When the Together with Veterans (TWV) initiative first began in Greene County a few years ago, we started with a simple premise: bring veterans together. I still remember one of our very first “Coffee with Veterans” events hosted at the EQT REC Center. We had the coffee ready, the doors open, and high hopes.
That day, exactly one veteran showed up.
It was a humble beginning, but it was a start. We cannot forget the efforts of our members at the very “tip of the spear” who tried to get this off the ground in those early days, hosting similar attempts at McDonald’s and the Huddle House at the Mt. Morris truck stop. Those quiet mornings laid the groundwork for what was to come.
Fast forward to this past November, a month dedicated to honoring our service members. The contrast could not be more striking. At our latest gathering, we didn’t just have a few attendees; we welcomed more than 120 people through the doors. The room was filled not just with veterans, but with family members, community partners, and a palpable sense of energy.
One of the unique strengths of TWV-Greene County is that we don’t just stay in one place. We go where the veterans are. Over the last few years, our “Coffee with Veterans” events have become a roving sanctuary of support. We have been humbled by the outpouring of support from organizations across the county, some of whom have even chased us down to volunteer their space. Each venue provides a “third place”, somewhere outside of work or home, where veterans can connect without pressure.
The success of TWV-Greene County is built on the foundation laid by our sponsors. We owe a debt of gratitude to the Greene County Office of Veterans Affairs and the County of Greene, including the Office of Mental Health and Team HOPE, for consistently championing our cause. Their involvement in suicide prevention and awareness efforts has been indispensable.
We must also extend a special thank you to our corporate partner, Waynesburg’s local Walmart. Several employees, including the store manager, have put their actions behind the company’s donations, rolling up their sleeves to help prepare and serve our recent pancake and coffee breakfast.
We are equally grateful to the Community Foundation of Greene County for its fiscal stewardship. Furthermore, we must acknowledge Direct Results and Hilltop Packs/RGB Coffee, who have been steadfast partners of our coffee gatherings since the early days, helping us fuel both the conversation and the awareness campaign.
Why does a monthly coffee gathering matter? It comes down to a single, powerful word: connectedness.
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), connectedness is a primary protective factor against suicide. Isolation is a silent enemy, especially in rural areas like ours. When a veteran walks into a room of 120 peers, that isolation is shattered. They realize they are not alone.
This connectivity allows us to bridge the gap between veterans and the services they need. Programs like TWV-Greene and our Coffee with Veterans make a tangible difference by facilitating suicide awareness, education, prevention, and postvention. Instead of struggling to navigate a complex system alone, a veteran at our event can meet face-to-face with representatives from the Greene County Department of Veterans Affairs or staff from nearby VA Vet Centers. We can make personal introductions to healthcare, housing assistance, and financial benefits before a situation escalates to a crisis level.
We focus on connection because the reality of veteran suicide is a crisis we cannot ignore. To understand the scale of this tragedy, we can look back at the height of the war in Iraq.
In 2005 and 2006, the U.S. military suffered approximately 1,600 combat deaths in operations supporting the Global War on Terrorism. This timeline holds particular weight for us, as the Waynesburg-based PA Army National Guard unit deployed to Al Anbar Province, Iraq, during this exact window, participating in a year of heavy combat operations.
During those same two years, the VA reported that nearly 11,600 veterans died by suicide at home. For every service member lost on the battlefield during that period, seven veterans were lost to suicide here in the United States. This disparity drives us. It is why TWV-Greene County exists: to make the public aware that the battle often continues after the uniform is taken off.
Our goal is to ensure that every veteran in Greene County knows their life has value and that support is available. We want to reach you before the crisis. Whether you served in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the Cold War, or the Global War on Terror, you have a place here.
From one veteran at the EQT REC Center to 120 in November, we are growing stronger. Our work continues until every veteran in our community has the connection and support they deserve.
