Miracles & Transformations, Good Deeds, What Motivates Achievement, Honoring Veterans, Holiday Wishes

Another inspiring TED Talk is today’s Video: A miraculous survival sparks a transformation at: http://youtu.be/8_zk2DpgLCs

From the VA Rural Health Newsletter “On October 26, 2013, Green Cactus Project volunteers from the Aquarius Casino Resort in Laughlin, Nevada, Home Depot Stores in Mohave County Arizona, Vets2Vets, and other supporters came together for Make a Difference Day 2013 to aid elderly Veterans, people with disabilities, and families scattered across the rural desert communities of the American Southwest. This vast desert landscape, where summer temperatures can reach up to 126 degrees, is dotted by mobile homes, many of them old and in need of repair. In Mohave County Arizona and Southern Nevada the land area in square miles is 14,320 with 15 persons per square mile, and a total population is 204,330. One out of 6 is a Veteran from present and past wars.” See more at: http://www.amceoinc.org/id7.html or for the full VA Rural Health Newsletter: http://www.ruralhealth.va.gov/docs/news/ORH_The_Rural_Connection_Newsletter_Dec2013.pdf#page=8

What motivates us to achieve: http://youtu.be/0CJ8g8w1huc Also highlights the need for more students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math fields), and the ever-evolving computer field.

Let’s finish off 2013’s posts with a well-done compilation video dedicated to those who have served: http://youtu.be/r2RwRi2TjA0

Yavapai College will be closed for the holiday break from Dec 19-Jan 1, so we’ll be taking a little break in posting.  If you’re thinking about continuing your education in the New Year, contact VUB for help in getting a great start at www.yc.edu/vub or 928-717-7688.  We wish you the very best during the holiday season – which can be stressful for many – so please reach out to your family, friends, and fellow Veterans and let them know you care.

30-Day Challenge, Bicycling for Veterans Organizations, Choosing a Major, Moving Forward, Happy Dogs

Video of the Day suggests that we break out of our routine and try something new for 30 days – it’s an alternative to the usual New Year’s Resolution: http://youtu.be/JnfBXjWm7hc

Got inspiration?  He’s a comedian, a paralympian, a war hero…A former Marine who lost both legs in Afghanistan is bicycling across the country to raise funds for Veterans’ charities, see more at: http://www.stripes.com/news/marine-double-amputee-biking-across-us-to-raise-money-for-veterans-1.257383

Cenage Learning gives some tips for how to choose a college major at: http://blog.cengage.com/?top_blog=tips-for-students-choosing-a-college-major-that-fits-your-career-goals

A new web resource was shown in the VA Rural Health Newsletter, and is located at: http://startmovingforward.org/  This site has stress tests and tips on how to manage stress, how to relax, and problem solving techniques all geared to help you overcome life’s challenges – handy for college students, Veterans, or anyone with a busy life!

Pets for Patriots shared a sweet set of photos of dogs on their rides home from the shelter to their forever homes – sometimes, you can tell it is their first car ride ever!  It’ll make you smile, or maybe even shed a tear…Check it out at: http://buff.ly/1fcfHdV or see the Pets for Patriots Facebook site at: https://www.facebook.com/petsforpatriots

USAF Band Flashmob, Clinton Global Initiatives U, Google/SVA Networking Webinar, Healing Alternatives for Veterans, Golden Knights Heroism

Today’s Video: If you enjoy the unexpected, you’ll enjoy the USAF Band flashmob performance in the National Museum: http://youtu.be/gIoSga7tZPg

Learn more about the Clinton Global Initiatives University and the search for tomorrow’s leaders: “President Clinton will host the seventh meeting of CGI U from March 21-23, 2014 at Arizona State University. The CGI U 2014 application is now available at the links below. The final application deadline is January 17, 2014. To be considered for admission, all applicants are required to make a Commitment to Action.”

Google and SVA are teaming up to offer a webinar on improving your networking skills on Dec 18th at 8 p.m. EST – “Student Veterans of America and Google's Student Outreach Team want to help you improve your networking skills! Learn how to cultivate and then invest in a strong network by viewing the Google Networking Webinar. So, mark it on your calendar!”  Register at: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/623889494

Healing Alternatives: This documentary explores alternative avenues being taken by post 9/11 Veterans to recover from their service time injuries, see: http://cronkitenewsonline.com/2013/11/news21-documentary-explores-alternative-paths-to-recovery/

Stripes.com featured this story of two Army Golden Knights and their struggle to survive a harrowing parachute accident at: http://www.stripes.com/news/us/with-parachutes-tangled-golden-knights-make-split-second-decision-to-save-life-1.257156

Wreaths Across America Arlington Trek Begins

The annual wreath trek to Arlington began Dec 8th in Harrington, ME and will arrive (weather permitting) with a volunteer escort, including the Patriot Guard Riders, at Arlington, VA on Dec 14th.

