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    COLORADO SPRINGS - The Wounded Warrior Project recently offered veterans a chance to learn about the services available to them. A crew with the organization educated veterans and helped them get into the holiday spirit. Veterans got to take part in an ugly sweater contest and enjoy crafts and food at the event. They also got the opportunity to network with other non-profit organizations "With the wounded warrior project our mission is to honor and empower warriors and their families we do that through programs and different services we connect serve and empower,” said Melissa Shipley. “There are several non-profits that have the same mission; we are all trying to help veterans. So we shouldn't be separated, we should all be together. Yeah, our missions might be a little bit different when it gets right down to it, but we are all trying to do the same thing," said Chase Cowan with Warrior, The Mission Continues.   By: KRDO.com Staff  

Through a pictorial timeline, Legionnaire Ron Smith is documenting and preserving the sacrifices America’s men and women have made for more than 240 years to protect our nation’s freedom. “The Spirit of America’s Story – The Wall” is a 70-foot traveling exhibit that commemorates through images a timeline of the Revolutionary War to the Persian Gulf War. The three final panels, which are in the process of completion, will feature images of 9-11 to the War on Terrorism. Once completed, the memorial will be comprised of 10 connected pieces of artwork that stand 92 inches tall and 100-feet long. Native Americans, military men and women, law enforcement and fire fighters are scattered throughout the images to “keep America’s sense of patriotism ignited and a continued respect for those who wear uniforms and bring us together as a country,” said Smith, a member of American Legion Post 83 in Sandusky, Ohio. “This memorial is a lesson on freedom. We wish to educate and inspire our future generations to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of America’s sacrifices for freedom – on the battlefield and on the home front.” Smith created the wall with Patricia Sexton, whose husband, Army Sgt. David Sexton, lost his life while serving in the Vietnam War and whose remains have yet to come home. The two wanted to create a traveling exhibit that, unlike other memorials, commemorated through images and not just words a visual timeline of different periods in America’s history that captured the struggle for freedom and stressed to future generations the importance of protecting “the liberty and freedom we as Americans enjoy today,” Smith said. Smith and Sexton show the memorial to audiences in Ohio and beyond. The custom-built panels are mobile and can accommodate any size indoor or outdoor space. During the presentation of their memorial, Smith and Sexton show a video that highlights the inspiration for the memorial, and they talk about each image captured in the panels. For more information on The Spirit of America’s Story – The Wall, or to display the traveling memorial at a Legion post, visit www.spiritofamericasstory.com.

Over the past seven years, Legionnaire Pearl Dunigan has mailed more than $1 million in coupon savings to troops and their families stationed overseas for use in their commissaries. Dunigan, a World War II Army Air Corps veteran and member of American Legion Post 81 in Belen, N.M., said she does it because “our troops still need our support.” At 92 years old, Dunigan spends about eight hours a day clipping manufacturer’s coupons from newspapers along the dotted lines, then sorts them by dollar amount and categories such as food, children and pets, and tallies them. A handful of people in Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico, including members of Post 81, also send Dunigan clipped coupons to add to her total of more than 200,000 coupons a year that she sends to military families overseas. “Pearl is just a wonderful person and a joy to be around,” said Post 81 Commander Eugene Gorman.

Newswise — Bethesda, Md. -- The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences’ Center for Deployment Psychology (CDP) is seeking psychology or counseling students interested in careers as military behavioral health providers for their “Summer Institute,” June 19-23, 2017. Nearly 2.8 million U.S. Service members have deployed in support of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Although most military members have acclimated well since returning, a number of them experience behavioral health problems, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, traumatic brain injury (TBI), insomnia, chronic pain or substance abuse. A significant need exists for behavioral health providers to be trained well in military psychology. However, some graduate psychology students who are interested in this specialization may not feel adequately prepared to succeed as a pre-doctoral intern at a military treatment facility. Others may not be aware of the unique opportunities afforded by a career in military behavioral health. CDP will host its third iteration of “The Summer Institute: Preparing for a Military-Focused Career,” to raise awareness of military psychology careers and increase students’ competitiveness for military internships. “Psychologists caring for service members, veterans and their families are faced with unique issues and challenges. We hope that this course helps to prepare these students to be successful as interns and professional psychologists working with this population,” said Dr. Paula Domenici, director of civilian training programs for CDP.Students will receive training on topics including the types of clinical and assessment opportunities for military psychologists, deployment cycle stress and common clinical problems, cognitive behavioral therapy used with military patients, and ethical dilemmas faced by uniformed providers, among others. Applicants must be U.S. citizens enrolled in an American Psychological Association-accredited doctoral program in clinical psychology or counseling as a second-, third-, or fourth-year student at the time of application to be eligible for the program. Additionally, students must be applying for a military clinical internship beginning in 2018 or 2019. Deadline for applications is January 13, 2017. To apply, visit: http://deploymentpsych.org/the-summer-career # # #

