M A G A Z I N E VSAN DIEGO SAN DIEGO RESOURCESVETERAN Strategies & Expectations TRANSITION Never Forget WE WILL FORGETNEVER Vol. 5 Number 9 • SEPTEMBER 2022 KathyRememberingBruyere
2 WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / September 2022 “I’m happier with myself. Having been in therapy, period, has helped me be in a better place now.” Rogelio “Roger” Rodriguez, Jr US Navy (1987 – 1993) US Air Force (1993 – 2013) PTSD treatment can turn your life around. For more information visit: www.ptsd.va.gov/aboutface
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4 WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / September 2022 MikeEditor-In-ChiefPublisherMiller mikemiller@HomelandMagazine.commikemiller@SDVetsMagazine.com Contributing Writers Holly Shaffner Veteran Advocate David Koontz Midway Magic RanDee McLain, LCSW A Different Lens Jenny Lynne Stroup Real Talk: Mental Health Barbara Eldridge Business For Veterans CJ Machado SD Vets & Homeland Photojournalist Kelly Bagla, Esq. Legal Eagle Tana Landau, Esq. Legally Speaking Joe Molina Veterans Chamber of Commerce Eve Nasby What’s Next - Transitioning Amber Robinson Arts & Healing Paul Falcone Human Resources Dr. Julie Ducharme Successful Transitioning Stories *Guest Writers Includie Local & National Veteran Organizations, & Advocates San Diego Veterans Magazine 9528 Miramar Road, #41 San Diego, CA 92126 (858) 275-4281 mikemiller@SDVetsMagazine.com EDITOR’SLETTER Greetings and a warm welcome to San Diego Veterans Magazine! Please take some time to get to know the layout of our magazine. The Magazine focuses on San Diego resources, support, community, and inspiration for our veterans and the military families that keep it together. Our magazine is driven by passion, vision, reflection and the future. The content is the driving force behind our magazine and the connection it makes with our veterans, service members, military families, and civilians. The magazine is supported by a distinguishing list of San Diego veteran organizations, resource centers, coalitions, veteran advocates, and more. We are honored to share the work of so many committed and thoughtful people. San Diego Veterans Magazine is a veterans magazine for veterans by veterans. We appreciate your support and are so happy to have you as a reader of San Diego Veterans Magazine. Mike Miller mikemiller@HomelandMagazine.commikemiller@SDVetsMagazine.comEditor-In-Chief San Diego Veterans Magazine is published monthly. Submissions of photographs, Illustrations, drawings, and manuscripts are considered unsolicited materials and the publisher assumes no responsibility for the said items. All rights reserved. www.San agazine.com
WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / September 2022 5 8 Midway Magic - USS Midway Museum 10 Flashback - “Remembering Kathy” 12 9/11 Never Forget 16 Caregiving TLC: Never Forget 19 Veterans Association of North County 20 Presenting the Colors 22 Force-Con 2022 24 Veterans in Art 26 Liberty Station - Heroes Event 27 WWP & VA Improve Warrior Wellness 28 The Veterans Art Project 30 Local Veteran Artist Skydives at 80 32 Synergy Learning Institute 34 She Talks (Empowerment) 36 Vets’ Community Connections 37 San Diego Veterans Coalition 38 Guide Dogs of America 40 Real Talk: Suicide Prevention 42 Allen Simmons - Veteran Suicide Survivor 44 What’s Next: Ratings Matter 46 HR: Employees in Crisis 48 Successful Transitioning Stories 50 Business for Veterans 52 Legal Eagle: Intellectual Property 54 Legally Speaking: Domestic Violence 56 National Veterans Chamber of Commerce 61 Careers in Law Enforcement INSIDESEPTEMBERTHEISSUE Cover (Sun Patrol - San Diego) DOD Photo by: Navy Petty Chief Petty Officer Nelson Doromal Jr
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6 WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / September 2022 For more information and to apply, go to: www.HonorFlightSanDiego.org or email: info@honor ightsandiego.org Vietnam War VeteransWe Want You! Vietnam War VeteransWe Want You! Honor Flight San Diego is looking for Vietnam Veterans to go on THEIR Honor Flight - Nov. 4-6, 2022!
ight
This is the second Vietnam War era from San Diego it will be an “Award Flight” Veterans who earned a Purple Heart Medal higher are eligible for this The 3-day trip is to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials built for their say for service. is no cost for the veteran. for Vietnam Veterans are planned for 2023 (pending
and
WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / September 2022 7 HONOR OUR VETERANS! Invest in the future of Miramar National Cemetery Hundreds of veterans, active duty military, families, businesses, and the public have invested in the future of Miramar National Cemetery. Thanks to their generous contributions The Miramar National Cemetery Support Foundation sponsors: • Miramar National Cemetery Memorial Amphitheater • The Avenue of Flags • Veterans Tribute Tower & Carillon • Annual Veterans Memorial Services • Annual Veterans Day Observances • Coordinates Veterans Memorial Monuments Honor our past, present, and future military veterans! Send your donation, today, to the Miramar National Cemetery Support Foundation All contributions are fully tax deductible. Please go to www.miramarcemetery.org and click on “Donate Now” for information about how you can donate to the Miramar National Cemetery Support Foundation. Help the Foundation Support Miramar National Cemetery.
On May 22, 1947, Operation Sandy was established, and the USS Midway was designated as the aircraft carrier to conduct the V-2’s test launch. Rear Adm. Daniel Gallery, the assistant chief of naval operations for guided missiles, oversaw the project.
On Sept. 2, with all the gear aboard and preparations finalized, Midway, along with four Navy destroyers, put to sea and headed to launch area approximately 250 miles south of Bermuda.
After preliminary conferences between naval officials and ordnance personnel at White Sands along with the German rocket scientists who had defected to the United States after the war, Adm. Chester Nimitz, then the chief of naval operations, determined it would be feasible to launch a V-2 missile from the flight deck of an aircraft carrier at sea.
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America’s missile program took flight in the closing days of World War II with the establishment of the White Sands Proving Grounds in the high desert of south-central New Mexico in July 1945. Early U.S. military rocket tests proved successful, but with limited capabilities. Enter the V-2 rocket. Developed by the Germans before the start of World War II, more than 3,000 V-2 rockets would ultimately rain down on England, France and Belgium for several months starting in late 1944 killing an estimated 9,000 civilians and military personnel. Following the cessation of hostilities in Europe in May 1945, hundreds of components of captured Nazi V-2s were brought to the United States accelerating the country’s fledging ballistic missile program. The first test launch of V-2 was conducted at White Sands on April 16, 1946. Over the next year and half, nearly 30 V-2s lifted off from Launch Complex 33. It wasn’t long, however, before discussions began on the potential of firing a large rocket from a Navy warship.
Within a few weeks, a select group of officers and enlisted personnel from Midway headed to White Sands for intensive training in the preparation, handling and launching of a V-2 rocket. Ultimately, the Army’s ordnance department was directed to provide two live rockets for the test launch and a dummy V-2 for continued training purposes on the ship.
“The primary purpose of Operation Sandy was to find out some of the answers to the problem of launching a larger bombardment type rocket from a ship at sea,” said Gallery, who was in command of a naval task force the captured a German U-boat off the western coast of Africa in June 1944. “Lessons learned from this operation will be applied to the future design of guided missiles for naval use and to design a new type of warship, the guided missile ship, which may eventually be as important to the fleet as the present-day aircraft carrier.”
The date for the launch on Midway was set –Sept. 6, 1947. By August, the Midway’s crew training was complete, and preparation had begun to ship the rockets and support equipment to the east coast. Midway was berth at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard adjacent to the railroad tracks and cranes needed to get the V-2s to and on board the ship.
75th Anniversary of V-2 Rocket Launch on USS Midway OPERATION SANDY
At 3:53 p.m. on Sept. 6, the rocket was ignited. Two seconds after launch, the V-2 tilted starboard 45 degrees continuing its liftoff in the direction of Midway’s flight-deck island. While most of Midway’s crew was below deck, Neal Casey, one of the ship’s fire control technicians, was part of the tracking team assigned to follow the V-2 once it launched and call its range down to the plotting room. Positioned on the island near the bridge, Casey estimated the rocket missed the superstructure by 100 yards. “I had no problem tracking the rocket,” said Casey, an 18-year-old Oklahoma native. “It almost hit the island when it launched.”
While the V-2 did not obtain the desired trajectory, it satisfied the major objectives of the test and was considered a success.
WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / September 2022 9 www.midway.org/give-join/volunteers
On the bridge was helmsman Gordon Vandiver. He too had a front row seat for the launch watching as the rocket veered towards the island after takeoff. “The thing was headed straight for us,” recalled Vandiver, an Ohio native who had just turned 18. “You never saw so many scrambled-egg officers dive for cover in all your life. A lot of brass turned green in an instant.”
“This experiment marked the beginning of a new era in naval weapons,” said Gallery in the operation’s afteraction report. “Operation Sandy demonstrated the practicability of launch the war-proven German V-2 missile from a modern aircraft carrier without interfering with the primary purpose of that vessel. The rocket was successfully launched for the first time from a ship underway at sea. It was the opening phase in an extensive program leading to the adaptation of naval vessels and the logistics of naval operations to the use of this new weapon.”
Within a few seconds, the V-2 returned to a vertical attitude and rose normally. Shortly thereafter, however, the rocket’s flight profile became erratic and it went out of control and broke up at approximately 12,000 feet. The rocket broke into three main sections and fell into the ocean a little more than three miles from Midway.
had stated that we could not have won the war without the women – they were coders, pilots, Rosie’s and served in intelligence positions. She also learned that one of the most influential Congressmen of his time, Carl Vinson (the same Carl Vinson the Navy named an aircraft carrier after), wanted restrictions on what military women would be permitted to do.
This retired Navy Captain knows a little something about being a trailblazer
Photo by: Nelvin C. Cepeda San Diego Union-Tribune
The month of March is Women’s History Month and when we talk about someone who blazed the trails, one San Diegan comes to mind – Captain Kathy Bruyere, U.S. Navy retired. What she did in 1978 changed the course for today’s Navy women. This (then) Lieutenant Commander (and five other co-plaintiffs) sued the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of the Navy. It was a very bold move with possible serious repercussions; but what the three enlisted and three officer women did then, laid the foundation for today’s generation. Why would she risk so much? She said, “I just believe we should all have the same opportunities.”
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“Remembering Kathy”
Kathy Bruyere volunteering at Miramar National Cemetery
To set the stage - it all started 30 years earlier as WWII was ending, and Congress didn’t know what to do with all those women who had just served as WAVES, WAC’s, WASP’s, SPAR’s and Marines. Kathy and her team did their research before they filed the lawsuit and they learned that Admiral Nimitz and General Eisenhower
While only gone for two years this month, U.S. Navy Captain Kathy Bruyere’s legacy lives on. We “Flashback” to an article about a San Diegan who wasa truetrailblazer and made history. She is one of the reasons women are serving at sea today.
