San Diego Veterans Magazine May 2019

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www.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com

SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE

Vol. 1 Number 5 • MAY 2019 Issue

MEMORIAL DAY: A TIME FOR HEROES Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum

A Heart Attack of the Mind

Veteran Outreach

Veterans Day

San Diego

MEMORIAL SERVICE Miramar National Cemetery

Getting Through Depression

Memorial Day Remember The Difference

Veterans Transitioning Enlisted To Entrepreneur

LEGAL EAGLE

Veteran Leadership Resources • Support • Transition • Inspiration San Diego Veterans Magazine / MAY 2019 1

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Enjoy the All-You-Can-Eat Buffet from 6:10pm - 8:10pm

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Create happier childhoods today!

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FOR SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES OR MORE INFORMATION (858) 521-0027 OR CINDYG@KIDSTURNSD.ORG 4

San Diego Veterans Magazine / MAY 2019

NEW

MAY 2019

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San Diego Veterans Magazine / MAY 2019 5

EDITOR’S

LETTER

Publisher Editor-In-Chief Mike Miller Contributing Writers Holly Shaffner - Honor Flight RanDee McLain, LCSW Vicki Garcia - Enlisted CJ Machado Shya Ellis-Flint - VCC VANC - Lori Boody Eva M. Stimson - STS Kelly Bagla. Esq. - Legal Joe Molina - VCCSD Lara Ryan Daniel Chavarria DAV - Dan Clare Shelly Dew Patricia Laubach Hart Dubois - Father Jo’es Public Relations CJ Machado Mike Miller

Greetings and a warm welcome to San Diego Veterans Magazine!

Please take some time to get to know the layout of our magazine.

The Magazine focuses on resources, support, community, and inspiration for our veterans and the military families that keep it together.

Our magazine is driven by passion, vision, reflection and the future.

The content is the driving force behind our magazine and the connection it makes with our veterans, service members, military families, and civilians.

The magazine is supported by a distinguishing list of San Diego veteran organizations, resource centers, coalitions, veteran advocates, and more.

We are honored to share the work of so many committed and thoughtful people.

When I tell people that we are launching a magazine for our San Diego community veterans, the response is “It’s about time”!

And I couldn’t agree more.

We appreciate your support and are so happy to have you as a reader of San Diego Veterans Magazine Magazine.

Marketing/Sales Mike Miller

San Diego Veterans Magazine is published monthly. Submissions of photographs, Illustrations, drawings, and manuscripts are considered unsolicited materials and the publisher assumes no responsibility for the said items. All rights reserved.

San Diego Veterans Magazine 9528 Miramar Road, Suite 41 San Diego, CA 92126

858.275-4281 Contact us at:

With warmest thanks, Mike Miller, Publisher 6

San Diego Veterans Magazine / MAY 2019

publisher@SDVetsMagazine.com

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 8 Memorial Day: A Time For Heroes 12 Remember The Difference 14 Memorial Service Miramar National Cemetery 16 Female Veterans Find Self-Care 18 Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum 25 Honor, Courage, Commitment 26 No Hero Left Behind 28 Heart Attack Of The Mind 30 Sacrifice and Self-Worth 33 San Diego Veterans Coalition 34 Be The Tide 36 VANC - Memorial Day 2019 38 ENLISTED TO ENTREPRENEUR 40 Legal Eagle - Legal Issues 42 Veterans Bring Leadership 44 What Is The Special Sauce 46 Money Matters 53 Getting A VA Loan

DIGITAL VERSION AVAILABLE www.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com

San Diego Veterans Magazine / MAY 2019 7

Memorial Day: A Time for Heroes A teenager learns the importance of war veterans in this inspiring story.

By Nancy Sullivan Geng, Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota

I leaned against an oak at the side of the road, wishing I were invisible, keeping my distance from my parents on their lawn chairs and my younger siblings scampering about.

I hoped none of my friends saw me there. God forbid they caught me waving one of the small American flags Mom bought at Ben Franklin for a dime. At 16, I was too old and definitely too cool for our small town’s Memorial Day parade. I ought to be at the lake, I brooded. But, no, the all-day festivities were mandatory in my family.

A high school band marched by, the girl in sequins missing her baton as it tumbled from the sky. Firemen blasted sirens in their polished red trucks. The uniforms on the troop of World War II veterans looked too snug on more than one member.

“Here comes Mama,” my father shouted.

Five black convertibles lumbered down the boulevard.

The mayor was in the first, handing out programs.

I didn’t need to look at one. I knew my uncle Bud’s name was printed on it, as it had been every year since he was killed in Italy. Our family’s war hero.

And I knew that perched on the backseat of one of the cars, waving and smiling, was Mama, my grandmother.

She had a corsage on her lapel and a sign in gold embossed letters on the car door: “Gold Star Mother.”

I hid behind the tree so I wouldn’t have to meet her gaze. It wasn’t because I didn’t love her or appreciate her. She’d taught me how to sew, to call a strike in baseball. She made great cinnamon rolls, which we always ate after the parade.

What embarrassed me was all the attention she got for a son who had died 20 years earlier. With four other children and a dozen grandchildren, why linger over this one long-ago loss?

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I peeked out from behind the oak just in time to see Mama wave and blow my family a kiss as the motorcade moved on. The purple ribbon on her hat fluttered in the breeze.

The rest of our Memorial Day ritual was equally scripted.

No use trying to get out of it. I followed my family back to Mama’s house, where there was the usual baseball game in the backyard and the same old reminiscing about Uncle Bud in the kitchen.

Helping myself to a cinnamon roll, I retreated to the living room and plopped down on an armchair.

There I found myself staring at the Army photo of Bud on the bookcase. The uncle I’d never known. I must have looked at him a thousand times—so proud in his crested cap and knotted tie. His uniform was decorated with military emblems that I could never decode.

“Remember how hard Bud worked after we lost the farm?

At haying season he worked all day, sunrise to sunset, baling for other farmers. Then he brought me all his wages. He’d say, ‘Mama, someday I’m going to buy you a brand-new farm. I promise.’ There wasn’t a better boy in the world!”

Sometimes I wondered about that boy dying alone in a muddy ditch in a foreign country he’d only read about. I thought of the scared kid who jumped out of a foxhole in front of an advancing enemy, only to be downed by a sniper. I couldn’t reconcile the image of the boy and his dog with that of the stalwart soldier.

Mama stood beside me for a while, looking at the photo.

From outside came the sharp snap of an American flag flapping in the breeze and the voices of my cousins cheering my brother at bat. “Mama,” I asked, “what’s a hero?” Without a word she turned and walked down the hall to the back bedroom. I followed.

She opened a bureau drawer and took out a small metal box, then sank down onto the bed.

“These are Bud’s things,” she said. “They sent them to us after he died.” She opened the lid and handed me a telegram dated October 13, 1944. “The Secretary of State regrets to inform you that your son, Lloyd Heitzman, was killed in Italy.”

Funny, he was starting to look younger to me as I got older. Who were you, Uncle Bud? I nearly asked aloud.

I picked up the photo and turned it over. Yellowing tape held a prayer card that read: “Lloyd ‘Bud’ Heitzman, 19251944. A Great Hero.” Nineteen years old when he died, not much older than I was. But a great hero? How could you be a hero at 19?

The floorboards creaked behind me. I turned to see Mama coming in from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron.

I almost hid the photo because I didn’t want to listen to the same stories I’d heard year after year: “Your uncle Bud had this little rat-terrier named Jiggs. Good old Jiggs. How he loved that mutt! He wouldn’t go anywhere without Jiggs. He used to put him in the rumble seat of his Chevy coupe and drive all over town.

Your son! I imagined Mama reading that sentence for the first time. I didn’t know what I would have done if I’d gotten a telegram like that.

“Here’s Bud’s wallet,” she continued. Even after all those years, it was caked with dried mud. Inside was Bud’s driver’s license with the date of his sixteenth birthday. I compared it with the driver’s license I had just received.

A photo of Bud holding a little spotted dog fell out of the wallet. Jiggs. Bud looked so pleased with his mutt.

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There were other photos in the wallet: a laughing Bud standing arm in arm with two buddies, photos of my mom and aunt and uncle, another of Mama waving. This was the home Uncle Bud took with him, I thought.

I could see him in a foxhole, taking out these snapshots to remind himself of how much he was loved and missed.

“Who’s this?” I asked, pointing to a shot of a pretty darkhaired girl. “Marie. Bud dated her in high school. He wanted to marry her when he came home.” A girlfriend?

Marriage? How heartbreaking to have a life, plans and hopes for the future, so brutally snuffed out.

