Post 95 Summer Cookout - Confirmed for September 10th

Photos from Operation Hat Trick

Thanks to Frank McCarthy, Lou Lavender, Steve Robinson, Dave Haskell and Karl Pfeil for helping support th Operation Hat Trick fundraiser at the North Country Golf Club.

Operation Hat Trick is dedicated to American service members as they recover from the visible and invisible wounds of war. We help them move past the traumas of battle so they can focus on their lives and families at home.

OHT provides critical support to those who defend us

Thousands of service members and veterans who have returned wounded from Iraq and Afghanistan have needs that conventional organizations and government programs don’t cover. Operation Hat Trick helps fill the “white space”-critical gaps in care.

We pay for adaptive equipment for amputees; service dogs; critical care; emergency rent, heating oil or car payments. We’ve built a cabin for a veterans’ summer camp, sponsored hunting, fishing and skiing trips … almost anything veterans need to work through their injuries and rebuild their lives.

An innovative approach

We got our start by giving hats to service members with head and brain injuries, but soon realized that we could do even more by selling our merchandise and products — hats, gear, etc. — and using the proceeds to support the recovery of service members and veterans. Now, we’re a 501(c)3 non-profit and work with colleges and universities, leagues, companies and fans across the U.S. to honor active duty military and veterans.

Our merchandise and products and your donations have helped dozens of organizations that provide direct services and support to wounded service members and veterans. They include: Project Sanctuary, The Yellow Ribbon Fund, Easter Seals/Veterans Count, the Navy SEAL Foundation Semper Fi Fund, the Warrior Bonfire Project, Liberty House, Ironstone Farm,Homes For Our Troops,and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. We have partnered with hundreds of sports teams, including more than 270 universities and colleges, 130 high schools, 21 National Hockey League teams, more than 70 Minor League Baseball teams, and over 50 companies.

Remember our nation’s duty to its war veterans. We have the responsibility to restore lives.

It’s our duty to serve our service members and veterans by helping them address the visible and invisible wounds of war. Support Operation Hat Trick today, and show veterans their lives off the battlefield are just as important to our country as their service on it. A generation moved shall not become a generation removed.

Veteran Benefit Links

I copied this from an email from Department, some good links here! I also added a new page to our blog/website "Veteran Benefits" that Post 27 has compiled.

Hello,

Each year, I try to make a conscious effort to think about the brave men and women of our armed forces. This year, to honor those currently serving, veterans, and their families, I put together a list of resources to offer support that will help many. I think it's a good fit for your website, especially if placed here: http://alpost27.com/html/veteran_benefits.html. I hope you'll share it with your readers!

The Guide to Helping Children Cope with Separation from a Deployed Parent http://militaryonesource.mil/12038/Project%20Documents/MilitaryHOMEFRONT/Service%20Providers/Children%20and%20Youth/628043-Helping-Youth-Cope111%5b1%5d.pdf

15 Ways to Keep Your Marriage Strong During Deployment http://www.singingthroughtherain.net/2014/10/keep-your-marriage-strong-during-deployment.html

What You Need to Know About Reintegration http://www.military.com/spouse/military-deployment/reintegration/returning-to-home-life-after-deployment.html

When Vets Come Home: 5 Things You Should Say (and 5 Things You Shouldn't) http://nationswell.com/vets-come-home-5-things-say-5-things-shouldnt/

How Service and Therapy Dogs are Helping PTSD Victims https://www.rover.com/blog/ptsd-service-therapy-dogs/

Surviving PTSD: Helping Your Military Loved Ones Get the Help They Need http://thestir.cafemom.com/healthy_living/149723/surviving_ptsd_helping_your_military

College Admission Tips for Military Veterans

http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/05/nacac-military-veterans/?_r=0

Addiction and Suicide Amongst Veterans: Finding Hope in the Darkness http://www.drugrehab.org/addiction-suicide-veterans/

Thank you for your time and help in supporting brave American veterans everywhere! By the way, if you're interested in a guest article related to the topic of veterans and careers, please let me know. I'd be honored to write something to share with your readers.

