GI Go Fund Transition Times - Spring 2014 by Jack Fanous

The GI Go Fund Directors

Cover

Voyaging For Healthcare �� 12 GI Go Fund and Habitat for Humanity Team Up to Build Homes for Military Veterans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Jack Fanous

Executive Director fanous@gigofund.org

GI Go Fund Honors PSEG, South Jersey Leaders as “Veteran Strong” During 5th Annual Veterans Day Gala. . 5

5th Annual Veterans Day Gala page 5 Alex Manis

Deputy Director manis@gigofund.org

During 4th Military Career Workshop, More than 200 Veterans Improve their Resume and Job Searching Skills at Johnson & Johnson Headquarters . . . . . 8 Ten Years Later: Remembering Lt. Seth Dvorin, the Friend whose Death sparked the Creation of a Veteran’s group that has Helped Thousands of Veterans . . . . . . . 10 Senator Norcross Bill Making College More Affordable For Veterans Moving Through Legislature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Day Pitney, One of the Top Law Firms in the Country, Partners with The GI Go Fund to provide Pro Bono Legal Services to Veterans . . . . . . . . . . 18

James Fanous

Communications Director/ Transition Times Managing Editor jafanous@gigofund.org

Remembering Lt. Seth Dvorin, page 10

GI Go Fund Provides More than 500 Care Packages to Homeless Veterans and Active Duty Personnel for Thanksgiving. . . . . 22

Website: www.gigofund.org Contact Telephone Number: (866) 389-GIGo (4446) Locations: Newark City Hall One Greentree Center Office of Veterans Affairs 10,000 Lincoln Drive E. 920 Broad Street, Room B28 Suite 201 Newark, NJ 07102 Marlton, NJ 08053

GI Go Fund Distributes Thousands in Gift Cards to Veterans in Need in Time for the Holidays. . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Day Pitnney to Provide Pro Bono Legal Services to Veterans page 18

Jeans For Troops 2013 Donations More Than Double Program’s Previous Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Remembering David Parano, One of New Jersey’s Strongest Veterans’ Advocates . 26

GI Go Fund and Habitat for Humanity Team Up to Build Homes for Military Veterans Two Organizations Develop Veterans Initiative to Link Homeless Veterans With a Place of Their Own; First Home Will Be Developed in Newark, NJ With Accommodations for Disabled Individuals By Staff Writer As military personnel return home, the risk of homelessness is an inescapable reality for many of our veterans. Recent estimates show that one in five homeless people in the United States once wore our country’s uniform. To combat this problem in New Jersey, the GI Go Fund, a leading veterans’ nonprofit organization that assists military personnel with finding employment and accessing financial benefits, is teaming up with Habitat for Humanity, the standard bearer for placing impoverished people in a home of their own, to create a Veterans Initiative for former service members living on the streets. The program will involve building homes for veterans and their families, with a focus on accommodating disabled veterans with specific living needs. The first of these homes will be in Newark’s West Ward, where ground has been broken on a four-bedroom home at 424 South Ninth St. The home will include accommodations for disabled persons like wider doorways, wheelchair accessibility, and other features that will better facilitate movement between the two floors as needed.

Jack Fanous, Executive Director of the GI Go Fund, is extremely proud of working with Habitat on this project, and is working to develop future homes for veterans who were displaced by Superstorm Sandy. “This home in Newark is an incredible opportunity for the veterans who are in desperate need of assistance,” said Fanous.“Habitat and their team have done fantastic work for people in need for decades, and we are so proud to be working with them to help a veteran and their family access the housing they deserve. And now, with so many veterans displaced by Sandy, we are looking forward to reaching out to veterans in devastated places like Seaside Heights, Toms River, Brick, and all the towns along the shore to give them the opportunity to get their lives back on track.” With Habitat for Humanity, the home in Newark is a great opportunity to give a veteran with disabil-

ities the opportunity to live with comfort and peace of mind.“We see this house as an opportunity to assist a deserving disabled military veteran who has served our country honorably,” said Jeffrey Farrell, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity, Newark. “This will soon be the proud home of a returning veteran; we will address all aspects of comfort and accessibility.” Among the groups who are assisting in fundraising for this home is TD Ameritrade, a top brokerage firm in the United States that has been a critical component to getting this home off the ground. In addition, Lowenstein Sandler LLP, the top law firm in New Jersey that has become well known for its philanthropic work for indigent people throughout the state, hosted a fundraiser for this project at their law offices in Roseland on Thursday, November 14 to assist in building this home and developing the funding for future efforts for veterans. J

GI Go Fund Honors PSEG, South Jersey Leaders as “Veteran Strong” During 5th Annual Veterans Day Gala Diana Drysdale of PSEG and Senator Donald Norcross among honorees; Congressman Frank Pallone Gives Opening Remarks By James Fanous GI Go Fund hosted its 5th Annual Veterans Day Gala, where PSEG, Congressman Frank Pallone, State Senator Donald Norcross and over 250 military personnel, veterans, and their loved ones joined at the Newark Club for the premiere Veterans event in New Jersey honoring the people and organizations that have made a significant difference in the lives of veterans and their loved ones. This year’s gala recognized the individuals and organizations that have been deemed as “Veteran Strong”, having displayed an unparalleled commitment to ensuring that our veterans are transitioning successfully. Throughout the private and public sectors, there are certain entities that have made it a priority to ensure that our veterans not only return home with honor and pride, but are regarded as some of the most important and valuable members of our society. “We’ve spent the last eight years helping veterans find jobs, train for jobs, and go to college,” said GI Go Fund Executive Director Jack Fanous, who was also named this month as one of South Jersey Magazine’s “Men of the Year” for the work he and his organization has done for veterans on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and across the country. “Now we are focused on helping veterans get better access to healthcare, better access to quality health services; the quality healthcare that they have fought so hard for. Our veterans deserve the best healthcare, especially our south Jersey veterans, who have to often go across state lines or drive

PSEG’s Diana Drysdale (left) receives 2013 “Veteran Strong” Person of the Year Award from GI Go Executive Director Jack Fanous at the GI Go Fund Veterans Day Gala. 100 miles to access their VA healthcare.We are going to work twice as hard to help them get what they deserve.” Among the honorees was Diana Drysdale of PSEG, who was named the “Veteran Strong” Person of the Year for her tireless work in helping veterans return-

