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May 25, 2024

How to help deployed military troops

Support can make deployment a little easier as soldiers cope with the challenges that life in the military can present.

The nation’s military is comprised of millions of brave men and women who stand for the country’s freedoms by serving domestically and abroad. Whether during war or in peacetime, the military plays an important role in protecting the nation and its interests.

Deployed military personnel face numerous and notable challenges. Every deployment is different, but community support can make deployment easier on military personnel and their families. With that in mind, the following are some ways anyone can help deployed military personnel and their loved ones at home.

SEND CARE PACKAGES.

ages provide some of the com forts of home to deployed troops. They also let troops know that they are being thought of even if they are thousands of miles away. To facilitate the process of sending care packages, work with an organization that routinely delivers items to troops. One option is to donate money to the USO , which can send care packages on your behalf.

OFFER A LISTENING EAR.

Venting to a judgment-free ear can help reduce the stress of deployment. It’s not necessary to provide feedback. Sometimes getting thoughts out and just having a supportive shoulder to lean on can help mitigate stress and worry.

SET UP

RESOURCES.

CARE FOR THE FAMILIES LEFT AT HOME.

Deployed troops may be able to rest more easily if they know their loved ones are happy and safe. Individuals can offer to babysit, run chores, share meals, and engage in other supportive acts with parents or spouses of the deployed.

CHECK IN WHEN YOU CAN. Some deployed troops have the ability to check in through video chats. Set aside regular times to touch base even if it is inconvenient. Seeing a familiar face can be a huge pick-me-up.

Once deployed military return home they may need certain services, such as qualified counseling or assistance finding a home. Having a list of people and resources at the ready can make assimilation back into domestic life easier.

SEND CARDS

AND

LETTERS. Any correspondence can be a welcome change for deployed personnel. Whether you have a service member deployed or not, you can adopt one and provide assistance and support. Many troops miss huge life events with their families, or may have no family back home. So even one letter or card can make a world of difference.

Bruce Patterson, DMD Kenneth Nogacek, DMD Melissa Nogocek, DMD Jason Campbell, DDS Ross D. Sanfilippo, DMD

Dr. Jason R. Campbell • Dr. Melissa J. Nogacek • Dr. Kenneth P. Nogacek • Dr. Ross D. Sanfilippo

Charities whose missions support veterans, active military, and their families

The support Americans have for their armed forces is evident in how much they donate each year to charities with military-related missions. According to Charity Navigator, Americans donate more than $2.5 billion annually to charities with missions dedicated to the military.

Individuals who want to donate to a charitable organization with a military-related mission may not know where to start, and that can be daunting given the number of organizations that fit that criteria. Charity Navigator indicates there are more than 40,000

American charities with military-related missions, which underscores how difficult it can be to find one to support. Thankfully, Charity Navigator, which has provided donors with free access to data, tools and resources to guide their philanthropic decision-making since 2001, has curated a list of highly rated organizations that provide a variety of services to military members and their families. The following is a brief rundown of that list that can serve as a solid foundation for prospective donors. The full list can be found at charitynavigator.org.

MILITARY SOCIAL SERVICES

AMVETS National Service Foundation amvetsnsf.org

Hire Heroes USA hireheroesusa.org

Honor Flight Network honorflight.org

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America iava.org

Operation Gratitude operationgratitude.com

Operation Healing Forces operationhealingforces.org

Soldiers’ Angels soldiersangels.org

The Mission Continues missioncontinues.org

WOUNDED TROOPS

Air Warrior Courage Foundation airwarriorcourage.org

MILITARY FAMILY

SUPPORT

Army Emergency Relief armyemergencyrelief.org

DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Charitable Service Trust cst.dav.org

Fisher House Foundation fisherhouse.org

Higher Ground highergroundusa.org

Homes for Our Troops hfotusa.org

K9s for Warriors k9sforwarriors.org

Operation Second Chance operationsecondchance.org

Wounded Warrior Project woundedwarriorproject.org

Yellow Ribbon Fund yellowribbonfund.org

Blue Star Families bluestarfam.org

Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation fallenpatriots.org

Folds of Honor foldsofhonor.org

Operation Homefront operationhomefront.org

Our Military Kids ourmilitarykids.org

Travis Manion Foundation travismanion.org

VFW National Home for Children vfwnationalhome.org

Finding HumanConnection This Military

Military Appreciation Month is an annual reminder to honor the sacrifices and contributions of the people who serve in the U.S. military, and to recognize the importance of the support networks and camaraderie that boost their morale throughout their journey.

This year, the USO is continuing its long history of bridging understanding between service members and civilians with its “Human to Human” campaign, which is intended to build empathy for the sacrifices made by service members

and their families, and to highlight the human aspect of military service.

