Today the military ranks are filled only with volunteers. Unlike past times when Universal Military Service was required, now there are no draftees. Everyone who puts on the uniform does so for their own personal reasons. For some it is for the promised benefits such as education or learning trade skills. Others serve simply for love of country and there are those who do so for “adventure.” Those who choose military service for the latter part can usually find more “adventure” than they bargained for!

            “Our nation does take care of our vets,” Pace stressed. In his office female counselor’s work with female veterans who have their own unique needs.

            But it is surprising that so few veterans are aware of these Vet Centers or what the centers can do for them. “A lot of information is passed around by word of mouth,” Pace explained. “A lot of the older vets help the younger guys.” The result is there are a lot of success stories.

            Yet no matter how hard Pace and his colleagues try there are also other stories that weren’t successful. He recalled one young Marine whose mother died and his despondency took him to the bottom. The result was he left a note asking to be buried next to his mother and then committed suicide.

            Pace was one of the pall bearers.

            But as long as there is need of a military, veterans can count on people like Pace to help them in their readjustment. Like he said, “…veterans take care of their own!”