MOLLY'S NEWSLETTER - THE VETERANS' ADVOCATE [JAN04/Vol04] - rel01/30/18
Dedicated to the lasting memory and 'living legacy' of Patrick "Pat" Gualtieri, U.S. Army, Vietnam Veteran [d.07/21/15]
[Announcements, events, information, musings, philosophical whimsy,
resources, even trivia ... to engage, inspire and enjoy!]
Greetings, family, friends, veterans' community and interested parties!
As
January 2018 winds down and the short but lovely month of February
approaches, I hope you're making the most of 2018 in new ways that match
your goals and wishes. You can make it happen - whatever it is -
endless possibilities, say I, the eternal optimist! May you enjoy more
of what you 'want' vs. 'have' to do!
Some shareworthy information:
■ Postage stamps: The price increased by 1¢ from 49 to 50 cents a/o Jan. 22, 2018!
■ Super Blue Blood Moon (rare celestial occurrence) - January 31, 2018: Blood
Moon occurs when Earth passes between Moon and Sun, giving Moon a
reddish tint… more commonly known as a lunar eclipse. Blue Moon combined
with a Supermoon (Moon is at its closest point to Earth…appears 14%
bigger / 30% brighter than normal) is a rare phenomena called a Super
Blue Blood Moon. The last time all of these events occurred
simultaneously in the Western hemisphere was 1866.
■ Daylight saving time: Begins at 2am on Sunday, March 11, 2018 - set clocks 1 hour forward (as in Spring ahead/Fall behind)!
■ Speaking of Spring - it officially beings Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at 9:16am- just 50 days away!
PLG Veterans Assistance Fund Inc. [ThePatFund.com]
This
501(c)3 non-profit organization, created in 2015 in memory of Patrick
"Pat" L. Gualtieri, continues Pat's "living legacy" of helping
others. Our veterans have a permanent place in heart and mind for their
service and sacrifice. May we be empowered to always remember our
servicemembers as Pat Gualtieri exemplified with passion and purpose...
touching the lives of others... producing world-class events that honor
service. His spirit, personality, vision, tenacity, contagious
enthusiasm, positive, 'can-do' attitude continue to inspire us... We
carry the torch of freedom in meaningful ways, consistent with our
Mission and Primary Pillars of support [Education / Suicide Prevention /
Special Needs - TBI/PTSD/Other]. Your generous donations enable us to
continue this important work; thank you and keep 'em coming! ♥
Featured event upcoming: big outreach for in-kind donations (see attached flyer)! Seek to make this year's annual PLG Veterans Assistance Fund Inc. 'Valentine's For Veterans'
event even better than last year which was a home run! Items needed
include but aren't limited to hats, gloves, scarves, socks, stationery,
cards (especially handmade); playing cards, electronics, stuffed
animals, toiletries (men/women), etc. Multiple drop-off locations
(Brooklyn, Manhattan). We bestow beautiful, handmade cards, candy,
assorted gifts and goodies to our veterans at local VA facilities. Thank
you in advance for your anticipated participation this year. Pat
Gualtieri created the Valentine's initiative (then titled 'The Goodwill
Valentine's Caravan') and we honor him by continuing this legacy!
To this end, on Wednesday, January 24, 2018, we held our annual, by-invitation-only Valentine card-making event, produced by PLG Veterans Assistance Fund
and graciously hosted by The Municipal Bond Women's Club of New York
(MBWCNY)! End result: A productive, fun evening of social engagement,
refreshments and 170 beautiful, handmade cards that will be presented to veterans for Valentine's Day with much love!
Special Announcement!!! Save the Date!
U.S.
Army, Vietnam veteran, the late Patrick ("Pat") Gualtieri will be
recognized and honored posthumously by U.S. Army Garrison Ft. Hamilton,
Brooklyn, NY on Thursday, March 22, 2018 at Ft. Hamilton's annual Vietnam Veterans Ceremony! Stay tuned for additional info!
Community Events
January 2018
Tuesday, January 30, 2018
U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs - Town Hall Meeting with Martina Parauda, Director, VA NY Harbor Healthcare System
Time: 10am / All Veterans Welcome!
Location: NY Campus - Atrium
Tuesday, January 30, 2018
TRAVIS MANION FOUNDATION SOCIAL – Join TMF for a social!
