McHenry County Blog

Its leaders may be under indictment, but NASA Education is sponsoring a one-day Veterans Stand Down on October 2nd.

The press release follows:

Veteran’s Stand Down October 2, 2012

Calling all veterans this event is for you.

There is no cost to attend this function.

Veterans who are newly discharged, displaced, disabled, homeless or unemployed are the focus of the Fall Veterans’ Stand Down, which will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 2 at NASA Education’s corporate office, located at 3305 South Illinois Route 31 in Crystal Lake, IL.

The past three Stand Downs were held at the Harvest Bible Chapel in Crystal Lake, however Harvest Bible Chapel elected to not host the Stand Down this time to help the veterans, although Mr. Blanchard did not speak with anyone from Harvest, so he can only assume that they did not get what they wanted out of the event.

He thought it was about helping the veterans. Hundreds have received help during each of the last three
Stand Down’s that were held at Harvest, as well as the other nine Stand Down’s that were hosted at Camp Algonquin. He concluded with “I can’t think of any Christian reason why anyone wouldn’t want to help our veterans”. So once again, we were forced to make one of two decisions; not have the event or find another location.

According to Mr. John Blanchard, owner and Executive Director of NASA Education, “Not doing the Stand Down will never be an option. We have had incredible, measurable and verifiable results which shouldn’t change because of the opinions, venue or economic climate. Our attendees deserve the best during the good times and bad times because they had no choice but to serve their God, Country and Commander in Chief, regardless where it may have led them and now they deserve our best.

If Harvest Bible Chapel, doesn’t want to help us assist those in need, then we lost Harvest Bible Chapel, but if I was behind enemy lines and had to fulfill a task, I’m still going to do it regardless of what the obstacles may be. So tasked with finding yet another location, it seems the only viable option and decision that wouldn’t interfere with our event is to host the event on our own home turf.

So once again we took an obstacle and have turned it into an opportunity to make everything better because the people that attend the stand down couldn’t have it any worse. If we can’t obligate a day or two, twice a year to pull even one attendee out of their homeless status, then we have no reason to wrap ourselves in the flag as public servants.”

Blanchard, continued by saying, “ Those challenged and charged in fulfilling veteran opportunities as veteran organizations, should do whatever it takes to fulfill their mission regardless of funding or personal opinion. I certainly hope to see all of the same service providers that have supported the veterans over the past 12 stand downs which we have hosted, because after all the stand down is about supporting and helping the veterans, not reflecting the current climate. Once again, I challenge everybody in the seven county area to turn out for these individuals no matter what their personal opinions or agendas may be, whether Federal, State, County or local affiliation.”

“We will have something for every veteran in need,” said John Blanchard, executive director of National Association of Systems Administrators Education Corporation (NASA Education), the sponsor of the event. He added that the organization is expecting to assist over 300 veterans. “The community stands ready to help those who gave so much for all of us.” This is the 6th year and 13th Stand Down event sponsored by
NASA Education and even though we are able to assist our veterans, the numbers keep rising. With Iraq and Afghanistan coming to an end, there will be even more increasing numbers in the not to near future.

Known as one of the best Stand Downs in Illinois, attendees are treated with the utmost care and respect they deserve. “The individuals attending our Stand Down, coming for assistance are truly heroes. Each and every one of us owes them our gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy, worldwide. The reasons that they have reached the point in need of assistance, varies as widely as their own individuality. The people coming to the Stand Down for assistance are not only recent veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan, but are also veterans that reach as far back as the Vietnam War, the Korean War and the few remaining heroes of WWII. These are today’s MIA’s; Missing In America.” said Blanchard, the sponsor of the event. As NASA Education motto states, “Through ‘help and healing and delivering on their hope’, these individuals want to rejoin the
mainstream of our productive society. They were once the most loyal, dedicated, responsible and professional employees that the federal government has ever had and they need to get that back.“

“The veterans aren’t looking for charity, and the help we’re giving them should not be interpreted as charity. They want a job. A place to live. A means of paying their bills. The same things all of us want and need,” said Blanchard. “They deserve these things.”

Veterans will also receive a number of amenities at the Stand Down.

Transportation will be provided from the Pingree Train Station in Crystal Lake, to the Stand Down site. Please phone NASA Education at 866-338-4968 toll-free for moreinformation about the Stand Down, pick-up points, volunteering and making donations.

