A new survey finds that 76% of Americans think it is more important to show support for veterans this Veterans Day, following the end of America’s longest war, than in years past. Yet a well-meaning public may not be providing the most meaningful support that they could be.
The survey, conducted by the Cohen Veterans Network in time for Veterans Day 2021, polled both civilians and veterans. When asked the most important consideration for civilians to know, 80% of veterans cited understanding that service members come from all walks of life.
“A lot of us don’t fit the stereotype of the ‘typical soldier,’” explained Anneke Vandenbroek, Ph.D., ABPP, director of the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Easterseals and a veteran of the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps. “There are so many types of jobs and people who serve in the military. There isn’t just one story that captures the ‘typical veteran experience.’”
In addition, veterans stressed the importance of understanding that service members’ families also serve in their own way. Liz, an Army veteran, military spouse, and mom, talked about how military service has affected her 10-year-old son: “I like to tell people my son is on his ninth deployment. He has served every second of those deployments, just in a different capacity.”
While these ideas might alter the image that most Americans have of those who serve, the public does appear to be receptive to connecting with veterans in meaningful ways. The majority of those surveyed said they actively seek to show their appreciation for military service, with 77% reporting that they thank veterans for their service when they see them in public. And yet 58% of veterans reported that while they appreciate the gesture, being thanked can also make them uncomfortable.
The findings underscore the necessity of recognizing the wide range of individual needs among veterans. At the Cohen Clinic, a personalized, client-focused approach is central to treatment. Clients and therapists work together closely to select one or two critical goals to achieve through therapy. That goal-focused, targeted approach means that the Cohen Clinic provides highly effective care, uniquely designed to each client’s individual needs.
