NATIONAL RESOURCE DIRECTORY

The NRD connects Wounded Warriors, Service Members, Veterans, their Families and Caregivers with those who support them.

What Is The National Resource Directory?  The NRD provides access to thousands of services and resources at the national, state and local levels to support recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration.  Wound warriors, service members, veterans, families and caregivers can find information on key topics such as health care, employment and education.

Why Was the NDR created?  The NDR was created to serve those who have served our country.  The site provides a central place online where all listed but not limited to up-to-date information about the services and resources available to help them, both nationally and in the communities where they live and work.

The NDR offers information on: 

*Benefitis &Compensation
*Education & Training
*Employment
*Family & Caregiver Support
*Health
*Homeless Assistance
*Housing
*Transportation & Travel
*Volunteer Opportunities
*Other Services & Resources

Please get this information out to though that have and still are serving.  This is very impotant to pass up!!
The Email is http://www.nrd.gov/.

May God Bless All and May all be in His Rest and Peace!

IN HIS SERVICE
Shepherds Grip Ministry

(info provided by the Semper Fidelis 4th qtr)

Shepherd's Grip Update

Did you know that Shepherd's Grip Ministry donated over 30,000 Bibles and Christian books to the American Veterans in 2011?  We are now working on a grant that would allow us to double the number of Bibles that we will be able to donate.  Bibles and books have made it around the world in different military units in 2011. They have been shipped to the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard in every theater of Military operation.  Both Active and Reserve units have received Bibles and Christian books and some have asked to receive more.  We have also been able to supply enough to our "snow bird" friends in the VA Medical Centers in Mesa and the Phoenix Hospital which has required 2 times the amount of Bibles in 2011 than in  prior years. It is very exciting to see God working in many different peoples lives as we continue to expand the reach of the Ministry to so Many Hurting  Veterans in these tough times.  2011 was a very exciting time for us at Shepherds Grip as we fulfilled the requirements to become a 501(c)(3) non profit organization.  Any donations to Shepherds Grip Ministry is tax deductible and will receive a letter at the end of the year for income tax filing. 100% of the donations go directly for the  purchase of Bibles and books,  and we are redesigning a cover to better fit the Veteran population. Creating a book cover made for the American Veteran through Thomas Nelson Publishing Company is  awaiting the final cost to run the unique books.  So as you see, we are not standing still growing moss on our feet here at Shepherds Grip Ministry. As the Marines would say we are in full gear and heading forward.  We thank our Christian brothers and sisters for their donations for 2011 and looking forward to 2012.  May God Bless all who care for our American Veterans.  Because we know of their sacrifice, and they made them for us! Freedom is Not Free! If Your Heart Leads,  Please Donate, its easy and safe so we can expand Gods' Ministry to many more Veterans in our back yards that are Homeless, living on the streets and alley ways!! Trust me, it is not safe out there!!!  Help A Vet and Donate Today!!!

Donation:
Shepherd's Grip
PO Box 1246
Queen Creek AZ, 85242

IN HIS SERVICE
Shepherd's Grip Ministry

Undiagnosed Illnesses of The Persian Gulf War

Veterans with undiagnosed illnesses now have an additional five years to qualify for benefits.  A recent change in the VA regulations affects Veterans of the conflict in Southwest Asia. (More in VA Health Trends newsletter). Many have attributed a range of undiagnosed or poorly understood medical problems to their military services.

Chemical weapons, environmental hazards and Vaccinations are among the possible causes.  At issues is the eligibility of Veterans to claim VA disability compensation based upon those undiagnosed illnesses, and the ability of Survivors to qualify for VA's Dependency and Indemnity Compensation.

Formerly, Veterans with undiagnosed illness had to establish eligibility for the VA benefits by December 31, 2011.  The new change pushes the "DATE BACK" to December 31, 2016.

Veterans or survivors who believe they qualify for these benefits should contact the VA at 1-800-827-1000

Further information is available online at
www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar                                                             www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/oefoif/index.asp

Whats at stake could be up to $2,800 a month to sick and unemployable Veterans with Undiagnosed Illnesses.  This information was gather from the Health Trends that is a Quarterly Newsletter for the Phoenix Health Care System.  This does not mean that you can not apply if you are only here during the winter and going back home after the snow melts.

You have to fight the VA for your benefits and please remember "You are Not" taking away from another Veteran benefits. Iif you think you many fit within the guild lines of the new "Rules to apply" please do it .

We must fight for the ones behind us as our Older Veteran's had done for us!

