Category Archives: Veterans

PTSD Awareness Month: Providing Aid to Police Officers

Photo: Dr. Jarrod Sadulski

June is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month. During this event, it is vital to recognize what PTSD is, how to recognize it in ourselves, and how to mitigate it.

For police officers, it is especially important to recognize PTSD and treat it. Police officers are regularly exposed to traumatic events that can result in PTSD, and it can affect their on-the-job performance if officers are not aware of PTSD’s warning signs. For instance, PTSD that is not properly managed can lead to serious mental health problems, suicide, substance abuse, or aggression.

Read more from American Military University EDGE…

Vets in Transition Receiving More Attention, Resources

Another Memorial Day has passed, when many Americans remembered and saluted those who lost their lives serving in the military and protecting America’s freedom. This holiday focuses on veterans who have passed on, but it also brings attention to those still living, and the issues that they have while adapting to civilian life.

Statistics say that 22 U.S. veterans die from the collective symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), usually via suicide, every day. While more emphasis has been given to mental health among veterans in the past few years, many retired servicemembers do not take advantage of the help that is offered.

Read more from NewsBreak…

Happy Birthday, Marines!

Happy 246th Birthday! You’re still looking good!

UPDATE: DAR Veterans’ Day Celebration at Grapevine Cemetery

Come and join the Captain Molly Corbin Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution on Nov. 11 at the Grapevine Cemetery for a placing of flags and the 100th anniversary of The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

For more information, contact Martie Cenkci at 210.861.5005 (phone or text) or cenkci@msn.com.

DAR Celebrates Veterans’ Day at Cemetery

For more information, contact Martie Cenkci at 210.861.5005 (phone or text) or email cenkci@msn.com.

Grapevine’s Veterans Day Parade and Fair Honors Purple Heart Recipients on Nov 6

Salute military veterans at the annual Veterans Day Parade, Saturday, November 6 at 10 a.m. in Historic Downtown Grapevine. Veterans and citizens are invited to experience this meaningful day for our country’s military servicemen and women.

This year’s parade will honor and give thanks to those who have been presented a Purple Heart Medal for their selfless sacrifices and commendable action. A Purple Heart, conferred to those who have been` wounded while serving in the U.S. military has been given to more than 1.8 million service members since the award was created in 1782 (USO.org).

Purple Heart Vietnam veteran Eric Newton will serve as the parade’s Grand Marshal. Newton served as an armored vehicle driver with the 11th Armored Cavalry in 1968 and 1969. He received his Purple Heart medal for wounds sustained on November 26, 1968.

36 years after Vietnam, Newton went on combat operations in Iraq and mentored a new generation of soldiers with his old unit.

“The most important thing an old soldier can do is teach young soldiers how to become old soldiers,” Newton said.

Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne, of the 24th Congressional District, will also be participating in this year’s parade and will have a veterans assistance information booth. Van Duyne will also be presenting a Vietnam War Commemoration and a TX-24 Veteran Commendation, which serves as an opportunity to honor distinguished veterans of the 24th Congressional District to preserve their stories for future generations of Americans. Van Duyne is accepting nominations at her District Office through October 29.

Veterans and veteran groups along with Grapevine’s many civic and service organizations will participate in the parade.

The parade will begin at 10 a.m. at Main and West Hudgins Streets and will travel north along Main Street, ending at East Wall Street. Free parking will be available throughout Historic Downtown Grapevine. Special photo opportunities will be available throughout the event.

Veterans Fair, hosted by VFW Post 10454 Grapevine and the City of Grapevine, is from 10am to 1pm. The event will take place in the large public parking lot behind the Town Square Gazebo (115 E. Worth St.) with more than 15 organizations in attendance providing veteran services, programs and benefits. Attendees can enjoy live music performed by Guitars for Heroes, an all veteran band that is part of the Wounded Warrior Project. View military vehicles, enjoy great food from AMBUCS and Elks Lodge, participate in activities and much more. For more information about the Grapevine Veterans Day Parade and Fair, visit https://grapevineveteransparade.com/.

Veterans Day is an official United States federal holiday observed annually on November 11, honoring those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. The Grapevine Veterans Day Parade is held to celebrate and salute the nation’s veterans. Organizers strive to highlight the true meaning of Veterans Day by informing veterans of available assistance programs, as well as how the community can contribute to help veterans in need.

For additional information about Grapevine, please contact the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau at 817.410.3185 or visit GrapevineTexasUSA.com.

