Pat Tillman Scholars, VUB Programs, Job Seeker Tips, 4th Anniversary of Post-9/11 GI Bill, Price of Freedom Virtual Museum

Today’s Video is about the Pat Tillman Foundation scholarship recipients and graduates at their annual Leadership Summit: http://youtu.be/a-1zSncfsa8  Army Ranger, Arizona Hero, ASU graduate, and Arizona Cardinals football player, Pat Tillman, is still giving back to our Veterans through the Foundation his family created after his death in Afghanistan in 2004.  For more information on the Pat Tillman Foundation, Pat’s Run, or the Tillman Scholarship, see: http://www.pattillmanfoundation.org/

Here’s a good article about a VUB program in Arkansas that explains the VUB federal Trio program very well: http://www.thecitywire.com/node/28701#.UfaxsW1cV5Z There are two VUB programs in Arizona serving the Northern region (www.yc.edu/vub) and the Southern region (https://eoss.asu.edu/trio/vub) and most states have at least one pre-college program to help Veterans prepare for college success.  Please refer/share/join your local Veterans Upward Bound!

Tips for Job Seekers (including college grads and Veterans) are highlighted in this Huffington Post article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sudy-bharadwaj/what-do-veterans-and-coll_b_3655915.html

Post-9/11 GI Bill celebrates its 4th anniversary, with almost 1 million service members and their families utilizing their education benefits.  See more at: http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=2460

History buff?  The Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of American History creates another milestone virtual project, which explores The Price of Freedom.  It’s educational for students of any age, for example, did you know more American soldiers have died in OIF/OEF/OND conflicts than in our War for Independence? Check out: http://amhistory.si.edu/militaryhistory/

Still Serving, Skype Therapy, Homes For Our Troops Builds Adaptive Home for Local Veteran, Mentor for Veteran-Civilian Transitions, Health Blogs

Today's Video is to highlight a monthly 15-minute documentary series produced by the VA, called Still Serving, and it's about Veterans who continue to serve in a variety of roles to help others.  Here's this month's segment: http://youtu.be/Qo76P1JJID4

Therapy via Skype: The LA Times reports on an alternative for Veterans to receive therapy in the comfort of their home, via secure Skype connection.  See the article at: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-ptsd-skype-20130705,0,3029520.story

Local News: If you’d like to help building the adaptive home in Cottonwood for Marine Sgt. Maynard, please contact https://hfotusa.org/Maynard (or general information about the organization is at http://www.hfotusa.org/about-us), and see this article from the Verde Independent for more details about the Maynard family at: http://verdenews.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=55318

Having a mentor as you transition to the civilian workforce can help you navigate more efficiently around the pitfalls.  If you don’t know someone who could be your unofficial guide, check out this program at: http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/career-advice/military-transition/civilian-success-with-mentor.html?comp=1198882887570&rank=5

If you are interested in health topics or are dealing with a health issue and want to empower yourself with good information to discuss with your doctor, here are a few good blogs and websites to investigate/bookmark:
http://blog.doctoroz.com/
http://www.webmd.com/
http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/
http://www.everydayhealth.com/community/blogs.aspx

Condolences to Russell Family

Heartfelt condolences to the family of local Veteran, 1st Lt. Jonam Russell, an ASU graduate, who was killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan.
For more information, see the Fox news report at: http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/story/22922669/2013/07/24/arizona-soldier-killed-in-the-line-of-duty

Strategies to Find a Job, Boomers Losing Hearing, Veteran-Owned Businesses, Medicare Penalties

Strategies for Finding a New Job: Here are some tips from someone who’s been there and done that: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/virginia-sullivan/job-search-tips_b_3594477.html

Huh?  Occupational hearing loss is the most common work injury, with 22 million folks enduring dangerous noise levels at their workplace.  Baby boomers are losing their hearing due to inadequate ear protection from excessive exposure to loud noises (inlcuding loud music, industry, military service): http://www.toledoblade.com/Medical/2013/07/22/Hearing-issues-have-baby-boomers-at-a-loss.html

Veterans and Self-Employment: Many Veterans desire to start their own businesses, here’s an article with several stories and resources to help you: http://triblive.com/business/headlines/4344615-74/business-veterans-veteran#axzz2Zu4AbTmk  Don’t forget that small business classes are offered at Yavapai College and our local Small Business Development Centers can help you get you off on the right foot.

