Currently browsing: veterans

In remembrance, and an Alabama D-Day connection

(originally posted to my personal blog)

Sixty-four years ago today, the initial landings of the Invasion of Normandy began. The invasion and establishment of Allied forces in Normandy, France during Operation Overlord in World War II sought to liberate mainland Europe from Nazi occupation.

There are countless stories from brave soldiers who took part in this historic event, but I would like to highlight two from my fair state: Elbert Adcock and Ambrose Underwood.

The Department of Veterans Affairs states that World War II veterans are dying at rate of more than 1,000/day, with their numbers quickly dwindling. According to Martin Morgan, historian for the World War II Museum in New Orleans, “…judging by the passing of the World War I veterans, we’re predicting they will all be gone by 2020.”

They are called the Greatest Generation, and they are fading fast. There are so many stories by these fine men and women who were there and together made history. My grandfather was one of them. Had I known then what I know now, I would have listened more to his stories and asked more questions — at least try to record his piece of history to share with the next generation.

Because soon, all we’ll have left are a few stories …

Saturday Evening Post looking for stories

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 going to be a political or government piece, so PLEASE no war/administration/government bashing.

We can all identify with that, right?

If you have a story you would like to submit, please contact Suzan French at suzanwithz@gmail.com. Her deadline is 12:00 pm (EST) tomorrow, May 16.

(x-posted to my blog)

Birmingham VA to host 2009 National Veterans Golden Age Games

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.”

…

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 for participation, and the visually impaired and wheelchair bound can compete in separate divisions.

They need volunteers to help the games go smoothly. If you are interested, please call Patricia Fetzer at 205-933-4396.

Farewell Party at Ft. Rucker for the 46th – APRIL 19th

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 you are with SA and they will give you the discounted rate.

So far we have about 20 confirmed Angels that will be there. This is going to be a huge party!!! The count for soldiers and families is 368 plus or minus. I know that there will be 70 PGR in attendance and the military liaison to Governor Bob Riley will be attending. AND a local radio station inadvertently informed the public that they are invited and welcome to attend!!!

The FRG has planned this to be a luau and the following is the itinerary they have in place:

5 – Greetings
5:30 – eat
6 – limbo & dance
6:10 – luau performance
6:10-7 – luau activities
7 – awards ceremony
7:30 – luau performance
7:40 – kids performance
8 – enjoy luau activities

I know there will be fireworks on the lake as well.

Fort Rucker isn’t far from places in GA, FL, and MS so you Angels are welcome to come as well!!

…

There will be an area where SA will set up tables for crafts for the children, sign up for the soldiers and potential Angels.

I will be the one in the corner praying we have enough food!! Smile I’m wearing my black SA t-shirt, short dark brown hair, glasses and pleasingly plump! Seek me out because I have a feeling I will be like a butterfly and flittering all over the place tomorrow!

Sounds like a good time to be had by all! Thanks, Lori, for the details and all your hard work!

Welcome Home Alabama’s Heroes!

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.

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

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 medical center director Alan Tyler, who spoke about the clinic at a meeting of the state Board of Veterans Affairs today. “And so we really want to reach out to those veterans who have problems with coping because of mild to moderate brain damage and also the PTSD.”

The clinic will only be able to handle a few patients at first, but it will gradually accommodate more, he said. Besides treating the soldiers, the clinic also will seek to familiarize their loved ones with brain injury and PTSD.

“We want to make sure that we reach out to the family and .¤.¤. help work with them so they can help the veteran cope with the issues,” Tyler said.

Tyler said he could not yet project how many veterans might ultimately seek treatment at the clinic.

“We’re going to try and start slow as we develop our team and continue to build it, I guess, based on the need,” he said.

Link: Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center

Listen up, Lady Vets!

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 disorder.

Specific VA initiatives for 2008 include:

• Enhancing skills of primary care providers who treat women veterans.
• Examining other women’s health issues, including cardiac care, breast cancer and colo-rectal cancer.
• Focusing on family issues and avoiding birth defects through enhanced pharmacy practices.

About 1.7 million women veterans make up 7 percent of the veteran population, and a quarter-million use VA health-care services. Today, more than 200,000 women serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.

VA is reaching out to women veterans who suffer problems related to sexual trauma or harassment while in the military. Programs are also available for women veterans who are homeless or victims of domestic violence. The department operates 50 women’s health centers, which develop new and enhanced programs; some also conduct research on medical and psychosocial issues. The largest women’s center is at the James A. Haley VA Medical Center in Tampa, Fla., with more than 20,000 women veterans enrolled for care.

More information on the National Summit on Women Veterans Issues can be found at www.va.gov/womenvet. For questions about VA benefits, call 1-800-827-1000. For questions about VA health care, call 1-877-222-8387 or go to www.va.gov.

New VA fund raiser

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/