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Tag: Veterans

  • I Thank You Friday- Dennis Hoffman

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    Ortonville VFW Post 582 Commander Dennis Hoffman

    Hello to all of our veterans and 94.7 WCSX Classic Rock listeners. Friday is upon us and for this week, our I Thank You shout out goes to US Army Veteran and VFW Post 582 Commander Dennis Hoffman.

    Some veterans have the opportunity to share their stories in their own words. For others though, their stories come from those who know them best or for this week’s “I Thank You Friday”, from a neighbor who recognizes the dedication and patriotism of one individual whose service to community and country is admirable.

    Dennis Hoffman was nominated by a community neighbor who goes by Nick, who had this to say about his friend and the recognition for the hard work Dennis has done for his fellow man.

    Nick: “Good Morning 94.7 WCSX, I wanna give a shout out to in my opinion one of the hardest working veterans you’ll find here in Ortonville. His name is Dennis Hoffman, and he is the Post Commander of our tiny community, VFW Post 582. Mr. Hoffman has been commanding the VFW for over 10 years and in that time has made our town a better place thanks to his assistance in programs such as the Honor Guard Rifle Team, and outreach programs with our local teachers and our local cub scout troop. Mr. Hoffman continues to represent and serve our country and community with a smile and a sense of duty. KEEP PLAYING THE BOB SEGER WCSX, your station is #1!”

    Post 582 Sr. Vice Commander Carl Jeffrey & Post Commander Dennis Hoffman

    Post 582 Sr. Vice Commander Carl Jeffrey & Post Commander Dennis Hoffman

    From left, Ted Lambiris, Dennis Hoffman, and Cliff Filhart. Members of the Ortonville VFW Post 582 during the Memorial Day ceremony at the Ortonville Cemetery. Photo Patrick McAbeePatrick McAbee

    From left, Ted Lambiris, Dennis Hoffman, and Cliff Filhart. Members of the Ortonville VFW Post 582 during the Memorial Day ceremony at the Ortonville Cemetery.

    The Man Behind the Uniform

    Dennis Hoffman’s service to his country began in 1968 with his draft notice to the United States Army. As detailed in this letter from a State of Michigan House Committee Testimony, US Army Veteran Dennis Hoffman has served honorably for the Stars & Stripes and faced challenges that only few can relate to.

    A small sample of it reads: “Commander Hoffman was drafted to the army in June 1968 following Boot Camp at Fort Bragg North Carolina and advanced infantry training at Fort Polk Louisiana. The USS Pueblo was seized by the North Koreans and international waters on January 23, 1968 in the crew held hostage. Due to this new conflict his battalion in October was split in half some going to Vietnam and some including Commander Hoffman sent to the DMZ (Korean demilitarized zone).

    “I was disappointed says Hoffman, I was trained for jungle warfare, and I wanted to fight. I didn’t fight the draft. I just felt it was part of my duty as a US citizen.” He patrolled the DMZ for 13 months and dealt with conflicts as people tried to sneak through the fence. There was a mile to the military demarcation line, and it was filled with bunkers and foxholes, allowing Hoffman and his battalion to patrol the area. He left the army after his two-year draft period was complete.

    When the Ortonville VFW post was charted in 1984 he joined and continues to give to the 16 programs supported by the VFW. Those of which include, Honor Guard-Rifle Team, Voice of Democracy Essay contest, Oakland County Campout, Poppy Program, VFW national home for children in Eaton Rapids, and local food banks. The list goes on… Thank you, Commander Hoffman for all you and your fellow VFW members do for the community.”

    Voices of Veterans Must Never Go Silent

    VFW Post 582 Accepting Buddy Poppy donations

    VFW Post 582 Accepting Buddy Poppy donations

    VFW Post 582 located at: 486 Mill St., Ortonville, MI 48462 is always looking for volunteer assistance and donations to continue the many local programs and charities that are supported through the VFW under Commander Hoffman’s watch. Joining as a member of the VFW is also an option for those who have served and can find out more by visiting the Post itself during one its meetings, calling their number (248) 736-4104 , or by going to their Facebook page to talk to a fellow veteran to find out more.

    The unwavering support for the Red, White, & Blue and service to the U.S. Army and the community of Ortonville is appreciated and never forgotten. For those here at 94.7 WCSX, we say Thank You Dennis Hoffman!

    Every Veteran has a Story to Share

    Remember, when you see a veteran, thank them for their service and listen to their journey and stories. Let them know that their sacrifices will never be forgotten, and that they are appreciated for their service which allows us to enjoy the freedoms that we have today.

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    Austin Zidar

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  • Veteran students hope for changes to the Post-9/11 GI Bill

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Logan Cappelli is a Coast Guard veteran and also a student at St. Pete College in Pinellas County and thanks to the Post-9/11 GI Bill, or Chapter 33, Cappelli has had the financial support he needed to attend SPC since 2024.  

    What You Need To Know

    • HR 1965, better known as, The Veteran Education Assistance Adjustment Act, was introduced to legislation in early March 2025 

    • The bill would raise stipend amounts to $1,400 for books and supplies. The program is estimated to assist almost 1 million participants with $13.4 billion in benefits 

    • The amount of money provided through this stipend has not changed since 2009; the new stipend raise will respond to changing inflation and costs for tuition

    • Current Post-9/11 GI Bill regulations require veterans to take at least one in-person class to receive full benefits, a rule veteran students like Logan Cappelli find outdated as programs shift online


    Focused on providing needed benefits to eligible service members and veterans who served on or after the events of September 11, 2001, it supports veterans by paying tuition, offering a book stipend, and a living expense stipend.

    “It definitely pays for a lot of things that I wouldn’t be able to pay for,” Cappelli said.

    However, the GI Bill isn’t perfect, and Capelli said many parts feel outdated or tied to regulations that aren’t realistic anymore. That includes the requirement to take at least one in-person class to keep GI benefits.

    Many of Cappelli’s classes for his major are offered virtually online.

    “I ran into a problem in the summer where I couldn’t take any classes because none of them were going to be in person,” said Cappelli. 

    Additionally, Cappelli thinks stipends for education support need to provide more money to keep up with rising costs.

    The Post-9/11 GI Bill book stipend has stayed at $1,000 since 2009. But with an inflation increase of over 50 percent the last 17 years, that money is now worth a total of $1,500.

    “One textbook could be $300 or more just for one textbook,” Cappelli said. “So, I definitely don’t think that it’s kept up with modern times. Nor do I think I’d be able to afford my Wacom tablet with it.”

    That’s what New Mexico Rep. Gabe Vasquez wanted to target when he introduced the Veteran Education Assistance Adjustment Act in 2025. The new legislation would raise the book and supplies stipend to $1,400 and tie future adjustments to inflation.

    He sent Spectrum News the following statement:

    “Currently, the GI Bill’s annual book stipend no longer reflects today’s costs and falls woefully short of meeting the financial needs of our veterans today. At a time when millions of veterans are already working to make ends meet, Congress should not allow outdated policy to become yet another barrier to their success.”

    SPC Veteran Student Advisor, Trevor McGilvery, said a vast majority of veterans at the college in Pinellas County use the GI Bill for education assistance.  

    He said this potential increase could make a big difference for many veterans or service members looking to go back to school.

    “The last thing I want any of my students to have to do is take out a loan to pay for books or a computer or any of their mandatory educational supplies when the GI Bill, its original purpose was to ensure that they didn’t have to do that,” McGilvery said. 

    Spectrum News reached out to the Department of Veterans Affairs as well. They directed us to their testimony to the House committee last summer, which stated:

    “While this stipend has remained constant since the Post-9/11 GI Bill was initially enacted in 2009, the cost of books has increased every year. Thus, VA fully supports an annual adjustment to the stipend, similar to the adjustments that are made for tuition and fees payments.”

