West Chester residents have launched a grassroots effort to bring together younger combat veterans and senior veterans for a shared trip to Washington, D.C. The Cincinnati Veterans Engagement Team (CVET) aims to rebuild the sense of team and brotherhood many veterans miss after leaving the service.
Connecting generations of service members
CVET focuses on veterans aged 35 to 55, offering them a chance to bond with older veterans without the pressure of recounting combat experiences. The centerpiece of the program is an Honor Flight to the nation’s capital, where participants visit war memorials and pay tribute to fallen comrades.
Joe Isgro, an Army Sergeant who completed more than 500 convoys in Iraq and Afghanistan, described how CVET changed his life. “I isolated myself and turned to the bottle,” Isgro said. “Connecting with CVET introduced me to a Vietnam veteran on an Honor Flight, and it helped me feel like I was still part of a team.” He added, “I was there for him, wrapping my hand around his shoulder and saying, ‘It’s all right, man, we’re still here.’”
Addressing mental‑health challenges
Mike Barker, a former B‑52 gunner from Desert Storm, echoed the need for peer support. “I am a combat veteran and I also struggled with PTSD,” Barker said. “It took me 30 years to get help, and I don’t want future veterans to wait that long.” Barker noted that veteran suicides in Butler County have nearly doubled, underscoring the urgency of programs like CVET.
CVET’s activities extend beyond the D.C. trip. Local gatherings welcome veterans and their families, providing a space to reconnect, share stories, and support one another. “We can help the younger guys and they can help us,” said Bruce Zander, a retired Senior Master Sergeant of the U.S. Air Force.
Community support and future plans
Chad Harris, a former 1st Sergeant in the Army, highlighted the honor flight’s significance for seniors. “You get an opportunity to take a veteran; it may be their last chance to see these monuments,” he said.
Steven Bader, a 2009 Lakota East graduate who enlisted after the September 11 attacks, will serve as a guardian on the upcoming April 2027 flight. “Maybe they’ll see a fellow veteran on the wall and we can have a good day talking about the military,” Bader said. “We’ve got each other’s six, and that’s why I’m driven to do this.”
By fostering intergenerational bonds, CVET hopes to reduce isolation, improve mental‑health outcomes, and honor the sacrifices of all who served. The organization invites veterans, families, and community members to join upcoming events and support the next Honor Flight.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
