As National Military Appreciation Month comes to a close, it is good to take a look back at the past few weeks and how various organizations, government agencies, communities and others recognized service members and veterans. With major moves being made in the private and public sectors to support the military community, this was a strong year for National Military Appreciation Month. 

Insurance giant steps up
Nationwide announced that it would honor veterans through the sponsorship of a NASCAR event in May, while the firm has been a major force in the veteran employment arena as well. According to a release from the insurance provider, it has hired 1,000 veterans since 2012 when it first launched an initiative to get involved in the onboarding of former service members. 

"We are proud of all of our Nationwiders and in particular the military veterans who have served our country," Nationwide Chief Administrative Officer Gale King explained. "We are honored to have them join Nationwide and help us make a difference for our members and communities."

The company celebrated its veteran employees as part of National Military Appreciation Month, and has committed to continuing on its path toward employing more retired service members in the coming years. 

"Part of what makes Nationwide a great company is that we value making an impact within our company and the communities we serve," Nationwide Vice President of Talent Acquisition Rocky Parker affirmed. "We are committed to bringing talent on board from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. Our veteran associates offer a unique set of skills, knowledge and talents that make them a great fit at Nationwide."

Other enterprises and organizations have launched similar initiatives to boost employment rates among veterans, and Nationwide has had among the greatest success in doing so throughout the past four years. The public sector has also been engaged in recognizing and celebrating veterans this National Military Appreciation Month. 

Enhancing financial knowledge
The Internal Revenue Service announced in May that it has released a new edition of its Armed Forces Tax Guide, which can be used to ensure that veterans understand what tax benefits are available and how best to take advantage of special programs. The agency listed some of the more common ones that veterans should be aware of, including the fact that combat pay is either fully or partially tax free, and unreimbursed moving expenses can be deducted. 

Financial literary can go a long way in helping the veteran community strengthen from the ground up. The federal government has been working to empower veterans with this type of knowledge, all the while supporting them through job and housing searches and providing guidance related to higher education. Veterans can take advantage of a wealth of programs to boost their quality of life today, and more are sure to come as the nation mobilizes behind the military community. 

National Military Appreciation Month comes to its peak this Memorial Day weekend, as individuals and families across the nation remember the individuals who gave their lives while serving their country. Events to celebrate the service member community can be found across the nation, while many authors and media professionals use this time to remember specific soldiers who paid the ultimate price for the United States. 

Whatever approach a community might take, the important thing is to remember why Memorial Day is observed each year. Showing active service members and veterans recognition, respect and appreciation should be the highest priority of the weekend. 

One organization's approach 
Triple Pundit recently published a blog post from Chris Crace of PricewaterhouseCoopers that described some of the ways in which the organization has made it its mission to support the veteran community throughout the year. The author pointed out that PwC's Chairman Bob Moritz has stated in the past that he does not think military appreciation or remembrance of fallen soldiers should only occur once or twice a year, but rather every day. 

According to Crace, PwC has implemented a range of programs that specifically work to support veterans who want to advance their professional careers, and many have been successful. The company has also established the Veterans Affinity Network, which helps service members navigate career paths and connect with one another in a more seamless fashion. Additionally, PwC has worked to support the families of service members in similar fashions. 

Interestingly, Crace also pointed out that PwC Learning and Development's Manager for the San Diego, California, area understands exactly how challenging being married to a service member can be. Alicia Bowman's husband is an active Captain in the Marines, and has had a positive experience working for the firm. 

"Long-distance relationships are tough and you're always worried about your partner's safety," she told Crace. "But, I'm confident that my team will support me through whatever we must go through as a military family."

Supporting veterans and service members through life's challenges should indeed be a priority throughout the year, while specifically remembering those who died during their duties in the military is just as important. Memorial Day will be a good opportunity to do so. 

A pilot's family's search
USA Today contributor Jim Michaels recently explained the challenges his family faced when trying to find an Army Air Force pilot during World War II. The author of the article is the nephew of that soldier, John Matthews, and walked through the stories he had heard from his family regarding the process of finding out what had happened to Matthews' brother, Robert, who had died during his service in Europe.

Eventually, the family discovered his fate, as well as what actions led to his death, but only after a significant amount of searching. Michaels argued that "remembering is all we can do" to respect fallen soldiers in many cases. 