As part of the campaign, the USO brought together seven pairs of strangers at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Each pair consisted of one service member and one civilian, asking each other questions printed on cards the USO provided. As they sat across from one another with both excitement and nervousness, neither knew what role the other played. These facts would later be discovered — not with the “big reveal” of a reality show, but

AppreciationMonth

through the natural connections they made.

The conversations were surprising, powerful and unifying, with moments of realization, connection and even a few tears. Civilians who participated say they walked away from the experience with a new understanding of how service members find strength in the support of others.

MAY IS MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH!

Send a message of gratitude and support to those who serve.

Appreciation Month and beyond , honor past and presentmilitarymembersandtheirfamiliesbylearning more about the hu m an aspect of their service. (StatePoint) Here are a few ways you can join the USO in celebrating service members:

Watch the “Human to Human” video to experience the connection between service members and civilians when they discover they are more alike than they expected.

Spread awareness and show appreciation for the people who serve in America’s military in person and online. Use the hashtag #MilitaryAppreciationMonth.

Make a donation to the USO to help support programming that benefits members of the military, and to receive a USO T-shirt, so you can showcase that you’re a military supporter.

U.S. Coast Guard Academy MWR Program

DISCOUNTED

By Jennifer Carmichael

TRAVEL, BOWLING,

AND MORE

The United States Coast Guard Morale, Well-Being, and Recreation (MWR) program in New London provides recreational opportunities and information to military personnel. The only MWR program in Connecticut and Rhode Island, it features an array of offerings, from discounted tickets to events, museums, and attractions to an on-base bowling alley and equipment rentals. There is something for everyone.

“MWR is a melting pot of a lot of programs and activities that are developed and created geographically based on the needs of the people within your region,” says Paula Springer, Recreation Director of MWR, who notes that the program serves anyone currently in the military or who has served, including Academy cadets, officers, and enlisted service personnel. In addition, civilian faculty and staff are also considered eligible patrons.

“Every person who walks in the door might have a different interest or need. We pride ourselves in making every effort to answer their questions, find solutions to their problems, and fill a void for someone who may be away from home for the first time,” continues Springer.

MWR constantly researches fun things to do, saving people time and money. In partnership with the U.S. Navy Subbase, it sends out a weekly e-newsletter highlighting weekend happenings, whether a concert at Mohegan Sun, hiking trails, or a Providence Bruins minor league hockey game. The program works with the local community, including Parks and Recreation, Chamber of Commerce, and businesses referring people to tourist attractions like Mystic Aquarium and Mystic Seaport as well as vacation destinations throughout New England and beyond.

“If you came into our office and asked about things to do in Illinois, we have access to a military ticket database that

can pull up attractions with military discounts,” says Springer. “Or, if you came to us and said, ‘I want to go to Dollywood in Tennessee,’ we can look at the database and sell you tickets so that you have them in hand at a discounted price before even making your vacation plans. Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort offer generous discounts.”

Along with a discount ticket and travel program, the MWR program at the Academy boasts a snack bar, coffee shop, and catering facility; a six-lane bowling alley; and a nationally accredited early childhood education facility owned, operated, and managed by the Coast Guard, which can accommodate up to 100 children. If you’re planning a backyard party, various equipment, such as canopy tents, tables, chairs, and lawn mowers, are available for rent. And kayaks and canoe rentals are options too.

For more information, visit cgamwr.com

A Chaplain’s Calling

The SUBASE’s Command Chaplain plays a critical role in supporting sailors’ well-being and spirituality

prayer meetings on base. They provide confidential counsel to active-duty sailors who may be struggling with stressors associated with service and mental-health challenges. Contributed photo.

Active-duty service members and their families epitomize sacrifice. To support their wellbeing and spirituality, military chaplains stand at the ready to provide religious services, confidential counseling, and meaningful connections to mental health service providers and veteran mentors.

At the Naval Submarine Base in New London, the Chaplain Center has a motto: “Everyone Matters, Everywhere, Every Day!” The Day asked Command Chaplain Gene Matthew Monnin Jr. about his role leading the center.

“In the Navy, we view serving as a Navy chaplain as a ‘call within a call.’ Every chaplain is an ordained clergyperson from his or her religious organization first. That is our primary calling. However, we also recognize a secondary calling—one that motivates us to live our primary calling here in the Navy. So, I’m like every other chaplain in that regard: I was an Evangelical pastor who wanted to serve,” he reflected.

Active-duty sailors represent the diversity of the nation they serve, including an array of religious faiths.

“The Constitution enshrines an individual’s right to live consistently with their religious beliefs without government interference, which means military service branches ensure members have access to opportunities to exercise their convictions in the manner and form that fits their faith,” Chaplain Monnin explained. “Navy Chaplains could be considered the guarantors of that First Amendment right, and our primary mission is to provide religious services in accordance with our own faith traditions, and to facilitate access to religious services for everyone else who might not share our specific faith. So, no matter what faith a chaplain is, he or she always works to support everyone’s right to their own religious expression.”

