The COO of Army Week Association

This week’s Monday spotlight is on Jen Wilson,  the COO of Army Week Association. 

    Jen Wilson grew up in Monroe, Louisiana, then attended LSU where she graduated with a degree in Kinesiology in 2002. Before graduating, she had to decide where to fulfill the internship portion of her degree requirements. While sitting in her Miller Hall dorm room on LSU’s campus, she watched the tragic events of September 11, 2001 unfold.  She says “I knew then that New York City was where I was going.”  She applied for only NYC internships and was lucky enough to receive one at the NBC Health and Fitness Center. She moved to New York having never visited the city before and knowing no one, completed her internship,  and was offered a position where she’s been for 11 years. 

    Although Jen is a civilian, she’s always felt pride for the men and women that serve our country.  She said she feels this way because of her grandfather, SGM Ernie Lucien, who was an Army engineer in WWII.  He survived the onslaught of Omaha Beach on DDAY and drew up the battle plans for the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the Bronze Star for heroism and service in combat.  She reveals, “ When I think of the things that must have been going through his mind as the door to his boat opened and he literally had to look death and destruction square in the eyes and proceed with the mission, I don’t think there’s anything I can’t accomplish.  I find a lot of strength and inspiration knowing that fearlessness and commitment to cause runs through my veins.” 

After watching numerous friends she grew up with enlisting and serving over the last 12 years and knowing it was time to do her part,  she decided to join NBC’s Veterans Network in 2011 where she began getting involved with the veteran cause in New York City.  She says,  “Some of us are born to serve, and the rest of us are born to serve them.  We all have a part in this together.” Throughout 2011-2012, Wilson became more and more involved with activities, events, and outreach in NYC.  In early 2013, the CEO of Army Week Association Chris Page, asked her to be a part of AWA and help him build the next great service organization.  They’ve built it from the ground up together, and although its early, Jen says AWA has the potential to be a big player in the veteran space.  Shes convinced that between herself and Chris Page, that they’re unstoppable,  “ There is so much to be done and so much assistance needed for our veterans and their families.  Chris and I have big dreams for this company, and we won’t stop until we’ve reached them.”   Jen has always had a passion and drive to help our veterans.   Her main goal and dream for Army Week Association is to become the facilitator and purveyor of help, hope, and education for our veterans and their families.

Since coming aboard at Army Week Association, she’s taken part in many different events.  She counts her  most memorable “being in the Pentagon for the first time and having meetings in the area that was destroyed on 9/11, hosting and escorting Medal of Honor Awardee Ty Carter and his wife Shannon Carter in New York City, and hosting the US Army 238th Birthday Gala in June.”  Out of all them though, the one that sticks out the most was taking part in the ceremony with Purple Heart Homes in Manchester, Ct, handing over keys to the home they’d built for wounded SSG Sandra Lee.   Jen says, “that was tangible, immediate feedback of the “good” we had accomplished.” 

The next major endeavor Jen is spearheading is the AWA expansion of Army Week NOLA in 2014.  Being from Louisiana, this initiative is dear to her heart. Wilson wants to be able to bring everything she has done to help our veterans in New York City, to her home state of Louisiana.  “I sat by for a decade watching guys I grew up with go off to battle.  Some came back, some didn’t.  All I know is, it’s time they got some recognition and appreciation and assistance where needed.   Army Week NOLA is my way of honoring my home, my state, my heritage, my family, my friends, and everyone that has worn any uniform and fought for the State of Louisiana.”   The plans are still being laid for AWNOLA,  but every day she gets closer to her vision being fulfilled.   

Go and check us out on our other social media websites:

Facebook: ArmyWeekNOLA

Twitter: @ARMyWeekNOLA and use the hashtag #AWNOLA #SOT #SOV

Instagram: @Armyweeknola

The Founder and CEO of Army Week Association

This week’s Monday spotlight is on our CEO and founder of Army Week Association, Christopher Page.

