Veterans center saves lives, Baltimore Legion post

Like many of his comrades, Army veteran Vincent Reid found himself at a crossroads in his life after completing college, serving a successful tour in the military and working several promising jobs to support his family.

“I went through a lot of things in my late 40s,” he said. “It got to a point where after 30 years of marriage and using drugs, I ended up where I am now. Instead, I should have come to talk to somebody.”

Although Reid always had a place to call home, he needed help overcoming the addiction plaguing his life. The Legionnaire found solace and a fresh start at the Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training.

MCVET provides an array of comprehensive services to homeless veterans and other veterans in need, with the primary goal of enabling them to reunite with their families and rejoin their communities as productive citizens.

When the agency was founded in 1993, the founders – two of whom are Legionnaires – built the organization around the principal that it takes the entire community to help a veteran heal, said Jeffery Kendrick, MCVET’s executive director.

Nestled in the heart of Baltimore, the facility serves more than 250 veterans daily, offering various services, including a Day Drop-In program which allows vets to walk in off the street to take advantage of services that include showers and a laundry facility. MCVET also boasts single-occupancy living spaces and provides the same seamless continuum of care to female veterans.

Residents also can take advantage of educational courses offered on site or go out into the community to further their education. Stipends also are provided for individuals who fill different positions at the facility.

“When I came here I wanted to improve my employment situation and possibly go back to school,” said Army veteran Calvin Pulliam. The Richmond, Va., native said he has already accomplished a few of his goals, including serving as a security guard when he is not in class. Pulliam said he is benefitting from the services he receives and benefits from working. “I am getting better,” he said. “I’m more than seven months clean for the first time in 30 years. Before I made it to 90 days – then I relapsed for 10 years.”

The common overwhelming theme of military camaraderie, close proximity in age and the desire to accomplish personal goals helps residents foster a family-like atmosphere. “A lot of the people here have gone through the same things I’ve gone through,” Reid said. “It’s great to be able to talk to them and really truly understand what they are going through.”

“I can’t say enough about MCVET,” Navy veteran Ed Delaney said. “Through a series of losing jobs, things weren’t getting any better. I wanted to come here to get the structure in my life I really needed. It saved my life.” He said he enjoys volunteering for things and hopes to become a Legionnaire in the near future.

For most of the veterans that successfully navigate their way through MCVET, their journey is not over once they return home to their families or go on to independent living. Many go on to either become MCVET staff or volunteer in some capacity at the facility.

Legionnaire Thomas Cameron, the facilities maintenance manager, said he is no stranger to MCVET. He entered the program as a student in 1996 and became a part of the staff in 1998. “MCVET put me back on my feet,” he said. “I lost everything – my cars, home, children and myself. MCVET gave me the opportunity to put everything back together.”

Other MCVET alumni come back to volunteer their time and efforts through class instruction and mentorship, taking the students under their wing. Nelson Pettigrew, a MCVET alumnus, comes back to the center to teach classes and hang out with other veterans during their free time. “All I can hope to be is a shadow of hope that this thing can work,” he said. “It worked for me.”

While MCVET offers programs, resources and services to help veterans get their life back on track, many of the participants agreed that it is the total package. MCVET has an active choir and is also home to American Legion post 127. The aging post moved to the MCVET facility in July and has been thriving since then. The post was honored at this year’s department convention for having the largest increase in membership.

Although the post is its own separate entity apart from MCVET, it is the veterans at the facility facilitating the revitalization of the post. “A lot of us like the idea of having something else in here to do that would benefit other veterans,” said MCVET student David Moore.

Moore is an active Legionnaire and is proud to have maintained membership for the past 15 years.

For a lot of the prior servicemembers, this is a new experience, said Reid, who serves as the post adjutant. When new members join the post, they learn the history and structure of the organization. In his eyes, the Legion has enhanced the quality of life at MCVET.

Various posts and auxiliary units pitched in to provide funding and much-needed equipment around the facility. “Many (veterans) wanted to be a part of The Legion beforehand but couldn’t because they just didn’t have the money,” Reid said. But now, a free first-year membership is offered to members of MCVET.

Moore said he appreciates the fact that the post does not have a bar. Many post members can identify with the desire to not drink or relapse, thus strengthening their bonds. “We are very motivated to make this work,” he said.

Reid said the MCVET post helps educate veterans about The American Legion. “People don’t really understand the mission of the Legion,” he said. “(It gives) back to veterans and the community. I appreciate the way The American Legion helps MCVET. We get a lot of support from them.

“Together, the Legion and MCVET have given us a sense of pride – we can be proud that the services we receive really help change our lives. We feel like we can give back. We want other homeless veterans to see what we have and want to embrace our tight-knit community.”