We continue to adapt to the complexities of the communities we serve and the needs of the 150 CVEBs across the nation. To face these challenges and better improve outcomes for Veterans, Families, and Caregivers, we are making important changes and realignments in our organization. We are now known as the Veterans, Family, and Community Engagement (VFCE) Directorate. This change recognizes the critical role that families play in the Veteran’s journey, and the more holistic approach we are taking in addressing the concerns of Veterans, their families, and caregivers.

We have also made important and impactful changes to our subordinate divisions. These three divisions are:

• Data, Insights, and Analytics Division – to identify actionable data and associated metrics and reporting, develop tools and training to address identified gaps and challenges, and public affairs and communications to ensure the sharing of information with the communities (such as in this quarterly newsletter);
• Outreach and Engagement Division – to better hear the voice of the Veteran, oversee outreach and engagement events and initiatives, and manage enterprise integration;
• and the Federal Advisory Committee Division – to address the logistical and planning support requirements and recommendations of the Federal Advisory Committees;

We will continue to refine our processes to better serve our Veteran and Family communities, and how we can better hear and receive your feedback is an important part of improving customer service. Let us hear from you! You can provide feedback directly to the VFCE team member in your area or you can send an email to the Vet-Friendlly Communities mailbox.

Happy holidays and best wishes in the new year!

The Four State Community Veterans Engagement Board along with many community veteran centric organizations, partnered together for the 2018 Martinsburg, West Virginia Inaugural Veterans Day Parade.  The veterans in the Martinsburg area have not been honored with a veteran’s day parade in almost 50 years.

With the Martinsburg area being a part of history, “It is important to engage and teach the younger generation the importance of honoring our Veterans, not just on Veterans Day but every day. I have so much respect and am so thankful for the individuals who serve our country, I had the pleasure of leading a team of veterans whose passion is serving other Veterans, each put a lot of hard work and collaboration to make this day special for all involved." stated Jocelyn Doyle, parade committee lead. A huge thank you to: Jailila, Danielle, Sam, Tom, Chris, Bill, Joe, Daniel, and Steve.

Dedicated to honoring our veterans in the hometown of the Martinsburg Veteran Affairs Medical Center the parade included 46 Units, with most being Veteran Centric Organizations. The Woods Motor Club provided twenty antique cars to carry our WWII, Korean, and Vietnam Purple Heart recipients. Veterans from Operation Iraqi Freedom & Operation Enduring Freedom walked as a group, WV National Guard, Martinsburg VAMC firetruck, police, and the 11^th Hour Angels, Mission 22, Grey Wolves, Tristate Submariners, Veterans Home Team - Veterans Homeless to Homeowners, WV Veterans Upward Bound, Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 3285, American Legion Post’s 14, 71, 102 Honor Guard and Legion Riders and Vice Commander, Black out, Agent Orange Truck, Freedom Truck, Dark Night 1^st Responder, Eastern Panhandle transit Authority EPTA, Berkeley County AFJROTC, United Road Warriors Riding Club, Home Helpers, Hedgesville VFD, Martinsburg Roundhouse, Salvation Army, Crooked Creek Farm, school bands, dance teams, cheerleaders, football players, and even Ghostbusters. It was a glorious day, that the Four State CVEB will continue to coordinate every year, just bigger and better creating a long-lasting tradition in honoring our Veterans.

The Four State CVAB feels it is important to take a whole community approach to promote the resource network the Four State CVEB has available for Veterans, Service Members, Caregivers, and Families to develop local solutions and improve outcomes for Veterans.

Denver Veteran’s Community celebrates the 100^th anniversary of the end of WWI - Nov 11^th, 2018

The Department of Veterans Affairs, United Veterans Coalition (UVC), Colorado National Guard, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Civil Air Patrol, Young Marines, and hundreds of others wishing to salute the contributions of Veterans braved the freezing temperature this last Veteran’s day to honor warriors both past and present.  

On the centennial anniversary of the end of the Great War at the 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month, 68-year-old Joseph Dempsey, the son of a WWI Veteran, rang a half ton “honor bell” 11 times to commemorate the Great War.  The tolling bell echoed out over the tens of thousands of snow-covered graves in Fort Logan National Cemetery, where about 300 people faced a driving snow storm to mark the end of “The War to End all Wars.”  

Dennis Orr, first Vice President of the UVC commented that, “The efforts of all these Veterans groups maximizes the collective impact of local, federal, and state agencies working together to improve Veteran outcomes.”

As the commemoration at the cemetery continued, snow fell on the crowd of American, British, and Canadian Veterans, family members, and survivors.  Young volunteers with the Young Marines and Colorado Wing of the Civil Air Patrol shivered as they helped place wreaths that were presented by the Colorado National Guard, British and Canadian Embassies, and the Gold Wives Association. 

A single Howitzer boomed its 21-cannon salute across the cemetery as diplomatic leaders from Colorado, The United Kingdom, and Canada spoke of a forgotten generation who fought a forgotten war through the four years of brutal conflict that would forever alter the world.

“In this place, where row upon row of tombstones mark where the fallen lie in repose, we remember,” said Stephane Lessard, Consulate General of Canada. “We vow today to never forget.”

“Over 40,000 Coloradans served in World War I.” said Major General Michael Loh, 43^rd Adjutant General of the Colorado National Guard.  Over one thousand of those Soldiers died in WWI, many of whom still rest in Europe.  “We must remember - because a nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten.” he said.