5th Annual Veteran’s Day Gala

Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Newark City Council President Mildred Crump, and Newark Mayor Luis Quintana celebrate a night for military veterans and their loved ones at the GI Go Fund Veterans Day Gala.

organizations like the Wounded Warrior Project. “When Sandy devastated New Jersey a year ago, our communities were better served because of the cohorts of vets in our workforce,” said Drysdale.“PSEG is proud of our culture of dedication and commitment to service in our communities and our veterans fit naturally into that culture.The GI Go fund is an important and vital partner in that effort, and they will continue to be an important part in helping veterans find quality jobs and services in our area.” Also honored was NJ State Senator Donald Norcross, who was named “Veteran Strong Legislator of the Year” by the GI Go Fund for his leadership as a member of the Senate’s Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. Among his many accomplishments was spearheaded the bill that granted local public contract set-aside programs for business enterprises either owned by or currently employing veterans, a great step in helping veterans get the opportunities they deserve to have a successful transition home. In addition, he developed the bill granting veteran students the right to use a service dog while attending school, showing an incredible recognition of the unique needs of our returning military personnel. In addition, Navy Seal Veteran William Brown and

ing home get the services and support they need. Both Drysdale and PSEG have gone above and beyond in their support for military veterans, as they have made employing veterans a top priority for their company for years. This past year, Ms. Drysdale worked with the GI Go Fund and the Kessler Foundation to develop the “Post 9/11 Disabled Veterans to Work” Project, which took veterans with service connected disabilities and employed them as at-home customer service agents for PSEG. Dozens of veterans found work at the company helping customers in their greatest time of need, including after Superstorm Sandy, where the veterans handled calls from thousands of New Jerseyans who were without power, talking them through the crisis and working to resolve their problems in a timely manner. Diana’s support for veterans goes beyond the GI Go Fund, as she has hosted fundraisers within the company, raising thousands for other great veterans’

5th Annual Veteran’s Day Gala

NJ State Senator Donald Norcross (left) receives 2013 “Veteran Strong” Legislator of the Year Award from GI Go Executive Director Jack Fanous.

Vietnam Veteran John P. Dorrity was named “Veteran of the Year” for his nearly four decades of service to helping veterans and their families in Ocean County and throughout NJ.

Army Veteran Bryan Adams were awarded the “Post 9/11 Veterans of the Year” for their incredible work as members of the Rutgers Student Veterans Organization.The two veterans worked to improve the school’s work with veterans, helping create the veteran-friendly environment necessary for veterans from across the country to feel welcomed at the university. And thanks to their efforts, the school is ranked among the top colleges for military veterans to attend. Vietnam Veteran John P. Dorrity was named “Veteran of the Year” for his nearly four decades of service to helping veterans and their families get the benefits and services they fought so hard for. Working as the Director of the Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau, Dorrity has served as an unwavering supporter and advocate for our veterans, helping them with their VA claims and appeals, as well as helping them find employment opportunities and financial assistance during times of crisis. Among his financial assistance drives was last fall following the aftermath of Sandy, where he helped thousands of veterans in the area get connected to food, clothing, and dozens of shopping cards from the GI Go Fund and other area providers.

Congressman Frank Pallone, who represents thousands of people whose lives were upended by Sandy was on hand to give opening remarks for the event, as he commemorated the sacrifice of our military men and women and praised the great work being done by Fanous and his organization. “This organization has done so much for our veterans, from helping them find jobs and going to college to helping them access healthcare and finding a home. I am so proud of the work that this organization has done for our veterans, and I look forward to working more and more with them as they work to help all of our returning veterans,” said Pallone. UA Local 855 of Edison was also honored at the “Veteran Strong” Gala for their tremendous support for military veterans. The local union has been a strong advocate of getting more veterans like Marine Sgt. Joe Pace, a PSE&G employee who is a strong advocate for both veterans and member rights. The union also works to help improve the lives of the military personnel members and their families who they represent. Sponsors for the event included PSEG, ITT Exelis, Stop & Shop, CPG, and Charity Fundraisers. J

Johnson & Johnson CEO Alex Gorsky Serves as Keynote Veteran Mentor for Over 200 Veterans during the latest Military Career Workshop Hosted By Company and GI Go Fund Volunteers from Johnson & Johnson, Ernst & Young, Citigroup and Verizon helped veterans improve their employment prospects in preparation for the GI Go Fund’s Job Fair the following week; New Jersey Department of Labor played critical role in coaching and connecting veterans to companies during event By Staff Writer In 2013, the GI Go Fund partnered with Johnson & Johnson to create a unique career workshop concept, where veterans who were employed at the pharmaceutical giant and other Fortune 100 companies would work with unemployed veterans to develop their resumes and improve their overall employment skills in a one-on-one atmosphere at their corporate headquarters. The partnership led to three different Military Career Workshops that year, with over 200 veterans getting the help they needed to improve their hiring prospects. But for 2014, the plan was to grow above and beyond what was achieved last year and reach more veterans than ever before. So, at the first Career Workshop of the new year on March 15th at the Johnson & Johnson Headquarters in New Brunswick, more than 200 veterans, as many as were assisted all of last year, met with fellow veterans who have been hired at prestigious positions at the company to improve their skills and find out what it takes to work for one of the largest companies in the world. The workshop featured over 50 volunteers working at high level positions at Johnson & Johnson, Ernst & Young, Citigroup, and Verizon - many of whom are former members of the military themselves. Chief among these mentors was Alex Gorsky, CEO of John-

son & Johnson and a former Army Ranger Captain himself, who told his fellow veterans about how companies are looking to them in today’s workforce. “We need you in our economy, you are this country’s next greatest generation; and without you, we will never get the economy going the way we should,”

Over 200 veterans worked one on one with volunteer mentors to enhance their resumes and improve their job interview skills during latest Military Career Workshop at the Johnson & Johnson Corporate headquarters in New Brunswick NJ

