GallantFew - America's Veteran Team Archived Blogs

A Petition from a Gold Star Dad to Eliminate the End Date for GI Bill Benefits

2015-08-24T11:26:00.001-05:00

I am Gold Star Dad, my Son SA Sgt Joseph M Peters was Killed in Afghanistan (during the Government Shutdown) 10/06/2013 PH, BS, BSV, MSM, and in October there will be a CID building named after him in Georgia and he will receive the highest honor given by the FLEOA (Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association) on Oct 9th"Heroism".

I am the VA Certifying Official at Ozarks Technical Community College and I have around 1100 veterans and semester after semester I have Veterans come into my Office from the Vietnam War through the Bosnia conflict whose GI Benefits have expired for multiple of reasons. And I want this practice of dictating when a Veteran needs to use their benefit for education eliminated. I have at least 1 or 2 homeless Veterans every semester want to try and use their benefit. If they could use their benefit they would be able to afford a place to live while they went to school and then they could get a job after to school to provide for them. Families would not feel the pressure of trying to use their benefits while raising their kids one of them could stay home or whatever and when the kids were of age they could use their education benefits. I also have a handful who paid in for their benefit but it is not available to them.

There are many complex Veterans issues but this one is simple, delete the end dates. I launched this weekend quietly on Facebook and we have over a 100 signatures and we are in 28 states. I have people working with VFW's in Texas and Florida. One person may not be able to make much of change but someone with many friends can. This is an election cycle and there is no better time to put the pressure on.

But I am emailing because I would like your organizations support in signing the petition and sharing on social media, promoting, and help reach over a million signatures. Once there is over a million signatures anyone who wants to go with me can help me hand deliver this petition to the Congress and the President. If anyone would want me to speak to their organization, church, employers, or group of friends. I will!

Below is the link and the text: Thank you for your consideration

https://www.change.org/p/john-mccain-roy-blunt-claire-mccaskill-the-end-of-time-limits-on-veterans-educational-benefits?recruiter=365847344&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=share_facebook_responsive&utm_term=des-sm-share_petition-custom_msg&fb_ref=Default

The problem is someone a long time ago decided there should be a time limit on when a Veteran could use their education benefits. Those were the days when most people only had one career or worked for one company. This was also the days when a soldier could leave the service and go into a career and retire from the career providing for his or her family.

Now in the last twenty years the Congress and the Presidents of multiple administrations have passed laws that have sent jobs overseas. Veterans have lost their jobs and many of them have not be able to access their earned benefit because the time had expired. Why does benefits for our Congressmen and Women along with our Presidents last a lifetime and men and women who risked their lives is given a time limit to use their benefit?

By ending the time limit forced upon the Veteran they will be able to use the benefit when it best suits them. When a Soldier becomes a Veteran they do not get to remove the scars and burdens they earned while serving this country . They carry them for life and so should their Educational Benefits. When a politician becomes a civilian the generally get a better paying job.

If you support our troops and Veterans then sign this petition to tell Washington to let the Veterans have their Education Benefits when they need them and to do away with end dates immediately because there are Veterans going to college without access to the benefits they earned.

My name is Dennis Peters a Gold Star Dad....

In honor of my Son SA Sgt Joseph M Peters K.I.A 10/06/2013.

Latest Unemployment Figures

2015-07-06T14:12:00.001-05:00

This from the VA:

"The BLS employment statistics were released today. Attached is our ‘cheat sheet’ for your use and information. We have also included the 2nd quarter 2015 statistic report. The national unemployment rate decreased from 5.5% to 5.3% and the Veteran unemployment numbers decreased from 5.0% to 4.4%. Thanks to all of you who are working directly or indirectly, to ensure our Veterans have meaningful employment."

Let's take a look at the details.

This chart shows the last twelve months unemployment rate by month. Civilians are the blue line, all male veterans the red line, all male era I (Desert Storm) the green line, and post 9/11 male veterans purple.

Male Unemployment Comparison Chart

Note the overall downward trend of the post 9/11 male veterans. This is a good thing and kudo's to all who have worked to bring this trend about. We have to stay vigilant, however because when the twelve month average is considered, post 9/11 male veterans remain much higher than non veterans, and double the rate of Desert Storm veterans.

Male Unemployment twelve month average comparison

Females are a different story, with a sharp dip to the good but then a return back to the levels of a year ago. This is a very small population segment, a few numbers skew the ratio.

Female Unemployment Comparison Chart

Overall this month a post 9/11 veteran is 18.5% more likely to be unemployed than a non-veteran. On a twelve month average, 37.75% more likely unemployed. The trend is going the right way, keep it up!

v/r Karl

1st Ranger Battalion Sua Sponte Foundation Bike Raffle

2015-07-03T10:31:00.001-05:00

$20 RAFFLE TICKETS FOR THIS BIKE or 6 for $100.

Custom built by Mind Ride Cycles, Jax, Fl.

The bike is built on a rigid Paugcho frame, 80 inch HD (Harley Davidson) evo motor, HD 5 speed trans, HD primary, billet front end with 21 inch wheel, 18x180 rear tire, billet forward controls, stretched tanks. Biltwell 10 inch bars with GMA controls. Proceeds to benefit 1st Ranger Battalion Sua Sponte Foundation which exists to support 1/75 Rangers and their families.

Buy your tickets by messaging on Facebook to Killer Mans Sons MC Low Country OR jimlbrunton@gmail.com.

Drawing November 3, 2015. You do not have to be present to win.

Background:

In 2014, this bike was raffled at the SSG Jason Dahlke Poker Run to raise money for the Sua Sponte Foundation. The event was a great success and the gentleman who won decided the bike was a bit too peppy for him, so for a very reasonable price, he sold it back to the Foundation. So, here’s to the little bike that keeps on giving…and to second chances. Be a winner. Buy your tickets now.

Go here for more info on the Sua Sponte Foundation

Kansas Child Support Guidelines - Under consideration, using disability to determine child support payments

2015-05-29T13:56:00.001-05:00

Please forward to all vets on your email list so they can respond if they are affected by child support.

I have been given a copy of the proposed change to the Kansas Child Support Guidelines that would specifically allow VA Disability Payments to be considered income. It is my opinion is that position would be contrary to cases decided by the State of Kansas and the United States Supreme Court.

In In Re Pierce, No 80,115, Syl. Par. 3, the Kansas Appellate Court held, “A state trial court has no authority to order a retired military person to change his or her disability pay back to retirement, and it it cannot order disability benefits to be paid to former spouse (emphasis added). In Pierce , the Court was only dealing with a property settlement and spousal maintenance issue. The spouse motioned the Court to order the veteran in that case to revoke his choice to receive VA disability payments in lieu of a portion of his retirement or in the alternative pay her from the funds he was receiving . The Court properly denied the motion and former spouse appealed.