Born was the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act of 1948. President Truman signed it into law and gave women permanent status in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines (the USCG was part of the Dept of the Treasury then). The act also gave the service Secretaries the authority to discharge women without specified cause and restricted women from flying aircraft engaged in combat and from being assigned to ships engaged in Fastcombat.forward to 1977 when the women of this class action lawsuit were being held up with advancements and promotions for doing the same jobs as their male counterparts. Kathy said that one of her fellow plaintiffs (a pilot) was told, “you can deliver supplies on the ship, just don’t land on the ship.”
By Holly Shaffner
March 2020
FLASHBACK
TRAILBLAZER
She enjoys looking back to see how far we’ve come and says, “there is nothing today’s women cannot do – we need them to keep charging ahead.”
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“ When asked what she is most proud about in her distinguished Naval career, she said, “to make a difference and help to open equal opportunities for all.”
Kathy Bruyere U.S. Navy Captain Retired February 5, 1944 - September 3, 2020
Kathy
The study led to the creation of a women’s policy office that Captain Bruyere would go on to run as well as become the Commanding Officer of the Navy Recruit Training Command in Orlando, Florida. Under her command the Navy studied integrating men and women together for boot camp training and today, the Navy has a co-ed boot camp.
In the 28 years of service to our county, Captain Bruyere epitomized the Navy’s core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment. We salute this trailblazer for opening the doors of tomorrow!
In Kathy’s case, she was a well-respected officer on track for command assignments. The problem was that Navy regulations prohibited her from going to sea - but those same regulations stated an officer had to go to sea in order to command a shore unit.
In order to get the law repealed, it would have to be done through Congress. The ladies tried and could not make it work so the next step was to sue the U.S. Government. They hired a civilian attorney and a year later they WON the landmark civil rights case! The judge ruled that the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act of 1948 was indeed unconstitutional. But that wasn’t the first time our local Navy Captain was a trailblazer. You see, there was the one time when she was on the cover of Time Magazine when she (and 11 other women) were named the Person of the Year! Yes, she was front and center with Billie Jean King and Betty Ford in 1976. After being on the cover of Time Magazine and taking the Secretary of Defense to court, where do you go from there? Ironically, years later she was asked to help with a study of the status of Navy women. The study looked at career opportunities for Navy women and as a result opened 9,000 sea duty assignments on 24 ships – but more importantly, gave women an opportunity for command at sea!
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WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / September 2022 15 Support the 9/11 Memorial Donate today to sustain the 9/11 Memorial. www.911memorial.org WE NEVERWILLFORGET The 9/11 Memorial & Museum is committed to providing relevant and public.andteachers,forlearningengagingopportunitiesstudents,families,thegeneral
RHIA, SHSS, RCFE www.agingwellpartners.com CAREGIVING
Each of this month’s topics – 9/11, Gold Star Mother’s Day, and National Suicide Prevention Month – cover somber and heartbreaking subjects. And after much reflection, I think the larger theme of this issue is “Never Forget”. Let us never forget everyone and everything we lost that fateful morning of 9/11/2001. As the towers burned and eventually collapsed into rubble and ashes, the loss we as Americans experienced was staggering, the likes of which we will never get over. Some lost mothers and fathers while others lost husband and wives. Sons and daughters, aunts and uncles, children and elderly were lost that day. Our way of living, thinking, and loving changed forever on 9/11. In recent years, our nation has experienced an unprecedented rise in mental health challenges and our current healthcare systems are struggling to meet the need for mental health practitioners and services to help those in need. Our veterans are 1.5 times more likely to commit suicide than the general population, according to the VA National Suicide Data Report (2005-2016), published in 2018. And the suicide rate of veterans aged 18-34 has been significantly higher than any other age group. Never forget that someone somewhere is struggling to stay in this world and make some kind of peace with their heart and head. Never forget that our men and women in the armed forces are someone’s son or daughter. And as these sons and daughters are sent off to boot camp, tours of duty, and other orders that may send them to corners of this earth we’ve never even heard of, the possibility of them never returning is painfully present. When a service member is killed while serving in our military, the mother who brought that being into this world becomes a member of the Gold Star Mothers – a distinction no mother wants. When we lose a loved one, we experience grief – “a deep sorrow, especially that caused by someone’s death” according to the Oxford dictionary. Our level of grief may vary yet with the loss of a loved, we all experience sadness and loss in a way unique to us. If you are dealing with grief and/or loss, there are resources out there to help you; you are not alone. Grief counselors, bereavement groups, veterans’ groups, and the Gold Star Mother’s network are just a few groups that can help you deal with loss and grief. The suicide hotline is available 24/7/365 for anyone considering suicide or experiencing emotional distress or crisis – call 9-8-8 anywhere in the United States and you will be connected with a specially trained individual who can help. In the San Diego area, you can call 2-1-1 and gather needed resources within the community. We can come through to the other side of grief in perhaps a healthier way when we reach out to family, friends and other resources designed to help with this journey, which is as unique, specific, and special as you. None of us have to take this journey called life alone!
By Kie Copenhaver CSA, TLC Never Forget
WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / September 2022 17WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / MAY 2022 33 FREE Consultation Call us to get started (619) 7879-1839 www.agingwellpartners.com FREE Consultation Call us to get started (619) 789-1839
18 WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / September 2022 As a partner of the We Honor Veterans Program, Hospice of the North Coast is dedicated to providing optimal end-of-life care to the honored men and women who have fought for the freedom and security of our nation. 2525 Pio Pico Dr., Suite 301, Carlsbad, CA 92008 | www.hospicenorthcoast.org Veterans Program Call 760.431.4100 COM M I T T E D TO VETERANS
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OUR VISION We seek to honor and support those who have served our country, bridging the past, present, and future. VANC is a vibrant gathering place in North San Diego County, where all Veterans, active-duty military, and their loved ones can reach out for help and community. VANC engages and informs local Veterans organizations, service providers, and individuals, helping them work together. VANC seeks to be a model for other organizations that serve the military community. US FOR AMAZING UPCOMING EVENTS
OUR MISSION VANC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created and operated by Veterans as a one-stop resource center for all active-duty military, Veterans, and their families. We centralize services from diverse agencies to assist with jobs, education, finances, health, and wellness.
WE OUR ASSOCIATION MEMBERS THEY’RE HERE FOR YOU TOO. VANC is open to all military, veterans and friends of the military. If you would like to become a Veterans Association member, Contact Lori at lori@vanc.me to learn more. Welcome to the Veterans Association of North County www.vanc.me
There’s always engaging things happening at VANC and with our partners. Check our calendar here for regularly scheduled events, meetings and opportunities here at VANC (www.vanc.me/events#calendar)
LOVE
WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / September 2022 19 HERE FOR YOU WHEN YOU NEED US Here you will find several resources, programs, services and opportunities for Veterans, Service Members and their families. Our goal is to be your one stop shop for all things, so don’t hesitate to contact us at any time. Programs and services vary, and include additional information for each. We have two Veteran Services Representatives (VSR) here at VANC, read all about them below in Addtional Services at: (www.vanc.me/services-programs)
By Janet Clancy, Communications Officer, The Elizabeth Hospice
Stephen Ko, a San Diego native, loves this country. His desire to keep people safe from near and foreign threats led him to enlist in the US Army when he was 19 years old. During his Vietnam tour of duty, he like many servicemen during that time was not welcomed home or thanked for his service. This experience led him to devote his energies after retiring from a 40-year career in the grocery industry to ensure that other veterans were acknowledged and honored for their role in defending our freedoms.
organization’sStephen Ko (L to R) Veteran volunteers Phillip Warlop, Leo Casiple, Stephen Ko, Vicky Aguila. Photo by Rugger Productions (L to R) Veteran volunteers Phillip Warlop, Don Bundy, Stephen Ko
Presenting the Colors
One way that The Elizabeth Hospice expresses its appreciation to veterans is through pinning ceremonies. These events, officiated by the
The Elizabeth Hospice has been recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization as a We Honor Veterans Level 5 Partner, the highest level of distinction in this national program.
The Elizabeth Hospice is the largest independent nonprofit hospice provider in Southern California. The organization is dedicated to helping ensure that veterans are aware of their healthcare options, feel appreciated, and receive the medical support and attention they need and deserve. Care teams at The Elizabeth Hospice are trained to address posttraumatic stress, depression, anxiety, survivors’ guilt, and soul injury and focus on providing experiences that bring meaning and peace to a person’s life.
After exploring several ways to honor veterans, Stephen joined The Elizabeth Hospice’s volunteer team. Although he had no prior experience with hospice care, he was drawn to the organization because of its commitment to providing medical and emotional support to veterans nearing the end of their life journey.
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San Diego Veteran Resources
A Veterans Magazine for Veterans by Veterans Navigating the resources available to veterans can be confusing, but San Diego Veterans Magazine believes no veteran should have to go it alone. At San Diego Veterans Magazine you can find Veteran organizations and private nonprofits with resources for veterans that can help ease the process of attaining earned benefits, coping with the lasting effects of service-connected injuries and finding programs and services that meet your specific needs.
“Stephen is a champion of our veteran program,” said Lisa. “We are grateful to him for taking The Elizabeth Hospice’s veteran pinning ceremonies to a higher level and creating lasting memories for our patients, the community and family members.”
“Stephen thought our veteran pinning ceremonies were wonderful but lacked color, music and marching,” said Lisa. “He felt that an honor guard with its flag bearer and presence of colors would significantly enhance the experience, evoking positive memories for the veterans. He asked our permission to recruit color guard members to join him at these pinnings.
To learn about the many ways The Elizabeth supports our community’s veterans, contact Lisa Marcolongo, Veterans Specialist, at Lisa.Marcolongo@ehospice.org or 760.644.4426
The Elizabeth Hospice’s first pinning ceremony with a color guard occurred at Cypress Court in Escondido in November 2021.2 It was spectacular.”
San Diego Veteran Resources & organizations available at: www.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com
After attending his first community pinning ceremony with The Elizabeth Hospice, Stephen reached out to Lisa Marcolongo, Veterans Specialist at The Elizabeth Hospice, with a suggestion to add a color guard.
San Diego Veterans Magazine
“Before the color guard appears, I call the group to order with ‘Ah-ten-HUT,’ said Stephen. “The trumpet plays as the color guard marches in, wearing their full-dress blues. One member is toting the American flag; another is holding a parade rifle; while a third is carrying a sword. ‘Eyes right’ is announced. We see a sparkle in the veterans’ eyes as the memories start flooding back. The experience is visual, auditory and emotional for the veteran, the veteran’s family, the staff at the residential facility, and the team members at The Elizabeth Hospice.” Stephen finds this volunteer experience to be highly gratifying. “This is very different from what I did in my professional career. I’m happier now than I’ve been my whole life,” said Stephen. “I appreciate The Elizabeth Hospice for their dedication to serving those who served our country. And I appreciate the organization for allowing me and the other color guard members to let our veterans know that they are not forgotten and that America appreciates them.”
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volunteers who are veterans or active-duty service members, bring together family members and friends to publicly celebrate and thank veterans for their military service. They are conducted at the bedside or in group events at senior residential facilities and community centers.
