Veterans make up one of our most vital demographics within our neighborhoods near and far. Some are open to sharing and disclosing their levels of service while others shy away from the subject. The people we interact with daily, like the police officer, the truck driver, the florist, the construction worker, or even the neighbors on our block may have served our country, and we may not even know it. Simply put, Veteran issues matter…or do they?

 

According to New York State’s Office of the Aging, New York State has approximately 838,000 Veterans, and more than half of them are over 65 years of age. According to data from New York City Department of Veterans Services, there are 25,175 Bronx Veterans, 138,332 male Veterans citywide, and 12,592 female Veterans citywide. We may actually have more Veterans in our city, but do we know where all our Veterans are living?

 

Our Veterans continue to face challenges in The Bronx, such as food insecurity, problems with landlords, finding a place to live if unsheltered, getting discharge statuses upgraded, getting approval of disability statuses for the purpose of benefit entitlements, PTSD, mental health issues, substance abuse, and navigating portals designed for Veterans to enroll, renew, and receive services and resources.

 

There are additional issues other than those listed here, but the biggest areas of opportunity remain in Veteran engagement with residents who have not served, direct involvement with elected officials and their offices, and the process of getting Veterans enrolled with the VA to connect them to services.

 

There are public circles involving Veterans that help foster relationships with community partners, past and present, and some of the goals of such circles include identifying Veterans in our communities, connecting them to those who can provide them with help, information, and resources, and making recommendations that could positively impact Veterans to the City of New York, for consideration.

 

One small victory that was achieved last year was the passage of Bill 581-2023 in the city council, which now recognizes November as National Veterans Appreciation Month in New York City [as reported by Norwood News].

 

There are many people who play their part in this mission of helping our Veteran constituents. A few great people who have spent countless hours helping our Veterans include Army Veteran Pastor Crespo, Army Veteran Jeff Malone, Jr., Navy Veteran Joe Bello, Army Veteran Deahna Penn, and Navy Veteran Bernard Wright.

 

Our Veterans are people just like everyone else. They gave a lot for this country at the risk of their own lives. Our Veterans and their families should be helped, honored, and thanked. Some of the best ways that people can support our Veterans and their families include addressing their immediate needs, listening to them, understanding them both individually and collectively, and attending community meetings where Veterans affairs are openly discussed, such as at community board meetings, and at the city council’s public hearings.

 

Chad Royer is a resident of Fordham Manor and chair of Bronx Community Board 7’s Veterans Affairs Committee. Members of the City’s various community boards are unpaid volunteers who serve on various committees with the aim of addressing local issues, and sometimes advising on recommended courses of action.

 

Editor’s Note: A Memorial Day commemoration and flagging event to honor all U.S. veterans and active military is scheduled to take place at the Bronx Victory Memorial on Mosholu Parkway between Marion Avenue and Hull Avenue in Bedford Park on May 4 at 11 a.m. All are welcome.  Email Steven Ochoa Camacho at sochoacamacho@cb.nyc.gov or call (929) 496 7687 for more information.

 

Norwood News recently reported on an anniversary gathering to remember Iraq War Veteran Luis Moreno, who died at 19 in the line of duty, as well as on the last local Veterans Day commemoration. Click here to read our coverage of last year’s Memorial Day flagging event.