35 cents VOL. 5/ISSUE 5 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2016 FDVA seeks more claims examiners

Patrick McCallister FOR VETERAN VOICE [email protected]

The Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, FDVA, wants to add some staff. That wish is in its 2017-2018 proposed budget that’s starting to make rounds among state House and Senate committees ahead of the upcom- ing legislative session, which is March to May. “I’m asking to get 10 more (Division of Veterans’ Ben- efits and Assis- tance) people,” Glenn Sutphin Jr., executive st director of the Photo by Army 1 Lt. Daniel Johnson state’s veterans department Army Sgts. Logon Ross, left, and Addison Owen, both with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry told Veteran , walk through the U.S compound at the Qayyarah West Airfield, , Nov. 1. Owen is an infantryman Voice. “We at the base and is on his second deployment to Iraq. On his first deployment in the city of Basra during 2010- probably could 2011, Owen was wounded when an explosively formed penetrator hit his vehicle. use more, but Glenn Sutphin Jr. you’ve got to be realistic about Battling ISIS -Soldiers man the front line what you can do.” The additional 10 workers would help vet- Wry Humor erans file claims and appeals to the federal Daniel Johnson Department of Veteran Affairs. Those who do DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Owen is known for his wry sense of humor that are usually called veterans service offi- and his calm demeanor. Army Spc. Tyler cers, but Roy Clark, director of cabinet and Smoke rose in the distance from an oil Holt is the second member of Owen’s team, legislative affairs, said they get a different title field set on fire during the battle between and the two can usually be found together at the FDVA. Iraqi forces and the Islamic State as Army during the day. They’ve been working to- “We call them veterans claims examiners,” Sgt. Addison Owen stood outside his tent. gether the entire deployment. he said. Owen, an infantryman with Bravo Compa- “Sgt. Owen brings up the morale of wher- The claims examiners, he said, work one-on- ny, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, is ever he’s at,” Holt said. “I’ve learned a lot no stranger to Iraq; this is his second time from his experiences. He’s shown me that he See EXAMINERS page 8 deployed to the country. cares about personal welfare of the soldiers, On his first deployment, he fought beyond and he’s helped my career and helped me the oil field, but now he is part of a multina- develop as a person.” tional effort to assist the Iraqi forces. Owen, a California native, is the only per- “It was pretty bare out here,” Owen said son in his immediate family to enlist. At age regarding the unit’s arrival. He was one of 27, he has already spent more than 2 years the first soldiers moved to Qayyarah West of his life deployed in the Middle East, in Airfield to provide security for the effort to Afghanistan and Iraq. rebuild the runway sabotaged by ISIL. “I don’t have a long [family] history of “It was just desert and blown up buildings military service in my family,” Owen said. “I around our security perimeter,” he said. “I joined the Army because I wanted to serve told the new guys before they came out here my country. That aspect of the military real- that it might be a little rough. I enjoyed our ly drew me in and it was always something I mission, watching for any signs of hostile activity that could threaten the construction project.” See IRAQ page 10 2 • DECEMBER 1, 2016 • VETERAN VOICE • SPONSOR A VETERAN TODAY! PRIMARY CARE that cares about you.

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"I'm kind of a care package snob"

Photo courtesy of Just Our Soldiers’ Helpers Kathy Hewitt, in blue shirt, co-founded Lake Mary’s Just Our Soldiers’ Helpers with husband Dennis. Their nephew, Joshua, was serving in an isolated area of Afghanistan in 2010. When the Hewitts found out his unit mates and he had no post exchange, they dedicated themselves to providing all 175 with care packages. The family project has grown into a not-for-profit organization sending care packages to isolated service members.

