Dorothy Warren: Surviving Spouse of the Month | September 2026 Dorothy Warren is the surviving spouse of U.S. Army Veteran Bill Warren, who served during the Vietnam era as a helicopter pilot. Their story spans nearly 49 years of marriage, military service, loss, and Dorothy’s determination to remain independent at home.   Dorothy Warren was…

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VA Benefits: Pension, Disability Compensation, and Community Care   When a Veteran or family member begins looking for help with care, the conversation often starts with a simple question: “What VA benefits are available to help?” The answer isn’t always simple. The VA has several programs that can help Veterans, but they serve very different…

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For nearly 250 years, the men and women of the United States Armed Forces have defended our nation’s freedoms with courage and sacrifice. The nation’s oldest military branches—the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps—were established in 1775, before the Declaration of Independence was signed. Since then, millions of Americans have served in uniform across every generation,…

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Born in Birmingham, Alabama, on October 23, 1933, Joseph Benoski was the first in his family to attend college. His parents, who never finished high school, worked hard to provide opportunities for their sons. Thanks to their sacrifices, he attended Auburn University, where he joined ROTC and discovered his calling to serve in the military.…

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Supporting Veterans Through the Fourth of July For many Americans, the Fourth of July means backyard barbeques, parades, and fireworks lighting up the night sky. But for some Veterans, those same sights and sounds can bring back memories they never asked to revisit. The loud booms, flashes, smoke, and unpredictability of fireworks can serve as…

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This Military Appreciation Month, the National Association for Veteran Rights (NAVR) launched its Right to Choose: Veterans Helping Veterans campaign—a documentary-style video series sharing the firsthand experiences of Veterans navigating the VA benefits system and the challenges they faced accessing the support they needed.   The campaign is an important reminder of something we see…

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At just 17 years old, William “Carter” Duberry voluntarily enlisted in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He was born on December 31, 1956, and raised in the small town of Mount Pleasant, Tennessee, located about 60 miles south of Nashville. Duberry was the second-oldest of four children, with two brothers and…

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Jeff Wideman’s path to a 25-year military career began in St. Louis, Missouri, where he was born in April 1972. He grew up in Florissant and later graduated from Oakville High School in 1991. He was the younger of two boys in the household. As a kid, Wideman loved the outdoors. He loved playing football…

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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…

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Rudy Escobar was born in Selma, California, near Fresno, at the Selma Sanitarium—a detail he enjoys sharing because of the reactions he often gets. Growing up in a large family, Rudy is one of six children—four boys and two girls. He is the third child and second son in the family. With a significant age…

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