We use images, to connect veterans, to start a conversation, to make sure they know they are not alone. A few years ago I went to a friend’s funeral.
He was one of those people I knew because our kids went to school together. One of those friends I had a beer with once in a while, someone I could talk to about day-to-day life. He was someone I knew and liked and in the end I wish I had known him better. At the funeral I was surprised to see he received military honors. That was when, after a dozen years of knowing Bill, I learned he was in Viet
nam the same time I was. He had received two purple hearts and the bronze star with clusters. I wondered why we didn't know of each other’s service. Why didn't we ever talk about it? Over time it began to bother me and I began to wonder how many Veterans were interacting on a daily basis and didn't know that the other had served. I wanted to create an opportunity for Vets to connect in a meaningful way without a lot of flag waving or chest beating. It became my mission to create something that Vets could wear and be quickly noticed by others who served. I wanted to provide a way to quickly connect, if only with the nod of a head or a quick handshake in passing. It came to me as an image. Something that other Veterans would recognize and spark a conversation. Something that honored where we served and our brothers and sisters who stood by our side. Out of this connection, ID-A-VET was formed for all services and campaigns…“ALL Men”. Thank you for becoming a part of the conversation, honoring those who served and connecting with other Veterans.