to ship one package a month to him,” do fundraisers,” Kathy said. Patrick McCallister Kathy said “Then after I found out their The biggest fundraiser J.O.S.H. does is FOR VETERAN VOICE [email protected] predicament and was able to get a list (of the annual Tee Off Fore Our Troops Golf names), we shipped at least one package Tournament at the Timacuan Golf Club in to each in his unit.” Lake Mary. The next one is May 5. Addi- Kathy and Dennis Hewitt found out that A sergeant wrote the Hewitts to let them tionally, Kathy said, some local organiza- their nephew, Joshua Kinsel, didn’t have know that he’d taken the shipping label tions have hosted fundraisers for J.O.S.H. a post exchange, or PX, anywhere near off his box to give to someone in the unit Sometimes they let the Hewitts know. where he was serving in the Army. That who never got any mail. The Hewitts ad- Other times, they surprise the couple was in Afghanistan toward the end of opted the forgotten soldier. with checks. Even with that, the Hewitts, 2010. “He got multiple boxes and the best Kathy admits, dig into their own pockets “We started shipping (care packages) to packages we could send,” Kathy said. for J.O.S.H. him,” Kathy said. “He wouldn’t tell me “That boy is kind of what started me that But there was that one time when the about the place he was in.” we needed to do something like this for Central Florida Girl Scout Council con- The Hewitts founded Lake Mary’s Just the people who don’t get mail. There are a tacted J.O.S.H. about giving it cookies. Our Soldiers’ Helpers in 2012. The orga- lot of them.” “I was thinking 1,500 boxes,” Kathy said. nization sends care packages to service While some care-package groups ask “‘Yeah, we can handle that,’ I told them. It members in desolate areas. The acronym, people to take items to package drives, was 18,000 boxes.” if you didn’t spot it, is J.O.S.H., in honor J.O.S.H. prefers getting cash to do its own After renting the largest truck they could, of the Hewitts’ nephew. shopping. the Hewitts called every friend they had But, back in 2011, the Hewitts did some “I’m kind of a care-package snob,” Kathy who owned a truck. They had to rent a research, and the more they found out said. “I want our packages to be packages storage unit and find creative ways to get about their nephew’s isolated position, the that soldiers really get excited about.” the cookies to service members. more they thought about his unit mates. That is to say those care packages don’t J.O.S.H. will be going to monthly mail- “By 2011, we started adopting other have coffee, soap and socks. They have ings in January and will need more volun- soldiers in his unit,” Kathy said. “We just name-brand coffees, body-care products teers. started working down the list. It was my and clothing. Even with the Hewitts’ husband and I financing it the first year.” stringent requirements for top quality and Find out more about J.O.S.H. and Tee Off The Hewitts got names of Kinsel’s unit name brands, J.O.S.H. has shipped more Fore Our Troops by visiting www.justour- mates. than 40,000 pounds of packages. soldiershelpers.org. “The goal started out to be we were going “People hold fundraisers for us and we 4 • DECEMBER 1, 2016 • VETERAN VOICE • SPONSOR A VETERAN TODAY! Congressman Posey sees opportunities for veterans in upcoming Congress

saw as an albatross around their the power to get rid of bad actors. Patrick McCallister FOR VETERAN VOICE necks that election year, resigned That, Posey said, got hung up in [email protected] at the end of May, 2014. In July the gridlocked Senate. Obama nominated Robert A. “I think we need a legitimate McDonald to lead the veterans way to evaluate VA employees,” Congressman Bill Posey, Rock- department. About the time the Posey said. “We’ve had a lot of ledge, thinks the 115th Congress Senate was unanimously nodding complaints that VA employees has good opportunities to im- at the appointment, the Veterans have the wrong attitude toward prove the Department of Veteran Access, Choice and Account- veterans.” Affairs. The last couple years, he ability Act was making its way Congress will have a role in said, VA reforms have languished through Congress. Among oth- empowering future secretaries to death in the Senate. er things, the act expanded the of the VA to terminate high-level “The Senate prevented any real opportunity for veterans receiving employees. So will the next Secre- meaningful reforms to the VA,” he care at the Veterans Health Ad- tary of Veterans Affairs. At press told Veteran Voice in an exclusive ministration to go to private pro- time Trump hasn’t announced interview. “The incoming admin- viders with the Veterans Choice any picks for that position. Posey istration, (Donald) Trump, has Card. is rooting for fellow Florida Con- said his priority is to fix the VA.” Those cards started getting gressman Jeff Miller, Pensacola. The Republican lawmaker was mailed out by the end of 2014. Miller is the chairman of the first elected in 2008, during a Posey said they’ve done little House Veterans Affairs Commit- year when Democrats dominated to solve problems with VA wait tee. the political landscape. No one times. They’ve existed since be- “I think Jeff Miller would be a would mistake him for being a fore the Obama administration. wise choice,” Posey said. He add- fan of Barack Obama’s admin- In 2001 President George W. ed, “He’s lead the House charge istration, which was swept into File Photo Bush created the President’s Task to reform the VA.” office in the same election. Posey Force to Improve Health Care De- Posey has a bill that’s passed got the nickname “Birther Bill” Republican Congressman Bill Posey, livery for Our Nation’s Veterans. the House twice just to die in the for proposing legislation requiring Rockledge, is hopeful the 115th Con- By 2003 it reported that at any Senate — the Deployed Troops presidential candidates to provide gress will be able to resolve ongo- time about 236,000 veterans were Support Act. If passed and signed their birth certificates. However, ing Department of Veterans Affairs awaiting medical appointments by the president, the bill would when reports about prolonged problems. He gave Veteran Voice an at VA medical facilities more allow not-for-profit organizations waits at VA medical facilities ex- than six months. The task force sometimes ship care packages on ploded in 2014 and many Repub- exclusive interview to discuss the attributed much of the delay to military flights for free. Posey said licans clamored for the removal coming session of Congress after the expanded use of VA medical care some groups that send care pack- of Secretary Eric Shinseki, Posey 2016 elections. after the Veterans’ Health Care ages to deployed military mem- stuck by the former Army gener- Eligibility Reform Act of 1996 and bers can have up to half their al. the VA. Millennium Health Care and Ben- resources consumed by shipping Posey said that the undue wait “I thought it was a mistake to efits Act of 1999. The task force costs. times — that many held were get rid of Shinseki,” Posey said. said funding simply hadn’t kept The Congressman is hoping the leading to veterans’ premature “He knew who the bad guys were up with the increased demand for third time’s the charm. deaths — had a lot to do with and he wanted to fire him. In- VA services. “We’re going to be gunning for entrenched and intransigent bu- stead (the Obama administration) Making matters worse, Posey it,” Posey said. “I’m hopeful every reaucrats who were unresponsive asked for his resignation.” said, the new secretary didn’t re- year.” to Shinseki’s pushes to reform Shinseki, who many Democrats ally get what Shinseki wanted — Veteran Voice Veteran Voice would like to thank The Voice of Experience

