Elevate America’s Veterans Initiative to provide technology skills, other resources to veterans and their spouses.

WASHINGTON, March 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Building on its Elevate America program to provide technology training to help prepare people for 21st-century jobs, Microsoft Corp. today announced an initiative to bring together a coalition of public, private and nonprofit organizations to give veterans and their spouses the skills and resources they need to be successful in today’s civilian work force.

Microsoft will contribute $2 million in cash and up to $6 million in software over the next two years to support programs for members of the armed services and their spouses who are separating from the military and reintegrating into their civilian communities and the work force. Through a competitive funding process, Microsoft will award cash, software and other resources to eligible organizations, including veterans service organizations, work force agencies, community colleges and other nonprofit organizations. The initiative will provide veterans and their spouses with the support they need to be successful in their transition to civilian careers, including technology skills training, job placement, career counseling and other support services such as childcare, transportation and housing. The initiative is intended to support active duty service members who are transitioning out of the military as well as members of the National Guard and Reserves who are returning to their civilian jobs.

The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is the first organization to join the coalition and will work with Microsoft over the next two years on this initiative.

“In the coming years, a significant number of veterans will seek civilian employment opportunities. Microsoft’s new initiative provides veterans with the tools to successfully transition to new careers and contribute to economic growth in an especially tough economy,” said Paul Rieckhoff, founder and executive director of IAVA. “Microsoft has been Read More »

Experience Authentic Native American Culture in Scottsdale

Eighth Season of Free Native American Performances Exhibits Arizona’s Diversity

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Jan. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Take an unforgettable journey through the vivid First Nations of Arizona and North America with the eighth season of Native Trails, presented by the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation and produced by the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. The Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau invites travelers to the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall in downtown to experience the series of free Native American festivals taking place most Thursdays and Saturdays from Jan. 21 – April 10, 2010.

“Native Trails allows us to share our art of music and movement with Scottsdale visitors,” said Derrick Suwaima Davis, artistic director for Native Trails and four-time world-champion hoop dancer. “Our performances showcase the common threads among cultures and we provide an opportunity for visitors to make an emotional connection with our performances and our tribal ancestry.”

Participating tribes including the Salt River Pima-Maricopa, Hopi, Yavapai, Apache and Dine (Navajo) inspire attendees with their memorable musical performances and traditional dances. Performers present their history, pottery, textiles and more to introduce attendees to the diverse lifestyles of the tribes. Musical performances incorporate traditional instruments such as flutes, gourds and drums and dances range from Navajo dancing to the three artist hoop dance, a high energy performance with synchronized movements and cameo routines. This year, new cast members will join returning artists and the performers will present all-new choreography and songs as well as favorite dances that are set to new music. Royalty from different Arizona Nations also will participate on weekends. Performances take place from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Native Trails performances began in January 2003 as part of the City of Scottsdale’s cultural tourism initiative, Culture Quest Scottsdale. The opportunity to experience Native American culture was the highest-rated arts and cultural desire revealed by the City’s study of Scottsdale tourists, which is why the program was created. Last season (January – April 2009) had an average attendance of 278 with more than 5,000 people total in attendance.

For more information on Native Trails (including black-out dates), visit www.ScottsdaleNativeTrails.com or contact the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau at (480) 421-1004 or toll-free at (800) 782-1117.

Editor’s Note: Native Trails images are available for print upon request.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Calling the decision of the Sussex Square Homeowners’ Association Board in Va. to withdraw legal action against a WWII hero, “a great decision,” the leader of The American Legion congratulated all parties involved.

“This is a victory for reason and I applaud the board for making the correct decision to permit this American hero to honor Old Glory in such a fitting way, every day, on his property,” said National Commander Clarence E. Hill. “I also commend Legionnaires and all Americans across the country who flooded Col. Barfoot, the association and The American Legion with letters, emails, phone calls and messages of support and tribute.”

Because of the controversy involving the 90-year-old Medal of Honor recipient, Rep. Howard P. “Buck” Mckeon (R-CA) and Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) introduced a resolution, H. Res. 952, allowing Congressional Medal of Honor recipients to properly display the United States flag on their property at all times.

“I thank the law firm of Marchant, Honey & Baldwin for their pro-bono efforts in resolving this issue. There is always room for discussion and solutions to be achieved within the system,” Hill added. “In this case, the homeowners’ association recognized the remarkable sacrifice and devotion of this true hero and acted wisely within the boundaries of their authority to do the right thing. We understand and appreciate the important role homeowners’ associations play in local communities. The American Legion encourages all homeowners to continue to properly display Old Glory.”

With a current membership of 2.5-million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.

Contacts: Washington – Marty Callaghan or Craig Roberts, (202) 263-2982; Indianapolis – Joe March, (317) 630-1253. A high resolution photograph of Cmdr. Hill is available at www.legion.org.

