Veterans Voice January 2019
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A PUBLICATION OF THE UTAH DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AND MILITARY AFFAIRS veterans.utah.gov • January 2019 HAPPY NEW YEAR IN REVIEW of 2018 • Helpful Links pg. 2 WORLD WAR II/KOREAN WAR • VIETNAM WAR • COLD WAR/PEACETIME • GULF WAR/OIF/OEF • FAMILY • UDVMA Data pg. 13 • Upcoming Events pg. 2 • Military Data pg. 14 • Directors Message pg. 3 • Utah State Veteran Homes pg. 15 • Hill Air Force Base pg. 4 • Ceremonies & Recognitions pg. 16 in the • VA Federal News pg. 5 • Employment pg. 9 • Mission Acts pg. 17 • Utah National Guard pg. 6 • Department Events pg. 10 • Business Conference pg. 18 • Utah@EASE pg. 19 pg. 7 • DWS Spotlight pg. 7 • Department Events pg. 11 News • Education pg. 8 • Federal VA Data pg. 12 • FAQ's pg. 21 Helpful Links Register your information with the Veterans Information System: uvisreg.utah.gov/vtsreg/public/Register Outreach, Websites, Claims Assistance, Events, and Resources UTAH DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS CLAIMS ASSISTANCE CALENDAR COORDINATION OF VETERANS AND MILITARY AFFAIRS veterans.utah.gov/outreach-calendar SERVICES veterans.utah.gov veterans.utah.gov/coordination-of- CALENDAR OF EVENTS veteran-services veterans.utah.gov/events-calendar Upcoming Events — veterans.utah.gov/events-calendar • Utah Valley Convention Center, Provo Thursday – 23 May JANUARY Golf Tournament (tenative) Thursday – 14 March Tuesday – 01 January • Legislative Session Ends Monday – 27 May New Years Day Memorial Day Tuesday – 22 March Saturday – 19 January Honoring Utah's Women Veterans American Legion Midwinter Conference • Utah State Capitol Rotunda, SLC JUNE Monday – 21 January Tuesday – 26 March Martin Luther King Jr. Day Hiring Utah's Heroes Saturday – 8 June • Mountain America's Expo Center, Sandy, UT Army Ball Monday – 28 January • Grand America Hotel First Day of Legislative Session Friday – 29 March Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day Friday – 14 June Wednesday – 30 January Flag Day; Army Birthday Military Day on the Hill • Utah State Capitol, SLC APRIL JULY Thursday – 18 April FEBRUARY Thursday – 4 July Great Utah Shakeout Independence Day Wednesday – 06 February Southern Veteran Resource & Benefit Open House Thursday – 25 April Wednesday – 24 July • Southern Veterans Nursing Home, Ivins, UT Greater SLC Veterans Job Fair Pioneer Day • Davis Conference Center, Layton 7 - 11 February Salute to Patients (VA Medical Center) AUGUST MAY Wednesday – 27 February Thursday – 4 August Veterans Visual Art Exhibit Friday – 10 May Coast Guard Birthday • VA Building 8, Multipurpose Room, SLC Veterans Business Conference • SLCC Miller Campus Thursday – 7 August Thursday – 28 February Education Summit Veterans Performing Arts Friday – 17 May • Utah State University • VA Building 8, Multipurpose Room, SLC Utah Economic Summit Saturday – 18 April MARCH Armed Forces Day Wednesday – 1 March Monday – 20 May Veterans Creative Writing Yellow Ribbon Day (State Statute) • VA Building 8, Multipurpose Room, SLC Wednesday – 13 March Utah Valley Job Fair 2 Director's Message Gary Harter, Executive Director Utah Department of Veterans & Military Affairs s 2018 came to a close, and I was gathered with my family and friends, it gave me the opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments of the year just ended, for our country, for our state and for our veterans and Athose currently serving. As has been our custom each January, we reflect on those efforts with our “Year In Review” edition of The Veterans Voice. Through it you will see many photos of events and activities and data of various veterans and military measurements, that all point to the continued good work of many across our state and recognition of all those who serve, have served and those who support them. In 2018 we initiated a Utah Veterans First Time Homebuyers Program, a Pro-Bono Legal Service (Utah@ Ease) and military spouse licensure bill that will all have lasting positive effects. As successful as 2018 was, we aren’t stopping. We are rolling out a new website this month, developing a mobile app, and exploring a tele-claim function that will allow veterans to file claims and engage with the department in a whole new way. We continue to work on military workload on our installations, veterans’ employment and mental wellness issues. We look for greater opportunities for family members and military spouses, and many more. A particular effort I want to make you aware of is a veterans and military survey that we are starting. Utah has an impressive record of military service to our nation throughout the state’s history. Brave men and women, with the support of their family members have sacrificed their time, effort, and sometimes their lives, to serving and protecting our nation and its citizens. It is a priority of the Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs to ensure that those sacrifices are recognized and that those service members and veterans, along with the family members who support them, are given every