Veterans' Health Conference Pushes Community Dialogue

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1 M a r c h 2, V O L U M E 2, I S S U E 3 Page 1-2: Veterans Health Conference Pushes Community Dialogue Page 2: State Veterans Service Officer Retires after Years of Service Page 3: New Training Supports Veteran Service Officers Page 4 5: 1$ Million Gift to Launch Vet Support Plan Page 6: Racial Integration in the Marine Corps Page 7: VA Hospital Nurse Gives Vet the Shoes Off His Feet Page 9: New Group Joins Ranks as Veteran Service Officers Page 10: Employment Opportunities Veterans Homes Update (Jan, 2015) -Black Mountain- 95 residents 8 admissions -Fayetteville- 140 residents 16 admissions -Kinston- 81 residents 8 admissions -Salisbury- 96 residents 13 admissions Veterans Cemeteries UPDATE May Our Brothers and Sisters Rest in Peace (Jan. 2015) -Black Mountain- 38 burials -Jacksonville- 35 burials -Spring Lake- 30 burials Veterans' Health Conference Pushes Community Dialogue Charlotte, N.C. Some paused at the door to knock the remnants of an unexpected snow flurry from their coats as dozens filed into the Cone Center last Tuesday morning for a conference on veterans health. Hosted by the College of Health and Human Services and headlined by the Director of North Carolina s Veterans Affairs, Ilario Pantano and retired Major General Marianne Mathewson- Chapman, the meeting focused on how a better understanding of veteran culture and a holistic approach to healthcare can improve both its quality and accessibility for veterans. Veterans health is an issue that resonates deeply in North Carolina; the state is home to more than 800,000 veterans, and the third-largest military force in the country. Despite this, Pantano said North Carolina hasn t always been veteran friendly. Pantano s administration has responded to historical shortcomings by developing a strategy he says will turn North Carolina into the nation s most veteran friendly state. He outlined the plan in a presentation to an audience that included veterans, healthcare professionals, academics, and concerned citizens. Pantano said NCDVA s four-prong strategy focuses on 1) upgrading the efficiency of its own operations; 2) improving cooperation between agencies; 3) better communicating with veterans across the state and; 4) pushing a renewed legislative agenda. Pantano is a former Marine Sniper and Platoon Commander who served during the Persian Gulf War and in Iraq following the 2003 U.S. invasion. Under his leadership, NCDVA has taken steps to pursue its strategic agenda. The agency is active in the Governor s Working Group on North Carolina veterans. It has also launched a jobs initiative and a campaign intended to improve communications with the state s veterans. Major General Mathewson-Chapman, former Deputy Surgeon General for the National Guard, spoke about the importance of a holistic service delivery model. Mathewson-Chapman argued veterans wellness should be broadly defined to encompass needs met by both health and social services. Housing, financial, legal, employment, and family needs must all be addressed in a comprehensive veteran s healthcare network, she said. A tension between competing realities may be behind some of the flaws in current programs. The system must respond to a vast array of experiences and needs while simultaneously providing a comprehensible experience to individual veterans. The former concern has prompted the creation of a bewildering web of agencies and organizations tasked with providing specific services, while the latter seems to demand just the opposite as veterans often express frustration with program overlap and bureaucratic inefficiency. Christine Elnitski is Chair of UNC Charlotte s Academy for Veteran and Military Health and a conference organizer. Dr. Elnitski said veterans healthcare reform will require an effort coordinated across many professional disciplines and levels of government. The diverse needs of service members, veterans, and their families will require federal, state and local community service collaboration and coordination so these individuals may successfully transition back into roles as students, employees and family and community members, (Continued on page 2) w w w. d o a. n c. g o v - ( ) N C 4 - V E T S ( )

