WWII Marine Corps woman veteran is a rare jewel

Ever talked with a WWII Marine Corps woman veteran? It’s a rare conversation opportunity.

WWII Marine Corps Veteran Marine Marilyn Richards Dow of Corpus Christi celebrated her 100^th birthday in August 2021.

The honor of meeting Ms. Dow occurred for Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Veteran Career Advisors Durashia Frizzell (Navy veteran), Karen Casey (Army veteran), and Marlene Reifenberger (Army Veteran) while they were forming the Women Veterans of the Coastal Bend, a veterans support and service group. “She was our Honorary Attendee ...

12
OCT
2021

0

Employment, News & Events, Women Veterans

Tops in entrepreneurs , Texas lands PenFed pitch competition

Texas cities scored among the best for veteran entrepreneurs by the PenFed Foundation. In the top 20 were the metro areas of Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and Austin. The McAllen-Edinburg-Mission area was recognized as the Largest Riser and it ranked 26^th. San Antonio was ranked 25^th. More Texas cities were included in the top 100, see Top Cities for Veteran Entrepreneurs. According to PenFed, Texas’s veteran owned business community is second largest in North America.

12
OCT
2021

0

Entrepreneurs, News & Events

Veteran Education Excellence Recognition Award honors 14 Texas universities & colleges

On September 23, 2021, 14 institutions of higher learning from around Texas were honored with the first ever Veteran Education Excellence Recognition Award by the Texas Veterans Commission’s (TVC) Veterans Education Program. This new award established by the State of Texas recognizes universities and colleges that provide excellence in education and related services which significantly contribute to the academic success of student veterans and military connected students.

TVC provides three levels of recognition intended to highlight the depth and breadth of ...

23
SEP
2021

0

Education, News & Events

Veteran, daughter & dogs find home through Facebook & Military Veteran Peer Network

In late July, a Facebook post seeking help for a dog suffering from heat stroke lead Beaumont area resident Karen Kiesling to a nearby Village Creek State Park in Lumberton. There, she found a veteran, her daughter and their four dogs camped. The family, Army veteran Ruth Lufkin and her daughter Seevena Poole, had been evicted from their home after they got behind on rent as health conditions made it difficult for Poole to work and earn money.

After connecting with ...

14
SEP
2021

0

Mental Health, News & Events

“You served, you deserve”

“I initially filed a claim back in 1974 when I left active duty. Back then, I was not aware that TVC existed. I simply filed out the form and submitted it to the VA,” said veteran Joe Deosdade. When his Claim was denied, Deosdade dismissed the VA and “went on with my life.” He said that years passed before a friend convinced him to reapply. “His reasoning was, ‘you served, you deserve.’” Deosdade said the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Claims ...

14
SEP
2021

0

Claims, News & Events

Veteran education new Post-9/11 GI Bill® Monthly Verification Requirement

Based on the provisions of the Isakson and Roe Act of 2020, beginning with school terms on or after August 1, 2021, students using their Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefit at a non-college degree (NCD) facility will be required to verify their enrollment at the beginning of each month to receive their Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) and/or kicker payments.

Enrollment verification is a new requirement for Post-9/11 GI Bill® students to verify that they have remained enrolled in the same courses ...

14
SEP
2021

0

Education, News & Events

Pack some patience & get the compensation deserved

“We pride ourselves in getting our veterans the compensation that they deserve, but it is a nice feeling when we overcome a previous denial, or we are able to get DIC (Dependency and Indemnity Compensation) approval for a widow whose spouse never filed a claim through the VA,” said Ruben Gonzalez, Chief, Medina County Veteran Services. “The highest backpay we have gotten on a claim has been $360K. Our team, Brian, Garry and I, are standing by to assist our ...

14
SEP
2021

0

Claims, News & Events

Faith & Allegiance Initiative prepares for statewide expansion

“Just as those who served in uniform swore to bear true Faith and Allegiance to our Nation, the Faith and Allegiance Initiative, founded by John Wilson, seeks to encourage community and faith-based partners to bear true faith and allegiance by offering a hand,” said Dr. Blake Harris, Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Veterans Mental Health Department (VMHD) Director.

Pictured from left are Dr. Blake Harris, TVC VMHD Director; and John Wilson, Community and Faith-Based Coordinator TVC VMHD.

14
SEP
2021

0

Mental Health, News & Events

Over $1 million in grants presented to 6 East Texas veteran service organizations

AUSTIN, TX – On September 8, 2021, the Texas Veterans Commission’s (TVC) Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) presented over $1 million in grants to six organizations in east Texas for providing services to approximately 5,400 veterans.

The grant recipients and their services include:

General Assistance Grants

Ark-Tex Council of Governments – one grant for $5,000 to fund transportation services for veterans in Lamar County.

Community Services of Northeast Texas, Inc. – one grant for $300,000 to fund financial assistance for veterans, dependents, and surviving ...

8
SEP
2021

0

FVA News, Grants, News & Events

Over $7.6 million in grants presented to 27 north Texas veteran service organizations

On September 7, 2021, the Texas Veterans Commission’s (TVC) Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) presented over $7.6 million in grants to 27 organizations in north Texas for providing services to over 4,000 veterans.

The grant recipients and their services include:

General Assistance Grants

Achieve (Citizens Development Center) – one grant for $200,000 to fund employment support services for veterans in seven counties.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star – one grant for $100,000 to fund supportive services for veteran dependents in 18 counties around ...

7
SEP
2021

0

FVA News, Grants, News & Events