Eclipse Magazine - Produced by NABVETS 2015 First Edition | Page 21

Member Highlight

“Why I Joined the National Association for Black Veterans...”
It happened by pure chance. While attending the Kentucky State Fair with
thousands of people in attendance, I noticed two ladies wearing black berets
and a yellow, black, and white flash that read, “NABVETS: Positive Lifestyle For
Veterans.” Being that I am a veteran and was at the fair looking for veterans as
part of my work at the Epilepsy Foundation of Kentuckiana, I was immediately
interested in learning more about who they were and what they represented.
I approached them and apologized for interrupting what they were doing, but I had
to know what NABVETS was. With huge smiles and very cordial demeanors they
not only explained to me about what NABVETS was, but they walked me to a large
meeting room and introduced me to the Kentucky State NABVETS Commander,
SGM (Retired) Irvin Lyons, Jr. I noticed the SGM’s passion for veterans
immediately. He talked with me about NABVETS and was extremely interested
in the work I was doing with veterans. SGM Lyons then introduced me to the
NABVETS Region 6 Commander, Shedrick Jones, Sr., and several other NABVETS
members present. Before I left, Commanders Lyons and Jones exchanged
business cards with me with the promise of staying in touch.
Not long after the State Fair ended, SGM Lyons contacted me about the possibility
of my going to Radcliff, KY and making a presentation to NABVETS Chapter 70
about the increased risk of Post Traumatic Epilepsy in veterans, and particularly
about the increased risk in black veterans. Little did I know then that at that
meeting I would become so impressed with NABVETS that I would want to join
the organization.
At the meeting I noticed something special: everyone there was deeply concerned
about helping veterans live an improved lifestyle. The meeting opened with a
prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the NABVETS Creed. I was
introduced to the members and made my presentation. After entertaining
several questions from the members, what followed was something
absolutely amazing.
I am a member of several Veteran Service Organizations which contribute
greatly to the overall well-being of veterans especially on the national
level, but on the local level there isn’t much really going on. For most
of the organizations, meetings consist of drinking adult beverages,
telling war stories, and remembering the old times. I have attended
literally hundreds of these meetings over the years and always felt
like something was missing, although I could never really put
my finger on exactly what. Being a person who is passionate
about helping my brother and sister veterans, I became
discouraged and stopped attending any meetings of
any Veteran Service Organization. I just found
them unproductive.

As I drove home that night, I could hardly contain
my excitement. I had found a Veteran Service
Organization that was focused on veterans and was
personally involved in making a positive difference
in veterans’ lives. There was just one problem: I am
white and NABVETS is an organization for people of
color…or so I thought. I called SGM Lyons. “Do you
think I would be