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    Matt Lackritz

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  • Vets organization aims to bring in younger veterans

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Leaving the military and adjusting to civilian life can be difficult for veterans. 

    That’s why organizations like Club 214 Land & Sea try to host different kinds of events, bringing vets together. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Club 214 Land & Sea host events in Tampa Bay  

    • The organization is making efforts offer events to younger veterans  

    • They host events for veterans of all ages 


    Saturday, they hosted an event at Par Bar in St. Petersburg. 

    Paul Keys, the founder of the organization, said they host events that suit veterans of all generations. However, they’re making an effort to bring in younger veterans.

    “They’re looking for a sense of connection, a way for the organization to help them with any needs they have, he said. “But I think the biggest thing is just being accepted, being brought in, and finding that connection with other younger veterans and their families.” 

    Deep Dabhi didn’t think he would join an organization like this when he left the Army. Now 30 years old, he served for seven years and left the Army in 2021. 

    Dabhi said the experiences he’s had with other veteran organizations made it seem like they weren’t for those his age.

    That changed with Club 214 Land & Sea. 

    “We’re playing mini-golf and hanging out with normal people. There’s nothing different about that,” he said.

    Keys said it doesn’t matter how old you are, what branch, or anything else.

    They’re trying to provide experiences that suit all vets. 

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    Matt Lackritz

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  • In war-weary Kyiv, wounded Ukrainian veterans turn epic poetry into living testimony

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    KYIV, Ukraine — Sitting in a circle the day before opening night, Ukrainian war veterans and drama students took turns reading their lines from a script that traveled centuries to reach them.

    At the center was Olha Semioshkina, directing the group through her adaptation of “Eneida” by Ivan Kotliarevskyi — an 18th-century Ukrainian reimagining of Virgil’s “Aeneid.” This production, though, had a modern-day message about resilience in the face of the war that’s nearing its fourth year since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

    The actors — men and women in their 20s to 60s — included Ukrainian military veterans who had returned from the front with amputations, severe burns and sight loss. Others had endured war on the homefront. Many had never set foot on a stage before this play.

    It took more than a year to prepare for Thursday’s premiere at Kyiv’s National Academic Molodyy Theatre.

    “We knew the guys had just come back from rehabilitation, and we had to start from the very beginning,” Semioshkina said.

    “We spent about four months simply learning to communicate, to fall, to group, to roll, to get together,” she said. “Then we began developing the body, taking off prosthetics and learning to exist without them.”

    The 51-year-old director’s concept was simple: “Every man on stage is Aeneas. Every woman on stage is Dido.”

    In Virgil’s epic, Aeneas wanders after the fall of Troy, searching for a new homeland. In Kotliarevskyi’s satirical adaptation, the Trojan hero becomes a Cossack, rowdy and earthy.

    On Kyiv’s stage, Aeneas wears prosthetic limbs and bears scars from the war that began with Russia’s Feb. 24, 2022, invasion of Ukraine.

    “Aeneas is a hero who goes through a lot in search for his land,” Semioshkina said. “He preserves humor, passion, he falls, he goes through horrors, drinks and parties. But he is a human, and he has a goal — to find his place and preserve his family.”

    She draws parallels between the veterans who endured combat and the character they play on stage. “Aeneas is the one who went to war. Yes, he returned mutilated, broken,” she said, but the actors bringing this adaptation to life “are learning to live” again.

    During rehearsal, Yehor Babenko, a veteran of Ukraine’s Border Service who suffered severe burns early in the Russian invasion, delivered a line with a grin: “Feeling burned out at work? We have a lot in common.”

    Later in the play, his monologue also hit close to home as he spoke about fire taking his hands, ears and nose. “I won’t be able to show children a trick with a missing finger,” he says. “Maybe the one when all 10 fingers disappear.”

    The opportunity to perform onstage, Babenko said, has been a healing journey.

    “For me, theater is both psychological and physical rehabilitation. I’ve noticed I feel my body better, feel more confident in public, express my thoughts better.”

    For Babenko, the story of Aeneas resonates beyond the stage. “It’s about searching for your land,” he said. “And for our country, that’s very relevant now.”

    The play’s final act departed from epic poetry altogether as the actors stepped forward to tell their own stories — about combat injuries, lost brothers in arms, displacement and life under occupation.

    One veteran described losing his leg in a drone strike and using a machine gun as a crutch to reach cover. A female actor recounted living under Russian occupation with her two daughters.

    Another, who volunteered as a medic, first in 2014 when Russia illegally annexed Crimea and pro-Russian forces captured parts of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions, and again after the 2022 Russian invasion, spoke of returning to war in her 60s.

    Andrii Onopriienko, who lost his sight in a Russian artillery strike near Avdiivka, in the Donetsk region, in 2023, narrated much of the performance in a deep, resonant voice. At one point he sang: “Let our enemies dig up holes, install crosses, and lie down on their own,” as the rest of the cast joined in.

    Onopriienko initially refused to join the project. “I didn’t understand what I would do on stage blind,” he said. He later was persuaded that there would be a role for him.

    “It’s positivity, laughter, support,” he said of rehearsals. “No matter what mood you come in, you leave with a big smile; Here you distract yourself from the present. You enter another world.”

    Onstage, prosthetic legs and arms were removed and put back on as part of the play’s visual language. Long metal rods doubled as swords, oars and crutches — used as both an artistic instrument and a tool to help actors with amputations keep balance.

    The war intruded even before the curtain rose on Thursday. An announcement asked the audience to follow the usual theater protocol and silence their phones — then warned that in case of an air raid, they should head to the basement shelter. If a blackout occurred, it added, the show would pause for the backup power generators to be turned on.

    As Babenko delivered his monologue minutes before the performance ended, the power did go out.

    Semioshkina stepped onto the stage with a flashlight, followed by others holding flashlights. Babenko delivered his lines in the beam of the improvised spotlight. The audience, some quietly weeping, some laughing through tears, stayed.

    When the last monologue ended and the curtain fell and rose again, the cast was met with a standing ovation. As they bowed a second time, the electricity returned, and the applause swelled.

    For Semioshkina, the message of veterans on stage extends beyond epic poetry and the theater walls.

    “I would like to send a message to all veterans who are sitting at home: Come out,” she said. “Come out. You can do something. Live. Don’t close yourself off. Live every single minute.”

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  • I Thank You Friday- VFW 1146 Bruce Post

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    J.T. Lambrou

    VFW Bruce Post 1146 Located in St. Clair Shores

    Hello to all of our Veterans and 94.7 WCSX Classic Rock listeners. Friday is upon us and for this week, our I Thank You shout out goes to a local VFW Hall that for over 90 years has been a part of the eastside community and has worked to support Veterans through providing support, resources and comradery. Our I Thank You shout out goes to VFW Bruce Post 1146 in St. Clair Shores.

    A History of the VFW Bruce Post 1146

    Located at ​28404 Jefferson Avenue, Saint Clair Shores, MI 48081, the building of the VFW Post 1146 has been open since 1957. However, its history has its roots dating back to 1934. As stated on their website, this summary is but a small part of the record of our past.

    “In April of 1934 four men felt the prospering village of St. Clair Shores should be represented by a Veterans organization. The men were Bill Randall, Joe Dendoven, Leo Delo, and Charlie Pasters. There was some indecision as to whether they should be American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars.

    Since Joe Dendoven was a member of the Fairview Post and Bill Randall was a member of the Alger Post, the decision was swayed toward V.F.W. These four men held meetings in Leo’s garage while they recruited more members. Later they moved their meetings to St. Clair Shores Inn. These meetings were primarily of organizational purposes.  On the 21st of August with 57 members they drew up and submitted a charter to form a V.F.W. post based on the inactive half-way post #1146 of East Detroit, which explains why our post number is comparatively low.

