NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

NEWSLETTER “Working to Make North Carolina the Most Veteran Friendly State in America” June 2, 2015 VOLUME 2, ISSUE 8 Page 1: N.C. Veterans Affairs Launches New Integrated Suite of Technology Services and Resources for Veterans Page 2: Gov. McCrory Recieves 1st Issue of Newest NC4VETS Resource Guide Page 3: NCDVA and N.C. National Gaurd Partner in Hosting Regional School - Hickory HS Raises Flag in Honor of Veterans and Service Members Page 4: N.C. Officials Tout Veterans Treatment Court Page 5: Vet Appreciation Day Held in Mount Airy Page 6: Fayetteville Vet Center Partners with NCDVA - NC4VETS Participates in WRAL Balloon Festival Page 7: NCDVA, DHHS and SAMSHA Lead Nation in Veteran Support Page 8: New G.I. Joe Museum Provides Kinston with Military Living History Page 9: Veteras Museum Wings and Wheels Page 10-11: NCDVA Training

Veterans Homes Update (May. 2015 ) -Black Mountain97 residents 8 admissions -Fayetteville141 residents 14 admissions -Kinston98 residents 5 admissions -Salisbury99 residents 4 admissions Veterans Cemeteries UPDATE (May. 2015) May Our Brothers and Sisters Rest in Peace -Black Mountain33 burials -Jacksonville20 burials -Spring Lake32 burials

N CDVA N ew s l etter Ed ito r: -Dani el H a ckl ey Daniel.H ackl ey @d o a . nc. g ov

N.C. Veterans Affairs Launches New Integrated Suite of Technological Services and Resources for Veterans RALEIGH, N.C. Last week NCDVA released a cutting edge package of veteran services and resources specifically tailored to the State’s 800,000 Veterans and their dependents. For the past 15 months, the Division has restructured its outreach capabilities while building new state-of-the-art technology services, providing Veterans, their family members and transitioning military personnel with the most up-to-date resources and information.

Veteran Service Officer (VSO), a trained and accredited veteran advocate, by utilizing the “Find Vet Services” tool. NC4VETS.com is also a fully mobile application that allows a veteran to find service locations straight from their mobile phone.

In the fall of 2014, The Division stood up a truly “One-Stop-Shop” Call Center that has effectively connected over 10,000 Veterans across the state to both local, state, federal and non-profit services. In conjunction with the opening of the NC4VETS Call Center, the Division released over 50,000 copies of its 2014 NC4VETS Resource Guide, a guide that focuses on VA Benefits, Employment, Education, Health Care, Housing and Personal Services available to Veterans across the State.

“Reforming these agencies and creating an integrated service network has allowed us to double our productivity, but there is still more to do. We want to continue our progress of government reform and accountability of outcomes by taking our capabilities to the next level. Our Veterans and their families sacrificed so much for us, we owe them the highest quality services and user friendly tools, in short, we owe them a government that works for them,” Said Governor Pat McCrory.

The Division has now launched its 2.0 version of the NC4VETS Website, www.NC4VETS. com, featuring a Geo-Location tool that allows Veterans to enter their zip code and receive a virtual map of services and resources located within a desired radius. NC4VETS.com also provides non-profits and state agencies the capability of uploading their services and locations available to Veterans. In addition to the websites nearly 10,000 data points, Veterans will be able to find their nearest

As part of the Divisions new suite of technological services, the Division has built a first class, nation leading Customer Relations Management tool, using SalesForce.com. This platform facilitates a more effective, cost-saving and an accountable way of tracking Veteran cases and referrals to non-profits and state agencies, moving the division into a results oriented posture, ensuring that no one falls through the cracks. This new integrated network enhances the agencies capabilities of focusing on greater Veterans issues, such as ending homelessness for veterans across the State.

NCDVA has also released its New 2015 NC4VETS Resource Guide. The 2015 Guide has doubled in content from the 2014 guide, and contains over 2,500 data points and 350 points of contacts to employment and career services; over 100 local and state-wide veteran focused nonprofits and detailed information on how to work with a Veterans Service Officer. All of that can be easily navigated by visiting www.nc4vets.com or by calling the Resource Center at 844-nc4vets.

