Sunday, November 15, 2026
A nonprofit organization co-founded by two North Shore residents and a former U.S. ambassador is asking Americans to show their appreciation for the country’s veterans with a simple gesture: a message of gratitude.
Somewhere I Read, a nonpartisan initiative focused on strengthening civic engagement and giving people a greater voice in American democracy, has launched a Letters of Honor program, an effort to collect written messages and videos thanking veterans for their service and reminding them that they aren’t forgotten.
The program was developed by Jen Appel, of Locust Valley, clinical psychologist Larry Guerra, of Bayville, and Gentry Smith, who lives in Northern Virginia. The initiative aims to give veterans, particularly those struggling with mental health challenges and social isolation, an opportunity to hear directly from Americans who appreciate their sacrifices.
Appel said the effort was inspired by a successful initiative in England called Stay, which was created by a young man who lost his brother to suicide. The website has collected more than 5 million entries from people encouraging others to stay alive.
“I thought, well, let’s do that for our veterans,” Appel said.
Smith, who recently retired as the assistant secretary for diplomatic security at the U.S. Department of State, said that his personal and professional experiences have given him a deep appreciation for members of the armed forces. His father, grandfather and several other relatives served in the military, and his son is a Marine.
During his career with the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service, Smith worked closely with military personnel protecting American embassies, consulates and national security interests abroad. He said he also experienced the loss of colleagues and military personnel, including during the U.S. evacuation from Afghanistan in 2021.
“The loss of every person who serves impacts us,” Smith said, “and when you work with them, it impacts you more.”
He was particularly moved, he added, by the opportunity to reach veterans who have returned from service and continue to struggle with the transition to civilian life.
“Having a chance to actually reach out, to speak to the thousands of persons in these categories and letting them know that we still care, we still appreciate what they have done for us, and we’re still here for them,” he said, “is something that’s of great importance to me and to many others.”
Guerra, a clinical psychologist in Oyster Bay for over 25 years, said his own family history and career experiences have shaped his interest in supporting veterans. His father was a medic and nurse in World War II, and his father-in-law and uncle served in the Korean War.
In his clinical work, Guerra has treated veterans from several generations who struggled to adjust after returning from military service, some dealing with anxiety, depression and substance abuse and others experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, sleeplessness, social isolation and difficulties in their marriages.
The Letters of Honor program, Guerra said, is rooted in the psychological importance of social support, particularly for people who feel isolated or hopeless. “When you give hope,” he said, “the hope of giving hope is that people take action and get help and feel more able to help themselves.”
He added that receiving messages from strangers who recognize veterans’ service can help them feel less alone and may encourage them to seek help.
Appel said that the handful of submission so far include messages from veterans themselves and people honoring veterans who have died. Some are written letters accompanied by photos, and others are videos.
Appel, an educator and film and TV producer, said the submissions have already demonstrated how the program can bring people together who share an appreciation for those who served. “It’s already grown to a more general sense of ‘we just care about you, we honor you, we thank you,’” she said.
Contributors can submit written messages at SomewhereIRead.com/honor or create videos using the organization’s app, which includes a video studio allowing users to upload footage, add music and edit their submissions. Appel reviews and approves the submissions. Those who would like help creating a video can also send their footage to her for editing.
While the initiative is intended to reach veterans nationwide, Appel said it is open to developing dedicated sections for individual communities, including Oyster Bay and other Long Island locales.
The organization also hopes to expand its work beyond messages of appreciation. Appel said that Somewhere I Read has been in touch with veteran-support organizations about exploring potential partnerships, and plans to identify mental health resources that can be made available on the website.
The broader goal, Guerra said, is to help veterans access resources that focus on challenges such as affordable housing, employment, mental health care and the transition to civilian life. He is also interested in programs involving emotional support animals, which could offer veterans companionship and a sense of purpose.
The organization’s fiscal sponsor, the Social Impact Fund, is expected to help publicize the initiative once it collects at least 20 messages, Appel said. She added that several public figures have expressed interest in contributing, and sharing the program with wider audiences.
The immediate priority, Smith emphasized, is ensuring that veterans understand how much their service continues to mean to the people they have protected. “We want every one of those persons to know and to see the groundswell of persons who want them to be better,” he said, “and appreciate what they’ve given to us.”
Smith encouraged people who might be hesitant about taking part to remember that nearly everyone has encountered someone whose life has been touched by military service.
More information about the Letters of Honor program, including how to submit a written message or video, is available at SomewhereIRead.com/honor.
