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September 2024

This month has been a busy one. I have been learning a lot on the law side of things. Things like case management, team meetings, and scheduling. Then there is the heart of the work. I have been to Cary Benefits Live and the Greensboro Stand Down. 

The formal description of the Cary Benefits Live on VA’s website is “Veterans & dependents will be assisted by a combined team including VA Benefits (Veterans Benefits Administration Winston-Salem Regional Office) & Health Administrators, Vet Center and Veterans’ Service Officers with VA claims and questions about benefits. Please bring proper “Veteran ID, DD-214” and any paperwork related to your claims in question and your military history.” 

It is so much more. This three-day event sees hundreds of veterans and family members. Once they arrive, they are given a number so they can receive some counseling and direction to whatever challenges they may face. Not only is VA there but the community comes out in support. Many places like the American Legion, Veterans Life Center, USAA, and Legal Aid of NC/Veterans Law Project come ready to assist veterans in the many other ways that they may need in their daily lives. As this was my first community event it was overwhelming to realize I am someone who gets to help veterans. I also realized that I am not alone.

VA also helps to organize Stand Downs. “Stand Downs are typically one- to three-day events during which VA staff and volunteers provide food, clothing and health screenings to homeless and at-risk Veterans. In addition, Veterans also receive referrals for health care, housing solutions, employment, substance use treatment, mental health counseling and other essential services.” The Greensboro Stand Down was sponsored by the Servant Center.

I work with great people and if there is a reason we cannot assist, they have a network of others who are willing to step in. I look forward to not only helping veterans but getting to know this community of others that help veterans.

October 2024

I can’t believe it has been another month. Time goes so slowly and so fast at the same time. I am learning the ins and outs of the grant that the Veterans Law Project has through the VA as well as the ins and outs of Legal Aid of NC’s grant rules as well. At times meshing the two together causes some frustration, but the hearts of all those involved break through the frustration and we find a way to help the veterans who come to us.

This month we met veterans in High Point and Winston-Salem. Even though meeting veterans is amazing, meeting representatives from other organizations that are out there working for veterans. This allows us to not only provide legal services, but a more wholistic approach. Sometimes a veteran does not need the legal services we provide but needs something else that one of those connections may be able to provide.

My favorite time of year is Toys for Tots (aka Christmas). At the Veterans Coffee in Winston Salem, the Marines kicked off their biggest program. We were invited to attend to present the work the Veterans Law Project does and can do. I think it was a bigger blessing to me. I learned about the Veterans Bridge Home and that Richard Childress, of Richard Childress Racing, do all they can for veterans and have these coffees almost every month.

However, at this coffee there were several other presentations. Joey Jones from Fox and Friends spoke about patriotism and community and needing to unite not just during natural disasters or terrorist attacks. During his talk one comment stood out; “I am grateful to serve.” It got me thinking about when people say, “thank you for your service,” what does the veteran really think? I know it was my privilege to serve and I think that is the case with almost all the veterans I have been meeting. However, it is frustrating to me and to them that it is so hard to get the help they need. Moving from military life to civilian life is not easy, especially if there is a considerable amount of time between the two.

Other presenters included the Toys for Tots program, which I was surprised to learn they do so much more than that. The Veterans Bridge Home and Richard Childress as well as the National Guard with an update on the Western North Carolina relief efforts. The highlight of the morning was when the NACB Recycled Rides Program gave a car to a veteran in need. Partnering with the Hero center, we found out his need was due to medical bills from his wife’s illness and that she died just a few days before.

Disaster Relief – Helene

“As long as it is safe, I can make anything work.” That was the hardest comment to hear when the Veterans Law Project of Legal Aid of NC went to Asheville. A brother just trying to find a place for him and his sick brother to live after being displaced by Helene. The stories we heard and the lives that have been affected by Helene are as varied as the Red Cross and other volunteers that have come to Western NC to help in whatever way they can.

“We just need people to do what they say they will do.” That was the next hardest thing to hear. So many volunteers are helping innumerable hurt people and passing along information. Part of that information is, yes, the disability organizations will be here today. Yes, the lawyers will be here today. Yes, FEMA will be here today. One of the first people to speak to us we could not help as there was no legal issue. He had been waiting for an organization to show up as that was who he really needed to speak with. That organization still had not arrived when we left that afternoon. I know in our line of work things happen and I am sure that something happened to prevent them from being there that day. There are so many to help and so few volunteers.

It is overwhelming. It is hard. It is sad. It is almost unbearable. We only spoke to a few people and could only give sympathetic ears and encouraging words that they are doing the right things. Words that mean everything when there is nothing left.

I have friends in that area. It has been hard for me to hear that they have been denied assistance. That their insurance company is slow in making the repairs to their house. It is hard not to “blame the government,” especially after learning that disaster relief is controlled by statute. This means those same rules designed to assist, often tie the hands of the volunteers. Frustrations are taken out on the volunteers that come from all over the country to help with organizations like FEMA and the Red Cross. The volunteers I met were nice and truly wanted to help. The volunteers were taking advantage of an easy day. There were not many people that needed immediate help, most were just waiting for decisions and return phone calls. Some of the volunteers were gearing up to go back to their homes in South Carolina, Louisiana, Colorado and Hawaii (just a few) and a new team would replace them at the end of the week. The easy days are about to end at this location as they were to take on those displaced when another shelter closes. Then the lines, the applications, the appeals, and the waiting will all start over again.

The pictures show the beauty that is Western NC and what it still looks like a month after Helene. There are many farmers and small business owners who must rebuild and at the same time keep working to make ends meet. If you can, visit the area, support them by purchasing items or donating your time to assist. I hear Western NC Christmas trees are the best.

