The Orlando VA Medical Center and the Central Florida Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America are hosting the 38th National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Orlando, FL July 30-August 4, 2018.
Each year more than 500 athletes attend the National Veterans Wheelchair Games which is a multi-event sports and rehabilitation program for military service Veterans who use wheelchairs for sports competition due to spinal cord injuries, amputations or other neurological disorders. Over the years, the Games have produced several national and world-class champions.
However, the event provides the opportunity for newly disabled Veterans to get involved and push further than they thought possible. Typically, one quarter of the competitors are new to the Games.
The Games rely on the support of more than 3,000 volunteers with opportunities ranging from helping set-up events, greeting Veterans at the airport to providing informational service at various locations. We hope you will think about volunteering for this remarkable event that
celebrates the athleticism of our Veterans!
Athlete registration is also open. Participation in the NVWG is open to Veterans having spinal cord injuries, amputations, multiple sclerosis or other central neurological conditions who require a wheelchair for athletic competition. The individual’s physical injury must be permanent and measurable. Exclusionary primary diagnosis includes but are not limited to conditions related to pain, arthritis, emotional and psychological conditions. All participants must be eligible for VA healthcare.
To register as an athlete or a volunteer visit: wheelchairgames.org. Once on the site click under the Orlando 2018 tab at the top to sign up as an athlete or a volunteer.
On Dec. 7, The American Legion and several other veterans service organizations sent a letter to U.S. Senate leadership, urging passage of S. 2193, the Caring for Our Veterans Act of 2017. The legislation would build on current community care programs by putting an end to arbitrary standards for when veterans may receive community care and by consolidating the disparate community care programs into one program. The intention is to remove confusion over when and how veterans can access community care doctors, and ensure VA remains the coordinator of care for veterans regardless if care is delivered at VA medical facilities or through community care providers.
The letter comes on the heels of The American Legion, and other VSO representatives and members of Congress joining together Dec. 6 for a Capitol Hill press conference to urge Congress to pass a bill expanding caregiver benefits to veterans injured before 9/11. The group presented Congress with more than 180,000 petitions calling for expansion of the benefits.
The full text of the Dec. 7 letter follows.
Dear Majority Leader McConnell and Minority Leader Schumer:
On behalf of the millions of veterans we represent, and all veterans who use the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system, we write to urge you to take whatever actions are necessary to swiftly bring to the floor and pass S. 2193, the Caring for Our Veterans Act of 2017, bipartisan legislation approved by the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs last week to improve and modernize the care America provides her veterans.
The brave men and women who have worn our nation’s uniform must have timely access to high-quality, comprehensive and veteran-centric care. The majority of our members rely on VA to provide such care, but understand that VA must turn to private sector partners when it is not able to reasonably meet the demand for care in its health system. This legislation would build on current community care programs by putting an end to arbitrary standards for when veterans may receive community care and by consolidating the disparate community care programs into one program. In doing so, this legislation would remove confusion over when and how veterans can access community care doctors, and ensure VA remains the coordinator of care for veterans regardless if care is delivered at VA medical facilities or through community care providers.
We are pleased this legislation would empower veterans and their health care providers to work together to determine when and where veterans should receive care based on access and quality measures. This approach is also very similar to VA’s Veterans Coordinated Access and Rewarding Experiences (CARE) plan, which was developed with direct input from major veterans service organizations. The bill would ensure certain community care doctors are trained to provide veteran-centric care that abides by VA’s best practices and clinical practice guidelines. Importantly, this legislation would ensure VA does not rush implementation of the new and improved community care program by funding the current Choice Program through the end of fiscal year 2018. It also consolidates future community care funding within one discretionary appropriations account to end the current dual-funding process which has led to numerous community care funding shortfalls and veterans being denied access to community care.
The legislation would also give veterans the opportunity to access walk-in clinics throughout the country to fill the gap between costly emergency room care and waiting for ambulatory care. However, it does not protect a covered veteran from paying out-of-pocket fees for service-connected illnesses and injuries. We call on Congress to make certain veterans are not charged copayments for illnesses and injuries related to their military service.