Sitting on the bed, Mema and I sifted through the treasures in the box: a gold watch that had never been wound again. A sympathy letter from President Roosevelt, and one from Bud’s commander. A medal shaped like a heart, trimmed with a purple ribbon, and at the very bottom, the deed to Mama’s house.

“Why’s this here?” I asked.

“Because Bud bought this house for me.” She explained how after his death, the U.S. government gave her 10 thousand dollars, and with it she built the house she was still living in.“He kept his promise all right,” Mama said in a quiet voice I’d never heard before.

For a long while the two of us sat there on the bed. Then we put the wallet, the medal, the letters, the watch, the

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photos and the deed back into the metal box.

I finally understood why it was so important for Mama—and me—to remember Uncle Bud on this day.

If he’d lived longer he might have built that house for Mama or married his high-school girlfriend. There might have been children and grandchildren to remember him by.

As it was, there was only that box, the name in the program and the reminiscing around the kitchen table.

“I guess he was a hero because he gave everything for what he believed,” I said carefully.

“Yes, child,” Mama replied, wiping a tear with the back of her hand. “Don’t ever forget that.”

I haven’t. Even today with Mama gone, my husband and I take our lawn chairs to the tree-shaded boulevard on Memorial Day and give our daughters small American flags that I buy for a quarter at Ben Franklin.

I want them to remember that life isn’t just about getting what you want. Sometimes it involves giving up the things you love for what you love even more.

That many men and women did the same for their country—that’s what I think when I see the parade pass by now.

And if I close my eyes and imagine, I can still see Mama in her regal purple hat, honoring her son, a true American hero.

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REMEMBER THE DIFFERENCE Memorial Day: Celebrated the last Monday in May, Memorial Day is the holiday set aside to pay tribute to those who died serving in the military.

Veterans Day: This federal holiday falls on November 11 and is designated as a day to honor all who have served in the military.

“Three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of Union Veterans -- the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) -- established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared that Decoration Day should be observed on May 30. It is believed that date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country.”

Veterans Day began as Armistice Day to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918.

The passage of the National Holiday Act of 1971

by Congress made it an official holiday.

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“In 1954, after having been through both World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress -- at the urging of the veterans service organizations -- amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word “Armistice” and inserting the word “Veterans,” the site says. “With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, November 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.”

For nearly 150 years, Americans have gathered in late spring to honor the sacrifice of those who have given their lives in service to their country. What began with dozens of informal commemorations of those killed in the Civil War has grown to become one of the nation’s most solemn and hallowed holidays.

Memorial Day has become the traditional kick off of summer but the holiday has a much more significant purpose.

Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday of May, commemorates the men and women who died while serving in the military. Among its traditions are ceremonies to honor those who lost their lives in service, with many people visiting cemeteries to place American flags on grave sites.

A national moment of remembrance takes place across the country at 3 p.m. local time.

The purpose of Memorial Day is sometimes confused with Veterans Day. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Day commemorated on Nov. 11 each year - honors all those who have served in the U.S. military during times of war and peace. Armed Forces Day, which falls on May 20 each year, recognizes those who are currently serving in the military.

History of Memorial Day Memorial Day traces its roots to the tradition of Decoration Day, a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. The first declaration of Decoration Day occurred on May 30, 1868, when Major Gen. John Logan declared the day would be a time to recognize those who lost their lives in the Civil War. The first large Decoration Day was held at Arlington National Cemetery that year. The ceremonies included mourning draping around the Arlington mansion of former Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant presided over the ceremonies, which included speeches, children from the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Orphan Home and members of the Granddaughters of the American Revolution placing flowers on both Union and Confederate graves.

The Arlington tradition was built on longstanding ceremonies held throughout the South. Once of the first occurred in Columbus, Miss. on April 15, 1866, when a group of women decorated the graves of Confederate soldiers who died at the battle of Shiloh. Upon seeing the undecorated graves of Union soldiers who died in the battle, the women placed flowers at those headstones as well.

Several cities currently claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day, including Macon and Columbus, Georgia, Richmond, Virginia, Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, Waterloo, New York and Carbondale, Illinois.

Memorial Day continued to be celebrated at local events until after World War I, which it was expanded to honor those who died in all American wars. In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress, though it is still often called Decoration Day. It was then also placed on the last Monday in May, as were some other federal holidays.

In 2000, Congress passed “The National Remembrance Act,” which encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation.

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TO SPEAK AT VETERANS MEMORIAL SERVICE, MAY 26 - MARINE CORPS AIR STATION COMMANDING OFFICER - NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMINISTRATION EXECUTIVE - SAN DIEGO VETERAN OF THE YEAR Colonel Charles B. Dockery, Commanding Officer of Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar, will be the featured speaker at the Veterans Memorial Service scheduled at 1 p.m., Sunday, May 26, at Miramar National Cemetery.

Joining Dockery on the podium will be Brian Alvin, Chief of Operations, Pacific District, National Cemetery Administration; and the San Diego County Veteran of the Year, Master Sergeant Matthew Foster, USMC Retired.

The Miramar National Cemetery Support Foundation will sponsor the eighth annual Veterans Memorial Service. The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band will perform.

The service will be conducted in the cemetery’s Flag Assembly Area at the eastern end of the Avenue of Flags.

Some 600 veterans, active-duty, and family members are expected to attend. Limited parking will be available in designated parking areas and along cemetery streets.

Dockery is a distinguished graduate of both the U.S. Army War College and the Australian Command and Staff College. He completed an assignment at the Combined Air and Space Operations Center at al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, in 2009, and at Marine Corps Aviation Headquarters in 2012. He next assumed command of a Marine Air Reconnaissance group for its deployment to Bahrain.

VETERANS MEMORIAL SERVICE During his career, Dockery served in a number of key positions, including Chief of Staff at First Marine Aircraft Wing Headquarters, before returning to San Diego to take command of Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar.

A decorated fighter pilot with more than 2,400 hours in the FA18 Hornet, he is a winner of the prestigious Marine Corps Aviation Association’s Robert Guy Robinson Award.

Prior to embarking on his civilian career earlier this year, Brian Alvin served as an Army officer for 35 years, retiring as a Major General. His deployments during those years included Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm; Operation Iraqi Freedom; Kandahar, Afghanistan; and Korea.

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Alvin earned an engineering degree at Northern Illinois University, Master’s degrees from Texas A&M and the University of Management and Technology, and from the U.S. Army War College. Among his decorations are the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.

Master Sergeant Foster was selected by the United Veterans Council as Veteran of the Year for 2019 to represent some 240,000 San Diego County veterans. He served 24 years on active duty as a Marine Corps flight line mechanic and maintenance chief.

Active in veterans’ affairs, Foster serves as Commander of VFW Post 1513 and Chairman of North County Stand Down for homeless veterans. He also helps organize the City of Escondido’s Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day ceremonies. He routinely volunteers 40 hours a week while working full time at Northrop Grumman.

Sallay Kim, Vice President of the Miramar National Cemetery Support Foundation, will welcome guests to this year’s memorial service. A retired Army intelligence officer with more than 20 years’ service, she is owner of Serenity Event Solutions of San Diego, a firm that plans and manages public events.

VETERANS MEMORIAL SERVICE Chaplain (Commander) Manuel A. Biadog, Jr., is Command Chaplain at Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar. A cum laude graduate in Biblical studies from William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Miss., Biadog earned Master’s Degrees in Divinity and Religions Education at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, and a Doctor of Ministry from the Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena. He also earned a Master’s in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. During his 29-year career, Biadog has served as a chaplain with Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard commands in the United States, the Western Pacific, and the Middle East.

Miramar National Cemetery is located at 5795 Nobel Drive, San Diego, between Interstate 805 and Miramar Road.

For information about the Miramar National Cemetery Support Foundation, a non-profit organization, go to www.miramarcemetery.org.

Miramar National Cemetery Veterans Memorial Service Sunday, May 26, 2019

Veterans, Active-Duty Military, Public Invited Honored Guest

Brian Alvin Chief of Operations, Pacific Region National Cemetery Administration

Featured Speaker

Colonel Charles B. Dockery Commanding Officer Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar

Guest Speaker

Master Sergeant Matthew Foster, USMC Ret. Sunday, May 26, 2019 (1:00 PM)

The Veterans Memorial Service is sponsored by Miramar National Cemetery Support Foundation and coordinated by the staff of Miramar National Cemetery.

Limited parking on cemetery grounds 8

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Female Veterans Find Self-Care The California salt water and warm outdoors were just what the doctor ordered for a group of female veterans from different parts of the country who met in Mission Bay at a health clinic hosted by Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP).