Time: 6PM
Location:
Croton Reservoir Tavern 108 W 40th Street, between 6th Ave./Bway -
(downstairs bar). Learn more about what's ahead for 2018 and connect
with veterans and supports in the TMF community. The bar operates happy
hour specials from 5-10pm. TMF will cover light appetizers Here’s all you need to know- and where you can sign up: http://bit.ly/2CWRQDW
February 2018
Tuesday, February 6th - Wednesday, February 7, 2018
Strong
Star Training Initiative - Now accepting Applications for an upcoming
Training in NYC: Participate in a Learning Community in Prolonged
Exposure for PTSD. Hosted at Columbia University & New York State
Health Foundation. The Learning Community will include: ▪ Pre-workshop
readings and webinars ▪ 2-Day in-person workshop in Prolonged Exposure ▪
6 months of weekly phone case consultation ▪ Monthly advanced practice
webinars ▪ Organizational consultation ▪ 30 Continuing Education Units
(includes 3 in ethics and 3 in diversity)
LEARN MORE & APPLY: www.strongstartraining.
Wednesday, February 7, 2018
Veteran Information Session! Topics of Discussion include: Services / New Staff / Job Industries / Training
Time: 10am-12pm
Location: Bronx Workforce1, 400 East Fordham Road, 7th Floor, Bronx, NY 10458
Call Amauri Espinal at 718-960-4677 for more details or register at: https://
Wednesday, February 7, 2018
Association
of the United States Army (AUSA) Event. Join us for this amazing
networking event hosted by the AUSA NNJ chapter, bringing together
service members, veterans, nonprofit leaders, ROTC cadets, corporate
leaders, government officials, higher education officials and members of
numerous military associations. Special guest speaker is LTC Justin
Constantine, Purple Heart recipient and American hero; come meet and
greet this amazing American.
Time: 1800 /6:00pm / Dress Code - Business casual
Location: Harvest Moon Brewery, 392 George Street, New Brunswick, NJ
RSVP: By February 2, 2018 / Cost $5.00 per person - ROTC cadets, student veterans and soldiers E5 and below are FREE
To register and pay online: https://socialseam.org/events/
For more info or questions, contact: Col. Dennis Dougherty / email: doughertydj@comcast.net / phone: 908-230-4020
Thursday, February 8, 2018
New
Jersey Veteran Employment Workshop Transitioning military members,
veterans, and spouses: Join us 830-5pm, for a Veteran Employment
Workshop presented by Hire Heroes USA and BASF.
Time: 8:30am-5:00pm
Location: BASF Campus, 100 Park Ave., Florham Park, NJ 07932
Event
will consist of career coaching, job search strategic planning, an
expert panel Q&A session, and speed networking. More info and to
RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
Friday, February 9, 2018
Boots
to Business Reboot: Starting or Growing a Veteran-Owned Business - Sign
up for Boots to Business Reboot, an entrepreneurship training program
for veterans and their spouses.
Time: 9:00am-5:00pm
Location: James J. Peters VA Medical Center, 130 West Kingsbridge Rd., Bronx, NY 10468 / 3rd Floor, 3-D-22 Front
For more information and registration: aamoroso@
To Register, go to: https://sbavets.force.
Friday, February 16, 2018
Free Tax Preparation Day - Services provided for Qualified Veterans by Ariva. Who is eligible? Households with: ▪ less than $54,000 income with dependents or ▪ less than $30,000 income with no dependents. Certain restrictions apply as not all types of returns can be prepared.
Time: 10:00am-4:00pm
Location: Bronx Vet Center, 2471 Morris Ave Suite 1A, Bronx NY.
Call 718-367-3500 to schedule an appointment time.
Thursday, February 22, 2018
Free Veterans Financial Workshop
Time: 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Location: Queens Vet Center 75-10B 91st Avenue Woodhaven, NY 11421
Please RSVP with JoJo 718-296-2871 ext. 7767
March 2018
Thursday, March 8, 2018 – SAVE THE DATE
DAV/Recruit Military New York Veterans Job Fair
Time: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Venue still TBD - more info to follow - stay tuned!
Tuesdays, March 13th - May 8, 2018
Signature Bank invites you to participate in the First Time Investor Program (FTIP) designed for United States Veterans. This
year the Bank is devoting its efforts to assisting America's Veterans,
and we are pleased to support our commitment to our heroes' future by
giving participants $1,000 to add to their own $500 in their investment
account, for a total of $1,500. (Note: Certain conditions apply.)
Signature Bank will also provide each participant with a 6-month
subscription to the Wall Street Journal.
Eligibility
to Participate: Must be US Veteran / 2017 taxable income doesn't exceed
$55,000 / Must have $500 of your own funds to invest
Time: 6:30pm-8:15pm - Tuesday evenings
Location: Signature Bank, 1177 Ave. of the Americas - 4th Floor, NYC 10036 (between W. 45th/46th Sts.)