May GOD Bless you and please "Fight the Good Fight" and  follow though with your claim!

No Veteran left behind!

IN HIS SERVICE
Gregg Jones
USMC Ret.
GySgt.

Veterans That Need Help

Today's post deals with getting the help that many Veterans need. I myself suffered from many different physical illnesses. I also have been blessed to have received a Service Canine from CCI.org (Hilly) for my hearing loss and many other health issues at no cost, after a long process that was well worth it. She has changed my life and the way I look at people in a general sense. She is a friend that I could not live without nor would I. Having been in your face kind of Marine, I found myself needing the help to deal with issues on day by day hour by hour bases each and every day after serving as Detachment Commander in Sann'a Yemen on active duty for over two years. It was killing me from the inside out, and finally a Doctor told me "You’re killing yourself, is this life you want". I can not say it enough, if someone you love or another friend tells you that you have changed and are "different", get the help that you needed. I will be posting updates on this blog to get the information out to help find as many Providers that the VA system offer to the Veteran men and women alike. I never knew what was out there until I had to do much leg work to find them like the "independent living program" is just one to start. Trust me after 20+ years in the United States Marine Corps, I still have to fight the up hill "Battle" to get the resource's that are out there for the America Veteran and myself. They have not, nor will not ever make a list of services that this Government offers you the Veteran. I hope that if you know of someone that is hurting, please give them this blog site as I fight the good fight for all of us. God Bless and stay in touch. My email is shepherdsgrip@gmail.com for questions that are kept between you and I!


May the Lord Jesus Christ Guild you and help you in the trials ahead!

Remember: Lifeline @ 1 (800) 273- 8255 "Make the Call"


IN HIS SERVICE
Gregg Jones
Gysgt Ret USMC   

Oorah!

What a Great Arizona Standdown for February 2012!  And when I say "GREAT I MEAN IT" wait until you see 2013!  All Marines on Deck!!!!!  There's no time to wait! "GET INVOLED" and that means YOU"!!!!  Sign up  "SO YOU CAN LEAD, FOLLOW or GET out of the way!!!  We are not going to stop until all Veterans are counted for!! Do you hear me!!  "FOLLOW US AS WE MOVE FORWARD TO THE 2013 ARIZONA STANDDOWN" and take care of our America Veterans!  I'LL BE THERE!!   HOW ABOUT YOU!!!    "DON'T BE LEFT IN THE REAR WITH THE GEAR"    "AM I CLEAR" !!!!!!

Greetings (Gunny) Jones

Gregg's challenge

Stand Down

The  Arizona Stand down was a Hugh success with Mr. Strickland on board to watch provides work extremely hard to provide much needed services over February 3rd-5th 2012.  Over 1,200 Veterans and family members were served from the smallest of items to all out clothing just on Friday alone We believe there was another 1200-1300 on Saturday the 4th numbers and after action reports will help to zero in on the exact numbers. There were 600 warrants cleared on Friday, again total numbers will be available in up coming days. Many who had a warrant cleared was awarded community service to performed and maintain the general clean ups required in such an event of this size.  The Veterans Memorial Coliseum both Friday the 3rd and Saturday the 4th were packed with services providers and Veterans Some of the providers were the Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) with Team Hilly and Gregg, the United Way, VA Assistance, VA Medical, VA Mental Health, Housing Assistance, City Of Phoenix Municipal Court, Substance Abuse Counselors and Referrals, DES Employment and Benefits, Social Security Information, MVD-ID's, DMV-Licenses, Legal Aid Assistance, Tax Services Secure Sleeping Areas for Men-Women and families, Meals, Haircut's, Showers, Storage, Dental, Pet Care.  Closing ceremony was Sunday with a prior Veteran that fought back drug abuse and many other issues to be the guest speaker to other Veterans that have had or are having the same issues.  What a weekend for Shepherd's Grip, break down and finial clean up was completed on Sunday the 5th of February 2012 and looking to forward to 2013.  Shepherd's Grip was filling a big need as we have for the last 4 years with prayers and distributing Christan books and Bibles to Veterans that were seeking to find there Spiritual needs and to put a focus on the family and there needs also. What a Blessing to take part in these Veterans lives that have sometime Hugh needs and to see all the volunteer's providing that special touch to reach out to the most needy in this Country. We Thank Brad, Debbie, and all that worked so hard to take the time to care to make 2012 a great success.  God Bless and Looking forward to 2013!

IN HIS SERVICE
Shepherd's Grip