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M TALON ilitary & ilitary Patrick toRepresentUSIinVeteran InitiativeinWashington D.C. ’ careeradvancement opportunity designedtocultivate The VET Initiativeinaninternship Insurance. Initiative sponsoredbyPrudential Employment Trajectory(VET) D.C. thissummerfortheVeterans to representUSI in Washington students nationwide of 25 one to be Chaze Patrick has beenselected the Veteran, Military&Family Joel Matherly, manager of here, it’s free.” VA butitdoes cost. Iftheycome separately throughthe insurance Corbitt said.“You cangetdental their service,” we appreciate “It’s away wecanshowthem fluoride andX-rays. teethcleaning, provides clinic tothem. out reach to effort a concerted makes periodically clinic the dentalhygiene services freeofchargeanytime, Although veterans receivethe through Thursday. hours, evening including times, appointment of available number The clinicdoubled week. this to veterans cleaning free teeth by providing service and community combining program are hygiene university’s dental senior students at the veterans. Juniorand other Corbitt ishelping Clinic, Dental Hygiene Now, asaninstructoratUSI’s surgical technician. and as acorpsman served the Navy,leaving she where after hygiene to studydental Indiana of Southern University Elissa Corbittcametothe Veterans GetFreeDentalCleaningsatUSIClinic- 8600 University Boulevard, Education Center 0114, Evansville, Indiana 47712 F amily amily education R esource the C The enter - professionalism, work ethicand professionalism, contact withChazeknowshis “Anyone whohascomein Harpenau, aseniorstudent. from Sami a cleaning receiving job,” hesaid,after very thorough friend. “It’s great. They doa after hearing aboutit from a attended theclinicWednesday the Vietnamduring War. He in theU.S. engineer Air Force Jerry Schapker served as a flight eager tolearn. department andthestudentsare a greatdental(hygiene) he said.“Welearning,” have our studentsthatexperiential in thecommunitywhilegiving need a filling of way our is “This Marion, Illinois,toreceiveit. have totraveltheVA in clinic Affairs, and if they did, they would of Veteransthe U.S.Department criteria forfreedentalcarefrom most veterans don’t meet the Resource CenteratUSI,said the civilianworkingworld. to transition from university life to them jobs andpreparing quality for increasing veterans’ access to program thatservesasaplatform a 10-week professional immersion Itis workforce preparedness. and S tudent V eteran eteran A ssociation - By MarkWilson, EvansvilleCourier&Press from May24- August 5. attend thisprogram Patrick will Director oftheUSIVMFRC. said JoelMatherly, Assistant stage” university onanational our and persontorepresent can notthinkofabetterstudent devotion to mission success. I said. with them,” Hall communicate needs andhow to individual what each “I likelearning a waytogiveback,”shesaid. served ourcountryandthisisjust veterans. “Ithinkit’s great. They with the working she enjoys Hall said Senior studentPaige They doagreatjob,”hesaid. veterans. program for is atremendous “This insurance. has nodental War,Korean Gurganussaidhe stationed inJapanduringthe An Air Forceveteranwhowas surprised howmanyshowup.” (day),” Seibsaid.“Iwaskindof see about12perclinic usually “Wepretty full.We areusually before theappointmentends. and approvethe student’s work instructor KathySeibcheck on fellow and as Corbitt Faculty such A merican merican my teeth.” care was“brushing dental only regular ago, hesaid his years several clinics coming tothe began Until CecilGurganus students. and practiceforthe service tothem a which provides months, shesaid, or eveneverysix return everyyear, Many oftheveterans L egion egion P ost 324 Local for Vets Chapter Seeking Veterans for Companionship

Healing Vets and Saying Thank You Saving Pets Pets for Vets is a concrete way to thank At Pets for Vets, we U.S. Military Veterans for their service. believe our country • Featured on NPR, CBS2 and owes military veterans CNN, PBS and the Pentagon Channel a debt of gratitude. • Donations are tax deductible to Our troops have been brave but many the fullest extent allowed by law of them have returned with physical and • Serving veterans in our chapter emotional injuries that have made it difficult areas to transition back to civilian life. Some • With each veteran- match we estimates state that as many as 20% of provide the necessary equipment for them returning military veterans suffer from to start their new life together Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Veterans in our chapter areas who could Pets for Vets is helping. benefit from having a companion animal Our goal is to help heal the emotional and who are also able to care for an wounds of military veterans by pairing animal are eligible to receive a Pets for

