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National Veterans Nonprofit SoldierStrong Announces Annual SoldierScholar Recipients for 2021

Delivering on its commitment to help military veterans take a significant academic step forward, the national nonprofit SoldierStrong today announced the 2021 recipients of its annual scholarship initiative, SoldierScholar.

“The Post-9/11 GI Bill has helped thousands and thousands of veterans with their post-secondary education, but there are still funding gaps that can become insurmountable obstacles toward the completion of a degree,” said SoldierStrong co-founder and chairman Chris Meek. “We’re committed to helping to fill those gaps because higher education is one of the most powerful tools to help veterans have a smooth transition to civilian life and ensure that veterans can continue to provide for themselves and their families.”

Meek continued, “Veterans also serve as major assets to the schools they attend by bringing with them unparalleled experiences, leadership characteristics, and integrity cultivated during their time in service. When Americans ask themselves who they want to be the leaders of tomorrow, they will surely think of individuals like our SoldierScholar recipients – whose contributions to our society within the civilian sector will no doubt parallel their contributions to our nation during their service.”

The GI Bill has not historically relieved all costs, such as textbooks, classroom fees, transportation, technology, tutoring and a number of other expenses, associated with higher education. SoldierScholar was created to alleviate those additional costs.

SoldierScholar scholarships are available to veterans who fought in the recent War on Terror, which includes Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. SoldierStrong, which primarily provides revolutionary medical technologies to Veterans Affairs medical centers across the country to help injured veterans lead full lives, has also awarded more than $500,000 through SoldierScholar since 2012. This year’s recipients include:

Michaela Rubinfeld

Michaela Rubinfeld, Georgetown University – Master of Science in Foreign Service

Michaela Rubinfeld has served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves for the past three years, where she is currently an all-source analyst. She earned a bachelor of arts in international studies and Chinese from the University at Buffalo before deciding to pursue a master’s degree in foreign service with a concentration in science, technology, and international affairs at Georgetown University. Throughout her time at Georgetown, Rubinfeld will concentrate on emerging technology, focusing on ethical applications of blockchain technology in an increasingly digitized society. She aspires to serve with the U.S. State Department to forge strong relations with other countries and ensure a safe future for generations to come. Michaela’s supportive husband, Conner, is a Navy veteran. “SoldierStrong provided me with more than just a scholarship, they provided a true gift that I am incredibly thankful for. This scholarship will enable me to focus on my studies on my journey to a career where I will be able to continue to serve my country in new and different ways,” Rubinfeld said.

Jessica Evans

Jessica Evans, Old Dominion University – Civil Engineer Technology

Jessica Evans served in the U.S. Navy as a sonar technician while stationed in Hawaii and around the world. In part due to financial considerations, Evans did not go to college directly after high school, and instead was inspired to join the military branch in which both of her grandfathers served. She sees her service as a way to honor their legacy. After finishing her bachelor’s degree in engineering, Evans plans to pursue her master’s degree. “Growing up I never dreamed about going to college let alone going as far as pursuing my master’s degree. So, to have this opportunity to reach for my dreams is really special,” Evans said.

SoldierScholar Major Williams

CSM Andraus L. Williams, University of Southern California – Doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership

Command Sergeant Major Andraus L. Williams enlisted in the U.S. Army as a field artilleryman. He served five years on active duty prior to joining the California Army National Guard and joining the Military Police Corps. His combat and stateside tours of duty include Operation Uphold Democracy, Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan). In October 2020, Williams was appointed Senior Enlisted Leader for the Camp Roberts Garrison Training Center. He is pursuing his doctorate degree in organizational change and leadership at University of Southern California. “Words cannot express what receiving a SoldierScholar scholarship means to me. I appreciate SoldierStrong, co-chairman Meek and what they do to support our nation’s heroes,” Williams said.