‘We will pay his legal bills if necessary,’ says National Commander

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The American Legion has joined the fight being waged by a Medal of Honor recipient against a Virginia homeowner association’s demands to remove a flagpole.

Col. Van Barfoot, 90, a World War II and Vietnam veteran, was ordered by the Sussex Square Homeowner’s Association to remove the flag pole from his front lawn after he flew the U.S. Flag on Labor Day and Veterans Day. The association is claiming that the flag pole is not “aesthetically appropriate.”

“The association underestimated the fight left in this elderly veteran and now they have to contend with the determination and persistence of Col. Barfoot’s 2.5 million friends in The American Legion,” said National Commander Clarence E. Hill. “Col. Barfoot has hired legal counsel. The American Legion is prepared to help with the expenses and fight these disgraceful actions by the association. Where is the common sense here? Is this anyway to treat any American, much less a true hero like Col. Barfoot?”

Fighting for the flag is not new to The American Legion, the nation’s leading authority on flag etiquette. Since 1989, The Legion has been fighting for a constitutional amendment that would grant Congress the authority to protect Old Glory from desecration.

“The flag is a symbol of our country,” Hill said. “People should fly it proudly. That’s all Col. Barfoot wants to do. If he were desecrating the flag, instead, the association couldn’t do a thing to stop him. We proudly stand with Col. Barfoot and say ‘enough already!’ Let him keep the flagpole and fly the flag as often as he wants. He certainly earned that right.”

“What the association is doing is especially disgraceful given the fact that our president has ordered another 30,000 troops to Afghanistan in defense of our freedom,” added Joseph Caouette, The American Legion’s Chairman of Americanism. “I wonder what they think of all of this.”

With a current membership of 2.5-million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.

Celebrity Gala, Presented By Crown Royal, Celebrates the Holiday Season and Launches 2010/2011 Black and White Ball Scholarship Program

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 6 /PRNewswire/ — The Black and White Ball, St. Louis’ premier celebrity gala event, will take place on December 6th at the Chase Park Plaza hotel. Hosted by rapper/actor/entrepreneur Nelly, the annual black-tie holiday-season celebration is a highlight of the city’s social calendar. Nelly will be joined at the party by a diverse group of his celebrity and athlete friends including the Grammy-winning hip-hop producer Jermaine Dupri, track & field legend Jackie Joyner-Kersee, baseball Hall-of-Famer Ozzie Smith, and members of the famed R&B group The Isley Brothers. The Black and White Ball will be highlighted by performances from Grammy-nominated R&B singer Mario and magician Justin Kredible, a regular guest on The Rachel Ray Show.

At the event, Nelly, Lindenwood University’s Black Student Union, and Plaza Motors will announce the launch of the 2010/2011 Black And White Ball scholarship program which will provide two students from the St. Louis region with 4-year full-tuition scholarships/grants to Lindenwood University. In addition, the inaugural 2009/2010 Black And White Ball scholarship recipients will be recognized at the gala.

Over the past three years, the Black and White Ball has attracted a variety of celebrity and athlete guests- previous attendees and performers at the Black and White Ball have included Janet Jackson, Allen Iverson, D.L. Hughley, Evander Holyfield, Boyz II Men Ashanti, Ruben Studdard, Steven Jackson, Allen Iverson, Jim Edmonds, and Torry Holt.

The 2009 Black and White Ball is presented by Crown Royal with additional support from Budweiser Select, Plaza Cadillac, Red Bull, Hennessy, Superior Products, and SYNERGY Productions LLC. More information is available at www.synergystl.com/blackwhite.
Highlights from last year’s Ball:

black and white ball 08 from Amanda on Vimeo.

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Pennsylvania regulatory and legislative leaders Thursday announced new initiatives for ensuring school safety. PFT President Jerry T. Jordan, who represents 18,000 teachers and staff working in the School District of Philadelphia, released the following statement on the proposal:

“Today’s news conference is an important step in addressing the serious issues surrounding school safety, but tougher reporting requirements and more school interaction with law enforcement officials will not make schools safer because we can’t legislate safe schools.

“We can, however, reduce disruption and violence by providing schools with resources to adequately guide and supervise students and school-based programs that engage students, teach social skills through interaction and create a sense of acceptance and belonging to the school community.

“In Philadelphia, few public schools today have enough extracurricular activities, like school bands, newspapers, yearbooks, choirs, drama clubs, student government, intramural sports and other extracurricular activities, that encourage student participation, teach teamwork, responsibility and cooperation and foster a sense of belonging to a community. In addition to being fun, school clubs and extracurricular programs offer the potential to teach respect, cooperation, social connectedness and community engagement as effectively as anti-bullying programs and conflict resolution programs, which should be standard in our schools.

“There are laws on the books and school district policies to address weapon violations, thefts and assaults on students, teachers and school staff. What’s lacking is consistent enforcement of rules, uniform consequences for violent and disruptive behavior and research-based remedial programs to address underlying causes, including academic failure, family dysfunction, unmet health needs and psychological and behavioral issues.