N o r t h C a r o l i n a D i v i s i o n o f Ve t e r a n s A f f a i rs - N C DVA D i r e c t o r : I l a r i o Pa n t a n o w w w. n c 4 v e t s . c o m / 8 4 4 . N C 4 . V E TS

(624-8387)

REG I O N 1

w w w.NC4VE TS. c o m

REGIONAL NEWS MOUNTAIN REGION

Governor McCrory Receives 1st Issue of Newest NC4Vets Resource Guide On Monday May 25th, Governor Pat McCrory attended the Memorial Day Program in Morganton, N.C. where he was presented with the first copy of the 2015 NC4VETS Resource Guide. The event was held at the Foothills Higher Education Center and was attended by approximately 350 veterans and their families. The event honored the more than 1 million soldiers who have died in service to the United States since the American Revolution. Dave Tubergen, a retired U.S. Air Force master sergeant, urged listeners to remember that the death toll will only grow larger. “That number continues to rise as we are again a nation at war,” he said. “On this Memorial Day, we salute our loved ones, our ancestors, our friends, 2

VISIT US @ NC4VETS.COM 844 NC4 VETS

our neighbors, and our heroes who died in conflicts and wars.” The Governor displayed and highlighted several points from the NC4Vets Resource Guide and spoke of the challenges and difficulties so many veterans face when rejoining civilian society. “When the men and women come home from Afghanistan or Iraq or across the world, we need to do two things for them,” McCrory said. “We need to first, thank them for their service, and second, we want to try to get them a job and the health services they deserve.” Sen. Warren Daniel and Rep. Hugh Blackwell also attended, as did representatives from Burke County and the city of Morganton.

Governor McCrory highlights key points in new NC4VETS Resource Guide

Teresa Hildebran, VST and Angela Hall, PA IV

Governor Pat McCrory and Valerie Keffer, Burke County Veteran Service Officer

REG I ON 1

84 4.NC 4.V E T S

REGIONAL NEWS MOUNTAIN REGION NCDVA and N.C. National Gaurd Partner in Hosting Regional School Over the past two years, North Carolina’s Division of Veterans affairs (NCDVA) and North Carolina’s National Guard have dramatically increased their partnership with the focus of providing North Carolina’s Guardsmen and Veterans with better access to services and resources available throughout the State. NCDVA’s Region I recently hosted it’s first of two 2nd Quarter Regional Schools which was held at the headquarters building of the 630th CSSB & 113th Sustainment Brigade, stationed out of Lenoir, N.C. Major Robert Prout with the NCNG, enthusiastically welcomed dozens ofVeterans Service Officers (VSO) who attended the meeting, excitingly commenting “we are so grateful for all the hard work these Veterans Service Officers do for us, veterans and the community. Their knowledge and insight into VA programs and services benefits every Guardsmen transitioning out of service, and the fact that we all have one major common passion (serving our county) adds to our

ability of building greater partnerships.” “Access to the Guard’s facility has allowed us (NCDVA) to hold greater training and networking events for our VSO’s, as well as allowing us to conduct conferences in a more centrally located spot. We are truly grateful for their support,” stated Brandon Wilson, NCDVA State Training Coordinator. The school highlighted presentations from Mr. Andre Judkins, Chief of Prosthetics with the Salisbury VAMC and Sandra Tow, a Decision Review Officer from the Winston-Salem VA Regional Office. Mike Ayers, NCDVA State Service Officer, provided an update on new VA regulations and statuses out of the State Service Office in Winston-Salem. A class on understanding 38 CFR (Codes of Federal Regulations) pertaining to schedule for rating disabilities was taught by Mr. Wilson, and closing out the day, an interactive CFR scavenger hunt was led by Crystal Anderson (Region II Training Officer).

Hickory HS Raises Flag in Honor of Veterans and Service Members Friday, May 22, 2015- A Pre-Memorial Day Flag Raising Ceremony took place at Hickory High School in Hickory, N.C. Martha Roark and Alice Wrenn, NCDVA Veteran Service Technicians out of the Hickory Veterans Service Center, attended the event in support of local veterans and their families. The ceremony was held in honor of the nation’s veterans and in remembrance of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. The Hickory

High School ARMY JROTC conducted the Flag Raising Ceremony and provided key speakers. Nearly 100 people attended the event, providing NCDVA staff the ability to greet and introduce the Divisions services to the community’s veterans and their families. Mrs. Roark and Mrs. Wrenn were also able to counsel a few veterans on the spot. It was a very moving ceremony and well presented.