The WWP wellness event brought veterans together in a welcoming environment that fostered learning and healing.

“The best part was meeting, connecting, and creating a community with women who have similar goals,” said Navy veteran Leah Bond, from Colorado Springs. “I really enjoyed learning how to use the TRX equipment and the fun outdoor workout on the bay.”

In a WWP survey (https://www.woundedwarriorproject. org/survey) of the wounded warriors it serves, 32.6 percent of survey respondents expressed physical activity is one of the things that helps them cope with stress and emotional concerns.

Learn more about WWP’s in-person and online wellness coaching for warriors and caregivers at https://wwp.news/WWP. See more examples: https://wwp.news/CoachingVideo.

About Wounded Warrior Project Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers – helping them achieve their highest ambition. Learn more: http://newsroom. woundedwarriorproject.org/about-us.

Participants learned about effective exercise, the basics of nutrition, healthy cooking, resistance training, creating a workout, and setting goals for themselves. “I also learned that adding fish to my diet can be beneficial to my nutrition goals, and how to calculate my daily nutritional needs,” Leah said.

WWP organizes events for female warriors and caregivers to provide a comfortable environment for women to connect with each other and share experiences. Often, women realize that in taking more time to care for their health, they are also caring for their loved ones.

WWP wellness coaches give each veteran a scale, TRX (suspension equipment) instruction, elastic bands, and other equipment to help them continue exercising at home. No gym membership is required. The most important ingredients each warrior contributes are a commitment to attending a weekend health clinic, and a resolve to stick with a 12-week coaching program afterward. Warriors receive a 30-minute phone call from their personal coach every other week as part of this free program.

“The next steps on my wellness journey are to reach my 30-day goal of losing seven pounds, add fish to my diet twice per week, and take 11,000 steps every day Monday through Friday,” Leah said. “I plan to use the wellness coaching to help me reach my goals.”

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Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) hosted a health clinic for female veterans at Mission Bay. WWP wellness coaches give each veteran a scale, TRX (suspension equipment) instruction, elastic bands, and other equipment to help them continue exercising at home. After the clinic, warriors receive a 30-minute phone call from a personal coach every other week.

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Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum

By Patricia Laubach

A Marine’s Favor 25+ Years Earlier Helps Lead to World’s Largest Collection of Marine Aircraft in San Diego Museum When the collection of 41 historic aircraft at Marine Corps Air Station-El Toro was destined to be widely dispersed or possibly destroyed, a few Marines took notice. Marine Corps aviators and aircrew have great affinity for the aircraft they fly and maintain. They also have a strong commitment to preserving the aircraft and artifacts so important to the 107- year history of Marine Corps aviation.

Their action, and a promise made to repay a favor made more than 25 years previously, led to the creation of the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum in San Diego, home of the world’s largest collection of aircraft flown by U.S. Marines.

From El Toro to San Diego

Most of the historical aircraft in the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum’s collection were originally displayed around the air station at El Toro. A dedicated group of active duty and retired Marines created the El Toro Historical Society to fund the maintenance of the aircraft and preserve and collect other historical artifacts.

Active duty Marines at El Toro -- including the current Museum Curator, Steve “Smitty” Smith (USMC-retired) -- used their free time to maintain and restore the aircraft. The El Toro Historical Center and Command Museum was born.

When the Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC) announced that MCAS-El Toro would close in 1999, the museum’s foundation swung into action to save the aircraft. The Miramar wing at El Toro would move to NAS-Miramar in San Diego (the Naval Air Station would be renamed MCAS-Miramar).

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The foundation asked for BRAC funds to hire a professional transport company to move the aircraft to a permanent home at MCAS-Miramar.

Forty-one Aircraft down the I-5 Freeway

Now for the real challenge, “How does one move 41 historical aircraft approximately 75 miles down busy California interstates?”

The aircraft were moved in convoys leaving El Toro at 3:00 am on six consecutive Sundays. Some of the landing gear were too wide to fit on trailers, so “saddles” for the trailers had to be built. Although most of the wings could be folded or removed to stay within the highway limitations, some had to be cut off and carried in separate trailers.

A nest of fledgling owls delayed the move of one of the airplanes. Fortunately, there was just one breakdown, which occurred on the interstate (I-5) near Camp Pendleton. Another truck was sent to haul that airplane off the interstate and inside the gates at Camp Pendleton until the airplane could be moved to its new permanent location.

Marine Pilot Bob Butcher - 1967

The 25+-Year-Old Favor

In 1971, Marine pilot Major General Bob Butcher (then a major) was assigned to non-flying duty. He had a special favor to ask of Brigadier General Jay Hubbard, the Commanding General of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing, “Would General Hubbard make a plane available to him from NAS Willow Grove to fly in his free time?” According to Butcher, he got use of a plane for two years!

Major General Bob Butcher (USMC-retired) April 2019

More than 25 years later both men had retired from the Marine Corps and General Hubbard was the volunteer chairman of the El Toro Historical Society.

General Hubbard collected on that 25+-yearold favor by asking General Butcher to take over that foundation and oversee the move of the aircraft to MCAS-Miramar. In 1999 the foundation was renamed the Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation.

Major General Bob Butcher has been its dedicated chairman and fulltime volunteer for the organization ever since.

A New Aircraft Museum in San Diego

In 1999 the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum was established at MCAS-Miramar. The air station provided seven acres for aircraft display, a restoration facility, and a museum building housing artifacts and preserving the legacy of USMC aviation.

Although the aircraft were relocated in 1999, the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum didn’t open to the public until 2000. The grounds and display areas had to be prepped for opening. Employees sowed grass seed and hand-watered all seven acres of the grounds by hand from one water spigot.

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Permission was granted to build office space in the restoration facility on base. Trailers were placed to house the indoor exhibits and foundation offices.

Memorandums of understanding were developed with MCAS-Miramar and the Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation.

The grand opening of the museum was held in June 2000. Former San Diego Mayor, Roger Hedgecock, officiated at the grand opening ceremony through an onsite radio broadcast. Former New York Yankee, Marine aviator and Padres radio announcer, Lieutenant Colonel Jerry Coleman (USMC-retired) was one of the guests of honor. Legendary Major League Baseball player and Marine aviator, Ted Williams, participated remotely via loudspeaker.

Initially visitors were required to check in at MCASMiramar’s main gate to gain access to the museum. As museum visits stabilized at 4,000 to 5,000 per year, two things became apparent. First, the museum would never be able to draw a larger number of visitors unless it had its own entrance. Second, being so close to the ocean, the salt-laden air in San Diego was corrosive to the planes, and they needed additional protection to effectively preserve them.

To create a museum entrance for the public, the Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation raised nearly $200,000 to ring the museum with an 8-foot high security fence topped by barbed wire that met all the anti-terrorism requirements.

Following the opening of the Miramar Road Museum Gate in 2006, visits to the museum skyrocketed. The museum now hosts approximately 30,000 visitors per year.

Lady Ace 09, the CH-46 helicopter that evacuated the American ambassador and flag from the U.S. embassy in Saigon, essentially ending U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, was flown in to become part of the collection.

Other notable additions to the collection included a Harrier jet the museum obtained from NASA and a World War II-era SBD-1 “Dauntless” (the only one left in the world) acquired through a series of trades. An MV22 “Osprey” remains high on the wish list of museum curator Smith.

Images by Steve Smith, Frank Lorey & Patrick Ball

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The Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum Today Today the museum is thriving. The curatorial staff continues to build the collection that now includes 48 rotary and fixed-wing aircraft, various ground support equipment artifacts, weapons, a research library of 1,500 books and photographs, artwork, patches, uniforms and numerous other artifacts that help tell the story of Marine Corps aviation.

The museum has 31 aircraft from World War II to present day on display along with artwork, photographs, uniforms and other artifacts. The museum is free and open to the public six days per week and manned largely by volunteers who served as military pilots or aircrew. These veterans are quick to share their individual stories and experiences with guests.

During the summer the museum hosts Open Cockpit Days, a big draw for families. It is a popular venue for military ceremonies, school fieldtrips and military reunions. Programs sponsored by the museum and its foundation include the Irene Ferguson Marine Wife Recognition Program, a patriotically-themed essay contest and an art contest for students in San Diego County.

The Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation has plans to build a 90,000 square foot permanent museum to allow all the aircraft to be protected and displayed indoors. More programs to serve the public, veterans and Marines are being launched, including hands-on training in restoration techniques.

More Than a Museum to Marines and Visitors For curator Steve Smith, the aircraft are a tie to a time, place and people -- some of whom are no longer with us. He mentioned a veteran who walked silently around the drone on display for many minutes. Several weeks later, photos of the drone in Iraq arrived at the museum.

