All posts by Michael Brewer

Retired Commercial Property Manager and Private Investigator. Disabled Combat Veteran of the U.S Marine Corps/ Vietnam. Raised in Dixon, Illinios and moved to Tucson, Arizona in 1959. Very happily married with 3 children and 3 grandsons. Blessed with treasured friends. LIfe long interests have been broad and exciting. Owned a semi-pro soccer team for 4 years. Freelance journalism has been stimulating. Civically involved with both municipal and veterans fraternal organizations. Moved to Apple Valley, Ca. in July, 2010 to be near children. Our daughter is a therapist in Santa Monica and son a multi-media digital ats maven. My wife loves her loom and us! Past Commandant of Apple Valley Marine Corps League,. Currently their Chaplain and Veteran Service Officer. Member of California Writers Club where we occasionally volunteer at the Federal Prison. An overall content hombre.
Veterans Benefits

Base Camp: A Veterans Gathering In Its 20th Year In Maricopa,Arizona

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I have been attending this event over the past 15 years. There is nothing like it anywhere. All camaraderie, all fun, all non-sequitir conversation and dark humor. Ain’t no one like Col. Joe Abodeely,  1st Air Cavalry Officer in the Nam, owner and host of the 40 acre property outside the town of Maricopa. He is witty and wild.  Lots of  sharing of days in combat with fellow veterans who fully understand each other in an environment of respect. The ceremony with the South Vietnamese Rangers who fought with us is simply transforming.  I will be there in the Marine Corner!

BASE CAMP 2011

Veterans and friends are cordially invited to attend Base Camp 2011 to be held April 1, 2, 3 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) 2011.  The purpose of Base Camp is to provide a location for veterans and friends to assemble and share camaraderie.  Live music and entertainment is provided on Saturday night.   ADMISSION IS FREE.

Base Camp is an area lined with bunker/fighting positions simulating a firebase.  Military apparel and military vehicles are welcomed to add to the ambiance.  We fly a large American flag and the Republic of South Viet Nam flag on a 90-foot high flagpole.  There are an observation tower, Vietnam style bar, other military type structures, two flush toilets, a shooting range dug into the ground at the base of a mountain as a backstop for target shooting, and a stage for live entertainment on Saturday night.  Camp out Friday and Saturday nights.  Bring your own food, beverages, drinking water.  The AZ legislature has declared March 29 as Vietnam Veterans Day, and DOD is celebrating the 50th commemoration of the Vietnam War.  All veterans are encouraged to attend.

DIRECTIONS TO BASE CAMP

Exit I-10 at Wild Horse Pass and take the first left turn (Maricopa) to go past Firebird Lakes and the fire station to the T intersection with the stop sign.  Turn right.  Now you are on the road (Highway 347) to Maricopa.  Go through Maricopa, cross the Railroad tracks, and continue 2 miles to Ak Chin Casino on Highway 347 (also called John Wayne Highway). Go 2 miles past the casino to Papago (you will see a large Santa Rosa Cooling sign) where you turn right (west).  Go west 4.5 miles on Papago until you curve left (south) on to Warren.  Go .9 miles south on Warren to Val Vista and turn right (west).  Go west .5 miles on Val Vista through the wash and past the canal to Deer Trail.  Turn left (south) at Deer Trail, and go .5 miles to Quail Run.  Go right (west) on Quail Run for 1/10 of a mile to the entrance of 9014 North Wealth Road and Base Camp.  The house phone number is 520-868-6777 and my cell phone number is 602-509-8762.

SCHEDULE:

April 1—1200—Set up camp

April 2—1000—US and RVN flag-raising, Betsey Bayless and other dignitaries

1015—Stearman Bi-planes fly-over

1200—1800–Open Time

1800–Entertainment

April 3–Break camp—go home

THERE ARE A FEW SIMPLE, FAIR RULES TO FOLLOW WHILE AT BASE CAMP.