Gorsky said to the veteran audience. “Stay persistent, stay committed, and I am confident you will get to where you need to be.” Many of the 200 veterans on hand for the event heard about the program through the NJ Department of Labor One Stop Career Center in New Brunswick. Acting Manager Manuel Biagas and his team worked hard to notify and recruit veterans to attend, and their efforts served as a critical role in the event’s success, along with providing resume help and interview coaching. “This is perhaps my favorite event,” said GI Go Fund Executive Director Jack Fanous. “At its core, it is veterans helping veterans, which is fantastic. But this event goes beyond that. It gives veterans who are out of work the opportunity to not only improve their job searching skills, but sit face-to-face with someone who has gone through the same unemployment experiences as them. And the enthusiasm that the event generates from the veterans and mentors participating in the event to partners like the Department of Labor ensuring that the veterans they work with Johnson & Johnson CEO and Retired Army Ranger Captain Alex come to it, it just shows how much we all Gorsky sharing his story and advice to hundreds of fellow want to get military veterans hired.” veterans during Military Career Workshop The event was held less than one week before the GI Go Fund hosted its 6th Annual Newark Job Fair at Rutgers-Newark. Most Recent unemployment reports from the Bureau veterans who participated in the workshop this event of Labor Statistics show that Post 9/11 era veterans plan to be at the Job Fair to put their new skills to the are currently suffering from an unemployment rate test with the dozens of employers expected to be on of 9.2%, almost three points higher than it was just a hand. month before. Opportunities are available for veterLast year, the organization held one of these ans to connect to solid employment with employers workshops just days before it hosted its South Jersey willing to step up, including the Returning Heroes and Veterans Job Fair at the Aloft Hotel in Mount Laurel, NJ. Wounded Warrior Tax Credits, which will provide a tax Isaac Trinidad, a veteran who had the opportunity to credit of up to $9,600 to employers who hire veterans. attend both events, spoke about the value of going to “The need is there to hire these young men and the workshop before meeting with the employers at women, and the incentive is there for the companies the job fair. as well,” said Jack Fanous. “What we are trying to do “There is a lot of opportunity here,” he said during is bridge the gap by creating as many opportunities the Job Fair.“I was able to get a lot out of the workshop to get unemployed veterans in the room with veterthe other day, and now I get the chance to show what an-friendly companies like Johnson & Johnson so we I can bring to so many different employers. I really feel can make sure that there is no such thing as an unemlike I can find a job here.” ployed veteran.“J

Ten Years Later: Remembering Lt. Seth Dvorin, the Friend whose Death sparked the Creation of a Veteran’s group that has Helped Thousands of Veterans On the 10 year anniversary of his death in Iraq, we remember the son who was lost too soon, and the friend whose passing led to the founding of the GI Go Fund By Staff Writer Seth Dvorin was in his second tour of duty in Iraq, serving as an Army Lieutenant, on February 3, 2004. He had returned to combat after spending time back home with his mother Sue just a few weeks prior, where she expressed her concern for him as he was leaving.While he appreciated and understood her concerns, he knew that he had to return to combat to help his fellow soldiers as they fought in the dangerous terrain of Iraq. But on that February day, just 17 days after returning to combat, a roadside bomb detonated as his platoon was making a routine stop near the town of Iskandariyah, killing Seth instantly. His death had a tremendous effect on the friends and family he left behind. But while the news of his passing devastated those who were closest to him when he died, it was the group of friends that had lost touch with him when he joined the army that experienced the greatest shock.

Lt. Seth Dvorin These friends, Jack Fanous, his brother James, along with Alexander Manis and his brothers Nick and Pete, where all in a state of shock and disbelief to learn that Seth had died. Moreover, they couldn’t believe the fact that they could lose touch with their friend, the same friend they went to grade school and college with, as soon as he joined the military. But rather than be disappointed in what they didn’t do when Seth was alive, they decided to make him proud in his honor. They co-founded the GI Go Fund, a nonprofit organiza-

tion that helps veterans coming back find jobs, access their healthcare, go to college, and get off the streets. “We never sent a care package to him, or a thank you letter, or anything that showed our appreciation for him, something that really hit home with me when I found out he had died,” said Jack Fanous, the group’s Executive Director. “So we were determined to make Seth proud; to do for his fellow veterans in his honor what he would have done.” Since the organization’s founding, they have helped tens of thousands of veterans with unique and innovative services, gaining nationwide recognition and changing the way people think of supporting our veterans. They have hosted numerous military career workshops with Fortune 100 companies like Johnson & Johnson and Ernst and Young, teaching veterans about resume writing, interview skills, and the tools needed to work for the major companies. They have also

Lt. Seth Dvorin during his time in the U.S. Army hosted dozens of career fairs that have matched thousands of veterans with employers and higher learning institutions that will get veterans on track to support their loved ones. Moreover, one of their greatest accomplishments has been their work with then Newark Mayor Cory

Booker since 2008 to create an innovative partnership in Newark, NJ to help veterans find work and access needed healthcare. Within the city, GI Go Fund has been conducting “Midnight Missions for Homeless Veterans” for over three years, establishing a 21st century solution

to locate homeless veterans and fulfill the President’s goal. This unique and innovative method of addressing veteran homelessness has been showcased to the entire country, having been featured on ABC’s reality show “Secret Millionaire” and the Fox News Channel. The GI Go Fund is turning the page, both for veterans and for the people who were closest to Seth. For Seth’s mother Sue, losing her son was incredibly difficult. But she has dedicated her life now to helping veterans, serving on the Board of Directors for the GI Go Fund and providing tremendous leadership within the organization for all of its members. Working together, the GI Go Fund has set its focus in 2014 to helping veterans gain greater access to healthcare. According to Jack Fanous, fighting for what is right and fair is exactly what Seth would have wanted. “We are doing what we know Seth would have done, and we never will stop.” J

(From left to right) Sue Niederer, mother of Seth Dvorin, along with GI Go Fund Deputy Director Alex Manis and Communications Director James Fanous, share the story of Seth during an episode of ABC’s hit reality show Secret Millionaire in 2012

