David Ickes in Army camouflage uniform in his youth beside a recent portrait in a suit before an American flag

Ickes grew up in rural northwest Ohio, spending much of his childhood on a farm. As an only child, he filled his days with outdoor activities such as fishing, target shooting, and hunting for Indian artifacts. He was also passionate about coin collecting and was involved in the Future Farmers of America (FFA), where he…

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Younger person's arms around an older adult's shoulders, hands clasped in comfort

  Watching your parents age and lose the ability to do things they once found easy is emotionally challenging. It forces you to confront the inevitability of change and decline in life. The people who once cared for and protected you now seem vulnerable, creating a role reversal that can be difficult to process. It’s…

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Veteran of the Month August 2024: Ronald H. Cox, on the phone in Army uniform years ago and standing on a biplane wing

Ronald H. Cox was born in January 1943 and raised in a middle-class family in the Saint Louis area. As the oldest of three children, Cox experienced a typical middle-class upbringing. He fondly recalls growing up with fun memories of boating, family vacations, and participating in activities typical of middle-class families. Due to his mother’s…

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Smiling multigenerational family with grandparents, parents and a baby, for National Grandparents Day 2024

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…

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Older woman looking at a booklet with a caregiver leaning over her shoulder in a kitchen

You’ve referred a Veteran or surviving spouse to Veterans Care Coordination (VCC), and now you and your client may be wondering what happens next. One great way to support someone is to understand their experience and provide them with a strong starting point. This article equips you with the knowledge to steer them in the…

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Veteran of the Month July 2024: James "Bob" Laizure, in Navy uniform as a young man and in a recent Purple Heart cap photo

James Robert Laizure was born on his family’s farm in Cherokee County, Kansas, in 1924. Laizure, who went by Bob his entire life, is the oldest of seven siblings, all born in their home. Laizure explained that whenever a new sibling was going to arrive, the children were sent to wait in the barn while…

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Alicia Pederson holding her Norbert Laramie Award of Excellence trophy, Employee of the Year 2023

  Alicia Pederson has been a valuable member of Veterans Care Coordination (VCC) since March 2020. Despite joining during a challenging time with few people in the office, Alicia seamlessly and instantly connected with clients. Over her four years of service, Alicia has consistently embodied VCC’s core values of accountability, continuous improvement, and serving one…

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Veteran of the Month June 2024: Frank "Frankie G" Guerrettaz, in Navy-style whites years ago and on a golf course

Frank Guerrettaz was born in a small town in Northern Illinois. He was the second youngest of five, with three older brothers and one younger sister. His father, a paratrooper in the Army during WWII, worked on oil rigs, and the family moved frequently as the rigs for the oil fields were pulled and relocated.…

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The Desire for Independence Never Ends: sparklers burning in front of an American flag

Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We did not pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same. ~ Ronald Reagan The American Revolution, also known as the United States War of Independence or the American Revolutionary…

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Two hands reaching toward each other at sunset, one holding a paper heart; brought to you by Lisa Rill, PhD via the CSA Journal

Why Companies Should Care for Their Caregivers: A Call to Action By Lisa Rill, PhD DECK: “Leadership isn’t about being in charge, it’s about taking care of those in your charge.”  – Simon Sinek  The ability to successfully integrate work, family commitments, and personal life is important for the well-being of all employees. The Organization…

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