2 M A R C H 2, Pg. 2 REGIONAL NEWS (Continued from page 1) MOUNTAIN REGION she said. Facilitating interaction between service members, veterans, families, community members and the academic community is vitally important to our understanding and coordination of holistic services for this diverse population. The conference, which included an audience Q & A with a panel of local health and social services providers, also addressed the need to supply culturally competent assistance. Panelists included Mecklenburg County Veterans Services Director James Prosser and Caregiver Support Coordinator Debra Volkmer. Dr. Elnitski noted that UNC Charlotte is a natural environment for an energetic conversation on veterans healthcare to be taking place. Universities have a long tradition of fostering dialogue and providing education regarding diverse populations and their health and healthcare issues, she said. Universities are the discoverers in health research, development of evidence-based treatments and innovative delivery system designs to support diverse population health. Dean Nancy Fey-Yensan captured this spirit, and the prevailing attitude of the morning in her opening remarks to the conference, noting It is our time, our turn, and our privilege to serve those that have served us. State Veterans Service Officer Retires after 42 Years of Service L to R: Vicky Putnam, Eddie Padgett and Karen Medford. Canton, N.C. After spending four years in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS John Kennedy, Eddie Padgett returned to North Carolina where he would serve 29 years assisting those who also served our country at the VAMC in Asheville. In 2006, Eddie joined the North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs serving the last nine years as a Veteran Service Officer where he is currently the Office Manager of the Canton Veterans Service Center. On February 20th, 24 colleagues gathered at the a local Applebee's to not only applaud him for his service to our nation, but for his continues service to Veterans. Mr. Padgett tearfully commented Serving Veterans has been an honor, and I have enjoyed every second of it. I cant thank enough everyone I have had the pleasure of working with over the last 42 years, this has truly been a meaningful experience. Vicky Putnam, a Veteran Service Technician in the Canton office stated, Everyone that ever came into this office loved Eddie, he had always made time for them, even working late hours and weekends on end.at times. That s just the type of guy Eddie was, a true friend. We wish to thank Mr. Padgett for a job well done and for making a difference the lives of so many Veterans, their family members and so many others. We wish him the best in his retirement. Upcoming Events Announcements March 11, 2015 Asheville Regional N.C. MVP Meeting 1:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. Located at the NG Armory 100 Minuteman Drive Asheville, N.C. March 11, 2015 Asheville VAMC Town Hall 5:00 p.m. Located in the Atrium (Basement Level) of the VA Medical Center March 30, 2015 Salisbury VAMC VSO Briefing 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Located at the Salisbury VAMC, Bldg. 6 Social Room

3 M A R C H 2, Pg. 3 REGIONAL NEWS MOUNTAIN REGION New Training Supports Veteran Service Officers Last month County Veteran Service Officers and the North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs (NCDVA) staff received training from the Veterans Benefits Administration, Change Management Agent -Winston-Salem, Taylor Martiez. Mr. Martiez discussed the importance of Veterans obtaining a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Card, as well as conducting training on the Stakeholders Enterprise Portal (SEP) and ebenefits. Both SEP s and ebenefits are extremely vital in our day-to-day operations when it comes to supporting our Veterans. The training provides both state and county Veteran Service Officers (VSO) with the latest information on how to navigate these systems, so that in-turn, we can better assist veterans with questions ranging from disability claims to education benefits, said Janene McGee, NCDVA Regional Manager. Mr. Taylor had also provided a live demo on how to navigate the Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS). The training that he provided was very helpful and insightful on the different programs available for accredited service officers, McGee added. In addition to the training received by Mr. Martiez, Region I, received training on part one of a three part series regarding VA Appeals. Parts II and III will be provided at future Regional trainings throughout the year. The States Veterans Affairs Training Coordinator, Brandon Wilson, was also in attendance, handing out the State s Division of Veterans Affair s 2014 Annual Report. The report shows a 113% increase from 2013 in disability claims completed by both state and county Veterans Service Officers while highlighting the state s new NC4VETS initiative. Veteran Service Officers were also able to stock up on NC4VETS Resource Guides, a new guide promoting a wide range of Benefits, Services and Resources available to North Carolina Veterans. According to Mr. Wilson, These Regional schools continue to provide feedback from the field and promote teamwork in order to share solutions and resources. It also provides Veteran Service Officers the opportunity to network, enhancing their outreach services for Veterans. As the Mountain Region s State Veterans Service Officers continue to further and develop interagency relationships, collaborating with fellow county and federal counterparts. McGee commented I think that I can speak on behalf of our entire Region, the relationship that we have established with Mr. Martiez and the Winston-Salem Regional Office is unlike any other. Most importantly, there is a mutual respect, which is definitely needed, as we continue to work together with the same vision in mind. Upcoming Events Announcements March 11, 2015 Asheville Regional N.C. MVP Meeting 1:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. Located at the NG Armory 100 Minuteman Drive Asheville, N.C. March 11, 2015 Asheville VAMC Town Hall 5:00 p.m. Located in the Atrium (Basement Level) of the VA Medical Center March 30, 2015 Salisbury VAMC VSO Briefing 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Located at the Salisbury VAMC, Bldg. 6 Social Room