With appreciation,

Eric

Eric Johnson

Some of our ALR Riders

Dialogues On The Experience Of War - Event

100 Nights of Remembrance

Noel E. Taylor 10235 Summer Elm Ave Clermont, Florida 34711

www.100nightsofremembrance.org.


In a world where human tragedy, political complexities, and global threats face the world we live in every day, it is always refreshing to see acts of humanity, fellowship, and community that remind us of hope, compassion, and the good will of mankind. It is even more satisfying when men and woman of American Legion show the true spirit of what the American Legion mission of support, patriotism, and love of Country have become through engaging in acts of social responsibilities around the world.
Often, it is small acts of humility and honor that grow into incredible efforts of many that touch the fabric of our lives and instill a sense of pride community, and in a small corner of the United States, a simple act of respect of members of American Legion has done just that. Nearly 10 years ago, a handful of American Legion members in New Hampshire, decide that to honor men and woman of our armed forces by a simple act; from Memorial Day to September 11th they would volunteer to go to the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery at sunset and sound 24 simple notes of respect. Not playing it for anyone other than for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country and who had borne the battle for the country they loved. The sounding of Taps, in a quiet cemetery, is perhaps one of the most incredible senses of peace, solace and respect that you will ever hear, and for the wives, husbands, and children of those that have gone before us that listened on while visiting the cemetery, to them, it seemed to have stopped time and created a quiet connection that bridged time and memories to the present day.

Encouraged and inspired by the comments of the veteran families and the volunteers, long time Legionnaire/ Veterans of Foreign Wars and Catholic War Veterans member Noel Taylor created the 100 Nights of Remembrance, now entering its 10th year. Brass players from all over New England that are called "Our Knights" , travel to Veterans Cemeteries during the summertime and play Taps every night, and many times with an echo. Small crowds of young and old, come nearly every night just to hear the notes call out to the coming darkness, reminding all who can hear them that we shall not forget and we shall always be grateful.


At the end of the summer, on 9/11, members of countless Corps, bands, public safety agencies, veteran service units, and even military units join together in one final evening of thanks and remembrance in an incredible display of respect and honor, and of course, to hear those incredible 24 notes one last time sounded by dozens of brass instruments. In recent years, the 9/11 Closing Ceremonies for the 100 Nights of Remembrance has expanded to educational opportunities for hundreds of young men and woman of high school age to spend an afternoon learning about military service, ceremonious respect of those we have lost in service to their country, and the music that is the final call of service.

From the American Legion early beginnings after World War I to the millions of lives that we have touched over the years, it is impressive to see American Legion come full circle, by giving our music, time, and knowledge back to our communities in respect of those who fought to build and protect them, Noel E. Taylor 10235 Summer Elm Ave Clermont, Florida 34711


while educating our next generation on the importance self-sacrifice and giving respect and honor as a way of remembrance and connecting generations.

As members of the One Hundred Nights of Remembrance we extend a personal invitation to you as a current or former brass musician to become one of "our Knights" and support our efforts this year as Taps is sounded on the hollowed grounds of the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery during their closing ceremony on 9/11. Their hope is to deliver a vision of unity and comradery displaying a unique American expression of "We will Never Forget".

For those that would like to be part of this or other events you can learn more at www.100nightsofremembrance.org or 100 Nights of Remembrance on Face Book. Opportunities to for individuals or groups to experience these efforts happen year round. If you’d like to participate in sounding Taps, color guard (A Line), or even perhaps opening a chapter in your area, Noel Taylor can be reached through email on line at noeltylr@gmail.com .

Veterans Employment & Education Division Weekly Report

Flag Of Honor

The Flag of Honor was created by John Michelotti. The Flag Of Honor contains the names of all those who perished in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993. Thanks Dave Haskell for showing it off!