Brandon Hadley

For Brandon Hadley, it’s all about family.

His beloved grandmother grew up at the National Home, and he is certain that her experiences here helped to shape her into the amazing woman she is. As his grandmother has recently become ill, Brandon has deepened his involvement with the Home to honor her. In fact, he is hoping to visit the campus this summer!

Fortunately for us, Brandon’s definition of family includes the extended family of VFW members and military families in general, and he has strong feelings about their treatment.

“First,” he says, “it is normal for people to struggle with the aftermath of war. Families must be cared for in a manner that doesn’t stigmatize them. Second, healing from war is a family problem. Families should be treated as a unit, as opposed to simply treating the veteran…to have a place that can help to keep families together while they deal with the struggles of war is important to me. ”

And Brandon continues, “I also believe that the brotherhood developed during wartime should extend to our families. If veterans do not stand up to support one another’s families, then I feel we have really let our battle buddies down.”

Such deep concerns about the family of veterans are no surprise considering his own family’s commitment to service. In addition to Brandon’s service in Iraq, his great-grandfather was a World War I veteran, his grandfather was a veteran of World War II, and his father also served in the U.S. Army.

Currently a member of VFW Post #1089, Brandon is also a member of Canton #60 Free and Accepted Masons, and is very involved with his lodge. He loves to fish. He loves to spend time with family and friends. And he loves Michigan Football on Saturdays and Cleveland Browns football on Sundays. But above all else, he definitely wants to encourage others to donate to the National Home, and to get involved.

As he explains, “I realize that complaining about things will never change the world. Real world-changing comes from the folks that are willing to give of themselves and their resources. The people who get their hands dirty are the ones who change the world. Even if that change is just one family at a time.”