Blog – Page 6

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VA finishes digitizing deck logs for blue water Vietnam veterans, should speed disability claims

from ODVA

In a move that should speed up disability claims for some Vietnam veterans, officials announced Monday they have completed digitizing thousands of deck logs from ships stationed offshore during that war, enabling researchers to better determine where troops served and what toxins they may have encountered.

Completion of the project is the culmination of more than a year of work between Veterans Affairs and National Archives and Records Administration officials. The move was prompted by legislation passed in summer 2019 mandating VA award presumptive benefits status to veterans who served in the waters off Vietnam during the war there five decades ago.

To read the full story in the Military Times, click here.

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WWII Veteran Celebrates 100th Birthday with Help of SOVO Volunteers

Charles Evans, WWII Veteran celebrates his 100th birthday at Inland Point Retirement Community. (photo courtesy of Inland Point).

Charles Evans celebrated his 100th birthday at Inland Point this past week with a drive-by parade of his supporters. SOVO volunteers were part of the celebration honoring this WWII veteran. See other pictures below.

Thomas Benz, SOVO Board Director and Treasurer, extends his well-wishes to Charles Evans, WWII Veteran on Evans’ 100 birthday.

Fellow veterans and well-wishers join the drive-by birthday celebration at Inland Point Retirement Community for WWII Veteran Charles Evans on his 100th birthday.

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Introducing new Director on SOVO Board

Krystal Hopper is the newest member of the SOVO Board of Directors. Krystal is the proud daughter of a military family and a strong advocate for Veterans. She serves as co-lead of the annual North Bend Veterans Stand Down and the South Coast Veterans Assistance Network (SCVAN). She serves on the Board for the Oregon Coast Military Museum and is a member of the Oregon South Coast Patriot Guard Riders. She facilitated the founding of the Women Veterans of the Oregon Coast and was instrumental in the founding of SWOCC Student Veteran Organization, where she was a vocal advocate for the current Veterans Center on campus. Krystal has served as the Director of Communications for Operation Rebuild Hope, currently serves as an Alumni Board Member, and has volunteered many hours towards their Veteran Housing projects, which include the Timberwolves Den and Bryan’s Home.

Annie text message program guides Veterans during COVID-19 pandemic

US Dept. of Veterans Affairs

For Veterans who would like guidance for staying safe or managing stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, Annie can help. Annie is VA’s automated text messaging program that sends health information and self-care reminders. Any cell phone with texting capabilities can receive Annie messages.

There are two types of Annie COVID-19 messages:

Coronavirus Precaution messages can help you understand and monitor symptoms. These Annie messages provide information about COVID-19, send tips on actions you can take to protect yourself and help you monitor for viral symptoms. They also help you assess what to do if you are experiencing symptoms, including whether to contact your care team or a nurse triage line.

Coping During COVID-19 messages help ease feelings of anxiety or isolation. A few times a week, Annie sends a text asking if you would like a coping tip. If you reply ‘yes,’ Annie sends one of more than 60 activities that you can do to help decrease feelings of anxiety, anger, depression, and isolation. Coping During COVID-19 is a self-care tool designed to help you feel more connected and less stressed.

For more information, how to subscribe, and two helpful videos, click here.

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New PREVENTS Roadmap for ending suicide among veterans

ODVA –

Last month, President Trump released the President’s Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide (PREVENTS). This landmark nationwide plan engages Americans in a nationwide effort to prevent suicide, connect Veterans and others at risk to federal and local resources, and facilitate coordinated research on suicide prevention.

“My administration is taking steps to ensure that the men and women who bravely fought for us when they were called will be given the care and attention they need during some of their darkest hours,” said President Donald J. Trump. Read More

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Want more info on Covid-19? Check out these resources

from ODVA
blog, US Dept. of Veterans Affairs

Veterans have multiple resources available for the latest COVID-19, or coronavirus, information.
To see a list of resources, click here.

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GI Bill benefits to continue during COVID-19 pandemic

Student Veterans will continue to receive their GI Bill benefits under S. 3503, which President Trump signed into law March 21.
The law enables VA to continue providing the same level of education benefits to students having to take courses online due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

The law gives VA temporary authority to continue GI Bill payments uninterrupted in the event of national emergencies. This allows for continued payment of benefits even if the program has changed from resident training to online training.

To read more, click here.

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Coronavirus FAQs: What Veterans need to know

from ODVA

It takes everyone’s diligent effort to do what we can to beat this virus. Please, help your fellow Veterans, those at risk, and your loved ones and follow good social distancing practices everywhere. Thank you.

For more information and FAQs, click Read More.

Changes to VFW’s Unmet Needs Program

from VFW Auxiliary

The VFW’s Unmet Needs Program provides grants to active-duty service members, veterans and their families to assist them with basic life needs. The program provides financial aid of up to $1,500 in the form of a grant – not a loan – so no repayment is required. To further ease the burden, the creditor is paid directly.

