Earl Skip Cooper Foundation
“Serving Humanity"
Veteran Support
and Resources
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Earl ‘Skip’ Cooper, II
Chairman and Founder of the Earl Skip Cooper Foundation
100% Disabled Vietnam Veteran
My Tour Duty in Vietnam
VA News & Information
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Services and Peer Support for Veterans
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Career coaching
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Skills assessment
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Training opportunities in high growth industries
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re-employment assistance
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Peer Support
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All at no cost for Veterans in Southern California
Happy Birthday to the United States Army!
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We celebrate the 248th birthday of the United States (U.S.) Army! Founded on June 14th, 1775, the U.S. Army is "older than the nation it defends." The Army's values include Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Personal Courage, and Integrity. On behalf of the Caregiver Support Program, I thank every Army Veteran within our program and the caregivers who support them. Thank you for upholding the Army's values and your sacrifices for our nation. For that, we have the utmost gratitude and respect for you all.
As we celebrate the Army's birthday, we invite you to visit the Army's website. There you'll have access to the history of the Army, special social media content, Army music, and more. You can also visit the VA News website, using the hashtag #Army, to read the remarkable stories of Soldiers throughout history.
Again, Happy Birthday to the United States Army!
With respect and honor,
Colleen M. Richardson, Psy.D
Executive Director
Caregiver Support Program
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JUNE 12, 2023
As we commemorate Womens Veterans Day on June 12th, we gather to pay tribute to the unwavering dedication, resilience, and invaluable contributions of women veterans. Amongst us, we are privileged to have a shining example whose personal history exemplifies the profound impact women veterans have on our society.
With 20 years of dedicated service in the United States Navy and the proud lineage of a United States Marine Corps veteran as a mother, my heart swells with profound emotion as we recognize June 12th as Women Veterans Day. This momentous day honors the extraordinary women who fearlessly and selflessly served our nation, celebrating their remarkable achievements and resilient contributions that have shaped our world.
One notable example that captures the essence of women veterans is Sergeant Leigh Ann Hester, whose heroism during the Iraq War in 2005 stands as a testament to the strength, courage, and unwavering commitment of our sister veterans. Her exemplary leadership and unparalleled courage led to the capture of 27 enemy combatants, earning her the prestigious Silver Star. Sergeant Hester's story represents the indomitable spirit of women veterans, blazing trails and inspiring their comrades.
On this sacred day, we honor the trailblazers who have paved the way for future generations of women in the military. Let us renew our commitment to supporting and empowering women veterans, ensuring their access to quality healthcare, seamless transition into civilian life, and abundant opportunities for education and employment. With tears of gratitude, we salute the courage, resilience, and unwavering dedication of our sisters in arms.
As we gather on Women Veterans Day, we commemorate the valiant women who have served and continue to serve. Let us draw strength from their indomitable spirit and courage, inspiring future generations of women to embrace their dreams, break barriers, and proudly carry the torch of women veterans within our hallowed armed forces.
With heartfelt sincerity,
Stephanie A. Stone, Chief Deputy Director
LA County Department of Military & Veterans Affairs
Secretary's Public Service Recognition Week Message (2023)
PACT Act Special Enrollment Period
Post-9/11 combat Veterans may be eligible
You or a Veteran you know may be eligible for expanded benefits.
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Take advantage of the special enrollment period for post-9/11 Veterans before October 1, 2023.
Navigating Life Events: Divorced Spouse Resources
It can be hard to navigate life after divorce, but Benefits.gov has resources to help you move forward. In this article you’ll learn about Divorced Spouse Benefits and divorce tax relief that may help lessen financial strain.
Are you at risk or currently experiencing homelessness?
In this article, we will share some valuable resources to help you with your housing, healthcare, or food access needs.
VA Careers Allow Veterans to Continue Serving Their Country
Have you considered working at VA? VA provides Veterans, mainly those with service-connected disabilities, hiring preference for all available positions. Service members just leaving the military are also invited to pursue a career at VA. Health care skills acquired in the military can be applied to VA as physicians, nurses, mental health providers, medics, hospital corpsmen, health service technicians, and para-rescue specialists. Plus, VA has benefits and incentives designed for a Veteran’s success. Find a career that builds on your strengths and experience—and allows you to continue serving your country. Go to vacareers.va.gov. That’s vacareers.va.gov.
Vietnam Veterans Day
is annually observed on March 29. It commemorates the hardships suffered and sacrifices made by nine million Americans during the Vietnam War. However, the holiday does not only honor the former soldiers but also their families who supported them before and after the war.
