Chaplian Kathie
I recently took a job with Veterans Outreach/
It's no secret how I feel about veterans, especially the wounded and in need of care from the VA. I am very careful about putting my limited time into any group but I have to say I'm totally excited about brining Veterans Outreach into the Orlando area. The site has not been chosen yet, but we're looking at opening an office by April.
Go to the web site and take a look at what Veterans Outreach has to offer the veterans as well as the people working for them. I will be in need of putting together a dedicated team to get the office fulfilling the needs of the veterans as I put my total focus on veterans and their families living with PTSD.
The need right here in the Orlando area is dire. As the VA builds the Lake Nona VA hospital, we only have the clinic, which is the size of a hospital, but as you've read in the past, they are overwhelmed. My last visit there, security was directing traffic because they had over 3,000 cars. This was a first since we moved into the area over 4 years ago. We have over 400,000 veterans in Florida and their numbers are growing as the troops along with the National Guard return from deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan. The numbers will also grow because of the fact outreach work on PTSD has begun to penetrate into the Vietnam veterans minds. They are finally becoming aware of exactly "what's wrong" with them by having a name attached to it. PTSD is not new to them, only the term is. They've been living with it since the 70's.
With the backlog of VA Claims, along with the backlog of appeals to be processed, there is a veteran in need. Most of the time there is also a family in need as well. That's what Veterans Outreach is going to be there for.
So far we've received support from the Orlando area Nam Knights. They are having a dedication ceremony for the memorial they built at the site of their club house on February 28th. I'll be there to spread the word about Veterans Outreach along with seeking donations to open the office.
Nam Knights Orlando
Feb 28- Bike Week party and Memorial dedication for the "Nam Knights Eternal Chapter" Everthing starts at 2:00 pm at our club house (official function)
Click here for (flyer)
If you live in the Orlando area or are coming in for bike week, it would be great to see you there. Go to the site for directions and for more about this event.
Please go to the Veterans Outreach site to find out more about what we will do for the Orlando area veterans and think about giving your financial support as well as prayers. There is another office in Bonita Springs. I was in Arcadia to meet some other members of the team there. We had a couple of tables outside of Wal-Mart. Most of the people were generous and donated but one woman really stands out in my mind. She said she didn't have money to donate. She seemed embarrassed by this. I put my arm around her and said, "That's ok because you can do something even better. Say a prayer." Relief came on her face, she smiled, said she could do that, and then walked away. A few minutes later, she pulled up in her car and handed me a dollar. She said that she would say a prayer as well. That reminded me of the story Christ told of the woman with two cents. She didn't have a lot of money, but she gave what she had. That one dollar that kind woman gave out of the goodness of her heart meant more to me than someone clearly with enough money to afford to be generous.
Most of the time the people who are the most generous are also in need themselves or have been in need at one time or another in their lives. It's not the big donations that make a difference but the little ones because those donating have taken it into their hearts. (Naturally I won't turn down large donations from companies in the area because I know they care about our veterans.)
Come back for more details on how this is going and when the office will be opened. Please also say a prayer for us that we receive the funds needed as soon as possible so that we can open as soon as possible. If you have any questions, you can contact John Ely, the President of Veterans Outreach for more information. I'm not giving his email because I want you to go to the site first.