Additionally, this legislation includes important provisions to strengthen the VA health care system and expand its ability to provide direct care to our nation’s veterans, while preserving VA foundational services not accommodated in the private sector. It would expand and improve VA’s graduate medical education, loan repayment and residency programs to ensure VA is able to recruit and retain high-quality health care professionals. It also includes much-needed supplemental appropriations to expand and improve VA’s capital infrastructure and authorizes VA health care professionals to practice telemedicine across state lines to ensure veterans, particularly those in rural settings, have convenient access to virtual health care.
Finally, we strongly support Title III of the legislation which would extend VA’s comprehensive caregiver benefits to veterans of all eras. The legislation would finally correct a serious inequity between veterans who served before September 11, 2001 and their post-9/11 comrades, who believe the caregivers of pre-9/11 veterans must have access to comprehensive caregiver services that are fully funded and properly managed. As this legislation moves through the Senate and into conference discussions with the House, we urge you to ensure this critical caregiver equity provision remains part of the final legislation.
We ask that you work together to secure Senate passage of the Caring for Our Veterans Act of 2017 before the end of the year so the House and Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs are given enough time to reach a final agreement before funding for the Choice Program is depleted again. Failure to do so would deprive veterans access to the high-quality care they have earned and deserve. We look forward to working with you and all members of the Senate to ensure swift passage of this important, bipartisan and comprehensive legislation.
This year’s six-day ride will begin in The Kansas Soldier’s Home at Ford Dodge, Kansas, and will follow much of historic Route 50 through Kansas, Colorado, Utah and Nevada, to arrive at the 99th annual American Legion Convention in Reno. Which will be held from August 18-24, 2017.
Should you wish to follow the riders on this year’s Legacy Run
The 12th District was greatly honored when Congressman Bill Posey reached out for their assistance welcoming home a deceased 82nd Airborne Vietnam Era veteran.
12 members of the 12th District, throughout 4 posts, volunteered to join the Army Honor Guard, and a family friend on the flight line. The 12th District, a large group of riders, and flag waivers lined outside the gate demonstrating the strong bond the American Legion has with its veterans.
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By Tim Oberle, USACE Mobile Public Affairs ~ MOBILE, Ala. – When the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) originally approached the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District (USACE), regarding a project to construct approximately 2,500 columbarium at the Barrancas National Cemetery (BNC) in Pensacola, Fl., there was a major caveat. They needed the project complete as soon as possible.
“Over the last few years, our burial numbers increased more than our projections showed, which moved our timeline forward,” said BNC Director Craig LaChance. “So we were up against a wall of potentially having to suspend burial operations for our veteran community. That really left us with no room for error on this project.”
Undeterred by the tight window for completion, USACE Hurlburt Field Office Project Engineer Brian Hilton and his team got right to work with one mission in mind. To make sure our Nation’s veterans and their families received the dignified burial that their service and sacrifice demands.
“No one wanted to be the reason that you had to tell a veteran or family that they couldn’t use the facility because we weren’t done,” said Hilton.
With this motivation looming in the backdrop, Hilton and his team analyzed the project for issues that could potentially delay their target date for completion.
“We started at the beginning of January 2016 and had 365 days to complete the entire project,” Hilton said. “But we only had until April 30th to complete Phase A, so it gave us four months to build around 700 columbarium. I have to admit every day during those first four months, I was worried that we weren’t going to meet our deadline.”
“To ensure that we never fell behind and completed the project on time, we basically camped at the construction site and took every precaution to mitigate potential delays,” he continued. “Randy Blessinger, who was the Quality Assurance [Officer] on the project, came here every single day and
spent a lot of time making sure that little issues never turned into big issues. Then I would come by multiple times a week and… if need be I would get [my boss] to come out. Through that layered approach we were able to identify potential issues, correct them, and move forward in a very short period of time. That was probably the key and it really is a testament to partnering.”
Hilton and his team finished Phase A of the project with three days to spare, and were able to finish the rest of the project almost four months ahead of schedule. Finishing both phases of the project early gave LaChance a much needed sigh of relief.
