RockVets Newsletter - February 2023

Happy Valentine's Day to our Veteran Community! We hope you know just how much we love and appreciate all of you!!!

Here are some upcoming events of interest:

Thursday, February 2nd, 2022: Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter #333 -- monthly meeting will be held at Kearsing-Edwards American Legion Post #1600, 20 Station Road, Pomona, New York 10970. The Board will meet at their usual time of 6:30 p.m. with full membership meeting to start promptly at 7:30 p.m. If you'd like to attend the meeting remotely, please see further information below to connect via Zoom.

Friday, February 3rd, 2023: Join us for our Veteran’s Game Day Social Luncheon on February 3rd (Friday) from 11:00am to 2:00pm at the Community Center Town of Clarkstown Auditorium, located at 31 Zukor Road, New City, New York 10956. All Veterans and their spouses, Caregivers and Gold Star families are welcome to join us to play games including BINGO and TRIVIA for prizes, socialize and have fun! This event is provided free of charge by the Rockland County Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Peer Support Program (VettoVet). There is plenty of parking available and the auditorium is very large with plenty of room for folks to spread out and maintain social distance if they choose to do so. Doors open at 10:45 am. RSVP: Required especially for Lunch! Please contact Izzy Quintana at email iquintana@vettovetrc.org or call cell phone number 845-587-6497 to reserve a seat or if you have further questions.   Ismael (Izzy) Quintana, Veteran Outreach Coordinator
Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Peer Support Program -- Rockland County (Vet to Vet)
Cell: (845) 587-6497

Sunday, February 5th, 2022: Four Chaplain's Ceremony
There will be a Four Chaplain's Service on Sunday, February 5th, 2023 at Marian Shrine, 174 Filors Lane, Stony Point, New York 10980. For directions and other information, here is a link to their website: https://www.marianshrine.org. The public is welcome to attend.
Following the service there will be a complimentary breakfast at the Haverstraw Elks Lodge 877, located at 62 Elks Drive, Haverstraw, New York 10927.
For further details on the Story of the Four Chaplains, please visit this link: https://www.legion.org/belovedveterans/220498/four-chaplains or view article further down in this RockVets newsletter.

Tuesday, February 7th, 2023: This is a free online event -- Career Fair from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. RecruitMilitary and DAV are hosting a virtual hiring and networking event exclusively for the military community in the Eastern Region of the country.
Register here:
https://success.recruitmilitary.com/events/eastern-region-virtual-career-fair-for-veterans-february-7-2023.   This high-impact event will run for 4 hours and provides you with direct access to exclusive companies who wish to hire and retain military talent. This event is focusing on opportunities in the Eastern region of the country but will have remote opportunities for those outside of the area. To join, all you need is a Wi-Fi signal and a browser. The platform is web-based, so no downloading is necessary. Please dress to impress as you may be invited to connect 1-on-1 with a recruiter on camera/video. By simply registering for this event, you will become visible to all attending recruiters. Please ensure you are uploading and using your current resume.

Tuesday, February 7th, 2023:  New York City Civil Service 101 for Veterans - this is a free
Online Event on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time)
Are you looking for more than a job? Serve New Yorkers at one of 80+ city agencies. Build a fulfilling career and go to work with purpose every day. Let NYC DCAS help you find your calling—in education, health & social services, law enforcement, IT, engineering, and more! To Register, view this link:
https://dcas-nyc-gov.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcpc-iqpjkiE9eug9pNgtZvdjhiDa_lWy8r

Monday, February 13th, 2023: Join us for the next edition of SGTs Time. These monthly virtual presentations are open to all eras of Veterans, genders, and caregivers.
Come to learn and ask questions! The Bronx Vet Center will host its next Sergeant’s Time online presentation on February 13th, 2023 from noon - 1:00 p.m. This month we will be speaking about VA Medical-Legal Partnerships. You can learn about:
•VA Veterans Justice Outreach Program & Specialists
•Free legal clinics for Veterans in your Community
•How to access and connect with Legal Service Agencies
Click here to Register!
If the above link won’t work on your browser try to cut and paste the full URL below:
https://veteransaffairs.webex.com/veteransaffairs/k2/j.php?MTID=t8b1b2c25ce54ab05fd65fd69c43d4aba
For further information, contact Marco A. Bongioanni, MSEd.
Readjustment Counseling Therapist, U.S. Army Veteran, Bronx Vet Center
Office phone (718) 367-3500.....E-mail:   marco.bongioanni@va.gov