A friend sent in this info: “Readers may be interested to know that these wreaths -- some 5,000 -- are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine. The owner, Merrill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths, but arranges the trucking to Arlington as well. He's done this since 1992. Also, most years, groups of Maine school kids combine an educational trip to DC with this event to help out. Please share this with everyone on your address list. You hear too much about the bad things people do. Everyone should hear about this.”
This program has grown and been emulated in many states since it started, and many volunteers and donors help out.  If you'd like to learn more, Worcester Wreath: http://www.worcesterwreath.com/ is the business site, or the Wreaths Across America site is: http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/  Interested in helping out: check out their blog at: http://networkedblogs.com/RrfNf
It’s nice to hear about great folks like this - maybe it'll inspire someone else to start their own tradition to honor Veterans and military families in some way.

Free Lessons in Computer Coding, Stripes Heroes and Villains, KPHO Series on Arizona Veterans, ADOT News for Veterans

Today’s Video is about how people of all ages, all over the world, are learning to program computers for free by doing ‘an hour of code.’  See it at: http://youtu.be/FC5FbmsH4fw This week is Computer Science Education week, sponsored by many non-profit organizations, including http://code.org/ which will teach you how to code online for FREE.  You can also get free computer coding lessons at: https://www.khanacademy.org/hour-of-code/hour-of-code-tutorial/v/welcome-hour-of-code or at: http://appinventor.mit.edu/explore/hour-of-code.html

Stripes.com has a variety of pages on their website, including a summary of 2013 Heroes at: http://www.stripes.com/news/special-reports/heroes and the Stolen Valor page where you can read more about efforts to ensure those who claim military service or awards are accurate at: http://www.stripes.com/news/veterans/stolen-valor

This recent series on Arizona Veterans by KPHO TV shows some of the hardships and resources available to Veterans in the state at: http://www.kpho.com/story/24000083/programs-aim-to-give-addicted-az-vets-hope

ADOT news regarding Veteran license plates, waiver of skills test for qualified Veterans applying for commercial driver’s licenses, and handy links to AZ511 (road conditions) and Arizona Highways magazine are all located at: http://www.azdot.gov/media/News/news-release/2013/12/06/adot-remembers-pearl-harbor-and-recognizes-arizona-veterans

Unmanned Aircraft Program, Veterans Resource Center Grand Opening in Prescott, ODU: a Top Choice for Veterans

Drones in the news: Amazon has been working 'outside the box' to deliver packages via drone, see more at:
http://www.stripes.com/news/us/with-prime-air-amazon-plans-to-deliver-purchases-via-drones-1.255601

Amazon’s proposed unmanned drone delivery service sparked a lot of interest this week.  If you were wondering where to find out more info about this growing field, Yavapai College has an unmanned aircraft concentration in their aviation degree, see more at: http://www.yc.edu/academics/degrees-and-certificates/associate-of-applied-science---aviation-technology/119  “The Aviation Technology degree program prepares students for careers in aviation as helicopter  or airplane pilots, flight service specialists, dispatchers, instructors, and unmanned aircraft operators. The degree also prepares students for the entrance exam into the FAA Air Traffic Control Academy in Oklahoma City.”

Northern Arizona Veterans Resource Center (NAVRC) will hold a Grand Opening on Monday, December 9, with an open house at 240 S. Montezuma Street, #101, in Prescott from 2-5 p.m. and a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 3 p.m.  Congressman Paul Gosar will give the keynote address.  The public is invited to join in the celebration, meet the Congressman, and learn about the issue of veteran homelessness. NAVRC is a division of Veterans Resource Centers of America, which has been serving veterans for 41 years.  In Arizona, offices in Prescott, Flagstaff and Bullhead City opened on October 1st, with a mission of rapidly re-housing homeless veterans and preventing veterans from falling into homelessness.  Case managers work closely with each veteran household (individual or family) to identify needs and goals, resulting in a comprehensive step-by-step plan to overcoming homelessness.  NAVRC can often supplement this plan with temporary financial assistance, such as a check written to a landlord or utility company. Contact Tom Isakson for more info at: tisakson@vetsresource.org or (928) 776-0766.  Thanks to Debbie Stewart’s Non-Profit Newsletter for this info, see more at: http://www.nonprofitnet.com/Newsletter/present%20newsletter/

