Quilts of Valor offers warmth to wounded soldiers
NBC News
By Amber Payne, Producer
October 21, 2013
Army Ranger Josh Hargis' solemn, determined salute was captured in a photo quickly shared around the world. Hospitalized after a suicide bomb attack in Afghanistan, Hargis was presented with a Purple Heart by his commander after coming out of surgery. Despite his wounds and the constricting tubes, he raised his bandaged right arm through the pain.
Barbara Conner of Lawrenceville, Ga., noticed the bravery, courage, and strength in his actions. She also noticed something else: Cpl. Hargis was wrapped in a very colorful, very familiar quilt.
"I cried. I mean, I was totally emotional," she said. "Why do I Q.O.V. [Quilts of Valor]? Josh is the reason that we do it."
read more here
Showing posts with label volunteers for veterans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label volunteers for veterans. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Red Cross Gary Lady volunteered over 7,000 hours
Paying it Forward: A Gray Lady with the Red Cross
Personal tragedy leads Williamstown woman to help others at MMH
Marietta Times
By Erin E. O’Neill
October 21, 2013
The local chapter of the Gray Ladies organization was formed March 2, 1952 by Harriet Follett.
The Gray Lady service, a Red Cross volunteer women's organization, started in 1918 at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C. Female volunteers acted as hostesses and provided recreational services to patients, most of whom had been injured during World War I.
Pat Thrash of Williamstown began her service as a Gray Lady with the Red Cross in 1979, where she logged 472 volunteer hours. When the volunteer program at Marietta Memorial Hospital was started in 1982, the Gray Ladies were welcomed in and trained to help patients.
Currently, Pat is one of only three Gray Ladies who still remain at the hospital and they are known by the distinctive uniforms they wear.
"As of last year, Pat has 7,757 hours as a volunteer with us," said Anna Vukovic, director of volunteer services. "She has worked in the surgical waiting area, the cancer center and right now she is helping in outpatient registration. She is very flexible and is just one of those people who is a pillar in the organization."
read more here
Personal tragedy leads Williamstown woman to help others at MMH
Marietta Times
By Erin E. O’Neill
October 21, 2013
The local chapter of the Gray Ladies organization was formed March 2, 1952 by Harriet Follett.
The Gray Lady service, a Red Cross volunteer women's organization, started in 1918 at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C. Female volunteers acted as hostesses and provided recreational services to patients, most of whom had been injured during World War I.
Pat Thrash of Williamstown began her service as a Gray Lady with the Red Cross in 1979, where she logged 472 volunteer hours. When the volunteer program at Marietta Memorial Hospital was started in 1982, the Gray Ladies were welcomed in and trained to help patients.
Currently, Pat is one of only three Gray Ladies who still remain at the hospital and they are known by the distinctive uniforms they wear.
"As of last year, Pat has 7,757 hours as a volunteer with us," said Anna Vukovic, director of volunteer services. "She has worked in the surgical waiting area, the cancer center and right now she is helping in outpatient registration. She is very flexible and is just one of those people who is a pillar in the organization."
read more here
Monday, June 10, 2013
Volunteers of America and Home Depot Team up for Homeless Veterans
New vets home a country retreat
In foothills of Alpine, 20 beds now available for homeless vets
UT San Diego
By Jeanette Steele
JUNE 5, 2013
A new 20-bed center for homeless veterans has quietly opened in the Alpine foothills.
With a new basketball court, horseshoe pits, outdoor grills and a “victory” vegetable garden, organizers hope the sprawling property will offer a retreat-like experience to young former fighters wrestling with combat stress.
Volunteers of America, a national religious nonprofit group, opened the facility in February in a run-down cluster of buildings that had housed various recovery programs over the years.
In other words, it didn’t look so swanky back then. Gophers had free run of the place, sometimes popping their heads out of the ground within spitting distance of residents.
Enter the Home Depot Foundation, a charitable arm of the home improvement megastore chain.
read more here
In foothills of Alpine, 20 beds now available for homeless vets
UT San Diego
By Jeanette Steele
JUNE 5, 2013
A new 20-bed center for homeless veterans has quietly opened in the Alpine foothills.
With a new basketball court, horseshoe pits, outdoor grills and a “victory” vegetable garden, organizers hope the sprawling property will offer a retreat-like experience to young former fighters wrestling with combat stress.
Volunteers of America, a national religious nonprofit group, opened the facility in February in a run-down cluster of buildings that had housed various recovery programs over the years.
In other words, it didn’t look so swanky back then. Gophers had free run of the place, sometimes popping their heads out of the ground within spitting distance of residents.
Enter the Home Depot Foundation, a charitable arm of the home improvement megastore chain.
read more here
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Central Florida Stand Down so we can Stand Up
Central Florida Stand Down so we can Stand Up
by Kathie Costos
Wounded Times Blog
May 19, 2013
Yesterday I put up a post Stressed out volunteers for veterans need Stand Down too! because after the Stand Down in Sanford it occurred to me that for all the people helping veterans, we are all in need of help for ourselves. Sure we can network to figure out who else is doing what for the veterans so we can help them get what they need, but frankly, we do a lousy job of networking for ourselves.
Who is out there able to help us? Support us? Fund us? Listen to us when we are stressed out, lost, at the end of our ropes so we don't give up?
Stop and think that while you read what I do everyday, you don't even know half of it and I'm fine with that but you don't see any of what most people are doing on a daily basis. I can tell you first hand the last thing we want is a reward for it simply because no one can top the reward we receive when a magnificent veteran is pulled out of despair. I've seen them come through some of the darkest times in their lives, especially considering most of the time they contact me, they are suicidal. The first thing they want to do when they get back on their feet and heal is to help other veterans. Do you think there is anything anyone can give me that would come close to topping knowing them? Hell no!
The trouble is getting from one day to another as one veteran helped is replaced by another in need or a family member blaming themselves when it is too late to learn what no one told them. I get burnt out all the time but what I have is a network of Point Man leaders I can call to be able to talk about all of this.
