Welcome, Women Veterans of New Mexico!

Happy New Year!

I wish everyone a blessed and peaceful year. This year promises to be even more eventful for our organization than last year. I invite you to get involved as we continue our outreach to meet the needs of our sister veterans throughout the state.

Last year, we participated in the Farmington and Albuquerque Women Veterans Conferences, Albuquerque Homeless Stand Down, numerous Veterans Day Celebrations, Cancer Walks, Pow Wow, ALS Walk, Henderson House Celebration (transition house for homeless women veterans and those with children), Tribute to Women in the Military luncheon, Sandia Labs Veterans Celebration, and the fall Military Women's Luncheon.

Our Honor Guard presented the colors in some of these events. Members walked and rode in the Albuquerque Veterans Day Parade for the first time this past year. We look forward to a more decked-out float and more members participating this year. You can see photographs under the pictures tab soon.

Last year we were able to assist more women with emergency needs and transition into their own places. I want to thank all those who donated furniture and household to make this happen. Late last year, we received our federal non-profit status, which allows us to provide tax deductible letters for donations and donated items. With more Soldiers, Marines, Airwomen and Coasties coming back from Iraq, we can use all the support we can get to meet their potential needs.

If you’re not already a member, this is a personal invitation to join us and make a difference with your talents and memberships. Your membership dues go to accomplish our missions of supporting and advocating for our sister veterans.

Your organization is on the move – come be a part of it!

Patricia (Pat) Gaston   505-610-0787
Women Veterans of New Mexico, President
US Army (Retired)
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Check out what WVNM has been doing! 2012 January WVNM Newsletter
 

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Your Board
Elections were held January 14, 2012 at our Annual Membership Meeting! 
     WVNM welcomes Laurel Burnett, Sonia Jefferson, Katie Keaty and Joan Wittig to the Board. Pat Gaston, Joni Seymour and Sofie Maestas are remaining on the Board. We wish to thank past Board members Diana Wong, Jan Herbert-Starkey, and Myra Powers for their time and hard work serving on the Board making Women Veterans of New Mexico the great organization it has become!  
      President - Pat Gaston
      Vice President - Katie Keaty
      Treasurer - Jon Wittig
      Secretary - Laurel Burnett
      Sargeant-At-Arms - Joni Seymour
      Director - Sofie Maestas
      Director - Sonia Jefferson

If you are interested in helping Board members by joining a Committee, please contact Pat Gaston 505-610-0787
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                        Please feel free to review our 
                      2011-2012 MEETING MINUTES

Hear about Women Veterans in an interview on October 10, 2011 on KASA-TV. Watch the video here: 

Women Veterans of New Mexico: kasa.com

ORDER YOUR T-SHIRT NOW!!
 
We have Women Veterans
of New Mexico T-Shirts!!

Complete an order form online,
print and mail with your check or money order!!

Logo with Blue Zia "Women Are Veterans Too!"

White logo-"Women Are Veterans Too!"

Pocket-size "Proudly She Served" logo

Upcoming Activities:

Jan 27: KKOB 770AM Radio will host NMDVS Secretary Hale and Deputy Secretary Alan Martinez  - 9-10a.m.

The Secretary and Deputy Secretary are scheduled to discuss veteran-related legislation introduced so far in the 2012 State Legislature, and will also provide updates on state and federal veterans’ issues and programs. Time permitting, the two are also scheduled to answer phone calls from listeners. The phone number to call-in with a question is (505) 243-3333.

The United Veterans Council is sponsoring a bus for the Veteran/Military Day at the Legislature on Monday, February 6th. The NM Veterans Memorial will open at 7:30 AM for coffee, donuts and facility use. We will board and leave at 8:00 AM with a stop at Lowes on the north side of town for those people living in that area (look for Mary Cox). After visiting with our legislators and the ceremony in the Rotunda (12:00-1:00 PM), we'll reboard the bus for the trip back with a lunch stop at the Hollywood (San Felipe) Casino and home.

Those planning to participate should RSVP with Ken Okeefe at 296-9075 or cnkokeefe@msn.com. Should be fun. UVC will continue to sponsor the Memorial and Veterans Day events at the Memorial.

(If you miss the program, you can find it later streamed at http://www.770kkob.com/ )
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Feb 6:    Military & Veterans   
                Appreciation Day
                     8 am - 1 pm
         Santa Fe Capitol Rotunda
All active-duty personnel, veterans, their families and anyone with an interest in military or veterans’ issues are invited to the annual Military and Veterans’ Appreciation Day at the State Legislature.

