Mission:  To reduce homelessness in the region and to better serve those who are homeless

Resources Available in Northern Shenandoah Valley Area

Emergency Shelters

Domestic Violence Shelters:

Choices – Luray – (540) 743-4414

Harmony Place – Front Royal – (540) 635-9062

Also serves local homeless women & children on emergency basis

Laurel Center – Winchester – (540) 667-6160

Response – Woodstock – (540) 459-5161

Shelters for Men

House of Hope – 724 Warren Avenue, Front Royal – (540) 635-2466

Winchester Union Rescue Union – 435 N. Cameron St, Winchester  - (540) 667-5937.

St. Stephens CME – 424 Chase Street, Winchester – (540) 662-2777

Shelters for Men, Women and Children

Salvation Army – 300 Ft. Collier Rd, Winchester – (540) 450-1555

Intake at 4:00 pm  Alcohol & Drug Screening at Intake

Winter Thermal Shelter

WATTS (Winchester Area Temporary Thermal Shelter) provides a warm, safe place to stay in an area church from 7 pm – 7 am during the winter season.  Supper, snacks, breakfast, and a bag lunch are included.  Must be 18 or older.  You may pick up the schedule and information at C-CAP, 112 S. Kent Street, Winchester.

Transitional Housing

Community Transitional Housing Program – Front Royal – (540) 635-5082 – Referrals must come from shelter program

Harmony Place Transitional Housing – Front Royal – (540) 635-9194 Transitional housing with supportive services for women and children.  Priority given to victims of domestic violence.  Income and services commitments required.

New Eve Ministries – Winchester – (540) 450-0775  Transitional housing for pregnant women age 18 and older (can have other children up to age 5) Open to an expectant mother from any locality

Shenandoah Alliance for Shelter – Maurertown – (540) 436-3202  Priority given to residents of Shenandoah County

Showers

Winchester Union Rescue Mission, 435 N. Cameron Street, Winchester (540) 667-5937

Tuesday – Friday 10:30 am – 11:00 am MEN ONLY

Salvation Army, 300 Ft. Collier Road, Winchester  (540) 450-1555

Saturday  10:00 am – 10:30 am    MEN/WOMEN/CHILDREN

Soup Kitchens – Winchester

Mondays 6 pm Braddock Street United Methodist Church 115 Wolfe St.  - (540) 667-3366

Wednesdays 4:30 pm Knights of Columbus Hall, 519 S. Cameron Street   – (540) 662-5545

Thursdays 5:30 pm Market Street United Methodist Church, 131 S. Cameron – (540) 662-6709

Saturdays 11:30 -1:30 First Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Loudoun Street – (540) 662-3824

Mon.,Wed.,Thur.  11-1pm   Living Faith , Cameron Street - (540) 665-2335

2^nd & 4^th Fridays    12:00 Centenary Church, 204 S. Cameron Street  -  (540) 662-9067

2^nd  & 4^th Monday 4:30-6pm Emmanuel United Meth. Church, off Rt 11, Stephenson  -  (540) 662-1269

Last Wed 5:30-7pm Trinity Lutheran Church, 810 Fairfax Pike, Stephens City   –  (540) 869-4019

Meals Daily  7am-8am, 12pm-12:45pm, 5pm-6pm   Salvation Army, 300 Ft. Collier Rd – (540) 662-4777

Soup Kitchens – Warren County

Tuesday 5pm-6pm Calvary Episcopal Church, N. 2^nd St behind church – (540) 635-2763

Wednesday 5pm-6pm St. John’s Catholic Church, 131 West Main Street – (540) 645-3780

Thursday 5pm-6pm Presbyterian Church, My Brothers Table,115 Luray, Virginia – (540) 735-3894

Mon – Friday 11am-1pm E. Wilson Morrison Elementary – Children and Adults  Free Summer Lunch Program during school weeks.

Food Pantries – City of Winchester and Frederick County

Braddock Street United Methodist Church, 115 Wolfe Street (540) 667-3366  As needed, call for details

C-Cap, 201 Kent Street, (540) 662-4318 Dist. Mon-Thurs 9:30am to 3:30 pm   Food for homeless daily

Centenary United Church of Christ, 202 S. Cameron Street (540) 662-9067  Friday 1pm to 2pm after soup kitchen meal

Celebration Fellowship, 16 N. Braddock Street, (540) 662-4473

1^st & 3^rd Saturdays 9am to 12pm

Church of Christ Mountain View, 1530 Narrow Lane (Kernstown) (540) 869-2244  Wednesday 6:30 am

Highland Memorial Presbyterian Church, 446 Highland Avenue (540) 662-0809  Distribution every Tuesday 9:30 am to 11:30 am

Hope Again, 16 S. Braddock Street, (540) 667-8017  1^st three Saturdays 9 am – 12 pm

Lord Fairfax Area Food Bank   (540) 665-0770

Salvation Army, 300 Ft. Collier Road (540) 662-4777 Distribution Monday through Friday monthly or case basis

St. Stephen CME Church, 202 Maple Street, (540) 665-5244 Once a month, every 3^rd Friday, 11:00 am – 2:30 pm

St. Paul’s Food Pantry, 1527 Senseny Road, (540) 667-8110

Distributing 1^st Sunday of month, 1 pm – 3 pm

Seventh Day Adventist Church, 1508 Valley Avenue, (540) 665-0527

Call for appointment

Victory Church, 2870 Middle Road, (540) 667-9400  Wednesday, 1 pm – 2 pm

Winchester Church of God, 2080 N. Frederick Pike, (540) 667-8017

Third Thursday 1:00 pm

Food Pantries – Stephen’s City

Stephens City Mennonite Church, 5540 Valley Pike, (540) 869-5037

Emergency basis only

Greenway Spirit & Word Fellowship, 1275 Tasker Road, (540) 868-9110

3^rd Wednesday, 9 am – 11 am

Stephens City United Methodist Church, 5291 Main Street, (540) 869-2348

Tues 12 pm – 3 pm, 1^st and 3^rd Tuesday, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Food Pantry – Clearbrook