Ryan Lamson

Ryan Lamson, Syracuse University – Master of Public Administration/Master of International Relations

Ryan Lamson joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2007 as an infantry rifleman where he served with 2/1 F during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He went on to serve as an embassy guard, infantry squad leader, and family readiness administrative assistant for the USMC, as well as a cleared American guard for Coastal International Security. A 2021 Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship finalist, Lamson is the recipient of multiple awards from the U.S. Department of State, United States Marine Corps, and St. Edward’s University. “I am thankful to be a recipient of a SoldierScholar scholarship and the opportunity to continue my passion for public service and international affairs. This scholarship adds to the opportunities I have at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs to hone the leadership and management skills I first learned in the service,” Lamson said.

Andres Trejo

Andrés Trejo, Syracuse University – Master of Public Administration/Master of International Relations

Andrés Trejo graduated from the Levantine Arabic Basic Course at the Defense Language Institute where he led a team of 18 service members through the 64-week Arabic course. He served as a U.S. Navy cargo team member aboard the USS George H.W. Bush where he was responsible for more than $2.1 million of food and supplies for over 6,000 sailors. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Syracuse University in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in international relations and is currently a dual MPA/MAIR candidate. “I want to thank SoldierStrong for its support through the SoldierScholar Initiative. This scholarship will not only aid in my academic endeavors but it will also provide me the opportunity to continue to use my leadership and service experiences while at Syracuse University as well as in my professional career,” Trejo said.

To learn more about the SoldierScholar initiative or to donate, please visit https://www.soldierstrong.org/scholarship.

Rahal Automotive Group Donates $35,000 to National Nonprofit That Aids Military Veterans in Taking Their Next Steps Forward

Rahal SoldierStrong Donation

The Bobby Rahal Automotive Group today announced a $35,000 donation to SoldierStrong, a national nonprofit organization that connects military veterans with revolutionary medical technology to help them take their next steps forward.

This is the fourth consecutive year that the 17-dealership group in central and western Pennsylvania has donated a share of every new and used vehicle sold at its central Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh region dealerships during November. Contributions to date total $145,000.

“Our team members and clients are committed to SoldierStrong’s ongoing efforts because they are helping to improve the lives of the men and women of America’s armed forces who have made so many personal sacrifices in defense of our country and our freedom,” said Ron Ferris, Chief Executive Officer, Bobby Rahal Automotive Group. “Once again, we extend our sincere gratitude to the people of western and central Pennsylvania who joined in this very worthy cause.”

Chris Meek, chairman and co-founder of the Stamford, Conn., organization, noted the Rahal family’s commitment to America’s veterans extends beyond its most recent generous gift. Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing shows its support for SoldierStrong through its NTT IndyCar Series race team’s program, Turns For Troops. For every lap that Bobby’s son, Graham Rahal, completed in the 2021 season, sponsor United Rentals donated $50 to SoldierStrong.

“Since 2016, Turns for Troops has raised more than $1.1 million to help support veteran recovery through such devices as robotic exoskeletons that help paralyzed veterans walk again and virtual reality technology that provides effective treatment for post-traumatic stress,” Meek said. “The Rahal family, Rahal Automotive Group, Rahal-Letterman-Lanigan Racing and Graham and Courtney Rahal Foundation have been there when America’s veterans needed them most and this donation is a testament to their selfless generosity.”

About Bobby Rahal Automotive Group

Bobby Rahal Automotive Group was founded in 1989 and proudly represents the Acura, BMW, Honda, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and Volvo brands throughout Western and Central Pennsylvania. The Bobby Rahal Automotive Group team is passionately committed to customer excellence and aims to provide a culture of caring that redefines the automotive experience. For more information, visit the Bobby Rahal Automotive Group website.

Military Veterans Make Ideal Candidates to Become Educators, DoD Should Work to Save and Restore Federal Troops to Teachers Program

Article by Chris Meek

While many states and the private sector make focused efforts to help active duty military personnel transition to civilian employment, many have recognized that a clear win-win opportunity exists in the education profession. After all, if there is anything that people learn during service in the military it’s most definitely leadership and discipline – two invaluable commodities that will always be needed within our classrooms, perhaps now more than ever before.

Military Teachers

Realizing that veterans and active duty personnel preparing to transition to civilian life make ideal candidates to teach the next generation, I penned an op-ed for the Stamford Advocate in February 2021 which focused on the challenge of bridging the gap between active duty and academia. I advocated for bettering and leveraging programs like Troops to Teachers, a federal program designed to assist aspiring veteran educators, provide young minds with inspiring leaders, and improve the overall education system.