Some of the more prominent errors and problems seen in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in the past few years have related to accounting and reporting issues. Although there have been other problems that truly require legislative overhauls, and indicate the importance of more funding to ensure the VA has everything it needs to properly serve the veteran community, plenty have been obvious symptoms of poor accounting and information management policies. 

The VA has been under fire a lot of late, but is working to improve upon its strategies and capabilities with the help of various other government agencies. Now, it is in the process of correcting an issue that impacted thousands of veterans. 

Incorrect classifications
The Washington Free Beacon recently reported that the VA announced it had accidentally declared more than 4,000 veterans dead and subsequently terminated their benefits over the four years spanning from 2011 and 2015. This all came to a head last year, as the source pointed out that about one-quarter of the individuals impacted saw their benefits disappear in 2015. Making matters worse, the agency struggled to figure out which veterans had been wrongfully declared dead. 

"Although we are able to identify cases where benefits were terminated based on an erroneous notice of a beneficiary's death and subsequently reinstated, our computer systems do not collect information on the cause of the errors (e.g., VA employee error, erroneous information received through a data-matching program, incorrect identifying data provided by a third party, etc.)," VA Undersecretary for Benefits Danny Pummill explained, according to the news provider.

Many of the challenges the VA has faced since the turn of the century have been unavoidable, but this is an example of an issue that can be easily remedied by improving accounting and reporting performance. The Washington Free Beacon noted that the initial admission of the error was disclosed to Representative David Jolly of Florida, who has since explained his concerns regarding this latest issue. 

"We simply cannot have men and women who have sacrificed for this country see their rightful benefits wrongfully terminated because the VA mistakenly declares them dead," Jolly affirmed, according to the source. "This creates tremendous financial hardships and undue personal turmoil for veterans, many who are seniors relying primarily if not solely on their VA benefits."

Making it right
Stars and Stripes reported that Jolly has confirmed that the error has been fixed for the time being, with all 4,200 veterans impacted seeing their benefits reinstated in a timely fashion. However, the source cited his comments on what will need to happen to avoid the issue from coming back again and negatively impacting the veteran community in the process. 

"It's a problem that should have been addressed years ago, as it has caused needless hardships for thousands of people who had their benefits terminated and their world turned upside down," Jolly explained.

The general policies and strategies used to govern benefits programs for veterans must be improved to keep the community supported. 

As May is National Military Appreciation Month, and also contains Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day, state and federal legislatures have been increasingly active in their passage of laws to improve the livelihoods of service members and veterans across the country. Although politicians have come a long way on certain matters related to supporting service members during their time on active duty and after they retire, there is still much to be done to improve life for the community. 

Some of the moves that have been made are a bit more symbolic than anything else, paying respect to those who have served their country, while others are expected to have a direct, substantive impact on the military community at large. 

Spending bill signed
The New York Times recently reported that the U.S. House of Representatives has voted in favor of a spending program that will inject roughly $81.6 billion into the Department of Veterans Affairs and military construction initiatives. This particular bill will have a significant impact on the finances of service members and veterans, as the source pointed out that it includes a provision to give them a 2.1 percent increase in pay. 

According to the news provider, $57 million will go to homeless veterans in the form of housing vouchers, $1.1 billion will go toward projects to manage and defeat the Zika virus, and other funds will be directed toward infrastructure. 

"The bill makes vital investments in our nation's infrastructure, helps meet the housing needs of the most vulnerable among us and provides funding for economic development projects in our communities that create jobs," said Maine Senator Susan Collins, The New York Times added.

Interestingly, the source did point out that the legislation had certain components that caused an uproar on the House floor, including one that would lift a ban of sorts on government contractors that discriminate against staff members due to their sexual orientation. 

Burial policy changed
Slate reported that the House also voted to end the display of Confederate flags on VA cemeteries. This has been somewhat of a major topic of discussion for several months now, as various states have fought to keep the image of the flag on certain state and federal properties, but public outcry has pushed many representatives to begin work to ban it from public areas. 

The news provider noted that there had been a relatively large amount of disagreement between the two parties in the House regarding the statute, but that the Republicans who had argued against it eventually dropped the debate and did not try to block the law from taking shape. 

Other more social matters were also covered in the legislation, but the biggest component – and piece that appeared to truly get the bill into motion – was the spending measure to ensure the VA has what it needs to support the veteran community. 