Veteran Voice is a newspaper for veterans, active military, their families and their friends. Shirley & Everett Dunbar Veteran Voice is published weekly by Veteran Voice, LLC. of Port St. Lucie 1919 SW South Macedo Blvd., Port St. Lucie, FL 34984 (772) 247-0123 Office

LEGAL NOTICE ADVERTISING (Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River & Brevard) Phil Galdys Frankie Agosto or Tori Spoth 407-286-0807 Publisher for their donation to sponsor a veterans Legal notices may be emailed to:[email protected] Mary Kemper (please note county in the subject line) Staff Writer/ in their community with a year-long Marketing Consultant SUBSCRIBE TODAY subscription to Veteran Voice $18 YEAR (52 weeks) $12 Veterans or Active Military Patrick McCallister Contributing Writer For more information on distribution and subscriptions of this newspaper, please call our main office (772) 247-0123 Ted Elkins or contact us by email at: [email protected] Subscriptions Frankie Agosto If you are interested in sponsoring veterans POSTAL STATEMENT Legal Advertising Veteran Voice (USPS# 9749, ISSN 23302267) is published weekly by Veteran Voice LLC, 1919 SW South Macedo Blvd., Port St. Lucie, FL 34984 Tori Spoth your community with a weekly subscription? Periodicals Postage Paid at Ft Pierce, FL and additional offices. Legal Advertising Sharon Elkins Please complete the form on page 7. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Managing Partner Veteran Voice LLC, PO Box 1487, Stuart FL 34995-1487 SPONSOR A VETERAN TODAY! • VETERAN VOICE • DECEMBER 1, 2016 • 5 Your Career Begins with US!

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• Full and Part Time employment • Excellent Benefits after 60 days Photo by Marine Corps Cpl. Alvin Pujols • Casual fun environment Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jonathan R. Smith, left, the commander with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Maj. Michael F. Smith, • Exciting contests and events air combat element operations officer with the 13th MEU, stand next to the CH-53E • Worldwide Career Super Stallion detachment flagship “Gunsmoke” aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer, May 13. The flagship is piloted by Michael, and is named after the 13th Opportunities MEU’s Battalion Landing Team, which is commanded by Jonathan. • Paid Training • Immediate positions available Two Marines - a literal for a new line of business band of brothers

Alvin Pujols DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Deep Patriotism

The Marine Corps is an organi- The family has a deep devotion zation in which strangers come to service, patriotism, and love together and build bonds as for country, Michael said. William strong as family. told his sons that Marines are cut But what happens when two from a different cloth, and this brothers join the world’s greatest became a driving factor in their fighting force? The answer lies in desire to serve their county. All their bond. three of the Smith boys would The Smith family history of mil- ultimately become career Ma- itary service extends back to the rines. The oldest brother, Wil- Revolutionary War. The brothers liam Franklin Smith IV, or “Bill,” grew up hearing the tales of their joined the Marine Corps as an grandparents, who all served in enlisted reconnaissance Marine the armed services. and, after 24 years of service, “It starts with my grandmother retired in December as a master being in the Army Nurse Corps, gunnery sergeant. and my grandfather being in the Meanwhile, Jonathan and Mi- Army Air Corps during the World chael went to the University of War II era,” Jonathan said. “We Maine together, and upon grad- have service on both sides of the uation, were commissioned as family. My mother’s father was Marine Corps officers. 28824 a doctor in the Army, and my Jonathan, the second-oldest and grandmother was a nurse.” commander of Battalion Landing Port St. Lucie - Boca Raton - North Lauderdale This history led their father, Team 2/1, became an infantry William Franklin Smith III, to join officer. He said he wanted to take the Marines, the Smiths said. on the challenges faced by Ma- Being a Marine meant the world rines in so many of his father’s to their father, they said, and he stories. would talk highly about the Ma- “When I heard my father talk rines he served with and his time about the important aspects in service. of service, the highlights of his “That was a very important part career, I heard about Marines of his life,” Jonathan said. “He Follow us on TeleperformanceUSA would say how every Marine was See BROTHERS page 8 6 feet tall and bulletproof.” 6 • DECEMBER 1, 2016 • VETERAN VOICE • SPONSOR A VETERAN TODAY!