    The following year Walter F. Bruce, who was a charter member, died. Being the first member of the newly formed post to pass away, the remaining members decided to name the post after him, hence the name Corporal Walter F. Bruce Post #1146.

    Austin Zidar

    VFW Post 1146 Corporal Walter F. Bruce Historical Landmark

    Honoring the Dead by Serving the Living

    The members soon realized they would need a Post home if they were to continue to grow. Through the efforts of Kendall Realty, Mr. Kendall being a member, they were able to acquire 12 lots free of charge, located at Manhattan and Harper. This proved to be a real windfall, for the 12 lots and $13,000 enabled them to buy the present property known those days as the Turners Home. Having gained a Post home and a considerable debt for a post of about 150 members, they turned to money making ventures such as Bingo, dances, and a bar.

    Ed Olsen and Joe Dendoven were successful in having the post recognized as a non-profit organization and gaining tax exemptions from the State, County, and Village.

    V.E. Day, the War was over in Europe, the members met at the post and together went to Trinity Episcopal Church to attend services. On V.J. day the members again attended services and retired to the Post to celebrate. Plans were made to welcome their sons home and enlist them into the V.F.W. to carry on their dreams of a bigger and better Bruce Post.

    As the World War II veterans took their place, there was a period of unrest. They wanted to become more than just members. They too wanted to hold office and take an active part in post policies.

    After the power struggle was over, a truth was born out. The youngsters were capable of dreaming and expanding. The new Post Home was conceived in 1954.  Plans were drawn and committees were formed. The building was begun in 1956 and opened in 1957.

    The old-timers built well when they founded the Bruce Post. Their accomplishments are a credit to the history of our inspired efforts. A debt of gratitude is owed to the planners and founders of our post, and words cannot tell the entire story. The real history is embedded in the memories of the many dedicated and devoted members who gave their talents and time in our cause.“

    Many Hands Make Light work at VFW Post 1146

    Dave Ellis U.S. Army Retired Veteran & VFW 1146 Post Commander

    Bruce Post VFW 1146 Veterans Day Hall Ceremony

    Bruce Post VFW 1146 Veterans Day Hall Ceremony

    “I was very fortunate during my 30-years in the Army to have commanded four different units at three different levels. I think that one reason I was given the opportunity to do that is because I always believed that providing good leadership was more about serving others than exercising authority. That will be even more true in my approach.”

    I did not come from the “school” where leaders and their decisions can’t be questioned. I’m just the opposite. If you see something that you don’t agree with or you think should be done differently, you’re free to ask me about it. You may give me a new perspective and maybe we will learn something from each other.

    I’m truly awed and amazed by the work of the selfless scores of volunteers from the Post and our Auxiliary that have made the Bruce Post the place it is today, financially stable with a facility and grounds that would be the envy of any other VFW Post in the country.“

    VFW Bruce Post 1146 Car ShowEdward Cardenas

    VFW Bruce Post 1146 Car Show

    VFW Bruce Post 1146 Clubhouse is open to the public for festivities.

    VFW Bruce Post 1146 Clubhouse is open to the public for festivities.

    VFW 1146 located off the shores of Lake St. Clair at sunset

    VFW Bruce Post 1146 located off the shores of Lake St. Clair.

    VFW Bruce Post 1146 Events BoardAustin Zidar

    VFW Bruce Post 1146 Events Board

    Buddy Poppy Drive Thru fundraiser for donations at the VFW Bruce Post 1146

    Buddy Poppy Drive Thru fundraiser for donations at the VFW Bruce Post 1146

    As Commander Dave Ellis told me, people are not aware that the Post VFW 1146 is open to the public for many activities and events. The VFW Post 1146 can serve for the public as a beautiful and affordable banquet hall to fit many special event’s needs. Some of those include:

    Wedding Receptions, Business Meetings – (Now featuring Wi-Fi), Christmas Parties, Corporate Events, Fund Raisers, Funeral Luncheons, Graduation Parties, Retirement Parties, Seminars, Classic Car Shows, model train shows, blood drives, Wedding or Baby Showers.

    The halls have a capacity of 75, 100, and 300 people. Each hall has a full bar and a stage or elevated platform. In addition, they have a Pavilion with electricity, grill access and picnic tables outside that is perfect for all types of summer events (outdoor bar available).

    In addition to hall rentals, the VFW also has a clubhouse with delicious food and drink offerings and daily specials. The clubhouse also boasts; 6 Televisions, 2 Dart Boards 2 Pool Tables, Shuffleboard, Golden Tee, Other Game Machines, Internet Juke Box, Keno Pull Tabs, Free Wi-Fi, and karaoke nights.

    VFW Bruce Post 1146 Lent 2026 Fish Fry Schedule

    VFW Bruce Post 1146 Lent 2026 Fish Fry Schedule

    VFW Bruce Post 1146 Lent 2026 Fish Fry Menu

    VFW Bruce Post 1146 Lent 2026 Fish Fry Menu

    I Heart Dogs & VFW Bruce Post 1146 Chili Cook Off flyer

    I Heart Dogs Rescue & VFW Bruce Post 1146 Chili Cook Off Event

    One of the biggest fundraising events for the VFW Bruce Post 1146 includes its annual Lent Friday Fish Fry. According to Post Commander Dave Ellis, the fish fry’s draw over 700 people every Friday and boasts a menu with many options that will want you to try something new each visit, which again is open to the public.

    Another community engaging fundraising event that the VFW is partnering with is the upcoming I Heart Dogs organization and its Chili Cook Off. This event is open to the public and looks to adopt and foster many needy animals who are looking for their “Fur-ever Home”. Information for this great cause can be found by clicking here.

    You Can Help Starting Today

    Post Commander Dave Ellis swears in a new member to the VFW Bruce Post 1146

    Post Commander Dave Ellis swears in a new member to the VFW Bruce Post 1146

    VFW Commander Dave Ellis and members of the VFW Auxiliary at VFW Conference in Mt. Pleasant (2025)

    VFW Commander Dave Ellis and members of the VFW Auxiliary at VFW Conference in Mt. Pleasant (2025)

    Serving at your local VFW is not just for those who served our nation. While VFW membership numbers have decreased recently due to veterans passing on, new members can still be recruited and join at any age to be apart of the legacy and honor of their VFW.

    A message from Post Commander Dave Ellis:

    “Great things continue to happen at the Bruce Post, because great people are making them happen. One thing that everyone contributed to was our achievement of over 102% of our membership goal for the last year. Even if you did not personally recruit an individual, your actions in the Club Room or in the community may have helped influence their choice to join us. Continuing that theme of recruiting and service activities I want to ask each of you to invite, or better yet bring, someone next time your here. A warm greeting, a friendly smile, eye contact and a handshake from you may be key features in someone’s decision to join our Post or Auxiliary.”

    Those who did not serve can still contribute with many volunteering opportunities available for those who want to say thank you and help those who have helped preserve our way of life. Another way individuals can lend a hand is by considering joining as a member of the Auxiliary VFW. Information on that can be found by clicking here.

    This is only a small sample of the amount of hard work, dedication, and community engagement that one VFW has impacted and continues to do. There are many stories and opportunities to get involved with and listen in on. For those here at 94.7 WCSX, we say THANK YOU TO the VFW 1146 Bruce Post!

    Every Veteran has a Story to Share

    Remember, when you see a veteran, thank them for their service and listen to their journey and stories. Let them know that their sacrifices will never be forgotten, and that they are appreciated for their service which allows us to enjoy the freedoms that we have today.

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    Austin Zidar

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  • Hillwood, David Weekley to gift mortgage-free home to US Navy veteran at Pomona in Manvel – Houston Agent Magazine

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    Hillwood Communities and David Weekley Homes are partnering with Building Homes for Heroes to provide a new mortgage-free home for United States Navy veteran Hospital Corpsman Gabriel George. The home is located within Pomona, Hillwood’s master-planned community in Manvel.

