Mayor’s Veterans Appreciation Day
August 6, 2011 from 10:00 to 16:00, American Legion Mall, Indianapolis
FREE to all Indianapolis military veterans and their families. Live bands, food, helicopter fly-ins, info booths, etc.
Want the whole scoop? Click below for the PDF flyer.
Filed under Military, Military Family
I’m headed off on another field trip having to do with the military. I’m not sure this one will feature any dreamy flights or serious video game guns, but it will bring some experiences I’ve never had and probably wouldn’t under any other circumstance.
So if you visit Puckilitary Thoughts for helpful military tips and news relating to families and vets, don’t worry, that will come again after I return. Until then, think about following me on my two day, action-packed trip to the Pentagon. I’ll be updating the blog regularly, or as much as I can with the hectic 48-hour schedule and trying to tweet as well. Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter, or like my Facebook page to see frequent blog updates.
Here’s a quick summary of the upcoming trip:
I’ll be heading to Indianapolis International Airport around 4 a.m. on Thursday, June 23. If you should see me there, I might suggest staying away for a while. I’m generally not much of a morning person. From there, I’ll fly to Charlotte and then to D.C. Around noon, I’ll kick off the Medill Covering the Military At Home and Aboad with a tour of the Pentagon. And after that? You can click here for the general itinerary or just wait for my next update.
Filed under Military, Military media, Pentagon
Letters have been a trademark of war for as long as anyone can remember. Handwritten letters of love, horror and of happiness have made their way from the battlefield to the homefront. Sometimes days, weeks, months would pass without any communication. But technology has almost eliminated the wordless gaps, changing the way military families deal with long deployments.
A 2010 survey by Blue Star Families reported that 89 percent of military families use email to communicate with their service member. The Digital IQ Index: Public Sector, a recent study ranking government, nonprofit and industry trade groups for their use of social media and online strategies, ranked the U.S. Army as fourth on the list for their use of the digital world.
And the digital world is something Emily Fisher is thankful for. Her husband, Staff Sergeant Josh Fisher, has been deployed multiple times over their seven year marriage. They recently welcomed a son, Jackson, to the world, making communication even more important during the first year of his life.
“I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been for spouses before the technology we have now,” said Fisher. “The separation is still hard, but at least we can communicate in some way on a regular basis.”
Through the use of Yahoo Messenger and email, Fisher and her husband had some sort of contact almost daily during his last deployment overseas. For the upcoming deployment, she plans to try out new forms of communication, especially video, to capture some important moments in Jackson’s life.
“We just installed a new security system where you can watch the cameras in our home from the Internet at any time,” said Fisher. “Josh can watch Jackson playing or sleeping all the time. I’m just thankful we have the technology so he can enjoy some of the moments he would otherwise miss.”
New programs and software are constantly hitting the market, making it easier for troops to stay connected with their loved ones. Here are some fresh new, and old, ways to communicate:
Qik www.qik.com
It’s not always easy to capture life away from the computer. Uploading videos from cell phones and cameras has made it easier to share with deployed service members, but Qik offers everything in one package, without multiple steps. Record video on over 140 supported phones directly to a unique Qik homepage. Far away service members or other family can view the video live, or users can choose to archive and upload later. Videos can be shared directly to YouTube, Facebook or Twitter, through email and even downloaded to a computer.
PostEgram www.postegram.com
Facebook is a daily chronicle of many lives. From pictures to statuses, surveys and links, many Americans share the day-to-day with others through the popular social media site. But without an Internet connection, service members are missing out on the lives of their family and friends. PostEgram, a Detroit-based company, has a remedy. The program turns status updates, uploaded photos and other content from up 15 family members or friends into a personal Facebook magazine mailed directly to the service member. Subscriptions are reasonable, starting at just under 5 dollars per month.
Skype www.skype.com
Skype is likely the most popular way to communicate for military families, with news stories of live births popping up all over the world. But recent changes to Skype have made it even easier for families to stay connected. Mobile apps for multiple platforms has made it possible for users to continue conversations away from their computer and a new group video call feature allows a whole family to reach their service member. A recent software release, Skype 5.0, allows Windows users to connect with their Facebook to check updates and call or text.
