Art Sloane
VetJobs Veteran Eagle is a new website that I can recommend to all active duty and veterans.
Jesse Ramirez, a former Navy veteran, has the chance to see again because of a new invention called eSight glasses. Unfortunately, these glasses cost $14,000 which the VA will not cover. The Reverend Joseph F. Matrishion, an Air Force veteran, contacted me since he has been helping this vet for some time now. Jesse went blind because his life support was turned off by his wife after an accident, and she was divorcing him. Jesse was able to try on these glasses and saw Rev. Joe for the first time. If you are interested in helping Jesse, go to www.gofundme.com/sight4jesse. See more about this wonderful invention at www.esighteyewear.com or call 1-855-837-4448.
Missing in America has recently lain to rest veterans who were never claimed at funeral homes in the valley. Those laid to rest were Lt. James Stuart, U.S. Army WW I; Sgt. Robert Sanders, U.S. Army Air Force WW II; TEC5 Patrick Trotta, US. Army WW II; Pvt. Karney Hamilton, U.S. Marines WW II; SSGT James Thompson, U.S. Army WWII; Airman Second Class James Zakhar, U.S. Air Force Vietnam; PFC William Roberts, U.S. Army Korea; and PFC Alexander Fuehrer, U. S. Army WW II. They were laid to rest at the Arizona National Memorial Cemetery. The purpose of the MIA Project is to locate, identify and inter the unclaimed cremated remains of American veterans through the joint efforts of private, state and federal organizations. This volunteer organization is active in all states except Hawaii. If you are interested in helping this organization you may make a tax deductible donation to Clyde Taylor, MIAP Northern Arizona State Coordinator, 6036 W. Mescal St., Glendale, AZ 85304 or go to www.MIAP.us; for donations, select Arizona.
Many south Chandler residents take part in the Maricopa StandDown for homeless veterans. Help is needed February 12-13 at the Arizona State Fairgrounds Veterans Memorial Coliseum for different shifts to help the approximately 2,000 homeless and in-need veterans. This is an estimate since we have been increasing about 250 each year since 2008. Please sign up at www.arizonastanddown.org.
Vietnam 50th Anniversary Commemorative Observance will take place March 20-22 at the Tempe American Legion Post 2, the host of the observances, at 2125 S. Industrial Park Ave, Tempe, AZ 85282. Please contact these numbers if interested in attending and for a complete program. For reservations for dinner on March 20 call 480-941-5258. For displays and general information call 480-390-5638.
Spring training, concerts and musicals are all free to veterans by registering your DD214 with www.VetTix.org. All you pay is for the postage to send the tickets to you. You must have a computer. Venues throughout the valley have these tickets available for this great organization that started here in the valley and is now in multiple states in the US.
CASS stands for Central Arizona Shelter Services and is the section that is working with the veterans at the Human Services Campus in Phoenix. Many of the homeless living there have obtained employment but in some cases it is in a place that has no commercial transportation so they need bicycles. Please call 480-399-4467. All donations are tax deductible.
Art Sloane may be contacted at 480-802-6810 or [email protected].