Honor Role

Honor Role: Vets Mentoring Vets

Arts, media, and entertainment combined is a massive industry in America. Being a field that garners so much money and popularity, getting veterans in the door is a great way to show gratitude to those who have served us. According to the Watson Institute at Brown University, over 2.7 million people have served in Iraq […]

Honor Role: Memoir of a Citizen Warrior

Montgomery Granger is a well-known veteran who has worn many hats in his lifetime. When we reached out for an Honor Role interview, he was humble and had great stories to share. “I was a member of small Brigade Liaison Detachments (BLD’s) within the Enemy Prisoner of War (EPW) Military Police Brigades,” Montgomery aka Monty […]

Honor Role: Bands for Arms – The First & Original

You may have seen a craze earlier this year of a small company making bands, bracelets, and other accessories out of retired military uniforms. It’s an amazing concept, but not a new one. Bands for Arms, also known as B4A, began in January of 2010 via founder Nick P. Mendoza III. The back story of how […]

Honor Role: Prowess Military Models

Prowess, a company based out of Washington DC, is doing something evolutionary. They are inviting men and women of all shapes and abilities who served our country, to become professional models. They are also seeking the models’ children to become clients! “Prowess’ fleet of models includes Prowess Women, Prowess Men, Prowess Curvy, Prowess Physique, and […]

Honor Role: Honor Brewing

Would we be making your day if we told you that buying beer or wine could help out a veteran? Before you run down to a liquor store or potentially violate your sobriety, let us explain. Honor Brewing and Honor Winery is a company that makes craft beers and wines in which part of the […]

Honor Role: Patriotic Restoration

Looking back to your time as a child, you are likely to remember a few things about starting your school day. Eating some cereal, getting on the bus, going to your locker, and starting your day with the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. One organization still believes in the power of Patriotism and […]

Honor Role: Equine Therapy for Veterans

Brianna Nash is a veteran and so is her husband, Zachary. To keep her mind occupied while Zachary is still deployed, Brianna has found a unique approach to help out her fellow veterans. Brianna has assisted fellow humans better themselves, since she is a Life Coach for other women. Her bond with horses, however, has been […]

Honor Role: Joan & Art Barron Veterans Center

By Amanda Rosenblatt Among the benefits waiting for them when they come home from duty, education via the GI Bill is one of the most important. Many Americans opt to go through the military not only for the honor to serve, but to help pay for their higher education. There are those who nobly make […]

Honor Role: Travis Manion Foundation

They have assisted more than 18,000 veterans and survivors of those who have fallen. They have enthused over 50,000 American youths to volunteer in their communities in honor of a soldier who was perished in battle. Close to 50 veterans have graduated from their funded internship, and almost 100 veterans, including survivors, have become advocates […]

Honor Role: Medicinal Marijuana for Veterans

Al Byrne is a Navy veteran. He was raised in New England, went to college at Notre Dame, and has an economics degree. He served in Vietnam and has a wife who is a nurse. Al is packaged as an all-American guy, so you would assume he is pretty conventional. That is until you hear […]

Honor Role: Bullets2Bandages

Craft beers are increasingly becoming more popular, and this is especially so in San Diego. One company is looking to capitalize on this movement, and do so for a good cause. Bullets2Banadages is an apparel and accessories company founded in 2011 that is veteran-owned and gives a good chunk of their proceeds to veteran charities. […]

Honor Role: Building & Supporting Veteran Monuments

A soldier does not volunteer to serve their country for a reward or to be remembered in history. We, as a society thankful for these sacrifices, create monuments and memorials for their actions. Just as any object made by man, the trials of time will wear down or damage these memorials. EP Henry, an American-made […]

Honor Role: Free Event Tickets for the Military

When you’ve got big plans for an event, it makes your life more exciting. Going to a sports game, a concert, or even a theme park – you can’t help but count the days down and have something really great to look forward to. One organization wants to make sure Veterans, active military and […]

Honor Role: Wings for Warriors

Anthony Ameen was a Hospital Corpsman in the Navy. He has extensive medical knowledge and has assisted many of his fellow veterans. He also nearly lost his life in combat while deployed. “I was with the 2nd Battalion/7th Marines – 1st Marine Division and lost my leg in combat,” Anthony recalls to us at […]

Honor Role: Our Military Kids

It is important to focus on those in the Reserves and National Guard who are deployed, and those who come home. There is another important factor to focus on. Often, our soldiers are leaving behind a family with children in order to fulfill their duty to serve. A great network of people realized the need […]

Honor Role: Tough Enough, Indeed

The WWE has been a renowned source of sports entertainment for decades. As with any industry, there is a need for new talent – the WWE, just like the military, needs able men and women to answer the call. Michael Hayes answered the WWE’s call when the latest season of its competition show “Tough Enough” […]

Honor Role: Cell Phones for Soldiers

A daily staple in our lives is the cell phone. Whether you use it for calling, texting, gaming, selfies, or social media – it’s always there. One organization knows the importance of this modern tool and wanted to make sure that deployed soldiers do not feel this void in their lives. Cell Phones for Soldiers […]

Honor Role: Interfaith Services of San Diego

“They didn’t make bad choices or do anything wrong – they had tough lives. And we help them.” These are wise words from Greg Anglea. Greg is the Executive Director of Interfaith Services of San Diego, and he works for the Veterans Assistance department. His primary function is helping to provide resources to veterans who […]

Honor Role: 8 Bit Salute

Video games are a modern staple in our daily society. They serve as forms of entertainment and stress relief. Living out fantasy scenarios that take your mind elsewhere, whether racing cars or killing bad guys. The organization Operation Supply Drop knows all too well not only the power of video games, but also the importance […]

Honor Role: Veterans of Comedy

The Veterans of Comedy have the charm turned on, even when they are off duty. When they came to VA Home Loan Centers for an Honor Role interview, they were already ribbing each other before the interview. “Just because they HAVE snacks,” Shawn Halpin said to his partner-in-comedy Will C Clifton, “doesn’t mean you have […]

Honor Role: Reality TV Figure Shawn Goodwin

Reality TV is a massively popular notion in today’s voyeuristic society. Though quite a few programs under this category are found lacking both taste and worthy characters to focus on by the general public, others get it right. Shawn Goodwin has quite a following in the world of reality TV via the popular Syfy program […]

Honor Role: Anthony Tran Interview

VA Home Loan Centers recognizes the work and contributions of numerous organizations and individuals. For his successful transition from Air Force 2nd Lieutenant during Operation Iraqi Freedom to small business owner and entrepreneur, Anthony Tran has been named the recipient of the VAHLC Honor Roll. Following his discharge, Tran spent time working in corporate America, […]

Honor Role: 4 Paws for Ability

What is your background and how have your educational and work backgrounds led you to this position? I have a degree in social work and have always been involved with dogs in one way or another. However what led me to this field was my own personal experience with disability and getting a service dog http://4pawsforability.org/the-4-paws-story/ […]

Honor Role: Joe Crane

For his outstanding efforts in creating resources for active duty service-members in their transition to a post-military life, and for the example he has and continues to set for transitioning vets, VA Home Loan Centers is proud to announce that Joe Crane has been named the inaugural member of the VA HLC Honor Role. The […]

Honor Role: eKnowledge Military Donation Project

Famed Author William Arthur Ward once said “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” In following that sentiment, VA Home Loan Centers recognizes the work of numerous charities for their outstanding contributions to the lives of military service members and their families. As often is the case, […]