April 2023 Report
Things you should know: No Compensation Cut Although the Congressional Budget Office proposed cutting compensation for veterans for earn more than $170,000 a year, VA Secretary Denis McDonough shot down the idea, saying the VA does not “think that's a good idea.” “We think it's a bad idea, and we're not going to do it. You have my commitment that we won't do it,” he said. Transition Employment Assistance for Military Spouses and Caregivers (TEAMS) TEAMS is a series of Department of Labor employment workshops that extend the Department’s Transition Assistance Program to assist military spouses and caregivers as they plan and prepare for their job search in pursuit of their employment goals. See https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/tap/teams-workshops?utm_campaign=ves-newsletter&utm_medium=email-March-2023&utm_source=govdelivery for more details. Women Veterans Conference This year’s MVAA Women Veterans Conference will be held Oct. 19-22 at the beautiful UAW Black Lake Conference Center. This event will be half conference and half retreat. See https://www.michigan.gov/mvaa/women-veterans, for updates. MASKS! Masks are no longer required at community outpatient clinics, like ours in Howell, though they are still encouraged. They are still mandatory in Ann Arbor. Free PGA Pro Golf Training PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is the flagship military program of PGA REACH, the charitable foundation of the PGA of America. PGA HOPE introduces golf to Veterans and Active Duty Military to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. This is a free six to eight week training program for veterans. Call (517) 641-7421 or go to https://www.pga.com/pga-hope/michigan for more information. Add your people to VA Video Health Sessions Just as you could bring people to your in-person appointments, you may also bring them to your video appointments. Just let your provider know to send an invite to them via email. |
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Yes, American Legion Post 141 is a nonprofit501 (c) (19) tax-exempt organization, and all contributions are tax-deductible according to IRS regulations. |
New Veterans Crisis
Line Number 988
Signed into law in 2020, the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act authorized 988 as the new three-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. All telephone service providers in the U.S. must activate the number no later than July 2022; however, many providers will choose to implement the service sooner. Once a Veteran's telephone service provider makes 988 available, Veterans can use this new option by dialing 988 and pressing 1 to contact the Veterans Crisis Line. Veterans may still reach the Veterans Crisis Line with the current phone number — 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1 — by text (838255), and through chat (VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat).
REAL TALK - AFGHAN WAR VETERANS
Post 141 is not only open for Friday Night Fish Frys, burgers and other fun events, we're here for you...our fellow Veterans. Veterans from all eras are reacting to the events in Afghanistan, such as the U.S withdrawal and the takeover by the Taliban.
You are not alone.
Veterans may question the meaning of their service or whether it was worth the sacrifices they made. They may feel more moral distress about experiences they had during their service. It’s normal to feel this way. Talk with your friends and families, reach out to battle buddies, connect with a peer-to-peer network, or sign up for mental health services. Scroll down for a list common reactions and coping advice.
Afghanistan: How Veterans can learn from Vietnam Veterans
https://blogs.va.gov/.../afghanistan-how-veterans-can.../
PTSD Online Coaching Tools
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/apps/ptsdcoachonline/default.htm
Veterans Crisis Line - If you are having thoughts of suicide, call 1-800-273-8255, then PRESS 1 or visit http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/
Vet Centers - Discuss how you feel with other Veterans in these community-based counseling centers. 70% of Vet Center staff are Veterans.
Call 1-877-927-8387 or find one near you.
Post 141 is not only open for Friday Night Fish Frys, burgers and other fun events, we're here for you...our fellow Veterans. Veterans from all eras are reacting to the events in Afghanistan, such as the U.S withdrawal and the takeover by the Taliban.
You are not alone.
Veterans may question the meaning of their service or whether it was worth the sacrifices they made. They may feel more moral distress about experiences they had during their service. It’s normal to feel this way. Talk with your friends and families, reach out to battle buddies, connect with a peer-to-peer network, or sign up for mental health services. Scroll down for a list common reactions and coping advice.
Afghanistan: How Veterans can learn from Vietnam Veterans
https://blogs.va.gov/.../afghanistan-how-veterans-can.../
PTSD Online Coaching Tools
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/apps/ptsdcoachonline/default.htm
Veterans Crisis Line - If you are having thoughts of suicide, call 1-800-273-8255, then PRESS 1 or visit http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/
Vet Centers - Discuss how you feel with other Veterans in these community-based counseling centers. 70% of Vet Center staff are Veterans.
Call 1-877-927-8387 or find one near you.