Newswise — ANN ARBOR, Mich. — A health care reform idea originated by University of Michigan faculty will get a major test among members of the nation’s military and their families, thanks to a provision in the national defense spending bill signed by President Obama Friday. Called Value-Based Insurance Design (V-BID), the approach departs from the traditional “one size fits all” approach to health insurance out-of-pocket costs. Instead of uniform copays and deductibles for prescription drugs, medical tests and other health care use, V-BID tailors those costs so that individuals are charged least for the items that benefit them most, based on what health conditions they have. Under the provision in the new National Defense Authorization Act, the TRICARE health insurance program for current and retired members of the military and their dependents will test V-BID in a pilot program. By January 2018, the pilot will assess whether the V-BID approach helps people with certain conditions stick to their medications, get care that meets specific quality standards, and have better outcomes and a better experience. The assessment of this effort may lead to further rollout of the V-BID approach in TRICARE. Medicare test launches in January Even before the TRICARE demonstration begins, senior citizens in three states who have certain health conditions will get access to V-BID-style insurance. Starting in January, seniors enrolled in certain Medicare Advantage plans in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Indiana who have diabetes, heart disease, depression and certain other conditions will see their co-pays and deductibles reduced for specific services and providers. The general approach with V-BID is to lower the cost barrier between a person and the specific tests and treatments that have been proven to provide the most benefit to people with the same health conditions. More states and more health conditions will be added to the Medicare Advantage demonstration in 2018, under an expansion of the V-BID program in the Health Plan Innovation Initiative approved by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation. Further expansion to all 50 states is being proposed by members of Congress. “We’re gratified to see how this concept is spreading into critical federal insurance programs, even as we work to engage with insurers and others in many settings to help them build clinical nuance into their plan designs,” says A. Mark Fendrick, M.D., who directs the U-M V-BID Center and co-originated the concept. Fendrick is a member of the U-M Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation. Fendrick, a professor in the U-M Medical School and School of Public Health testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel in February 2016. The committee recommended that V-BID be included in the massive $619 billion defense spending bill. For more about V-BID, visit http://www.vbidcenter.org/

CHANDLER, Ariz., -- During a recent Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) program event at Rawhide Western Town in Chandler, Arizona, a group of injured veterans joined Rally Point Arizona for a 5K run to honor fellow service members. As participants ran and volunteered, they experienced what is possible at social gatherings that connect them with other wounded warriors and family members. Marine veteran Janelle Happersett was happy to be a part of something that honored the nation's veterans – an experience made all the better with the support of family. "Wounded Warrior Project gives me a healing outlet by providing situations that bring veterans together socially," she said. "We get to meet people to support us on our journey. These activities allow families to spend time together outside of the house, creating memories and forming new bonds." Attendees cheered on the veterans who hiked 22 kilometers (a little more than 13.1 miles, just over a half marathon) to raise awareness about veteran suicide. While a Department of Veterans Affairs study estimates the number of veteran suicides has improved from 22 to 20 per day, this event was held to raise further awareness of the problem. Wounded warriors who did not participate in the 5K volunteered at the run's various water points. These connection events support the long-term recovery needs of warriors by reintroducing them to the unique bonds experienced during military service. Socialization – in environments that accommodate physical injuries and social anxieties – can go a long way toward reducing isolation, which can be detrimental to the recovery process. "My 11-year-old son, Shaun, loved all of the activities and the live music afterward," Janelle said. "The experience gave me a sense of camaraderie again – and pride in being a veteran." Physical activity and socializing with other veterans can help injured warriors cope with stress and emotional concerns. In a WWP survey of the injured warriors it serves, more than half of survey respondents (51.7 percent) talked with fellow Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Operation New Dawn veterans to address their mental health issues, and 29.6 percent expressed physical activity helps. While many aspects of the day were enjoyable, Janelle said it was equally important to be a part of the event because it shed light on veteran suicide. "Events like this can be a system of support for warriors if they or another veteran family member has struggled with suicidal thoughts or issues in the past," she said. "It reminds us to take care of our veterans, and to be aware of the problems we're facing together." For Army veteran Toni Grimes, raising awareness was the motivating factor in her decision to participate in the outreach event. She said veteran suicide is an issue that hits very close to home. "I tried to commit suicide four times while on active duty," Toni said. "Luckily, I was able to get the help that I needed to get better. I want to spread awareness so my fellow warriors can get the same assistance." Due to a knee replacement, Toni was only able to walk the 5K. Still, she credits WWP and its physical health and wellness programs for giving her the tools to lead a happier, healthier civilian life. One of those programs is Soldier Ride®, which is a cycling event that gives participants a chance to heal their bodies and minds. "Wounded Warrior Project has been a godsend to me," she said. "I'm about to ride my first 100-mile cycling race. I'm taking kickboxing classes twice a week. I have so many opportunities to try something different and outside of my comfort zone." WWP staff members interacted with attendees throughout the day, advising them of additional services and personalized therapeutic outlets to assist in their recovery processes. The programs assist injured veterans with mental health, physical health and wellness, career and benefits counseling, and connecting with other warriors and their communities. The generosity of donors allows warriors and family members to benefit from WWP's outreach events and program resources at no cost to them. To learn more about how WWP's programs and services are making an impact on the lives of wounded warriors, visit http://newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org/. To find photos from this event, click on multimedia, then images.

