This past week, the National VFW magazine team came to the Boothbay V.E.T.S. facility to see first hand and learn more about the efforts of Ed Harmon and his team. This will result in an article in the magazine, most likely in March. Ed is VFW Post 2197 Senior Vice Commander out of Topsham and Maine VFW District 7 Commander. Many of Ed’s team are VFW members, including this writer, and most of them were there to help explain V.E.T.S and how the whole process works. I think most know how Ed and his team build the trailers and provide them to veterans who are homeless, preventing them from sleeping in the cars, in the woods, or under bridges. But, the trailers are a temporary refuge, with the most moving on to more permanent shelters or housing. That means the trailers come back to Ed’s facility ready to go out to the next veteran in need.

Well, that is not really what happens. Members of Ed’s team have to clean the trailers and get them ready to go out again. Clean is often an understatement. Sometimes they have to be almost completely rebuilt. While most of the veterans appreciate the “gift” they are being given by having a warm, comfortable place to place their heads at night, some do not. Unfortunately, some of the veterans have mental health issues or other problems that cause them not to treat these temporary shelters properly. The end result is that a considerable effort has to be made to make the trailers “like new” again. But, the team does this work with diligence and enthusiasm because they know how important these trailers are to the next veteran occupant.

While I am not part of Ed’s V.E.T.S. team, we work closely with Ed. By “we” I mean Maine Veterans in Need (MVN). One reason Ed invited me to be there with the VFW National Magazine team was to explain how we work together. Simple said, veterans come to MVN either directly or through the VA or other non-profits working with homeless veterans. When I get the call from the veteran, I call Ed to see if he has a trailer available, if he says yes, I see if a proper location has been identified and if it has, I call Ed back and he brings the trailer to that location. When the campgrounds are open, that is often the location and through other MVN arrangements, MVN can cover the cost of at least two months stay at the campground. MVN is only one of many organizations with caseworkers working with homeless veterans that work with Ed to find that immediate lodging.

The state’s past and present VFW Commanders were also present and they emphasized the commitment VFW members (as well as other service organizations) have to supporting all veterans in need of a “hand up.”

For more information about our “not so local” VFW organization, reach out to Ed Harmon!