Support Oregon Veterans this Tax Season

from ODVA Blog

Southwestern Oregon Veterans Outreach

VA finishes digitizing deck logs for blue water Vietnam veterans, should speed disability claims

To read the full story in the Military Times, click here.

WWII Veteran Celebrates 100th Birthday with Help of SOVO Volunteers

Charles Evans celebrated his 100th birthday at Inland Point this past week with a drive-by parade of his supporters. SOVO volunteers were part of the celebration honoring this WWII veteran. See other pictures below.

Introducing new Director on SOVO Board

Annie text message program guides Veterans during COVID-19 pandemic

For Veterans who would like guidance for staying safe or managing stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, Annie can help. Annie is VA’s automated text messaging program that sends health information and self-care reminders. Any cell phone with texting capabilities can receive Annie messages.

There are two types of Annie COVID-19 messages:

For more information, how to subscribe, and two helpful videos, click here.

New PREVENTS Roadmap for ending suicide among veterans

“My administration is taking steps to ensure that the men and women who bravely fought for us when they were called will be given the care and attention they need during some of their darkest hours,” said President Donald J. Trump. Read More

Want more info on Covid-19? Check out these resources

Veterans have multiple resources available for the latest COVID-19, or coronavirus, information.
To see a list of resources, click here.

GI Bill benefits to continue during COVID-19 pandemic

Student Veterans will continue to receive their GI Bill benefits under S. 3503, which President Trump signed into law March 21.
The law enables VA to continue providing the same level of education benefits to students having to take courses online due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

The law gives VA temporary authority to continue GI Bill payments uninterrupted in the event of national emergencies. This allows for continued payment of benefits even if the program has changed from resident training to online training.

Changes to VFW’s Unmet Needs Program

Support Oregon Veterans this Tax Season

Did you know that the Charitable Checkoff program lets you designate all or part of your Oregon refund to support veterans?

Your tax refund can be donated to support:

The Oregon Veterans’ Homes (charity code 12)
Veterans Suicide Prevention (charity code 23)

In 2018, Oregonians contributed over $100,000 in support of the two above funds!

Donating through the charitable tax checkoff program is easy.

For more information, see the ODVA blog post here.

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About Southwestern Oregon Veterans Outreach, Inc.

Southwestern Oregon Veterans Outreach

To read the full story in the Military Times, click here.

Charles Evans celebrated his 100th birthday at Inland Point this past week with a drive-by parade of his supporters. SOVO volunteers were part of the celebration honoring this WWII veteran. See other pictures below.

For Veterans who would like guidance for staying safe or managing stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, Annie can help. Annie is VA’s automated text messaging program that sends health information and self-care reminders. Any cell phone with texting capabilities can receive Annie messages.

There are two types of Annie COVID-19 messages:

For more information, how to subscribe, and two helpful videos, click here.

“My administration is taking steps to ensure that the men and women who bravely fought for us when they were called will be given the care and attention they need during some of their darkest hours,” said President Donald J. Trump. Read More

Veterans have multiple resources available for the latest COVID-19, or coronavirus, information. To see a list of resources, click here.

Student Veterans will continue to receive their GI Bill benefits under S. 3503, which President Trump signed into law March 21. The law enables VA to continue providing the same level of education benefits to students having to take courses online due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

The law gives VA temporary authority to continue GI Bill payments uninterrupted in the event of national emergencies. This allows for continued payment of benefits even if the program has changed from resident training to online training.

It takes everyone’s diligent effort to do what we can to beat this virus. Please, help your fellow Veterans, those at risk, and your loved ones and follow good social distancing practices everywhere. Thank you.

For more information and FAQs, click Read More.

Did you know that the Charitable Checkoff program lets you designate all or part of your Oregon refund to support veterans?

Your tax refund can be donated to support:

The Oregon Veterans’ Homes (charity code 12) Veterans Suicide Prevention (charity code 23)

In 2018, Oregonians contributed over $100,000 in support of the two above funds!

Donating through the charitable tax checkoff program is easy.

For more information, see the ODVA blog post here.

Don’t miss a thing! Sign up for our FREE newsletter

Recent Posts

Find Us

Recent Posts

About Southwestern Oregon Veterans Outreach, Inc.

Veterans have multiple resources available for the latest COVID-19, or coronavirus, information.
To see a list of resources, click here.

Student Veterans will continue to receive their GI Bill benefits under S. 3503, which President Trump signed into law March 21.
The law enables VA to continue providing the same level of education benefits to students having to take courses online due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

The Oregon Veterans’ Homes (charity code 12)
Veterans Suicide Prevention (charity code 23)