Tag Archives: Veterans

ADOT, Arizona benefit from armed forces Transition Assistance Program

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PHOENIX — With more than 300 employees having served in the U.S. armed forces, the Arizona Department of Transportation is an active participant in the federal Transition Assistance Program connecting those leaving military service with jobs.

“Thank you to all veterans whose sacrifice allows all of us the privilege of living in a free country,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “If you are preparing and looking forward to continuing your public service, we invite you to help create and maintain a transportation system that meets today’s needs and tomorrow’s challenges.”

The Transition Assistance Program, created by a 2011 law and administered by the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, helps service members develop comprehensive plans to pursue education, search for jobs or start businesses after their military careers. Its training program, known as Transition GPS (Goals, Plans, Success), includes a mandatory five-day workshop and additional days of optional training depending on an individual’s chosen career path.

ADOT is a fixture at employment fairs organized by the Transition Assistance Program at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale. As part of that, ADOT created a step-by-step guide for military personnel interested in applying for employment with state agencies.

As of June, 334 ADOT employees identified themselves as veterans.

“The skills and accountability that come with military experience allow ADOT to better provide a safe, efficient and cost-effective transportation system that improves the quality of life in this state,” Halikowski said.

For more information about the Transition Assistance Program administered by the U.S. Air Force, please visit www.afpc.af.mil/lifeandcareer/transition.asp.

Military veterans give North Kaibab trails a facelift

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kaibab-veterans-1FREDONIA — The Forest Service’s most recent 2015-2020 Strategic Plan contains four outcome-oriented goals, one of which is to “Deliver Benefits to the Public.” Last week, recreational staff from the North Kaibab Ranger District (NKRD) of the Kaibab National Forest partnered with the Arizona Wilderness Coalition (AWC) and military-veteran volunteers to once again work toward meeting that goal by working together to maintain trails within and near the Saddle Mountain Wilderness.

Since the recent June release of the new Strategic Plan, the district’s staff has taken this challenge seriously by implementing various projects throughout the summer that would help meet this strategic goal. In addition to this most recent AWC Veterans Saddle Mountain Wilderness project, other summer projects on the district include: trail, sign, and building maintenance performed by students from the local Youth Conservation Corps, trail maintenance on the Rainbow Rim performed by volunteers from the American Conservation Experience and the International Mountain Bicycling Association, and prescribed fire prep work on the Tipover East prescribed fire burn unit performed by inmate fire crews from the Arizona State Forestry Division, who completed approximately 30 acres of thinning and hand piling fuel reduction work.

kaibab-veterans-2“For my veteran brothers and sisters, this trip was a good chance to push reality and stress aside and enjoy one of this country’s treasures, meet other veterans and make some new friends,” said U.S. Army veteran Bill Losh.

During the Saddle Mountain Wilderness project, AWC coordinator Brian Stultz and NKRD coordinator Denise Carpenter, jointly hosted ten U.S. military veteran volunteers to three days of trail maintenance and hiking followed by four nights of rest and relaxation, campfire bonding, and evening dinners consisting of burgers, pastas, fresh salads and three much-loved dutch-oven entrees cooked by Stultz.

“The cord is cut,” said Mind, Body and Resilience trainer Nick Manci, who instructed yoga and trauma release classes throughout the week. “I felt a disconnect to my world back in Phoenix. My time in the forest with no communication with anyone outside of our camp and the trail time, yoga, trauma release and meditation all played a role in my reemerging with nature. I’m once again reminded of where I’ve come from and where to find solace and peace. It took four days. I’ll return to the city tomorrow a little different man. I am thankful for my time here on the Kaibab Plateau.”

“I especially enjoyed the beauty and quiet seclusion of the wilderness,” said U.S. Marine Corps veteran John Morgan. “There was nothing but friendly and professional folks running this program, and plenty of time to myself. I think the volunteer program is a major plus and would do it again if asked.”

Throughout the week, volunteers dispersed camped in a water-and-electric free environment alongside Forest Service Road 611 just a few miles from the three trailheads. Each day, the crew started with morning yoga, breakfast and a short hike before the work of cutting trees and trail brushing began.

“I have shed a lot of military skin in the eight years since I got out,” said U.S. Marine Corps veteran Jeff Glessing. “Reconnecting with veterans who get it was a great treat for the weekend. We were able to speak freely about our experiences, connect over common ground and speak in acronym-filled sentences without having to decipher it for our audience.”

