7-Eleven is a corporation known for its support of veterans. In January, the company expanded its patriotism by launching the first ever corporation giveaway. The company invited veterans to apply to a contest called Operation: Take Command. The winner of the contest would be given his or her own franchise of 7-Eleven to manage without having to pay the franchise fee, which adds up to nearly $190,000. Over 1,200 veterans applied and went through an interview, leadership tests, Facebook video submissions and credit checks. Of those 1,200, the corporation narrowed it down to three finalists.
Out of the three highly qualified finalists, Navy veteran Mark Anthony Page of Gransbury, Texas, was declared the winner. Gransbury was awarded with the management of a 7-Eleven store in Burelson, Texas.
"Mark Anthony represents what we look for in a franchisee," Greg Franks, vice president of 7-Eleven Franchise Systems, told Military.com. "He's smart, hard-working and a servant leader. Mark Anthony also is one of many highly qualified, retired military veterans that are joining the 7-Eleven Franchisee ranks this year."
The 2015 Operation: Take Command contest was the first of its kind, and the corporation has plans to hold more in the future.
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, otherwise known as JPL, is responsible for creating some of the world's most important technologies. Most recently, the JPL team has been working on an artificial intelligence device called AUDREY. According to FCW, the device, formally recognized as Assistant for Understanding Data through Reasoning, Extraction, and sYnthesis, was designed to filter through copious amounts of information and data to "achieve situational awareness."
AUDREY is a cloud-based software that is compatible with most personal computers. It is capable of using known data to conduct research to draw certain conclusions like the human brain, thus making it qualified to be called artificial intelligence. Recently, JPL has begun to loan the AUDREY technology to first responders to improve their effectiveness.
FCW stated that firefighters using AUDREY would not only be able to know where a fire broke out faster than before, but also who lived in the area and the hazards they may encounter along the way. Police stations utilizing the AI tech may have an easier time locating criminals, as AUDREY would have access to criminal databases, facial recognition software and traffic cameras.
AUDREY presents an interesting potential for the future of first responder technologies, but there are still many issues to work out.
Firefighters, police officers and emergency service workers serve the community year-round by laying their lives on the line to protect others. During the month of September, several of Florida's biggest attractions have gotten together to offer free admission to first responders as a show of gratitude. Busch Gardens Tampa and SeaWorld Orlando are two of the main parks inviting first responders from Florida to come and enjoy a day for free.
Not only are the parks granting free passes to these community heroes, but they are also giving them the option to purchase up to four discounted tickets for friends and family members.
Jim Dean, the president of Busch Gardens Tampa, told NBC Miami, "This special offer is our way to show our support and appreciation for the commitment and dedication of Florida's first responders."
President of SeaWorld Orlando Donnie Mills told News 10 that he hoped the first responders would be able to come to the parks to relax and spend time with their families.
To participate in the offer, first responders must register on the parks' websites using the ID.me verification system. Other attractions offering free admission include LEGOLAND, Madame Tussaud's and the Orlando Eye.
Upper Arlington, Ohio, native Pete Cline never served in the military, but he has served at the racetrack his whole life. Cline was involved with motorcycle racing for over 10 years before he started a nonprofit called VETMotorsports. The organization's goal is to empower veterans who were disabled in combat by giving them the opportunity to be involved in professional motorsports. Through VETMotorsports, former servicemembers have the opportunity to get behind the wheel in amateur car races or work in the pit crew at a professional race.
The Columbus Dispatch reported that Cline got the idea for his nonprofit while watching an episode of "Top Gear" that involved veterans. From then on, he wanted to include the former servicemembers in the high-adrenaline world of racing to help them feel useful and included again.
"[The experience] gives you a sense of purpose," Josh Henderson, an Army veteran from the area, told The Columbus Dispatch. "It gives you that team environment. And it's a lot more controlled than being in a combat zone."
To date, VETMotorsports has given over 100 veterans the chance to participate in races and events around the country. Cline also won $5,000 for the organization when he was given 2014's Direct Energy Volunteer Citizen of the Year Award for Columbus because of his efforts.
A number of wildfires are currently tearing through the West Coast. According to The Guardian, there are 22 wildfires burning over 100,000 acres across the region. These fires have not only devastated property and nature, but they have claimed the lives of several of the firefighters attempting to combat them. When one boy from Oregon found out about this, he decided to help in the only way he knew how.
Abay Milner, a 6-year-old from the Portland area, wanted to show gratitude for the firefighters who gave their lives. Abay took his allowance, which added up to just over $20, and placed it in a memory box. On the box, Abay left a message that said the money was for the fallen firefighters and for firefighters who risk their lives to save others. The box was then given to local firefighters who were completely overwhelmed by the boy's selflessness and gratitude for their service.
