Today's speaker was Hanna Tripp, a Senior Policy Advisor for Minority Veterans of America and former Veteran Case Worker at the Office of Congressman Seth Moulton (D-MA). Hanna served in Iraq as an AC-130 Aerial Gunner, and in both Iraq and Afghanistan as a C-5 Loadmaster. Hanna starter her speech by explaining that there is no unique veteran experience that she considers definitive that there is no one true identity or perception of the veteran experience.

 

The bulk of Hanna's speech focused on the Afghan Back efforts. The main focus is to help Afghani citizens who risked their lives to aid the American war effort in Afghanistan and who are now at risk. Hanna was truly inspired by news of the dangerous plight of interpreters in postwar Afghanistan. She became involved in this effort expecting to get employment verification letters for Afghanis to prove that their claims were valid and easing their attempt to leave Afghanistan. Instead they ended up with a massive list of thousands of names of people who needed various forms of help. She has help coordinate ground evacuations, get Afghanis flights out of Afghanistan, and coordinate medical care for people who would otherwise not get any. She has helped coordinate the extraction of kids and families out of Afghanistan. Hanna explained that this is both a civilian and veteran effort to help people who saved American lives. They have helped move more than 300 Afghanis to safety, as well as set up telehealth platform for Afghans.  This experience has created a community for veterans and civilians alike, and defines what it means to be a veteran to Hanna. Veterans banded together to connect with the Department of Defense and other militaries to help Afghans in need.

Unfortunately many Afghans have been lost, and Hanna recounted having to be involved in making difficult decisions about how time and resources would be spent. These experiences have a created a strong bond similar to those who have been in combat together- a singular mission and objective to get people to safety. This shows how we can bridge the divide between veterans and their various experiences both in service and afterwards. The focus of this mission allows these veterans who all had different experiences to see what connects them.

Hanna then went on to explain her feeling that the military is somewhat disconnected from the rest of American culture, and that we all need to come together instead of isolating military as a separate entity. The easiest way to help these efforts is to donate money, which is always needed. Support effort such as these succeed with funding. As winter draws nearer and the conflict in Afghanistan wears on, there will be fewer and fewer flights out of Afghanistan. Another way to help is to press Congress to pass the Afghan Adjustment Act. Finally, you can provide support for Afghan refugees in many ways. 

Hanna, who is transgendered, struggles with not being declared “worthy” by military after returning home. She had difficulty serving in the same military that was actively worked against her and was fighting against fair treatment. This was a driving force in Hanna working for Minority Veterans of America. She can be reached at Hanna.a.tripp@gmail.com.

Resettlement
https://welcome.us

US public private initiative to resettle Afghan Allies into our communities. Opportunities include sponsoring families, providing temporary housing and donating time and resources 

https://www.sponsorcircles.org 

“As a sponsor circle, you and your neighbors will take on tasks like finding initial housing, stocking the pantry, connecting children to school, providing initial income support, and helping adults to find employment. “ 

Donations

http://www.ampaa.org

For donations, the Afghan Medical Professionals Association of America (AMPAA) would be the place where it would do the most good. Currently medical providers in Afghanistan have not been paid in over 3 months and basic medicines as well as supplies have become scarce. AMPAA has been instrumental in helping me to stand up both a telehealth platform connecting people in Afghanistan to US based doctors for free medical and mental health advice to operating an underground healthcare network for those being targeted by the Taliban. It is the latter effort that donations would have the most impact, as we have not been able to compensate these providers delivering care for us in Afghanistan. Given that a specialist visit normally would cost $15, the money would go a long way and would have the tangential effect of allowing them to continue to provide medical support for all Afghans.  

Jim and Claire Bailey made a return trip to Salem Rotary, as did Bruce Whear's neighbor Atila who is in the process of getting his paperwork set to join Rotary. As always, Jack Kiernan our resident A/V superstar was present.

This week's raffle included:

 

Pot: $444

 

Players: Nicole McLaughlin and Roberta Crosbie

 

 

Bill Henning spoke about the 4-way test this week. He spoke about the first tenet of the test: Is it the truth? He opened with the truth- that he completely forgot that he was presenting this week. Bill went on to explain part of his role in a commercial lending is relying on an individual's character. In short, are they being truthful in their application and ability to repay the loan? He then must go on and be truthful with the bank to ensure all parties are on the same page.  Rick Jakious is set to speak next week.  

A reminder that the Rotary Club of Salem has volunteered to host Lifebridge Dinner the second Wednesday every other month. The next event is November 10. More volunteers are needed to cook at home and bring the food to Lifebridge. It's easiest for any members who volunteer to select a course to help make, and to plan on serving about 80 people. Please contact Claire Kallelis or Liz Bradt if you would like to volunteer. Liz can be reached at her NEW email address: docliz999@gmail.com!

 

We are once again collecting money for the North Shore Moving Market's Turkey Collection. You can donate at next week's Rotary meeting or through PayPal, which you can access here. Just be sure to toggle to a general donation and leave a note that this donation is for the Turkey Collection!

 

The Calendars are beginning to take shape. Gerrit Bradley has asked that if you know of anyone who would like to advertise in the Calendar, please send their contact information on to Gerrit. 

 

Salem High School's CTE Department has reached out to the local business community seeking volunteers to join one of the Program Advisory Committees. To learn more about this opportunity, there is an informational meeting at the Black Cat Restaurant at Salem High School on November 17 from 5:30 to 7:30. For additional information, contact Rinus Oosthoek.

 

The team at Burba Dental Partners is partnering with Notch Brewery to fundraise for Plummer Youth Promise. They will be collecting donations of the most needed items on Thursday, November 4 from 6 to 9 pm. There will be raffles as well! For more information, contact Randy Burba.