“Instead of focusing on solely more regulations, tougher reporting requirements and bigger bureaucracies, perhaps we should remember that we are dealing with youngsters who need guidance but who can be taught appropriate social skills through non-academic activities, which can also be fun.”

National Poll on Infant Feeding Shows Mothers Need Support and Want Choice and Education

RED BANK, NJ – (December 1, 2009) A new national survey reveals the majority of mothers in the United States know breastfeeding is ideal for their babies and themselves but at the same time want the right to decide what works best for them and their families. The nationally representative survey, conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research (GQRR) in partnership with Public Opinion Strategies, sampled opinions from 876 mothers of children aged 12 months and younger throughout the country.

“The findings speak volumes,” says Elizabeth Battaglino Cahill, a registered nurse and executive director of HealthyWomen. “It’s clear mothers recognize breastfeeding as the gold standard; however, they also were clear that they want a choice when it comes to feeding their infants.”

The survey found that most mothers (83%) made their infant feeding decision prior to going to the hospital to give birth. The vast majority (82%) breastfed at some point during the first year; however, over half of the moms changed their baby’s diet during the first year. Read More »

DENVER, Oct. 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The 14th annual American Indian College Fund (the Fund) Flame of Hope Gala, celebrating the Fund’s 20th anniversary, will be held at the Seawell Grand Ballroom at the Denver Center of the Performing Arts in Denver, Colorado on Wednesday, October 28. The event will raise funds for student scholarships.

A press conference with Fund President and CEO Richard B. Williams; Candeska Cikana tribal college president Cynthia Lindquist Mala; actress, musician and celebrity co-chair Irene Bedard; and tribal college students will be held in the Crescent Room at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts at 5 p.m.

Cocktails will begin at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and a program at 7 p.m. Black tie or Native dress is requested.

Celebrity co-chairs for the event are actress and musician Irene Bedard, actor Benjamin Bratt and L.A. Lakers coach Phil Jackson. Dignitaries attending will include Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, Colorado Lieutenant Governor Barbara O’Brien, and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper.

Headline entertainment by the “Empress of Soul” Ms. Gladys Knight will be provided.

Hattie Kauffman of The Early Show, CBS, will serve as the evening’s Mistress of Ceremonies. Other program highlights will include personal stories from tribal college students and a first look at the THINK INDIAN television campaign.

For more information about covering the event, please contact Dina Horwedel at 303-430-5350, or dhorwedel@collegefund.org.

About the American Indian College Fund

The Denver, Colorado-based American Indian College Fund (the Fund) is the largest national scholarship provider for American Indian students. The Fund was created in 1989 to raise funds for scholarships and support America’s 33 tribal colleges. The Fund provides more than 6,000 scholarships annually.

For those who have been having problems with receiving their G.I. Bill:

Vans to Help Veteran-Students

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki today announced further outreach to Veteran-students eligible for a special emergency payment of their education benefits. Veterans can now apply online beginning Oct. 2. Veteran-students can also request courtesy transportation to VA regional benefits offices.

“Our Veterans went the extra mile for their country,” Shinseki said. “One of our top priorities in transforming VA is to be, first and foremost, the advocate for Veterans.”

Last week Shinseki announced that on Friday, Oct. 2, VA’s 57 regional benefits offices will begin providing on-the-spot emergency payments up to $3,000 to students who have applied for their education benefits but who have not yet received a government payment.

Citing the distance many Veterans would have to travel to apply in person at a VA benefits office, Shinseki announced Veterans can also apply online at www.va.gov, starting Oct. 2. The online application will guide Veterans through the process to supply needed information. Shinseki noted that online applicants will receive their emergency payments through the mail after processing.

“VA is adapting to meet the financial needs of our Veteran- Read More »

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The newly instituted Post 9/11 GI Bill promises to afford thousands of recently returned U.S. military veterans the benefits of much-deserved higher education, but some students say late payments by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are putting an undue strain on their finances.

While pleased with the much-improved educational benefit, some veteran students are concerned that a delay in payments from VA may cause them to suffer deeper personal debt while struggling to cover unpaid bills. A number of student veterans have been forced to take out loans or seek extra employment to meet school expenses while they wait for overdue GI Bill benefit checks to arrive.

“The American Legion sympathizes with these overburdened students,” says Clarence E. Hill, national commander of the nation’s largest veterans’ service organization. “These veterans of our current conflicts deserve to be able to concentrate wholly on their studies and not worry about how to pay for the schooling they have earned.

“It is our hope that by working together, VA and the universities can develop a plan that will not deny an eligible veterans the opportunity to attend classes while waiting for the arrival of the VA benefits,” continued Hill. “We urge the institutions of higher learning to grant financial leniency to their student veterans while the VA works to reduce the time it takes to process educational payments. After all, it is a virtual certainty that VA will issue the checks that are owed to our eligible veterans attending college. It’s just a matter of time. Read More »