The best example of this is when I was writing THE WARRIOR SAW, SUICIDES AFTER WAR. Families asked me to write it because of all the research I had on Wounded Times along with what I know few others seem to know when it comes to living with PTSD. I knew this project would drain me emotionally because I when I was working on research for a suicide video, I crashed. This time was different because I knew I had people I could call when I was about at my breaking point. I knew I had to do this work but I knew I couldn't do it alone. I had Dana Morgan, the President of Point Man International Ministries to call along with other members and a weekly Skype conference call with other leaders to help me do this.
It is hard to ask for help when you are a helper but it is even hard when you don't know who to ask for help and get it. I had the support I needed and finished the book so that families would have what they needed me to do.
I have a religious background that is odd considering I am Greek Orthodox but managed to work two years as Administrator of Christian Education for a Presbyterian Church plus became a Chaplain specializing in crisis intervention for first responders. I had people teaching me what I didn't know so I could be better at what I do. I had people teaching me how to make better videos at Valencia College. I have a background research, historical and combat plus current events, all written by other people so I could learn from them. Psychologists and psychiatrists taught me what I needed to know about way the mind works. What qualifies me more than anything else is the fact I am the wife of a Vietnam Vet with PTSD. He taught me what it was like to have all of this going on inside of him and how I could help him. What I stand for is the fact if I can understand all of this, anyone can. I am an average person, so I can stand by their sides and tell them things the "professionals" can't tell them. I am also smart enough to know that there is very little I would know if I did not have them to turn to and learn from.
I have a huge stack of business cards because of all the meetings I go to and events I film because all of us are trying to do our best for our veterans. All of us have different talents so someone can always learn something from me and I never stop learning from them.
There came a time when I thought I have just been doing this work for too long because too many people out there before I came along vanished. They gave up. It isn't that they were not smart enough, dedicated enough or tried hard enough. They gave up because they were not supported. They were not given what they need, when they needed it. Just because someone was lousy at finding the support they didn't get did not make them a failure. It just meant they didn't find someone to give them what they needed so they could give what they had to give.
There are things I am fantastic with but there is a long list of things I am lousy at. When I up the post yesterday at the bottom I wrote "Smarter heads out there in Orange and Seminole County Florida need to figure out a way to start taking care of the doers or we'll end up joining those in need waiting for someone to help us but there won't be anyone there." This morning someone smarter than me responded.
Bob Brambury of Veterans Multi Purpose Center has been a great friend for a long time and I visited his ranch last year. This is a beautiful ranch with horses helping veterans heal after combat. Bob and his family are dedicated and delightful. Anyway, he already came up with a plan to deliver a way to help us have a day just for ourselves. He offered his ranch for July 4th weekend.
This is a news report about his ranch.
Naturally this is in the beginning stages of planning but I wanted readers to know that when people join forces to help each other, mountains move out of the way.
There will be a day for us to connect with each other and find the kind of support we need to be able to go on helping our veterans. I don't want to see more good people slip away when they have so much more to give especially when the greatest need is in front of us. Vietnam veterans are discovering they did not escape combat as well as they thought they did now they are retiring and the sleeping symptoms of PTSD have awakened. Gulf War veterans are in need. Iraq veterans are in need and soon troops will be out of Afghanistan. We're already seeing the numbers way too high compared to past wars at the same time we're playing catch up to the veterans that have been waiting even longer. This will require even more helpers for their sake and the experienced providers will be in even more demand so we can teach the new people willing to do this work.
While there is a rising number of new charities popping up all over the country they will need our wisdom if they are going to be able to know enough about what works and avoid what has already failed.
In the coming week there will be more news on the Stand Down for us but I wanted you to know that someone with a smarter head than mine is coming up with a plan for our sake.
by Kathie Costos
Wounded Times Blog
May 19, 2013
Yesterday I put up a post Stressed out volunteers for veterans need Stand Down too! because after the Stand Down in Sanford it occurred to me that for all the people helping veterans, we are all in need of help for ourselves. Sure we can network to figure out who else is doing what for the veterans so we can help them get what they need, but frankly, we do a lousy job of networking for ourselves.
Who is out there able to help us? Support us? Fund us? Listen to us when we are stressed out, lost, at the end of our ropes so we don't give up?
Stop and think that while you read what I do everyday, you don't even know half of it and I'm fine with that but you don't see any of what most people are doing on a daily basis. I can tell you first hand the last thing we want is a reward for it simply because no one can top the reward we receive when a magnificent veteran is pulled out of despair. I've seen them come through some of the darkest times in their lives, especially considering most of the time they contact me, they are suicidal. The first thing they want to do when they get back on their feet and heal is to help other veterans. Do you think there is anything anyone can give me that would come close to topping knowing them? Hell no!
The trouble is getting from one day to another as one veteran helped is replaced by another in need or a family member blaming themselves when it is too late to learn what no one told them. I get burnt out all the time but what I have is a network of Point Man leaders I can call to be able to talk about all of this.
The best example of this is when I was writing THE WARRIOR SAW, SUICIDES AFTER WAR. Families asked me to write it because of all the research I had on Wounded Times along with what I know few others seem to know when it comes to living with PTSD. I knew this project would drain me emotionally because I when I was working on research for a suicide video, I crashed. This time was different because I knew I had people I could call when I was about at my breaking point. I knew I had to do this work but I knew I couldn't do it alone. I had Dana Morgan, the President of Point Man International Ministries to call along with other members and a weekly Skype conference call with other leaders to help me do this.
It is hard to ask for help when you are a helper but it is even hard when you don't know who to ask for help and get it. I had the support I needed and finished the book so that families would have what they needed me to do.
