Tag Archives: veterans

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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Warrior Gateway Heading to Texas for the “14th Annual Veterans Summit”

Posted on by Mike

Two members of the Warrior Gateway team will be attending the “14th Annual Veterans Summit” at the Crown Plaza, Austin, Texas January 31st-February 1st.  The Summit will feature various breakout sessions for attendees to attend; topics include: veteran-owned businesses and property tax exemptions, housing claims, mental health, grants, and much more.  There is no cost to attend the Summit, but attendees must register online to attend.  Go to www.tvc.state.tx.us and click the “Submit Registration” link.

Focused on serving veterans through coordination and collaboration, the annual summit is put on by the Texas Veterans Commission, whose mission is to advocate for and provide superior service for veterans in the areas of claims assistance, employment services, educaiton benefits and grant funding that will significantly improve the quality of life of Texas Veterans and their families.

Connect with us!

If you are attending the Summit, stop by the Warrior Gateway table and say hello!  Meet members of our team, and learn more about our mision to support the military community and their families.

Engage with us on Social Media

Follow the Warrior Gateway Twitter and Facebook accounts for Summit updates and photos.

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.

Warrior Gateway Helps Connect Military and Civilian Communities During Veterans Day Events

Posted on by Mike

Warrior Gateway partnered with ServiceNation and local organizations to host three of the eleven 11/11/11 Mission Serve projects nationwide.  The projects brought together the civilian and military communities through volunteerism and service.  Celebrities, professional sports teams, and others helped make these 11 nationwide projects memorable.  Members of the Warrior Gateway team helped coordinate and host projects in Seattle, Tucson, and Denver.  All three events were a great success; with volunteers of all ages and background joining together for a day of service.  The purpose of these events coincide directly with the mission at Warrior Gateway: connecting the military community and their families to meaningful resources in their local communities.  Helping the military community connect with their local community is essential for a successful transition.  The Warrior Gateway team was honored to partner with ServiceNation and others for these signature events.

Tucson, Arizona

The Tucson project brought together the civilian community, military and vetereans alike.  Volunteers gathered at Tucson Mountain Park to perform various community services including buffel grass removal, trail work, litter clean-up and mural painting.  ”I couldn’t imagine a better turnout for Tucson,” said Tabitha Cooper, Community Partnership Manager at Warrior Gateway, and coordinator of the event. “I saw veterans, active duty service members and civilians working together as a whole; serving alongside one another to better our community.  It was truly a beautiful event and I cherish days like this.”  Tabitha’s husband currently serves in Afghanistan, which makes events such as this close to her heart.  Photos from the event.

Seattle, Washington

In Seattle, Warrior Gateway joined Veterans Conservation Corps, and the Sierra Club for the second annual Veterans Day at Hamm Creek Estuary event.  For the past two decades Hamm Creek has been transformed into a more natural setting, in addition it has been a focal point in veteran healing and transition.  Volunteers showed up in great numbers, despite a steady rainfall in Seattle.  A little damp weather did not deter members of the military community, veterans, and civilians to join together for a morning of beautifying the already stunning Hamm Creek Estuary.  ”It was an honor to be involved with a project such as this on Veterans Day,” said Mike Broom, Marketing Manager at Warrior Gateway.  ”Seeing the multitude of volunteers come together, both military and civilian, and work side by side despite rainy weather was an amazing experience.  Weather could not put a damper on the dedication and strength of those in attendance.”  Photos from the event.

Denver, Colorado

The third event featured volunteers from all backgrounds (active duty, veterans, military families, civilians) come together to clean up the Cherry Creek Trail in Denver.  Volunteers helped Denver Parks by collecting over 20 bags of debris along the trail, replacing wire around trees, and painting a bridge.  ”As coordinator for the event, it was wonderful to see relationships being built during the three-hour service project at Cherry Creek,” said Nathalia Magri, Community Partnership Manager at Warrior Gateway.  ”By the end of the day everyone was exchanging contact information, and the non-profits involved had a chance to inform those in attendance of their services offered.”  Photos from the event.

Please check out all of the photos from the event on our Facebook page.  Share with others, and share with us what you think!

Warrior Gateway Partnering With ServiceNation For Veterans Day Service Projects Nationwide

Posted on by Mike

Warrior Gateway is honored to partner with ServiceNation and others for 11/11/11 service projects nationwide.  As a part of ServiceNation Mission Serve initiative, 11 major U.S. cities will host 11 large scale service events on Veterans Day.  These events will bring together the civilian and military communities through service and volunteerism.

Members of the Warrior Gateway team will be helping host 3 of the 11 service projects in: Denver, Tucson, and Seattle.  Leading the coalition of local partners, Warrior Gateway is excited to help connect the civilian and military communities, which is an essential part of successful transitions for our veterans and their families.

Check out more information on each of the 3 projects below.  To see all 11 of the ServiceNation Mission Serve 11/11/11 events, click here.

Help share these opportunities with your friends, and spread the word on Twitter and Facebook.  Lets make this Veterans Day a memorable one nationwide!

 

Seattle, WA – See event flyer

On 11/11/11, join the Veterans Conservation Corps, the Sierra Club, Warrior Gateway and Service Nation for the second annual Veterans Day at Hamm Creek Estuary event.  For the past two decades Hamm Creek has been transformed into a more natural setting, in addition it has been a focal point in veteran healing and transition.    Today Hamm Creek is home to several species of wildlife including Beaver, Bald eagle, Osprey, and Salmon.  Hamm Creek Estuary embodies the struggles veterans face in their transition into civilian life and the promise of a better tomorrow through hard work, perseverance and teamwork.  Through this project we hope to build a stronger community, one blackberry and one volunteer at a time.  Anyone is welcome to join us beginning at 10am, with work starting at 11.

When: Friday, November 11, 2011 ~ 10 am

Where: 10000 W. Marginal Pl S.Seattle WA, 98108

 

Denver, CO – See event flyer

ServiceNation is proud to join Warrior Gateway, Sierra Club, Veterans Green Jobs, Phoenix Multisport, Colorado Hire Patriots, and Denver Parks and Recreation in a signature community service project that will allow the civilian and military communities of the Greater Denver Area to come together through shared service.  Volunteers will participate in debris removal and park restorations along one of the most visited trails in Denver – Cherry Creek Trail.

FREE MEAL FROM CHIPOTLE TO ALL VOLUNTEERS!

When: Friday, November 11, 2011 ~ 9:30am – 12:30pm

Where: Cherry Creek Trail Meet up location: Behind Cherry Creek Mall (Bed, Bath & Beyond)

 

Tucson, AZ – See event flyer

In Tucson, Arizona, ServiceNation is pleased to partner with Southwest Conservation Corps, REI, Pima County Natural Resources Parks and Recreation, and Sonoran Arthropod Studies Institute for a signature project.  ServiceNation is proud to join host a project on our local public land Tucson Mountain Park that will allow the civilian and military communities to come together through shared service.  SCC will host 50-100 volunteers from Tucson, Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Fort Huacachua, and Pima County employees to work on trails in Tucson Mountain Park west of Tucson.  Volunteers will participate in four projects:  Trailwork, buffelgrass removal, painting, litter pick-up of area recreation sites and trails.

When: Friday, November 11, 2011 ~ 8:00am to 1:00pm

Where: Tucson Mountain Park, Sonoran Arthropod Studies Institute