Honor veterans by helping legitimate charities
USA Today | Nov. 7, 2011
There are many ways we honor members of the armed services. We rise and applaud them at sporting events, wiping our eyes at the sight of muscular young men with prosthetic legs. We hang banners from overpasses, welcoming home local men and women who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. We attach “Support Our Troops” stickers to our cars.
While symbolic measures are no doubt appreciated, veterans need much more than a standing ovation and a pat on the back.
Many are suffering from traumatic physical and emotional wounds. Civilian jobs are scarce. More than 135,000 veterans are homeless.
There are dozens of charities that claim to help veterans. You’ve probably received a phone call from some of them, or been solicited for donations at the grocery store. Sadly, though, the track record for veterans’ charities is poor, charity watchdogs say, for two reasons.