  1. You WILL have fun.
  2. Shooting range use—SAFETY FIRST—and police all brass and ammo.
  3. NO ILLEGAL DRUGS.

4.   HOLD HANDLE DOWN until toilet flushes completely as a courtesy to others.

5.  POLICE your areas of ALL TRASH and respect other people’s rights and property.

We’ll see you at Base Camp 2011.  For further information, call Joe at 602-509-8762 or 602-253-2378 or 520-868-6777.

This entry was posted on Monday, February 14th, 2011 at 7:27 pm and is filed under Veterans Benefits. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed

Veterans Benefits

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Free To Veterans

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Hello Friends and Colleagues and Comrades.

I can testify to the potency of this work and the efficacy of the instructors. Tucson is very fortunate to have such skilled and enlightened teachers.  I had little idea, outside of an abstract understanding, of how powerful mindfulness training can be from the moment you wake until slumber arrives.  You’re gonna like the way you smile!

 

Here is information regarding the upcoming program.  As many of you know, we do a lot of outreach and scholarship via the “Mindful Veteran’s Project”, AND these programs are open to anyone in the community.   The blend of veterans, veteran’s family members, people who work with veterans, and civilians is perhaps one of the components that makes our MBSR program especially unique and increasingly relevant- as southern Arizona currently has the highest number of veterans relocating here.     We appreciate your support in getting the word out to ALL who may benefit from this important health education.   Happy Spring!

 

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction

 

 

MBSR is a well-regarded mind/body skills training protocol that has been used successfully for over 30 years to help people deal with stress, pain, and illness. The program emphasizes experiential practices- both within the classroom and at home, for the duration of the course.   It is through these practices that participants learn to harness the power self-awareness and develop skills of self-regulation.  Experiential practice, a strong didactic foundation, and a highly supportive environment are the 3 pillars of MBSR.  For many participants, it is a unique and life-affirming educational experience that has enormous practical value.

 

Spring 2011 MBSR Schedule

Mondays 6:00-8:30pm April 11th thru May 30th

First United Methodist Church, 915 E Forth Street

or

Wednesdays 6:00 – 8:30 pm April 13th thru June 1st

Ada P. McCormick Building, 1401 E First Street

 

Fee: $300

Free to Veterans.  Sliding fees accommodated.

 

Advanced registration is required as well as the completion of an orientation session*

 

*Spring 2011 Orientation Sessions

Monday, April 4th, 6:00-8:30pm, First United Methodist Church

Wednesday, April 6st, 6:00- 8:30 pm, Ada P. McCormick Building

 

Note: You are welcome to attend orientation simply to learn more about the program.

 

registration@yogaatheart.org (480) 648-9642

 

 

About the Facilitators:

Natasha Korshak is a yoga, meditation, and mindfulness teacher with 20 years of experience.  She has completed professional training at the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine and is the former Director of Mindfulness at Miraval Arizona.  She is an Interfaith Minister and founder of Yoga at Heart.

Teri Davis, ND, is the Executive Director of Purple Mountain Institute. She has been licensed to practice naturopathic medicine in Arizona since 1978 and was one of the first integrative medical providers in the city. Dr. Davis has completed several professional training programs under the direction of Drs. Jon Kabat-Zinn and Saki Santorelli.

 

 

 

 

Veterans Benefits

Veterans Are Well Taken Care Of At UofA

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Everything you expect from a…
great university
Space is limited – Register by phone at (520) 621-3677
or e-mail
RSVP@email.arizona.edu
Include name, phone, email address and number of
guests.
For Veteran specific questions, call (520) 626-8380 or
The University of Arizona
National leader in Veteran Services
Learn components of a smooth transition
Support Programs for Veterans
College Information & Browse Sessions
GI Bill, Financial Aid, Disability Resource
Service Admissions Instant Decision
Campus Tour and V.E.T.S Center Open
House
The University of Arizona
Veterans Education & Transition Services
and the Office of Admissions
Invites you to….
College Briefing for Veterans
_________________________________
____Friday, May 6, 2011
Student Union Memorial Center
Grand Ballroom
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Air Force Veterans, Army Veterans, Desert Storm Veterans, Disabled American Veterans, Life, Marine Corps League, Marine Veterans, Navy Veterans, OIF/OEF, POW/MIA, Veteran Pals, Veterans Events, Veterans' Spouses, Partners & Families, Vietnam Veterans of America