4 M A R C H 2, Pg. 4 REGIONAL NEWS PIEDMONT REGION $1 Million Gift to Launch Vet Support Plan Walmart Foundation aims to help city aid those newly discharged The Walmart foundation recently announced that it s giving $1 million to put Charlotte at the forefront of a new approach to helping recently discharged veterans connect more easily to jobs, services and educational opportunities. The Walmart Foundation says additional grant money in the hundreds of thousands of dollars could be given to local agencies that provide key services for the initiative. The three-year initiative is called Welcome Home North Carolina, and it will operate under the guidance of the Institute for Veterans and Military Families, a New York-based organization that solves issues facing former service personnel and their families. Among the institute s responsibilities will be distributing the $1 million, said Jim McDonough of the Institute for Veterans and Military Families. Our approach in America to helping veterans is very fragmented and this is a chance for North Carolina to lead the nation in changing that way of thinking, he said. What makes Charlotte the right place to start is that it is already working hard to address this issue. The community is energized, including the private, public and nonprofit sectors. Supporters are likening the initiative to Charlotte s recently adopted coordinated assessment plan for the homeless, which linked local agencies to create a communitywide homeless services system. Welcome Home North Carolina calls for all programs that aid vets and their families to join forces, even to the point of holding one another accountable in cases where the system fails to help a veteran as expected, representatives said. A rollout of the initiative is set for later this summer, including a website to show veterans all the services available to them in the region. Lesser-known agencies that provide such services will be added to the site as they are identified. A national search by the Walmart Foundation revealed Charlotte is ahead of many other communities in its work to coordinate services for veterans, said Kathleen McLaughlin, president of the Walmart Foundation. She specifically cited the work of Charlotte Bridge Home, a nonprofit created in 2012 to help recently discharged vets return to civilian life. This includes identifying their needs and connecting them to jobs, educational opportunities and social or health services. McLaughlin also lauded the city s corporate community, singling out Bank of America for its support of veterans causes. The bank has committed more than $800,000 in the past year to support organizations helping vets, including Charlotte Bridge Home and the Central Piedmont Community College Veteran s Resource Center. Representatives of Charlotte Bridge Home (Continued on page 5) Upcoming Events Announcements March 5, 2015 Mocksville Veteran s Coffee 8:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Sagebrush Steakhouse Mocksville, N.C. March 5, 2015 Veterans Assistance Clinic 3:30 p.m. 6:30p.m. Salisbury VAMC Building 6, Social Room 2 nd Weds of every month Charlotte Veterans Network Luncheon 11:45 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Dilworth Neighborhood Grille 911 E Morehead St, Charlotte, N.C. March 28, 2015 RUN AS ONE TeamRWB, Team Rubicon, Mission Continues, and Charlotte Bridge Home Meet every 4 th Monday Military Women Voices of Victory American Red Cross 5:00 p.m. 7:15 p.m Park Rd. Charlotte N.C. Contact Yvonne McJetters

