OnWatch is a quarterly newsletter of the Fleet Reserve Association

July 15, 2019

FRA’s Veterans Service Foundation Conference
The Fleet Reserve Association’s newly formed Veterans Service Foundation will be holding a Conference in Norfolk, Virginia, from September 23 to the 26th. The theme of this first conference is Healthy, Wealthy & Wise. A variety of topics will be covered, specifically those of most interest to Veteran Service Officers, veterans and active duty members. Attendees will benefit from the valuable information and be able share and apply it while assisting active duty and veterans.

Some of the presentations and informational booths will include:

• There will be an opportunity to meet Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-2) who will be discussing active duty and veteran Legislation. She is a retired Navy Commander who was elected to the House of Representatives for the 2nd Congressional district of Virginia in 2018. She currently sits on both the Armed Services and Veterans Committees. This is a great opportunity to speak directly with a member of Congress and gain a unique perspective on issues facing the Department of Veterans Affairs and DOD. Come learn what Congress is trying to accomplish.
• David Hamon, the Director of Veterans and Military Affairs at the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission, will be presenting a history lesson from World War I and the aftermath that veterans of the “Great War” had to endure. He will be comparing the wounds and care Doughboys received to the care of current-day soldiers.
• Dr. David Glazer, the Medical Director, Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center at Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, will discuss the basics of Brain Injury Medicine. Come gain a better understanding of the pathophysiology of brain injury, treatment and acute inpatient rehabilitation.  
• Rosemary Gibson, Senior Advisor from the Hastings Center and Perspectives editor with JAMA Internal Medicine, will discuss the U.S. dependence on China for medicine. Come learn about the shift to China as a major source of America’s generic and other medicines. Learn about the impact this has upon our health security and national security.

Some other topics that are being developed are: A demonstration of dogs and how they are used to aid blinded veterans, the issue of death by suicide, women veterans and the unique challenges they face, just to list a few. 

These issues impact active duty and especially those who are getting ready to leave active duty and transition back to civilian life. The wealth of institutional knowledge that will be on display at this conference is extremely valuable. 

The FRA VSF has made a commitment to provide a conference every year and would like to offer an East Coast and West Coast program. Themes and topics will vary, depending on what the current issues are and what veterans and veteran service officers need to know in order to understand their benefits and to provide relevant information. 

The hotel for the event is the Norfolk Waterside Marriott, which is ideally located in the heart of Norfolk. The hotel is within a 15-minute walk of the Nauticus National Maritime Museum, the USS Wisconsin (Whisky), Naval Station Norfolk, the Chrysler Museum of Art, the General Douglas MacArthur Memorial and many other sites that may be of interest to you and your family. 

For more information, please visit the conference website . If you would like to learn more about the specific sessions, go here .
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ABOUT ONWATCH

OnWatch is a quarterly news update for active duty and Reserve personnel, written by Brian Condon. He served four years on Active Duty in the Marine Corps. Condon began his career with the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA), as Assistant Director of Veterans Programs on October 2015.  He is committed to FRA's mission to maintain and improve the quality of life for Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard personnel and their families. You can reach Brian directly on any of FRA's advocacy issues at BrianC@fra.org