Beginning Jan. 25, The Native American Church of Virginia is available to help veterans with the new eBenefits portal.
     On Sunday, the Department of Defense and Department of Veteran Affairs eBenefits unveils a new look and feel on their web portal to enhance access to over 55 self-service capabilities and overall experience for Veterans, Service members, and their families.
    "If veterans or their families need help with their eBenefits, our church staff is here to assist you to better find, apply for, and manage military benefits and claims," said Rene' White (Feather) church president and military veteran. "Why? Because we care about our neighbors and we’re doing something about it."

The VHIC is issued only to Veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system.

How to Receive a VHIC
     To receive a VHIC, you must be enrolled.

• ONLINE. If you are not enrolled, you may apply for enrollment online at www.va.gov/healthbenefits/enroll or by calling 1-877-222-VETS (8387).
• IN PERSON. You may also apply for enrollment in person at your local VA medical facility. Once your enrollment is verified (you will receive a Veteran Health Benefits Handbook welcoming you to the VA), you may have your picture taken at your local VA medical center, so that a VHIC can be mailed to you.
  

Berryville VA - Native American Church President René White led the invocation for the annual holiday reception and luncheon (Oct. 10) for more than 100 veterans, men and women, young and old, enrolled in the Alcohol-Drug Rehabilitation Unit with the Martinsburg Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) from West Virginia.
     The president of VFW Post 9760’s Women’s Auxiliary invited René to pray over the free holiday feast consisting not only of ham and turkey and the fixings, but tables littered with notes and cards created by children from nearby elementary schools and spiritual food for these warriors dealing with PTSD and various drug and alcohol addictions.

     VFW Post 9760 hosted the annual event, orchestrated by the VFW Post 9760’s Women’s Auxiliary. Several VAMC counselors and drivers, including one dressed as Santa from the Martinsburg VAMC accompanied the two buses filled with warriors for the complimentary holiday home-cooked meal.

Native American Church of VA -- Sleep apnea?
Aggravated back pain? Your current health could be a service-connected disability.
    Your Veteran disability is an entitlement for you and your family. Get your compensation. Get your benefits. Get your peace of mind.
     This 14:00 minute video walks you or your loved one through the step-by-step process for filing an electronic Fully Developed Claim (FDC) for disability compensation on the VA/DoD eBenefits web portal.
     Help us help others apply for their benefits. Your local Veteran Service Organization (VSO) can also assist you.

Step-by-Step Video on how to apply for
Veteran Disability Compensation

Fairfax, Virginia -- Native American Church of Va.  President René White Feather led the Veterans' Honor Ceremony dance at George Mason University today (Veteran's Day), thanks to the GMU's Native American and Indian Studies Alliance.
     More than 20 veterans and hundreds of others from around the world attended GMU's 12th Annual Veterans' Pow Wow to experience traditional Native American music & dancing, shop authentic Indigenous handcrafted items including jewelry, pottery, textile arts and apparel and eat fry bread.
     "What a privilege to be asked to be first in line to honor our ancestors," said René who is Lumbee and a female veteran.
     The Pow Wow head staff included: Dennis Zotigh (Kiowa), Master of Ceremonies; Manuel Rodriguez, Arena Director; Louis Campbell (Lumbee), Head Man Dancer; Elyse Sparks, Head Woman Dancer; and drum groups Stoney Creek and Youghtanund.
     The Pow Wow took place in Dewberry Hall of the Johnson Center, on GMU's Fairfax campus.

René (left) and Heather (right)

Washington D.C. -- The Native American Church of Virginia attended the U.S. Marine Corps birthday wreath laying ceremony today along with members from the Lumbee Warriors Association of North Carolina and other Native American members from across the nation. Hundreds attended the historic event, including the Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford (Message Below)

Native American Warriors Association members.

Native American Church of Virginia CEO Chris and President Rene'.

USMC 239th Birthday

A MESSAGE FROM THE COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS

In his birthday greeting 70 years ago, General Alexander Vandegrift, our 18th Commandant noted that, “A Birthday is a fitting time to peer backward – and forward.” That year, Marines reflected on an extraordinary year in combat during their amphibious drive across the Pacific. Despite the challenges and the horrific conditions, Marines prevailed at Guam, Saipan, and Peleliu. On 10 November 1944, Marines looked back with pride on their accomplishment – confident in their ability to meet future challenges.

In 2004, 20,000 Marines deployed to Al Anbar Province, Iraq – many Marines celebrated the birthday in places like Fallujah, Ramadi, and Al Qaim while decisively engaged in combat. That year, Marines also responded to crisis in the Pacific following a tsunami which claimed the lives of more than 200,000 people. On 10 November 2004, Marines looked back with pride on their accomplishments – confident in their ability to meet future challenges.

As we celebrate our 239th birthday, Marines are in combat in Afghanistan. Since we last gathered to celebrate our Corps’ birthday, we also responded to crises in the Philippines, South Sudan, Libya, and Iraq.

Some things change. This year found us in different climes and places that our predecessors in 1944 and 2004. We have adapted our organization, training, and equipment to the ever-changing operating environment. Some things remain the same. Marines attacked this year’s challenges with the same courage, commitment, loyalty, self-sacrifice, and adaptability as their predecessors in Peleliu and Fallujah. For that reason, on 10 November 2014, we Marines can look back with pride on our accomplishments- confident in our ability to meet future challenges.
Thanks for who you are and what you do. Happy Birthday Marines.

Semper Fidelis,

J. F. Dunford, Jr.
General, U.S. Marine Corps
Commandant of the Marine Corps

"These and other traditional healing therapies are the treatment of choice for many Native American veterans according to a recent survey being conducted at Washington State University." 

University. Military.com
     Native American veterans battling Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) find relief and healing through an alternative treatment called the Sweat Lodge ceremony offered at the Spokane Veterans Administration Hospital.
     In the Arizona desert, wounded warriors from the Hopi Nation can join in a ceremony called Wiping Away the Tears. The traditional cleansing ritual helps dispel a chronic "ghost sickness" that can haunt survivors of battle.
     These and other traditional healing therapies are the treatment of choice for many Native American veterans according to a recent survey being conducted at Washington State University.
     The findings will be presented at the American Psychological Association conference in Washington D.C. This past August.
     Here are the The Survey questions asked to Native American veterans.

by NPR Taki Telonidis
     Substance abuse. Violence. Even thoughts of suicide. These are some of the problems that many veterans returning home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are struggling with.
     Today it's called post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, but it has affected veterans going back much farther. While doctors and researchers put enormous efforts into developing new treatments, one group of veterans in Salt Lake City is finding relief in a very old tradition: a Native American sweat lodge.
     If you didn't know to peer over the six-foot brick wall next to a parking lot at , you'd never guess it was there.
     On a Friday afternoon, Cal Bench, a Vietnam veteran, is here early, gathering firewood like he does every week for the ceremony that will start in a few hours.
     "I went into the service at 18 and I went to Vietnam at 19," Bench says. "And I had no idea how it would change or affect you mentally. The concept that I would carry that around forever was just hard. But I just never had any place to turn. I came here and I was given a blessing."
'Healing Right Down To The Core'
     Bench started coming to these sweats in 2005 to cope with anxieties related to his combat experience. He found relief in the sweat, as well as a spiritual connection that has kept him coming back.
     This VA is one of just a handful in the country that offers them. A sweat is a ceremony conducted by a Native American spiritual leader in a dome-shaped structure, or lodge. Sweats are common in Indian country. (Full Story)