CRESTVIEW — Linda Smith has heard it all before.

"… You hear people say they (will) leave Crestview and never go back," she said.

The Hub City's heavy traffic, along with a perceived need for more recreational opportunities and shopping choices, is among critics' concerns.

But many members of the military have different values — or, at least, one overriding one — Linda said.

"They left from here, (and returned to)  find love and support here," the Crestview native said. "My hometown is not falling down like people are thinking; (we're) still striving to rise to the top."

Linda — who lives in Valdosta, Ga., with her husband, Mark — shared the story July 18 during Concerned Citizens of Crestview's Military Appreciation Day, held at the Carver-Hill School Center.

Pearl Bess, Linda's sister, and a member of the outreach group, helped organize the event, which extended beyond Carver-Hill's grounds.

"She was instrumental in organizing it, and had meals delivered to homebound area residents and others," Linda said. "(She) was a go getter to make sure that veterans were taken care of.

"We came from Valdosta to … assist her because of the heart she has for the people."

The outreach group's recognition ceremony is just one way that Crestview residents support the military.

HOMETOWN SUPPORT

Active-duty service members and veterans have abundant support in the Crestview community.

The Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce's annual Military Appreciation Recognition Ceremony; the city of Crestview and the Crestview Veterans Affairs Committee's annual Veterans Day parade; and Helen Back Again's Military Mondays — free pizza for service members and veterans — are just a few local events to support our troops.  

Facilities include Okaloosa County Veterans Services, 601 Pearl St. N. #A; the American Legion, 898 James Lee Blvd. E.; Amvets Post 35, 105 John King Road; the VFW, 2240 James Lee Blvd. W.; and Disabled American Veterans, 5296 Hare St.

The Scars Remain, a support group for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, just announced new hours and another location (see Page A6 for more information).

In Laurel Hill, Safe Haven Horse Rescue's Haven for Heroes program pairs veterans with horses as therapy.

Such events, organizations and nearby facilities mean much to service members stationed at Duke Field and Eglin Air Force Base; those who live in Crestview, Baker or Laurel Hill.

And such military-friendly amenities leave a lasting impression.

"Many of the veterans were not originally from Crestview, but they ended up retired there because of the community," Mark Smith, Linda's husband, said.

'THAT'S THE BEGINNING'

As for Military Appreciation Day, Bess said the event didn't attract "a house full, but it was a nice gathering.

"Attendees thanked organizers for just thinking about them and doing it for them."

Linda was glad that children could hear from veterans with diverse experiences.

"It was really nice because you heard from (veterans of) World War II, Korean War and Vietnam," she said. "They were able to see and hear what things were like and compare it to what we're doing today."

Veterans who'd served in the Gulf War, in Iraq and Iran also attended, so most wars and conflicts were represented.

Linda wished more people could attend, but there's always next time — and there will be a next time, she said.

"Pearl was thinking this would be the first and last one," Linda said. "We told her, 'No, that's the beginning.

"You could see how it touched the military attendees. They were really touched by it. You could see it on their faces.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Despite local challenges, Hub City's military support lures service members

CRESTVIEW — Ten local veterans won't have to worry about homelessness.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded $60,331 to the local HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program.

Under the HUD-VASH initiative, the Crestview Housing Authority works with the VA to house homeless veterans.

"It is a collaboration nationally with the VA and HUD, and it gets down to the local level," said Eric Oleson, the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System's Biloxi-based homeless veteran program manager. The system serves eligible veterans in the Florida Panhandle, and in the Mobile, Ala., and Biloxi areas.

Under Crestview's HUD-VASH program, "We could house 10 more veterans (individuals or families)" with the approved funding, Lynda Carmical, CHA's senior housing manager, said.

That's a boost compared to the CHA's last HUD-VASH award, which in 2012 covered 15 households, she said.

Veterans can rent a home within 10 miles of the Crestview jurisdiction, she said.

Here's how the program works:

•Interested veterans apply to the VA to qualify for a voucher, which pays a portion or all of their rent, depending on income.

In addition, Oleson said, "We do outreach at food pantries, camps (and) shelters on a weekly basis. If someone says they're a veteran, we will verify that, do the assessment and, if they're not enrolled in health care at the VA, we will get them enrolled."

•The VA checks the applicant's income. "If you make more than $1,500 a month (in a one-person household) you would not be eligible for HUD-VASH," Oleson said. "That's gonna go up if you're married, if you have children — it's gonna slightly go up." 

•The VA checks the applicant's criminal history. Sex offenders are not eligible for the program.

•The VA prioritizes the case. Combat veterans, families and disabled veterans are among top priorities, Oleson said.

In addition: "Are they chronically homeless?" he said. "That's someone who's been living on the street, in a shelter, in and out of housing, never had a permanent address; they're living in the car or woods for one year, consecutively, or they have four episodes in three years."