Welltown United Methodist Church, 1444 Welltown Road (540) 665-0433

Dist. Each Thursday 6 pm – 8 pm

Food Pantries – Clarke County

Women of Duncan Memorial, 219 E. Main Street, (540) 955-3700

3^rd or 4^th Friday of the month, by appointment only

Fish of Clarke County Pantry, P.O. Box 1154, Berryville  Bus. (540) 955-1823

Emerg. (540) 837-1651, Mon. through Fri. 9 am – 5 pm

Christ Episcopal Church, 809 Bishop Mead Road (540) 837-1112

1^st Sat 9 am – 11 am, Tues through Fri 8:30 am – 12 pm

Food Pantries – Warren County

C-Cap, 316 N. Royal Avenue,  (540) 636-2448

Mon through Fri 9 am – 12 pm

Compassion House/The Rock, 1602 Strasburg Rd,   (540) 363-6369

1^st and 3^rd Mondays 10:30 am – 1:30 pm

Dynamic Life, 1600 John Marshall Highway, (540) 636-9595

Thursday 3 pm – 4 pm

Front Royal Church of Christ, 140 W. 15^th Street, (540) 635-2613

Call for appointment

Loving Arms Food Panty “Loaves and Fishes”, 208 John Rice Road (540) 622-2479

Wed 5 pm – 7 pm, Thursday and Friday 10 am – 2 pm

Riverton United Methodist Church, 55 East Strasburg Road   (540) 635-3878

Thursdays. 6 pm – 8 pm

Salvation Army Food Pantry, 357 Cloud Street   (540) 635-4020

Mon through Thursday 9 am – 3:30 pm;  Friday 9 am. – 2:30 pm

Food Pantries – Shenandoah County

Bread of Life, 156 Muhlenberg St., Woodstock  (540) 459-4419, (540) 459-4144

3^rd Tues and Thurs, 1 pm – 4 pm

Columbia Furnace Church of the Brethren, 20910 Sneed Rd, Edinburg,  (540) 459-1632

4^th Saturday, 8:45 am – 11:00 am

Compassion Cupboard, 533 Burgess St., Strasburg, (540) 465-2393, (540) 465-5797

3^rd Tues 10 am – 4 pm

Rock Worship Center, Compassion House, 1602 Strasburg Rd, Strasburg (540) 325-4372

1^st and 3^rd Mon, 9:30 am – 1:30 pm

Loaves and Fishes, 9320 Congress Street, New Market   (540) 740-8959

3^rd Thurs.  11:00 am – 5:30 pm

Open Door Food Pantry, Inc., P.O. Box 292, Mt. Jackson,  (540) 740-8025

3^rd Thurs., 1 pm – 6 pm

Food Pantries – Page County

Page One, 42 W. Main Street, Luray (540) 743-4357  Mon and Tues, 9 am – 11:30 am

Departments of Social Services

City of Winchester, 24 Baker Street, Winchester        (540) 662-3807

Clarke County, 311 E. Main Street, Berryville            (540) 955-3700

Frederick County, 107 N. Kent Street, Winchester     (540) 665-5688

Page County, 215 W. Main St., Suite A, Stanley         (540) 778-1053

Shenandoah County, 600 N. Main Street, Woodstock   (540) 459-6226

Warren County, 912 Warren Avenue, Front Royal      (540) 635-3967

Free Medical and Dental Clinics, Medication Assistance

Free Medical Clinic of the No. Shenandoah Valley, 301 N. Cameron Street, Suite 100 Winchester, (540) 536-1680  By appt,  $5 per office visit, $4 per medication

Shenandoah County Free Medical and Dental Clinic, 781 Spring Parkway, Woodstock, (540) 459-1700 Fee Varies. Medical – Thurs. evening; Dental – Tues. evening

St. Luke’s Community Clinic, 316 N. Royal Avenue, Front Royal  (540) 636-4325  Free to those meeting income eligibility requirements

Dental Clinic of Northern Shenandoah Valley, at the Free Clinic in Winchester, 301 N. Cameron St, (540) 536-1680, by appt. only.  Provides free dental services for Children with Medicaid/FAMIS/FAMIS Plus.  Fee for adults.

Page Free Clinic, 732 E. Main Street, Luray   (540) 743-4873

Open Fridays 5pm – 8pm

Kool Smiles – 2065 S. Pleasant Valley Rd., Winchester (540) 931-0294

Takes Medicaid

Compassion Pharmacy – in Rite-Aid, 507 Amherst Rd., (540) 722-2021

(clients must be seeing a doctor with privileges to Valley Health)

Medication – Patients Assistance Programs – Through your doctor or call your drug  company directly.

Eyeglasses – Lions Club (540) 955-6229

Health Departments

Clarke County (540) 955-1033

Frederick/Winchester (540) 722-3470

Page County – Luray (540) 743-6528

Shenandoah County (540) 459-3733

Warren County (540) 635-315

Crisis Services

911

Concern Hotline

Winchester/Frederick/Clarke (540) 667-0145

Warren County           (540) 635-4357

Page County (540) 743-3733

Shenandoah County (540) 459-4742

Northwestern Community Services Board, offices in Front Royal, Winchester,

Woodstock and Luray                        (540) 636-4250

VA National Call Center for Homeless Veterans  1-877-424-3838

National Suicide Hotline     (800) 784-2433

Legal Assistance

Blue Ridge Legal Services, 303 S. Loudoun St., Suite D, Winchester  (540) 662-5021

Services for Veterans

VA National Call Center for Homeless Veterans   1-877-424-3838

VA Domiciliary – Homeless, Substance Abuse, PTSD, Work Program

510 Butler Ave., Martinsburg, WV (304) 263-0811 ext 4596, Scott Wagaman

WV Division of Veterans Affairs – Service Officer (301) 538-2839,  Carol Hefner

Northwestern Community Services – Wounded Warrior Program

209 Criser Rd., Front Royal (540) 636-4250

Virginia Employment Commission – Job assistance for Veterans

(540) 722-3415  Mike Barnes

Disabled Veterans Committee on Housing – (703) 626-9027  Robert

Flynn

American Legion – Veterans and families. Funds for expenses (apply in writing)

Post 21, 1730 Berryville Pike, Winchester (540) 662-9501

Post 41, 20A S. Church St., Berryville   HYPERLINK “mailto:post41@comcast.net” post41@comcast.net