    George, who joined the Navy in 2004, was severely injured in a vehicle accident during training for deployment in 2008. After sustaining numerous injuries including to his spinal cord, George spent weeks on a ventilator in an induced coma. His right arm was later amputated because of nerve damage.

    George was honorably and medically discharged from the military in 2009. Today, he’s director of pickleball at Military Adaptive Court Sports and is active in para-archery, even competing on Team U.S. in the 2020 Invictus Games.

    Since its founding in 2006, Building Homes for Heroes has delivered almost 500 mortgage-free homes to wounded veterans. The nonprofit is projected to complete construction on 30 new homes this year alone.

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    Emily Marek

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  • Clark College Launches Free Suicide Prevention Workshop Series – KXL

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    Patriotic Background – Large pile of American Flags background. Fourth of July, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, US Election concept background.

    VANCOUVER, WA — Clark College’s Veterans Center of Excellence, in partnership with Portland VA’s Suicide Prevention Team, is offering a free multi-session workshop series, Awareness to Action: Suicide Prevention is Everybody’s Business, starting Tuesday, Feb. 10. The series is designed to educate, empower, and engage community members in suicide prevention, with a focus on veteran support.

    What to Expect

    • Hands-on learning: Practical tools for suicide prevention applicable across diverse populations.

    • Community focus: Open to all, with guidance on supporting veterans and others at risk.

    • Evidence-based strategies: Workshops combine national guidelines with real-world applications.

    Event Details

    • When: 3:00–4:00 p.m.

    • Where: Gaiser Hall, Room 213, Clark College Main Campus

    • Cost: Free

    • Virtual Option: Available upon registration; link sent via email

    • Parking & Directions: Clark College maps

    Clark College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution. Accommodations for disabilities are available—contact [email protected] or 360-992-2432.

    Workshop Schedule

    • Feb. 10: Overview of Veteran Suicide & National Prevention Strategy – Learn how national efforts protect veterans and how communities can help.

    • March 17: Lethal Means Safety – Safe storage of firearms and medications to reduce suicide risk.

    • April 14: Safety Plans – Step-by-step guidance on creating a personal plan for crisis moments.

    • May 12: Postvention – Support strategies for those affected by suicide loss.

    Why It Matters

    “Suicide prevention is everybody’s business,” said Clark College organizers. The series provides skills, resources, and support for anyone looking to make a difference in their community.

    Register now to secure your spot: Clark College Veterans Center.

    More about:

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    Tim Lantz

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  • The story behind the viral video of Alex Pretti honoring a veteran who had just passed

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    Alex Pretti’s name is now known around the world. One reason is a viral video that shows Pretti standing over the body of a veteran who died and honoring his service. 

    Terry Randolph was a proud Airman.

    “He was stationed in a Libya Air Force Base, he was in aeronautical communications,” his son, Mac Randolph, said.

    Communicating would become his career; he opened a public relations business. In the ’80s, he hosted a gigantic welcome home for hostages during the missile crisis.  

    As Mac Randolph says, his dad was always “telling the right stories, being on the right side of history.”

    After seven decades of telling stories, they got news: his time was short. It was lung cancer.

    “He didn’t want to continue the route of treatment; he wanted to do hospice. This is when Alex really became someone my family really leaned on and answered a lot of questions during a really difficult time,” Mac Randolph said.

    It was Pretti, a 37-year-old man with a smile, who answered the hardest questions his father would ever have to ask. 

    “I would say he definitely made a sense of calm,” Mac Randolph said.

    A sense of calm he brought in the moments after Terry Randolph died as Pretti stood above his body and read one last tribute, thanking him for his service.  

    Pretti laid a plaque by Terry Randolph’s body, saying, “Freedom isn’t free. In this solemn hour, we grant our honor and gratitude.”

    “Someone so compassionate and just a good man, to think of him being portrayed as a domestic terrorist,” Mac Randolph said with tears in his eyes.

    In a split-second decision, he posted the video of Pretti over his dad’s body as a testament to his character.

    “I couldn’t remain silent, I had to help in any way I could. I am lucky enough to have a little piece of evidence to shine a light on him and I hope people see it,” Mac Randolph said.

    And did they ever; Colbert, Kimmel and network after network shared the video. 

    Mac Randolph says his dad and Pretti are forever connected.

    “He would have wanted to be a part of this, he was a storyteller and this is his last act, and he’s on the right side of history again,” he said.

    Pretti was killed one year to the day after Terry Randolph’s celebration of life. 

    In:

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    Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield

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  • The Uplift: Stunning sunsets and a teen and his turkeys

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    A man who found solace in sunsets while caring for his ill wife finds a way to bring that peace to others. A teen collects turkeys ahead of Thanksgiving to give to veterans. A mom reunites with the man who saved her life after she was diagnosed with a tumor.

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  • Hegseth Censures Sen. Kelly After Warning About Following Illegal Orders

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    WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday announced that he is issuing a letter of censure to Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona over the lawmaker’s participation in a video that called on troops to resist unlawful orders.

    In November, Kelly and the other lawmakers — all veterans of the armed services and intelligence community — called on U.S. military members to uphold the Constitution and defy “illegal orders.”

    The 90-second video was first posted from Sen. Elissa Slotkin’s X account. In it, the six lawmakers — Slotkin, Kelly, and Reps. Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio, Maggie Goodlander and Chrissy Houlahan — speak directly to U.S. service members, whom Slotkin acknowledges are “under enormous stress and pressure right now.”

    Afterward, President Donald Trump accused them of sedition “punishable by DEATH,” reposting messages from others about the video and amplifying it with his own words.

    Kelly, along with some of the other Democrats in the initial video, have sent out fundraising messages based off the Republican president’s reaction to their comments, efforts that have gone toward filling their own campaign coffers and further elevating their national-level profiles.

    Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

    Photos You Should See – December 2025

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  • With help from WCCO viewers, MACV raises $1 million to fight veteran homelessness

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    WCCO viewers and their donations during the Home for the Holidays campaign has helped the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans raise $1 million. 

    The organization will use the money to make veteran homelessness rare, brief and nonrecurring.

    This year, veterans shared their heartaches and struggles, and how about MACV walked with them on their journey. 

    John Lovald, MACV’s chief operating officers, says the stories that touched WCCO’s viewers helped raise the most money ever during the Home for the Holidays campaign.

    “For us to hit $1 million this year, it’s incredible,” Lovald said.

    He says more people wrote checks to help the cause than ever before, and a phone-a-thon during the Winter Salute added another way to connect with veterans. 

    The generosity of WCCO viewers is providing huge gains in housing stability for Minnesota veterans.

    “These donations made it possible for us to have a veterans village, the first ever of its kind here in the state of Minnesota,” he said. “I can say that particular project specifically had no state or federal funding tied to it, so that really was all about grassroots funding locally.”

    A Wilder Research report says MACV’s work is not just compassionate, its effective and responsible.

    “That is an independent study that shows for every dollar that’s donated, invested in this mission, it’s a return of 1.26 so it’s a return of more than is given,” he said.

    Lovald and MACV are grateful for all who gave from their hearts and wallets.

    “You are making it possible for Minnesota to end veteran homelessness one veteran at a time and we are going to continue doing this with your support,” he said.

    MACV created the system, steps and funding sources to be able to help all veterans who are dealing with housing instability. They are helping other states do the same.

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    Reg Chapman

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  • After years of homelessness and addiction, one veteran credits MAC-V with turning his life around

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    The Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans doesn’t quit trying to help service members — even when a veteran gives up on themselves.  

    Army Veteran John Vincent Doran had several chances to change his situation, but chose to live on the street.

