Welcome to The Veterans Newsletter!

In today's edition:

• A soldier has become the Army’s first active-duty female sniper

• Henry Kissinger has passed away at the age of 100 and left a controversial legacy

• The VA introduced a streamlined ordering system for CPAP machines and supplies

• The VA has published a series of easy-to-follow videos that help veterans use its handy mobile app

• Some fun and engaging podcasts and social media pages for veterans 

• And more…

Links of the Week

📰 Veteran Stories

This cavalry scout has made history by becoming the Army’s first active-duty female sniper. She has had a knack for shooting on her family’s ranches, and after someone doubted her abilities, she channeled that passion into passing the rigorous sniper course (link).

American diplomat and influential policymaker Henry Kissinger passed away at 100. He is controversial; some see him as a beloved political genius, while others refer to him as a reviled war criminal. Here’s why (link)​.

📜 Policy Updates

The VA has introduced a streamlined ordering system for CPAP supplies. Veterans who rely on CPAP machines for managing sleep-related breathing disorders can now order hardware and supplies online and easily track their orders (link).

💡 Resources & Tips

The VA now provides a set of concise, easy-to-understand instructional videos designed to guide veterans in navigating the Health and Benefits smartphone app. Serving as a comprehensive on-the-go tool for managing healthcare and benefits, these tutorial videos aim to enhance veterans' accessibility to the app by providing clear instructions on its usage  (link).

The National Veterans Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to offering comprehensive support and services to veterans. Through their toll-free hotline, they provide veterans with counseling and essential information. Their efforts extend to connecting veterans with pertinent resources and services tailored to address their unique needs. Additionally, the organization spearheads outreach programs to raise awareness about veterans' challenges (link).

The Best of The Week

• We Are The Mighty: This media company provides a platform for a mix of information and entertaining content related to the military, veterans, and military culture. We Are The Mighty produces articles, videos, and other styles of media content that cover a wide range of topics such as news, entertainment, history, and entertaining stories related to the armed forces. We Are The Mighty.

• Hirepurpose: Hirepurpose, an online platform offered by Orion Talent, is a job search and career networking platform designed for veterans. Its primary goal is to help veterans transition from military service to fulfilling civilian careers by connecting veterans with companies that appreciate and value their unique skills and experiences. Hirepurpose.

• Dakota Meyer: Dakota Meyer, a former Marine and recipient of the Medal of Honor, uses his platform to share compelling stories about his experiences and insights while championing awareness for veterans' issues. Renowned as a public speaker and influential figure, he is recognized for his YouTube channel, which provides diverse perspectives. Dakota Meyer.

Meme of the Week

Hero of the Week: Dakota Meyer

Born on June 26, 1988, in Columbia, KY, Dakota Meyer experienced a typical small-town, rural upbringing. He worked on a farm and later found employment in construction as a mechanic, where he learned the value of hard work and dedication. Soon after graduating from Green County High School, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.

This decision marked the beginning of Meyer's military journey, a path that would showcase his exceptional courage. Serving as a scout sniper with the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, he was deployed to Fallujah, Iraq, in 2007. Fallujah was infamous for being one of the most intense locations for urban combat and insurgency activities in the entire region.

On September 8, 2009, Meyer received the distressing news that three Marines and a Navy Corpsman, individuals he considered friends and comrades in his squad, had gone missing following an ambush in the area.

In response to the distressing news, Dakota Meyer and the remaining members of his squad ventured into an area known to harbor insurgents, facing enemy fire from a considerably larger group of Taliban. Amidst the intense combat, Meyer discovered the remains of the four missing service members alongside a Taliban fighter attempting to move the bodies.

A confrontation unfolded as the lone Taliban fighter attacked Meyer, leading to a fierce hand-to-hand struggle. Despite the adversity, Meyer managed to overpower his assailant, wielding a large rock to subdue and ultimately eliminate the Taliban fighter.

Subsequently, Meyer coordinated with Afghan soldiers to relocate the remains of his fallen comrades to a safer area. While he couldn't save their lives, Meyer ensured the extraction of their remains for proper burial, thwarting the enemy's attempts to dispose of them.

Throughout the ordeal, which resulted in multiple injuries to fellow servicemembers, Meyer demonstrated exceptional courage by personally evacuating at least 12 friendly soldiers and providing cover for an additional 24 marines and soldiers to make their escape.

This clash would go on to be called the Battle of Ganjal, and Meyer showed undeniable courage, selflessness, and dedication to his brothers in arms by repeatedly entering the kill zone both by vehicle and on foot while under heavy enemy fire. 

After the Battle of Ganjal, Meyer struggled with the trauma from that fateful day and attempted suicide with a pistol. Luckily, the firearm was not loaded, and Meyer eventually sought treatment for PTSD.

For his contributions that day, he was nominated for the Medal of Honor, the highest award in the United States Military. On September 15, 2011, just over two years after the Battle of Ganjal, President Barack Obama awarded Meyer the Medal of Honor. Meyer also requested that there be commemorative services held at the same time that honored the memory of his comrades who were killed or mortally wounded during the battle.

Since retiring from the military, Meyer has gone on to work construction jobs and eventually became a prominent public speaker and internet personality who uses his platform to advocate for veterans’ rights and is a proponent of legalizing the use of medical cannabis to help veterans suffering from PTSD and reducing the reliance on opioid drugs to treat it.

He has co-written a book, Into the Fire: A Firsthand Account of the Most Extraordinary Battle in the Afghan War, that recounts the events of the chaotic battle and also runs a popular YouTube channel where he gives compelling accounts of his experience and provides perspectives on a wide variety of topics.

Dakota Meyer is the definition of an American hero. He put his life on the line to protect his fellow service members and showed valor and unwavering dedication to his country and comrades. His courageous actions on the battlefield and his ongoing advocacy for veterans underscore his enduring commitment to the well-being of those who have served.

Thank You For Your Service!

Not every servicemember may receive the Medal of Honor or garner widespread recognition, but that doesn't diminish the invaluable contributions each one has made to the sanctity and security of our great nation. 

The saying "freedom isn't free" holds profound truth – it resonates because every individual in the United States relies on the dedication of its military to safeguard the freedoms they enjoy. Each veteran has consciously chosen to defend these liberties, symbolizing a collective commitment to the nation's well-being.

Whether you fought on the front lines or provided crucial support from behind the scenes, thank you!

Top Resources For Veterans

1. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

   • Overview: The VA provides a wide range of services for veterans, including health care, benefits, and memorial services.

   • Website: https://www.va.gov/

2. Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)

   • Overview: An organization that offers various services to veterans, including assistance with benefits claims, scholarships, and community service opportunities.

   • Website: https://www.vfw.org/

3. Disabled American Veterans (DAV)

   • Overview: DAV provides various services for disabled veterans, including transportation, employment resources, and benefits assistance.

   • Website: https://www.dav.org/

4. Hire Heroes USA

   • Overview: An organization dedicated to helping veterans find employment through personalized job search training and assistance.

   • Website: https://www.hireheroesusa.org/

5. Operation First Response

   • Overview: This non-profit organization is dedicated to helping wounded and disabled veterans, first responders, and their families.

   • Website: https://www.operationfirstresponse.org/

Until Next Time

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

Cheers,

Chad Hill

Founder,

The Veteran's Newsletter