Greetings folks.  Not a whole lot of News today.  News from VA HQ will resume tomorrow when Kevin Secor gets back from his well deserved days off!

 

Marine Lu Caldara sent in the Westchester County NY, Marine Corps League (MCL) Newsletter and it is attached for those interested.  Thanks Lu!

 

Prayers and blessings for you and your loved ones and for our outstanding Troops and their loved ones everywhere.

 

Best......Wayne

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CJCS PA News for Tuessay, June 21, 2011.  Thanks to Richard Osial at CJCS PA Office

 

COMBAT, OPERATIONAL & POST-DEPLOYMENT STRESS, PTS/TBI

 

·         Combat Awareness Month gives hope to war fighters: (USMC NEWS) --- Camp Pendleton is the only installation in the Marine Corps to take on the month-long initiative to raise awareness and to overcome the perceived negative stigma.  http://www.marines.mil/unit/basecamppendleton/Pages/News/2011/CombatAwarenessMonthgiveshopetowarfighters.aspx

 

·         Canadian soldiers have lower death rate than general public: study: (NAT’L POST, CANADA) --- Statistics Canada’s Canadian Forces Cancer and Mortality Study, which looked at health information for soldiers over a period spanning more than three decades, shows those who enlisted in the Canadian Forces between the start of 1972 and the end of 2006 had a 35% lower chance of dying of any cause within those years in Canada than the average person in this country.  http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/06/20/canadian-soldiers-have-lower-death-rate-than-general-public-study/

 

 

SUICIDE

 

·         Cher, Melissa Leo, Tim Daly, Taye Diggs Get Behind Military Suicide PSA: (BROADWAY WORLD) --- Starting this week, Discovery Communication's Military Channel will air a series of PSAs produced by The Creative Coalition in partnership with Blue Star Families, with support from the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) and Health Net, Inc. Directed by actor and President of The Creative Coalition Tim Daly, the PSAs promote a toll-free suicide prevention help line. http://celebrity.broadwayworld.com/article/Cher-Melissa-Leo-Tim-Daly-Taye-Diggs-Get-Behind-Military-Suicide-PSA-20110620

 

 

WOUNDED WARRIOR CARE/TREATMENT

 

·         Dr. Frankenstein -- or Military Miracle Worker?: (TIME) --- U.S. military doctor deployed to Iraq subjected troops suffering from traumatic brain injuries to treatment with an unapproved drug, in which he had a financial stake, that may have harmed them, Pentagon investigators report. But a colleague of the doctor insists the probe is a perplexing witch hunt -- and that the medication helps troops suffering from mild TBI, the signature wound of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.  http://battleland.blogs.time.com/2011/06/16/dr-frankenstein-or-military-miracle-worker/?xid=rss-topstories

 

·         Reducing Stigma through Technology: (MIL HEALTH SYS) --- With technological development at the forefront of an evolving military medical community, there has been a significant increase in the demand for mobile connectivity and information sharing capabilities. Currently, there are easily accessible mobile applications (apps) in the hands of thousands of veterans, service members and their families that are being utilized as useful tools to connect to important military medical issues, particularly mental health information and resources. http://www.health.mil/News_And_Multimedia/News/detail/11-06-16/Reducing_Stigma_through_Technology.aspx

 

·         Navy Medicine sees positive results from Art Therapy: (DOD LIVE) --- With so many of our military service members returning from war with visible and invisible wounds to body, mind, and spirit, health care providers face a challenge to provide the most comprehensive care. Art therapy is one form of intervention that can be highly effective as part of an overall healthcare program for military personnel. A little over one year ago, NHCL launched a new art therapy program which now treats approximately 60 patients per week. At NHCL, we use our art therapy program as a mental health assessment tool, and for group interventions or individual psychotherapy. http://www.dodlive.mil/index.php/2011/06/medical-monday-art-therapy-services-offer-service-members-specialized-care/

 

 

WOUNDED WARRIOR & FAMILY SUPPORT

 

·         After Serving Their Country, Women Veterans Miss Out on Important Benefits and Services: (VETERANS TODAY) --- The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that about 150,000 women will be transitioning out of the military over the next few years. However, too many of them fail to take advantage of the benefits and services for which they are eligible, according to a report released today by the Business and Professional Women’s (BPW) Foundation.  http://www.veteranstoday.com/2011/03/15/after-serving-their-country-women-veterans-miss-out-on-important-benefits-and-services/

 

