Log onto www.paypal.com and enter our email address – LoneStarVeterans@gmail.com and enter the amount you’d like to donate!

Are you a Veteran or active military who has transitioned or is planning to separate within the next year?  Come check out the resources and services offered by our FREE local Transition Assistance Program class starting February 1, 2010.

You are invited to attend the first TAP Class of 2010 which will take place Monday February 1 though Thursday February 4, 2010.  February’s program will feature many new representatives, resources and services for our transitioning personnel stationed in the south east Texas region.  So far these classes have been a great success for these service members and I hope you will all be able to join us again for this session or if you’re just now joining us, welcome aboard!

In order to RSVP, please go to http://www.houstontx.gov/contactus/vetaffairs.html and select the “TAP Class” option in the third drop down toolbar after entering your contact information.  Also, you can download the program agenda by clicking here: Houston TAP Class Agenda.

The running club is ready to get started again!
 
I know we are all working hard to keep that New Year’s Resolution of getting and staying in shape, so be sure to join us every week for a 3 mile jog!
 
When: Every Tuesday, starting January 19th at 5:30 p.m.
 
Where: Memorial Park: please park at the swimming pool located next to Becks Prime Restaurant; meet at the picnic table
 
Please feel free to give Shannon a call at 832.723.5029.  See you there!!

Also, if you’d like to volunteer for the 2nd Annual Metal & Muscle Expo(see attached flier) fhe following day on Saturday January 16, 2010 from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, send an email to LoneStarVeterans@gmail.com.  The 2nd Annual Metal & Muscle Expo is a US Paralympics Military sponsored event that features adaptive sports for severely injured service members like wheelchair rugby, wheelchair basketball, soccer, sitting volleyball and much more.  LSVA members will be on-hand to volunteer with the various events and even participate in several of them as a team.  Please wear your LSVA t-shirt or if you do not have one, make sure you send what size you need when you RSVP to LoneStarVeterans@gmail.com.

http://twitter.com/LoneStarVets

Read Our Blog at: http://www.chron.com/commons/readerblogs/lone_star_veterans.html

Lone Star Veterans Association Logo - Houston, TX

Local Fundraiser to bring San Antonio Veterans of Iraq & Afghanistan to Houston for the First Annual Muscle Expo to Introduce Paralympic Sports to injured Service Members 

Lone Star Veterans Association (LSVA) would like to announce a fundraiser to assist 12 Veterans of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom with obtaining funds to travel from Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio to Houston to participate in the 2nd Annual Metal & Muscle Expo  on January 16, 2010 sponsored by the US Paralympic Military Program. 

Houston Parks and Recreation Department has asked LSVA to help put on a Softball Tournament to help raise money for this cause and we’d like you to participate in any way you can!  Signup a co-ed team to play on Saturday January 9th or contact Chuck French at charles.french@cityofhouston.net to donate!

The Veterans are in need of $2,500 dollars to assist with travel expenses and hotel fees. Area businesses are asked to sponsor one of the ten athletes at a cost of only $250. All donations are tax deductible.

Lone Star Veterans Association is a group for veterans who have served after 9/11 in support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom, and its our mission is to make Houston the best city for returning veterans and continue serving one another.

For more information about assisting these worthy soldiers, please contact Raquel Singleton at 310.428.0058 or by e-mail at LoneStarVeterans@gmail.com.

Lone Star Veterans Association Logo - Houston, TX

Read Our Blog at: http://www.chron.com/commons/readerblogs/lone_star_veterans.html

Outward Bound, a 45-year old non-profit outdoor, adventure-education organization, is looking for OEF and OIF Veterans, interested in participating in fully- funded reintegration wilderness expeditions. Adventures are physically, mentally and emotionally stimulating and work to build the self-confidence, trust, and communication skills necessary to successfully return to their families and communities following war time service. Goals of the program are to provide a positive outdoor experience for military veterans that will enable them to experience the healing benefits of the natural world and benefit from quality environmental education. 

Click here to find out more information about this opportunity.

Last week LSVA’s Softball team and peer-mentoring program was featured in the Houston Chronicle after reporter Lindsay Wise came out to meet some of our Vets the week of Veterans Day!  Click here for the full article:  http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/military/6739885.html