November 2024

November is well known for the Thanksgiving holiday. However, something to be thankful for everyday is our Veterans. But Veterans Day, being the 11^th of November, stirs different emotions for different people every year. For veterans, emotions of pride (proud to serve the best country in the world), gratefulness (grateful they survived what can only be described as a nightmare), and shame (some of the things that some veterans have been asked to do may not be understood even by other veterans). For non-veterans, thankfulness (for those who truly understand the cost of our freedom), selfishness (those who wonder why their tax dollars should be spent on people who volunteered to sit “behind a desk” who should have gotten a better job like they did), and passiveness (they do not really care or understand what the military has provided – as long as it stays in D.C).

So, I ask you, what is a Veteran?

The answer will depend on who is asking the question. In my opinion, a veteran was ANYONE who was willing to sign a contract that could mean the giving of their life in conflict protecting our country and the freedoms we know. This included active duty and the guard/reserves. Then I learned for VA purposes one could have served in the military but not be given the title of veteran making them ineligible for some or all benefits.   That did not mesh with my thoughts.

In 1959 VA’s motto was “To fulfill President Lincoln’s promise ‘to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan.’” In 2023, to be more inclusive, especially to women VA’s motto is now “To fulfill President Lincoln’s promise to care for those who have served in our nation’s military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors.” So, a shocker to find out that “served in our nation’s military” has some “conditions.”

The more I learn in this fellowship and with working with Legal Aid of NC about Veterans benefits and the legal help that is afforded to veterans I do, reluctantly, understand the need to have a definition that would show if someone qualified for benefits, whether health, housing, or burial. The qualifications can be very confusing. Then there are the exceptions, no surprise to any lawyer, that will allow someone who does not qualify to qualify. To be an effective representative staying on top of the changes and those exceptions is an absolute must.

The character of discharge could bar someone from benefits, but even a dishonorable discharge could be upgraded. A veteran could be unable to gain employment due to past mistakes in the civilian world. The transition from military to civilian is not easy, especially for wartime veterans. A records expungement could help that veteran out. There are many things that can be done to assist veterans, this is only scratching the surface of what is available and my knowledge as to what is available.

I am thankful that Veterans Day, typically, is a day we say thank you to all those who were willing to sign a line that could cost them their life for our country. We do not separate the active veteran from the reserve nor the peace-time veteran from the wartime veteran. As veterans, we understand the courage it took to be willing to go and die. (Memorial Day is the day we recognize the sacrifice of those lives).

From the title of this blog “godfirstlawsecond” you know I put God first. I went to law school with the hopes of serving God with a law degree. Veterans law is an area where I can do just that.

It may be a cliché, but I am honored to try and “serve those that have served.” I am also grateful to say that my church Liberty Baptist Church in Durham, NC, wants to do the same. They honored all veterans on November 10^th. They had breakfast and allowed different organizations, including the Veterans Law Project of Legal Aid of NC, to set up tables to show that there is legal help out there for veterans. Not only was I able to show a face to this help, I was able to find out that there are a few other in the congregation helping veterans in their jobs (housing) and that there are members who are veterans that are lost in the appeals process of increasing their benefits rating. This was organized by non-veterans that went out of their way to make sure the veterans of the community knew they were loved and welcomed. The pictures that follow are from that day.

When it comes time, I hope I can find myself in a place where I can effect some change into the system that President Lincoln imagined would benefit those willing to die for our freedoms.

December 2024

December brings one of my favorite things about Christmas: Toys for Tots! Ward Black Law in Greensboro, NC, is one of the biggest donation sites and this year was no different. The pictures show just how much this campaign means to Janet Ward Black. Legal Aid of NC, my sponsor for my EJA Fellowship, did a toy collection and brought them. G4G Ministries serves with a mobile grilling and ministry impact team. They work with other ministries and community organizations, and they provide free lunches for anyone who donated a toy. Also, there was Child Evangelism was also set up and there were many other volunteers from Ward Black Law and the Community. Oh! Of course, there were Marines there. 😊 One of the pictures is of LCpl Abar. He is a reservist from Greensboro, NC. He is a diesel mechanic. There are several other pictures that include my Legal Aid co-workers Nicole M. & Shaun A and Santa Claus.

Another thing I love about is driving down country roads, the grass is covered with frost, horses have their blankets, and all the Christmas decorations. If I am fortunate, there would be snow on the tree branches making it look like you are driving through a snow tunnel. But alas, there has been over 1,000 days of unmeasurable snow in my area.

But when I do enjoy the winter months, I am in a nice warm car, maybe even with some hot chocolate and my family. As I get more involved with homeless veterans, what do they do? Do they enjoy the winter or does it compound their troubles? I know I am being challenged to do more. Are you?

January 2025

There are no silver or bronze medals in this event. Only gold or go home. I was sent home.

I failed the NC Bar Exam. Three points – or a bunch – it does not matter. No silver or bronze. I have cried and felt like a failure who wasted a lot of time and money.

However, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 KJV.

How does this relate to veteran’s rights? The veterans need an advocate who can get back up and keep fighting. I may be able to assist them as a non-licensed attorney and even get accredited with the VA to represent them that way. My work would still be the best I can do. BUT – veterans deserve someone who can give it everything. In my opinion, I can do more with that law license – There have been and will always be veterans who need more legal support than just assistance in obtaining their benefits. They need licensed attorneys who can help with criminal charges, or expungements, with family matters or estate planning, or with driver’s license restorations. They need a licensed attorney with VA accreditation and a network that not only can cover their legal needs, but non-legal needs. Veterans deserve people who understand there is a wholistic aspect to helping a veteran.

I may be able to be licensed in several jurisdictions, but I am determined to pass and obtain my NC Law License. I am determined to be able to represent veterans at any level and in any court.