VFW Asks Area Veterans to Share How They are #StillServing

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (September 9, 2020) — To kick off its new campaign to bring attention to and honor the continued commitment of America's military veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is asking Nevada veterans to share stories on how they are #StillServing.

The Corporation for National & Community Service's 2018 Volunteering in America Report shows that veterans volunteer 25 percent more time, are 17 percent more likely to make a monetary donation and are 30 percent more likely to participate in local organizations than the civilian population. The VFW urges Nevada veterans to visit vfw.org/StillServing to learn more about the campaign, share their story, make a shareable image of their service, watch videos of VFW members making a difference and see a collection of user-generated content.

For example, local veteran David Sousa recently shared how he is #StillServing. While serving in the Army, Sousa’s good friend passed away of suicide. While working with various organizations to help heal himself, Sousa found his passion: helping veterans find resources to battle depression and PTSD while advocating for veterans at the state level. Sousa was instrumental in pushing the Nevada government to create legislation that requires first responders have suicide prevention training and ensures that veterans receive suicide prevention resources.

Sousa also is certified trainer for safeTALK, a workshop program that teaches participants to recognize the signs of suicide and how to engage and support that individual. He has trained more than 500 people in safeTALK.

Recently, Sousa is organizing events in Sparks to help veterans isolated due to the COVID-19 pandemic safely connect with other veterans. He notes that the isolation has caused an increase in veteran suicide, particularly among the older generation. He will be holding a walk around Sparks Marina on Sept. 19 to allow area veterans to connect with one another.

Building on a legacy of service that spans more than a century, #StillServing represents the heart of the VFW and its members, and conveys what today's VFW embodies. The VFW encourages all veterans to share stories on social media using #StillServing to show how they continue to answer the call to serve in ways big and small. In addition, family or friends are asked to use #StillServing in social media posts to honor a veteran in their lives who believes the spirit of service transcends military life.
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ABOUT THE VFW: The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is the nation's largest and oldest major war veterans organization. Founded in 1899, the congressionally-chartered VFW is comprised entirely of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, Guard and Reserve forces. With more than 1.6 million VFW and Auxiliary members located in over 6,000 Posts worldwide, the nonprofit veterans service organization is proud to proclaim "NO ONE DOES MORE FOR VETERANS" than the VFW, which is dedicated to veterans' service, legislative advocacy, and military and community service programs. For more information or to join, visit our website at vfw.org.

Media Contact: Randi K. Law, Communications Manager, rlaw@vfw.org, 816.968.1104.