Throughout the days, the veteran crew worked alongside NKRD and AWC personnel. All told, they improved about 3.5 miles of the North Canyon Trail, clearing a 10-foot by 12-foot wide corridor to accommodate pack horses, and an additional 1.6 miles on the Saddle Mountain Trail. All maintenance work was done with hand tools such as the crosscut saw, bow saw, pruning saw, grub hoe, and loppers.

“It’s kind of like performing plastic surgery for the trails,” said Carpenter, a seasoned and certified crosscut sawyer. “Trail work requires many various kinds of hand tools and, to be safe and productive, trail workers must know how to select the best tools for the job and be skilled at using them. Productive trail work depends upon knowing your way around sharp tools, working together as a team and having a constant awareness of surrounding hazards, and this crew did remarkably well for their first time doing this type of work together.”

Since this particular trail maintenance was done on trails leading into and within Saddle Mountain Wilderness, the crew was prohibited from using motorized equipment within the wilderness due to the Wilderness Act of 1964 in order to provide wilderness protections for future generations.

“When everything was said and done, we were greatly supported by the AWC and USFS, who proved very knowledgeable and were willing to answer all kinds of questions about forestry, land management and ecology,” Glessing added. “We had a shared experience that is difficult to find once you leave the military. It was fun and I’ll be looking forward to my next AWC trip; hopefully, just around the corner.”

Are you up for the PTSD Challenge?

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Glen Davis

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a complication many veterans suffer with upon returning home. It used to be called “battle fatigue.” They find it difficult to sleep because of dreams or memories. They find it difficult to relax because they are used to constantly being on guard. Sharp loud noises which most civilians take for granted are grating on the nerves of these veterans.

22 veterans die each day by taking their own lives. The 22 Until None Facebook page documents the continuing victims of war each day.

While Ted Turner and VA representatives may find it fun to mock the 22 suicides daily, veterans of all eras take it very seriously. Our prayer for this Independence day is that we become independent of this suicide trend. That from here on out, our brothers and sisters seek the help they need. There are plenty of veterans out there that know what you are going through. Some of us do not. We are, however, willing to spend the time to listen to your story.

To raise awareness, Iron Apparel (Facebook) has issued a video challenge in hopes of raising $22,000 for the PTSD Foundation of America. The challenge is in the video below.

The T-shirts they speak of can be found at their website. I ordered mine today and with shipping it costs about $35. You may simply donate $22 directly to the PTSD foundation.

To help raise awareness more, however, I will do a video completing the challenge since my T probably will not arrive for two- to three-weeks. Watch for the video and I will throw down the gauntlet then.

Another healing resource used by a friend of mine is Honor House in Phoenix.

Whether you have served or not, you can help by contributing to these resources.

DoD and DOL Partner to Better Serve Wounded, Ill, and Injured Service Members

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Banner5-300x300The Warrior Care Blog for the DoD Office of Warrior Care Policy is reporting on a Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Defense and the Department of Labor. The brief article states:

The Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Labor (DOL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), to foster and formalize collaboration between the two departments. Signed by Dr. Jonathan Woodson, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs and Keith Kelly, Assistant Secretary for Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Services, the MOU ensures that wounded, ill, and injured Service members and those enrolled in the Disability Evaluation System receive referrals to DOL American Job Centers and Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program Specialists. This agreement marks a collaboration milestone and reaffirms both departments’ commitment to providing education and employment assistance to wounded, ill, and injured Service members.

The blog refers veterans to the Health.mil web site for more information on the Education and Employment Initiative.

Emails: Michigan county’s veterans services director sought cash, gifts from veterans

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imageA county’s Veterans Affairs director in Michigan resigned Monday after emails were published in which he is shown to be demanding payment or other favors of veterans whom he had been helping with their health benefits.

In emails obtained by media outlets, former Calhoun County Veterans Affairs Office Director Scott Losey asked for “a few dead presidents,” “Christmas presents” and other gifts from those seeking the department’s help.

In one of the emails, dated Oct. 20, 2011, Losey wrote about the hard work he’d done at his own home for one veteran.

“We will discuss a gentleman’s agreement to compensate for my personal time,” Losey wrote. “I have worked cases for veterans who reside outside Calhoun County over the past couple of years with the same kind of agreement. I will not gouge you like your Social Security lawyer. Perhaps 7 to 10 percent is typically the agreement. I have had veterans screw me over big time as well. Does this sound cool?”

Read more at Stars and Stripes

See Also: Report: Top officials briefed on Phoenix VA woes before scandal erupted

Memorial Day services in Williams

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WILLIAMS – The flags at the Williams Own Veterans memorial hung at half-staff as they held a Memorial Day service at the cemetery with ceremonial-songs and testimony and a 21-gun salute.