“You can never project when something might go wrong that puts a construction project off schedule,” said LaChance. “Fortunately, we didn’t have any of those. Once the Corps turned over the early set of columbarium walls it took a lot of the pressure off not only them, but us too.”
In addition to time restraints, the NCA also required the project to be done within the high standards for which their organization is known.
“We have a list of standards that we have to maintain,” explained LaChance. “Whether it is the quality of the turf, the alignment of the headstones, damage to headstones, the way our facilities look, or the accessibility of our facilities. The requirements are very high because we want our visitors to have the best experience possible, during the most difficult times in their lives.”
This presented some unique challenges for Hilton’s team, while trying to get the work done as quickly as possible.
“One of the challenges that we had was the NCA had very exact specifications for how things needed to look,” explained Hilton. “There were bumps in the road, but because everyone was working together we were able to get it done. When it was finished the [renovations] looked great and the end result is something you can be really proud of.”
In addition to the columbarium, the USACE repaved roads and rebuilt curbs throughout the oldest part of the cemetery. The area is one that has a high impact on visitors, so this part of the construction required a delicate approach.
“Any kind of prolonged delay could have produced a really bad result for us,” said LaChance. “But with the Corps’ help we were able to have minimal disruptions to our visitors.”
This was never more evident for LaChance then Memorial Day weekend, which happens to be one of the busiest times of the year for the BNC.
“During Memorial Day they were able to come up with a plan where they built us safe entrance and exit ways in and out of the cemetery,” said LaChance. “[That] really stood out more than the rest of the time because there was such a minimal disruption to our veterans and families.”
“From the start of the project, the priorities that the Corps put out were in-line with what we needed,” he continued. “Even down to the smallest details, they made sure everything was up to standard and far exceeded our expectations. It truly is a beautiful complex.”
While Hilton and his team appreciated the compliments from LaChance, it was something else that motivated them to do their best work.
“Our best compliment is when veterans and families go there and they don’t notice any issues,” said Hilton. “That is when you know you’ve done your job right.”
The daughter of Chief Master Sgt. Arthur Arehart Sr., U.S. Air Force, pays respect to her late father at the Barrancas National Cemetery at the Naval Air Station-Pensacola, Fl., Feb. 14. The final resting place for Arehart is in a section of columbarium that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District, constructed last year. (Photo by Tim Oberle, USACE Mobile Public Affairs)
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11 –SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12 –SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13
The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall will be at the Flagler Executive Airport all three days of the festival
It stands as a reminder of the great sacrifices made during the Vietnam War.
It was made for the purpose of helping heal and rekindle friendships and to allow people the opportunity to visit loved ones in their home town who otherwise
may not be able to make the trip to Washington D.C.
FRIDAY
10 a.m. Veterans Day Ceremony
Noon Category 5
3 p.m. Elvis Aaron Presley Jr.
5 p.m. Swanky Mo’s
7 p.m. Elvis Aaron Presley Jr.
SATURDAY
Noon Veterans Ride In
Noon Anthony Wilde
2:30 p.m. J.W. Gilmore
4 p.m. Woodstock Tribute
6 p.m. G.W. Suther
8 p.m. Rolling Stones Tribute
9 p.m. FIREWORKS
SUNDAY
10 a.m. New Way Church Service
11 a.m. Thomas Sisters
FREE ADMISSION
FLAGLER EXECUTIVE AIRPORT
201 Airport Road off S.R. 100; Across from the High School
Will.Dickey@jacksonville.com Kelli Becraft (from left), Walter Rasco and Joe Magee lay a wreath during the dedication of the American Legion Family Monument at the Jacksonville National Cemetery.
The Florida Times – Union, Teresa Stepzinski ~ Shade was scarce, the sun brutal and the humidity stifling. But impervious to it all, veterans from throughout Northeast Florida and beyond stood shoulder-to-shoulder with pride Saturday morning to honor fallen comrades, spouses, sons, daughters and friends at Jacksonville National Cemetery.