fascinatingfascinating artifactsartifacts

Photo by Roger Scruggs Hundreds of military artifacts are on display at the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center Museum, Merritt Island, which was newly dedicated on Veterans Day after extensive renovation. Formerly, the Museum was confined to a small space — now, it has its own Wing, allowing visitors to peruse the exhibits in plenty of space. The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Admission is always free of charge. To learn more about the Museum, and the Center’s many functions on offer, visit veteransmemorialcenter.org.

BREVARD COUNTY Calendar MARTIN COUNTY Wreaths Across America Saturday, Dec. 17 Tuesday, Dec. 6 wreath-laying ceremony, noon Friday, Dec. 2 sharp, Cape Canaveral National Cem- Wreaths Across America Monthly meeting, DAV Chap- etery, to ensure all fallen veterans wreath-laying ceremony, noon Music by Saxman and Posse Band, ter 123, Execs, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. are recognized for the holidays. To sharp, Rolling Oaks Cemetery, 2200 VFW Post 10066, 1805 N.E. Savan- (Members, second Thursday each sponsor a wreath, visit wreathsacros- SW Del Rio Blvd., Port St. Lucie, to nah Road, Jensen Beach, 7-10 p.m. ensure all fallen veterans are recog- month 10:30 a,m. to 12:30 p.m.) samerica.org. Dinner to be announced. For more nized for the holidays. To sponsor a information, call (772) 334-9659. wreath, visit wreathsacrossamerica. Space Coast Honor Flight month- org. ly lunch gathering, 11:30 a.m., Ongoing Wednesday, Dec. 7 Smoky Bones Restaurant, 1510 W. INDIAN RIVER COUNTY New Haven Ave., . All Jobs available in Brevard County, Karaoke, 7-11 p.m., American via careersourcecentralflorida.com — veterans invited to enjoy lunch (at Monday, Dec. 5 Legion Post 126, 3195 N.E. Savan- own expense) and camaraderie. For for local locations, visit www.employ- nah Road, Jensen Beach. For more more information, contact Peter Diaz florida.com Monthly meeting, Veterans Council information, call (772) 334-6966. at (321) 253-0552 or Ray DiZefalo at of Indian River County, 1:30 p.m., (321) 952-4474. ST. LUCIE COUNTY Indian River County Administrative Saturday, Dec. 17 Complex, Building B. Lunch by Richard, VFW Post 8191, Friday, Dec. 2 Tuesday, Dec. 20 Wreaths Across America noon to 2 p.m., 4120 N. Harbor City wreath-laying ceremony, noon sharp, American Legion Post 355, Blvd., Melbourne. Second drink free Bingo, Space Coast Honor Flight monthly Forest Hills Memorial Park, 2001 SW for those who wear a VFW 8191 logo every Friday at 6:45, DAV Chapter lunch gathering, 11:30 a.m., Capt. Murphy Road, Palm City, to ensure all hat, shirt or beer cozy. Reduced bar 113, 1150 S.W. California Blvd., Port Hiram’s restaurant, 1606 N. Indian fallen veterans are recognized for the St. Lucie. Come on out and enjoy specials. River Drive, Sebastian. All veterans holidays. To sponsor a wreath, visit some fellowship, help benefit area invited to enjoy lunch (at own ex- wreathsacrossamerica.org. Saturday, Dec. 17 veterans and have fun at the same pense) and camaraderie. For more time. For more information, email cla- information, call Bob Parker at (321) [email protected]. 724-1535. 3rd Annual Veterans Fishing Chal- VOLUSIA COUNTY lenge and “Braggin’ BBQ Bash,” Entertainment, American Legion SEMINOLE COUNTY (rescheduled) 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Anglers Thursdays in December Post 318, Savannas Club Boulevard, will fish aboard the Orlando Prin- Port St. Lucie, 7:30-11 p.m. Also on Tuesday, Dec. 13 cess, taking off from Riverview Park, Musician Greg Cardino performing Saturdays. For more information, call 2400 Riverview Drive, Melbourne. for Big * Burger Night, VFW Post (772) 878-0655. Monthly meeting, American Legion Only 100 seats available. Sponsored Post 252, 11433 Park Blvd., Semi- 3282, 5810 Williamson Blvd., Port nole. For more information, call (727) Orange, only $5. For more informa- by the Veterans Resource Council of Monday, Dec. 5 the Melbourne Regional Chamber of 391-6324. tion, call (386) 761-7217. Commerce. There is a $75 cost for Monthly meeting, Jack Ivy 666 Every Monday fishing, and the cost for the barbe- Detachment, Marine Corps League, Friday, Dec. 16 cue alone is $15. If you are unable to 7 p.m., American Legion Post 318, Lunch, bar poker at 2 p.m., darts attend, please consider sponsoring a 1000 Savannas Club Blvd., Port St. 7 p.m., American Legion Post 252, 7 Monthly meeting, VVA Chapter deserving veteran. To register, go to Lucie. All Marines, Navy corpsmen p.m., 11433 Park Blvd., Seminole. For 1048, 6:30 p.m., VFW Post 3282, melbourneregionalcchamber.com and and chaplains welcome. more information, call (727) 391-6324. 5810 S. Williamson Blvd., Port Or- click on the “Events” tab. ange. SPONSOR A VETERAN TODAY! • VETERAN VOICE • DECEMBER 1, 2016 • 7