                                                   

    Growing up in New Jersey, he was surrounded by a father, grandfather, and a few uncles that served in the military. The majority of his lineage served in the US Army, most notably his grandfather who served on the USS Nevada at Normandy and an uncle that was a medic in the third wave that fateful June day in Normandy.  Following their lead, he chose to join the U.S. Army in 1993 saying, “I chose to join the Army because of  the history of selfless service in my family.” After enlisting in the Army, Page decided to focus on college and attended Seton Hall.  After graduating, Chris began a career in Finance and became the Manager of Citi Salutes, a U.S. based program designed to support military veterans and their families in communities across the country by promoting greater access to financial services that meet the unique needs of our military veterans and their families; supporting professional development, recruiting and mentoring programs; supporting community organizations that benefit military veterans and families; and providing a support network for retired and active-duty employees and those with deployed friends or relatives.

                               .

          In early 2013, he left Citi because he wanted to start an organization that would help educate the public, as well as veterans, about the issues they face during the transition from service to civilian. With the increase in personnel returning from deployment, it is incredibly important to keep these issues in focus for the veteran, their families, and the public.  Chris also wanted to provide professional development, recruiting, and mentoring programs. “Once our veterans return home, one of the most important parts of the transition is to find a career in which they can succeed that also fits their individual skill set.”   In 2013, he and a few others decided to put all of these ideas together, and Army Week Association (AWA) was created. 

    Since Army Week Association launched, he has been hard at work compiling a team of dedicated individuals to help build  the organization, expand into new markets, and found Army Week NOLA.   Jen Wilson, COO of AWA and Founder of Army Week NOLA, says “Chris Page eats, sleeps, and bleeds the veteran cause. His integrity, passion, and commitment to the cause have inspired so many of us to come on board and help build the kind of organization he dreamt it to be. His effort and drive are tireless. The US Army was lucky to have him, and now the US Armed Forces Veterans could not possibly ask for a better advocate to be their voice. "

                                       

                      Chris Page (CEO) and Jen Wilson( COO) of Army Week Association

Follow us on other social media accounts:
Twitter: @ArmyweekNola and use the hashtag #AWNOLA
Facebook: ARMY Week NOLA
Instagram: @armyweeknola and use the hashtag #AWNOLA or #armyweeknola

The downside of social media and a soldier's combat tour overseas

We're are so honored to have Garrison Haning as one of our VP's of Development for Army Week Association.  " I wrote this op ed on the downside of social media in recording the memories of a combat tour overseas.   It ran in todays edition of Stars and Stripes, which was especially significant for me, as the September 11th attacks played a large role in my desire to become a soldier and army officer."

Never Forget

Here is the link to his article:

http://www.stripes.com/describe-your-combat-tour-in-longform-1.240261

The Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs and how it is helping our veterans

This weeks Monday Spotlight is on the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs. 

The Louisiana Office of Veterans Affairs was created in 1994 to assist Louisiana veterans and family with local services. As more soldiers became veterans, the need for more programs and services became abundant. In 2003, the Louisiana Department for Veterans Affairs (LDVA) was created. The LDVA's mission is to provide healthcare, education, disability benefits, long term care, and proper burials. In recent years the national Department of Veteran Affairs efficiency rating has been called to question. This investigation has led to a nation wide plan to end the backlog of veterans claims totaling a wait time of more than 125 days. As of March 2013, there were 611,000 claims that had gone unprocessed for more than 125 days. After mandatory overtime and increases in the use of technology, the amount of claims has decreased to 488,00 as of August 17th. With this being a nation wide plan, the LDVA had to devise a plan to lower the number of claims in Louisiana. The LDVA followed the Department of Veteran affairs lead and increased the amount of work hours spent on claims. In February 2013, there were 11,300 unprocessed claims with a wait time of more than 125 days. There were nearly 4, 200 claims that had been waiting for more than a year. After many hours of over time, the LDVA reports that claims have shrunk to 8,300 cases with a wait time of more than 125 days. There are 2,500 cases with a wait time of more than a year.