The Spirit of Benovia
Betsy’s Biscuit Bomber
Introduction trailers will include the Legends of Carrier Aviation produced by the Tailhook Association & Speed & Angels Productions, The League of Wives, and The Monument of Toleranceproduced by Beyond the Call. Many of the Legends of Aviation will be attendance to celebrate 100 years of carrier aviation.
Opening night is a flight themed event, where gowns depicting the evolution of flight will be showcased on the red carpet. Flight costume/military ball dress is encouraged. Many of the predecessors to “Top Gun” will be attending, including Commander Glenn Tierney - Sidewinder test pilot and the last aviator to fly all the Grumman cats from the Wildcat to the Tomcat, and the “Forgotten Hero,” CAPT E. Royce Williams, who took on seven MiGs during the Korean War and shot down four! Thud pilot Colonel Victor Vizcarra, Lt Willie Sharp, the shortest-held POW of the Vietnam War, Holocaust survivor Tibor Spitz, WWII child POW Tom Crosby, WWII Paratrooper Tom Rice, and “Battle of the Bulge” Machine Gunner Vincent J. Speranza are some of the honored guests. You won’t want to miss this VIP red carpet experience and the opportunity to meet the living Legends of Aviation at the world famous San Diego Air & Space Museum!
FORCE-CON 2022
Three of the D-Day Squadron aircraft will participate in Airborne Operations during the 3-day festivities including The Spirit of Benovia, Commemorative Air Force D-Day Doll, and Betsy’s Biscuit Bomber. In fact, “WAM,” William Albert Murphy, a retired police horse that was adopted by Joe Anderson, the producer and owner of the Spirit of Benovia will participate in a red carpet reunion with fellow officers of the disbanded San Diego Police Department Mounted Unit. San Diego County Sheriff Anthony Ray will oversee the “Walk of Heroes” hoofprint ceremony that follows the red carpet reunion.
The San Diego Air & Space Museum is hosting ForceCon 2022’s “Opening Night” VIP Experience, celebrating Legends of Aviation and WWII veterans on the red carpet. Opening night is an Honor Flight San Diego fundraiser and takes place on Friday, September 23 from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. There will be a special film presentation of “Into Flight Once More,” produced by the Tunison Foundation, DC-3 Society, Benovia Winery and Sound Off Films. The documentary highlights the D-Day Squadron and their courageous 2019 mission to cross the Atlantic for the 75th Anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France - an amazing feat to celebrate the end of WWII. The film is narrated by Academy Award nominated actor and veteran advocate Gary Sinise.
In partnership with Army Week San Diego, Force-Con 2022 is expected to be the largest 3-day superhero military convention and Art Festival coming to San Diego, September 23-25. The event is inspired by the POW/MIA historical fiction story “Purple Foxes United” involving heroines who join together to save their brothers in arms. The characters are based on real-life heroes, our service members, and Honor Flight San Diego alumni veterans.
22 WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / September 2022 Don’t Miss This!
WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / September 2022 23 To purchase your opening night tickets or to sponsor a WWII veteran, go to: https://tinyurl.com/force-con-tickets To sponsor a Legends table, please contact: CJ@Force-Con.com For more information: www.Force-Con.com Into Flight Once More with Gary Sinise: https://fb.watch/fctlrnC39K/ Commemorative Air Force D-Day Doll
Dilley: Yes. It only makes sense since SDCC is a San Diego institution and how popular it is with Veteran creatives. We want to make this a part of our ongoing Veteran promotion and advocacy.
Uriarte: For me, personally, my most notable moment was definitely arriving late due to parking (I ended up parking at a grocery store and ran to the convention on foot) while coordinating with the wonderful Tammie [VetArt’s Skillbridge Intern] all the way up to the moment I arrived. I was only 15 minutes late! Overall, I think everyone did a phenomenal job and had profound insight into the plight of the artist and the veteran (and oftenboth at the same time).
SDVM: Why did VETART want to host this panel?
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At this year’s annual San Diego Comic-Con, The Veterans Art Project (VETART) hosted a panel featuring seven veterans with a common passion: Art.
Veterans in the Arts and Pop Culture: San Diego Comic-Con
SDVM: How did you get connected with VetArt to participate in this panel?
During this panel, veteran artists, Amit Khosla, Anthony “Tony the Vet” LoBue, Carolina Hernandez, Colin “Big C” Hoffman, Maximillian Uriarte, Reginald Green, and Tonya Savice spoke about their creative process, the relationship between art and the military and reflected about time spent in service. San Diego Veterans Magazine had the opportunity to sit down with the Executive Director of VETART, Steven Dilley, and two of the panelist, Maximillan Uriarte, and Tonya Savice.
SDVM: What question were you most eager to ask the artist? Dilley: What were they looking forward to as their next project.
SDVM: Would you like to host a panel for Comic-Con again? What was the most memorable moment of the event?
SDVM: Tell us about the most notable moment, or your favorite question of the panel.
Dilley: The promotion of Veteran created artworks continues to be a focus of The Veterans Art Project. We wish to expand the arena to promote our Veterans as they find new creative expressions for wellness and financial ends.
Maximillian Uriarte is most known for his comic strip, Terminal Lance, as well as his New York bestselling graphic novel, The White Donkey. His latest graphic novel, Battle Born: Lapis Lazuli was published on July 28th, 2020. San Diego Comic-Con was Uriarte’s first time working with The Veterans Art Project.
Uriarte: I was connected to Steve Dilley by word of veteran artist Ehren Tool. I was not previously acquainted with VetArt.org, but they seemed like a great group of fellow veterans trying to make great art, and I was thrilled that they asked me to join them.
For me, the key takeaway was to make art that matters to you and only to you. Staying true to yourself and your vision is the most important thing any artist can do.
Many questions were asked, my favorite was, “How can we help veteran artists get connected?”
Savice: There was a very diverse age group. Active duty, spouses, veterans, and civilians were all present. The applause and the shoutouts were a good sign the audience was engaged. There were even a few tears!
Veterans are going to continue making an impact in arts, comics, and pop culture! I will continue to tell the story of how art helps my mental wellness and am looking forward to presenting my “Lips” comic next year. Art is a great tool for mental wellness. I take what’s in my heart, process it in my head, and create with my hands. I was an artist first, then I became a veteran. I am in the community of upcoming veteran artists with a story to tell through our experiences and I was excited to speak on that.
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SDVM: Would you do this again next year? Why or why not? Savice: I am looking forward to Comic Con 2023. I would love to be on the panel again to discuss the growth of veterans in art and share the progress of my nonprofit.
San Diego Veterans Magazine also got to sit down with Tonya Savice. As a long-time participant at VetArt,Tonya has discovered her love for not only art but also advocacy. She now holds the title of Director of Advocacy and is working to get her own non-profit, Spread Love Thru Arts, launched.
SDVM: Why did you want to participate in this panel? Savice: I wanted to speak on the panel to express how art impacted my mental wellness as a Veteran. Many veterans have engaged with some kind of comic growing up, including me. I learned how to transform those childhood memorieswith my military experiences into an art form!
SDVM: Overall, how was the experience? Would you do it again? Uriarte: The experience was great! The group at www.VetArt.org and everyone on the panel were amazing, very friendly, and incredibly helpful in coordinating the event for everyone involved. I would absolutely do it again! (Though, I may leave a bit earlier next time)
SDVM: Tell us about the audience. Were they engaging? Did they ask good questions?
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Liberty Station - 2022 Military Heroes Event
Before Liberty Station was the vibrant 361-acre community of restaurants, shops, fitness centers, artist studios and museums San Diegans know today, it served as San Diego’s Naval Training Center. Opened in 1923, this naval training center housed over 2 million Navy recruits through 1997. The Military Heroes Festival is a testament to Liberty Station’s continued dedication to honoring its roots in military history and the many military families who still call San Diego home.
Special guests at the event included marvel superheroes, storm troopers, Obi-Wan Kenobi, C-3PO and iconic San Diego sports teams, including the San Diego Padres, San Diego Gulls, San Diego Legion and San Diego Wave Futbol, who also contributed on-site activations like jumping castles, meet and greets, free game tickets and more for attendees.
While the event transitioned to a drive-through format in 2020, it returned in-person in 2021, and the 2022 event was even bigger. The event was put on by over 320 volunteers, a 14% increase from 2021, and welcomed 2,195 active military members and their families, who were selected from a raffle of over 5,000 military members.
As Liberty Station prepares to celebrate its centennial anniversary in 2023, the property and its partners are gearing up for an even larger Military Heroes Festival.
At this year’s event, Liberty Station and its partners donated over 16,000 pounds of groceries, $45,115 worth of clothing, shoes and books, a 25% increase from 2021, 455 school backpacks, 270 free haircuts and $8,000 worth of giveaway prizes, including scooters, gift cards to local businesses, vouchers for experiences and more.
The Military Heroes Festival, an invite-only, superherothemed event for active military members and their families, was launched in 2018 to thank military members for their service, dedicating a day to celebrate the families who also sacrifice so much by providing them with free groceries, resources, diapers, haircuts, children’s backpacks stuffed with school supplies, toys, prize giveaways from local businesses, live entertainment and the chance to meet-and-greet with their favorite superheroes.
On Saturday, August 20, San Diego’s Liberty Station, a multifaceted community hub developed on the recommissioned Naval Training Center grounds, hosted its fourth annual Military Heroes Festival in partnership with the Rock Church and United Services Organization (USO).
The event – an extension of rehabilitation care veterans receive at VA facilities – introduces and strengthens knowledge of different sports and the modified techniques designed to address specific injuries, including spinal cord injury, visual impairments, orthopedic amputation, and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
VA’s National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic is a rehabilitative and educational hands-on program that offers wounded veterans from across the country an opportunity to engage in adaptive sports and recreational activities.
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“We’re honored to sponsor this event for the fourth year and work with VA to empower warriors across the country,” said James Herrera, WWP Physical Health & Wellness vice president. “Adaptive sports play a critical role in physical and emotional healing for warriors who were injured while serving our country. It’s important for warriors to know they can still engage with the sports they’ve always loved and even learn new skills.”
Wounded Warrior Project, VA Improve Warrior Wellness at Adaptive Sports Clinic
After being limited to virtual-only participation due to COVID-19, this year marked the clinic’s return to in-person sporting events. Activities included sailing, surfing, adaptive fitness, kayaking, and cycling.
WWP’s Soldier Ride is a nationally recognized injured veteran cycling program that hosts warriors virtually and at in-person events across the country. It is one of three WWP programs – including Adaptive Sports and Physical Health and Wellness – that incorporate adaptive components into athletic sports and physical fitness to serve some of the most seriously injured veterans. These programs are designed to empower warriors to become well-adjusted in mind and body and help increase mobility, improve sleep, and decrease stress.
WWP’s Annual Warrior Survey confirms these programs and initiatives like the VA Summer Sports Clinic are critical to warriors’ overall wellness.
The 2021 survey concluded that 3 in 5 WWP warriors reported physical activity helps them cope with stress or mental health concerns.
