Listening to Veterans, Building Community through Inclusion

By Brian Frain, GCC Board Member

For the majority of my life, I've been aware and in awe of veterans. My grandfather received a Purple Heart as a member of the US Army Infantry Division that landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day. Through college and my early 20s, I had several friends who served tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, I never really got an understanding of what they went through while deployed, nor did I take the time to sit down and ask questions. I always got the feeling that they didn't want to share the stories of their experiences, so I simply admired and appreciated what they did to serve our country and left it at that.

I share all this backstory to give context to the fact that the GCC's Supporting Our Veterans community education event was the first time I ever had the opportunity to listen to first-hand experiences from people who lived the deployed life.

Looking around the room, it was clear that the personal stories, jokes, and lingo shared during the evening resonated strongly with the veterans and their families. Although I didn't have first-hand experience to connect with those moments, I came away from the event understanding the importance of giving veterans an opportunity to share their experiences and listen to one another. The vast majority of the people in attendance were new to our events, and I was grateful to see so many new faces connecting with our speakers.

The whole point of our community education series is to expose ourselves and our members to different viewpoints. To expose ourselves and our members to stories and voices that open our eyes to experiences outside of our own.

I had the realization that this is truly what inclusion looks like. I didn't have to personally connect with the experiences in order for the lessons to be meaningful to me. What matters is that I heard it, I learned from it, and I appreciated how much it meant to those who lived those experiences. Our unique life experiences that each one of us has are what build a community.

Key Takeaways & Action Steps for Supporting Veterans

Veterans bring invaluable experience, resilience, and leadership to our communities, but too often, their skills and needs go unrecognized. This event shed light on the realities of military service, the challenges veterans face during transition, and the many ways we can step up to support them. Whether you're an employer, neighbor, or fellow advocate, here are some powerful actions you can take today.

Recognize the Local Veteran Community

Over 8,000 veterans live in Washington County. Awareness is the first step toward meaningful support.

Challenge Misconceptions About Military Service

Many civilians misunderstand what military service entails, which can lead to overlooking veterans' highly transferable skills. Let’s shift the narrative and see veterans as valuable assets in the workforce.

Hire Veterans: It’s One of the Best Ways to Support Them

Employment is empowerment. Consider veterans for roles where their discipline, leadership, and adaptability shine.

Connect with Your County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO)

Every Wisconsin county and each of the 11 federal tribes has a CVSO (83 in total) ready to help veterans access benefits, healthcare, housing, education, and more.

Promote the DoD SkillBridge Program

This initiative allows active-duty service members to gain civilian work experience during their final 180 days of service. It’s a win-win for veterans and employers.

Trust the VA—Especially in Milwaukee

The Milwaukee VA partners with Froedtert specialists to provide excellent care tailored to veterans’ unique needs. Despite lingering stigma, the care is high-quality and veteran-informed.

Encourage Veterans to Apply for VA Benefits

Too many veterans miss out on benefits they’ve earned. Help spread the word.

Honor the National Anthem

A simple yet powerful gesture: if you hear the anthem, pause and remove your hat. It’s a moment of respect that resonates deeply with many veterans.

Find Ways to Help Throughout the Year

Germantown American Legion Post 1 Commander, Kristi Bonnell, shared a packet that provides a wide variety of opportunities to support local organizations that are dedicated to helping veterans.