May 14, 2020
Dear Building Bridges Veterans,
First of all, on behalf of Chad and myself I want to say that we miss you, feel as though there’s a hole in the week every day another Building Bridges meal has to be suspended, and during the pandemic, are feeling the need to stay connected as a community more than ever. In the absence of our regular meals, Chad, our Diocesan Treasurer, Steve Abdow, and I are in constant contact, planning new ways to keep the nine Building Bridges communities strong -- and even hoping to make them stronger.

In a conversation with Chad last week, Chad described how one morning he happened to say hello to a solitary pedestrian on a very empty sidewalk. He said he thought about the isolation each of them was feeling, and then realized that for many veterans this sense of isolation is not a new experience. From what we have heard from many of you, it can be an isolation that occurs not only at war, but when you return home.

Then I began to think about how often I hear military language being used to describe how we must respond to the pandemic: phrases like, “being at war” with this coronavirus; realizing that our lives and safety absolutely depend on one another; recognizing that the only way to defeat this enemy is as an army of one. As I have told many of you, as a non-veteran who only fully appreciated the sacrifices you made for me after starting Building Bridges, my respect and gratitude for what you did exceeds words. So once again, all I can say is, “Thanks.”

All of which is to say that, in this very new way, you continue to be an invaluable resource to this country. My great learning since working with you for five years now is that you know what it means to be isolated, you know what it means to be resourceful, you know what it means to care for your brothers and sisters, and you know what it will take to defeat this enemy. I know I also speak for Chad when I say that you are in our thoughts and prayers constantly, that you represent
an invaluable resource to the country during this crisis -- to one another, to your friends and neighbors, and to people you may not even know. The majority of the American population does not know what you know about being under siege, and I believe could look to you for your wisdom, comfort, and support.

In the spirit of the community which is Building Bridges, Chad and I are planning several things: specifically, to send out a regular email/snail mail letter like this one to keep you updated about “Everything Building Bridges,” as well as building out the Building Bridges website and Facebook page with features that make it user-friendly and more interactive. We may soon be inviting willing participants to share stories of your life in the military and as a veteran. We are currently working with the Diocesan communications office to make it easier to connect with each other in real-time from your homes, and to expand the Building Bridges website to include interesting military history, trivia challenges (giving you the right to tell Chad what to cook, for example), and any other ideas that you might have to share with us.

Know that we will continue to send out communications like this one, and will keep you informed about the website in hopes of continuing to be the community we are -- until we can celebrate and break bread together again.
The Rev. Christopher Carlisle
Director, Building Bridges
Veterans Initiative

37 Chestnut Street
Springfield, MA, 01103
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Building Bridges Veterans Initiative is registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions to Building Bridges are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.