Cold War Veterans Blog

Monday, May 14, 2012

Putting Vets Back to Work

WHO: NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. & NYS Assemblyman Michael Miller

WHAT: VETERANS JOB FAIR - FREE - OPEN TO VETERANS & SPOUSES ONLY!

This event will take place indoors. Many potential employers will be looking to hire qualified candidates, so bring plenty of resumes, dress for success! Industries represented include: Finance, Health Care, Retail, Sales, Social Services, Transportation, Trades, Information Technology, and more. Training opportunities will also be available. Bring Veterans ID (VA ID, Active Military ID, DD214, etc.). Spouse should bring service member's DD214 and proof of marriage.

WHERE: The Shops at Atlas Park, 8000 Cooper Avenue, Glendale (@80^th Street, formerly where Steinmart's had retail space, on lower level beneath Regal movie theatre)

Free parking available in the South Garage only; wheelchair accessible. Travel by subway: L train to Grand Street, then take Q54 to Atlas Park. M train to Metropolitan Ave. Middle Village, then take Q54 to Atlas Park. M/R to Woodhaven Blvd./Queens Blvd.; then take Q29 to Atlas Park (bus stop on Hoffman Drive). E train to Jamaica/Van Wyck, then take Q54 to Atlas Park. Travel by bus: Q54 between Williamsburg & Glendale on Metropolitan Avenue, stops directly outside Atlas Park; Q45 between Jackson Heights & Glendale, stops outside Atlas Park; Q29 between Jackson Heights & Glendale, stops directly outside Atlas Park. Check online at http://tripplanner.mta.info/_start.aspx for more specific public transit directions.

WHEN: Friday, June 8, 2012, 10 AM – 3 PM

For more information, driving directions or if you would like to attend, please contact Senator Addabbo's district offices: Howard Beach at 718-738-1111 or Middle Village at 718-497-1630 . Follow us on Facebook at 'Senator Joe Addabbo'. Visit us online: http://addabbo.nysenate.gov.

--
Sean P Eagan

Former Chairman American Cold War Veterans
Life Member Veterans of Foreign Wars
716 720-4000

Actor's Foundation Builds Homes for Wounded Warriors

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 14, 2012 - Actor Gary Sinise's efforts to help wounded warriors were highlighted by journalist David Martin on last night's broadcast of the CBS program "60 Minutes."

In the 1994 film "Forrest Gump," Sinise portrayed "Lt. Dan," an Army officer who loses both legs while serving in the Vietnam War and overcomes adversity following his discharge.

Since visiting Iraq as part of a USO tour in 2003, Sinise and his foundation have worked to support service members and veterans. Martin's "60 Minutes" story focused on Sinise's foundation helping to build custom "smart homes" for real-life amputees, such as Marine Corps Cpl. Juan Dominguez, who lost both legs and an arm to a roadside bomb in Afghanistan in 2010.

In his report, Martin said that as of May 1, 1,459 service members from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have had limbs amputated. Of those, 439 lost more than one limb, and Dominguez is one of 39 who'd lost three, he said.

"I basically thought I was worthless until one of the [quadruple] amputees that were there, he was walking around like it was nothing," Dominguez said in the "60 Minutes" report. He was referring to Marine Corps Cpl. Todd Nicely, one of five surviving quadruple amputees.

"I have a feeling 10 years down the road I'm not even [going to] remember what it was like to have arms and legs," said Nicely, who was injured in March 2010 when he stepped on a booby-trapped bridge in Afghanistan.

Martin reported that Nicely and his wife, Crystal, are about to move into a new house being built in Lake of the Ozarks, Mo., and paid for by Sinise, who performs throughout the year with his Lt. Dan Band, raising money for wounded service members.

Nicely explained to Martin during the interview what the new home will mean to his family.

"For me, it means getting my life back -- you know, being able to do a lot of the things on my own," he said.

Living without hands is the hardest thing, Nicely told Martin, but he added that having the house will make life 10 times easier.

Martin noted during the interview that Sinise's foundation assists the severely wounded by building new homes. But triple amputee Bryan Anderson said he doesn't want one.

"I'm good," he said. "Like, I get around just fine. I do everything I [want to] do. I don't need it, so give it to somebody that would take it, and I would feel guilty taking something away from somebody that could actually need it."

Anderson explained how he'd met Sinise and became friends with the actor while learning to use his new prosthetic legs during physical therapy at Walter Reed Medical Center. "I just put my arms out and I landed on the first person that I could grab, and then I look up. I'm like, 'Oh, holy crap, it's Gary Sinise.'

"And he looks at me," Anderson continued. "He's like 'Holy crap, the real Lt. Dan,' and I'm just like, 'No, no, no, no, you'll always be Lt. Dan,'" Anderson said.

Anderson said he and Sinise began to talk about everyday things. "It was like he was talking to me as a person and not just a wounded soldier," he added.

Anderson said he is now in a "very good place" in his life and credits some of that to Sinise.

"Gary's responsible for the beginning," he said. "I've done a lot on my own for myself. Gary was the one to show me that I can do everything -- that it is possible. He really showed me that I can still do anything. It doesn't matter that I'm in a [wheelchair]. If this guy can see that, why can't I?"

God Bless You Lt. Dan !!