In arriving at the Court’s decision it carefully scrutinized the U.S. Supreme Court case, McCarty v. McCarty, 453 U.S. 210, 69 L.Ed. 589, 101 S.Ct, 2728 (1981). 109 S. Ct. 2023. In McCarty, the U.S. Supreme Court precluded from distributing any portion of a military person of a military spouse. In response to McCarty, the United State legislature passed 10 U.S.C. Sec. 1408. This law enacted by Congress, specifically excluded from the definition of “disposable” retired pay that are deducted from the retired member’s pay. The question of disposable retired pay was answered by the Supreme Court in Mansell V. Mansell, 490 U.S. 581, 104 L.Ed.2d 675, 109 S.Ct. In Mansell, the husband was receiving 50% VA disability and 50% Military Service Retirement. Mansell had at the time of the divorce agreed to give the spouse 50% of the total. After the divorce, Mansell motioned the Court to remove the requirement that he share his disability payment with his wife. Mansell appealed to the United States Supreme Court which construed the USFSPA did not grant state court the power to treat veterans disability as marital property.

The Pierce court actually states “Mansell makes it perfectly clear that the state trial courts have no jurisdiction over disability benefits received by a veteran. The trial court in this case cannot order to Douglas (Pierce) to change the payments back to retirement benefits, and it cannot order him to pay his disability benefits to Priscilla. The Pierce court concluded that the trial court cannot do indirectly what it cannot do directly.

