Opinion: In small-town Kansas, my uncles returned from war to the kind of support all veterans deserve

When I was a young girl visiting my tiny hometown in Kansas in the 1970s and early ’80s, I would lie in bed at night upstairs in a big farmhouse, listening to the voices of my uncles and aunts clamoring up the stairs. Boisterous, laughing, teasing and happy. For the most part, I couldn’t understand what they were saying; it was all jumbled. But it was all happy talk from a group that was enjoying good food and liquor. I imagine it was like trying to sleep above an old speakeasy.

Two younger brothers had never seen the battlefield. Neither did the oldest. But my other six uncles regaled them with war stories, the fun ones. One of them got kicked out of a tank near enemy territory because he was trying to learn to play the violin. Another told of women in Italy climbing on his tank to thank the soldiers with kisses for helping to liberate them. One said he once “borrowed” a general’s jeep.

As a child, I thought World War II must have been a hoot.

I now know more about the traumas they suffered.

They had each other for support. Not all American veterans are blessed with a large, tight-knit family like the Hutch boys had (the poor Kennedys, one cousin calls them) to process their service. This Veterans Day, let’s all step up to fill the void where we can.

The American Legion Hall still plays a central role and gathering place in our family in that small town of just a few hundred. On a wall surrounding the hall are many framed photos of the townsfolk who have served, including my cousins Wayne and Monk, who served in Vietnam, and those wonderful uncles — Ward, Max, Bill, Johnny, Elmer and Mick. Three brothers and three brothers-in-law, but all brothers in arms.

My dad’s picture is up there, too, though he served in the 1950s at Fort Ord, Calif., near the serene golf courses and California cypress trees of Monterey County. He signed up because he wanted to honor his brothers. But the Army didn’t send him into battle. I’m sure my grandpa and grandma were relieved not to have to go through that worry with any more of their children.

I don’t have any idea how personal the uncles’ stories were when our young ears weren’t near. One aunt told me they shared very little of what they witnessed and experienced, even with their own wives and children. I’m sure we cousins, numbering 30-plus, would be amazed by what we don’t know.

We know some of my uncles crossed Omaha Beach in Normandy, France. A soldier from a neighboring Kansas town asked one uncle to write his parents as he lay dying. Another uncle desperately searched for his brother, worried that he was one of the bodies on the ground. Another uncle, who served as a radioman on a bomber in the Pacific theater, refused to fly once he got home, making cross-country trips by car to attend reunions and visit family.

What I do know, and was taught, is Veterans Day was established to honor our veterans of all wars. The best way to honor them is to take care of them, serve them, and provide for them.

My uncles are all gone now. But there are many veterans here with us now, from many fields of battle, suffering the consequences and they don’t have the support they need or haven’t been connected to that help. There are many organizations trying to assist these veterans with mental health, housing, and other needs.

The suicide rate among our Colorado veterans is higher than the national rate. According to the Veteran Suicide Data Sheet provided by the V.A., the 2021 rate in Colorado was 56.1 per 100,000 veterans; it was 33.9 nationally.

According to a  Department of Housing and Urban Development report, on a single night in January 2023, 35,574 veterans were homeless across the nation for which they fought. “Veterans who receive housing vouchers may have difficulty using them in high-cost regions with housing shortages,” according to the study. That certainly describes Colorado and the metro area.

How can you help?

You can volunteer your time, donate money or donate goods. Right now the VA in Denver is trying to fill needs for homeless veterans, including clothing items and household needs. You can make a donation at www.cdceportal.va.gov/donate_online. After selecting the state and facility you want to donate to you will be presented with a form that allows you to specify where your donation will go.

Eva Gergely, the volunteer service chief at Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, said donations to the general post fund for homeless veterans provide housing and the supplies items they need to make a home, including food, furnishings and clothes.

“We work with many community partners to serve our homeless,” Gergely said.

You can also donate items.

“Our greatest needs are gift cards to purchase clothing and household items, (prepaid) phones with minutes, and winter items, like gloves, beanies and winter coats.”

To volunteer time, Gergely said there are many great opportunities at the VA hospital. Drivers are also needed to help get veterans to their appointments.

To arrange a drop-off or learn about volunteer opportunities, email Gergely at eva.gergely@va.gov.

The American Legion website lists many volunteer opportunities, including at VA medical centers, outpatient clinics, and veterans homes, in addition to helping veterans’ families.

You can donate to organizations like the Wounded Warriors Project at support.woundedwarriorproject.org. You can view the curated list of charities that support veterans and military families at charitynavigator.org.

This Veterans Day, let’s let them know what their sacrifice means to us.

TJ Hutchinson is a member of The Denver Post editorial board.

Resources for veterans through the VA

The VA offers help resources at www.mentalhealth.va.gov, including:

National Call Center for Homeless Veterans

The National VA Call Center for Homeless Veterans helps veterans who are homeless or who are at risk of being homeless, their family members and friends.

*Dial +1-877-424-3838  and Press 1, 24/7.

Quit VET

Call the quitline to speak with a tobacco cessation counselor, which can double a veteran’s chance of quitting.

Call 1-855-QUIT-VET (1-855-784-8838), 9 a.m.–9 p.m. ET, Monday–Friday.

Veterans Crisis Line

Veterans and service members in crisis and their families and friends can call to connect with qualified, caring VA responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text.

*Dial 988 and Press 1, 24/7.

Text to 838255.

War Vet Call Center

The Vet Center Call Center is a place for veterans to talk about their military experience or other concerns during their transition from military to civilian life.

*Call 1-877-927-8387, 24/7

Women Veterans Call Center

VA services and resources for women veterans, their families, and caregivers that can also be accessed by anonymous online chats with a WVCC representative.

*Call 1-855-VA-Women (1-855-829-6636) 6 a.m.–8 p.m., Monday–Friday; 6 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Saturday.

Real Warriors

The Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury provides information and resources about psychological health, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and traumatic brain injury.

*Call 1-866-966-1020, available 24/7.

Caregiver Support

The VA Caregiver Support Program offers training, educational resources, and a variety of tools to help people caring for a veteran succeed.

Call 1-855–260–3274, 6 a.m.–6 p.m., Monday–Friday for advice on being a caregiver.

*Chat options are available online

Source: U.S. Department of Veteran’s affairs