Post 53, 22 W. 8^th St., Front Royal           (540) 635-5017

Post 77, 157 E. Washington St., Strasburg (540) 465-8167

Post 199, 411 S. Muhlenberg St., Woodstock     (540) 459-2241

Virginia State Department                     (804) 353-6606

VFWs – provide emergency assistance, request in writing

Post 2123, 200 Sulky Dr.,Winchester (540) 868-9992

Post 6044, 542 Eagle Dr., Winchester (540) 667-8519

Post 9760, PO Box 331, Berryville (540) 955-1119

Post 1860, 1847 N. Royal Ave., Front Royal  (540) 635-9024

Post 2447, 100 Veterans Way, Edinburg (540) 984-4355

Post 621, 218 Veterans Lane, Luray (540) 743-3877

Vietnam Veterans of America – emergency monies, needs DD214 and couple weeks to

Verify (540) 514-0663 Ronald Hafey (540) 869-2588 Arnie Eversen

Dept. of Veterans Services – help with Compensation and Pension Claims

11 Water St., Front Royal (540) 635-4201, Geoffrey White/Barbara Bruce

Disabled American Veterans 9 – help with Compensation and Pension Claims  (540) 888-3354, Chance Bazzano (540) 868-1019, Jim Stephens

VA Grants and Per Diem Program – per diem monies for bed/nursing home 510 Butler Ave., Martinsburg, WV   (304) 263-0811 ext.3840, Amy Bayliss

Able Forces – Veteran-owned non-profit, an Ability One/NISH company, defined as a Community Rehabilitation Program (CRP).  The Mission of Able Forces is to provide Employment and community-based job preparation training exclusively to our Wounded Warriors and Disabled Veterans.

Employment – Education

Virginia Employment Commission, 100 Premier Pl., Winchester  (540) 722-3415  Two weekly workshops, resume consulting, mock interviews, job coaching  Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services – must be diagnosed with a disability,

Helps find and keep jobs and increase level of independence

20 Ricketts Drive, Winchester (540) 722-3453

Workforce Job Center, Inc., 7718 Main Street, Middletown   (540) 508-0839

Computer lab, jobs posted weekly, help with resumes, copier, fax,

Workshops twice a month, Serves Winchester, Clarke and Frederick County

Six month residency requirement.

Workforce Job Center, Inc., 1230 E. Main Street, Luray

(540) 743-4320

Same services as Middletown office

First Step Interfaith Alliance, 2333 Roosevelt Blvd., Winchester

(540) 662-3300

Proactive training, resources and mentoring

GED – Dowell J. Howard Center – Winchester – (540) 662-8997

Literacy Volunteers – Shenandoah County  (540) 459-2446

Literacy Volunteers – Winchester, Frederick, Clarke  (540) 536-1648

Resources for those with Disabilities

Access Independence, services for those with disabilities,

324 Hope Drive, Winchester         (540) 662-4452

AIDS Response Effort (ARE), services for those with HIV/AIDS

333 W. Cork Street, #740, Winchester (540) 536-5290

Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services – helps find and keep jobs and increase  Level of independence, 20 Ricketts Drive, Winchester - (540) 722-3453

Northwestern Community Services, mental health, substance abuse, mental retardation,

Children’s services

209 W. Criser Rd, Front Royal – (540) 636-4250

158 Front Royal Pike, Winchester – (540) 667-8888

441 N. Main Street, Woodstock – (540) 459-5180

23 W. Main Street, Luray – (540) 743-4548

Social Security Administration 1-866-331-2320 (press 0 for Winchester)

Housing Assistance Programs

The Salvation Army – HIP Program (Homeless Intervention Program) assists with first month’s rent and deposit for those who have been evicted, have received eviction notices or are homeless. Once in a lifetime assistance.  Must meet HUD guidelines for low income.  Serves Clarke County, City of Winchester, Frederick County, Warren County and Shenandoah County – (540) 662-4777 Pat Purtlebaugh

Mercy House – HIP Program (Homeless Intervention Program) assists with first month’s rent and deposit for those who have been evicted, have received eviction notices or are homeless.  Must meet guidelines for low income.  Once in a lifetime assistance.  Serves Page County.   (540) 432-1812

Northwestern Community Services – Supportive Housing Program.  Provides supportive services for homeless individuals with disabilities of mental illness, substance abuse or HIV/AIDS and homeless families with dependent children.  Must meet HUD guidelines for very low income.  Funds may be available for first month’s rent for qualifying clients.  Call (540) 665-8900, extension 1 or 1217.

Harmony Place – Front Royal – (540) 635-9194  Rapid re-housing/transition in place services until June 30, 2012.  Assistance with rent, security deposit, utility arrears, and utility deposit expenses related to moving into new permanent housing.  This program is for homeless women and children in Warren County.

Shenandoah Alliance for Shelter (Homeless Prevention Program) provides assistance with rent and deposits through a low interest loan.  For residents of Shenandoah County only.  (540) 436-3202

Habitat for Humanity, Winchester (540) 662-7066

Section 8 – Office for Housing and Neighborhood Development – Clarke and Frederick

Counties and the City of Winchester – (540) 535-2886

Section 8 – Shenandoah County DSS – Shenandoah, Page & Warren  (540) 459-6226

Disabled Veterans Committee on Housing (540) 877-1252.  Help veterans obtain grants from the Veterans Affaisrs SAH Office for those who are 100% service connected disabled and  have contacted with local builders, financial management companies and others that can build your medically custom home to have your INDEPENDENCE returned.