Or you may send an email to Amy Johnson at Amy_Johnson@nasaeducation.org or please visit our website at www.nasaed.org. Although pre-registration is closed an individual may come the day of the event.

NASA Education is a Crystal Lake-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that provides comprehensive workforce and community reintegration services for U.S. veterans who are displaced, disabled, homeless or otherwise in transition.

A press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office:

OWNER AND FOUR EMPLOYEES OF CRYSTAL LAKE BUSINESSES CHARGED WITH DEFRAUDING UNITED STATES, U.S. MILITARY VETERANS, AND SERVICE DISABLED VETERAN OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES

ROCKFORD — the owner of certain Crystal Lake, Ill. businesses, three of his current employees, and one former employee, were all indicted today by a federal grand jury in Rockford, Ill. The indictment charges the five defendants with defrauding the United States, U.S. military veterans, and certain other disadvantaged businesses known as Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses.

Defendant, John C. Blanchard, 51, of Crystal Lake, Ill., owns and operates several businesses referenced in today’s indictment, including

• National Association of Systems Administrators, Inc. (“NASA, Inc.”),
• National Association of Systems Administrators Corporation (“NASA Corp.”),
• NASA Education Corp. (“NASA Education”), and
• Liberating Solutions Corporation (“Liberating Solutions”).

NASA, Inc., and NASA Corp. provide computer system maintenance and support for small businesses and engage in some software design.

NASA Education and Liberating Solutions are companies that are purportedly designed to help homeless U.S. military veterans by providing them with work training, community reintegration, and other services. All of these businesses are located in Crystal Lake, Ill.

The remaining four defendants all worked for John Blanchard’s businesses.

• Joanne Blanchard, 49, of Crystal Lake, John Blanchard’s wife, managed the finances and payroll for her husband’s companies.
• James Blanchard, 55, of McHenry, Ill., John Blanchard’s brother, was a Project Manager for Liberating Solutions and managed security for his brother’s businesses.
• Eric R. Behler, 51, of Curlew, Washington, was a Contracting Officer for Liberating Solutions.
• Amy B. Johnson, 50, of Elkhart, Indiana, oversaw NASA Education.

The indictment alleges that the defendants fraudulently obtained federal contracts that were set-aside for Service Disable Veteran Owned Small Businesses. Federal law allows for certain contracts to be set-aside for Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses.

To qualify as a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, a company must be at least 51% owned by one or more service-disabled veterans, and the daily operations of the business must be managed by a service-disabled veteran.

According to the indictment, the defendants caused Liberating Solutions to bid for and win federal set-aside contracts by falsely representing that Liberating Solutions was a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business.

The indictment also charges that the defendants defrauded the U.S. military veterans who were enrolled in the NASA Education program by failing to pay them the wages they were entitled to under the Davis Bacon Act, the Service Contract Act, and Illinois law.

The Davis-Bacon Act requires that companies receiving federally funded contracts for work on federal buildings must pay their employees locally prevailing wages and fringe benefits for similar projects in the area. The Service Contract Act requires companies that are awarded federal contracts to provide certain services to the federal government must also pay their employees certain wage rates. Illinois law has similar requirements for contractors who are awarded contracts for state and local government projects.

According to the indictment, the defendants caused Liberating Solutions and NASA Education to win contracts with the federal government and local governments in Illinois by representing that their businesses would pay their employees the wage rates required under the Davis Bacon Act, the Service Contract Act, and Illinois law.

Then, the defendants required the U.S. military veterans who were enrolled in the NASA Education program to perform the physical labor required by these contracts.

Contrary to the representations on the contracts, the defendants did not pay the veterans the wage rates required by the Davis Bacon Act, the Service Contract Act, and Illinois law.

The indictment also charges the defendants with defrauding the United States in connection with the receipt of certain grant funds.

The U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) provides up to $10,000 in grant funds to organizations that sponsor “Stand Downs.”

Stand Downs are events which provide homeless veterans with information regarding training, employment opportunities, and social services.

The DOL requires organizations that receive these grants to provide the DOL with receipts and invoices for the costs incurred. The grant recipients are also required to return any funds not expended for the event.

According to the indictment, the defendants fraudulently caused NASA Education to keep excess grant funds it received for Stand Down events by submitting fraudulent invoices falsely claiming that Liberating Solutions had incurred certain expenses.

