News Releases and Articles

The law that enacted the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) was signed on November 21, 2011 giving up to 99,000 unemployed Veterans who do not have any VA educational benefits an additional 12 months of Montgomery GI Bill benefits ($1,564/month) for training towards a high demand occupation. We began accepting applications on May 15, 2012, less than 6 months after enactment. Every Veteran who is given a Certificate of Eligibility is contacted by our partners in the Department of Labor to assist them with their employment goals. As of late this week, we have received over 94,000 applications, and have approved 77,000 Certificates of Eligibility - all good news. However, just over 27,000 of those eligible have begun using their benefit. I have two 'asks'. Please continue to get the word out on this wonderful program, we continually update our website www.benefits.va.gov/VOW

Encourage those Veterans who have been accepted to use their benefit, or turn them in if they do not plan to use them. Please help us get that word out. We do not want any of the 99,000 slots to go unused. The program is only two years long. By law we can only accept applications until September 30, 2013, and the last payment can be made through March 31, 2014. VRAP participants that do not enroll in school by March of this year will not be able to receive a full 12 months of training. The urgency should be conveyed- apply, use the benefit as soon as feasible, or, notify us to cancel the Certificate of Eligibility so that another Vet can potentially use the benefit.

Thank you, Curtis L. Coy Deputy Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity Veterans Benefits Administration U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 1800 G Street, NW, Suite 510 - Mail Stop 20E Washington, DC 20420 VA Core Values: Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, Excellence (“I CARE”)"

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To uphold their mission of helping others, West Shore Window & Door Inc. partnered with Operation Second Chance in efforts to "help heroes move on."

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For the past 17 years, Capital Crescent Trail enthusiasts have been shocked to see the "Jolly Fat Man" — and a pack of his followers — racing and walking down the trail. This year will be no different as The Sergeant's Program inspires recruits, friends and their hero — the "Jolly Fat Man" — to "give it their best" at its fun run/walk to benefit Operation Second Chance.

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Operation Second Chance is a nonprofit organization providing support for the Soldiers and Marines while they are recuperating at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) and then further assisting them when they transition either back to duty or back to civilian life.

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Kisielewski doesn't live in the small mountain town. In fact, he traveled all the way from Frederick, Md., for the ninth annual run that raises money for Carbon County charities.

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After injuring his back, shoulder and head in Iraq in 2009, it was a while before J.D. Bowser smiled much. During an Operation Second Chance outing Aug. 15 along the Pine River, he smiled plenty. Guide Duke Quinn offers advice to the military veteran.

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Before the Army, Spc. Mark Lopez never ran a mile in his life. Now, Lopez is running 185 miles in rapid succession down the length of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park to raise money for wounded warriors.

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Gaithersburg, Md. – August 24, 2012 - Paul Davis Restoration and Remodeling with offices in Gaithersburg and Frederick, Md. Recently sponsored a successful fundraising event with local golfing enthusiasts who pledged to play 100 holes of golf in one day in an effort to raise money for Operation Second Chance and St. Thomas More Academy. The tournament was held on June 11 at Glade Valley Golf Club in Walkersville, Maryland. Each golfer was asked to raise $2,500 and local companies donated $1, $2 or $5 per holes played.

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There was a time before the three heart attacks, before he was effectively paralyzed in the lower half of his left leg, when Army Spc. Stephen Ramsey wouldn't do much on his Georgia farm other than pick cotton and peanuts, and hunt.

Actually, he can still remember the first time he went hunting. He watched a commercial on television, turned to his grandfather and told him he wanted to hunt deer.

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MacB was honored with the 2011 Alfred P. Sloan Award for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility. This prestigious award recognizes employers, of all sizes and types in the greater Dayton area and across the country that are using workplace flexibility as a strategy to increase workplace effectiveness and yield positive business results.

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Members of the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office had the distinct privilege of meeting two war heroes who came to town in February for a little R&R during their recovery. Lance Corporal Nick Thom and Corporal Chris Bowers stopped by before they headed out for a weekend of hunting and fishing.

The softball organization teamed up with Operation Second Chance and adopted two military families in need this holiday season. Girls from the 10U and 14U teams shopped for and wrapped presents to be donated to families in Oregon and Germany.

ESGR is a Department of Defense agency that promotes a culture in which all American employers support and value their employees' military service. Each year ESGR honors 15 employers across the nation with the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. This award is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government upon employers that go above and beyond in showing support for service members, beyond any legal requirements to continue to employ them upon redeployment.

