Wednesday, February 1, 2017
Prepared and distributed monthly to Veterans and supporters of those who served.
Special Events
- Joint Veterans Council of Cuyahoga County
Joint Veterans Council of Cuyahoga County Veteran of the Year and Officer Installation Luncheon – scheduled for 12 noon, Saturday, February 18, 2018 at the Embassy Suites Cleveland-Independence Hotel located at 5800 Rockside Woods Blvd., Independence, OH
The program will honor the 2016 Outstanding Veteran of the Year. The social hour will begin at 11 AM with the program – including lunch, beginning at 12 noon. Tickets: http://jvcocc2017.eventbrite.com/
For further information, email info@jvcocc.org or call JVCOCC at 216-373-7799
- Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center Events Calendar: http://www.cleveland.va.gov/calendar.asp
- Ohio Veterans Memorial Park Events Calendar: http://www.ovmp.org/
- The Veterans Service Commission will have a representative in the following Cuyahoga County Public Library branches on selected dates 9 AM – 3 PM to assist Veterans will filing for VA befits, temporary financial assistance and transportation (bus tickets) for VA appointments.
North Olmsted Branch
North Royalton Branch
Solon Branch
South Euclid-Lyndhurst Branch
- Attention Veterans: Cuyahoga County Veterans Service Commission Winter Clothing Program
Don’t get caught in the cold this winter. The Cuyahoga County Veterans Service Commissioner Winter Clothing Program is here.
- Cleveland Auto Show honors military, veterans and first responders
The Cleveland Auto Show will host its inaugural Northern Ohio Hero’s Day, an event that honors America’s Warriors, Veterans and First Responders. Read the full story
- Annual Veterans Day Ceremony and Parade
The City of Cleveland will partner and host the annual Veterans Day ceremony and Parade on Friday, November 10, 2017
Job Opportunity
Seasonal Job Opportunity: The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument Commission advertised for a temporary seasonal groundskeeper position for the period of May 1st through Sept 16, 2017. If you or a fellow veteran are interested in applying, contact Tim Daley at tdaley@cuyahogacounty.us
Did you Know?
News
Veteran Assistance
Do you know a Veteran in need? Fairway Independent Mortgage and American Warrior Initiative contact CAVA in their mission to make funds available to provide a service dog for a Veteran, whatever the cost may be. The funders will provide funding for the dog and training for both the Veteran and service dog. First, they have to find a Veteran in need.
Fairway Independent is located in Stow, so their preference would be a Summit County Veteran, but will consider a Veteran from Cuyahoga County.
If you know of a candidate, all they have to do is click on the link below, fill out the form and provide their DD-214. If possible, CAVA would appreciate being mentioned as the referral source.
They mentioned March as a target date…
https://www.americanwarriorinitiative.com/veteran-support-form/
Understanding the lives of veterans in the justice system
Illinois State University: Illinois State University’s Phil Mulvey has received a nearly $100,000 grant from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) to explore the daily lives of veterans who enter the criminal justice system. Research has shown that military veterans reintegrating into civilian society are at increased risk for relationship troubles, mental health crises, and substance abuse as well as an increased propensity for violence. Those factors may lead to minor brushes with the law due to various Read the full story
American Legion blasts Manning commutation
The leader of the nation’s largest veterans organization criticized President Obama’s decision today to commute the sentence of an ex-soldier convicted of violating the U.S. Espionage Act along with many other charges.