Thursday, February 16th, 2023: Presentation of the Buffalo Soldier Award to this year's Veteran recipient. Those chosen for this Award have served their country and have gone on to serve their community. This year's ceremony will be held on Thursday, February 16th, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at the Fire Training Center, 26 Firemen's Memorial Drive, Pomona, New York 10970. For further information on the Buffalo Soldiers, see article below or view link:
https://www.history.com/topics/19th-century/buffalo-soldiers

Sunday, February 19th, 2023: The Dwyer Vet-to-Vet Program is offering a cooking class for veterans. The class will be held on Sunday, February 19th, 2023 at the Pearl River Ancient Order of the Hibernians. Chef John Corollo, the prior owner of Del’ Arte Restaurant, teaches and prepares a meal for a small group of Veterans. Upon completion of the cooking, the Veterans get to enjoy the meal and camaraderie. The food used for this cooking lesson is sourced from “People to People”, a local food pantry. We ask that anyone interested contact Mark Woods at 845-521-9440 for more information and to sign up for the cooking class.

Tuesday, February 21st, 2023: Live Webinar on Helping Grieving Kids as They Grow
February 21 | Noon - 1:00 pm ET. In many families, the death of a loved one occurs when a child is very young. These children may not have distinct memories of the person who died, but they will experience and revisit the loss in different ways as they grow. Join Dr. Pamela Gabbay to discuss ways to help children and teens continue the bonds they have with their loved ones as they get older and how this process may impact the grief experience of other family members. Presenter: Pamela Gabbay, EdD, FT; TAPS Advisory Board Member
Intended Audience: Anyone interested in learning ways to help grieving children along their grief journey. For further information: Helping Grieving Kids

Monday, February 27th, 2023: Mark Woods, Jr., Director of Veteran Peer Services
Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program, is going on the airwaves! Mark will host a radio show on WRCR 1700 AM. The show: Thank You For Your Service, will air once a month on the 4th Monday at 9:30 a.m. Veterans can call in and ask questions about Veterans issues. The call-in number is: 845-429-1700. Mark will discuss Veteran issues and events in and around Rockland County. Please tune in to the show -- 4th Monday of each month -- 9:30 a.m. on WRCR 1700 AM radio. You can also access the show live on WRCR's website: https://www.wrcr.com. For further information, get in touch with Mark Woods, Jr.
Director of Veteran Peer Services, Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program, “Vet to Vet”
Email: Mwoods@vettovetrc.org / (Office) (845) 624-1366 ext 104 / Cell (845) 521-9440

Wednesday, March 1st, 2023: Deadline to file for Veterans Property Tax Exemption. If you haven't already applied for your veterans' property tax exemption, do so this month, before the March 1st deadline. Contact your Town Assessor's Office or the Rockland County Veterans Service Agency at 845-638-5244 for further information.
View this link for New York State property tax exemption information.
https://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/property/exemption/vetexempt.htm

Friday, March 3rd, 2023: From 11:00am to 2:00pm at the Community Center Town of Clarkstown - Auditorium located at 31 Zukor Road, New City, New York 10956. All Veterans and their spouses, Caregivers and Gold Star families are welcome to join us to play games including BINGO and TRIVIA for prizes. It’s time to come out, get together, socialize, eat lunch and have fun! This event is provided free of charge by Vet to Vet. There is plenty of parking available and the auditorium is very large with plenty of room for folks to spread out and maintain social distance if they choose to do so. Doors open at 10:45 a.m.
Please contact Izzy Quintana at email iquintana@vettovetrc.org or call cell phone number 845-587-6497 to reserve a seat or if you have further questions. Ismael (Izzy) Quintana, Veteran Outreach Coordinator Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Peer Support Program
Rockland County (Vet to Vet) Cell: (845) 587-6497

The Story of the Four Chaplains:

Early on Feb. 3, 1943, an enemy torpedo struck the Army transport Dorchester as it carried 902 officers and enlisted men, Navy armed guard, merchant seamen and civilian workers in the North Atlantic. The Coast Guard cutter escorts Comanche and Escanaba rescued 230 men.