  IMMEDIATE RELEASE   Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, along with former Defense Secretary and Vietnam veteran Chuck Hagel, provided remarks before cutting the ribbon and officially opening a corridor in the Pentagon honoring Vietnam veterans and their families. The secretaries joined 15 Vietnam veterans Tuesday afternoon to mark the official opening of the museum-quality exhibit.  The permanent exhibit, located on the 3rd floor of the Pentagon between corridors 2 and 3, uniquely documents and illustrates the history of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War through a variety of media outlets of the time.  It exhibits historically accurate material and interactive experiences that will help today’s American public better understand and appreciate the service of our Vietnam veterans and their families, and the history of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.The commemoration took place at the center of the exhibit, an alcove that features two Huey helicopters.  Other highlights in the corridor include a binnacle from the SS Mayaguez, iconic memorabilia left at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, statues and paintings, and chronological and thematic timelines of the Vietnam War.“Today's unveiling and the government-wide commemoration that accompany it are an important part of commitment to honor veterans from Vietnam and their families, for service, for valor, for sacrifice,” said Secretary of Defense Ash Carter. "This exhibit really and truly represents the service of a generation of citizens who were asked to do something for their country at a difficult time, as difficult a time as probably we've seen in our lifetimes,” said former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel.  “This exhibit very much reflects all that and pays tribute to men and women who never asked for anything in return; they never came back to any expectations. They wanted to get on with their lives and put that war experience behind them.”  The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration leads the nation’s effort to thank and honor the more than seven million living Vietnam veterans and the families of the nine million who served.  The commemoration was authorized by Congress, established under the secretary of defense, and launched in 2012 by President Barack Obama. The commemoration has partnered with more than 10,000 organizations to thank veterans and their families in their hometowns across the country. Further information regarding The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration, including how organizations can become commemorative partners and how individual veterans can find events in their hometowns,  can be found at http://www.vietnamwar50th.com/For information regarding arranging a tour of the Pentagon, please visit https://pentagontours.osd.mil/Tours/    

A Nevada Army veteran who died without knowing he won the nation's highest medal of bravery received the honor he's been owed for nearly 140 years in a ceremony on Monday. Nevada Rep. Mark Amodei held an event at his Reno office to present a new Medal of Honor to Jerry Reynolds, the 82-year-old grandson and closest surviving relative of the late Private Robert Smith. Smith fought in a battle against American Indian tribes in the Dakota Territory on Sept. 9, 1876, when he was 29. Then-President Rutherford B. Hayes approved the Medal of Honor for Smith in 1877 for showing "special bravery in endeavoring to dislodge Indians secreted in a ravine," according to Army records. But the award never made it to the veteran, who was born in Memphis, Tennessee as Harry Reynolds but used an alias for unknown reasons. His grandson said the medal was delivered to Camp Sheridan in Nebraska Territory, where Smith had previously lived, but someone else signed for the package. Smith returned to using his birth name after his discharge from the Army, then later moved to Elko, Nevada. While he talked with his family about his experiences in the so-called Indian Wars, he was better known for his skill driving horses as a teamster than he was for his war heroism, and he died in 1930 without knowing he won the award. In 2011, the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War contacted Jerry Reynolds to let him know about his grandfather's award. Smith had served as a drummer boy in the Civil War before enlisting in the Army in 1872 under the pseudonym. "It was a total surprise," said Reynolds, who'd also never known about the Robert Smith name. A document in the soldier's pension file that explains the name discrepancy suggests he used the alias because he didn't want friends in Philadelphia to know where he went. Jerry Reynolds contacted Amodei's office this summer for help in what turned out to be a five-year journey to get a new medal. Congressional staff worked with the Army's Command Awards and Decorations Branch, which announced on Oct. 14 that it would provide a medal to the family as a symbol of the one that never made it to Smith. "It's certainly been a great experience," Reynolds said. "They're very protective of the Medal of Honor ... rightfully so."   BY MICHELLE RINDELSASSOCIATED PRESS

