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RockVets Newsletter
April 2021
Volume XIII, Issue 4

 
Bronze Plaque Dedication by American Legion Post 310

Bronze Plaque To Be Dedicated
Note from Izzy Quintana, Adjutant, Nyack Legion Post 310:
The American Legion CR&RO Blauvelt Nyack Post 310 which Jerry was a member of, does its best to honor and remember Jerry for all he did for us and all the veterans of Rockland County. Last year we had a banner made for him that hangs on Main Street in front of Veterans Park. I don't know if you had a chance to see it.  It will be displayed again starting in May from Memorial Day through November Veterans Day.

This year we plan to install and dedicate a Bronze plaque in his memory at Memorial Park where he used to play at as a child and a stone's throw away from the home he lived in growing up as a child. We would like to invite you and the entire VVA Chapter 333 which Jerry was instrumental in establishing, to be there and participate in the ceremony which will take place on Memorial Day, May 31st at 11:00 a.m.

This our way of keeping Jerry's legacy alive and remembered for generations to come!
Let me know if you will be able to make it. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns regarding the event.  Thank You and Best Regards, Izzy

For God and Country -- Ismael (Izzy) Quintana  -- American Legion Nyack Post 310 Adjutant. You can reach Izzy at IQuintana@vettovetrc.org or calling his cell phone #: 845-587-6497

PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Peer to Peer Program
THE ROCKAND COUNTY PFC JOSEPH P. DWYER VETERAN PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM
LIST OF UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS (Week of 4/5 to 4/9 2021)

Contact:  Ismael Quintana - iquintana@vettovetrc.org


April 5, 7 & 9 (M, W & F) MEDITATION from 9am to 9:30 am. Class elicits deep relaxation and helps reduce stress and anxiety with experienced Instructor Brett Cotter. To participate download “Ring Central Meetings” app to your cell phone or meeting program onto your PC or laptop by clicking on website: https://www.ringcentral.com/apps/rc-meetings. Meeting ID: 582 811 3947

April 5th (Monday) from 11:00 am to12:00 pm & again on the 6th (Tuesday) from 5:00-6:00 pm. GENTLE YOGA. Virtual session via Zoom. Yoga is extremely beneficial for your physical and men- tal health. Instructor Mira Stangl is a 500 hour Yoga-Alliance Certified Teacher With Extensive Training in PTSD and Restorative Yoga. If interested email iquintana@vettovetrc.org.

April 5th (Mondays) from 6:30 – 8:00 pm online VETERANS WRITING WORKSHOP via zoom. Led by David Surface founder & instructor of VWW with over 20 years of experience teaching writing at all levels. Offers veterans a chance to tell their stories and put their memories into words. If interest- ed in attending or have any questions, contact Sharon Bailey at sbailey@vettovetrc.org

April 7th (Wednesday) at 9:30 am VETERANS WALKING CLUB at PALISADES CENTER. Meet in front of BRIDGES located on the 2nd Floor. The Mall stores and businesses open at 11 am. Masks are required while in the mall. We will walk between 45 minutes to an hour. Get walking!

April 8th (Thursday) from 9-10 am. QIGONG (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. Instructor Norman Galinsky, MFA has over 36 years ex- perience in the art. If interested contact Izzy Quintana at email iquintana@vettovetrc.org.

April 8th (Thursday) from 4 – 5pm TAPPING aka Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). We’ll teach you to simply use your own fingertips to tap upon just a few of the body’s acupressure points, while focused upon an issue you’d like to change for the better. Relives stress & anxiety. It’s a fast way to feel better. Online Zoom Meeting ID: 840 3076 8233 Passcode: 687384 or click: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84030768233pwd=VnRGY1piMnVqSVZXZG96T3lKWTNaQT09

April 9th (Friday) from 2 – 3:30 pm CREATIVE WRITING GROUP. Led by Adjunct College English Professor & former Journalist Bill Hohlfeld. Classes are conducted virtually online via Zoom. If interested in attending or have any questions, contact Sharon Bailey at sbailey@vettovetrc.org

Weekly Support Group Sessions
WELLNESS & RECOVERY VETERAN & FIRST RESPONDERS SUPPORT GROUP
- Every Mon- day from 2 pm to 4 pm via conference call. Session is led by Sharon Bailey. LCSW. You can call in with your name or stay anonymous. Dial in # 425-436-6393, Passcode 114029 #.