For example, some of these fraudulent invoices claimed that security for NASA Education’s Stand Down events had been provided by a company known as “Bull Dog Security,” when in fact security for those events had been provided by veterans who were not paid for their services.

The indictment returned today contains six counts of wire fraud, one count of mail fraud, and ten counts of providing material false statements and documents in a matter within the jurisdiction of a federal agency. Each count of wire fraud and mail fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Each count of providing material false statements or documents carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison. All of the counts carry a maximum fine of $250,000, or an alternate fine totaling twice the loss or twice the gain derived from the offense, whichever is greater, and restitution. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.

The defendants are scheduled to be arraigned on the indictment next Tuesday, August 28, 2012, at 11:00 a.m., at the federal courthouse in Rockford, Ill. The arraignments will be conducted by U.S. Magistrate Judge P. Michael Mahoney.

The indictment was announced today by Gary S. Shapiro, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, James Vanderberg, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Office of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, John W. Brooks, Special Agent in Charge of the Central Field Office of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of the Inspector General, Armando Lopez, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of the Inspector General, and Jeffrey L. Arsenault, Special Agent in Charge of the Central Field Office of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott A. Verseman.

The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. Each defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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You can read the indictment here.

NASA Education’s Spring Stand Down is coming up at Crystal Lake’s Harvest Bible Chapel and Country Inn and Suites.

The following email explains what is happening.

Here’s some information on our up and coming stand down. The pics are John Blanchard and crew unloading the 2 53’ semi’s of clothing and gear.

NASA Education is “gearing up” for its Homeless Veterans Spring Stand Down and Conference.

[NASA Education has] kicked off the two week preparation for the April 30-May 1 event at Harvest Bible Chapel and Country Inn and Suites in Crystal Lake, IL from 9:00-5:00 on Monday and 8:00-11:00 on Tuesday.

[Recently] we received over 60,000 pounds of gear and clothing for the event.

We are very pleased that we can still have the homeless veteran stand down even though the federal government has stopped funding them.

This up and coming event will mark our twelfth Stand Down and conference, we have been able to have the past 6 events without federal funding with the help of monetary donations, food, clothing and supplies from local community support and private donors.

Since we will be hosting nearly 500 at this event we are always looking for volunteers, assistance and participants, especially if you have not seen the event at our new location, Harvest Bible Chapel.

We are looking for individuals and companies to get on board with assisting some of the most deserving individuals that walk this planet. There are opportunities to volunteer, present in a workshop setting, as wells as display their offerings in the service providers showcase area.

We will be offering 15-30 minute presentation spots for service providers, so sign up early to solidify your spot. As potential employers, they will be able to meet with individuals that are seeking employment or as service providers; they will be able to let the attendees know what is available out there that they may be unaware existed. So whatever their participation, we would like individuals to consider coming out and becoming part of this beneficial and worthwhile event. It’s going to be amazing.

There is no cost to participate in this event, only their time.

How can you help?

The set up for the Spring Veterans’ Stand Down and Conference takes a lot of manpower prior to, during and after the event. We distribute clothing and gear that will help our homeless attendees make it through the elements of summer. Items such as coats, rain gear, waterproof shoes, socks under garments and clothing are a few of the items they will receive at the Conference. Toiletry items will be distributed, so that our attendees can take a warm shower during their stay.

We seek volunteers to assist in the loading, unloading, set-up, tear down, as well as during the 2 day event. Any amount of time individuals can provide is greatly appreciated. Our schedule still needs to be solidified as far as the weekend setup, but if they are willing to volunteer their time, then NASA Ed staff will get in touch with them with times and locations. During Monday and Tuesday we seek volunteers that will be available to help staff security, the registration area, parking lot, clothing distribution area, bingo callers, as well as runners that assist other volunteers and service provider’s needs.

We also seek volunteers to help provide baked goods, or other snack type items. The numbers of our overnight guests keep rising and they really enjoy having goodies to snack on in the evening. And of course if time is an issue, we will always welcome monetary donations to help defer some of the costs.

Volunteers make this event happen

Since our very first Stand Down in the fall of 2006, we’ve had very loyal and dedicated volunteers, some who have assisted in every stand down. We couldn’t do it without our loyal friends. This event is a huge undertaking and everyone who is willing to give their time, no matter whether its 5 minutes or 5 hours, is very much appreciated.