The law is overwhelming that Kansas District Courts have no jurisdiction of disability payments received by a veteran. If a trial Court cannot include VA disability payments in deciding spousal maintenance, support of the wife, which is analogous to support of the child. The Federal law is clear. Veterans benefits are to be treated differently than other benefits paid. VA benefits are not an insurance policy paid for by the employer or the employee, The VA is not Social Security that is paid into so if you become disable they will payout a partial salary to the payee. Receiving 100% VA disability is most analogous to someone receiving SSI. An agency of the Federal Government has found the veteran unable to work, so he is paid 100% VA disability. This payment does not stem from money paid in as required for SSD, or as a private insurance company to pay you your lost wages, it stems from injury/disease incurred serving the United States of America. As SSI is specifically excluded from being included as income for child support so should VA disability payments. I thank you in advance for your thoughtful consideration. I am attaching the Court Cases for your review.

~~~~~~~~
Proposed change to KSCGL –“VA DISABILITY PAYMENTS, SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY PAYMENTS, AND ANY EMPLOYER PROVIDED OR PRIVATE DISABILITY INSURANCE PAYMENTS SHALL BE CONSIDERED INCOME FOR CHILD SUPPORT PURPOPES

The Kansas Supreme Court’s Child Support Guidelines Advisory Committee is seeking public comment on the proposed Kansas Child Support Guidelines. Information about the public comment period has been posted on the Kansas Judicial Branch website under “What’s New.” Your feedback is encouraged.

A news release announcing the public comment period was sent to media statewide and we hope it will be widely reported. We also asked all Kansas judges, the Kansas Payment Center, the Kansas Bar Association, and the Kansas Department for Children and Families to help publicize the public comment period. You should also feel free to share this information with others. Specifically, if you have the ability to send an email message to payors or payees, please send them the link below. From the Kansas Judicial Branch home page they can get to the proposed guidelines, the press release regarding the public comment period, the survey, and more.

http://www.kscourts.org/Rules-Procedures-Forms/Child-support-guidelines/2015_CSG/default.asp

The survey is open until 8 a.m. Monday, June 22, 2015. The Child Support Guidelines Advisory Committee will meet in June and July to review feedback from the public comment period and to make final recommendations to the Kansas Supreme Court. Revisions to the Child Support Guidelines are expected to be effective January 1, 2016.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mark Gleeson
Director of Trial Court Programs
Office of Judicial Administration
Kansas Supreme Court
301 SW 10th Ave
Topeka, Kansas 66612
785.291.3224 Phone
gleesonm@kscourts.org

Memorial Day Remarks by Grant McGarry, 1st Ranger Battalion Veteran

2015-05-25T11:00:00.000-05:00

Grant McGarry, 1st Ranger Battalion Veteran and Director of GallantFew's Darby Project gave these remarks in Smyrna Georgia the morning of May 25th, 2015 - Memorial Day 2015. RLTW km

Good Morning Everybody.

I would like to thank the members of the Smyrna VeteransCommittee, the American Legion Post 160 and the Veterans Memorial Associationof Smyrna for inviting me to speak at such an amazing event. It is a true honor to have this opportunity on Memorial Day.

First, Memorial Day is not to be confused with Veterans Day. Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving.

Memorial Day originated as Decoration Day after the Civil War when an organization of Union Veterans established it as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. From 1775 to present America has lost over 664,440 men and women in combat. When you add these Americans to lives lost due to complications from wounds, diseases and illnesses of war at a later date, America has lost 1,354,664 Men and Women.

Here are some but not all conflicts and wars America has fought in and the price to earn and preserve our freedom..

291,557 Americans were killed in combat in World War 2

33,686 Americans were killed in combat in the Korean War

47,424 Americans were killed in combat in the Vietnam War

18 Americans were killed in combat in the Invasion of Grenada

23 Americans were killed in combat in the Invasion of Panama

29 Americans were killed in combat in Somalia

1,742 Americans were killed in combat in Afghanistan

3,527 Americans were killed in combat in Iraq

Some say the worst wound of war is to be forgotten.

So with this opportunity I would like take a moment of silence to reflect and remember the soldiers, sailors, airmen, coast guardsmen and marines that have paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we may live a life of freedom.

(pause)

That was one minute of your life that you gave them when they gave all.

Here is a little about me and my story.

I was a senior in high school on 9/11 and I watched the twin towers fall in my 2^nd period Criminal Justice class. It impacted me and I was compelled to do something about it. So I went home that day and told my mom I was joining the military.

She looked at me with a look that was somewhat ok with my decision but asked I go to college first. Then she followed up and said, “After College you can do whatever you want”.

Unlike most of the decisions I made in my youth I actually listened to my mom and went to college.

A few years later I was in my senior year at the University of Alabama when I realized that I was not happy and something was missing in my life.

As I was preparing to graduate and start a new chapter in my life with a business degree it became obvious to me that I had reached an interesting place in my life. I found myself in a situation that I didn’t want to be in. I was not excited to start a career in a cubicle crunching numbers or selling widgets. Like most young men and women I reached this point in my life because I was doing what was expected of me by my parents influence.

As I started to process this information I had an outer body experience when I finally realized I was not living my own life. Immediately I took action and started to plan my next move. I didn’t seek advice from anyone because I wanted take charge of my own destiny.

I had always thought about joining the military and knew I would be a great fit so I went about this thought quietly. I was very intrigued and inspired by Pat Tillman’s story and coincidently I knew of a guy attending Alabama who was also an Army Ranger. As I continued to think about joining the military I reached out to him with questions. I quickly noticed there was something about him that I envied. It was the way he stood and his self-confidence.

A few days later after staying up late studying for a Finance test I woke up early to get coffee on my way to the test. The coffee shop was called Bad Ass Coffee. As I waited for my order I watched the news and saw a quick shot of some action in Iraq with bombs and gun fire going on in an Iraq city I’d never heard of. As I thought to myself about the military a feeling came over me that moved me. I realized I hadn’t done anything for my country and that it was time to do what I thought was not only cool but honorable. With this feeling of freedom I decided right then and there that I was joining the military. I left the coffee shop and went to class and took my test. With the war in Iraq still on my mind I drove to the Army recruiting station and walked in and asked the recruiter for the hardest thing he’s got. He said, “I have an Army Ranger contract or an SF contract”. I said, “What’s the difference”? He said, “If you want to be hardcore and kill bad guys be an Army Ranger”. I said,

“Great! Sign me up”. The recruiter said, “Right now”. I said, “Yea before I change my mind”.

Must have been that Bad Ass Coffee.

After starting the process to enlist in the Army I drove home and it felt as though a thousand pounds had been lifted off of my shoulders. I was finally doing what I wanted to do and it felt great. Before going home I stopped at a bookstore and bought a book called “To be an Army Ranger”.

I went home and read the entire book that night. The next morning I woke up threw all my books in my back pack and ran to class. My lifestyle changed dramatically. My friends no longer found me in the bars. Instead I was either running to class or at the gym doing pushups, pull ups and sit ups. When I ran into friends they asked why I would do such a thing; especially right before I graduate. Some were saying don’t do it and others were not surprised. There comments were just noise to me. I didn’t care what anyone had to say. I had a goal and it was to become an Army Ranger.

