Veterans are not only protectors who have worn the uniform, but also compassionate leaders and innovative thinkers. They are warriors, skilled technicians, philanthropists, and humanitarians. They answer our Nation’s call with courage and dedication, standing in service while others often sit idle. Veterans are the backbone of America, tackling some of society’s greatest challenges, inventing and leading industries, building businesses, and fostering communities. They are the portraits of courage we look up to.

At Veterans Collaborative, our mission is clear: to empower Veterans, military families, and the communities they proudly call home. Through innovative programs, essential services, and impactful projects, we strive to foster healing, growth, and meaningful connections. This year, your support and inspiration have driven us to reach further, serve with greater purpose, and make a deeper impact.

As we gather around the table this Thanksgiving, I am filled with gratitude for the incredible community we have built together. Veterans Collaborative was founded on the belief that connection, support, and shared purpose can create lasting change for Veterans and their families. This year, that belief has been reinforced time and again through the inspiring efforts and unwavering commitment of our community.

This gap is what I call the glass floor of partnerships—a seemingly solid foundation of power and influence that, in reality, is fragile without ground-up buy-in. It’s where leaders of authority assume that their ideas will automatically work because they’ve been shaped in high-level boardrooms and through strategic alliances, but they fail to see the blind spots and the complexities of local implementation.

What does it mean to be the light in someone's darkness? For those who have served or supported those who have, we know the challenges are complex and overwhelming. It’s often a balancing act where we desperately want to change the narrative and show you who these heroes are-- tough and determined, loving family members, loyal servants, and American heroes, but we have to address the elephant in the room. Today, we are remembering the 125,000 Veterans that have lost their lives to Veteran suicide, and we are focused on the average 30 that will lose their lives today to Veteran suicide.

Veterans Collaborative is proud to be the only fiscal sponsorship solely dedicated to our Veteran and military-connected community. Projects can be founded by and/or serving our community. Projects founded by Veterans enable access to charitable funding and capacity, and projects serving our community enable access to vital resources at the local level. Most of our projects do both.

On this 4th of July, as we prepare to light up the sky and celebrate the birth of our nation, it's a poignant moment to reflect on the state of our democracy and the trust that rests with the people. As Washington referred to it, “the establishment of our New Government seemed to be the last great experiment, for promoting human happiness, by reasonable compact, in civil society.” The journey is continuous, marked by storms and calm seas alike, requiring constant vigilance, effort, and course correction, with you as its captain.

As PTS Awareness Month comes to a close, we want to highlight some challenges our Veterans face when seeking mental health interventions. By understanding these barriers, we can work together to uncover the hope that awaits them in communities across our country.

Recently, I had the privilege of attending the VA Immersive Summit in Washington, DC. The Summit was a deep dive into the innovative technologies and strategic efforts being undertaken to enhance the healthcare experiences of our nation's Veterans. Serving 9 million enrolled Veterans across 1,255 healthcare facilities, the VA plays a crucial role in addressing the healthcare needs of nearly half of the Veteran population in the United States.

This month, as communities nationwide honor the sacrifices and commitment of our Veterans and service members, I'm profoundly grateful to stand among them. Yet, "thank you" will never be enough. Together, let's commit to more than just words of gratitude. Through our collaborative efforts, we can create a brighter future for all who have served.

As we celebrate the Month of the Military Child, it's important to recognize the incredible sacrifices made by the children of our service members. While military service is often associated with the brave men and women who wear the uniform, it's equally important to acknowledge the families who stand behind them, especially the children who endure unique challenges and experiences.

Veterans Collaborative’s focus on upstream living means addressing the root causes of challenges faced by Veterans and service members, rather than simply addressing the symptoms. We don't want to be merely throwing life rafts to those caught in swift waters; we want to go upstream, where we can create lasting change, and ensure that every Veteran and service member has the opportunity to thrive.

A New Year is upon us and for many this means embarking on the tradition of setting resolutions. A short list of promises to oneself that probably fizzle out before the first blooms of spring. I have participated in them—lofty goals to read more, freshen up on foreign languages, finish a puzzle, eat less chocolate, spend more time with family, travel more, enjoy less wine, and, of course, exercise more. Today, I am in a different mindset, and I have decided to hit pause on the conventional resolutions and explore a different approach to charting a course for 2024.

In our work, we center our focus on access for our community each day—examining who has it, who doesn't, and exploring how those dedicated to supporting our military and Veteran communities can collaborate to ensure its equitable provision. We believe the concept of access stands as a powerful and transformative force. It is not merely about entry or admission; rather, it symbolizes a gateway to empowerment, opportunity, and a brighter future.

As we reflect on the past year, Veterans Collaborative takes immense pride in presenting our Annual Impact Statement – a testament to the collective achievements resulting from collaboration, unwavering dedication, and a shared commitment to empower Veteran and military communities. This Statement of Activities encapsulates the strides made in fostering positive change, building networks, and providing essential support to our Veteran and military communities.

Brotherhood: When West Point Rugby Went To War tells the stories of the rugby players of 2002: how they came to West Point, how they found their game, how they went out into the army and what they did when they got there. It tells the stories of three of those men who died young, two in accidents and one at war in Baghdad. It tells the story of a fourth who died recently, swiftly and sadly of cancer. It tells how the surviving brothers came together to mourn.