By Trevor Fay, Wounded Warrior Project Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) recently teamed up with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to host nearly 80 veterans for the 15th annual National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic in San Diego. In addition to sponsoring the event, WWP was on-site to facilitate the weeklong clinic with cycling professionals from the nonprofit’s Soldier Ride® program.
Army veteran Eric Trinidad-Perez didn’t let his vision impairment hold him back. This was his first time attending the VA Summer Sports Clinic and an adaptive sports event in “I’mgeneral.legally blind now, but I still continue my athletic journey,” said Trinidad-Perez. “I have a spirit of not being a Learnquitter.”more about how WWP programs help warriors manage mental health through physical activity and connecting with other veterans. Visit Wounded Warrior Project: www.woundedwarriorproject.org
POP-UP ARTS CAFE Partnered with the Mental Health Services Oversight & Accountability Commission (MSHOC), a California state agency, VETART is entering the third year of its state-wide arts campaign.
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VETART currently hosts three ceramic classes a week; classes include art therapy, hand-building, and ceramic wheel instruction. Classes are completely free for not only veterans but also for active-duty military personnel, family and spouses of military members and veterans, veteran caregivers, and first responders.
a long list of accomplishments to be proud of, Executive Director and Founder, Steven Dilley, remains most proud of the space he has fostered for the community. There is no other program providing the services, connections, or support as VETART.
In addition to classes, participants are welcome to utilize the studio for their individual art practice during these times. It is common to see artists sculpting, glass casting, and painting. It is a great space for veterans to decompress, socialize and make messes.
The Pop-Up Cafés are designed to engage in dialogue, foster networking, and speak directly to the unique experiences and mental health challenges of the extended Veteran community in these challenging times.
The Veterans Arts Project (VETART) is a community-based organization serving Veterans, Active Duty, Spouses, dependents, their caregivers, and the community through process-driven, Deep Arts Engagement, D.A.E.(c), and Art Therapy.
STUDIO CLASSES
Maria Ysela Galvan, an Army veteran, has been going to the studio since 2019, “The studio is a place for me to socialize and make things I didn’t even know I could.
“The pop-up cafés are awesome. I have been to seven now and I have loved everyone. I get to show my art, network with other artists, and get exposure. Also, they allow people to come support veteran artists directly. I am looking forward to displaying my art on the state capitol steps!” - Reginald Green
VETART is currently preparing for its large statewide event which will be hosted on the west steps of the State Capitol in Sacramento. This event is aiming to remind policymakers of the importance and impact art has in many veterans’ lives. As a population that struggles with mental illness and suicide, art can be a healing and empowering force for the community.
Jill Brenegan, VETART’s Art Therapist, hosts Mosaic Tile Art Therapy, while David Pirl and Dilley teach ceramic hand building and wheel workshops. Classes are suited for all skill levels and instruction is as hands-on or off as participants wish.
Putting your mind into making art is very healing for the body. I highly recommend the studio to anyone I bump into.”
VETART currently operates a 5,000 sq ft, state-of-the-art, professionally equipped school of Ceramics and Glass studio space in Vista, California, and provides MFA-level instruction to participants. Encouraging the “see one, do one, teach one” VETART hosts an environment where the veteran community can build their communication, skills, and Whiletechniques.VETARThas
During the calendar year of 2022, VETART has hosted “Pop-Up Art Cafés” in Shasta, Riverside, and Los Angeles County. These shows feature veteran artists of many mediums and provide them with a space to display and sell their work while connecting with our veteran artists in their area.
The event will be on October 12th, 2022, from 10 AM to 4 PM, California State Capitol (West Steps) 1315 10th St, Sacramento, CA 95814. There will be displays, artwork, workshops, and music. All are welcome to attend!
For one intern, their time at VetArt was dedicated to launching their creative brand and developing their artistic practice. With the goal of making art their livelihood following retirement from the Airforce, VetArt not only provided them with a space for art creation, but also assisted in forging connections, developing branding, and providing opportunities for exhibits.
“I am working towards becoming a Clinical Therapist and my time with VetArt is a valuable bullet on my resume as I inch towards that goal. Not only will it look fantastic on grad school applications, but working and learning from Jill, our art therapist is providing me experience most psychology students do not receive until after they earn their Althoughbachelors!”Tammie did not consider herself an artist before joining the VetArt team, becoming one is just a bonus!
DoD SKILLBRIDGE LOCATION
To assist transitioning servicemembers gain civilian experience in the world of art, public health, and nonprofit management, VetArt is a proud host of a DoD SkillBridge location. Since its induction into the program in the winter of 2022, they have already hosted four interns – two former Airmen and two Sailors.
As Dilley intended, she is passionate about their mission statement and has experienced the healing she is helping provide through her work.
www.vetart.org
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Current Skillbridge Intern, Tammie Foster, had different goals when entering the program...
Unlike many rigid programs that are currently offered to servicemembers through this program, VetArt allows its interns to shape their experience to fit their goals and desire with only one set-in-stone rule – practice art making. Dilley is a true believer in wellness through art and he wants his interns to share that passion with him throughout their time with VetArt.
Local Veteran Artist and Icon Skydives on
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When you ask LoBue what inspired him to celebrate in this way, he’s got a variety of life-affirming and sentimental reasons. In general, he hopes to bust the stereotypes of ageism, proving to himself and others that your age does not define you. LoBue also hoped to demonstrate to other disabled veterans that a disability does not define you, either.
“I wanted to demonstrate to myself and those in similar categories that you have to keep moving if you want to stay truly alive and aligned in mind, body and spirit,” said LoBueLoBue.called his birthday jump a part of his “Declaration of Independence’’ from ongoing postoperative complications after cervical spine surgery in 2006. Although the surgery went perfectly, he suffered a phenomenon called C5 paralysis. LoBue and medical professionals have no idea what causes or caused his C5 palsy, which is a rare type of post-spinal surgery phenomenon. Some recover from the freak paralysis after a few days, weeks or even years, while some never recover at all.
Initially, LoBue was confined to bed for 30 days, but amazed his care professionals with his degree of recovery. Today the paralysis affects a large portion of his right side, to include his right shoulder and arm. He is unable to lift a quart of fluid with his right hand and has had to become left-handed.
“It has been 16 years of living with some real limitations to my lifestyle”, said LoBue, who has always preferred to challenge himself physically.
It has been a decade since LoBue’s first post-paralysis declaration of independence. That declaration began in 2010 when he picked up the mantle of veterans advocate and began a walk across the nation from San Diego to New York City, ending at Ground Zero for the 10th Anniversary of September 11. Raised in Brooklyn, LoBue says he is a New Yorker at heart. LoBue said he made the walk as a way to challenge disability stereotypes, affirm his own life and raise awareness around veteran issues such as PTSD and veteran suicide. Through what became a series of When you ask your average 80 year old what they’d like to do for their birthday, most wouldn’t ask for much. Many, at 80, would be happy to get out for a little party to spend time with friends and family. But not local veteran advocate, artist and icon, Anthony A. LoBue, AKA Tony the Vet. On August 10, LoBue decided to celebrate his 80th by jumping out of a perfectly good Cesna 206 for a tandem skydive with Pacific Coast Skydiving, here in San Diego.
80th
“I owned a Cesna 128, several years back,” said LoBue. “I’ve flown a Cesna but never jumped out of one!” Leading up to the jump, LoBue said he prepared with physical training, a raw vegan diet and mindfulness exercises. When the plane reached 10,000 ft, or 2 miles high, he put all his preparation to the test. LoBue said they caught a couple of up-currents on the way down, which, to his delight, lengthened their time floating and soaring through the air. They landed perfectly, a soft, stand-up landing, several minutes after the other sky divers.
Tony the Vet with Andy Rowell (Owner, Pacific Coast Skydiving)
Now, ten years later, he celebrated the anniversary of that epic journey the same way it began; by jumping out of a plane. As for sentimentality, that is another big part of his reason why. In 1965 LoBue proudly finished Army Airborne School at the age of 22. He served six years as an Airborne Army officer, two of which were active duty during the Vietnam era. Since his first jump, LoBue has been in love with skydiving, but was inspired to become an Airborne officer long before then. When LoBue was little, an uncle taught him a special word. It was the same word he would yell the first time he jumped from a C-130 at age 22 and the same word that uncle yelled when he jumped his many combat missions as an Army paratrooper during World War II.
“Geronimo!,” 22-year old LoBue yelled into the phone to his Uncle Angelo after his first jump. He’d not told his uncle that his stories of courage as an Army Airborne combat medic had inspired him to join as well. Only after LoBue had his first jump under his belt did he call to break the news. Tearful, all his uncle, who LoBue calls his “Angel Hero”, could do was quietly say thank you. Later, LoBue would learn of Post Traumatic Stress and understand his uncle on an even deeper level. His uncle’s love and legacy inspired pivotal moments in his life and was a continuing part of the inspiration for his most recent jump. On August 10 LoBue climbed into that Cesna 206 to do something he has truly come to love. He says he’s jumped out of helicopters, big airplanes, little airplanes, but wanted especially to jump out of a Cesna.
WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / September 2022 31 walks, stopping in cities along the way to meet their mayor and speak locally on veterans issues, LoBue accomplished his goal on September 11, 2012.
When you ask LoBue if he thinks this was a dangerous way to commemorate 80 years on earth, he’ll tell you that it’s no more dangerous than driving your car or walking out to the mailbox.
“I love to sky dive. It’s the greatest down-to-earth experience you can have,” concluded LoBue with a Tonysmirk.the Vet is the founder and director of www.artsforveterans.org, a member of the San Diego Regional Arts and Culture Coalition (SDRACC), founder and director of Support our Veterans Association, a certified “QPR Gatekeeper” trained in suicide prevention, and member of American Legion VPW Post #434 among other roles and positions.
Synergy Learning Institute is a technical vocational online college started 10 years ago. Synergy started out servingspecifically transitioning womenveterans but now has expanded their programs to serve all veterans and as well to serve active military, mil-spouses and military children. We interviewed Dr. Julie DuCharme the creator and President of Synergy Learning Institute to learn more on how this veteran serving organization came about.
Karen and I worked together to create the Combat Boots to Heels program. Our first couple women were Kelly, Leeann, and Ava and were truly amazing women; very talented and just needing some support finding the right direction after transitioning.
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I was an Academic Chair over three programs at another college and my instructors one by one kept coming in and telling me their veterans in their courses were coming to them and telling them they were having issues transitioning.
At first my response was “transiting to college life” and they said not just transitioning in life. That information launched me into my research or organizations that could help them and even though there were many I felt that the college was a hub for our veteran students and we needed to have more support on the campus. I approached the Deans and Presidents above me but they didn’t see the value in it or how it could bring in more revenue to the school so they didn’t want to expend money on it. When I saw their lack of education on the subject I realized I needed to create something for our vets that focused on the education side. Especially focused on not getting the vets money but getting them support. That is when I created our nonprofit technical vocational school Synergy Learning Institute. We started very small, we received our first call from the VA stating they needed some automotive training for 6 veterans but the current automotive programs were too expensive. And low and behold my father had been an automotive instructor for 30 years. So we created an on ground base program in Bakersfield, CA and trained our first round of vets in automotive. It was a very successful. All graduated and were placed in jobs after completing the program.