Thank you again for your continued support and dedication to such a great cause. If you know of any other individuals that may want to come out and give us a hand, please forward this information to them.

For more information please visit our website at www.nasaed.org or contact Amy Johnson at amy_johnson@nasaeduation.org or 815-455-5085.

A press release from NASA Education:

“Successful Non-Profit Sends More Participants Down The Road After Commissioning The Second Fleet”

CRYSTAL LAKE – John Blanchard, executive director of NASA Education Corporation a 501(c)(3) nonprofit company once again, proudly watched as the USS Virginia manned with its driver headed out on its maiden voyage; belonging to the second trucking company founded by Mr. Blanchard, in a tractor-trailer owned by NASA Education Corporation, operated by The Second Fleet.

It was just about 4 years ago when Blanchard’s first trucking company, Vet-Teks Trucking, took its maiden voyage.

To date, veteran drivers have driven collectively over 2,400,000 miles throughout the United States with only one accident.

So just after only 4 months since the United States Navy disestablished its Second Fleet, NASA Education established its very own Second Fleet. The first trucks in the Second Fleet are named

• USS Virginia,
• the USS Ronald Regan and
• the USS La Moure County.

John Blanchard, the Executive Director affectionately has been naming trucks for Vet-Teks and now The Second Fleet after
ships he served or worked on or was temporarily assigned to during his eight years in the United States Navy back in the 80’s.

Many have asked, why start another trucking company to which Successful Non-Profit Sends More Participants Down The Road After Re-Commissioning The Second Fleet Blanchard replied,

“The Second Fleet was formed with a different criteria and a different insurance company that specializes in high risk drivers. Now don’t get me wrong, these are not dangerous drivers, just drivers with less than two years experience, which is a requirement for some insurance companies.”

Vet-Teks Trucking, another trucking company owned by Blanchard, caters to over the road, long haul drivers with over two years experience.

The maiden voyage that happened on the afternoon of January 23rd was in the USS Virginia, captained by Tom Nowak.

Mr. Nowak served in infantry out of Camp Pendleton as an E3 in the United State Marine Corp during OEF/OIF era from 2001 to 2005.

In today’s economy where businesses are downsizing, reorganizing and closing, and without the dependency of Federal or State dollars, Blanchard keeps finding ways to increase employment, while still being able to maintain a successful, self sustaining non-profit organization that provides assistance to those less fortunate veterans that just need a helping hand to get back on their feet. All the while providing the experience and opportunity to participants to learn, explore and at time create new areas of focus and concentration for those who are in the program; for that Mr. Blanchard should be commended.

Participants of NASA Education’s Project Fresh Start program, who are capable and have a desire to drive a truck, are offered the opportunity to go through our CDL program. Successful graduates of our CDL program may drive with one of our experienced drivers over the road, coast to coast, local day trips with Vet-Teks and then easily transition over to The Second Fleet in a truck of their own.

“No matter what they decide to drive, they are now productive and embarking on a new career with a satisfaction and joy of accomplishment”, said Blanchard of his participants. “Not all of our drivers have come through the program, but the majority are veterans and there’s a special place in their hearts for the success of this program.”

NASA Education is a Crystal Lake-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive workforce and community reintegration services for U.S. veterans who are newly returned, displaced, disabled, homeless or otherwise in transition.

NASA Education’s efforts by far surpass just its trucking initiatives. Other industries but not limited to include,

• C’Ville Thrift and ReSale Store in Carpentersville;
• The PRISM Center of Crystal Lake, a provider of drug and  alcohol evaluations and education; computer software and website development as well as hosting;
• data center maintenance,
• co-location services and disaster recovery initiatives;
• construction and destruction,
• remodeling,
• landscaping and temporary manpower for festival and
• Help desk and call center support, as well as a full service semi and automotive repair and services.

For more information about NASA Education, The Second Fleet or Vet-Teks, please contact Amy Johnson at 866-338-4968 (866-EDU-4YOU) or amy_johnson@nasacorp.com  or visit our website at www.nasaeducation.org.

Wednesday, United States Senator Dick Durbin came to McHenry County.

He met with employees of NASA Education and related companies at President John Blanchard’s headquarters on Route 31 in Prairie Grove.

The first part of the visit was chronicled here yesterday.

