Welcome to The Veterans Newsletter!

In today's edition:

• National Veterans and Military Families Month

• Events for National Veterans Small Business Week

• List of Veteran’s Day discounts

• And more...

Links of the Week

📰 Veteran Stories

StoryCorps is spotlighting the military community in honor of Veterans Day by sharing personal accounts through their Military Voices Initiative. This project is dedicated to recording and preserving the experiences of veterans, service members, and their families. (link)

Celebrating entrepreneurship within the veteran community, National Veterans Small Business Week was marked with events across the nation, recognizing and supporting the businesses owned by those who have served, including National Guard and Reserve members, as well as military spouses. (link)

Kaleidoscope Farms maintained its tradition of honoring veterans by inviting them to select Christmas trees to be sent to troops stationed overseas during the holiday season, a heartwarming event leading up to Veterans Day. (link)

📜 Policy Updates

A presidential proclamation has been issued to declare National Veterans and Military Families Month, aiming to acknowledge the significant contributions of those connected to the military. (link)

The Department of Veterans Affairs released a report emphasizing the need for enhanced support programs to help service members and new veterans transition to civilian life, highlighting their commitment to veteran employment and training. (link)

💡 Resources & Tips

MilitarySpot.com listed free Veterans Day meals and other offers available for veterans, a token of appreciation for their service from various organizations and businesses. (link)

The American Legion highlighted a range of Veterans Day discounts and free meals at various eateries, demonstrating gratitude towards veterans and active-duty military members. (link)

The Best of The Week

• Filmperia: A YouTube channel managed by an 18-year-old named Basso, this channel preserves the stories of U.S. veterans and World War II survivors with interviews and mini-documentaries. Filmperia.

• Task & Purpose: A blog founded with a mission to inform, engage, entertain, and stand up for active-duty military members, veterans, and their families. Task & Purpose​

• VET Tv: A veteran-operated streaming television network that produces irreverent and hilarious shows aimed at veterans. VET Tv​

Meme of the Week

Hero of the Week

In the midst of World War I, when the world was being reshaped by a conflict of unprecedented scale, there emerged a figure of legendary prowess and valor: Sergeant Alvin York. Born into a poor family in the rural backwoods of Tennessee, York's early life was marked by a fervent dedication to his faith, a sharp contrast to the violence he would later encounter on the battlefields of Europe.

Before the war, York was a man of simple means, working as a blacksmith and farmer. However, the outbreak of the Great War called men from all walks of life to arms, and York was drafted into the United States Army despite his initial moral objection to fighting, rooted in his Christian pacifist beliefs.

Once in the military, York's convictions were put to the test. He grappled with the conflict between his pacifist ideals and the duty he felt towards his nation. Through deep reflection and counsel with his commanding officers, he came to reconcile his faith with his role as a soldier, determining that he could fight if it meant preserving peace and freedom.

York was assigned to the 82nd Division and sent to the Argonne Forest in France, where one of the most significant American engagements of World War I, the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, was underway. On October 8, 1918, York's unit was given the seemingly impossible task of taking a German-held position.

As York and his fellow soldiers advanced, they were caught in devastating machine-gun fire that inflicted severe casualties. York, now a Corporal, found himself the highest-ranking unwounded soldier. He took command and, with a marksman's eye honed by years of hunting in the Tennessee wilderness, York began to pick off the machine-gunners.

With a handful of men, York pressed on, evading a barrage of bullets and eventually capturing a group of German soldiers. His small contingent found themselves behind enemy lines with prisoners numbering in the hundreds. Through a combination of sharp shooting and bluff, York and his men escorted 132 prisoners back to the American lines.

For his actions, York was promoted to Sergeant and awarded the Medal of Honor. His exploits became the stuff of legend, turning him into one of America's most celebrated war heroes. Upon his return to the United States, he was greeted with parades and accolades, yet he remained humble, attributing his success to divine intervention and his duty to country.

York's life after the war was dedicated to the welfare of his fellow citizens, particularly in improving educational opportunities for children in rural Tennessee. His legacy is enshrined not only in the annals of military history but also in the value of education and the power of personal conviction. His story, later immortalized on the silver screen, continues to inspire and remind us of the extraordinary deeds that can arise from humble beginnings.

Top Resources For Veterans

NVF Lifeline for Vets

• Offers vital support to veterans, which can be accessed via their helpline​​.

• Website: https://nvf.org/lifeline-for-vets/

HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH)

• Overview: This program aids homeless veterans by providing housing choice voucher rental assistance along with VA services.

• Website: https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/hud-vash/

Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)

• Through this program, grants are provided to organizations that assist low-income veteran families in obtaining permanent housing.

• Website: https://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf/index.html

Homeless Veteran Stand Downs

• Events that provide food, shelter, clothing, and services to homeless veterans.

• Website: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/StandDown

National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV)

• A central resource offering emergency and supportive housing, health services, job training, legal aid, and more.

• Website: https://nchv.org/

VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

• This service provides job training, employment accommodations, resume development, and skills coaching​.

• Website: https://www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/

Disability Attorneys

Dedicated to the cause of veterans for years, the team at Bross & Frankel has been working diligently to secure the highest possible compensation ratings and best outcomes for veteran clients. They provide assistance with a range of benefits from the VA, ensuring that those who served are supported in claiming what they are rightfully due.

"Dealing with the VA was overwhelming, until I found Bross & Frankel. Their team was not just knowledgeable; they were compassionate and persistent, making sure I was heard. Their support changed everything for me."

- Michael J. Thompson

Learn more here (link)

Until Next Time

Stay tuned for next week's edition, where we'll be discussing more top stories and the latest policy updates!

Cheers,

Chad Hill

Founder,

The Veteran's Newsletter