FOR UNCLAIMED VETERANS, STRANGERS BECOME FAMILY AT BURIAL
20 Jul 2019The Orlando Sentinel | By Lisa Maria Garza
There were no relatives at Vietnam veteran Stephen Jerald Spicer's funeral, but his passing didn't go unnoticed as a few dozen patriotic strangers showed up to honor his service.
American flags fluttered behind a procession of motorcycles that escorted a hearse carrying Spicer's black casket with gold trim -- the Army's signature colors -- from Woodlawn Funeral Home in Gotha for 50 miles to Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.
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Spicer, 72, died June 14 and was designated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as an "unclaimed veteran" -- someone who doesn't have a next of kin to claim their remains.
The Longwood resident is among more than 3,000 unclaimed veterans nationwide who have been buried with full military honors through the Dignity Memorial Homeless Veterans Burial Program.
“Mad Dog” Shriver Packed as Many as Six Revolvers, Plus....
War History story on Vietnam Special Forces Jerry "Mad Dog" Shriver
"TO LIBERATE THE OPPRESSED"
US Special Forces Motto
For America, the Vietnam War was unlike any other war it had fought before. It was a complicated conflict which lasted over 40 years.
America was involved in the last nine years of the war and the end involved the humiliating mass evacuation of American personnel out of the country in 1973.
It is estimated that over the course of the war, American forces casualties amounted to some 58,000 dead and over 300,000 wounded, as well as losing nearly 10,000 aircraft and helicopters.
It was, at times, a highly unconventional war with few set battles and a sporadic but intense aerial campaign.
Despite the introduction of high tech weapons like SAMs (Surface to Air Missiles), dedicated gunships, and the widespread use of guided munitions, it was still a down and dirty war. The need for Special Forces had never been greater.
Hanoi Hanna was heard later that day to boast that they had captured Mad Dog Shriver.
Medal of Honour winner, Lieutenant Jim Flemming, who had served with Shriver on several missions, summed him up as “The quintessential warrior loner.”
Staff Sergeant Aaron Butler
The Inaugural SSG Aaron Butler Memorial Purple Heart Run, Sat August 17, 2019, Eagle, ID US 83616
MORE THAN A RACE: This is more than a race, it is a celebration of all US servicemembers who have given their lives or parts of themselves physically in combat operations around the globe. The after party promises to be epic. We will have local beer, music, food, local coffee, and lots to do for kids. All race proceeds will go to the Idaho Department and Chief Joseph Chapter 509 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (a 501C3 nonprofit). This event was created by local Purple Heart recipients, and there will be an opportunity for all participants and supporters to meet and learn from those men and women who have been wounded in combat. The race courses will be lined with pictures and stories about Purple Heart Recipients who gave their lives in the Global War on Terror (since 9/11/2001). Bring out your families, let your children meet and absorb the words of Gold Star families (who have lost loved ones in combat), Vietnam War Purple Heart Recipients, and Purple Heart Recipients from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. They are among us every day, this in a unique opportunity for all of us to see and hear from local community members who have given more than most for our Nation.
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CONTACT:
Race Director: Dan Nelson – director.purpleheartrun@gmail.com
Dan is a former US Army Special Forces Officer (Green Beret), and a member of the Chief Joseph Chapter 509 Military Order of the Purple Heart
Welcome! A few topics of interest:
"Is the VA Health System too Big"
Our Chairman / Founder Ronald Verini , writes 2 articles a month which are published in a regional newspaper. You can read these articles here on our Webpage just by clicking on the heading 'Veterans Articles'. This Article will be published July 21, 2019.
ALSO, be sure to check-out our "Gallery of Veterans Stories" listed under 'More' on our header bar.
What is the White House VA Hotline? 1-855-948-2311
The hotline’s pilot began under direction of the Veterans Experience Office on June 1, 2017, and entered phase two on October 15, 2017.
White House VA Hotline: 1-855-948-2311.
Calls are answered by a live agent 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The hotline is staffed by more than 60 agents who have had extensive training on VA programs and services. Most of these agents are a Veteran, military family member, caregiver or a survivor.
The White House VA Hotline conducts immediate warm hand offs for at-crisis risk Veterans needing the services of the Veterans Crisis Line.
Trends identified by the hotline will be used to rapidly respond to systemic inefficiencies and empower VA employees to resolve Veteran concerns quickly.
VA Will Now Let You Go to Civilian Urgent Care Doctors
Related content:
- How to Use VA's New Urgent Care Benefit
- Disabled Veterans Can Now Fly Space-A
- Got a sore throat or a sprained ankle and don't want to go to a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital? Got sick at 8:00 on a Friday night and don’t want to wait until Monday to see a VA doctor? A new VA program may be for you.
As of June 6, 2019, the VA offers medical care to eligible veterans at selected civilian urgent care facilities nationwide.
May 29, 2019, by Jim Absher, Military.com
VA Puts Emphasis on Suicide Prevention
VeteransCrisisLine.net
1-800-273-8255 press 1
A 'confidential, free resource
even if you're not registered with VA
or not enrolled in VA health care.
ALSO, check-out our directory of "RESOURCES" which you can get to by clicking on our "PROGRAMS/RESOURCES/BOD" section on the Header Bar.
Special Section to 'Commemorate 9/11'
We have added this '9/11 Special' to the top of our "SHOP" Page. Just click on the Red Action Button just below here and it will take you right to the section.
We also have here posted an 'Awareness Story' on AGENT ORANGE from the VA.
Thanks for visiting our VAOI Webpage!
We thank all the Businesses and Friends supporting our Veterans, Military and First Responders.
We really appreciate your interest too, in 'Who we are and What we do'. If you have any questions or suggestions or would like to 'volunteer' or 'donate', well please contact us with an email, a phone call, or just drop on into the office. The 'Red' contact button below will give you our contact info. Thanks
Who we are....
Our Mission
Is to provide a voice, for Veterans and Active Duty personnel of the Armed Forces of the United States of America and their dependents. To support, Honor, Recognize and Advocate for their needs as members of our Communities, States and Country
We are an 'All Volunteer' 501 c 3 organization
We support 'Our Mission' through Donations and an All Volunteer Staff. Pictured here to the right is a young High School Senior whose Senior Project was to raise money for our Veteran Advocates of Ore-Ida programs, which he did by completing an engine swap in a Ford Taurus and thus raised $2,666.75. He is pictured with our Chairman and a few of our Veteran Volunteers.
You are Welcome Anytime......
We are a "No Dues" Non-profit organization that welcomes you for 'Coffee & Conversation' 5 days a week in our Ontario, Oregon Office. You can also give us a call regarding any assistance you may be seeking.
PLEASE, Help Our Cause
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and improve conditions. Your generous donation will fund our mission.