Veterans, family members and those whose lives were saved by the actions of Marines regularly visit the aircraft to get in touch with their own histories.

Foundation chair, Major General Butcher, sees an even wider impact. “Youth are no longer being taught to appreciate the country and her history. Without that, we are perhaps in danger of losing our heritage and perhaps our country.’ He is particularly proud of the work done by the museum’s docents to inspire youth who visit for school field trips and Open Cockpit Days. Thank you letters, testimonials and reviews indicate that the museum is having the impact envisioned on America’s future leaders.

Visiting the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum: The museum is located at 4203 Anderson Ave, San Diego, CA. The museum entrance is on Miramar Road, 1.3 miles west of I-15 or 3.9 miles east of I-805. Look for the planes and the flags! Open Tues-Sun from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm.

Admission and parking are free.

Phone: (858) 693-1723 www.flyingleathernecks.org San Diego Veterans Magazine / MAY 2019 21

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TOUR OF HONOR Do you know a WWII or Korea War veteran who has never flown on Honor Flight ?

Sign Up Today For Our Next Trip

Please complete the Veteran Application at: www. honorflightsandiego.org

Sign-Up For A Future Trip For more information, email us at: information@honorflightsandiego.org

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No Hero Left Behind

By Hart DuBois Father Joe’s Villages committed to protecting the health and well-being of San Diego’s Veterans, so they can enjoy the freedoms they helped to preserve.

To address the distinct issues facing homeless Veterans, Father Joe’s Villages provides specialized housing services, case management, behavioral and physical healthcare, and education and employment programs tailored to the Veteran experience. One of the many inspirational stories of service members helped by the non-profit is Sebastian, a 66-year-old Marine Corp Veteran who lived on the streets for 15 years before he received the help he needed from Father Joe’s Villages.

Thanks to their Rapid Rehousing program, Sebastian received help finding an apartment he could afford, assistance paying his rent, and support from a Case Manager to settle into his new home and neighborhood.

But the story doesn’t end there. Sebastian saved every penny he could and after receiving back pay from the VA, Sebastian was able to purchase his own townhome in El Cajon.

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San Diego Veterans Magazine / MAY 2019

Today, Sebastian finally has peace after years of fear and desperation living on the streets. He now gives back to the homeless community he used to be a part of, serving hot meals to neighbors in need.

On June 28, 2019, the non-profit is hosting the No Hero Left Behind luncheon to raise critical funds for programs that support Veterans like Sebastian, as well as others in the San Diego homeless Veteran community. Attendees of The No Hero Left Behind luncheon will hear from Mary Jean Eisenhower, granddaughter of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Through Ms. Eisenhower’s work with People to People International, an organization established by her grandfather, she is dedicated to the idea of solving big issues through the pillars of education, exchange, and understanding.

You are invited to celebrate the many contributions of our community’s Veterans by attending the No Hero Left Behind luncheon. Individual tickets are $75.00 and active Military and Veterans tickets are $50.00. Tickets are available at neighbor.org/events

LEAVE NO NEIGHBOR BEHIND. For nearly 70 years, Father Joe’s Villages has been taking care of the immediate needs of homeless Veterans, while also helping end their homelessness for good.

Call 1-619-HOMELESS or visit NEIGHBOR.ORG to learn more.

San Diego Veterans Magazine / MAY 2019 27

‘That Truck is Going to be How I Get Through This’ By: Patricia Morrow

A well-worn pair of cowboy boots, size 13, and a 2003 Chevy Silverado, with a lift kit and mud tires, helped Kevin Amundson of New Prague, MN, heal after a “heart attack of the mind” led him to attempt suicide in September 2014.

Age 20, and suffering from undiagnosed depression, Kevin drove after work to his favorite childhood lake, called the sheriff with his location, and asked that his family be spared finding him. Then he shot himself through the bottom of the jaw with a rifle.

Kevin’s mom, Amy, calls it divine intervention that the sheriff sent up a helicopter immediately, and that Kevin fell backward onto the dock, instead of into the water.

What Amy wrote on Kevin’s CaringBridge website the day after he was saved still holds true: “We will not attempt to answer the question you will all be asking, which is, ‘Why?’ There is no answer we can offer that will satisfy that question for any of us. We can tell you he is a charming, funny, compassionate, and deeply loved young man, and we believe that neither God nor we are done with him yet.”

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San Diego Veterans Magazine / MAY 2019

Based on the bullet’s path, Kevin should not be here today. Never mind talking, walking … or driving.

But after waking up in the ICU at North Memorial Hospital in Minneapolis, nine days after the attempt, Kevin, a former member of the Army National Guard, said he purposely and consciously put himself on a path toward healing.

“I saw the pain and the suffering that the attempt caused my family and my friends,” he said. “I wasn’t taking my pain away like I thought. I was just putting it on other people.”

For inspiration, Kevin’s family taped to the foot of his hospital bed pictures of the pickup he had purchased a few months before the attempt. It was his baby.

Amy offers a different perspective, three years after the worst experience of her life.

She said, “If being open and talking about how he felt, and what he struggled with, and the things he went through, has the ability to save another person, then the struggle and pain all had a purpose. That is healing for Kevin, and for all of us.”

Do You Know Someone Who Needs CaringBridge Do you know a current or former military service member who could benefit from starting a CaringBridge site to keep loved ones updated on their mental and physical health? If so, share this link with them: www.CaringBridge.org/military-service/.

He said: “Every time I would start to get down, I’d just look at the truck and remember, ‘That’s waiting for me.

That’s going to be there for me. That’s going to be how I get through this.’”

Neither Kevin nor his mom, his primary caregiver, wish to minimize the physical damage from which he has miraculously recovered. Or overlook that he will always be working toward having depression control less of his life.

But having Kevin get back in his cowboy boots was a big deal. And getting behind the wheel of that truck again, when doctors didn’t think it could happen, was even bigger.

Kevin said, “The fact that the truck is mine, and I can build it how I want it … that is an additional piece of healing.”

Note: We can all help prevent suicide. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7 free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. Dial 1-800-273-8255.

The Amundson Family also supports SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education), founded in Minnesota in 1979. Dial 1-800-273-8255.

The Veterans Crisis Line connects Veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text.

Veterans and their loved ones can call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat online, or send a text message to 838255 to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Support for deaf and hard of hearing individuals is available.

San Diego Veterans Magazine / MAY 2019 29

Sacrifice & Self-Worth

By Carrie Shuster, Navy Veteran

The force is strong in May, but not because of the fourth- it’s because of the self-less sacrifice of those heroes in our beloved Armed Forces that died while serving in combat in the many wars that came before us. Thousands of souls, that came from all types of backgrounds and beliefs, who believed that putting the freedom of our country above their own lives would build a stronger and better country, and it has created the unrelenting force that is our military today.

As a young eccentric woman from Michigan, I, like the many before me, followed to respect that unrelenting force and enlisted into the United States Navy. I now continue to work at finding ways to honor our country as a Veteran. The thing I consider each year in May is what can I, and should I, be doing this Memorial Day. The simplest answer is – everything I possibly can.

During this month I like to invest special time into healing, as an individual and as a community. On Memorial Day I’ll be volunteering with the San Diego Women Veterans Network (www.sdwvn.org) at the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial to commemorate our fallen heroes. I believe it is important for us Veterans to come together with our communities to spend time remembering our heroes with families, friends, and fellow veterans to show our respect and support. I feel that volunteering has benefited my emotional well-being, and other Veterans I volunteer with have felt the same way. We have found that strong community support systems help process grief and PTSD. It can help socially reconnect to others as many of us have struggles with feeling disconnected after transitioning into the civilian world or after a traumatic experience. In addition to serving at the Memorial, I will also be planting a small remembrance reflecting garden with a few small indoor plants in my own living room at the beginning of the month.

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San Diego Veterans Magazine / MAY 2019

Taking care of this garden will not only give me a serene and beautiful way to personally commemorate my fallen service heroes, but it will also promote focus and healing as an individual I am a proud woman Veteran, not only because of my own service but because my sister and father, both United Stated Marine Corps Veterans, who influenced me and inspired me to follow in their brave footsteps.

They are both very intelligent, strong, and passionate and have taught me to be the same. I was an electrician on F/A-18E/F Super hornets in the US Navy and served overseas for four years. It was a long time to be away from home and it’s a long time to be away from all that is familiar. I had the honor to serve with the finest Women and Men I have ever met, who tirelessly taught me perseverance, courage, and strength in myself and others. As soon as I got out of the service, my sister inspired me to attend college and as well as to join EVERY club and attending every activity in hopes to feel the same way I felt with my service members! I wanted to stay connected to those great types of people!

