AZ VMLC's 21st Annual Heroes Patriotic Luncheon

A save the date as well as a call out for sponsors with table and individual seat costs for the 21st Annual VMLC Heroes Patriotic luncheon.

Location:  Arizona Biltmore at 2400 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85016
Date:  Nov 7th, 2023 starting at 11:00AM.

One of the largest veterans events in the state with room for 700 guests!
Mike Broomhead from Radio Station KTAR is the MC

REGISTER HERE!!

This years Guest speaker is Colonel Kim Nichole Reed-Campbell (born June 6, 1975)[3] is a retired United States Air Force officer and Command Pilot.[1]  She was decorated for piloting her A-10 Thunderbolt II back to base in southern Iraq after taking heavy anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) damage in aerial combat over Baghdad during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.  After her tour of duty in Iraq ended, Campbell gave lectures throughout the United States about her experience, including one at the National Air and Space Museum.  Campbell was promoted to the rank of major in 2006.

NCLS 2020: Colonel Kim Campbell - YouTube

Please share with people, organizations or companies who may be interested in attending this event or assisting in our mission.

The mission of the VMLC is to provide a forum for community leaders to advocate initiatives that enhance the quality of Veteran’s health care and services in Arizona, and to raise funds to primarily assist Arizona Veterans in crises at the Phoenix VA Health Care System and the Arizona State Veteran Home that fall outside federal and state funding guidelines.  Three main programs: Returning Warrior, Mental Health and Native American Sustainability (NAVSU).

- Flyer for 21st Annual VMLC luncheon in Phoenix
- Sponsor Packet for Heroes Patriotic Luncheon


Casa Veterans Ministry - Memorial Day Rosary in Honor Of Deceased Veterans

In remembrance of those Service Men and Women who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms and liberty, the Casa Veterans Ministry invites you to attend our Memorial Day Rosary Service on Sunday May 28th from 4:00-5:30pm in the San Damiano Auditorium at the Franciscan Renewal Center, 5802 E. Lincoln Blvd, Scottsdale AZ.  We will also remember those Veterans who have died after completing their service. (No registration needed).

You are also encouraged to submit the name of your beloved deceased veteran to be recognized at this special Rosary uniquely composed to honor them.  To submit, just click on the following link, find the tab for the Memorial Day Rosary and simply type in the NAME/RANK/BRANCH OF SERVICE for your beloved veteran as instructed.

Casa Veterans Ministry - Memorial Day Rosary in Honor Of Deceased Veterans


Arizona Warrior Getaway in Williams, AZ

The Arizona Warrior Getaway is in Williams, AZ from July 31st – August 4th.  Eight spots left…

Warrior Getaway serves American servicemen and women who have visible and invisible injuries as a result of military service. Veterans, along with their families, are provided a safe space for respite, spiritual renewal, and healing. Families experience fellowship with others facing similar difficulties, and find new hope in Christ.

Join Joni and Friends for a wide range of accessible family activities, powerful speakers, counseling opportunities, and time in God’s Word. Come to experience spiritual renewal and refreshment alongside other families who understand the unique challenges you face.


Brain Injury Alliance Presents: Mental Health First Aid Training for Veterans & Service Providers

Brain Health Leaders, please pass along this invitation to those in your network who could benefit!  Thank you for all you do.

The Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona Veterans Services Team is proud to present accredited Mental Health First Aid Training.  This one-day, 8-hour certification course will cover how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders.  You will gain the necessary skills to reach out and provide initial support to individuals who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and connect them to appropriate care.

Register for this training / learn moreIf the training is full, please add your name to the wait list to be notified of cancellations and future trainings.  Opportunities for Sponsors/Vendors also!

May 5th – 6th, 2023 at DESERT WILLOW CONFERENCE CENTER

Reminder!!  Rays of Hope, the Brain Injury Alliance’s free conference for survivors of all types of brain injury is coming up next month.  Register today!

Video of results:


Help with Veteran Disability Claims & Rating Increases

Veterans Administration Benefits Counselors
Tom George & Mark Ferber
(602) 535-1215

They can help with just about any sort of disability claim to include re-ratings for a higher percentage (which both are highly successful at accomplishing).  They work for the VA, they're not 3rd party VSO's.  