Left: NCDVA’s Martha Roark with two local veterans; Right: NCDVA’s Alice Wrenn and Martha Roark with LTC. Moose.

THE NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

3

REG I O N 2

w w w.NC4VE TS. c o m

REGIONAL NEWS PIEDMONT REGION N.C. Officials Tout Veterans Treatment Court As many spend this Memorial Day weekend reflecting on the lives lost to the armed forces, North Carolina officials are touting a specialized court program for troubled veterans as a life-saver. Two weeks ago Gov. Pat McCrory appeared on “CBS Sunday Morning,” where he discussed the state’s veterans treatment courts, which provide an alternative to more traditional sentencing for veterans whose criminal actions appear to stem from the stresses of war. A $66,696 grant from the Governor’s Crime Commission funded the state’s first such court in Harnett County in 2013; it graduated its first class last year. A second veterans court opened in Fayetteville in November. In February, McCrory said two more would be established but did not say where. However, judges in Durham, which is home to the Triangle’s only VA Medical Center, have been working to bring one to the county. Buncombe County has been exploring the idea, too. There are nearly 200 such courts across the country; tailored to military veterans whose struggles to cope with haunting war experiences sometimes plunge them into downward spirals that land them in criminal court over non-violent, low-level offenses. Albert Corbett Jr., a newly retired Harnett County district court judge who presided over the first ceremony for graduates of the treatment program, said it “has been a great success so far.” “One of the great things is how they are paired up with a mentor,” Corbett said. There are about 10,900 veterans in Harnett County but as the first veterans treatment court in the state, Corbett and others involved in the program worked with veterans from other counties. Former Army Staff Sgt. Tommy Rieman was one of them. Rieman, an Iraq war veteran who received the Silver Star and Purple Heart, was touring the country as a public face for Salute The Troops campaign. There was an action figure modeled after him and his image was part of an Xbox 360 military game. But he was also self-medicating with alcohol and prescription drugs to try to escape the nightmares that haunted him.

4

VISIT US @ NC4VETS.COM 844 NC4 VETS

On Sept. 1, 2013, after a night of heavy drinking, Rieman wrote a goodbye note to his children at his Charlotte home and drove his truck into a tree. He was charged with driving while impaired. Rieman checked himself into a 14-day Veterans Affairs program and attempted to get sober, but once out was unable to break free from the cycle of substance abuse. A friend then pushed him toward a longer treatment program and once he got out, Harnett County court officials reached out to him. At Rieman’s graduation, Corbett stepped down from the bench to salute him and each of the other veterans who had made it through the program. The salute, Corbett said, is a sign of respect and appreciation for the service the veterans provided. Court officials and others also refer to the veterans in the progam by their rank and last name, in part, to instill a sense of the military culture that was so much a part of their lives before they became civilians again. “We’re showing them the respect they are entitled to,” Corbett said. Getting through the program, which is coordinated by Ret. Lt. Col. Mark Teachey, takes strength and perseverance, court officials say. Judge Jackie Lee, who took over the veterans treatment court after Corbett retired, said no one in the second-chance program is getting off lightly. There are weekly meetings with the judge, prosecutor, mentor and others. There is testing for substance abuse and sanctions imposed for people who make missteps along the path to a different lifestyle. Lee assigned one veteran who tested positive for drugs to write an essay on marijuana and what it does to the body. Sometimes the judge orders what they call “a quick-dip” in jail, imprisoning a participant for 24 to 48 hours with hopes that time on the inside will help them right themselves on the outside. “The beauty of our Veterans Treatment Court is how so many people out of the court system are part of a team,” Lee said.

