Association News
Non Commissioned Officers Association
NCOA is excited to announce, we have placed an order for NCOA Challenge Coins. This is a fundraiser for the Association. Order your Challenge Coins in advance! Please pass on to your members and others!
We are asking for a donation of a minimum of $15.00 per Coin. This will include shipping and handling. The proceeds will go towards our Scholarship and Member Development Funds Programs. Coins should be ready in late December.
We prefer payment by check or money order be sent to NCOA Headquarters: 9330 Corporate Drive, Suite 708, Selma, Texas 78154. Thanks in advance for your support! Please keep safe!
If you are not already a member, please join us at https://ncoausa.org/membership/.
Coast Guard Chief Petty Officers Association
Just a few things we've been able to accomplish recently through the Coalition of Military Associations:
Landmark Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Bill
S. 785 - The Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Improvement Act was recently signed by President Trump.
This critical bill provides veterans with transition assistance, mental health support, and telehealth access. It commits
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to deliver bold new initiatives to improve veteran mental health and well-being and help bring an end to the tragic trends in veteran suicide.
National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020, S. 2661, P.L. 116-172 Oct. 17, 2020.
The law designates 9-8-8 as 3 the digit number to be used as the National Suicide Hotline number by 2022 and requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to designate 9-8-8 as the universal telephone number for a national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline.
Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living (COLA) Adjustment Act of 2020, H.R. 6168, P.L. 116-178 Oct. 20, 2020.
This bill directs the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to increase, as of December 1, 2020, the rates of veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children. The percentage increase in benefits shall be the same 1.3 percent as the cost-of-living increase for Social Security recipients.
Vet Center Eligibility Expansion Act
H.R. 1812, P.L. 116-176 Oct. 20, 2020.
This law expands the eligibility to receive counseling from VA Vet Centers to members of the National Guard and Reserves or U.S. Coast Guard who served during emergency situations in the wake of a national emergency, major disaster, civil disorder, or drug interdiction operation.
Please click here to join the CGCPOA
Veterans Last Patrol
Mission Statement
Last Patrol: Serving veterans by bringing new friends to veterans in hospice.
Purpose
America’s veterans served their country. They protected us and our way of life. We must stand by them.
Our veterans know about patrolling land, sea, and air. Veterans in hospice are on their final fight and in their last patrol. Whether it goes by the name “battle buddy” or “shipmate” or “wingman” - all veterans understand that tough assignments are best faced together.
How We Make A Difference
Last Patrol connects veteran volunteers to veterans in hospice. We cooperate with medical providers of hospice care to connect volunteers to the patients so that their last patrol isn’t alone. It’s hard to underestimate the importance of friendship during end-of-life care. Last Patrol brings new friendships when friendship matters most.
When America’s veterans go into hospice care they often lose contact with family, friends, and with the military community. Some are alone. Some sit quietly in nursing homes. Many families are loving and attentive to their hospice patient but appreciate getting the support, connection, and information that a friend from the military community can provide. Last Patrol helps provide that support.
Some stories are only shared between veterans. The exceptionality of military experience is such that a special bond of service results. Many veterans describe their military service as a singularly unique period of their lives. As many veterans approach death, meeting a new supportive friend, sharing stories, and reawaking memories of “patrolling” with their buddies can be richly rewarding for both the patient and their families, as well as veteran volunteers. Last Patrol brings that service.
How Can You Help?
Be a Friend to a Patient in Hospice
Tell Us About a Patient in Need
Provide Financial Support
Click HERE to find out more about this organization.
Marine Corps League Peter P. Monaco, Jr. Det 40 celebrates a successful mission of the "Backpacks For Life" project in CT
With the generous support of the Glastonbury area community and area towns on Saturday, November 21st, the League members were kept busy with a steady stream of donors delivering bags of daily essential items for the Backpack For Life project.
The event took place at the Veterans Hall of Glastonbury at 980 Chestnut Hill Road, South Glastonbury. Donations were received from 9 to noon, and the League members worked the rest of the day sorting and packing the items to be ready for distribution on December 5th.
Over 2,000 items were collected, sorted and broken down into 3 main kits with 1 extra kit for female veterans. The kit items were then put into gallon size storage bags that were then added to each of the 50 backpacks. Monetary donations also were welcomed to purchase any additional items to complete the kits. A total of 28 different items made up the 3 main kits of daily essentials that a veteran would need. (5 of the 50 kits were designated for female vets that contained an extra kit.) The kits can be viewed at mcldet40.org/backpacks-for-life-fundraiser/.
Military veterans have all learned to survive for months with just a backpack, and this project provides the basic essentials as well as resource material for our fellow veterans who are most in need in CT. After challenging deployments, when a military member returns home they often face the hardest part of the process – reintegrating into their civilian lives while battling with the hidden wounds of war.
The Backpacks For Life project offers the first-ever military-grade backpack, designed and engineered with a homeless veteran in mind. Marine war veteran, Brett D'Allesandro of New Jersey, founded the project in 2014. Like many veterans, his story is very unique and motivating and truly shows the compassion veterans have for one another. His story can be found on www.backpacksforlife.org. The term, "We've got your six" simply means "We've got your back" and this is exactly what motivates the members of MCL Det 40 and what moved them to recently embrace the BFL project locally. This backpack will provide at-risk and homeless veterans with personalized assistance based on their personal needs. It's important to let veterans know there is HOPE and that they can get on a path to self-sufficiency. Don Davis, a member of the League, works at the Veterans Hospital in Newington and said that the need is greater than ever before and this BFL project is perfect especially during these challenging times.
From 'The Nam' Facebook Group
My Brothers kept whisperin' in my ear as I sat here with them..., "Please read us just one more poem..., PLEEEASE..., we've got plenty of time, and we love to hear about our Buddy, Boondocker. He's a good Marine..., ALWAYS WAS!
Maybe he can come see us soon. Tell him we'll all be right here waitin' to see him."
Needless to say, my shirt was soaking wet when I got up, and the crowd around me couldn't understand why.
I reckon they couldn't hear me..., and I know they couldn't hear my Brothers, for they were ONLY talkin' to me...,BUT, they WILL talk to anyone who will "LISTEN"! (Bill Roach)
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