Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Karen “Rif” Riffel. Karen served from 2001 to 2009.
Karen served with the 733rd Transportation Company and participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
After her service, Karen co-founded the nonprofit organization Veterans of America where she works as vice president. Veterans of America aims to raise national awareness of the issue of homelessness among Veterans. It raises funds to build “tiny homes” on wheels, hoping to “empower Veterans to have a place in the American dream they fought to defend for us.” The homes, made with re-purposed and eco-friendly material, help to create financial stability and independence and enable Veterans to reconnect with their communities for assistance.
Thank you for your service, Karen!
Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay
Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? You’re in luck! VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.
It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. All it takes is an email to newmedia@va.gov with as much information as you can put together, along with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.
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You are a true American & I love what you are doing. I served in the Navy! Thank you for your service and all you do for Veterans!! I’m in Kentucky & they just opened a place in Radcliff, Kentucky!! Thank you
Most Veterans will not come looking for us. We MUST go looking for them.
A simple postcard, filled out at the time of discharge, addressed to the County Veterans Service Officer at their Home of Record would alert that VSO of their discharge. That VSO would then have, right in front of them, a contact point and a place to start.
As a Personnel Sergeant E-6, when on Active Duty, I made sure that everyone who had ANY documents cross my desk filled out one of those cards with the correct address. I paid for them myself.
I know the system. I know Veterans who will not cross the threshold of a VSO because of their distrust for “The System”. They have heard all of the horror stories and other bullshit.
If at the time of discharge the Veteran does not wish to notify their VSO, fill it our and send it for them.
Thousands of Veterans languish in misery and disillusionment because no one has had the fortitude to contact them to ask one simple question. “How ya doing?
Even when I was attending a Community Vocational College, at age 50, there were Veterans attending that school who did not know that their Uncle would help them financially. A couple of them I had to “hand carry” to the right office. Roll On…
Thank you for your service ! And thank you for continued service in taking care of our homeless veterans !
God Bless.
Congrats keep up the good work of getting our veterans off the street..we need you and thank you for your service.
also i like to say Kelsey is a true american hero for all she is doing. god bless you.
i love the veterans both past present and future.what i most want is for all who care to get involved in stopping the merry go round process when it comes to completing pending appeals for such a rediculious amount of time they take for finalizing claims after the law judges grant them.i ask why is this being allowed and where is the accountability on this matter. please i ask all to join me in a request to stop delaying and start paying for every veteran who stands waiting for years.i’m james c contarino of veterans rights association of kissimmee ,florida. thank you all and god bless.