After finishing up my degree a few months later I shipped off to basic training and never looked back. I was full of piss and vinegar and chomping at the bits to get over to Iraq. In just 2 months after arriving at the 1^st Ranger Battalion I finally got my wish and deployed to Iraq. After three successful deployments to Iraq I deployed to Afghanistan as a team leader and was opened up to an entirely different style of fighting. Instead of carrying the usual 4 mags and a grenade on a mission like in Iraq I found myself carrying 7-9 mags of ammo and multiple types of grenades.

As we continued to surge in Afghanistan my platoon deployed in the summer of 2010 to Jalalabad Afghanistan for my second Afghanistan deployment. It was Taliban hunting season and we were getting after it almost every night. By this time I had over 300 direct action raid missions under my belt and was the senior team leader in the platoon when intelligence located a high valued target in the Pech Valley of the Kunar Province.

The HVT was a Salafist commander and the leader of the Nuristan fighters, a sub network of the Taliban. The HVT was known for being an expert with IED’s, rocket propelled grenades and small arms attacks and always traveled with a PSD team of 2-3 armed men. He was directly linked to events responsible for killing and wounding American soldiers and needed to be captured or killed so that a company of soldier’s in the 101^st Airborne operating out of the Pech Valley would be able to maintain operations in the Kunar Province.

After meticulous planning we flew into the Pech Valley and on the night of August the 18^th and 19^th. The mission to capture or kill this specific HVT was a GO. As cloud cover rolled in we lost our ISR platform and no longer had protection from above. We still had each other but lost a critical element that aided in our own protection. As my squad climbed onto a second story roof top preparing to make entry through a door an all-out gun fight erupted from directly above us on the 3^rd story rooftop. Grenades and small arms fire were pouring down on us.

Immediately Ranger’s Ethan Gronbeck and Chris Wright were wounded. As the shrapnel from the grenades and AK-47 rounds were flying everywhere I could here Chris screaming I’m hit, I’m hit.

Despite the two casualties there was a threat that needed to be eliminated, collectively as a squad we regained fire superiority and killed the HVT and his two man PSD element and pulled Chris to a safer place to treat his wounds.

What felt like an eternity only lasted a few minutes but I replay this moment over and over in my head everyday thinking about what I could have done better to protect Chris and Ethan.

Chris Wright died a few hours later in surgery.

Chris Wright was an amazing warrior and was cut from the same cloth as the warriors that scouted with Washington, fought shoulder to shoulder with Jackson, braved the redoubt with Grant, charged the beach at Normandy and climbed the cliffs at Pointe Du Hoc.

Chris Wright was a warrior that did not fight for himself or glory he fought for his brothers to his left and right. Even as Chris laid dying on the battlefield in overwhelming pain he never felt sorry for himself. It still amazes me to this day how mentally tough Chris Wright was and the only thing I can think of is that he spent his last moments in strength, confidence and honor because he was with his brothers to the end and he knew he had never let anyone down.

Chris Wright is a true American hero that lived the life that others wouldn’t dare volunteer for so that Americans may live a life in peace. Before joining the Army Chris’s mom asked him, “Why do you want to join the Army?” Chris said, “So that I can keep my brothers safe.”

Let it not be forgotten that the price of Specialist Christopher Wright’s life and the other 1,354,663 lives lost since 1775 is the cost of our Country’s freedom today.

It is best said by Colonel William O. Darby. "We the living Ranger, will never forget our fallen comrades. They and the ideas for which they fought will remain ever-present among us. For we fully understand the extent of their heroic sacrifices, we will carry their spirit with us into all walks of life. Into all corners of America our hearts join together in sorrow for their loss but also our hearts swell with pride to have fought alongside such valiant men. They will never be considered dead for they live with us in spirit."

Because of the wonderful lives lost during my time as a Ranger I have been driven to a greater cause and in memory of my brothers as a tribute to honor these men I have dedicated my life to a greater good on behalf of other Rangers to help facilitate a successful transition for Army Ranger veterans from active military service to a civilian life filled with hope and purpose.

Rangers Lead the Way!

Thank you.

Grant McGarry

Learn more about Darby Project and GallantFew.

Reinstating Paralympic Sailing in Tokyo 2020

2015-05-01T09:46:00.000-05:00

Received this today from a staunch veteran supporter:

Wonder if you guys would be willing to share this with your friends - we just got vets teams qualifying for Paralympics and would really like to see them compete in 2020.

I encourage all my disabled friends and their communities as well as veterans who support disabled veterans organizations to write a letter to the Olympic Committee who have taken disabled sailing out of the Paralympic Games in Tokyo. Here is our letter - you may feel free to use this as a framework for your own message and send it to disabled@isaf.com.

Like many who support disabled sailing, I was shocked to hear that the disabled sailing competition would be dropped in Tokyo. This program does so much for so many people world wide, giving them hope and uplifting their spirits as they struggle with added complexities in their lives everyday. Sailing, in particular, creates a feeling of freedom unique from other sports and having sailing represented at the Paralympics is essential to enabling more folks to experience the exhilaration of sailing competition and the ability to feel whole again while on the water.

My wife and I sincerely request that disabled sailing be reinstated at the Paralympics.

Sincerely,
Roger and Jane G

Here's the Facebook page supporting reinstatement.

Spartan Race seeks Director of Operations

2015-04-23T08:54:00.000-05:00

Position: Director of Operations

Location: Corporate Office, Boston

Department: COO

Founded in 2010, Spartan Race is the global leader in the sport of obstacle racing. Spartan races cater to individuals looking to test their physical limits and change their frame of reference for what they can accomplish, from everyday people looking to get off the couch and lead a fitter lifestyle, to elite endurance athletes who seek the ultimate physical test.

Spartan Race is a high-performance organization, and successful team members must therefore possess a strong work ethic and hands-on approach to business. We are innovative, create inventive solutions, and are exceptionally service minded. Team members at Spartan change lives, and have a passion for the organization. Paramount to our organization is the maturity to embrace ambiguity and ability to adapt according to the market and the continuing innovation of the organization.

Summary of position:

Reporting to the COO, this position is mainly responsible for the daily coordination of operations, as well as prioritization of time and resources to accomplish long term goals and constant improvement.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

· Responsible for Spartan Race Battle Rhythm, ensuring effective and efficient use of everybody’s time. Preparation, facilitating and follow up of all Spartan Race Communications forums.

· Responsible for the Synchronization Matrix, to ensure planning and execution of events and that all key resources are available to support the event.

· Responsible for planning, resourcing and executing projects for short and long term growth.

· Ensure strategic initiatives and projects are resourced properly and meet milestones.

These duties can be summed up as the coordinator of all current and future operations planning and execution.

· Responsible for establishing and maintaining operational rhythm and tempo across the company, synchronizing multiple departments and focus areas to promote efficiency and effectiveness.

· Promotes efficient communication throughout the company by establishing and enforcing a standardized communication system that includes daily huddles and weekly staff/operational meetings.

· Flattens the organization's communication by promoting significant cross-talk and dissemination of information to the lowest level.

· Manages companywide synchronization matrix and ensures adherence and resourcing of day to day operations. Provides guidance to company leadership on departmental workload capacity and potential friction points.

· Tracks special projects/initiatives and advises leadership on the integration according to current workload capacity.

· Enforces deadlines and inter-departmental cooperation to achieve company goals.

· Provides analysis and recommendations for the synchronization of short term, long term and strategic goals.

· Mediates the relationship between executive company leadership and departmental heads.