I have a religious background that is odd considering I am Greek Orthodox but managed to work two years as Administrator of Christian Education for a Presbyterian Church plus became a Chaplain specializing in crisis intervention for first responders. I had people teaching me what I didn't know so I could be better at what I do. I had people teaching me how to make better videos at Valencia College. I have a background research, historical and combat plus current events, all written by other people so I could learn from them. Psychologists and psychiatrists taught me what I needed to know about way the mind works. What qualifies me more than anything else is the fact I am the wife of a Vietnam Vet with PTSD. He taught me what it was like to have all of this going on inside of him and how I could help him. What I stand for is the fact if I can understand all of this, anyone can. I am an average person, so I can stand by their sides and tell them things the "professionals" can't tell them. I am also smart enough to know that there is very little I would know if I did not have them to turn to and learn from.
I have a huge stack of business cards because of all the meetings I go to and events I film because all of us are trying to do our best for our veterans. All of us have different talents so someone can always learn something from me and I never stop learning from them.
There came a time when I thought I have just been doing this work for too long because too many people out there before I came along vanished. They gave up. It isn't that they were not smart enough, dedicated enough or tried hard enough. They gave up because they were not supported. They were not given what they need, when they needed it. Just because someone was lousy at finding the support they didn't get did not make them a failure. It just meant they didn't find someone to give them what they needed so they could give what they had to give.
There are things I am fantastic with but there is a long list of things I am lousy at. When I up the post yesterday at the bottom I wrote "Smarter heads out there in Orange and Seminole County Florida need to figure out a way to start taking care of the doers or we'll end up joining those in need waiting for someone to help us but there won't be anyone there." This morning someone smarter than me responded.
Bob Brambury of Veterans Multi Purpose Center has been a great friend for a long time and I visited his ranch last year. This is a beautiful ranch with horses helping veterans heal after combat. Bob and his family are dedicated and delightful. Anyway, he already came up with a plan to deliver a way to help us have a day just for ourselves. He offered his ranch for July 4th weekend.
This is a news report about his ranch.
Naturally this is in the beginning stages of planning but I wanted readers to know that when people join forces to help each other, mountains move out of the way.
There will be a day for us to connect with each other and find the kind of support we need to be able to go on helping our veterans. I don't want to see more good people slip away when they have so much more to give especially when the greatest need is in front of us. Vietnam veterans are discovering they did not escape combat as well as they thought they did now they are retiring and the sleeping symptoms of PTSD have awakened. Gulf War veterans are in need. Iraq veterans are in need and soon troops will be out of Afghanistan. We're already seeing the numbers way too high compared to past wars at the same time we're playing catch up to the veterans that have been waiting even longer. This will require even more helpers for their sake and the experienced providers will be in even more demand so we can teach the new people willing to do this work.
While there is a rising number of new charities popping up all over the country they will need our wisdom if they are going to be able to know enough about what works and avoid what has already failed.
In the coming week there will be more news on the Stand Down for us but I wanted you to know that someone with a smarter head than mine is coming up with a plan for our sake.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Stressed out volunteers for veterans need Stand Down too!
Stressed out volunteers for veterans need Stand Down too!
by Kathie Costos
Wounded Times Blog
May 18, 2013
The first post today is about 5 hours late because I just got back from the Sanford Stand Down for veterans. The wonderful thing is there were more volunteers than veteran needing help, so no one had to wait. For volunteers, that was also the bad part.
The area I was assigned to didn't have many veterans needing their services, so there was plenty of time to talk to other volunteers. Most of us felt the same way. We were there to help veterans because we not only care, most of us have a personally connection, either as veterans or family members.
We talked about our lives, joys and struggles. That is the reason for this post before I check the rest of my emails and go take a nap. I've been up since 5:00.
As I watched the veterans get matched with a Battle Buddy they were given something good to eat for breakfast, shown where to go for what they needed, taken to where the showers were and get a hair cut along with clean clothes, boots and some personal needs items, all donated by caring groups and businesses.
These veterans went from feeling as if no one cared to feeling as if they belonged and mattered. The expressions on their faces lifted as their mood did. The volunteers were smiling just knowing that they made the difference.
My mood changed too. I started the day out in a bad mood feeling as if I had one of the worst jobs in the world because with a 70 hour week, my bank account if pretty much empty already and month is only half over. I had to worry about having enough gas in my car to get me to the Stand Down and back. In other words, totally feeling sorry for myself even though I have a nice house, a car, food to eat and clothes to wear.
Then I was looking at the line of volunteers also managing to get up before the sun to show up and help someone else expecting nothing in return other than to do for the sake of someone else.
We talked about what they did in their lives and what their hopes and dreams were. One young man was an Air Force veteran and he was there to volunteer because a lot of his buddies knew what it was like to feel abandoned. A volunteer did it because her husband is a veteran and another one never thought of doing anything else but helping veterans.
These people are truly remarkable. The time they put in is as fabulous as the love they feel.
They totally changed my mood and I felt blessed just to meet them. It also reenforced the fact that helpers are the last people to ask for help. It happens all the time. When you are "doer" it is hard to become the person someone else does for.
When I talked to the Air Force Veteran, we were talking about the most stressful jobs. He said top of the list are enlisted personnel and then brass because they had to be the ones to give the orders that could mean life or death. Then Police Officers, Firefighters and emergency responders.
I asked him if he knew what was even more stressful but often goes unnoticed. I told him it was the ones who care for all of the above.
We tend to be the most stressed and because of that, burn out fast unless we also have support behind us. I happen to have a lot of people I can (and often do) call on for emotional support. All of us need that. Sure we need financial support so we can keep a roof over our own heads, food in our bellies and gas in our tanks to get us from one place to another but those needs are obvious.
We need our own support team showing up to be our Battle Buddies when we get lost, worn out and torn down so we can get back to what we do best but as hard as it is to ask for help, it is harder for other people to even think about our need to be helped.
Because of what I do and the events I travel to, I've seen all kinds of groups all dedicated to veterans and most of them do not receive enough support financially or emotionally. There needs to be a Stand Down for us. A place where we can be fed and taken care of even for just a little while, where we know we do matter and someone cares.