The firefighters donated Abay's gift to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, whose mission is to pay respect to firefighters who gave their lives in the line of duty by supporting their loved ones and working with the community to prevent further fires.
Strategic consolidation to enhance State Sponsored Life Insurance (SSLI) Provided to National Guard Soldiers and Airmen through Guard State Associations
ALEXANDRIA, VA— Armed Forces Benefit Association (AFBA) and 5Star Life Insurance Company (5Star Life), an AFBA related enterprise, announce consolidation with The Shuey Agency (TSA), effective September 1, 2015. AFBA is the leading provider in the National Guard market with over 140k active certificates representing over $12B of life insurance in force in 36 states and territories.
TSA has been the third party administrator for the largest segment of AFBA’s National Guard business since 2002. The combined entity will create a new business structure that will provide high value life insurance protection with no military specialty or combat or war exclusions to its National Guard members and their families. read more »
Many veterans experience post-traumatic stress disorder during life after service. While there are a number of treatments available, many of them are relatively new and sometimes ineffective. However, a neuropsychologist in North Carolina may have found the newest, most effective treatment yet. George Lindenfeld, based out of Asheville, is experimenting with treatments involving a Bio-Acoustical Utilization Device.
According to the product's website, the BAUD utilizes different frequencies to distract the brain from stress. Each frequency is meant to activate a binaural beat in your brain, which may alter your brain waves and eliminate PTSD.
"A triggering event has an effect on how memory is stored and restored, over and over and over again," Lindenfeld told Wavy.com. "But if we can disrupt the reconsolidation of that memory, then we can wipe out the emotional attachment to it."
Wavy.com describes the device as being roughly the size of a palm pilot with noise-cancelling headphones and four frequency settings. The BAUD currently retails for over $450, but Lindenfeld hopes that after more testings and proof of success the price will become more market friendly. Lindenfeld has seen improvement in most of his trials with veterans and hopes the BAUD will continue to help former servicemembers.
When a three-alarm fire tore through Whiskey Row in Louisville, Kentucky, on July 6, local firefighters came to the rescue of many beloved local businesses. One such business was a restaurant called Doc Crow's Southern Smokehouse and Raw Bar. The barbecue and seafood joint has been a local favorite for years, which made it even more meaningful that the firefighters saved the building. The owners were so grateful to the first responders for saving the restaurant that on Aug. 31, they invited all firefighters to dine at Doc Crow's for a special evening.
Firefighters from Louisville and the surrounding areas were treated to a free meal. In addition to the complementary meal, the restaurant is donating 10 percent of the profit from the day to the Muscular Dystrophy Association in the firefighters' names.
"We felt very honored that they wanted to take the time and dedicate this day, not just to providing a meal to the firefighters, but also raising funds for a great charity," said Louisville fire captain Salvador Melendez.
The owners of Doc Crow's hope their gestures convey the gratitude they felt for the firefighters' service to the community.
When he left the Army, John Emswiler searched for a way to continue giving back to the community. After becoming the police chief of Denison, Iowa, he met Ron Hernandez, the founder of Moving Veterans Forward. The nonprofit program works closely with the Omaha Veterans Affairs office, and Emswiler jumped at the opportunity to assist fellow veterans. While the VA helps find housing for veterans in the Nebraska/Iowa area, Emswiler and Moving Veterans Forward work together to help move the vets in and provide furnishings for their new homes.
According to the organization's website, Moving Veterans Forward relies entirely on supporter donations to complete its mission. Any household items donated go directly to veterans in need. Emswiler told KTIV 4 News that the most difficult items to acquire were dressers. Any money the group receives is applied to the cost of storage units used to hold donated items until they can be given to veterans and the transportation costs accumulated during the move-in processes.
To date, Emswiler and Moving Veterans Forward have assisted over 500 veterans with moving into and furnishing their new homes. One of these veterans was a former records clerk who Emswiler served with in Iraq.
The Military Aviation Preservation Society's Air Museum is a unique collection of historical war machines. The museum features displays from America's military past. Such displays include a vintage collection of Rosie the Riveter and a variety of B-17 and B-24 bombers. On Oct. 24, the MAPS museum will expand its offerings by adding an event called "Welcome Home Veterans." This two-hour ceremony will honor veterans who served between 1950 and 1975.
Because this year is the 40th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War and the 65th anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War, MAPS decided it was an opportune time to thank the servicemembers who fought in these conflicts.
"We want to bring together these veterans and honor their service to our country," Valerie Kinney, a chairperson for the event, told The Suburbanite. "Those who served during this time period were not given the appropriate recognition due to them as U.S. servicemen and servicewomen. We want them to know that the American people care. It is long overdue."
"Welcome Home Veterans" will begin at 1 p.m. with a parade from Jackson High School to the MAPS museum. At the event, there will be food, vendors and a ceremony for the veterans. Participants are encouraged to register by Sept. 25.