Navy SEAL Veteran Seeks Michigan's Help for Veteran Buddy Checks

This Veterans Day, Navy SEAL Veteran Evan Shelline is urging Michigan to make a simple yet significant call: a Buddy Check. Shelline, the founder and president of VETTED in Troy, Michigan, is advocating for a peer-to-peer support system that can help veterans, particularly those who served in Korea and Vietnam, feel less isolated.

Shelline, who served about a decade in the U.S. Navy, including six years with the SEAL Teams, founded VETTED in 2024. The company provides in-home care for veterans in Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne counties. Shelline is also the Senior Vice Commander of Sgt. Stanley F. Romanowski VFW Post 6896, a role that underscores his commitment to veteran support.

The Buddy Check is a concept Shelline introduced to honor the older veterans who may not have spoken about their service. Many veterans from the Korean and Vietnam eras have never shared their experiences with their families or have stopped interacting with those who were not there. Shelline believes that a simple phone call can make a significant difference.

"Veterans call it a Buddy Check," Shelline explained.

Shelline’s initiative, The Veteran Muster, brings veterans together in senior living communities for 60 to 90 minutes of camaraderie, remembrance, and storytelling. The gatherings focus on honoring the fallen and remembering those still missing, while also providing a space for veterans to check in on one another. No one is required to speak, making it a safe and comfortable environment for all.

To make a Buddy Check, Shelline suggests the following steps: 1. Choose a veteran: a parent, a neighbor, someone from church or the post. 2. Call rather than text. Ask how they are doing, and then listen. 3. If they served with someone they have lost touch with, offer to help find that person. 4. If you are worried about a veteran, the Veterans Crisis Line is free and open all day, every day: dial 988, then press 1.

Shelline is inviting senior living communities in Southeast Michigan to host these gatherings. VETTED Veteran Care organizes Veteran Musters with senior living communities, subject to availability. The community provides a room and helps invite its veterans. There is no charge to host or attend, and no services are solicited during the gathering. Every veteran is welcome, from any branch and any era, whether or not they live in the host community.

Shelline’s efforts are part of a broader initiative to support veterans, particularly those who may be overlooked or forgotten. "That peer-to-peer support is vital," Shelline told listeners of Veterans Radio in October.

By making a simple call, Michigan residents can play a crucial role in supporting the older veterans who have served their country.