Veterans don’t stop serving when they come home

Veterans have served America in big and small ways since the creation of the armed forces. Protecting the country, defending democracy, championing the American way of life, and providing disaster relief at home and abroad are just some of the ways veterans have served their country.

Transitioning from active military to civilian life hasn’t diminished the desire of many veterans to continue to be of service.

As the day of recognizing those who served in the military approaches on Nov. 11, Veterans Day, we highlight several local veterans who have used some of their military training and experiences to benefit their civilian communities.

 

Brenda Goodman

Nursing is what led Brenda Goodman to join the Army in 1970, serving two years in hospitals in Missouri, Oklahoma, and Augusta. However, it also led to her joining the Army Reserves for 24 years and retiring as a lieutenant colonel, according to Goodman.

The mother of four who was a registered nurse also used those nursing skills at several local hospitals including Grady, DeKalb Medical, Crawford Long and others, she said. She retired from nursing in 2006 after working at the Fulton County Health Department for 24 years as a women’s health nurse practitioner and supervisor.

Of the upcoming federal holiday to honor veterans, the Decatur resident said she appreciates the country taking a moment to acknowledge the service and sacrifice veterans have made.

Goodman said veterans of the Vietnam era, particularly people of color, didn’t get the recognition they deserved. Black female Army officers weren’t given the same respect as other officers during her time of service, she said.

“Now it’s nice to be recognized,” said Goodman who used to participate in Veterans Day parades as a member of the National Association of Black Military Women.

 

Dominic Carubba

Raising funds for the completion of a new American Legion post is a passion project for Dominic Carubba. Senior vice commander of American Legion Post 207 in Tucker, Carubba said rebuilding of the post, which was destroyed by fire in 2019, is equally important for its 70 members and for the community.

Rebuilding of the post is about halfway done, but approximately $250,000 is needed for completion, he said. An upcoming fundraiser is the post’s 5K walk/run planned for Nov. 9 at Tucker High School. “This event honors our veterans and raises crucial funds to complete the construction of our new Post building, which is vital for our mission to combat veteran suicide,” states the post’s website.

“We want all the vets in DeKalb and Gwinnett to join our post or the Avondale Estates post,” said Carubba.

“We are the place vets call home,” the Tucker resident said.

Carubba served in the Marines and Army for nearly a decade and retired as a 1st lieutenant. Today he is a speaker, trainer, coach and author and said employers don’t fully appreciate what veterans bring to the workplace.

“I don’t think employers understand the value of veterans’ skills,” said Carubba, citing leadership, communication, chain of command, and accountability.

He said most companies don’t start training their leaders until they become leaders, however, leadership training begins early for those in the armed forces.

 

Amos King

Amos King spent 28 years in the Army serving as a communications officer before retiring.

He moved on to being a schoolteacher and basketball coach as well as hosting a current events talk show on WIGO radio.

In 2015, the Stone Mountain resident started Justice 4 Veterans after the shooting death of Anthony Hill, an Air Force veteran, who was fatally shot by a police officer in Chamblee. Hill, who was naked and unarmed at the time of the shooting, was reportedly having a mental illness episode.

“Mental illness is a serious problem,” said King about what many veterans face in civilian life, adding that 22 veterans a day commit suicide.

Justice 4 Veterans is a nonprofit that focuses on healing rights and civil rights for veterans, according to King.

“It’s not enough to say, ‘Thank you for your service,’” King said.

Government officials often turn a blind eye to the challenges vets face and offer little in the way of resources, solutions, and support, he said.

King said veterans shouldn’t vote for candidates who don’t offer help with their most-pressing issues.

“If you are not helping me and we need help, why should I vote for you,” said King. “We need somebody who will stand with us.”