OoVoo www.oovoo.com
Like Skype, ooVoo is a video and audio calling service, used with a computer, Internet connection and webcam. One of the nice features of ooVoo is that it allows users to communicate with others who don‘t have the ooVoo program, something Skype doesn’t do. Users are also able to record short video messages and send them via email or save them to your computer to upload elsewhere. Many features are free, but extra plans start under ten dollars monthly, or users can pay for only the services they use.
Websites for Heroes www.websitesforheroes.com
If families and service members are concerned about security or just want everything in one place, Websites for Heroes offers password-protected websites for military families for one year. The sites feature a video gallery, photo albums and a family calendar. Each child can have their own personalized page for updates while friends and family can share updates and stories on a message board. The best part? Thanks to generous donations, the sites are completely free.
Sesame Street Family Connections www.sesamestreetfamilyconnections.org
It’s always difficult for young children to feel connected when a parent is deployed for long periods of time. They are often confused by video chats and emails aren’t engaging enough. Sesame Street Family Connections is a portal built for children and families to communicate with a loved one far away. The page is completely customizable, with child-friendly backgrounds and their favorite Sesame Street characters. It is formatted in a way that even young children can operate the message board, post a photo or add video and audio messages. Children can also create artwork to share by coloring pictures through the site. Even better, pictures of family members and comments from the Sesame Street characters make children feel truly connected.
Pilot Handwriting www.pilothandwriting.com
In times where email is the only form of communication available, why not make it a little more personal? Pilot Handwriting allows users to scan their own handwriting with just a webcam, camera or scanner. The program then allows users to type personal, handwritten emails that are sent directly from the site.
Brightkite www.brightkite.com
Often family members struggle to find ways to continue online communication when they’re away from a computer. Brightkite is a free program for communication on all fronts. Messages are sent from computer to computer, like instant messaging, but also from computer to phone in the form of a text message. Multiple family and friends can be invited to join the conversation, keeping everyone connected.
Remember:
Digital communication is increasingly prevalent between service members and their families. But an increase in access can also mean new risks and challenges. Be sure to keep these things in mind for everyones safety:
OPSEC, OPSEC, OPSEC
Never give information about places, dates, times or names. The security of troops is a top priority and even sharing specific information through email with family members in the United States could put them at risk.
THEY’RE ALL SECRET (AND DIFFERENT)
Use different passwords for each of your sites. Having your information stolen from one social media site or email account is bad enough, but when passwords are the same, the result could be even more damaging. It’s also a good idea to change passwords every so often, but be sure to write them down somewhere secure.
HOMEFRONT OPSEC
Don’t think that just because you aren’t on the front lines, you shouldn’t have some serious security measures of your own. If you’re posting your spouse is gone, don’t tell people you’ve left the house. Be careful about geotagging pictures and status updates.
PRIVATE: KEEP OUT
Most social media sites have multiple settings for privacy. Use them. Post information to friends and family only and start being selective about who you “friend.” Do you really need all 12,000 of those people to know where you are and what you’re doing?
LOCK IT UP
When you’re finished updating, uploading and browsing a social media site, or done chatting on a video call, log out. This is especially important if you’re using a computer someone else might have access to.
Filed under Military, Military Family, Technology
In 2009, historic changes made to the GI Bill allow service members to transfer their unused benefits to their spouse or children. As useful as the change is, many service members haven’t wanted to mount the seemingly daunting task of actually making the transfer.
President Obama signed the Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Improvement Act, otherwise known as GI Bill 2.0, into law in December 2010.
The Department of Defense issued guidance in June 2009 that established criteria for eligibility and transfer of benefits. Stemming from that information overload is this simple version.
Eligibility:
Service member must be:
And:
Family members must be:
Even if a family member is eligible, there are still stipulations. Spouses can use the benefit immediately and do so while the sponsor is serving and up to 15 years after separation. A spouse, however, isn’t eligible to receive the monthly stipend or books and supplies stipend if the service member is on active duty.
