Honoring Heroes: Eric Crafton’s Mission to Support Veterans and Their Families

Recently, Eric Crafton, NJVSA president sat down with Ish Lopez, host of the popular podcast The Relentless Project. Listen to the full episode here, or read the highlights below.

When veterans return home, they often face challenges that extend beyond their service—navigating VA claims, finding stable housing, and reconnecting with their families. For many, the transition isn’t easy, and gaps in support can leave them feeling overlooked.

Enter Eric Crafton, President of the New Jersey Veteran Support Alliance (NJVSA), a nonprofit dedicated to bridging those gaps and ensuring veterans receive the immediate help they need—while also reminding them that they are heroes in the eyes of their families.

Who Is Eric Crafton?

A former Army National Guardsman with 17 years of service, Eric understands the struggles veterans face firsthand. After transitioning to law enforcement, he continued serving his community but noticed a critical issue: many veterans weren’t getting the timely assistance they deserved.

Frustrated by bureaucratic delays and overwhelmed organizations, Eric founded NJVSA to provide urgent response services from securing a hotel room for a homeless veteran, assisting with VA disability claims, or simply being the first point of contact when a veteran is struggling.

More Than Survival—Restoring Joy

While basic needs like shelter and healthcare are essential, Eric recognized something deeper: Veterans and their families need moments of joy, connection, and celebration.

"King for a Day" Events

One of  NJVSA’s most impactful initiatives is organizing free, high-quality events for veterans and their families. These experiences such as Broadway shows, water park days, and ski trips serve a dual purpose:

  • Reconnecting Families: After deployments, veterans often struggle to rebuild bonds with their children. These events give kids a chance to see their parents as the heroes they are.
  • Mental Health Awareness: Fun outings also serve as subtle opportunities to address PTSD and other challenges in a supportive environment.

Eric’s recent Stranger Things: The First Shadow Broadway event is a perfect example. Veterans and their families enjoyed premium seats (valued at $150–$250 each) to an immersive show, something many could never afford on their own.

"It’s those moments where the kid can look at their dad or mom and say, ‘Wow, because of their service, we get to experience this.’ It rebuilds that connection."

Eric Crafton
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