Transitionnews for Tuesday, December 3 2013:

Good news story of the day

Bill Zell dedicates 92nd birthday to veterans  (NWFDailyNews.com)  In an act that surprised no one who knows him, WWII Veteran Bill Zell dedicated his 92nd birthday party to veterans past, present and future.

Transition

Paths from military to workplace expand, but challenges remain  (Providence Journal)  Jerry Jones spent 16 years maintaining multimillion-dollar equipment at U.S. Air Force bases around the world.

Transitioning? Create Your Plan    (Military.com)  The Transition Center now features a personalized Transition Action Plan for those leaving the military, those retiring from a career in the military and National Guard and Reserve personnel.

Veterans

Veterans Inc. working for a more secure future  (Worcester Telegram & Gazette)  At 9 a.m. Monday, about 35 of the 85 men living at Veterans Inc. on Grove Street reported for roll call.

Effort to place wreaths on veterans’ graves reaches $20K mark  (WBIR.com)  A major push by Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett has now helped raise enough money for 2,000 wreaths to be added to the graves of veterans.

Veterans court program helps warriors battle addiction, mental health crises  (The Washington Post)  Former Marine Cpl. Eric Gonzales doesn’t remember much about the night last year he led police in Orange County, Calif., on a high-speed, 26-minute chase that ended when he threw his truck into reverse and crashed into the patrol car behind him.

U.S. Sen. Scott hears from veterans during Rock Hill visit  (HeraldOnline.com)  U.S. Sen. Tim Scott got an earful from frustrated veterans and others on Monday afternoon during a campaign trail stop in Rock Hill.

Tidewell Hospice works to give veterans a voice  (Bradenton Herald)  Military culture reinforces stoicism and decades after they leave the service, former soldiers still can feel that stories of their wartime experiences are best left unsaid.

Veterans Administration

Affordable Care Act Q&A: Most veterans don’t need exchange  (The Tampa Tribune)  There’s a reason the national health insurance debate doesn’t include much about the men and women who served in the military. The new exchange doesn’t apply to them.

Shinseki Calls ‘Vet Courts’ a Success  (Military.com)  Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki on Monday praised judges, prosecutors, defenders, veterans, and an army of counselors and mentors across the country for their efforts on behalf of veterans who end up in the criminal justice system.

US Department of Veterans Affairs selects MetLife as provider for VADIP  (TMC.net)  US Department of Veterans Affairs has selected MetLife Inc., a provider of insurance, annuities and employee benefit programs, as an official provider for the US Department of Veterans Affairs Dental Insurance Program, or VADIP.

Battelle to Assist VA in Surveys on Traumatic Brain Injuries  (Boston.com)  Battelle recently won a five-year contract to assist the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to survey veterans from recent wars who have been evaluated for traumatic brain injuries (TBI).

Benefits

Army extends benefits, but La. Guard among holdouts refusing to process benefits to same-sex spouses  (TheAdvertiser,com)  Army Secretary John McHugh has approved several policy changes that support extending military benefits to the same-sex spouses of soldiers. But the Louisiana National Guard, which is part of the Army Reserve, still is refusing to process applications for benefits for same-sex spouses.

Leaders warn troops may leave military if benefits cut  (WVEC.com)  Local military leaders are warning about potentially dire consequences if cuts are made to Military retirement benefits.

Udall Wants More Vet Benefits In DOD Legislation  (Public News Service)  Helping veterans avoid homelessness and have better access to education is the focus of amendments that U.S. Sen. Tom Udall of New Mexico is pursuing in a massive Defense bill moving through Congress.

Employment

Minneapolis Ranked High for Veteran Employment  (KTSP.com)  “USAA Magazine” ranks Minneapolis third in its top ten best cities where veterans can find jobs. The magazine sites the city’s low unemployment rate, low crime rate, and high quality of life as factors in its rankings.

DRS Technologies Wins Additional Military/Veteran Friendly Employment Honors  (PR Newswire)  DRS Technologies, a Finmeccanica Company, announced today that it has earned a 2014 Military Friendly Employer title by Victory Media, publisher of G.I. Jobs and Military Spouse, and is recognized as one of 185 companies favored among military veterans, according to survey results.

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Have a great day!