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MAIL THIS COMPLETED FORM ALONG WITH YOUR PAYMENT TO: Veteran Voice, LLC. P.O. Box 1487, Stuart, FL 34995-1487 If you choose to call in your credit card payment, please reach us at (772) 247-0123 8 • DECEMBER 1, 2016 • VETERAN VOICE • SPONSOR A VETERAN TODAY! said ‘No way you’re that guy!’” It was. Then-Capt. Jonathan BROTHERS Smith won the Lt. Col. William G. from page 5 Leftwich Award for outstanding leadership in 2009. GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN being on the ground and strug- gling through personal and unit Together Again Thank you for your service sacrifice,” Jonathan said. “I knew The following veterans from the Veteran Voice readership it was going to be a physical and After Okinawa, the Smith broth- passed away as of November 21: mental challenge, and that’s what ers wouldn’t meet up again I wanted.” professionally until pre-deploy- 1. Edward Karl Zack, Marine Corps As Jonathan began his career as ment training for Western Pacific an infantry officer, Michael, the 2. Robert Collins, Army Deployment 16-1. Michael was youngest brother, went down a 3. William Thomas Nash, Navy, WWII stationed at Marine Corps Air different career path. 4. Robert Martens, Navy, Korea Station Miramar, California, as 5. Joseph Kusaner, Air Force, Korea the officer in charge of the 13th 6. Barclay F. Fox Sr., Air Force Divergent Paths MEU’s CH-53E Super Stallion 7. (Retired) Lt. Col. John Smith, Air Force detachment, while Jonathan “I’ve always been fascinated by assumed command of 2nd Battal- 8. Wayne R. Zdenek, Army, my grandfather’s life; his record ion, -- which 9. William F. Bossio, WWII as an aviator is unbelievable,” would later become the 13th 10. Robert G. Davis, Air Force Michael said about his paternal MEU’s ground combat element. 11. Anthony Parrillo, Army grandfather. “He had in the realm “It wasn’t until Jon’s change of 12. (Retired) Maj. William H. Shaw, Army, Korea/Vietnam of 60 to 80 air medals, two dis- command ceremony, while I was 13. Anthony Constantino, Navy, WWII tinguished flying crosses, was the sitting in the audience and think- 14. Charles Frederick Bertel, Marine Corps commanding officer of a squadron ing to myself, ‘This is going to 15. Peter N. Swisher, Army, Vietnam at a very young age and loved by happen’ that it sunk in,” Michael 16. Vincent J. Maloney Sr., Marine Corps, WWII all those he served with. This was said. 17. Richard Sovern. Air Force, Korea always in the back of my mind.” As pre-deployment training 18. Harry D. Ruppel Jr., Army, WWII His grandfather’s legacy and a began, the Smith brothers said, few gentle nudges by previous they would discuss their training 19. Ralph Basing, Army aviators led Michael to pursue a experiences together as col- 20. Frank Green, Navy, WWII Marine Corps aviation career. But leagues. With both brothers being 21. John Hueston Calhoun, Army, WWII/Korea this sent him to the opposite side subject matter experts in their 22. Dr. Felix E. Demartini, Army/Navy Ships of the country from his brothers fields, they said they had rich 23. John Alden Rau, Navy, WWII on the East Coast. conversations about the capabili- 24. Paul Donald Clawson, Army Although he was skeptical at ties and limitations of the ground 25. Richard Lynn Escher, Army first, Michael said, “getting sta- combat element and air combat 26. Daniel O. Little, Coast Guard, Korea tioned in Hawaii was absolutely element. 27. K. Frank Smith, Army, Korea the best thing that ever happened “Those kinds of frank discus- 28. Dr. Dale Hipson, Army Air Corps, WWII to me. It allowed me to figure out sions probably wouldn’t occur if it 29. Carmine Frank Tortarella Jr., Marine Corps who I was as a Marine, indepen- wasn’t with Mike, my brother, the dent of my brothers, [to] learn my ACE operations officer, talking craft [and] become a subject-mat- about how we could make things ter expert on the employment of a better after completing opera- CH-53 helicopter.” tions,” Jonathan said. “We do The state veterans department is this while still being completely asking the Florida Legislature for Near Misses