Group Highlights Stark Difference How Black Veterans Are Remembered Across Lake From DFW National Cemetery

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) – A group of concerned Grand Prairie citizens spent part of Veterans Day bringing attention to an old cemetery where dozens of mostly black veterans are buried, some in unmarked graves.

There are as many as 90 veterans buried at Antioch Life Park Cemetery on the other side of Mountain Creek Lake from DFW National Cemetery.

Despite that short distance, the difference between the way veterans are honored in the two cemeteries is stark.

At Antioch Life Park Cemetery, they are the forgotten heroes of a generation.

Veterans from World War I through Vietnam are buried there.

Some have headstones that are fading or overrun with grass.

Other veterans that are documented to have been buried there don’t have one at all.

On Wednesday, Nov. 11, a group led by Feed A Million Veterans and the Grand Prairie chapter of the NAACP took on the task of cleaning headstones and placing American flags next to those who served.

Read more from CBSDFW…

Rotary of Keller Celebrates N. Texas Field of Honor

The celebration of the North Texas Field of Honor® was held in front of Keller Town Hall, located at 1100 Bear Creek Parkway, on November 7. The field will be accepting flags until November 14.

One thousand seven hundred and seventy six (1776) U.S. flags, purchased by those who wished to honor their hero(es), are being flown, paying tribute to veterans, active and reserve duty military, first responders, and medical professionals during Veteran’s Day week, November 7 – 14, 2020. The full-size flags will have a card with the information of the individual in whose honor the flag was purchased. Net proceeds from the event will benefit veteran, first responder, medical professionals, and local Rotary Club charities.

Colors were presented by the Keller Police and Fire Honor Guard. The Keller High School Choir Quartet sang the National Anthem. Father Greg McBrayer, who serves as pastor at Saint Barnabas Anglican Church in Keller, is the Chief Flight Controller at American Airlines and Chairman of DFW Airport Chaplaincy led the prayer.

Emcee and CBS Channel 11 co-anchor Doug Dunbar opened the ceremony, by welcoming local political leaders and explaining the purpose of the ceremony. “Welcome Senator Hancock, Representative Capriglione, and Mayor McGrail, all our honored guests, but most of all to the men and women of the armed forces of the United States of America and to all our veterans who have worn the uniform of this great nation, to our first responders who serve and protect our families and to our medical professionals.”

Other speakers included Jocelyn Irby, President of the Rotary Club of Keller; Keller Mayor Pat McGrail; Representative Giovanni Capriglione; Senator for portions of Tarrant and Dallas Counties Kelly Hancock. Major (Retired) Karl Monger, who served in the US Army from 1983-1993, read The Spartan Pledge.

The Rotary Club of Keller, TX, whose 50 plus members are committed to the motto of “Service Above Self,” organized the North Texas Field of Honor®. The Club supports various charities and schools in the Keller area through service and contributions.

Local Veteran featured in debut newsletter

One of the friends of the Grapevine Source, Major Eric King, was selected to be the focus of the premier issue of the Brothers in Arms newsletter! Click the link below to download the whole newsletter. You can also find out more about Eric and his non-profit organization by clicking VetsWhatsNext.org.

We are proud of you, Major King!

April Brothers in Arms Newsletter (.pdf) – downloadable

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VetsWhatsNext Fundraiser & Launch Event February 25

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Come support Veterans with the official VetsWhatsNext LAUNCH and FUNDRAISING EVENT sponsored by Boi Na Braza‘s Charity Bar.

VetsWhatsNext will be launching their complete website and NEW mobile app completely centered towards helping Veterans and transitioning Active Duty service members and their families.

This will be a night of FUN, FELLOWSHIP, and FUNDRAISING!

EVENT INFORMATION:

Tuesday, Feb 25th from 6-9pm at Boi Na Braza Brazilian Steakhouse (310 W. Las Colinas Blvd Irving, TX 75039)

Sponsored by Boi Na Braza’s Charity Bar

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Tickets are available at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/92132967185

  • $35 (includes 2 drink tickets & Hors d’oeuvres)
  • $50 (includes above w/ a donation to VWN)
  • $75 (includes BOTH above w/a VWN hoodie of choice)

Proceeds will go to VetsWhatsNext Non-Profit Organization. Please visit our website for more information on all our initiatives

Sponsorship opportunities available to showcase your business or just be a sponsor to support the cause