· Assists in coordination, collaboration and the communication of intent throughout multiple leadership levels in order to align all departments to achieve success.

Qualifications:

· Ability to hold one-self accountable and an aptitude for prioritizing multiple projects.

· Strong sense of teamwork with the ability to foster relationships.

· Proactive, solutions-oriented; capability to identify efficiencies and decrease costs while maintaining a quality workplace environment and product.

· Collegial approach to a business environment and cooperative work style.

· Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.

Requirements:

· 5+ years with proven leadership skills.

· Bachelors in Business, Finance or related field.

· Military Operational experience a plus.

· Proficiency in Excel, Power Point and Shared Drive’s.

· Operational background controlling or coordinating actions for multi-matrix organizations.

Interested? PM me with your contact info. Karl

Darby Original, Ranger Hall of Fame Honoree Noel Dye Funeral 20 April in Bushnell Florida

2015-04-15T17:17:00.001-05:00

WWII ARMY RANGER DARBY LEGEND AND HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE PVT 1ST CLASS RAYMOND NOEL DYE's

final journey home will be on:

April 20, 2015 at 1400 (2:00 PM EST)

Florida National Cemetery ,6502 SW 102nd Ave, Bushnell, Florida 33513

(352) 793-7740

Maj. Gen. K.K. Chinn, United States Army Special Operations Command Deputy Commanding General will be attending, and will provide a testimony to the intestinal fortitude of Ranger legend Raymond Noel Dye, whose life of service was honored on April 9 at Fort Benning's Ranger Memorial.

Bio of a Legend

Dye joined the Army on Nov. 12, 1942 and shipped out to Oran, North Africa in April 1943. Upon arrival in North Africa, he answered Col. William O. Darby’s call for volunteers for the elite Ranger Force. He served with F Company, 1st Ranger Battalion, and later with the 4th Battalion. The success of 1st Battalion, known as "Darby's Rangers", in Operation Torch, and in combat actions afterwards, led to the formation of the five additional Ranger battalions, as well as the expansion of the Army Ranger program, a prelude to the historic legacy of the Rangers of today.

Ranger Noel Dye

“Ranger Dye saw many conflicts on foreign soil,” said Maj. Gen. K.K. Chinn, United States Army Special Operations Command Deputy Commanding General. “He served with distinction in combat through three invasions – Sicily, Salerno and Anzio, Italy.” Dye was wounded four times according to his book, “Leading the Way”. “Ranger Dye was a Ranger, and true to the Ranger spirit, no hospital was going to keep him from being with his Ranger buddies on the battlefield,” Chinn said. “His adventures of being AWOL from hospital treatment, so he could shoulder more than his share of the task, are described in his book.”

Dye saw too much for a young Ranger still in his late teens. His adventures in war led him from one battle to the next; surviving a gunshot wound and a mortar shelling. "Noel represented close traits to what many of you have seen in your ranks today where you can knock a Ranger down but he will keep getting up,” said retired Command Sgt. Maj. Douglas Greenway. “He has a life example we can all aspire to follow.”

One of the most tragic events of young Ranger Dye’s life was the death of his Ranger buddy, Charles Roby. “We all grow old fast in combat, and what took his breath away and a moment that was etched in his heart forever, happened on a cold November morning in 1943, when he saw his Ranger buddy, Charles Roby fall on the battlefield – killed in action,” General Chinn said. Noel always talked about Roby every time we met; Roby was a true friend to him and I know they are together now in the Objective Rally Point with the Big Ranger in the sky.”

An excerpt from Ranger Dye’s memoirs:

“We made our way about two-thirds of the way across the field when we started taking a lot of small arms fire. We found as many low spots on the ground as we could for cover. As we lay on the ground, our packs and canteens were being shot off. The Germans then started with mortars. After the second shell, Sgt. Altieri had us sound off, in order as usual. No one had been hit. Sgt. Altieri then called us by name, two at a time to get across the last part of the field and into the woods. We ran toward the woods. Roby was heavier than me and carried a Thompson submachine gun with ammo. Roby was on my right as I ran past him and dove across the fence. The mortar barrage continued as I lay on the ground trying to catch my breath. I crawled back into the woods where it would be safe enough to stand up. I called out for Roby but there was no answer. I asked others around me, "Where's Roby?" No one knew. Finally someone pointed toward the field.”

“Ranger Dye’s military career was one of duty, honor, courage, loyalty, selfless service and determination to get the mission done,” Chinn said. “He fought alongside his fellow Rangers throughout Italy, Africa and other campaigns across foreign lands, enduring the cold winters of war.”

Chinn left the memorial attendees with a final thought at Fort Benning, Georgia, during Best Ranger Competition.

“When you look at the life of this great Ranger Hall of Fame legend, from the beginning of his life until the end; we have an inside view of all those wonderful moments he experienced - the lives he touched - the friends he made - the Soldiers he served with. His epitaph will read, Raymond Noel Dye, born November 2, 1924 - March 8, 2015. the dash in the middle of his birth and his death represents everything he did in this wonderful life he had. That little dash represents someone who was truly larger than life.”

Dye’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Good Conduct Medal, Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal with Arrowhead, National Defense Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge.

Dye is survived by his wife Theresa, son Richard Meyer, daughter Tondra Mineo and granddaughter Stephie.

Rangers Lead the Way!

For more on Darby WWII Ranger Raymond Dole, please visit
http://www.benning.army.mil/infantry/rtb/rhof/index.html

Ranger Noel and Theresa Dye are personal friends, and I grieve with his family and the Ranger family. These treasures are becoming more rare - not too far off there will be none remaining on this earth. Find them and appreciate them while you can. RLTW km

Rangers Monger and Dye, 2011

GallantFew launches The Darby Project

2015-04-09T16:31:00.001-05:00

GallantFew, Inc. announces launch of The Darby Project, Grant McGarry named as project director

Every Ranger veteran deserves a life filled with purpose and hope - and who better to help a transitioning Ranger veteran than another Ranger who has already transitioned?

The Darby Project matches transitioning Rangers with Ranger "Guides" - Rangers from the same unit, same military specialty, who have previously successfully transitioned and live in the same local area as the transitioning Ranger. This helps overcome isolation and leads to a smoother and more successful transition.

Elite US Army Rangers face unique challenges when transitioning. The characteristics that make them elite soldiers can prevent them from reaching out for assistance which in turn can lead to isolation and worse. The Veterans Administration tells us that 22 veterans take their own lives every day, and that veteran unemployment and homelessness remain unacceptably high.

Grant McGarry

In conjunction with the launch of The Darby Project, decorated Ranger veteran, Grant McGarry, has been named as Project Director. McGarry served as rifleman to team leader in the 1st Ranger Battalion and transitioned from active duty to jobs with Triple Canopy and the Coca Cola Company, as well as starting a small business, Live the Ranger Creed. While working for Coca-Cola, Grant helped start the Coca-Cola Military Veterans Business Resource Group and was appointed the Atlanta Chapter President. Grant has a degree in Business Administration from the University of Alabama and plans to start his master's degree in the fall.

GallantFew's Executive Director, Karl Monger, said "McGarry is a well-respected Ranger veteran who understands the unique transition challenges this community faces. His energy and focus will result in a stronger bond between the active-duty Rangers and the Ranger veteran community, which will lead more Rangers to successful civilian lives filled with purpose and hope."

Rangers planning to transition (or still working through their transition) and Ranger veterans interested in becoming Guides should visit www.darbyproject.org for more information. There, they will provide contact information and proof of service. Following a brief interview, they will be identified as a Guide or a Future Guide (all transitioning Rangers will one day help another) and a transition plan of support will be established.

GallantFew is a nationwide charitable nonprofit organization established in 2010 and provides a "Revolutionary Veteran Support Network". Other programs include The Raider Project, Run Ranger Run and Descendants of Sparta. Contact info@gallantfew.org for more information.

