The Changing Needs of Veterans
As we honor and remember D-Day 80 years ago this past week, as well as the heroes of that world-changing event, we must address our veterans and their quality of life after their service and sacrifices. June is PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder) Awareness Month. PTSD, along with traumatic brain injury, hearing loss, and illnesses caused by toxic exposure and other injuries, can show up later and affect any stage of life for a man or a woman who has served and been in harm’s way. Unaddressed trauma can have serious and even devastating effects on relationships, families, careers, and day-to-day functioning. El Paso County Commission District 4 and our whole community need quality resources for a wide range of services needed to address these and a great deal of problems facing our veterans today. As the spouse of a veteran and an elected representative on the Fountain City Council, I am keenly aware of the fact that at least 60% of the population in El Paso County’s Commission District 4 is a member of the military or have some relationship to the military community to include their dependents or survivors. The census shows us that 1 in 5 people living in El Paso County are veterans. El Paso County’s Commission District 4 includes many of our strategic bases or posts: Fort Carson, Peterson Field, and Shriever Air Force Base. Because we live and work in a beautiful region many of our soldiers and airmen and women choose to stay in El Paso County when they separate from service. However, there is a problem in our community as we lack many of the services that are desperately needed for our increasing veteran population. I believe that our county and our community should have a wide range of opportunities to assist our nation’s heroes. A top priority for me has been and will continue to be to work with our veterans and their family members to provide the services they need including the VA benefits they were promised when they put on the uniform to protect our freedoms and our way of life. It is unacceptable that veterans must wait 4-6 weeks for an appointment to receive VA services. Our community is desperate for more access to veterans’ services. Veterans are facing many challenges in their lives and need support. Like most of our citizens, our veterans are impacted by our poor economy and everincreasing inflation. Fuel costs are up a staggering 48%, affordable housing is unavailable and a 29% increase in the price of bread alone makes just putting a meal on the table out of reach for our veterans and their families as well as for all our citizens. Working with service organizations such as Mt. Carmel and other providers, I would like to explore the expansion of veterans’ services for El Paso County. While it is a step in the right direction and I am excited about SB24-109 (Continue Colorado Veterans’ Service to Career Program) which extended for 3 years employment pathways for veterans, it is my hope and goal to work with the Legislature to create more programs like this worthy initiative.
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