I was disheartened to hear that the program, which encourages military veterans to become public school teachers and offers counseling to help veterans navigate the process of meeting the proper licensing requirements, was officially shuttered by the Department of Defense (DoD) in October due to efforts to reallocate resources to “higher priority programs more closely aligned to the National Defense Strategy.”

While I can certainly appreciate this sentiment – especially in light of threats that our adversaries like Russia and China currently pose and the ever increasing need for advanced technology and research – I still firmly believe that the DoD should attempt to streamline the program before making the ultimate decision to eliminate it completely. If not, I believe that we’ll stand to regret the decision.

Since its inception in 1993, the program has been a fixture in both Democrat and Republican administrations and to date, has produced around 23,000 veterans turned teachers who may not have found their passion for education without the program, which provides up to $10,000 of financial support per individual.

I would also be remiss not to point out the positive impact that veteran turned teachers undoubtedly have on the children they educate. In a time when parents feel more empowered than ever to be directly involved in their children’s education, it is especially important that a focus is placed not only on what students are being taught in the classroom but on those who we recruit as educators. As referenced above, veterans come with unique leadership skills, discipline, perspectives and experiences that serve as assets to the classrooms they teach in.

However, it is hard to overlook the $15 million per year price tag that comes with the Troops to Teachers program, especially when considering the DoD’s mission to reallocate finances into higher priority programming. As I pointed out in my op-ed, while 23,000 veterans turned teachers is certainly an achievement, it amounts to fewer than 750 per year. It’s hard to imagine that the program has ever truly reached its peak performance. On top of that, $10,000 for each of the 750 veterans that pass through the program each year only equates to $7.5 million, which means that almost 50% of the program’s spending is in overhead costs.

Before making the ultimate decision to end the program entirely, I believe that the DoD should work to structurally and financially reform Troops to Teachers to not only free up funding to go towards other defense programming but also make better use of the remaining funds and reduce overhead costs significantly to produce even more veteran turned educators each year.

According to a joint letter written to the U.S. House and Senate by the American Legion and other veteran’s groups advocating for the program, “studies have shown that Troops to Teachers educators fill thousands of vacancies in high-need schools and subject areas.” This is important now more than ever before, especially when one considers the results of a January 2021 RAND survey which indicated that 25% of teachers surveyed admitted they wanted to leave their profession upon the conclusion of that academic year.

Veteran educators can be counted on to fill the many academic positions that are currently available today and if restructured, the 28-year-old Troops to Teachers program can be an essential component in meeting the educational demands of our time while providing an easier pathway for transition from military life into a civilian career in education for veterans.

SoldierStrong and Penumbra to Support Veterans With Novel Immersive Healthcare Technology

SoldierStrong, a national nonprofit committed to delivering revolutionary medical technology to veterans to help them take their next steps forward, announced a donation from Penumbra, Inc. (NYSE: PEN), a global healthcare company focused on innovative therapies, to support U.S. military veterans and active military service members with the use of immersive healthcare technology to help aid their physical rehabilitation. Penumbra will donate the REAL ® Immersive System, which leverages virtual reality (VR) to deliver engaging, immersive therapeutics designed to engage patients during their rehabilitation journey, supporting areas such as functional skills and cognition.

“There is significant research that supports the substantial benefits of virtual reality, which the military has long recognized. They are early adopters of VR technology to address a range of conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder,” said Adam Elsesser, chairman and CEO of Penumbra, Inc. “In honor of Veteran’s Day and Penumbra’s commitment to help as many people as we can with our technology, we are proud to support SoldierStrong in their mission to aid the health and well-being of the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces and veterans.”

With this donation, SoldierStrong will be able to deliver REAL Systems to more than 20 military and veteran rehabilitation centers across the U.S. This is the latest effort by SoldierStrong to provide revolutionary medical technologies to help injured veterans and active service members lead full lives. Prior to Penumbra’s contribution, SoldierStrong had donated $4.2 million in state-of-the-art medical devices to individual veterans and Veterans Affairs medical centers across the country. These devices include hyper-advanced prosthetics, exoskeleton suits used in the rehabilitation of spinal and stroke injuries, virtual reality to treat post-traumatic stress and highpowered mobility devices.

