S. Vincent Anthony
1022 SE 17th Street
Cape Coral, FL 33990
(239) 233-7251
email: vincent@vincentstephen.com
website: serenitystronghold.org
September 8, 2025
The Honorable Douglas A. Collins
Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20420
Dear Secretary Collins,
As a retired U.S. Army veteran and former patient at Bay Pines VA, I appreciate your dedication to veterans through your Air Force Reserves service, chaplaincy, and VA leadership. Despite billions invested over 50 years, challenges remain: 32,882 veterans are homeless (HUD 2024), PTSD contributes to elevated suicides (17.6 daily), and 75% of transitioning veterans face unemployment. I invite you to support our Serenity Stronghold Action Plan to advance comprehensive solutions.
Our 8-year plan builds 50 centers, starting with 12 in Phase 1 (2026–2028). Themed for wellness, job training, and family support, the centers offer therapies like model train railroading (potential 50–80% PTSD symptom reduction via mindfulness, based on recreational therapy research) and evidence-based treatments. We’ll construct 10,000 housing units with VA reuse and extend to first responders.
Your oversight positions the VA to integrate this initiative.
Ask:
- Allocate $400M from the 2025 budget for pilots, therapy training, and housing.
- Recognize model train railroading as a reimbursable therapy.
- Facilitate partnerships and expand HUD-VASH to 132,000 vouchers.
Impact: Achieve 80% housing stability and 70-80% PTSD reduction for 100,000 annually. Please review at serenitystronghold.org and contact me at (239) 233-7251. My SSN last four digits are 7447 for verification.
Sincerely,
S. Vincent Anthony
Letter to The Honorable Douglas A. Collins, Secretary of Veterans Affairs
September 8, 2025
Sent: USPS 9/9/2025