By Paul Rohs, Guest Columnist
Ever heard of the Tri-State Chaplains Corps Veterans Mission Council? I’d guess many have not.
This is an organization of pastors and concerned citizens in western North Carolina, northeast Georgia and eastern Tennessee associated with American Legion Post 532 in Hayesville. This council is committed to helping active duty military and reserves, veterans and their families as they navigate the physical, emotional and spiritual issues unique to those serving our nation.
The group works together with other organizations to insure services are not duplicated, but helps connect veterans with any and all appropriate contacts. We provide a hand up, not a hand out.
Although rarely seen or publicized, many individuals have been helped in life-changing ways in recent years. The specific type of help is specifically suited to the needs of the individual and/or family and their situation. Handicap ramps have been built, utility bills have been paid, Christmas has been provided for the family and spiritual support is always offered.
The council has touched families in Hayesville, Murphy, Andrews, Robbinsville, Hiawassee, Ga., and Blairsville, Ga.
One example is a family with a sick 5-year-old in Children’s Hospital in Atlanta for months. After spending all their savings, they lost their apartment and the veteran lost his job.
Once he found another job, a deposit was provided, allowing them to secure another apartment they otherwise would not have been able to. The last we’ve heard is the little one is doing fine, and life goes on back to normal.
A Clay County native veteran passed away out of state. As the family did not have the funds for his cremation and to return his remains back home, the council is assuring that happens. He will be returned and buried at home with appropriate military honors.
Although operating under the umbrella of the American Legion, any and all contributions go 100 percent to these activities. Not even printing, postage and paper come from contributions.
Those administrative costs are covered by individual council members. Yes, a hat is passed at each meeting among the council members for those costs.
If you’d like to make a financial contribution to this cause and perhaps touch someone you know, you can pay by check payable to CCVMC and mail to Tri-State Chaplain Corps, P.O. Box 22, Hayesville NC 28904.
Visit the American Legion Post website, post532.org. On the home page, scroll down to the “donate now.” Contributions can be made using PayPal or by credit/debit card.
For details, or to schedule a visit or speaker, call Carl Maxwell, chaplain of American Legion Post 532 at 828-389-6566.
The writer is a resident of Hayesville.