Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Saturday, October 26, 2024

Upcoming Veterans Day Events: Invitation to War Memorial Veterans Gourmet Breakfast on Monday, November 11th, at 8 AM and Detroit Veterans Day Parade on November 10th in Corktown


Veterans Day Breakfast:  The War Memorial has extended an invitation to all Veterans especially to our Post Veterans and their guests as follows:
" On behalf of The War Memorial, I wanted to pass along information about this year's Veterans Day Breakfast on Nov. 11. This annual event includes the presentation of thank-you notes handmade by local students, music, and keynote remarks from retired Army Maj. Gen. Darren Werner, and a gourmet breakfast. The breakfast is complimentary for veterans and $15 for guests, with a limit of one guest per veteran ticket. Please click here or call (313) 881-7511 to reserve your spot. 
Feel free to pass this information along to your veteran networks.  Sincerely, ALEX SZWARC, communications and Marketing Manager, Veterans Committee Chair. 32 Lake Shore Drive, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236' (313.881.7514).

www.warmemorial.org  "

Detroit Veterans Day Parade: Veterans day parade is on November 10th in the Corktown . Details will follow later today in an email.




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Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Veteran's Day - Monday 11/11/24- FREE SANDWICH FOR ALL VETS



Hi Folks,

We all know "FREEDOM ISN'T FREE." It is the service and sacrifices of those men and women who have put the uniform on to protect and defend the freedoms of Our Country.

Each year at MISSION BBQ, we make Veterans Day a very special day. It is our privilege to honor and support Our Uniformed American Heroes. As a small gesture of appreciation, all Veterans and Active-Duty Military are served a Free Sandwich.

At noon, we will have a live version of the National Anthem and we recognize all Veterans in attendance as well as having a special guest or two. It would be our privilege to SERVE you.

We are reaching out to invite any and all veterans out for support with this event. 

SPECIAL NOTE - We would be more than honored to have an active military member who would volunteer to sing the national anthem live for all of our guests.  If you have already called to offer the presence of your military vehicles,  we would greatly appreciate that. 

Our recruiters and patrons would be honored to have you and your team come out and set up a table, with any swag you may desire to set up.

We kindly request the names and/or number of the volunteers. We would be honored to have any and all Veterans who are able to come out and support us on this day.

Volunteers - Please arrive between 10:00 and 10:30 am to allow for ample time to grab some morning treats
Doors open at 11:00am and you and your team are more than welcome to stay after the National Anthem!

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me via email, phone call or text at 248-835-4517.

Thank you!

Proudly Serving Those Who Serve,

Vivica Townsin
Community Ambassador
The First Responders to The First Responders
Mission BBQ 
20420 Haggerty Rd.
Northville, MI 48167
Phone: 734-256-7031
Cell Phone: 248-835-4517

Sunday, October 6, 2024

Riders Group Officer Elections

On Friday, October 4, 2024, our Riders Group held its monthly meeting, during which Officer elections took place. Below are our current Riders Group Officers.


Name

Officer Position

John Welchman

President

Bill Schaffer

Vice President

Gary DeMars

Treasurer/Webmaster

Denny Bowdler

Sergeant-at-Arms

Rodney Gasaway

Chaplain




Friday, October 4, 2024

VFW Riders Events


Monday, September 16, 2024

Michigan Veterans News & Resources for Sept. 14, 2024

 

Michigan Veterans News

 

Michigan Military & Veterans Gala accepting award nominations through Sept. 22

2024 Gala deadline extended

2024 Michigan Military & Veterans Gala Nov. 2

Gala tickets are $45 and can be purchased at the 2024 Gala registration website. A maximum of 300 tickets will be sold for this adults-only event. A discounted block of hotel rooms is available at the Holiday Inn Grand Rapids Downtown.

MVAA is accepting award nominations to be presented Saturday, Nov. 2, at the L.V. Eberhard Center in Grand Rapids during the 2024 Michigan Military & Veterans Gala through Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024.