Medicare and You, from Stripes.com: “This is really important for veterans to understand: If they don't sign up for Medicare Part B at age 65, and they're no longer working, they could incur a 10 percent penalty on the premium for every month they delay, and this lasts for the rest of their lives,” said 65 Incorporated founder Diane Omdahl, a registered nurse who helps retiring vets transition to post-work health care coverage. See the full article at: http://www.stripes.com/news/veterans/survey-finds-health-overhaul-a-mystery-to-vets-1.231608#.Ue17q1XFM9c.twitter

Careers at the VA, In-State Tuition for Veterans, Military Education, Ticket to Work

Today’s Video highlights many career opportunities available for Veterans at the VA at: http://youtu.be/I-JU8lBoh4U Check out career options online at: http://www.vacareers.va.gov/

From Military.com: A bill has been proposed to mandate in-state tuition rates for Veterans, extend VRAP, and expand VA Work Study: http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2013/07/house-seeks-to-make-tuition-rates-fair-for-vets/?ESRC=education.nl

The Student Veterans of America (SVA) provided a press release on Veterans in-state tuition trends: “The Post-9/11 GI Bill only covers the cost of in-state tuition at a public university, forcing out-of-state veterans to secure other financial means to cover the remaining tuition balance or seek higher education elsewhere. Nationwide, 18 states have laws allowing veterans to qualify for in-state tuition, including the neighboring state of Ohio. Eleven states, including the state of Michigan, have pending legislation granting in-state tuition to student veterans.  "I encourage the state of Michigan to follow the example of the University of Michigan by approving in-state tuition for veterans statewide," said Dakduk. Currently, SVA is working with The American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars on both state and federal legislation that will extend in-state tuition to veterans.”

Department of Defense continues military education programs, assuming tuition assistance will continue despite sequestration, but changes one eligible school: http://www.stripes.com/news/dod-renews-contracts-with-four-schools-drops-university-of-phoenix-1.230806 This program offers undergraduate and graduate degrees on bases in Europe.

Ticket to Work is a program that allows people who are receiving Social Security Disability benefits to work part time without losing their benefits.  This page has many resources for those wanting to explore those options: http://www.chooseworkttw.net/resource/jsp/searchByState.jsp

Veterans Getting and Staying Connected: Enrich Your Life, Improve Your Health

Staying connected is beneficial to your health and relationships, which is no surprise.  But often, we tend to isolate ourselves when we need to stay connected the most, see these sites for more information on why staying connected and involved can improve your life:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/feeling-it/201208/connect-thrive or
http://www.liveyourlifewell.org/go/live-your-life-well/others

So find comfortable ways to stay in touch with family and friends, with your military family, and with others in your community or hometown.  In groups or one-to-one, in-person or online or via phone - stay in touch, please.

Not sure what’s going on in your community?  Get connected through your area’s Facebook or webpages to find out about current events.  Here’s a sampling of local Facebook links to get you started, if you "like" your area's page or sign up for notifications, you'll receive updates easily:
https://www.facebook.com/CityOfCottonwoodAZ?fref=ts
https://www.facebook.com/FlagstaffArizona
https://www.facebook.com/pages/City-of-Prescott-Official/151806309501
https://www.facebook.com/ClarkdaleAZ
https://www.facebook.com/PrescottValley

Want to get connected with other Veterans and the military community?  Not only can you stay current on your friends and current issues: It can be a life-saver.  Check this tip sheet out at: https://fb-public.app.box.com/s/tgfyqw7936fyzubjaujr

Female Veterans Resources, Pink Heals Event, Women Aging in Place, Charity Scams Target Veteran-Support

Resources for Female Veterans: Here are some great links for your bookmarking pleasure –

• U.S. Department of Labor has statistics and resources for women veteran job-seekers: http://www.dol.gov/vets/womenveterans/
• VA Center for Women Veterans has news and resources: http://www.va.gov/womenvet/ and the VA Healthcare site: http://www.womenshealth.va.gov/ 
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has a blog with helpful information and resources for mental healthcare.  Here’s a sample post featuring a female Veteran’s story about recovering from PTSD: http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=Womens_Issues It has some eye-opening facts: Did you know that female Veterans have double the risk of developing PTSD than their male counterparts?

Local Event: If you’ve ever had a friend with a serious illness like cancer, perhaps you’ve wanted to find a way to help them – well that’s how the Pink Heals Tour got started.  Read more about the national organization at: http://pinkfiretrucks.org/ and consider attending, volunteering, or donating to the Northern Arizona event to benefit Verde Valley Pink Heals on August 10 at Windmill Park in Cornville – see their Facebook site for more info at: https://www.facebook.com/VerdeValleyPinkHeals

Aging in Place means being able to stay in your home, with help, as you age and your abilities change as far as things like cleaning, cooking, or other daily living activities.  Here’s an interesting article about the gender gap in seniors and how to get the support you or a loved one may need as they age: http://aginginplace.com/women-living-longer-and-aging-in-place/

Charitable Scams Target Veterans and Supporters: Here’s a very well-written article about the importance of double-checking before your donate (and never over the phone): http://www.reviewjournal.com/columns-blogs/jane-ann-morrison/corrupt-charities-help-veterans-name-only

Military Cats, ILMKA, Reservists Fight for Jobs Alone, Wheelchair Games Begin

Photo of Pfc. Hammer from wartime cats article below.