Don't Drink and Drive - Learn from this Ranger's mistakes

2015-04-02T13:32:00.001-05:00

John Preston, Marine Veteran - Singer/Songwriter

2015-03-16T16:58:00.004-05:00

Last week I interviewed John Preston on TNAV. Check it out! He's raising money for the Boot Campaign.

US Dept of State VIP Fellows - from the VA Office of Economic Opportunity

2015-03-16T15:20:00.000-05:00

Deputy Undersecretary Coy sends:

Colleagues and Fellow Veterans,

In August of last year, I wrote about an exciting opportunity for Veterans who have or are in a Master’s degree program. This program is the Veterans Innovation Partnership (VIP), a new public-private alliance platform aimed at serving America’s veterans and separating service members by preparing them for diplomacy and development careers, providing education and employment resources and expertise while enhancing America’s global leadership. Last year The State Department received over 1600 applicants, with 22 VIP fellowships chosen. This year the number of fellowships will increase to 40. The following provides more detail information regarding eligibility and the application process.

The U.S. Department of State is currently accepting applications for the Fall 2015 class of VIP Fellows. The main focus of VIP is to build and deploy strategic partnerships between the U.S. government and the U.S. private sector to mobilize resources and build networks to promote foreign affairs career opportunities for veterans. This fellowship will give applicants the opportunity to serve in foreign affairs roles primarily throughout the Department of State, but also at our participating agencies, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), or the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). The VIP fellowship will include full-time employment beginning in the Fall of 2015 and lasting for one year; responsibilities and compensation commensurate with a Master’s degree along with mentoring and professional development opportunities throughout the year.

Eligibility Requirements

VIP fellowships are only open to veterans who:
Are enrolled in a Master’s degree program in the preferred fields of International Business, International Relations/Affairs, Public Policy, Public Administration, or related fields (this includes MPA, MPH, MPP, MBA, and JD degrees)
Completed a Master’s degree in the preferred or related fields listed above less than two years prior to applying for the fellowship (except for veterans precluded from doing so due to their military service obligation, they will have up to six years after degree completion to apply)
Applicants will need to be able to obtain a Secret Level security clearance.
Criteria include outstanding leadership and life experience as well as excellence in academic, cross-cultural and communication skills.
To be considered, an applicant’s cumulative GPA for the master’s degree should be 3.2 or above on a 4.0 scale, or equivalent.

Application Process

To apply for a 2015 VIP Fellowship, please provide the following information to VIPFellowship@state.gov:

A current resume. Use your resume to highlight your education, expertise, achievements and honors, extracurricular activities/community service, language skills, and any leadership experience. The resume should not exceed two pages.

A cover letter not to exceed 450 words. In your cover letter, please include your areas of focus i.e. economics, regional affairs, technology, etc. Also include if you have interest in carrying out your fellowship in the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), or the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).

Declaration of Graduate Degree GPA (official transcript verification may be required at a later time)

DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge

Please provide, if applicable, your VA Service Connected Disability Rating Letter

The U.S. Department of State will be unable to process your application without this information. In addition, this is a competitive fellowship opportunity with limited spots. This call for applications will remain open until March 27, 2015. Complete application packages received by the first cut-off date of March 20, 2015, 11:59p.m., will receive first consideration for employment. If your application is submitted and processed after this date, you will receive consideration on an “as needed basis”. Selections are expected to be made by May 2015 and expected start dates in September 2015.

Additional information about VIP is available at www.vipfellowship.org. For additional questions, please contact VIPFellowship@state.gov or 1-866-300-7419. Please refer to www.vipfellowship.org and @vipfellowship for further information and updates.

V/R

Curtis L. Coy
Deputy Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity
Veterans Benefits Administration
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

VA Core Values: Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, Excellence (“I CARE”)

Please Remember:
If you would like to review prior messages sent through this listserv, click http://benefits.va.gov/vow/economic_opportunity.htm.
If you would like to research, find, access, and, in time, manage your VA benefits and personal information please visit and/or register at https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits-portal/ebenefits.portal.
If you looking for a job or an employer committed to hiring Veterans, please register on the Veterans Employment Center (VEC) at: https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/jobs
If you are seeking employment in the federal government, particularly the VA, our VA for Vets high-tech tools and resources can help. Visit online at http://vaforvets.va.gov/ or call 1-855-824-8387.
If you would like to contact us about your VA education benefits:

You can send us a secure email that will usually be answered within 48 hours. You can also search for answers to frequently asked questions and register to be notified of any updates to the information. This contact method is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can also be utilized worldwide. Click here to enter the "Ask A Question" site or here to review our frequently asked questions.

You can call 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551). This line only accepts calls from 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM central time Monday – Friday.

Veteran Restores '59 Chevy Pickup, Pledges Portion of Proceeds

2015-03-15T17:25:00.004-05:00

One of our Veteran volunteers wants to show his thanks by pledging 10% of the sale of this truck he restored to GallantFew. Please check it out and share!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251880884181

Purdue Veteran Seeks Input for PTSD Program Under Development - Survey

2015-03-14T18:04:00.001-05:00

Dear Fellow Veterans:

The military taught us to never leave a fallen comrade. Yet, millions of our fellow service men and women from the Korean and Vietnam Wars to the Gulf War and post-9/11 war eras are being left behind with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 83% of those that are afflicted with PTSD have either not been diagnosed or do not receive treatment. Every day, they suffer alone in silence with the invisible wounds of war. Every day 22 veterans commit suicide.

Veterans with PTSD need our help. Thanks to endorsement and support from GallantFew, this survey is being sent to thousands of you as a step in developing new programs to help our fellow veterans that are suffering. If you would like to help, please take the survey by clicking on the link below. Your feedback will help ensure that our comrades get the care they need and are not left behind.

Here is the link: https://purdue.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_7UHVQYYB7BjzqxD

Thank you in advance for your help.

Jeff Decker

U.S. Army, 2nd Ranger Battalion (2004-2008)

Purdue University EBV Class of 2014

Amputee Pain Research - Survey

2015-03-03T08:14:00.002-06:00

"Help researchers understand amputee pain and phantom pain by taking a 10 minute anonymous survey. We are interested in hearing from people with amputations at ALL levels and ANY level of pain (including no pain).

We hope to answer basic questions that directly impact amputees, including how phantom limb pain changes with time. This survey tool will be used one day to identify the best treatment for amputee pain and phantom limb pain.

Please go to: www.neuromaphantom.com to request an access code to complete the study.

If you have any questions please contact Carlee Culver at carlee.j.culver.ctr@mail.mil or 806-323-2110.

Thank you for your time.

Benjamin Kyle Potter, MD, FACS
LTC, MC, USA
Vice Chair, Orthopaedic Surgery
Musculoskeletal Oncology - JPMCC/WRNMMC & NCI/NHLBI/NIH Chief Orthopaedic Surgeon, Amputee Patient Care Program Department of Orthopaedics, WRNMMC"

Mental Wellness - and the suffering of perhaps the greatest President

2015-02-08T14:12:00.002-06:00

You might be stunned to learn that Abraham Lincoln often suffered bouts of "melancholy" and even talked about suicide. He quoted dark poetry and told jokes to raise his own spirits. If Facebook had existed back then imagine what he might have posted!

