Transitionnews for Friday, December 27th 2013:

Good news story of the day

Donations fly loved ones to wounded warriors  (Press of Atlantic City)  The charity Luke’s Wings helps family and friends of wounded service members fly to their bedsides during their recovery — and this year, donations were made to the group in the names of Atlantic City’s public safety departments.

Williston volunteer helps seniors, veterans  (The Bismarck Tribune)  Sandy Hampton’s name has become synonymous with volunteering around Williston.

Transition

Group helps vets ease transition to civilian life  (Times Beacon Record)  The transition from military to civilian life is not a seamless one.

100k Jobs Mission Profile: Lockheed Martin  (Military.com)  Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 116,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.

Veterans

Obamas Thank Military Families in Weekly Address  (The Wall Street Journal)  In their holiday address, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama thanked U.S. troops and their families for their service and sacrifice.

Veterans recall Christmases For some, it was just another day; others recall how wartime affected their outlook  (The Reporter Herald)  Not until his second time serving his country did Keith Aschebrock experience being homesick during Christmas.

Mass. veterans look to treatment court for help  (The Boston Globe)  Ed Cowen is a big, tough-looking Marine veteran — 6-foot-4, 295 pounds, with tattoos covering his arms and piercings in his ears, lip, and cheek.

Northport veterans post reveals new $1.17 million look  (Long Island News Day)  Several older veterans are saluting the newly renovated Northport American Legion Post 694, saying it is now more accessible to them.

Veterans honored for volunteered hours  (The Daily Herald)  The Veterans Assistance Commission of Lake County recently recognized Lake County military veterans for 132,090 hours of volunteer service to the Lovell Federal Health Care Center and their communities during an event at the Dover Straits restaurant in Mundelein.

Faces of 2013: Elgin’s Jacob Zimmerman, Kane VAC work to improve lot for veterans  (The Courier News)  In March, Jacob Zimmerman started his job as superintendent of the Kane County Veterans Assistance Commission, with a top priority making sure those who served are aware of any aid that might be available to them and running an office that works to make sure any claims are expedited and processed in a relatively timely manner.

Veterans Affairs

One step closer: Metairie firm chosen to design Richland Parish veterans cemetery  (The News Star)  Meyer Engineers of Metairie has been selected to design the new Northeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Richland Parish near Rayville.

Vets’ housing report draws immediate fire  (Finance & Commerce)  The Select Committee on Veterans Housing owes its origin to a bit of troubling math.

Benefits

For military, benefits and reform are challenge  (The Washington Post)   The Pentagon’s top civilian says it’s time to tame burgeoning military personnel costs, but he’s facing a test of wills with the nation’s powerful veterans groups, which don’t want their benefits cut.

Hagel, Ryan defend retiree COLA caps, except for disabled  (Stars and Stripes)  Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., chairman of the House Budget Committee, appear to be in sync in defending the controversial cap that Congress has imposed on cost-of-living adjustments for “working age” military retirees starting in January 2016.

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Have a great day!