Veterans from all branches of the military — journeying by motorcycle, car and van — came together for the dedication of the American Legion Family Monument at the 546-acre cemetery. Donated by the 5th District American Legion, Department of Florida, the monument represents three years of planning and fundraising by local posts, units and chapters of the American Legion in Duval, Clay, Nassau and St. Johns counties.
“This is a big deal for us and all our members,” said Fred Matthews of Jacksonville, 5th District commander.
The monument is for the living as well as those who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice, said Matthews, an Air Force veteran.
“To me, it’s another opportunity for us to, not so much pay tribute but keep in remembrance those who in many cases volunteered their services that resulted in the loss of their life in defense of our great country,” Matthews said. “The other part of it is for those of us, the living … For those of us who are still alive, to keep in mind, the purpose for our existence. … Why many of us joined the military and the sacrifices that our families made while we gone. And it’s to keep in mind those who are currently actively serving.”
Matthews said its also to say “America remembers, America cares and we appreciate what they’ve done and will do in service of justice, freedom and democracy.”
‘PEACEFUL SETTING’
Several in the crowd blinked away tears that welled up in their eyes, while others clutched their spouses’ hands tightly throughout the emotional ceremony and unveiling of monument bearing the words “Freedom Is Not Free.” First coined by retired Air Force Col. Walter Hitchcock of New Mexico Military Institute, the phrase expresses gratitude to the members of the military for their service to the country in protection of our freedoms. Matthews said the auxiliary unit helped design the monument.
Matthews said the four-county American Legion district is composed of more than 7,000 active-duty and retired veterans and their families in Northeast Florida. Many turned out for the dedication held on the eve of the 15th anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks.
Among the dignitaries at the dedication were Clarence Hill of Jacksonville, past American Legion national commander, who gave the keynote address. Hill is the first and so far only national commander from Florida. The retired Navy captain was elected as American Legion national commander in 2009.
Hill said each person at rest in the cemetery has a different story to tell, but all made sacrifices for their country whether “it is a wife who briefly but anxiously dreaded every doorbell ring or telephone call she received while her husband served in Vietnam, or a World War II veteran who witnessed unspeakable horrors while fighting in hard-to-pronounce islands in the Pacific.
“They all made sacrifices that many Americans take for granted. They deserve to be buried in a peaceful setting such as this. They deserve to know that the American Legion cares and appreciates their sacrifice.”
‘REAL COURAGE’
The American Legion, Hill said, “recognizes that our government, nation and way of life can endure only as long as there will continue to inspire a devotion and loyalty that will not wilt in the face of death itself.
“Make no mistake about this, it takes real courage to put on the uniform of our country in time of war and even during temporary peace. Those who take the oath of military service do so with the full knowledge that their uniform may become a warrior’s shroud. Men and women do not do that unless they prize some things more than life itself.”
Tom Gora, past district commander and chairman of the monument committee, said many veterans will choose the serene, beautiful grounds of Jacksonville National Cemetery as their final resting place — joining more than 11,000 veterans and family members interred there now. Many were members of the American Legion, he said.
Noting retreat is sounded at sunset in the military when the colors are lowered, Gora said he can imagine the legionnaires members interred at the cemetery saying “let’s go visit our American Legion family. I’ll meet you at the American Legion Monument after retreat.”
Gora said that is the way he looks at the monument, and he hopes others will view it that way too.
‘SPIRITS OF THE PEOPLE’
“Every time you come out here to see the monument, to put down a wreath or a flower or to say a prayer, the spirits of people from your legion family will be with you as well,” said Gora who along with fellow legionnaires Robert Brewster, Roy Havekost and Tom Harris composed the monument committee. The monument was paid for with funds raised through raffles and other events with the American Legion Riders — organization members who also are motorcycle enthusiasts — at the forefront.
Gora lauded Alpheus Richberg, director of Jacksonville National Cemetery, and its crew of 11 as instrumental in making the monument happen. Richberg said it was their honor to serve.
The National Cemetery Administration, Richberg noted, is basically founded on these words from President Abraham Lincoln: “To care for him who has borne the battle for his widows and for his orphans.”
Teresa Stepzinski: (904) 359-4075
Will.Dickey@jacksonville.com Members of the Beaches Honor Guard fire a rifle salute during Saturday’s dedication.
