Veteran's Month at SKIP
November is a significant month for focusing on the contributions that seniors make to communities. On November 11th, citizens across the country will pay tribute to our veterans young and old who have sacrificed their bodies, minds and even their lives to protect the freedoms that we enjoy today. In this time of social isolation, political tension, and economic upheaval it is important to take some time to reflect upon the foundational principles that brave men and women fought hard to protect.
Here at SKIP, senior veterans are at the forefront of our minds this month and we recognize their place amongst a larger population of seniors in the community who's lived experience provide a unique perspective that helps us to navigate uncertain futures by looking at what we have been able to accomplish in the past. As we look forward with trepidation about what the future will hold for our nation and for us as individuals, it is a comfort to know that there are those who have weathered the storms of life before. Senior veterans hold a unique perspective. They have watched as nations fought against tyranny, survived periods of economic depression, and witnessed social and political tensions that once threatened to break nations from within. This depth and breadth of knowledge is an under-rated and under utilized resource in our communities.
In my family, years of intergenerational trauma bent and broke the ties that kept us close. Both of my grandfathers participated in the military in some capacity. Occasionally I heard the whisper of a combat experience but most of my questions went unanswered and those experiences became family ghost stories. Haunting and intangible. Recently I have begun a quest to learn more about my family's past by researching our genealogy through various sites and online resources. As an adult I look back and regret that I did not spend more time asking my grandfather questions about our family before he died. For those of you who are blessed with grandparents who are living, I would encourage you to spend some time with them on the topic of your own family history. Write it down. Take some pictures, and treasure the knowledge that you are privy to learn. To our senior veterans, I implore you to record your own experiences for the benefit of the future generations in your own family. It is important for us to have some context about who we are and where we came from so that we can move into the future with greater humility and understanding.
As students of social work, we are taught that empowering clients is less about offering creative solutions and more about helping service users recognize their own capacities in the face of challenges. In the same way, SKIP aims to highlight the resource and capacities that already exist within our communities in order to combat social problems. Programs like SKIP streams which aims to bring students together with seniors virtually or 'Buzz Me" which connects volunteers with isolated seniors are both examples of this.
Every veteran has a story and it is our hope that their stories will reach a wide audience as we take the time to reflect upon their sacrifices that make this community such a wonderful place to live. In addition to this, our "Celebrate Seniors" initiatives are connecting seniors to kids in the community through pen pal programs and letter writing campaigns. We believe these generations have a lot to learn from one another.
Seniors in general and senior veterans in particular hold the key that unlocks the door to our past and future. Nothing is more important than making sure their experiences and knowledge are carried unto future generations. We need the information that senior veterans have in order to look forward to the future with the brightness and hope that we can survive tough times. We need the assurance that the trials of global crises, once overcome, refine the character of the individual and the character of nations.
On behalf of the community and on behalf of SKIP, thank you veterans. We shine a light on you this month but we honour you always.
With love,
Tina