OUR STORY

Our meetings are like no other veteran's group meetings. Yes, we eat donuts, drink coffee, and tell great jokes focusing on our neighbor's branch of service. But most importantly, we honor our name: Vets Helping Vets. We look out for each other. We have each other's back. When one of us trips or falls, another one picks up their rucksack and helps them through whatever issue they are experiencing.

Our meetings have six simple rules: no politics, no religion (however, we do close our meeting with a prayer from our Chaplin), no cussing, no blood and guts war stories, respect for whoever is speaking, and, most importantly, whatever is said in the meeting room stays in the meeting room. Our dress is simple - our black t-shirts with our logo and a veteran's cap. No Brasso and no spit-shine. Our only military relics are our experiences. We offer camaraderie, close friendships and, most of all, respect and help.

OUR STORY

In 2014, the local Anderson South Carolina Veterans Administration Clinic closed its doors to their counseling services for a group of veterans with PTSD issues. Up until its last day, the program was highly effective due to the talent and understanding of the local VA staff. Veterans were cut off from a critical lifeline and left with a shattered support network.

THIS IS HOW WE START EVERY MEETING

Over the next several months, the orphaned group found ways to do what any veteran learns. They found a way to keep moving forward. There were three key milestones that lead to the basis of today's "Vets Helping Vets Anderson". Each of the fourteen was committed to the group’s long-term survival. Second, the group formed a relationship with the Anderson South Carolina Elks Club who welcomed them and provided a meeting place second to none. The third and most important milestone was a decision by the original fourteen that to sustain Vets Helping Vets, any veteran with an honorable discharge would be welcomed with open arms. Today, any honorably discharged veteran is welcomed regardless of rank, branch of service, military experience, or history. Today, Vets Helping Vets is a tight knit group of veterans representing World War II up to Iraq and Afghanistan.

About 170 to 180 veterans attend our weekly Wednesday morning meetings. As you can imagine, most are Vietnam era veterans, but our ranks are growing with veterans from all mid-east conflicts.

If you are an honorably discharged veteran living in upstate South Carolina or adjoining Georgia areas, you are very welcome to join us.

At the Jesse Taylor Veterans Center, we host two meetings every Wednesday (9am and 1pm). All veterans are welcome. You will need proof of your military service such as a copy of your DD 214, or your VA Identification card, or your state ID or driver’s license that includes your veteran status endorsement. It doesn't matter what your rank or what you did or where you served while in service to the United States. When you come through the entry door, you are a Veteran, and we welcome you home!

We also have a group for combat veterans that meets every Monday. Its membership is only combat veterans, and it is solely for the support of combat veterans, aka grunts. This Vets Helping Vets group requires a copy of your DD 214 that shows a combat MOS with corresponding service ribbons and deployments. The group does not offer professional services. However, it does offer that special brotherhood built on the experiences of others who, like you, survived combat and its long term effects. If you feel this need, here is a very effective way to build a bond with veterans who have walked your same path, both in combat and after their service. They still walk the path, but it’s not as challenging for them now.

Associate Membership: a non-veteran with unique skills required to foresee and enhance the organization's ability to meet its mission are welcome to apply for board consideration for membership.

If you wish more information on this group please call us at 864-559-8006.