I’d like to offer a heartfelt thank you to my fellow Veterans on this annual celebration of our service to this great nation! We have protected this land longer than it has been an independent country.
The American Legion has collated a list of companies honoring our Veterans. Enjoy your day!
BARNEVELD, Wis. – This Veterans Day, we’re opening our doors at Vortex® to say thank you. From 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. on November 11th, veterans and active-duty service members are invited to stop by our headquarters showroom for coffee and conversation, as a show of our appreciation.
Here’s what we’ve got planned:
Coffee on us – Show your military ID and grab a cup from the Boss Cow truck.
Challenge coin – Pick up a Spirit of Service coin in the showroom.
Meet the team – Members of Vortex®, including CEO Joe Hamilton, will be around to say thanks.
Showroom photo booth – Snap a keepsake before you go.
It’s a simple way for us to recognize the people in our community who have served. If you’re a veteran, we hope you’ll join us. If you know a veteran, help us spread the word.
Virginia Beach, VA — EDC Coffee & Tea has launched under the leadership of Veteran Navy SEAL operator Dom Raso. The brand, originally founded in Michigan, is now headquartered in Virginia Beach with an expanded product lineup and a mission-first focus.
The brand’s namesake, Every Day Carry, refers to the gear you keep on hand to stay prepared. EDC Coffee & Tea applies that mindset to keeping warriors fueled up on the move.
Raso is also the founder of Dynamis Alliance and Crush Everything. He is recognized for his work in tactical innovation, leadership, and preparedness.
“Our mission is simple: to deliver no-compromise coffee and tea that fuels people who live with purpose,” said Raso. “EDC Coffee & Tea is about more than what’s in the bag. It’s about the discipline, grit, and daily habits that keep you ready for whatever comes next.”
The brand, which is celebrating its launch week through Oct. 20, delivers premium, organic coffee and tea packaged in Magneclose™ resealable bags to keep every brew mission-ready anytime, anywhere.
A portion of proceeds supports the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which assists Gold Star families and catastrophically injured veterans and first responders.
Learn more at EDCbrew.com.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 14, 2025 – GM Defense LLC, a subsidiary of General Motors (GM) focused on advanced solutions for defense and government customers, and the Medal of Honor Foundation (MOHF) will celebrate a new strategic partnership at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting & Exposition.
The organizations, which formalized their alliance with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) last month, invite AUSA attendees to a special meet and greet event. GM Defense leaders, Medal of Honor Foundation and Congressional Medal of Honor Society leaders, and Medal of Honor Recipients will be at the GM Defense Booth (8127, Hall E) on Tuesday, October 14th, from 3:30 – 5:00 PM to discuss how the collaboration will honor valor, inspire citizenship, and promote innovation for warfighter safety and success.
A Joint Commitment to Valor and Innovation
The strategic alliance establishes cooperation to preserve the Medal of Honor’s legacy, promote its core values, and integrate the MOHF mission—to Educate, Connect, Inspire, Preserve, and Support—with GM Defense’s dedication to national service and technological innovation.
“The Medal of Honor Recipients represent the pinnacle of courage, sacrifice, and selfless commitment—values that are deeply embedded in the mission of GM Defense and General Motors,” said Steve duMont, President of GM Defense. “This partnership allows us to align our corporate commitment to national service with the Medal of Honor’s enduring legacy. We are honored to support the Recipients in sharing their powerful stories of citizenship, integrity, and valor, which inspire our employees and the communities we serve.”
The MOU details four key objectives for the collaboration:
Supporting the Mission: Providing direct support to Medal of Honor focused activities, ensuring the continuation of programs that align with its core mission pillars.
Celebrating Medal of Honor Recipients: Leveraging GM Defense’s communications platforms, events, and resources to promote initiatives dedicated to celebrating Recipients and highlighting their service.
Sharing the Recipient Legacy: Creating unique opportunities for Medal of Honor Recipients to associate with GM and GM Defense brands, sharing their lived experiences of valor to foster a renewed sense of purpose and commitment among company teams.
Highlighting Innovation for Warfighters: Increasing awareness of GM Defense’s advanced technologies by strategically aligning Recipient narratives and engagements with the development and deployment of solutions, demonstrating their direct impact on warfighter safety, mobility, and mission success.
“Medal of Honor Recipients continue their service long after their military careers end, engaging with communities nationwide to share the Medal’s enduring values of courage, sacrifice, and service above self,” said John Shertzer, Executive Director of the Medal of Honor Foundation. “The vital support from GM Defense strengthens that mission, enabling us to extend the Medal’s reach beyond classrooms and into boardrooms, neighborhoods, and communities. Together, we are connecting lessons forged in combat with the innovations shaping today’s armed forces and ensuring that the legacy of service continues to inspire, educate, and unite Americans from every walk of life.”
