MICHIGAN VETERAN RESOURCES
ground breaking ceremony in D.C, for the National Desert Storm War Memorial on 14th of July. Many of us will be riding into D.C. – (I am a Desert Shield/Storm & Iraq/Afghanistan Veteran). I am proud to have served my country and would do it again. So, I would like to enlighten some of the Women Veteran’s and Desert Storm Memorial in my future articles along with things that can help all our Veteran’s here in Michigan and hopefully everywhere in the United States.
There are several resources that can help out our veteran’s here in Michigan one of them is:
Stand Downs
Stand Downs are typically one- to three-day events providing supplies and services to homeless Veterans, such as food, shelter, clothing, health screenings and VA Social Security benefits counseling. Veterans can also receive referrals to other assistance such as health care, housing solutions, employment, substance use treatment and mental health counseling. They are collaborative events, coordinated between local VA Medical Centers, other government agencies and community-based homeless service providers.
Below are upcoming Stand Downs. New events are added regularly, so check this page often for updates. To add upcoming Stand Downs not listed below, please submit a notice of proposed event form to the VA Homeless Coordinator or VA Stand Down point of contact (POC) at your local VA Medical Center.
New Veteran Resource Service for Michigan Veterans
The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency is hard at work connecting those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces with the benefits they have earned. The MVAA is here to help veterans navigate the challenges of getting connected to federal, state, and local veteran services, no matter how they come in contact with the State of Michigan. The Veteran Resource Service Center is helping veterans and their families retrieve their military documents, navigate veteran benefit programs and find services to assist in their communities. While making these connections seems simple, it is often impossible to navigate the system alone. Many women who served are not aware of their eligibility and have not applied for the money set aside for pensions, disability benefits, health care, education, spousal support, and burial. Visit http://www.michiganveterans.com/ or call 1-800-MICH-VET (800-642-4838) to find out more.Forgotten Eagles of Michigan http://forgotteneagles.org/
Forgotten Eagles®, Inc. a non-profit organization formed in 2002 by a group of concerned veterans that have come together in a common desire to ensure our nation does not set aside the needs of veterans and their families.
With holidays coming up in the fall, let’s look at how we as vets can help each other every day. With us losing 22 veterans a day we need to help end this. Did you know that in Michigan had an estimated 8,351 experiencing homelessness on any given day? Between 560 to 646 are women veterans. The help is there it’s getting the veterans the help. The problem is most vets don’t trust the government, or VA. So how can we change that? That is a good question? How do we get our veterans the help they need? Well first off if you know a vet that in trouble and needs help talk to them and give them this info; use this link http://vafvets.org/resources-vetera/links/ it will give you a list of help for veterans.
Veterans Crisis Line
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has established a national Veterans Crisis Line to ensure that Veterans in emotional crisis have free, 24/7 access to trained counselors. To operate the hotline, the VA partnered with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Veterans, family members and friends can call the lifeline number, 800-273-TALK (8255) and press “1” to be routed to the hotline and speak to a counselor about any issue that is creating a crisis situation in his or her life.
State Hunting and Fishing
Eligibility: Michigan provides for eligible resident disabled Veterans and former prisoners of war to receive a fishing license, hunting license, fur taker permit, deer permit, wild turkey permit, wetlands habitat stamp or any combination of these licenses free of charge.
More information can be found at https://militaryhuntingandfishing.com/michigan/
County Veterans Service Offices
In Michigan, each county has a Veterans Service Office which is staffed with professionals that are certified and dedicated to helping Veterans, their spouses and children, as well as surviving family members of deceased Veterans. They can assist Ohio’s Veterans in applying for benefits earned by active military service. These include:
Federal – Disability Compensation, Pension, Healthcare, Education, Home Loans, Burial and Survivor Benefits
State – Veterans Bonus, Education, Employment, Healthcare, Home Loans, Michigan Veterans Homes, and Military Injury Relief Fund.
Local – Claim Preparation and Assistance, Financial Assistance, Transportation to VA Medical Appointments, and Indigent Burials.
Many County Veterans Service and County Recorders also make Veterans ID Cards.
Michigan Veterans can find their local Service Office by calling 800-MICH-VET (800-642-4838) or by visiting https://www.michiganveterans.com/
American Legion Riders
American Legion Riders chapters are well known for their charitable work, which has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local children’s hospitals, schools, veterans’ homes, severely wounded service members and scholarships. Since 2006, riders nationwide have participated in the Legion Legacy Run, to annually raise money for the Legacy Scholarship Fund, established to provide scholarships to children of U.S. military personnel killed since Sept. 11, 2001.
There are chapters all across Ohio. You can visit the group page on Facebook, American Legion Riders of Michigan – or visit your local American Legion for more information. You can also visit online at – https://michiganlegion.org/riders
Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association
We are an Association of Combat Veterans from all branches of the United States Armed Forces who ride motorcycles as a hobby. Our mission now is to support and defend those who have defended our country and our freedoms. Our membership is comprised of Full Members (those with verified combat service) and Supporter Members (those who have non-combat military service and have a sincere dedication to helping veterans). Many members continue to serve in our Armed Forces, with several serving in combat areas now. Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association has over 250 Chapters in all 50 states, along with 2 in Germany and 1 in South Korea.
Veterans interested in learning more about Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association can visit: www.combatvet.us or http://www.cvmami35-4.org/
Rolling Thunder
Incorporated in 1995, Rolling Thunder®, Inc. is a class 501(c)(4) non-profit organization with over 90 chartered chapters throughout the United States and members abroad. While many members of Rolling Thunder®, Inc. are veterans and many ride motorcycles, neither qualification is a prerequisite. Rolling Thunder®, Inc. members are old and young, men and women, veterans and non-veterans. All are united in the cause to bring full accountability for Prisoners of War (POW) and Missing in Action (MIA) of all wars, reminding the government, the media and the public by our watchwords: “We Will Not Forget.”
ROLLING THUNDER®, INC., CHAPTER 1 MI
Pres. Charles Brave Bull
P.O. Box 861
Manistee, MI 49660-0861
Tel 231-920-3379
www.rollingthundermichigan1.com
ROLLING THUNDER®, INC., CHAPTER 4 MI
Pres. Mike Holmes
PO Box 1620
Muskegon, MI 49442
231-798-7119
231-740-7260 C
ROLLING THUNDER®, INC., CHAPTER 5 MI
Pres. Duane O’Parka
PO Box 305
Hartland, MI 48353
248-505-5953
U.S. Veterans Motorcycle Club
The U.S. VETERANS MOTORCYCLE CLUB (USVMC) is a veterans’ motorcycle club and is comprised of members from all branches of Service. It was born on the principals: 1) To show respect for all Veterans who served honorably. 2) To promote the true meaning of Brotherhood to all members. 3) To continue to support our Active Duty Military. The Michigan chapter is dedicated to helping those who serve or have served including those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Connect with us on Facebook USVMC Michigan or visit our website at https://usmvmcmi1.org/
Veterans supporting Veterans at the Stand Down https://www.va.gov/homeless/events.asp
I am also a rider, so if you are out riding around and see me don’t hesitate to say hello, we are all here to help our brother’s and sister’s out. I am more than happy to help our veteran’s when I can.
