Military and Veteran News
Marine Vet, Justin Constantine, Inspires Corporate America with his book "My Battlefield, Your Office"
Justin Constantine, a Marine officer and decorated Iraq veteran, joined us for our Veterans Advantage holiday party in December. While the focus of the event was to get together with good friends and celebrate a wonderful year, Justin was a reminder of the gratitude we should have for living each day like it may be our last.
Scott's View: Military Strengths Translate to Tools for Civilian Success
In a weekly address on November 14, 2015, President Obama emphasized the importance of hiring our veterans, stating: “As our veterans will tell you themselves, they’re not finished serving their country. As I tell small business owners and CEOs on a regular basis, if you want to get the job done, hire a vet.” Here at Veterans Advantage, w
Heroes Meet Heroes 2015 at the New York Athletic Club
A heartfelt thank you to all our members – veterans, military personnel and their families – and the world-class athletes who joined us for our fourth annual Heroes Meet Heroes event at the New York Athletic Club in New York City.
Scott's View: Presenting Our HeroVet Award to Dr. Linda Spoonster Schwartz of Veterans Affairs
I was delighted to get an email from the Department of Veterans Affairs the other day, which included photographs from our HeroVet Award presentation to Dr. Linda Spoonster Schwartz in June. Linda was an easy choice for a HeroVet Award, even before she was nominated for her new position as assistant secretary for policy and planning at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Remembering World War I on Memorial Day Weekend
The year 2014 marks a special time in military history, as this summer marks the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of one of the bloodiest wars in human history, World War I, a war which cost over 100,000 American lives.
Vietnam Vet Herb Worthington Raises Awareness on Toxic Exposure to Agent Orange
A Vietnam Veteran and longtime Veteran advocate, Worthington served as a state council officer and chief service officer for Vietnam Veterans of America at the Newark, NJ VARO for five and a half years. While writing claims for the veterans who sought his assistance, he would listen to the health struggles that they and their children faced. Inevitably, theHonoring the Living Recipients of the Medal of Honor for Service in Afghanistan
The Congressional Medal of Honor recognizes those military members for distinguishing themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their lives above and beyond the call of duty. Only seven living Veterans of the Afghanistan War have received the highest Military honor, which was created in 1861 for Civil War heroes. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the award, it is frequently awarded posthumously.
April is Military Child Month
Each year as our thoughts turn to spring and the boundless outdoor energy of our nation’s youth, the military community focuses its attention on the tireless efforts exemplified by military families. April is the "Month of the Military Child."
Sergeant Theresa Vail Fights with Femininity as Miss Kansas
Recently celebrating her 23rd birthday, the Kansas Army National Guardsman represented her home state in the 93rd Annual Miss America Pageant. She placed in the top 10 at the competition held September 15, 2013 in Atlantic City, NJ and was crowned "America's Choice" by online voters.
Brian Delate, Vietnam Veteran, Returns to Vietnam to Perform "Memorial Day" Play
Brian Delate, a New York City-based actor, playwright, director, Vietnam Veteran, and Veterans Advantage HeroVet, has recently returned from Vietnam, where he performed his play, Memorial Day, in September. Delate stars in the main role, which revolves around a Vietnam veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress (PTS), and is on the brink of suicide during a Memorial Day celebration.
Remembering Medal of Honor Recipient Col. Bud Day 1925-2013
America lost a true hero over the weekend with the passing of Col. Bud Day, an Air Force fighter pilot and Medal of Honor recipient who was shot down in the Vietnam War, and led a life of inspiration for his peers and those who followed him. Day was the most highly decorated member of the U.S. armed forces since Gen. Douglas MacArthur. He was 88. "Bud Day was a very dear friend and a hero of gigantic size to me. I will miss him, but I will never forget t
Veterans Advantage Hosts Corporate Career Symposium for NYC Veterans
To address the unacceptably high unemployment rate among military Veterans, Veterans Advantage recently organized a corporate career symposium for transitioning Veterans that featured guaranteed interviews with Fortune 500 companies. The Symposium was a program event of VeteransWeekNYC. Attendees included students from NYC schools on the GI Bill as well as Veterans Advantage members.