Veterans are often targeted by scammers in a range of areas, including predatory lending and financial schemes, but a new movement has started to impact service members who are trying to attend college. Law Yale School reported that for-profit schools have been largely targeting veterans to try and get access to funds distributed through the Higher Education Act. Unfortunately, the loophole involved is massive, as the school pointed out it incentivizes the act of bringing as many veterans into the school as possible, while not necessarily giving them an education. 

Yale noted that the funds are generated through the G.I. Bill, and then essentially stolen by these schools. Unfortunately, many schools have gotten in on this scam, but the Department of Veterans Affairs has taken action to root out and eradicate the problem. Still, there is much work to be done, and awareness will play an imperative role in the fight against deceptive, fraudulent and predatory entities that target the veteran community. 

Call to action
The New York Times recently reported that several groups that represent the veteran community have sent letters to the VA in hopes of it taking greater action against the schools involved in these predatory schemes against service members. According to the news provider, the National Military Family Association and American Legion were included in the more than 20 parties that participated. 

The source pointed out that the groups are highly concerned about the treatment of veterans, but that for-profit schools have pushed back on the accusations being made. 

"Those that demonize our sector do so because of ideological reasons, not rational arguments," explained Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities Vice President Michael Dakduk, according to The New York Times. "For the veteran holding down a part-time or full-time job in addition to their studies, our sector's institutions and programs are the right fit."

Suffice it to say that this specific battle is not looking like it will wane any time soon, as all sides involved are getting a bit more contentious. However, one thing is for sure, and that is some action must be taken by regulators and the higher education industry as a whole to prevent veterans from being taken advantage of and losing the funds they earned while in service to the nation.

A tricky endeavor
National Public Radio once reported that, even when for-profit schools are not necessarily partaking in predatory schemes, they still might not be the best choice for a veteran. Service members who are looking to get a college degree should always consider using the resources available to them, especially those that involve guidance on finding the right school. 

Certain universities have immaculate track records when it comes to veteran education, while others will simply not be well-suited to the needs of a service member. The VA, as well as advocacy groups, provide often complimentary support to veterans who need assistance in these matters. 

Veterans often need support in financial management when returning home from overseas or ending their time on active duty within the United States. At the same time, crimes such as identity theft and fraud have run rampant across the nation for years now, and veterans – along with civilians – have certainly been targeted and victimized by the events. There have even been scams that specifically target service members and use digital tactics to steal from them. 

This is one of the main reasons why more groups ought to be advocating for veteran financial management assistance, education and protection against some of the more common threats on the Web and elsewhere today. Certain projects and programs have already been launched with these objectives in mind, and a relatively unique one has been making a big difference in the state of Kentucky. 

Operation Stand Down
The Bowling Green Daily News recently reported that Ron Georgette started Operation Stand Down – an organization that works to better inform veterans' financial decisions – in 2015, and has already made a solid impact on local individuals. The source noted that Georgette is a veteran of the U.S. Army himself, and believed that service members needed an entity to support them through the challenges of handling their budgets properly and avoiding problems. 

"I started this because of veterans getting ripped off," Georgette told the news provider. "We want to make sure our veterans aren't getting the shaft. That's where the original idea spawned from. We have a great team who implemented it. It's totally unique."

He also explained that the current goal is to begin operating nationally in the near future, especially as there are only six VA Fiduciary Hubs in the country that can help with these matters. The Bowling Green Daily news added that the group currently works with one of the VA Fiduciary Hubs. 

"When a veteran gets into a jam or some life-changing event, we will advance them their own money," Georgette asserted, according to the source. "We're on the fence between the VA and the families when it comes to finances. When you have family and friends handling finances it can cause problems."

Plenty of resources
While these types of groups can make a big difference on the ground, veterans can also find opportunities to learn more about proper financial management through a range of resources. For example, the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions offers information pertaining to financial literacy and other similar matters through its website, while VeteransPlus provides learning courses to service members and their families. 

Whether in a stable, financially sound position or one that has been a bit rockier, veterans should always take advantage of opportunities to boost their financial literacy and better manage their bank accounts. Awareness and education are the best weapons to combat issues with cash flow down the road, and service members can begin to improve their financial stature by learning more. 

The Navarre Press reported that May has been recognized as Military Appreciation Month since Congress first designated it as such back in 1999, and has been successful in bringing communities together in the years since. The source pointed out that there have been countless examples of extreme heroics and selflessness among the nearly 1.5 million individuals who currently serve in the armed forces, while communities should take this opportunity to recognize the veterans in their local areas. 