REG I ON 2

84 4.NC 4.V E T S

REGIONAL NEWS PIEDMONT REGION

Vet Appreciation Day Held in Mount Airy MOUNT AIRY — About 100 area veterans turned out on Saturday over the Memorial Day weekend to enjoy a Veterans Appreciation Day at the Blackmon Amphitheater in Mount Airy. The event was organized by the Surry County Veterans Services Department. The event featured a line-up of entertainment that was reminiscent of a 1940s USO show, and a number of vendors and veteran service organizations had informational booths at the event. Additionally, the Dairy Center sold hot dogs and drinks. Surry County Director of Veterans Services Mike Scott said he organized the event for the purposes of both entertaining and thanking veterans and in order to show veterans what services were available to them through the Department of Veterans Affairs and other entities. Though service organizations and vendors set-up shop at the event around 10 a.m. the entertainment didn’t kick-off until 1 p.m. After Scott gave a round of thanks to organizations such as the Surry Arts Council and the Surry County and Mount Airy boards of commissioners, “The Duke” took the stage. Jake Thorne, a fictional character that portrays the legendary John Wayne, then welcomed the 100 or so guests to the event. The Duke — who is actually area resident Dan Hornak — then told visitors about the many programs the Surry County Veterans Service office has to offer. Thorne highlighted the fact that Surry County has more than 3,600 veterans who are in receipt of some sort of Veterans Affairs benefits. Thorne said that the money paid to veterans through compensation, pensions and other various benefits constitutes $33 million in tax-free income that is put into the pockets of veterans, and thus, into the local economy.

Thorne added that North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory recently announced a mission to make this state the most “veteran-friendly state” in the country. Thorne then handed the program over to what he called “the good looking part of the show.” Letters from Home, which is a “bombshell duo” from Winston-Salem, then took the stage. Members Erin Diaz and Sarah Haley have traveled to more than 20 states, dazzling crowds of service members and veterans with their 1940s era USO show. The two performed a number of 1940s era songs including “Chattanooga Choo Choo.” The group sang “America the Beautiful” and “The Ballad of the Green Berets” to honor the country and the many veterans and families that have made sacrifices in the defense of freedom. At one point in the performance the duo asked veterans and service members to stand as they sang the songs of each branch of the armed services. As Army veterans stood to the tune of the “Army Goes Rolling Along” the two “bombshells” made their way through the crowd, shaking the hands of Army veterans from conflicts ranging from World War II to Operation Enduring Freedom. The two did the same for each of the other branches of service. Mount Airy Veterans of Foreign Wars member Roger Blake proudly displayed a blotch of red lipstick on his cheek after being pulled onto stage by the duo. The only person more lucky than Blake was North Surry tenth grader and JROTC student Reece Moore. Moore had been on stage for the same skit, but had received a red blotch on both cheeks. Written by Andy Winemiller

www.mtairynews.com/news/home_top-news/153808056/Vet-appreciation-day-heldin-Mount-Airy THE NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

5

REG I O N 3

w w w.NC4VE TS. c o m

REGIONAL NEWS CENTRAL REGION

Fayetteville Vet Center Partners with N.C. Division of Veterans Affairs Under a recent Memorandum of Agreement, the Fayetteville Vet Center is partnering with the North Carolina Division of Veteran Affairs (NCDVA) to provide services to local veterans every Wednesday from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Vet Center’s Robeson Plaza location, 2301 Robeson St., Suite 103. The additional claims and benefit services offered by the NCDVA will be offered as a convenience to current Vet Center clients as well as Active Duty Service Members, other Veterans, and Family Members. The NCDVA will provide information and assistance in filing for: Disability claims/inquiries/appeals, pension, Dependency and Indemnity Claims, VA Medical Care, VA loan Guaranty, Insurance, Vocational Rehabilitation, Veterans Education Assistance, Dependents Education Assistance, Debt Management, Discharge Review, Special Benefits, North Carolina Benefits, and Retired Military Benefits. The Fayetteville Vet Center is open Monday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., providing Readjustment Counseling Services to Active Duty Service Members and Veterans returning home from combat as well as their family members. Counseling services are designed to assist eligible Veterans and Active Duty personnel in making a successful transition off the battlefield to civilian life. All services to qualified veterans and active-duty servicemembers are free of cost and strictly confidential. For more information about the Vet Center program, visit http://www.vetcenter.va.gov/Vet_Center_Services.asp or contact Edward Clark, Team Leader, Fayetteville Vet Center, at; (910) 488-6252.

