Veterans Helping Veterans & Others is becoming known throughout the country and abroad. The organization is receiving messages like the one from Charles Kasse who resides in Greenspoint, Houston, Texas, and is now serving in the Army in Iraq.
Kasse wrote: “Thank you everybody. I’m glad to say I’m getting older, but still look so … good! Thank you! It is people like you who keep our Army strong. People who know what horrors we face, and the feelings we come back to. Veterans always need reassurance and need to believe that what they did was to better the world and America. So I salute you, and all that you do.”
It is not just messages like these that are being sent, but donations to help needy veterans are coming in as far away as Boston, Mass. A retired Marine contacted John Foster, commander, about having new walkers his dad invented, who was a Marine and passed away two years ago, and said he wanted us to have them. He is making a special trip to deliver them. When asked how he found us, he said on the Internet.
We are excited about what is going on in the organization. We have gone from a handful of members to 1,500 members since our beginning in 2005. (It costs nothing to join.)
The organization is all about helping needy people, veterans first. If we’ve got handicap equipment to help our needy veterans and if they can show they need it, it is theirs.
Everyone who comes into the thrift store falls in love with it. Everything is priced to fit their budget. We have nice clothing that comes in, some with tags still on them. Anyone in need of clothing can stop in and leave with clothing at very low prices. We even have tables set up with free clothing.
People who are hungry can stop in and sign up for the food pantry that is open two times each month.
Veterans can stop by and get help with filing their claim and learn about their benefits. Veterans with PTSD and other issues can find help.
We send care packages to the troops, and we are collecting cell phones for troops and turning them in to JOY FM so they can be exchanged for phone cards, so the troops can call home.
We work closely with a program called Living With A Cause that has helped a lot of people.
We operate on donations and everyone who works for us are volunteers except for those who come to us from Job and Family Services, who works for their stamps and checks. Everything from monetary donations to items donated for the store can be used as a tax write-off for the public and business places. We now have a place on our Web site at www.veteranshelping.org where people can make a donation. Anyone having a yard sale, doing spring cleaning, church rummage sale and etc. can call us and we will pick it up if they like. Our phone number is (740) 456-4009. All of this and more can be found on our Web site. Anyone having questions can call, stop by or go to our Web site.
At this time, we have a like-new electric wheelchair, two regular wheelchairs, a couple of walkers and a porta potty for any veteran in need. We will need a copy of their DD214, proof of residence, picture ID and for the wheelchairs, a statement from their doctor saying they need it.
John Foster, commander
Veterans Helping Veterans
& Others Inc.
Patient sings praises of heart cath team at SOMC
I recently had a heart cath done at SOMC. At first I was thinking that I should go out of town to get this done, but while in the emergency room, I met a Dr. M. Taimoor Gill, and I immediately knew who should do my procedure. I had just met this man, and in only a few seconds into our conversation, it had seemed that I knew this man all of my life. He is a very caring, compassionate man and a very smart doctor.
My cath was done on March 31, by Dr. Gill and his great staff at SOMC. Sorry that I do not know all of their names, but they all were really professional. Two names that I remember very well, Nurses Gretchen and Dave.
Nurse Gretchen stayed with me during the entire procedure, and even when I went to the recovery room. What a great nurse she was, and Dave got me ready for discharge to go home, and was very thoughtful and considerate.
Listen to me people, you do not have to go out of town any more for good professional medical treatment.
And I just wanted to applaud these people because I had a great experience at SOMC. They put the Vascular Closure Device in my right groin area, and the next day I didn’t even know where it was because it healed up so well. As a matter of fact, I was awake through the entire procedure and didn’t even have any pain.
I highly recommend SOMC, Dr. Gill and his co-workers for this type for procedure. SOMC should recognize these staff members for job well done. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart.
Donald E. Smith
Lucasville
Policy toward Navy
Seals appalls veteran
We currently have three active duty Navy Seals (Matthew McCabe, Jonathan Keefe and Julio Huertas) under investigation and possible court martial for violating rules of engagement while capturing Ahmed Hashim Abed, known terrorist and suspected plotter behind the murder and mutilation of four Blackwater USA contractors in 2004.
It is ludicrous to me to believe that this country and this current administration can’t or won’t support our troops. These troops risk their lives each day in defense of our country and its policies.
As a veteran, I am appalled and disappointed at these policies.
Please take time from your duties to reflect on my views and concerns. If we don’t support our young men and women warriors now at this time of national crisis, when will we? Why should they devote their lives? We are so fortunate to have these young patriots in our country. Help me stand up and support them in their efforts to fight for our country. I am a concerned citizen and veteran.
Dennis Little
Wheelersburg
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