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Overview
editVeteran Coalition International (VCI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting veterans and those who served from NATO allied and partner nations, providing resources and fostering the exchange of best practices to ensure their resilience and continued service to family, community, and nation. VCI operates as a US 501(c)(3) public charity, committed to enhancing the potential of veterans, giving them their next mission, wherever they may call home.[1]
| Founded | December 2022 |
| Mission | Build support for veterans/those who have served across the NATO Alliance and Partner nations. |
| Type | Nonprofit 501(C)(3)Corporation |
| Headquarters | Arlington, Virginia |
| Key people | Steve Williams-Chairman; EJ Herold-COO |
Mission
editVCI envisions a world where allied and partner nation veterans and their national authorities share their best practices across borders to enhance the potential of all those who have served. The mission of Veteran Coalition International is to promote these exchanges of best practices that lead to the continued service and resilience of allied and partner nation veterans and their nations. The organization strives to empower veterans to continue to serve their families, communities, and nations to the best of their abilities.[2]
History
editVCI was founded by Danish and U.S. veterans inspired by the efforts of Jacob Panton, one of Denmark’s most decorated combat veterans. In 2014, Panton established Veteranskytterne, an organization dedicated to the mental and physical recovery of Danish and U.S. veterans. This initiative laid the groundwork for what would eventually become VCI, focusing on fostering international cooperation and support among veterans.
The scope of VCI's work expanded significantly in response to the war in Ukraine. In August 2023, VCI leaders visited Warsaw, Poland to broaden its network, adding to relationships with government and non-government offices supporting wounded veterans from Denmark, Germany, Poland, the U.S., and Ukraine. This trip included visits to various treatment facilities, trauma centers, prosthetics manufacturers and physical therapy centers in Ukraine. As the group departed Ukraine, they brought along a group of Ukrainian veterans to participate, along with their US and Danish counterparts, in a healing and camaraderie building "Warrior Week" in Denmark.
Key founding members who share a commitment to VCI’s mission include:
- Nikolaj Frederiksen ("Blue Eyes"), a distinguished Danish Frogman renowned for his bravery in some of the world’s most dangerous conflict zones.
- Søren Gade, Speaker of the Danish Parliament, who brings a unique perspective from his own experiences in war zones, and advocating for veterans in the political arena.
- Morten Andersen, NFL Hall of Fame inductee known as "The Great Dane."
- Steve Williams, VCI Chairman, a US veteran with extensive experience in defense industry.
- Jeff Welsh, VCI President, entrepreneur and investor supporting veteran initiatives.
Over time, VCI's Board of Directors has grown to include other notable figures, such as:
- Her Royal Highness Princess Marie of Denmark, serving as an honorary Board Director.
- Retired U.S. Army Gen. John W. “Mick” Nicholson Jr., veteran and longest-serving commander in Afghanistan.
- Ernest (E.J.) Herold, VCI Chief Operating Officer, veteran, and former senior NATO official.
These leaders and members continue to drive VCI’s mission to advocate for all veterans, regardless of nationality, to receive the support they need to heal, thrive and continue to serve their community in other ways.[3]
Efforts
editVeteran Coalition International operates on multiple levels to support veterans:
- Grassroots Level: VCI is committed to building a network of government offices and civil/non-governmental organizations that provide support to those who have served with vital services such as job training, medical care, housing assistance, and legal support. The organization aims to catalog those whose best practices may be shared across borders to enhance conditions for all veterans.
- National/Supranational Level: VCI raises awareness that those who have served may have earned entitlements by the their service but also represent assets to the community. With their experience, training, discipline and commitment, these veterans represent untapped community assets to their home nations. The organization fosters the exchange of best practices and creative strategies to enhance the experience of all who have served. VCI promotes the view that veterans are not a burden on the nation but proven human resources who can continue to contribute to national prosperity.
Why the Effort is Needed
editNATO Allies and Partner nation forces have been engaged in varying levels of conflict for over two decades. As military veterans return home, they encounter differing levels of support and understanding for the physical and emotional stresses they have endured. The bureaucratic challenges and lack of accessible assistance often lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms, including substance abuse, violence, and suicide, which can destabilize communities and burden economies.
In response, veterans have formed affinity groups to offer mutual aid, though these efforts often struggle due to limited resources. VCI addresses this gap by advocating for a more organized exchange of information (best practices and lessons learned) to enhance the experience of veterans as they transition from their uniformed mission to continued service to the nation in civil society. The novelty of VCI’s work is that the organization advocates for sharing this knowledge across borders.
Key initiatives
editVCI is actively working to create a global information hub that will serve as a single resource for best practices and lessons learned in veteran support. This hub will provide those who support veterans with access to others who have mastered various aspects of delivering that support. Examples of areas that can be enhanced include, but are not limited to, job training, legal assistance, housing support, medical treatment and rehabilitation. The organization's mission objectives include:
- Creating a database of points of contact for successful veteran support initiatives.
- Facilitating exchanges between experts and those in need.
- Enrolling national veteran centers, offices, and recognized veteran support non-governmental organizations.
Support for Veteran Coalition International
editTo support Veteran Coalition International, there are numerous ways to get involved and help advance its mission. Supporters can contribute through traditional donations, fundraising, and volunteering their time and expertise. VCI also welcomes contributions through estate giving, corporate sponsorships, and event partnerships.[4]
- ^ "VCI". VCI. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ "Missions". VCI. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ "About". VCI. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ "Take Action". VCI. Retrieved 2024-09-11.