Chelsea Manning served in the U.S. Army as Pvt. Bradley Manning before being arrested and sentenced to 35 years at Fort Leavenworth for leaking a classified video to the website WikLeaks
Joint Veterans Council salutes Tom Sweeney and Fisher House campaign at annual banquet
The Joint Veterans Council of Cuyahoga County will honor Tom Sweeney as its Outstanding Veteran of the Year and local efforts that he led to get a Fisher House for veterans’ families created in Cleveland. Read the full story
After 10-year effort, Army selects new pistol maker
CNN: After a long and much-criticized search, the US Army has chosen Sig Sauer to produce its next generation of handgun, eventually replacing the current standard issue sidearm, the Beretta M9 pistol. Read the full story
VA Chief of Staff Snyder to serve as interim department secretary
The Veterans Affairs’ interim chief of staff is getting a promotion to the department’s top job. Robert Snyder, who has overseen day-to-day operations at the department for a year and a day, was announced as the acting VA Secretary effective Friday at noon, when President-elect Donald Trump is sworn into office. VA officials announced the change late Thursday as current political appointees said their farewells at the department’s Washington, D.C. headquarters. He’s an Army veteran who spent 26 Read the full story
Cleveland Auto Show Northern Ohio Hero’s Day: Honoring America’s Warriors, Veterans and First Responders
February 24 from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, opening day of the 2017 Cleveland Auto Show, active military personnel, reservists, veterans and fire, police and other safety and security personnel will be admitted to the show free of charge with a valid I.D.
The offer is open to current and former U.S. Military personnel, including: reservists and retired members of the Coast Guard, National Guard, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, Navy and the Department of Defense.
Must provide proof of service with a valid photo I.D. Veterans can show the U.S. Armed Forces designation on their driver’s license, a DD214, or a VA Medical Card, but it must be accompanied with a valid photo I.D.
Fire and police personnel who qualify for free admission include: firefighters, EMTs, police officers, state troopers, investigators, evidence technicians, firearms examiners, crime lab technicians, 911 dispatchers and correction officers and other employees of the aforementioned organizations.
The offer is also available for those working for national security organizations such as: the F.B.I., Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration, National Security Administration, U.S. Customs, or U.S. Border Patrol.
Local, state and national safety and law enforcement personnel must show an identification card from their place of employment, along with a valid photo I.D. Badges, uniforms and fraternal and lodge cards will not be accepted as proof of service nor identification.
Free admission is limited to the Northern Ohio Hero with valid identification and will not be extended to spouses, children or friends of the Northern Ohio Hero. However, there is no geographic limitation to Northern Ohio Hero’s Day. No matter where you served, when you served, or currently live, you are free to take advantage of the offer
Attention Military Veterans: The Social Security Administration is awarding prior military service men and women credit towards their SSA earnings! You don’t get it automatically, you have to apply. For a certain period, you get $300 each quarter of a year you served in active duty or reserve.
Here’s the link: Retirement Planner: Special Extra Earnings for Military Service
Did you Know. . . . . . the history of ‘dog tags’: https://www.warhistoryonline.com/history/history-dog-tags.html
Volunteerism
Here are some great opportunities to put your military experiences to work benefiting others in need.
Project GreenCare for Troops: a national 10-year old program that provides free lawn, landscape and snow removal services for military families and veterans with a service-related disability needs your support. There are more than 225,000 military personnel deployed in 150 countries and 3.6 million veterans with a service-related disability needing day-to-day household and lifestyle assistance.
Project EverGreen’s GreenCare for Troops and SnowCare for Troops provides complimentary basic year maintenance, and snow and ice removal services to military families and disable Veterans. For more information contact Ki Matsko at 888.611.2955 or kimatsko@projectevergreen.org
The American Red Cross’ unwavering commitment to members of the U.S. military, its veterans and their families continues to grow and develop more than a century after Clara Barton first recruited nurses to support the U.S. Army. Today, the Red Cross is meeting the needs of a changing military and expanding services to veterans. Red Cross support of military members and their families enhances morale and contributes to increased operational capability in several ways. New volunteers: visit https:redcross.org/neo Click on “volunteer” tab.
Cleveland Municipal Court’s Veterans Treatment Docket needs volunteers – preferably military veterans to help Veterans transition to a successful life. If you are interested in volunteering to help our veterans successfully re-enter civilian life, please contact Derek Moore at (216) 664-4712 or via email at moored@cmcoh.orgfor additional information.
Needed: ‘A few good mentors’: The Cuyahoga Common Pleas Veteran Treatment Court (VTC) is a judge-monitored treatment program for military veterans. A key component of the program is volunteer Veteran Mentors who volunteer their time to help veterans re-adapt to civilian life. For more information visit: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1NiwCZ_V-9iTF8wYXhqcE4yWm8/view?usp=sharing
Employment Opportunities / Links
Veteran Job Search Assistance: If you know a Veteran or Military Spouse who could benefit from FREE, UNLIMITED job search coaching, please have them visit www.gunnyret.com to schedule a “First Call”.