As Dorchester took on water, four Army chaplains – Lt. George L. Fox (Methodist), Lt. Alexander D. Goode (Jewish), Lt. John P. Washington (Roman Catholic), and Lt. Clark V. Poling (Dutch Reformed) – calmed frightened soldiers, aided the wounded and guided the disoriented toward safety.

On deck, they opened a storage locker and began distributing life jackets. When there were no more available, the chaplains removed their life jackets and gave them to four young men. “It was the finest thing I have seen or hope to see this side of heaven,” said John Ladd, a survivor. As the ship went down, men in rafts saw the four chaplains, arms linked and braced against the slanting deck, singing hymns and praying.

Congress attempted to confer the Medal of Honor on the chaplains but was prevented by strict requirements of heroism under fire. It authorized a one-time posthumous Special Medal for Heroism, awarded by President Eisenhower in 1961; it was intended to have the same weight and importance as the Medal of Honor.

For further details on the story of the Four Chaplains, view this link:
https://www.legion.org/belovedveterans/220498/four-chaplains

Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter #333 -- monthly meeting will be held at Kearsing-Edwards American Legion Post #1600, 20 Station Road, Pomona, New York 10970. The Board will meet at their usual time of 6:30 p.m. with full membership meeting to start promptly at 7:30 p.m.

VVA #333 President Ray Furlong invites you to attend the monthly meeting via Zoom
Time: Feb 2, 2023 06:30 p.m. Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6305675618?pwd=UVUzSXR0V2JkelJSeUtHZ3R3N2p0dz09
Meeting ID: 630 567 5618
Passcode: 980722
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,6305675618#,,,,*980722# US (New York)
+16469313860,,6305675618#,,,,*980722# US
Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 646 931 3860 US
+1 309 205 3325 US
Meeting ID: 630 567 5618
Passcode: 980722
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcercBuit4

Also, check out VVA #333 website created and maintained by Debby Frank. Here is a link to lots of great information such as: V.A. Info, Officers and Past Presidents, Fallen Heroes, Our Members Then, Members in Action, Veteran of The Year, RockVets Newsletters, Watchfires, Pig Roast. Then, under the Column "MORE" on the upper far right side, Momentos at The Wall, Handcycles Program, 529 Educational Program, Merchandise, Jerry Donnellan -- Founder of Chapter 333, Scholarships, Applications, Gene Sullivan Service Award, VVA National Convention, 30th Anniversary of Chapter 333,
Street dedication ceremony for one of Rockland's KIAs, James Margro, and so on. Much thanks to Debby Frank for maintaining the website.

Vet-to-Vet: Special Events
THE ROCKLAND COUNTY JOSEPH P. DWYER
VETERAN PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM
WEEKLY ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS

Dwyer Vet-to-Vet Events and Activities

Veteran’s Game Day Social Luncheon: On February 3rd and again on March 3rd (Friday) from 11:00am to 2:00pm at the Community Center Town of Clarkstown - Auditorium located at 31 Zukor Road, New City, New York 10956. All Veterans and their spouses, Caregivers and Gold Star families are welcome to join us to play games including BINGO and TRIVIA for prizes. It’s time to come out, get together, socialize, eat lunch and have fun ! This event is provided free of charge by Vet to Vet. There is plenty of parking available and the auditorium is very large with plenty of room for folks to spread out and maintain social distance if they choose to do so. Doors open at 10:45 am.
RSVP: Required for Lunch! Call and reserve your seat early as we need a proper head count to order the catered meal. Please contact Izzy Quintana at email iquintana@vettovetrc.org or call 845-587-6497 to reserve a seat or if you have further questions