Our program focuses first on your mentality but also we do an assessment created by Dr. Karen Walker called FSET. It specially focuses on women’s Feminity, self-efficacy, emotional intelligence and teamwork. We look at how the women rate in each of these areas and then evaluate and help them work through how they use their strengths in these areas and how we address their weaknesses and then how do we get them to their dream profession. Often most vets are encouraged to just go back and work for another government agency. Not the case here. Kelly is an artist that became so popular after this she had to turn off requests because she was so booked. Leeann is part owner in a winery, and Dr. Ava runs a ranch, teaches yoga, and an advocate for victims. Kelly
How did Synergy Learning Institute come about?
After this first group of training, we started to work on more programs and an old college buddy of mine Dr. Karen Walker, 20 plus year Marine was transitioning out of the military at this time. She came to me and said that even though she had her Ph.D., and was a high ranking officer with 20 plus years of experience, she couldn’t find a job for a year and explained to me it was the mentality that had to change. It took her a year to figure that out and she wanted to create a very specific transition program for women transitioning out of military life to civilian life as their needs were very different than their male counterparts.
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www.leadandempowerher.com
Our
We are so excited we have partnered with several Universities, like Belhaven University, Envisage Global and many other institutes who are able to bring us under their wing so our students can take our courses and get college credit. With our partners we have added almost 1500 classes they have access to and can get college credit for. Also we are proud to say we have many courses created by our successful transitioning veterans as well. These programs range from executive leadership programs to VA approved Crisis Management programs with our New Zealand partners. Partners
They are truly loving what they are doing. We are incredibly proud of our Combat Boots to Heels program. And Kelly, our artist, we helped her copyright her work and she in turn lets us use her very popular picture “The Transition” for our Combat Boots to Heels program. What exciting things is Synergy doing now?
www.synergylearninginstitute.orgwww.envisageconnect.com
About 8 years ago my very good friend and colleague Dr. Karen Walker retired from the military. She talked to me about how she was so skilled with a Ph.D. and still struggled to transition after 20 years in the military and she mentioned there were not a lot of programs that help focus just on women transitioning. So we worked together to create a transition course to help women focus on the mentality to transition from military service to civilian life. We also helped with resumes, interview training and even interview clothing if needed, and we partnered with several other orgs to support in other areas. We also help them find the right path to transition to not just go work another government job which is what people often push vets to do. We have seen some great successes. One of our women Kelly Crouse who did the picture above “The Transition”, we helped her focus her art skills, another woman we helped her focus on what education she needed to get her to the job she wanted. Another woman is a partner in a winery. All things they would have never thought about if we hadn’t explored their skills, wants, passions and needs. Essentially, we take them out of the box that everyone put them in and give them options they never thought they had.
I remember thinking wow I get paid by a college to be an expert in a subject and teach people but I don’t have anything to contribute because I haven’t made millions yet in my life. That can’t be right. I thought, well if you won’t give me a platform I’ll make one.
How did She Talks get started?
And that is how She Talks happened. We created a speaking platform and tour where any woman could apply to tell their story and you didn’t have to be famous, or a multi-millionaire to qualify. Now 5 years later we have been in 8 different states, trained over 40 women on how to public speak and donated several thousands of dollars to women veterans from our event earnings. As my colleague Dr. Karen Walker says “We are not your competitor but your biggest supporter.”
34 WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / September 2022 She Talks
“ Well I remember someone telling me one time I was not big enough for celebrities to be on stage andthat since I hadn’t made a ton of money at that time in my life why would anyone listen to me.”
Combat Boots to Heels How are you Empowering Vets?
WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / September 2022 35 www.Courage2Call.org Career Resources Available Now Hiring Management and Direct Service Positions - www.mhsinc.org/career-resources
While there has been significant work in the past decade supporting transitioning military, members related to life pillars of employment, housing and health, there is one pillar that has gotten insufficient attention and support: connections into the community. Over half of veterans and military report feeling disconnected from the communities in which they live. Veterans and military families often don’t have local networks or know where to turn when they have questions such as: What are the local schools like? How can I turn my military skills into a civilian career? What are the best local businesses that I can rely on? Veterans and military families are not asking for another website; they are looking to connect with real people, in their community. The desire for connections in community isn’t limited to veterans and military, it rings true for spouses as well. More often the challenging things for these families can be those that local residents take for granted- like knowing a good car mechanic, or Inhandyman.SanDiego County, Vets’ Community Connections is working to meet this need. VCC fills this gap, serving as the bridge across a civilian-military divide. How it works: VCC encourages San Diegans of all walks of life who are willing to help or share their expertise-- and businesses who are willing to offer services and discounts—to sign up with our VCC
Fornetwork.ourveterans/military/family members we’ve designed an easy process: First, a veteran, servicemember or spouse looking for assistance calls 1 844 VET CONX Second, our Connections Coordinator takes their information, and provides a personalized match with an individual or business in our network who can help and connects them directly by email. Third, and finally, they connect—often over the phone—and the individual or business makes sure that the veteran, service member or spouse gets what they need. It can take as little as 10 minutes. It’s that “Oureasy.local veterans and their families aren’t looking for more websites – they’re looking for personal connections to their fellow citizens and businesses who can provide them with community-relevant answers to their questions and information they can trust. Each and every one of us can do that,” said Jerry Sanders, president of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, which played a leadership role in the development of this initiative. Sanders and the Chamber spearheaded a different survey of area veterans and family members that also showed that those in transition to civilian life valued human connection and new networks into the community far more than additional web-based resources.
Connections make the difference. For example, an Active Duty family recently experienced a house fire, VCC extended support through direct connections to multiple organizations who would assist with the impact from the fire. The family reported: “HUGE shoutout to VCC! After hearing about our fire, the VCC team connected us to a list of resources that could help with the aftermath of everything. They also contacted several local sports stores, and we were able to replace some of our kiddo’s sporting gear which was one less thing we had to stress about. Our family is beyond grateful for the dedication VCC has for our military community!!”
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As we continue to move beyond the pandemic and grow in demand for resources, VCC invites you to be a part of our success: Join VCC’s San Diego resource database by taking a minute to sign up at: www.vetscommunityconnections.org/join-vccs-resource-database.html
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The San Diego Veterans Coalition was organized in 2009 and using the Collective Impact Model, SDVC is a premier San Diego County-wide monthly convener of over 160 unique member and participating organizations, businesses, and agencies. The Collective Impact Model is based on leveraging relationships with other veteran and family serving organizations so that we may provide veterans and their families with a complete array of services and other opportunities.
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www.sdvetscoalition.org www.sdvetscoalition.org
The vision of the SDVC is to honor the nation’s commitment to veterans, their families and significant others by leading collaboration among all potential partners, making the San Diego region a national model for a comprehensive, integrated system of community services. The SDVC is a catalyst that inspires collaboration and cooperation among service partners to deliver premier support for Veterans in the San Diego region.
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The purpose of the San Diego Veterans Coalition (SDVC) is to serve the needs of San Diego regional Veterans, their families and significant others. We intend to improve collaboration and coordination among community service providers so that delivery of services is more comprehensive and Veteran Family-centric.
WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / September 2022 37 Serving Veterans and their www.warriorresourceproject.orgFamilies!SAN COALITIONVETERANSDIEGO COLLABORATING TO BETTER SERVE OUR COMMUNITY’S VETERAN FAMILIES COMMUNITY • COLLABORATION • COOPERATION FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA @SDVeteransCoalition @sd_vc @SDVetsCoalition www.sdvetscoalition.org LIVE WELL SAN DIEGO COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY
At the SDVC we have found that collaboration is the key to addressing the needs of San Diego Veterans, their families and significant others. We have four Action Groups: Physical and Emotional Health Action Group (PEH) Family Life Action Group (FLAG) Veterans: Empowered, Successful, and Thriving Action Group (VEST) Education, Employment, Entrepreneurship Action Group (E3) Through these Action Groups we are identifying gaps and creating measurable outcomes to resolve them. These groups are made up of our members and together we are working to strengthen our community.
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Our service dogs for veterans are provided at no cost to the recipients across the U.S. and Canada. They become trusted companions and help their partners gain greater confidence, mobility and independence.
38 WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / September 2022 Open your home and your heart, to a future service dog in-training VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Text “PUPPY” to 51555 Or Call: (818) www.guidedogsofamerica.org362-5834 RAISE A CHANGEPUPPY...ALIFE!
Luis, a graduate from our veterans’ program, achieved a significant milestone because of his service dog, Shield.
Guide Dogs of America www.guidedogsofamerica.org
How Service Dogs Can Help Veterans Reach the Peak of Independence
Luis and Shield
A discharge date should be the signal of promise and opportunity in a hero’s life. However, for some, this date could be the beginning of an invisible war known as PTSD. At Guide Dogs of America | Tender Loving Canines, our service dogs for veterans are custom-trained to help wounded warriors gain independence and reintegrate into their families and society.
“For some reason, hiking has been something I stopped doing due to the ever-growing lack of solitude and the large groups of people,” he said. Even though it made him uncomfortable, Luis knew he and Shield could conquer a hike with some perseverance and teamwork. The COVID-19 pandemic left his neighborhood streets lonely and quiet — a silver lining of opportunity to work on being outside with no one around. Eventually, their walks progressed and the trust Luis put into Shield prepared them for the milestone ahead. “With plenty of snacks, treats, and water, we made our way to the top of Iron Mountain and spent a few hours at the peak,” Luis said. “As a team, we continue to break barriers I couldn’t have done alone. We are always growing together.”
WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / September 2022 39 www.sheltertosoldier.org
Understanding Substance Use Disorder Counseling
As we recognize
The substance abuse counseling that we provide consists of 10-12 sessions. During the first few sessions, we do an addiction severity assessment, treatment goals and a relapse prevention plan. Then we move on to working on tools to obtain and maintain sobriety. Clients can use this service along with therapy at our Cohen Clinic.
www.vvsd.net/cohenclinics
Can you tell us about SUD Counseling at the Cohen Clinic at VVSD?
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Real Talk: Mental Health
According to Mental Health America, “The majority of suicides worldwide are related to mental health disorders; depression, substance abuse, and psychosis are the biggest risk factors.” Additionally, in 2017, a team of researchers looking at data on more than 4.8 million veterans, found that veterans with substance use disorders had twice the risk of suicide compared to those without a substance use disorder (Source: American Addiction Centers).
What should people know before seeking substance abuse counseling?
You should know that there is a wonderful community within the recovery world. Many people who work in the field of addiction are either in recovery themselves or have loved people through addiction and have a true passion for helping others on their journey. I am not in recovery, but I have loved many family members through their addiction, and I have witnessed firsthand how beautiful life can be on the other side. I am also big on accountability and often I am told I have a tough love approach. But this is because I believe in my clients. I know they can work hard and rise above the challenges they have faced with drugs or alcohol.
