Armed Services Corner

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☆☆Support for Troops & Veterans☆☆

Deb Robbins , Armed Services Chairwoman - phxlass@cox.net

Armed Services

Corner

Sexual Assault and Awareness Month

Sexual assault is traumatizing. It is difficult to discuss and, as a result, sexual assault perpetrators often get away with it. Moreover, the survivors and victims are often blamed for the incident. Such attitudes have led to lax laws that do not help the survivors and the victims. However, the military is stepping up to help service members impacted. Military Sexual Trauma is very private, but more women and men are seeking help. It’s reported that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 50 service members experienced sexual harassment, either verbal or physical and/or sexual assault. It doesn’t matter if it happened on base or off, who the perpetrator was, or if it was reported prior or not, it’s still considered military trauma if it happened while you were serving. There are free mental and physical healthcare services available to you regardless of eligibility. Contact Joann Shaffer, the Military Sexual Trauma Coordinator, at 928-445-4860 x 4831 for confidential help and resources. Besides staff education that is going on this month at the VA, they will host a couple of events to raise awareness: Rock Painting and Denim Day.

Rock Painting April 17th, 12:00 – 3:00 pm or April 19th, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The VA will host 2 events at the Ramada, which is across from the Flagpole between Building 14 and the Library. At this event, veterans, their supporters, and staff create art for a visual representation of support for survivors. Denim Day April 26 Photo 12:15 pm at the VA Flagpole Denim Day is a day that began in 1999 to show support for those impacted by sexual violence. It was first celebrated in 1999 after an Italian court overturned a rapist’s (45-year-old driving instructor) sentence. He claimed that the act was consensual since the young woman (age 18) was wearing tight jeans which required her to help get them off. Women protested all over Italy by wearing jeans to the workplace the next day in solidarity over the absurd ruling. Now women worldwide wear denim on the last Wednesday in April. If you would like to participate, military or not, wear your denim and go to the VA Flagpole on April 26 at 12:15 p.m. to be in the photo commemorating the day.

Denim Day April 26 Photo 12:15 pm at the VA Flagpole

Denim Day is a day that began in 1999 to show support for those impacted by sexual violence. It was first celebrated in 1999 after an Italian court overturned a rapist’s (45-year-old driving instructor) sentence. He claimed that the act was consensual since the young woman (age 18) was wearing tight jeans which required her to help get them off. Women protested all over Italy by wearing jeans to the workplace the next day in solidarity over the absurd ruling. Now women worldwide wear denim on the last Wednesday in April. If you would like to participate, military or not, wear your denim and go to the VA Flagpole on April 26 at 12:15 p.m. to be in the photo commemorating the day.

The Arizona Dept. of Veteran Services assists veterans and their family members in qualifying and applying for benefits. They help with service-connected disabilities to non-service-connected pensions, assist with burial claims, and run an Arizona State Veterans Home, among other services. They can help you determine your benefits and submit claims, including those with the PACT Act and COMPACT Act. They also help with appeals because laws change, diagnoses change, and people get new evidence. They are at the VA in Building 15 twice a week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but you can also meet with them virtually or on the phone. Call 602-535-1215

for questions and appointments.

PACT (Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins) Act

If you have questions about the PACT Act go to va.gov/PACT. This act is for service members and their survivors who had environmental exposures during their military service. This coverage is extended to veterans of the Viet Nam, Gulf War, and Post 9/11 eras. The burden of proof is no longer on the veteran. There are presumptive conditions such as cancers, Parkinson's Disease, Hypertension, etc. If you’re not enrolled, please do so even if just for this coverage here: VA.gov/healthcare/apply/application/introduction or call 877-222-8387, M-F, 8:00 am to 8:00 p.m. ET. If you’ve been turned down before, apply again. The rules for eligibility change. The benefits are being paid out now and will be back-dated to August 2022, when the act was signed. The VA warns all Veterans about SCAMS. You do not need a third-party company to fill out the application. Often these companies will give you a blank form to sign and say they will fill it out and mail it, or they will have you sign a contract giving them a percentage of your benefits. If you need assistance, go to an accredited group by the VA such as DAV, VFW, or other local Veteran Service Organizations. This Act provides Veterans and their survivors with the benefits and care they have earned and deserve.

COMPACT Act (Comprehensive Prevention Access to Care Treatment)

As of January 17, 2023 Veterans in Acute Suicidal Crisis can now go to any VA or non-VA

healthcare facility for emergency healthcare at no cost including inpatient or crisis residential care for up to 30 days and outpatient care for up to 90 days. Veterans do not need to be enrolled in the VA system. You can call 988 (then press 1) to quickly connect with qualified crisis support 24/7.