“In the Navy, [we] promote the ideal of readying ourselves in mind, body and spirit—all three together compose the total person,” he explained. “When people seek a chaplain for confidential counsel, we often start by helping them see the invisible lines that connect the dots between these different aspects of their life. Once we help them realize how important each is, we usually attempt to strengthen their innate desire to grow and seek stability by fighting the stigma formerly associated with help-seeking behaviors with the reality that every single human being will struggle, to some degree, with their mental health at some point in their lives.”

In addition to Sunday services, the chaplains host other in-person events, including prayer breakfasts, story time for children, and chili cookoffs. The Chaplain Center administers the “Adopt-A-Sailor” program each Thanksgiving, which pairs sailors and students at the Basic Enlisted Submarine School with local veteran or active-duty families for Thanksgiving dinner.

“While the bulk of our work revolves around acute interventions— sailors seeking us out in desperation because of traumatic experiences or upsetting life circumstances—we do get the blessing of sharing in the victories of our people, too,” he said. He’s been asked to officiate weddings, perform baptisms, and deliver retirement prayers.

“The Navy Chaplain role is not all about religion though,” he noted. Chaplains also provide confidential counseling to service members grappling with stressors and crises.

“All of it touches my heart deeply, because in most cases, these were those who sought me out originally, because they were in pain and desperately needed to connect with someone who genuinely cared,” he continued. “Now, the fruit of that is many lifelong friendships that transcend our uniform and rank, and extend beyond the scope of service. Like I said, I treasure each day and every one of those members, and applaud how they overcame to get to where they are today.”

Chaplain Gene Matthew Monnin, Jr. is the Command Chaplain at the Naval Submarine Base New London. Contributed photo.

In addition to Sunday and holiday services, the chaplains also host

The base chaplains lead Sunday and holiday services for active-duty service members and their families. Contributed photo.

Celebrating the Resilience of Military Children

Life in the U.S. Armed Forces can be challenging, especially for the youngest members of the nation’s military community: the 1.6 million children of service members. From constant change and uncertainty, to being uprooted every few years and finding their place in a new school with each new location, to their service member parent deploying suddenly for months – or even years – at a time, these realities of military life can take a toll.

“Military children go through many experiences that most children don’t go through,” said military spouse and mother Jessica McLaughlin. “Having to leave their friends and everything they know to move across the world presents a different set of challenges.”

The United Service Organizations (USO) is raising awareness about the specific challenges these so-called “military brats” face, and highlighting the invaluable role they play in the military community.

Military families can find year-round support and entertainment at many of the over 250 USO locations around the globe, where kid-friendly activities are designed to help them make friends with fellow military kids, or bond with their families. When stationed far from everything familiar, be that stateside or in distant locations overseas, these centers are a home-away-from-home, where military kids are surrounded by a supportive community and other military children who understand the unique challenges they face. Programs for military children, such as arts and crafts, game nights, cooking classes and scavenger hunts, are designed to offer a little fun so that they can forget, even briefly, the stress of life as a military child.

By age 9, Victoria Hegedusich has lived in California, Maine and Japan, and she’ll most likely move four or five more times before she graduates high school, as military families, on average, move every 2.5 years. Hegedusich and her family are frequent visitors at the USO Yokosuka Center in Japan, where they make use of the free Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, snacks, books and games, as well as take part in events and programs geared specifically to families and children.

“The USO is really fun. I like coming here to do the activities,” Hegedusich said, who has especially loved any events and programs that involve science.

To learn more about the life of military children and discover ways you can help support them, visit uso.org

Military children are resilient, and thanks to programming just for them, they can feel grounded and appreciated, wherever they are. (StatePoint)

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VETERANS RALLY POINT: Rebuilding Lives, Bodies, and Minds

By Jennifer Carmichael

From yoga and pottery classes to peer meet-ups and therapy sessions, Easterseals—Veterans Rally Point offers many opportunities for active military, National Guard, Reserve, Veterans, and their families. Located at 24 Stott Avenue in Norwich and opened by Easterseals Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut in 2021, the 18,000-square-foot facility offers something for all members to enjoy free of charge.

Families serving a career in the military often move every three to four years. When stationed at a new base, they are provided housing, shopping centers, schools, and recreational activities. This allows them to settle in quickly and enjoy their time at the new location while fulfilling their military duties. However, Marriott points out that after

Veterans Rally Point offers a sense of community. “People here understand them.”

“We really are looking at serving the whole person, rebuilding lives, bodies, and minds”

– Lori Marriott, Director of Easterseals—Veterans Rally Point

“The center is the first in the state and a model for others nationwide, thanks to a $2.5 million state grant,” says Lori Marriott, Director of Easterseals—Veterans Rally Point.

