News from the Executive Committee!
Don’t miss the inspiring comments on service from Norm Glover at the end of this newsletter!
DVVC Strategic Goals Crafted
Following the quarterly meeting in January, the Executive Committee has been drafting a DVVC strategic plan for the next three years. Thanks again to everyone who attended and provided input! Some common themes emerged, and the plan will be framed on four overarching goals:
- Increase local, state, and national awareness of DVVC
- Grow learning and knowledge sharing opportunities
- Further celebrate and advertise successes
- Improve member relations and retention
UPDATE: Crescenz VA Medical Center Continues COVID-19 Vaccine Efforts
Based on CDC and VA risk criteria, Crescenz VA Medical Center has expanded the list of eligible Veterans for the COVID-19 vaccine to all Crescenz-enrolled Veterans age 65 and above. Those interested in being vaccinated should call 215-823-4014 to schedule an appointment; no walk-ins. Vaccinations are Monday-Saturday at the main medical center in Philadelphia.
Veterans seen at Community Based Outpatient Clinics (Saracini/Willow Grove, Gloucester, Burlington and Camden Counties) can also call 215-823-4014 to schedule an appointment for the vaccine. Enrolled Veterans under 65 years of age who are at high risk due to chronic medical conditions should speak to their primary care team to determine eligibility.
Veterans not currently enrolled can visit the Eligibility web page to learn more.
Upcoming VA Virtual Events
Creating a Great Elevator Pitch – Tuesday, March 2, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Veterans can learn to introduce themselves with confidence and network their way to career success. This interactive workshop includes a best practices presentation followed by an interactive workshop where participants will have a chance to work in small groups to refine and practice their elevator pitch. Registration required; see the website here.
Women Veteran Author Panel – Wednesday, March 17, noon – 1:30 p.m.
In honor of Women’s History Month, the Military, Veterans and Society Program at the Center for a New American Security will host a panel discussion featuring four women veteran authors on their writing, experiences, and perspectives. Registration required; see the website here.
There are many great events this month, including a number of hiring fairs and resilience courses. See the entire list at https://www.va.gov/outreach-and-events/events/
For those seeking information on VA employment services, don’t miss Episode #230 of Borne the Battle, Benefits Breakdown: Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E). Listen here.
NEWS FROM OUR MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS
Cranaleith Spiritual Center Invites Women Veterans to a Retreat “Taster”
Strong, Loving, and Wise – Tuesday, March 2, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
This evening will provide a “taste” of what a longer retreat at Cranaleith could be like. Through reflection, conversation, quiet, music and creativity, the group will draw strength and joy for the journey. Please share this invitation to nourish the spirit in the presence of other women Veterans. Registration required; see the website here.
Athletes with DisAbilities Network Northeast Plans Spring Sports Programs
Athletes with DisAbilities Network Northeast is a newer DVVC member with a mission to promote a better quality of life for people with physical disabilities, especially for Veterans and first responders. Programs are focused on mentoring, creating awareness, and offering opportunities for local athletic, recreational, and educational activities.
During the halt of sports programs due to COVID, the organization has been focused on the Mentoring and Outreach program, meeting a critical need for the physically disabled and those affected by mental health barriers. Traumatic disability or disabling disease can result in significant loss – from mobility to independence, financial stability, and sense of self. ADN mentors add continuity of care for healthcare providers and support those who assist with physical and emotional well-being.
ADN’s SportsAbility Adaptive Sports Program creates opportunities for social interaction for disabled members, families, and mentors, allowing a newly injured person to envision a better quality of life. The clinics bring together the community with Sports Coalition members, local and out-of-state mentor athletes who instruct the daylong sports event. SportsAbility Days are open to children and adults throughout the area with intellectual and physical disabilities including traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputation, limb difference, stroke, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, and muscular dystrophy and visual impairments to participate in multiple adaptive sports.
ADN plans to start offering three sports programs this Spring – Adaptive Cycling, Wheelchair Tennis and Adaptive Archery – that can be offered safely while following CDC guidelines for outdoor activities. Learn more and watch for updates at https://adnnec.org/
FREE Career Info and Events from Philadelphia Area Great Careers Group
On Monday, March 1, PAGCG Executive Director Lynne Williams kicks off Empowering the Job Seeker, a week of free live content, daily at 1 p.m. Learn more and register here.
And from another recent PAGCG event, here is a terrific free template for career self-reflection.
Additional upcoming events from PAGCG and the Business Executives Networking Group division (BENG) are listed at http://bit.ly/CareerEdEvents. Register via links on the website. Jobseeker support meetings are free. Any meeting with a $5 fee is free for Veterans by telling Lynne in advance that you want to attend – director@greatcareersphl.org.
See more at https://greatcareersphl.org//contacts. Follow @greatcareersphl #greatcareersphl
Get Mad in March with Team Red White and Blue!
Area Veterans are urged to join Team RWB’s second annual March Madness virtual tournament – a great way to spring into fitness! Workouts have been expanded for all levels.
Anyone can participate from their own home and score points for their state. A one-mile run/walk/ruck earns a 1-point “Free Throw”. (Those who get moving now can consider working up to the Chapel to Chapel Ruck March #3 on March 27.)