Reconnecting with my fellow veteran sisters through the SDWVN has been the cornerstone in my own healing.

They have given me the inspiration to harness the best woman veteran within myself and not only connect with community, but with myself as an individual. In fact they inspired me to find a new amazing passion in nonprofit work. I was struggling with depression and was trying to find a job I could be passionate about. I found a great job using that compassion and my experience as a leader in the military that allows me to help fundraise for nonprofits! Joining a cause gave me a sense of selfworth and purpose which is exactly what our past fallen would want. I can’t think of a better way to honor the fallen than paving the way to serving others and living my absolute best life.

Make it easy to keep family and friends informed during a health journey.

CaringBridge offers free websites to connect with the people who matter most. Share updates, receive emotional support, coordinate tasks, and even fundraise for medical expenses, all in one place.

Learn more and start a site today.

Visit CaringBridge.org/military-service/

“

Just know that there are people out there who care about you.

And who will help you.

”

KEVIN AMUNDSON, former Army National Guard member, whose family used CaringBridge for support through Kevin’s depression

It takes just 3 minutes to set up your personal, private and ad-free site.

Start a site today and feel the power of your community.

San Diego Veterans Magazine / MAY 2019 31

SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY What’s Happening?

VISIT

SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com • Community Events • Press Releases • Entertainment • Post Your Events

The best source for breaking and local news, press releases, community events, media, entertainment and more…

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San Diego Veterans Magazine / MAY 2019

The Coalition is comprised of a wide variety of non-profit and for-profit organizations, as well as governmental agencies and civic minded individuals.

“Community Collaboration is the Key” America’s Finest City is well known for its many attractions, amusement parks, nearby beaches and “perfect” weather. Located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, San Diego is home to the largest naval fleet in the world. With over 3 million residents, county wide, San Diego is the second largest city in California and the second largest military town in the United States.

When it comes to providing veteran support services, San Diego is the most innovative and resourceful city in the nation. The San Diego Veterans Coalition (SDVC) is mainly responsible for those accolades. The San Diego Veterans Coalition was organized in 2012 using the Collective Impact Model, and is a premier San Diego Countywide monthly convener of over 150 unique member and participating organizations, businesses, and agencies, as well as convening many of that body in our four action groups, and other activities and events.

It is one of the largest collaborative veteran service organization in the country and is a national role model for the comprehensive and the integrated system of community partners that serve our veterans.

Every month, SDVC provides an open forum for veteran service organizations and businesses to collaborate and better serve our veteran community and their families. The forum is open to anyone that has an interest in supporting or providing a service to our veterans.

The affiliated organizations and members range from ‘Habitat for Humanity’ to small business owners who provide specialized services for our veterans. Many of the organizations that belong to SDVC specialize in one field (education, housing, employment, healthcare).

The goal is to understand what services each organization provides and with that knowledge, SDVC can offer comprehensive support to our local Veteran community.

The vision of the SDVC is to honor and care for U.S. Veterans, their families and significant others by integrating all available services.

The mission of the SDVC is to improve the support of our Veterans in the San Diego Region by inspiring and encouraging collaboration and cooperation among service providers and Veteran service organizations, advocating on behalf of Veterans, their families and significant others for better integration of services, improving communication between Veterans and providers to disseminate information and determine needs, providing guidance and leadership which would affect local changes and serve as a model for other communities to emulate.

At SDVC, they have found that collaboration is the key to addressing the needs of San Diego regional Veterans, their families and significant others.

To ensure all the needs are met, they have developed four Action Groups to organize the work of the Coalition and have patterned these Action Groups Groups off the successful Live Well model: 1. Physical and Emotional Health Action Group 2. Family Life Action Group 3. Veterans, Empowered, Successful and Thriving Action Group 4. E3- Employment, Education and Entrepreneurship Action Group Through these Action Groups they identify gaps in support and service and create measurable outcomes to resolve them. These groups are made up of our members and together they are working to strengthen our community.

COMMUNITY COLLABORATION IS KEY! in supporting our veteran community. Our veterans need your involvement.

SDVC encourages all civilians, veterans, organizations and businesses that care about our veterans to attend their monthly meetings and get involved.

If you would like to attend an SDVC meeting and support our veteran community, please visit:

Sdvetscoalition.org

San Diego Veterans Magazine / MAY 2019 33

“Be the Tide”

By Holly Shaffner

The organization’s model is built on three goals: Three submariners walk into a bar - There’s a lot more to this story and the punchline is that three Navy men started the local nonprofit, Us4Warriors. Anthony “Tony” Stewart, Ken Greenawald and William Craig “BC” Reed had a vision of how they could help warriors, past and present, live stronger lives. What started as a vision has blossomed into a thriving and successful organization that serves our active duty, veterans and military families.

1. Live - Help them live for a strong life through providing basic needs such as food, wheelchairs, home renovations.

2. Prosper - Help them prosper for a brighter future through training, networking and partnerships.

3. Aspire - Help them aspire for greater dreams through arts, sports and programs.

In five short years, Us4Warriors has accomplished more than what some nonprofits do during their entire lifespan. In fact, Us4Warriors was only a few years old when they were selected as the 2016 San Diego County Nonprofit of the Year!

In just the past year, Us4Warriors has provided food to more than 4,800 military men and women and their families, they have completed thousands of volunteer hours for our local community and finished several landscaping projects for the Chula Vista Veterans Home and a home renovation for WWII veteran.

They do all of this and more through a strong “Board of Doers”, about 400 dedicated volunteers, great community partnerships and generous donors.

All of their services, programs and fundraisers are titled X4Warriors – Food4Warriors, Comedy4Warriors, Golf4Warriors and so much more. The titles are very appropriate as all the funds they receive go to our local Warriors.

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In the “Live” pillar, one of the biggest programs is their food program. There are several subcomponents to the larger program that serves active duty, veterans and military families: • Food4Warriors – These are food distributions throughout the north, south and east counties of San Diego. But this is more than just free food; the organization strives for all their investments to have dual purpose. So in addition to receiving a bag (or bags based on household size) of food, recipients may get a reusable bag for grocery shopping, etc…

• Food4Veterans – This is where the organization provides food to veterans through the San Diego Department of Veterans Affairs. Under this program there are specially designed bags of food for a veteran; as an example, a veteran may need low fat foods or foods low in sodium and the volunteers build them a special bag for their needs. These bags are carefully packed especially for homeless veterans too and may include items such as napkins, utensils, can openers, etc…

The Us4Warriors Foundation suffered a tremendous loss this past December when one of their brothers, Manny Otero US Navy retired Chief Petty Officer, passed away unexpectedly. Manny was one of the biggest doers on their board and people knew him for his big heart, sense of humor and charismatic personality.

• Feast4Warriors – Many of our military men and women cannot afford a holiday dinner, so Us4Warriors provides one for junior military members and their families. They are invited to a holiday meal and are sometimes given gas cards or gifts to help them.

• Food4Stand Down – The organization provides food for homeless veterans and volunteers to provide security for the event which is held in north and central San Diego each year.

There are many things that make this organization stand out from other nonprofits and one of those is that they don’t just “give fish” to veterans to “feed for a day”, they lift up when needed, but offer or fund programs to empower their recipients to “fish for themselves” and contribute to our society. Providing this kind of support to our community is not free.

He was such an instrumental member of the organization that they renamed their annual golf tournament to the “Manny Otero Memorial Cup” which was held in March.

They will continue to honor his dedication and legacy for serving our military community.

To raise money for the programs and services they offer, Us4Warriors hosts several fundraisers each year. They do this through an annual golf tournament, comedy shows and online donations. Since the organization has no paid employees, every dollar they raise goes to supporting the military community.

Us4Warriors has an upcoming event in May where they benefit from a golf tournament called, “Swing4Warriors”.

A local nonprofit, “May We Give for Love” selected Us4Warriors as the beneficiary of their annual golf tournament. If you enjoy golfing, want to sponsor at the event or donate to the cause, go to: www.maywegive4love.org Tony Stewart, Us4Warriors President and CEO said, “A rising tide lifts all the boats; we want to be that rising tide.” Every day they are lifting the community through their actions in the San Diego County - so BZ to Us4Warriors for being the tide!

Us4Warriors is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and like most nonprofits, they are in need of donations and volunteers. To learn more about Us4Warriors and the programs they offer, go to: www.Us4Warriors.org or follow them on Facebook @Us4Warriors.

