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Veterans Experience Live (VetXL): Survivors Together - Memorial Day Q&A with VA and Community Partners. What Are Your Questions?
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On May 26th at 1PM EST the Department of Veterans Affairs and our community partners, to include State VA, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network, Blue Star Families, and Elizabeth Dole Foundation will be here to answer questions about survivor resources, benefits, caregiver support, memorial affairs, and mental wellness. Ask your questions now!
You can ask questions to the following people:
» Coleton Whitaker - Senior Director of Programs, Elizabeth Dole Foundation
» Leigh Edmonds - Sr. Manager of Communications, TAPS
» Melissa Comeau - Director, Military and Veteran Caregiver Network
» Jay Gorman - Psychologist, VA
» COL Les' Melnyk - Chief, Public Affairs and Outreach, National Cemetery Administration
» Sgt Ed McEvoy - National Outreach Specialist, Vet Center, VA
» RDML Ann Duff - Director of the Office of Survivors Assistance, VA
» LTC Hugo Lentze - Chief Strategic Partnerships Officer, Travis Manion Foundation
» Leah Christensen - Clinical Program Coordinator, VA Caregiver Support Program
» Mary Beard - National Employment Coordinator, VBA
» Geri Maples - Chapter Coordinator, Blue Star Families
Veterans Crisis Line:
The Veterans Crisis Line connects Veterans and Service members in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring VA responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text.
· Call [login to see] and Press 1, 24/7.
· Chat online (https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help-now/chat)
· Text to 838255.
Get Help - Mental Health (https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/mentalhealth/get-help/index.asp)
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS):
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is the leading national organization providing compassionate care and survivor support services for the families of America’s fallen military heroes. Since 1994, TAPS has offered support to all those grieving the death of a military loved one through peer-based emotional support, connections with grief and trauma resources, grief seminars and retreats for adults, Good Grief Camps for children, casework assistance, connections to community-based care, online and in-person support groups and the 24/7 National Military Survivor Helpline, all at no cost to surviving families. For more information, please visit TAPS.org or call 202.588.TAPS (8277).
You can ask questions to the following people:
» Coleton Whitaker - Senior Director of Programs, Elizabeth Dole Foundation
» Leigh Edmonds - Sr. Manager of Communications, TAPS
» Melissa Comeau - Director, Military and Veteran Caregiver Network
» Jay Gorman - Psychologist, VA
» COL Les' Melnyk - Chief, Public Affairs and Outreach, National Cemetery Administration
» Sgt Ed McEvoy - National Outreach Specialist, Vet Center, VA
» RDML Ann Duff - Director of the Office of Survivors Assistance, VA
» LTC Hugo Lentze - Chief Strategic Partnerships Officer, Travis Manion Foundation
» Leah Christensen - Clinical Program Coordinator, VA Caregiver Support Program
» Mary Beard - National Employment Coordinator, VBA
» Geri Maples - Chapter Coordinator, Blue Star Families
Veterans Crisis Line:
The Veterans Crisis Line connects Veterans and Service members in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring VA responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text.
· Call [login to see] and Press 1, 24/7.
· Chat online (https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help-now/chat)
· Text to 838255.
Get Help - Mental Health (https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/mentalhealth/get-help/index.asp)
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS):
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is the leading national organization providing compassionate care and survivor support services for the families of America’s fallen military heroes. Since 1994, TAPS has offered support to all those grieving the death of a military loved one through peer-based emotional support, connections with grief and trauma resources, grief seminars and retreats for adults, Good Grief Camps for children, casework assistance, connections to community-based care, online and in-person support groups and the 24/7 National Military Survivor Helpline, all at no cost to surviving families. For more information, please visit TAPS.org or call 202.588.TAPS (8277).
Posted in these groups: 
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Caregiver
Mental Health
Memorial Day
Family
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Caregiver Mental Health Memorial Day Family
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Hello, my name is Ed from VA’s Vet Centers. Vet Centers offer community based counseling services, community engagement, and referral services to eligible Veterans, active duty service members and their families (when it is found to aid in the readjustment or transition of the Veteran or service member).
I am happy to answer your questions and help put you in touch with your local Vet Center if interested.
You can reach us 24/7 by calling the Vet Center Call Center at [login to see] or find us online at http://www.vetcenter.va.gov.
I am happy to answer your questions and help put you in touch with your local Vet Center if interested.
You can reach us 24/7 by calling the Vet Center Call Center at [login to see] or find us online at http://www.vetcenter.va.gov.
Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.
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Melissa Comeau
Thank you Sgt Ed McEvoy We love our Vet Centers! Thank you for including families, caregivers and survivors.
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Sgt Ed McEvoy
Thank you Melissa Comeau ! We are honored to be there for our hero's and their families. We value our relationship, and the amazing work done by the Red Cross.
Semper Fi!
Semper Fi!
