Happy Holidays from Veterans Advantage

The holiday season and the New Year’s celebrations are a special time of year for all of us. This year, we are grateful that our troops have returned from Iraq to their families and friends. We owe an enormous debt to these young men and women and their families for their service and sacrifice. We welcome them home with open arms and thank them for their service. Yet, we recognize that as they re-integrate back into American society, they face special challenges. We all want to help, but how do we organize ourselves to provide the needed support?

I urge you to read Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen’s article this week for Veterans Advantage, “Anticipating 2012, Engaging Communities” that provides a blueprint for how communities can respond to the needs of returning troops. For more information about the Community Blueprint Network, visit http://www.handsonnetwork.org/community-blueprint.

Please share your views on how we can support the troops as they return home with your fellow members on Veterans Advantage’s Facebook page.

Please accept our warmest holiday wishes – from Lin and me, the Veterans Advantage Board of Advisors, our benefit partners, and staff. We thank you and your family members for your service to our country, and are honored to serve you.