Game show tests knowledge about groups including The American Legion, fields feedback on SVA’s 18th NatCon.
A panel of representatives from eight different veteran/military-serving organizations gathered Saturday at the 18th Student Veterans of America National Conference in Colorado Springs, Colo., to test attendee knowledge about each group’s purposes, programs and services.
The app-based game show revealed that student veterans and others at the session have more to learn about The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Wounded Warrior Project, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Vietnam Veterans of America, Blue Star Families, America’s Warrior Partnership and Transition Assistance Program for Survivors.
Thirty-two contestants – primarily student veterans – scanned a QR code and picked such names as “Dragon Leaf” and “Dust Flower” and began the competition. Five mistakes, and they were out. Soon, there were 15 remaining. About five minutes later, the number of players was down to three. “Rainbow Bringer” correctly answered the final question “Blue Star Neighborhoods” as a program of Blue Star Families to win it.
To wrap up the session on the conference’s final day, each panelist was asked to share a memorable experience or fun fact from the 18th SVA NatCon, which featured more than 100 breakout sessions, including a pair of presentations on The American Legion’s Be the One veteran-suicide prevention mission.
- National President of Vietnam Veterans of America Thomas Burke: “Actually, the whole conference has been interesting. Being involved with all the young folks and getting firsthand knowledge of what the young folks faced, what they did when they came back, unlike what happened to us when we came back ... Going around to the different booths and talking to various vendors, and the reasons they are here, has really been an eye opener. SVA has an unusual position, in that they are able to provide employees to employers, and employers are here looking for employees. Most of you folks are highly educated, and that’s a ticket to a real good lifestyle.”
- Deputy Director of Government Affairs for Wounded Warrior Project Maureen Elias: “I’m not normally in a wheelchair, but I’ve had surgery. I was going to the Colorado Building, and the directions to get there had eight steps – not very helpful. So, I’m at this icy, very steep incline to get to the Colorado Building, and this dude just pulls over in his car and says, ‘Can I push you up this hill?’ Total stranger. Not a veteran. That’s a moment that just really sits with me. I think we’re at a kind of crisis point in America, where we’re figuring out what our identity is, and if that is what’s in America, I’m going to keep fighting for this country.”
- VFW Associate Director of Grassroots Advocacy Gabby Kubinyi: “It’s really great to be able to work with the next generation of advocates. It’s really important that we always continue to look behind us, make sure we are reaching out our hand and teaching/supporting those who want to learn. This is a job for all of us, and we’re all here together. We do this work in D.C. all together. It has been great being here with friends from home and new friends that we’re making.”
- Director of Government and Legislative Affairs for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors Ashlynne Haycock-Lohmann: “One of my favorite things about SVA has always been the inclusivity and the fact that they include survivors, caregivers, families in the chapters and encourage our organization to have that opportunity. Running into survivors throughout the weekend who feel they have as strong tie to SVA and feel supported has been fantastic.”
- Founding President and CEO of America’s Warrior Partnership Jim Lorraine: “It’s meeting new people, meeting new organizations, and finding out we’re all alike. It’s finding how we can all work together. Another highlight was I had the chance to do a fireside chat with two Medal of Honor recipients, which was a lot of fun.”
- Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Director of Policy and Advocacy Jessica Finucan: “Personally, one of the coolest moments was seeing an old friend I hadn’t seen in 12 years. Professionally, just seeing all of the Cavalry members we have had in our program. They are the ones carrying the message for IAVA, instead of me saying, ‘Hey, this is why you should be involved. This is why it’s important. This is how you can make your voice heard.’ We have our own Cavalry members here, carrying that word for us. So, that’s really neat.”
- Blue Star Families Senior Manager of Strategic Alliances and White Oak Collaborative Leslie Jones: “This is my first NatCon, so I have definitely been in learning mode, but I’ve been in the MSO/VSO space for over 10 years, and it’s been great to reconnect at the booths, see familiar faces. On a personal note, I am also a part-time yoga teacher, and so connected with the Veterans Yoga Project, I was so energized to see all the great participation that they had at their morning sessions. I’m going to take home that contact information to my studio because it’s owned by an Air Force veteran, and we’re hoping to plug in with them.”
- American Legion Veterans Employment & Education Division Policy Associate Steven Betsch: “One thing I thought was awesome was the (VA) claims clinic. I think for a lot of veterans, they don’t have the opportunity to sit down to talk to some of the representatives at VA, some of the experts. To have that here, not just for the students, but all attendees, that was great and something we should all take back with us.”
- Education