Gary Sinise puts his time, money and energy into helping veteran's causes everywhere. He believes in it. It is his absolute sincerity that shines through. It is not just a photo op or a little good publicity he has turned into a advocate in veteran's can count on. God Bless You Lt. Dan !!
--
Sean P Eagan

Former Chairman American Cold War Veterans
Life Member Veterans of Foreign Wars
716 720-4000

Friday, May 11, 2012

IAVA and Operation Homecoming Team Up

Sean,

IAVA knows that our community is strongest when we work together.

  Every day we collaborate with a diverse group of partners to support and invest in this new generation of veterans and their families. From offering free JCPenney suits to help veterans transition into the civilian workforce to connecting our vets with an immediate lifeline of support through the Veterans Crisis Line and Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), IAVA is committed to ensuring the needs of all our members and their families are heard and addressed.

Our friends at Operation Homefront stand strong with us in that mission—providing emergency financial and other assistance to service members, wounded warriors and their families. Today, we're proud to team with Operation Homefront to spread the word about two critical initiatives that will make a lasting impact in the lives of more IAVA members:

Home Repairs: Operation Homefront and The Home Depot Foundation are stepping up to offer wounded warriors assistance with home repairs, retrofits, rehabilitation, weatherization as well as major household appliances.
Housing: Through their Homes on the Homefront program, Operation Homefront also provides wounded warriors and their families with emergency and permanent housing.

 Think you might qualify to participate in one of these programs? Click here to learn more about these two amazing initiatives and submit an application for your family or a fellow veteran.  

Spread the word to help IAVA and Operation Homefront reach as many wounded warriors as possible - they deserve all the thanks our community and country can offer.  

Thank you for your support.

Paul

Paul Rieckhoff
Founder and Executive Director
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

PS – Don't forget to tune in! This Sunday, May 13th CNN will feature IAVA and our 2009 Veteran Leadership Honoree JR Martinez in a groundbreaking documentary about the unemployment crisis impacting the National Guard and our veterans community as a whole. Click here to watch the trailer for "Veterans Wanted?" – and set your DVRs for 8pm ET/ 11pm PT.

--
Sean P Eagan

Former Chairman American Cold War Veterans
Life Member Veterans of Foreign Wars
716 720-4000

Wednesday, May 09, 2012

The USO ! The mom who receives your gift will be so proud -- and the military mom will be so grateful.

View Mobile Version

Dear USO Supporter --

This Mother's Day is particularly special to me because while on tour with the USO I had the opportunity to spend time with military mothers that don't have the ability to see their children every day. I realize that something as simple as seeing your children every night is a blessing.

That's why this Mother's Day I'm doing something different for the mothers in my life. I'm making donations in their name to the USO Wishbook.

Do Something Special This Mother's Day. Give a gift that helps out America's military moms.

A small donation to the USO Wishbook gives mothers the opportunity to see and talk to their children, which is something that we can easily take for granted.

I'm sure the mothers I love will be thrilled to know their gifts this year are going to help military moms connect with their loved ones back home. Supporting the mothers in the military...now that is one of the most special gifts anyone can give.

Best,

Regina King
Actress and Entertainer

P.S. -- Remember, all you have to do is go to the USO Wishbook right now and purchase your Mother's Day gift. The mom who receives your gift will be so proud -- and the military mom will be so grateful.

--
Sean P Eagan

Former Chairman American Cold War Veterans
Life Member Veterans of Foreign Wars
716 720-4000

Tuesday, May 08, 2012

Funding VA Healthcare Budget Permanently.

Miller: Ensuring the Promise Remains Intact

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Rep. Jeff Miller, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, issued the following statement after the Sequester Replacement Act of 2012 (H.R. 4966) was favorably reported to the Full House for consideration yesterday:

"I would like to thank the Members of the House Budget Committee, in particular Chairman Ryan, for being proactive in addressing the serious concerns regarding VA's health budget under the rules of sequestration through the Sequester Replacement Act 2012.

"This legislation should be met with bipartisan support by the House, Senate, and the President. It not only clarifies the law, but also exempts VA from administrative sequestration, on which the Administration has yet to provide a ruling.

"Veterans' benefits are earned through service to our nation, and any breach of that contract is a breach of trust between our veterans and the American people. By removing all ambiguity in the law to ensure VA's funding, we ensure that promise remains intact for today's veterans and future generations."

For more news from the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, please visit:

Veterans.House.Gov

Find us on Facebook at: Facebook.com/HouseVetsAffairs or follow us on Twitter at:

@HouseVetAffairs

--
Sean P Eagan

Former Chairman American Cold War Veterans
Life Member Veterans of Foreign Wars
716 720-4000

Monday, May 07, 2012

Committee to Address VA Mental Health Care Concern

WASHINGTON, D.C.—On May 8, 2012, at 10:30 a.m., in Room 334 of the Cannon House Office Building, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs will hold a hearing entitled, "VA Mental Health Care: Ensuring Quality and Quantity." The hearing will focus on accountability at VA for recent revelations on the lack of accessibility of mental health care for veterans, as well as examining why veterans are not getting better through VA's mental health programs.

WHO: House Committee on Veterans' Affairs

WHAT: "VA Mental Health Care: Ensuring Quality and Quantity"

WHEN: 10:30 a.m., Wednesday May 8, 2012, Room 334, Cannon House Office Building

WITNESS LIST

Panel 1

The Honorable Eric K. Shinseki, Secretary