Award categories:

  • 2024 Veteran of the Year
  • Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency and Trust Fund Exceptional Service Award
  • Veteran Friendly Volunteer of the Year
  • Community Outreach and Regional Engagement (Core) Award
  • Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Employee of the Year
  • U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Employee of the Year
  • Veteran Service Provider of the Year

Learn more about the awards and how to submit a nomination visit Michigan.gov/MVAA.


Michigan veterans share their stories through Art for Honor program at ArtPrize

Art for HonorThe artworks of 27 talented veteran artists are on display during ArtPrize, through Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Veteran's Memorial Park in downtown Grand Rapids. 

Art for Honor, a featured 2024 ArtPrize exhibition, provides a powerful platform for veterans to express themselves through art and storytelling. In partnership with Kent County Veterans Services, the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency and Pamela Alderman Art, this initiative aims to connect veterans and the broader community by encouraging education and understanding through various artistic mediums, including paintings, sculptures, creative installations, and more. By showcasing the creativity and stories of veterans, Art for Honor seeks to promote dialogue, empathy and appreciation within the community.

 


Free mental health training for veterans and first responders

First Responder Mental Health Training

The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) has partnered with the Detroit VA Medical Center and Frontline Strong Together to host mental health focused training sessions for veterans who are first responders. REGISTER

Upcoming training sessions:

  • Friday, Sept. 20, Dearborn, MI
  • Monday, Sept. 23, Port Huron, MI

2024 Veterans Day teacher's resource guide now available for download

Teacher with students

As a new school year begins and Veterans Day nears, now is a great time to acknowledge those who fought and served in harm's way to preserve our freedom and the freedom of others. So that young Americans can better understand the sacrifice of veterans, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Veterans Day National Committee are pleased to present the 2024 Veterans Day Teacher's Resource Guide as a tool to assist educators in planning lessons and activities around Veterans Day.

In addition to providing information on the contributions and sacrifices veterans have made throughout the years, the guide also includes student activities, scholarship information and ideas for projects and events that can be used thank veterans. Feel free to reproduce and share the guide in your school and community.

For more information on Veterans Day, please visit Veterans Day website


Register for or sponsor the 2024 Michigan Women Veterans Conference — Oct 3-5

Women Veterans Conference Registration Open

Registration is now open for MVAA's third annual Women Veterans Conference. This year's event is being held October 3–5, at the Four Points by Sheraton Detroit Novi. We'll celebrate women who have served, those who are still serving, and people who fight for the rights of, care for, and otherwise support women veterans and service members across the Mitten. The conference will include dynamic speakers, interactive activities and opportunities to advocate for yourself and other women veterans. 

Once you register, the hotel reservation link will be sent in a separate email in 24-48 business hours. REGISTER


Michigan residents can apply for Home Heating Tax Credit until Sept. 30

Home heating

Tax credits are not just for tax season. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is partnering with the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan to encourage qualified Michigan residents to apply for the Home Heating Credit before the Monday, Sept. 30 deadline. 

This year, the average qualifying household received $180 in assistance, which is most often applied directly to residents' utility bills. Some energy providers automatically provide claimants a residential income assistance credit worth up to $20 monthly. Additionally, food assistance recipients receiving a Home Heating Credit of over $20 may be eligible for increased benefits.  

To qualify, Michigan residents must be either a renter with a contracted lease or a homeowner and meet income requirements. The best way to apply for the Home Heating Credit, and a number of other tax credits available to Michigan residents, is through one of the state's trusted, free tax preparation services.

Free tax preparation is a community service designed to help Michiganders improve their financial well-being. Persons with disabilities, limited English-speaking ability, and those who earn less than $64,000 annually are qualified to use these services. Tax preparation providers are trained and certified volunteers. 

Residents can connect with their local free tax preparation site by calling 211 or visiting MichiganFreeTaxHelp.org. Local human services nonprofits, such as United Way and Community Action Agency, can also refer community members to a free tax preparation site. 