“Last year was a disaster,” the number two Democrat in the U.S. Senate declared, “but for one thing–President Obama jobs bill on helping Veterans.

“Is there any indication that jobs bill has changed anything?” he asked.

“No,” Blanchard replied.

He said hadn’t seen any effect, pointing out that subsidizing a Veterans salary isn’t the problem.

“They can get a job.

“They just can’t hold a job,” Blanchard explained.

They need to get out of “their homelessness” and get their “responsibility back.”

“Who’s going to hire those with a criminal background?” Blanchard asked.

State Rep. Jack Franks (D-Marengo), who arrived after the meeting began, observed that unemployment in McHenry County is above the state average.

NASA Education’s Amy Johnson pointed out that Veterans don’t always want to go to work and have doctor’s appointments that disrupt production schedules.

She said there was a molding firm in Algonquin whose management understood and made allowances for the various problems.

When Durbin asked the wages people helped in their job hunting by NASA Education, Johnson said they ranged from minimum wage to $16-17 an hour at Olson Electric.

Blanchard brought up a problem that Veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan face.

“They have difficulty getting Illinois certificates.”

He mentioned nurses and licenses for truck drivers (CDL’s or Commercial Drivers Licenses) especially.

Franks suggested that legislation might be needed to establish reciprocity between Illinois licensing and skills in the Armed Forces.

“There ought to be an equivalency test,” Durbin agreed.

“Amy, you put your finger on it. A lot of them are facing personal issues,” the Senator continued.

What’s needed, Blanchard said was to

• get them safe
• get them clean
• get them going in a different direction

Durbin then launched on a severe critique of private trade schools.

He said he would be holding a Chicago hearing on the subject in about two weeks.

He charged that the for-profit schools were enticing Veterans to enroll using Federal Pell Grants to pay tuition.

Yet, he said, the Federal government is not holding them responsible for educational or job placement results.

He used the phrase “fly by night operation.”

“We should never be giving Pell Grants.”

Rep. Franks agreed, suggesting the results of state financial  assistance be examined as well.

Durbin focused on culinary schools in which TV cooking shows were inspiring people to enroll.

The private schools, he pointed out were self-accrediting.

Not everything was serious, however.

I got a couple of good shots of Durbin and Franks laughing.

I don’t know what other stops he had on his Wednesday journey to McHenry County, but I caught up with U.S. Senator Dick Durbin while he was learning about NASA Education’s automotive repair business.

It has recently been re-located from Pingree Road sought of Rakow to Route 31 near the fire place store.

There people can get total care for their vehicles which are fixed by Veterans who are mechanics or training to be mechanics.

Durbin listened to the stories of three men in the shop.

He asked several times whether John Blanchard’s brainchild got any Federal funds.

The answer was “No.”

That seemed to surprise the number two Democrat in the U.S. Senate.

Blanchard explained that funding came from related business.

That and contributions.

One source of contributions results from inserts in driver’s license renewals sent out by Secretary of State Jesse White.

They solicit the donations of cars, which NASA Education employees pick up all over the state and beyond.

One of the men told of going to St. Louis and Indiana to get vehicles.

“Most of them aren’t in great shape,” Blanchard said, explaining how they were repaired there prior to being sold or given to Veterans who needed them.

That happens eight months a year.

NASA Education Foundation has to pay for the printing, but obviously the postage is paid by State government.

So far, about 120 cars have been donated.

Durbin, his staff, Blanchard and his assistant Amy Johnson, then walked over the NASA Education, the for-profit headquarters.

Again, Durbin asked, “Any government funding?”

“We’re working for our money,” Blanchard explained, after noting that the recession hasn’t hurt contributions.

He briefly outlined some of the businesses, including a re-sale shop in Carpentersville and a trucking company, among others.

The topic moved onto “the increasing difficulty at getting served at the VA.”

A Veteran in the room explained that it was “more difficult to get the appointments and make the appointments timely.”

“They’re getting swamped,” Blanchard observed.

He explained that if one needed immediate care, a hospital emergency room was where Veterans had to go.

Durbin talked about how ill-advised he thought it had been to close the Veterans Hospital in North Chicago.  He credited former Congressman John Porter with advancing the idea of combining the care of Veterans with active duty personnel at Great Lakes.

“Impossible!” was the reaction.  “They don’t speak the same language,” congressmen were told.

He told of “head-to-head battles between unions, the Navy and the VA.”

