Vets Helping Vets-Anderson
Vets Helping Vets-Anderson is an organization that meets monthly. The members strive to help each other in a group setting. Vets Helping Vets-Anderson was born of a Veterans Affairs (VA) program that was designed to help members with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ( PTSD), but later discontinued without reason.
One member who had been going to the group sessions, Jesse Wade Taylor, decided to figure out a way to continue meeting with fellow Veterans because he found the group therapy so productive and helpful. Eventually, Taylor found enough like-minded veterans and they started meeting at the Anderson Library, and later the Elks Club would allow them to meet in their building. Today, the 501c3 Non-profit is hoping to raise enough money to build their own building, so that Veterans can continue to come together and help one another.
Writer and Anderson native, Angela Mason Lowe is helping the Veterans by compiling their stories into books that are available for purchase. The books were created at the request of her husband, Tommy Lowe, and have been a labor of love. When I asked her about why she put so much time and effort into the projects she replied, “I am proud to say I was raised in a patriotic home and I was also taught in school to honor the flag and the Veterans who served our great country. This project for the Veterans is the most meaningful work I’ve done. The dedication they show to their country and each other is refreshing.” Lowe has carefully edited each story into the same format for the cohesiveness of the book. Lowe came up with prompts that helped the Veterans tell their stories. Each story is unique to the Veteran who wrote it. They are all different and all captivating! These are great books for anyone who loves short stories, history, classrooms, and all patriots. All proceeds from the books will go toward the building they hope to build. Currently, there are three volumes available for purchase. They can be purchased at McDowell’s Emporium Bookstore in Anderson or online through Amazon.
Recently, I sat down with all three volumes to become familiar with the books, and what I found was a realistic look at military service and the history of wars. I also read about how troubled veterans could help heal each other so that they can continue to lead productive lives.
In Volume I, the Forward is written by founder Jessee Wade Taylor and tells of the founding of the organization. Each chapter in the book is a story written by a fellow veteran in his or her own words, about the experience of serving our country. Many of the veterans featured in the stories served in Vietnam. Many of them came home with horrible images seared into their minds, and many of them faced hostile political protests here in the States. Volumes II and III continue in the same format, with many stories shared.
The veterans who wrote their stories left it all on the page in these books. In their stories, the reader feels the pain of the draft, and how it affected families of the servicemember. The reader is taken along as the soldier takes cover in the jungle to avoid an ambush. Some of the stories are shockingly real and heartbreaking. They are all well-written and serve as a primary source for future generations, a goal for all involved in the project.
History comes alive on the pages of these nonfiction books. The Veterans who are telling their stories came back to the upstate or their hometowns forever changed, and worked in all types of professions, including doctors, lawyers, construction workers, nurses, retail workers, and retired military. There are many books written about Vietnam and other wars. However, this work, these three books, come from the heart of each service member who wrote their story. As we prepare for Veterans Day, there would be no greater gift than to support the Vets Helping Vets-Anderson, SC. For more information visit their website where you can make a donation
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