VETERAN & MENTOR SUPPORT GROUP - Every Tuesday from 10 am to 11:30 am via confer- ence call. Session is led by Veteran Outreach Coordinator Flore Raphael. Geared for Veterans of every war era and MBHT trained Mentors. Dial in # 701-802-5101, Passcode 486179 #.

For further information on these or other ongoing programs, please contact Izzy Quintana at IQuintana@vettovetrc.org or call him (cell phone): 845-587-6497.  

See what other activities the Peer to Peer Group offers further down in this newsletter.

NAMI Homefront - Six Session Program Starts Soon

NAMI Homefront is a free, 6-session program for family, friends and significant others of military Service Members and Veterans. The class helps families understand what the Service Member / Veteran is experiencing related to trauma, combat stress, civilian life transition, PTSD and other mental health conditions.  I've heard high praise for this program.

The program is designed to help family members understand and support their Service Member/Veteran while maintaining their own well-being. NAMI Homefront leaders have personal experience with mental health conditions impacting their Service Member/ Veteran. The class is free but you are expected to attend all six sessions. You must have access to a laptop, PC or tablet with a stable internet connection to participate. To hear audio, you will need to call in via telephone. We recommend you use a headset or headphones.

For additional information, please visit http://www.nami.org/Homefront or email Anita Herron at aherron@nami.org.

Here is the upcoming schedule of sessions -- Attend either Evening or Day Sessions
Eastern Evening: Wednesdays, April 14 – May 19
Wednesdays, 6:30 – 8:30 pm ET (5:30pm CT, 4:30pm MT, 3:30pm PT)

Eastern Day: Tuesdays, April 13 – May 18
Tuesdays, 10:00 am – 12:00pm ET (8:00 am MT, 9:00 am CT, 7:00 am PT)

Mountain: Tuesdays, April 13 – May 18
Tuesdays, 6:30 – 8:30 pm MT (5:30pm PT, 7:30pm CT, 8:30pm ET)

*Please note the TIME ZONE listed for each class time

VA Walk-In Covid-19 Vaccine Clinic Information

VA Hudson Valley Walk-In Covid-19 Vaccine Clinics
HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Walk-in coronavirus vaccine clinics for Hudson Valley veterans have been scheduled for the VA Medical Centers in Montrose and at Castle Point in Wappingers Falls, New York.

The clinics will be operating from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Veterans must be eligible to receive care at the VA and at least 55 years old, a frontline essential worker or diagnosed with an underlying high-risk medical condition to receive the coronavirus vaccine.   The VA Hudson Valley Health Care System began offering on Wednesday (March 31) vaccinations to the veterans’ spouses and caregivers at its walk-in clinics at the Castle Point and Montrose facilities. The clinics take place from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays.

The two locations are:
FDR Montrose VA Medical Center                            
2094 Albany Post Road
Montrose, NY 10548
Building 15, Room 16

Castle Point VA Medical Center
41 Castle Point Road
Wappingers Falls, NY 12590
Multipurpose Room

If you've served in the military and would like to apply for VA health care, call 845-831-2000 ext. 215100 or 203309.
Disabled Veterans May Qualify for Modified Vehicle

Disabled Veterans, active duty can get adaptive equipment for automobiles


Veterans and active duty members with a service-connected disability and injured service members still serving on active duty with an injury that prevents them from driving an automobile may qualify for a VA program to purchase a specially modified motor vehicle.  VA assists in paying for adaptive equipment, repairs, replacements, and reinstallations for automobile gear.  

