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If you know a veteran, please forward this issue to him or her as it provides important updates, resources, and information. In this Update:
Vietnam War Memorial Dedication at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery
I was privileged to speak recently at the Vietnam War Memorial Dedication at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. This beautiful new memorial is dedicated in honor of the memory of the men and women who served our nation in the Vietnam War. May God richly bless all who have served! Warrior Expeditions Helping Veterans Transition to Civilian Life
Warrior Expeditions is a veteran nonprofit outdoor therapy program that helps veterans transition from their wartime experiences through long distance outdoor expeditions. The group was recently mentioned in local Pennsylvania news thanks to one veteran, former Army Sgt. Kevin Wilson, and his personal journey that has him hiking through our commonwealth. Kevin is hiking the 1,300 miles of the September 11th National Memorial Trail, which runs through the 9-11 memorials in Shanksville, New York City, and at the Pentagon. Kevin started his trek at the Pentagon on Wednesday, Aug. 24, with his guide dog, Calvin. Last month, Kevin and Calvin got to Shanksville and the Flight 93 Memorial on Sept. 11 and he’s now walking through Pennsylvania on his way to Manhattan. He’s planning to finish the hike around Nov. 15. Since 2001, more than 3 million veterans have returned home from war but many of them have never transitioned from their experiences. The Department of Veteran Affairs estimates that up to 20% of post-9/11 veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Recognizing the therapeutic value of long distance outdoor expeditions, Warrior Expeditions created the Warrior Hike, Warrior Bike, and Warrior Paddle programs to help veterans transition from their wartime experiences. Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grants Awarded
Last month, awards were announced for the national 2022 Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grants Program (SSG Fox SPGP). The SSG Fox SPGP enables U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) to provide resources toward community-based suicide prevention efforts to meet the needs of veterans and their families through outreach, suicide prevention services, and connection to VA and community resources. In alignment with VA’s National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide (2018), this grant program assists in further implementing a public health approach that blends community-based prevention with evidence-based clinical strategies through community efforts. The grant program is part of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019, signed into law on Oct. 17, 2020. The VA has awarded $52.5 million to 80 awardees in 43 states, the District of Columbia, and American Samoa for services in fiscal years 2022 and 2023. Three of those awardees are in Pennsylvania: Philadelphia’s Veterans MultiService Center, Inc. ($740,211); Carbon County’s Penn Foundation Inc. ($532,424); and Veterans Leadership Program of Western Pennsylvania, Inc. ($750,000) which serves all of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. Organizations eligible to apply for grants include incorporated private institutions or foundations; a corporation wholly owned or controlled by an incorporated private institution or foundation; Indian tribes; community-based organizations that can effectively network with local civic organizations, regional health systems, and other settings where eligible individuals and their families are likely to have contact; and state or local governments. For more information about the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, contact us at VASSGFoxGrants@va.gov. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive free, confidential support and crisis intervention available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Dial 988 and then press 1, chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text 838255. Celebrating Local Veteran’s 100th Birthday!
Earlier this week, I visited Ephrata to wish Mr. Wilbur Lesher a happy 100th birthday! Mr. Lesher was born in Lititz, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 6, 1922. He served this country with honor and distinction as a member of the United States Army during World War II before enlisting in the United States Air Force and serving for three additional years. Mr. Lesher worked in the painting business with his brother for approximately 30 years. The beloved husband of Minerva Lesher for 59 years prior to her passing, he is the proud father of three children and also has been blessed with five grandchildren. Mission Daybreak Finalists for $20 Million Veteran Suicide Grant Challenge AnnouncedIn June, the VA gave an open invitation to innovators across the country to participate in Mission Daybreak, a $20 million challenge designed to help the VA develop new suicide prevention strategies for veterans. Last month, 30 finalists, each of which will receive $250,000 and advance to the Phase 2 virtual accelerator program, were announced. Another 10 applicants, in recognition of their solutions, will each receive a Promise Award of $100,000. The Phase 2 accelerator is designed to help the 30 finalists develop ambitious but achievable roadmaps for prototyping, iteration, testing, and evaluation. Technology partners supporting the accelerator include Amazon and Microsoft. In November, finalists will present their solutions to key stakeholders, investors, and partners at Demo Day, a live pitch event. Phase 2 will award $11.5 million in prizes: two first-place winners will each receive $3 million, three second-place winners will each receive $1 million, and five third-place winners will each receive $500,000. What are Vet Centers?
VA vet centers provide free and confidential readjustment counseling for war-zone veterans and their families, from World War II to the current Global War on Terror. Vet centers are small, non-medical, counseling centers conveniently located in our region. They’re staffed by highly trained counselors and team members dedicated to seeing you through the challenges that come with managing life during and after the military. Our region is served by the Lancaster Vet Center, which is one of 12 vet centers in Pennsylvania and more than 300 across the country. Whether you come in for one-on-one counseling or to participate in a group session, at vet centers you can form social connections, try new things, and build a support system with people who understand you and want to help you succeed. Who is Eligible to Receive Services at Vet Centers?Vet center services are available to veterans at no cost, regardless of discharge character, and without the need to be enrolled in VA health care or having a service-connected disability. If you are a veteran or service member, including members of the National Guard and Reserve, you can access vet center services if you:
Contacting Your Local Vet CenterEven if you are unsure if you meet the criteria to receive services from a vet center, please contact a center. Center services are also available to family members when their participation would support the growth and goals of the veteran or active-duty service member. If you consider them family, so does your local center. Bereavement services are also available to family members of veterans who were receiving vet center services at the time of the veteran’s death, and to the families of service members who died while serving on active duty. The Lancaster Vet Center, located at 1817 Olde Homestead Lane, Suite 207, Lancaster, PA 17601, can be contacted at 717-283-0735 or toll free 24/7 at 1-877-WAR-VETS (927-8387). The other vet center locations in Pennsylvania are:
For more information, please visit www.vetcenter.va.gov. |
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