Veterans Service Reflection

A few weeks ago I had an amazing opportunity to attend a seminar that informed me about issues that are taking place within our military. During the Thank you for Your Service presentation there was a video screening followed by a panel discussion. This seminar was very informative to me because I was not aware of all the services that our active military members and veterans need and are not receiving. As a student studying social work this presentation made want to be able to work with our veterans to help get them the resources that they need, and as an American I felt sadden at the fact that our men and women who are coming home from war do not receive help or information that will allow them to readjust to life after war.

The film “Thank

There was a lot of talk after the film about what service the Veteran Association (V.A.) provide for our veterans. In the textbook it talks about issues that affect veterans once they come home from war. For example it states that “The VA, the only federal agency to offer direct assistance provides a variety of initiatives that address issues of homelessness among veterans” (DuBois, 2014). I made this connection because Rochester has a large homeless population and within the population are a good amount of veterans. Why this is important is because there are multiple different agencies and organizations that deal with issues like homelessness, but there is only one federal agency to provide services for all of our veterans across the country. Some of the services that the VA offer in regards to our veterans are outreach to those living on the streets/ shelters to those who would not look for assistance by themselves, clinical assistance and medical treatment, and a few other services. However; as a whole organization the VA offers a variety of difference resources for veterans and their families that deal with mental health issues, physical problems, helping with consculing for both the veteran and their families, financial assistance, etc. I was also able to make a connection to the film and panel to a guest speaker that came into talk with our class. Ron Hughes, BSW came from the VOC and warrior salute, he talked to us about the problems that are occurring among veterans and what his role is to help this issues. Hughes himself is a veteran and he goes into his clients homes to help assess what triggers their PTSD, and work with them to help learn how to manage it. I found this to be very special because Hughes is a veteran himself and he is spending his time working with other veterans to help them improve their