Vetaid National is a 501 (c) (3) corp.
Copyright 2008 VetAid National
Website Design By Bill Scheetz
Website Design By Bill Scheetz
Folks,
On the eve of this Veteran's Day - I find myself sitting at home - amazed at how far we have come - yet challenged by how far
we still have to go.
I have been honored and privileged to meet and work with so many fantastic people. You all know who you are - and you all
know how much I appreciate all you have done for my veterans.
Yesterday Wiregrass Hospice came to Saint Benedict's and presented all of us with an "Honored Veteran" pin - it was a
moving experience - and while the fine ladies from Wiregrass were presenting these pins to the veterans in our dining room
at Saint Benedict's - I found my mind wandering back to the men we have seen come through our doors over the last six
months - and wondering about the men who are yet to come. I amazed by the accomplishments of each of our supporters
who have brought us this far. Many people thank me for what I have done - yet my contribution has been little more than a
spark to get this fire going.
I look at a retired Marine First Sergeant and his grand children who have done so much for us. I think of a hairdresser who
appears to never run out of energy. I think of the Marine with the Italian food sounding name who brought us our first
participant. I think of a lady who used to sing with my mother in a church choir - and how she opened doors for us. I think of
a Navy chef and wonder how he is doing in his new home. I think of a old sailor who walked up to us that first day in
Woodlawn - and wanted to know when he could move in. These people - and hundreds of others are the ones who keep
this fire going.
We are approaching another winter - with too many veterans on the streets - and too few beds to offer them. I worry about
this - I pray constantly about this - and I will get up in the morning - and keep plugging away until I have scrounged up every
bed I can to offer these veterans of ours. I battle with the VA for help - I struggle with our elected officials to do more - I
answer every phone call from someone else wanting to help - to volunteer - to paint something - to bring by a bag of clothes -
and yes - too many calls from veterans wanting to know where they can sleep this night. My only fear is that I am doing to
little - there is something more I should be doing - there is something I am missing.....
So I pour another cup of coffee - I start planning tomorrow to do more than I did today. Tomorrow is Veterans Day - and we
should be in the parade. Had every intention of being a part of the parade. Yet this afternoon I found my over sized body
laying under my car on I-65 trying to repair it so I could get back to the Clay House. We made it - and our plans were to use
our truck in the parade - yet it has decided to take a break also and will not cooperate until Ray and I go downtown in the
morning and replace an alternator on it. So although you will not see "Three Hots and A Cot" in the parade - know we are
working diligently to provide help to our veterans.
Long after the bands have stopped playing - and the high school kids put away their pressed uniforms - and all the sirens
have been silenced - we will still be plugging away. Perhaps by spending Veterans Day repairing our injured fleet of vehicles
- we will be able to honor these veterans in a larger way than if we had been in the parade. Don't get me wrong - I love a
parade - and look for us there in 2011.
We will be completing the work on the Sprinkler System and HVAC system at Saint Benedict's over the next week. Then we
will focus our efforts on completing the Clay House to be opened by 12/21.
Our needs are money for supplies and to pay the bills with this month. We need a huge shot in the arm financially to get the
kitchen ready at the Clay House. And we could use 20 twin size beds and mattresses - along with a few dressers.
We have 40 days left before the first day of winter - let us do all we can provide 20 more beds this winter.
Consider sponsoring a room to help us get the whole house ready - consider sending a few dollars to help serve those who
have served our nation. Every single dollar goes into the center - NO STAFF is paid at this time and will not be paid until we
get Federal Funding. We are all volunteers. So - do what you can - mail a check - go to www.cotsforvets.org and click on the
Paypal link.
Thank you all for all you have done - and to all you veterans - Thank you for your service - without you - none of us would enjoy
the freedoms we have.
God Bless
JD Simpson
Executive Director
Saint Benedict's Veterans Center
Three Hots and A Cot
5704 1st Avenue N.
Birmingham, AL 35212
On the eve of this Veteran's Day - I find myself sitting at home - amazed at how far we have come - yet challenged by how far
we still have to go.
I have been honored and privileged to meet and work with so many fantastic people. You all know who you are - and you all
know how much I appreciate all you have done for my veterans.
Yesterday Wiregrass Hospice came to Saint Benedict's and presented all of us with an "Honored Veteran" pin - it was a
moving experience - and while the fine ladies from Wiregrass were presenting these pins to the veterans in our dining room
at Saint Benedict's - I found my mind wandering back to the men we have seen come through our doors over the last six
months - and wondering about the men who are yet to come. I amazed by the accomplishments of each of our supporters
who have brought us this far. Many people thank me for what I have done - yet my contribution has been little more than a
spark to get this fire going.
I look at a retired Marine First Sergeant and his grand children who have done so much for us. I think of a hairdresser who
appears to never run out of energy. I think of the Marine with the Italian food sounding name who brought us our first
participant. I think of a lady who used to sing with my mother in a church choir - and how she opened doors for us. I think of
a Navy chef and wonder how he is doing in his new home. I think of a old sailor who walked up to us that first day in
Woodlawn - and wanted to know when he could move in. These people - and hundreds of others are the ones who keep
this fire going.
We are approaching another winter - with too many veterans on the streets - and too few beds to offer them. I worry about
this - I pray constantly about this - and I will get up in the morning - and keep plugging away until I have scrounged up every
bed I can to offer these veterans of ours. I battle with the VA for help - I struggle with our elected officials to do more - I
answer every phone call from someone else wanting to help - to volunteer - to paint something - to bring by a bag of clothes -
and yes - too many calls from veterans wanting to know where they can sleep this night. My only fear is that I am doing to
little - there is something more I should be doing - there is something I am missing.....
So I pour another cup of coffee - I start planning tomorrow to do more than I did today. Tomorrow is Veterans Day - and we
should be in the parade. Had every intention of being a part of the parade. Yet this afternoon I found my over sized body
laying under my car on I-65 trying to repair it so I could get back to the Clay House. We made it - and our plans were to use
our truck in the parade - yet it has decided to take a break also and will not cooperate until Ray and I go downtown in the
morning and replace an alternator on it. So although you will not see "Three Hots and A Cot" in the parade - know we are
working diligently to provide help to our veterans.
Long after the bands have stopped playing - and the high school kids put away their pressed uniforms - and all the sirens
have been silenced - we will still be plugging away. Perhaps by spending Veterans Day repairing our injured fleet of vehicles
- we will be able to honor these veterans in a larger way than if we had been in the parade. Don't get me wrong - I love a
parade - and look for us there in 2011.
We will be completing the work on the Sprinkler System and HVAC system at Saint Benedict's over the next week. Then we
will focus our efforts on completing the Clay House to be opened by 12/21.
Our needs are money for supplies and to pay the bills with this month. We need a huge shot in the arm financially to get the
kitchen ready at the Clay House. And we could use 20 twin size beds and mattresses - along with a few dressers.
We have 40 days left before the first day of winter - let us do all we can provide 20 more beds this winter.
Consider sponsoring a room to help us get the whole house ready - consider sending a few dollars to help serve those who
have served our nation. Every single dollar goes into the center - NO STAFF is paid at this time and will not be paid until we
get Federal Funding. We are all volunteers. So - do what you can - mail a check - go to www.cotsforvets.org and click on the
Paypal link.
Thank you all for all you have done - and to all you veterans - Thank you for your service - without you - none of us would enjoy
the freedoms we have.
God Bless
JD Simpson
Executive Director
Saint Benedict's Veterans Center
Three Hots and A Cot
5704 1st Avenue N.
Birmingham, AL 35212