Events have been hosted across the nation throughout the past two weeks, and more are certainly to follow in the remaining days of Military Appreciation Month. From governors and state senators passing new legislation to assist veterans to relatively simple recognition programs and events, civilians will have a wealth of opportunities to support veterans and active duty service members throughout the coming months. 

South Dakota's big statement
The Rapid City Journal recently reported that South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard spoke to the reasons behind May acting as Military Appreciation Month across the nation, and urged the state's residents to honor those who have or are serving in the armed forces. The source pointed out that Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day both fall within the days of May, and act as an even greater chance for communities to rally around their veterans. 

"The vigilance of the members of the Armed Forces has been instrumental to the preservation of freedom, security and prosperity enjoyed by the people of this great nation," Governor Daugaard stated in his proclamation last week, according to the news provider. "The success of the Armed Forces depends on the dedicated service of its members and their families."

High-ranking politicians in Washington, D.C., Utah and elsewhere have put forth similar proclamations to kick off and recognize Military Appreciation Month. Another well-known figure took to writing a blog post regarding his backing of this month's appreciation events. 

A message from Chuck
Chuck Norris recently published an opinion piece in WND regarding some of the reasons he believes May has been designated to honor veterans and service members. The renowned action-movie actor noted that he served as an Airman First Class in the U.S. Air Force, and that his experiences while on active duty shaped many of his life's core missions and goals. 

Norris also took the opportunity to point out the increasing division between military and civilian life, and the need to bring the groups a bit closer together in the near future. He argued that the tiny percentage of the population that serves now – 0.5 percent – compared to the 12 percent who did for World War II might be one of the sources of misunderstandings and division. 

Communities that pull together behind their veterans will be making a big difference, as service members act as champions for their neighbors and fellow Americans throughout and following their time on active duty. May is the perfect month to increase these types of efforts. 

Many service members return home intent on attending a higher education institution. Whether it is to start from scratch on a new skill for a fresh career path, or to get the necessary certifications for skills that were developed in the military, colleges are a common location for young veterans following their duty. Because of how important a college education is to seizing job opportunities in the currently competitive employment landscape, many groups have been pushing for more programs that support veterans who want to attend a university. 

Scholarship programs are available, while the Department of Veterans Affairs and other government agencies do offer guidance to service members who are looking to finance their higher education and get the degrees they need to step into preferable positions. Across the nation, communities appear to be getting behind veterans and their families in hopes of improving the quality of life among service members in their areas, including Massachusetts. 

State's overwhelming support
The Lowell Sun recently reported that the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed bill H-4278 unanimously last week, which will now go to the State Senate for final approval. The bill, which gained a vote of 154-0 in favor, relates to several propositions and initiatives that span from housing homeless veterans to supporting the children of those who either fell prisoner overseas or lost their lives in active service. 

According to the news provider, should the bill pass through Senate, veterans would be given preference when applying for public housing, while the statutes within the Public Service Scholarship will be expanded as well. This scholarship, the source noted, has traditionally been specifically targeted at children of prisoners of war from the Vietnam War, but this latest legislative change would open that up to all children of POWs from any war. 

The Lowell Sun pointed out that this was not the only move by the House of Representative in favor of veterans last week, as another unanimous vote passed a bill to exempt veterans from the automotive excise task in the state. The bill would also push for more donations to veteran benefit funds. State-level support for veterans has played a massive role in the improvement of service members' livelihoods throughout the past several years. 

Re-integration implications
The Yakima Herald recently reported that many veterans have started their civilian lives at Central Washington University, which boasts almost 600 service members in its current undergraduate and graduate programs. The school also has a veterans club and center, as well as other assets and programs that are focused on improving the assimilation of veterans into college life. 

More concerted efforts from universities will likely be necessary in the coming years. According to the source, the VA estimates the volume of veterans receiving education credits reached 1 million in 2013, and that the number will grow by another 20 percent in the near future. Veterans can find specialized academic programs and scholarship opportunities specifically tailored to their unique needs. 

Veterans have long faced immense challenges when returning home from overseas. Adversities and setbacks are all too common when looking for jobs and a place to live, while other elements of re-acclimation can be even more difficult. Considering the sheer volume of veterans who have come back after serving in Afghanistan and Iraq throughout the past decade or so, communities and government officials are increasingly pushing for broader, more helpful programs to help service members re-integrate. 

