Congressman Rich Nugent and his wife, Wendy, were pleased to see how well attended the Veterans’ Benefit Resource Fair was on Saturday at the Savannah Center.
“It is my pleasure to sponsor this,” the Republican member of the House of Representatives said. “There are so many who have sacrificed so much. We want to be sure the veterans know what resources are available to them, and how to access them. Less than one percent of Americans served in our armed forces, many of them in harm’s way, to preserve our freedoms — and we owe them a debt of gratitude, honor and admiration and the benefits they need to live good lives.”
While everyone in a long line was thanking Nugent for helping them, he in turn thanked the dozens of vendors who supplied information booklets and beneficial programs — including the Veterans’ Administration medical programs from Gainesville; the Disabled American Veterans and the American Legion; the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office and representatives of various branches of military service associations.
“We and these vendors want to do all we can to bring returning veterans back into the mainstream,” Nugent said. “To get them medical and mental health therapies they need — to get them social, emotional and vocational assistance, and hopefully have them find jobs for gainful employment. We want them to lead purposeful, happy lives — that is our ultimate goal.”
Program Support Assistant Shannon Antone, from Fisher House in Gainesville, explained to Santiago Villager, Vietnam Veteran Bob Vick, about their residence, where military family members may stay free of cost when a veteran is undergoing treatment at the VA facility.
“The apartments are very nice — nicer than most hotels,” Antone said. “There are 20 bedrooms with private baths and shared kitchen facilities — so the families can relax and rest comfortably in between in-patient visits with their loved ones. We’ve had families tell us the accommodations are five-star! Access is easy for veterans who live at least 50 miles from Gainesville.” www.northflorida.va.gov.
Vietnam Veteran Sam Altherr III, Army 173rd Airborne Brigade, sang the National Anthem, and the colors were presented by the VFW Post 8083 Honor Guard from Belleview. Nugent presented medals to former World War II POW, Edward Mims, present with his wife, Sandy and their friend, Fernandina Villager Gene Parent. Mims’ B-24 liberator bomber was shot down, and he and several crew members survived horrid conditions at the Stalag 17B prison camp.
Licensed clinical social worker, Bette Stephens, distributed information about the VA’s Veterans Crisis Line. 1-800-273-8255. “We are here to help veterans, whatever their needs might be,” Stephens said. “We are here to help prevent suicides, but can help vets and family members access a wide range of mental health resources. Most of the people manning our phone banks are veterans themselves — and have instant empathy with the callers. We also employ veterans.”
Deputies Ted Langford and Dick Bennett of the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office enrolled veterans in their Vial of Life program and provided home protection information. Pat and Tom Sunderlin of “Horse in Miracles – Combat Boots to Cowboy Boots” training-to-employment program for veterans, were on hand. (Call Jen Elliott in Ocklawaha — 352 239-3484).
“Our ranch offers unconditional acceptance, outdoor physical activity and a time to share with other veterans. Veterans receive training on grooming and working with rescue horses, as well as personal support, encouragement and job referrals — all for the unbelievable price of ‘one apple.'” www.horseinmiracles.org. “The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a veteran,” the Sunderlins say. The program is looking for sponsors and donations.
The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), which assists commissioned or warrant officers from all military services, handed out information pamphlets for veterans — and will sponsor their eighth annual Military Charities Golf Tournament at Palmer Legends Golf and Country Club on Saturday afternoon, May 2. Players can register at Palmer Legends Pro Shop. Among the hole-in-one prizes are a trip to Hawaii and a Columbia ParCar. Proceeds will go to Operation Helping Hand, the Marine Corps. Toys for Tots program, and the Junior ROTC Program in local high schools. Call Chris Ludwig at 352 633-9163.
Sunset Pointe Villagers Carol Summers and Austin Scott, chatted with Clyde E. Rorabaugh and Roy A. Thacker, leaders of the Marine Corps League Detachment in The Villages. Summers and Scott’s daughter, Crystal Summers Rhome, just graduated from Marine basic training at Parris Island, SC, and their son, Matthew, is a U.S. Marine. Crystal and another son, Mike Summers, a disabled U.S. Army veteran, were collecting benefits information.
Leroy Lee and Carol Rash from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service had information on citizenship for foreign nationals who chose to serve in the U.S. military. President Howard L. Burke and Lou Branch from Ocala, plus Villager Col. Paul Kramer (USAF Ret.) manned the Air Force Association Red Tail Memorial Chapter #136 booth. Among other veterans’ services provided by the group, the AFA provides a refurbished old Ocala ‘Ritz Hotel’ accommodations to homeless vets in a two-year rehabilitation program. “They are not permitted to drink alcohol, smoke or do drugs while in our program,” Burke explained, “and many vets are able leave the program in 13-14 months, prepared to begin a new job and live on their own.”
Congressman Nugent, who served as Hernando County Sheriff and is himself a military veteran with the Illinois Airborne National Guard, can be reached at www.nugent.house.gov
