Support4Vets continues to grow

Helping veterans get into college and providing medical care for those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan were what more than 30 people came to hear Thursday from Tammy Duckworth, former political candidate and current director of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs.

At the Forest View Educational Center in Arlington Heights, the fifth meeting of the newly formed Support4Vets was one of its best attended sessions, as many people came to hear Duckworth, said John Brennan, the group's co-chair.

Duckworth, who gained notoriety when she ran and lost for the 6th Congressional District, told the group that many servicemen and women are struggling to keep their families back home afloat and when they return, they often face new struggles.

Duckworth had served in Iraq as a battle captain and assistant operations officer. In 2004, Duckworth was co-piloting a helicopter when a rocket-propelled grenade stuck the cockpit. She lost both her legs and partial use of an arm.

During the meeting, she told of one soldier whose own business narrowly missed going bankrupt, as family members struggled to run it themselves while he was serving. When he returned, he was barely able to save it. She said in situations like that, if community-based groups like Support4Vets could find someone from the business community to offer advice, it would be of great assistance.

"That's how you can help," Duckworth said. "They are not just soldiers. They have another life."

She added that the group could act as a conduit, directing veterans to find the resources they need at the veterans' affairs department.

Duckworth's presence was ideal for the group whose mission is to mobilize residents and support agencies in the Northwest suburbs to help returning veterans, Brennan said.

Most of the meetings have brought in about 20 people, except for the first one where 50 people attended, he said. But Duckworth's presence added another dozen or so, he said.

As it's still in its infancy, the group is hoping to continue growing in its attempts to determine how best to help those who are coming back from overseas

"I don't see it as charity," said Brennan, who is from Mount Prospect. "It's what they deserve."

For more information on the group, go to www.support4vets.com.