San Diego Veterans Magazine / MAY 2019 35

“The men and women who serve our Nation deserve our support — Today, Tomorrow, Always —” www.vanc.me

Memorial Day 2019

Join Us May 27th

Originally observed as Decoration Day in the Civil War era, Memorial Day was officially recognized in 1971 as a federal holiday. The tribute to our fallen soldiers often took place in the cemeteries of their home towns by their families and neighbors. They would lay flowers at the grave or decorate the head stone in honor of the sacrifice of some for the benefit of many.

Please join us at VANC Resource Center to celebrate the 10th consecutive Memorial Day service on Monday (May 27 at 10 am) conducted at our center since VANC

Each year on Memorial Day, at 1500 (or 3pm) local time, a national moment of remembrance takes place on a day that was picked because it did not coincide with any particular battle. For many years the families of Northern Soldiers honored their dead on different days than the families of the Southern Soldiers. After World War I, Memorial Day would unify the countries various decoration days to be one day of solidarity for all of the US dead from all wars.

This Memorial Day, we will honor the contributions of all veterans both living and dead. Remember the sacrifice of those veterans that have fallen in service to our country, the 1.2 million men and women who have died since the Revolution War. And, keep in mind that as we gather there will be Marines, soldiers, airmen, sailors and Coast Guardsmen on duty May 27 around the world serving our country.

and city officials began working together back when the floors were dust covered no carpet and no air conditioning. One month prior to the event VANC has received a dozen commitments from veteran groups and support organizations to place a memorial wreath upon a commemorative gravesite that pays homage to those who have died in service to our country.

We at VANC thank each and every veteran service organization for their tireless contributions to making the lives of all of our veterans better. We know that each of us hears a different call to serve. But serve we do, with the best of intentions for the betterment of all.

We sincerely hope that we can use the Memorial Day remembrance as an opportunity to heal all wounds and put our entire veteran service community on the same side. The side that appreciates the service of every veteran and that will not wait for our veterans to die in order to remember them for their service.

Always a lot going on at VANC. You can see for yourself the upcoming events at VANC on www.vanc.me.

In the mean time, thank you to all those who support our organization with your attendance, your financial support and your participation.

We will continue to offer free programs and services that our relevant in our community while supporting our active duty military, our veterans and their families.

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San Diego Veterans Magazine / MAY 2019 37

ENLISTED TO ENTREPRENEUR

By Vicki Garcia

16 MARKETING MAXIMS - “MARKETING IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART” Of everything you do to make your business successful, MARKETING IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART. You should be constantly looking for new ways to attract buyers and clients to you. Consequently, everyone is looking for the new silver bullet. News Flash: There are no silver bullets! There is just the hard work of testing and tracking.

Here Are A Few Essential Marketing Maxims to Hang on Your Wall.

1. You should spend 25% of your time working on marketing. You have two things to work with: Your time and your money. You’re a marketer now.

2. All marketing is experimental. Get used to it. As soon as you find the perfect formula something will change, and it won’t work as well anymore.

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3. Because you’re seeking to influence people, a deep understanding of the people you want to reach is critical. Who is your target market? The more you focus, the more accurate you become. You can’t meet the needs of any market if you’re not an expert in it.

4. Research, research, research. Investigate your competitors, the marketplace and trends to name a few things. www.trends.google.com/trends will give you insight into trends. You can look up your competitor’s panties and discover the products or services they provide, how they market them to customers, the prices they charge, how they distribute and deliver, the devices they employ to enhance customer loyalty, their brand and design values, and best of all, the keywords they are using. www.spyfu. com is just one of the sites you can use for free.

5. Plan your marketing tactics out for the next quarter.

Planning too far in advance will not take advantage of your ability to be nimble. A marketing plan for the next year is good, but you need to nail down exactly what you will be doing in the next quarter. This will save money and stress, believe me.

11. Don’t drink the social media/digital Kool-Aid. With notable exceptions, it’s a happy fantasy that you can sit behind your computer and grow your business. Everything you want to achieve cannot be done entirely on line.

12. Nothing will benefit you as much as networking.

Who you are matters. Make deals, shake hands, and meet influencers. People need to see you faceto-face to get to know who you are.

Get out there!

6. Advertising (especially Facebook) can quickly drain your pocketbook and bring very limited results. If you’re smart about it, you can get away without spending anything until you are big enough to have funds to buy advertising. Once you do any advertising, realize that one ad won’t get you anywhere. You must advertise consistently over time.

7. Marketing is NOT sales. Sales are the result of marketing. Marketing is the pitcher. You’re the seller/ catcher. A class in selling is always a good thing. If you’re averse to selling, read my popular little simple booklet Selling for People Who Don’t Like Selling at https://midd.me/Oloh 8. Growth costs money. There is no magic formula to estimate your marketing budget. You can’t get by spending nothing. Pick a figure you’re able to meet comfortably and spend it consistently. There’s no big bang, one-time, sure thing.

9. Believe NOTHING that comes to you as an email pitch or a cold call. There are zillions of marketing siren songs from buying email lists to automated marketing services to lead generators. These sales pitches are hard to resist. Don’t be a Muppet in Sharkland.

INVESTIGATE! Be Cynical!

10. Track everything you do to reach your prospects.

“Test & Track” is the formula. How much did it cost compared to the buyers you received? You can break this down to cost per buyer.

13. People buy from people, not companies.

Relationships count. Buyers should be encouraged to think they know you. Yes, this is a perception you can cultivate, and it works. For examples start with the local advertisers who show up on the TV screen so often you think you know them.

14. People buy from people they know or think they know. It’s up to you to manage prospect perception.

Your reputation is everything. Marketing is about creating trust. If you don’t protect your reputation, treat customers fairly, and always strive to do the right thing, the word will get out and trust in you will be destroyed. It is almost impossible to recover from this. (See Boeing) 15. Understand the marketing basics. They still apply. Find them at Part 4 in my Simplebooklet titled Startup | Take Off at https://midd.me/7Sse .

16. To be a good marketer it helps to be a good writer. I strongly recommend getting the FREE book How to Write Copy That Sells by world-class writing guru Ray Edwards. Open this link https:// rayedwards.com/ Vicki Garcia is the Co-Founder of Operation Vetrepreneur & President of Marketing Impressions, a 33+ -year- old marketing consulting firm.

Apply NOW to join her Operation Vetrepreneur’s FREE Brainstorming Groups for veteran entrepreneurs at www.veteransinbiz.com and visit https://www.nvtsi.org/ov/ for more info.

If you want support for starting up a business, email her at vicki@veteransinbiz.com.

San Diego Veterans Magazine / MAY 2019 39

legal Eagle Straight-forward legal tips for Military and Veteran Business Owners

By Kelly Bagla. Esq.

LEGAL ISSUES FOR THE ENTREPRENEUR When it comes to starting a business, you might be a pro, but what about when it comes to working through all the legal issues you must consider as an entrepreneur when launching your startup? Most entrepreneurs get caught up in the midst of starting their business and quickly forget the legal aspects that need to be considered.

but it isn’t that obvious to everyone. As a rule of thumb, anyone who interacts with your business, not your clients, should sign a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) to ensure they will not share your ideas with others who should not know.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY While your business is still small, it is hard to imagine that you could potentially face the issue of people infringing on your intellectual property assets, but it can happen easier than you think. It is worth the investment to both time and money to get your trademarks, copywrites, patents and trade secrets legally registered.

VESTING Finding the right co-founder for your business is quite the task. Who do you trust? Who will make a good fit and lead your business in the right direction? It is important that you have a similar work ethic and timelines for investment. Instead of getting all the shares as once, one option to consider is vesting the shares over time. Your equity can be vested over time so that if your co-founder does not end up working out, there is a fair solution and you haven’t just lost half your company.

To ensure that you avoid the negative repercussions of an avoidable mistake, there are a few common legal issues you should be aware of: BUSINESS STRUCTURE There are several different business structures: Partnerships, S Corporations, C Corporations, Limited Liability Companies, and Sole Proprietorships. All business structures hold very different meanings and offer a variety of different benefits. You should consider if your business is going to remain privately funded, if you plan on taking on investors, and what type of growth you expect your company to have in the future. Making the right decision at the start could save you a lot of money in legal fees.

NONDISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS It seems like common sense, you should not talk to anyone about your confidential business information, 40

San Diego Veterans Magazine / MAY 2019

COMPLIANCE There are corporate compliance laws in place that affect companies in various industries. The laws that apply specifically to your business will vary based on the type of business entity you are, the state you do business in, and several other determining factors. Do some research and consult with an attorney to ensure you know what documents should be generated and maintained by your business to remain compliant.

You have already put in the hard work to get your business up and running, don’t let a simple and most often costly legal mistake cause you to lose it all.