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Welcome to the VetXL Survivors Together. I am Melissa Comeau the Director of the Military and Veteran Caregiver Network at Red Cross. I am also a caregiver to a combat wounded Marine. Thank you for sharing your journey with us today. You can find out more about our programs and services here https://www.redcross.org/get-help/military-families/services-for-veterans/military-veteran-caregiver-network.html
Military and Veteran Caregiver Network
The Military Veteran Caregiver Network provides our nation’s pre- and post-9/11-era military and veteran caregivers with peer support.
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Leigh Edmonds
Thank you, Melissa! TAPS is proud to partner with the Red Cross Military & Veteran Caregiver Network to provide full support to our Hidden Heroes.
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My deepest gratitude to Rally Point and VA VEO and OSA and VHA for organizing this important sharing of the resources and services available from all sources - including TAPS, RC MVCN, and EDF - to best support the survivors of those who have served us all. With remembrance on the eve of Memorial Day unwavering gratitude to those who wore the uniform and undying dedication to those who loved them deeply.
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Melissa Comeau
Thank you Dr. Davis for your heart felt leadership on the Caregiver to Survivor Partnership. Your lived experience makes such a difference for caregivers and survivors.
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Leigh Edmonds
Thank you, Lynda. We're grateful for your leadership on behalf of all survivors and your tremendous work to build on TAPS best practices in peer support to help our nation's Hidden Heroes. http://www.taps.org/caregiver
TAPS Caregiver to Survivor Program
If you have lost a military loved one after having been a caregiver, we understand, are advocating on your behalf, and are here to support you with comfort, care and resources.
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Welcome to the VetXL Survivors Together. I am Geri Maples, the Chapter Director of Blue Star Families of Dayton & Southwestern Ohio. I am also a Military Caregiver to a combat-wounded National Guardsman. Thank you for joining us today. You can learn more about our programs and services here https//:http://www.bluestarfam.org/chapters/dayton
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Melissa Comeau
Thank you for being on today Geri Maples I am sooooo grateful for all the work Blue Star Families does.
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Geri Maples
Thank you Melissa Comeau I too am grateful for all that you do in support of Military Families and I am so grateful for the Red Cross.
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Hello - Les' Melnyk with the National Cemetery Administration here. Happy to answer questions people may have about burial and memorial benefits.
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Thank you for your interest in VetXL Survivors Together! I'm Hugo Lentze, Chief Strategic Partnerships Officer for Travis Manion Foundation. We are focused on building communities based on character, and we have a focus on survivors and families of fallen heroes, with a special emphasis on mental well-being and thriving. You can learn more at travismanion.org, and learn more about our Survivor Expeditions at https://www.travismanion.org/our-programs/survivor-expeditions/
TMF provides family members of fallen heroes and veterans the opportunity to process grief by serving alongside others. Participants in our fully funded, single and multi-day expeditions have made a difference in communities through service projects, while gaining strength from new bonds with one another.
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Melissa Comeau
Hello LTC Hugo Lentze Thank you for all that you and TMF do to support our survivors.
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LTC Hugo Lentze
Melissa and team, the beauty of what we do is that it's one team, one fight...we are all in this together!!!
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Hello & Welcome Everyone to VetXL Survivors Together Q&A. Please feel free to drop your questions below. There are a number of VA & Community Experts here to assist. Thanks for joining everyone!
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Please cover The difficult transition from caregiver to survivor. In one you are caring for your spouse and assisting him/her to continue in this life. Then, when they pass, you are suddenly in the role of failure, because you failed to keep him/her alive and working toward coping skills in life.
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Melissa Comeau
Linda Wolverton Thank you so much for sharing about this difficult transition. The Red Cross, TAPS and the Elizabeth Dole Foundation are working on more support for the caregiver to survivor bridge. You have hit on so much in your post and I want you to know we have a community of caregivers talking about the grief, loss, guilt and more long before your loved one dies. TAPS has resources and support available now you can learn more here https://www.taps.org/caregiver
Please reach out if I can be helpful.
Please reach out if I can be helpful.
TAPS Caregiver to Survivor Program
If you have lost a military loved one after having been a caregiver, we understand, are advocating on your behalf, and are here to support you with comfort, care and resources.
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Leigh Edmonds
Linda, TAPS Caregiver to Survivor Program is here to provide peer support for all military/veteran caregivers whose loved one has now passed away. We understand the complex emotions experienced as a caregiver and that grief can begin even before a death. Please reach out to us for compassionate care and connections to resources. You are not alone in your feelings and will find among us a community of peers who will innately understand how you're feeling. Call us 24/7 at [login to see] or visit taps.org/caregiver.
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Geri Maples
Linda Wolverton Thank you for being with us today. I invite you to learn more about Blue Star Families Caregiver program. We have a wonderful Cohort program that offers you the ability to connect with peers. Please reach out to me if I can be of any assistance. https://bluestarfam.org/caregivers/
Caregivers - Blue Star Families
BLUE STAR CAREGIVERS Military and Veteran life introduces unique challenges to the work of caregiving. You are asked to manage the workload of caregiving while dealing with relocations, deployments and…
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