To have someone ask us what we need and then help us find it instead of just assuming we don't need anything. I once had a business man say to someone about me that "She's always asking for help and if she was any good, she would get what she needs." pretty much the same way some people see a homeless veteran and just assume they want to be homeless and "get handouts" so they just ignore them. (Yep people still think that way.) But I am not unique. All the volunteers I talked to this morning are going through the same things. Stress! Stress of knowing what we do matters but not having anything to help us do it. Stress of doing what we do knowing how great the need is while no one seems to notice how great our own needs are.
Smarter heads out there in Orange and Seminole County Florida need to figure out a way to start taking care of the doers or we'll end up joining those in need waiting for someone to help us but there won't be anyone there.
by Kathie Costos
Wounded Times Blog
May 18, 2013
The first post today is about 5 hours late because I just got back from the Sanford Stand Down for veterans. The wonderful thing is there were more volunteers than veteran needing help, so no one had to wait. For volunteers, that was also the bad part.
The area I was assigned to didn't have many veterans needing their services, so there was plenty of time to talk to other volunteers. Most of us felt the same way. We were there to help veterans because we not only care, most of us have a personally connection, either as veterans or family members.
We talked about our lives, joys and struggles. That is the reason for this post before I check the rest of my emails and go take a nap. I've been up since 5:00.
As I watched the veterans get matched with a Battle Buddy they were given something good to eat for breakfast, shown where to go for what they needed, taken to where the showers were and get a hair cut along with clean clothes, boots and some personal needs items, all donated by caring groups and businesses.
These veterans went from feeling as if no one cared to feeling as if they belonged and mattered. The expressions on their faces lifted as their mood did. The volunteers were smiling just knowing that they made the difference.
My mood changed too. I started the day out in a bad mood feeling as if I had one of the worst jobs in the world because with a 70 hour week, my bank account if pretty much empty already and month is only half over. I had to worry about having enough gas in my car to get me to the Stand Down and back. In other words, totally feeling sorry for myself even though I have a nice house, a car, food to eat and clothes to wear.
Then I was looking at the line of volunteers also managing to get up before the sun to show up and help someone else expecting nothing in return other than to do for the sake of someone else.
We talked about what they did in their lives and what their hopes and dreams were. One young man was an Air Force veteran and he was there to volunteer because a lot of his buddies knew what it was like to feel abandoned. A volunteer did it because her husband is a veteran and another one never thought of doing anything else but helping veterans.
These people are truly remarkable. The time they put in is as fabulous as the love they feel.
They totally changed my mood and I felt blessed just to meet them. It also reenforced the fact that helpers are the last people to ask for help. It happens all the time. When you are "doer" it is hard to become the person someone else does for.
When I talked to the Air Force Veteran, we were talking about the most stressful jobs. He said top of the list are enlisted personnel and then brass because they had to be the ones to give the orders that could mean life or death. Then Police Officers, Firefighters and emergency responders.
I asked him if he knew what was even more stressful but often goes unnoticed. I told him it was the ones who care for all of the above.
We tend to be the most stressed and because of that, burn out fast unless we also have support behind us. I happen to have a lot of people I can (and often do) call on for emotional support. All of us need that. Sure we need financial support so we can keep a roof over our own heads, food in our bellies and gas in our tanks to get us from one place to another but those needs are obvious.
We need our own support team showing up to be our Battle Buddies when we get lost, worn out and torn down so we can get back to what we do best but as hard as it is to ask for help, it is harder for other people to even think about our need to be helped.
Because of what I do and the events I travel to, I've seen all kinds of groups all dedicated to veterans and most of them do not receive enough support financially or emotionally. There needs to be a Stand Down for us. A place where we can be fed and taken care of even for just a little while, where we know we do matter and someone cares.
To have someone ask us what we need and then help us find it instead of just assuming we don't need anything. I once had a business man say to someone about me that "She's always asking for help and if she was any good, she would get what she needs." pretty much the same way some people see a homeless veteran and just assume they want to be homeless and "get handouts" so they just ignore them. (Yep people still think that way.) But I am not unique. All the volunteers I talked to this morning are going through the same things. Stress! Stress of knowing what we do matters but not having anything to help us do it. Stress of doing what we do knowing how great the need is while no one seems to notice how great our own needs are.
Smarter heads out there in Orange and Seminole County Florida need to figure out a way to start taking care of the doers or we'll end up joining those in need waiting for someone to help us but there won't be anyone there.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Iraq veteran and wounded CHP officer gets help to heal
Volunteers step up to help disabled East Bay veteran
Laura Anthony
ABC News Team
January 24, 3013
PITTSBURG, Calif. (KGO) -- An East Bay veteran is getting a complete makeover of his backyard, thanks to a team of volunteers from Home Depot.
The volunteers worked from about 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday. The veteran who owns the home served two years in Iraq in a combat zone before he returned to the Bay Area and joined the CHP. He was left permanently disabled after responding to a robbery call in Oakland. The team of volunteers came out to his house to help make his life a little smoother, going forward.
After all the service Shawn Navel has given to his country and his community, he's grateful for what's being given back to him now, "I'm extremely happy and I'm also happy to see all these supporters," Shawn said.
Laura Anthony
ABC News Team
January 24, 3013
PITTSBURG, Calif. (KGO) -- An East Bay veteran is getting a complete makeover of his backyard, thanks to a team of volunteers from Home Depot.
The volunteers worked from about 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday. The veteran who owns the home served two years in Iraq in a combat zone before he returned to the Bay Area and joined the CHP. He was left permanently disabled after responding to a robbery call in Oakland. The team of volunteers came out to his house to help make his life a little smoother, going forward.
After all the service Shawn Navel has given to his country and his community, he's grateful for what's being given back to him now, "I'm extremely happy and I'm also happy to see all these supporters," Shawn said.
An Army veteran, Shawn served two tours in Iraq before returning to the Bay Area as a California Highway Patrol officer. It wasn't just a career, but something he considered a calling.read more here
But that was all shattered three years ago when Shawn and several other CHP officers responded to a robbery in progress at an Oakland Walgreens. When the robber came out shooting, Shawn was hit eight times.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Combat wounded veteran runs to honor fallen soldiers
Wonderful story but it would have been nice if the reporter knew the difference between Army and Marines Corps.
