Conference on Military Veterans

Dear Neighbors,

I attended a collaborate session by the VA today at Hanscom Air Base with surrounding community groups from businesses, religious, and other healthcare providers.  Some of the topics that were discussed was how the VA and the communities the veterans live in can communicate better to serve the veteran.  The first thing that was noted is that you do not have to be a veteran to help a veteran and that other institutions can help the veteran besides the VA.  The religious groups especially spoke to this.  One past military chaplain said that veterans often turn to clergy because it does not carry the stigma of "going to the VA".  Another woman from an outside agency said that in order to help veterans (which she expressed that she would like to do said she needs someone to teach her the "language".  The VA is going to try and reach out to the community at large so that veterans can be served by non-veterans and non-VA institutions where they live. 
Please help them achieve their goal.

Respectfully,
Jeanne Martin