For full VA blog, view this link:
http://Disabled Veterans, active duty can get adaptive equipment for automobiles

Benefits are typically granted to individuals who have a service-connected disability.
A complete list of service-connected disabilities can be found here: https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/special-claims/automobile-allowance-adaptive-equipment
Please note that Veterans or active duty must have at least one disability to qualify for disability benefits from the VA.

Approved applicants may receive a one-time payment for up to $21,058.69 to help with specialized purchases for their automobile. In some cases, a person may receive one or more adaptive-equipment grants so that they can add additional features to their vehicle (power steering, brakes, lift equipment, etc.), allowing individuals easier access to their vehicle.

To obtain benefits, people must file a claim for disability compensation, which the VA must approve before buying a vehicle or adaptive equipment. Click here to find out how to file for disability compensation.  For those who already filed a claim for VA disability, use VA Form 21-4502 “Application for Automobile or Other Conveyance and Adaptive Equipment” when applying for assistance.

To apply, people must:
Complete all items on Section I and II of the form.
Submit and send the form to the nearest VA regional office. If approved, VA will complete Section III and return the form.  Purchase a vehicle. Once you receive the seller’s vehicle and adaptive equipment, complete Section IV and return the form.
In some instances, applicants may only qualify for adaptive equipment. If so, Veterans will need to fill out VA Form 10-1394 “Application for Adaptive Equipment—Motor Vehicle.”

Questions?  Visit the VA Automobile Allowance and Adaptive Equipment website.
Visit the Inquiry Routing & Information System (IRIS) website to search Frequently Asked Questions or ask a question online
Call 1-800-827-1000 -- Call 1-800-829-4833 for hearing impaired
Updated April 1, 2021, to clarify active duty eligibility.
Writers: Siarah Phillips, Joanna Hwang and Alex Boucher, Editor: Ryan Pan

Women Veteran Employment Information Webinar

Women Veteran Employment Information Webinar with VA Center for Women Veterans

Photo: Jeannie Marie Leavitt (née Flynn; born c. 1967) is now a United States Air Force general officer. She became the U.S. Air Force's first female fighter pilot in 1993, and was the first woman to command a USAF combat fighter wing.

INVITATION: Women Veteran Employment Information Webinar with VA Center for Women Veterans and Tesla

Please see the information below regarding an informational webinar open to all women veterans:  
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Center for Women Veterans and Tesla have partnered to host monthly employment webinars for women Veterans. Each webinar will be 1.5 hours and will include important topics such as:
Resume do’s and don’ts, recommendations and examples; Interview etiquette, tips and tricks, LinkedIn job searching and profile suggestions; and time to meet Tesla speakers and partners and ask questions.

These webinars are for information only and not a hiring event; they are intended to give our women Veterans the inside scoop on what major companies look for when hiring. Below is information about the first of these webinars:

WHAT:    Women Veteran Employment Information Webinar with VA Center for Women Veterans and Tesla

WHEN: Thursday, April 15, 2021 – 1:00 PM ET

REGISTRATION: https://forms.office.com/r/7aBDvYkxJD
There are only 250 spots open for each training, please sign up no later than April 13th. A confirmation email and dial in will be sent to you on April 14th.Please contact Ana Claudio, International and National Outreach Manager, USN Senior Chief (Ret), VA Center for Women Veterans at Ana.Claudio@va.gov with any questions you have about this event or series.  Please also feel free to share this information. Thanks!

