Veterans recognized on 100th visit to wounded troops

Pictured from left: Frank DeAngelo, Vic Carroll, Justin Hart, Al Meadows, Capt. Tim Huff, Terry Pacitto, and Josh Phillips (veteran of OEF/OIF). / Contributed photo

Six members of the Derby/Shelton AMVETS Post 43 recently participated in Operation Gift Cards’ 100th visit to wounded troops at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.

Justin Hart, Associate National Service Director of the Disabled American Veterans, presented the six Post 43 members with a plaque from DAV National Headquarters during their Nov. 4 visit.

The plaque was in recognition of Operation Gift Cards’ 100th visit to Walter Reed. 

The six veterans who participated are also leaders in other veterans organizations which have participated in Operation Gift Cards.

Sixty-eight organizations have co-sponsored Operation Gift Cards visits during the last eight years while distributing over $733,450 in Post exchange gift cards and corporate donations to the wounded troops and their families.

In Connecticut the DAV and AMVETS have formed a partnership in order to expand several programs for helping servicemen and servicewomen, and veterans and their families. 

The programs are: Operation Gift Cards; the Local Veterans Assistance Program which takes veterans from hospitals, homeless shelters, nursing homes, and veterans who are shut-ins, on day trips; and CT Heroes On Wheels which collects and repairs electric wheelchairs, electric scooters, wheelchairs, walkers, and other medical equipment and donates them to veterans and their families.

For more information about Operation Gift Cards or the other programs contact Al Meadows 203 929-3357 al.meadows@snet.net.



This post is taken from a press release from Al Meadows of Shelton.

Shelton soldier recognized for work with veterans

 

U.S. Army veteran of the Iraq war Lauren Cust, left, is presented a VA Connecticut Healthcare System Recognition Award for outstanding work with Connecticut Veterans from Joseph Canzanella, Acting Chief of Volunteer Services, West Haven VA Hospital. Maj. (Ret.) Betsy Walsh, center, introduced Cust at the ceremony. / Contributed photo

Cust, a Shelton resident, received the award during an annual Female Veterans Recognition Dinner held recently at the Four Seasons in Stratford.

Cust's numerous volunteer activities include:

• Created and volunteered as chairwoman of the statewide Female Veterans Committee;

• A major contributor to the organization of a veterans post with the mission of assisting and informing OEF/OIF/GWOT/OND veterans;

• Assist in organizing day trips for homeless veterans under the DAV Local Veterans Assistance      Program;

• Contributes to the success of Operation Gift Cards for wounded troops;

• Is state liaison for Canine Battle Buddies;

• Volunteers for Wounded Warrior;

• Contributing Editor for CT FOB SitRep Bulletins and Newsletters - An electronic publication which assists the Derby/Shelton AMVETS American Veterans Post 43 with their mission of “Assisting OEF/OIF/GWOT/OND veterans and their families;

• Consistently goes above and beyond in her duties as a caseworker at the PFC Nicolas A. Madaras House to assist veterans and their families.

 

Lauren Cust

For information about the Derby/Shelton AMVETS Post 43 contact Al Meadows, 203-929-3357 or at al.meadows@snet.net. 
For information about the female veterans committee contact Cust, 203-733-2596 or at lauren.cust@gmail.com.

This information is from a press release submitted by Al Meadows, Derby/Shelton AMVETS Post 43 Public Relations Officer.

Run/walk in Shelton raises $700 for combat wounded

Pictured from left: Capt. Tim Huff*, Steve Frank*, Mary Beth Perelli, Seana Barr (Air Force medic), Lauren (combat wounded in Iraq) and Mike (National Guard veteran) Cust with their daughter Mary May and Lauren’s service dog Dorothy, Ed Michaud*, and Al Meadows* comprised the team that participated in the third Annual Sunset Run For The Warriors, which was comprised of  a 7K race or a 1-mile walk, Aug. 19 in Shelton. The team raised $700 for Hope For The Warriors®.  *Combat wounded in Vietnam / Contributed photo

SHELTON - Five combat wounded veterans, four wounded in Vietnam and one wounded in Iraq, helped to form an eight-person team which participated in the 3rd Annual Sunset Run For The Warriors® Aug.19 to raise money for Hope For The Warriors®. 
The team members participated in either the 7K run or a shorter walk while raising $700 for wounded troops and their families.

