The next meeting of CVO will be this Wednesday, July 19th at 7 PM in the Prescription Conference Room on the 2nd Floor of the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center at 820 S Damen Ave in Chicago. Parking will be validated.

The agenda will include feedback from all Member Organizations in attendance on what they need and expect from CVO and the direction of CVO in the future. Further, we will continue our discussion of Veterans Dental Care. There will be a presentation about a program where veterans who dropped out of high school to enlist, can now get their diplomas.

We will have a sheet where attendees will put in their names as well as those of their State Senators and Representatives. The purpose will be to have a list of who is represented by whom, but it will also show who does and does not know who their legislators are.

REMINDER: If you have not already done so, please contact your State Senator and Representative, asking them to sign on as cosponsors for Senate Bill 922 and House Bill 1803, to provide dental care for veterans. In addition, please spread the word to the members of  your organizations, and please tell the members of your organizations to do the same. If these bills die in committee, for a lack of support, we will have only ourselves to blame.

As usual, there will be light refreshments.

See you at the CVO

Join individual members from various veteran organizations for a short program in Chicago’s’ Kennedy Park, remembering and honoring Americas’ Forgotten, a prelude to both next year’s 65th Anniversary. Saturday, July 22, 2017 @ 10:30 am at Kennedy Park, 11320 S. Western Ave.,Chicago, IL. 60643.

The next meeting of CVO will be this Wednesday, August 16th at 7 PM in the Prescription Conference Room on the 2nd Floor of the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center at 820 S Damen Ave in Chicago. Parking will be validated.

The Veterans Against Violence Committee will meet at 6 PM before the meeting. If you want to participate with this committee, be sure to show up at 6 PM in the Prescription Room.

We will also continue the discussion of feedback from all Member Organizations on what they need and expect from CVO and the direction of CVO in the future. Further, we will continue our discussion of Veterans Dental Care.

We will have a sheet where attendees will put in their names as well as those of their State Senators and Representatives. The purpose will be to have a list of who is represented by whom, but it will also show who does and does not know who their legislators are.

REMINDER: If you have not already done so, please contact your State Senator and Representative, asking them to sign on as cosponsors for Senate Bill 922 and House Bill 1803, to provide dental care for veterans. In addition, please spread the word to the members of your organizations, and please tell the members of your organizations to do the same. If these bills die in committee, for a lack of support, we will have only ourselves to blame.

As usual, there will be light refreshments.

See you at the meeting!

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The Cook County Department of Veterans Affairs, Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA), Brookfield Zoo, and The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration will host The VIETNAM WAR 50TH COMMEMORATION ceremony on Thursday, September 7, 2017; and invites all eligible veterans to complete the enclosed application and return to Cook County Department of Veterans Affairs office no later than Friday, August 25, 2017.

ELIGIBILITY: Living United States veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time during the Vietnam War period of November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of location, are eligible to receive one Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin. The Lapel Pin, its shortened moniker, is used to help listeners and/or readers understand the weight of importance and symbolism represented in each element of this “lasting memento of the nation’s gratitude” presented to all Vietnam veterans.

The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration

50th Commemoration of the Vietnam War

Thursday, September 7th, 2017

Application is due to Cook County Department of Veterans Affairs by

August 25, 2017 11:00 A.M. – 1:30 P.M.

http://www.vietnamwar50th.com/

Brookfield Zoo in the Swan Pavilion

The Pavilions at Brookfield Zoo are located near the North Gate entrance

8400 31st Street (1st Avenue & 31st Street) | Brookfield, Illinois 60513

The Cook County Department of Veterans Affairs requests the honor of all veterans’ who served during the Vietnam War (from 11/1/1955 through 5/15/1975) participation at The 50TH COMMEMORATION OF THE VIETNAM WAR ceremony, which will be held at Brookfield Zoos’ Swan Pavilion. The Vietnam War 50th Commemoration ceremony will take place on Thursday, September 7, beginning at 11:00 A.M. until 1:30 P.M. The purpose of this program is to recognize, thank and honor United States military veterans who served during the Vietnam War. Vietnam Veterans participating in the 50th Commemoration ceremony will be recognized with one Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin, Presidential Proclamation (2012), Certificate of Appreciation, and Resolution from the Cook County Board of Commissioners. Any Vietnam Era veterans interested in participating must submit the attached application. The commemoration aims to thank and honor veterans of the Vietnam War, including personnel who were held as prisoners of war (POW), or listed as missing in action (MIA), for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States and to thank and honor the families of these veterans.

The next meeting of CVO will be this Wednesday, October 18th at 7 PM in the Prescription Conference Room on the 2nd Floor of the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center at 820 S Damen Ave in Chicago. Parking will be validated.

