U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs CWV - News Update

If you didn’t have to worry about a down payment, what would your dream home look like?  From first time homebuyers to seasoned homeowners, Veterans of all ages may qualify for a VA home loan, a benefit that can be reused. [From VAntage Point]

Have you heard?  S.A.V.E. — suicide prevention training from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is now available online.  In collaboration with PsychArmor Institute and the Wounded Warrior Project, VA has developed a free online course that is available to all, 24/7.  Hosted by Dr. Megan McCarthy, VA’s Deputy Director of Suicide Prevention, S.A.V.E. addresses how you can #BeThere for Veterans who may be at risk for suicide.  The course teaches specific actions we can all do during these critical conversations.  The S.A.V.E. course will help everyone who knows a Veteran understand the facts about suicide and what they can do to help prevent it.  It empowers all of us to ask a simple question that can save a Veteran’s life.

Director of the VA Center for Women Veterans, Kayla Williams, discusses the programs they host, her role in advising the VA Secretary, the cultural transformation occurring for women Veterans, and her time in the Army in Iraq with host Jim Fausone. [From Blog Talk Radio]

Assemblywoman Pamela Hunter joins Solomon Syed to discuss issues surrounding women Veterans and what happens when they return home to re-enter civilian life.  From medical care and PTSD treatment to homelessness, child care and career advice, many of issues women Veterans face are ones all Veterans face — but often with different experiences and needs. [From Spectrum News]

The Greenville City Council will be recognizing Women’s Veterans Day at their regular meeting Tuesday.  Councilman John Turner, who prompted the city to recognize the dedicatory day, will be making the proclamation at the meeting next week. [From Herald Banner]

Susan Rudd fondly remembers her military service in World War II, and appreciates that she and 349 other female Veterans will be honored today at an event in the Benton Convention Center.  “I’m really glad that they’ve gotten some recognition,” Rudd said of her fellow Veterans. [From Winston-Salem Journal]

New Census Bureau figures show the post 9/11 generation of Veterans is the most diverse in history, helping to erase some of the stereotypes of the past.  “I still get a lot of people that look at me in shock, like, ‘you were a Veteran?’” said Ericka Carter, 36, of Dayton, an African American woman and an Army Veteran. [From Dayton Daily News]

Army Veteran BreAnn McLaughlin, 31, marched to Houston City Hall on Saturday morning carrying a poster with a blunt declaration.  “I was raped.  I survived.  I have PTSD.” [From Chron]

PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder) is a mental health problem that some people develop after an extremely stressful event, like combat, sexual assault, childhood abuse, or a serious accident.  Find out more about PTSD. [From Women Veterans Network]

VA is taking action to address intimate partner violence by earmarking $17 million in funds to support Veterans in need.  The funds will strengthen intimate partner violence assistance programs in VA facilities nationwide. [From VAntage Point]

It was a glimpse of light in the darkest period.  It happened about a year ago, shortly after Christina Truesdale, a U.S. Army major, flight surgeon and veterinarian, learned she was 100 percent disabled, as declared by the Army’s medical board. [From ESPN]

It was an eventful night at City Hall as Denton City Council made several proclamations, including the recognition of Women Veteran’s Day, Juneteenth and, most widely anticipated, Pride Month.  Emotions ran high as Mayor Chris Watts reached the LGBT Pride Month Proclamation on the City Council Agenda. [From The Dentonite]

A group of Wilkes-Barre students worked on an exhibit that tells the story of American women who paved the way for other women to join the military.  Lauren Kane, Sophia Magistro and Laney Schulz, all 13, hope their project wins this year’s National History Day competition in Maryland. [From PA Home Page]

“The challenge of going from military service to civilian life is like going from black and white to full color,” according to Jenny Pacanowski at Open Mic at the Dietrich Theater on Memorial Day weekend when Warrior Writers was the special feature.  “Moving from a life following orders to a life making multiple decisions is truly challenging.” [From The Abington Journal]

Rush University Medical Center will receive up to $45 million – its largest single donation ever – from the Wounded Warrior Project to provide mental health services to thousands of additional Veterans.  Rush will put the cash toward its Road Home Program, which treats Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injuries, depression, anxiety and related conditions at no cost to patients. [From Chicago Tribune]

Topeka’s Veterans of Foreign Wars post will induct its first female commander this week, a milestone post leaders are pointing to as a step toward modernizing an organization long seen as male-dominated.  Kansas Army National Guard Maj. Angela Gray said Friday she hopes to recruit more younger Veterans – those from 20 to 60 years old – to join the VFW. [From The Topeka Capital-Journal]

Remember the other day we were arguing about whether male and female military commanders are judged differently?  Well, here is some data. [From Task & Purpose]

Vivian C. “Millie” Bailey has seen a lot in her 100 years, including her service as a lieutenant in the Women’s Army Corps during World War II.  Not only did she volunteer during a time when women were often not accepted in the military, but she also endured the racism that was rampant in the South during the 1940s. [From Stars and Stripes]

This Sunday, Hospice and Palliative CareCenter is putting on an event for women Veterans from all eras of combat.  It’s set to take place at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem and organizers are expecting several hundred honorees, including World War II veteran Susan Rudd, who turns 100 years old June 23. [From WXII12]

Air Force Veteran Rhonda Smith has started a business to support fellow female Veterans.  Smith thinks that women sometimes have a slightly different experience than men in the military, having to prove their place. [From WJAC6]

Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services Director Wanda Wright, attended the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Mission Act Signing Ceremony at the White House Wednesday, June 6.  During the ceremony, President Donald Trump signed the Mission Act, officially titled “The John S. McCain III, Daniel K. Akaka and Samuel R. Johnson VA.” [From Queen Creek Independent]

A groundbreaking West Point graduate was recently named among Glamour magazine’s “2018 College Women of the Year.”  Simone Askew, 21, of Fairfax, Va., was the first black woman to lead “The Long Gray Line,” serving as first captain of the U.S. Military Academy’s Corps of Cadets, the highest rank of student leadership. [From Stars and Stripes]

The contraption Raina “Ren” Hockenberry wore on her right leg for close to 15 months stretched from the top of her knee almost to her ankle. Known as a Taylor Spatial Frame, it featured a metal rod implanted under the skin and connected to what remained of her tibia. [From ESPN]

Scott Reel learned quickly that he could resist the Corps’ structure and suffer, or he could play the part of the good Marine, do his time, and then leave. [From The War Horse]

Jacksonville’s military community has a new addition: Ashanti Curry graduated this past week from the United States Naval Academy.  We first introduced you to Curry when she was just 17 years old and her dream of attending the Naval Academy almost didn’t happen. [From Action News JAX]

Today s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Lissette Lister.  Lissette served from 2004 to 2010. [From VAntage Point]

We honor your service, Lissette!

Did you know that smoking can affect not just your physical health, but your mental health as well?  Or that quitting smoking can increase the effectiveness of medications for depression and anxiety? [From VAntage Point]

Get the Recruitment & Retention, Employment & Integration, Well Being & Treatment, Servicwomen in the News, Women Veterans, and Upcoming Events DACOWITS news from May 31, 2018. [From DACOWITS]