VA Benefits can help Veterans and their families buy homes, earn degrees, start careers, stay healthy, and more. You can join an event for conversation and information by going to www.va.gov/outreach-and-events/events/ to peruse their online events. You can also call the VA Benefits Hotline at 800-827-1000.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Quarterly Townhall for All Veterans

The Quarterly Townhall for all Veterans will be on April 19 from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. This virtual town hall is a great way for veterans to learn more about the PACT Act, related to toxic exposure while serving, and the COMPACT Act, related to suicide prevention. Their subject-matter experts can address questions about these new Acts as well as questions about benefits, eligibility, and primary care. Have a pen and paper handy to take down contact information. This is not a video call, just an audio. There are several ways to join: By computer, go to Access.live/NorthernAzVAWomenVets. If you are registered, you will get a robocall. Just stay on the line and you will be connected. The participant dial-in number is 833-305-1738.

Dump the Drug Days April 22, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Now is the time to go through your medicine cabinets and properly dispose of expired or unused medications as well as over-the-counter drugs! Simply go to Building 28 on the VA Campus to ensure that your medications don’t fall into the wrong hands. They will take it from there.

National Volunteer Week April 17 – 23

During this week the VA shows the volunteers that they appreciate them! Their volunteers do many things like helping with blood drives, events, sitting with hospice patients who often have no one else, etc. If you would like to volunteer even if only an hour a week, they have many areas that need help and can place you in a group you are interested in. Contact Volunteer Services at 928-776-6013.

Quarterly Veterans Business Mixer May 1 at 5:00 p.m.

All are welcome to attend this Quarterly Business Mixer geared toward Veteran Owned Businesses and the Veteran Community. Take this opportunity to meet Veteran business owners, hear about the Chamber of Commerce initiatives for Veterans and learn how Veterans help local businesses. To register go to: https://web.prescott.org/atlas/events/veterans-quarterly-business-mixer-7134/register. The event will be at Matt’s Saloon, 112 S. Montezuma St. in Prescott.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

U.S. VETS-Prescott is in the process of doing some site improvements and beautification during the month of April / beginning of May.

Below is a brief list of things that they need to do, and if there’s anything you want to help with, please contact Michelle Brien at 928-356-2771 or mbrien@usvets.org

PHASE 1: 1^st week of April

- Vacuum / Mulch leaves and debris around the site

- Pressure wash the buildings, walls, ground, etc.

PHASE 2: 2^nd / 3^rd week of April

- Organize and clean up around the site- take items to off-site storage, throw things out, move things to a different area, organize, etc.

- Landscape / Gardening- pull weeds, trim bushes, and trees, and plant new plants and flowers. This will take place all around the site, in our meditation garden, and veteran garden

PHASE 3: 3^rd/ 4^th week of April

- Painting- we will be refreshing paint around the site: parking space poles and barriers, metal steps, the wording on steps, and walls

DAV (Disabled America Veterans) Needs Drivers!

Among the services that DAV provides is transportation. They shuttle veterans to and from their medical appointments in Northern Arizona, which is 40,000 square miles. Volunteers are needed to drive as well as maintain the vehicles. Volunteers get a physical and a background check at no cost to them. Training will be provided. If interested, call the VA Volunteer Services at 928-776-6013.

DAV is also looking for either a full-time (with benefits) or a part-time (7 am to noon Monday through Friday with no benefits) Transportation/Hospital Service Coordinator in Prescott. The successful candidate will be a veteran who has excellent computer skills in Adobe, Microsoft Office, and PDG and who knows the area very well. The job entails coordinating drivers with veterans to get them to their medical appointments. For more information call Bruce Nogar at 602-739-2922.

Quilts of Valor

Quilts of Valor is a nationwide organization started in 2003 by the mother of a soldier deployed in Iraq. These are top-quality quilts awarded to Veterans who are nominated. The quilts are one way of saying, “Thank you for your service, sacrifice, and valor in serving our nation.” There are specific patterns and sizes to follow. For more information about this organization, go to www.qovf.org/. If you like to cut or sew, this group meets the 3 rd Saturday of each month at the Elks Lodge in Prescott Valley. If you have questions, contact Angela Smith, an RWOP member, at lovespets3@gmail.com.

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Veterans Discounts

Papa Murphys - get 25% off your order! Location: 3298 N. Glassford Hill Rd. Ste 105 in Prescott Valley. Ben, the manager, has been doing this for years and welcomes veterans.

If you need a Veteran ID Card, go to: https://www.va.gov/records/get-veteran-id-cards/. With this card you can get discounts in many places.

DAV NEEDS VOLUNTEERS!

Nurse’s Life Line – 877-252-4866 If you’re feeling ill and not sure if you need to go to the ER or doctor and want to talk with someone, they are available 24/7.

Crisis Line is always available for any vet who needs help by calling 800-273-8255 and press 1 if you’re a vet, or you can have a confidential chat by texting 838255.