Tag Archives: military families

Texas Veterans Summit Focuses on Serving Veterans Through Coordination and Collaboration

Posted on by Mike

Warrior Gateway‘s Serena Hayden and Nathalia Magri attended the Texas Veterans Commission 14th Annual Veterans Summit this week in Austin, Texas.  The summit focused on serving veterans through coordination and collaboration, and brought more than 600 providers of veteran services and 80 exhibitors under one roof.

Warrior Gateway hosted an exhibit table, and participated in several of the breakout sessions featured during the summit.

“With approximately 1.8 million veterans across Texas, it’s vital that all organizations work together to address the unique needs of the military community,” Serena said.  ”The Veterans Summit provided an incredible platform for building partnerships and learning how to best impact the men and women who serve our country.”

In closing, Col. David W. Sutherland, Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff – Warrior and Family Support, spoke about the resiliency, strength and courage of the military community.  Specifically, focusing on the “Sea of Goodwill” and the importance of partnerships.

Serena, who led Sutherland’s public affairs team while deployed to Divala Province, Iraq, from October 2006 through December 2007, was highlighted during the speech as the colonel highlighted the strength of the military community through the Army’s Warrior Ethos – “I will always place the mission first.  I will never except defeat.  I will never quit.  I will never leave a fallen comrade.”

“I am grateful to the Texas Veterans Commission for bringing all of these military-focused organizations together,” Serena continued.  ”Warrior Gateway is eager and looking forward to working with the many organizations we had the opportunity to learn about.”

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#Texas #Veterans Summit focuses on coordination & collaboration to serve veterans: http://ow.ly/8ON1i @WarriorGateway

Families of Fallen Heroes are Honored and Celebrated at Miss America 2012

Posted on by Mike

Warrior Gateway is a proud sponsor of the 19 wives, daughters, and mothers of fallen service members to be recognized as Honorary Miss America’s at the 2012 Miss America Crown Celebration and who will be VIP guests at the Saturday night Miss America Finals.

Las Vegas, NV January 13, 2012

For the third year in a row, Project Gratitude brings 19 families of fallen service members to Las Vegas to be recognized as “Honorary Miss Americas” at the 2012 Miss America Crown Celebration on Friday, January 13. For the grand finale, the families will watch the Miss America pageant (live on ABC 6 PM PST) Saturday night from their VIP seats.

“Warrior Gateway is honored to be a sponsor of Project Gratitude in supporting the wives, daughters and mothers of our fallen military members. Initiatives such as Project Gratitude show how communities across the nation can step up to work together and support the families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. As the Project Gratitude sponsor for the Miss America Crown Celebration Gala, we are proud to join these families of our fallen in Las Vegas for the Miss America pageant,” said Devin B. Holmes, CEO of Warrior Gateway. “Warrior Gateway remains committed to supporting all members of the military community as they return home and seek out their new normal life.”

“Got Your Back Network is pleased to partner with the Miss America Organization to provide a very unique and “once in a lifetime” experience for surviving wives and their daughters. Shared experiences are the highlight of memories and we are happy to be able to plan, organize and implement the Project Gratitude event.” said Kathleen Gagg, Executive Director of Got Your Back Network. “We thank all volunteers, contributors and organizations that have made Project Gratitude possible.”

“We started Project Gratitude out of a deep, heartfelt sense of gratitude and highest respect for the ultimate sacrifice that was made by our nation’s fallen heroes and their families,” explains Sharlene Hawkes, former Miss America and President of Remember My Service Productions. “By recognizing each of the women and their daughters as honorary Miss Americas–and giving them the VIP experience that Miss Americas have received over the years–it is just our way of doing what we can to pay tribute to these great Americans.”

See press release on PR Web at: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/1/prweb9107694.htm

For more information about the event, please visit the Warrior Gateway Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/warriorgateway

For real-time event updates and photos, please follow Warrior Gateway on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/warriorgateway

 

Widows and Daughters of Fallen Military Get Their Own Miss America Experience

Posted on by Mike

Warrior Gateway has partnered with Got Your Back Network, The Miss America Organization and others to form an iniative called Project Gratitiude.  Project Gratitude, in its third year, will take 22 wives, daughters, and one mother of fallen service members on a unique, once in a lifetime experience this week with the Miss America 2012 pageant in Las Vegas.  The highlight of their visit will be a ceremony Friday evening January 13th when each will be pinned by former Miss Americas with a crown pin, symbolizing their status as the newest honorary Miss Americas.  The families will travel from around the country courtesy of Air Compassion for Veterans and American Airlines Veteran’s Initiative.