VA Work-Study Program for Student Veterans
The GI Bill can help cover many of a Veteran’s expenses, but often there are still bills to pay. Did you know there's a program that can pay students to help other Veterans right in their own community and do it while attending school?
Women in Combat: Policy Catches Up With Reality
At his confirmation hearing on Jan. 31, Chuck Hagel, President Obama’s nominee for defense secretary, stated unequivocally, "I will work with the service chiefs as we officially open combat positions to women, a decision I strongly support." The word "officially" was illuminating: a subtle acknowledgment, whether intended or not, that women have already been fighting, and dying, in combat roles.
Hire a Veteran: It's Good Business, Not Politics or Charity
The Labor Day holiday has evolved to represent the official end of summer. For some it means getting the kids ready to start school; for others, the long-awaited start of football season. That said, the historical origins of the holiday are based on a celebration of the social and e
Veterans Advantage Participates at NASDVA State Department of Veterans Affairs Conference
Veterans Advantage has taken to the road once again, just last month presenting at the recent 65th Annual Conference of the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA) in Lincoln City, Oregon. Through our sponsorship of the event, Veterans Advantage hosted a breakfast, and briefed state representatives about the Veterans Advantage benefits program. The guest speaker was Veterans Advantage Advisory Board member Paul W. Bucha, Army Veteran and Medal of Honor recipient, who spoke about the importance of supporting all who serve, particularly through hiring Military Veterans.
Nonprofits Meeting the Unique Needs of Women Veterans
After 10 years of war, some of us in the nonprofit community are focusing on the unique needs of our women veterans. I should say that we are beginning to recognize that such a focus is needed—indeed essential—if we are to truly care for the impressive women who serve in our armed forces.
Veterans Advantage Celebrates the 30th Anniversary of Apollo 11
It was one of those few "you remember where you were when you found out" moments in American History, and yet it happened during a year chock-filled with historic moments. The United States held its first military draft lottery since World War II, the 60s generation was living its most-defining moments during a music concert in Woodstock, and two teams from New York City turned in improbable victories at the S
PTSD Help from Give an Hour Mental Health Non-Profit Saves Lives
Give an Hour, a grass roots effort led by extremely patriotic mental health professionals, is gaining traction nationwide and producing results in the fight against PTSD-related suicides.
BBB's Military Line Program Protects Veterans from Financial Scams
The war facing our nation brings unique challenges for military families at home just as they do for their loved ones fighting to defend our freedoms abroad. Thankfully, some inspired and committed public servants have forged a unique collaboration between business and the military – helping to protect the financial health and long-term quality of life for those who serve.
WWE Wrestling Stars Perform for Our Troops
Call it a unique twist of mutual inspiration, as fictional warriors meet real-world counterparts: World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) stars have become a regular fixture at military locations in the U.S. and overseas, boosting morale for all.
Jennifer Love Hewitt Joins VA as National Spokesperson for Youth
Actress and singer Jennifer Love Hewitt has teamed up with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) to promote Veterans Day and youth volunteerism.
Remembering Anthony Fisher and his wife, Anne
Veterans Advantage offers a solemn tribute to Anthony Fisher, a friend to U.S. military families and a leading benefactor of military causes around the globe, who died earlier this month in a tragic plane crash that killed six of the seven people on board in Massachusetts. He was 52.
Honoring Vietnam Veterans through the Yearly Memorial Day Writers Project
It began, as so many inspired ideas do, in a conversation over a cup of coffee. Mike McDonell and Clyde Wray had been introduced by a mutual friend. Both were then living in Washington, D.C. Both were writers. Both had served in Vietnam, McDonell as an officer with the 11th Marines in 1967-68, and Wray, during the same period, as a rifleman with the Army’s 199th Light Infantry Brigade.