Kristen L. Rouse
Deputy Director for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
New York State Division of Veterans’ Services
Shirley A Chisholm State Office Building, 55 Hanson Place, 9th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Phone (718) 483-3844| kristen.rouse@veterans.ny.gov | www.veterans.ny.gov

Col. Roy A. Knight's Remains Brought Home to Texas

Col. Roy A.Knight, Jr. Brought Home After 52 Years

On May 19, 1967, Maj. Roy A. Knight, Jr., USAF, was shot down while attacking a target on the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos. He was initially listed as Missing in Action until being declared Killed in Action in 1974. During that time, he was promoted to Colonel. Fifty-two years later, in February, 2019, Col. Knight’s remains were recovered and identified by personnel assigned to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.

Col. Roy A. Knight, Jr., was brought home to Texas with a Dignified Arrival on August 8, 2019. He was flown home by his son, Bryan, a Captain with Southwest Airlines, to Dallas Love Field, the same airport where 5-year-old Bryan said goodbye to his father when he left to go to war fifty-two years ago.  

This 5 minute video marks the Honor Flight where Col. Roy Knight was finally brought home, by his son, Captain Bryan Knight:   
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54W22gT7-R8

COVID Vaccines Given at SUNY Rockland's Fieldhouse
A mass vaccination site opened on  April 1st at SUNY Rockland Community College’s Eugene Levy Fieldhouse.

The site will be administering vaccines from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. seven days a week. Eligible New Yorkers will be able to schedule appointments at the RCC site using New York’s “Am I Eligible” website or by calling the state’s COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline at 1-833-697-4829.  

All New Yorkers ages 30 and older have become eligible to seek vaccinations.

For further information: https://sunyrockland.edu/about/coronavirus/vaccination-site/
or contact:  Ismael (Izzy) Quintana, Veteran Outreach Coordinator,
PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Peer Support Program
Rockland County (Vet to Vet)
Cell: (845) 587-6497 or email: IQuintana@vettovetrc.org

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough

On Feb. 8, 2021, Denis McDonough was confirmed by the Senate to be the United States’ 11th Secretary of Veterans Affairs. He heads into the job with a rich background filled with experience navigating the government’s complex bureaucracy. Being a veteran of Capitol Hill, he aims to leverage his knowledge to better serve our nation’s military Veterans.  

Link to website:  https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/86600/borne-battle-235-va-secretary-denis-mcdonough/?utm_source=VRfeature&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=VetResources

In this episode of Borne the Battle, McDonough touches on topics important to many Veterans.  Hear it at this link: https://share.transistor.fm/s/680ec3a8

  • His vision for Community Care.
  • His priorities when improving the VA health care system.
  • Ensuring every Veteran gets a COVID vaccine in a timely fashion.
  • Making sure rural Veterans can consistently and reliably access VA health care services.
  • Maximizing VA mental health services to best benefit Veterans in need.
  • Transitioning VA records from paper to electronic.
  • While being VA Secretary is a new position for McDonough, he has taken steps to bridge the gaps in his knowledge by renewing a tradition that he followed as White House chief of staff. He reached out to as many former VA Secretaries he could to ask them for advice. In the interview, McDonough said the conversations have served him well so far and he intends to maintain these relationships moving forward.

And while McDonough is not a Veteran, he contacted multiple Veterans during his first weeks as secretary to solicit their advice and general thoughts on the state of VA. In doing so, McDonough said he has learned valuable information on what issues are important to Veterans and has used those discussions to shape his priorities.

Many of the comments McDonough made in this episode reflect the statements he made during his Senate confirmation hearing.

What Rocklanders Were Reading Many Years Ago

From the Rockland County Historical Society
April 1, 1871 –  The Historical Society of Rockland County
Photo of Jacob Blauvelt House in New City,  New York
Here are some interesting stories Rocklanders were reading 50, 100 and 150 years ago!  
https://www.rocklandhistory.org/page.cfm?page=842&eblast_recipient=1007192