Will.Dickey@jacksonville.com Members of the Beaches Honor Guard fire a gun salute during the dedication of the American Legion Family Monument Saturday.
Will.Dickey@jacksonville.com Members of the Color Guard from American Legion Post 137 march at the beginning of Saturday’s ceremony to dedicate the American Legion Family Monument at the Jacksonville National Cemetery.
During 2015-2016, Department of Florida American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary joined together in a fundraising project for the Fisher House Foundation.
Fisher House Foundation is best known for a network of comfort homes where military and veterans’ families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment. These homes are located at major military and VA medical centers nationwide, close to the medical center or hospital they serve. Fisher Houses have up to 21 suites, with private bedrooms and baths. Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, a warm dining room and an inviting living room. Fisher House Foundation ensures that there is never a lodging fee. Since inception, the program has saved military and veterans’ families an estimated #320 million in out of pocket costs for lodging and transportation.
The Department of Florida American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary raised over $124,000. Checks were presented to Fisher House Foundation Southeast Division Vice President Brian G Gawne at the American Legion Department of Florida Headquarters.
All monies raised stay in Florida for Veterans and their families.
Depicted is a check from The American Legion Department of Florida in the amount $66,869.75. The Auxiliary and other Legion entities will also present checks to the Fisher House Foundation.
The members of the American Legion Veterans Memorial Post 347, now over 8,200 strong, are planning our 28th Annual Golf Tournament on Friday, September 30th at Mallory Hill C.C.. This tournament has been a great success in the past and we expect to continue that tradition this year.
It’s important that you don’t build up some rounds or tournaments as being “bigger” or more important than others. I spoke with a new student last night who told me that he has his “biggest tournament of the season” coming up next week. The golf ball doesn’t know whether it’s a “big tournament” or a friendly game with your buddies. They are all just rounds of golf and it’s important that you do your best to treat them as such. The more you build up a round or tournament as being more important than others, the more pressure you put on yourself to do well.
Many of our behaviors and actions are predetermined by what’s already in our subconscious mind (your “belief system”). With the subconscious mind not being able to reason or know the difference between what’s real or imagined, you can shape it by using visualization. Spend 5-10 mins before each round, imagining yourself hitting the shots you’d like to in the round. E.g. See yourself on the first tee, shaking hands with your playing partners, going through your routine and confidently striking your drive down the middle of the fairway. By seeing this success before you play, you’ll give your subconscious mind a “green light” that it’s something to move towards and not be fearful of. To be able to take all the gear you need with you, check out the best golf travel bags at the link.
The members of the Legion hope they can count on your support for our tournament. This event is one of our major fundraisers of the year we will donating all of our proceeds to the Children’s Organ Transplant Association. We are soliciting for hole Sponsorships for each of the 27 holes at the Mallory Hill Country Club. Your business will be seen by every golfer. There are four different levels of sponsorship for you to consider. Click the link below for a flyer outlining the benefits of each sponsorship level, as well as a golf regisrtation form.
The American Legion has a great opportunity to share with you, inviting all our legionnaires, veteran’s, employees, families and friends to enjoy a Miami Dolphins vs Atlanta Falcons pre-season game!
The game will be held at the Camping World Stadium on Thursday, August 25, 2016.
Click on the image below and receive an exclusive discounted ticket opportunity to watch live NFL football in Orlando for the first time in over 20 years! If you’re interested in group tickets or block seating (10+), please contact Thomas Eugene (305) 943-6633 or teugene@dolphins.com.
The Orlando VA Medical Center and the Central Florida Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America are hosting the 38th National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Orlando, FL July 30-August 4, 2018.
Athlete registration is also open. Participation in the NVWG is open to Veterans having spinal cord injuries, amputations, multiple sclerosis or other central neurological conditions who require a wheelchair for athletic competition. The individual’s physical injury must be permanent and measurable. Exclusionary primary diagnosis includes but are not limited to conditions related to pain, arthritis, emotional and psychological conditions. All participants must be eligible for VA healthcare.