Children can only use their benefits after the service member has completed at least 10 years of service. They are required to attain a secondary school diploma or equivalency or be 18-years-old. Unlike a spouse, children can receive stipends while the service member is on active duty and they don’t have to use the benefit within 15 years of separation, although they aren’t eligible after age 26.
Step-by-step
Filed under Military, Military Family
Military or not, we’ve all had to consider daycare for our children at one point or another. Maybe it’s a job change, a life change, you just want more time to shop for Christmas without someone biting, screaming or crying… (sorry, that last one was personal). Either way, your kids are the most important thing in your life and it’s just as important that you be prepared when looking for someone to care for them as you do. Here’s a list of some things to think about before you make the final decision.
1. Safety First
Make sure you ask about safety and security policies. Find out the protocol for checking your child in and out and what the supervision ratio is for each age bracket. Look into procedures for emergencies and don’t forget to make sure toys are sanitized and playground equipment is installed correctly.
2. Oops, You’re Late
Traffic, accidents or just a little distraction. Everyone is late at one point or another so check with the childcare to see what kind of late charges occur if you’re not on time to pick up your child. Many facilities have policies for frequent tardiness, so be sure you arrive on time in order to keep your spot.
3. I’m Hungry!
Check into the types of meals and snacks the facility serves and also how the food is prepared, especially if your child has a food allergy. See if they accommodate specific requests for vegetarians or religious observances. If your child is extra particular, find out the policy about parents providing food.
4. We’re on Vacation
For most childcares, you’ll still be required to pay while you’re away on vacation or your child has an extended illness. Some facilities offer a certain number of days as credit to be used toward vacation or will work with you if a child will be out for a significant period of time. If this is the case, make sure you have it in writing to use as a reference later.
5. You’re a Visitor
Since the facility is watching your child, it only makes sense that you would want to feel welcome and wanted. Check with the provider as to their rules for visiting and observing and even for volunteering for class parties or activities.
6. Time Out
Discipline can be a touchy subject for parents, so it’s important to be clear up front. Find out what the step-by-step guidelines are for discipline, which most facilities and providers will already have in writing. If you aren’t comfortable with something, discuss it so that you prevent problems in the future. Most importantly, continue to communicate with your child’s caregivers on a regular basis.
7. Cough, Cough
Ask the childcare what their policy is regarding sick children. Each facility has different rules and limitations on fevers, coughs and runny noses. It’s not a bad idea to ask if they have a “sick child” option, where your child can still attend but be isolated or on restricted activities.
8. You’re My Teacher, Cook and Nurse?
Meet the entire staff, not just the teacher your child will have. Find out about staff and teacher education and certifications. It’s also helpful to find out the turnover rate for staff, so you’ll know the likelihood of your child’s caregiver being replaced mid-year. Another note: high turnover can indicate a serious problem in the operation of the facility.
9. Overall Philosophies
Find out the facilities overall childcare philosophy. If you’re more interested in a learning environment, see if they are accredited in early education. Ask if children can pick activities tailored to their interests and if there is a schedule that’s followed each day.
10. Relax.
Most importantly, you should feel 100% comfortable about the facility and provider. After all, you are leaving your child with them. If you aren’t, you’ll worry all day and your child could be miserable. Spend as much time talking, observing and visiting as you need to know that you’ve found the right fit for both you and your child.
Filed under Military Family
We all see it: the fine print in the paper, a blinking e-mail with a name and a town, the small writing that scrolls quickly across the bottom of the television. Unless it’s the town you grew up in, the person you used to date, or the son of your neighbor down the street, the reaction is quick and, for most, painless.
Sure, you feel sad for a minute, but it’s as if the war has moved from the big screen and playing in some junky dollar theatre–no one wants to watch anymore. And if they do, by chance, it’s focused on Washington, generals, committees, policies… There is a human cost of war, policies and procedures aside, and although many say they understand, they don’t.