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

Northwestern Community Services

209 W. Criser Road, Front Royal (540) 636-4250

158 Front Royal Pike, Winchester (540) 667-8888

441 N. Main Street, Woodstock (540) 459-5180

23 W. Main Street, Luray (540) 743-4548

Alcoholics Anonymous/Al Anon/Alateen (540) 667-0322

Addiction Helpline (540) 559-9503

Edgehill Recovery Retreat, 315 Cork St., Winchester (540) 772-8865

Lord Fairfax House, 512 S. Braddock St., Winchester (540) 662-8877

Isaiah 58 Project, 437 Highland St., Winchester (540) 662-2336

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Winchester (540) 533-1832

Celebrate Recovery, Winchester of God

2080 N. Frederick Pike, Winchester (540) 667-8017

NA/AA Meetings      (540) 667-0322   or (800) 835-6130

If you have children

Healthy Families

301 N. Cameron St., Winchester (540) 536-1660

295 Front Royal Pike, Winchester (540) 536-4113

294 E. Main, Stanley (540) 667-0322 or (800) 835-6130

Front Royal (540) 636-0539

Head Start

Frederick, Winchester, Clarke (540) 869-1558

Page (540) 652-1274

Shenandoah (540) 459-2439

Warren (540) 948-3916

Services for Homeless Children through McKinney-Vento Act

Clarke County Public Schools Lisa Floyd (540) 757-547-0153  x170

Frederick County Public Schools Mitch Peeling (540) 662-3888  x88145

Page County Public Schools John Van Wyck (540) 843-2822

Shenandoah County Public Schools   Robert Belyea (540) 459-6716

Warren County Public Schools   Michael Hirsch (540) 635-2725

Winchester Public Schools Natalie Gerometta (540) 667-4258  x 65120

Pregnancy

ABBA – Pregnancy Center         (540) 722-4944

See New Eve Ministries under Transitional Housing

Clothing, food, financial assistance

C-CAP

12 S. Kent Street, Winchester (540) 662-4318

115-117 Luray Ave., Front Royal (540) 636-2448

Salvation Army

300 Ft. Collier Road, Winchester (540) 662-4777

357 Cloud St., Front Royal (540) 635-4020

Page One

42 W. Main Street, Luray (540) 743-4357

600 Comer Lane, Shenandoah           (540) 652-8780

Mount Jackson Transient Fund

Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church (540) 477-2421

Edinburg Transient Fund (540) 984-9260

Fish, Clarke County (540) 955-1823

Second Chance Saturday (540) 662-3300

(Grace Community Church)

Budgeting and Financial Services

Consumer Credit Counseling Services of NOVA (800) 747-4222

Virginia Cooperative Extension Service

Clarke (540) 955-5164

Frederick/Winchester (540) 955-5164

Page           (540) 748-5694

Shenandoah (540) 459-6140

Warren (540) 635-4549

Transportation

Logisticare (Medicaid)         (866) 386-8331

Winchester Transit (540) 667-1815

Para-transit (disabilities) (540) 667-1815

Front Royal Area Transit (540) 635-5788

Page County Transit (800) 305-0077

Northwestern Community Services sponsors this resource booklet.

For changes and additions, please contact Nickie Wheeler at (540) 636-2931 ext 2302

December 2011

we were starting, but the years are going by so fast that we would never believe that soon we will be saying “Happy New Years”.

****************************************************

US Navy “Country Currents”

MARTINSBURG VA MEDICAL CENTER (November 11, 2011): On this brisk fall day, we Americans take time to remember our men and women that have served our country; some have given the ultimate sacrifice. The members of the Disabled Veterans Committee on Housing and the Father Robert O. Hickman Assembly #1883 planned a very special surprise for the veterans of Martinsburg VA Medical Center by arranging the appearance of the US Navy “Country Currents”, a Bluegrass ensemble of Navy personnel that travel and perform to bring awareness of our military.

(Left) Knights of Columbus Assembly’s Faithful Navigator Lou Moschetto and one of our veterans from the US Marine Corp Alfred Mazzoli, PGK, PFN, PDD, a reunion and maybe some swapping of stories of their times in the service.

This seven member ensemble employs musicians from diverse backgrounds with extensive high-profile recording and touring experience in the music scenes of Nashville, Tenn., New York City, New Orleans and more. In the tradition of country music, each member is a skilled performer on multiple instruments. The band utilizes banjo, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin, fiddle, electric bass, upright bass, dobro, pedal steel guitar and drum set.All of our members and the veterans that attended were toe tapping to the rhythm of the music. It was one way to show them how much we appreciate what they have done.

TO ALL OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN VETERANS HOSPITALS: This day is set aside each year to honor and remember all of our brothers & Sisters in arms that have gone before us; it’s a great sense of humility that the members of the Knights of Columbus and the Disabled Veterans Committee on Housing, came to Martinsburg VA Medical Center to say “Thank you veteran”

********************************************

DAYTON, VIRGINIA (November 19, 2011) This time of the year for a good majority of us start thinking about having our relatives and friends over to our home to celebrate to start off the countdown to Christmas with Thanksgiving Day, and with shops opening at midnight for those early bird shoppers for Black Friday.

We also look at the ones that can’t get out and do the necessary preparations for this day, but the Disabled Veterans Committee on Housing and the Father Robert O. Hickman Assembly #1883 of the Knights of Columbus were on the road traveling to a vendor, Cargill’s Turkey Products to pick up turkey’s that were being donated to our veterans and community residents that are presently on extreme hard times with our economy that they can’t afford to feed their family the necessities of the Season.

Two members of the Knights of Columbus Chapter #3752, Mr. Robert Flynn and Willie Connolly (In the photo)made the trip and were presently surprised when they arrived and were greeted by Angie Polk, Chair, Cargill’s Donations, being on hand to help us get through the plant and pick up their donation for the veterans.

Cargill Turkey Products as busy as their Season comes and with the entire request that are submitted to them for donation, we feel

pride and humility for them selecting our needs this year. Many of the Cargill

workers are veterans and it’s was a small way for them to say “Thank you veteran, for all you did for us and our country”.

Cargill Turkey Products, from all the veterans and the Disabled Veterans Committee on Housing and the Father Robert O. Hickman Assembly #1883, Knights of Columbus, Winchester, Virginia our appreciation and gratitude for making this Thanksgiving for many that need you and your workers support.

We also would like to express our thanks to two of our local vendors as when they found out that we were going to pick up the turkey’s in Dayton, Virginia a local vendor came to our assistance and donated a refrigerated truck to make the trip a lot better

for all the turkey’s and of course our people. That company was Gore’s Processing Plant, Edinburg, Virginia. Mr. Joe Gore, President, thank you for your assistance.

Also to our friends Brian K. Beazer, & Michelle Gordon and the Staff at Winchester Cold Storage for storing the turkey’s for all of us in the community.

***********************************************************

(Left) One of our chef’s makes sure the sauce is just right

WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA (November 27, 2011) Every year at this time we always think about grandma’s house and the smell of the apple pie in the oven or sitting down to a plate of SPAGHETTI, yes I said it right. The Knights of Columbus Council #3572 had their Spaghetti Dinner, at James Wood High School and it was a tremendous success.

There were many who thought, wow spaghetti two days after Thanksgiving, its turkey season, well I guess the word got out that there was no turkey at this meal. Many of the Knights made deliveries to our community home bound parishioners and to many of our veteran families in the community.

(Right) Our young man is hard at work tossing the pasta, maybe he’s our next chef.

Bob Flynn, Director, Veterans Outreach for the Disabled Veterans Committee on Housing and also a member of the Knights of Columbus told me the other day, while delivering turkeys that were obtain this year for our veterans and community, he was making a delivery to a veterans home and he was just ready to leave, a young member of the family came up and gave him a great big hug. Bob, felt an enormous feeling throughout himself as he said silently, “Thanksgiving too many of our families is survival, and I feel this sense of being blessed to bring this gift to them”.