Highlighting some of your local choices for Bachelor’s degrees: Old Dominion University (ODU) is headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, and was a pioneer in distance education for active duty military by satellite broadcasting classes to Naval ships. They offer 70 distance learning degree options, and have local campuses in Prescott and Clarkdale, at Yavapai College campuses. ODU is 30th among four-year schools in a recent ranking of the nation's 120 Best Colleges for Vets by the national publication Military Times - See more at: http://www.odu.edu/news/2013/11/best_for_vets#sthash.Us1hAN6w.dpuf   For more info, contact local site directors in Clarkdale: Ruth Gallegos @ 928-649-4481 or rgallego@odu.edu, or Prescott: Nicole DeGrouchy @ 928-445-4616 or ndegrouc@odu.edu

USAA Healthcare 101, Veterans Priority of Service, Career Tips, Helmet Legacy, Stress Management

Here’s a helpful explanation from USAA about the new healthcare act and potential impacts on military families and veterans at: http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pace/usaa_2013winter/#/14  It includes resources, tips on how to determine your coverage needs, and questions to ask.

Veterans may be able to receive a variety of supportive services to help find a job through AZ Department of Economic Security.  See if you are eligible for “Veterans Priority of Service” at: https://www.azdes.gov/main.aspx?menu=258&id=4757

Here’s a list of growing careers – is one of them your next step?  See: http://education-portal.com/cm/25_Growing_Careers_Fields_You_May_Not_Have_Considered.html  and if you need more information on career options that don't require a Bachelor's degree, here’s another good article: http://education-portal.com/cm/Five_2-Year_Degree_Jobs_That_Pay_More_Than_Those_Requiring_A_Bachelors.html

Information Technology careers are one of the hot fields for Veterans.  Check out this Veteran’s bird’s eye view at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/11/19/guest-blog-how-i-transitioned-high-tech-job-after-20-years-military

Military history moment: If carrying beer in your helmet to wounded soldiers sounds intriguing to you, check out this WWII story at: http://www.stripes.com/news/former-paratrooper-recalls-wwii-incident-that-led-to-beer-fame-1.254178

Tips for college students on how to manage stress are at: http://blog.cengage.com/?top_blog=tips-for-students-managing-and-avoiding-stress-in-college  How many of these do you already do?

Veterans Treatment Courts, Mine Tech Preview Day, SVA in AZ, EMDR for PTSD, Verde Valley Supportive Services for Veteran Families,

Discover what a Veterans Treatment Court is at: http://www.justiceforvets.org/what-is-a-veterans-treatment-court and then see if your local area needs one (there are locations in Phoenix and Tucson currently.)  See a recent interview about the nationwide efforts to create Veterans Courts at: http://www.justiceforvets.org/media or above.

Are you looking for a well-paid career? Interested in technology and hands-on careers? Interested in scholarships and internships? Then check out the Preview Day on December 14th at Yavapai College CTEC campus and learn about diesel, electrical instrumentation, and industrial plant technology careers in mining - make your reservation with Stephanie before December 11, at 928-717-7107.

Student Veterans of America is coming to Arizona for their national conference!  Join other student Veterans from schools across the country to network at the SVA conference entitled “Pioneers of Change” on Jan 2-5 in Scottsdale.  See more details at: http://www.studentveterans.org/on-campus-veteran-support-group/programs/national-conference.html

There have been some recent articles about EMDR being used successfully for Veterans with PTSD, as an alternative to talk-therapy, prescription drugs, or other methods.  EMDR is short for: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing – if you want to learn more about it, here is an interesting article from WebMD at: http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/emdr-what-is-it

Staff from Supportive Services for Veteran Families (a grant-funded program at Catholic Charities) were interviewed on Verde Valley TV on Inside Cottonwood by Mayor Diane Joens about their services in the Verde Valley to help Veterans break out of poverty or homelessness.  See the episode online at: http://youtu.be/qtLbNN2yErc