5 M A R C H 2, Pg. 5 REGIONAL NEWS PIEDMONT REGION (Continued from page 4) will be among 275 local, state and national veteran advocates at the Charlotte Convention Center Tuesday when Welcome Home North Carolina is unveiled. About 40,000 organizations have been formed in recent years to help the military deal with transitioning back into civilian life, but how do veterans discover which of those organizations is the one they need to go to? McLaughlin said. It s not just a matter of finding jobs, health services or housing. A lot of research has shown there s a great divide in society s understanding of the military experience and how challenging it is to transition back into civilian life. The Charlotte initiative is the second program of its type kicked off in recent weeks. The first, in New York City, was launched six weeks ago, also with help from the Institute for Veterans and Military Families. Charlotte has been identified by veterans advocates as a magnet city for former military personnel looking for higherpaying jobs and a lower cost of living. In all, there are 148,000 vets in the area, including a wave of up to 10,000 who moved here in , experts say. Statistics show as many as 25,000 area veterans are low-income, with 3,100 in danger of being homeless. In the next few months, a local quarterback agency will be selected to lead Welcome Home North Carolina, and money will be provided for it to add staff, representatives said. Among those under consideration is Charlotte Bridge Home, which first attracted the Walmart Foundation s attention when it convened a meeting of local veteran services agencies in September. The intent of that meeting was to better coordinate veterans services, spot duplication and search for gaps in the system. Charlotte Bridge Home with a staff of seven and an annual budget of $600,000 has already created partnerships with 100 community service agencies that help veterans. And it has enrolled 54 veteran-friendly employers in an alliance of companies that are working to hire and retain veterans. Still, Cindi Basenspiler, head of Charlotte Bridge Home, says the agency s efforts have been fledgling because it didn t have enough money to go big. That s about to change with the Walmart grant, which she says calls for Charlotte agencies to link up with those in 10 surrounding North Carolina counties. This initiative will crystallize our ability to provide needed services, track outcomes and improve our processes, she said in a statement. If all goes as planned in the next three years, Welcome Home North Carolina will spread to three other regions of the state, starting with the Raleigh-Durham area, officials said. Local agencies working with the effort will include the American Red Cross and the Veterans Services Division of Mecklenburg County Community Support Services. The latter is responsible for ensuring the 57,000 veterans in Mecklenburg County are aware of their benefits on the federal, state and local level. Stacy Lowry of Mecklenburg County Support Services says her office connected local veterans with $23 million in direct compensation last year. Lowry says the new initiative will allow our community to no longer place the onus on the veteran and their family to navigate the system, looking for resources. Trained staff... who have knowledge of all the participating agencies will be able to connect veterans more quickly to services they need.

6 Pg. 6 MARCH 2, 2015 REGIONAL NEWS CENTRAL REGION Racial Integration in the Marine Corps By Paul Peeples, SSgt USMC, Ret. The Marine Corps began enlisting Black Americans in June of A separate training facility was established at Montford Point, as part of Camp Lejeune, just outside the town of Jacksonville, North Carolina. The 51st Composite Defense Battalion, composed of White Officers and Black Enlisted men, was activated there in August, Its enlisted ranks included former U.S. Army Lieutenant George A. Jackson and Gilbert H. Hashmark Johnson, who had already served in the U.S. Army and Navy, later rising to the rank of Sergeant Major. Montford Point would later be named Camp Johnson in his honor. The 52nd, a defense battalion, was soon formed along with 51 depot companies and 12 ammunition companies, all segregated. The defense battalions had artillery, anti-aircraft guns and heavy machine guns for the protection of forward bases. The depot and ammunition companies provided combat logistic support and other labor such as loading and unloading ships. In the course of the Second World War, 19,168 blacks would enlist in the Marine Corps. Over twelve thousand would serve in the Pacific Theater. Ammunition Company would also be awarded a Presidential Unit Commendation for its service in that battle. The 6th Ammunition Company, along with the 33rd, 34th and 36th Depot Companies would all receive Navy Unit Commendations during the Iwo Jima campaign in Frederick C. Branch, of Hamlet, N.C. would become the Marine Corps' first Black officer on November 10, 1945, receiving a 2ndLt's commission in the Reserves. He had previously served with the 51st Defense Battalion, returning to active service during the Korean War. Thomas H. McPhatter, of Lumberton, N.C. left his studies at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, N.C. to join the Marines in World War II. As a Sergeant, he served as an instructor at Montford Point and then with the 8th Ammunition Company on Iwo Jima. Returning to his studies after the war, he would become an ordained Presbyterian Minister and the United States Navy's first Black Chaplain. When he retired at the rank of Captain (0-6) in 1983, he was the last of the Montford Point Marines to serve on active duty. Post World War II downsizing would see the numbers of Blacks in the Corps go down to about 1,500 enlisted, or 2% of the total strength. President Harry S. Truman signed an Executive Order in 1948 to desegregate all United States Armed Forces, however, integration was still a work in progress when the Marine Corps mobilized to go to Korea in the summer of The Commanding General of the 1st Marine Division, General Oliver P. Smith, would later say: I had a thousand Black Marines in The first amphibious assault they participated in was on Saipan in June of After which, Korea. Two won the Navy Cross; many the Commandant, General A. A. Vandergrift would Silver Star and Bronze Star Medals. They did everything, and they did a good job because say; The Negro Marines are no longer on trial. They are Marines, period. The 3rd they were integrated and they were with good -Daniel Hackley N o r t h C a r o l i n a D i v i s i o n o f V e t e r a n s A ff a i r s Upcoming Events Announcements * These events will require Pre-registration; Please call: (910) /1458 or1944 between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. between Thursday and Saturday. March 3, 2015 "The Fall of Fayetteville: March 1865". Exhibit opens 10 a.m. at the Fayetteville Transportation and Local History Museum,. March 7, 2015 Fayetteville Civil War Bus Tour. Fayetteville Transportation and Local History Museum 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Tour starts at the Museum. It will involve a live fire cannon demonstration and moderate walking. $3.00 fee per person. people. There would be 19 Black Officers in the Marine Corps by The enlisted ranks would swell to 14,468, 6% of the total strength of the Marine Corps by July of NCDVA Director: Ilario Pantano (844) NC4-VETS ( )