Sometimes suicide seems the best way to relieve suffering, to cease being a burden to others, a voice that drowns out all else. This is why the Spartan Pledge is so important, so critical. A warrior that makes a promise to another warrior keeps that promise - period.

Just imagine how different the world would be today if Abraham Lincoln had ended his own life. His mission to end slavery surely powered him through that melancholy. What's your mission? A warfighter without a mission is a dead warfighter.

Run Ranger Run helps us spread the word about The Spartan Pledge and more. Three years ago this past week Ranger Cory Smith finished his epic journey of 565 miles from Columbus Georgia to Indianapolis Indiana. He ran, he walked and he biked to bring awareness to the difficult journey a soldier experiences becoming a civilian. His miles saved lives, and yours can too.

This brief video talks about the importance of Run Ranger Run.

Please share this widely - and consider helping us with our mission. https://www.crowdrise.com/mongersmarauders/

Learn more about GallantFew here.

Volunteers Needed for Research Study! “Partner Post-traumatic Stress and Growth”

2015-02-06T11:11:00.001-06:00

Volunteers Needed for Research Study!
“Partner Post-traumatic Stress and Growth”

Description of Project: This study seeks to better understand the
different ways that military spouses/partners respond when they or
their spouses/partners experience highly stressful or traumatic
events. If you choose to participate, you will be asked to complete an
online questionnaire about your current thoughts, feelings, and
behaviors related to your response to a highly stress/traumatic event
experienced by yourself of your spouse/partner within the past five
years. It is anticipated that this survey will take approximately 30
minutes to complete. If you choose to participate, you will be
eligible for a drawing to receive 1 of 2, $50.00 Visa gift cards.

To participate: You must be a military service member or spouse and
are currently living in the United States. You must speak English and
you must also be between the ages of 18 and 65 years old. Also, you or
your spouse/partner must have experienced a highly stressful event
within the past five years.

If interested, please click https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/8MDFB7H

To learn more, contact the principal investigators of the study,
Jeremy Jinkerson at 662-617-0497 or jjinkerson@email.fielding.edu or
Athena Hubbard at 303-990-2149 or ahubbard@email.fielding.edu.

This research is conducted under the direction of Dr. Daniel Holland,
Fielding Graduate University, Department of Psychology and has been
eviewed and approved. Posted with permission.

Gary Gordon Medal of Honor Memorial - Larry Moores

2015-02-05T07:11:00.001-06:00

On February 3, 2015 I interviewed US Army veteran Larry Moores. Larry was a platoon leader in the 3rd Ranger Battalion during the Battle of Mogadishu, better known as Black Hawk Down. Watch the YouTube interview below.

Here's the Facebook page that Larry mentions.

Jump straight to a donation to support the memorial.

You can also listen to the audio through iTunes or Podbean. Be sure and catch some archives and tune in each Tuesday at 2pm Central for the live broadcast.

Run Ranger Run 2015 has begun! Are you on a team? Check out the participants across the USA and overseas.

A Veteran Writes to GallantFew

2015-01-16T16:39:00.001-06:00

I'll never forget the call I received from X last summer. I found myself listening to a veteran very depressed and scared about the thoughts running through his head. I vividly him telling me "but they told me I was broken" (meaning the Med Board review). I challenged him that the only person who could tell you that you were broken was you - and that wasn't acceptable. Why let some outside person or organization tell you what you are or what you aren't? That laid the groundwork for a lot of change. I also learned a lot from X - lessons in courage, persistence and willingness to ask for help - which in itself requires overcoming training that teaches you to suck it up. km

X writes:

"I have tried multiple service organizations, namely the VA and a variety of vet service centers, in a futile attempt to reintegrate into society. It was predominantly due to the inundated and fractured care that the Veterans Administration provides. This lack of infrastructure leads to War Fighters, such as myself, being left in the voids of society; becoming shut ins, often ignored and isolated, which in a lot of cases contributes to soldier suicide.

I would like to share I am an OIF/OEF Combat Army Veteran suffering from severe PTSD, a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), bi-lateral hip fractures, spinal fractures, left arm, hand, leg, knee, and both ankle injuries and a stab wound to the chest.

I had the Honor and privilege of deploying in the initial invasion of Iraq assigned to a joint special task force. I am also a product of California’s foster care system; a blueprint on what not to do to a child. Given my origin, I had baggage going into the service, but during my tour I experienced things that would blacken the heart of any normal human being and nearly cost me my life and it has been eating away at every facet of my life.

I was physically injured during service to my country, I was also emotionally shattered; transitioning to civilian life a constant challenge. I have had some success with equine therapy, the most successful treatment I had been through before the Serenity Trauma Healing Center program. The unique resources offered by GallantFew are like none other that I have ever had the privilege or access to in the past.

Although, a recipient of multiple combat awards, including, two medals of Valor and being honorably discharged; after leaving active duty and while negotiating the VA system, I believed that I was "broken", as my Med-Board review stated. As a soldier, I have continued to work towards a “normal” civilian life, the emotional scars and pain, making it feel impossible. The constant negative self-dialogue and anger, and if I am honest, fear, left me with little hope for the future. GallantFew's devotion and dedication and commitment to excellence has been a key contributor to my healing process; allowing me to be a better parent, better friend, better mate, and better man.

The visceral amount of fear and vulnerability and no sense of purpose had nearly extinguished any drive I might have to get better and then I was introduced to GallantFew and the special services they provide for authenticated combat veterans has been invaluable and irreplaceable.

Karl Monger and GallantFew consistently reminded me about the Warrior's Ethos, which is to never quit, regardless to the circumstances I am facing. He encouraged me to think of my children in my darkest times and he motivated me to continue to engage with the issues that were causing me to seclude myself from life, from others, from my family.

The physical and emotional pain I have been living with since my return from service is overwhelming and at times there seems like no better choice other than giving up on life, figuratively and literally. I, personally, have known fellow war fighters who have committed suicide. GallantFew provided unwavering resources and support. Experiencing the loss of my best friend to suicide was a crushing blow. If he had access to organizations like GallantFew, I will maintain that with the support of such an organization, the outcome could have been different.

Similar to veteran soldiers, active duty soldiers, are falling to suicide at a rate of almost one soldier per day. The solutions offered by the government has not proven successful. In fact, it has proven to be detrimental, because other therapies are not readily known about or explored. Just giving us drugs to numb the pain and dull the senses is not the right answer.

Every soldier has his/her own story. I am sharing mine, because I want you to know the impact GallantFew has had on me."

X

2014 A Banner Year for Post 9/11 Veterans?

2015-01-14T12:08:00.002-06:00

According to the Air Force Times, 2014 was a "historic" year for post 9/11 veteran employment. The headline boldly proclaims

"2014: A banner year for post-9/11 vet employment"

The overall employment picture is indeed improving, but I have an issue with the rosy picture presented.

I've been tracking and charting veteran unemployment since January 2011. It clearly and consistently trends along with the US national unemployment rate, except for these pesky facts:

A post 9/11 veteran is about 35% more likely to be unemployed that a non-veteran.
A post 9/11 veteran is 58% more likely to be unemployed than a Desert Storm era veteran.

Painting a rosy picture causes the general public (which is already disengaged) to think that veteran unemployment is not an issue -- when it really is.

A four year look at the unemployment trendlines, comparing non-veterans with all veterans, post 9/11 veterans, and Desert Storm era veterans.