Mr. Joel Matherly Assistant Director (812) 461-5302 [email protected]

them with a shelter dog that is specially Vets companion animal. Pets for Vets is selected to match his or her personality. a national organization with 32 chapters Professional animal trainers rehabilitate around the nation. SW IN Chapter started the dogs and teach them good manners 3 years ago, and to date have placed to fit into the veteran’s lifestyle. Training 20 dogs and 1 cat. We will place any Mrs. Debra Mabern may also include desensitization to wheel domestic animal that we can adopt from a Veteran and Military Services Supervisor chairs or crutches as well as recognizing local shelter or rescue group. (812) 461-1857 panic or disorder behaviors. [email protected] From application to receiving your new It’s win-win. best friend takes anywhere from Needy shelter dogs receive a second 2-5 months. You can apply at www. chance at life while giving our returning petsforvets.com troops a second chance at health and happiness. The bonds of friendship formed Pets for Vets thanks our veterans. For between man and animal have the power more information, please contact Marti to ease the suffering of our troops when Vanada, Director, Southwest Indiana Pets they return from overseas. for Vets at 812-853-5400. SVA Receives $1.2 Million Grant for Transitioning Service Members - By Barrett Y. Bogue, Vice President of Communications, SVA National Washington D.C. into higher education or employment by — Student Veterans focusing on three key areas: transition of America (SVA) out of the Armed Forces, life as a student announced today veteran and transition from student to that it received a $1.2 professional. VETERAN HOLDS—Veteran million, multi-year holds are placed on the grant from the PwC At the conclusion of the research, SVA Monday following the 100% Charitable Foundation, Inc. in support will launch an adaptive tool that student drop/add period and run until of SVA’s Student Veteran Educational veterans can use to measure the priority registration. They are and Employment Decision Tree Initiative. effectiveness of any program or initiative reestablished after the PR The three-year research initiative will designed to help service members’ period ends and will come off explore the decision-making process for transition from the military to college or during finals. separating service members, with the employment. The Decision Tree Initiative intent of identifying potential opportunities aims to provide a much needed tool PRIORITY REGISTRATION— and barriers to a successful transition from for transitioning service members and If you are currently using VA college into the workforce. This builds veterans to see through evidence-based Benefits (GI Bill), you qualify for on the success of SVA’s groundbreaking research the best path to take to achieve priority registration regardless research into the academic outcomes of their professional goals upon separation by your academic alignment nearly one million student veterans using mapping the effectiveness and outcomes (Freshman—Senior). Plan your the Post-9/11 GI Bill. of graduation and employment decisions. next semester before this date and schedule an appointment “Imagine you’re about to leave the military, “We are proud to support SVA in its with your advisor. you’re not entirely sure you want to go mission to empower transitioning military to college or into the workforce. You veterans with the resources and tools to be VA CERTIFICATE OF can’t make up your mind and your peers successful in education and employment,” ENROLLMENT FORM DUE are giving you advice that’s all over the said Frank Gaudio, PwC Charitable EACH SEMESTER you plan map. This is where our Decision Tree Foundation Trustee and Veterans Liaison. to use benefits. Find this form Initiative will help. Thanks to the PwC “At the conclusion of this research initiative at http://www.usi.edu/reg/ssl/ Charitable Foundation, we’re going to essential information will be extracted vaformlogin.asp . Complete show separating service members, not that will help guide future generations of yours as soon as you register only how to persist towards a degree, service members to construct a successful for classes. but the path most likely to lead towards roadmap based upon the experience graduating,” said Mr. Jared Lyon, SVA’s of others to achieve their career goals. VFW 1114 Dining Room Open President and CEO. Continual research is critical to identify to Public—Friday, Saturday, leading practices to advance and scale Sunday Brunch Using a sample size of more than 1,000 solutions that will better serve so many Breakfast $6.00 1st/3rd veterans and service members, the veterans with this tool, and to work with Saturday research will determine the strength and SVA in doing so, is a unique step forward Prime Rib 1st/3rd Saturday impact of key decisions when transitioning in the interaction between research and job Buffet Friday Night $9.95

File you DD214 for FREE: Vanderburgh County Chief Deputy Recorder at 1 NW Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Rm 231 Evansville IN 47708 812.435.5215

Kentucky Women Veterans Unite: Standing Up & Speaking Out

Statewide Womens Veterans Conference

Marriott Griffin Gate 1800 Newtown Pike Lexington, KY 40511

Hosted by the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs August 5, 2017 SAVE THE DATE SAVE