For more information on how to legally protect your business please pick up a copy of my bestselling book: ‘Go Legal Yourself’ on Amazon or visit my website at www.golegalyourself.com Disclaimer: This information is made available by Bagla Law Firm, APC for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, and not to provide specific legal advice. This information should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.

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What You Can Expect Certification & Supplier Diversity Concept Review for Startups Perfecting Your Pitch Speaker Training Brainstorming with Experts Publishing Knowhow Personal Branding Mind Mapping Crowdfunding Writing a Business Plan Branding, Graphics & Visuals Internet Marketing Social Media & SEO Legal Issues Budgeting Where & How to Get Money High Velocity Growth Strategies Employees & Contractors

San Diego Veterans Magazine / MAY 2019 41

THE LEADERSHIP SKILLS VETERANS BRING TO ORGANIZATIONS Joseph Molina Veterans Chamber of Commerce www.vccsd.org

Over the years, veterans have learned nontechnical skills like; leadership, decision-making, being dependable and attention to details, which they can offer to civilian employers. It is indeed difficult to find any military role that doesn’t translate in the civilian workplace. This article focuses on some of the skills these veterans can bring to the table and how they can be effectively put to good use in a civilian workplace.

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San Diego Veterans Magazine / MAY 2019

1. Discipline: Veterans, in general, are used to a mission-critical mindset. Something veterans have learned over years of being trained with the responsibility to solve problems and follow through until the job is done.

Aside from being known to be focused on specific tasks, veterans also have a great attention to detail.

Most civilian employers appreciate the level of discipline veterans bring to the civilian workplace.

2. Loyalty:

6. Working under pressure:

One of the key traits required for a successful service in the military is loyalty. People who have served in the military have loyalty ingrained in them, which is sure to be an asset to any company. Veterans understand the critical importance loyalty has in everyday life. Loyalty is that bond that keeps veterans united.

Veterans are used to stressful conditions and have learned to work through these difficult situations. Are able to effectively function under pressure and have the ability to quickly adapt when necessary to meet the demands required by a situation. Working under pressure is also an excellent skill employers’ value.

Having the ability to remain calm under stressful situations allows for veterans to be excellent leaders as others depend on them to solve difficult tasks on helping improve employee productivity and increase morale in the workplace.

3. Accountability: Employers often state that it has become more difficult to find employees willing and ready to embrace accountability in the workplace. Veterans understand accountability extremely well. Veterans have a mindset that embraces and fulfills each task with complete sense of accountability.

4. Organizational skills: Veterans have the training and have a full and complete understanding of what organizational skills are and the way to implement them. These skills are key to completing the mission and achieving every task. Employers look for employees who understand and are able to use this important skill. Veterans know how policies and procedures enable a business to succeed. Veterans are no strangers to systemic planning, which is of utmost importance to any form of business.

5. Teamwork: Working in groups is no new thing for veterans. They know how to employ the strength of individuals and rely on their teammates. Veterans work well in teams and learn to rely on each other, support each other.

Veterans bring a team mentality to the workplace, with great understanding on how to establish bonds of collaboration and support to the team and to each member within the team. Veterans who enter the workforce are already many steps ahead by having a team mentality that today’s businesses look for.

7. Leadership based on trust: Military Leaders know that money is not the main motivating factor for people. Veterans understand that maintaining a team who has strong loyalty to the group, clear focus and is able to understand and clearly communicate the stated objective is key to the successful working environment. Veterans who lead make sure each team member feels valued, respected and able to trust the team, these are key elements to forming strong bonds between each team member.

A civilian organization will greatly benefit by employing a veteran as a business manager because most employees are often far better motivated by a leader who they fully trust than by someone who just offer rewards and/or punishments.

IN SUMMARY: Veterans bring a can-do attitude and a mind-set of leadership, loyalty, collaboration and a sense of comradery to the workplace. Employers who value these principles will most definitely benefit from having a veteran in their organization.

San Diego Veterans Magazine / MAY 2019 43

What is the special sauce?

By RanDee McLain, LCSW

Veteran’s Treatment Courts (VTC) are now 10 years old in America. This year we have seen other countries adopt the VTC model to their justice systems and help military veterans around the world. We can review data that shows us how low recidivism rates are in these diversion courts. We can share thousands of stories of how veterans’ lives were saved, families were reunited and tax payers saved millions of dollars. Yes, these are all very important facts about VTCs. There is still an underlying question of what is different?

Why are success rates so much higher in this type of diversion program? Trauma focused treatments and interventions contribute……but what is the secret sauce?

In the Navy, Chiefs are referred to as the “backbone of the Navy”. Our Veteran Mentors are the backbone of the VTCs. Mentors are our secret sauce!

Veteran Peer mentors are paired with veteran defendants and provide essential moral support. The mentor is a fellow veteran or Active Duty member that serves as a battle buddy, ally and support system as they navigate through the treatment court. The mentor and mentee are matched as soon as the participant enters the VTC and stay connected throughout the entire time in program …..many times as long as 18 months.

A mentor is required to engage with their participant a minimum of one hour per week for the duration of program. This is an all-volunteer commitment but many times the reward is found in helping our brothers and sisters succeed and get their life back on track.

Mental Health Systems (MHS inc) partners with the court to provide the comprehensive training and vetting of all mentors. The identification and training of these mentors is important so that the right mentor is paired with the best fit in a mentee participant. Additionally, mentors attend regular trainings to help them be best prepared for the challenges they may face while assisting their participants. These trainings include an overview of military trauma, suicide prevention, motivation interviewing, effective communications and others.

Southern District of California Veterans Treatment Court has many amazing mentors. One of the first mentors for the Federal VTC is Nathaniel Donnelly.

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In 2015, Nathaniel was able to attend the national conference for Justice for Vets and become a nationally certified VTC mentor. Nathaniel served in the US marine Corps from 1995-2003 and was a part of the invasion of Iraq. Since joining the VTC team Nathaniel has mentored 4 participants through the program. Nathaniel enjoys the comradery that occurs between himself, other mentors and mentees in the program.

“Mentoring has not only allowed me to help others improve on their path, it has also helped me reflect upon myself and how I can improve on my own path”.

Recently, a mentee of his told the court “ Nathaniel is unselfish and always willing to help. He takes time out of his day to visit with me and we are the perfect mentor/mentee team”.

Michael Worrell is another amazing and dedicated mentor for the Federal VTC. Michael is also a USMC veteran. Mike has a unique lens that many mentors will never have. Mike not only is an active mentor in both of the VTCs in San Diego but he has additionally been a participant in both courts. He has the lived experience of participating in the treatment and knowing first hand that it works.

Mike is the first to admit he made poor choices that landed him in the justice system. Thanks to the opportunities in VTC and receiving the proper treatment Michael has regained control of his life.

Much of his success in the program he attributes to the support he received from his mentor. He believed so much in the program and the power of the mentor/ mentee relationship he chose to continue paying it forward and become a mentor himself. Additionally, he has been able to find full time employment with the VA. Michael is currently a mentor to four participants.

Though this is not the typical load we ask our mentors to carry….Michael is far from typical. “It has been an absolute honor to be able to come back and help my fellow veterans”.

Our military and veteran populations are made up of all different education levels, backgrounds and experiences. It only makes sense that the mentors we choose also have diverse backgrounds.

Dr. James Starks brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his mentorship. Dr Starks served in the United States Marine Corps from August 1982June 2010 within the logistics field as a Food Service Specialist and Drill Instructor, eventually attaining the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant (E-9).

James has been with the court for just over a year and mentored two fellow veterans through the program.

Compassion and empathy should be James middle name. The level of commitment to his participants and his role as a mentor is remarkable. “It is a true joy to offer guidance and mentorship to our nation’s veterans during their time of need. Just being there if or when needed, providing that sense of comradery whenever call upon.”

Mentors are truly the special sauce that make Veterans Treatment Courts so successful. Our veterans deserve the best and mentors are changing lives one day at a time.

The VTCs are always looking for the next great mentor.

If you have a little time to share and are a US military veteran or Active Duty service member that would like to learn more about VTC mentorship please email couragetocall@mhsinc.org.

San Diego Veterans Magazine / MAY 2019 45

MILITARY MONEY MINUTE A Monthly Financial

By Lara Ryan & Daniel Chavarria

“Congratulations on your enlistment or commission. We (DoD) promise to take care

• Service Member’s Group Life Insurance (SGLI) Are you aware that your military SGLI coverage expires at retirement or separation from the service? You have the option to enroll in Veteran Group Life Insurance (VGLI) and can do so without medical underwriting within 120 days of your last service date. Because it is “guaranteed issue,” it is really intended for those who can’t get other coverage. In other words, because it is available to all servicemembers, it is very expensive.

