Happy Thanksgiving

On October 3, 1863, in the midst of the bloodiest war America has ever fought, Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation “to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.”

All of us wish the men and women of our Armed Forces a Happy Thanksgiving.  We thank you for serving our country and we pray for your safety.  We also wish a Happy Thanksgiving to our military families – the most special group of all.

Only those who have experienced an airport or pier-side goodbye hug for a loved one leaving in uniform truly know what they endure.  Alone on this Thanksgiving, they bravely shoulder their families’ burdens because words like “duty” and “service” mean something to them.

Thank you and God Bless all of you this Thanksgiving.

VA takes key step to improve its website to provide Veterans an enhanced digital customer experience

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 13, 2018

WASHINGTON — This week the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) took a key step in its digital modernization effort by
revamping its website accessed by 10 million customers per month who use VA’s tools and content online.
To improve this experience VA’s Veterans Experience Office and VA Digital Service gathered feedback from more than 5,000 Veterans,
service members, their families, caregivers and survivors.  Continue reading “VA takes key step to improve its website to provide Veterans an enhanced digital customer experience”

Happy Veterans Day – “You’re Worth It!”

November 10, 2018 Blount County Tennessee.

The United Veterans of Blount County hosted Blount County’s  50th Veterans Day Celebration at Rio Revolution Church.  Special Guest speaker was  Lt. Col Army Ellison “Vic” Vickery gave an inspirational service and sacrifice speech.

Vic’s told us that he never felt comfortable responding to anyone who “thanked him for his service” until his wife Suzanne suggested responding with “You’re worth it!”

Thank you Mrs. Suzanne Vickery for your recommendation.

We are grateful to all who have served, whether in peacetime or in periods of conflict. Especially for those who have fought on the battlefield, those who continue to bear wounds both seen and unseen. We pray for physical healing and God’s peace in your life.

On behalf of the Veterans/Military Friendly Congregation we wish everyone a blessed and happy Veterans Day.

Rio Revolution is a VMFC Lead Congregation.

VA’s Telehealth Care for Rural Veterans with PTSD

One in every five Servicemembers returns from combat with at least one serious mental health issue. With only 16 psychologists per every 100,000 rural residents, rural Veterans face greater access challenges when seeking mental health support.  Moreover, rural Veterans are more likely than their urban peers to suffer from current and lifetime depression or commit suicide.

The Office of Rural Health (ORH) is committed to working with our clinical partners to address these challenges through a variety of programs that connect rural Veterans with VA mental health care programs closer to home. Continue reading “VA’s Telehealth Care for Rural Veterans with PTSD”

VMFC Creates faith-based comedy-drama play about PTSD

Tonya Stoutt-Brown, Christian citizen of Blount County Tennessee and a radio personality on Joy 620 AM radio, has written a play about a WWII veteran who comes home and struggles with his depression and PTSD as a result of the war.  Tonya’s play has been performed for years in her small church in Blount County.  The previous shows have been sold out and continues to grow in popularity and numbers.  This year, the play has moved to a larger church, First Baptist Church Maryville, to accommodate a larger audience.  The tickets are free and the play is humorous, realistic, educational and fun.  Tonya advised us that the vast majority of the previous shows were veterans and their families and have always identified veterans who were need support.  Continue reading “VMFC Creates faith-based comedy-drama play about PTSD”

MCA’s Executive Director’s Notes – Women Veterans Summit

MCA Fr. Razz Waff’s Executive Director’s Notes

This past Thursday I was fortunate to be able to attend the Women Veterans’ Summit in Knoxville, supported by Vet to Vet Tennessee. VTVT is one of MCA’s strategic partners with the Veteran/Military Friendly Congregation (VMFC) ministry. They along with along with the Episcopal Church’s lay men’s organization, The Brotherhood of St. Andrew (BSA) work together to help congregations across our land to be more military friendly. Continue reading “MCA’s Executive Director’s Notes – Women Veterans Summit”

VMFC Host 1st Women Veterans Summit in Knoxville

Redemption Church in Knoxville is one of the oldest Veteran/Military Friendly Lead Congregations in the Country and is hosted the first Women Veteran Summit in Knoxville Tennessee on October 4th.  Honored guest include MCA’s Executive Director Razz Waff and MCA’s VFMC leader Everett Price.  This summit is to show that it take more than the VA to take care all of our veterans, it takes a caring community!.

Redemption Church, 3550 Pleasant Ridge Rd, Knoxville, TN 37921.

Check in begins at 8:00 am  Program begins at 9:00 am.

Click here to read the full program.  Let’s start one in your congregation!  Keep the prayers and support flowing.  For more information how to create a Women Veteran Summit please contact Emily Hager, Women Veterans Committee Chairwoman at ehager@tnvhc.org or visit the summit website at https://womenvetssummit.tnvhc.org/.

 

 

The rate of suicide among 18-34-year-old Veterans continues to increase.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 26, 2018

VA Releases National Suicide Data Report for 2005-2016

Analysis Is Part of VA’s Data-driven Approach to Suicide Prevention

WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released national and state-level findings from its most recent analysis of Veteran suicide data, from 2005 to 2016. The analysis is part of VA’s ongoing examination of non-Veteran and Veteran death records that is being used to evaluate and improve VA’s Suicide Prevention Program.

“Suicide prevention remains VA’s highest clinical priority. One life lost to suicide is one too many,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie.  The report yields several important insights:  Continue reading “The rate of suicide among 18-34-year-old Veterans continues to increase.”

VA Video Connect Links Veterans to Doctors

VA Video Connect Links Veterans to Doctors

Join the Facebook Live event with VFW September 18

Facebook app on mobile phone

Traveling to a clinic or a hospital isn’t the only way to see your doctor. Instead of going to the doctor’s office for your health care appointment, why not use a secure video connection from the comfort of your own home? On Tuesday, September 18 at noon ET, VA’s Office of Connected Care and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) are hosting a Facebook Live event to discuss VA Video Connect, VA’s virtual appointment technology.

When you join the Facebook discussion, you will learn how to use the VA Video Connect App to connect with your health care provider using the camera on your phone, computer, or tablet. You’ll even see how you can access your virtual medical room and meet with your VA care team with any device that has an internet connection, a web camera, a microphone, and speakers.

MCA, CAP, VTVT, VMFC?

Executive Director Notes

This has been an absolutely great week. It started with a great learning opportunity for me and ended the same way. Wish we could all have such weeks on a regular basis. 

I spent last week in Anaheim at the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) national conference getting smart on CAP chaplaincy. Many thanks to the gracious hospitality of the CAP Chief of Chaplains, CH, Col, Charlie Sattgast who invited me to attend. Wednesday was spent with Charlie and his leadership team and was a great immersion process as they reviewed the past year’s events and milestones and looked at the “way ahead”.   Continue reading “MCA, CAP, VTVT, VMFC?”