Symposium to examine veterans’ issues

By T. Michael Sullivan

The William Joiner Center for the Study of War and Social Consequences will host a symposium for veterans’ advocates to address issues of concerns for veterans on Friday, Nov. 14, from noon until 5 p.m. in the Chancellor’s Conference Room on the third floor of the Quinn Administration Building at UMass Boston. Massachusetts Senator John F. Kerry is the honorary co-chairman; the symposium is organized and chaired by Paul Camacho, director of special projects at the Joiner Center.

Donald Overton of Veterans of Modern Warfare will speak on the issue of the implementation of the new G.I. Bill during a luncheon for participants from noon until 1 p.m. Following the lunch and Overton’s address, a series of issue presentations will be held, with 10-15 minute presentations and a period for questions and comments for each of the topics.

Topics will include: Health Care and Traumatic Brain Injury to be addressed by Dr. Carlos G. Tun of the Department of Veterans Affairs; Education with Barry Brodsky, director of the Veterans Upward Bound Program at UMass Boston, and John Powers, a student and representative of Veterans of America; Homelessness, with Laurence Fitzmaurice, New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans, and Housing, with a coordinator yet to be determined; Employment, coordinator to be announced; and the Future of Veterans’ Advocacy, to be led by Ron Armstead, executive director of the Black Veterans’ Braintrust of the Congressional Black Caucus.

The symposium will employ a roundtable format to encourage discussion and participation from attendees. At the conclusion of the symposium, participants are welcome to attend a reception and Welcome Home Dinner for Afghanistan and Iraq War veterans in Ballroom A on the third floor of the university’s Campus Center. The reception will be at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6p.m.

To register for the issues forum or the dinner, You can register online by clicking this link, or by calling 617.287.5850

To learn more about the GI Bill visit: http://www.gibill.va.gov