As another Veteran's Day approaches I find that my usual occupation of scouring of the newspaper inserts for sales has been put on the back-burner, overshadowed by an introduction to one of the most important charitable organizations I've probably ever encountered, a non-profit organization headquartered right here in Frederick Maryland, doing fantastic work for our wounded veterans. Operation Second Chance, a 501(c)3 organization, founded by Cindy McGrew, a Frederick resident, is supporting wounded service members during their recovery and helping them in very practical ways as they transition back to duty or civilian life.

Operation Second Chance provides an opportunity for wounded vets to regroup mentally and physically by emjoying scenic trips, which offered to couples or families.

What better way to celebrate the 236th Army Birthday then to have the smell of BBQ permeating the air, music playing in the background!

Sarasota-Manatee rolls out the red carpet for six combat-wounded veterans from the Army and Marine Corps in town for a recovery retreat.

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is hosting a public forum in Scottsdale, Ariz., aimed at improving the fairness of payments for Veterans who are service-connected for genitourinary, digestive,dental, infectious, immune disorder and nutritional deficiency diseases and injuries.

The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation awards program is now accepting submissions for 2011 awards. Each year, the Foundation presents a series of awards to both Marines and civilians, to recognize their exemplary work in advancing and preserving Marine Corps history.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24, 2011 White House officials released a report today that unveils a new, governmentwide approach to military family support and details a sweeping, interagency effort under way to strengthen families and enhance their well-being and quality of life.

Get more than $49,000 a year for school. Request info about GI Bill approved programs from military and veteran-friendly schools and start earning your degree today.

Wow happens in the moment of those special and unique experiences that can lift us to a new perspective. Like pricking a balloon with a pin, the "pop" jolts us physically and in this wow moment we know we have stumbled onto something new that can dramatically shake up our ideas and impressions about

August, 2010

Red Lodge, Montana Trip

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December 18, 2009

Media Center

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October 18, 2009

The Washington Post

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August 12, 2009

A soldier's injuries + a volunteer's dedication = a life commitment

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July 1, 2009

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May 28, 2009

Click here to watch Adam's Smithsonian Channel Video.

May 28, 2009

Click here to watch Cindy's Smithsonian Channel Video.

May 20, 2009
Susan Singer-Bart

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April 25, 2007
Titus Ledbetter III

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Operation Second Chance will bring wounded soldiers to Damascus for Soldier Appreciation Day
April 18, 2007
Titus Ledbetter III

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President thanks woman who founded Operation Second Chance and other volunteers for helping injured soldiers.
March 14, 2007
Titus Ledbetter III

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NBC's Jim Miklaszewski introduced us to one woman who has made it her mission to help wounded veterans and their families.

March 6, 2007

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The New Market District Lions Club recently welcomed Cindy McGrew, founder of a volunteer group helping injured military officials, as a guest speaker at a recent meeting.

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President Thanks Groups for Their Support of Troops and Families.
February 28, 2007

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Cindy McGrew was invited to meet with the President on Wednesday, February 28. Operation Second Chance was one of eleven organizations represented at the meeting.

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More than $16,000 is sent to Operation Second Chance in the past week after the group’s president is robbed at Lakeforest mall.
November 29, 2006
By Titus Ledbetter III

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A woman who created a foundation to help wounded war veterans was roughed up and robbed of Christmas presents for the troops outside Lakeforest Mall in Montgomery County this week.
November 21, 2006

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Woman Loses Gifts For Wounded Soldier's Children
November 21, 2006

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November 17, 2006

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3/14 Marines run in-country for wounded veterans
Fall 2006

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Four members of the military and one civilian are raising $2,000 each for Operation Second Chance.
September 24, 2006

Click here to read more, published on the Frederick News-Post.

At the Maryland State Fair Concert on August 29th, Chris Cagle had the opportunity to meet with some soldiers who were wounded in Iraq.
September 15, 2006

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In honor of her husband and their daughter’s birthday, Kellie will run the Marine Corps Marathon alongside wounded Soldiers and Marines as a part of the Operation Second Chance team.
Tracey Murray
Fort Wainwright PAO
August 2006

Click here to read more, published on the Alaske E-Post Online.

Jeff and Vicky Fairbanks, owner of Liberty Labradoodles announces a puppy dubbed Liberty’s Freedom will be given to one lucky supporter of Operation Second Chance from her August litter. Vicky stated anyone donating twenty dollars or more and completes the application process could be an owner of a special multi generational Australian Labradoodle. The winner will be selected August 20th, 2006.