    A traumatic incident finally forced him to accept help from MAC-V.

    Army Veteran John Doran is proud of his service to the country. He served for three years, two of which he spent in Germany.     

    “I’m a Cold War, decorated vet,” said Doran.

    Doran’s job was watching over nuclear warheads during the Cold War. An experience that still haunts him today.

    “The unit I was in, the 85 th USIFAD, was very suicidal, depression and I saw some things. I have PTSD, you know, you get locked up with those nuclear warheads for a couple of years. You didn’t know if it was a drill or if it was the real deal, so I still think about it.”

    John left Germany and returned to Minnesota, where he joined the Army National Guard as an MP.

    It was during that time that he was living a double life because of his addiction.

    “Alcohol? Yes. A little bit of everything. Substance too, yep. Cocaine, methamphetamine too. At one time, I was 140 pounds,” said Doran. “When I was into the substance and the addiction, I did the Lake street the Franklin University Avenue.”

    Doran let this lifestyle take over for years.

    “The addiction years, you know, when I lost a 40-year relationship [with a] beautiful gal. We separated and I was homeless. I ended up staying with some relatives.”

    Doran couch surfed for years, and tried rehab several times.

    “I saw a real hard double homicide right in front of me. So I thought the good Lord was sending me a rowboat and I wasn’t getting in, so I thought St. Cloud here I come.”

    Doran worked hard to kick his habits while at the St. Could VA.

    “Through the VA, they mentioned MAC-V. I had heard of it, but I didn’t know a thing about it, so away I went. Even when I initially got into I’m thinking, do I really deserve this? You know, is this for me?”

    Working with MACV definitely was for Doran. He now has his own place.

    “A week from today, I will have 8 years clean, it took decades.”

    A young 68-year-old, now living his best life and has a home for the holidays thanks to MAC-V.           

    “I probably wouldn’t be clean like I am today. I probably would be bouncing around back and forth.”

    Doran now helps other veterans get connected to the benefits that they’ve earned. He credits MAC-V with helping him turn his life around. 

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    Reg Chapman

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  • K9 Partners For Patriots say they are at risk of losing funding this year

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    BROOKSVILLE, Fla. — A local veteran’s organization is at risk of losing major federal funding at the end of this year. 

    K9 Partners For Patriots is among 28 veteran organizations nationwide that are at risk of losing funding through the Wounded Warrior Service Dog Program. Through its work, the organization says it provides mental health support to veterans.

    Inside this warehouse, Frank Cohen runs through a few drills with his canine partner Gracie.

    What You Need To Know

    • K9 Partners For Patriots is among 28 veteran organizations nationwide that are at risk of losing funding through the Wounded Warrior Service Dog Program

    • Those with the organization say this particular funding will expire December 31
    • It represents a significant loss and could impact the work they’re doing with both vets and their canines, like Frank Cohen and his partner Gracie
    • Even though money has been approved for 2026, those with the organization say those funds won’t be available for 9 to 12 months


    “She’s significantly more than a pet because she goes with me everywhere, and some people will call them their partner but she’s a teammate for me,” said Cohen. “She has my back, and I have her back.”

    It’s possible due to K9 Partners For Patriots, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing veteran suicide. Dogs are screened to qualify and go through training with veterans. Cohen has been partnered with Gracie since 2023.

    “Every dog that’s considered as a prospect for the program goes through the AKC temperament testing that they do here at the facility,” says Cohen. “So she had to go through that first, and she passed it with flying colors.”

    But now the organization is at risk of losing critical federal funding. Communications director Gregg Laskoski said it’s money that comes from the Wounded Warrior Service Dog Program.

    “We’ve been receiving that funding since 2015,” Laskoski said. “Unfortunately, the funding allocation for fiscal year 2025 has not been disbursed. Congress has stalled on that, and they’re telling us we have an allocation for fiscal year 2026, but that doesn’t get dispersed until maybe August or September.”

    Laskoski said that 28 other organizations are at risk of losing their funding as well. Which he said would be a significant loss and could impact the work they’re doing with both vets and their canines.

    “It gives them confidence because when they start to see that it’s their work training the dog that becomes their canine partner, that builds their confidence,” said Laskoski. “They see, hey, this is really working, and it pushes them forward, and you can see it in their body language. You can see it in their facial expressions.”

    Offering veterans like Cohen a new lease on life.

    “This feeling like a deer in the headlights all the time is an exhausting process,” said Cohen. “I don’t feel like that anymore because Gracie watches out for me in ways that I don’t have to. You know, that’s her job, God bless her.”

    Laskoski says this particular funding for their organization will expire December 31. Even though money has been approved for 2026, he says those funds won’t be available for 9 to 12 months.

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    Calvin Lewis

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  • K9 Partners For Patriots say they are at risk of losing funding this year

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    BROOKSVILLE, Fla. — A local veterans organization is at risk of losing major federal funding at the end of this year. 

    K9 Partners For Patriots is among 28 veteran organizations nationwide that are at risk of losing funding through the Wounded Warrior Service Dog Program. Through it’s work, the organization says it provides mental health support to veterans.

    Inside this warehouse, Frank Cohen runs through a few drills with his canine partner Gracie.

    What You Need To Know

    • K9 Partners For Patriots is among 28 veteran organizations nationwide that are at risk of losing funding through the Wounded Warrior Service Dog Program

    • Those with the organization say this particular funding will expire December 31
    • It represents a significant loss and could impact the work they’re doing with both vets and their canines, like Frank Cohen and his partner Gracie
    • Even though money has been approved for 2026, those with the organization say those funds won’t be available for 9 to 12 months


    “She’s significantly more than a pet because she goes with me everywhere and some people will call them their partner but she’s a teammate for me,” said Cohen. “She has my back and I have her back.”

    It’s through K9 Partners For Patriots, a non-profit dedicated to preventing veteran suicide. Dogs are screened to qualify and go through training with veterans. Cohen has been partnered with Gracie since 2023.

    “Every dog that’s considered as a prospect for the program goes through the AKC temperament testing that they do here at the facility,” says Cohen. “So she had to go through that first and she passed it with flying colors.”

    But now the organization is at risk of losing critical, federal funding. Communications director Gregg Laskoski said it’s money that comes from the Wounded Warrior Service Dog Program.

    “We’ve been receiving that funding since 2015,” says Laskoski. “Unfortunately, the funding allocation for fiscal year 2025 has not been dispersed. Congress has stalled on that and they’re telling us we have an allocation for fiscal year 2026, but that doesn’t get dispersed until maybe August or September.”

    Laskoski says 28 other organizations are at risk of losing their funding as well. Which he says would be a significant loss and could impact the work they’re doing with both vets and their canines.

    “It gives them confidence because when they start to see that it’s their work training the dog that becomes their canine partner, that builds their confidence,” said Laskoski. “They see- hey- this is really working and it pushes them forward and you can see it in their body language. You can see it in their facial expressions.”

    Offering veterans, like Cohen, a new lease on life.

    “This feeling like a deer in the headlights all the time is an exhausting process,” said Cohen. “I don’t feel like that anymore because Gracie watches out for me in ways that I don’t have to. You know, that’s her job- God bless her.”

    And, you can say, it’s changed Gracie’s life as well

    Laskoski says this particular funding for their organization will expire December 31. Even though money has been approved for 2026, he says those funds won’t be available for 9 to 12 months.

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    Calvin Lewis

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  • American Legion program in Dunedin supplies veterans with laptops

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    DUNEDIN, Fla. — The American Legion Veterans Technology Program helps veterans get the computers they need for school. It was created by Post 275 in Dunedin in 2021.

    They’re currently providing, on average, a laptop a month to local veterans.