Some initiatives are a bit more by-the-books, such as those that work to assist veterans in job hunts and advocate for entrepreneurial ventures among the service member community. Others are far outside the box, and train their sites on helping veterans through the more social-related aspects of re-acclimating to civilian life. 

A new pursuit in North Carolina
The Winston-Salem Journal recently reported that American Heroes for North Carolina, a brand new organization, is working to change the ways in which civilians look at veterans, with a specific emphasis on relieving the stigmas facing service members. The news provider pointed out that Jim Hoffman, a West Point graduate and lawyer, is the president of the foundation.

"American Heroes for North Carolina enjoys a special mission to assist veterans integrating back into society, by helping them find employment and fulfillment in their work endeavors, find educational opportunities so they can carry over their talents, skills, and leadership abilities into a viable civilian career," is how Hoffman presented American Heroes for North Carolina's mission statement, according to the source. 

Many of the projects taking shape at this organization involve the support of veterans who come home and are not necessarily served by special programs due to their state of relative normalcy. The Winston-Salem Journal noted that stereotypes of veterans have largely defied the military community, especially given the incorrect perspectives so many civilians have, and the lack of substantive resources for those returning who do not suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. 

The group is still young, but will continue to assist in correcting the public image of veterans in North Carolina as it scales up its various ventures. 

Boston school's initiative success
The Boston College Chronicle reported that the College Warrior Athlete Initiative, which was launched by Cornell's School of Nursing and supported by Boston College, has had a solid impact on those who have participated. The scope of the project was relatively simple – help veterans from post-9/11 service to get into good physical shape. 

"More than 60 percent of these veterans gain significant amounts of weight," former Army and Air Force Nurse and project manager for the initiative Susan Sheehy told the news provider. "About 43 percent of them are in the obese category, which creates all sorts of health problems and also results in social isolation and depression."

The source stated that the program has helped veterans lose 15 to 25 pounds on average, positively impacting their quality of life in the process. Mental and physical health are critical matters for veterans who are trying to reintegrate. 

First responders are often on the front lines of the most dangerous and trying events communities in the United States face. At the same time, the past few years have seen several debates that question how well government agencies and the laws they uphold support first responders, with many of the conversations being somewhat negative. Virtually all individuals agree that first responders need to have the support of the community behind them to do their jobs properly. 

Lawsuits, as well as medical concerns, have been commonly discussed within the scope of first responders in local areas and nationally, and it appears as though the debate is reaching a tipping point of sorts. More individuals, as well as major journalists, are beginning to speak out for first responders. 

A call to action
The Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board recently published an online post regarding a decision that was made by the Illinois Supreme Court in the opening months of 2016, with a vote of 4-3 to dispose of a bill called the "public duty rule." According to the publication, the rule had long protected first responders against lawsuits for actions taken in the field, and was intended to ensure that the individuals on the ground did not need to worry about what would occur should they make a mistake. 

While there might be some argument to be made regarding the potential for recourse among citizens who have not been served properly, this particular rule opens the floodgates to lawsuits that are beyond the scope of realistic issues. The editorial board members stated that the decision has already led to some serious reactions from the Associated Firefighters of Illinois and Illinois Municipal League, with those groups trying to get the rule reinstated as soon as possible. 

Interestingly, even before the rule was taken out of the Illinois record, federal laws superseded it and allowed citizens to sue first responder agencies in certain situations. The Chicago Sun-Times also stated that reinstating the bill would be the right thing to do, as it has "worked well both for citizens and first responders" for the nearly century and a half Illinois has been around. 

Fundraiser to be held
CBS Chicago reported that the 100 Club of Chicago, which has been around for five decades, will be hosting an event to remember first responders who died on the job, and raise funds for the families involved with the support of Jewel-Osco. The month of May is devoted to this particular pursuit, and the source noted that these groups have so far donated $10 million to hundreds of families since its inception.

"Through the 100 Club, they know that there are literally tens of thousands of people out there whose hearts are pouring out in sympathy and appreciation for their sacrifice of what their loved one has given," Joe Ahern, chief executive officer of the 100 Club, told the news provider. 

At the end of the day, these initiatives will make a big difference in the lives of first responders and their kin.