VETERANS CRISIS LINE
1-800-273-8255 PRESS 1
OR
TEXT TO 838255
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RGH IS A VETERAN INIATIVE OF
THE FVHD
95 River Rd., Suite C, Canton, CT 860-352-2333
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Remembering 75 Years Ago!
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This quarter's newsletter cover is a Marine's eye view of Mt. Suribachi on Iwo Jima.
U.S. Marines invaded Iwo Jima on Feb. 19, 1945, after months of naval and air bombardment. Japanese defenders were dug into bunkers deep within the island's volcanic rocks. Approximately 70,000 U.S. Marines and 18,000 Japanese soldiers took part in the battle. In 36 days of fighting, nearly 7,000 Marines were killed. Another 20,000 were wounded. Marines captured 216 Japanese soldiers; the rest were killed in action. The island was declared secured March 16, 1945. The battle ranks among the bloodiest in Marine Corps history.
After the battle, Iwo Jima served as an emergency landing site for more than 2,200 B-29 bombers, saving the lives of 24,000 U.S. airmen. Securing Iwo Jima prepared the way for the last and largest battle in the Pacific: the invasion of Okinawa. Twenty-seven Medals of Honor were awarded for action on Iwo Jima - more than any other battle in U.S. history.
Source: National WWII Museum and The American Legion: The magazine for a strong America
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Happy Birthday USO!
This image of a USO Canteen depicts one of the roles played by the USO in support of our troops.
The USO (United Services Organization) has been in service since 1941. It is a private, not-for-profit organization that works in cooperation with the Department of Defense.
Initially established to boost troop morale and to promote American involvement in WWII, congress supported this initative as a way for this organization to bring a "touch of home' to our uniformed service personnel. Bringing entertainment to our troops was initially their main activity. Traveling shows were held in China, Russia, Burma and elsewhere. Those same type shows extended to our troops serving in Korea, Vietnam, The Gulf War and now, today's conflicts.
USO clubs were established for troops to have a "home away from home" where they could socialize, attend dances, watch movies, listen to music, write a letter home or grab a cup of Joe. USOs also provided childcare for military wives.
The USO brought Hollywood and volunteer celebrities to entertain the troops overseas. Big names such as Irving Berlin, Al Jolson, Abbot and Costello, Lucille Ball and Dezi Arnaz, Betty Davis, Humphrey Bogart, Bob Hope, Ann Margaret, Lena Horn, Gene Kelly, Judy Garland, Rita Hayworth, John Wayne, Redd Fox, Rosey Grier, Sammy Davis Jr., Jay Leno, The Pointer Sisters, Connie Stevens, Robin Williams, Gary Sinese, Carrie Underwood, Zac Brown, Toby Keith, Third Day, and Trace Adkins to name a few. From 1941 - 1947, the USO presented more than 400,000 performances.
Today, extensive assistance is provided to our troops as stated on their website,
https://www.uso.org/
. The USO cares for our men and women when they enlist, when they are on the front line, with their families, when they are away from home, in their hour of need and when they transition home.
We salute the USO as they celebrate 78 years of supporting our Armed Forces.
Their enduring committment to our warriors is an example for all Americans to to follow. We also salute all who have supported this valuable organization.
LMP, GSM
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March 29, 2020 is
National Vietnam War Veterans Day!
Never Forget!
Click
Here for more about this National Day of Honor
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Are you a caregiver of a service member or a veteran?
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Meet Kim Brown!
Kimberly Brown of Granby, Connecticut is a caregiver for her husband, Chris, an Army veteran who sustained injuries during his deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2019, she became a fellow with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. The Elizabeth Dole Foundation, through their program Hidden Heroes, works to help identify caregivers and provide them with support and resources. Kim works on a local and national level to advocate for families just like hers.
The Elizabeth Dole Foundation began in 2012 when Senator Dole spent a year at Walter Reed caring for her husband. During her time, she saw first hand the struggles families of wounded warriors face. She knew she needed to do something. EDF has over 200 vetted resources for military and veteran caregivers. They offer an online support group and fund research to further understand the issues caregivers face. More info can be found at
https://hiddenheroes.org/
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Click on the image below to learn more about Hidden Heroes and their resources to help you.
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Please watch the video below to see the work that is being done through RGH!
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Click on the image above to watch the video.
Each year, the money raised from The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride enables the Movember Foundation to fund hundreds of programs that support men's mental health.
The program featured in this story, Resilience Grows Here, aims to provide support for returned veterans of foreign wars suffering from PTS (post traumatic stress). The program works in tandem with groups such as the Valhalla Motorcycle Club of Connecticut USA, whose members are trained by RGH in suicide prevention and peer support.
To date, this amazing program, founded by Program Director Justine Ginsberg at the Farmington Valley Health District has directly saved 42 lives and trained over 3000 of the local community members in suicide prevention.
All thanks to the efforts of everyone who participates in DGR and Movember.