• Webmaster:  responsible for keeping the LSVA website, Facebook page, youtube account, and other social networking sites updated for our members to stay informed.  The Webmaster will technically be part of the Public Affairs Committee and will assist the LSVA with online media exposure.
• Historian: responsible for taking pictures, video, writing articles, blogs and working with the Public Affairs Committee and Webmaster to promote the mission of the LSVA to other returning veterans and the greater community.
• Assistant Softball Coach: responsible for helping Coach Jason with any administrative preparation for softball practices and games, signing up for each season, bringing equipment, recruiting new players and taking in Coach’s absence.
• Peer-Mentor: The LSVA Peer-Mentor program is about to begin as our trained peer-mentors will be visiting OEF/OIF Veteran inpatients at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center after Thanksgiving, right in time for the Christmas Holidays.  We need volunteers wanting to connect with other returning Veterans and their families who need help transitioning from military to civilian life both inside and outside the hospital.  The Wounded Warrior Project Peer-Mentor Training Program is excellent and will provide LSVA Peer-Mentors with the tools and knowledge to assist our returning veteran population on a vet-to-vet or peer-to-peer level with the mantra of “its not about you, its about the person you are mentoring.”
• Secretary: He/She shall be responsible for the preparation and mailing of meeting notices; maintenance of attendance records; publication of membership rosters; administration and publication of meeting minutes; correspondence support of the LSVA; and maintenance of the LSVA’s files, online listserv distribution list and general email account – LoneStarVeterans@gmail.com.  Other duties of the Secretary include the management of any assigned subcommittees in accordance with the LSVA Bylaws.  The LSVA Secretary does not have to be a Veteran but may be a civilian volunteer either related to a Veteran or wishing to serve the military community.

Committees for Members to Serve on:

• Social Committee: The LSVA Social Committee is responsible for coordinating all of the social, fellowship and networking events, LSVA Softball Team, Running club and involving LSVA in other events put on by partnering organizations.  We need dedicated volunteers to chair special events, keep the upcoming events calendar updated on the website and ensure all Veterans and families are included in specific events and opportunities throughout the military/veteran community.
• Public Affairs Committee: The Public Affairs Committee is responsible for getting the word out about our social network of OEF/OIF Veterans, marketing and communications for events and membership,  and contact with local elected officials and media outlets.
• Fundraising Committee: The LSVA Fundraising Committee is responsible for raising money and awareness for our organization’s programs, work with the other committees and LSVA Treasurer to put together fundraising events, and always strives to secure more funding through donations and grants so we can in-turn give it to the Veteran families who need financial assistance. 
• Service Committee: The LSVA Service Committee is responsible for the peer-mentor program (see picture below), community service events, referrals to governmental and non-profit resources for Lone Star Veterans and any activities that help benefit the military/veteran community  in the Greater Houston Area.  The Service Committee is also responsible for helping local employers connect with veterans and vice-versa. 

Thank you to all the outstanding individuals and organizations who supported our military and Veteran community this year on Veterans Day.  It was truly an amazing experience to take part in the ceremony at City Hall, walk in the parade through Downtown and then celebrate at American Legion Post 416 with fellow service members, veterans and their famiies in the afternoon. 

For the parade I’d like to say thank you to all of our community partners who helped make everything happen yesterday.  Your participation in the event was crucial to the greater success of Veterans Day 2009.  These partners include BAE Systems for providing the MRAP, UV Country Kawasaki for providing the Mule a Teryx vehicles, and the City of Houston Office of Special Events for helping us coordinate our presence in the parade.

For the celebration at American Legion Post 416 I’d like to say thank you to the generous companies and individuals who donated items and greatly contributed to the overall success of the event, which had nearly 300 people attend.  Those companies are Double Dave’s Pizzaworks Greenway for donating the delicious pizza, Fiesta for donating the great fajitas, taco salads and groceries for raffle, Silver Eagle Distributing for providing the 20 cases of Anheiser Busch beer, Blue Bell for the 200 ice cream cups and the Ladies Auxiliary Unit 416 for the awesome raffle items.

We couldn’t have gotten the word out about the day’s festivities without the help of our local media partners and especially the help of Sandra Soliz from the University of St. Thomas for connecting us with these folks.  The Rod Ryan Show was so much fun and we greatly appreciated them having us on the show Monday morning.  We received over 15 emails within an hour of being on the show and many more later in the day inquiring about the details of the party.  So a HUGE thanks to Rod, Theresa, Mark, Jessica and a shout out to our fellow Army Veteran Doug for rehashing some good military memories in Germany! 

The Houston Chronicle team led by Lindsay Wise was very supportive on Monday night at our softball games as we started the Winter season 2-0!  KPRC Channel 2 and Channel 13 both helped out by giving us some valuable air time with our Sunday morning interview and coverage at the event yesterday.  The Michael Berry Show also had us on for a phone interview about local veterans resources so thanks to them as well!

We wrapped up the week of celebrations by awarding SgtMaj Scott Boyer of 1st Battalion 23rd Marines Inspector/Instructor Staff stationed out at Ellington Field JRB for his outstanding efforts to support our local military and Veteran community programs throughout the region.  SgtMaj Boyer is the2nd recipient of the Honor Our Military Society award presented by Charlie Houssiere of North American Lending Co. and the Houston Military Affairs Committee.  LtCol Lucas, Commanding Officer of the 1/23 I&I Staff, was the guest speaker and discussed the local Marine Reserve unit’s plans to prepare for deploying to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom next year.

Finally, its always important to thank both our fellow Houstonians for their support throughout the day and of course the veterans and their families themselves who sacrifice so much to keep our great nation safe everyday.  Happy Veterans Day 2009 to everyone and I hope you all come out to celebrate with us again next year!