senior advocate

On April 8, the Veterans Care Coordination team gathered to celebrate a milestone—15 years of helping Veterans and their families access the care and support they deserve. For many employees, it was a moment to reflect on the thousands of Veterans VCC has assisted over the years and the meaningful role each team member plays…

Veterans Care Coordination (VCC) is proud to announce its role as the founding member of the newly launched Aid & Attendance Division of the National Association for Veteran Rights (NAVR). The initiative represents an important step toward strengthening ethical advocacy and improving access to earned benefits for Veterans and their families. NAVR’s expansion reflects the…

The Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for Veterans and surviving spouses who receive VA pension benefits, including Pension with Aid and Attendance, is an annual increase intended to help benefits keep pace with inflation. The adjustment is based on changes to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), specifically the CPI-W (Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage…

A Note of Gratitude From Kyle As we head into the holiday season, I find myself reflecting on the moments that remind us why our mission matters—and why our partnerships are so critical to our mission. This Veterans Day, our VCC team stepped out of the office and into the homes of the…

Born and raised in Alton, Missouri, Ray grew up in humble beginnings during a time when hard work and family were central to daily life. “He was born at home and grew up with oil lamps and wood stoves — no electricity,” Jodi shared. “They farmed, raised hogs and sheep, sold corn, milo, milk, and…

In September, at a special award ceremony held at a local steakhouse in O’Fallon, MO, Veterans Care Coordination (VCC) proudly announced Diane Gambill, Account Manager, as the recipient of the 2024 Norbert Laramie Award. The award, named in honor of Norbert Laramie, the grandfather of VCC founder and CEO Kyle Laramie, carries deep meaning…

Daniel Smith was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, the youngest of eight children in a family of four boys and four girls. Being the baby of the family, he admits with a laugh that he was a “mama’s boy.” Growing up, Smith enjoyed playing sports, including baseball, football, and basketball, and worked various odd…

Jesse Ard was born on October 23, 1922, in Wilson, Louisiana. He grew up with his brother, Tom, and his sister, Frances. After losing their father at a young age, Jesse, as the oldest child, took on the role of a father figure to his siblings, quickly learning the values of leadership and responsibility—qualities that…

August is National Wellness Month, making it the perfect time to focus on self-care, healthy routines, and establishing lifelong wellness habits that support mind and body. If you haven’t started a wellness routine yet, no worries—it’s never too late to begin. In fact, a recent study published in Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy found that older…

National Grandparents Day is coming up next month on Sunday, September 8th, and this year’s theme is “Grand Minds: Learn, Love, Legacy.” It’s a day dedicated to celebrating and honoring the love given by grandparents. When my dad became a grandpa, he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and often quoted Bill Laurin, saying, “If I knew…