With roughly 18,000 veterans living in Henry County, the need for connection and community runs deep. For the past sixteen years, the Henry County Veterans Support Group (HCVSG) has served as a safe haven for those who’ve worn the uniform – a place to swap stories, share laughter, and find purpose beyond service.

The group was founded in 2011 by Bob Van Dunk, who was struggling to navigate the process of filing for his own veteran benefits. Out of that frustration came a mission: to ensure no other veteran would have to face the same challenges alone. Van Dunk created the organization to provide free assistance to veterans, their spouses, and their dependent children from all branches of service, offering guidance on veteran benefits, health resources, and access to National Cemeteries.

Over time, the HCVSG has expanded its reach. Today, it offers weekly support group meetings, professional workshops, referrals to trusted organizations, and education about illnesses related to military exposures. The group also serves two free hot breakfasts each week, providing not just nourishment, but fellowship. Since its founding, HCVSG has assisted more than 20,000 veterans, with over 10,000 volunteer hours contributed by members of the local community.

Among those volunteers is Reggie Moon. After serving four years as a Trident Missile Technician in the Navy Submarine Fleet, Moon’s military career was cut short when he was electrocuted and subsequently discharged as a disabled veteran.

In 2023, Moon first visited the HCVSG after hearing about a meeting at which the group was giving Christmas presents to veterans in need. “I asked right then, ‘What can I do?’” Moon recalled. “So, I committed to cooking.”

At the time, the HCVSG only offered breakfast once a week. Eager to lend a hand, Moon volunteered his services when he learned they had no one to prepare the meals. The group now offers breakfast every Monday and Wednesday morning, with Moon behind the stove each Wednesday. Between four and fifteen veterans gather at the HCVSG building for a hearty spread of scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, biscuits, and either grits or hashbrowns.

“Most people treat me like I was a cook in the military. I wasn’t,” Moon confessed. “But I do it so I can interact with the veterans and see where they are in life. The most valuable blessing I receive from my volunteer work at the VSG is hearing these veterans’ life stories. I’ve laughed with them and cried with them.”

Located at 32 Jonesboro Street in McDonough, the Veterans House and Service Center stands as a resource and refuge for those in need, offering free clothing, food, and even a place to shower. Surrounded by a community ready to serve those who once served them, the HCVSG continues to embody compassion, advocacy, and unity for veterans across Henry County.

By Sydney Kate Lewis