Aloha,
“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friend.”(John 15:13).
It is fitting to remember Jesus’ words this Memorial Day weekend as we honor those who gave their lives in the service of our country. The passage also provides us the opportunity to thank all veterans who have dedicated themselves for our freedom.
Many veterans return from combat physically or psychologically wounded. Far too many of them end up homeless. According to the National Coalition for the Homeless (www.nationalhomeless.org), one of every three homeless men in the United States is a veteran. They deserve our support.
The diocesan Office for Social Ministry was invited recently to the opening blessing of the Institute for Human Services’ Veterans Engaged in Transition House. The VET House provides a temporary home for veterans seeking permanent housing and self-sustainability. It is a safe and nourishing environment that provides support services to help their move back into the community. VET House is a place where veterans can heal and find strength to thrive again.
Institute for Human Services executive director Connie Mitchell said, “Not being a veteran myself, I could never know what it’s like to live up to an oath of serving in the military, or putting my life on the line to defend our nation, but it doesn’t keep me from being deeply grateful for those people who serve and trying to learn more about what an individual veteran’s needs might be.”
For more about VET House and how you can support veterans struggling to overcome homelessness, visit these websites: Institute for Human Services, www.ihshawaii.org; Catholic Charities Hawaii, www.catholiccharitieshawaii.org; HOPE Services Hawaii, www.hopeserviceshawaii.org; and the United States Veterans Initiative, www.usvetsinc.org.
Mahalo,
Your friends at the Office for Social Ministry
