“The future of our Armed Services and the future of this country will be integrally linked with how we take care of our Veterans” George Washington |
| What is a warrior? An excerpt from War and the Soul: "A Warrior is not just one who has been to war and returned. Warrior has been recognized as a social role that has occurred since the beginning of time. Becoming a warrior is an achievement of character. A warrior is a servant of civilization and its future - guiding, protecting, and passing on information and wisdom. Warriors are devoted to causes they judge to be more important than themselves or any personal relationships or gain. Having confronted death, a warrior knows how precious life is and does not abuse or profane it." Ed Tick PhD |
Public and Intergovernmental Affairs A Memorial Day Message from Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki May 25, 2012 WASHINGTON -- Memorial Day, one of America’s most venerated national holidays, is set aside so that we might reflect on the honor and sacrifice of those who courageously gave their lives to safeguard us and our way of life. They are forever young in our memories. Throughout our nearly 237-year history as a democracy, time and again, Americans in uniform have had to secure the heritage of freedom and liberty for us and for the oppressed in other lands, paying a steep price in blood and suffering. The past decade has provided reminder enough of the devotion, loyalty, and determination of the magnificent men and women who serve in our military formations. “In harm’s way” has become the cliché for those deployed on mission without really capturing the danger, stress, worry, fear, and love that keeps military families riveted to each breaking overseas news bulletin. There are no clichés for discussing the undiscussable. As we, in the Department of Veterans Affairs, go about our duties of providing America’s living Veterans the care, benefits, and services they have earned, let us also remember the men and women who gave their lives for our freedom. Their powerful legacy surrounds us each and every day all across this Nation - when we gather openly to speak our minds freely. It is found in our churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples, where worship is freely exercised. It is evident in the openness of our media, where information is shared without fear of reprisal. It is embedded in our polling places, where ballots freely cast determine who will govern this great land. In caring for those “who [have] borne the battle,” we come to understand the consequences of war. Let us remember the families of our Fallen. And with our prayers for peace, let us also pray for the Almighty’ s continued blessings on this great country, for which so many laid down their lives. |
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| General Eric K. Shinseki at Arlington meeting with Nadia McCaffrey. |
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| "The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of early wars were treated and appreciated by our nation." George Washington |
| Dear Friend, There are few things more important than how we take care of those who have served our country. With your support we can establish VeteransVillage - a project that has the potential to provide a unique place for military service members, veterans and their families to heal, to learn new skills and enhance their inherent resiliency. The enclosed DVD and documentation convey the urgent need to address the “invisible wounds of war” as defined by recent studies outlining the needs of returning veterans and recommendations for treatment. VVillage is a unique opportunity to provide the right solution to meeting these urgent needs. We envision a sustainable – intentional community – for military, veterans and their families where resiliency enhancement is possible through experiential learning opportunities and a focus on personal responsibility. VVillage will focus on optimal wellness for each resident. Wellness goes far beyond physical healing - it requires a holistic approach that includes the body, mind and spirit, and places happiness and fulfillment at its foundation. This approach will compliment traditional medical methods available to military personnel through the Veteran’s administration. The opportunity is now. With help from you and others, we can acquire and re-use an existing property located in Sauk Centre, MN. This extraordinary property is “more than shovel ready” and is capable of housing 200 residents. Sauk Centre is located in central Minnesota, 2 hours from Minneapolis/St.Paul. We cannot do this alone. Pease take five minutes to look at the enclosed material outlining this opportunity to build a place where we can begin to repay the sacrifice made by others to protect our country and way of life. See our DVD at www.valleyforgecenter.org If you would like to know more about the project or would like to be a part of this unique opportunity, please contact: Mike Weisser, CEO (760) 963-0352 VFV Web Address: ValleyForgeCenter.org VeteransVillage is the vision-project of the |
| Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh speaks with Nadia McCaffrey, Gold Star Mother, following a ceremony, Sept. 25, at the Pentagon. McCaffrey lost her son, Sgt. Patrick R. McCaffrey Sr., June 22, 2004, when his patrol |