Date: Jan 11, 2017 to Jan 11, 2017 Time: 02:00 p.m - 03:00 p.m Venue - Online Event REGISTER  The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposed legislation to expand disability compensation eligibility for Veterans exposed to contaminated drinking water while assigned to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune from 1953 to 1987. Attend this webinar to find out how to submit your claim when the legislation goes into effect in 2017.  

Los Angeles dance company Diavolo – Architecture in Motion recently performed its first phase of The Veterans Project at American Legion Hollywood Post 43. Out of the nine military veterans who performed “Ibuki,” four were Legion members. “When you work with non-professional dancers they do it in their own way, but it’s real, it’s authentic and that is quite beautiful,” said Jacques Heim, artistic director and co-director of Ibuki, and founder of Diavolo in 1992. “You’re here to celebrate three months of a workshop with these veterans. Three intense months that culminates into something that we call ‘Ibuki’” – a Japanese word that means “resilience enough to endure, it represents the veterans.” The Veterans Project was developed nearly two years ago by Diavolo Institute Director Dusty Alvarado as a way to provide an “artistic outlet” for veterans; dance or theater experience is not required. The program allows veterans to engage in movement workshops, artistic creation and collaboration. “This program is very meaningful and personal to me,” said Alvarado, whose grandfather served in World War II and recently passed away at 97. “So I am honored to continue his legacy with this project.” The Ibuki performance was an expression of movement that simultaneously represented each of the performers individually and as a whole as they reacted to the space and energy around them. Dancer Christopher Loverro, a Post 43 member and an Army veteran who deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, said, “War really does affect your soul, and you’re never quite the same. Diavolo has taught me that I can find peace. “When I returned from Iraq I was suffering from acute symptoms of PTSD and one night I almost took my life. I’ve tried almost every type of therapy there is… and I’ve never been able to find my way home. But now I have through Diavolo. It’s been almost a decade since I’ve been back from my experience in the war, and this really is the first time I have truly felt at peace.” The environment Ibuki Co-Director Stephan Koplowitz strived to create with this project “was to encourage people not to be afraid because sometimes if you say it’s dance people can have their own cliché thinking about that, so we really stressed that these were physical movement workshops. I’ve been working in this field for over 30 years and I am incredibly proud and impressed with Diavolo because as a community outreach project, this is a project that really walks its talk. It’s been amazing for me to be a part of the team.” David Gleason, a Marine Corps veteran from Biloxi, Miss., also searched for various methods and treatments to rehabilitate his life before he decided to turn to the arts for healing when all else had failed. “PTSD has consumed my life and bludgeons every facet of my existence,” Gleason said. “Diavolo exposes its performers to the very limits the human body can express itself. It forces our minds to think bigger. I’ve learned how to better control my triggers, and it’s brought more awareness to my thoughts and how to cultivate them in a more positive way. This work has taught me to paint different pictures, to attribute more love into my life. But more importantly it’s given me a renewed sense of purpose.” The struggle to perform at this level directly represents the ability to succeed at anything in life. After being in an accident that left her with a broken hip, Martha Guevara, an Army veteran of the Iraq War from Los Angeles, became enthralled with the human body and soul and how beautifully it can heal when it is taken care of. Her faith, taking dance classes and moving her body around have helped Guevara manage post-traumatic stress and the hardships of everyday life. “One thing I’ve learned is that we should not say, ‘I can’t’. Maybe not yet, but we will,” Guevara said. “I realized the final product isn’t the most important thing, the process is more important because that’s something we take with us the rest of our lives.” Shannon Corbeil, a Post 43 member and an Air Force veteran, agreed. “Jacques would tell me to do things, and I’d say I can’t, but he said do it anyway and I’d find out I could. Maybe not the first try, maybe not well, but I did them,” Corbeil said. “Once I observed that, I came upon a very important question, which was ‘what else have I been holding myself back from?’ What this workshop, and what these dancers have taught me, is to believe in myself again, to repair that crack in my self confidence, and to recognize this idea that Jacques has planted that I just might be limitless.” The Veterans Project is moving forward with two more phases that will consist of a collaborative effort where veteran participants and members of Diavolo will share their own experiences to devise a performance piece that will culminate in a fully produced engagement. By Michael Hjelmstad