A veteran in San Diego will get to keep his beloved truck, thanks to the help of some concerned neighbors.
According to Fox 5 News, disabled Vietnam vet Daniel Riley woke up in his truck as it was being lifted by a tow truck on the morning of Wednesday, Oct. 22. He had been living in the vehicle during a time of financial hardship. He was aware that he was late on payments for the truck, but did not have any other options.
Another local veteran, Michael Pruitt, watched the scene unfold. Aware of Riley's military service, he spoke to the men repossessing the vehicle and convinced them to stop. According to the source, police were called in and eventually it was decided that the vehicle would remain in Riley's ownership. The finance company responsible for billing the veteran decided to grant him more time to figure out his money situation.
ABC 10 reported that after the story broke, another concerned neighbor stepped in to offer help. Though they asked to remain anonymous, a local resident is attempting to organize funds to help Riley pay his outstanding debts.
"I'm simply amazed. Makes you feel so good inside." Riley told ABC 10 after hearing the news.
Many post-9/11 servicemembers are opting out of joining long-standing veteran's organizations. Instead, they are choosing to sign up for new groups devoted to fitness, community service and addressing the often difficult transition back to civilian life.
According to The Washington Times, younger vets feel that the aging organizations have failed to adapt to modern times – for example, many of them still communicate with written letters and have a minimal Web presence. These groups are also open exclusively to veterans and remain private, whereas many young servicemembers are looking to join institutions in their life after service that work closely with other local groups and have a strong presence in the community.
In response to this sentiment, organizations such as The Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars have increased their visibility on college campuses and participation in local events. The Washington Post reported that both groups have been extremely influential in advocating for veterans' rights and benefits. Their efforts to modernize and attract younger members are positive signs for their survival, which they acknowledge depends on their ability to evolve.
The Washington Post noted that tradition is a big pull for young vets who do choose to join these organizations. Many feel compelled to attend meetings because of parents or grandparents who were members, or simply to sit among multiple generations of servicemembers.
Leave No Veteran Behind is a nonprofit that aims to help former servicemembers pay for education loans not covered by government programs such as the G.I. Bill.
According to the Christian Science Monitor, the organization was started by two veterans based out of Chicago. They describe their debt-relief system as a "retroactive scholarship." Applicants must prove that they not only performed nobly during their time as a servicemember, but that they currently sustain economic adversity on top of student loan debt. If their application is approved, the veterans are expected to perform 100 hours of volunteer work in exchange for the financial aid.
The source noted that many veterans face issues that contribute to outstanding debts, such as physical and mental disorders, unemployment and false information about what services and benefits they are entitled to. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, veteran unemployment rates hover around 6.6 percent, which is higher than the national average. The Christian Science Monitor noted that the average veteran ends up struggling with $56,000 worth of student loans in life after service.
Currently, the charity receives funding from corporate sponsors, private donations and small grants. They have already been able to give $150,000 worth of aid to veterans and aim to pay the debts of 60 to 90 former soldiers each year.
According to Military Times, a significant portion of businesses that work with the federal government are looking to match veterans with open positions.
Where jobs are listed
Because these jobs are associated with the federal government, they must be listed with the Labor Department's One-Stop Career Center, a job-finding site where veteran employment is the top priority. The site offers a variety of resources to soldiers in their life after service, including transition resources and advice on how to get more education. The Career Center also lets you match the skills you learned in the military with civilian careers.
Benefits of working with a federal contractor
As a veteran, you can benefit greatly from working with a federally contracted institution. Because these companies do business with the government, they are required to adhere to rules and policies that give preference to veterans. The source noted that not only do these organizations have to employ veterans, but they typically need to have as many vets as they do civilians. They also must pay veterans the same amount as other employees, regardless of their military pensions. These employers must also accommodate veteran disabilities within reason, noted the source.
Travis Mills, a veteran who lost his limbs serving in Afghanistan, received a new handicap-accessible home, reported Military Times.
The house, which takes into account Mills' needs for his prosthetic limbs, comes courtesy of Building for America's Bravest. The organization, which is a subsidiary of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, raises money to provide injured servicemembers with custom "smart houses" in their life after service, or homes with automated features that can be controlled via iPad. The Stephen Siller Foundation was created in memory of a firefighter who died saving civilians on Sept. 11, 2001. Ten years later, BFAB was created to give a comfortable residence to Army Specialist Brendan Marrocco, the first quadruple amputee to survive.
Mills sustained his injuries in 2012, when during his third tour of duty in Afghanistan he survived an IED attack, noted Military Times.
According to the source, Mills' home comes equipped with features like extra-wide hallways, elevators and special cabinets with motion sensors. The home is located in the town of Manchester, Maine. The source reported that the Mills family recently began their own nonprofit organization, the Travis Mills Organization. The foundation is currently working toward building a National Veterans Family Center in Maine.
