Veteran support providers raise community awareness

The second annual Cass County Veterans’ Salute took place in downtown Linden on Saturday. The event served as outreach to former military members who suffer with post-traumatic stress and other mental health issues and to raise awareness in the community.

Garrett Juneau is a veterans’ outreach program specialist who works with Veterans Affairs as part of their readjustment counseling service. “What we do is counseling for combat veterans like for PTSD. We’re out of Shreveport but not located at the VA hospital. This is to get away from the stigma of mental health. We do individuals and group. We have marriage and family therapy. We do bereavement. It doesn’t cost a thing. Everything is free and confidential.”

Lori Thomas is a peer services coordinator with the Military Veteran Peer Network for northeast Texas. “We are a statewide program and provide services for veterans and their families. We offer peer support, mental health, and we’re really good about connecting people with other programs.”

Support services for veterans is not limited to mental health. Lancer Legacy Ranch has served over 250 veterans by providing housing, food, clothing, financial and legal aid, and job training. Veteran’s Taxi serves Bowie, Camp, Cass, Delta, Hopkins, Lamar, Marion, Morris, Rains, Red River, and Titus counties by providing free transportation to veterans. In addition to free transportation, they provide help with rent, mortgage, utilities, fuel assistance, and dental assistance. Case management and job readiness services are also available.

Booths were set up along East Rush and South Main streets just south of the courthouse. Live music and local vendors were also featured.