“It is a one-stop shop for the services that they need all in one building.”

retiring, some veterans may find it challenging to adjust to civilian life in their new community.

“When people walk through the doors, they say that they feel like they are back on base where everything was available in one place,” says Marriott, who notes that

A typical Monday consists of a Computer 101 class at 9:30 a.m. in the computer lab, an AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) meeting at 12:15 p.m., and an employment workshop hosted by Electric Boat from 12 p.m.–1 p.m. Other days offer open pottery, wood shop, and sewing in the Makerspace or yoga nidra, a gentler yoga for all fitness levels, in the Wellness Studio. Those who can’t participate due to physical limitations are encouraged to come and sit in the room to work on breathwork and mindfulness. The fitness center is a popular spot, attracting younger veterans, and also offers an indoor rock climbing wall.

At the heart of Veterans Rally Point is one on one

support. Whether seeking a new piece of apparel from the Clothing Closet for a job interview to money management and medical screenings, the center offers a thoughtful one-on-one customized service model, tailored specifically to each individual’s unique needs.

Providing mental health services is a priority. In addition to individual therapy sessions, a weekly peer meet-up offers a network of support for people to connect and exchange ideas.

“We really are looking at serving the whole person, rebuilding lives, bodies, and minds,” notes Marriott. “Sometimes when people get out of the military they don’t know where to turn. It’s never too late to ask for help whether it’s something that you’ve been dealing with for 50 years or five weeks ago.”

For more information, visit veteransrallypoint.com or call 860-859-4148.

MILITARY RESOURCES

Connecticut Department of Veterans’ Affairs: 860-616-3600, ct.gov/ctva

CT DVA Veterans Info Line: 866-9CT VETS (866-928-8387)

Medals/Registry: 860-616-3685

Military Documents: 860-616-3685

Burial/Cemetery Services at the State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown: 860-616-3688 or 3689

VA CT Women Veterans Program: 203-932-5711

Veterans Service Officer Norwich District: 860-887-9162

Sgt. John L. Levitow Veterans Healthcare Center (for long-term care): 860-616-3708

Residential Facility, Veterans Home (temporary, rehabilitative care): 860-616-3801

Substance abuse support, Veterans Home: 860-616-3831

Information line: 2-1-1, ask for Military/Veteran Listings Easterseals Veterans Rally Point Program: 860-270-0600

COUNSELING

Connecticut Military Support Program 866-251-2913 or 860-418-6979

Coaching Into Care 888-823-7458; CoachingIntoCare@va.gov

Brain Injury Alliance of Connecticut 860-219-0291; biact.org

National 24/7 Suicide Prevention Lifeline Call or text 988

EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE & FUNDING

American Legion Connecticut Soldiers, Sailors and Marines Fund 860-296-0719 or toll-free 844-454-8900; alctssmf.org

Military Family Relief Fund 860-524-4968 or 860-524-4953

connecticut.networkofcare.org

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society 800-654-8364; nmcrs.org

EMPLOYMENT

Apprenticeships for Veterans 860-263-6085; dol.apprenticeship@ct.gov

Connecticut Department of Labor, Veterans Programs 860-263-6514; www.ctdol.state.ct.us/veterans

U.S. Department of Labor, Veterans Employment & Training Wethersfield office: 860-263-6490; dol.gov/agencies/vets

FINANCES

Connecticut Housing Finance Authority Military & Veteran Mortgage Program 860-721-9501; chfa.org

U.S. Small Business Administration

Veterans Business Outreach Center of New England 844-404-2172, info.VBOC@cweonline.org; vbocnewengland.org

Connecticut National Guard Foundation 860-241-1550; ctngfi.org

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society 800-654-8364; nmcrs.org

HOMELESSNESS

National Coalition for Homeless Veterans 202-546-1969, info@nchv.org; 24/7 crisis line: 877-424-3838; nchv.org

VA Homeless Veterans Care Coordinator (for veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless) 203-479-8041; Maureen.Pasko@va.gov

LEGAL

Connecticut Veterans Legal Center 203-794-4291; ctveteranslegal.org

Connecticut Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve 860-524-4970; esgr.mil

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society 800-654-8364, officeadmin@nmcrs.org; nmcrs.org

Veterans Base Camp Chaplin, CT; 860-786-7163; info@veteransbasecampinc.org; veteransbasecampinc.org

SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Connecticut Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services

Military Support Program: 866-251-2913 or 860-418-6979

Veterans Recovery Center: 860-616-3832

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs CT Healthcare System: West Haven campus 203-932-5711

Errera Community Care Center, West Haven 203-932-5711 x1361 connecticut.va.gov or facebook.com/VAConnecticut

John J. McGuirk VA Outpatient Clinic Shaw’s Cove, New London; 860-437-3611

Norwich Vet Center 2 Cliff St., Norwich; 860-887-1755