The National Association of American Veterans, Inc. founding President and Chief Executive Officer Constance A. Burns and Squeaky Reel Productions, LLC founder and Chief Executive Officer Frances A. Cheever, Major, U.S. Army Nurse Corps (Ret.) met at NAAV’s corporate office on November 29, 2017, in Washington, D.C., to discuss fundraising plans and partnering in support of service members, Veterans, and their families nationwide. NAAV’s mission is to assist, inform, and help facilitate the educational, respite care, health care, housing, counseling, employment, claims and benefits, and emergency assistance to those most in need who served and are serving in the United States Armed Forces, particularly severely injured service members and Veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, in the greater Washington, D.C., and metropolitan area as well as Maryland and Virginia. In November 2017 NAAV supported severely injured Veterans and their caregivers at the Air Force Base Wounded Warrior CARE Event in Maryland by offering assistance with
- Claims/benefits, appeal and legal services
- Respite care
- Mobility transportation accessibility
- Employment services
- Housing
- Emergency resources and referrals
NAAV also assisted nearly 100 military families at the Walter Reed National Medical Center and the DC VA Medical Center Welcome Home Event at the Naval Support Activity Bethesda on June 6, 2017, where over 100 attended this year’s event to honor recently returned combat OEF/OIF/OND/OIR Veterans, active-duty service members, and their families, as well as Veterans in all eras. Welcome Home is a one-stop venue that brings together the Department of Veterans Affairs and community partners to offer VA health care and benefits information, employment and education opportunities, housing counseling, and community resources to new enrollees and recently returned Veterans.
Frances A. Cheever informed me at the meeting that Normandy Films, LLC would like to work with NAAV to develop and produce 2-5 multipurpose videos using the talent of Veterans in Media and Film (VME) to produce this new content wherever possible. VME members are producers, writers, camera operators, actors, and of course, Veterans.
Frances recommended producing several videos that showcase various elements offered by the National Association of American Veterans. Further discussions will include developing a budget for the production. Some of the stories and topics would cover
- Suicide Prevention
- Job Opportunities and Training
- Women Vets
- General Services of NAAV
- How to Deal with the VA
- Veteran Caregivers
- Personal NAAV Success Stories
- A Call to Volunteer and Donate
Our next meeting is set for January 2018 to talk about what Normandy Films and VME can do for NAAV.