professional and not severing or EXAMINERS about $153.7 million for the com- circumventing the chains of com- from page 1 ing year. Most of that comes from This separation also gave Mi- mand in any way because we’re a trust fund to run the veterans chael the opportunity to grow brothers. nursing home program, not the as a leader and reinforce the “He has his boss, and I would state’s general revenue. The re- bonds with his wife and young never step in the way of that. But one with veterans and assist the quest is split between the depart- children, he said. The brothers those rich discussions allow me state’s county veterans service ment’s “base budget,” $94.6 mil- had some chance encounters to understand the [Marine air- officers with bedeviling claims. lion, and special appropriations and near-misses as their careers ground task force] as a whole. I ““They work that and give it to that include some recurring and progressed. think it will help me design op- us and our guys do their magic,” non-recurring items, including “We missed each other by erations and training a lot more Clark said. the additional claims adjusters. minutes, in Iraq in 2006,” said effectively when I can understand Put another way, the state’s Most of the special appropria- Michael. “I think I was actually the air combat element and how claim examiners help county tions request is related to getting going out of the country as [Jona- its capabilities and limitations service officers get veterans their construction started on two state than] was getting established.” can be maximized and mini- benefits. Almost every county has veterans nursing homes. It wasn’t until 2008, when Mi- mized.” service officers, although a couple This fiscal year the FDVA’s total chael was a part of the Unit De- “A little witty banter like ‘Don’t smaller ones contract that work appropriations is $105.6 million. ployment Program and Jonathan disappoint us, uphold the lega- to veteran service organizations. In the last annual report avail- was a company commander with cy with the name, don’t let the The FDVA trains and certifies the able from the FDVA, fiscal year the 31st MEU, when they were Smith name fail,’ has pushed us county service officers. 2014-2015, the department re- deployed together to Okinawa, to achieve excellence,” Michael Clark said the FDVA has 64 ported that its veterans’ benefits Japan. said. family down is enough to claims examiners and 10 supervi- and assistance division processed The brothers share some spe- keep you pushing, regardless of sors who also do claims work. about 32,000 claims, not includ- cial memories due to their tight the task!” “We’re asking for an additional ing those it assisted county’s relationship and service in the 10; five we’d put out in the field, with processing. In addition to Marine Corps. With their legacy, families and out in the VA clinics,” he said. processing claims, the FDVA’s “One day, while I was playing sibling rivalry fueling them, the The other five would be at the benefits division does attends video games or something … and Smith brothers said they will con- Division of Veterans’ Benefits and events to let veterans know about Jon was doing [professional mili- tinue to push each other. Once Assistance’s office in Bay Pines. VA benefits. The department es- tary education] assignments, Jon the deployment is over and ev- The FDVA has claims examiners timates that only about 300,000 received a message about the re- eryone is safe back in the states, in 22 other sites, including the of the state’s 1.5 million veter- cipient of the Leftwich Award for they said, they intend to take the Emory L. Bennett State Veterans ans are receiving VA benefits. It that year. Jon said, ‘It’s some cra- opportunity to “look at the forest Nursing Home in Daytona Beach, believes many more would qualify zy guy named Smith.’ I stopped for the trees,” and understand and the VA’s outpatient clinic in for benefits if they file claims with playing and looked at him and how special this experience has Viera. the VA. been. SPONSOR A VETERAN TODAY! • VETERAN VOICE • DECEMBER 1, 2016 • 9 $1.00 OFF Admission