I am leaving you with some of the highlights that made this day with all of you, and the many Knights that took their weekend to make our community/veterans event such a success:

]]> http://dvchvets.org/newsletters/committee%e2%80%99s-newsletter-for-november-2011/feed/ 0 http://dvchvets.org/newsletters/committee%e2%80%99s-newsletter-for-october-2011/ http://dvchvets.org/newsletters/committee%e2%80%99s-newsletter-for-october-2011/#comments Sat, 12 Nov 2011 01:54:02 +0000 admin http://dvchvets.org/?p=1818 Here we go, the weather is totally changing like from day to day, I can’t remember ever having a snowfall in October and we had 5 inches here in Winchester, Virginia. Wherever you are in this great nation, I hope that you remain safe and watch the roads on days like today.

MIDDLETOWN, VIRGINIA (October 4, 2011) One of the many things that make this job so good is to hear where local community organizations, colleges, or just the veterans themselves for what their hard work and the College provides, just as I hear and been told that schooling is hard work.

Lord Fairfax Community College (LFCC) received word that they had been recognized by G.I. Jobs magazine as a Military Friendly School for 2012. This designation is the result of research into the policies of 8,000 postsecondary institutions by G.I. Jobs. The magazine focuses on helping military troops in their transition to civilian life. To be designated, a school must make the top 20 percent of schools that have taken additional action to help returning veterans.

At LFCC, we consider helping veterans and their dependents achieve their educational goals to be an important service,” stated Tina Anderson, Military/Veterans’ Coordinator at LFCC. “We are committed to ensuring that they receive the support towhich they are entitled.” In talking with Ms Anderson today, I found out that she has a phrase she came across and it really sums up the whole concept, see what you think,

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

For more information about LFCC’s program for veterans and their families, contact Tina Anderson at (540) 868-7107 or tanderson@lfcc.edu

Tina Anderson (left) and LFCC President Cheryl Thompson-Stacy display the Certificate they were given from G. I. Jobs Magazine. (Photo by Scott Mason, Winchester Star)

What also make this a special event were two female veterans that attend the Lord Fairfax Community College (LFCC) Veterans program that is provided and their thought on what this program means to them and what they feel about attending the College.

Melanie Thornberg was in the Coast Guard for nine years when she decided to go wanted to go back to school.

“I went from someone telling me what to wear and what to eat to being on my own,” she said. “You don’t even know what to wear on the first day of being a civilian.”

Lord Fairfax Community College made the transition easier, according to the 33-year-old mother of three. The college offered her the help of a veterans representative to connect her to services, and disability accommodations, which included ways to complete classes at home and provided injury-sensitive desks and chairs. “Not too many places recognize and appreciate vets,” she said. “But LFCC does.” Thornberg is not the only one to recognize LFCC’s veteran services.

Military veterans Tina Daniels (left) and Melanie Thornberg talk about how Lord Fairfax Community College has helped them. (Photo by Scott Mason, Winchester Star)

Tina Daniels, 47, was in the Navy for three years when she arrived at LFCC. Her story is similar to Thornberg’s. She, too, received disability accommodations for her post traumatic stress disorder, including extra time on tests, along with counseling and help from staff.

“Professors really do work with you on your disabilities,” she said. “Despite the fact that I have a disability, I’m still able to go to school.”

To be designated, a school must make the top 20 percent of schools that have taken additional action to help returning veterans. “It’s about how to get military experience translated into college credit,” said Tina Anderson, assistant registrar and the LFCC vet rep.

LFCC offers scholarships and tuition discounts to military students and veterans and in-state tuition without residency requirements for military students and dependants. The school also allows military students who are called to active service return without penalty and offers financial assistance to military spouses.

LFCC also provides support and social services to its vets, including counselors to help with career placement, a group to plan campus and social networking events for veterans, and a veteran-specific page on its website. LFCC is one of 1,900 colleges and universities that belong to the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges Consortium – a group of military-friendly institutions with flexible policies that allow mobile service members and their families to complete degrees rather than just accumulate course credit.

We at the Disabled Veterans Committee on Housing say that congratulations go to both groups, first Lord Fairfax Community College for being the receiptants of the recognition by the G. I. Jobs magazine, and for our veterans attending school that they feel so secure with their medical issues that the College provides for all their needs while attending classes and provide whatever assistance the veterans need in their courses. Congratulations and job well done for all involved.

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Portsmouth-based soldier dies in Iraq

Staff Sgt. James R. Leep died on Oct. 17

BABIL PROVINCE, IRAQ (WAVY) - The National Guard confirmed Tuesday that Staff Sgt. James R. Leep died of non-combat related injuries in Babil Province, Iraq on October 17. Leep, 44, was based in Portsmouth with the 2nd Squadron, 183rd Cavalry Regiment, 116th Brigade Combat Team. Leep served as a combat engineer and construction equipment supervisor. He was re-assigned to Troop A as a truck commander for the unit’s convoy security mission. Lepp was also the commander of a convoy escort team. “It is very sad that this has happened and difficult to think of the appropriate words to say

that would relieve the pain and suffering hat his family feels,” said Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia. “Soldier and family care are very important, and we intend to do everything we can to support his family and the men and women that deployed with him. We ask that his community and the rest of Virginia keep his family in their prayers in their time of grief”. Leep of Davenport, Virginia is survived by his wife and two adult children’s; He joined the National Guard in April 1986.

Leep first joined the National Guard in April 1986 and served on active duty from December 1987 to August 1995 as a light-wheeled vehicle mechanic, the Virginia National Guard news release said. He rejoined in January 1996 and worked as a combat engineer and construction equipment supervisor. He worked full time as surface maintenance repairer technician for the Virginia National Guard at field maintenance shop #14 in Richland’s.

His previous deployments include Bosnia from September 2001 to April 2002, Iraq from December 2003 to March 2005, the southwest U.S. border security mission from June to August 2006, and Afghanistan from November 2008 to January 2010. More than 825 soldiers from across Virginia were deployed to Iraq this summer as Task Force 183 under the command of the Portsmouth-based 2nd Squadron, 183rd Calvary Regiment. They are conducting convoy security and base defense operations. After training at Camp Atterbury for almost two months, the unit arrived in Iraq at the end of July.

The Portsmouth squadron, which includes units from Norfolk, Suffolk and Virginia Beach, will be joined by two companies of soldiers from Fredericksburg and a third from

Christiansburg. This was the single largest Virginia Army National Guard unit mobilization since Sept. 11, 2001.

