Courtesy of Shelle Michaels over at the Soldiers’ Angels network blog, Suzan French with the Saturday Evening Post is looking for stories to print in this weekend’s edition:

Currently in exploratory stage: Looking for uplifting military/veterans/patriotic stories. Whether you support the war or not, you MUST support the troops. Tell me about a joyful or poignant homecoming/celebration or maybe a tragic homecoming with a silver lining. What has the Dept of Veteran Affairs done to help a returning soldier and/or his/her family? What are local communities doing to support troops overseas? Helpful tips for veterans/families are welcome, but this is NOT

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Courtesy of the Birmingham VA site:

The Birmingham VA Medical Center has been selected as the host site for the 2009 National Veterans Golden Age Games. The games will be held from May 31- June 5, 2009.

Courtesy of The Birmingham News:

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “Military veterans age 55 or older who receive health care at any VA medical facility are eligible to compete.”

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The featured sports in the games will consist of swimming, bicycling, golf, shot put, discus, 10-meter air rifle, table tennis, dominoes, shuffleboard, horseshoes, nine-ball, bowling, checkers, and croquet. Each event has seven age categories

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Courtesy of Lori, Soldiers’ Angels Southeastern US VA Team Leader and CTL, there will be a farewell party for the 46th Eng. Btl. at Fort Rucker tomorrow, Saturday April 19.

Per her post to the Alabama forums:

The party will start at 5 pm and will be held at Lake Tholocco on the west beach. If you are attending, please be sure that you have your drivers license,tag receipt or registration and proof of insurance to get on base. I have made arrangements at the Jameson Inn - 334-774-0233 - if you would like to stay the night on Saturday. Tell them

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Courtesy of the Birmingham VA site, I’ve learned that the Birmingham VA Medical Center will be sponsoring a Welcome Home Celebration for Alabama’s veterans this month. These brave men and women will be returning from military service in Iraq and Afghanistan. This event takes place Saturday, April 26, from 11 AM to 2 PM at the Huntsville Space and Rocket Center. Additionally admission to the Space and Rocket Center is free for all OEF/OIF Veterans and their families!

For more information about this event, click here.

There’s been a lot in the news lately about veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mild to moderate cases of traumatic brain injury (TBI). There have been no treatment centers in Alabama for our vets, until now:

Tuscaloosa vets clinic to treat Alabama veterans with stress disorder and traumatic brain injury

Starting in May, Alabama’s Iraq war veterans suffering post traumatic stress disorder and mild to moderate cases of traumatic brain injury will be able to get treatment at the state’s first-of-its-kind clinic at the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center.

“Blast injuries are the signature wound of this war,” said

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Courtesy of the SA blog:

Summit planned for women veterans

The fourth National Summit on Women Veterans Issues will be June 20-22 in Washington. Sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the summit will offer sessions specifically for the reserves and National Guard, information on military sexual trauma and readjustment issues, and other programs and exhibits.

VA offers a variety of services and programs for the needs of women veterans, including high-quality primary health-care services. VA’s mental health care for women includes substance-abuse counseling and evaluation/treatment of military sexual trauma and post traumatic stress

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Lori with the Soldiers’ Angels VA teams just emailed me about a fund raiser they’re having. Need to renew a magazine subscription, or looking to pick up a new one? Now’s the time! Magazines will be offered at a discounted price. Best part is: the Veterans Support Team will receive 40% of the profits!

Please take a moment and go look at the link below to check out the magazine offers. Renew or order a magazine and help them help our Veterans!

Link: http://www.freewebs.com/soldiersangelsveteranssupport/