    What You Need To Know

    • The American Legion Veterans Technology Program provides, on average, a laptop a month to local veterans

    • Luke Olson said the laptop has helped him as he pursues a degree in cybersecurity

    • The program was created to help veterans overcome the cost of buying a laptop


    Army veteran Luke Olson is one of the recipients. He is a student at Kaiser University studying cybersecurity and married with two children.

    With his major, he knew a good computer was essential, but the cost created a challenge.

    “I tried to use a Chromebook, but it’s basically a web browser with a Gmail account,” he said. “I got a MacBook that I repaired, but it was on the older side as a 2014, and unfortunately, the software and the updates don’t come in anymore because it’s 11 years old.”

    David Hahn said it’s these types of issues that led to his post creating the program.

    They have a committee that goes through applications before choosing people like Olson.

    “We’re really trying to identify those veterans and active-duty military members who really have something going on, where this is really going to bless their lives and make a difference,” Hahn said.

    Hahn is happy they’re able to help veterans, and Olson is grateful for the program.

    However, both said the cost of a computer is a roadblock for veterans across the country.

    “I’m just one person, and I know if I have the problem, thousands of others in different schools across the country probably have the same problem where they have to get specific equipment for their major,” Olson said.

    Spectrum News reached out to the Department of Veterans Affairs and asked about the options veterans have to purchase laptops.

    They said, “Post 9-11 GI Bill beneficiaries receive a monthly housing allowance and an annual $1,000 stipend for books and supplies, which can be used at their discretion, including for the purchase of a laptop.”

    The GI Bill currently covers tuition and fees, a monthly housing allowance, books and a supply stipend up to $1,000 a year for approved education.

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    Matt Lackritz

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  • Nonprofit uses underwater technology to search for missing service members

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    NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

    More than 80,000 service members who went missing in action in previous conflicts are still unaccounted for. However, through research and new technology, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency estimates the remains of 38,000 fallen veterans could be recoverable. Nonprofit organization Project Recover is working with the agency to bring some of those service members home through complex underwater missions.  

    “This is a great American story here,” former Navy Rear Admiral Tim Gallaudet said. “Our work is to use technology, like underwater drones and scuba diving gear, to find the platforms that these members perished on and then do the DNA analysis of detecting and recovering their remains and matching them to those that are missing.” 

    Project Recover members stand with folded American flags during a ceremony honoring fallen World War II aviators. (Project Recover)

    Gallaudet also serves as a Project Recover advisory council member. The group was founded by Dr. Patrick Scannon. He came up with the idea in 1993 when he was touring the Palau islands with his wife and discovered a downed plane from World War II. 

    “That 65-foot wing essentially changed my life,” Scannon said in an interview with GoPro.

    NEWLY RELEASED AMELIA EARHART DOCUMENTS REVEAL VIVID DETAILS OF JAPAN’S ROLE IN SEARCH FOR DOOMED AVIATOR 

    Project Recover teams have located dozens of aircraft sites around the Palau islands associated with nearly 100 service members who went missing in action.

    “The recovery is difficult. We first have to find the aircraft or ships,” Gallaudet said. “And then we’ve got to go determine if there are any remains there and then ID them, match them to the service members. “

    In 1944, U.S. officials determined the Palau islands were a crucial part of a larger mission to liberate the Philippines. The effort to capture the island of Peleliu ended up being a costly effort for the U.S. Located around 500 miles away from the Philippines, the island held an airfield, which U.S. officials believed could be used to launch an attack during their larger mission. More than 10,000 Japanese troops were stationed on Peleliu at the time.  

    U.S. Air Force B-52 bombers sit on a military airfield as ground crews work nearby.

    U.S. Air Force B-52 bombers are parked on a military airfield. (B-52 Bomber Down)

    The battle was expected to last just a few days but ended up going on for 74. The U.S. began its bombardment by dropping more than 600 tons of bombs, but the Marines had little intelligence on enemy positions. Japanese troops hid in coral caves and mine shafts around the islands. The initial aerial attacks had little impact unless pilots flew dangerously close to the island.

    SEARCH FOR MISSING MALAYSIA AIRLINES FLIGHT 370 TO RESUME AFTER MORE THAN A DECADE

    On Peleliu, 1,800 Americans were killed in action and more than 8,000 were wounded or missing. Nearly all the 10,000 Japanese troops were killed in action. Across the Palau islands, the U.S. had carried out nine major air campaigns in which around 200 aircraft were lost.  

    Now Project Recover is working to bring some of those service members home. 

    “There were three service members on the aircraft that perished, a lieutenant and then two enlisted crew members. And over the last few years, we were able to recover the remains of all three. And we didn’t identify them all at the same time. It took forensic analysis and DNA. Technology. But the last one was finally identified,” Gallaudet said. 

    Lt. Jay Manown, AOM1c Anthony Di Petta and ARM1c Wilbur Mitts took off for a bombing mission in September 1944. They were conducting pre-invasion strikes in preparation for the invasion of Peleliu when their plane spun out of control and crashed into surrounding waters.

    “The plane was hit by enemy fire, and it burst into flames,” Di Petta’s niece, Suzanne Nakamura, said in an interview with Media Evolve.

    Project Recover located the plane in 2015. After more than a dozen dives to investigate the wreckage, teams began removing the remains of the three service members. Lt. Manown was the last to be repatriated. 

    “We held the ceremony in his hometown in West Virginia, and the relatives of all three service members came to that final ceremony,” Gallaudet said. 

    The three nieces of the men have become especially close.

    A scuba diver examines a submerged World War II aircraft wreck during an underwater recovery mission.

    A diver examines a wreck during an underwater mission to locate and recover missing U.S. service members. (Project Recover)

    WWII HERO’S REMAINS FINALLY COMING HOME AFTER 80-YEAR MYSTERY IS SOLVED THROUGH MILITARY DEDICATION 

    “We’ve communicated beautifully and become friends through this experience and almost a sisterhood of type,” Manown’s niece, Rebecca Sheets, said in an interview with Media Evolve.

    “We’ve talked so much by phone and feel so close,” Mitt’s niece, Diana Ward, told Media Evolve. “This is just a joy to meet each other in person, and we’re just sharing the emotion we’ve felt about bringing our uncles home.” 

    The three women have also connected over how their grandmothers, or the mothers of Manown, Di Petta and Mitts, may have felt about their sons finally coming home. 

    “We have a connection because our uncles were involved in not only defending the freedom of the United States, but as human beings who fought together and died together,” Nakamura said.

    AMELIA EARHART MYSTERY EXPEDITION HALTED AS RESEARCHERS SEEK ANSWERS ON MISSING PLANE 

    Including their work in Palau, Project Recover has completed more than 100 missions across 25 countries. They have repatriated 24 missing Americans and have located more than 200 missing in action awaiting further recovery efforts. The group is raising money for a mission it hopes to complete in 2026 — the search for a B-52 aircraft that disappeared during a training accident. 

    “It’s off the coast of Texas. We’ve not yet found the aircraft. And of those eight service members, they all had families,” Gallaudet said. “There are about 32 of those family members still alive today who want the answers to know what happened to their loved ones.”

    In addition to the more than 80,000 missing-in-action service members, 20,000 are missing from training accidents. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency is not permitted to allocate funds toward a search effort for the eight men who disappeared along with their B-52 because the crash occurred during a non-conflict training accident. 

    “Not having found the wreck yet, we don’t know what the cause of the failure was. And so it’s our goal to find that wreckage and then take the remains and repatriate them to the families,” Gallaudet said. 

    Servicemembers pose in flight suits in front of a B-52 bomber on a military airfield.

    U.S. Air Force B-52 crew members pose for a group photo. (B-52 Bomber Down)

    The Air Force Bomber was on a routine training mission in February 1968 when it disappeared from radar and radio contact. The Air Force immediately conducted an extensive nine-day search of the flight path but found no trace of the bomber. As the military concluded its search, determining it went down in an unknown location, three pieces of debris washed ashore in Corpus Christi, Texas. 

