Pu'uhonua Aloha KoaOahu Veterans Center Bimonthly Newsletter

January-February 2013

Wounded Warrior SoftballThe Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team(WWAST) was in Oahu. From January 7th to the 11th,WWAST put on quite a show, demonstrating that theloss of a limb, or two, doesn't mean that fun and gameshave to end! With a 3-2 record, the WWAST gave thesoftball teams of Hawaii a run for their money.

While these men were not on the field, they wereamong the community. Meeting with veterans and theirfamilies, visiting with children who were dealing with

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1 Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team in Oahu

1 ove Grant Proposal

2 VIP Veterans

2 Veterans of Foreign Wars

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Hello 2013!Holiday festivities have come and gone. Presents havebeen opened, turkeys have been carved and all of ourwaistlines are a little thicker. We've made our NewYear's Resolutions and this year, we plan to see themthrough! Now that the madness of the season issettling, it is time to start planning for 2013.

We are proud to announce that the grant for the finalphase to complete building plans for the Oahu VeteranCenter (OVC) is underway. The grant proposal wassubmitted to the Hawaii State Legislator at the end ofJanuary. The ultimate goal is to add a third large hall tothe ove for gatherings, meetings and events of allkinds.

Also, our newsletter is now titled Pu'uhonua Aloha Koa,which translates to "Gathering Place for Warriors." TheOahu Veteran Center is here to serve as a gatheringplace for veterans and members of the surroundingarea, so remember that the next time you are lookingfor a place to celebrate a special occasion or want tomeet with members of your community. The ove ishere for youle

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illnesses or amputations and showing respect for thefallen at the Arizona Memorial were just some of theactivities the team participated in while on island.

To show the men of the Wounded Warrior AmputeeSoftball Team just how appreciated they were, OahuVeterans Canter, the Marine Corps League, the FleetReserve Association and the Navy League presentedthe team with commemorative shadow boxes,Hawaiian flags (flown on the USS Hawaii) andAmerican flags. Mahalo to the men of the WWAST andall the individuals and groups that showed theirsupport.e

VIP Veterans and the CommunityThe Veteran Improvement Program (VIP) is a group ofapproximately 35 active veterans and family membersthat gather together weekly to discuss both veteranand community betterment projects and activities. VIPmembers not only strive to support fellow veterans andactive duty members, but also the community at large.Their objectives include reaching out to veterans toensure basic needs are met such as the acquisition offood and shelter, along with supporting one another asfellow veterans ought to.

The VIP's aspirations are numerous and ambitious.The wards of Tripier Army Hospital and the halls ofFisher House are supported by activities of VIPmembers. An arts and crafts program, to be held at theOahu Veterans Center (OVC), has commenced for allveterans that would like to attend. VIP President, SamHernandez, ultimately plans to hold a large fundraising event at the OVC which is intended to include acar show, activities for keiki, food vendors, a farmer'sand craft market and local performers. Such an eventis anticipated to provide a bridge between militarymembers and their civilian neighbors. Proceeds will goto support both the VIP and OVC.

Through an essay contest, Mr. Hernandez's vision is tointegrate the children of the community with theveterans and active duty military members. With anessay theme such as "The Price of Freedom," theVIP's goal is to get children actively thinking abouttheir rights as Americans and the sacrifices made byothers for such rights to still be enjoyed. The VIP hasbig plans for 2013 and new members are alwayswelcome! Regardless of when and where you served,

the VIP is always actively looking for new members. Ifyou are interested, stop by the VA at Tripier on aWednesday at 1130, tech room 118. The VIP meetshere weekly and will be glad to see a new face. Oryou can give them a call at 808.393.7476. Mahalc-

Veterans of Foreign Wars-VFW:"No One Does More For Veterans"

The VFW traces its roots back to 1899 when veteransof the Spanish-American War and the PhilippineInsurrection formed local organizations in order toprotect veteran rights and benefits. The VFW hassince grown into one of the strongest veteranadvocacy groups in the United States. With nearly 2million members, the VFW and its Auxiliary annuallysupply more than 8.6 million hours of volunteerism andover $3 million in scholarships and bonds. Withimpressive statistics such as these, it is no wonder theVFW has managed to be so successful over the years.

The VFW Department of Hawaii, "works to ensureVeterans receive every entitlement available to themfrom their government," says VFW State Adjutant

\Norbert Enos. Service Officers at Tripier Army MedicalCenter provide free services to Veterans and theirfamilies for the filing of claims with the VA. In 2012, theVFW Hawaii Service Office assisted in the directrecovery of over $5 million otearned entitlements.While this is a great feat, Mr. Enos stresses theimportance of patience. After all, claim acceptance andcompensation is a process.

In fact, the VFW is currently searching for a newService Officer to work part time. If interested, pleasecall 808.433.0495. If you would like to get in contactwith the VFW for any reason, whether it be to receiveassistance filing a claim, to make a donation, or to jointhis proud organization, the telephone number is808.946.7250 and the email address isVFWhhaq@aol.com. Remember, "No One Does Morefor Veterans" than the VFW! e 'I

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UPCOMING EVENTS

PRRP (POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER RECOVERY

REHABILITATION PROGRAM) LUNCHEON

OAHU VETERAN CENTER

FEBRUARY 23,2013 BEGINNING AT 11:OOAM

EASTER EGG HUNT

OAHU VETERAN CENTER

MARCH (DAY YET TO BE DETERMINED)

MEMORIAL DAY LEI MAKING WITH MILITARY WIDOWS

OAHU VETERAN CENTER

MAY (DATE YET TO BE DETERMINED)

***CALL THE OVC FOR QUESTIONS AND FURTHER

DETAILS 808.422.4000* * *

Trivia: If you add the colors of all fivemilitary branches together (i.e. Navy is blue),what color do you get?

Think you know the answer? Call the OVC at422-4000! If not, stay tuned for our nextedition of Pu'uhonua Aloha Koa!

Flag Retirement Ceremony

A Respectful End

Once the American Flag has flown its final day, merelydisposing of it in the trash is not acceptable. Worn anddamaged flags are to be honorably burned and theashes buried. For some, this may seem a dauntingtask. Fortunately, the Oahu Veteran Center, along withvarious local groups such as the Marines and Scouts,are here to assist community members with disposingof flags in need of retirement. Hundreds of flags areretired annually in this fashion, so if you have a flag inneed of replacement, contact the Oahu VeteranCenter. We will gladly assist individuals with properand respectful flag retirement. Accommodations canalso be made for flag pickup. Please contact us at808.422.4000.

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