Jeffrey Blonder

Nobody knows better the grit and sacrifice military service requires than those who donned the uniform and the families who stand behind them. That’s why they make the best veterans advocates. But they cannot be their only advocates.

In exchange for the bravery shown by the men and women who raise their hands and sign a blank check, we as Americans make a sacred promise: to help make all those forever changed by military service. This 70th Veterans Day, let us remember our obligation and meet it head-on.

The upholding of the promise we make takes many shapes. In its most basic form, it requires that when service members are made ill or injured as a result of their service, we agree to ensure that they have the health care, benefits and other resources needed to heal. Oftentimes, this is a lifelong commitment, as the wounds fade but never go away.

But ensuring veterans can transition back to civilian life and lead fulfilling, meaningful lives despite the trials of their service takes more than medical care. That’s because service members sacrifice more than their physical and mental health. They give up years when they could be building families and careers and often return to a nation that doesn’t understand or fully appreciate their service.

To properly support and honor them, it takes a village—or in this case, a country—of people working in big and small ways, from on the ground in local communities to Capitol Hill in Washington. If that task seems daunting, let Amelia Marcum show you how possible, and how rewarding, it can be.

Amelia is a direct descendant of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians in North Dakota. The 21-year-old comes from a long line of veterans, including her great-grandad who served on the USS Samuel B. Roberts (the “Sammy B”) and survived shark-infested waters during World War II. Or her great-uncle, a Purple Heart recipient who served in the Korean War.

When Amelia learned that Native Americans like her family members serve in the military at the highest rate among ethnic groups, she wanted to support, honor and be a part of that legacy.

Recognizing that Native Americans are so often underrecognized and underserved, Amelia developed and wrote a resource guide for Native American veterans. Intended to connect those veterans with all of the resources and benefits available to them, the guide is now used by all five tribal veterans service centers across the state of North Dakota.

In gratitude for her efforts, DAV (Disabled American Veterans), a more than century-old nonprofit that serves as the congressionally chartered voice of America’s disabled veterans, awarded Amelia its top scholarship for young volunteers. Unsurprisingly, Amelia plans to use the award to complete college and pursue a career in public service.

Amelia is an example that you don’t have to be a veteran to help veterans. She gives a glimpse into the myriad ways we can step up and help keep the promise to those who served.

As a national organization with chapters across every state, DAV offers numerous ways for veterans and civilians to follow in Amelia’s footsteps. You can volunteer to drive veterans to and from medical appointments through the DAV Transportation Network or volunteer at your local Department of Veterans Affairs medical center. At volunteerforveterans.org, DAV also connects volunteers with veterans in need in their own communities.

So, this Veterans Day, say thank you to those who served, and honor them in kind.

DAV empowers veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. It is dedicated to a single purpose: keeping our promise to America’s veterans. DAV does this by ensuring that veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them, fighting for the interests of America’s injured heroes on Capitol Hill, providing employment resources to veterans and their families, and educating the public about the great sacrifices and needs of veterans transitioning back to civilian life. DAV, a nonprofit organization with nearly 1 million members, was founded in 1920 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932. For more information on the DAV’s programs contact Jeffrey Blonder at 617-967-6892.