This is post number 17,000!
Army Vet Runs Across Country Planting Flags for Fallen Soldiers
By COLLEEN CURRY
Nov. 11, 2012
At each mile marker he crossed on his 2,146-mile trip from Minnesota to Texas, Mike Ehredt stopped running for a moment to plant a flag representing a fallen American soldier.
On his journey, Project America Run, he has jogged 26 miles a day across the country to memorialize soldiers who died in the Afghanistan war. In 2010 he ran from Oregon to Maine to honor those who died in Iraq.
"It's to honor and say thank you to those that died in Iraq and Afghanistan," he said.
"I stop each mile, put a flag down that bears the name, rank, and hometown, in the numerical order of their deaths, and it creates an invisible wall across the country. I just wanted to do something for them, something genuine and pure that no one would replicate."
read more here
This is post number 17,000!
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Team Rubicon spends Veterans Day Weekend helping after Hurricane Sandy
Hundreds of vets lend a hand in Sandy relief
By LEO SHANE III
Stars and Stripes
Published: November 10, 2012
The official New York City Veterans Day festivities take place Sunday in Manhattan, but members of Team Rubicon have been holding their own parade in Queens for the last week.
These volunteers — all skilled U.S. veterans — have been walking the main routes of the Rockaways, having traded their camouflage for uniforms of dirty jeans and group-issued T-shirts. The streets are clogged for their procession — but with storm surge sand and downed tree limbs, the remnants of SuperStorm Sandy and the nor’easter that arrived a week later.
Almost 400 veterans have joined the disaster relief organization’s efforts in the region, helping with search and rescue, shelter setup, aid logistics and basic cleanup.
“It’s our biggest effort to date,” said William McNulty, co-founder of Team Rubicon.
“The size and the scale of the damage down there is so huge. There are still blocks down there that haven’t seen much help. So we’re doing all we can to get to them.”
The group formed in 2010, with the goal of creating a rapid-response disaster relief team of U.S. veterans. They’ve sent volunteers to Haiti to work alongside Marines in earthquake recovery efforts; cleanup crews to Missouri and Texas after tornadoes; and evacuation teams to Louisiana after several hurricane landings.
read more here
Clay Hunt
By LEO SHANE III
Stars and Stripes
Published: November 10, 2012
The official New York City Veterans Day festivities take place Sunday in Manhattan, but members of Team Rubicon have been holding their own parade in Queens for the last week.
These volunteers — all skilled U.S. veterans — have been walking the main routes of the Rockaways, having traded their camouflage for uniforms of dirty jeans and group-issued T-shirts. The streets are clogged for their procession — but with storm surge sand and downed tree limbs, the remnants of SuperStorm Sandy and the nor’easter that arrived a week later.
Almost 400 veterans have joined the disaster relief organization’s efforts in the region, helping with search and rescue, shelter setup, aid logistics and basic cleanup.
“It’s our biggest effort to date,” said William McNulty, co-founder of Team Rubicon.
“The size and the scale of the damage down there is so huge. There are still blocks down there that haven’t seen much help. So we’re doing all we can to get to them.”
The group formed in 2010, with the goal of creating a rapid-response disaster relief team of U.S. veterans. They’ve sent volunteers to Haiti to work alongside Marines in earthquake recovery efforts; cleanup crews to Missouri and Texas after tornadoes; and evacuation teams to Louisiana after several hurricane landings.
read more here
Clay Hunt
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
New program helps wounded vets get back on their feet
New program helps wounded vets get back on their feet
Loudoun Times
Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012
by Andrew Sharbel
ServiceSource has been helping thousands of Americans with disabilities over the last 40 years with employment, training, rehabilitation, housing and other support services.
Now, they are doing their part to help wounded veterans returning home from the War on Terror with a new program, which has become a serious issue for the armed services.
According to a study conducted by the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, approximately one in five soldiers returning from Iraq or Afghanistan suffer from post traumatic stress disorder.
Warrior Bridge is a program designed to help those wounded veterans bridge the gap between the military and employment.
Mike Costanzo is a 90 percent disabled veteran and now is serving as the only employee with ServiceSource working on just Warrior Bridge.
Costanzo, a U.S. Army retired sergeant and a resident of Ashburn, has been working on Warrior Bridge since he was hired in September.
“Warrior Bridge started as a concept about two years ago down in Florida and it migrated up to North Carolina,” Costanzo said. “We received some funding [from the Bob Woodruff Foundation] over the summer to start a position here in Fairfax and I was hired in September.”
read more here
Loudoun Times
Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012
by Andrew Sharbel
ServiceSource has been helping thousands of Americans with disabilities over the last 40 years with employment, training, rehabilitation, housing and other support services.
Now, they are doing their part to help wounded veterans returning home from the War on Terror with a new program, which has become a serious issue for the armed services.
According to a study conducted by the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, approximately one in five soldiers returning from Iraq or Afghanistan suffer from post traumatic stress disorder.
Warrior Bridge is a program designed to help those wounded veterans bridge the gap between the military and employment.
Mike Costanzo is a 90 percent disabled veteran and now is serving as the only employee with ServiceSource working on just Warrior Bridge.
Costanzo, a U.S. Army retired sergeant and a resident of Ashburn, has been working on Warrior Bridge since he was hired in September.
“Warrior Bridge started as a concept about two years ago down in Florida and it migrated up to North Carolina,” Costanzo said. “We received some funding [from the Bob Woodruff Foundation] over the summer to start a position here in Fairfax and I was hired in September.”
read more here
Benjamin Moore gives Iraq Veteran with PTSD fresh outlook
Boise veteran's home gets a paint makeover
by Kim Fields
KTVB.COM
Posted on October 30, 2012
BOISE -- An Army veteran living in Boise is enjoying a freshly painted home, thanks to some local volunteers. It's their way of giving back to a man who's given so much to our country.