150 YEARS AGO --
Rockland County Journal

A RELIC
On Wednesday afternoon of this week Freddy Taylor, of this village, while rambling over the hills, which form our western boundary, overturned a good-sized rock when his attention was drawn to a metallic object nearly buried in the earth, which looked like a piece of brass rusted and mouldy [sic]. He succeeded in digging it out when it was discovered to be an ancient-looking flint-lock pistol, such as were used a century ago. He carried it home and after he had removed a portion of the rust and dirt which was on it the date, “1771” was visible, engraved on the stock. A small brass plate was next removed from one side, and under it was a small piece of paper which evidently had been white once, but which had become discolored by age. On it was some writing, a portion of which (all that could be made out) was as follows:

“We are imprisoned by 17 Indians under Beaver. I myself have killed 4. All well.— Plenty of provisions. Total No. killed 4 R. Coats and 10 Indians.
10 January 1771, Dare Devil Dave.”

This is quite a relic and certainly worth preserving; and it will afford food for our Nyack historian’s digest, and for our searchers after memorials of “ye olden time” to ponder and speculate over.

To read other stories from 50 or 100 years ago:
https://www.rocklandhistory.org/page.cfm?page=842&eblast_recipient=1007192

PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Peer Support Program

The Rockland County PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Peer Support Program "Vet to Vet" would like to invite military veterans of every era and their families which include their spouses and immediate families to participate in a variety of wellness activities and events occuring every week that will enhance their mental wellbeing and physical health. Many of these activities are social in nature, but all bring veterans together to bond and support each other. These activities include:

WELLNESS, HEALTH & SOCIAL :

  • MEDITATION (M, W & F) from 9am to 9:30 am. Online
  • GENTLE YOGA (Monday) from 11am to12:00 pm and (Tuesday) 5:00pm to 6:00pm. Online
  • VETERANS WALKING CLUB at PALISADES CENTER (Wednesday) at 9:30 am. In Person
  • QIGONG (Ancient Chinese Exercise) (Thursday) from 9-10 am. Online
  • TAPPING aka Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) (Thursday) from 4 – 5pm. Online'
  • VETERANS WRITING WORKSHOP (Monday) from 6:30 - 8pm. Online
  • CREATIVE WRITING GROUP Every other Friday from 2 – 3:30 pm. Online
  • COOKING WITH THE CORPS Every other Wednesday from 5 pm to 6:30 pm. Online

SUPPORT GROUP SESSIONS :
  • WELLNESS & RECOVERY VETERAN & FIRST RESPONDERS SUPPORT GROUP – Every Monday from 2 pm to 4 pm via conference call (caller can stay anonymous)
  • VETERAN & MENTOR SUPPORT GROUP – Every Tuesday from 10 am to 11:30 am via telephone conference call.
  • WOMEN VETERANS SUPPORT GROUP - Every 3rd (Thursday) of the Month from 8 to 9:30 pm. Online
  • VET TO VET ROUNDTABLE: LET'S TALK ABOUT SUICIDE (With Special Guest Speakers) - Held on the 22nd day of every month ( 22 veteran suicides per day )

We will soon be adding some outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, outdoor socials and more.   If anyone is interested in attending or have any questions regarding any of these activities or the Vet to Vet Peer Support Program in general, please contact Veteran Outreach Coordinator Ismael (Izzy) Quintana at iquintana@vettovetrc.org.
Ismael (Izzy) Quintana
Veteran Outreach Coordinator
PFC Joseph P. Dwyer
Veteran Peer Support Program
Rockland County (Vet to Vet)
Cell: (845) 587-6497
Employment Opportunities and Information
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

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:


  • Handicap-Accessible van
  • 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 Monthly Newsletter

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 Rockland County Government nor the Veterans Service Agency of Rockland.

Each month, our newsletter reaches more than 1500 local veterans or those interested in veterans' welfare. Please use this forum to let veterans know of any information, resources, links or events of interest.  Send information to NewYorkVets@gmail.com and feel free to pass this newsletter along to others who may be interested.

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

Pat McGlade
Co-Founder / Director
Email: NewYorkVets@gmail.com
Facebook: www.Rockvets.com










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