Voyaging for Healthcare How Veterans are trapped in a world of few healthcare options, and what must be done to change the lives our ailing military men and women By James Fanous Before dawn on Christmas Eve 2013, Joe Griffies woke up at 5:00 am in his home in Cape May, NJ and gets ready to go out. But this Vietnam Veteran was not getting ready to work the weekend shift; he retired from full time employment some time ago. Instead, he was getting ready for his 9:00am doctor’s appointment. He’s not the overactive type, nor is he visiting a rare specialist. He was just having a regularly scheduled checkup with his VA primary care physician. In Philadelphia. 91 miles away. This is not a personal preference; it’s where he has to go in order to get the VA medical treatment that he was promised when he returned from Vietnam. So while the average American civilian can have their medical insurance be accepted by most local doctor’s offices and hospitals, the men and women of the armed forces are forced to go to a select few locations in the entire country, often hours away from where they live. “It makes no sense, and it never really did,” said Griffies, who hosts a weekly radio show called ‘Welcome Home Veterans’ that gives listeners across several states a unique perspective on all the veteran related topics of the day. “I have to wake up and drive for hours and hours just to see my doctor, I pass eleven

hospitals on my way, including one that is four miles from my house, and I have to hope that my doctor actually showed up to work that day or else my trip was a complete waste. It’s really just unfair. Even prisoners in this country are treated better.At least when they get sick, a doctor is sent right to their cell to check on them, but I have to drive three hours and pass eleven hospitals to see a doctor. And our politicians are sending us off to war, but won’t give us what we need after we have done everything they asked of us.This isn’t charity, it’s what we were promised.” According to VA policy, all veterans enrolled in the system must get their healthcare from a VA facility (or at least a VA sanctioned clinic). While some veterans living in densely populated cities are not adversely affected by this rule, millions of veterans living in more rural areas, hundreds of miles away from a metropolitan area, are left with a long trip and no options. “It’s more than just unfair, it is plain wrong,” said GI Go Fund Executive Director Jack Fanous. “I live in Marlton, NJ, which is a half hour outside Philadelphia. If I want to go to my doctor or need to go to the hospital, I can just go down the street and get healthcare. But if my neighbor, who is a veteran, wants to get healthcare,

he has to drive into Philadelphia, pay tolls, find parking, and wait for hours.Why is it acceptable that I have better access to healthcare than my neighbor, the man who fought for his country? Why is my neighbor being discriminated against just because he is a veteran?” It is a simple proposition when you get down to it: veterans getting healthcare wherever they want to get it, just like the rest of us. The civilian population is more than willing to show their support for veterans by offering special accommodations to the people who served. When veterans come home from combat, civilians welcome them with a GI Bill that pays for them to attend college. When veterans are unemployed, lawmakers developed the Returning Heroes and Wounded Warrior tax credit, which grants employers a credit of up to $9,600 for every veteran that they hire. But when a veteran needs to see a doctor to treat an amputation, TBI, PTSD, or any other illnesses they may have, they can only go to one hospital, regardless if they live 10 miles or 110 miles from it. Consider this: in South Jersey and the Jersey shore, where the majority of NJ’s veterans live, there are 29 major hospitals and countless hundreds of doctors’ offices and group clinics that civilians can go to in order to see a physician or get emergency care. How many hospitals and doctor’s offices are available for veterans in this half of the most densely populated state in the country? Zero. This is something that John Dorrity is all too familiar with. As director of the Ocean County Veterans Services Bureau, he is the number one veteran’s representative for the state’s largest veteran population.

His veterans are primarily from the Vietnam or Korean war eras, which means that nearly all of them are above 65 years old. In addition to their decades-old combat wounds, these men also suffer from many of the more typical health issues the elderly community face: diabetes, hearing loss, high blood pressure, Alzheimer’s etc. But Ocean County is split between VA VISN 3 and VISN 4 (the VA breaks down where veterans can get their services through geographic areas called VISNs), meaning that they must go to the VA hospitals in East Orange, Lyons, or Philadelphia in order to get medical treatment. For those not familiar with NJ geography, both the East Orange and Lyons facilities are more than 85 miles away from Ocean County, while Philadelphia is in another state and over 90 minutes away.And since many of these men are no longer capable of driving themselves, they must either rely on family members to take them to the doctor, or they ask Dorrity for assistance with getting a ride. “There has always been a part of me that has wanted to have the in-patient hospitals to be closed entirely for years because of the burden it is putting on veterans,” he said.“If we have our VA cards, and they indicate that we are entitled to medical assistance, why are we not allowed at all to use them at a regular hospital like a Medicare or Medicaid card. It just makes no sense. I am taking 85 year old men and sending them 100 miles to and from their meetings, and there are so many different programs that the taxpayers are paying for just to give these veterans rides, when they could just be going to the hospital down the street.We need to do something because the cost is getting out

Voyaging for Healthcare of control, and the effect it is having on our veterans is completely unnecessary.“ Not only is it a struggle to get to the doctor, it’s just as difficult to secure an appointment in the first place. Due to the backlog and overload of patients that the VA sees, veterans often are forced to schedule appointments with their VA doctors months in advance. So they have to wait 8, 10, maybe 14 weeks before they can even speak to a doctor about what is ailing them. And when that day comes, they better be on time for the appointment, because if they are late, the session is cancelled, and the veteran is forced to start all over again. In case your feeling overwhelmed by this, here is a recap. Veterans can only receive VA healthcare from a VA hospital or approved clinic, while the rest of the population can get healthcare anywhere. Veterans are required to go to these hospitals whether they live 5 minutes away or 2 hours away. Veterans have to make this trip whether they are 27 years old or 72 years old. And veterans have to wait months between scheduling their appointment with their long distance doctor and being seen by their long distance doctor.

To say that this is an inefficient embarrassment for our former service members is a drastic understatement. Now the VA will contend that veterans are given adequate alternatives. For example, many of these clinics are the VA’s Vet Centers, which can be found in many locations. But these facilities are primarily used to help veterans struggling with PTSD or other readjustment issues speak with counselors that help them get through the difficult times. While this is an important service, it is very limited, and does not offer veterans with in-depth medical treatment for physical wounds or general medical aid. There are also VA outpatient clinics, which can be found in almost every county. However, their names alone outline their limitations. They can provide very limited medical assistance, and often times simply refer the veteran to the main VA hospitals anyway. And they are not located in the areas where they can do the most good. For example, if we return to Ocean County, NJ, we find the state’s largest veteran population, but only one outpatient clinic.