Nam Jam 2011 on Saturday

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Nam Jam Saturday

Don’t miss the 23rd annual Nam Jam Patriotic Event at Kino Sports Complex on Saturday, March 26th.

 

Car Show, Chili Cook-Off 10am-3pm

 

CONCERT:  12-6 pm      $5 admission, kids under 12 FREE

 

60’s Garage Band; Running Hot; Chuck Wagon & The Wheels; Borboletta; 2011 Battle of the Band Winner

 

Kids Play Area; Military Displays; Cold Drinks; Prizes; Food

 

Tickets available at Tucson area Catalina Marts or at the gate.

 

www.TucsonNamVets.org

Disabled American Veterans, Veterans Benefits

Grants For The Homeless If They Survive The Budget Cuts

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The Labor Department announced March 8th it has $600,000.00 on hand to help homeless veterans.  It is estimated that this would assist 10,000 veterans reintegrate into society. The one with no jobs?

These grants are titled “Stand Down” grants to States and local communities and are provided for services including, food shelter, clothing and employment assistance. In some locales the money goes to basic core services like showers, haircuts and medical care to enhance the veterans opportunity to procure a job.

The grants are part of the Administration’s initiative to  end veteran homelessness by 2015, yet the program is currently under scrutiny in the face of budget cuts that have become a top priority. The budget passed by the Republican controlled Congress for 2011 would eliminate these grants.

The irony of course being that we will only see a surge in homelessness.  But this time around it is not just the veterans who are  flung into un-summoned homeless scenarios. While the  returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan, are joining the ranks of the homeless at a much faster rate then their fellow Vietnam Veterans, so are the ranks of the civilian middle class.

We have a problem NASA, one that is way beyond some paltry grants.

Veterans Benefits

American Legion Exercising Some Vigilance In Job Creation Grants

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Should there ever be any question about the value of our Fraternal Organizations, this would be an example of core value. So many sing the song of praise of veterans as they use us to garner grants. Thank you American Legion for keeping integrity in the system.
Bob Madden, assistant director of the Legion’s National Economic Division, testifies before members of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Photo by Craig Roberts

The American Legion has called upon Congress to initiate an investigation of the Jobs for Veterans State Grant Program, part of the Department of Labor’s Veterans Employment and Training Services (VETS).

The state-based Jobs for Veterans program was created to provide services and training for veterans seeking employment. The current jobless rate among veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan is 15.2 percent, two-thirds higher than the national rate of 9 percent.

Bob Madden, assistant director of The American Legion’s Economic Division and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, testified March 3 before the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity. He said while the Legion supports President Obama’s recommendation to fund the Jobs for Veterans program with $166 million in fiscal 2012, it also “questions if the existing implementation of the program adequately supports the ultimate goal of employing veterans.”

In his written testimony, Madden said The American Legion contacted several states to gauge how they implement their state grant programs – including the use of staff positions for the Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP) specialists and Local Veterans’ Employment Representatives (LVERs).

Madden said the Legion’s research “underscored an overall lack of consistency and implementation, including various open positions for DVOP/LVER’s, lack of funding for the program, limited resources provided to eligible veterans, and questionable responsibilities and duties of each DVOP/LVER.”

The American Legion believes a thorough and proper investigation of state grant programs will provide DoL-VETS with the information they need “in order to get the program back on track, and provide veterans with the best possible service,” Madden said.

In order to improve the state grant program, The American Legion offered several recommendations to the subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-Ind.:

• Have the Government Accountability Office investigate and review inconsistencies in the program.