After the Department of Veterans Affairs' recent scandal involving long wait times and poor patient care, the government organization is under pressure to make staff adjustments.
According to CNN, the decision-making process of which major officials will be fired has already begun. In addition to the deputy chief procurement director, program directors in Alabama, Georgia and Pittsburgh face being cut. A new law that was signed by President Obama this summer gives firing power to the VA secretary, Robert McDonald.
Since these speculated firing announcements were made, two of these professionals have already retired, according to Military Times. While some point the finger at McDonald, he pointed out that he cannot force employees to remain in their positions simply so they can receive disciplinary action.
Moving forward toward a better VA, McDonald has already begun recruiting qualified staff members through a tour to medical schools and local hospitals across the nation. The organization is looking to take thousands of new employees on board to make up for the long wait times and lack of attention that led to the death and illness of many veterans seeking care in their life after service. Military Times reported that the organization has already decided upon a higher pay scale for both doctors and nurses in order to attract reliable and well-qualified candidates.
A recent report issued by Military Times revealed the top technical and career colleges in the nation for veterans.
The publication reached out to a variety of post-secondary institutions and asked them to fill out a survey detailing their relationship with and services for former servicemembers. Factors included in the survey ranged from financial aid and academic reputation to the overall culture of the school. While a college report will be released next month, these findings focused on institutions committed to taking technical skills learned in the military and helping veterans apply them to a stable career in their life after service.
The top-rated school was Santa Fe Community College in New Mexico. The school accepts American Council on Education-recommended credits, meaning it offers some academic credit for military service. It also costs within the tuition assistance program cap, which means that its per-credit-hour cost does not exceed $250. Additionally, no post-9/11 GI Bill recipient at Santa Fe CC had to pay more than what that bill accounts for, making it an affordable option.
The school was also rated highly in terms of academic and staff support, extracurricular activities and student-to-faculty ratio.
Other highly rated institutions included Fayetteville Technical Community College in North Carolina, Virginia College and Golf Academy of America in Alabama, The Los Angeles Film School in California and Thomas Nelson Community College in Virginia.
Two months ago, a report issued by the Merit Systems Protection Board cited a growing concern among civilians that veteran hiring practices within the federal government were contributing to an excess of under qualified staff members. According to the report, 6.5 percent of federal workers saw the hiring practice as being unfairly advantageous for veterans.
According to Military Times, the current standard gives preference to former servicemembers due to their military experience and takes into account war-induced injuries. These hiring rules have contributed to the employment of many veterans. The source reported that one-third of federal workers are veterans.
National Commander of the American Legion Michael Helm disagrees with the idea that a veteran's preference is unfair. He noted that while civilians have years to gain professional experience, veterans often spend those formative years on the front lines. Adding weight to their applications evens out their sparse resumes, many of which only include military service.
In a press release issued by the American Legion, Helm said, "To any civilian workers who have problems with veterans preference, The American Legion's message is simple: Become a veteran. Those who have served in uniform have earned such preference."
A group of 95 World War II veterans recently flew from Michigan to Washington, D.C., to view the memorial dedicated to their service.
The journey was part of the "Legends Flight" initiative, which aims to send Michigan-based veterans to the nation's capital at no charge to them. The flights are supported via donations and volunteers eager to connect former servicemembers with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, according to the Muskegon Chronicle.
The vets arrived early in the morning, and were taken to the Air Force Memorial for an opening speech and the singing of the national anthem. They were then brought to the Vietnam and Korean War memorials, the Marine Corps War Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where they watched the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Eventually, the men were taken to the World War II Memorial, where they spent most of the time reflecting at the Michigan monument, noted the Muskegon Chronicle.
After a long day remembering their sacrifices, the men returned to Michigan that night. According to the source, many of the men had never been to Washington, D.C., before, and were humbled by the experience.
Six veterans received the Légion d'honneur, France's highest honor, for their service in World War II. The former servicemembers all moved to Colorado in their life after service and were rewarded at a ceremony at the state capitol in Denver. They were recognized for their roles in helping to liberate France, according to 9 News.
The award can be presented on five different levels, from Grand Cross to Knight – all the men being honored received the highest honor, and were officially knighted. Pfc. Wesley B. Ferguson, Cpl. Lawrence C. Farnan, Cpl. Joseph F. McCluggage Jr., Tech. Sgt. Charles W. Blaney and Staff Sgt. Claude John C. Corbridge all posses other honors for their service, including Purple Hearts, noted the source.
Staff Sgt. Robert Burrows was deeply humbled by the honor, especially since he had no physical combat in France. According to the source, he intended to accept the medal for all his friends and colleagues who had passed.
According to The Consulate Generale of France in Boston, the recipients of the award must meet strict criteria and are evaluated by an official committee in France. The process for selecting American soldiers is highly selective and can take months.