Ohio National Guard Employment Enhancement Support: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6KQApfHm1pGbnByRGlTNEhyUlU/view?usp=sharing
Free, Unlimited Military Veteran Job Search Coaching: provided by www.gunnyret.com
VA JOBS Home: http://www.va.gov/jobs/
Ohio.gov: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/ohio/default.cfm?clearSearch=1
USAJobs: https://www.usajobs.gov/Veterans
MilitaryJobs.com: http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs
Ohio Federal Government Jobs: http://federalgovernmentjobs.us/job-location/ohio-oh.html
Stars and Stripes; Veteran Job Center: http://veteranjobs.stripes.com/
USERRA: The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) protects service members’ reemployment rights when returning from a period of service in the uniformed services, including those called up from the reserves or National Guard, and prohibits employer discrimination based on military service or obligation. The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) administers USERRA
- Link to DOJ USERRA website: http://www.justice.gov/crt/military/statute.htm
- Link to the DOJ website: http://www.dol.gov/vets/programs/userra/userra_fs.htm
Information Links
Welcome to MyVA.COM. . . getting it right from the start
Enrolling for VA care is a life-changing decision for Veterans. Choosing your health care provider is a leap of faith that will impact your entire life. “Welcome to MyVA” (W2MyVA) starts that relationship right with a welcoming call from an informed, service-oriented VA representative. http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/30277/welcome-myva-getting-right-start/
Cleveland American Veterans Association: http://www.cava4vets.org/
Veteran Service Commission Meetings – are open to the public. The Commissioners encourage members of the Veteran Community to come and see how the Cuyahoga County Veteran Commission works and the benefits available to our Veterans. The meetings are held at the Commission offices at 1849 Prospect Avenue, Suite 150, Cleveland, Ohio 44115 at 9:30 AM the first and third Wednesday of each month.
Free Parking: The Veterans Service Commission reserved parking spaces in the lot just East of our building (on Prospect Avenue). The lot has signs posted noting they belong to the Veterans Service Commission. This will allow veterans to park for free.
Peer Advisors for Veteran Education: Representatives from more than 40 colleges and universities have come together to learn ways to support student Veterans who face two significant changes simultaneously: transitioning from the military to civilian life and the transition from the military to academia. Neither of these is easy. Read more at www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/29879/new-va-partnership-expands-power-of-peer-support-among-student-veterans/
Get connected with V.E.T.S Program: The Council for Economic Opportunities in Greater Cleveland is sponsoring a series of job preparedness, career development, financial literacy and computer training workshops. The program is designed to help veterans overcome barriers in order to transition from military life, prepare to compete for jobs in the civilian labor force.
