Elks cast net for PTSD veterans in Kentucky

Special event shows supports for veterans with PTSD
WPSD 6 News
Logan Gay, Justin Jones
June 23, 2018

It’s that type of support and awareness that can help these heroes conquer their battle with PTSD. They are hoping to make this fishing trip an annual event.

MARSHALL COUNTY, KY – Twenty veterans with PTSD were treated to a special fishing trip sponsored by the Marshall County Elks. The trip was made possible through a $2,000 grant from the Elks National Foundation.

According to the U.S Veterans Affairs the number of Veterans with PTSD varies by service area. About 11-20 out of every 100 veterans who served in Operations Iraqi freedom have PTSD in a given year. About 12 out of every 100 Desert Storm veterans suffer from PTSD in a given year . The VA estimates about 30 out of 100 Vietnam Veterans have had PTSD in their lifetime.

What do you call a person who sacrifices their life for a stranger? A hero. That’s what you can call these men and women. They’re all veterans no longer in a war zone but still fighting a battle. This time with PTSD.

Randy Henson said it’s a war that can only be won through support.

“A lot of times people can’t sleep and they have bad dreams. So when they get together with their buddies. You can talk about it and they’ve been through the same thing,” said Henson.

That’s what inspired the Marshall County Elks to sponsor a fishing trip. They wanted to show respect for these veterans and give them a relaxing day on the lake.
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Elks Pledge Four Million Dollars to End Veteran Homelessness

Elks Pledge Four Million Dollars to End Veteran Homelessness
Department Veterans Affairs
10/14/2015

Commitment is Part of VA and Community Partnership
WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is strengthening community and non-profit partnerships to better serve Veterans. The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America (BPO Elks) today announced that it has committed $4 million over a 4-year period to help end Veteran homelessness.

This partnership and pledge embodies the mission of MyVA, launched last year to transform VA by putting Veterans in control of how, when and where they wish to be served. In order to achieve transformation, the Department has been reaching out to community partners working to meet the needs of Veterans.

As a part of this partnership, the Elks will work with VHA staff on pilot programs in the cities of Washington, Chicago and New York City. In addition, the organization is calling on the group’s 800,000 members accross the country to support efforts to support homeless Veterans in their communities. The Elks have a strong tradition of service to VA. In this fiscal year alone, approximately 1,300 Elks members volunteered more than 117,000 hours of service at VA facilities nationwide.

“We’re so excited about partnering with the Elks on this important issue impacting far too many Veterans,” said VA Secretary Robert A. McDonald. “As we move closer to our goal of ending Veteran homelessness, partnerships like these will be critical to ensuring that all Veterans have access to safe and affordable housing.”

“Our goal is to provide the tools and support necessary for homeless Veterans to transition successfully into healthier and more stable lives,” said Mary Morgan, Director of the Elks National Veterans Service Commission. “Most Americans agree that Veteran homelessness should not exist, but few people know how they can help.”