• Transfer all DVOP and LVER positions from state agencies to DoL-VETS for supervision and oversight.

• Appropriate $166 million for the program.

• Provide adequate oversight and scrutiny to guarantee that grants are meeting the requirements and provisions of existing laws.

Madden said the program “has the potential to be an effective and successful means to provide transitioning service-connected disabled veterans, and other eligible veterans, gainful employment.”

Narrative provided by American Legion Magazine

Veterans Benefits

Tucson Is A Soccer "Phoenix"

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Not unlike the mythical bird in Greek lore rising from the ashes, newly formed FC Tucson can be likened to a Phoenix rising out of the talented soccer community dormant since the slumber of the Tucson Amigos. So melodious was the mythical Phoenix that the sun-god stopped his chariot to listen, now it appears all of Tucson is stopping to listen to the news of these weekend games that will be showcasing Tucson’s new team and this new potential new use for vacant historic Hi-Corbett field.
This Friday, March 4th and Saturday, March 5th the songs of soccer fans will be equally harmonious when the games begin. I predict that the stadium parking lot will be filled with chariots of  soccer aficionados gleaming in joy.

The  matches bring powerhouses of  Major League Soccer, Sporting Kansas City  and New York Red Bulls – featuring the French National Team World Cup winner Thierry Henry, Mexican National super stars Omar Bravo and  Rafael Marquez among others. This is going to be a pure visual delight for the folks who have never seen live professional soccer and heaven for those whose have never seen it in the Old Pueblo. The physicality and athleticism displayed is par excellance. Come see for yourself.

Folks, this is a big deal for Tucson. I think they call it economic development. The economic stimulus potential with a professional soccer team is tremendous! There is a strong probability that the creation of an on-going “Desert Cup” will be an event that could well place Tucson in the vanguard of soccer  nationwide. There is a strong possibility that Tucson will now have a professional soccer team competing in a competitive league and offering a great viewing experience for the community. There is a strong possibility that FC Tucson as an organization will continue to attract top level opponents to come play in the Old Pueblo. There is a strong possibility that MLS teams might seek Tucson out as a spring training destination in the future – recognizing the commitment of our fan base. And I have heard there is even talk about our town as a potential USL or NASL expansion city. And maybe one day MLS. We can only dream, folks.

We have the weather, the stadium, the demographics, the loyal fans! All this immense amount of support  manifested  itself together in a very real way in no more than a couple of months. Chapman Tucson, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Viscount Suites, El Charro, Cox Communications, the Tucson City Council, specifically Councilman Paul Cunningham and many others are to be thanked a thousand times for having the vision to get on board and try do something positive for Tucson! Among all the “do nothings” we have found a group who believe in progress and can take action.

We need  Tucson to welcome these professional athletes to Tucson and showcase our community to a growing industry, Major League Soccer. And we especially need you to support the local team, FC Tucson,  in this “Rocky” like showdown at sundown this Friday at 8pm against NY. Remind our guys, that “nobody pushes us around in our house!” This weekend Hi Corbett is FC Tucson’s House! Can you imagine how fast the word would travel if our start up team were to prevail over the mighty New York Red Bulls? Maybe it’s a  dream folks, but with a little fan support behind them, anything is possible for these dreamers.

Lets each do our little part to make FC Tucson, and soccer, a positive model for our youth and a healthy form of family entertainment. Even before the first whistle is blown or the first beer is poured, the Desert Cup is a huge win for our community. I will see you there folks and raise my glass to Tucson and Soccer!

Tickets can be purchased Hi Corbett Field at Randolph Park Friday and Saturday, or in advance at www.fctucson.com or in person at the “The Shop” on 3050  North Campbell Ave.  For more  information call 520-334-1115.

PS. The FC Tucson Team Administration has been very helpful to the veteran community.