7 M A R C H 2, Pg. 7 REGIONAL NEWS CENTRAL REGION VA Hospital Nurse Gives Vet the Shoes Off His Feet RALEIGH, N.C. Chuck Maulden went beyond the medical protocol in treating a man who came to the hospital's emergency department with huge blisters on his feet. Maulden, 33, had been working in the emergency department at the Salisbury (N.C.) Veterans Affairs Medical Center for just a couple of months when a patient came in near the end of his shift one night. The man appeared to be in his mid-60s, Maulden said, and he was there because his feet were causing him such pain he could hardly walk. The man took off his tattered tennis shoes, and Maulden could see the soles were worn through and coming unglued. The balls of his feet were covered in huge blisters, and his compression stockings had matted to the skin where the blisters had drained. A doctor instructed Maulden to bandage his feet and give him fresh stockings. I tried to take care of him medically as best I could, Maulden said, washing the veteran s feet with soap and water drying them and wrapping them carefully with a bandage that wouldn t stick to his wounds. As he did so, the man talked a little. "I got the impression that he didn't always had a roof over his head," Maulden said, that he stayed in hotels when he could, and that maybe he slept on the street at times. Most of his family had given up on him, he told Maulden, but his nephew still cared enough to bring him to the hospital that night for treatment. Homelessness remains a major issue for veterans, and the Salisbury VA hospital serves its share - 4,227 last year, said Jennifer Herb, director of health care for homeless veterans at the Salisbury VA. Often, Herb said, those veterans have multiple issues, including medical problems, mental health conditions and substance addictions. Maulden finished dressing his patient's feet, fetched him a fresh pair of socks and extras for later. Then he looked at those worn-out shoes. The Salisbury VA has several clothing closets where it can refer patients in need, but none of those are open at 11 p.m. So Maulden quietly pulled off one of his own still-new Nikes. He put it on the veteran's foot and asked, "How does that feel?" "It feels good," the man told him. "I need to get me some of these." Maulden looked at the man's nephew, then took off his other shoe and laced it onto the veteran's other foot. He filled out the discharge paperwork and told the man he could go. "Don't forget to get your shoes back," the man said. Instead, Maulden said he gave the man a hug. With about an hour to go, Maulden put a pair of medical shoe covers over his feet and finished his shift. No one would have known about the gift had the nephew not called the medical center later to express his thanks. Maulden, who worked in another local hospital's emergency department for eight years before he came to the VA, never spent time in the military but enjoys working with those who did. Upcoming Events Announcements March 10, 2015 Monroe's Crossroads 150th Anniversary Bus Tour, Fayetteville Transportation and Local History Museum, 12-4 p.m Participant will receive and interpretive tour of this cavalry battle on the actual date that it occurred. Participants will travel by bus to the battlefield on Fort Bragg and it will involve moderate walking. $3.00 fee per person. March 14-15, 2015 "Destruction of the Fayetteville Arsenal". Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex, Fayetteville, N.C. Living History and other events. March 16, 2015 Author Wade Sokolosky will discuss his book on Sherman's campaign from Fayetteville to Averasboro. No Such Army Since the Days of Julius Caesar, Starting at 7 p.m. Cape Fear Regional Theater. March 21-22, 2015 "The Battle of Bentonville Re enactment". Bentonville Battle Field State Historic Site, Fair Oak, N.C. Visit:

8 Pg. 8 MARCH 2, 2015 REGIONAL NEWS COASTAL REGION Upcoming Events Announcements Triad Veteran s Coffee Events The Triad Veterans Coffee events are open to veterans of all ages. Around the country and here in North Carolina, the popular Coffee events are an opportunity for our local veterans to connect, or re-connect with other veterans, share stories and enjoy free coffee, donuts and conversation. Various organizations who provide support for veterans will also be invited to attend the events to share information about their programs. March 5, 2015, Mocksville 1st Thursday of each month Sagebrush Steakhouse 1562 Yadkinville Rd., 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. March 12, 2015, Greensboro 2nd Thursday of each month Outback Steakhouse Four Seasons Town Center 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. March 19, 2015, Winston-Salem 3rd Thursday of each month Outback Steakhouse 505 Highland Oaks Drive 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. March 26, 2015, King 4th Thursday of each month Town & Country restaurant 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. For more information call (336) Daniel Hackley N o r t h C a r o l i n a D i v i s i o n o f V e t e r a n s A ff a i r s NCDVA Director: Ilario Pantano (844) NC4-VETS ( )

9 M A R C H 2, Pg. 9 Page 1-2: Veterans Health Conference Pushes Community Dialogue Page 2: State Veterans Service Officer Retires after Years of Service Page 3: New Training Supports Veteran Service Officers Page 4 5: 1$ Million Gift to Launch Vet Support Plan Page 6: Racial Integration in the Marine Corps Page 7: VA Hospital Nurse Gives Vet the Shoes Off His Feet Page 9: New Group Joins Ranks as Veteran Service Officers Page 10: Employment Opportunities New Group Joins Ranks as Veteran Service Officers (Left to right:, Andrea Lamonds (Montgomery County), Erin Lee (Surry County), Erin Kyle (Cabarrus County), Crystal Anderson (Region II Training Officer), Jeramiah Hampton (Alleghany County), James McMinn and Mark Antonitis (State Service Office.) Clemmons, N.C.- Friday the 13 th did not scare six Veteran Service Officers (VSO) from passing the North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs Accreditation test. The Piedmont Region (Region II) concluded it s initial training and accreditation on Friday, February 13, at the Clemmons Veterans Service Center (VSC). The six VSO s reviewed over a three day period, spending nearly 24 classroom hours before taking the 100 question test. The initial training contains a vast array of VA knowledge to include compensation and pension, VA Medical Care, Education, Appeals, N.C. State Benefits, Housing and more. The Training program has definitely improved since the NCDVA Training & State Veterans Service Office state s Division of Veterans Affairs completed it s reorganization, commented Veterans Affairs Training Coordinator, Brandon Wilson. The re-organization has established four Regional Training Managers who are now specifically dedicated to overseeing an assigned region of North Carolina. These new positions provide local county and state Veteran Service Officers with greater access to up-todate changes in VA policies and Veterans Benefits. Having Regional Manager s also ensures that each region is improving, allowing regional trainers to be solely dedicated to this important facet of NCDVA operations, and allowing Veteran Service Officers to become more proficient in the field. Region I Training Officer, Crystal Anderson, who assisted in the test, has done a remarkable job, stated Mr. Wilson; and the six VSO s test scores are proof of their knowledge of Veterans benefits and programs, and are now ready to start providing quality assistance to the Veterans of North Carolina he added. Upcoming Training Announcements Regional Training Agenda March 4, 2015 Martin County Veterans Service Office 205 E. Main Street Williamston, N.C March 11, 2015 N.C. State Veterans Home 214 Cochran Ave. Fayetteville, N.C March 18, 2015 N.C. State Veterans Home 2150 Hull Road Kinston, N.C March 25, 2015 Durham County Veteran Service Office Durham, N.C. Topics: PIV Cards, General Counsel Accreditation, VA Choice Cards, Stakeholder Enterprises Portal (SEP), VBMS updates, NC Nursing Homes, Appeals A huge congratulations to these VSO s, Andrea Lamonds (Montgomery County), Erin Lee (Surry County), Erin Kyle (Cabarrus County), Jeramiah Hampton (Alleghany County), James McMinn and Mark Antonitis (State Service Office.

