In the Fall a need came to our attention. Homeless Veterans, who are in Rehab programs through the Veteran's Hospital were having difficulty getting to their appointments at the VA Hospital. This was as a result of the VA no longer providing bus passes for those Vets receiving services through The Veteran's Homeless Project. Bronze Starr Ministries is providing as many bus passes as we can to alleviate this need. Two Hour Bus Passes are being provided (as we have funds to do so) to the Case Managers at the Homeless Project and are given out to their clients as they have a specific need. Hopefully we can make this an ongoing project.
Winter 2015/2016
Throughout this past winter Bronze Star Ministry, in conjunction with American Legion Post 241 has been providing coats, sweaters and other warm clothing to the Veteran's Homeless Project in Spokane, WA.. We have also provided large quantities of canned and packaged food as well as dozens of our Veteran's Basic Bags. In the month of December alone over 103 lbs. of food and 85 pounds of clothing were taken to the project. Each month since Sept. a like amount has been dropped off for the care and comfort of their veteran clients. We started a new project in Dec. with our "Message Cookies". A cellophane sandwich bag containing a wrapped "Mother's" cookie and a Message with the logo of Bronze Star Veteran's Ministry and a short Gospel Message is given to Vets at random. We also place these cookie bags as part of the contents in our Basic Bags. Pictured below are some of these items:
Feb.22, 2014
Three veterans of WWII and Korea were honored today (Sat. Feb. 22, 2014) at ceremonies held at Holman Gardens in Spokane Valley. Dave Sutton acting as Chaplain of American Legion Post 241 gave the opening prayer. Patriotic music and the son...gs of each military service were sung and played by musician volunteers. The veterans were each given a Lap Blanket, a veteran's pin and a certificate of appreciation for their service to God and Country. The veterans honored were David Voge (U.S. Army), Ernie Butler (U.S. Navy) and Rex Walker (U.S. Marines). Legion Post 241 provided flags for all in attendance and Bronze Star Ministries provided the blankets and pins.See More
June 9, 2013
Stand Down: A new opportunity for our Veteran's ministry
The original Stand Down for homeless veterans was modeled after the Stand Down concept used during the Vietnam War to provide a safe retreat for units returning from combat operations. At secure base camp areas, troops were able to take care of personal hygiene, get clean uniforms, enjoy warm meals, receive medical and dental care, mail and receive letters, and enjoy the camaraderie of friends in a safe environment. Stand Down afforded battle-weary soldiers the opportunity to renew their spirit, health and overall sense of well-being.
That is the purpose of the Stand Down for homeless veterans, and achieving those objectives requires a wide range of support services and time. The program is successful because it brings these services to one location, making them more accessible to homeless veterans. Fall 2013 will bring a Stand Down to the Post Falls, Coeur d' Alene, Spokane area. Our Bronze Star Ministry, in conjunction with American Legion Post 241 will participate by passing out our Veteran's Basic Bags to those in need. Included in the bags are letters containing the Gospel Message. This will also be an opportunity for our Veterans of the Bronze Star Ministry to interact one on one with homeless Veterans.
March 12, 2013
Bronze Star Ministries presented a Blanket, a Veteran's Pin and the Gospel Message to Commander James Burke of American Legion Post 241. Commander Burke served for more than 20 years in the United States Air Force.
Bronze Star Veteran Ministries Mission Statement:
Our belief is that Vets fall in to one of three categories:
1. Those that served and never came home because they gave their all for our country.
2. Those that served and came home safely to live productive future lives.
3. Those that served and came home physically, but were so damaged mentally
(and/or physically) that they have not been able to live productive, purposeful
lives. It is these that we endeavor to minister to.
We believe that all Veterans should be honored and our ministry seeks to do this. Through our Veteran’s Basic Bags for Homeless Vets, our Branch of Service Logo Blankets for vets who are hospitalized, home-bound or in hospice care and our bags of groceries for Vets who are financially struggling, we minister in the name of Jesus. We also try to be a source of information and help for those seeking to access VA Healthcare, Veteran’s Relief Services and Veteran’s Cemeteries. All Veterans share a common and unique experience in having served our country in the military.
Nov/Dec. 2012
Bronze Star has filled a limited number of bags with groceries to be given to Veterans and Veteran families that are struggling in today's bad economy. If you have a friend, neighbor, or family member who would be blessed by receiving one of these bags please contact me. Each bag will contain a letter thanking the Vet for their Military service and sacrifice. It will ask them to consider another sacrifice that was made for them by our Lord on the cross. A short Gospel message follows. The letter then says that if they have questions about God's plan of salvation, or questions about VA benefits and Medical, they can call (and I give my phone no.). This is an opportunity to demonstrate the love of Christ and to share the Gospel message. Contact me if you know somebody and I will get a bag for you to deliver.
August 9, 2012
Bronze Star was busy today honoring a WWII. veteran at the Guardian Angel Assisted Living facility in Liberty Lake. Mr. Charles Ray Allen was presented with one of our lap blankets featuring the logo of the U.S. Army. He was also given a Bible. Neil Arveshoug, Dave Sutton and I spent some time listening to some of his experiences in combat. He showed us his WWII. uniform that he keeps displayed in his room along with the many medals and Decorations he received. We were able to have a time of prayer with him and he was visibly moved by the love and appreciation for his service that was shown in providing the blanket to him. After the meeting with Mr. Allen we had an opportunity to share with several other residents and we were invited, by the staff, to do a Veterans Day presentation to their oldest veteran in November. We hope that God was glorified and that some seeds may have been sown by today's presentation.
Bronze Star is looking for hospitalized or home-bound and ailing veterans, who would be encouraged and uplifted by receiving one of our Veterans Lap Blankets and a visit from members of our Veterans Ministry. This visit would also provide an opportunity for our Veterans Ministry to pray with and to present the Gospel Message to the veteran. Many sick and dying veterans feel isolated and lonely and are very open to fellow veterans who have shared a common life experience. We are looking for veterans who are believers as well as those who are non-believers, anyone who would be ministered to and uplifted by receiving a visit and a blanket. If you have a friend, relative or neighbor who fits this description, please contact me (Don Sessions at: Donsess2@msn.com) with the information and I will arrange for a visit.
( picture of blanket emblazoned with U.S. Army insignia)
January/ February/ March
2012
In January 2012 the blanket ministry began working with Horizon Hospice to honor the veterans in their program. Along with a representative of the active duty military, who in full uniform, presents a certificate of thanks for the veterans service and a commemorative service pin, the Veteran's Ministry presents a lap blanket and a pocket size New Testament. We presented two blankets and New Testaments in Jan. and one more in March. The veterans that we honored were all very moved by this recognition of their lives and military service. All of the veterans were asked if they would like us to pray for them and all seemed eager to be prayed with and for. We look forward to being able to continue bringing honor and comfort to those who are spending their last days in this Hospice Program and plan to reach out to other Hospice and Nursing Home Facilities.
In March 2012 we expanded our outreach of Veteran's Basic Bags to include The Veteran's Relief Services. The need at this program is great and the supplies that we brought were much appreciated. We have decided to direct more of our aid to this program because of their direct access to veterans in extreme need. We will continue provide for U.G.M and Salvation Army clients who are vets. We hope that the contribution of supplies that make these bags possible will continue to grow as more people learn about and decide to support this ministry. Many thanks to all those who presently work for and support God's work with our veterans.
