Hats off to Mary Dillinger, Public Affairs Officer for the V.A. who has taken a job in Oregon and had to report quickly. She did her last radio talk with Charlie Arnold on Sept. 6 and regrets not having the time to say goodbye to everyone. Mary has been a valuable resource for the Armed Services Corner; RWOP wishes her well on her new venture!

September is Suicide Prevention Month

The suicide rate for Veterans is 1.5 times higher than that of the general population. For women Veterans, the rate is 2.5 times higher than non- Veteran women. Troops, veterans, and family members experiencing suicidal thoughts can call the 24-hour Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, text 838255 or visit VeteransCrisisLine.net.

Veterans Connection Hub Now Open!



The Veterans Connection Hub, located at 120 N. Marina St. Suite B in downtown Prescott, brings together services under one roof. U.S. Vets Prescott representatives, local business representatives, veterans and Prescott Regulators & Their Shady Ladies joined with community members for a ribbon-cutting event to commemorate the opening of the new facility on Wednesday, Sept. 6.

The new Veterans Connection Hub offers social activities, workshops, PTSD assistance, and referrals, ensuring veterans and their families feel valued and welcomed. “We can offer resources to our veterans and our community and service people in need and help with suicide prevention and create an atmosphere where our veterans have a safe community spirit,” said Monica Vohs, operations manager for U.S. Vets, Prescott. “When you leave the service, you lose that group and this lets them come back together and be

with other veterans and just hang out together and share community.”

Next PACT Act deadline: Healthcare enrollment for Veterans

deployed to combat zones

You have through Sept. 30, 2023, to enroll directly in VA healthcare through the PACT Act if you are a Veteran who (a) deployed to a combat zone, (b) never enrolled in VA health care and (c) left the military between Sept. 11, 2001, and Oct. 1, 2013. This special enrollment period gives Veterans who served in Iraq, Afghanistan and other combat zones an opportunity to enroll directly in VA health care without first applying for disability compensation benefits. VA encourages all of these Veterans to visit VA.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MYVA411 to learn more and sign up for VA health care before the deadline.

​Upcoming Events:

Healing Field in Prescott Patriot Week September 8 – 15 

A total of 3,000 American flags will fly for the 11th year on September 8-15 during Patriot Week at the Prescott Valley Civic Center to honor the lives lost on the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.



Flag Installation — Community volunteers from First Responders and Veteran groups installed the flags on the field on Friday, Sept. 8. Each flagpole bears the name and information about the victims of the attacks. If you would like to volunteer to take down the flags, maintain the field during the week, or serve in the information booth, visit healingfieldpv.com to sign up.

Diabetes Education at the VA!

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed as being either pre-diabetic or diabetic, the VA offers classes to help you reverse the diagnosis if you’re pre-diabetic learn how to control it, and live healthier if you’re diabetic. Pre-diabetes, which is reversible, is a warning that you are headed for diabetes which cannot be reversed. There are in-person and online classes each month. The in-person classes are on the VA Campus, Building 117 in Room 134. The Pre-Diabetic classes are generally on the 2nd Wednesday of each month online and on the 4th Wednesday of each month in person from 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. The Diabetes classes are usually on the 1st Wednesday online and the 3rd Wednesday in person from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. If you can’t get to a class in person, you can take an online class. The Health Resource Center will provide you with an iPad if you need one. You need the internet. To register for either an in-person or an online class, call either Kathy Bryson or Janee Lai at 928-445-4860 x 2581. They will send you a booklet prior to class so you can mark your questions. Those attending online will get an email with the link. The classes for August and September are:

Diabetes Online Sept. 6 and Oct. 4, 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Diabetes Classroom Sept. 20 and Oct. 18, 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Pre-Diabetes Online Sept. 13 and Oct. 11, 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Pre-Diabetes Classroom Sept. 27 and Oct. 25, 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Prescott Community Out of the Darkness Walk: Walk With Us to Prevent

Suicide — You Belong Here Saturday, Sept 23 10:00 a.m.

The eighth annual “Prescott Community Out of the Darkness Walk: Walk With Us to Prevent Suicide — You Belong Here” will take place at A.C. Williams Granite Creek Park. The walk is a half-mile and handicap accessible that kicks off at 10 a.m. in downtown Prescott. Ann Marie Boutin, case manager for Nation’s Finest, has been working with the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Yavapai County for months to promote the walk that last year was attended by 164 people; 14 teams raised just under $19,000 to benefit the local chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The fundraising goal for this year is $20,000.

Registration for the half-mile, easily accessible loop walk begins at 9 a.m. with a vendor and resource fair. One of the booths will have 10 colored beads — each color associated with a suicide survivor impact group. All attendees are welcome to make a bracelet or necklace to wear during the half-mile loop walk. An opening ceremony will precede the walk with local survivors and include recognition for the top fundraisers. To register for the walk or learn more about the event, visit afsp.org/prescott.

Suicide Prevention Poker Run Sept 30 8:00 a.m.- VA Medical Center, Flagpole Circle



To help educate and prevent suicides, NAVAHCS is once again teaming with American Legion Posts to host a free Suicide Prevention Poker Run on September 30, 2023. This is a fun and educational outreach event that is open to anyone interested in helping to reduce Veteran suicide. You don’t need to be a Veteran to participate in this motorcycle ride. The purpose of this event is to discuss strategies and resources for suicide prevention and learn about S.A.V.E. which is an acronym to help remember how to help someone experiencing a suicidal crisis. The ride will start and end at the V.A. Medical Center at the Flagpole Circle outside Bldg. 107 and go through Jerome, Cottonwood, Camp Verde and Prescott Valley. Those who finish the ride will get a free t-shirt, ride pin, and lunch. Each participant can turn in their cards to have an opportunity to win a prize for the high and the low poker hand. Participants get a card at each stop. Please arrive at the VA Medical Center at 8:00 a.m. The kickoff ceremony is at 8:15 a.m. and kick stands up at 9:00 a.m. To pre-register call 928-445-4860 ext. 2713. For more detailed information go to https://www.eventbrite.com/d/az--prescott-valley/suicide-prevention-poker-run/.

Christmas Cards for Deployed Military  October 5   1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. U.S. VETS – Prescott, 1040 Whipple St. in Prescott

RWOP is hosting a Christmas Card writing event in the cafeteria of U.S. VETS -Prescott! We hope to have some of the veterans who live there join us. Anyone who has been deployed knows what a boost in morale it is to get cards from home! Cards and pens are provided at this event. If you want to join us, please contact Deb Robbins to sign up so we can ensure there is enough space. You are welcome to bring any Christmas cards you have too. Last year just a few people wrote over 300 cards that we sent with care packages. This year, we will open the invitation to the entire membership to write cards

from home, but this is an opportunity to do something with veterans and in a group.

Benetravel Update:

The VA will pay for your travel if you need to go to a different VA facility for an appointment, for example, to Phoenix. However, note that the time allotted to submit those claims has changed. VA National now requires you to submit your claims within 30 days of your appointment or they will not be reimbursed.  Any questions, please call 928-445-4860 ext. 6144.

PACT (Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins) Act Veterans have multiple ways of submitting their claims for Toxic Exposure and there is a lot of good information for reference and to assist Veterans with the new PACT Act Claims. The quickest way is to schedule an in-person or virtual appointment here:  https://vets.force.com/VAVERA/s/

If you have questions about the PACT Act visit 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.

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 three times a week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, but you can also meet with them virtually or on the phone. Call 602-535-1215 for questions and appointments.

Life Insurance Guide for Veterans & Servicemembers – 

If you need assistance with insurance, here is another resource. Click this link or Click the image below.