6

VISIT US @ NC4VETS.COM 844 NC4 VETS

NC4VETS Participates in WRAL Balloon Festival

Thank you to the many volunteers and their families who came out in support of NC4VETS during the WRAL Freedom Balloon Festival in Zebulon, N.C. The event took place over the Memorial Day weekend and saw crowds exceeding projected numbers in the events first night. NCDVA staff were on sight each day of the event, distributing over 1,000 copies of the newly published 2015 NC4VETS Resource Guide, while connecting and promoting Veterans services and resources to the many veterans and their families that attended the event. Over 35 balloon pilots and teams from across the nation took flight over the three-day-weekend despite high levels of ground force winds that ended up canceling scheduled balloon races and skills challenges. Spectators were able to experience ballooning up close with pilot “meet-and-greet” events, tethered balloon rides and an evening balloon glow that lit the sky with what looked like “beautiful glowing Christmas ornaments.” Although the warm days were full of laughter and smiles, many took a few minutes of silence to reflect on the sacrifices our military heroes and their families have made. The Field of Flags, sponsored by AM Vets, displayed thousands of flags that were placed in honor of our veterans, those who wear our nation’s uniform and for those who gave all in service to our nation. Thank You Volunteers! Glenn Batten, Liz McFarlane, Jennie Davoli, Dotty Garris, Teresa West, Joanette Farmer, Jack Smith, Tonya Furtado, Don Evans, and Tony Lugo. Visit www.facebook.com/nc4vets for to view event photos.

84 4.NC 4.V E T S

REG I ON 3

REGIONAL NEWS CENTRAL REGION

NCDVA, DHHS and SAMSHA Lead Nation in Veteran Support Governors Institute on Substance Abuse Raleigh, NC - On May 20-21, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) a national organization held a Substance Abuse Disorder Implementation Academy regarding Service Members, Veterans and families in a nationwide project. Mr. Jeff Smith (NCDVA) and Mr. Brandon Wilson (NCDVA) were elected to be on this committee along with representatives from VA VISN 6, Durham VAMC, N.C. National Guard, DHHS, LMEs and several non-profits. The Goal of the committee is to develop ways to help bridge gaps and eliminate weaknesses across the State in the care and support of our service members, veterans and family members as well as veteran stakeholders with a specific emphasis on substance abuse disorders. This holistic approach includes the collaboration of Federal VA, LME/MCO’s, providers, DoD, National Guard and DHHS. Other states that are involved in this initiative are Kansas, Illinois, Arkansas, Kentucky, Maine and Massachusetts; all of which were involved with this Virtual meeting.

Governors Institute on Substance Abuse – Raleigh, N.C.

The NC4Vets Resource Guide which recently released its 2nd version has become a model for other states addressing this important concern with our veteran population. The Governors Working Group has been the key component in North Carolina taking the lead in this integrated approach to services delivered. The delegates will work throughout the summer as a team and in partnership with the Governors Working Group; meeting again with SAMSHA in August, and will present at the Governors Working Group later that month. For more information visit: http://ncveteransworkinggroup.org/

THE NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

7

REG I O N 4

w w w.NC4VE TS. c o m

REGIONAL NEWS COASTAL REGION New G.I. Joe Museum Provides Kinston with Military Living History wars fought by Americans. “It should be shown and displayed,” he said about the artifacts, “not just thrown away in a dumpster.” Laura Lee Sylvester, President of Kinston Chamber of Commerce, commented that “I cant remember a time that Kinston has seen such a warm and supportive turnout for a ribbon cutting ceremony.” “This by far could possibly be the city’s greatest turnout, and I can’t think of a better cause than one honoring our communities, states and nations Veterans.” KINSTON, N.C. – On May 27, 2015 the G.I. Joe Living History Museum hosted their grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony, launching the areas first “Military Living History Museum.” Curator Eric Cantu had a vision for preserving the military history of the community for all to appreciate when someone gave him some artifacts from a former Army surplus store a few years back. From then on, he began collecting artifacts from any of the

