Free Education Information - Central Texas College

Hi everyone-

Check out this article by the Fort Lee Public Affairs Office. CTC is giving wounded soldier's spouses 30 semester hours of free tuition:

Fort Lee, Va. (Nov. 26, 2008) -- By T. Anthony Bell

For some time now, Army spouse Pasha Quintana has desired to start a college degree program but couldn't get the ball rolling for various reasons.

Thanks to a Central Texas College scholarship program, she's one step closer to realizing her dream.

The wife of Warrior Transition Unit Soldier Sgt. Roberto Quintana is the installation's first recipient of a CTC program that will allow her to complete 30 credit hours at the school free of charge.

"I'm just so happy," said Pasha, who recently completed her first two classes at the school. "It's just great what Central Texas is doing, especially for our wounded Soldiers. There is so much out there for them, but the fact that they're including the wives and Families, makes me emotional. It's one of the most American things they can do."

Under the provisions of its Wounded Warrior Spouse Scholarship Program, which was created in the spirit of Army Family Covenant, spouses of Purple Heart recipients are eligible for up to 30 semester hours within a one-year period that began Aug. 1.

Spouses interested in the program must present a marriage license, Department of Defense identification card and their spouse's DD Form 214 or Purple Heart award orders. Only spouses of those Soldiers who earned the Purple Heart after September 2001 are eligible.

Dick Gates, the CTC site manager at Fort Lee and a former veteran himself, said the program is a way of giving back to military members who have sacrificed so much for their country.

"It's an excellent program," said the Vietnam veteran. "My personal feeling is that we can't do enough for Soldiers. They deserve the best that we can provide."

Spouses who take full advantage of the program stand to gain about $3,900 in free tuition, "Plus text books," said Gates, "so you're probably looking at around $5,000."

Pasha, who is a licensed stylist, said the scholarship offer helped her to kick-start a degree program in information technology. She added that she knows all too well the challenges that spouses of wounded warriors face in supporting their Families and that higher education is sometimes not an option.
"Everybody who can should take advantage of the program," she said.

Stacey Towns is an education counselor with the Soldier and Family Assistance Center which provides a number of assistance services to WTU members. She said that although Pasha is the first recipient of the program, she anticipates that more will sign up.

"I would hope that the number will grow as more Soldiers and spouses become aware of the program," she said, "and as Fort Lee expands because of BRAC, I'm sure that it will."

The WWSSP is available at CTC campuses throughout the nation, said Gates. The program is funded for the current program year, but funding beyond that is uncertain, he added.

For more details on the program, visit the CTC Web site at www.ctcd.edu/militaryspouses

Dr. Phil - PTSD

Information:

Even if you aren't a huge fan of Dr. Phil's - you may want to try and catch a replay of his Dec. 19 segment on the plight of veterans featuring an investigative report by CBS Chief Investigative Correspondent Armen Keteyian that exposed an epidemic of suicide among those who have served in the military.

It's not something that we all want to be reminded of so close to the holidays, but it is important.

Please remember... as a spouse you will be spending a lot of time with your servicemember when they return from downrange. Please look for signs of PTSD and get help immediately!!!

Contact their commander, chaplain, battalion surgeon.. or a counselor. To find a counselor in your area, or to volunteer services to the mental health counseling project, visit http://www.giveanhour.org/.

If you need to talk to someone right away.... call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)

God bless.

Marc

Merry X-Mas!!!!

Hi everyone-

Sorry for the delay in posting. I've been working horrible hours at work and trying to finish deadlines for my www.sportsbythenumbers.com book series.

We have a Mixed Martial Arts, Major League Baseball, San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox, and Sacramento Kings book coming out in the spring.

But, I wanted to wish all you out there, a wonderful Christmas. This will be my first as a proud dad. I can't wait to see my daughter's face when she sees all the shiny wrapping paper. She's still way too young to understand, but I hope I can capture at least one "OHHHH" facial expression.

All the best,

Marc

Jelly Beans and M&M's

Heads up!

With Halloween coming up, I just wanted you all to know... please don't ever mix Jelly Beans and M&M's in one bite.

I speak from experience, please don't let the kids have this combo.

As my family couldn't stop laughing at me for coughing and tearing up, I was having trouble swallowing. Now, looking back it was funny, but my throat is killing me right now and it's hard to swallow.

The reason:

When I chomped down on the Jelly Beans, they usually form to my throat and slide on down, but the M&M got stuck in the squashed Jelly Bean and couldn't break down. So the shell actually got caught and scracthed my throat and it took me forever to get the bite down.

Now, make sure you get the kids out there and trick or treat until they drop. You'll make lasting memories, but please stay away from this combo. Ha Ha!!!!!

Have a great Halloween!

Finished!

At last.

I can't believe it, but I just finished my written exams for the PhD that I've been working on the past three years.

The degree (when I finish) will be in Organizational Leadership from the University of Oklahoma.

Although I live in Germany, I can still take classes at my local Army Education center.

Spouses - I suggest when you find a moment, please visit your installation's Ed Center. There is never a good or bad time for education. Each day that passes is one day less you will have to get your degree. It can't hurt to at least see what they have to offer.

Remember - Don't "just survive" during the deployment -- ---- --- THRIVE! You can do it.

8,000 Troops to Leave Iraq

I'll believe it when I see it.

Good news is that it is a step in the right direction (if you want your family member home - which we all do).

My brother-in-law is currently in Iraq. He has two children and my sister at home... and I hate it.

I hate it because they need him. I hate it because he is in harm's way on a daily basis.

But I love him for volunteering to go to the desert to take care of business and to protect our way of life (whatever that means).

Pulling a total of 8,000 troops home as announced by President Bush is only good IF the reduction in violence stops totally. If America controls a city, then the city is protected. Leave that city and it becomes the wild west again.

I have no answers.

But I do hope that one of the 8,000 coming home is YOUR troop.

God bless.

Marc

Riddick Bowe visits Ramstein

You'll never guess who showed up at the Ramstein Middle School.

I'm sure by the title of this entry, you can tell.

That's right, the former World Boxing Council (WBC) Heavyweight Champion of the World, Riddick Bowe visited the kids, shook hands, and signed autographs.

Thanks for giving these children a great day, Riddick!

What a great surprise for these kids.