·         Veterans Moving Forward helps fellow vets with canine companions: (TOMS RIVER NEWS, NJ) --- VMF’s unique canine program addresses the dramatic, unfulfilled needs of our veterans and service members.  Launched July 2010, VMF’s dogs have visited wounded military service members at military hospitals in addition to participating in therapy sessions with veterans suffering from PTSD and educating veterans’ service organizations about the need for more fully trained service dogs. http://www.tomsrivernjonline.com/2011/06/19/veterans-moving-forward-helps-fellow-vets-with-canine-companions/

 

 

WOUNDED WARRIOR RECOVERY

 

·         Rising above combat’s cruel fate: (BUFFALO NEWS) --- Alfred M. Kalinowski has never regretted what he gave to his country in the Korean War. One of five brothers who all served in the military, starting with World War II, Kalinowski was the only one wounded. He lost both legs and most of the movement in his right arm. http://www.buffalonews.com/city/article460726.ece

 

 

“SEA OF GOOD WILL”

 

·         Florida State University Announces New Business 'Boot Camp' For Families Of Veterans with Disabilities: (NEWSWISE) --- The new Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans’ Families (EBV-F) was created to teach small-business ownership skills to family members who now serve as caregivers of military veterans with service-related disabilities, as well as spouses of those killed in action. http://www.newswise.com/articles/florida-state-university-announces-new-business-boot-camp-for-families-of-veterans-with-disabilities

 

·         Helios Solar Works Receives Award For Hiring Of American Veterans: (RENEWABLE ENERGY WORLD.COM) --- “It’s a win-win scenario,” said Steven Ostrenga, Helios CEO and fellow veteran.  “We get great, dedicated employees, and if we can help get one more person into the ‘employed’ category everyone wins.”  http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/partner/helios-usa/news/article/2011/06/helios-solar-works-receives-award-for-hiring-of-american-veterans

 

VA

 

·         New "Digs" for Severely Injured Combat Vets at Haley VA: (WUSF-NPR, TAMPA) --- Monday the VA staff cut the yellow ribbon to unveil the renovated polytrauma unit designed to speed the recovery of the most severely injured and disabled combat veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. http://www.wusf.usf.edu/news/2011/06/20/new_digs_for_severely_injured_combat_vets_at_haley_va

 

 

OPINION/COMMENTARY

 

·         Taking Care of Our Patriots: (NAVY LIVE) --- For the last two years it’s been a pleasure to be a part of the mission to help improve the care and treatment of our Wounded, Ill, and Injured Warriors. This effort has included visiting treatment and support facilities throughout the country, meeting with Wounded Warriors and their Families to understand what can be done to help, and working side by side with our Navy medical and personnel professionals to ensure the correct programs and benefits are in place.  http://navylive.dodlive.mil/index.php/2011/06/20/medical-monday-taking-care-of-our-patriots/

 

·         My Discovery of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: (DEF CNTR OF EXCELLENCE) --- Either way, the fact is I work at Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) with top subject matter experts in the field of traumatic brain injury and I couldn’t even recognize that the weird symptoms I had, after a recent good bump to the head, were symptoms of a concussion. How’s that for irony? http://www.dcoe.health.mil/blog/article.aspx?id=1&postid=256

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There are Jobs available at VA HQ.  Thanks to Jim Thur, Regional Director, Northern Region,Virginia Wounded Warrior Program for sending in the below.  Please see attached Position Description.  Thanks Jim

 

From: Alleyne, Greg [mailto:greg.alleyne@va.gov]

Sent:  Tuesday, June 21, 2011 4:41 PM

Subj: VA Career Opportunity

 

Greetings All,

 

Hope everyone is having a great day.  I’m looking to fill three positions in my office (GS-343-9/13) Program Analyst to help stand up a new area focusing on Reintegration and Retention of Veterans in VA.  If you know any sharp Veterans you can refer, please have them forward their targeted resumes, DD-214, and Vet Pref letter (if applicable), to me via email.  Looking for great candidates yesterday….

 

PD is attached.  At this point, the area of consideration are those Veterans eligible for non-competitive appointment (30 Percent and VRA). 

 

Thanks for everything you do in support of our nation’s finest and have a great evening.  

 

Regards,

 

Greg S. Alleyne, MBA

Deputy Director, LVA 2010

Veterans Employment Coordination Service (VECS)

Department of Veterans Affairs

 greg.alleyne@va.gov

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Godspeed all...........Wayne

 

Wayne M. Gatewood, Jr. USMC (Ret)

President/CEO

Quality Support, Inc.

A Service Disabled Veteran and Minority Owned-Small Business

8201 Corporate Drive, Suite 220

Landover, MD 20785

301-459-3777 EXT 101   -   Fax 301-459-6961

www.qualitysupport.com

 

"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their Nation."  - George Washington