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Perico Avila, Williams American Legion Cordova Post #13.

The ceremony was conducted by Perico Avila, Chaplain of the American Legion Cordova Post #13. Father Kilian of St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church conducted a prayer service.

Army veteran Mike Rioux gave a speech detailing his return to active duty at age 49 and combat service in Afghanistan. Debbie, Pamelia and Beverly sang in honor of those who lost their lives in battle.

The ceremony ended with the honor guard giving the traditional a 21-gun salute and Lu Carle played taps.

Continue reading →

Memorial Day legacy events in Williams

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The lone soldier at the Williams Own Veteran's Memorial watches over the names of those Williams residents who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The lone soldier at the Williams Own Veteran’s Memorial watches over the names of those Williams residents who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

KOREAWILLIAMS – 36 USC §116 designates the last Monday in May as Memorial Day. Memorial Day was established in 1868 to pay tribute to those who have paid the ultimate price for the freedoms that are supposed to be guaranteed to us in the Constitution and the inalienable Bill of Rights.

This is the legacy of Memorial Day. One should keep in mind on Monday what the day is for. Everyone should remember that we still have men and women overseas on ships at sea and on land. We also have thousands of those who have yet to return. Prisoners of war unaccounted for and those missing in action. The United States government promised those it sent into harms way that it would never have a “presumed dead” category.

Unfortunately we must also add to our prayers those fighting the Slide Rock fire and those in Sedona and the Oak Creek area affected by it. The smoke from the fire is reaching Flagstaff and may hamper some of the activities they have planned.

The Williams Memorial day parade in honor of military members living and passed on begins at 11 am on Saturday. On Monday the American Legion Cordova Post #13 holds ceremonies at the Williams cemetery honoring those who have paid the price.

Flagstaff, Williams and other northern Arizona cities will provide activities that we can enjoy thanks to the sacrifice of these service members.

In Williams, the Cataract Creek Gang have begun their gunfights and will continue throughout the summer each night at 7 pm.

The Kiwanis Club Route 66 Street Market opens Friday morning and runs through Monday. The Street Market, formerly Williams Swap Meet, will continue after Memorial day and generally runs to September or October. The Street Market is located on the west end of town across from Williams Memorial Park.

There will be music on the Babbit-Polson Community Stage in the Williams Visitor Center parking lot next to the Recreation Center on Saturday from 12 to 2 pm.

The Williams Aquatic Center will open from 10 am to 4 pm Saturday with a Hawaiian Luau Pool party from noon to 2 pm sponsored by the Friends of the Williams Aquatic Center. There will be free food and games. There will be drawings for free individual and family passes, youth swim lessons and punch cards for individual sessions.

Bradley Manning may be moved to civilian prison

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bradley-manningWhile the Veterans are still reeling from the news of waiting lists that may have been responsible for the deaths of many of their fellow Veterans, the big concern at the Department of Defense is what to do with so-called transgender personnel.

The problem is highlighted by news of what to do with Bradley Manning. Bradley Manning is the PFC that released classified documents to WikiLeaks including a video which shows an air attack on reporters.

Manning was sentenced to 35-years in prison for charges stemming from the release, but the case still has appeals. He has since changed his name to Chelsea and demands hormone treatments.

This has caused a dilemma for the Army. The problem was described in a recent AP article cited by NPR.

“The request was the first ever made by a transgender military inmate and set up a dilemma for the Defense Department: How to treat a soldier for a diagnosed disorder without violating long-standing military policy. Transgender people are not allowed to serve in the U.S. military and the Defense Department does not provide such treatment, but Manning can’t be discharged from the service while serving her 35-year prison sentence.”

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel gave the Army permission to work a transfer of Manning from a military prison to the civilian prison system which offers hormone treatments at taxpayer expense.

According to Stars and Stripes, Manning’s Lawyer David Coombs fears that such a transfer could pose a threat to the safety of Manning. His desire is to keep him within the military prison system. The article reports:

Coombs said “any military facility would be acceptable.” In a statement, he said “it is common knowledge that the federal prison system cannot guarantee the safety and security of Chelsea in the way that the military prison system can.”

Another problem is that the national security issues related to the charges against Manning would normally prevent such a transfer.

While VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki is trying to find stronger words to express his anger over the treatment provided by VA hospitals, Secretary of Defense Hagel is calling for a review of the transgender ban in the military.