GI Go Executive Director Jack Fanous Joins Senator Cory Booker To Discuss His Historic Amendment Expanding Healthcare to NJ Veterans Groundbreaking legislation from Booker was discussed that would give NJ Veterans the ability to utilize their VA Healthcare cards in all hospitals statewide For the over 200,000 military veterans living in South Jersey and along the Jersey shore, going to see their doctor is one of the most difficult and complicated aspects of their lives.As veterans are only able to receive medical treatment from VA hospitals, they are forced to travel for hours and often across state lines just to see their doctor. But now, after decades of struggling with an archaic and burdensome

rule, these veterans may finally have a chance to get the healthcare they deserve. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) will introduce an amendment in the U.S. Senate that gives New Jersey veterans who currently must travel far distances to the nearest VA hospital, many of whom live in South Jersey and along the Jersey Shore, the ability to use their healthcare benefits at their nearest local hos-

pital. This is the most major expansion of veterans’ healthcare services on any level in decades, as veterans will be able to use their VA healthcare card like any other insurance card and go to a hospital near their home. This amendment is based in large part off the advocacy of the GI Go Fund at its Executive Director Jack Fanous, who has been advocating giving veterans in the

Voyaging for Running Healthcare Head Perhaps no greater example exists of the lack of options available to veterans living in less urban areas than the VA’s attempt to solve this problem: Telehealth. If you are a veteran living far away from a VA hospital, the VA Office of Rural Health offers these former service members a chance to speak with a medical expert at that distant facility via teleconference. While telemedicine is a growing field in medicine for the civilian world, it is meant to serve as a supplement to in-person treatment, not a substitute. Skype is not now, nor will it ever be, a preferred way to conduct an initial or major diagnostic checks of patients who may have developed significant issues like cancerous tumors that need immediate attention.

southern part of the state the ability to see any doctor they wish to rather than being limited to one doctor in a VA hospital hours away. The amendment was most recently discussed on a conference call between Booker, Fanous, and other community leaders. “This would be a huge breath of fresh air to the veterans’ community,” said Fanous. “Right now, veterans are just flat-out being discriminated against because of their veteran status. I live in Marlton, NJ, which is a half hour outside Philadelphia. If I want to go to my doctor or need to go to the hospital, I can just go down the street and get healthcare. But if my neighbor, who is a veteran, wants to get healthcare, he has to drive into Philadelphia, pay tolls, find parking, and wait for hours to see the

It is no wonder that the VA is quietly acknowledging the dim picture of the state of veterans’ healthcare. According to an internal VA report obtained by CNN, Veterans have been dying because of delays in healthcare. As reported by CNN, at least 19 veterans have died because of delays in simple medical screenings like colonoscopies or endoscopies at various VA hospitals or clinics.The veterans were part of 82 vets who have died or are dying or have suffered serious injuries as a result of delayed diagnosis or treatment for colonoscopies or endoscopies. And while the struggles of providing care to veterans continue, Washington DC has struggled mightly to get its act together to fix this problem. In late February,

only doctor that he is allowed to. Booker and the GI Go Fund have worked closely together helping veterans for over six years. In 2008, then Mayor Booker and the GI Go Fund forged an innovative and historic partnership in Newark, NJ to help veterans access needed healthcare, find work and get off the streets. The program, which was the first time a nonprofit was brought in to run a municipal office for Veterans, has received national attention, having been featured on ABC’s reality show “Secret Millionaire”, CNN and Fox News. “I am so glad to see that this legislation is being introduced for my neighbor and the hundreds of thousands of veterans like him. Senator Booker has shown his ability to go above and beyond for veterans,

and this legislation shows that with both he and Senator Menendez, the veteran population will continue to be well represented in the Senate,“ added Fanous. According to VA policy, all veterans enrolled in the system must get their healthcare from a VA facility (or at least a VA sanctioned clinic). While some veterans living in densely populated cities are not adversely affected by this rule, millions of veterans living in more rural areas, hundreds of miles away from a metropolitan area, are left with a long trip and no options. The Senator will introduce the amendment during this current legislative session. If it successfully passes and is signed into law, the veterans of South Jersey and the Jersey Shore will have their access to healthcare greatly improved.

Voyaging for Healthcare the Senate voted down a measure that would have, among other things, opened 27 new VA facilities in the US, which would have helped lower the number of veterans not receiving care. Neither party argued the need for the bill, but the legislation failed because the Republicans would not vote on the measure without attaching sanctions on Iran to the bill. “This has to stop,” said Jack Fanous.“Veterans are literally dying waiting for healthcare. They are being forced to adjust to an antiquated system, rather than the system adjusting to the 21st century. This is a black and white issue. We need the people who claim to be our leaders in Washington to get their acts together and do their jobs, because we need to implement a solution that works for veterans in South Jersey, the Jersey Shore, and in all areas in America that are far away from VA hospitals,.” For Fanous and the GI Go Fund, they have pledged to dedicate 2014 to fixing this problem. And Fanous’ goal is one that would alleviate the burden of veterans living far from their designated VA hospital. He is working to give veterans the right to turn their VA card into an insurance card, one that can be used as freely as a Medicare card, thereby giving veterans the right to equal access to quality healthcare that has been denied to them for decades. Fanous said he is looking to start in New Jersey as a pilot for the country, as he believes that the nearly 100,000 veterans living in the southern half of the state would benefit greatly from the change. “It is something that we all can get on board with,” he said. “It gives veterans the opportunity to get the healthcare they were promised while alleviating the number of patients these overworked VA hospitals see on a daily basis. And it will not add any new costs, as funds used to pay for private medical bills will be offset by the savings made when the VA is not required to pay to provide these services to the veterans themselves.” Turning the VA card into an insurance card; Joe Griffies thinks it is something that makes all the sense