The team was formed to support the newly reactivated AMVETS Internet Post 43 which has a mission of “To assist and inform veterans of Afghanistan, Iraqi, and the Global War On Terrorism.”
A total of the 65 new members recruited in the last year and a half have been post 911 veterans. 
The AMVETS are the most inclusive of all the veterans' organizations - the only requirement is an honorable discharge, regardless of where the veteran served. 
Active duty servicemen and women, National Guard and Reserve personnel are eligible for membership.

For information contact Al Meadows al.meadows@snet.net (203) 929-3357.

Shelton man named veteran of the year

American Veterans (AMVETS) National Commander Gary Fry, right, presents Alfred Meadows with the Silver Helmet (known as the Veterans Oscar) in recognition of his selection as the American Veteran of the Year. Photo courtesy of American Veterans National Headquarters

Shelton resident Alfred Meadows has been named the American Veteran of the Year for 2012 by the American Veterans. He was presented the Silver Helmet American Veteran of the Year Award at the AMVETS' Spring National Executive Committee meeting March 17 in Herndon, Va. 

The AMVETS Silver Helmet Award‚ a unique silver replica of the World War II GI helmet‚ has over the years acquired a well-deserved reputation as one of the most prestigious of all the awards given by veterans organizations and is now known as the “Veterans Oscar.” 

The Silver Helmet was first presented at the AMVETS 10th Anniversary Dinner to World War II hero and diplomat General of the Army George C. Marshall‚ in recognition of his contributions as a soldier‚ statesman and American. 

The AMVETS National Honors and Awards Committee‚ composed of all past national commanders and the last five “AMVET-of-the-Year” awardees‚ reviews the nominations and makes recommendations to the convention to determine the recipient.

The Silver Helmet Awards Banquet is held annually in conjunction with the AMVETS Spring National Executive Committee meeting.

In addition to AMVETS members, the audience each year includes cabinet members‚ members of Congress and military officials who come to pay tribute to the recipients of the award and AMVETS.

Meadows was also awarded a plaque which stated “Alfred Meadows is a proud U.S. Army veteran and Purple Heart Medal recipient who has served in the Republic of Korea and Vietnam.

In addition to his volunteer service to AMVETS, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and other organizations, Meadows created Operation Gift Cards, which since 2005 has provided wounded warriors at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center with more than 12,800 thank you kits containing more than $257,000 in department store gift certificates. The operation also helps to educate military patients on programs that sponsoring veterans’ organizations provide to help them and their families.

Through Operation Gift Cards for Our Wounded Troops, Meadows has helped to coordinate more than $193,000 in gift certificates and product donations from organizations and corporations to military charities assisting wounded warriors.

In recognition of his tireless and exceptional efforts assisting our wounded American veterans and their families, AMVETS is proud to present Alfred Meadows with the AMVETS Silver Helmet Award for AMVET of the Year.”

 In his acceptance speech Meadows contributed the success of Operation Gift Cards to the dedication of the one hundred and 92 representatives (189 from Connecticut) of the 63 groups and individuals who have been cosponsors.

The representatives have made 81 visits to our wounded troops in military hospitals Washington, D.C. and Bethesda, Md. while delivering more than $527,100 in PX gift cards, corporate donations, and wish list items.

Meadows also received recognition for creating a state-wide “Internet Post” for Afghanistan and Iraqi veterans with the primary mission of assisting and informing OEF/OIF/GWOT/OND veterans and their families.

For information about Operation Gift Cards or the new post, contact Meadows, 203 929-3357 or al.meadows@snet.net.

The above information was provided by AMVETS.  

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