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WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 25, 2008) - Veterans transitioning from
war to peace may need a place to call home, whether it's for the
long or short term, the executive director of a North
Carolina-based program that offers them that and a good bit more
said.
"The needs we are addressing all, in some way, revolve around
temporary and long-term living arrangements that are appropriate
for the various challenges that our active duty and military
veterans face," Lance Orndorff said about "Americans Heroes
Return."
"Camp Hero" is an integral part of American Heroes Return,
which, in turn, is part of the Virginia-based "Place of Solace,
Inc."
The camp offers a phased living environment at no cost to
active-duty servicemembers or veterans, he said. Veterans suffering
from post-traumatic stress disorder or permanent disability and in
need of long-term care have access to the home-style camp that
offers a mixed-use residential environment with shopping and social
and recreational opportunities.
Active-duty servicemembers simply looking for someplace to hang
out while they're home for rest and recuperation can stay in simple
cabins and take in all that Camp Hero has to offer.
"Active-duty military on terminal leave and veterans post-active
duty have a difficult time finding a 'landing zone' when returning
to the states or leaving the base," Orndorff said. "They usually
need just one to three months of living accommodations, as well as
job location and training assistance, to get them reestablished in
the civilian sector.
"This is where they can choose from either the rural farm or
in-town contemporary housing experience, where they work with
others like themselves who are transitioning back into civilian
life," he added.
American Heroes Return is a new supporter of America Supports
You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies
with servicemembers and their families serving at home and
abroad.
The organization's America Supports You affiliation is helping
bridge the gap between its efforts to support both active-duty
servicemembers and veterans, Orndorff said.
"I'm finding that my own review of other [America Supports
You-affiliated] organizations ... is leading me to begin thinking
about ways to network and partner," he added. "There may be
portions of programs that we had intended to establish on our own
that we can better accomplish by partnering with a group already
accomplishing that task."
Editor's Note: To find out about more individuals,
groups and organizations that are helping support the troops,
visit www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil. America
Supports You directly connects military members to the support of
the America people and offers a tool to the general public in their
quest to find meaningful ways to support the military
community.
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