NJ Military Veterans Share Their Stories Ahead of Veterans Day

Military veterans gathered at the Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) of MetroWest Thursday, Nov. 8 to share their stories, ahead of Veterans Day, which will be observed this year on Monday, Nov. 12.

Some 25 veterans gathered at the JVS offices in East Orange for their weekly “Vets Helping Vets” support group which enables local veterans of military operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Vietnam, and other conflicts to network, receive healthcare case management and job training and placement assistance, and share their concerns with each other.

Veterans, especially in the decades since Vietnam, face a range of challenges once they return to civilian life: physical disabilities, mental health issues like post-traumatic stress disorder, substance-abuse problems, homelessness, and higher-than-average unemployment. Yet, these veterans say a lack of recognition and respect and a sense of isolation remain their most pressing challenges — so much so that across the United States, 22 veterans die by suicide per day.

The veterans served by JVS expressed hope that this Veteran’s Day, people will remember to reach out to the veterans in their midst, if only to learn more about their concerns and let them know people care, in addition to supporting organizations involved with veterans’ issues.

“This Veteran’s Day, we urge people to mark the holiday by simply listening to the stories of veterans they know,” said Wilfredo Rodriguez , a healthcare case manager and social worker with JVS, who works with local veterans. “Just by hearing the stories of veterans, you can remind them they are not alone.”

More than 400,000 military veterans reside in the state of New Jersey and comprise about five percent of the Garden State’s population. Though the vast majority are veterans of the war in Vietnam, about 54,000 are Korean War vets, 38,000 served in Afghanistan or Iraq, and 32,000 are survivors of World War II (though their average age is 92, and their numbers are rapidly declining).

Photo #1: Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) of MetroWest's Wilfredo Rodriquez, a healthcare case manager and social worker, and local veterans gathered at JVS of MetroWest's East Orange offices today ahead of Veterans Day.

Photo #2: Local veterans gathered at JVS of MetroWest's East Orange offices today ahead of Veterans Day for their weekly “Vets Helping Vets” support group.

Photo #3: Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) of MetroWest's Wilfredo Rodriquez, a healthcare case manager and social worker, and local veterans gathered at JVS of MetroWest's East Orange offices today ahead of Veterans Day.

Photo #4: Local veterans gathered at JVS of MetroWest's East Orange offices today ahead of Veterans Day for their weekly “Vets Helping Vets” support group.