“We started Project Gratitude out of a deep, heartfelt sense of gratitude and highest respect for the ultimate sacrifice that was made by our nation’s fallen heroes and their families,” explains Sharlene Hawkes, former Miss America and President of Remember My Service Productions.  ”By recognizing each of the women and their daughters as honorary Miss Americas – and giving them the VIP experience that Miss Americas’ have received over the years, it is just our way of doing what we can to pay tribute to these great Americans.”

Project Gratitude is a great example of how communities can step up, work together, and support our military community and their families.

“Warrior Gateway is honored to be a part of Project Gratitude in supporting widows and daughters of our fallen military members.  Initiatives such as Project Gratitude show how communities across the nation can step up to work together and support the families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.  Alongside Got Your Back Network and The Miss America Organization as well as other partners, we are honored to join these families of our fallen in Las Vegas for the Miss America pageant,” said Devin B. Holmes, CEO of Warrior Gateway.  ”Warrior Gateway remains committed to supporting all members of the military community as they return home and seek out their new normal life.”

Keep in touch with us throughout the week for updates, photos, and much more:  Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare

If you would like further information on Project Gratitude, please visit the Got Your Back Network website.  If you are interested in supporting the initiative, please click here.

Chili Cook-Off to Benefit Warrior Gateway

Posted on by Mike

Warrior Gateway is honored to be the benefiting charity for the “Annual DC Wild Card Chili Cook Off” in Washington, D.C. on January 7th, 2012.  Starting on the first weekend of the NFL playoffs, chili and football fanatics can gather at the Union Pub, eat chili, watch football; all for a great cause.  Building off a great event last year, this year will have more chili contestants and even more drink specials.  Again, all proceeds will go to Warrior Gateway, to help our mission of connecting military, veterans, and their families to the resources and information they need.  Tweet this, post on your Facebook, tell your friends!

Where: Union Pub, Washington, D.C

When: January 7, 2012 4pm-8pm

RSVP to the event by visiting the Cook-Off Facebook page.

Social Media

Follow the Chili Cook-Off live on Twitter by following: @DC_Chili and searching #DCChili

Retweet this message to help spread the word: Please attend 2nd Annual Wild Card Chili Cook-Off on Sat. Your $10 supports @WarriorGateway: http://ow.ly/8jmGV #veterans


Like Chili and Football? Cook-Off will benefit military, veterans, and their families. Learn more: http://ow.ly/82CyR @WarriorGateway

Warrior Gateway Supporting Student Veterans of America at National Conference

Posted on by Mike

Members of the Warrior Gateway team will be attending “The 4th Annual National Conference presented by Student Veterans of America,” December 8-10, 2011 in Las Vegas, NV.  This will be a great opportunity to connect with student veterans, their families, and the organizations and institutions assisting them.  To see the event schedule, register, and learn more information, click here.

Opening remarks and guest speakers include: Eric Shinseki, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Col. David Sutherland, Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and Kevin Schmiegel, Vice President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.  The conference theme is “Combating Veteran Unemployment,” which is a predominant issue right now for veterans nationwide.  One of the conference highlights will be the career fair on Friday, which will involve Student Veterans of America partnering with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and RecruitMilitary to bring employers from across many different sectors together that want to hire veterans.  Top tier employers will be in attendance, such as veteran friendly employers Booz Allen Hamilton and General Electric.  Attendees are encouraged to bring multiple copies of their resume and employers are asked to bring national and local job opportunities.

We will provide a live feed from the event through social media, so stay in touch!  If you are attending, or know someone who is, please connect with us. We are excited to network with as many student veterans, military families, and other organizations as we can.

Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin and join the conversation!

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@WarriorGateway supporting @StudentVets national conference in #Vegas: http://ow.ly/7H35R #military #education

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Warrior Gateway will be supporting veterans continuing higher education and employment next week at the 4th Annual Student Veterans of America National Conference in Las Vegas, NV.  http://www.warriorgateway.info/?p=2958