8

VISIT US @ NC4VETS.COM 844 NC4 VETS

Eric Cantu and Ralph Smith presented North Carolina’s Division of Veterans Affairs (NCDVA) Director Ilario Pantano with a grand tour of the space, where they discussed many of the artifacts and pieces on display. “It truly warms my heart and is a complete honor to be here today to see such a moving collection of military history,” stated Mr. Pantano. “As time moves forward, it is our duty to continue to honor and remember those who have served before us, as well as those who

are currently wearing the uniform. This museum is a clear example of just that, it is great to see such an outstanding asset to our military community and the city of Kinston.” NCDVA’s Deputy Director, Glenn Batten, was also in attendance and was warmly greeted by the veterans of Lenoir County as well as Kinston city officials. Mayor B.J. Murphy said of Eric Cantu, “he brought his band of soldiers together and took an empty building and has done an incredible job with little or no budget.” Mr. Cantu, Founder of the museum, humbly gave his acknowledgment and thanks to his fellow Army Vietnam Veterans Ralph Smith, Ivey Moody, Charles Coston, and although not a veteran, everyone’s favorite James Powell “JP” You can visit the museum which is located 211 N. Herritage St., Kinston, N.C.

84 4.NC 4.V E T S

REG I ON 4

REGIONAL NEWS COASTAL REGION

Roanoke Valley Veterans Museum Wings and Wheels On Saturday, May 30th, Deputy Director Batten and Halifax County Veterans Service Officer, Shelly Whitton, handed out NC4VETS Resource Guides and spoke with the many veterans and family members who attended the Roanoke Valley Veterans Museum Wings and Wheels event at the Halifax Regional Airport. Many vintage aircraft and cars were on display and the large crowd was entertained by local Native American dancers as well as the many fly-ins conducted by the pilots of over 30 vintage airplanes, helicopters, and powered para-sails. A number of vintage cars were also on display. Glenn and Shelly handed out over 6 boxes of Resource Guides to veterans and other veteran organizations.

New State and County Veteran Service Officers attended NCDVA initial training on May 18th. The training was conducted by NCDVA’s Region IV Training Manager Jeff Futrell and held in Greenville, N.C. NCDVA training is conducted to educate the officers on Veterans Affairs and proper practices and procedures on how to assist veterans in the VA System, as well as introducing them to a variety of resources and services offered by state and non-profit services. Pictured from right to left is Gail Vergato, Pamlico County CVSO; Darnell Thoms, Wilson Veterans Service Officer; Stephanie Barnes, Greenville Veterans Service Center Manager; Jennie Davoli, Greenville Veterans Service Technician. These individual are well on their way to obtain the NCDVA accreditation.

THE NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

9

T RAI N I N G & S TAT E S ERVIC E OFFICE

w w w.NC4VE TS. c o m

NCDVA TRAINING STATE VETERANS SERVICE OFFICE VA Debt Letters and how to Respond A debt letter from the Veterans Administration can cause panic, anxiety and frustration for the recipient. It is important to know how over-payments can happen so that we as Veterans Service Officers can assist claimants in avoiding circumstances which can result in an overpayment. We should also be able to offer practical solutions when the issue is at hand. A debt may be created by a compensation or pension beneficiary, a recipient of education benefits or a recipient of home loan guarantee. Failure to report changes which effect the amount of the monthly benefit is the most common cause of an overpayment. Changes include the loss of a dependent, a school child no longer attending school or divorce. Income variations or failure to report a change in ongoing medical expenses, deviations in the number of hours an individual is enrolled in school or failure to make promised monthly payments on a home loan will trigger a change in the allowance of benefits. First and foremost it is our job to educate the claimant on matters which must be reported to the VA. If however an overpayment has occurred, the VA has strict guidelines on how to deal with the issue. Upon receipt of a letter from debt management, the recipient must respond within 30 days if they wish to have their monthly benefit continued. The response may include a waiver request or evidence clearing the debt. Without a response the VA will suspend any further payments. If no evidence is available or if the debt is valid, the beneficiary should request immediate alteration in the payment amount so that no further debt is created. At this point a repayment plan should be prepared. 10

VISIT US @ NC4VETS.COM 844 NC4 VETS

By Crystal Anderson NCDVA Region II Training Officer

If repayment will cause financial hardship or if repayment will keep the program from its intended purpose, in the case of a pension recipient with low income, then a waiver may be at hand. In order to request a waiver of debt, a request must be received by debt management within 180 days of the date of notification of the debt. After that point, the only way to eliminate the debt is to provide evidence of unusual unreimbursed medical expenses, which would clear the debt and has no time limit.

