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What a first-rate VMCO General Meeting we had on Thursday, March 20. This month’s keynote speaker was Ron McCall, who spoke on the Honor Flight of the Ozarks. He has served on the Board of Honor Flight of the Ozarks since 2022, and is currently the President of the Board of Directors, where he helps coordinate and staff Honor Flight missions, and helps raise necessary funds to make those missions become a reality. To find out more information click HERE www.honorflightoftheozarks.org/

VMCO introduced the two newest Board Members, Miranda Rought from Patriot Heating & Air, and Jennifer Dougherty, Accountant. Both ladies are highly visible in Community events and bring their networking skills to VMCO. They join our current 10 Board Members that can be see HERE: www.vmco1.com/about/

Around the room introductions with information shared from the near 30 Veterans and Veteran Oriented Businesses and Organizations that included:

Miranda Rought, newest Board Member, owner of Patriot Heat & Air where they offer many Veteran Services. Just one of the services is by taking applications for a Veteran in need of a new Heating and Air unit.

Nick Carnes, from the Springfield National Guard Armory, reminded us all since it is tax season take note of the numerous organizations at the end of your MO Tax statement. He asked you consider contributing to the Missouri Military Family Relief Fund.

Desiree Wardell from Visiting Angels in Springfield. They service this area with non-medical in-home care for seniors and do take VA benefits. Visiting Angels also has an annual fund raiser that all proceeds go to VMCO. This year is their second year where senior models are escorted down the runway by Veterans from the area. There are numerous ways to become a part of this show with different tiers and sponsorship packages. The event will be May 22 at the Glass House in Springfield. More information is available on their website, www.visitingangels.com/springfieldmo/home?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=local

Jess Nolting, operating director from Cornerstone Caregiving, shared that they do home care in the home, and help veterans be able to stay at home and not have to move to a facility or somewhere else. More information here.

Sonja Anderson, with Congressman Eric Burleson's office, spoke of the event that’s coming up next weekend on Saturday, March 29th. It is our U.S. service Academy Day. Open to any high schoolers or young adults who are interested in applying to be nominated to the US Service Academy, this is a time and place to get all kinds of information.

Julie Aubachon is running for the mayor of Forsyth stating we need to partner our veterans with our civilians and especially our children, and get the education out there that we're missing.

Blake Leich, Warrior's Journey out of Springfield, wanted to assure all Veterans if you're hearing a lot in the news, social media and everything about VA benefits and what's going to happen to the VA benefits. He assured he can without any hesitation whatsoever tell you nothing's going to happen to your benefit.

Lisa Saylor, with Senator Eric Schmidt's office, shared if you're having trouble with the VA, whether it's the health care side, the service connection, disability claims appeals, if you're working with a veteran service officer or an attorney and having problems, call your senator, or congressman. Additionally we can assist you in making sure that that new Social Security Fairness act is capturing what you need to receive and what you are eligible for.

Jen Meyer, with Parme Disability Advocates, wanted to share an upcoming event, Friday, June 6th. They are hosting the third Veterans Appreciation Lunch at their office in Springfield. More information here:
parmeledisability.com/locations/missouri/springfield/

Lee Steveson, (Welcome Back Lee) president of Branson Veterans Association, and Brian Spangler, Vice President of BVA, are pleased to be back networking with all attending. Brian commented they were firm believers in building relationships and partnerships moving forward. BVA events coming up in May at the Ozarks Cemetery, a big veterans appreciation day and September with a big car show. Also a 5k half marathon located by Table Rock Dam on June 6th.

Kody Peterson, the new Veteran Initiatives manager at the Branson Chamber, informed all of an upcoming Memorial weekend event called Rally Point Branson. The Friday night of Memorial Day weekend we're going to have Eastern Heights concert vendors and have set aside seven free vendor spots for veteran organizations. Concluding with a drone show at the end by the Haygoods. Also, there will be a Branson Chamber operation community meeting, which is all veteran orgs or anybody trying to support veterans, usually the fourth Friday of every month.

Mike James, Service Officer with the Disabled American Veterans, reassured all that the VA is not going to cut your benefits. Thanks to our new government we have people back in the offices now. There are people in Fayetteville that you can hand travel vouchers to and go see billing in person stuff. Travel is now getting processed in about two or three days instead of six months. On the VA side about 2700 people moved back into the St. Louis office in one week. So now we're starting to move a little bit quicker.

Mitchell Beede, from the Branson Jobs center. He help veterans that are trying to get jobs. “We don't do job placement but we help give them all the tools that they need such as help them with their resume, we help and coach them on job interviews. We also work with the employers, job fairs and hiring events”.

Craig Buck, VMCO Chaplin & Board Member, and Chaplin at St. Croix Hospice commented how privileged he was to be a part of both organizations. Our hospice company has been a VMCO benefactor of several calls that helped our patients access their VA benefits to help assure that the spouse got the benefits that they deserved.

Sandy Wilkinson, VMCO Communications Director, reminded all VMCO members or organizations to send your upcoming event flyers to Info@vmco1.org. We have a second printing on our VMCO rack cards with updated information and a QR code to assist in donating. All are welcome to take some back to their businesses to hand out. Also to take with you are two flyers, one for the Raffle Tickets (Facebook will not let us say what the raffle tickets are for but go to our website for more into) and one for VMCO Donation information. Both have QR codes to make it easy to connect. On the home page of VMCO1.org there are buttons that will link you to more information.

As always, all Veterans and their families, as well as Veteran Oriented businesses are welcome to attend VMCO General Meetings the third Thursday of every month at 12 noon. Hear specially selected Veteran oriented speakers, with ‘question and answer’ time afterwards. Located at the Golden Corral on Shepherd of the Hills Expressway in Branson. (optional lunch service starts at 11am, for $12 when purchased at the VMCO registration desk) Check us out in person, Facebook, or go to VMCO1.org.
2025 Meeting Dates - Mark your calendars to network with Veterans and Veteran oriented businesses with contacts on the local, state, and federal levels.
April 17
May 15
June 19
July - NO meeting
August 21
September 18
October 16
November - NO meeting
December 18 ... See MoreSee Less