Submitted by Michelle Cheesman, on behalf of VFW
I thought your readers would enjoy knowing about Mentone veteran Eric Dudash and his service dog Phantom, who are being honored for dedication to country and community in the VFW #StillServing campaign. The national Veterans of Foreign Wars #StillServing (vfw.org/stillserving) campaign recognizes veterans who continue to serve in their community after the military.
After his military service, Dudash struggled with PTSD, depression, nightmares, and anxiety. He was referred to Warrior Freedom Service Dogs where one of the service dogs, Phantom, “chose” Dudash. The pair has been inseparable since.
Dudash and Pahntom can be seen still serving around town, speaking to students and scouts and at cemeteries and businesses about patriotism, teamwork, resiliency, and how service dogs help veterans. Phantom goes everywhere with Dudash, including in his volunteer roles at the local VFW Post and VFW Department of Alabama and as board member of Warrior Freedom Service Dogs.
Dudash credits Phantom with giving him back his life, enabling him to reduce his medication and comfortably be out in public again. Phantom reminds Dudash to take his medicine, wakes him from nightmares, and provides physical and emotional support.
DID YOU KNOW:
• Veterans average nearly 30 % more volunteer hours per year
• Nearly 40 % more veterans belong to a group working on community issues
• Veterans are more like to be registered to vote (7 %) and have recently voted (6 %)
• Veterans outpace civilians 15 % in charitable donations
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) launched #StillServing, a campaign to highlight the many ways America’s veterans continue to serve in their local communities after transitioning from the military, in February 2020. What started as an awareness campaign has become a social movement as veterans across the country continue to step up to share stories of how they are still serving. More than 1,000 veterans’ stories have been shared through news coverage, website features and magazine and newsletter articles.
“Our original intent here was to recognize and showcase the important ongoing service of the lifeblood of our organization – our members, but the campaign quickly took hold and expanded well beyond the confines of our membership to veterans and advocates around the world,” said Tim Borland, VFW commander-in-chief. “The participation and interest this campaign has garnered has exceeded all expectations, and it continues to gain momentum.”
Since its launch, more than 2 million people have engaged with the campaign and it has gained the attention of individuals worldwide, recently earning a Grand Award at the 19th International Business Association for the highest marks of more than 3,700 nominations to the business awards.
Building on a legacy of service that spans more than a century, #StillServing represents the heart of the VFW and its members, and conveys what today’s VFW embodies. The VFW encourages all veterans to share stories on social media using #StillServing to show how they continue to answer the call to serve in ways big and small. In addition, family or friends are asked to use #StillServing in social media posts to honor a veteran in their lives who believes the spirit of service transcends military life.
The VFW urges Americans to visit vfw.org/StillServing to learn more about the campaign, make a shareable image honoring veterans in their lives, watch videos of VFW members making a difference and see a collection of user-generated content.