“There are over 700,000 Veterans in Virginia. Caring for our Veterans is, first and foremost, our priority,” says Michael Wagner, Veteran Peer Specialist with the Virginia Department of Veterans Services and Gratitude Cville’s Q2 Friend of Freedom award recipient.
Michael Wagner is no stranger to service. From 1994 to 1997, he served in the U.S. Army as an Airborne Infantryman, deploying to Bosnia in support of Operation Joint Endeavor and later being stationed in Vicenza, Italy with the 1/508th Airborne Battalion Combat Team. After his military service, Michael continued to serve his fellow Veterans in a new capacity—as a Veteran Service Representative, helping them navigate their VA disability claims process at the Virginia Department of Veterans Services in Charlottesville. But Michael knew he had more to give.
With encouragement from his colleagues and a desire to make a deeper impact, Michael applied for and accepted a position as a Veteran Peer Specialist. “I enjoy helping Veterans, and I felt I could make a more meaningful impact in this role,” he says.
Veteran Peer Specialists are uniquely positioned to help because they’ve been there themselves. These are Veterans who have face, and overcome, challenges such as PTSD, brain injury, military sexual trauma, suicidal ideation, substance use, and depression. They’re trained to walk alongside other Veterans through similar struggles, offering peer support, guidance, and most importantly, hope. In Michael’s words, “In a nutshell, we provide hope.”
The services offered by Veteran Peer Specialists are free and flexible. Veterans can receive unlimited one-on-one support—whether in person, by phone, or via text. Every interaction is tailored to the individual’s goals, and Veterans are connected to helpful resources through the Virginia Veterans Network. Peer support is available to all Veterans, regardless of discharge status.
Michael is also passionate about sharing useful tools like the VA’s free Safety App, available on both Apple and Android devices. The app provides a wide range of helpful resources.“If you’re ready to make a change in your life, and you’re willing to work at it, reach out to me or my team. There is hope—and you are not alone,” says Michael.
Each quarter, “The Freedom Fund” Board of Directors will choose a FOF award winner to be featured on Gratitudecville.com. To nominate person or organization that promotes and protects freedom in our community, email us at info@gratitudecville.com.
