Applications are being accepted for the 2012 DRS Guardian Scholarships for children of National Guardsmen who were killed in the war on terrorism.

Successful applicants will receive up to $6,250 per year for either a four-year or two-year program of study.

The deadline is June 30. More information can be found at www.ngef.org/DRSscholarship.

The scholarship fund was founded last year and presented scholarships to four children of fallen Guardsmen. Eight scholarships will be awarded this year.

The scholarship is funded by DRS Technologies, Inc. of Parsippany, N.J., and administered by the National Guard Educational Foundation.

“We are proud to help DRS Technologies provide this vital financial support to young people pursuing higher education,” said Luke Guthrie, the NGAUS director of development and membership services. “It is an excellent way to honor the sacrifice of Guardsmen who volunteered to serve their country during a time of war and paid the ultimate price.”

In the February/March issue of the Tarheel Guardsman and on the website, we ran an ad for two new Group Buying Directory Participants. There was a misprint for one of the companies, Hilton Head Island Condo.

The discount for the condo is $50 off the weekly rate and 10% off the daily rate. Contact Kevin Johnson at (866)590-0899 for reservations.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

NCSU MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY

This December O’Charley’s is welcoming home veterans and honoring their families. You can help support our fellow veterans by purchasing a $25 O’Charley’s gift card and in return a $5 O’Charley’s gift card will be donated back to your state National Guard Association.

O’Charley’s is also honoring our fellow servicemen and women and their families with special homecoming celebrations.  O’Charley’s is working with several state National Guard Association chapters to identify a deserving family who has a soldier that recently returned home from Iraq or Afghanistan and O’Charley’s will host a homecoming celebration for that family which includes a dinner for up to 12 guests from the full O’Charley’s menu (excluding alcoholic beverages).  In addition, members of the community will be invited to come out and show their support and appreciation.

Please help show your support this December and take the time to visit your local O’Charley’s.  The more gift cards that are purchased only helps to increase the donation back to your local state chapter which will go to help many of our fellow members of the National Guard and their families.

To learn more about this special promotion and to find an O’Charley’s location near you visit www.ocharleys.com or visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ocharleysfans.

Happy Thanksgiving!  MVRC is thankful for our friends and partners  who are supporting our local military, veterans, and their families.  So much hard work going on by many of you.  There are several initiatives growing around the country now encouraging cooperative action on the part of local organizations to support our military and veterans.  The White House is talking about “Joining Forces.”  ServiceNation is holding special volunteer service days in cities around the country including one for this past Veterans Day.  MissionService is their military/civilian collaborative initiative.  What can WE do together between now and next Veterans Day to show the country the great work we are doing in the Triangle area?

We are also thankful for the friends and partners who supported our Tribeca Tavern fundraiser on November 14.  The funds raised are going directly to our emergency support fund.  Some friends have also made separate donations.  If you are considering a tax deductable donation of your own, we will be glad to tell you how do that.

Now, we have a need to attend to, and some good info to share with everyone.

John Youker is the veterans services officer working with homeless vets.  He has a vet who has passed the written exam for his Commercial Drivers License but needs to have an 18 wheeler, dump truck or bus for his road test.  If anyone has or knows where he might access a vehicle, this is a great opportunity to help a vet who is obviously working hard to do the right thing for himself.  Contact John at 919-857-3864.

Veterans Affairs is implementing a telephone support program to help the spouses of returning Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans, A pilot telephone support program showed significant reduction in stress for spouses. Spouses participate in 12 telephone support groups over six months. The focus is on problem-solving and communication, relationships, mental health and resilience.  More information can be found at http://www.caregiver.va.gov/

New US Department of Labor website matching military occupational classifications (MOS) with comparable civilian vocations.  Gives service members or new veterans some ideas on what kinds of civilian jobs to explore:   http://www.mynextmove.org/vets/

First in Families NC has some programs that might be of help to wounded warriors and others involved in volunteering or caregiving.  Lifetime Connections offers unique supports and future planning services to people with all types of disabilities and their families.  It provides an alternative or addition to traditional services, through a comprehensive, membership-based set of services tailored to each individual or family.
The FIFNC Time Bank is a perfect complement to the core belief that everyone has something of worth to share with others.  The FIFNC Time Bank connects community members through a system for sharing skills and services in which no money is exchanged – only time and talents – from Spanish lessons to childcare.  All services are valued equally, and Time Bank members include people with and without disabilities.  How the FIFNC Time Bank Works: 1 Hour of Time = 1 Time Dollar
You spend an hour doing a service for a Time Bank member – You earn a Time Dollar
You use that Time Dollar to receive an hour of a member’s time for what you need
For more info, contact First in Families NC at 919-251-8368 or email info@fifnc.org

Saturday, December 3: Toys For Lil Troops Event hosted by the USVC and Renaissance Park. This event will be held at Renaissance Park, 1363 Ileagnes Road, Raleigh from 11am – 1pm. Please bring a new unwrapped toy.  Come join in the other activities going on at the event.

Randy Marsh

The National Guard Armory in Clinton NC is to be dedicated to the honor of Kenneth E. Newbold, BG, Retired on Sunday October 23, 2011 at 2:00 o’clock pm.  The public is cordially invited to the event.

“Doing MORE in DUPLIN thru Planning”

***THIS OFFER IS FOR ACTIVE DUTY, RESERVE & NATIONAL GUARD MILITARY PERSONNEL ONLY***

The Charlotte Motor Speedway, Bank of America and USO of NC have teamed up to offer tickets for Active Duty, Reserve and National Guard military personnel for the NASCAR Bank of America 500 on Saturday, 15 October at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

***LIMITED QUANTITIES AVAILABLE***

For 2 tickets, please respond to charlottetickets@uso-nc.org  with all requested information:

We are unable to process incomplete requests!

When your request is received and processed, you will receive a confirmation email.  For general information on the Bank of America 500, please visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.

Thank you!

Charlotte Motor Speedway and the USO of NC