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WASHINGTON (Feb. 23, 2010) – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced a two-month, nationwide advertising campaign to assist student Veterans and servicemembers applying for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. “VA, student Veterans and our schools have made significant progress in implementing the GI Bill this spring, but we still have more to do,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “We won’t rest until all student Veterans have received the education benefit they earned in defense of our Nation.”
Since inception of this historic new program, VA has issued nearly $1.9 billion in Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit payments and opened the door to higher education to 209,490 people. As of Feb. 12, VA has received spring semester Post-9/11 GI Bill enrollments from approximately 180,000 student Veterans and already paid nearly 90 percent of students. All Post-9/11 GI Bill participants whose spring enrollments were received by Jan. 18 have been paid.
The GI Bill Advertising campaign includes half-page ads in top college publications, online and social media, print, radio, and outdoor advertising such as posters and flyers. Public service announcements are being delivered to approximately 150 college radio stations and 750 local stations in areas where there is a high density of students, as well as military installations. Student Veterans on college campuses will also see a variety of posters in registrars’ offices, dormitories, cafeterias, student union buildings and other high traffic areas.
“This comprehensive, nationwide advertising campaign will help us reach those student Veterans, servicemembers and educational administrators who need help in understanding the GI Bill and their role in the benefits process,” said Keith Wilson, director of VA’s educational service.
Social media and online advertising will be extensively used to reach the younger generation of student Veterans. VA will place banner ads on social media sites such as Facebook, Google, MySpace, Yahoo, and other outlets.
Text messaging ads will also link student Veterans to VA. By texting “GIBILL,” Veterans will receive the basic message: “You Served. Get Benefits.” Veterans will then be directed to follow three steps: “Review your benefit options online. Submit your application. And check with your school certifying official to confirm that your VA enrollment certification has been sent to VA.”
VA also developed a hip pocket guide and checklist with helpful tips to assist Veterans and servicemembers in the application process. The Post-9/11 GI Bill, passed by Congress last year, is the most extensive educational assistance program authorized since the original GI Bill was signed into law in 1944.
Information about the Post-9/11 GI Bill, as well as VA’s other educational benefit programs, is available at VA’s Web site, www.gibill.va.gov, or by calling 1-888-GIBILL-1 (or 1-888-442-4551 ).
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| USO Center Planned for Richmond International Airport |
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Since just before World War II, the USO has been the bridge between the American people and our men and women in uniform, conveying the heartfelt appreciation and support of a grateful nation. Whether it is a quiet place to go for rest and relaxation, movies, refreshments, or a friendly face, the USO consistently delivers its special brand of service to the military. USO of Hampton Roads (USO-HR) was chartered by Congress in 1984 as a non-profit organization 501(C)(3) that depends 100% on charitable donations. It serves approximately 350,000 military members and their families annually at nine locations.[1]
USO-HR has been asked to expand its services to include a new center to be located at Richmond International Airport (RIC) that is scheduled to open in spring 2010. This responds to the growth of Fort Lee, located near Petersburg, that supports nearly 5,000 military personnel and 18,000 family members. By 2011 11,000 students will be trained there.[2]
A lease arrangement for 1,200 square feet of space on the entrance floor level of the main terminal at RIC has been negotiated. The Center will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. It is anticipated that 2,000-2,500 military personnel and family members will be served by each month. The Center will provide a home away from home with on-site computer services, food and beverages, library services, toiletries, transportation and lodging assistance, children’s needs and more.
The Center relies entirely on charitable contributions from our community and volunteer assistance. The estimated expense to establish the Center is $150,000 and operate it for the first year is $186,000. USO of HR is working extensively with foundations, corporations and individuals to make the Center at RIC successful and above all a safe, welcoming haven for our military personnel and families as they travel.
[1] AMC Terminal at Norfolk Naval Station, Fort Eustis, Huntington Hall Supship in Newport News, Langley AFB—USO of HR Administrative Office, NAB Little Creek, Norfolk International Airport, Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport, Naval Mobilization Processing Site on Norfolk Naval Base and Wallops Island – Eastern Shore.
[2] Fort Lee is home to the Combined Arms Support Command, U.S. Army Garrison, Army Logistics College, Quartermaster Center and School, and the headquarters for the Defense Commissary Agency. |
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The Departments of Veterans Affairs, Defense, and Labor re-launched a new
and improved Web site for our wounded warriors this week -- the
National Resource Directory (NRD). This directory (www.
The NRD includes extensive information for Veterans seeking resources on VA benefits, including disability benefits, pensions for Veterans and their families, VA health care insurance and the GI Bill. It also includes information for caregivers including how to find emotional, financial and community assistance. The site includes a specialized section on homeless assistance. The site offers information on programs and benefits designed to help homeless Veterans and servicemembers live as independently as possible.
The NRD’s design and interface is simple, easy-to-navigate and intended to answer the needs of a broad audience of users within the military, Veteran and caregiver communities. Other features include a fast, accurate search engine; a “bookmark and share” capability that allows NRD users to spread the word about valuable resources on Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites; and a news feature with updates on relevant information and events.
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"Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day" to be Held March 30th |
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On Tuesday, March 23rd the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will declare March 30th as “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.” Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 227, invites Vietnam veterans, veterans of all eras, and their friends and families, to attend the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors session for the presentation of the Board’s proclamation. In keeping with the Vietnam Veterans of America founding principle that “Never again shall one generation of veterans abandon another,” all local veteran organizations are welcome to attend and to have a representative participate in the ceremony. The chapter will host a reception at 8:15 AM preceding the Board meeting at 9:00 AM. The board meeting is in the Auditorium at the Government Center at 1200 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, Va. 22035. You, your fellow veterans, and family members are strongly urged to attend this event to show our appreciation for this recognition and to demonstrate that there is an active veteran constituency. Please attend this important event even if you don’t live in Fairfax County. You are encouraged to wear clothing that shows that you are a veteran. Please RSVP to bruce_waxman@vva227.org so that VVA Chapter 227 can get a count of persons for the reception. Also, the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate have each approved a resolution declaring March 30th as “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day” in Virginia. Delegate David Bulova (D-37th District) and Senator Chap Peterson (D-34th District) are the original patrons in each legislative body. The resolutions are HJ 136 and SJ 42. Jose G. Ramos, a Vietnam veteran and a California VVA member, originated the “Welcome Home” idea, and, in 2007, the U.S. Congress passed a resolution declaring March 30th as a National “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.” The national website for "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day" is http://www.whvvd.org/. The VVA Chapter 227 website is www.vva227.org |
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VFW Post 8469's Junior Vice Commander Named Honorary Grand Marshal |
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The Fairfax City Independence Day Celebration Committee, on a first round vote, selected Blue and Gray VFW Post 8469's Junior Vice Commander, Joshua Lawton-Belous, to be their Honorary Grand Marshal. The parade will take place on Saturday, 3 July 2010.
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The Department of Veterans Affairs has established an online tool available for anyone who wants to improve, recommend or collaborate with the Department in the delivery of services offered to Veterans. For more information please use the citizen engagement tool at www.openva.ideascale.com. * NOTE: VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked web site -
from: http://www4.va.gov/Open/
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