Military & Veterans’ Day at the State Legislature is the annual day during the Legislative Session presented by the New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services and the New Mexico Department of Military Affairs to encourage military personnel, veterans, their families, and anyone with an interest in military or veterans’ issues to attend the Legislative Session, meet other veterans, and meet and discuss issues and concerns with their legislators.

New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services Secretary Timothy Hale and New Mexico National Guard Adjutant General Kenny Montoya will lead a tribute to members of the Armed Forces Reserve Units and the New Mexico National Guard at a special noon ceremony in the Rotunda to honor our soldiers and veterans. An invitation has also been extended to Governor Susana Martinez to address the crowd and honor these and all men and women who have served in the Armed Forces. Invitations have also been extended to all legislators to attend the ceremony and meet with veterans.
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Feb 7: UNM Hosts a Veteran's Outreach Program open to Individuals On-campus and the Community - 9-10:30a.m. 
Part of this program is providing sessions on how to apply for staff positions at UNM. Staff Recruitment Services is partnering with Career Services to present on how to navigate the UNMJobs application system, applying transferrable skills to your application and resume, writing an effective resume and cover letter, and interviewing skills.

• REGISTER:  UNM Client Services at 277-2013 to attend
• Location: John and June Perovich Business Center
• 1700 Lomas Blvd NE, from 9:00 am to 10:30 am
• Inquire about parking permit for your visit

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Feb 11:  Pre-Valentine’s Day Benefit Dance for the Homeless Veterans’ Integration Center (NMVIC)
Santa Fe/Santa Fe University of Art & Design

                                   8pm-12am

(SANTA FE, NM)—Celebrate Valentine’s Day early—and at the same time help homeless veterans!
Come dance the night away on February 11 with your special someone (or with a group of friends) to the sounds of the popular party band Lumbre Revue at the Santa Fe University of Art & Design from 8pm to 12am. Tickets are $25 per person or $40 per couple and can be purchased online at http://www.nmvic.org/.

All proceeds benefit the New Mexico Veterans’ Integration Center (NMVIC) in Albuquerque, a 501(c)3 organization which helps homeless veterans transition back into society by offering a two-year residency program featuring counseling, life-skill classes, job assistance training, and numerous other programs. The NMVIC is dependent upon grants, donations, and partial funding by the New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services.

For more information, go to www.nmvic.org, or contact the NMVIC at (505) 265-0512 or the Santa Fe Office of the NM Department of Workforce Solutions at (505) 827-7426.
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Mar 2: Tribute to Women in the Military Luncheon
Register NOW by printing Registration Form  http://www.tributetowomeninthemilitary.org/documents/2012_Registration.pdf,
complete the form then mail to the address provided on the form, include your payment for the luncheon. Some scholarships available on request.
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Albuquerque SCORE offers free business counseling and seminars in learning how to start your own business or learn more about how to run the one you have  www.albuquque.score.org
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Order your Personnel Records/Discharge Certificate
Click here for more information, instructions and links.
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MILITARY STRESS RELIEF PROJECT
AT THE ALBUQUERQUE VETERANS ACUPUNCTURE CLINIC
Weekly community-style acupuncture treatments available to active duty, national guard, and reserve, and veterans of military service and immediate family members. Weekly acupuncture treatments have allowed many military service personnel to experience diminishing symptoms of stress resulting in better sleep, less anger, reduced anxiety and depression, and subsequently, an improved quality of life.

There is no charge for treatment at this clinic, but donations welcome. Click here for Contact and more information.
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Presbyterian Medical Services (PMS)
Veteran and Family Support Services
provides comprehensive intake, assessment, treatment and referrals for NM veterans and their families living with the effects of military service, deplo9yment, and coming home. Providing services in support of trauma and relatyed issues vetrans and their families face including substance abuse, depression, anger, domestic violence, and social and economic challenges. More information here or contact: Lora Smalley, NC, LMFT Clinical Therapist VFSS, 1-877-929-9797 lora_smalley@pmsnet.org. Locations in Rio Rancho, Gallup, and Farmington. 
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provides energetic treatments to individuals and families suffering from an array of ailments using various forms of oriental medical modalities. For more information, go to their website: www.grandmeridian.org