The LDVA helps veterans in many other ways besides compensation.  One such example are the 5 War Veterans homes that they operate in Monroe, Bossier City, Jennings, Reserve, and Jackson, Louisiana. They offer a number of services for our vets including but not limited to short and long term care, rehabilitative therapies, and mental health services. Veterans and their spouses can apply to live in the homes.

Project Legacy, in New Orleans, is the newest way the LDVA is attacking the issue of veteran health care.  Project Legacy, currently in the construction phase, is a state of the art, massive $995 million VA complex on Canal St. These new facilities will be replacing the former hospital that has been closed since Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005. Project Legacy was set to be completed by 2014, but the completion date has been pushed to February 2016.  This complex will serve veterans and their families, and will also staff 1,100 new jobs in the New Orleans area.

This will be the exterior of the medical center. 

This will be the view of the medical center from Canal Street. 

The LDVA has done many great things in the past few years to help veterans. The number of compensation claims has decreased dramatically. Project Legacy will greatly improve lives for veterans of Louisiana. With that being said, there is so much more to do to help our veterans. The time elapse waiting for compensation claims is, as all agree, extremely detrimental. Only time will tell, but hopefully our state legislators and the LDVA find ways to filter claims and get our men and women on the path to good physical and mental health.


Go and check out our other social media websites:
Facebook : ARMY Week NOLA
Twitter: @armyweeknola and use the hashtag #AWNOLA
Instagram: @ArmyweekNOLA

Introduction to Army Week NOLA

Our mission at Army Week Association is to provide quality educational forums, events, and activities to highlight achievements, sacrifice, and service of those who have worn, or currently wear, the uniform of the United States Army, and their families. We want to focus on the transition back into a soldier’s community after deployment, as well as, recognize their contributions on the battlefield and here at home. We will bring together Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs), civilians, veterans, active duty, reserves, and national guard to improve the lives of those making the ultimate sacrifice.

Army Week NOLA will focus their efforts on the joint forces representation from all of Louisiana’s branches of service. We will work with national and local VSO’s to fulfill the mission of Army Week Association.

AWA is expanding to New Orleans in 2014 to recognize, remember, and celebrate the courage and valor shown by our armed forces in Normandy on the 70th anniversary of DDay, June 6, 2014. With New Orleans being home to our National World War II Museum, the history of the Higgins boats being built in the New Orleans Navy Yard, the recent Bicentennial of the War of 1812, and the upcoming Bicentennial of the Battle of New Orleans, recognizing this amazing city and state for her contributions is long overdue.

This beautiful city has so much history and collaboration potential for Army Week NOLA. The southern hospitality and delicious food are just a few of the bonuses. At the beginning of August we traveled to New Orleans to start our event planning. While there, we had the opportunity to meet with members of local and state government, local veterans, many corporate leaders, and even had time to participate in some local traditions. Is there a better way to experience New Orleans than with a trip to Café Du Monde, a Saints football game, and the Red Dress Run? DEFINITELY not.

 

 

Army Week NOLA has been officially set for the dates of June 1-7, 2014.  Events planned so far include a golf tournament, casino night, a black tie ball, a joint forces parade, and a 5k race. Army Week NOLA has so much to bring to the city of New Orleans. We’re coming for you NOLA, get ready!

 

Check back on Mondays for our weekly spotlight highlighting various people involved with the Army Week Association as well as issues involving troops and veterans of Louisiana.

Follow us on other social media accounts:
Twitter: @ArmyweekNola and use the hashtag #AWNOLA
Facebook: ARMY Week NOLA
Instagram: @armyweeknola and use the hashtag #AWNOLA or #armyweeknola





Author Credit: Gabrielle Velez