Home Base From the desk of Executive Director Retired Brigadier General Jack Hammond: Veterans Day 2023
Dear Home Base Nation,
As Veterans Day approaches, I am filled with profound gratitude as I extend my heartfelt thanks to all those who have served and sacrificed for our Nation. The bravery and selflessness of our Veterans, spanning generations, have safeguarded the freedoms we cherish today – inspiring us all.
Home Base’s success rests on three pillars: PASSION, INNOVATION and PARTNERSHIPS.
Fueled by a passionate commitment to ensuring our Veterans and their Families receive the care they need and deserve, we are deeply saddened by the loss of our fervent supporter and dear friend, Tim Wakefield. In the coming weeks, we will announce plans to honor Tim and his tremendous support for our work.
At Home Base, our mission is to pioneer new treatments to offer Warriors and their Families a brighter future. Our commitment to serving underserved Military communities has propelled us to expand our innovative approach to Veteran care into the State of Arizona. In 2024, we will launch clinical and wellness programs in the Southwest, which will include the care of our Native American Veterans and an innovative, five-day Intensive Clinical Program that will mobilize in partnership with Native American communities. We will host the pilot of this program in Boston this December to finalize the model and look forward to our full launch next year. Visit homebase.org/Arizona for updates on our Arizona initiative.
In the coming year, we will embark upon a strategic initiative called Healthspan, aiming to transform Veteran care from reactive to proactive, to mitigate potential reduced lifespan and the debilitating effects of chronic illness that result from invisible wounds such as traumatic brain injuries. Through innovation, comprehensive research and dynamic approaches, we aim not only to prolong lives, but also to optimize their quality. Recent studies, led by our clinical leadership, underscore the urgency of these efforts, particularly for Veterans who, like former athletes, may experience shortened Healthspans due to injuries sustained during their service.
Partnerships drive our success. We are proud to once again partner with WCVB Channel 5 Boston for the annual Helping Veterans Heal Televent. Last year, we announced the addition of 6,000 square feet of clinical space for our Comprehensive Brain Health and Trauma Program (ComBHaT) for Special Operators. This expansion, led by our partners at Suffolk Construction, reflects our commitment to meeting the demand for care from the Special Operations Forces community. I invite you to tune in to this year’s Televent on Channel 5 – on Thursday, November 9 from 6am-8pm EST – during which we will share our plans for ComBHaT to raise the funds needed to construct this space and support our critical programs. Special thanks to our volunteers and corporate partners who will join us throughout the day to raise awareness and funds for our heroes!
Finally, I want to highlight two other vital partnerships generating awareness and funding this November. Our friends at PTC are currently running their third annual Push-Up Challenge through this Saturday, November 11, at 11:59pm EST. Additionally, in collaboration with over 100 police departments across the Northeast, we are conducting our ninth annual No Shave throughout the month, which has raised over $1.4 million in support of our programs to date. Click here by Thursday, November 30 to contribute to the 2023 No Shave campaign.
On behalf of Home Base, I extend our deepest gratitude to Veterans of all eras. Please know that we stand with you, your Families and the Veteran community. If you or a loved one need support, do not hesitate to connect with us at homebase.org/GetCare.
THEIR MISSION IS COMPLETE. OURS HAS JUST BEGUN.
Sincerely,
Retired Brigadier General, U.S. Army | Executive Director, Home Base
Home Base is a national nonprofit dedicated to healing the invisible wounds of war for Veterans of all eras, Service Members, Military Families and Families of the Fallen through world-class, direct clinical care, wellness, education and research – all at no cost to them – regardless of era of service, discharge status or geographical location. The program was founded by Massachusetts General Hospital and the Boston Red Sox. Learn more at www.homebase.org.