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WASHINGTON – LSC Board of Directors Chair John G. Levi released the following statement in observance of Veterans Day:

Today we observe our second Veterans Day during the COVID pandemic. This  public health crisis has also seriously exacerbated the many civil legal aid challenges veterans confront as they transition to civilian life. 

For nearly 50 years, LSC and its 132 grantees nationwide have helped veterans struggling with a wide variety of these problems, including eviction, foreclosure, unemployment, child custody and access to medical care and other veterans benefits. In 2020, LSC grantees assisted more than 75,000 veterans and their family members with these issues.

Over the years, LSC and its grantees have worked tirelessly to assist veterans in a number of ways, including launching , the first national website focused on helping veterans and military families; establishing medical-legal partnerships with veterans’ health centers; operating legal hotlines for veterans; taking part in Stand Down events for homeless veterans; sponsoring and participating in Military Mondays; receiving regular referrals from veterans groups; and other outreach and advocacy programs. 

Just a few months ago, LSC’s Veterans Task Force released its report after working  for more than a year to identify ways to strengthen the relationship between legal aid providers and other veterans-serving organizations. The report also highlights best practices and model programs and recommends ways to expand pro bono representation for veterans. The Task Force is now exploring the most effective ways to implement its recommendations. 

Today in big cities and small towns across the country, this holiday will give us the opportunity to honor our veterans for their service during this extraordinary period. 

As a leader who well understood  what Veterans Day means, General Colin Powell, observed:

“Veterans have always shown up to serve the country and now the country has to make sure we are serving them. And Veterans Day is a way to stop, pause and thank the vets, those who are still with us and those who have gone before.”