Also, veterans who have a SUD are 3-4 times more likely to be diagnosed with depression. www.veteranaddiction.org/rehab-guide/veteran-statisticsSource: Can you share some common myths and barriers when it comes to substance abuse counseling? One barrier is that there is a stigma around being considered weak for seeking treatment. Another one I hear is fearing the labels of drug or alcohol addict. Even in my sessions, some clients will not use accurate terms such as recovery, sobriety, and relapse because of the weight of these words.
What should family members of someone with a substance abuse issue do? It is important to build a community of support. This can include things such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous or a group with SMART Recovery or a local chapter of The National Alliance on Mental Illness. I am also open to family members attending sessions with their loved ones. This gives them the opportunity to vocalize their feelings and experiences in a safe, neutral setting.
By Hope Phifer, Cohen Veterans Network Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at VVSD
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
this September, Ashley Tatum, MHA, Case Manager and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Counselor for The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at VVSD in San Diego, part of Cohen Veterans Network, a national notfor-profit network of mental health clinics for post-9/11 veterans, service members and their families, provides insight on the impacts of SUD within the military community with the below Q&A: Why is SUD Counseling important within our military community? Addiction impacts many veterans. We realized that many of our clients who were dealing with PTSD, anxiety, and other disorders were also struggling with substance abuse challenges. Research shows that between 82-93% of veterans who served in Afghanistan and Iraq with a SUD had at least one co-occurring disorder.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
You are not alone
Suicide prevention is a top priority for Cohen Veterans Network and our clinic. The stigma associated with suicide and seeking help are significant barriers to treatment. This crisis line will help promote access to critical mental health services while also reducing stigma associated with help seeking. With this critical information, we hope to help empower individuals to act should they be concerned about a loved one. It could help save a life.
41 When it comes to suicide prevention, Cohen Veterans Network encourages people to know the warning signs and ask questions. Warning signs may help you determine if a loved one is at risk for suicide, especially if the behavior is new, has increased, or seems related to a painful event, loss, or change. Warning signs include: • Talking about wanting to die • Increased substance use • Self-destructive behavior • Withdrawal or isolation • Reckless or risky behavior • Giving away possessions Are you a veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Did you know that if you dial 988 then press 1 you will be connected to the Veterans Crisis Line? This new number makes it easier for people to remember and for those in crisis to access care. Currently, the majority of people in crisis call 911. But 911 was not designed to handle mental health needs and those who call 911 during a mental health crisis often have to waiting hours or days to get care. The Therapy for Veterans, Service Members, and their Families Cohen Clinics provide therapy to post-9/11 veterans, service members, and their families, including National Guard / Reserves. LEARN vvsd.net/cohenclinicsMORE 8885 Rio San Diego Dr. Suite 301 OUR LOCATIONS 3609 Ocean Ranch Blvd. Suite 120 CVN Telehealth, face-to-face video therapy available statewide. Coming Soon San LosOceansideDiegoAngeles
Don’t let failure imprison your mind or bring scoliosis to your spine and leave you bent. You were born to be great and set aside to be great. Your every breath is more precious than diamonds and pearls, step out from this world and take a leap into your destiny. Look into the mirror and see what others cannot. You are unbreakable, place your feet on God’s word and you will be unshakable. You are royalty, your royalty should be shown by how much you have grown. Seeds of failure and success have both been sown, but please don’t step down form your thrown. Keep marching, keep moving you are almost home. Did anyone tell you that your story was without meaning? Did anyone hear your dreams and instruct you to stop dreaming? If so, let them go. Let them see God take you from the valley into your promised land. Take my hands as I remove you from the quicksand. Fly with me! Gather your feathers and lift up your head, aim for the stars with me. Stretch and reach the heights with me, we are survivors. Through train wrecks, car wrecks, broken bones and life’s test we will all overcome. Unbreakable people will be tested by pressures that measure their durability. Do you believe in God’s ability? Do you believe in your ability? You are able to be all that you ever dreamed to be! No ears have heard and no eyes have seen, all that God has for you and me. Listen! Believe! Achieve! It is time, the time is now. Become; unbreakable.
By: Allen L. Simmons
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Connecting with friends, family and community is so important to mental health and emotional wellness. It’s what saved Allen and now he’s returning the favor as an ambassador for Give an Hour – promoting the work they do to support military members, veterans and their loved ones. As a veteran, he understands that it’s not just the individual who is suffering. Rather, it’s the entire family unit and that’s what he loves about Give an Hour. “Give an Hour supports the family tree,” said Allen. “They provide counseling and other resources to help treat everyone involved.” This September, Allen invites you to join Give an Hour and Connect to Hope by utilizing their suicide prevention toolkit to connect, spread and give hope. www.giveanhour.org
Allen Simmons is a combat veteran, a poet, motivational speaker and a survivor. You see, Allen was suicidal. He literally had a gun in his mouth and was ready to pull the trigger. But he heard God say to him, “Who are you to take your life when I brought you back from the land of your enemy?” He removed the gun from his mouth and cried on the floor in a fetal Allenposition.was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after his deployment and he needed help. Luckily, he heard a voice that pulled him out of a dangerous situation. Allen began what he refers to as a mind, body and spirit recovery of sorts. He found a community of people within his church, which he found to be very supportive. He started running to become healthy and fit and he also started writing poetry. Sharing his story through poetry was very therapeutic for Allen. He found it easier to write about what he was going through than to speak about it.
From the Unbreakable
Every September, organizations come together to spread awareness about suicide prevention, advocate for mental health legislation and to let people know help is available for those who are suffering emotionally. o r M o r e R e s o u r c e s : w w w . g i v e a n h o u r . o r g
F e b
CONNECT
The Five Signs of Emotional Suffering and Healthy Habits of Emotional Wellbeing give us a common language to identify when someone is suffering and how we can stay emotionally healthy. SPREAD HOPE GIVE HOPE Your generous contribution helps us provide free mental health care to those in need and continue our efforts to change the culture of mental health statistics
F
*https://afsp.org/suicide
TOOLKIT CONNECT TO HOPE SUICIDE PREVENTION
WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / September 2022 43
Share Your Story Sharing a story about your personal experience with mental health challenges can help in your own recovery, as well as provide encouragement and support to others Share Using #GAHConnect2Hope
If you recognize that you (or someone in your life) are suffering reach out and get help. For active duty military, veterans, loved ones of service members or survivors of human made and natural disasters, Give an Hour's network of licensed mental health professionals can help. Visit www.giveanhour.org to find care. TO HOPE
Volunteer GET INVOLVED
Interested in making an impact in your community? Licensed mental health providers can join our network to participate in various programs providing mental health services, support and education to those we serve.
In the U S , suicide is the 12th leading cause of death with n by suicide in 2020. That's one person every 11 minutes. And a staggering 90% of those who died by suicide had a diagnosable mental health condition at the time of their death*.
Translation - there are thousands of organizations out there that will purport to help you transition well. But do your research and make sure it’s the RIGHT one. It’s easy to feel lost and drowning, and grasp on to the islands of opportunity in the horizon. Some of these organizations do mean well, but some may take advantage of your ignorance of the civilian world.
Some say veterans in transition are drowning in a sea of goodwill. This means you’re still drowning! Tim says, “there are thousands of life rafts out there. You need to know which one will take you to the right shore.”
So, you must network! Ask questions, be curious, and be diligent in getting information you feel is trustworthy before you follow any path that seems promising. Be concerned about your health. What? This took a turn. (Well, repetition is boring!) Tim notes that in addition to doing your research on what types of employers are a fit, and what location would best suit your needs, you need to be very concerned about your health. Tim states emphatically, “most veterans short change themselves as they transition out when it comes to getting a correct disability rating.”
Abilities and Disabilities: Ratings Matter!
Transition to Civilian Life
Get the RIGHT DISABILITY RATING!
The all-caps is meant to emphasize! If you underestimate your health, you will pay for it later, and it can greatly impact the earnings you are entitled to receive. You need to get the right rating! Tim highly recommends going to a doctor outside of the VA to go over your medical paperwork and history to assess your disability status BEFORE starting communications with the VA. This ensures that everything is accounted for and nothing falls through the cracks.
By Eve Nasby & Kristin Hennessy
Last month, we were delighted to write about the power of the movie, Maverick. This month, we spoke with Tim Fedrick to get his advice on transition. Tim spent over 30 years in the Navy. His journey began from one military movie: Navy SEALS. Tim Fedrick credits this movie to his decision to join the Navy. He watched the much acclaimed Charlie Sheen flick as he was graduating high school. Before seeing it, he planned to play baseball for a small college in Louisiana, and immediately changed his course to join the Navy after seeingit. He eventually made it to BUDs and enjoyed a 30+ year career doing what he loved, before deciding to transition out. He shares his experience to help you transition successfully. Repetition is a good teacher. We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again. And again. You must start EARLY to plan for a successful transition. Starting early will ensure all of your bases are covered, and you’re making the right choices with the right knowledge to propel you forward so you’re not drowning. Choose the right boat to take you to shore.
WHAT’S NEXT
Doctors and corpsmen in med school don’t major in handwriting. If something is scribbled, or can’t be read, it’s not accounted for. If something goes unaccounted for, and then it’s signed off, you are stuck with that rating. Meaning, you won’t get compensated for as much as you should have. Get as many non-military doctors to assess you before going to the VA. Tim was fortunate to have the services of the R4ST to help him organize all he needed to get his disability rating; however, he recounts instances where veterans only received 50% rating when they should have received 100% because of poor preparation on their part. Once that rating is decided, it’s decided. Be wary of overpromises. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you have a buddy wanting you to work for his startup, you may put all of your eggs in one basket and end up disappointed and back at square one.
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Tim advises to be aware of the risks of going full force towards a startup. He recounts an opportunity with a startup that had raised millions of dollars and the new employee was promised 20% of the company. Two months later, they had only made $400. If you’re going to go this route, have a back-up plan. Or, if you want to jump into a startup, do that while also investing your time into a full-time opportunity.
Tim is an Executive Producer and host of a show called “Veterans In Transition” TV Series. He is also a leadership coach and advocate for his fellow veterans. He’s been featured on many podcasts talking about his transition and his success today. He is very well connected with dozens of fantastic nonprofits across various branches of services and areas of expertise, and is happy to have a personal conversation with you to help you find out exactly what you need and make the right connections for you. www.linkedin.com/in/timfedrick/ www.bandofhands.com
For more information or help transitioning contact Eve Nasby at eve@bandofhands.com www.linkedin.com/in/eve-nasby-given-hiring-expert
By Paul Falcone
Employers provide EAP access not only for altruistic reasons: on a more practical basis, EAPs are designed to help employees resolve personal problems that may adversely affect their performance at work. That’s a good use of any company’s money and offers a practical, bottom-line benefit to the company that pays the EAP’s fee. Further, the EAP itself typically covers the cost of a fixed number of visits to a qualified mental health provider (usually around a half dozen visits) before the employee’s health insurance kicks in to continue visits beyond that initial assessment and treatment period.