HISTORY OF VIETNAM VETERANS DAY
The Vietnam War was a lengthy and costly conflict between Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. It occurred from November 1, 1955, to April 30, 1975 — a total of 19 years before the fall of Saigon. As Vietnam’s principal ally, the participation of the U.S. significantly determined the fate of the war. In 1961, former U.S. President John F. Kennedy sent a team to Vietnam to report their conditions. It was found that there was an American buildup of economic, military, and technical aid to Ngo Dinh Diem to defeat the Viet Cong. Due to the “domino theory,” which suggests that if one Southeast Asian country falls, the others will follow, Kennedy increased the American aid in Vietnam. By 1962, the U.S. military presence in the country reached up to 9,000 troops.
By March 1965, U.S. aid continued in Vietnam with the support of Lyndon Johnson, Kennedy’s successor. By June of the same year, American troops reached 82,000. A month later, 100,000 more troops were delegated, and 100,000 more a year later. By November 1967, the number of U.S. troops reached 500,000: however, 15,058 were killed, and 109,527 were wounded.
On November 5, 1969, there was a massive anti-war movement in Washington. More than 250,000 Americans participated, calling for the withdrawal of military troops from Vietnam. On March 29, 1973, U.S. President Richard Nixon officially withdrew the American combat forces from Vietnam. A year later, the first Vietnam Veterans Day was held.
What are the threats, and weapons, and technologies shaping the U.S. military’s tactics, doctrine, and strategies?
Join Defense One at State of Defense, a special month-long digital series
exploring the futures of the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, and Space Force.
Throughout March, Defense One will host exclusive interviews with U.S. military service chiefs and leaders,
and panel discussions with top experts, scholars, and officials.
Sign up now to walk, run, or cycle the American flag in Washington State, Oregon, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, or Georgia.
Hey Veterans!
Sign up to run, walk, ruck or roll with Old Glory!
Team RWB is launching its 9th Old Glory Relay, a national movement showcasing the strength, grit, and commitment of America's Veterans in support of their well-being.
From April 1 - May 20, 2023, Veterans of all generations and supporters will move an American flag more than 4,000 miles from Seattle, Washington, to Atlanta, Georgia, stopping at many Department of Veterans Affairs facilities along the way.
Team RWB invites you to join them and showcase the grit and the heart of the military and Veteran community. Be a part of showing the country that when Veterans come together, they can accomplish incredible things and inspire others along the way. There are no requirements for participants when it comes to speed or distance. The only requirement to be a part of this epic journey is you must show up.
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Top Veteran Resources of the Year
Every week, VA sends a newsletter that is jam-packed with resources like free concert tickets, farming assistance, workout programs, national park passes and Veteran discounts on hundreds of services.
VA makes no endorsements of the privately offered resources, but we share them to generate awareness of all that’s available to the Veteran community.
Here are the Top 10 most popular Veteran resources from 2022:
By Mike Richman
Communications Specialist, Veterans Experience Office
Starting Jan. 17, Veterans in suicidal crisis can go to any VA
or non-VA health care facility for free emergency health care
WASHINGTON – Starting Jan. 17, Veterans in acute suicidal crisis will be able to go to any VA or non-VA health care facility for emergency health care at no cost – including inpatient or crisis residential care for up to 30 days and outpatient care for up to 90 days. Veterans do not need to be enrolled in the VA system to use this benefit.
Preventing Veteran suicide is VA’s top clinical priority and a top priority of the Biden-Harris Administration. This effort is a key part of VA’s 10-year National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide and the Biden-Harris administration’s plan for Reducing Military and Veteran Suicide.
Ways to use VA’s telehealth tools to manage VA health care
With fewer daylight hours and the potential for bad weather, there are even more reasons to add telehealth and virtual resources as options for your VA care. Here are a few ways that you can use VA’s telehealth tools to manage your VA health care this winter.
With VA Video Connect, Veterans can meet with VA providers through secure video calls using a smartphone, tablet or computer with an internet connection. You can utilize VA Video Connect to participate in VA’s TeleMental Health program to help your mental well-being from the comfort and safety of your home.
TeleMental Health appointments using VA Video Connect
VA health care news you can use
There’s a lot going on in VA health care. Here are some of our latest stories about Veterans and for Veterans. Find out how to apply for VA health care benefits.
Dealing with PTSD? Find your way with AboutFace
Hearing other Veterans talk about their PTSD may help you feel less alone and can help you recognize if you’re having PTSD symptoms.
Zaneta Adams shared her heartfelt story in support of VA’s Million Veteran Program.
VA is here for you.
1-800-MyVA411 (800-698-2411) is always the right number
Veterans Crisis Line: 988 and press 1, Chat, or Text 838255
Vet Centers: 1-877-927-8387
Homeless Veteran Resources: 1-877-424-3838 or Chat