Nicolas DeNinno served 15 months in Iraq in 2007. He was diagnosed with PTSD when he returned home. And this week, local volunteers spent a couple of days at his house, painting every room, to help make life a little easier for him.
It's part of Benjamin Moore's Color Care Across America.
read more here
by Kim Fields
KTVB.COM
Posted on October 30, 2012
BOISE -- An Army veteran living in Boise is enjoying a freshly painted home, thanks to some local volunteers. It's their way of giving back to a man who's given so much to our country.
Nicolas DeNinno served 15 months in Iraq in 2007. He was diagnosed with PTSD when he returned home. And this week, local volunteers spent a couple of days at his house, painting every room, to help make life a little easier for him.
It's part of Benjamin Moore's Color Care Across America.
read more here
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Group needs help finding families of three Vietnam veterans without headstones
Group needs help finding families of three Vietnam veterans without headstones on their graves
Posted: 10/10/2012
By: Julie Banovic
CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich.
WXYZ
A couple from a veteran’s group in Macomb County made it their mission to locate the grave of every Michigan man killed in Vietnam, but when they found something with three graves they asked 7 Action News for help.
“It’s not right, it needs to be corrected,” said Ruth Babcock of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 154 in Macomb County.
Her and her husband Charlie could not find the graves belonging to three Detroit men because they had no headstones. When they went to Lincoln Memorial Park in Clinton Township to visit their plots, all they found were numbers pressed in cement. The lots are numbers 27, 4, and 6.
“Those guys are American heroes. They gave their all in Vietnam for this country,” said Pat Daniels. Daniels is the past president of Chapter 154.
He tried to help Ruth and Charlie find the family members of the men to see if they wanted to the headstones owed to them.
“The least we owe them is to put those headstones on there and have their graves marked so that someone passes by there that they know there is an American hero in that ground,” said Daniels.
When they could not find the family members after weeks of research, the group turned to 7 Action News. The government pays for a military headstone as part of honoring their services.
read more here
Posted: 10/10/2012
By: Julie Banovic
CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich.
WXYZ
A couple from a veteran’s group in Macomb County made it their mission to locate the grave of every Michigan man killed in Vietnam, but when they found something with three graves they asked 7 Action News for help.
“It’s not right, it needs to be corrected,” said Ruth Babcock of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 154 in Macomb County.
Her and her husband Charlie could not find the graves belonging to three Detroit men because they had no headstones. When they went to Lincoln Memorial Park in Clinton Township to visit their plots, all they found were numbers pressed in cement. The lots are numbers 27, 4, and 6.
“Those guys are American heroes. They gave their all in Vietnam for this country,” said Pat Daniels. Daniels is the past president of Chapter 154.
He tried to help Ruth and Charlie find the family members of the men to see if they wanted to the headstones owed to them.
“The least we owe them is to put those headstones on there and have their graves marked so that someone passes by there that they know there is an American hero in that ground,” said Daniels.
When they could not find the family members after weeks of research, the group turned to 7 Action News. The government pays for a military headstone as part of honoring their services.
read more here
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Forget Me Not
People from all ages walked by the booth.
Some pretended they didn't notice the pictures, flags and paintings hanging but they managed to reach in and grab some mints we had out. Amazing how they saw the candy but not us. I'm 5'7" and wear heals, so that makes me about 5'10". I have on my Veterans Everyday t-shirt that is black with big white letters. Believe me, there is no way they could miss me standing there, but they just walked right by. My husband was asking everyone if they wanted to donate, but they ignored him too. It isn't hard to figure out they haven't been paying attention to the troops any more than they have been paying attention to the wounded.
Now for the others. It was easy to see it in their eyes. It was easy to see it when they didn't even have to think about reaching into their pockets and wallets. They were part of this huge "military family" in one way or another. Huge military family? Yes, that's right. See it isn't just about who is in their family right now serving in Afghanistan or stationed in another part of the world. It is about their parents, as much as it is about their own kids. It is about being a veteran from all generations as well as being a spouse, parent, friend and for one man, about his neighbor. Everyone who reached into their pocket had some connection to the military in some way.
There were male veterans from Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq along with female veterans from all those wars and adult children of veterans long gone. Several I talked to have PTSD and as I listened to them, I notice their wives standing by their side. I asked them "how are you doing" and a puzzled expression came on their face as if no one had asked them that question before. How easy is it for us to listen to the veterans but ignore the person taking care of them everyday?
I know what that feels like. No matter how much someone knows about what I do, I am always shocked when someone asks me how I am or what I need.
Civilians are usually oblivious to all of this so when there is a veteran, they are usually accustomed to not saying anything about this other part of their lives and that is a very sad statement. If you are a veteran, wear something with pride and if you love any veteran, try to do the same. You never know what conversations will begin when they see another member of this great minority family.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Home Depot Foundation Pledges Additional $50 Million To Veterans
The Home Depot Foundation Pledges Additional $50 Million To Veterans' Housing Initiatives
Commitment kicks off second annual Celebration of Service volunteer movement
By The Home Depot Foundation
Published: Thursday, Sep. 6, 2012
ATLANTA
PRNewswire
Today, The Home Depot® Foundation announced that it has surpassed the three-year $30 million pledge it made in 2011 to veterans' housing initiatives more than a year ahead of schedule. As part of its second annual Celebration of Service campaign, the Foundation is now committing an additional $50 million to veterans' nonprofits over the next three years in an effort to ensure every veteran has a safe place to call home.
In addition to its funding commitment, The Home Depot Foundation's Celebration of Service campaign kicks off today with Team Depot associate volunteers repairing and renovating 100 veterans' homes in 13 cities. Over the next two months, through Veterans Day, thousands of Home Depot associates across the country will complete more than 300 service projects to benefit veterans and their families.
read more here
I love Home Depot! They came out to the Orlando DAV Chapter 16 to fix up our old building. Once they found out what the DAV does they have been right there to help us because we're helping veterans all as volunteers.