Dealing with Employees in Crisis in the Workplace
Instead, by terminating early in the day and early in the week (for example, on Monday or Tuesday morning), the terminated worker has access to others where questions may be asked, resources shared, and an empathetic ear may be available from a coworker or HR
Likewise,department.leadership training may focus on identifying the early warning signs of employees in crisis, especially loneliness, isolation, or changes in normal behavioral patterns. Employees who suddenly display concerning behaviors, including mentioning self-violence or violence toward others, should be brought to senior management’s attention—not to get the employee in trouble but to make sure that the individual has access to the best resources available to help them through a troubling time.I’ve personally trained managers to address matters like this in private with the employee and say, “I’m not your best resource if something’s bothering you that’s not work related, but we have an EAP that’s staffed with experts in that area. You can call them privately and confidentially from my office now, or I can join you on the call if you might prefer that.” It’s a simple but effective way to put the troubled employee in the right hands and not have to go it alone.
• EAPs to the Rescue Companies often retain the services of an Employee Assistance Program, or EAP. An EAP is an outside organization that the company retains to provide confidential resources to its workers. Companies typically pay a per-employee-per-month fee to the EAP to remain available 24/7 to all workers. EAPs provide a wide variety of free, voluntary, and confidential services and resources, including treatment for mental health, alcohol or drug addiction, access to financial or legal advisors, and more.
September is suicide prevention awareness month, and you may wonder how employers approach matters of mental health and wellbeing in addition to serious concerns about potential violence in the workplace— to employees themselves or to other members of the staff. First, most organizations take these topics exceptionally seriously. This isn’t a “nice to have” or some perfunctory exercise or policy that sits out on the books unattended. Employers pay special attention to mental health matters during various windows—during September as suicide prevention month, for example, or at the time of mandatory training on workplace violence or during workshops on employee wellness (including mental wellbeing and awareness). Second, resources are available to managers and staff members that can help them through crisis moments, and those resources should be posted prominently in HR departments, lunch- and breakrooms, and other prominent areas on the employer’s premises. Make sure you know where to find them before you or a friend or associate actually needs them.
RESOURCES
Many organizations often management training on warning signs and resources available should workers demonstrate signs of loneliness, isolation, or depression. Training may be live or via video, accompanied by contact information of your organization’s EAP provider. Some basic guidelines that might be shared during a typical training: terminations should occur early in the day and early in the week, not on Friday afternoons late in the day. Why not? Workplace violence often occurs after terminations, and if there’s no opportunity for human contact, questions, or connection over the weekend, then violence may occur the following Monday morning.
Transition to Business
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HUMAN
• Management Training
PAUL LEADERSHIPFALCONESERIESWORKPLACEETHICSEFFECTIVEHIRINGNEWMANAGERSLEADERSHIPOFFENSELEADERSHIPDEFENSE
You can connect with Paul on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/paulfalcone1 Paul Falcone (www.PaulFalconeHR.com) is a leadership consultant, trainer, and bestselling author on hiring, performance management, and leadership development.
WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / September 2022 47
www.HarperCollinsLeadership.com
Dealing with
THE
Employees in Crisis
What’s important for readers to know if that employers take these matters seriously, post resources prominently, and are there to help anyone in a crisis situation. As a coworker to anyone experiencing extreme situations like this, you should likewise hold yourself accountable to stepping in and escalating the matter to management, as appropriate—even if your coworker urges you not to. Every case is different, of course, and one size cannot fit all. But we’re all in this together. After all, “deliberate ignorance,” or “willful blindness,” as the concepts are known in the fields of law and psychology, won’t help anyone in extreme crisis situations. The monkey with its hands over its ears, eyes, and mouth is the last thing that’s needed when someone is in dire need. Be there for others as you hope they would be there for you under the same circumstances. That’s more than being a stellar coworker: it’s being a great human being and exceptional workplace leader.
Ava served in the United States Marine Corps from 2010 until her medical retirement in December of 2018 (almost 9 years). However, Ava discovered her passion while serving a secondary billet as a Uniformed Victim Advocate (UVA) for military sexual assault survivors. Within this billet, she served as a referral, confidant, and liaison for survivors, their commands, and law enforcement. Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for youth in foster care. Her recent volunteer endeavors have led her to join a nonprofit operations team for the prevention of human trafficking. Ava earned her Ph.D. in Forensic Psychology, with a specialization in Victimology in 2021, with past academic achievements to include a Masters of Philosophy in Forensic Psychology, a Masters of Arts in Human Behavior, & a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology, minor in Psychology. Ava also took a holistic approach to help others, which grew from her own healing journey while experiencing mental and physical health issues from the military. Ava found yoga in 2016 after being invited to a hot yoga studio by a friend, which ultimately became the dominant healing force in her own life. Through practice and additional trainings, she obtained her 500-hour yoga teacher certification, and specialty certifications in Trauma-Informed approaches, Mindfulness Resilience,
“We are more than our experiences, traumas, and ailments, we are intellectual, physical, and spiritual beings that have endured countless trials to expand ourselves, build resilience, and in turn, help others!”
By Dr. Julie Ducharme www.synergylearninginstitute.org
My advice to any military member transitioning into civilian life...
Successful Transitioning Stories
Restorative Yoga, and is also a certified Reiki level I/II Practitioner. Ava is currently in training to obtain her Yoga Therapist certification with expected completion in 2023. Ava intends to incorporate all her education and experience to support survivors of trauma and abuse on their unique healing journey, while also advocating for awareness and prevention of these societal issues.
In November of 2021, Ava and her husband closed escrow on a fixer-upper 7-acre ranch with intention of turning the neglected property into their forever ranch and sanctuary. “It is our hope that with this land we will facilitate healing groups for survivors, military and first responders, host yoga retreats, and continue to rescue and foster animals. We want people to be able to come here and just be.” Ava and Jeremy currently have 5 rescue dogs, 3 rescue horses, and 2 rescue birds, with genuine intentions of more in the future.
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Finding a job in the civilian world may seem easy at first. After all, you have learned skills, practiced leadership and demonstrated initiative that will make you successful wherever you go.
The reality, though, is that it can be difficult. In fact, it can be downright depressing, demotivating and you may feel totally disillusioned. Veterans In Transition is dedicated to you and helping you succeed in your transition.
Transitioning out of the Military into the Civilian Workforce? www.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com
To follow Sage Haven Ranch progress, check out @sagehavenranch on Instagram
To connect with Dr. Ava for yoga please visit www.theveteranyogi.com or theveteranyogi@gmail.com
Planningenlistment.should
include ideas, trainings, education, certifications, internships, and volunteer hours in fields you are interested in working in during and after the Ifmilitary.youdon’t know, evaluate your hobbies-what do you like to do? read? watch? Start by taking college courses or certifications - make use of Tuition Assistance! Is there a class you really enjoyed? - take another class in that specialty. I will be honest, going to school while on active duty is challenging, but with a little sacrifice, time management, and prioritization it is possible! Also, it is important to seek out mentors while on active duty and after you transition out of the service, find someone who inspires you and/or is in the field you are interested in, and don’t be afraid to try new interests or fields outside of one’s military occupational specialty!
VETERANSINTRANSITION
Lastly, return the favor! As you progress through the ranks and/or transition out, ensure to pass on the knowledge and wisdom you have learned to other service members. Encourage them to seek out their interests and support them if they want to go to school.
To connect with Dr. Ava for advocacy, networking, other interests visit @dr.ava.re on Instagram
A great leader is someone who looks out for all! - those around them, above, and below them! Return the Favor!
For editorial & monthly columns regarding transitioning to civilian life, career advice, tips, workshops, transition to education, entrepreneurship, straight-forward legal tips for military and veteran business owners visit www.tinyurl.com/SDVM-Transition
WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / September 2022 49
My advice to any military member transitioning into civilian life is to begin planning from the day you hit the fleet, whether you think you are going to stay in and do 20 years or whether you just want to do one
Barbara Eldridge has built a solid reputation as a Results strategies specialist, within industry and business over the past 40 years. Her unique message, since starting Mind Masters 30 years ago for entrepreneurs and small business owners, continually stresses vision, purpose and values as the key elements of business philosophy. Her undying compassion for the entrepreneur’s journey, her tireless capacity to listen, and her sincere enthusiasm for other’s success have insured her growing influence and her own mastery with MIND MASTERS.
By Barbara www.mindmasters.comEldridge
All of us know how terrific it feels to dream of what we want to achieve in the next twelve months, and to precipitate those dreams into the top goals that we choose for our 2022 plan. We also know the joy of taking action on a monthly and weekly basis to bring those dreams and desires to fruition, watching our goals come to life before our very eyes.
FLEXIBILITY demands clarity, you can’t be wishy, washy, maybe or sometimes about the GOALS you are pursuing. Apply these Essential Elements to keep things more SIMPLIFY:focused:reduce and eliminate activities that contribute little to your goals.
ACCELERATE: move quickly to understand and satisfy your clients’ needs and demands so you can better serve them.
BUSINESS FOR VETERANS
To keep the business profitable, be aware of difference between Strategic Costs that bring in business and improve the bottom line – sales, advertising, promotion and R&D, (These are Business Building Costs) and NonStrategic Costs which are necessary for running the business but do not bring in business.
What do you think flexibility is? It is being able to adapt yourself quickly to changing circumstances and emergencies without panic or loosing you temper. It takes being open, receptive and willing to try new methods and techniques as well as getting EGO out of the way. It means you must be like a chameleon, quick to harmonize with your environment. You don’t shed principles or alter your goals, but recognize that your Mental Attitude determines the effect of what’s going on around you.
Flexibility is the single most important quality you can develop to survive and thrive in the 21st Century.
How Do You Stay Flexible in a Changing Business Climate
LEVERAGE: others Knowledge, Energy, Money, Success, Failures, Ideas, Contacts.
The underlying aspect for business success is the personal growth and development of you the owner, founder, and entrepreneur. Yours is the privilege of having the responsibility of directing the actions and carrying out the vision of the company. Your goals, your attitude, and commitment will allow employees, sub contractors, suppliers and the bank to place their trust CARRY OUT YOUR VISION
MULTIPLY: create a team to work with (strategic alliances, mentors, joint venture partners).
www.mindmasters.com
50 WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / September 2022
But what do we do when we get stuck, when we aren’t taking any action on a goal? Where do we turn when the fulfillment of the dream isn’t unfolding as we had envisioned?
It is also important to know where you are in all areas of the business so you can review and plan each area of Business for Flexibility and Change. To be effective your business needs to have a clear structure, well defined authority, specific responsibilities, written duties (job descriptions) defined standards for attaining results and objectives all aimed at operating for measured results. Your success comes from how well you are able to gauge your customer in the course of distributing your products and services to them. Your Marketing is a long term process of managing relationships with customers whose wants and needs you truly want to satisfy.
WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / September 2022 51 HR Services Employer of Record Onboarding & Compliance Payroll & Tax Services Job Board & Automated Recruiting Time & Attendance A Veteran Owned Business proudly supporting Veterans, Military Spouses and active duty Military looking for work and employers needing great workers. Contact Eve Nasby, Band of Hands president and passionate military supporter to get started today. eve@bandofhands.com Hiring & Onboarding Filling shifts Payroll HR Policies Compliance with Employment Laws Unemployment Claims Workers Comp Claims Wave goodbye to the challenges of: We handle it all for only $10/week per employee. www.bandofhands.com Hiring and employing made simple.
