Every year on November 11, the United States celebrates Veterans Day, a day that honors the people who are currently, or have served, in the United States Armed Forces. Our servicemembers reflect every aspect of what makes America one of the most diverse and multicultural societies in the world. But the realities of war leave scars on the countries we’ve fought and on those who’ve fought in our wars.
The goal of the Sierra Club’s Military Outdoors program is to connect veterans, service members, and their families with nature and with one another, benefiting both. We aim to bring veterans and their families back into their communities by helping them heal through the power of nature. A long-term study found that time spent outdoors in nature can positively impact the ill effects of PTSD. Many veterans experience difficulty adjusting to civilian life after leaving service, or have trouble with invisible wounds caused by PTSD.
On Veterans Day weekend, our local Sierra Club chapters stepped up to help countless veterans and their families connect with nature. Our hope is for participants to not only become outing leaders on future trips, but to become advocates for the environment Veterans and their families are among the most effective advocates to protect our lands, keep our waterways clean, and maintain breathable air. The individuals who were once tasked with protecting our nation can now serve to protect our planet.
Here are a few ways our chapters got veterans and their families outside for Veterans Day:
Florida Chapter: Hike at Black Creek Ravines near Jacksonville
We had a big, varied group from Wounded Warriors Project, YMCA, and our NE Florida Group on our hike at Black Creek Ravines. It was a beautiful day!
Georgia Chapter: Hike at Red Top Mountain near Atlanta
The Sierra Club’s Military Outdoors program and our Georgia Chapter hosted this outing. A huge thanks to our outings specialist, Devin Cowens, and Adrien Webber, our thoughtful Georgia Chapter Director, for sharing updates with participants about local politics and campaigns the chapter is working on.
Atlantic (New York) Chapter: Hike at Fahnestock State Park in Putnam Valley
Our friends at Guardian Revival had an excellent hike. It was a great trip that weekend with cooperative weather and an enthusiastic group of veterans and military family members — plus a few four-legged friends, too!
Loma Prieta (California) Chapter: Boatyard and Marine Center Tour in Sausalito
It was a gorgeous day filled with history, local info, and local learning. We first went to the Marinship exhibit and learned about how and why this enormous building exists. We then had a ranger-led tour of the Bay Model – a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers scientific tool which is now an educational and cultural gem in the beautiful town of Sausalito. We took a 10-minute walk along the shoreline to the Spaulding Marine Center, and had a brilliant tour of their educational and historical facility.