•Voucher recipients pay no more than 30 percent of their income toward rent.

•Social workers help voucher recipients stay in their housing. That means assisting veterans with obtaining Social Security and disability benefits, or helping them find jobs.

"I think it's a wonderful program for veterans," Carmical said. "It's a great thing to see families get housed."

In addition to the Crestview program's allocation, federal funding will benefit HUD-VASH programs in Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, New Jersey, Oregon and Pennsylvania, according to a media release.

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NEED HELP?

Homeless veterans who need help paying for rental housing under the HUD-VASH program can call 609-2604

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Editor's Note: An earlier version of this article included some incorrect information. The Okaloosa County Veterans Center is in Shalimar. The only outpatient clinic is just outside the Eglin west gate. The Okaloosa County Vet Center is a federal VA facility, but it’s not part of the VA's health care system nor is it considered a medical facility.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview's veterans housing program gets $60K boost

TALLAHASSEE — You can celebrate a loved one's active or past military service by purchasing a brick for the Walk of Honor on Florida Capitol grounds.

Three options are available:

•The Center Node: For Florida Medal of Honor recipients; $200 each; 1,548 red bricks available, between the old historic Capitol building and the new Capitol building's entrance. Granite pavers border the approximately 22-by22-foot area.

•The Walk of Honor: $150 each; red bricks for an area 12 feet wide and over 500 feet long that begins on the historic capitol building's south side, extends through the area between the old and new capitol buildings, and comes out on the historic building's north side.

•The Court of Honor: $125; brown bricks for remaining areas between the historic capitol building and the new capitol building.

Sales benefit the Florida Veterans Foundation, which provides one-time emergency financial assistance to veterans who faultlessly experience financial difficulties. For instance, a veteran comes home, wounded, with an honorable discharge and VA papers filed. Between their discharge and when VA benefits begin, he or she has no income.

"All too often the veterans will find themselves being threatened with eviction or the utilities being turned off," an FVF spokesperson said. "That’s where the foundation steps in."

Learn more about the project at www.floridaveteransfoundation.org or contact Richard Ridley, richardr@floridaveteransfoundation.org.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Walk of Honor to feature bricks commemorating military service members

CRESTVIEW — The Scars Remain, a support group for people with post-traumatic stress disorder, has scheduled new meeting times and locations.

Sessions are:

•6:30 p.m. every other Wednesday, starting July 29 at The American Legion, 898 E. James Lee Blvd.

•6:30 p.m. every otherTuesday at Crestview First United Methodist Church, room 212, 599 8th Ave.

Meetings will alternate between the two locations, so anyone uncomfortable in a church can feel welcome, a spokesperson for the group said.

See www.facebook.com/ourscarsremain and thescarsreman.wordpress.com, or email thescarsremain@mail.com for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview PTSD support group sets meetings

BAKER — A couple with almost two decades of service to the Military Order of the Purple Heart are recipients of the organization's Lifetime Achievement Award.

Cmdr. William Everett (Ret.) and his wife, Jacqueline, said in a statement that they are "very surprised, honored, humbled, and proud," following last week's announcement, which recognized their "distinguished and meritorious service" to MOPH.

During the past 15 years, Bill Everett has served the organization in various capacities, as chapter  commander, department senior vice commander, chief of staff of the Department of Florida, chief of staff of Region IV, four years as commander of Region IV and national junior vice commander.

Jacqueline Everett has served the MOPH's Ladies Auxiliary in various capacities including chapter president and four years as Region IV president.

"They have both distinguished themselves the past 15 years as a team in extraordinary service to the Military Order of the Purple Heart Department of Florida," a statement read. "Their tireless efforts have brought significant honor and recognition to the members of the Department of Florida, Region IV, as well as the entire Military Order of the Purple Heart."

The award means a lot to Jacqueline Everett, who worked alongside her husband and was his sounding board, "the guiding light, who listened to everything going on and knew how to help other veterans," a statement from the couple said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker couple receives military order's Lifetime Achievement Award

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE — The Air Force Armament Museum Foundation, Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 811, and Northwest Florida State College Student Nursing Program will “Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive" next month.

A commemoration ceremony — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 22 at the Air Force Armament Museum, 100 Museum Drive, Eglin Air Force Base — will honor World War II era veterans. The event will include a home-front tribute to veterans and survivors, big band music, exhibits and displays. In addition, Veterans Affairs representatives will answer questions.

All WWII veterans are encouraged to attend — in uniform, if they wish — as guests of honor.

Custom banners to be displayed during the ceremony cost $90 and include a garden stake. Contact Joan Doman, 651-1808, to order one.

Contact Sam Houston, 729-2748, shh1100@cox.net; Bill Everett, 537-8553, we1538@aol.com; or Bill Patterson, 243-3889, papa1172@aol.com, for more information on the ceremony. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: World War II anniversary ceremony scheduled on Eglin