Memorial Day USA: Risk Serving Those Who Serve...

On this Memorial Day weekend in the United States; we need a revived and committed public to "Serving Those Who Serve."

Thousands of veterans are continuously finding out what it means to serve in a time of war and then face many of the challenges of returning home. To family, friends and a new career.

There are dozens of new ways you can "Serve Those Who Serve" and we are not just talking about the number of new charitable organizations. These new ways to assist veterans are increasing on a daily basis. The consumer and the corporation need to address the Operational Risks associated with volunteering time, resources and funds as you choose your respective facet of serving.

For those who have a focus on turning those vital military skill-sets towards those victims of our global disasters and growing nation state discourse, there are organizations such as Team Rubicon.

Team Rubicon unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with medical professionals to rapidly deploy emergency response teams into crisis situations. 

Team Rubicon Saves Lives.

Since its creation in January 2010, TR has impacted thousands of lives – in Haiti, Chile, Burma, Pakistan, Sudan, Ukraine, and here at home, in Vermont, Maryland, Missouri, California, Alabama and so many others. TR reaches victims outside the scope of where traditional aid organizations venture; victims on the fringe. 

Team Rubicon Engages Veterans.

Hundreds of US military veterans, many returning home after fighting years of war, find a renewed sense of purpose for their skills and experiences through TR.

I’m not a veteran or a medical professional…how can I volunteer for Team Rubicon? 

"While Team Rubicon responds to natural disasters in the US and around the world, disasters are not all that they do. Throughout the year Team Rubicon conducts community service projects, fundraisers, and outreach to potential supporters and donors. These are a few examples where TR can utilize the expertise of the following skills: event organizers, fundraisers, training specialists, graphic designers, photographers, video editing specialists, and administrative specialists."

Team Rubicon's slogan "Bridging the Gap" is a theme that all of us can use as a basis for this 2023 Memorial Day celebration and beyond. How can you serve those who serve with the skills and assets you possess, to make a difference? 

Maybe it is the Wounded Warrior Project, Got Your 6, Tunnel to Towers Foundation or even Dogs on Deployment.

Remembering those who have died for their country to preserve our way of life is what much of what Memorial Day is all about.

Using Charity Navigator as a tool to find out more about who you are working with or donating your money to, will be a good first step. Yet this is only one way to determine what the right place for your particular interests, skills and resources may be. This will give you more information on how a charity is utilizing your donated dollar and how much goes to overhead or executives administration.

So how will you make a difference? What will you do, to "Serve Those Who Serve"? Why are you doing it? Once you answer these questions, you will be well on your way to a more fulfilling life. What ever it may be or where ever you may find yourself, never forget. Never forget why we serve:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.