About GM Defense LLC
GM Defense delivers integrated vehicles, power, and autonomy and connectivity solutions to global defense, security, and government markets. The exceptional reliability of GM Defense’s technologies results from decades of proven performance and billions of dollars spent in independent research and development by its parent, General Motors, a world leader in global design, engineering, and manufacturing capabilities. For more information, please visit www.gmdefensellc.com.
Media Contact: Erica Mitchell, Senior Manager, GM Defense Communications | Email: erica.mitchell@gm.com Phone: 248-706-8273
About the Medal of Honor Foundation
The Medal of Honor Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established to support and advance the mission of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. As the Society’s fundraising and philanthropic arm, the Foundation exists to honor and preserve the legacy of the Medal of Honor by providing essential financial resources that sustain its programs and extend its reach.
Through its steadfast support of the Society’s educational initiatives, outreach efforts, and national recognition programs, including the Medal of Honor Character Development Program, Outreach Programs, and Citizen Honors Awards, the Foundation helps ensure that the values embodied in the Medal – Integrity, Courage, Sacrifice, Citizenship, and Patriotism – to inspire generations of Americans. In doing so, the Foundation plays a vital role in protecting the history of the Medal, amplifying the voices of its Recipients, and promoting a deeper understanding of the character and service that define our nation. To learn more and donate, please visit www.cmohs.org.
Media Contact: Morgan Blakley, Senior Director of Communication and Strategy | Email: MBlakley@CMOHS.org – Phone: 972-921-7336
NELSONVILLE, OH. (October 2025) – Rocky® Boots military, tactical and public service division, reaffirms its ongoing mission to support veterans across Ohio through stand down events – 30 years partnering with the Columbus Stand Down and 10 years with the Athens Stand Down – with the most recent event taking place earlier this month.
Each Fall, Rocky donates 600 pairs of boots to the Columbus Stand Down and 100 pairs to the Athens Stand Down events, helping veterans facing homelessness or hardship stay protected and prepared for whatever comes their way. These events bring together local organizations, healthcare providers, and volunteers to provide essential services such as meals and medical screenings to housing assistance and employment support.
“We’re proud to call Ohio home, and we’re honored to stand beside the organizations that make a difference in the lives of those who’ve served,” said Sarah Williams, marketing manager for Rocky® Boots military and public service division.
“These partnerships are bigger than donations. They are about giving back to our community and sharing our gratitude for their service.”
The Columbus Stand Down and the Athens Stand Down, both took place in early October and were free for veterans and their families. Together, they serve thousands of Ohio veterans each year demonstrating Rocky’s brand heritage of hard work, resilience, and service.
For more information, visit www.rockyboots.com.
ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 2, 2025 — The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) currently reports a disability claims backlog of more than 190,000 unresolved cases across the country. While this marks progress compared to historic highs, veterans are still facing average wait times of 12 to 18 months — and in many cases, delays stretching two years or morebefore receiving a decision.
In recent years, the backlog has swelled dramatically, topping 300,000 cases and even approaching 400,000 at its peak, driven in part by the implementation of the PACT Act and a surge of new claims related to toxic exposure. For veterans with urgent health needs, these numbers translate into months — and often years — of uncertainty, lost income, and untreated conditions.
Shield of Odin, a veteran-focused healthcare and medical-legal services provider, is working to close that gap by offering veterans an alternative pathway to strengthen their claims and avoid repeated cycles of denials and appeals. Through its nationwide network of licensed physicians, nurse practitioners, psychologists, and vocational experts, the organization provides independent medical evaluations, Nexus Letters, Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs), vocational assessments, and peer-reviewed evidence tailored to VA rating criteria.
The goal: ensure veterans can submit fully developed claims that stand on solid medical-legal evidence, reducing the risk of denial and expediting access to benefits.
“The VA’s official backlog today is just under 200,000 claims — but anyone watching this system knows how quickly those numbers can rise, and how devastating the wait can be,” said Ryan Hawley, CEO of Shield of Odin. “For a veteran with lung disease from burn pit exposure or PTSD from combat service, being forced to wait 18 months or longer is not simply a delay; it’s a barrier to care, stability, and dignity. Our mission at Shield of Odin is to ensure those veterans are not left behind.”
Shield of Odin emphasizes that the backlog is not merely a matter of statistics but of lived human impact. Veterans awaiting benefits often face mounting medical costs, difficulty maintaining employment, and mental health struggles as they navigate a system strained by volume and complexity.
“The averages don’t tell the full story — behind every number is a veteran and a family in crisis,”said Dean Johnston, COO of Shield of Odin and a board member of Heros of the Sea. “We see veterans waiting 24 months or more for a claim to move forward. Some pass away before ever receiving a decision. That’s why we’ve built a system to provide timely, accurate evidence that can cut through the bureaucracy and accelerate the process.”
