The Veterans of Foreign Wars is in Harbor Springs this week for their 94th fall conference. They’re be talking about resources for veterans.
Leaving Afghanistan has left many veterans going through mental struggles, especially those who served there, including The Veterans of Foreign Wars quarter master Derek Blumke.
“The entire community is going through a range of emotions,” said Blumke. “Anger, frustration, sadness, disappointment, confusion on what were we doing there for 20 years.”
It’s also affected Vietnam veterans who had to go through a similar situation.
“A generational divide has largely evaporated with Vietnam and the fall of Saigon and now with us and the fall of Kabul, there’s a lot of similarities here and it’s felt throughout the whole community,” said Blumke.
The new budget signed by Governor Whitmer will increase funding for the VFW to help them tackle those mental issues as well as physical ones.
“Increased the service organization budget by $1.3 million allowing us to grow our staff, grow our impact, reach more veterans and their families, as well as another $900,000 on top of that for counties across the state to increase their work as well,” said Blumke.
Department Commander of VFW Michigan, Kevin Conklin was appreciative for the increased funding.
“I would like to thank the governor for approving that bill and signing that really helps veterans in the state of Michigan to receive the benefits that they deserve and need,” said Conklin.
One of the physical affects from some those who served in Afghanistan is the effects of breathing in the toxic fumes of burn pits where things like aircraft and truck batteries.
“Anything that went onto the base that needed to be disposed of was burned in these fires and our troops were living downrange of these chemical burns daily,” said Blumke.
Blumke says the increased funding for the VFW will go a long way in helping Michigan Veterans.
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