American Legion Advocates for Veteran Entrepreneurs, Access to Capital - By Joe Plenzler The American Legion are more likely to start a business U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and testified before and are generally more successful at Jon Tester, D-Mont., sponsored the bill the U.S. House of creating a lasting small business.” and successfully navigated it through Representatives One of the top impediments facing the Senate Committee on Small Committee on entrepreneurial veterans is access to Business and Entrepreneurship last Small Business capital to develop a minimally viable year, but was canceled with the end of Subcommittee on product or service, create a market, the 114th Congress last November. Contracting and Workforce today to and scale their businesses. “One of The 2016 VET Act would have created represent the views of entrepreneurial the leading barriers to small business a pilot program to enable veterans who veterans and press for additional financing is requiring that debt be did not desire to go to college to use assistance for veterans who want to secured by equity in fixed assets,” said money from their G.I. Bill benefit to start small businesses. Sharpe. start a small business. Joe Sharpe, director of the Legion’s Most veterans leaving military service Committee chairman Rep. Steve National Veterans Employment and lack the equity necessary for traditional Knight, R-Calif., expressed interest in Education Division, urged members bank loans. the Legion’s VET Act legislation and of Congress to give veterans Sharpe said, “One solution is to re- requested more information. the resources they need to start introduce legislation such as S.1870 “It’s ideas like this that drive our businesses in order to further stimulate - The Veterans Entrepreneurial economy forward,” Sharpe said. “It is the nation’s economic recovery. Transition (VET) Act of 2016,” that the veterans who will lead the way.” Sharpe said, “Veterans, when American Legion spearheadded last compared to their civilian counterparts, Congressional session. See more at www.legion,org.

Senate Passes Bipartisan Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act - By Senator Donnelly Office Media Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Vietnam. The bipartisan Vietnam War “In many cases, Vietnam veterans did Joe Donnelly (D-IN) and Pat Toomey Veterans Recognition Act now goes not receive the warm welcome they (R-PA) and want to recognize and to the House for consideration. deserved when they came home. honor the veterans of the Vietnam It’s time we put a heartfelt thank you War. “This bipartisan bill would help our to Vietnam veterans into law, and I country honor our Vietnam veterans will continue working with Senator On Friday, the Senate passed the – who didn’t get the recognition they Donnelly to advance this bipartisan Donnelly-Toomey bill to designate deserved when they returned home. legislation” said Senator Pat Toomey March 29th as “National Vietnam War These are our friends and neighbors (R-PA). Veterans Day.” who should have our gratitude for their selflessness and sacrifice. I’m glad This legislation is supported by Vietnam March 29th marks the anniversary to work with Senator Toomey on this Veterans of America and Veterans of of the day that combat and combat effort to mark Vietnam War Veterans Foreign Wars. support units withdrew from South Day” said Senator Joe Donnelly (D-IN) VFW Survey: Veterans Want VA Fixed, Not Dismantled - ‘The VFW prides itself in evaluating what works at the VA and in identifying what needs to be fixed’ - VFW National Magazine - http://www.vfw.org/

WASHINGTON — great value to their new team.” • Quality of care is paramount when President Trump choosing a health care provider announced Monday The VFW this month released the • Where veterans prefer to receive the creation of results of its sixth nationwide survey of care depends on their options and the White House veterans, a copy of which was delivered experiences Office of American to every congressional office earlier Innovation to “bring this month during the VFW’s National “The most important takeaway is the together the best Legislative Conference, and the results overwhelming majority of respondents ideas from government, the private of which were personally discussed said they want to fix, not dismantle the sector, and other thought leaders to with the president on March 17. The VA health care system,” said the VFW ensure that America is ready to solve purpose of OUR CARE 2017: A Report national commander, who believes the today’s most intractable problems, Evaluating Veterans Health Care, is VA is on the right track, but that much and is positioned to meet tomorrow’s to continue to evaluate the impact of work remains, such as the need to challenges and opportunities.” One of the Veterans Choice Program, which hire more doctors, hold wrongdoers the new White House office’s targets is was enacted in 2014 in response to accountable, improve customer to fix an old problem — the Department the VA’s crisis in access to care. The service, and to make VA’s programs of Veterans Affairs — and the Veterans VFW’s initial survey, Hurry Up and and systems more user-friendly. of Foreign Wars of the United States Wait, was published in September wants to help be part of the solution. 2014 and based on feedback from “All things are possible with the right 6,000 veterans. All other VFW reports information, focus and authority,” said “The VFW prides itself in evaluating what on VA health care can be found vfw.org/ Duffy, “and the VFW is ready to help the works at the VA and in identifying what VAwatch. new White House Office of American needs to be fixed,” said VFW National Innovation succeed in ensuring the Commander Brian Duffy. “Veterans turn More than 10,800 veterans responded VA is able to provide high-quality to VA for the high-quality, individualized to the VFW’s 2017 report, which is and accessible care to our nation’s care they provide, but there is always categorized under six major sections: wounded, ill and injured veterans.” room for improvement, especially in • Veterans want to fix, not dismantle the areas of information technology, the VA health care system Read the actual report at: https://www. scheduling, data analysis, and access • Veterans are starting to notice vfw.org/-/media/vfwsite/files/advocacy/ to quality care out in the communities,” improvements vfw-our-care-2017--executive- he explained. “I hope the White House • Patient satisfaction has improved summary.pdf?la=en recognizes that the VFW’s expertise, • Veterans are waiting less for their perspective and relevance would add health care appointments See more at www.vfw.org.