My husband and I are life members of the DAV and the Auxiliary. This is the Home Depot group from our area and I filmed this when they came out to finish the makeover of our building.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Orlando VA gets a new van from DAV Chapter 16
Really a great morning for Central Florida Veterans.
Friday, August 17, 2012
DAV needs volunteer drivers in Syracuse area
Volunteer drivers needed for vets
By MARTHA ELLEN
Watertown Daily Times
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012
Disabled American Veterans is looking for volunteer van drivers to take veterans to clinic appointments and to the Syracuse Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
“We’re in desperate need, especially in the north country,” said Andrew T. Newcomb, DAV transportation/hospital service coordinator. “The ones we have are being run ragged.”
The need will grow as the DAV has 13 new vans on order, which will replace some aging vehicles and add to existing service. Massena soon will have two vans instead of one; Watertown will grow from two vans to three; and Ogdensburg and Potsdam will receive replacement vans.
“We’re looking for as many drivers as we can possibly get,” Mr. Newcomb said. “Our needs are always for drivers and donations.”
read more here
By MARTHA ELLEN
Watertown Daily Times
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012
Disabled American Veterans is looking for volunteer van drivers to take veterans to clinic appointments and to the Syracuse Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
“We’re in desperate need, especially in the north country,” said Andrew T. Newcomb, DAV transportation/hospital service coordinator. “The ones we have are being run ragged.”
The need will grow as the DAV has 13 new vans on order, which will replace some aging vehicles and add to existing service. Massena soon will have two vans instead of one; Watertown will grow from two vans to three; and Ogdensburg and Potsdam will receive replacement vans.
“We’re looking for as many drivers as we can possibly get,” Mr. Newcomb said. “Our needs are always for drivers and donations.”
read more here
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Home Depot makes better home for DAV Orlando
Home Depot, Celebration of Service, returned to Chapter 16, Orlando Disabled American Veterans to finish the repairs to the building.
A new roof, paint, landscaping, widows, air conditioners, and the list goes on but one of the best changes was putting in a wider doorway into the meeting hall so that wheelchairs could get through without a struggle. Considering we have two triple amputees from the Vietnam War, it was a blessing.
As a matter of fact, Home Depot's crew was a blessing because there is no way we could have afforded to do any of what they did for us.
A new roof, paint, landscaping, widows, air conditioners, and the list goes on but one of the best changes was putting in a wider doorway into the meeting hall so that wheelchairs could get through without a struggle. Considering we have two triple amputees from the Vietnam War, it was a blessing.
As a matter of fact, Home Depot's crew was a blessing because there is no way we could have afforded to do any of what they did for us.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Florida DAVA Member of Year from Orlando Chapter
Florida Disable American Veterans Auxiliary Member of the Year from Orlando Chapter
by
Chaplain Kathie
How do I write this objectively when the member of the year is me?
The DAV-DAVA Florida convention is usually a great event. This year I showed up with my camera, set it up, filmed a great group of ladies singing and got ready to film the top award for the Auxiliary. My hands started to shake when it dawned on me they were talking about me.
As you can see in this video, I was in shock. When I got up to accept the award, I was asked if I had anything to say. If you read this blog often, you know I am hardly ever short on something to say. The only thing I could say was thank you.
Thank you to all the members of the Disabled American Veterans and the Auxiliary. You inspire me everyday!
by
Chaplain Kathie
How do I write this objectively when the member of the year is me?
The DAV-DAVA Florida convention is usually a great event. This year I showed up with my camera, set it up, filmed a great group of ladies singing and got ready to film the top award for the Auxiliary. My hands started to shake when it dawned on me they were talking about me.
As you can see in this video, I was in shock. When I got up to accept the award, I was asked if I had anything to say. If you read this blog often, you know I am hardly ever short on something to say. The only thing I could say was thank you.
Thank you to all the members of the Disabled American Veterans and the Auxiliary. You inspire me everyday!
Monday, May 23, 2011
Fort Carson honors volunteers
Fort Carson honors volunteers
May 19, 2011
By Staff Sgt. Wayne Barnett (Fort Carson)
FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Exemplary Volunteer Service Awards line the table at the Elkhorn Conference Center Tuesday 17. Thirty five awards were given for at least 500 hours of service to the Fort Carson Community.
FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Five Fort Carson volunteers were honored for donating more than 750 hours of their time in 2010, during the annual awards luncheon held Tuesday at the Elkhorn Conference Center.
Robin Arnold, Tessa Hebert, Clara Huff, Alicia Michael and Martha Reed each received Volunteer of the Year awards during the "Celebrating Fort Carson Volunteers in Action" luncheon that honored nearly 150 post volunteers for their efforts.
"I feel that volunteers are pivotal to keeping Fort Carson running; I feel that they are giving their hearts, souls and time," said Ginger Perkins, wife of Maj. Gen. David G. Perkins, commanding general, U.S. Division-North and 4th Infantry Division. "I really don't think Fort Carson could survive without its volunteers."
"I work a lot with the Families of wounded warriors making sure they are supported while their Soldier heals," Hebert said.
Nearly 2,400 registered Mountain Post volunteers logged a combined 147,532 hours in 2010, saving Fort Carson an estimated $2.5 million, according to Joey Bautista, Fort Carson volunteer coordinator.
read more here
Fort Carson honors volunteers
May 19, 2011
By Staff Sgt. Wayne Barnett (Fort Carson)
Photo credit Staff Sgt. Wayne Barnett (Fort Carson)
FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Exemplary Volunteer Service Awards line the table at the Elkhorn Conference Center Tuesday 17. Thirty five awards were given for at least 500 hours of service to the Fort Carson Community.
FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Five Fort Carson volunteers were honored for donating more than 750 hours of their time in 2010, during the annual awards luncheon held Tuesday at the Elkhorn Conference Center.