Located in East valley, but they do calls virtually for all of the Phoenix area.


"A Piece of My Heart" and "We Were There Too" on May 7 in Paradise Valley

The Franciscan Renewal Center (Casa) Veterans Ministry, in conjunction with the Peoria Unified School District Faculty/Alumni Showcase, is sponsoring an event to increase community awareness of the military service experience of our women veterans, particularly those who have served in Vietnam and other conflict areas.

The event will be held at the Franciscan Renewal Center (5802 E. Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley, AZ) on Sunday, May 7th, 3-5 pm, with a reception to follow (A $10 donation is asked at the door).

The program will begin with a shortened version of “A Piece of My Heart,” a play based on the true stories of six courageous women sent to Vietnam. Afterwards, a 45 minute panel discussion entitled: “We Were There Too” will feature local Valley women veterans who will share their stories of service and sacrifice during the conflicts in Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Get your tickets here!


$40,000 Guaranteed Issue Whole Life Insurance Now Available for Disabled Veterans

WASHINGTON — On Jan. 1, 2023, the Department of Veterans Affairs will open enrollment for Veterans Affairs Life Insurance — the first new VA life insurance program for Veterans in more than 50 years — extending VALife access to millions of Veterans.

VALife will provide up to $40,000 of whole life insurance for all Veterans, age 80 or under, with service-connected disabilities rated from 0-100%. Acceptance in the program is guaranteed, and no medical underwriting is required.

It will also allow Veterans to complete their application online, receive instant decisions, and perform self-service functions — including electronic payments and beneficiary updates.

“All Veterans deserve to know that their families will have financial support when they pass away,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “VALife is a critical step toward making that goal a reality, helping VA provide more life insurance to more Veterans than ever before in our nation’s history.”

VALife will increase Veteran access to life insurance in several ways:

  • There is no time limit to apply: VA’s existing life insurance program for service-disabled Veterans, Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance, required most Veterans to apply for insurance within 2 years of receiving their disability rating. VALife has no such time constraint for Veterans aged 80 and under.
  • There is no health requirement to apply: Under S-DVI, Veterans had to be in good health except for service-connected conditions. VALife has no medical evaluation tied to it.
  • Veterans are eligible for more coverage than before: Under S-DVI, most Veterans could only receive up to $10,000 of coverage. Under VALife, all Veterans are eligible for up to $40,000 of coverage.

VALife premium rates are competitive with, or better than, similar coverage available in the private sector, and $40,000 of coverage is more coverage than other like products offered. The policy will build cash value after the first two years of coverage when the face value goes into effect. If a Veteran passes away during this two-year waiting period, the named beneficiary will receive all premiums paid plus interest. Unlike S-DVI, Veterans will not be able to get a waiver for their premiums.

VA currently serves nearly 6 million Veterans, service members and their families with more than $1.2 trillion of insurance. Veterans currently enrolled in S-DVI will have the option to keep their current coverage or switch to VALife. These Veterans can apply for VALife at any time after Jan. 1, 2023; however, if they apply between Jan. 1, 2023, and Dec. 31, 2025, they can also retain coverage under S-DVI during the two-year waiting period for the VALife death benefit to go into effect.

Veterans will no longer be able to apply for S-DVI after VALife launches Jan. 1, 2023. However, eligible Veterans still have the opportunity to apply for the program between now and Dec. 31, 2022.

To learn more, visit VALife. Information can also be found in the final rule.


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Send Us Info on Upcoming AZ Veteran Events & Other Helpful Veteran Resources!

To contact us, please use the email address above.  We'd love for you to send us information on upcoming veteran events in Arizona, veteran-related volunteer opportunities, contact info for good VSO's and helpful veteran organizations in AZ, helpful resources for veteran and/or spousal benefits, as well as any other useful information for veterans.  There is no charge to post events or other information on this website.  However, not all information submitted to us will be posted.  MilitaryVeteransAZ.com, in its sole sole discretion, will decide what information is posted to this website.