For more information, contact: Michael Schwartz, Director of Community Development-SVP Tel: 646-822-1820 / mschwartz@signatureny.com or
Joan Bartolomeo, Assistant Director, Community Development Tel: 646-981-2424 / jbartolomeo@signatureny.com
Thursday, March 22, 2018 - SAVE THE DATE!
Every
year Fort Hamilton (USAG), Brooklyn, NY hosts a ceremony in March to
honor Vietnam Veterans. This year, it will be an honor for Colonel
Sicoli, Command Sergeant Major Stephens and the Soldiers of Fort
Hamilton to honor the service of US Army, Vietnam Veteran, Patrick
("Pat") Gualtieri posthumously during this year's event! ["I am over the moon for this distinguished and well-deserved honor", says Molly!]
Time: 11am – 12pm (end time approximate)
Location: Fort Hamilton Community Club
Stay tuned - more information to follow!
Friday, March 23th - Sunday, March 25, 2018
AFTER
HER SERVICE. M-SPAN at the University of Michigan presents a new
program for women veterans called "After Her Service." After Her Service
is aimed at building personal resilience and professional success by
combining a skill-building retreat with six months of individual
professional coaching.
Location: New Orleans, LA
All travel expenses for the weekend are covered. Visit http://m-span.org/our-
Saturday, March 24, 2018 - SAVE THE DATE!
2018 Vietnam Veterans Day - annual event produced by United War Veterans Council! Includes the following:
Reading of Names of the Fallen / Tribute March / Wreath Laying Ceremony
Stay tuned - more details to follow!
Friday, March 30, 2018
The
Veterans Health Alliance of Long Island along with Adelphi University
invite you to join us as we come together for the screening of Blood
Stripe (rescheduled date)
Time: 6:30pm / movie begins at 7:00pm
Location: Adelphi University, Performing Arts Center, Concert Hall, Garden City, NY
Blood
Stripe: A scarlet stripe that runs down the dress trousers worn by
officers of the United States Marine Corps. Synopsis - Our Sergeant
returns home after a third tour with the Marines. Unable to sleep,
wracked by paranoia and anxiety, it is clear that in addition to the
scars she bears on her body, Our Sergeant carries unseen wounds. When a
boisterous homecoming party provokes an explosive outburst, Our Sergeant
has nowhere to turn, and so she runs... deep into the North Woods.
Discovering a picturesque summer camp on a lake, Our Sergeant seeks
refuge and at first, finds solace. But she cannot outrun her own heart
of darkness and the pristine wilderness becomes fraught with peril.
RSVP Required, Rhea Spina RSpina@mhanc.org / 516-489-2322 x1260
This screening is free of charge and open to all - Veterans, Family Members, Friends and the General Service Provider Community!
Q&A w/Filmmaker/Star to follow screening / https://www.bloodstripefilm.
Request for Speakers - Special Announcement
Request
for veterans to participate in Black History Month Veterans Panel with
NYC Dept. of Health/Mental Hygiene- Headquarters in L.I.C., NY.
Date/Time: Tuesday, February 13, 2018 12:00-2:00pm
■ Looking for Veterans Candidates to speak on a Panel / Male or Female (3 Males already selected) / Time Frame: 1 to 1 1/2 hrs.
■ Veteran willing to speak on experience before or after learning, benefit or impact effect of military life etc.
(People who are good at speaking or presenting information please)
Addition
Date/Time: Monday, February 26, 2018 - Theme: Summary of Black American Veteran in War
■ Looking
for Key Note Speaker Black American Veteran High Profile or any other
person of this caliber Tuskegee Airmen, Purple Heart etc. 369th Harlem
Hell fighters
POC: Carla Redix, DOHMH Health Police; Manhattanville Health Center, 21 Old Broadway, NYC 10027
Resources
Discharge Upgrade Online Tool: see link below:
http://www.ourveterans.nyc/
http://www.ourveterans.nyc/
VA101 “How Can I Help You” Resource Guide
- This is a good document (see attachment) that has phone numbers and
links to many of the VA Healthcare, Benefit, and Burial resources. Some
of the weblinks may be forwarded now due to the recent VA website
upgrade (www.vets.gov)
Military-Civilian: We
work to connect military veterans and their families seeking civilian
jobs with companies who have open career opportunities. If you or anyone
in your network is looking for work either stateside or overseas, I
encourage you to check out the job posts in the Careers Directory of my
site http://www.military-
Lucy Jensen | Military – Civilian / http://www.