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The reporting of our brave men and women that serves our great nation each and every day and to hear that one of them has fallen in our latest conflict, I feel that we at the Disabled Veterans Committee on Housing are honoring them with their story and we salute them and want their families to know that we care and offer our condolences to them.

See you next month.

November 3, 2011

A MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Today, I would like to introduce VA for Vets, an outstanding new program to help our Veterans find appropriate careers at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Set to launch on November 11, Veterans Day, VA for Vets takes a high-tech and high-touch approach to recruiting, hiring, retaining, and reintegrating Veterans into the VAworkforce. Aspartofitshigh-techsolution,theprogramoffersstateoftheartonline tools for Veterans as they seek employment or look to further career development

opportunities. The online Career Center includes: a military skills translator that translates military skills into civilian language; a resume builder that tailors Veterans’ resumes so they can more easily compete for open positions in VA; and avatar-based technology that connects deployed Servicemembers back to VA during their operational missions.

The high-touch solution comes in the form of career and reintegration coaches who are readily available to help Veterans and Servicemembers take full advantage of opportunities offered through the Career Center or to ensure a seamless transition into the VA workforce. Three new Coaching Call Centers will be operational in Dumfries, Virginia; Ebensburg, Pennsylvania; and New Orleans, Louisiana, starting October 26.

As Vice-Chair of President Obama’s Veteran Employment Council, I am confident that VA can set the standard for Veterans’ recruitment and career developmentatotherFederalagencies. VAforVetsispartofalargerstrategicinitiative led by the newly established Veteran Employment Services Office (VESO) within the Office of Human Resources and Administration. I have set a goal for VA to increase its Veteran workforce from 30 percent to 40 percent, and VESO will be at the forefront of that effort, working with all offices and administrations, to ensure we achieve our goals.

The VA for Vets program represents a commitment to transforming the way we hire and retain our Veterans. This program requires the personal commitment of all VA employees so we can uphold our sacred trust and moral obligation to care for those Mwho have borne the battle.”

- Eric K. Shinseki

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced a partnership with Milicruit.com to sponsor a nationwide, virtual online job fair on Nov. 10, from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. EST.

“As we work to help Veterans find good paying jobs, it is important that we take advantage of online resources that connect our Veterans with employers around the Nation who want to hire these highly qualified and experienced men and women,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.

To date, more than 60 military-friendly national employers from both the private and federal sectors and more than 36,000 Veterans have registered to participate in the all day online event.

Veterans can pre-register at http://www.veteranscareerfair.com for this event. On the day of the event, Veterans can log in and visit employer booths, view job openings, apply for jobs, watch employer videos and presentations, chat live with recruiters, and complete on-the-spot video interviews.

They can also interact with VetSuccess counselors to learn more about VA benefits, as well as additional resources and tools for transitioning Servicemembers and family members regarding training, employment, and independent living.

VA’s VetSuccess.gov website offers services by providing access to a job board of more than 8 million job openings, as well as tools for Veterans to build or upload resumes and for employers to search for Veterans who match their recruiting needs.

“Using technology allows us to connect excellent Veteran job seekers with businesses in need of the leadership, discipline, skills, and training that Veterans bring to the workplace,” said Under Secretary for Benefits Allison A. Hickey.

The job fair not only connects employers with Veterans who are a match for their staffing needs, but also allows Veterans to visit the VA’s virtual help desk to obtain information about VA benefits.

Benefits include the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment VetSuccess program, which provides job training and placement skills for transitioning Servicemembers and Veterans.

For more information on the job fair go to http://www.va.gov and click on VA’s Facebook site or go to http://www.vetsuccess.gov.

Veterans filing claims may file online through eBenefits, a joint project between the Department of Defense and VA, at https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits- portal/ebenefits.portal. They can check the status of their claim with a Premium account, and use a growing number of online services.

Veterans may enroll in eBenefits and obtain a Premium account in-person or online depending on their status. Information on how to register is available on the eBenefits Registration web page at https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits- portal/ebenefits.portal?_nfpb=true&_portlet.async=false&_pageLabel=RegistrationOverview

TO OUR BROTHER’s & SISTER’s IN ARMS: If no one has ever mentioned to you how proud, honored and how much we appreciated what you did for us and our families, I say it to you now, as one veteran to another. “Thank you from me and my family from the bottom of our hearts”, you were there when we needed you and many people just didn’t feel that you did anything, well that is so very wrong. You gave and now people have let you down and you are where you are, maybe you prefer it to be that way, but I want you to just feel that I don’t like to see anyone out on the streets, in fields, under underpasses by the highway, but I am only one person, but I will be there to help you if I can, so please, just use my website and I will answer you and see where I can help, and I promise that I will do what I can, as I have helped over 240 veterans so far, and I will continue to as long as I have breath in my body. Let me hear from you, fill in my form on the web or get someone to do it for you, and I will respond………….God Bless You.

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WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA (September 11, 2011) As you neared Route 50 East you would hear the roar of the engines of the riders that were getting ready to do a 150 mile trip called “Ride a Mile for Able Forces”, the event was sponsored and arranged by Skip Rogers and his lovely wife, Kathy at Grove’s Harley Davidson, Winchester, Virginia.

The day started off with the Massanutten Military Academy Color Guard and the Frederick County Fireman presenting the Colors to start of the program, then the Invocation from the Chaplain, all were then asked to observe a moment of silence to remember all those brave men and women who had perished in the most horrific and tragic day in September 2001, we were treated as a way that we all express ourselves, we heard a rendition of our most special song perform , the National Anthem delivered by a Professor of Music from the Shenandoah University Conservatory, registration of the drivers for the ride started at 9AM and from what you can see in the photo’s the Able Forces Motorcycle was being signed by all the riders for this Event, say “Yes we Care and are proud to be an American”.

The cyclist departed at 11AM there was very special moment that took place along the ride and that all of the motorcycles wanted to pay their respects to our hospitalized veterans, so they decided to do a ride thru the Martinsburg VA Medical Center with as many veterans the that could were treated by this salute from the riders, that was a extremely moving feeling of pride for all that where there to experience this moment.

Our good friend, Sam Tate (Poet Laureate/Songwriter) from Nashville, TN Sam is a true friend to all veterans and he brought just a few of his friends, Trent Hasty, Tom Miserendino, Phoenix Drive.

What would a promotional Guts & Glory Event be without the celebrity hostess herself?

Miss Guts & Glory: Michelle Murray.