September is Tree Stand Safety Month

Tree stand safety

Hunting from an elevated tree stand is a common way to hunt, but there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to staying safe. 

With many hunting seasons in Michigan opening in September – National Tree Stand Safety Awareness Month – it's the perfect time to brush up on what you need to know about hunting from a tree. A few things to remember:  

  • Always maintain three points of contact (one hand and two feet or two hands and one foot) when climbing up to or down from the stand. 
  • Wear a full-body harness that is properly attached above your head. 
  • Ensure your tree stand is securely attached and stable before using it. 
  • Use a haul line to get your hunting gear to and from the stand. 

Watch this short tree stand safety video for more tips. 

Tree stands placed on public land must be labeled with the hunter's information in legible English that can be easily read from the ground and include one of the following three options: the hunter's name and address, their driver's license number or their DNR Sportcard number.  

During every hunt, make safety your top priority. Need a refresher? The DNR's hunter education program teaches tree stand safety, firearm handling, first aid and other important skills. 

Visit Michigan.gov/HunterEducation to locate a hunter safety course in your area or read more tips on the hunting safety webpage.


VA offers flu shots at drive through and walk in clinics beginning Sept. 16

Get your flu shot

Beginning Monday, Sept. 16, flu vaccines are available at no-cost to eligible veterans though VA medical centers and community-based outpatient clinics, as well as through in-network community retail pharmacies and urgent care walk-in locations. Veterans are encouraged to get their no-cost flu shot to protect themselves, their families and the community from getting complications from the flu.

Veterans unable to attend any of the VA drive through or walk in clinics can receive a flu vaccine from their PACT team provider at a regularly scheduled appointment or they can go to a community provider. Visit VA.gov/find-locations, enter your zip code, then click on community pharmacies to display options. Veterans should call ahead and confirm the community location offers no-cost flu shots to veterans through this VA benefit and make sure to follow through with all documentation requirements.

To be eligible for a flu shot from a community provider, veterans must be enrolled in VA health care and have received care from either a VA provider or a member of VA's Community Care Network within the past 24 months. To check eligibility, veterans can call 800-MyVA411 (800-698-2411). 

The 2024/25 COVID-19 vaccine (Spikevax) is expected soon. More details regarding the vaccine will be made available when doses are received.

Learn more at Prevention.VA.gov/flu.


Updated COVID-19 vaccine available and recommended for Michigan residents six months and older

Immunization

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is recommending residents get flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines to protect themselves and their communities against respiratory viruses during this upcoming fall and winter season. 

This recommendation follows the recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorization andU.S. Centers for Disease Controland Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendation for the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines. The updated vaccines are expected to provide protection against severe COVID-19 disease from currently circulating variants. The COVID-19 vaccine can be given with other vaccines, includingfluandRSV vaccines

Respiratory infections are projected to cause millions of illnesses and thousands of hospitalizations and deaths throughout the United States and Michigan this year. During the past two flu seasons,16 Michigan children died from influenza – the most recorded in any two-year span over the last 20 years.

According to data from the Michigan Care Improvement Registry, seasonal flu vaccine coverage in Michiganders has decreased each year since the 2020-21 flu season. Coverage for the 2023-24 season was 26% overall, down from 34% in 2020-21. This combined with low COVID-19 vaccine coverage in Michiganders for the 2023-24 season (12.5%) is cause for concern. Getting vaccinated against these viruses helps contain the spread of respiratory viruses in communities and reduces severe illness and hospitalizations.  

To find a vaccine location near you, visitVaccine Finder.   

To learn more about seasonal respiratory illnesses and how to protect yourself, visitMichigan.gov/COVIDFluRSV. 


 

Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988 then Press 1

IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE
ARE IN CRISIS:

The Veterans Crisis Line is staffed by caring, qualified crisis responders who are there to help. Many of these responders are veterans themselves.

Online Resources

 

MVAA Logo

LEAN ON US:

Call 1-800-MICH-VET

(1-800-642-4838)

Visit Michigan.gov/MVAA

 

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