in the world for vets like him in South Jersey. “Are you kidding me? I would want nothing more than for that to happen,” he said.“I get up at 5:30 in the morning for a 9:00am appointment in Philadelphia. I pay tolls to get to Philly, I buy gas in Philly, and I spend money on lunch in Philly. That means that my money, and the money of every veteran that has to go to Philly from South Jersey leaves the state of New Jersey and goes to another state. It makes no sense to have us go there, and it just causes such a burden for every veteran I know. People can talk or write about this all they want, but until you live it, you don’t have any idea what it is like.” And despite the struggles veterans face from Washington gridlock, progress is being made on this topic on both the state and federal level. Fanous has already begun working with state Senator Donald Norcross to help create an exception for south Jersey veterans to give them access to all healthcare facilities. Moreover, GI Go Fund government partner in Newark and current US Senator Cory Booker is commissioning a nationwide report on the problems in the VA for long-distance care and how the federal government can give all veterans the chance to getting the best coverage possible. “We’re making progress on this issue,” said Fanous. “A lot of people are getting on board. They are seeing how important this is for our veterans, and how this is long overdue for the people who deserve it most.” This is a long battle, one that will not be won overnight. But this is one that veterans, particularly those who are entering their 60s and 70s must win. These former soldiers and sailors are trapped in a healthcare system that’s currently designed in a way that keeps veterans from getting healthcare. This is a significant change, one that will surely meet opposition regardless of how beneficial and practical it is. There will be a fight to get this done, but this is a fight that Joe Griffies is ready to step in the front lines for. “This one is worth it. We need it.” J

Senator Norcross Bill Making College More Affordable For Veterans Moving Through Legislature Bill Would Grant In-State Tuition Rates to Veterans Coming to NJ Schools From Anywhere in the Country By Staff Writer The NJ Senate Veterans Affairs Committee approved a bill that would allow military veterans from all states to qualify for in-state tuition at New Jersey’s public colleges and universities, a huge step in giving veterans the best opportunity possible to earn a college degree. Jack Fanous, Executive Director of the GI Go Fund, said the in-state tuition bill shows veterans are appreciated “beyond the yellow ribbons”, and that great leadership was shown by Norcross for introducing it. “I’m proud that we are saying to all the veterans across the country, ‘Please consider the state of New Jersey home,’” he said. “Making college affordable for our veterans returning home is extremely important. We made a promise to these men and women when we instituted the new GI Bill, and I am proud to see Senator Norcross and his committee show the leadership and support to ensure that our veterans get what they were promised.” The reduced tuition rates would be available to

NJ State Senator Donald Norcross

any veteran of the armed forces, as long as they were not discharged dishonorably. “Last legislative session there was much focus, and we finally did get passed the DREAM Act,” said state Sen. Donald Norcross (D-Camden), the bill’s sponsor. ”This session, it’s called the TEAM Act.” Norcross was referring to the New Jersey DREAM Act, which allowed children who grew up in New Jersey but were brought to the country illegally to qualify for the in-state tuition rates. TEAM Act stands for Tuition Equality for America’s Military, and will give veterans the ability to pay in-state tuition rates, regardless which state they reside from. The federal government, through the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, pays most of veterans’ tuition at public institutions. But it’s capped at $17,500 – well below the Rutgers out-of-state rate of $24,742.And with the majority of veterans attending NJ schools currently go to one of Rutgers’ three campuses in the state, the current system serves as an impediment to hundreds of veterans attending school in New Jersey. The federal government does have a “Yellow Ribbon Program” meant to help offset any additional costs for veterans. Under the program, colleges and universities can enter into a voluntary agreement with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to match funds to help alleviate those expenses. However the high costs remain an issue despite the program, making this effort from the NJ legislature an important step to helping these veterans. The measure will soon be voted on in the Assembly and Senate, and hopefully it will be signed into law this year. J

Day Pitney, One of the Top Law Firms in the Country, Partners with The GI Go Fund to provide Pro Bono Legal Services to Veterans Program, developed in collaboration with new firm partner Mark Morgan, will assist veterans with civil claims as well as veterans’ appeals to help address the historic VA backlog By Staff Writer Day Pitney, one of the largest and most prestigious law firms in the country, has partnered with the GI Go Fund to develop a Pro Bono program within its firm so its highly skilled team of attorneys can provide assistance to veterans with complex civil litigation matters. The program will help veterans with a wide array of civil legal issues, including landlord/ tenant matters, developing wills, and handling appeals for VA benefits, an issue currently front and center to the veterans community. Currently, VA reports estimate that over 686,000 disability claims are pending, with more than 59 percent of those claims having been unsettled longer than the VA’s goal of 125 days. The program was developed within the firm by one of its new- Day Pitney Parter Mark Morgan, who est partners, Mark Morgan, who is has served as the impetus of the new working hard to ensure that veter- Veterans Pro Bono in the firm.

ans in need get legal representation from some of the country’s best attorneys. “Veterans do not seem to get the same amount of pro bono services that other groups do,” said Morgan. “We feel that they are an underserved segment of the population, and one that has a significant number of legal issues covering a wide array of issues. I have learned a lot from working alongside veterans in our firm like Rich Brown, the head of our Patent Department as well as a former Navy pilot who has a wife and son in the Military as well. He has already done significant work with veterans, and he and I are thrilled that Day Pitney will reach out to more veterans in need.” Mr. Morgan was named partner at the firm in the beginning of 2013 after years of working as a trial attorney in

jury and non-jury cases involving contracts, securities, and intellectual property matters. He has also represented clients in both state and federal courtrooms, having appeared in the Supreme Court of New Jersey, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and U.S. District Courts in New York and New Jersey. Morgan has also served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of a non-profit NGO of the United Nations dedicated to global issues education, and he currently serves on various civic and charitable organizations throughout New Jersey. “I’ve had friends who have come back from military after having served abroad,” said Morgan. “The sacrifices they have made are without equal, but then they come home and have to try to assimilate back to civilian life. We have to do everything that we can to pay it forward and say ‘thank you’ to these men and women, and I am glad that we at Day Pitney are doing that.” Day Pitney has a longstanding reputation working with indigent clients, providing legal support to battered women, disabled children, and Holocaust survivors. They have been recognized for their great work in the pro bono community, and now look to partner with the GI Go Fund to help returning military veterans. “I am so thrilled that this partnership is happening for our veterans,” said GI Go Fund

“The sacrifices [Veterans] have made are without equal… We have to do everything that we can to pay it forwards and say ‘thank you’ to these men and women, and I am glad that we at Day Pitney are doing that.”