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Some of the responders are Veterans or family members of Veterans themselves, Gift Shop and understand what Veterans have been through. C-47 Plane Rides Since its launch in 2007, the Veterans Crisis Line has answered nearly 2.4 million calls and initiated the dispatch of emergency services to callers in crisis more Canteen than 62,000 times. The Veterans Crisis Line anonymous online chat service, added in 2009, has engaged in nearly 294,000 chats. In November 2011, the Veterans Crisis Line introduced a text-messaging service to provide another way OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK - 9AM TO 5PM for Veterans to connect with confidential, round-the-clock support, and since then has responded to nearly 56,000 texts. Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum Whether you’re a Veteran, or a friend or family member concerned about one, 6600 Tico Road, Titusville, FL 32780 confidential assistance is only a call, click, or text away. (321) 268-1941 • www.vacwarbirds.org Call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1 Confidential crisis chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net or text to 838255 © 7/16 VHA Special Event Venues Available 28599

Martin County West Palm Beach Department of Veter- OUR MISSION STATEMENT IMPORTANT Tony Reese, Veterans Service Office ans Affairs Medical Center Supervisor 7305 North Military Trail, West Palm Beach, NUMBERS ... (772) 288-5448 FL 33410 AND OUR OBJECTIVE (561) 422-8262 or (800) 972-8262 County Veterans Service Officers Veterans Services Office Veteran Voice is a weekly publication designed to St. Lucie County, Wayne Teegardin Martin County Community Services Telephone Care provide information to and about veterans to veterans Phone: (772) 337-5670 435 S.E. Flagler Ave., Stuart, FL 34994 (561) 422-6838 (866) 383-9036 and to the broader community. Veterans are an integral Fax: (772) 337-5678 Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Open 24 hours - 7 days part of their Florida communities, which currently have [email protected] VA Life Insurance Ctr., Phil., PA - 1-800- Viera VA Outpatient Clinic individual organizations of their own, such as the Veter- Dorothy J. Conrad Building 669-8477 2900 Veterans Way, Viera, FL 32940 ans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Vietnam (formerly the Walton Road Annex Bldg.) Phone: (321) 637-3788 VA Regional Office - 1-800-827-1000 Veterans of America and many other groups with a nar- 1664 S.E. Walton Road, Suite 205 1 (877) 878-8387 row focus, but no convenient way to connect to a wider Port St. Lucie, FL 34952 VA Medical Ctr, W. Palm Beach - 1-800- Mon. - Fri. - 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. population of veterans and to the community in general 972-8262 By appointment St Lucie County PTSD Clinical Team within a limited geographic area, their community. Mon., Tues, Thurs, Fri * 8:30 am-4:30 pm Pharmacy, VA Medical Center - 1-800- (PCT) Outpatient Program The mission of Veteran Voice is to publish a weekly Wed * 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. 317-8387 126 S.W. Chamber Court, source of information that will provide, in one place, a St. Lucie County Community Port St Lucie, FL 34986 listing of resources available to veterans, articles about Military Retired Pay Activities, Cleve- Services Bldg. land, OH - (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Phone: (772) 878-7876 changes in policies or organizations affecting veterans (Corner of Avenue D and 7th Street) and events of interest to veterans as well as articles Force ONLY) Fort Pierce Community Based 437 N. Seventh St., Fort Pierce, FL 34950 Outpatient Clinic about veterans of interest to the general public. 1-800-321-1080 Walk-ins 1901 South 25th Street., Veteran Voice LLC is organized as a partnership of Military Retired Pay Activities, Topeka, Mon. and Fri. * 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Fort Pierce, FL 34947 experienced newspaper executives with an interest in KS - (Coast Guard ONLY) Phone: (772) 595-5150 veterans and in the communities of Florida veterans Brevard Veteran’s Services Office 1-800-772-8724 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Fax: (772) 595-6560 and friends. Veteran Voice is a start-up intended to ad- Survivor Benefits (SBP), Bldg. B, Suite 102, Viera, FL 32940 dress a perceived lack of information readily available Denver, CO - 1-800-435-3396 St Lucie Community Based to veterans on programs and policies affecting them Office: (321) 633-2012 Outpatient Clinic Fax: (321) 637-5432 Stuart VA Clinic - (772) 288-0304 128 S.W. Chamber Court, and objective reporting of veteran affairs to the public. Okeechobee County To our knowledge, and based on comments from lead- Mon., Tues. and Thurs., 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Port Saint Lucie, FL 34986 ers of local veterans organizations, there was no media Wed. and Fri, 8 a.m.-noon Veterans Services office Phone: (772) 344-9288 or website currently meeting this need until the launch Manager: Glenn McGuffie (863) 763-6441, Ext 5. Stuart Community Based of Veteran Voice. Indian River County Fax: (863) 763-0118. Outpatient Clinic We hope you agree, and will support this publica- Joel Herman Orlando VA Medical Cente 3501 S E Willoughby Boulevard, tion with your subscription. Without subscriptions there Vero Beach 5201 Raymond St., Orlando, FL 32803 Stuart, FL 34997 will be a limited number of people we can help, without 2525 St. Lucie Ave., (407) 629-1599 or (800) 922-7521 Phone: (772) 288-0304 Fax: (772) 288-1371 which this mission will not be realized. As part of our Vero Beach, FL 32960 Telephone Care commitment to supporting local veteran communities, Ph: (772) 226-1499 (407) 599-1404 Vero Beach Community Based Outpatient Clinic we will donate 10 percent of our profits each quarter Fax: (772) 770-5038 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon. - Fri. (800) 645-6895 372 17th St., Vero Beach, FL 32960 to qualified veteran charities recommended by you, our Sebastian Square 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Mon - Fri (321) 637-3625 readers and subscribers. Please let us know what you Phone: (772) 299-4623 11602 U.S. 1, Sebastian, FL 32958 Viera patients think by emailing [email protected] Fax: (772) 299-4632 Ph: (772) 589-6597 Fax: (772) 581-4988 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Mon. - Fri. (877) 741-3400 or mailing your comments to us at: Weekends, holidays, evenings and nights P.O. Box 1487, Stuart, FL 34994-1487 28593 10 • DECEMBER 1, 2016 • VETERAN VOICE • SPONSOR A VETERAN TODAY!