The agenda will include a presentation, a welcome for new members and a discussion of all the events and special deals for Veterans Day, November 11th.

As usual, there will be refreshments.

See you at the meeting!

Chicago Honors America’s Veterans

The ceremony will take place in front of the Doughboy statue. The program will culminate with a wreath laying ceremony at the Doughboy, a 21-gun salute, “Taps” and the “Armed Forces Medley.”

Soldier Field was named as such at the request of the Gold Star Mothers to honor the men lost in World War I. The Doughboy statue, originally placed in Garfield Park, was restored and installed in Soldier Field as part of the stadium renovation. Doughboy is an informal term for a member of the United States Army of Marine Corps, especially members of the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I.

Veterans Day is set aside to thank and honor living veterans who have served honorably in the military in wartime and peacetime. Originally known as Armistice Day and so declared by President Woodrow Wilson, it was created to mark the signing of the Armistice which ended World War I. Following World War II, it was declared a day to honor all veterans and in 1954, renamed Veterans Day by Congress.

FREE parking is available at the Waldron Parking Deck; exit at 18th Street from Lake Shore Drive.

The next meeting of CVO will be from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on this Wednesday, November 15th, at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center. We meet in the 2nd floor Prescription Room (far north section of the building). Parking in the garage may be validated.

The agenda will include a scheduled presentation entitled “Mexican Americans in America’s Defense”, reports from selected committees: (Executive, Homelessness, Newsletter, Veterans Affairs, Legal Support), and helpful information. Bring your ideas to strengthen CVO and all veterans. You may renew your 2018 membership online (www.coalitionofvets.org/membership/ ) or at this meeting. CVO brochures are available and refreshments will be served! The following meeting is scheduled for January 17, 2018.

Come ready to network and fellowship with active veterans.

Willie Mack
CVO Chair

PEARL HARBOR REMEMBRANCE DAY COMMEMORATION
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2017

SOLDIER FIELD 1410 SOUTH MUSEUM CAMPUS DRIVE, GATE O CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60605
Coffee and Pastries 9:30 am to 10:00 am
Ceremony 10:00 am to 11:00 am

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND FREE PARKING FOR EVENT
MASTER OF CEREMONIES: Alderman James Balcer (Retired), 11th Ward
GUEST SPEAKERS: The Honorable Edward Burke, 14th Ward Alderman and Chairman of City Council’s Committee on Finance Army Major General James Mukoyama (Retired), former Commander 70th Training Division
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Navy Admiral Cecil Haney (Retired), former Pacific Fleet Commander and U.S. Strategic Command Commander
MUSICAL ACCOMPANIMENT: United States Navy Band, Great Lakes Aleece Baker, USO of Illinois Tom Day, Bugles Across America
COLOR GUARD AND RIFLE TEAM: Navy Junior ROTC Cadets, Hyman G. Rickover Naval Academy 2nd, 24th Marines

RSVP: Friday, December 1, 2017 jgray@chicagonavymemorial.org For questions, please contact Jeffrey S. Gray at (773) 679-7835

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Happy New Year!!

The first meeting of CVO in 2018 will be held on Wednesday, January 17th at 7 PM in the 2nd floor Conference Room of the Jesse Brown VA Hospital at 820 S Damen Ave in Chicago. Arrive early if you are interested in the committees and catching up on what CVO is doing; members of the Executive Committee will be there by 6 PM.

The agenda is really exciting! We’re going to start with a presentation by veteran activist Aaron Hughes on the Right to Heal Campaign. Then we are going have Bill Luna back to make another presentation on Latino veterans. We will also be giving out coupons for free haircuts at the Hair Cuttery.

In case of inclement weather, be sure to call us at 773-243-2335 to get the latest meeting information.

As usual, parking will be validated and pizza will be served!

See you on the 17th!

VA Medical Center to Host Vietnam Veteran Commemoration

The Jesse Brown Veterans Health Care System (JBVHCS) and the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) are collaborating to host a Vietnam Veteran Commemoration.

When:  Thursday, January 18, 2018, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Where: Jesse Brown VA Medical Center

   820 S. Damen Ave. (Kizer Conference Center | 2^nd Floor, Damen Bldg).

       Chicago, IL 60612

Join JBVHCS and IDVA on January 18, 2018 as we honor our heroes!

Each Vietnam Veteran will receive the Commemoration Pin during the ceremony.

Eligibility: Living United States Veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time during the period of November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975 (regardless of location) are eligible to receive one lapel pin.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VAChicago/events

       Vietnam Veteran Commemoration

For any questions, please contact us at: chspao@va.gov