More than 3,300 participated across the country last year, and the group this year will include more deployed/overseas participants. More participants will help win the championship this year. Pennsylvania faces off against DC in the first round – Wednesday, March 3!
The challenge is free for anyone who would like to participate. Register for Team RWB here, and use the website or app to access the workouts and score points for the team.
Chapel of the Four Chaplains News & Events
Veteran Chats – Tuesdays at 10 a.m.
“Captain Lou” and the Chapel continue to co-host this regular chat group with the Thank-A-Vet organization. All are welcome – especially Veterans seeking engagement.
Join the Zoom meeting at https://us04web.zoom.us/j/73529395078
Meeting ID: 735 2939 5078 – Passcode: HwEh1h – or dial in by mobile phone: 301-715-8592
53rd Annual Four Chaplains Banquet – Saturday, May 15 (tentative)
The event has been moved from the traditional February date and is currently slated for Armed Forces Day, May 15. This year’s theme is “Selfless Service,” and the Legion of Honor Gold Medallion recipient is Dr. Kenneth Hartman, founder and president of Our Community Salutes.
During this 70th anniversary year, the Chapel will unveil a new plaque with the names of the 230 U.S.A.T. Dorchester survivors, the centerpiece of a newly renovated smaller chapel within the Chapel of Four Chaplains facility.
For information on Chapel events, contact Bill Kaemmer, Executive Director, Chapel of Four Chaplains at 515-554-4836 or director@fourchaplains.org.
Greater Philadelphia Veterans Network Supports Veterans in Business
Veteran Business Referral Network Regular Meeting – Wednesday, March 17, 8 a.m.
VBRN connects Veterans so they can help each other thrive in their businesses. Get involved with other passionate and motivated Veterans committed to sharing prospects and helping each other’s businesses grow and flourish. Register here.
This newsletter serves DVVC member organizations by providing information to share with Veterans.
Member organizations can also use our LinkedIn group, https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12177627/ and Facebook page, www.facebook.com/dvvcorg, to get the word out!
Let us know how we can help.
News from the Executive Committee
March 2021
I am often asked by fellow Veterans – and by many who have not served – why I serve on the DVVC Executive Committee. For me, the answer is in the motto of Vietnam Veterans of America: “Never again will one generation of Veterans abandon another.” And it’s also in the phrase I am often reminded of by our Chair, Hugo Lentze, in the words of Travis Manion: “If Not Me, Then Who…”
As a Vietnam Veteran who has experienced and endured some of the worst that American society had to offer in its treatment and lack of common decency toward Veterans, I’ve chosen to do what I can to ensure that ALL Veterans receive their due in benefits and respect. DVVC is a Community Veterans Engagement Board that is regional in nature and is not restricted by political jurisdiction, thus ensuring that ideas and concerns of Veterans no matter where they reside are represented.
We all know society as a whole can be very short-sighted. In the early years of my adult life after leaving the service, I chose to be alone; as an over-the-road truck driver, I stayed away from the general public and from Veterans organizations that seemed to display a disrespect or lack of concern for the younger generation of Veterans. I was once told by a DoD doctor that if I could afford to live in a cave and stay away from people, I should do it. My truck was my cave.
Years later, a young USMA graduate and Gulf War Veteran, Ray Griffiths, saw something in me and asked me to be a driver trainer. That interest and trust launched my career in management. Utilizing the leadership skills learned in the Army, I worked my way to vice president of a trucking company. In those years, I worked to ensure that all were treated fairly and Veterans were treated with the respect they deserved. It was in the later years of my trucking career that I met Joe Belardo, Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Through his encouragement and guidance, I became active in the organization and the NEW Veteran community. As a Veterans Healthcare Navigator for New Jersey Hospital Association, I became more involved and worked to ensure Veterans of all eras got what they are entitled to and deserved.
I continue to follow the example given to me by my parents, who belonged and were active in many community and civic organizations. They were the true example of volunteerism for the greater good. I became very active promoting Veteran issues in the legislature of New Jersey and at the federal level, attempting to ensure that all generations of Veterans are treated equally. Proposed legislation may sound wonderful until you get to the last paragraph that restricts the benefits only to Post 9/11 Veterans. This is not the fault of those Veterans but largely due to the short-sightedness of some who propose “feel good / look at me” gestures. Further frustration ensues when Veterans are denied assistance because they don’t fit certain demographic categories, or the character of their discharge was coded incorrectly or is no longer relevant.
All Veterans deserve equal treatment and anything that can be done for them. No matter where, when, or what branch they served in, Veterans did what was asked of them and we must ensure their fair and equal treatment. “All gave some, some gave all.”
I must take advantage of this opportunity to promote and solicit help and support for current legislation to ensure the proper burial of indigent Veterans in New Jersey: N.J. Assembly Bill A281 and N. J. Senate Bill S2501. It is with much frustration and sadness that Veterans are left to languish in morgues or put in paupers’ graves. Because of their pride, many never applied for benefits that were available to them and or have been turned down. Please learn more about this effort at https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bills/BillView.asp?BillNumber=A281, and contact a sponsor to voice your support.
Norm Glover,
Sr. Vice Commander Military Order of the Purple Heart Dept. of N.J.
DVVC Executive Committee Member-at-Large