Executive Director Jack Fanous. “Day Pitney is one of the most respected law firms, not just in New Jersey, but in the entire country. Mark Morgan and Day Pitney have showed incredible leadership on this issue, as they approached our organization to start this program. This type of generosity is rare, as it is usually us who approaches the private partners to help veterans. Now, thanks to Mark and his fellow committed attorneys at the firm, our veterans will be given pro bono legal aid from some of the best and brightest lawyers the legal community has to offer.” For years, the GI Go Fund has been working to change the way veterans obtain access to legal services. In 2011, it created the Veterans Justice Initiative through a partnership with then Mayor Cory Booker, which takes veterans charged with crimes in the city of Newark and places them in a voluntary alternative sentencing program that links them with service providers and mentors that help them end their criminal behavior. The organization has also worked with several other firms and legal partners to provide veterans with pro bono services, but no commitment has been greater than the one made by Day Pitney. For more information about the program, please contact the GI Go Fund at (866)389GIGo (4446) or visit us online at www.gigofund.org. J

GI Go Fund Distributes Thousands in Gift Cards to Veterans in Need in Time for the Holidays

this day, however heartwarming it seemed, was actually heartbreaking. To see proud men and women who served this country in so much need is a tragedy.These Americans were willing to give anything else we would ask of them, including their lives, on the promise that we would care for them and their families when they came home. It is safe to say we have broken that promise. I made a promise to these men and women today, and it is a promise I now make to all veterans: I will tell every neighbor I have, every person I meet, and every politician I see that we must treat you all with the respect and dignity you’ve earned. Until we keep that promise to our veterans, we do not deserve to call ourselves Americans. I wish all of our heroes a Merry Christmas happy holidays and a joyful and prosperous new year!” The organization offers this support to veterans in need every year, as it has distributed nearly 1000 gift cards throughout the past three years to veterans in the area looking for a helping hand during the holidays. The GI Go Fund is working to ensure that the veterans along the shore and throughout South Jersey get the services and support they need. In addition to the gift cards, the organization is working to expand healthcare access to veterans in the area, as well as assisting them find employment, go to college, collect their benefits, and find housing. J

Group hands out over eighty $50 Walmart gift cards to veterans, including many affected by Superstorm Sandy, as they prepare to provide for their families this holiday season. By Staff Writer As countless veterans struggle to provide for their families during the holidays, including so many of our former military personnel still struggling one year after Superstorm Sandy, it is the responsibility of all those whom our veterans fought to protect to take care of them in their greatest time of need. With this thought in mind, the GI Go Fund offered to lend a helping hand to those veterans who are struggling the most, handing out over eighty $50 Walmart gift cards to veterans in Ocean County and throughout the state of New Jersey.The cards were valid at any Walmart store and gave veterans the chance to purchase food, clothing, and toys for their families this past Christmas. The cards were distributed during the Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau’s Annual Christmas Toy Drive, where veterans and their loved ones were offered toys and a free turkey for the holidays. The drive is held every year by the Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau, and assists hundreds of veterans in need every year. “I am so honored to have been able to meet these veterans and their families for Christmas,” said GI Go Executive Director Jack Fanous.“But the reality is that

GI Go Fund Executive Director Jack Fanous (left) offers a veteran in need of assistance a $50 Walmart gift card in time for the holidays, one of 80 gift cards given out by the organization during the Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau’s Annual Christmas Toy Drive.

GI Go Fund Provides More than 500 Care Packages to Homeless Veterans and Active Duty Personnel for Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Day Event held annually aboard the Battleship NJ helps hundreds of homeless veterans and active duty military personnel living in South Jersey; Care package items include clothes donated by the late Senator Frank Lautenberg; Many packages were assembled by now Senator Cory Booker prior to his departure as Mayor of Newark By Staff Writer The GI Go Fund, a nonprofit organization that has helped thousands of veterans in need connect to employment and housing opportunities, participated in the Battleship

New Jersey’s Thanksgiving Day Meal for Homeless Veterans and Active Duty Personnel by providing the current and former military personnel in need with over 500 care pack-

Friends and Family show their support and love for hundreds of active duty soldiers and homeless veterans aboard the Battleship NJ on Thanksgiving.

ages of nonperishable food items, clothing, and hygiene supplies. The Battleship New Jersey, in partnership with Camden County Veterans Affairs and the Camden County Board of Chosen Freeholders, offered homeless veterans and active military personnel from Joint Base – McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and Dover Air Force Base a full-course turkey dinner on Thanksgiving. The meal was served by dozens of volunteers in the Battleship’s crew’s onboard cafeteria. Since its founding, the GI Go Fund has been committed to helping veterans and military personnel with finding jobs, receiving benefits, and getting off the streets. For the homeless population, the organization provides care packages to homeless vets during their Midnight Missions, where teams of GI Go volunteers go out before dawn around

GI Go Fund Executive Director Jack Fanous (r) hands out care packages of food and clothing to hundreds of homeless veterans aboard the Battleship NJ on Thanksgiving. the state to provide vets with food and clothing, as well as emergency medical assistance, VA benefits counseling, and housing opportunities. The group also hosts an annual Stand Down in Newark to provide homeless veterans with food, clothing, haircuts, medical screenings, and legal aid. “We are so happy and proud to be part of this incredible event,” said GI Go Fund Executive Director Jack Fanous. “Our largest priority, both as an organization and as Americans, is to do everything we can to ensure that our veterans who once fought to defend our streets never live on them. This event is so great at bringing the community of South Jersey together and doing our part to make the men and women who served or are serving feel like family on Thanksgiving. It is an incredible event, and we want to make sure that these veterans and their loved ones get all of the love and support we can offer them. Many of these

veterans are men and women whom I have never met, but they are the most beloved members of my extended American family.” The care package materials include countless articles of clothing

once belonging to the late Senator Frank Lautenberg, who also was a military veteran who served during World War II. The clothing was generously provided to the organization by the family of the late Senator so it may be provided to veterans in need. In addition, many of the care packages were assembled with the assistance of New Jersey’s newest Senator, Cory A. Booker, who developed them as part of a volunteer effort with dozens of Newark area school children on the anniversary of September 11, just prior to his departure as Mayor of Newark. Additional sponsors included JWV Post 126, The Spevak Family, US Family Health Plan, Barb’s Harley Davidson, Philadelphia 76ers, Bodek & Rhoads, David Fleisher and Family, Gary “G” Cobb, PJ Whelihan’s, South Jersey Magazine, Volunteers of America, Comprehensive Screening Solutions, Andreotti’s Catering and Balloon Celebrations. J

GI Go Fund Deputy Director Alex Manis (r) hands out care packages of food and clothing to hundreds of homeless veterans aboard the Battleship NJ on Thanksgiving.