“VR often keeps patients engaged in ways not always found within the treatment process, particularly in physical rehabilitation, and that benefit is immeasurable,” SoldierStrong co-founder and chairman Chris Meek said. “We could not carry out our mission without the innovation and leadership of companies like Penumbra that enthusiastically support our efforts to provide veterans with life-changing medical technologies.”

REAL Immersive System is designed for clinicians to address the individual needs of high-acuity to highfunctioning patients in a rehabilitation setting. Its activities address motor skills, core and balance, cognition, functional tasks, activities of daily living training, vision and wellness.

About the REAL Immersive System Portfolio
Penumbra’s REAL Immersive System is part of a portfolio of immersive healthcare products that leverage virtual reality to deliver engaging, immersive therapeutics designed to promote better health, including furthering functional skills, cognition and stress management. Built on advanced technology with a growing library of VR- based activities and experiences, the REAL Immersive System portfolio is comprised of two product solutions: REAL Immersive System for clinical rehabilitation and REAL i-Series for wellness. For more information, please visit the REAL system website.

About SoldierStrong
 SoldierStrong helps American patriots take their next steps forward. Through educational scholarships and by harnessing the most innovative technology in advanced rehabilitation, we help returning service men and women move in the only direction they should know – forward. Nearly every dollar SoldierStrong receives goes towards support of American patriots so that they can re-acclimate to civilian life. Our organization works to remind veterans who have sacrificed so much that we are forever thankful. For more information, visit the SoldierStrong website.

About Penumbra
 Penumbra, Inc., headquartered in Alameda, California, is a global healthcare company focused on innovative therapies. Penumbra designs, develops, manufactures and markets novel products and has a broad portfolio that addresses challenging medical conditions in markets with significant unmet need. Penumbra supports healthcare providers, hospitals and clinics in more than 100 countries. For more information, visit the Penumbra website and connect on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Ahead of Veterans Day, SoldierStrong Donates $10,000 to Share “Wounded Heroes” Documentary With Heroes Across the Country

SoldierStrong, a national nonprofit committed to providing revolutionary medical technology to help military veterans take their next steps forward, has donated $10,000 to share viewings of the documentary, Wounded Heroes with military veterans, first responders and other heroes across the nation.

“Michael Gier’s award-winning documentary, Wounded Heroes, resonates with so many people who have experienced post-traumatic stress or know someone who has,” said SoldierStrong co-founder Chris Meek. “There have been many films and programs about post-traumatic stress but the focus on alternative treatments in Wounded Heroes is truly unique. Part of our work at SoldierStrong includes deploying revolutionary virtual reality technology used to treat PTS to Veterans Affairs hospitals across the country. Because we know firsthand that alternative treatments can be the solution those living with PTS are looking for, we were motivated and felt the need to share Wounded Heroes’ powerful message with a wide audience.”

The Department of Veterans Affairs reports anywhere from 17 to 22 veteran suicides every day.

“Many battling post-traumatic stress are convinced that it’s a ‘life sentence’ but as the film clearly shows, that’s simply not true,” said Gier, whose second documentary of 2021, Healing the Heroes of 9/11, was released in September. “Wounded Heroes features veterans that had lost hope but now have their lives back because they sought out alternative methods of treatment and as a result, their PTS is gone. They went from contemplating suicide to living happy fulfilling lives. I want viewers of the film who may be struggling to know that they too can find solutions to help them live happy fulfilling lives.”

SoldierStrong’s donation will allow 2,500 people to view Wounded Heroes for free. Those people interested in learning how to view Wounded Heroes at no cost should send an email to info@soldierstrong.org.

Since SoldierStrong’s inception following the tragic events of 9/11, the organization has donated more than $4.2 million of medical devices to help injured veterans, including robotic exoskeletons and 19 BraveMind posttraumatic stress treatment systems to VA hospitals and other medical facilities. The BraveMind virtual reality technology safely enables the veteran to relive and deconstruct traumatic memories to better cope with the trauma that it created.