Free Yoga For Servicemembers, Veterans, & Their Families. Mats/Blocks provided; no experience necessary.
When: Thursdays
Time: 12pm-1pm
Location: Bronx Vet Center, 2471 Morris Ave., Suite 1A, Bronx, NY 10468
Contact: Mr. Bongioanni (Mr. B) for details: 718-367-3500
Attention all veterans and spouses of veterans who are interested in a rewarding career in teaching. Please contact Dr. Peter Leibman ---Director of Troops to Teachers for New York State and Associate Professor at St. Francis College. There is a teacher shortage as baby boomers retire and quality role models are needed. Contact Dr. Leibman at: 718-489-5282 or email at pleibman@sfc.edu.
Dr. Leibman will review your experience and background and share the
most expeditious path to becoming certified. You can be at the “head of
the class” sooner than you think!
VA Decision Ready Claims Program Expands
to Include More Types of Claims- As part of the U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs' (VA) ongoing efforts to modernize and improve
Veterans' experience with the disability claims process, VA unveiled its
latest enhancements to the Decision Ready Claims (DRC) program, which
will expand the pool of Veterans, surviving spouses and service members
eligible to participate in the program. More info attached about DRC and
link here with a video that describes process more: https://www.benefits.va.gov/
Job-Seekers, Students and Career-Builders: NY
Resume Workshop offers Professional & Student Coaching for YOUR
path to a BRIGHTER FUTURE. Services include: Professional &
Academic Assessment; Resume & Cover Letter Assistance; Interview
Prep & Pointers; Social Media & Reputation Advisement. ALL
services conducted in person for optimal results. Contact nyresumeworkshop@
------------------------------
Established in memory of my beloved life partner, U.S. Army; iconic Vietnam veteran, Patrick ("Pat") Gualtieri [d.
July 21, 2015]; the consummate event specialist, producer, leader,
mentor, visionary, family member, friend, life partner and more... well
respected [and sorely missed] in the veterans' community and beyond...
Donations needed - individuals and corporate sponsorship welcome; thank
you! Your donations enable PLG Veterans Assistance Fund Inc. to continue
Pat's 'living legacy' and commitment to our veterans community in
multiple ways. See prior newsletter with PLG's... 2017 year-end recap
and active community engagement!
Kick-starting
2018 is our annual 'Valentine's For Veterans' initiative (see event
flyer). Thank you in advance for your anticipated support to help make
this a most successful event for our veterans at local VA facilities.
Remember A VEteran Inc. = R A V E© [M.Levi, Founder] [raveusa.org]
is pleased to have co-sponsored the 'Valentine's for Veterans' at the
Brooklyn, VA and looks forward to reprising this once again in 2018!
Additional initiatives underway in local communities. Goal is to inspire
the youth of our city and nation-at-large to 'Remember A VEteran' in various ways; pay it forward! Visit website for
expanded info including Mission/Vision Statements. R A V E has a
special interest and extended outreach to students for Valentine cards!
Reminder: Use mlevi426@aol.com
Molly's Newsletter - The Veterans' Advocate is
independently produced with dedicated effort; every other week or
weekly as needed. Every effort is made to keep pace with the tremendous
influx of information for considered inclusion; subject to review;
limitations apply given time/space constraints. Stay tuned for next
release - new information/resources regularly added; no representations
made. Feel free to share. Your interest, support, and donations are
appreciated; thank you. [The PLG Veterans Assistance Fund Inc. and The
Veterans' Advocate assume no responsibility for the professional ability
and/or integrity of events and resources listed.]
Favorite Pat quote:
“The
willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war,
no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they
perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by
their nation.” - George Washington
In patriotism and friendship and so much more... I leave you with continued good wishes for abundant
good health, much happiness, peace, prosperity, and joyful
moments. Sharing a great quote by Henry David Thoreau (a favorite poet,
philosopher, historian...) that inspire me:"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you imagined."
Molly ♥
Marleen "Molly" Levi, Veterans' Advocate; Author/Consultant/Special Events
♥ Founder, PLG Veterans Assistance Fund Inc. [ThePatFund.com]
♥ Founder, Remember A VEteran Inc. [R A V E] [raveusa.org]
♥ Producer/Editor, The Veterans' Advocate (Molly's Newsletter)
Member organizations:
♦ AVVA/VVA, Chapter#126, Manhattan
♦ Rolling Thunder#1, Brooklyn
♦ General Society of Mechanics & Tradesmen of the City of NY
♦ BAOC, CNYC, FINRA, FWA, GMWC, MBWC, NATAS, Toastmasters Intl.
