Topeka American Legion Auxiliary Launches Battle Buddy Link-Up for Veterans

Post-9/11 veterans in Topeka now have a dedicated space to gather and talk through military trauma, following the American Legion Auxiliary’s launch of its first Battle Buddy Link-Up.

Held at World Cup Coffee, the meetup aims to give retired service members a safe environment to connect with peers, WIBW reported.

Isolation remains a persistent hurdle for many who left the armed forces after the September 11 attacks, according to organizers. Andy Morrison, a Navy veteran and founder of the Topeka chapter of Veterans for Peace, spoke about the mental weight carried by retired personnel.

“To come out of hiding a bit and talk to each other a little bit, and kind of disengage from the isolation helps breed a little bit of positive mental health energy,” Morrison said.

Morrison said that discussions during the monthly gatherings intentionally steer clear of wartime deployments. Participants focus instead on building an identity outside of military service.

“I’m not here to talk war stories; that’s not the point of this. War stories are the whole reason that we’re having the problems we’re having in the first place,” Morrison told WIBW. “Finding purpose away from the identity of being a veteran is more important than maintaining that war story veteran.”

Navy veteran Paris Taylor also shared her experience living with post-traumatic stress disorder, admitting her diagnosis caught her completely by surprise years after leaving the service.

“I did not know I had PTSD until I sat down one day and said, ‘Hmm, something’s not right. Why do I not have friends? Why am I not able to hold down a job?’” Taylor told WIBW.

Taylor described the heavy personal toll of military trauma, noting that she lost two fellow veterans she served with to the mental battle.

“To this day, that’s why I always ask people how they’re doing, how are they feeling. Some even might call me a bit nosey. I’m not nosey, I just care,” Taylor said.

Organizers plan to continue hosting the meetups to support local veterans navigating similar challenges. Additional details on future sessions are available through the group’s Battle Buddy Link-Up Facebook page, as reported by WIBW.

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