Detours 2 Dreams

What a honor for Bob Dole, he is truly a great American and example of serving from the heart.

Join us in welcoming WCC’s Dole

Named in honor of United States Army Colonel and Senator Bob Dole.

Senator Robert Dole was born in Russell, Kansas, on July 22, 1923. He graduated from Russell High School in 1941, and enrolled into the University of Kansas to pursue his undergraduate degree. His university studies, however, were interrupted when Senator Dole began his lifetime of public service 1942 with his enlistment in the United States Army during World War II.

Senator Dole was commissioned as a second lieutenant and in 1944 was deployed to Italy with the 10th Mountain Division. In 1945, Senator Dole was transferred to a post near the Po Valley, in northern Italy, a region that still held a German machine gun nest. While engaged in combat Senator Dole was seriously wounded by German machine gun fire, being struck in his upper back and right arm. The day of the assault was, as Senator Dole later described it, "the day that changed my life."

According to medics, Senator Dole had sustained a shattered right shoulder, fractured vertebrae in his neck and spine, paralysis from the neck down, metal shrapnel throughout his body and a damaged kidney. The medics examining Senator Dole thought him unlikely to survive. After several surgeries and extensive rehabilitation, Senator Dole not only survived, but also made a better recovery than had ever been expected. Senator Dole received two Purple Hearts, two Bronze Stars with “V” Device for valor, in addition to the American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and the WWII Victory Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

After his military career, Senator Dole began his public service as a legislator. He ran and was elected first to the Kansas House of Representatives in 1950. This began a long career in governmental work, including service in the United States House of Representatives from 1961-1969, as well as the U.S. Senate from 1969 to 1996, where he was both the Senate minority and majority leader. In addition to his military honors, Senator Dole is a highly decorated citizen, receiving the Presidential Citizens Medal from President Ronald Reagan in 1989 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Bill Clinton in 1997. In 2018, Senator Dole received the Congressional Gold Medal, in recognition of his service to the nation as a "soldier, legislator and statesman." The Congressional Gold Medal is Congress' "highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions."

In May 2019, Senator Dole was promoted to the honorary rank of colonel during a ceremony at the World War II Memorial in Washington, becoming the third and only living recipient of such an honor in the service’s 244-year history.

For his lifetime of service, it is with great pride that we name WCC’s Dole in honor of Senator Dole.


Dole Institute of Politics

Debbie Sprague There are still a few spots left for the April 27th Hidden Heroes Summit in Las Vegas, this will be a wonderful opportunity for military and veteran caregivers to recharge! I'm honored that I have been invited to speak, do and do a book signing.

Hidden Heroes Summit Las Vegas When you fly on an airplane, flight attendants instruct you to put your oxygen mask on first, before helping the person seated next to you. Why? Because if you run out of oxygen, you can’t help anyone else with their oxygen mask. Military and veteran caregivers, if you don’t take care of yoursel...

Detours 2 Dreams updated their phone number.

Petition to deliver quality care to our Veterans You may not realize it, because it’s happening deep in the bowels of government, but now is THE critical moment for the future of an effectively run VA health care system. New regulations are being written which will define what health care standards by which the VA will operate, and what will hap...

Attention Vietnam Veteran couples, a limited amount of space is available for the Independence Fund Retreat. The information and application is below. If you are interested complete the application form right away.

Our couples retreat application is open! For more info, or to apply, visit www.independencefund.org today.

PTSD is an invisible wound that often affects our nation's servicemembers and veterans. We're here to help. For PTSD Awareness Day, learn how these Hidden Heroes resources can support you.

American Red Cross Military and Veteran Caregiver Network - MVCN
Easterseals
Wounded Warrior Project
Hope For The Warriors
Sesame Street for Military Families
PHCoE - Psychological Health Center of Excellence

https://hiddenheroes.org/resources/?type=resource&filters=%5B%5B%22type%3Aresource%22%5D%2C%5B%22type_of_wound%3APTS%2FPTSD%22%5D%5D

Have you read the latest issue of the Agent Orange Newsletter? This issue discusses clinical services and environmental exposure registries offered by VA, the latest research on blood pressure and herbicides, presumptive skin conditions, and more. http://bit.ly/2mN460K

Congress passed the "Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage Family Caregivers Act" (or the RAISE ) earlier this month, but what does it actually mean for family ?

Learn here >> https://www.caring.com/articles/raise-family-caregivers-act

It's the last day of , but CAN is here for you all 12 months a year. You deserve recognition and support for all you do!

It was great to spend time with Raquel Moriarty Derrick - Family Operating Base, and my fellow MVCN team members Melissa Comeau and Melissa Anderson Johnson during the RCI Summit.