If you’re healthy and have the option to get other insurance, the commercial market usually offers any number of options that cost considerably less.

Here’s an overview:

Work with a financial planner to review your financial situation and understand your military pay and benefits. You don’t know what you don’t know, and the more you know, the better off your finances will be!

of your financial needs: descent but moderate pay, health care needs, life insurance needs, housing needs, and investment needs. You give us 110%, and we will make sure you are covered.” This isn’t actually said to a service member, but it is implied.

“Do your job, and we’ll worry about the rest.” It puts the service member at ease and gives them a sense of security. Unfortunately, that can lead to a false sense of security unless you are educated on those benefits and have the knowledge to fully leverage them.

• THRIFT SAVINGS PROGRAM (TSP): This is the military’s retirement plan, like a civilian 401k. Did you set up an account and is it Roth or traditional? Do you know the difference? Did you know can adjust the way the funds are allocated? Unless you manually adjust how your TSP is invested, the default option is known as the “G” Fund – “G” as in government securities investment fund. It is a “safe money” fund that has a low yield, which may be fine if you are aware of how slowly it will grow, but disappointing if you aren’t. Are you enrolled in Blended Retirement System, and if so, are you contributing enough to get the maximum matching contribution from the DOD – a possible 5%?

Don’t leave money on the table.

Lara Ryan and Daniel Chavarria work with a team and run a comprehensive financial planning practice that specializes in working with active duty, retired, veteran and military-connected individuals, families, and businesses.

They are not fee-based planners and don’t charge for their time, but believe every servicemember needs and deserves a financial plan.

• GI BILL: Do you have the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) – the one you paid into at $100/month for a year) – or are you eligible for the Forever GI Bill (Post9/11)? Do you know the difference? Do you plan to use the education benefit or do you plan to transfer it to a dependent? A MGIB can’t be transferred to dependents, and a Forever can. If transferring the benefit is what you want to do, then you must understand that to transfer requires at least an additional 4 years of service, a realization many people have too late!

And, an added consideration, use of the benefit for a full-time education is accompanied by an E-5 with dependents stipend (whether or not you’re and E-5 and whether or not you have dependents).

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Lara.ryan@nm.com (307) 690-9266

Daniel.Chavarria@nm.com (702) 497-3264

Starting a Business as a Veteran?

The transition from military service to civilian life can be a difficult one, especially when it comes to your career.

That’s why a growing number of veterans choose to forge their own path and become entrepreneurs after leaving the Armed Forces.

While starting a business comes with numerous challenges, former service members do have one distinct advantage: the veteran community.

“The strength and power of veteran entrepreneurs comes from other veteran entrepreneurs” Unlike most highly competitive entrepreneurial environments, veteran entrepreneurs share information much more easily.

If you or someone you know is a veteran looking to start a business, please feel free to contact Vicki Garcia.

Vicki is the Co-Founder of Operation Vetrepreneur & President of Marketing Impressions, a 33+ -yearold marketing consulting firm. If you want support for starting up a business, email her at vicki@ veteransinbiz.com.

For advice, tips and programs you can read Vicki’s monthly column at San Diego Veterans Magazine or visit

NOTHING COMPARES at this price to Go Legal Yourself ® Startup Essentials Package. This specialized, customizable package of legal contracts and documents includes everything a startup company needs to protect its assets from the beginning. You won't find these contracts online anywhere but here.

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San Diego Veterans Magazine / MAY 2019 51

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San Diego Veterans Magazine / MAY 2019

Getting A VA Home Loan Because you earned it!

For those with eligible military service, the VA Home Loan Benefit—which never expires—provides a tremendous option to refinance or purchase a primary residence.

All things being equal, a person using this benefit will generally qualify for more home loan than with other available loans.

Title 10 Orders are eligible after 6 years of participating service. To see the service requirements for your specific era of service, visit www.benefits.va.gov/ homeloans/purchaseco_eligibility.asp.

The benefit is open to Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Reserve and National Guard, spouses of un-remarried Veterans who died while in service or from service-connected disability, or the spouse of a Veteran who is MIA or a POW.

Myths:

Qualifying--two steps:

There are many “myths” that prevent people from using the VA loan, but all of the following are true FACTS regarding the VA home loan benefit: it is not just for firsttime buyers; you can use it multiple times; it is possible to have more than one VA loan at the same time; there is no limit on the loan amount--with a small down-payment/ equity it can be used above the VA County Loan Limit; it is possible to use it after a short-sale or foreclosure on a prior VA loan using remaining entitlement; the seller is not required to pay the Veteran’s closing costs; the Veteran may pay for repairs; there are no non-allowable fees, only fees that are limited.

Step one: Determining if you are eligible to use the benefit. To do that, a proficient lender, electronically connected to the VA, will request discharge papers or— if on active-duty, a statement of current service from you--and order a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) directly from the VA on your behalf. The COE tells the lender whether your service qualifies you to use the benefit.

Benefits: Benefits of the loan include: lower interest rates than conventional loans; zero equity required (with full entitlement) up the VA county loan limits (loans above the limit require a small down payment); no mortgage insurance; easier to qualify; shortest time to get a loan after a short-sale, foreclosure or bankruptcy; limitations on closing costs; no pre-payment penalty, and the ability for any qualified buyer (not just a Veteran) to assume the loan at a later date.

Step two is like any other loan: Comparing qualifying income against current debts, the lender calculates the amount of house payment allowed. For a home purchase, the lender uses that payment to calculate the approved purchase price and loan amount and issues a pre-approval letter. That letter tells your real estate agent the price range of homes to show you.

Pretty easy.

Bottom line: When you are in need of a home loan, do not make assumptions, find a proficient VA lender and…JUST ASK!

If you have military service (you don’t need to have served over-seas or in combat), you are most likely eligible to take advantage of this benefit. You just need to ask a lender who is proficient in handling a VA loan. You want a lender that does several VA loans per year (just being able to do the loan doesn’t make a loan officer ‘proficient’).

Eligibility: General eligibility requirements are: currently serving on active duty at least 90 days; Veterans with other-thandishonorable discharge and served 24 months, or 90 days during war time/181 days during peace time. Keep in mind these are “general” guidelines and time requirements vary depending on era of service. Those serving in the National Guard or Reserves and have never been called to active

Author: Andrew Vierra NMLS #230799 Branch Manager Wealth Wise Mortgage a division of American Pacific Mortgage Corporation NMLS #1850, Equal Housing Opportunity

San Diego Veterans Magazine / MAY 2019 53

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San Diego Veterans Magazine / MAY 2019

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THE POSSE VETERANS PROGRAM

Go to a TOP college with the support of other veterans and FULL TUITION GUARANTEED. Posse is selecting veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces to attend:

UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO

VASSAR COLLEGE

POSSE IS LOOKING FOR VETERANS WHO: • Have not previously received a bachelor’s degree • Have served at least 90 consecutive days of active duty since September 11, 2001, and have received or will receive an honorable discharge by July 1, 2019 • Can commit to a one-month pre-collegiate training program in New York City in the summer of 2019 • Are leaders in their places of work, communities and/or families

WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE POSSE VETERANS PROGRAM? Visit our website at www.possefoundation.org/veterans or email the Posse Veterans Team at veterans@possefoundation.org.

GET TO KNOW A POSSE VETERAN SCHOLAR...

WHAT IS THE POSSE VETERANS PROGRAM?

GRANT KILLIAN

COLLEGE DEGREE: Each cohort—a Posse—of 10 veterans attends college together to pursue bachelor’s degrees.

University of Virginia Navy Gallatin, TN

FUNDING: Vassar College, The University of Virginia, The University of Chicago, and Wesleyan University guarantee four years of full tuition funding after GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon benefits have been applied.

SUPPORT: Comprehensive training from Posse prepares veterans for the college experience and support continues on campus through graduation.

CAREER: Posse offers internship opportunities, career coaching and connections to a large professional network to prepare Posse Scholars for leadership positions in the workforce.

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Grant joined the Navy after graduating from high school in 2015. He developed into a strong and effective leader while training at the Naval Special Warfare Preparatory School. At UVA, Grant hopes to study physics and international relations while actively engaging with the university and surrounding communities. Grant says, “the Posse Foundation is investing in groups of driven individuals with incredible leadership potential to have an impact on conversations, campuses, communities, and the world."

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SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com Resources Support Transition Community

San Diego Veterans Magazine A Veterans Magazine by Veterans for Veterans

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www.homelandmagazine.com

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