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Wisconsin Veterans Affairs secretary urges community support for veterans at Verona Senior Center
Summary
Secretary James Bond urged Verona residents to support veterans' transition to civilian life, highlighted the WDVA BORP outreach (11 coordinators covering 72 counties) and promoted the 'be the 1' suicide-prevention effort during a Veterans Day address at the Verona Senior Center.
Secretary James Bond, head of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, told a Veterans Day gathering at the Verona Senior Center that the occasion is for celebration and renewed commitments to support veterans in the community.
"We don't just observe Veterans Day, we celebrate it," Bond said, thanking hosts, fellow veterans and families. He framed the holiday as a moment to recognize veterans' service and called attention to problems some face after leaving the military, including homelessness, unemployment and mental-health struggles.
Bond described the department's outreach work, saying the outreach and recovery program known as BORP has 11 outreach coordinators serving all 72 Wisconsin counties to connect at-risk veterans with local and regional resources. He emphasized suicide-prevention efforts and cited partnership with the Wisconsin American Legion and Auxiliary and their 'be the 1' initiative.
"One is just too many," Bond said of veteran suicide, urging the audience that "if you know a veteran who is struggling, I encourage you to step up and be the 1 for them." He stressed that community-based efforts and partnerships save lives and called on attendees to renew a communal obligation to ensure veterans have the support and opportunity they have earned.
Bond also praised Verona and Wisconsin for the community relationships and services that help veterans thrive, and closed his remarks by thanking the audience.
The remarks were delivered as part of a Verona Senior Center Veterans Day program that included recognition of the center's contributions and presentations by the Quilts of Valor organization.
