During the month of November, GECU is proud to honor our veterans, those who currently serve our country, and the military families who also sacrifice for our freedom. November was first declared Military Family Month in 1996. Since then, we recognize veterans on November 11th annually, and acknowledge the tremendous sacrifices our military families make throughout the month. While their loved ones are protecting our country, military families often strive to balance home life and daily challenges, while maintaining a sense of normalcy and stability. These families may have to navigate being separated from their service members and adjust to new living situations, knowing a military commitment means being uprooted periodically. With that, our veterans and their families embody adaptability, courage, resilience, and strength.
As Americans, let’s come together to support our troops and encourage military family appreciation in our communities. Thank you to our veterans, activity duty military members, and military families for their commitment to serve and protect – and for the sacrifices they make. At GECU, we partner with several veteran- or military-affiliated organizations. Learn more about a few of these organizations below as well as ways you can get involved to honor our service members.
Honor Flight Tri-State (8627 Calumet Way, Cincinnati, OH 45249)
This organization coordinates veteran travel to see the war memorials in Washington, D. C., especially in cases where it may not be financially or physically possible for these service members to take the trip themselves. Many of these individuals are World War II or Vietnam Veterans. As stated in their mission, Honor Flight takes veterans free of charge to visit their memorials in Washington, D.C. All World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War Veterans aged 65 and older who served either stateside or overseas are eligible.
Honor Flight chartered four flights this year accommodating 88 veterans on each American Airlines Airbus 321. The veterans were also able to bring a guest on the trip; if a veteran didn’t have a family member to accompany them, a qualified and enthusiastic guardian was available to assist them on this trip of a lifetime. In the past, GECU welcomed an Honor Flight Guest Speaker to share more about the organization’s work and our team members participated in the "Welcome Home Rally" at CVG after a flight.
Joseph House (1526 Republic Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202)
This organization is committed to meeting the needs of veterans and their families dealing with addiction. Joseph House offers treatment and recovery programs designed to promote healthy, sustainable lifestyles, and reintegration into the community.
The staff follows an approach focused on creating an environment of accountability, confidence, and independence for their clients. By leveraging activities like art and equine therapy, mindful yoga, and relationship building, clients learn to make their own decisions and establish a sense of purpose and service. This year in honor of our GECU Veterans we are making a donation to Joseph House to further their mission, fund programming, and support veterans in need.
Yellow Ribbon Support Center (4326 Mt. Carmel Tobasco Road, Cincinnati, OH 45244)
One of our 2023 Giveback Partners, Yellow Ribbon Support Center (YRSC), is comprised of volunteers and supports troops currently serving in harm’s way while also remembering those who did not walk off the plane. The YRSC collects donations, purchases food and personal care items, and assembles care packages which are shipped to troops all over the world.
Over 26,000 care packages have been delivered and $550,000 awarded in post-secondary scholarships in memory of fallen heroes since the organization was founded in 2004. Through their partnerships, the YRSC also identifies resources for veterans seeking employment opportunities.
To support the Yellow Ribbon Support Center, the GECU Giveback Crew collected donations, assembled care packages alongside veterans, and hosted a webinar to showcase the organization’s work this year. Learn how you can volunteer with the YRSC or support their mission by visiting their website.
Giving back is part of who we are here at GECU. Discover all the ways we make a difference by visiting our GECU Cares page. And be sure to join us in celebrating Military Family Month by supporting organizations like the ones above.