But the merger was accomplished.

“Don’t cut the budget,” Durbin said with reference to Veterans health care.

“For God’s sake, we promised these servicemen we’d stand behind them.”

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More tomorrow.

With the YMCA’s having lost its lease for Camp Algonquin, NASA Education has had to find a new location for what it used to call a “Stand Down.” This press release explains the details of next week’s event.

“2011 Starts a New Era for NASA Education Corporation Spring Veterans Conference – April 11-12, 2011”

CRYSTAL LAKE – Calling all veterans this event is for you.

There is no cost to attend this function.

Veterans who are newly discharged, displaced, disabled or homeless and those who are otherwise in transition are the focus of the Spring Veterans Conference, which will take place beginning at 9:00 a.m. on April 11th through 4:00 p.m., April 12th at Harvest Bible Chapel, located at Tracy Trail in Crystal Lake, Illinois.

NASA Education’s John Blanchard told me that about 325 Veterans came to Camp Algonquin for the Stand Down that his organization has been putting on twice a year for a couple of years.

The only “celebrity” was 8th Congressional District U.S. Representative Melissa Bean this year. She didn’t speak, rather walked around and talked to the Veterans.

So, the two-day event was about service more than publicity.

35,000 pounds of clothing were distributed.

166 stayed overnight at the McHenry County Conservation District-owned, but YMCA-operated campground.

For the first time, there was snow. Melting.

Get off the path and mud was the result.

Naturally, I arrived about lunch time.

There was a big feed.

Some of the volunteers I recognized from before.

Blanchard told me some had been volunteering since the first Stand Down.

He also told me that seven of the Veterans would be staying in Crystal Lake to enter his group’s training program.

“This is our outreach,” he said.

“Where are you going to put those pictures,” one Veteran asked as I was leaving.

“On McHenry County Blog,” I told them as they posed for this photo.  “And, it will show the snow.”

The following press release has been received from NASA Education. It gives details of the Stand Down on Marcy 8th and 9th.

NASA Education Corporation Semi-Annual Stand Down for Veterans to take place March 8-9, 2010

CRYSTAL LAKE – Calling all veterans this event is for you. There is no cost to attend this function. Veterans who are newly discharged, displaced, disabled or homeless and are otherwise in transition are the focus of the Stand Down for Veterans, which will take place beginning at 8:00 a.m. on March 8th through 3:00 p.m., March 9th at YMCA Camp Algonquin, 1889 Cary Road, Algonquin.

“The individuals attending our stand down, coming for assistance are truly heroes. Each and every one of us owes them our gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy, worldwide.“The reasons that they have reached the point in need of assistance, varies as widely as your own individuality.

“The people coming to the stand down for assistance are not only recent veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan, but are also veterans that reach as far back as the Vietnam War, the Korean War and the code talkers of WWII,”

said John Blanchard, executive director of National Association of Systems Administrators Education Corporation (NASA Education), the sponsor of the event.

He added that the organization is expecting to provide services to over 300 veterans. Due to a new feature added to our website that allows attendees to pre-register for the event, we are able to plan more efficiently; so with almost 289 pre-registered, we anticipate that number to increase over the two days with individuals who will walk in that day. As NASA Education motto states, “Through ‘help and healing and delivering on their hope,’ these individuals want to rejoin the mainstream of our productive society. They were once the most loyal, dedicated, responsible and professional employees that the federal government has ever had and they need to get that back.”

Services will include medical screenings and information about other VA services by North Chicago VA Medical Center, employment services by Veterans Employment Training Service (VETS)/Department of Labor through the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), referrals for housing assistance and other services by the McHenry County Veterans Assistance Commission., legal counseling by Attorney Jeffrey Antonelli. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will verify military status and eligibility for services as well as claims processing; this office can and will make things happen.

Senior Services and representatives from the Social Security Administration will also be on hand to assist with any questions and applications for SSDI. The American Red Cross will be on hand to provide assistance. McHenry County College will be sending a representative to answer any questions regarding registering for classes, etc. Other services providers will be the VET Center and PAXEM, Inc. Harper College Dental Clinic will be providing cancer screenings on Tuesday only.

Veterans will be able to register for medical care at North Chicago VA Medical Center at the Stand Down. Information about community services for homeless and low-income individuals will be provided by Susan Giannone, the constituent services advocate from Congresswoman Melissa Bean’s Office, and Pam Sexton, the constituent services advocate from Congressman Donald Manzullo’s Office.