This would entail hiring of doctors within the military and VA medical systems with expertise in providing transgender medical treatment which does not currently exist.

Democrats release attack against veteran of Iraq running for Congress

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Photo – Home of Heroes web site.

NEW YORK – Democrats—who have probably never served in the military—fired off an attack at Major Lee Zeldin who is seeking a seat in the House of Representatives in the State of New York. The attack seems to highlight the fact that he could actually unseat six-term Democrat Congressman Tim Bishop.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee issued a press release on May 14 complaining That Zeldin will not answer questions over how he would vote on the Paul Ryan budget or the extension of unemployment benefits.

Over a month after his House Republicans passed Paul Ryan’s reckless budget, Congressional Candidate Lee Zeldin is still too scared to admit how he would vote for the plan, even though he wants Long Islanders to send him to Congress. Even though every member of Congress had no choice but to vote yes or no weeks ago, what’s taking him so long to decide? There’s only one answer: Zeldin is either woefully uninformed, willfully ignorant or a coward.

The press release went on to state:

To help Zeldin find the courage to take a position on the Ryan Budget and other critical issues impacting Long Island, the DCCC is sending him the same Badge of Courage the Wizard of Oz gave to the Cowardly Lion.

Zeldin responded to the attack on FOX News stating, “You have some liberal Democrat hack who’s hiding behind his Twitter account, stuffing his face with Cheez Doodles, sending out press releases on D triple-C letterhead—shameful attacks—and the fact is Nancy Pelosi, Steve Israel, Tim Bishop, they’ve never served a day.

“And I think when I was sitting at the door on that Blackhawk and the Jump Master hits the back of your head and you do what’s so unnatural, jumping out with your parachute; here you are fast-forward to today, and you have, you know, these Democratic hacks out of Washington who want to change the subject and fling insults saying I’m a coward. It just doesn’t fit.”

According to a New York Times opinion by retired Lieutenant General Karl W. Eikenberry, since obligatory service has not been used since Vietnam, the percentage of the American population serving in the military has dropped to less than 0.5% since WWII.

Less than 0.5 percent of the population serves in the armed forces, compared with more than 12 percent during World War II. Even fewer of the privileged and powerful shoulder arms. In 1975, 70 percent of members of Congress had some military service; today, just 20 percent do, and only a handful of their children are in uniform.

Democrats have, in the past, complained that the military is the only job opportunity for the poor segment of society putting the burden of protecting the country on them. Their main focus to change that is to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour.

In testimony before the Senate, Congressional Budget Officer Douglas W. Elmendorf stated:

Increasing the minimum wage would have two principal effects on low-wage workers. Most of them would receive higher pay that would increase their family’s income, and some of those families would see their income rise above the federal poverty threshold. But some jobs for low-wage workers would probably be eliminated, the income of most workers who became jobless would fall substantially, and the share of low-wage workers who were employed would probably fall slightly.

It is unclear how many workers would be raised into a higher tax-bracket eliminating any benefit from an increase in the minimum wage.

Lee Zeldin is a New York State Senator who was a member of the 82nd Airborne paratroopers. He also served for a time with the Military Intelligence Corps at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. Zeldin seeks the Congressional seat for the district in New York covering Long Island which could unseat six-term Congressman Tim Bishop.

2nd Annual High Country Stand Down for Veterans this weekend

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stand-down-logoFLAGSTAFF – The 2nd annual High Country Stand Down for veterans will be held this Friday and Saturday in Flagstaff. The event is a part of the Arizona Veterans Stand Down organization.

The stand down is designed to reach out to homeless veterans and other veterans at risk. Services provided include VA health care, pet services, dental exams and services, mental health services, clothing, meals, emergency shelter, transitional and permanent housing, ID and drivers licenses, court services and legal aide, showers and haircuts and myriad other services and resources.

The Stand Down will be held in two locations in Flagstaff. On Friday May 16 it will be at the Flagstaff Armory at 320 N. Thorpe Road from 10 am to 5 pm. This day is open to the public until 5 pm. After 5 pm only veterans will be allowed.

On Saturday the Stand Down veteran surplus distribution will be held the American Legion Post #2 at 204 Birch from 8 am to 3 pm. On Saturday only veterans will be permitted.

The Stand Down is sponsored by Coconino County, the City of Flagstaff, Department of Economic Security, American Legion, The Arizona Coalition to End Homelessness, the Hopi Tribe and Navajo Nation.

Flagstaff will hold their annual Armed Forces Day parade beginning at 11 am.