Finding support, feeling connected, staying informed and keeping the camaraderie of the military alive once you leave active duty is a tough task for every veteran let alone a disabled veteran. Living with a disability may seem like a full time job – or a livelihood – that leaves little time for almost anything else. Connecting with a Veteran Service Organization (VSO) will assist you on many levels.
What Does a Veteran Service Organization Do?
Veteran Service Organizations exist to serve you and support your specific needs. Whether you are interested in reconnecting with your branch of service, networking with other veterans who share your disability, maximizing your VA benefits, learning more about current legislation or even researching the many programs in place to get you involved in recreation or employment. With histories dating back to many of America’s wars, and proven track records for putting veterans first, the following organizations, as well as a host of other local, regional and national VSO’s put the needs of the disabled veteran first.
AMVETS
AMVETS is a veteran support organization that focuses on veteran service and community service. Service officers provide professional advice on items such as earned veteran benefits, members spearhead legislative efforts on Capitol Hill and hospital volunteers support veterans and their families with a variety of hospital services. Scholarships, training and vocational assistance are also available. AMVETS’ aim is to contribute to and improve the quality of life of veterans in their local communities.
DAV
Disabled American Veterans is a 1.2 million member organization dedicated to building better lives for disabled veterans and their families nationwide. DAV was congressionally chartered as the official voice of the nation’s wartime disabled veterans including those who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. The organization operates a comprehensive network of volunteers who provide veterans free rides to and from VA medical facilities and improve care and morale for sick and disabled veterans and members provide grassroots advocacy and services in communities nationwide.
Paralyzed Veterans of America
Paralyzed Veterans of America is the only congressionally chartered veterans organization dedicated solely to serving the needs of spinal cord injury/dysfunction (SCI/D) veterans. PVA works to maximize the quality of life for its members and all people with SCI/D as a leading advocate for health care, research and education, benefits, accessibility and rights. PVA also offers sports programs, architectural building support and disability rights counseling and advocacy. The 35,000 members of PVA are supported by 61 National Service Offices and 34 PVA Chapters across the United States.
VFW
The Veterans of Foreign Wars, with its Auxiliaries, includes 2.2 million members in approximately 8,100 Posts worldwide. Its mission is to "honor the dead by helping the living" through veterans' service, community service, national security and a strong national defense. Annually, VFW members and its Auxiliary contribute more than 13 million hours of volunteerism in the community, including participation in Make a Difference Day and National Volunteer Week. VFW provides over $2.5 million in college scholarships to high school students every year and works to improve VA medical centers for veterans who receive care.
Wounded Warriors Project
The Wounded Warriors Project honors and empowers wounded warriors from America’s conflicts. The organization raises awareness, enlists the public’s aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women, networks severely injured service members and provides unique programs and services to meet the needs of severely injured service members. Wounded Warriors Project provides legislative advocacy, care giving retreats, coping and family services, transition training, vocational assistance and offers sports and recreational programs to wounded warriors.
Making sense of these (and other) organization’s acronyms and learning their missions will help you reconnect. Find an organization that’s right for you and get involved. Your involvement will pay dividends.
Other noteworthy VSO Links
American Legion www.legion.org
Blinded Veterans Association www.bva.org
Cold War Veterans Association www.coldwarveterans.com
Korean War Veterans Association www.kwva.org
Marine Corps League www.mcleague.org
Vietnam Veterans of America www.vva.org
See Related Articles
For more information about healthcare and disability benefits for disabled veterans, see The VA Health Care System Offers Special Disability Benefits.
See Disabled Veteran Families Helped Through VA Programs to learn more about resources for disabled veterans and their families.