NASA Education will accept applications for participation in Project Fresh Start, its comprehensive workforce and community reintegration program for U.S. veterans who are displaced, disabled, homeless or otherwise in transition. NASA Education will also accept applications for its 32-bed transitional housing facility for homeless veterans.

“The individuals that come to the Stand Down are in need of a safe place to be, workforce and community reintegration training and an opportunity to be back on track where they should be, and that’s exactly what we provide through our main program Project Fresh Start. Employers that wish to have dedicated, English speaking trainees that will show up to work and have a burning desire for a new career should strongly consider Project Fresh Start participants,” said Blanchard.

John Blanchard talked with folks in the service providers' room at Camp Algonquin.

“I strongly encourage the service providers attending the stand down to fulfill their obligations to the veteran community by doing what they’re charged do.”

Veterans will also receive a number of amenities at the Stand Down, including free haircuts by SportClips of McHenry, Hair Cuttery out of Woodstock and Crystal Lakes very own Slims Barbershop.

Clothing, military gear, meals and the use of shower facilities will be provided on both days, and overnight shelter will be provided on Monday, March 8th. Individuals and organizations from the community have donated new and gently used clothing and shoes, new underwear and socks, and toiletries.

We are very grateful to local businesses and organizations that have stepped up and made donations to assist with the Stand Down. Those organizations are Kyoto’s, Pontarelli’s, Great American Bagel and Rosati’s of McHenry. The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Carpentersville Post 5915 will be strongly involved through volunteers and donations.

How can you help?

Donations are needed in the form of cash, new and gently used clothes for men and women, baked goods or other desserts, toiletries, fast food gift certificates in small denominations and gift cards from supermarkets.

Transportation will be provided to the Stand Down for the veterans from various pick-up points throughout the community. Please phone NASA Education at 866-338-4968 tollfree for more information about the Stand Down, pick-up points, volunteering and making donations. Or you may send an email to Amy Johnson at Amy_Johnson@nasaeducation.org or please visit our website at www.nasaed.org.

NASA Education is a Crystal Lake-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive vocational rehabilitation and community reintegration services for U.S. veterans who are displaced, disabled, homeless or otherwise in transition.

Chagrin Falls, Ohio, World War II veteran Charles McHenry came all the way to Crystal Lake for a Library of Congress Veteran History Project interview.

John Blanchard, Executive Director of Crystal Lake-based NASA Education, flew his private plane to pick McHenry and his son Charles, Jr., on Thursday.

The reason for the trip was to document Mr. McHenry’s account of his service during WWII.

The Veteran History Project collects first-person accounts of military service in WWI, WWII, the wars in Korea, Vietnam and the Persian Gulf, and the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Veteran History Project honors American war veterans and civilian workers who supported them by preserving stories of their service to our country.

In October, 2000, the U.S. Congress unanimously voted to create program, which will be housed at the American Folklife Center of the Library of Congress in Washington.

The contents of the archives and its collections are made available to researchers and the public.

In additional to compiling a unique archive for scholars, the Veterans History Project hopes to inspire future generations with these stories of service to our country.

Mr. McHenry served in the United State Navy during WWII on the USS Finback SS230 as a submariner, with his main specialty as an electrician.

He served from June, 1943 – December, 1945 and then was called back to duty and served during the Korea conflict between September, 1950 and March 1951.

“His stories were amazing and so clearly stated,” Blanchard explained.

During his visit to Crystal Lake, McHenry attended Carpentersville VFW Post 5915’s community night, appearing with Jim Shea. Shea and Mr. McHenry’s son Charles, Jr. have been boyhood buddies since the 4th grade and that is how Mr. Blanchard learned of him.

“It was a fun filled trip,” Blanchard explained, “one he said he would remember for the rest of his life. They headed back to Cleveland early this afternoon.

“Everyone at NASA Education was left with heartfelt memories of our blessed WWII Navy veteran named Charles,” Blanchard said.

This is the 11th recording that NASA Education has done for the Veteran History Project.

“We are seeking individuals that have either served or know of someone that may be interested in sharing their stories of the past,” Blanchard explained. “Please contact Amy Johnson, Program Director at 800-724-9692 for additional information or to schedule an interview.”