November is the Month of the Military Family, with events scheduled throughout the nation that give opportunities for communities to support military, veterans and their families.
With MFRI's help, Indiana communities are responding to at-risk veterans’ needs by staging Stand Downs, helping connect those who have served with the resources they have earned. These events help homeless and at-risk-for-being homeless veterans connect with a wide variety of services, including housing referrals, VA and medical benefit counselors, and access to employment resources. In 2013, more than 57,800 veterans were homeless on any given night, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban wwwelopment (HUD).
Since September, Stand Downs have been held across the state in South Bend, Michiana, Muncie, Marion, Churbusco and Anderson. In November, these events will be held in Jefferson (Nov. 5), Kokomo (Nov. 7), Tippecanoe County (Nov. 8), Terre Haute (Nov. 14) and Fort Wayne (Nov. 21).
Purdue University has a week full of military and veteran appreciation events, culminating in Military Appreciation Day on Saturday, Nov. 8 at Ross-Ade Stadium (Purdue vs. Wisconsin). You can tailgate beforehand, and then cheer on the Boilermakers as they play the Wisconsin Badgers, all the while honoring the men and women of our armed forces by wearing military-affiliated shirts, hats and gear. Tickets are available to veterans at the discounted price of $20.
One the events of Military and Veteran Appreciation week helps celebrate local service members, veterans and families with a luncheon on Tuesday, Nov. 4. at 11:45 a.m. at Bruno’s in West Lafayette. Rob Hughes, WLFI-TV sports anchor will emcee a program featuring major league baseball pitcher Josh Lindblom, local singing star Carli Edging and an area veteran sharing his service and Honor Flight experiences. Register today!
Beginning Nov. 10 and running through Nov. 14, the Tippecanoe County Military Resource Network, which is comprised of many community organizations, will hold a Military and Veterans Appreciation Week. The week aims to honor our veterans, active duty, National Guardsmen and Reservists who so honorably serve our nation, as well as their families who have endured great sacrifices. In addition, more than 700 organizations throughout Indiana have offered discounts to military-affiliated families for the week and in some cases for the entire year.
Our military members serve all of us every day. Their families serve as well. Veterans have spent countless hours in service to the nation before transitioning in the civilian world. We hope you will find a way to join us in some or all of the activities this community has planned. Let’s make this year the year that military-affiliated families truly know what they mean to our communities.