Bancroft hosts Veterans Day ceremony in Cherry Hill
Bancroft, a New Jersey-based non-profit who, for more than 20 years has been helping individuals with traumatic brain injuries reintegrate into their communities, hosted a special Veterans Day recognition ceremony last week at the Cherry Hill Public Library.
Rev. Floyd L. White III, director of the Camden County Office of Veterans Affairs, presented five veterans with medals for their dedicated service to the country. Also in attendance were previous veteran honorees as well as Bancroft staff.
Bancroft Brain Injury Services has always served veterans, although no dedicated funding source existed until 2011, when Bancroft was one of 20 organizations chosen to participate as a contractor in the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Assisted Living for Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury Pilot Program. Through the pilot program, Bancroft provides residential services, cognitive rehabilitation, and physical, occupational and speech therapy, to help veterans with traumatic brain injuries regain daily living skills and participate in their communities again. Prior to their placement at Bancroft, some veterans received no treatment for their brain injury, were placed in improper care, and experienced homelessness and substance abuse.
Ranging in age from 32 to 67, veterans served by Bancroft represent most branches of our country’s armed services. They have served in Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq, Afghanistan, and in peace time. They have been awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Naval Achievement and Commendation Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, and the Bronze Star.