Donations From Jeans For Troops in 2013 More Than Double Program’s Previous Record Teachers and Employees From Across the Country Raise Over $410,000, More Than Previous Years Combined By Staff Writer With each passing year,the Jeans For Troops drive garners more and more supporters, as people across this country are finding it to be a fun and simple way to say thank you to the men and women who serve our nation. What began as a local drive with less than 100 participants has quickly swelled to a national movement, with over 500,000 participants wearing jeans to work in support of our troops. Now, the drive has set a record for the year once thought impossible in the program’s genesis. In 2013, teachers and corporate employees from New Jersey to California raised over $410,000 to support the GI Go Fund in our efforts to

help veterans find employment, go to college, connect to quality healthcare, and access their benefits. On Jeans for Troops Day, employers allow their members to wear jeans to work for a $5 donation to help the organization in its work helping veterans finding employment and educational opportunities, homelessness assistance, and connections to critical benefits. During Memorial Day of 2013, nearly 140,000 employees and teachers from states across the country broke fundraising records by participating in the “Jeans for Troops” fundraising drive in honor of Memorial Day, setting the standard for sup-

porting the military and its members as they return home. Then, just six months later, the bar was raised once again, as over 200,000 workers from across America joined in on “Jeans for Troops Day” for Veterans Day 2013. “Our Memorial Day drive had exceeded all expectations,” said GI Go Fund Executive Director Jack Fanous. “I was so impressed at how the community of GI Go supporters has grown.And now, with more than 500,000 people having participated in the program since it began just two short years ago, I can say how incredibly proud I am with how our country’s teachers and employees have displayed such fervent patriotism and love for their veterans.” The GI Go Fund is an organization on the cutting edge in providing support to veterans, providing veterans with innovative ways of finding employment, securing their educational and health benefits, as well as providing aid and assistance to low income and homeless veterans. From working to make the newest

from Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as veterans from all conflicts. The next Jeans for Troops Day will be held in May of 2014, just months before the end of combat operations in Afghanistan. On behalf of the GI Go Fund, we thank all of the teachers and employees who have participated and donated to us during this drive, and look forward to your continued support as we get set to welcome all of our Post 9/11 combat veterans home. J class of Firefighters in a city feature all veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan to working with the VA to prevent a veteran who requested assistance via Twitter as he was losing his home, the GI Go Fund has changed the way veterans receive the support they need.Their approach to assisting veterans has been featured on several nationwide media outlets, including Fox News, the Associated Press, and on the ABC reality series “Secret Millionaire”, which highlighted the group’s efforts with homeless veterans. In addition, the organization has done tremendous work for veterans who were affected by Hurricane Sandy, providing rapid response to victims of the storm by delivering thousands of blankets and needed clothing and other supplies to shelters across the region, as well as bringing Emergency Financial Assistance and Toys for the Holidays for the thousands of Veterans devastated by the storm in the months that followed. The “Jeans for Troops” Drive occurs twice a year during the Memorial and Veterans Day holidays to help the veterans returning home

Top Participants in Jeans For Troops Drive on Veterans Day 2013 East Brunswick School District. . . . . . . . . $3,065.00 (East Brunswick, NJ) Orange Township Public School District . $2,757.12 (Orange, NJ) Brunswick City School District. . . . . . . . . $2,390.67 (Brunswick, OH) Johnson & Johnson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,020.00 (New Brunswick, NJ) Lenape Regional High School District . . . $1,840.01 (Shamong, NJ) Ridgewood Education Association. . . . . . $1,749.00 (Ridgewood, NJ) West Milford School District . . . . . . . . . . $1,535.00 (West Milford, NJ) Port Authority of NY&NJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,560.00 South Brunswick School District. . . . . . . . $1,408.00 (South Brunswick NJ) Nye County School District . . . . . . . . . . . $1,380.00 (Parhump, NV) 25

Remembering David Parano, One of New Jersey’s Strongest Veterans’ Advocates Retired Colonel Passed away at 78; Served Over 30 Years as Veterans’ Liaison to NJ Congressmen and Senators. By James Fanous David Parano, one of the state’s strongest and most vocal advocates for military veterans and their families, passed away at the age of 78. For over three decades, Parano had worked for Congressional representatives and Senators alike as a Veterans liaison, working tirelessly to help veterans with their needs. He worked every single day to help current and former military personnel connect to the services and assistance they deserved, and served every day until his death at his most recent post at Senator Menendez’s office. In addition, Parano served as a mentor and a guiding light for other veteran advocates, most notably the GI Go Fund, who received tremendous support from Parano in the early years of the organization’s existence. “There was no one like Dave Parano, and there never will be,” said GI Go Fund Executive Director Jack Fanous. “We became incredibly close, as he helped show us the way to helping veterans. He became known in our organization as ‘Uncle Dave’ because he was such an important part of the GI Go family. I can easily say that there would be no GI Go Fund without Uncle Dave,

and he will be truly missed by us all.” Parano began his work with veterans 30 years ago as an assistant to Congressman Robert Torricelli, dealing with former military from all walks of life with any issues they would present. From problems with their benefits to personal issues affecting their transition home, as well as issues with homelessness,

employment, and going to school, Parano was up to any challenge a veteran needed help with. He moved on to work for Torecelli when he became a U.S. Senator, then later for Senator Jon Corzine. He then served as a Constituent Services Representative to Senator Robert Menendez, handling an average of 40 veteran related cases per week, ranging in a multitude of problems, including issues with receiving VA benefits. Parano has served veterans from New Jersey with great distinction throughout his professional career, and was recognized by all of his friends and colleagues as one of the best defenders and representatives for veterans and their needs. He was the consummate fighter, and refused any notions of retirement, no matter how long he had served his post. “I’m not going anywhere,” Parano once remarked. “Somebody’s going to have to drag me out of here before I stop helping my vets.” The veterans’ world needs more fighters like Dave Parano, and we have all lost a great hero to the men and women who wore our nations’ uniform. We will miss you Uncle Dave, and you will never be forgotten.J