Finally, a chance to tout the military records of cats for our cat-lovers out there: http://www.buzzfeed.com/robbiecouch/check-out-these-incredible-wartime-cats-aw4q

And while we’re on the cat theme, here is a nice cat story about a Navy Veteran who was surprised to learn his new best friend was feline, at: http://blog.petsforpatriots.org/navy-veteran-and-dog-lover-becomes-a-cat-guy/  You’ll have to read it to figure out what the ILMKA is :)

After deployments, Reservists face fight for jobs that were promised to be held (but weren't), all on their own, despite legal protections: http://www.ibtimes.com/special-report-returning-war-terror-military-veterans-find-promised-jobs-are-gone-despite-laws-no#

They’ve BEGUN – if you want to get inspired about the PVA-VA sponsored Wheelchair Games going on in Tampa this week, here’s a great video: http://youtu.be/RqW8_mOkzqk

and you can see more current events going on at SpeedyTV at: http://www.pva.org/site/c.ajIRK9NJLcJ2E/b.8296443/k.293/Paralyzed_Veterans_of_America_Speedy_Media.htm

Got Your Six Video, Veterans' Life-Saving Smartphone App, Tucson Homeless Veterans Initiative, California Workers to Help VA Backlog, American Legion Career Site

Today’s Video is the latest from Got Your Six, at: http://youtu.be/N-gpv01OCiw It’s the facts about our Veterans – please share this widely and often.

At a friend’s funeral, a life-saving idea was born: Marine Veteran, Jacob Wood, created a smartphone app to connect Veterans to each other, see more at: http://www.stripes.com/news/app-links-struggling-veterans

To learn more about a federal grant received for the Veterans’ Homelessness initiative in Tucson, see: http://youtu.be/699xvhAto28

California steps up to the plate to help relieve the backlog of VA disability benefit claims in the state, where one of the three VA regional offices has a 629 day waiting time (291 days longer than the national average.)  California will assign 12-member teams of state workers to review cases at each of the three VA offices, see: http://www.armytimes.com/article/20130709/BENEFITS04/307090032/Calif-hiring-state-workers-help-VA-claims

The American Legion provides a cornucopia of Veterans’ career and networking sites at: http://www.legion.org/careers/resources  This site includes links to many other resources, including those for career fairs, tips for job seekers, and help for homeless Veterans.

National Veterans Wheelchair Games #NVWC, Unconditional Love Heals, Veterans Unemployment Rate Cut in Half, Redesigning Homes for Injured Veterans

Photo from the 2013 NVWG site

The 2013 National Veterans Wheelchair Games will begin July 13 in Tampa, FL, co-sponsored by the PVA and the VA.  First time OIF/OEF/OND participants in the games may be eligible for a grant to defray costs of travel.  For the latest information on the competition and the 18 sports included, check out this website: http://www.pva.org/site/c.ajIRK9NJLcJ2E/b.8717115/k.7F15/2013_National_Veterans_Wheelchair_Games_Updates.htm

It’s time for another therapeutic dose of good news from our friends at Pets for Patriots at: http://blog.petsforpatriots.org/veteran-of-wwii-and-korea-is-hero-to-shelter-dog/  The unconditional love from and to an animal helps heal wounded hearts.

Veterans unemployment rates have been cut in half (down to 7.2%), but there’s still room for improvement.  Thanks to multiple employment efforts, like Hiring our Heroes job fairs, many post-9/11 veterans have connected with high quality employers, see more at: http://money.cnn.com/2013/07/08/pf/veterans-jobs/index.html

Here’s an interesting article about rethinking home design: in this case, designing for soldiers with amputations and paralysis that create needs in their living space.  It’s easy to see how these universal designs will benefit many more people with various disabilities in the future.  See more at: http://www.fastcoexist.com/1681128/a-new-generation-of-smart-homes-designed-for-americas-wounded-veterans#1

In Memoriam

Riderless horses at the Prescott Frontiers Day parade honored the Granite Mountain Hotshots;
photos from their Facebook site shown below.

Yavapai College has created a scholarship fund to benefit the children and spouses of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, many of whom were YC students and graduates, who lost their lives on June 30.  People can donate to the scholarship fund online at http://www.yc.edu/hotshots, by calling the Yavapai College Foundation at 928-776-2025 or by mailing a donation to Yavapai College Foundation, 1100 E. Sheldon St., Prescott, AZ 86301.

For more about these heroes, see: https://www.facebook.com/PrescottGraniteMountainHotshots

The 100 Club, a non-profit organization supporting families of fallen officers, has a very moving tribute to all law enforcement and emergency personnel who have lost their lives in Arizona since 1865, long before Arizona became a state.  See their biographies at: http://www.100club.org/web/100CLUB/Remembering_the_Fallen/Roll_Call_of_Heroes/100CLUB/Remembering/RollCall.aspx

Heartache

The VUB family offers heartfelt condolences to the families of the Granite Mountain Hotshot team and the surviving members of the Prescott Fire Department who mourn their loss, and to all the victims of the Yarnell Hill Fire.  If you wish to help, here are links to two of the many aide organizations:

www.100club.org/web/100Club
www1.usw.salvationarmy.org/usw/www_usw_southwest.nsf

Nineteen heroes raced off to fight the fire,
Ran through the flames,
And straight to Heaven’s gate.
You will never be forgotten,
Nor the sacrifices of your families,
Who will carry you in their hearts
Until you meet again.