People have asked me, "What is the largest challenge you face as a caregiver?" and my answer, like so many others, has always been "isolation." That's one of the reasons, I was so happy to find American Red Cross Military and Veteran Caregiver Network - MVCN. If you are a caregiver and are not already a member of their community, I can't recommend it more highly. It was an absolute pleasure to spend time with the passionate team behind our community partner, MVCN while at the RCI 30th Anniversary. www.milvetcaregivernetwork.org

'Thank You For Your Service': AMC theaters giving free tickets to veterans, active-duty military Active-duty servicemembers and veterans will have a chance to watch the new movie "Thank You For Your Service" for free at AMC theaters.

We are honored to have our Director Melissa Comeau serving on this committee as a voice for our nation’s caregivers!

MFAN needs your help.

Our 2017 Military Family Support Programming Survey is live. Here’s your chance to speak your mind when it comes to topics like wellness, education, PCSing, finances, childcare, military retirement, and more. It only takes about 20 minutes, and your answers will make a difference in the lives of military families all over the world.

Take the survey before it closes on Nov. 12: militaryfamilyadvisorynetwork.org/survey/

On this anniversary of September 11, 2001, we remember our fellow citizens, Servicemembers and first responders who perished at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Since that tragic day 16 years ago, many Americans have answered the call to defend this country and its ideals from those that would cause us harm. We salute, cherish and will never forget those we lost. We thank and keep in our thoughts, the thousands of Patriots -- Servicemembers, first responders, their families and others -- who have served and continue to serve today.

If you would like to help with the ongoing support for the victims of Hurricane Harvey, please consider a financial donation to the American Red Cross.

The threat from Hurricane Harvey is far from over as extremely dangerous flooding continues in Texas and parts of Louisiana. Getting help in some areas is challenging due to devastating floodwaters and closed roads. This is a heartbreaking and difficult situation for those in the storm’s path, and the American Red Cross is working around the clock to provide safe shelter and comfort for the hundreds of thousands of people impacted by this disaster. Many of you have asked how you can help people affected by this terrible storm, and we are truly grateful for your support. To make a donation, please visit http://rdcrss.org/hurricaneharvey, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text HARVEY to 90999 to donate $10. If you've signed up online to volunteer, we thank you and appreciate your patience as we process applications!

97th National Convention by American Legion Auxiliary Watch American Legion Auxiliary's 97th National Convention on Livestream.com. The annual National Convention is the legislative body of the American Legion Auxiliary. The convention is called for the purpose of electing officers for the ensuing year, amending the National Constitution & Bylaws, rece...

Our friends at Sesame Workshop have an exciting opportunity for caregivers to participate in an online discussion to help Sesame Street with a new initiative designed for military caregivers who have young children!

Follow this link to see if you qualify to participate:
https://survey.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8bG3kwBa8u8mchT

5 Ways Loving Someone With PTSD Affects Your Life (And 6 Ways to Make it Easier) - Because your love is worth it.

Mattis to TAPS Members: ‘You Represent Best of Our Country’ Defense Secretary Jim Mattis welcomed family members of the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors to the Pentagon as part of the organization’s 23rd annual National Military Survivor Seminar and

DAV 2017 Family Caregiver Survey Benefits Claims for Veterans and Family Members Represented in 2016

Today is Day! Show us your purple in support of military kids by sharing your pictures below!

Military Child Education Coalition

The purpose of this survey and overall research project is to help identify and explore the issues that face SERVICE MEMBERS, VETERANS, and their FAMIIES, and is being conducted by Blue Star Families (BSF) and the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University. Responses will provide valuable insights that impact policy, educate military leadership, and influence government decision-makers and the general public on the challenges and stressors impacting today’s military families. THANK YOU FOR HELPING!

Let's stand together and make our voices heard. Take the 2017 Military Family Lifestyle Survey now! bluestarfam.us/survey17

Celebrating the sacrifices of our
Military children.

Getting to know the military child “Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.” —Dr. Seuss April provides us with a special occasion to recognize and celebrate the service of our military children…

We honor today and always the enduring strength, courage, and love of the nation's Gold Star Spouses. ⭐️

The TBI Family: Art as Self-Care for Caregivers In this episode of the podcast, we talk about a single subject: How making art can help caregivers deal with the stresses of caregiving. Links to arts programs for service members, veterans, families

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter to receive Georgia Tech's 2017 Ivan Allen Prize - SaportaReport Read Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter to receive Georgia Tech's 2017 Ivan Allen Prize by Maria Saporta for SaportaReport here.

RAND Military & Veteran Caregiver Study We are studying the impact of caring for wounded, ill, and injured service members on caregiver well-being.