Veterans Benefits

Department Of Defense Looking Out For Families

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There are days when I am simply stunned at how much truly genuine care is emanating from our Armed Forces for the families of soldiers, sailors and Marines.  With my involvement in retreats for combat veterans transitioning to civilian life, I know full well the near unbearable stress of  multiple tours on the family dynamic. As T.S. Elliot once said, “how much reality can humankind handle.” And he meant adults. How much can a child really handle with an absent parent who is constantly in harms way?

The following narrative was provided by Marie Fararr Knowles.

Studies show that one of the many stresses of deployment, especially for older children, is dealing with school. In the Tucson area alone,  there are at least 1,000 students intimately affected by war, with a parent currently deployed.  In fact, there are 10 school districts within the region with students from military families.

To help combat school stress, the Department of Defense has funded a worldwide 24/7 online tutoring program that is free to military families. The program — Tutor.com for Military families — enables students to connect with a live tutor 24 hours a day, seven days a week for help with homework and test prep in math, science, social studies and English.  To date, 200,000 online tutoring sessions have been completed by military families.

The community kickoff will be held, March 3, 6-8 pm, at Fort Huachuca. It is open to all military families and instructors interested in the resource.

Darrell Leigh, school liaison officer, U.S. Army, is available to comment on the topic of military education.

Students and families can also be made available.

Best,

Marie Farrar Knowles

202-422-2589

marie@mfkpr.com

Veterans Benefits

50th Anniversary of Vietnam War

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I was raised in Tucson but I grew up in Vietnam.  We say funny things about war to temper its reality.  Most all of us grunts like to say that we are graduates of the University of South Vietnam. Not even the most searing literature can speak to the loss of innocence that this war gifted us.
50th Anniversary of the
Vietnam War
Commemoration
“No event in American history is more misunderstood than the Vietnam War. It was misreported then, and it is misremembered now.”
Richard Nixon, New York Times, March 28, 1985

Press Release

*DOD Announces Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemoration Program*
January 14, 2011

The Department of Defense announced today its program to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. The program will:

  • Thank and honor veterans of the Vietnam War, including personnel who were held as prisoners of war or listed as missing in action, for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States and to thank and honor the families of these veterans.
  • Highlight the service of the armed forces during the Vietnam War and the contributions of federal agencies and governmental and non-governmental organizations that served with, or in support of, the armed forces.
  • Pay tribute to the contributions made on the home front by the people of the United States during the Vietnam War.
  • Highlight the advances in technology, science, and medicine related to the military research conducted during the Vietnam War.
  • Recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by the allies of the United States during the Vietnam War.

DoD representatives will coordinate with other federal agencies, veteran groups, state, local government and non-government organizations for their input in Vietnam War commemoration activities. For more information call 877-387-9951 or visit the official website at http://www.vietnamwar50th.com/.

The United States of America
Vietnam War Commemoration
2521 S. Clark St., Suite 650, Arlington, VA 22202    |     Phone 877-387-9951    |     Email: vnwar50th@wso.whs.mil |     Privacy & Security

Veterans Benefits

Vietnam War Anniversary Links

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This media release is provided by our pal, Col. Joe Abodely. Platoon Commander in Vietnam of First Air Cavalry. Joe is also the organizer of the annual Base Camp event in Maricopa ,Arizona. See previous posting.

The times–they are a changing!  This email is being sent to people who served in the Viet Nam War and to whom I think appreciate those who served.  Please check out the following link to see this new project and join with us who will help with the efforts.

http://www.vietnamwar50th.com/links.aspx

The City of Phoenix has a program called Cool in Your Zip highlighting places of interest.  They did an excellent piece on the Arizona Military Museum.

To view, click on the this link:  Cool In Your Zip: Military Museum (If the link becomes inactive for whatever reason, you can copy and paste the URL shown below, in your web browser and it will take you directly to the story.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmN89-oWWe8
I sent this to many of you before, but the video was too large for your computers–so here are the links.  If you received this before, I apologize for the redundancy.

Joe