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Click on the image above to read Mark Walsh's Hartford Courant article.
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"Charging veterans to access benefits they served and sacrificed for is not only morally abhorrent, it's illegal. There are accredited entities available to assist for free throughout Connecticut. If you are aware of anyone attempting to take advantage of veterans and their families by charging bogus fees, I want to know," said Attorney General William Tong.
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Looking to transition from the military to federal employment?
Through an interactive learning platform, Hire Heroes USA offers federal employment workshops to prepare transitioning military members, veterans, and military spouses for their federal job search. Attendees receive federal resume guidance, application tips, and job search strategies from a live facilitator. This virtual workshop will also discuss the other services offered by the Hire Heroes USA Federal Sector Program.
We'll focus on the common pitfalls federal job seekers encounter and how to develop a strategy for success. We've gathered the questions we get asked all the time - let's work through them together.
If you can't attend but are interested in viewing the recorded session, please register to ensure you're on the list.
Webinar on February 12, 2020 at 2 pm. Click on image below to register.
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Online workshop addresses transition to civilian employment.
Through an interactive learning platform, Hire Heroes USA offers employment workshops to prepare transitioning military members, veterans, and military spouses for their civilian job search. Attendees receive resume writing guidance, learn how to leverage their personal networks to achieve employment goals and effective and proven interview techniques from a live facilitator.
Click on image below to register for February 25 event at 2 pm.
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For more virtual workshops regarding employment please visit this website:
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Welcome Veterans!
Click on the
Get Verified
button below to take advantage of going to the BX/PX online!
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Veterans & Communiy. Together we thrive!
In our efforts to bridge the divide between the military lives of our veterans and their civilian lives, we welcome the partnerships with community providers that genuinely recognize the value that our service men and women bring home.
Movement Mortgage is in service to
our district
and they are ready to serve our warriors and their families.
Click on the image below to
learn more about VA loans.
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We applaud Movement Mortgage of Avon for taking action to be part of a veteran focused community of care!
Veterans & Community. Together we thrive!!!
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The next Honor Flight CT is scheduled for May 2, 2020. Register soon as spaces fill quickly.
C
urrently seeking WWII and Korean Conflict veterans.
Click
here
for information and registration.
Image below is from the Honor Flight CT in October 2019.
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Scammers have stolen $405 million from military families since 2012, report finds
Vietnam War Veterans Health Issues
Hearing Loss: How VA Can Help
Newly separated veterans will now get phone calls from the VA to talk about benefits and support services
Biggest military pay raise in years takes effect Jan. 1; check out the complete chart
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How to apply for VA health care
Click image below for details on benefits and to check your eligibility online!
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ATTENTION CAREGIVERS!
Click on image below to access the podcasts:
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Wreaths Across America
IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY TO Think ABOUT HONORING!
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Click on image below to sponsor a wreath.
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The following are just a few of our joint Veteran and Civilian Operation Task Forces. Please contact us if you would like assistance in finding services near you.
Veterans Crisis Line
1-800-273-8255
Press 1
Confidential Chat at
VeteranCrisisLine.net
or
Text
838255
Military Support Program
866-251-2913
Serving the
behavioral health
needs of Connecticut Veterans, including National Guard and Reserve members and their families in communities where they live. MSP servcies are local and confidential.
Semper Fi Fund
(Serving All Branches)
Jay Braca V2V Lead
jay.braca@semperfifund.org
760-450-4126
Easterseals Captial Region & Eastern CT
860-270-0600
Medical and Vocational Rehabilitation for Veterans and
Military Families
.
Visit VeteransRallyPoint.comfor more information.
Hartford Vet Center
860-563-8800
25 Elm St., Suite A, Rocky Hill, CT
CT Soldiers, Sailors and Marine Fund
Find your representative
here.
Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
VA Regional Office
P.O. Box 310909
Newington, CT 06131-0909
(860) 594-6612
Home Base Program
Veteran and Family Care
Please click
here
for more information.
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February 2020
February 3
- Simsbury Veteran Coffee at The Simsbury Senior Center
754 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury
February 4 -
USO Birthday
February 11
- East Granby Veteran Coffee at Three Brothers II,
58 Rainbow Rd., East Granby
February 14
- Valentines Day and
National Salute to Veteran Patients
Invasion of Iwo Jima 75 years ago
February 23
- American Flag raised atop Mt. Suribachi by The United States Marines
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March 2020
March is Women's History Month
March 21 -
Community Cuisine Brunch at the East Granby Community Center, 7 Memorial Drive, East Granby
Mail Call for our next newsletter will be in April!
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Click on image to learn more about this memorial statue.
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To learn more about RGH, volunteer opportunities, trainings and events, please visit our website at:
or visit our Facebook page at:
Justine Ginsberg, RN
RGH Director
Community Health Coordinator at FVHD
Leesa Philippon
Communication & Outreach Coordinator
Gold Star Mom / Blue Star Mom
US Army Veteran
We can be reached at
860-352-2333
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