The VETS Program is in collaboration with the Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network (MAGNET), Cuyahoga Valley Careers Center, and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) Veterans Program
Read it here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1NiwCZ_V-9iQzJERUUwdThPaG8/view?usp=sharing
VAntage Point: the official blog of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/subscribe/
311VET – new app answers general VA benefits questions http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/23378/311vet-new-app-answers-general-va-benefits-questions/
Cuyahoga Community College Veteran Upward Bound Program: Since 1973, VUB has provided comprehensive educational support services to eligible U.S. military veterans interested in pursuing a college degree or certificate. Services include academic enrichment classes, math and English tutors, assistance with applying for federal student aid, and transition into a college or university of their choice. All services are no cost to the veteran. For information call 216-987-4938 or visit www.Tri-C.edu/vub
Amputee Recreational Support Group of Central Ohio: http://www.arsgcoh.org/ regularly schedules recreational activities for amputees – Veterans and non-Veterans, including Yoga for Amputees, shooting events, and recreational swimming. For more information, contact Robert Hass at (614) 288-5105 or Amputee@columbus.rr.com
Department of Defense Media Center: http://www.dma.mil/
Veterans Business Support Center: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1NiwCZ_V-9iS0NiUjQ3cnFLTE0/view?usp=sharing
Ohio National Guard Employer Advisory Council: The ONG Employer Advisory Council was developed to provide military-friendly employers with useful resources and guidance to help them success with military retention and recruitment initiatives. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1NiwCZ_V-9ibUNOOGo2S2gybWc/view?usp=sharing
USS COD: http://USSCOD.org
Columbus Honor Flight: www.honorflightcolumbus.org
Honor Flight Cleveland: www.honorflightcleveland.com
Veterans Crisis Line: 1 800 273 8255
Women of Hope, Inc: www.womenofhopeoh.org
Chase Bank Support for Veterans: www.ChaseMilitary.com
Justice for Veterans: http://www.justiceforvets.org/
Google for Veterans: http://www.googleforveterans.com/
Military Memorabilia Donations: www.ohiohistory.org/militarycall
Ohio Veterans Memorial Park: http://www.ovmp.org/
Cold War Recognition Certificate: the Cold War Recognition Certificate is a recognition certificate awarded by the Secretary of Defense to all U.S. Armed Forces personnel and qualified federal government civilian personnel who faithfully and honorably served the United States anytime during the Cold War era, which is defined as September 2, 1945 to December 26, 1991. Anyone who served in the military or the Federal Government during this period is authorized to receive the certificate.
Congress established the Cold War certificate in Section 1084 of the fiscal 1998 National Defense Authorization Act. The Department of Defense designated the Department of the Army as the executive agent for the Cold War Recognition Certificate program. http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/genmedals/ht/coldwar.htm
Veteran Resources: http://www.veteransresources.org/
Cleveland VA Regional Benefit Office: http://www.benefits.va.gov/cleveland/
VetBiz.gov Home: http://www.vetbiz.gov/
Joint Veterans Council of Cuyahoga County: www.jvcocc.org
Equal Honor for All: www.equalhonor.org
Greater Cleveland Fisher House: The Goal of the Greater Cleveland Fisher House Organization is to raise $7,000,000 for the construction of a Fisher House (there are currently 62 houses in operation across the US, Germany, and England) that will be located on the grounds of the Louis Stokes VA Hospital in Cleveland, the third largest VA hospital in the US. http://greaterclevelandfisherhouse.org/
Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center: http://www.cleveland.va.gov/?wvsessionid=fe802c6620da402484b74ac24a5f1650
Greater Cleveland Veterans (GCVM) Memorial: www.clevelandvetsmemorial.org
GCVM Honor Roll: The Citizens of Cuyahoga County have served the nation well, and paid a heavy price. When America needed defenders the men and women of Greater Cleveland have answered the call. From 1899 to 2014, a span of 115 years, 5,552 patriots of the county have fallen in military service during time of war. Search the honor roll: http://www.clevelandvetsmemorial.org/GCVM-honor-roll-search.asp
My HealtheVet: www.myhealth.va.gov
Rewards for Justice Website: The Rewards for Justice program continues to be one of the most valuable U.S. Government assets in the fight against international terrorism. Established by the 1984 Act to Combat International Terrorism, Public Law 98-533, the Program is administered by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security. http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/english/most-wanted/all-regions.html
Locating Veterans and Service Members: http://www.archives.gov/veterans/locate-service-members.html
National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics: http://www.va.gov/vetdata/
Military News: www.military.com
The American Legion: http://www.legion.org/
Veterans of Foreign Wars USA: http://www.vfw.org/
Stars and Stripes Veterans Link: http://www.stripes.com/news/veterans
Air Force Times: http://www.airforcetimes.com/
Army Times: http://www.armytimes.com/
Marine Corps Times: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/
Navy Times: http://www.navytimes.com/
Defense News: http://www.defensenews.com/
Veterans Benefits Administration: http://www.vba.va.gov/
GI Bill website: http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/
Veteran Resources: http://www.veteransresources.org/
Explore VA Benefits: www.explore.VA.gov
Ohio VFW: http://www.ohiovfw.org/
Ohio Legion News: http://ohiolegionnews.com/
National Marine Corp Business Network: http://www.nmcbn.com/