An Air Force honor Color Guard fired a volley of shots that ended the ceremonies, attendees then hurried away to the warmth of their cars to the tunes of bag pipes echoing Amazing Grace while reflecting the sacrifice of those that served 100 years ago.

Piedmont Veterans Coalition was appreciated during its Veterans Experience Action Center (VEAC) held in Charlotte, NC on October 10^th – 12^th, 2018. During the three days of the VEAC, over 570 Veterans, military families, caregivers, and survivors had the opportunity to work face-to-face with VA staff, community service providers, and potential employers. Services included benefits claims processing (often receiving same-day decisions), claims representation through Veteran service organizations, enrollment in VA healthcare, counseling through the mobile Vet Center, employment services, and more. The VEAC was the result of a partnership between Mecklenburg County Veterans Services, NCServes- Metrolina, Friendship Ministries Baptist Church, Winston-Salem VBA, and Salisbury VAMC.

Montana Joining Community Forces (JFC) was appreciated at their 5^th annual gala in Helena, MT on October 20^th, 2018. Formed in 2014 and entering the VA’s VFC network in 2016, Montana JCF focuses on six key service areas: wellness, faith, legal, career and education, housing, and financial. Today, more than 20 local organizations partner together as Montana JCF to work towards the common goal of addressing the needs of Veterans, service members, and families. Over the past year they hosted a comprehensive Veterans resource and employment fair, an educational military community provider symposium, and a Christmas dinner for military families. Their gala was a capstone of celebration of a successful year.

Tri-Cities Military Affairs Council (TC-MAC) was appreciated during their monthly CVEB meeting in Kingsport, TN on October 23^rd, 2018. TC-MAC brings together military units, Veteran service organizations, businesses, non-profits, and other community stakeholders to address the needs of the estimated 33,000 Veterans living in Bristol, Johnson City, and Kingsport. TC-MAC is supported by over 120 business and community organizations, including a long-standing relationship with the local VA medical center and national cemetery. Each monthly meeting boasts upwards of 80 local representatives. Current initiatives include emergency financial assistance, Veteran outreach, and suicide prevention.

On November 1^st, 2018, the NYC Metropolitan CVEB, New York Regional Benefits Office (NY RO), and VFCE Directorate hosted the second NYC VetTalkX event (first one under new name) at the NY RO. As part of this event, there was also a VFC event to recognize the NYC Metro CVEB, VA leaders, and other community stakeholders for their efforts in improving outcomes for Veterans and their families. A framed certificate signed by SECVA was presented to the NYC Metro CVEB to show appreciation for their efforts and Jim Wartski offered congratulatory remarks from SECVA as well as his personal observations on the importance of CVEBs generally and to the NYC community specifically.

Highlights of the VetTalkX event included presentations from outstanding community leaders that covered topics as varied as the Army’s “Be, Know, Do” model of leadership and how that translated to personal and professional success in life; a formmerly homeless Veteran turning adversity to success by now running the non-profit organization that once helped her; to an 92 year old Veteran sharing his many decades worth of life-lessons.

The VetTalkX and VFC events were preceded by a national, state, and local benefits overview organized by the NY RO and NYC Metro CVEB.

Upstate Veterans Alliance Network of Greenville/Spartanburg, SC hosted their second annual VetTalkX event on November 29^th, 2018. The event was held at 13 Stripes Brewery, a Veteran-owned business as part of this CVEB’s celebration of Veterans Month. 42 people attended this VetTalkX in-person and early 400 individuals have viewed the livestream of this event to-date. Two Marines, one Airman, and one Soldier shared their stories of how the values, skills, and experiences of military service shaped their lives. The Upstate Veterans Alliance Network previously hosted one of the initial VetTalkX event – under the previous designation StorytellersX – during Veterans month 2017 and was a leading member of the America’s Warrior Partnership CVEB Task Force; receiving their Veteran Friendly Community certificate of appreciation in early 2018.

Did you know that November 2018 was proclaimed by the White House as National Veterans Military Families Month? This was the gateway to many events around the nation focused on Military Families. 

One such event took place on November 27th, 2018 in Washington, DC where Dr. Lynda Davis (and VA staff) attended the first Heroes & History Makers: An Evening with Elizabeth and Bob Dole.  This event will now be an annual recognition where hundreds of advocates and supporters from across the country recognize the unwavering devotion of the courageous military caregivers who are the nation’s hidden heroes. 

While there were many notable personalities such as the Hidden Heroes Campaign Chair, Tom Hanks; Speaker-designate Pelosi and U. S. Senator Susan Collins received awards for their advocacy on Capitol Hill. 

The evening was really focused on those hidden heroes who take care of military service members and Veterans who are unable to care for themselves.  VEO is the program office sponsor for the Veterans’ Family, Caregivers, and Survivors Advisory Committee (their Chair is Senator Elizabeth Dole).  The Committee recently submitted twelve recommendations to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs that will aid in filling gaps for those who are Veterans’ families, caregivers, and survivors. 

Pictured from this event is Dr. Lynda Davis, Chief, Veterans Experience Office; Melissa Comeau, a member of the Veterans’ Family, Caregivers, and Survivors Advisory Committee; and, Dr. Betty Moseley-Brown, Chief, VEO Federal Advisory Committee Division. 

If you’d like to know more about this Advisory Committee, visit https://www.va.gov/ADVISORY/Veterans_Family_Caregiver_and_Survivor_Advisory_Committee.asp.