Michelle performs an acoustic version of her original song dedicated to Indy Car Driver and now team owner Sam Schmidt during a live rehearsal at Music City Bar & Grill in Nashville. The song is titled “It’s Not If But When” (Sam’s Song) Michelle is a spokesperson for the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation

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MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD: I am sorry that the DVCH Committee Newsletter wasn’t publish onto the website last month, because I have been recuperating from major surgery on my left leg in the later part of July and I some complications of an infection which it has taken me awhile to get back to where I can function more on a daily basis, so I apology to all for that had looked forward to reading the newsletter and I will be continuing again with the DVCH’s information to you as the month ends.

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Our Fallen Hero’s Memorial

Specialist Douglas J. Green Killed In Afghanistan

(Aug. 29, 2011) – Friends and family are calling Potomac Falls High School grad Doug Green an American Hero after the Department of Defense said he was killed Sunday in Afghanistan when his unit came under attack.

Spc. Douglas J. Green, 23, of Sterling, died Aug. 28 in Kandahar province of injuries suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device and small arms fire. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

A memorial page on Facebook has been set up for Green and tributes are pouring in from Loudoun and afar as people remember the young man with a great smile, amazing sense of humor and a love of his country that led him into the military.

Green’s grandfather on Facebook, Jay Chabrow: “While I’m totally devastated you were taken from us at such an early age, I couldn’t be prouder. You are truly my hero.”

Another person wrote: “Clearly, you cared about every person you knew and that speaks volume. Thank you so much for your service, you are an American hero. You will forever be missed.

Posted by Dan Sousa

Spc. Douglas J. Green, 23, of Sterling, died Aug. 28 in Kandahar province of injuries suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device and small arms fire. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

People could not stop recalling good things on Tuesday night about Douglas J. Green, who grew up in Northern Virginia and was known for caring about his high school and its students and teachers and the community that surrounded it.

He also cared about his country, and shortly after graduation from Potomac Falls High School in Sterling, he joined the Army.

“It’s pretty devastating,” said his aunt, Stacy Dinkel. “Doug was one of the nicest human beings on the face of the Earth. He was an amazing person.”

In the hours after news of his death began to spread, hundreds of people posted remembrances on a Facebook page created in his memory.

“Everybody loved Doug,” said his mother, Suni Erlanger. “Everybody loved him.”

Chad Runfola, who was an assistant principal at Potomac Falls while Green was there, recalled that he “was just so genuinely nice to others.”

He “always communicated a sense of caring for his teachers, his classmates and his school,” Runfola said.

In the eastern Loudoun County community, “this was a very special young man,” said John P. Murray, a Newspaper Association of America executive and Loudoun resident.

“He was a pretty selfless kid,” said David Spage, who was principal at Potomac Falls during Green’s years there. His ethic of service was such that “when he decided he wanted to go serve his country, it wasn’t a surprise.”

His family had tried to dissuade him from enlisting, his mother said. His maternal grandfather, Jay Chabrow, a technology consultant, said he wanted Green to work for him. But, Erlanger said, “he loved his country and nothing was going to stop him.”

Green was “my hero,” Chabrow said.

After enlisting in 2007, Green served a tour in Iraq. He was sent to Afghanistan in April as a member of the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, based at Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

Family members said he had played football at Potomac Falls, probably as much out of a sense of obligation to the school as anything else. He was also prominent in drama, and, his mother said, he “played the bad guy” in a school production of “Footloose.”

Many remembered Green for his sense of humor. He was “quite a character,” Spage said. His mother thought that made him something of an atypical soldier. “He was a stand-up comedian,” she said.

Even in difficult times for Green and his unit in Afghanistan, Erlanger said, “he made them all laugh.” In times of peril, she said, Green would assure his fellow soldiers “that everything’s going to be okay.”

Erlanger said her son’s enlistment was to be up before the end of the year. She said he planned to return home and marry his sweetheart, attend college, work for the Secret Service or the CIA and, perhaps, enter politics.

Other survivors include his father, Douglas Green of Sterling, and two sisters.

“You were an awesome dude,” read one comment on the memorial Facebook page. “You always knew how to make me feel better,” read another.

“You impacted so many lives with your goodness, humor, and positive attitude,” read yet another. “You had an inexplicable way of drawing people toward you.”

Ten years ago on September 11th, America changed forever…

Able Forces and Guts and Glory Motorsports will join together on September 11, 2011 to pay tribute to our Military, First Responders, and all who help preserve Americans Life and Liberty.  The event will be held at Grove’s Winchester Harley -Davidson, starting with a benefit motorcycle rally.  The 3 hour rally will travel from Winchester up to and around Harpers Ferry, then West towards Martinsburg featuring a slow roll through VA Medical Center-Martinsburg before returning to Grove’s.

Registration begins at 9AM for the 11AM departure of the ride. There will be Music from Nashville hosted by Singer/Songwriter Sam Tate, with Miss Guts and Glory Michelle Murray, Military Displays including the Mid-Atlantic Tribute Wall, food and fun for the entire family.

Skip Rogers, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Able Forces commented “It’s hard to believe that it’s been 10 years since that terrible day.  Our event will focus on remembering all those that have given their lives, and all those that continue to put themselves in harm’s way every day to protect the freedoms Americans hold so dear.”

A major sponsor of the Ride a Mile for Able Forces event is Guts & Glory Motorsports.  Robert Swope, President, put it this way: “It is an honor and privilege to support Able Forces in their tribute to not only the men and women who sacrificed everything on that terrible date in 2001, but in their continuing efforts to ensure each and every soldier who gives of themselves in defense of our great country is cared for and supported after their service is over.  We look forward to a great ride, and an even greater day of fellowship.”

Proceeds from the event will benefit Able Forces mission of Employment and community-based job preparation training exclusively for Wounded Warriors and Disabled Veterans.  Able Forces is a veteran-owned 501c3 non-profit located in Front Royal, VA.

More information on this special family event can be found at www.Ableforces.org or by calling  540.631.9600.

Contact:

Skip Rogers

skip.rogers@ableforces.org

Executive Director

I would like to share some very positive news on our continuing efforts to fix what’s broken at Arlington National Cemetery.

It was last June when many of us first heard about Arlington’s reliance on paper records and maps, and the systemic disorganization and shameful errors that inevitably resulted. I think all of us were especially shocked and appalled to learn about dozens of instances of misplaced or misidentified remains at the cemetery.