VA Backlog by the Numbers (2025)
Current backlog (May 2025): 190,000+ unresolved claims (VA official reporting)
Peak backlog in recent years: Over 300,000 cases, with spikes near 400,000
Average wait time: 12–18 months for resolution
Extended delays: 24+ months common in complex or toxic exposure cases
First-time claim denials: Nearly 70% linked to insufficient or incomplete medical evidence
Rural veterans: Face 30–40% longer waits due to limited examiner availability
(Sources: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VA News, Military Times, Federal News Network, advocacy group analyses)
Shield of Odin’s Role in Solutions
Shield of Odin has developed a nationwide telehealth platform that connects veterans with qualified practitioners across all 50 states, ensuring even those in rural or underserved areas can access timely support. Services include:
Telehealth Nexus Letters and DBQs to establish medical connections between service and condition
Independent Medical Exams (IMEs) for complex or contested cases
Vocational impact assessments linking disabilities to occupational limitations
Peer-reviewed, evidence-based opinions aligned with VA rating criteria and legal precedent
By providing medical-legal documentation that is both rigorous and veteran-centric, Shield of Odin helps veterans avoid common pitfalls that result in denials, repeat appeals, and further time lost in the system.
SYRACUSE, N.Y., Oct. 2, 2025 — Clear Path for Veterans has received a generous donation from Martin’s Point, a not-for-profit health care organization that provides the greater Syracuse region with US Family Health Plan [TRICARE Prime] insurance plans for eligible military retirees, their families, and certain active-duty family members.
The contribution supports the ongoing mission of Clear Path for Veterans to walk alongside and empower service members, veterans, and their families as they navigate their personal journeys, strengthen relationships, and discover a clear, hopeful path to a more fulfilling future.
The gift from Martin’s Point will enable Clear Path for Veterans to reach even more veterans in the greater Syracuse, NY, region, helping to create connections for veterans within their communities, re-adjust to their life after service, and leverage their military experience to develop new skills and discover a new sense of purpose.
“We are incredibly grateful to Martin’s Point Health Care for their generous support of Clear Path’s mission. This donation directly fuels our ability to provide comprehensive programs and services that empower veterans and their families to thrive,” said Alex Behm, Chief Community Officer at Clear Path for Veterans. “Partnerships like this not only sustain our work — they strengthen the community bonds that are vital to the well-being of those who have served.”
As a Department of Defense-sponsored health plan provider for over 40 years, Martin’s Point has a long-held and deep commitment to those who serve and have served our country, and to organizations throughout our regions working to support, connect, and care for the veteran community.
“Contributing to the work of Clear Path for Veterans represents our profound commitment to improving the emotional well-being and long-term success of veterans in our communities,” said Steve Amendo, chief marketing and communications officers at Martin’s Point. “We are incredibly honored to support the work of Clear Path, and all they do to provide important resources and connectivity for those who have served our country.”
For more information about Clear Path for Veterans and the services they provide, please visit www.clearpath4vets.com. To learn more about Martin’s Point Health Care and their USFHP plans visit martinspoint.org/US-Family-Health-Plan.
Epping, N.H., (September 30, 2025) – SIG SAUER is proud to announce its continued support of the Three Rangers Foundation’s Mogadishu Mile. The 5th annual event will be held at the SIG SAUER Academy (233 Exeter Road, Epping, NH) on October 4th from 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM.
The Mogadishu Mile is the Three Rangers Foundation’s annual commemoration of Task Force Ranger and remembrance of the fallen Warriors of Operation Gothic Serpent. The primary objective of the operation was to capture Mohamed Farrah Aidid, leader of the Somali National Alliance who was wanted by the UNOSOM II in response to his attacks against United Nations troops.
On October 3, 1993, Task Force Ranger deployed to Mogadishu, Somalia, and engaged with Somali militiamen in an intense overnight gun battle. Using rocket-propelled grenades, Somali militiamen shot down two US Blackhawk helicopters, shifting the US raid into a rescue mission. When the relief convoy arrived on the morning of 4 Octoberthere was only enough room in the armored vehicles for the fallen and severely wounded. The remainder of Task Force Ranger maneuvered a mile on foot under relentless attack from rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire – this relatively short but lethal distance became known as “The Mogadishu Mile.”
Join SIG SAUER in honoring the heroic actions of Task Force Ranger by completing a commemorative one-mile run through the SIG SAUER Academy campus. The run can be completed with or without incorporating obstacle course elements. This remembrance event is open to all ages and abilities and does not require registration.
To learn more about SIG SAUER, please visit sigsauer.com.
