Post 15 in Sioux Falls, S.D., has an active program of veteran visits at the retirement and nursing home communities in the city. We work with the activity directors at these facilities to schedule two events a month that last for about one hour each. We bring cookies and the location furnishes coffee and water, which helps people relax and be social.
The Legionnaires open the meeting and share their stories to set the stage - and then they ask other people to speak. This gets the energy going and people start talking.
These events provide an opportunity for veteran residents to come and share their experiences with other veterans who understand their stories. These meetings give veterans an atmosphere that is safe and friendly where they can be open about what they have been through in their past. The commentaries can be emotional, with some people coming to tears. More than once, the veterans have said they have never told these particular stories to anyone - and after years, they are doing it for the very first time. Sometimes the veterans also joke about things and there is laughter around the room.
In addition, veteran spouses are encouraged to attend. We recognize them and thank them for their service on the homefront. We acknowledge their contribution of keeping things in order while their spouses are deployed. They are also asked to share their stories about being veteran spouses - then and now. It gives the audience a different perspective about military life. Some men are coming to the front as veteran spouses and that will probably happen more in the future.
Another positive feature about these events is the social interaction beyond these meetings. Often attendees find out about other residents they didn’t know were veterans. This leads to coffee time and lunch and dinner meetings where these people can help support each other and become friends in the community.
The staff at these locations have also shared that they have seen some residents open up more than they ever have. They are pleased at the positive reaction and participation from the veteran residents and are very willing to put these events on their calendars.
We would like to encourage any other American Legion post to consider programs like these. The positive outcome is great! Feel free to contact us for information.

Judy Zabdyr, dakota_z50@yahoo.com