Canton American Legion and Operation Not Forgotten Join Forces to Help Veterans

As the first in the country, American Legion Post 45 in Canton, GA is leading the way to implement a new, innovative program called Operation Not Forgotten – Vet Life Community.

The Canton Post, working with other governmental and non-profit groups, is a focal point within the county for veterans – especially those who are homeless – and their families. 

“Our veterans feel abandoned and alone. Their lives are ending much too soon, and communities across America are feeling the pain. Although our veterans served this country, our government does not provide enough help when a personal crisis occurs,” observes Jim Lindenmayer, American Legion Post 45 Director for Cherokee County Homeless Veterans.

“A good example is the case of Iraq war veteran Chris Dorsey, who was turned away from two U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs clinics in northern Georgia when he sought help for post-traumatic stress disorder,” Lindenmayer observed. Dorsey, a former Army specialist who served as a cavalry scout from 2001 to 2005, was deployed to Iraq for most of 2003.  

“In view of the 22 veterans who are committing suicide daily, it is inconceivable that any VA clinic would turn away a veteran — especially one seeking mental health care — without offering alternative options,” Lindenmayer said. Lindenmayer went on to say:  “Through the partnership between the American Legion and Operation Not Forgotten (ONF), we intend to create a sustainable framework to improve the lives of veterans and their families.”

Why Vet Life Communities?

“There is no other program like Vet Life Communities,” said Steve Schiffman, Executive Director of Operation Not Forgotten.” He went on to list several unique attributes of these model programs to help veterans:

• While most veteran centers such as those operated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, are located in major cities in each state, Vet Life Communities meet vets where they live and work.

• Since the Vet Life Communities are not connected to the federal government, all the “red tape” is eliminated. The people in local communities, who really care, and who see firsthand the needs of local veterans, now have a way to make a real difference.

• The Vet Life Community meetings use a peer-on-peer approach, and are completely confidential, which helps veterans share their emotional issues with other veterans who have similar experiences.

“One of the best tools of the ONF model is an on-line assessment tool that veterans can take in the privacy of their own home to help them determine various issues they need to deal with,” Lindenmayer points out. “With this unique survey instrument, they can identify the areas of their lives that need help, then join with other veterans to help provide solutions.”

ABOUT US

Operation Not Forgotten is a program of Life Renewed, a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in Douglasville, Georgia. For more information, go to:

https://operationnotforgotten.com/.

The American Legion is the largest veteran support group in the U.S. with Posts in 14,000 communities around the country with 2.4 million members.  For more information, go to: http://www.legion.org/.

The Vet Life Community meetings will begin in August and will be held at American Legion Post 45 located at 297 McClure St, Canton, GA.  All veterans and their families are invited to attend.

Note to Editors:  To read additional information on Chris Dorsey, who was turned away from two U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs clinics in northern Georgia, go to: http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local/video-shows-georgia-va-clinic-turn-away-iraq-war-v/nmpxj/