10 M a r c h 2, Pg. 10 E mployment Op p o rtunities Page 1-2: Veterans Health Conference Pushes Community Dialogue Page 2: State Veterans Service Officer Retires after Years of Service Page 3: New Training Supports Veteran Service Officers Page 4 5: 1$ Million Gift to Launch Vet Support Plan Page 6: Racial Integration in the Marine Corps Page 7: VA Hospital Nurse Gives Vet the Shoes Off His Feet Page 9: New Group Joins Ranks as Veteran Service Officers Page 10: Employment Opportunities The following employers are seeking Veterans for employment: Amidon Contracting Solutions 3319 Heritage Trade Dr, Wake Forest, NC (919) Appalachian State University The Office of Human Resources Employment 330 University Hall Dr. Boone, NC Employment@appstate.edu To check postings or to create an online application, go to: Department of Human Resources Maria Torain Byrd Human Resources Consultant, Employment 206-A Hubbard-Totton Building North Carolina Central University Durham, NC Telephone: Granite Construction 1011 Schaub Drive Suite B Raleigh, NC (919) Lord Corporation 111 Lord Dr. Cary NC (919) Pepsi Bottling Ventures Mike Tull HR Manager Northern DivisionW Warrior Bridge A Service Source Program 600 Ames Street Fayetteville, NC Phone: (910) , North Carolina State University Police Department Box 7220 NCSU; 2610 Wolf Village Way Raleigh, NC Sgt. J. L. Talley, Recruiter jltalle2@ncsu.edu To check postings or to create an online application, go to: Huron Consulting Group Paul Abrahms Corp VP, Talent Acquisition (312) NC Commerce *Occupational Statistics offers detailed wage and estimated employment information for occupations based on occupational title or description and geography. To find out more, vistit: accessnc.commerce.state.nc.us US Federal Properties Christopher L. Nelson, CPM Director of Property Management 4706 Broadway, Suite 240 Kansas City, MO Office (816) Fax (816) cnelson@usfpco.com Southern Concrete Materials Gary L Gresh-Vice President, HR/Safety 35 Meadow Road, Asheville, NC ggresh@scmusa.com 31 locations in three states, NC, SC, and Ga **Positions open for Hiring CDL Drivers, Office, clerical, Shop Mechanics and Management-submit resumes to above. Visit:

11 M a r c h 2, Operation Anaconda launched in 2002 Navy Reserves Birthday Veterans Assistance Clinic Salisbury VAMC 3:30 6:30 p.m. Fayetteville Civil War Bus Tour Fayetteville History Museum 9:00-1:00 p.m Monroe s Crossroads Bus Tour Fayetteville, N.C. 12:00 4:00 p.m. Ft. Bragg Job Fair 10:00 2:00 p.m. Bldg K 9 Veterans Day Destruction of the Fayetteville Arsenal Cape Fear Historical Complex Fayetteville, N.C American Legion s Birthday National Day of Honor Iraq War began in 2003 Battle of Bentonville Re-enactment Fair Oak, N.C Battle of Bentonville Re-enactment Fair Oak, N.C. 82 Airborne reactivated in 1942 Veteran s Coffee Event King, N.C. 8:30 10:30 a.m. Veterans Road Tour Asheville, N.C Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans

12 M a r c h 2, Page 1-2: Veterans Health Conference Pushes Community Dialogue Page 2: State Veterans Service Officer Retires after Years of Service Page 3: New Training Supports Veteran Service Officers Page 4 5: 1$ Million Gift to Launch Vet Support Plan Page 6: Racial Integration in the Marine Corps Page 7: VA Hospital Nurse Gives Vet the Shoes Off His Feet Page 9: New Group Joins Ranks as Veteran Service Officers Page 10: Employment Opportunities

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16 March 2, 2015 Page 1-2: Veterans Health Conference Pushes Community Dialogue Visit to Download Your Copy Today! Page 2: State Veterans Service Officer Retires after Years of Service Employment Page 3: New Training Supports Veteran Service Officers Page 4 5: 1$ Million Gift to Launch Vet Support Plan Healthcare Page 6: Racial Integration in the Marine Corps Page 7: VA Hospital Nurse Gives Vet the Shoes Off His Feet Page 9: New Group Joins Ranks as Veteran Service Officers Page 10: Employment Opportunities Education Claims Housing Personal Services Veterans Homes Cemeteries Working Group -Daniel Hackley N o r t h C a r o l i n a D i v i s i o n o f V e t e r a n s A ff a i r s NCDVA Director: Ilario Pantano (844) NC4-VETS ( )