opportunity to succeed in the state of Utah. To that end, we designed a survey that should help us ensure that the right services are available at the right time for the right need and I encourage you to look at the information below, fill it out and encourage others to do the same. I hope that you enjoy this edition, we look forward to a terrific 2019 and if we can be of assistance, please let us know. Utah Veteran Military and Family Member Survey he State of Utah Department of Veterans & This survey is being distributed via multiple methods in Military Affairs has released a new survey in order to better reach all of our active duty military and TUtah for veterans, military, and family members veterans, as well as their family members, throughout of those serving or who have served. To that end, the state. We hope you will take several minutes of we designed a survey that should help us ensure your valuable time to fill out this survey, so that we that the right services are available at the right time may better understand and address the needs of our for the right need and the Department encourages community moving forward. everyone to see the QR Code and link below for the Survey. This comprehensive survey addresses benefits https://utahgov.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/ and needs in a variety of areas including healthcare, SV_2aHoKyjoDB44VmZ disability compensation, education, employment, homelessness, and more. Additional demographic information will assist to better understand and prioritize veterans issues related to location, age, service era, and other criteria. 3 Hill Air Force Base F-35A pilots from the 388th and 419th Fighter Wing prepare for takeoff Facts and Stats • Hill AFB contributes $4.6B annually to the Utah economy. It accounts for ~47,000 jobs (direct and induced) and is the largest single site employer in the state. • Hill Air Force Base said goodbye to the 75th Air Base Wing Commander, Col Jennifer Hammerstedt and welcomed incoming commander, Col Jon Eberlan. Fighter wings feast together The base looks forward to his continuing success towards mission excellence. • Hill has received 56 F-35s, taking delivery of approximately 2 additional aircraft a month. There will ultimately be 78 F-35s assigned to Hill. • On June 23-24, Hill hosted the Warriors Over In Focus: Staff Sgt. Kannon the Wasatch Airshow. Approximately Fighter wings feast together Thompson 565,000 people attended making it the largest on base air show in the nation. • The Air Force Sustainment Center, in conjunction with the Utah Air Force Association, hosted the annual Focus on Defense conference at Hill Air Force Base. This year's theme was "Innovation in Sustainment for the 21st Century." Reservists get festive to support childrens hospital Hill AFB Air Show • The Commander of the Ogden Air Logistics Complex was promoted to two star general. We are proud Major General Stacey Hawkins is leading the Hill Air Force Base depot and congratulate him and his family on this outstanding Reservists get festive to support achievement. childrens hospital Defense cybersecurity mission expands at HAFB 4 VA Federal News pm VA’s Public Health approach to suicide prevention focuses on high-risk individuals, emphasizes community-based engagement VA’s Suicide Prevention Program recently released a video, VA’s Public Health Approach to Suicide Prevention, explaining how the organization is leveraging a public health approach to prevent Veteran suicide. To read the full article visit: https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/55011/focuses-on-high- risk-individuals-emphasizes-community-based-engagement/ Holiday wreaths honor Veterans at VA national cemeteries "The ceremonial wreaths pay tribute to our armed services and demonstrate the grati- tude the country feels for those who have served.” To read more go to: https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/55008/holi- day-wreaths-honor-veterans-va-national-cemeteries-2/ VA receives 20th consecutive clean audit opinion VA recently received its 20th consecutive clean audit opinion on the consolidated financial statements presented in its FY 2018 Agency Financial Report. To read more go to: https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/55005/va-re- ceives-20th-consecutive-clean-audit-opinion/ Women Veterans: Managing Post Deployment Stress For many women Veterans, readjusting after deployments, the holidays can be more than lights and presents. VA’s Vet Centers can help with counseling services. Here are links to them and helpful apps. To read more go to: https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/54980/women-veterans- managing-post-deployment-stress/ 5 Utah National Guard Newly promoted Brig. Gen. Darwin Craig, right, is President Donald Trump visits Roland R. Wright Air National presented the one-star general flag with Maj. Gen. Jeff Guard Base after deboarding Air Force One Dec. 4, 2017. Burton, center, at the Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base, Nov. 4, 2017. Moroccan personnel and American military members pose Lt.