Training Schedule for June 2nd Quarter Regional Schools: • • • • • •

Region II - June 4th – Salisbury VAMC Region IV – June 9th – Kinston Veterans Home Region III –June10th Fayetteville Veteran Home Region IV – June 16th – TBD Region III – June 24th –Raleigh TBD Region I – June 25th – Asheville American

For a Complete List of Events Visit Our Facebook Page www.facebook.com/NC4VETS

TRAINING & STATE SE RVICE O F F I C E

84 4.NC 4.V E T S

NCDVA TRAINING STATE VETERANS SERVICE

VA Begins “Summer of Service” Bolstering Volunteer Assistance for Veterans support care and benefits programs and local events. • Increasing Community Partners: Committed to expanding current agreements to provide services and support reaching more than 15,000 Veterans and family. • Recruiting Medical Professionals: Hiring clinicians and clinical support staff to further expand access to care and homelessness.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — A new nationwide initiative – a “Summer of Service” – seeks the help of citizens in North Carolina to create and build partnerships to grow the number of individuals and organizations serving veterans here. The Winston Salem Regional Office is renewing its commitment to veterans by inviting the community to visit and explore opportunities to serve veterans during an open house, the week of June 28. “We have made progress over the past year addressing the challenges we face in delivering care and benefits to millions of veterans and their families,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald. “While there is more work to do to honor our commitment to veterans, we also recognize that VA cannot do it alone. We are asking Americans everywhere to join the Summer of Service and help us give back to those who have given so much to our nation.” In the coming weeks, the Winston Salem Regional Office will be working closely with Congressional partners, veterans service organizations, mayors and local communities, private sector and non-profit organizations, and VA employees to identify new and innovative ways to support VA’s commitment to care for those who “have borne the battle” and their families. As part of VA’s Summer of Service, the Winston Salem Regional Office will host an open house the week of June 28th to spur increased local engagement and welcome members of the community interested in supporting the needs of veterans. VA has also established the following goals to achieve by Labor Day: • Increasing the number of volunteers: Committed to engaging with 100,000 volunteers nationwide to

• Congress: Host Congressional Members and Staffs at VA facilities across the country. The Department has an outstanding volunteer program, which will be highlighted throughout the country this summer. VA will build upon the ongoing work of its more than 350,000 employees and 76,000 volunteers around the nation. While the central focus of the campaign will be increasing volunteerism and partnerships, it will also provide individuals and communities an opportunity to support other important priorities. Despite a hiring effort that brought more than 11,000 net-new employees on board over the past year, VA still needs more health care providers, claims specialists, medical support assistants, and cemetery directors to continue to expand needed services. VA’s partners can help by getting the word out this summer. In an effort to improve the veteran’s customer service experience, VA has begun the most comprehensive reorganization in its history. The initiative, called MyVA, has been guided by ideas and recommendations from veterans, employees and stakeholders. “There is no mission more noble than serving veterans and their families. At VA, we constantly strive to improve the way we do our job,” said McDonald. “State by state, community by community, person by person, there are a number of ways we can all come together to serve veterans. From expanded partnerships with the private sector and non-profit organizations, to accelerating hiring, to celebrating the commitment of VA employees and volunteers – we need the help of communities everywhere to succeed.” Volunteers can help serve veterans by visiting: http://www.volunteer.va.gov/ to find out the needs of your local VA facility. THE NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

11

JUN E 2, 2015

C AL ENDAR

04

Monthly Veterans Coffee

Time: 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. 1562 Yadkin Rd. Mocksville, N.C. 27028

05 05

N.C. VFW Annual Convention

Greensboro, N.C.

Triangle Veterans Wellness

North Carolina Central Durham, N.C.

06

Red White & Blue 5K

Time: 9:00 a.m. NC State Centennial Campus Raleigh, N.C.

