Community service helps veterans make an easier transition home, but the new generation of veterans is underutilized in their own communities,
a report released today by Civic Enterprises found. The report is based on the first nationally representative survey of veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Veterans from a younger generation are returning from Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world eager to assimilate back into their communities and campuses but often do not have the means to do so," said Army Reserve Staff Sergeant Brian Hawthorne, president of the George Washington University chapter of the Student Veterans of America, who has served two tours of duty in Iraq.

Starting today a program called Mission Serve will help connect veterans to volunteer opportunities near their homes, supported by a coalition of non-profits. The effort, led by the national campaign ServiceNation, involves more than 50 organizations in 36 projects to bridge the gap between service to the country and service to the community, and expand the U.S. volunteer movement.

MANUEL BALCE CENETA/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Veterans and their families can find volunteer opportunities using this Web site.

First lady Michelle Obama, along with Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, kicked off the initiative in a speech at George Washington University, saying average Americans can honor veterans by volunteering, too.

Local participants included Steve Dubiel, executive director of EarthCorps, and Mark Fischer, Veterans Conservation Corps coordinator in the Washington State Department of Veteran Affairs. Organizations participating in the program include EarthCorps, Sierra Club, Veterans Conservation Corps and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

The initiative is interesting on many levels. Helping others is a way to address the trauma many veterans face after war, including high suicide rates. It also brings together diverse groups like idealist.org and the environmental movement, the American Legion and the American Red Cross to form partnerships between civilian and military service organizations. Idealist, an interactive site for exchanging resources and ideas, has Seattle non-profit expert Putnam Barber as its senior researcher and several staffers from Portland.

Soldiers who are part of the Warrior Transition Battalion at Fort Lewis will continue a program to build low-income houses through a Habitat for Humanity project.

Sierra Club is offering outdoor trips and environmental education for military personnel, their children and families.

Another event for veterans is taking place next week, when the RecruitMilitary Opportunity Expo opens on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at ShoWare Center in Kent.

More than 300 veterans are expected to attend the expo, which aims to connect recently returning troops, other veterans and their spouses with employment, entrepreneurship and educational opportunities. More information can be found here.