Thursday, March 28, 2024

Pecan Valley’s Josh Morrison making big moves

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VETERANS VOICE

 

Linda Mallon, a retired Army master sergeant, found her niche working with veterans and their families in Granbury. She is a former claims administrator for Blue Shield of New Jersey and later senior personnel sergeant taking care of soldiers’ careers for more than 20 years.

Veteran Services Program Coordinator Josh Morrison has recently moved into the role as “Veterans Program Manager” for Pecan Valley Centers. 

What does this mean for us in the Hood? Josh just received two Texas Veterans Commission Grants; General Assistance and Mental Health.

The General Assistance portion provides short term financial help to veterans and family members covering mortgage, rent, utilities, food pantry services, restorative dental care and transportation assistance to include bus passes, ride and cab fare, vehicle repair, insurance, and vehicle loan payments.

The Mental Health Grant provides for free individual, group and veteran family counseling and Peer support which includes peer groups, veteran to veteran support and referrals to local resources.

Veterans mental health program qualifying conditions include trauma and stress related disorders, anxiety, adjustment and mood disorders, suicide ideation and behaviors, relationship challenges, substance abuse disorders identity concerns and case management.

This grant also allows Josh to hire three individuals to assist with these programs and they are looking at hiring two more in the coming weeks. Josh also works with justice involved veterans, coordinating with the sheriff’s department to work with incarcerated veterans via ZOOM meetings. 

He also, along with our veteran’s service organizations, was instrumental in assisting a veteran who lost his home to fire obtain temporary housing. Josh is doing great things for our community so we ask you to keep his mission in your prayers.

You can reach Josh at 817-579-4489 or email him at jmorrison@pacanvalley.org.

Our Veterans Council meeting was  Wednesday, July 21, and a few things came out of that meeting that we need to pass on.

The VFW Post 7835 and the American Legion are holding a memorial service in honor of our first responders at noon on Sept. 11, 2021 at the Riley Stephens Memorial VFW Post 7835, located at 3670 W. U.S. Highway 377.  Contact the Post for more information at 817-573-9350.

The June Military Officers Association Golf Tournament raised $15,000 for the GHS JROTC Cadets. MOAA meets at the Pecan Plantation Country Club 6 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month and Josh Morrison and I were invited to speak at their September meeting. We are looking forward to that.

Reboot 12 week Combat Recovery Program starts on Aug. 3 at 6:30 p.m. at Stonewater Church on Highway 377. Contact John Hosea 682-422-6843 or email him at john.hosea@stonewaterchurch.com for more information. This is an ongoing program so if you miss a session, you can pick up the next class. 

The Surviving Spouse Virtual Chapter meets on the third Tuesday of the month, so if you are the surviving spouse of a veteran this is a great opportunity to connect with other spouses for friendship and support. Email mssvc02@gmail.com for more information and to get connected with the group or call Gail Joyce for more information at 214-676-2132.

The American Legion Post 278 meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. in County Annex.  Asa Maddox is POC at 817-964-7761.

The DAV Granbury Chapter meets at Charter House on the second Monday of the month at 7 p.m. chaired by Ken Horton of Mission Granbury phone 817-579-6866.

American Legion Post 491 on Davis Road in Granbury meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. and the contact number is 817-326-5145.

The Marine Corps League meets on the fourth Thursday of the month at the American Legion Post 491 at 7 p.m. Contact Ray Beard for more information at rbeard@cpd1297.

American Legion Post 462 meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. at Roosters Bar and Grill at Squaw Valley Golf Course in Glen Rose. Contact Angela Conaway at 254-998-0236 for more information.

Our veteran community is growing so my hope is with all of this information, those of you who are not members of a service organization will look into joining. 

 

lmallon@co.hood.tx.us 817-579-3292