MEDITATION - Weekly - (M, W & F) - 9-9:30 am. Class elicits deep relaxation and helps reduce stress and anxiety with experienced Instructor Brett Cotter (Stress is Gone Founder and Author of 3 Keys To Managing PTSD). Online virtual event you can experience via Zoom. Meeting ID 983 8404 0455; Passcode: join or Click here for link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/98384040455?pwd=djE3VGhUTDJzRU1HMEJ6bnJxa3E2QT09

VETERANS WALKING CLUB - Weekly - (Wednesdays) - 9:30 am at PALISADES CENTER. Meet in front of BRIDGES, 2nd Floor, next door to Autobahn Indoor Speedway. We will walk between 45 minutes to an hour. Join a fast pace group, slow pace group or walk at your own pace for however long you want. The mall offers us a comfortable indoor venue regardless of the weather outdoors where we can gather together in camaraderie and get some fitness and exercise while we get walking !

GENTLE YOGA - Weekly - (Wednesdays & Fridays) - 7-8 pm & again on (Sundays) 10-11:15 am. Virtual session via Zoom. Yoga is extremely beneficial for your physical and mental health. Instructor Mira Stangl is a 500 hour Yoga-Alliance Certified Teacher With Extensive Training in PTSD and Restorative Yoga. If interested in attending email iquintana@vettovetrc.org. Then you'll be registered to get invitations to each session.

QIGONG - Weekly - (Thursdays) from 9-10 am. (Ancient Chinese Exercise). Gentle meditative exercises based on the cultivation and refinement of Universal Life Energy known as Qi. Practicing this exercise reduces pain, stress and anxiety, improves physical fitness and improves immune function and vitality. Instructor Norman Galinsky, MFA has over 36 years experience in the art. If interested in attending or have questions, contact Izzy Quintana at email iquintana@vettovetrc.org

VA Information for veterans who may be in suicidal crisis (Dial 988 then Press 1)

NEWS RELEASE: Starting Jan. 17, 2023 Veterans in suicidal crisis can go to any VA or non-VA health care facility for free emergency health care

WASHINGTON – Starting January 17th, 2023, Veterans in acute suicidal crisis will be able to go to any VA or non-VA health care facility for emergency health care at no cost – including inpatient or crisis residential care for up to 30 days and outpatient care for up to 90 days. Veterans do not need to be enrolled in the VA system to use this benefit.

This expansion of care will help prevent Veteran suicide by guaranteeing no cost, world-class care to Veterans in times of crisis. It will also increase access to acute suicide care for up to 9 million Veterans who are not currently enrolled in VA.

“Veterans in suicidal crisis can now receive the free, world-class emergency health care they deserve – no matter where they need it, when they need it, or whether they’re enrolled in VA care,” said VA Secretary for Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough. “This expansion of care will save Veterans’ lives, and there’s nothing more important than that.”

To read full media release, view this link: Suicidal Crisis

The Tet Offensive - A Turning Point in the Vietnam War

On January 21 at Khe Sanh, 30,000 North Vietnamese troops attacked an air base held by just 6,000 United States Marines. The attack on Khe Sanh, however, proved to be a diversionary tactic for the larger Tet Offensive.

January 30 marked the first day of the Vietnamese lunar new year celebration, called Tet. Just days before, as the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) prepared to observe the holiday with a truce, some 84,000 North Vietnamese Army (NVA)and Viet Cong (VC) troops prepared coordinated attacks on 36 provincial capitals in South Vietnam, along with dozens of U.S. and ARVN military bases and large cities including Huế, Da Nang, and Saigon.

The north launched near simultaneous attacks on more than 100 South Vietnamese and American military locations. January 31 proved to be the bloodiest day of the entire war for the Americans, losing 246 people.