    “This B-52 off the Texas coast hasn’t been located yet, but we think we know where the area is. We’re going to find it,” Gallaudet said.

    CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP 

    More than $300,000 has been raised for the mission so far. Project Recover estimates another $200,000 is needed to search for the eight men. If the organization can locate the remains, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency will be able to allocate resources for a recovery effort. 

    You can learn more about Project Recover and the missing B-52 and donate to help with the search on Project Recover’s website.

    Bret Baier currently serves as FOX News Channel’s (FNC) anchor and executive editor of Special Report with Bret Baier (weeknights at 6-7PM/ET), chief political anchor of the network and co-anchor of the network’s election coverage. Baier is also host of FOX News Audio’s “The Bret Baier Podcast” which includes Common Ground and The All-Star Panel. He joined FNC in 1998 as the first reporter in the Atlanta bureau and is now based in Washington, D.C. where he was recently described as “the most influential news anchor in America right now” at the 2025 Semafor Trust in News summit.

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  • Pinellas military family serving vets during Season of Giving

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A Pinellas County military family has dedicated their lives to service.

    The family patriarch, a World War II U.S. Navy veteran living at a Bay Pines VA assisted living facility, inspired his family to give back.

    What You Need To Know

    • Mr. Harlan Springer served in World War II in the U.S. Navy

    • He now lives at the Bay Pines VA Community Living Center

    • He has inspired multiple generations of his family to give back and serve other veterans like him at Bay Pines


    At 99 years old, Mr. Harlan Springer has lived a remarkable life.

    “I’m thankful for being here because I never expected to live this long,” said Springer.

    Like many of his greatest generation peers, they have many remarkable stories to tell.

    Springer recalled when he enlisted in the Navy during the war, and it was him “having two brothers and a friend in there” that was not about to keep him home.

    The Veterans Health Administration produced a video of Springer documenting time in service.

    Springer was stationed on a destroyer vessel of a carrier fleet in the Pacific theatre of the war. Now, he lives at the Bay Pines VA Community Living Center in St. Petersburg.

    Spectrum Bay News 9 sat down with Springer to learn more about his life story and legacy, like the remarkable date he joined the war.

    “You see, it was June the sixth of 1944, and many years later I found out it was D-Day,” said Springer.

    Stories like Springer’s inspired generations after him, especially hitting closer to home.

    Chelbie Harrison is Springer’s great-granddaughter, and helped push Springer in his wheelchair around the facility for his daily stroll.

    “It’s very often, his name will pop up on the screen, and then my great-grandpa is ready to be picked up,” said Harrison.

    Harrison works at Bay Pines VA as a nursing assistant.

    “I get to see how his day is going and get to tell him about mine,” she said. “And I get to tell him about the newest things happening with his great-great-grands, who he always enjoys hearing about, right, Grandpa?”

    “Oh, yes!” responded Springer excitedly.

    While Cole Long, Harrison’s brother or Springer’s great grandson, is also making the rounds at Bay Pines as a registered nurse.

    Their mom, Christine Long or Springer’s granddaughter, also works at Bay Pines VA.

    Every year she works to organize and participates in the Adopt-a-Veteran program.

    Over the years the combined family has supported hundreds of military families to celebrate the holiday season.

    All three family members are immensely proud of the service they provide, and said they are inspired by their remarkable grandfather and his friends at the VA.

    “I take pride in being able to give back and take care of the veterans who took care of us and fought with their lives to have our freedoms,” said Harrison.

    “They’ve been through a lot so it’s nice to give back to them,” said Cole. “It’s rewarding.”

    As for Springer, it is another Christmas he is celebrating and even crafting gifts for the youngest of the generations, his great-great-grandkids.

    And he is looking forward to another milestone for the holidays.

    “You know I’m 99 and I understand I got a one percent chance to make it to 100…so statistically,” he said. “But I’m going to do it, I’ve decided.”

    He has had 99 remarkable years and now one big reason to be thankful this holiday season.

    Find your local Veterans Health Administration Community Living Center for more information on healthcare and support. 

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    Roy De Jesus

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  • 8,500 wreaths laid at Bay Pines to honor veterans

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    BAY PINES, Fla. — Remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach the next generation the value of freedom. This is the mission of Wreaths Across America.

    What You Need To Know

    • Wreaths Across America is a mission to remember the fallen and honor those who served

    • Thomas Schooley participates annually, inspired by his late mother who passed in 2020

    • Fundraising efforts helped place 8,500 wreaths at Bay Pines National Cemetery this year

    • Organizers hope to continue increasing the number of wreaths with community support


    For Thomas Schooley, it has become a yearly tradition.

    “When I found out that this happens, I signed up the very first year after my mom passed,” he said.

    Schooley’s mom died from cancer in 2020.

    Her name, Betty, is written along with Schooley’s stepfather, Paul, at the cemetery.

    Schooley is one of dozens of people who place wreaths across these markers to honor all those who served our country.

    “I come out here at least once a month,” he said. “I try to do it every other week and just sit and have a talk with her.”

    Ronalee Klase, the Bay Pines coordinator for Wreaths Across America, said she’s grateful to every person who donated to purchase these wreaths.

    Still, with the number they have, they have to spread the wreaths one for every four veterans.

    “We don’t have quite as many wreaths here as I would like to see, but we have a good showing,” she said.

    Klase said there are 35,000 graves at Bay Pines National Cemetery.

    Last year, 5,000 wreaths were laid at veterans’ graves.

    It’s this number that inspired Schooley to reach out and try to increase the number of wreaths available.

    “I made it my point this year to ask for donations from my group,” he said in reference to the Facebook group, THUNDER BOLTS. “We raised $4,000.”

    Thanks to that money and all the others who donated, there were 8,500 wreaths laid this year.

    While it’s still less than they like, Klase said she’s focusing on making sure the community understands what makes this so special.

    “It’s just a way to say we love you, we miss you, and we wish you were here,” she said.

    For those interested in contributing for 2026, click here.

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    Matt Lackritz

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  • What Is a VA Renovation Loan? How Veterans Can Buy and Repair a Home

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    If you’re a qualified service member, veteran, or surviving spouse looking to buy a home that needs work—or renovate the home you already own—a VA renovation loan (also called a VA rehab loan) may be an option. This program lets you finance the mortgage and repairs together, rather than applying for a separate construction or personal loan. Whether you’re searching for a home in San Diego, CA or planning updates to a property in Virginia Beach, VA, a VA renovation loan can help cover essential improvements while keeping costs VA-backed and interest lower than most renovation loan alternatives.

    This Redfin article explains how VA renovation loans work, what they can and cannot be used for, qualification requirements, timelines, costs, and alternatives so you can decide whether this program is the right fit for your homebuying or renovation goals.

    What is a VA renovation loan?

    A VA renovation loan is a government-backed mortgage that allows eligible borrowers to finance both a home purchase (or refinance) and the cost of qualifying renovations in one loan. Like standard VA loans, it offers 0% down for most buyers, no PMI, competitive rates, and flexible credit requirements—but with added allowances for upgrades.

    Key highlights:

    • Combines purchase price + renovation costs into one loan
    • Requires VA-approved contractors (no DIY work allowed)
    • Renovations must improve the home’s safety, function, or livability
    • Not all lenders offer this program and underwriting is more specialized
    • Total renovation costs are typically capped, depending on lender standards

    What types of renovations are allowed?

    VA renovation loans focus on projects that improve the home’s structural integrity, safety, or essential functions. Cosmetic upgrades may be allowed if they accompany necessary repairs, but are not funded on their own.

