Temple, Texas is located only 30 minutes away from Fort Hood, Texas, the largest active-duty base of the Armed Forces. That is only part of the reason why many veterans and active-duty members choose to reside in Temple.
This month, we are celebrating and supporting our soldiers in response to National PTSD Awareness Month. The goal is to bring awareness to mental health, specifically PTSD, and to provide resources to help those struggling with trauma.
Temple offers many resources to veterans such as an abundant healthcare network, affordable living, several veteran-owned businesses, and veteran support organizations. The city is also home to the fourth largest VA (Veteran Affairs) hospital in the country, making it the ideal place for veterans to reside.
Flourishing Medical Network
Between the Olin E. Teague’s Veterans’ Medical Center and Baylor Scott & White, there are plenty of medical resources in Temple to suit each veteran’s unique health concerns.
Temple’s VA medical hospital is the largest in Texas and the fourth largest in the country. Olin E. Teague’s Veterans’ Medical Center provides a variety of services to veterans such as medicine, surgery, psychiatry, physical medicine, and neurology. The Temple medical center is the only VA medical campus with an Emergency Room operating 24/7. The campus also has a 408-bed Domiciliary and a State Veterans Home so veterans in Temple will always have access to the mental and physical healthcare benefits they need.
In addition to veteran-specific healthcare services, Baylor Scott & White has several branches located in Temple. The Continuing Care Center helps patients with chronic illnesses who require continuous care. This can be very helpful for veterans who have experienced traumatic events that affect their health long-term.
Baylor Scott & White Mental Health Clinic is also a great resource for veterans seeking mental health counseling and medicine. They offer psychology and psychiatry resources to help residents of Temple improve their quality of life and overcome emotional hardships.
Affordable Housing
Living in Temple offers much more for far less cost. That means more family-friendly events, more medical and recreational facilities, and more housing choices – all at a cost of living that is significantly lower than in other cities.
Housing prices in Temple are 41% below the national average, making home ownership both appealing and attainable. Even rent prices in Temple range from 36% to 46% less than in the rest of the U.S., which is perfect for those who want the flexibility and reduced maintenance requirements of leasing.
Veteran Resources
Texas Veterans Commission offers active military service members and veterans with resources to aid them in education, employment, health care, and mental health services. They also help resolve issues involving VA health care services such as enrollment, billing issues, and pharmacy assistance.
The Military and Veteran Services from Workforce Solutions of Central Texas provide support for those anxious at the idea of transitioning into the civilian workplace. They offer resources to improve interview skills, build excellent resumes, and help veterans network. They also offer grants for certifications, licensing, and college that benefit veterans and their spouses alike. With plentiful job opportunities in Temple and veteran support through Workforce Solutions, veterans have all the support they need to transition.
Chess Vets is a club in Temple that aims to use the power of chess to help prevent dementia and keep veterans healthy overall. Additionally, they provide a community for veterans in Temple to come together and feel part of a whole. They run weekly chess tournaments with veteran discounts and provide education on the health benefits of chess for veterans.
Help Heal Veterans uses art and crafts as a healing tool for PTSD, anxiety, and depression, and to help improve mobility and fine motor skills. They offer craft kits – free of charge – both for home and at the facility that are made of sustainable materials. The CEO, Joe McClain, is a veteran himself and understands the importance of accessible resources for improving and maintaining mental health through supportive groups like Help Heal.
Veteran-Owned Businesses
FoxDog is a recently opened, veteran-owned coffee, beer, and wine garden with a fun and welcoming environment. The space in Downtown Temple offers an inclusive environment with plenty of room for the kids to play while satisfying the taste buds of craft coffee, beer, and wine lovers. They also host several events throughout each month which bring the community together. The goal of the space is to create a haven where everyone feels that they can be themselves.
Fire Base Brewing Company is a Temple brewery with a veteran-focused and community-focused approach. The brewing company is a place where Temple residents can relax and ask the owner about their experience both in starting their business and in their military services. They also have weekly events from bingo to trivia night to open mic nights and the occasional military-oriented event.
A Community That Cares
Temple is a city that cares about its community, especially its veterans. With Fort Hood Military Base close by, Temple makes sure to create a welcoming environment for retired veterans and active-duty members alike. If you are a veteran or you know someone who is, be sure to prioritize mental health by taking advantage of the ample healthcare and veteran resources in Temple. It is also important to take time to relax and connect with friends, family, and community members at a local veteran-owned business.
Visit our website to see how you can be part of a community of caring post serving at Fort Hood Military Base.