Copyrights
The franchisee is typically a small business owner or entrepreneur who operates the store or franchise.
Intellectual Property can consist of many types of intangibles, and some of the most common are listed below:
Trademarks
Intellectual property is a broad categorical description of the set of intangible assets owned and legally protected by companies or individuals from outside use without consent. An intangible asset is a non-physical asset that a company or person owns. The concept of intellectual property relates to the fact that certain products of human intellect should be afforded the same protective rights that apply to physical property.
By Kelly
A trademark is a symbol, phrase, or insignia that is recognizable and represents a product that legally separates if from other products. A trademark is exclusively assigned to a company, meaning the company owns the trademark so that no others may use or copy it. A trademark is often associated with a company’s brand. The logo and brand name of CocaCola is owned by Coca-Cola Company. Trademark rights are granted for as long as the trademarked material remains active.
A patent is a property right for an inventor that’s typically granted by a government agency, such as the Unite States Patent and Trademark Office. The patent allows the inventor exclusive rights to the invention, which could be a design, process, an improvement, or physical invention such as a machine. Technology and software companies often have patents for their designs. The patent for the personal computer was filed in 1980 by Steve Jobs and three other colleagues at Apple Inc. Patent rights are granted for 20 years.
A trade secret is a company’s process or practice that is not public information, which provides an economic benefit or advantage to the company. Trade secrets must be actively protected by the company and are typically the result of a company’s research and development. Trade secrets could be design, pattern, recipe, formula, or proprietary process. Trade secrets are used to create a business model that differentiates the company’s offerings to its customers by providing a competitive advantage.
A franchise is a license that a company, individual, or party called the franchisee purchases allowing them to use a company’s, the franchisor’s name, trademark, proprietary knowledge, and processes.
Copyrights provide authors and creators of original material the exclusive right to use, copy, or duplicate their material. Authors of books have their works copyrighted as do musical artists. A copyright also states that the original creators can grant anyone authorization through a licensing agreement to use the work. Copyright rights are granted for 70 years after the author dies.
Franchises
Straight-forwardEsq.legal tips for Military and Veteran Business Owners
Types of Intellectual Property
52 WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / September 2022 legal Eagle
Trade Secrets
Bagla,
Patents
my
your
Becoming a business owner, you control your own destiny, choose the people you work with, reap big rewards, challenge yourself, give back to the community, and you get to follow your passion. Knowing what you’re getting into is smart business because the responsibility of protecting your family and yourself falls on more information on how to legally start and grow business visit website at: www.BaglaLaw.com
please
Award-winning attorney, Kelly Bagla shows how pitfalls
to avoid legal
product or
The license allows the to sell a provide a the is paid a licensing fee by the that use the franchise business model include McDonald’s Corporation, Subway Corporation, and United Parcel Services
you
FROM DAY ONE! www.GoLegalYourself.comONE!
WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / September 2022 53 Go Legal Yourself ® Know Your Business Legal Lifecycle The last thing an entrepreneur wants is to spend valuable time and resources on legal issues, which is why they often drop to the bottom of the pile. But this can be a COSTLY MISTAKE—and Go Legal Yourself is here to make sure it’s one you avoid. • Gather the right documentation • Protect your brand • Avoid expensive legal pitfalls • Plan and manage growth competatively Rest assured that no nasty legal surprises will stand between you and your success. Get your copy at amazon today! 2nd Edition NOW AVAILABLE!
(UPS).
Digital Assets Digital assets are also increasing recognized as IP. Digital assets like phone apps, your social media site, computer programs, and your business website can be protected in the same way as other assets. Your intellectual property can be a great value to your company and could drastically increase the brand if you ever decide to sell your company.
franchise
franchisee. Companies
service under the company’s name. In return,
franchisor
Disclaimer: This information is made available by Bagla Law Firm, APC for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, and not to provide specific legal advice. This information should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
you. For
Domestic Violence - Beyond Physical Abuse
3) Controlling, regulating, or monitoring the other party’s movements, communications, daily behavior, finances, economic resources, or access to services.
The Domestic Violence Prevention Act (DVPA) and Family Code recognize the profound impact of domestic violence on families and partners. Most people equate domestic violence with physical violence. However, experts have established that physical violence is only one form of abuse. An individual may be emotionally and verbally abused as well. Many domestic violence victims report that, while they do suffer physical or sexual abuse in their relationships, it is the mental and emotional abuse that prevents them from leaving the relationship and makes the trauma more lasting.
By Tana Landau, Esq. Law Facts
Isolating a party from friends, relatives, or other sources of support.
What is Coercive Control? Coercive control is defined as being a pattern of behavior that unreasonably interferes with a person’s free will and personal liberty.
4) Compelling the other party by force, threat of force, or intimidation, including threats based on actual or suspected immigration status, to engage in conduct from which the other party has a right to abstain or to abstain from conduct in which the other party has a right to engage.
54 WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / September 2022 Legally Speaking
Effective as of September 2020, the definition of disturbing the peace under the Domestic Violence Protection Act has been greatly expanded. Disturbing the peace has now been recognized as highly significant in terms of domestic violence. What is Disturbing the Peace? Disturbing the peace of the other party refers to conduct that, based on the totality of the circumstances, destroys the mental or emotional calm of the other party. This conduct may be committed directly or indirectly, including through the use of a third party. The amendment also recognizes the effect of advances in technology. Disturbing the peace includes conduct through any method or any means including, but not limited to, telephone, online accounts, text messages, internet-connected devices, or other electronic technologies. The greatest expansion of the definition of disturbing the peace has been to include coercive control. As such, coercive control is a form of abuse under the DVPA.
1)include:
Coercive control may be less visible than physical abuse. Although coercive control does not necessarily include physical violence, it can be just as destructive to another human being as a punch or slap. Coercive control is a form of domestic violence in which the perpetrator uses a pattern of abusive behavior to dominate their partner and limit their partner’s freedom. Coercive control can often involve a party
Military Focused Family
2) Depriving a person of basic necessities of life.
As such, under the Domestic Violence Protection Act (DVPA) the Court may issue a restraining order preventing a party from molesting, attacking, striking, stalking, threatening, sexually assaulting, battering, credibly impersonating, falsely personating harassing, telephoning, contacting, or disturbing the peace of another party.
Examples of coercive control
Can Children Be Coercively Controlled?
WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / September 2022 55 Legal Experts with Humanity Time for a Fresh Start. Call 858-720-8250 or visit www.frfamilylaw.com to schedule a free consultation. Flat fee law packages available. Military Divorce and Retirement, 20/20/20 Spouse, Survivor Benefit Plans, Support Orders, and more. No nonsense. No hidden fees. Discounts for service members. Move forward without breaking the bank. Our military expert family law attorneys are ready to push your case to the finish line. limiting the other party’s access to financial resources, intimidation, playing mind games, gaslighting, making threats, and using the children as weapons among other examples. Through systematic restrictions on freedom and independence, individuals experiencing coercive control are often isolated from friends, family, or other support systems and entrapped within the relationship due to financial, social, emotional, or logistical barriers to escaping. Coercive control can instill fear even in the absence of physical violence and can continue after the relationship ends. However, coercive control can often precede or indicate physical violence in the relationship as well, raising the likelihood that this violence will continue and escalate.
What Happens if the Court Finds a Party Committed Coercive Control? If the Court finds a party committed coercive control, they can issue a restraining order against the abusive party. Anyone with a restraining order against them cannot purchase firearms and must surrender any they have in their possession. Violations of a restraining order can be punishable as a criminal offense. Generally, it is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $1,000 and up to one year in jail. How to Get Help On average it takes a domestic violence victim seven times to leave, before they leave the relationship permanently. Help is available 24/7 through the National Domestic Violence Hotline (800) 799-SAFE (7233). If you are in need of a restraining order, it would be best to seek the advice of an experienced family law attorney.
Yes, children can often be trapped in a perpetrator’s system of coercive control. Coercive control can be just as damaging to children as physical abuse. The same attitudes that relates to the perpetrators’ abuse of their partners can also drive the way they parent their children. In studies of children’s experiences of coercive control, it has been found that in families where physical violence was not a regular form of abuse, children exhibited the same negative outcomes as those who had lived with more frequent physical abuse.
For more information about choosing an attorney in your military divorce, check out our website: www.frfamilylaw.com or call (858) 720-8250 and ask to speak with military family law attorney Tana Landau. This article is intended only for informational purposes and should not be taken as legal advice.
ELVIS PRESLEY
This world-famous on-screen bad boy wasn’t just “The King of Cool” in movies. Steve McQueen had a rough childhood, and his troublesome persona was authentic, which created some issues once he joined the Marines in 1947. Famous for roles in The Sand Pebbles, The Cincinnati Kid, Love With The Proper Stranger, The Getaway, Magnificent Seven and many others. He was honorably discharged in 1950.
The King of Rock ’n’ Roll was drafted into military service in 1958, four years after he officially started his music career. Presley, who by this time had accrued enormous fame and fortune, was determined to prove to the American public and himself that he had the guts to stick out his military service and not take the easy road. He was honorably discharged in 1960.
Summary: I hope you found this information useful, and of course, there is plenty more out there to learn and research. Let me know if you find something that will be useful to share with the Veteran Community.
CLINT EASTWOOD
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This world-famous movie actor became best-known for his role as Dirty Harry and then parlayed that into a long and successful acting/directing career. But it was his stint with the United States Army that landed him on this list. Eastwood was drafted in 1951 during the Korean War.
There are a lot of famous veterans that once served in the United States Army, many of whom later became top celebrities in different ventures in the United States. We can’t talk about all of them, but we will name a few.
Sometimes being in the military helps determine what you want to be in life — even if it means not being in the military. Talented young Morgan Freeman was so in love with the idea of flying that he joined the U.S. Air Force in 1955 instead of accepting a scholarship for drama from Jackson State University in Mississippi.
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MORGAN FREEMAN
ICE T You know him as Ice-T from either his hip-hop/gangsta rap career or his long stint on television’s Law and Order: SVU, but for a while, he was just Tracy Marrow. Born in South Los Angeles, he enlisted in 1979 after graduating from Crenshaw High School. He served as a squad leader at Schofield Barracks, where he used his GI Bill to purchase stereo equipment and dove into music and entertainment in his spare time.
STEVE MCQUEEN
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FAMOUS VETERANS IN HISTORY
CHUCK NORRIS Chuck Norris joined the United States Air Force in 1958 and served as an Air Policeman in South Korea. There, he was inspired by locals practicing martial arts. Later, he famously became the first Westerner to be awarded an eighth-degree black belt in Taekwondo.
56 WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / September 2022
EILEEN COLLINS Collins attended Syracuse University and then graduated from flight school at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma. Eileen Collins, American astronaut, the first woman to pilot and, later command a U.S. space shuttle.
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By: Joseph Molina National Veterans Chamber of Commerce
WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / September 2022 57 NATIONAL VETERANS (866) 365-0543C O N T A C T U S www.NationalVeterans.org
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