As an American, a Virginian, a member of the Senate and as the proud son of a World War II Marine veteran, I thought it was important to take action to try to correct these problems.

So last August, we announced a unique agreement with the Army. Several of our leading Northern Virginia technology companies assigned their brightest problem-solvers to work with the Army to honestly assess the back office disaster at Arlington, and recommend a responsible path forward.

We already knew that Arlington Cemetery officials were relying on hand-written files, paper maps and 3-by-5 index cards, which was an entirely inadequate system for responsibly tracking the 300,000 military heroes buried at Arlington and the 6,000 military funerals conducted there every year.

Senator Warner, with members of NVTC and representatives from Arlington National Cemetery,

announce the release of an assessment of problems at the Cemetery.

As a result of this assessment [pdf], we now know there were other disappointing management issues at the cemetery:

• Arlington relied on a single fax machine and an inadequate telephone system, which created a difficult and frustrating bottleneck for thousands of families trying to send death certificates, service records, letters of confirmation and other important documents
• This continued reliance on pencil and paper records required families to produce duplicate documentation that in many cases already existed in the Pentagon or VA computer systems – but for some reason these computer networks were not linked.
• Funeral urns containing the remains of our nation’s military heroes frequently were stored on top of file cabinets, in closets and on spare desks at Arlington for extended periods of time, labeled with a temporary, hand-written sticker, awaiting the arrival of the appropriate funeral and burial paperwork.
• Arlington grave markers frequently arrived with misspelled names or other inaccurate information because hand-written records were illegible or incorrect.

Now, it is clear these management issues and workflow challenges existed at Arlington National Cemetery for years, even decades — and they certainly won’t be solved overnight.

But this business plan prepared by members of the Northern Virginia Technology Council provides the Army with a clear roadmap to bring Arlington National Cemetery into the 21st Century digital age.

If implemented correctly, these recommendations will honor the sacrifice of those men and women who are buried at Arlington. This business plan also will go a long way towards restoring the faith and the confidence of those families who have entrusted the remains of their loved ones to Arlington.

An assessment of this quality and depth typically would cost a client hundreds of thousands of dollars, but it is important to note that these Virginia companies and NVTC provided this public service for free. I want to publicly thank them for this great example of corporate citizenship.

The Army already has replaced the management team at Arlington, and Army leaders say they have taken preliminary steps to address several of the problems identified in this report.

But let me be clear: my interest in fixing what’s broken at Arlington does not end today. I consider it my responsibility to stay focused on these issues, and to continue to press the Army to follow-up quickly and appropriately, so that we can put this disappointing chapter behind us.

Best,

We here at the Committee are joining our organization to partner with a fraternal organization of the community, 4th Degree Knights of Columbus Assembly #1883 of Winchester, Virginia. The four principals of the order included those of Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism. The 4th Degree of the organization called “Patriotism” where they provided assistance with many aspects of patriotism to include the veterans in the Northern Shenandoah Valley Region. Our Chairman of the Board is a 4th Degree Knight and feels that this partnership will be beneficial our community for our veterans.

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MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA: [July 4, 2011] Today is the celebration of our countries birth that our veterans in the hospitals do not have activities or special activities that are going to let them help others celebrate our countries birthday, but there will be many veterans that are in local VA Medical Center have a rough time on days like these as there are no clinic, stores or other areas within the Medical Center that they would normally have access to ondaily operations, and through no fault of many of our veterans they have no one that comes to visit them, whether through families are too far away, or in most cases no family are coming to see them on this holiday.

This July 4th, the members of the Knights of Columbus, Chapter #3572, & 4th Degree Assembly #1883, Winchester Virginia and the Disabled Veterans Committee on Housing went to the Martinsburg VA Medical Center after a request had prior approval from the Center to have what was called “Operation Barbecue”. The organizations provided an ole fashion barbecue to include this menu which was distributed through the areas of the hospital by the Nursing Staff, so each veteran made their own choices.

We are members of the Knights of Columbus and the Disabled Veterans Committee on Housing both organizations from Winchester, Virginia want to just say, “Thank you for what you have given for your country”.

The Nursing Home Pavilion provided the area to where everyone was setting up for the barbecue and to feed anyone that was there at the VA that day. We are proud to say that our last count was that we feed over 500 people. There was no charge for anyone; we invited the veterans, their families, friends that were

there to see them, Nursing Staff of the hospital, anyone on duty that day. Here are just some of the comments that we overheard: “that the food was great and the servers are really good” – “I’m really having a ball!” – “what a great event – thanks from me and my family” “the Boy Scouts are doing a great job getting food to all the patients” “A fantastic event – loved everything”, “Miss West Virginia Teen USA 2011made me feel special”

We also made arrangements with groups that could provide our event with entertainment to our veterans throughout the day, we even received permission to go into the different hospital wards and provided musical songs to those that were in bed and couldn’t come to us. We would love to thank the following people:

The Sweet Adeline’s Quartet Apple Capital Chorus Quartet Kevin & Lucille Ball, “Medicine Wind”

Miss West Virginia Teen USA 2011, Susan King, travelled all the way from Fairmont, West Virginia to be there for our veterans. They loved her for coming and having photo’s that she autographed.

Due to privacy of our Veterans, I will not display any photo of them prior to getting their authorization, so please forgive us.

Special thanks for a job well done to the brothers and their friends and family members of the Knights of Columbus Council #3572 and the Boy Scout Troop that gave their day to provide this event for our veterans.

We would like to express our sincere appreciation and recognition that event such as these cannot go on without the cooperation of many organizations:

Boy Scout Troop 45, Black Bear Distribution, Delanco, NJ, Hatfield Quality Meats, Hatfield, PA, Schenck’s Foods, Winchester, Virginia, SegMark Distribution, Roanoke, Virginia, Dixie Beverage Company, Winchester, Virginia, Winchester Cold Storage, Gore’s Meats Products, Edinburg, Virginia, Garber’s Ice Cream, Winchester, Virginia, Hershey Ice Cream, Winchester, Virginia, Bimbo Bakeries (Stroehmann), Kernstown, Virginia, Bender Hammerling Group, New Jersey, Wal-Mart’s Stores – [S. Pleasant Valley and Route 50].

A special thank you:

Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Winchester, Virginia provided our Committee with a cargo van to pick up all the food materials for the Event.

Gore Meat

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We at Disabled Veterans Committee on Housing are happy to report to our readers that there were NO causalities reported from Iraqi/Afghanistan for our servicemen and women from our Northern Shenandoah Valley Community.