Robin Arnold, Tessa Hebert, Clara Huff, Alicia Michael and Martha Reed each received Volunteer of the Year awards during the "Celebrating Fort Carson Volunteers in Action" luncheon that honored nearly 150 post volunteers for their efforts.
"I feel that volunteers are pivotal to keeping Fort Carson running; I feel that they are giving their hearts, souls and time," said Ginger Perkins, wife of Maj. Gen. David G. Perkins, commanding general, U.S. Division-North and 4th Infantry Division. "I really don't think Fort Carson could survive without its volunteers."
"I work a lot with the Families of wounded warriors making sure they are supported while their Soldier heals," Hebert said.
Nearly 2,400 registered Mountain Post volunteers logged a combined 147,532 hours in 2010, saving Fort Carson an estimated $2.5 million, according to Joey Bautista, Fort Carson volunteer coordinator.
read more here
Fort Carson honors volunteers
Monday, June 22, 2009
Shinseki Encourages Veterans, Families to Help Their Communities
VA Secretary Hits the Road to Highlight "United We Serve" Effort
Shinseki Encourages Veterans, Families to Help Their Communities
WASHINGTON (June 22, 2009) - Heeding President Obama's call for
Americans to commit themselves to meaningful, long-term service to their
communities as part of the "United We Serve" campaign, Secretary of
Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki spent part of his morning today
transporting patients to the Washington, D.C., VA Medical Center.
"We, who enjoy liberty's blessings, will forever remain in debt of the
men and women who served our nation in uniform," Secretary Shinseki
said. "Volunteering on their behalf is one way we can show our respect,
regard and devotion for their service."
He noted that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has a long
tradition of volunteering. Last year over 80,000 people volunteered
more than 11 million hours to service to VA. They drove patients to
medical appointments, welcomed returning combat Veterans home, helped
homeless Veterans and donated time to maintain VA's 128 national
cemeteries.
Shinseki was joined by several members of VA's senior leadership.
Assistant Secretary L. Tammy Duckworth addressed a group of youth
volunteers about "Knowing and Respecting Disabled Veterans" and helped
escort a patient to a rehabilitation appointment. Assistant Secretaries
John U. Sepulveda and Roger W. Baker escorted patients to their
appointments at the D.C. VAMC. Assistant Secretary Jose D. Riojas and
Acting Assistant Secretary Karen W. Pane served meals at a local D.C.
shelter.
"There is no better way to honor America's heroes than to spend time
every week giving back to those who have already given so much,"
Shinseki said.
VA's principals and other cabinet officials and senior federal leaders
across the country highlighted the President's summer service program,
which encourages Americans to recommit themselves to improving their
communities. The campaign runs through September 11, which will be
National Day of Service and Remembrance.
The campaign, coordinated by the Corporation for National and Community
Services, is encouraging Americans to develop their own service programs
that benefit their communities. Toolkits for developing projects are
available online at www.serve.gov
Shinseki Encourages Veterans, Families to Help Their Communities
WASHINGTON (June 22, 2009) - Heeding President Obama's call for
Americans to commit themselves to meaningful, long-term service to their
communities as part of the "United We Serve" campaign, Secretary of
Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki spent part of his morning today
transporting patients to the Washington, D.C., VA Medical Center.
"We, who enjoy liberty's blessings, will forever remain in debt of the
men and women who served our nation in uniform," Secretary Shinseki
said. "Volunteering on their behalf is one way we can show our respect,
regard and devotion for their service."
He noted that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has a long
tradition of volunteering. Last year over 80,000 people volunteered
more than 11 million hours to service to VA. They drove patients to
medical appointments, welcomed returning combat Veterans home, helped
homeless Veterans and donated time to maintain VA's 128 national
cemeteries.
Shinseki was joined by several members of VA's senior leadership.
Assistant Secretary L. Tammy Duckworth addressed a group of youth
volunteers about "Knowing and Respecting Disabled Veterans" and helped
escort a patient to a rehabilitation appointment. Assistant Secretaries
John U. Sepulveda and Roger W. Baker escorted patients to their
appointments at the D.C. VAMC. Assistant Secretary Jose D. Riojas and
Acting Assistant Secretary Karen W. Pane served meals at a local D.C.
shelter.
"There is no better way to honor America's heroes than to spend time
every week giving back to those who have already given so much,"
Shinseki said.
VA's principals and other cabinet officials and senior federal leaders
across the country highlighted the President's summer service program,
which encourages Americans to recommit themselves to improving their
communities. The campaign runs through September 11, which will be
National Day of Service and Remembrance.
The campaign, coordinated by the Corporation for National and Community
Services, is encouraging Americans to develop their own service programs
that benefit their communities. Toolkits for developing projects are
available online at www.serve.gov
Friday, August 29, 2008
Theft of veterans quilt draws ire, tears
Courtesy photo Brenda Thompson and Billy McDaniel stand next to a quilt that was to be raffled on Veterans Day, with all funds to aid veterans locally. Thompson made the quilt for veteran McDaniel, who then donated it to the Sampson County Veterans Council. With hundreds of raffle tickets already sold, and many expressing interest in what veterans service officer Ann Knowles called the “most gorgeous quilt you will ever see,” the quilt was stolen last Thursday.
Theft of veterans quilt draws ire, tears
By Chris Berendt
Sampson Independent - Clinton,NC,USA
Wednesday, August 27, 2008 8:31 AM CDT
CLINTON — Three months of hard work, a gift from one man to his fellow soldiers and money that could possibly go to feed or house a local American veteran in dire need of it were all lost with a simple senseless act in broad daylight last week.
“To me, every veteran, every widow and every active duty service man and woman in Sampson County were vandalized,” said Ann Knowles, service officer for the agency.
She explained that an elaborately-crafted quilt to be raffled off on Veterans Day this year was stolen in the middle of the day Thursday, and money from 700 raffle tickets already sold will now have to be refunded.
“They stole a quilt that had been quilted and donated, and some electronic equipment that can be replaced,” Knowles said. “But you can’t replace the quilt.”
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