Militarily, the Tet Offensive was an abject failure for the north — NVA and VC forces suffered massive casualties and failed to hold any gains they had made. Perhaps more importantly, the people of South Vietnam were not inspired to rise up against their government and U.S. forces, as had been the hope of the offensive’s architect, Ho Chi Minh.
Politically, however, Tet was a turning point in the war.

To read further about the Tet Offensive, please visit the Vietnam Veteran Memorial Fund webpage for the Tet Offensive at: https://www.vvmf.org/topics/Tet-Offensive/.

At the Vietnam Veteran Memorial Fund you can listen to first-hand accounts of veterans who served during the Tet Offensive, as well as see a list of Casualties, Medal of Honor Recipient, Podcasts, and a wealth of information from their link to "other resources."

Buffalo soldiers were African American soldiers who mainly served on the Western frontier following the American Civil War. In 1866, six all-Black cavalry and infantry regiments were created after Congress passed the Army Organization Act.
Their main tasks were to help control the Native Americans of the Plains, capture cattle rustlers and thieves and protect settlers, stagecoaches, wagon trains and railroad crews along the Western front.

Who Were the Buffalo Soldiers? No one knows for certain why, but the soldiers of the all-Black 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments were dubbed “buffalo soldiers” by the Native Americans they encountered. One theory claims the nickname arose because the soldiers’ dark, curly hair resembled the fur of a buffalo. Another assumption is the soldiers fought so valiantly and fiercely that the Indians revered them as they did the mighty buffalo.

Whatever the reason, the name stuck, and African American regiments formed in 1866, including the 24th and 25th Infantry (which were consolidated from four regiments) became known as buffalo soldiers. For further information, view link here:
https://www.history.com/topics/19th-century/buffalo-soldiers

Vietnam-Era Veteran Laid To Rest

George Kenneth Erskine was born in 1945 in Norwalk, CT.
He attained the rank of E-4 in the United States Army and served from 1965 – 1967. He was assigned to the 396th Transportation Company Seventh Army/US Army Europe and served one year overseas in Europe. He liked Harley Davidson motorcycles and spending time with friends.

The burial service for George was held on Tuesday January 17th at 1:15 pm at Frederick Loescher Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Brick Church Road in New Hempstead, New York.
Mr. Erskine didn't have any family members, but many veterans and caring Rocklanders were in attendance.

View YouTube link of memorial service here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvnKd1_wFvM

Please check out Vietnam veteran Roy Tschudy's book, "Endless." Roy is a past President of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #333, and writes about a variety of experiences that our Vietnam vets encountered. As with all good books, be prepared to experience a lot of emotions with this: you will be intrigued, angry, surprised, maybe shed a tear or two, and laugh out loud at some of the shenanigans in this enjoyable tale of fact, fiction and myth. All proceeds of "Endless" go to help veterans. The book is available in paperback or Kindle edition from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Endless-Roy-Tschudy/dp/1524668516/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Roy+Tschudy+Endless&qid=1638898608&sr=8-1#customerReviews
"Endless" is the second book authored by Roy Tschudy. His first book also had great reviews.
"Up Close and Personal" is available through Amazon as well.

The Human Exploitation Rescue Operation (HERO) Child-Rescue Corps Program is designed to combat and prevent child exploitation and is open to wounded, ill, and injured veterans and transitioning service members. As a reminder, the 2023 HERO Intern vacancy announcement is now open on USA Jobs. Additional information regarding the position duties and requirements can be found in the announcement.
Clarification from the agency
Wounded, ill, or injured veterans who have a VA disability rating; OR Wounded, ill, or injured active duty service members being medically discharged from the military who are enrolled in Operator Warfighter (OWF) or other Warrior Transition Programs are eligible to apply.

For further information, view this link: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/701282000
This announcement is not publicly searchable on the USA Jobs site and can only be accessed with the above link.