NO BATTLE MORE IMPORTANT THAN PROTECTING YOUR INTERESTS AT HOME Join Your local Veteran Service Organizations Today and Preserve Your Future WHAT’S THE WORD: EDUCATION BENEFITS

VA Education Benefit Spotlight - Fry Scholarship & CH 35 DEA - By Curtis L. Coy, Deputy Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Everyone knows VA provides many maximum amount per academic year. service related condition. programs for veterans and their Additionally, students may receive families to assist with life after the a monthly housing allowance and Children must generally use benefits military, but did you know that VA stipend for books & supplies. between the ages of 18 and 26; and has GI Bill programs that offer We’ve worked hard to support and spouses generally have a 10 year education assistance to survivors and implement laws that make programs period in which to use benefits, or a dependents of veterans? like this available. On December 20 year period for spouses of Service 16, 2016, a new provision of the members who die on active duty or There are many wonderful nonprofit law extended the benefit eligibility veterans that receive a permanent organizations that offer scholarships period to , for the spouses of and total rating effective of release to the families of our heroes. We Service members that died between from active duty. honor and encourage all of them, but September 11, 2001 and December want everyone to ensure they do not 31, 2005. This provides surviving Benefits may be used for degree and accept them in lieu of what the VA spouses with additional time to use certificate programs, apprenticeships, provides. Families have earned the the Fry Scholarship benefits. Check and/or on-the-job training. See our programs discussed below – it is not out our letter to spouses for more DEA pamphlet for more detailed an either or situation. information on what has changed. information.

The Marine Gunnery Sergeant Federal law also requires schools to Sometimes it can seem as though the John David Fry Scholarship charge instate tuition and fee amounts VA is a giant government organization The Fry Scholarship is available for to qualifying dependents using the that only processes claims. However, children and spouses of Service Fry Scholarship at a public institution the majority of our employees here members who died in the line of duty of higher learning located in the state are either veterans or the family while serving on active duty on or where they currently live. We’re member of a veteran. In fact, many after September 11, 2001. Children working to ensure that all states come of us use or have used these benefits may use benefits until their 33rd into compliance, and the public can ourselves. We assure you that each birthday; and spouses’ eligibility ends track our progress through the use of day we’re working hard to provide the at the earlier of 15 years from the date a map available on our website. best care and benefit programs and of death or the date of remarriage. upholding the VA motto, “to care for See our fact sheet for more detailed VA Chapter 35 DEA him who shall have borne the battle information. Survivors’ and Dependents’ and for his widow, and his orphan.” Educational Assistance (DEA) offers Eligible beneficiaries attending education and training benefits to the For the most updated information school may receive up to 36 months spouses and children of veterans who on this and other VA Educational of benefits. This includes full instate are permanently and totally disabled Benefits, visit http://www.benefits. tuition and fees for public schools, due to a service related condition, va.gov/gibill/. and private or foreign school tuition veterans who died while on active & fees are capped at a statutory duty, or who died as a result of a QUESTIONS TO THE VMFRC - Student Q&A Passed to You! SEND THE ORIGINAL. You may Historically unless you have GI BILL KICKERS ADD send in both a copy of DA Form completed 24 months of qualifying VALUE - DO YOU HAVE 3286-66 along with your application active duty time, your basic and for benefits (VA Form 22-1990 - AIT time will not count and you do ONE? VONAPP). Without documentary not qualify for Chapter 33. In this evidence to support your claim for a instance, Chapter 1606 is the benefit I was promised a kicker, by my kicker, it will be denied. you would apply for. For the best records do not include one - what benefit information, visit http://www. can I do? I’m in the Reserve Component, benefits.va.gov/gibill/. just completed AIT and my Drill You will have to provide the VA Sergeant told me I get Chapter 33 a copy of your own record of the Benefits. kicker that was promised. DO NOT