All this leads me to my most recent read. A painfully beautiful reminder of not only those who paid the ultimate price, but those who deliver the news, the kind no one wants to hear.
Final Salute by Jim Sheeler.
Read it. Soon. Make sure that, along with the book, you purchase Kleenex (about four boxes) and then find somewhere quiet to absorb everything on it’s pages. Recommend it to your neighbor, your friend, your children. We all need a taste of something bigger than ourselves.
Read it.
Filed under Military
Rewind with me for a minute to September of 2009. VA Hospitals alerted more than 10,000 veterans to the fact that they weren’t really cleaning their endoscopes properly and they could have sent them home with a lot more than just after care instructions. Although tests began showing that many of the veterans notified tested positive for HIV or Hepatitis, the entire story was little more than a blip on the morning news.
Now, as it often does, history is repeating itself. Veterans who visited the St. Louis Veterans Affairs Medical Center between February 2009 and March 2010 are now at risk for HIV and Hepatitis, among other diseases. More than 1,800 veterans were notified by certified mail after an inspection revealed that dental equipment was not being properly sanitized.
This is just another misstep in a long list… In 2009, a veterans hospital in Philadelphia was found to have improperly performed 92 of 116 prostate cancer treatments.
It’s sad that our veterans come home from war alive, only to continue fighting a battle for adequate health care and no one seems to notice.
Full story here.
Filed under Military, Veterans Affairs
Provisions to HR5136, the House 2011 defense authorization bill, could mean big pay increases for the military next year. Some key points:
The bill could also begin a pilot program of job counseling for spouses, Tricare coverage for dependent children up to age 26 and early heath care benefits for reserve early retirees.
Despite the $340 million price tag, the Senate is expected to begin writing its full version of the bill soon.
Filed under Military
Veterans nationwide struggled through the fall semester, waiting on the hype of the Post-9/11 GI Bill to pay off. As many students applied for benefits, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs was overwhelmed, much as critics had predicted. Understaffed offices, outdated technology and mass confusion among many college advisers left thousands of veterans waiting on housing and tuition payments.
Tom Tarantino, a Legislative Associate for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, acknowledges that the first semester of implementation was a disaster on many fronts.
“The VA was really not prepared for the volume of people that ended up using the GI Bill,” Tarantino said. “Even though the actual number fell well short of the estimate, it still completely crippled their system.”
Officials now say most veterans have received their full benefits for the fall semester. According to the VA, they have paid out more than $1.3 billion in education benefits to more than 183,000 students since the program began in August.
This year, the VA has hired 530 additional employees, bringing the total to 1,200 claims processors. They have also awarded a temporary contract to assist with processing and are making good on promises to deliver benefits by Feb. 1.
Even with the progress, there are still problem areas. Some schools won’t certify students until after the add/drop period, leaving those veterans without a living allowance for months. Others enrolled in school only to be met with confusing state caps on tuition that required them to cover much of the cost.
“One of the reforms we are really pushing for is to get rid of the caps,” Tarantino said. “The whole point of the GI Bill was that a veteran could get an undergraduate public education for free. So just pay the bill.”
Of the thousands of veterans who applied for the new benefit, more than 30 percent were issued advance payments in late 2009 as an emergency measure to provide a living stipend while the students waited on regular payments.
In January, the VA announced that they’ll begin recouping the payments, but nothing has been made clear about how the process will work.
Keith Wilson, VA’s director of education services, thought the payments were helpful in allowing students to focus on their schooling instead of their checkbooks, but realizes timely repayment is necessary.
“Now, we can get to the business of closing the books on advance payments and focus on supporting veterans for the spring semester,” Wilson said.
The new GI Bill could be, after some growing pains, one of the best benefits veterans have seen in half a century.
“I think in five or ten years,” Tarantino said, “all anyone is ever going to remember is that we are helping to build another greatest generation and it’s going to be a great thing.”
For details on the Post 9/11 GI Bill, go to www.gibill.va.gov or www.newgibill.org.