    Eligible improvements generally include:

    • Roof repairs or replacement
    • Structural repairs
    • HVAC, plumbing, or electrical updates
    • Foundation repairs
    • Energy-efficient upgrades
    • Accessibility improvements
    • Flooring replacement
    • Sealing, insulation, or weatherization
    • Kitchen and bathroom repairs tied to safety, plumbing, or code requirements

    Improvements NOT allowed:

    VA rehab loans cannot be used for luxury or recreational upgrades, including:

    • Swimming pools
    • Outdoor kitchens
    • Hot tubs or spas
    • High-end luxury finishes
    • Adding non-essential structures (e.g., sports courts)

    If a project does not address habitability, code compliance, or safety, it typically won’t be approved.

    Who qualifies for a VA renovation loan?

    To qualify, borrowers need to meet VA service, financial, and property standards:

    VA service eligibility: You must have a valid Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and meet required service time as an active-duty service member, veteran, Guard/Reserve member, or surviving spouse.

    Financial qualifications: Lenders typically look for a 620+ credit score, a DTI ratio below 50%, stable income and employment, and enough residual income to meet VA regional guidelines. These requirements help ensure you can take on both the mortgage and renovation costs.

    Property requirements: The home must be your primary residence and meet VA Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs) once renovations are complete. Projects should address safety, structural soundness, or essential livability; luxury upgrades alone won’t qualify. Investment properties and second homes aren’t eligible. Repairs must bring the home up to VA standards—not simply modernize it.

    How much can you borrow for a VA renovation loan?

    Loan amounts depend on:

    • The purchase price or current mortgage balance (if refinancing)
    • Renovation cost
    • After-improved value determined by the VA appraisal
    • Lender-specific caps, which may range from $50,000–$75,000 but can vary

    The final loan amount must align with both lender limits and the projected post-renovation value.

    How VA renovation loans work

    While standard VA loans are relatively straightforward, renovation loans add extra steps because the lender must evaluate both the home and proposed improvements. Here’s what the process generally looks like:

    • Get preapproved with a lender who offers VA renovation loans: Only select lenders offer them. Ask upfront.
    • Find a property (or use your current home): The home must meet VA Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs) after renovations are complete.
    • Get bids from VA-approved contractors: Borrowers must submit contractor credentials, detailed project plans, cost estimates, and a timeline for completion. No DIY work is permitted.
    • Lender orders a VA appraisal based on the “after-improved value”: The appraisal looks at: current condition, planned improvements, and estimated value once renovations are completed. 
    • Close on the loan: Funds for renovations go into an escrow account, and contractors are paid in draws.
    • Renovations begin: Work typically must be completed within 120 days, though some lenders allow up to 6 months.
    • Final inspection: The lender verifies that work is complete and aligns with VA guidelines.

    Pros and cons of VA renovation loans

    Pros of va renovation loans

    • 0% down payment (in most cases)
    • No private mortgage insurance (PMI)
    • Ability to roll repairs and upgrades into one loan
    • Interest rates are usually lower than construction or personal loans
    • Helps buyers purchase homes that need work
    • Great option for modernizing older or fixer-upper properties

    Cons of va renovation loans

    • Not all lenders offer VA renovation loans
    • Requires VA-approved contractors and strict documentation—no DIY
    • More complex underwriting and appraisal requirements
    • Renovation caps may limit the scope of work
    • Timeline restrictions (typically 120 days to complete work)

    VA renovation loan vs. other renovation loan options

    Below is a quick comparison to alternatives buyers often consider:

    Loan type Down payment PMI required? Allowed renovation costs Best for
    VA Renovation Loan 0% No Moderate repairs; safety/functionality improvements Eligible VA buyers needing repairs
    FHA 203(k) 3.5% Yes Cosmetic + structural repairs Buyers with lower credit or major renovations
    Conventional Homestyle 3–5% Yes (if <20% down) Broad renovation scope, including some luxury upgrades Well-qualified buyers
    HELOC / Home Equity Loan Varies No Depends on equity Homeowners with significant equity
    Cash-out refinance 0–20% Depends on loan type Depends on equity Borrowers looking to refinance anyway

    Note: VA supplemental loans may also be available for smaller repairs on existing VA-financed homes.

    How long does a VA renovation loan take?

    Because renovation plans must be reviewed and approved, expect a longer timeline than a standard VA loan.

    Typical timeline:

    • Preapproval: 1–5 days
    • Contractor bids + appraisal: 2–3 weeks
    • Underwriting + closing: 30–45 days
    • Renovations: 30–120 days depending on scope

    Start to finish, borrowers should expect 2–6 months for the entire process.

    Are VA renovation loans hard to get?

    They can be, mainly because:

    • Few lenders offer them
    • You must hire VA-approved contractors
    • Appraisal standards are strict
    • Renovation costs must fit within lender limits

    If you want a simpler renovation path, you might compare FHA 203(k) or Homestyle loans—but VA loans remain the most affordable for eligible borrowers.

    VA renovation loan alternatives

    You may want to consider alternatives if:

    • Renovations cost more than your lender’s cap
    • You want to include luxury upgrades
    • Your project timeline exceeds 120 days

    Common alternatives include:

    • VA cash-out refinance
    • VA supplemental loan (for smaller existing-home repairs)
    • FHA 203(k) renovation loan
    • Conventional Homestyle loan
    • HELOC or home equity loan
    • Personal loan (for small projects)

    Frequently asked questions about VA renovation loans

    1. Can I use a VA renovation loan for cosmetic upgrades?

    Usually only if they accompany necessary repairs. Purely cosmetic work (e.g., replacing countertops for style) may not be approved.

    2. Can I do my own renovation work to save money?

    No. VA guidelines require licensed, insured, VA-approved contractors.

    3. Are VA renovation loans available for multi-unit homes?

    Yes—up to 4 units—if you occupy one unit as your primary residence.

    4. Can I buy a fixer-upper with a VA renovation loan?

    Yes—but the home must meet VA standards once repairs are complete.

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    Marissa Crum

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  • Vet meets family of Bay Pines VA first Black female employee

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — A veteran working at the Bay Pines VA recently discovered a book in the archives that details the life of the first African American woman to work there in the 1940s.  

    It’s a piece of history that he was hoping to share with the woman’s family if he ever found them.

    Spectrum Bay News 9 first reported on the late Deotha Parsons story earlier this month. Parson’s rich history of being the first female African American employee to work at Bay Pines VA in the 1940s is all laid out in a book.

    The book is housed in the archives at the Bay Pines VA. That’s where hospital coordinator for the Disabled American Veterans, John Makas, first discovered it six months ago.

    He said he knew then, he had to find and connect Parsons’ family with the book.

    After the story aired and appeared online, the community connected Spectrum Bay News 9 with Monica Hunt and her brother Erik Butler, Parsons’ grandchildren who live in Washington D.C.

    Makas joined the video call to formally meet them and get their reaction to the story.

    “I thought it was amazing,” Butler said.

    Hunt says she was surprised.

    “Yeah, it was great. I had chills. I was like, ‘Oh wow’ and all of those pictures. But to see all of the rest of the stuff in the book, it was nice to see,” she said.

    Deotha Parsons, the history maker, was just a grandmother to them. She had already retired from VA by the time they were old enough to understand her accomplishments.

    “She wasn’t too much affiliated by the time I got to know her,” Butler said.

    After working for Bay Pines VA, for more than 30 years and retiring in the 1970s the book was created for her retirement. It’s something Makas wants the family to have a piece of.

    “I didn’t want that photo album to get lost. So, my DAV here in the Florida Area, we’re going to get together and we’re going to have that book digitally done for you and I want to give that to your family so that you guys have it,” he said. “That’s something you should have to teach to your grandchildren.”

    Once completed, Makas said he will coordinate with the family to hand them over the new digitized copy of the book.  

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    Saundra Weathers

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