Veterans honor Aaron Roper for helping them get benefits

Veterans from all over the Black Belt met at the Anchor Oct. 7 to thank a fellow vet for helping them receive the benefits they earned. 

About 1,600 vets have been helped since Aaron Roper founded Vets Helping Vets three years ago. Roper estimated that over $14 million a month in new benefits is now going to veterans. 

Some of those veterans gathered at the Anchor to share with each other how much Vets Helping Vets helped them. One vet said he was rejected by the VA for over 30 years, but in just a few hours, Roper was able to get him the benefits he needed. Other vets told similar stories, and all said the help they got from Roper and Vets Helping Vets literally changed their lives.  

Roper said he was humbled, and his heart is filled with joy. “You never know how you help or affect anyone," Roper said. “To hear the many stories from people in this room gives me a fire to go and go to keep advocating for veterans everywhere.”  

He added that he has seen veterans get the healthcare they need, and even financial assistance to help them finally get a home. He has also seen the positive impact the program has had on many of the vets' families. 

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Roper said he founded Vets Helping Vets because he could see that a lot of vets were not getting the help they needed and deserved. Many had problems with the VA application process, and many had been rejected and just gave up.  

Only seven people showed up for the first meeting of Vets Helping Vets, so Roper said he decided to discontinue the group. “But what happened was those vets found me,” Roper said.  

Roper restarted the group, and those seven vets told their friends who also told friends. Vets Helping Vets began to grow.  

Vets Helping Vets meets on the first Saturday of every month at the VFW lodge at 299 Kings Bend Road in Selma at 10 a.m. All that veterans need to do to be a part of Vets Helping Vets is to show up. Roper said there is a short intake process and then a briefing on the latest VA benefits. Roper will then meet with each vet one on one to find out their specific needs to figure out what he needs to do for them.