Smyrna Veteran Honored for #StillServing Community

Smyrna veteran Chuck Mankin is being honored for dedication to country and community in the VFW #StillServing campaign. The national Veterans of Foreign Wars #StillServing campaign recognizes veterans who continue to serve in their community after the military.

A 20-year U.S. veteran, Mankin now facilitates a peer support group for veterans and first responders in the local community to help prevent veteran suicide. He does it because he knows firsthand how suffering in silence feels and wants to give others an outlet for their stress. As a volunteer first responder for 30 years and a military veteran he understands there are things that cannot be shared at home and what this group has seen and experienced is too much for most people to handle. Having a safe place to talk, vent and feel part of a group of brothers and sisters is important.

Mankin says if he can stop just one of the 22 veteran suicides that happen in the U.S. each day, he will feel complete.

VFW is pleased to recognize Chuck Mankin in the national VFW #StillServing campaign.

DID YOU KNOW:

• Veterans average nearly 30 percent more volunteer hours per year.
• Nearly 40 percent more veterans belong to a group working on community issues.
• Veterans are more like to be registered to vote (7 percent) and have recently voted (6 percent).
• Veterans outpace civilians 15 percent in charitable donations.

2021 Veterans Civic Health Index