Sales Representative -- Remote
We are recruiting a Sales Representative on behalf of our client, a mining company and global producer of lime and limestone, whose products are essential to the energy, environmental, construction, and manufacturing industries. Candidate must reside within commutable distance of an international airport in the Central or Eastern time zones.
For further information, view this link:
https://tenovallc.pinpointhq.com/en/jobs/87464

Veterans Employment and Training Services (VETS) Resources for Veterans

The Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) is committed to helping America's veterans and separating service members by preparing them for meaningful careers, providing employment resources and expertise, and protecting their employment rights.
https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/4624

FedEx Independent Service Provider
FedEx is looking to hire full time and part time drivers to deliver and pickup packages from Blauvelt, NY. Full time schedule is Monday – Friday and part time schedule has weekend positions available. Must be over 21 years old, have a clean drivers license, and be able to pass physical and drug tests. Background checks are also required. Salary for full time starts at $700 per week. Please contact 201-724-7781 to see if you qualify.

Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction of the Veterans Administration:
The link below lists current positions have been announced for the Office of Acquisition, Logistics and Construction (OALC). This is not a complete listing of all Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) vacancies and may not include all positions announced for OALC. You may access VA recruitment information on the VA Jobs site at this link: https://www.va.gov/jobs/
If you wish copies of announcements listed below, please contact the individual identified in the specific announcement. Here is the link to the OALC Job Listings:
https://www.va.gov/oalc/career.asp

Montefiore-Nyack Hospital, Nyack, New York 10960
See link for full listing and information about career opportunities at Nyack Hospital, Nyack, New York. https://montefiorenyackcareers.org

Good Samaritan Hospital, Suffern, New York. Good Samaritan Hospital is affiliated with Westchester Medical Center. See this link for available employment - https://wmchealthjobs.org/search-jobs/

Rockland County Employment Information:
Here is a link to current job openings available in Rockland County
http://rocklandgov.com/departments/personnel/job-opportunities/

Rockland County Veterans' Credits:
http://rocklandgov.com/files/8115/1120/9567/Veterans_Credit_Info.pdf

New York City Civil Service Jobs, Tests, and Results as listed in The Chief:
http://thechiefleader.com/news/civil_service/

MTA Metro-North Railroad has ongoing employment opportunities:
To apply for current jobs with the MTA, please go to the MTA Employment Portal at: http://web.mta.info/mta/employment/

NYC Green Book Online: The Green Book is the official directory of the City of New York. An indispensable reference guide for anyone living or working in New York City. Includes detailed listings of agencies. Website: http://a856-gbol.nyc.gov/GBOLWebsite/

Rockland County Marine Corps League regularly receives donations of handicap assistance equipment for disabled veterans from people who want to help. The donated equipment is available for free to military veterans and their families. The items include the following:

Motorized Wheelchairs
Manual Wheelchairs
Oxygen Generator
Walkers
Bath Chairs
Transfer Benches
Braces
Crutches
Canes

If you have need of any of this equipment, contact the folks at the Rockland County Marine Corps League - 845-323-8774 or via e-mail: drobin137@icloud.com.

RockVets is an Outreach program of New York Vets, Inc., a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization established in 1992, to advocate for those who have worn the uniform of the U.S. Military, no matter where or when they served.

The volunteers at New York Vets / RockVets publish this monthly e-newsletter. We welcome your thoughts, questions, and feedback. E-mail: NewYorkVets@gmail.com.

We are not affiliated with any government agency such as the Veterans Administration, Rockland County Government, nor the Veterans Service Agency of Rockland.

Each month, our newsletter reaches more than 1800 local veterans or those who care about veterans' interests. Please use this forum to let veterans know of any information, resources, links or events they might enjoy. Send information to NewYorkVets@gmail.com or send us a note through our website: https://newyorkvets.org. Thank you for passing this newsletter along to other veterans.

Our Mailing Address
New York Vets, Inc. / RockVets
P.O. Box 387
Tomkins Cove, New York 10986

Pat McGlade
Co-Founder / Director
Website: http://newyorkvets.org
RockVets Newsletters: New York Vets / RockVets Newsletters
Email: NewYorkVets@gmail.com