Gas and food cards to aid travel to health care appointments, housing in just about every community, grant applications for organizations that are a challenge to complete, and then to report back on, and small counties that lack staff expertise and time are some of the ongoing challenges facing the Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
For the first time (Herald, April 6), its governing board held its monthly meeting in Ignacio on Friday at the invitation of Howard Richards, a tribal member in his first year who is a Vietnam veteran and past chairman of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe.
There were success stories, of recent Vietnam Veterans Day events, and of one-on-one assistance that put a veteran on his feet and in a better direction, but the needs are clearly a challenge. Many of the veterans who need assistance are older, are Vietnam veterans, which adds to the issues, and scattered in small numbers across large areas of Colorado. Linking needs with distant services, almost veteran by veteran, is a challenge.
In 2024, almost $900,000 was distributed via grants to organizations in all or almost all of the counties to deliver health care and well-being, family counseling, recreation and therapeutic activities, emergency and mental health services to approximately 3,800 veterans, according to the department’s annual report.
Richards is the board’s first Indigenous member, and there was praise for the tour he arranged of the Southern Ute Tribe’s Cultural Center and Museum and the exposure to some of the aspects of tribal life and the reservation. It was the first time many board members had ever visited an Indian reservation.
The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe was also represented for the events. Many veterans don’t need the department’s many services, perhaps at least not at an early age, but for those who do, the many organizations that the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs supports is reassuring. The numbers may be small, but it looks as though good work is being done.
Even so, veterans sacrificed for our country and some came home physically and mentally wounded. It continues to be shameful that our government, after decades of service for many, still cannot adequately support these men and women.