06

Veteran Road Tour East

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. NCNG Headquarters 1636 Gold Star Dr. Raleigh, N.C.

06

Triangle Veterans Wellness

North Carolina Central Durham, N.C.

06 09

Navy Reserve Family Appreciation Veterans Job Fair & Career Expo

Time: 10:00 a.m. 146 Broadhurst Rd. Jacksonville, N.C.

10

Asheville VAMC Town Hall Meeting

11

American Legion Annual Convention

Asheville VAMC Asheville, N.C.

Raleigh. N.C. June 11 - 13

11

Eastern N.C. Veterans Seminar

Time: 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 102 River Drive Williamston, N.C.

14

Veterans Benefit Concert

Time: 4:00 p.m. 4821 Barbee Rd. Durham, N.C.

16

Veterans Benefits Action Center

Time: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 146 Broadhurst Rd.

12

VISIT US @ NC4VETS.COM 844 NC4 VETS

16

NC STRIVE

Time: 7:30 - 4:30 p.m. NCNG Joint Forces Headquarters Raleigh, N.C.

17

Monthly Veterans Coffee

17

Veterans Benefits Action Center

18

Veterans Benefits Action Center

19

Honoring Our Fathers

Time: 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Outback Steak House Statesville, N.C.

Time: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 146 Broadhurst Rd.

Time: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 146 Broadhurst Rd.

Time: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Washington, D.C. www.sdit.org

19 23

Fayetteville VAMC Town Hall

Fayetteville, N.C.

Durham VAMC Town Hall Meeting

Durham, N.C.

E MPLOYME N T

84 4.NC 4.V E T S

Employment Opportunities

The following employers are seeking Veterans for employment: Amidon Contracting Solutions 3319 Heritage Trade Dr, Wake Forest, NC 27587 (919) 435-5355 www.amidoninc.com Appalachian State University The Office of Human Resources –Employment 330 University Hall Dr. Boone, NC 28607 [email protected] To check postings or to create an online application, go to: www.jobs.appstate.edu. Department of Human Resources Maria Torain Byrd Human Resources Consultant, Employment 206-A Hubbard-Totton Building North Carolina Central University Durham, NC 27707 Telephone:  919-530-7136 Granite Construction 1011 Schaub Drive – Suite B Raleigh, NC 27606 (919) 615-3888 Lord Corporation 111 Lord Dr. Cary NC 27511. (919) 388-0274 www.lord.com/careers.xml Pepsi Bottling Ventures Mike Tull HR Manager Northern DivisionW-410-341-9052 www.pepsibottlingventures.com/careers/ Warrior Bridge—A Service Source Program 600 Ames Street Fayetteville, NC 28301 Phone: (910) 826-4699, www.servicesource.org

www.facebook.com/nc4vets

North Carolina State University Police Department Box 7220 NCSU; 2610 Wolf Village Way Raleigh, NC 27695-7220 Sgt. J. L. Talley, Recruiter [email protected] To check postings or to create an online application, go to: https://jobs.ncsu.edu/ Huron Consulting Group Paul Abrahms Corp VP, Talent Acquisition (312) 583-8700 www.huronconsultinggroup.com NC Commerce *Occupational Statistics offers detailed wage and estimated employment information for occupations based on occupational title or description and geography. To find out more, vistit: http://accessnc.commerce.state.nc.us US Federal Properties Christopher L. Nelson, CPM Director of Property Management 4706 Broadway, Suite 240 Kansas City, MO  64112 Office (816) 285-9563 Fax (816) 285-9544 [email protected] Southern Concrete Materials Gary L Gresh-Vice President, HR/Safety 35 Meadow Road, Asheville, NC 28803 828-253-6421  800-288-6421 [email protected] 31 locations in three states, NC, SC, and Ga **Positions open for Hiring CDL Drivers, Office, clerical, Shop Mechanics and Management-submit resumes to email above. Visit: www.scmusa.com

@NC4VETS THE NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

13

w ww.N C 4 V E T S .c om

14

VISIT US @ NC4VETS.COM 844 NC4 VETS

844.NC4.V E T S

THE NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF VETERANS AFFAIRS