Veteran of the Month October 2023: William Peterson in an Air Force portrait, smiling with glasses

William Peterson was born on October 11, 1933, on a ranch in Corning, California. He was the youngest of four children, with two older brothers and one sister. Growing up on the ranch, his parents had three almond orchards and an olive grove. Young Peterson was raised in an environment of hard work and responsibility,…

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Closed for Business? A yellow Shutdown banner wrapped around the U.S. Capitol dome

Congress successfully avoided a government shutdown on October 1 by passing a 45-day stopgap bill to provide temporary funding for the government. However, lawmakers need to collaborate on a funding plan before it expires. But what are the consequences if they fail to do so by the November 17 deadline? The country encountered this dilemma…

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Veteran of the Month September 2023: Dwight Henry

Dwight Henry, born in May 1950, was the middle child among seven siblings. His upbringing in Jackson, Mississippi, unfolded against a tumultuous era for African Americans. Yet, he was unwavering in his commitment to pursuing a peaceful path. Henry grew up loving music and had an early sense of responsibility. He started assisting with babysitting,…

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Seasonal Safety: Fall Checklist for Seniors, showing an older woman walking a beagle among autumn leaves

  It is that time of year again when the hot days of summer are gone, and the long, chilly nights and dropping temperatures start to take over. As seasons shift, so do our home priorities, and regular fall maintenance becomes essential to prevent costly home repairs. For older adults, fall upkeep isn’t just about…

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VA PACT Act banner: a servicewoman in camouflage speaking with a woman across a desk

President Biden’s oldest son, Joseph, died of brain cancer on May 30, 2015. Since then, Biden has publicly connected his son’s brain cancer to toxic burn pits. According to Biden, Joseph’s exposure to burn pits was extensive; therefore, taking up the cause to ensure expanded healthcare and services would be available to soldiers like his…

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Veteran of the Month August 2023: Larry G. Smith, shown in Army portraits and holding a large bass

Larry Gene Smith was born in April of 1947 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and raised as the oldest child in his family. The Smith family was no stranger to tragedy. Even before Smith’s birth, they had experienced the devastating loss of his older brother, who tragically died at five years old after being hit by…

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Pickleball tournament raises money for The Child Advocacy Center of Northeast Missouri with help from VCC founder and CEO Kyle Laramie

Kyle Laramie, the Founder & CEO of Veterans Care Coordination, recently participated in a pickleball fundraiser that he not only helped organize but, along with his partner Christine Edwards, achieved third place in the competition. The Mixed Doubles Money Event Pickleball Match, held last Saturday at Lake Forest Country Club, attracted the finest players in…

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Veteran of the Month July 2023: Clarence Davis, in a young Army portrait and a recent photo

    Clarence Davis, a Vietnam veteran, was born in 1954 as the second youngest of seven children in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Growing up, his father worked as a truck driver, frequently relocating the family throughout the northeastern region of the United States. As a young boy, Davis developed a love for fishing and…

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Group of smiling adults seated in a row; banner text Written for the CSA Journal by Cristie Herring, MHA, of Veterans Care Coordination

  Veterans of all ages are affected by PTSD. A variety of therapeutic and appreciation-focused programs aim to provide closure by connecting veterans with each other and their larger communities. Closure, from a psychological standpoint, is defined as “any interaction, information, or practice that allows a person to feel that a traumatic event has been…

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Veteran of the Month Jim Smith: two black-and-white photos of him aboard a Navy ship, over an American flag

  Jim Smith was born in November of 1948 in the small town of Rayville, Louisiana. He grew up with one sister, surrounded by nature’s beauty, and developed a love for hunting at an early age. Smith grew up in town, where his father worked at a local paper mill. When Smith was a teen,…

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