Filed under Military, Veterans Affairs
He’s a celebrity of sorts, protected from the weather by a warm green coat and puffy black gloves. His smile is contagious and the deep laugh that escapes him overpowers the soft jingling of Christmas music as it filters through the well-worn van.
People shout his name as the van slowly approaches—many know him. Their breath hits the chilly air and puffs little clouds of steam at the windows. The lettering that marks the vehicle—Homeless Veterans Outreach Program—has drawn people from their blanketed tents and close conversations.
The driver’s window rolls down slowly and Mike Williams leans out into the cold.
“You guys veterans?” he asks, pauses, and then asks again.
Two step closer and explain that they are, although their circumstances are complicated. Williams pushes the door open and steps onto the streets to do what he came for—to help.
Williams began working for Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation (HVAF) more than 10 years ago, but has been focused on their outreach program for the last seven.
“HVAF wanted to start outreach in 2002,” Williams says. “Some people recommended me for the job because I knew the streets as someone who used to be homeless myself. I’ve been doing it ever since.”
The program, one of many offered by the foundation, sends workers into the city streets to provide veterans with food, clothing and personal hygiene items. Workers also assist in obtaining supportive housing and explaining benefits the veterans may be eligible for.
Each day, Williams scours homeless spots and lends himself to local missions where veterans go to seek other services. As a Vietnam veteran, Williams can better understand many of the people he helps, making his job easier.
“I’m the guy that sees the veterans before they get into our system, whether it is out in the missions or on the streets,” says Williams. “It’s my job to just let them know what’s available for them.”
Even with the programs offered by HVAF and other veteran resource programs, many are reluctant to leave the streets. Some prefer the lifestyle they have grown accustomed to, others don’t want to follow the rules set forth in assisted housing and, as Williams knows, are simply distrustful of the government and assistance offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
“These vets,” says Williams, “can be so distrustful of the VA because of their experiences. That just makes them want to camp out.”
According to HVAF, there are roughly 900 homeless veterans on the streets of Indianapolis each night.
They are veterans of all wars and times—veterans like Keith, who lives in the shadow of the massive Lucas Oil Stadium, an ironic symbol of affluence and success.
On the streets since August of 2008, the 48-year-old has made his home in a tent along the river. A ravine tangled with brush and branches is his front door and he shares living space and beef jerky with a curious fox.
He smells of firewood and burning leaves and is bundled in a sweatshirt, jeans and a jacket. The faint scent of sausage remains from his most recent meal, cooked over a fire that serves many purposes.
Williams sometimes visits him three times a week, providing food, water and other necessities from the foundation.
Last week, Keith’s bike was stolen. Williams was quick with a replacement.
“He brings me what I need and it means a lot,” says Keith. “There’s a lot of bad people out here so the good ones really stand out.”
Originally from Kentucky, the veteran moved to be closer to family that has not welcomed him into their homes.
“It’s tough,” Keith says, “but it’s not the end of the world just because you don’t have a home. It ain’t bad. Not to me.”
Despite the challenges he faces as part of the homeless population—beatings, robberies, hunger—Keith insists that there are those less fortunate than him.
“I got my discharge papers, but I don’t go places if I don’t need to,” he says. “I know one day I’ll need it, but until that day comes, I’ll let them help other people who need it more.”
He explains that he is satisfied with his life and, although it can be lonely at times, he appreciates being able to come and go as he pleases.
The man, whose blunt way of thinking brings out more hearty laughs from Williams, does want something though—a tipi.
“If I had a tipi,” says Keith through small bouts of laughter, “I could put my fire inside and have my morning coffee without even getting out of bed.”
He plans to use cardboard and plastic to block the wind and hold in some heat during cold nights. The only things he has yet to figure out are some final plans and finding the manpower to get it standing.
Williams offers to help with supplies for the project and they carry on small talk as Keith chooses necessities from the back of the van.
“I’m in pretty good humor today,” Keith says. “It is rough out here sometimes but all in all, if you just take it as it comes to you and try to keep your attitude, you’ll be alright.”
Then, with a few bottles of water in tow, he disappears quietly back down the ravine just as the sun peeks over the stadium.