A look at the unemployment numbers for the past twelve months.

So what to do about it?

GallantFew believes the answer lies in communities taking responsibility for helping veterans transition home.

Does your community have a veteran section on its website? Does it have a welcome home picnic/social/potluck quarterly? Is there an effort to connect new veterans with veterans in the community who have already successfully transitioned? How about a written plan?

Learn more: www.gallantfew.org

Veterans with a severe service-connected disability and limited mobility - important announcement from the VA

2015-01-13T09:29:00.003-06:00

Are you a Veteran with a severe service-connected disability that affects your mobility? Do you know someone who is? The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administers the Specially Adapted Housing program, designed to help severely disabled Veterans and Servicemembers purchase or construct an adapted home, or modify an existing home to accommodate a disability. Two grant programs exist: the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant and the Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) grant.

We want to ensure anyone who might qualify knows about this program.

The SAH grant is designed to help disabled Veterans and Servicemembers by providing a barrier-free living environment, such as a wheelchair accessible home, that affords Veterans a level of independent living they may not otherwise enjoy. Veterans and Servicemembers with specific service-connected disabilities (including loss/loss of use of both lower extremities) may be entitled to a grant for the purpose of constructing or modifying a home to meet their adaptive needs, up to the current maximum of $70,465.

The SHA grant can be used to increase the mobility of eligible Veteran and Servicemembers throughout their residences. Veterans and Servicemembers with specific service-connected disabilities (including severe visual impairment or loss/loss of use of both hands) may be entitled to this type of grant, up to the current maximum of $14,093.

For those who do not yet own a home, a temporary grant may be available to SAH/SHA eligible Veterans and Servicemembers who are or will be temporarily residing in a home owned by a family member. The maximum amount available to adapt a family member’s home for the SAH grant is $30,934 and for the SHA grant is $5,523.

VA has staff located nationwide to assist individuals in applying for and receiving these grants. You can find more detailed information about qualifying disabilities here: http://benefits.va.gov/homeloans/adaptedhousing.asp, and you can find contact information for an SAH Agent in your area here: http://www.benefits.va.gov/HOMELOANS/contact_agents.asp.

Each Veteran’s housing/living needs are as unique as their physical disabilities. The Specially Adapted Housing program provides hands-on, personalized, customized service to severely disabled Veterans seeking home adaptations.

Other quick reference information can be found on our SAH graphic at: http://www.benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/infographics/special_adaptive_housing.html#sthash.fO5MRl0b.dpbs. Please feel free to use this in your newsletters, community spaces or publications.

If you have any questions, please email sahinfo.vbaco@va.gov.

V/R

Curtis L. Coy
Deputy Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity
Veterans Benefits Administration
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Discharge Upgrades and PTSD

2015-01-08T15:12:00.001-06:00

Recently published, this needs to get widest dissemination. I speak with veterans often who received other than honorable (OTH) discharges, many with drug-related offenses that are easily tied to Post Traumatic Stress symptoms.

If you received an OTH, check this out.

From the Army Review Boards Agency website:

On September 3, 2014, the Secretary of Defense issued a memorandum providing guidance to the Military Department Boards for Correction of Military/Naval Records (BCM/NR) as they carefully consider each and every petition brought regarding under other than honorable conditions discharge upgrade requests by veterans claiming Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This includes a comprehensive review of all materials and evidence provided by the applicant. Read more...

Why Can't I Find GallantFew on Charity Navigator? and other questions.

2015-01-07T10:02:00.001-06:00

Happy New Year!

Run Ranger Run is amping up, and with new participants come some new questions. I am very glad that people are asking these questions, and far too many donate to nonprofits without investigating what they do with the funds.

Here are some of the questions:

Q: How does GallantFew rate on Charity Navigator? I can't find anything about your organization.

A: GallantFew isn't large enough for Charity Navigator to evaluate us. This quote is from the Charity Navigator website:

"Sources of Revenue: Because our goal is to help individual givers, we evaluate only those charities that depend on support from individual givers. Specifically, we require public support to be more than $500,000 and total revenue more than $1,000,000 in the most recent fiscal year. And we do not review charities that receive most of their funding from government grants, or from the fees they charge for their programs and services.

Length of Operations: We require 7 years of Forms 990 to complete an evaluation."

In 2013, GallantFew raised less than $200,000 and in 2014 less than $250,000 so we are about a fourth of the minimum required. Also 2015 marks our fifth year in operation, and will be the fourth year we file a 990 (the first year our revenue was so small we met the postcard requirement). So it will be three years before we've been around long enough to make their site.

Q: Where does the money go? What's your percent of overhead?

A: GallantFew's Executive Director is paid a salary of $50,000 per year. The other two full timers are paid less than that. The only overhead expenses are those items not tied directly to providing veteran services, and in 2013 that was 3% - leaving 97% to go towards mission. We have been very cautious about expenditures, because we are very new and Run Ranger Run is in its third year - so we've saved $100,000 to ensure we can operate unimpeded. Our plan is for RRR to do as well or better than last year, which means we will expand our capacity (meaning hiring) to cover the ever-increasing volume of veterans seeking assistance.

There is detailed information on the GallantFew website: Five years of performance and all our financial reports. Please share them.

Please feel free to email Karl with any other questions you might have, and thank you for your support.

Karl

Madison Rising - Dave Bray

2014-12-11T14:49:00.003-06:00

Featured guest this week on The New American Veteran was Madison Rising's Dave Bray. Dave is a veteran of the US Navy, where he served as a FMF Corpsman for the 2nd Battalion / 2nd Marines stationed out of Camp Lejeune.

Madison Rising's slogan, "America's most patriotic rock band" rings true through their music and their support of the military. They are currently raising money through an Indiegogo campaign to bring music to a number of military installations across the country.

Here's the Youtube interview:

Catch TNAV's live interview most every Tuesday at 2pm Central time. You can also subscribe to the free audio podcast through iTunes. We're always looking for people or organizations related to the military and veterans. If you'd like to submit someone (even you!) for consideration for an interview, please email us.

Their music video Soldier's Christmas.

The Star Spangled Banner

It's the end of the year - that means every organization on earth is asking for donations, so we will too. You can make a donation here, or consider joining Run Ranger Run and let's have fun in February!

Oh, and if you haven't gotten your Ranger or soldier a Christmas present yet, consider a stone at the Ranger Monument or one at the National Infantry Museum.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza, Happy New Year, Happy Holidays! and Peace on Earth to men (and if not... Here I am, send me).

RLTW! Karl

Justice! For Veterans - Military Justice Attorneys this week on TNAV

2014-12-04T07:30:00.000-06:00

Military Justice Attorneys - the newest GallantFew Founding Donor. We are proud to announce our collaboration to get active duty servicemembers and veterans the legal representation they deserve!

www.militaryjusticeattorneys.com

Watch the video interview:

Subscribe to the TNAV podcast on iTunes

Don't use iTunes? Listen on your device via Podbean.

Remember The New American Veteran is live most every Tuesday at 2pm Central time. We want to talk to veterans who have successfully transitioned, people who are doing great work to help veterans, and other items of veteran interest. Contact Karl for details.

Run Ranger Run 2015 is building!!! Check out how you can be involved!

Finally, if you haven't yet - subscribe to The Havoc Journal. This is a source of information on veterans, politics, and more, and it's free!