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Photo by Patrick McCallister

The DeLand Mural Walk honors the DeLand Naval Air Station. The Naval Air Station, which was at what is now the DeLand Municipal Airport, trained dive bombers during World War II. The Mainstreet DeLand Association proposed the Mural Walk, which honors the city’s history, in 1994 as a part of downtown revitalization efforts. The first was completed in December of 1996. The Naval Air Station mural is at DeLand’s most prominent intersection, Woodland Boulevard, U.S. Highway 17-92, and New York Avenue, State Road 44. Artist Courtney Cornova finished the mural in 2007. The City of DeLand, Breakfast Rotary and DeLand Naval Air Station Museum sponsored it. There are 14 other murals on the walk. For more, visit www.mainstreetdeland.org.

of a great leader and everyone knew how much he cared about IRAQ us,” Owen said. “He was always from page 1 pushing leaders to take care of their soldiers and he encouraged everyone to get help and talk to planned on doing.” someone if they needed it, even if A short while after joining he it was him directly. found himself in Iraq with the 1st “Unfortunately, he lost his battle Cavalry Division patrolling the with his own [post-traumatic city of Basra. The division was stress disorder] in March of this deployed for 12 months, working year, shortly before being 1-26 to bring stability to the region. deployed.” “There was a lot of activity since In late October, the first fixed- we were by the border,” Owen wing aircraft landed at Qayyarah said. “We were getting hit with West Airfield after the completion rockets, regular improvised ex- of the construction project Owen plosive devices and explosively and the soldiers from Bravo Com- formed penetrators.” pany helped secure. For Owen, moments like the opening of the airfield are big. They remind him Injury Army photo by Staff Sgt. Sierra Melendez of the mission and the people he was with five years ago. The explosively formed penetra- Army Col. Brett G. Sylvia, left, commander of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st “I’ve been here before,” he said. tor, or EFP, was one of the dead- Airborne Division, presents the Purple Heart Medal to Sgt. Addison Owen, 1st Looking around, he waved his liest weapons used by insurgents Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, during a ceremony at Fort Campbell, Ky., Dec. 18, hand towards other soldiers that during Operation Iraqi Freedom. 2015. Owen was wounded while assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division in Iraq during a he knew. “A lot of the noncom- The tactic of choice was to set the 2010-2011 rotation. missioned officers here have been charge to explode under or on the in Iraq before. I have a personal side of vehicles as they traveled mine-resistant ambush-protect- and spent two weeks at the troop connection to the country be- by. ed vehicle. Luckily, no one was medical center before returning cause of my experiences. During one patrol, that’s exactly killed. That deployment was to his unit. He didn’t want to be “We were willing to come back to what happened to a vehicle Owen totally different from this one. We away from them for longer than help and it’s good to see the Iraq- was riding in. were out there going on patrols he needed to. is making progress. It’s a different “It hit us from the side,” Owen .The fight was really counter IED “I tried to get back to the com- mission set from the last time I said calmly, making a motion and counter indirect fire. ” bat outpost as soon as able and was here: the [Iraqis] are taking with his hands to indicate where Owen suffered a spinal com- finished out the full 12 months. the lead. They’re out there fight- the weapon impacted. “I was pression and traumatic brain My battalion commander during ing for their country and to expel in the lead vehicle, a Caiman injury as a result of the attack that deployment was the epitome ISIL from it.” 20 • DECEMBER 1, 2016 • VETERAN VOICE • SPONSOR A VETERAN TODAY! Doors Now Open! The holiday season is the perfect time to take a tour of our community! Support from family and friends can make a world of a difference when it comes to making tough decisions...

Grand Oaks of Palm City provides residents with all the comforts of home, plus a number of premium services and amenities, including: • Licensed nurse on-site 24/7 • Visiting Physicians available for next day appointments • Accompaniment on all scheduled medical visits • Multiple family style living rooms • Lakeside walking path • Indoor/Outdoor dining

3550 SW Corporate Pkwy., Palm City, FL 34990 Elegant Assisted Living by Trusted Health Experts please call Beth Kelley at 877-960-1330 To schedule a tour today or email [email protected].

For more information on our community, visit www.GrandOaks.org.

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