We hear a lot about new beginnings when one year gives way to the next, and in 2012 perhaps no one understands this better than our military veterans returning home to their grateful families, friends, and communities. Over the last several weeks leading up to the holidays, we have all seen media reports of these emotional reunions. These are very special moments, but these moments also leave me with a nagging question: “What’s next for these heroes?”

For the thousands of veterans and their families who will continue to return home from serving overseas this year, the transition from the war front to the home front can be extremely challenging. Typical issues spouses and veterans may face after deployment include communication difficulties, the need to renegotiate family roles and responsibilities and the added stress of possible combat-related injuries.  Some spouses of veterans have reported feeling overwhelmed, depressed, anxious and frustrated.

It is my firm belief that we here at home have a duty to support those who have done theirs, and that is why I wanted to share with you some important information about the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) telephone support program, which is designed to help with this transition.

The VA telephone support program’s aim is to serve as a pillar of support for returning veterans and to help ease the transition for families after deployments. The focus of the program is on problem solving, communication, relationships, mental health and resilience. The program is supported by a trained, nationwide team of VA medical center staff members, including many caregiver support coordinators, who lead the support groups.

In addition, local caregiver support coordinators assist veterans and give caregivers an understanding of how to apply for VA’s caregiver benefits. A Web page, www.caregiver.va.gov, contains general information on spouse telephone support and other VA and community support programs. The Caregiver Support Line is 1-855-260-3274. Veterans and their family members may also be interested in http://www.caregiver.va.gov/help_landing.asp, a Web site designed to assist them in finding help closer to home.

I encourage those who may have friends and family returning home from overseas, or who know of a military family in your neighborhood, to share this information with them. It is a simple gesture that could have an important impact on a family member, friend, or neighbor. Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to the many brave men and women who served this country with honor. Our veterans are the reason our nation stands as a shining example for other freedom-loving nations around the world. Please know that I promise to continue to work for our soldiers, veterans and their families, who have sacrificed so much for us.