Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency makes videos available for K-12 students to learn about the U.S. military
The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) has produced two engaging videos to inform K-12 students about the U.S. military and life as a veteran, during Veterans Day and anytime throughout the school year.
The educational videos titled “MVAA Operation SAM: Support America’s Military” are publicly available on YouTube and appropriate to be shown in a classroom or auditorium setting. The videos check in at just over 10 minutes a piece. They are specific to grades K-6 at “MVAA Operation SAM (For Kindergarten-6th Grade)”, and grades 6-12 at “MVAA Operation Support America’s Military 6-12”.
Narrated by “General Petosky,” the videos briefly describe each of the six military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and Space Force, and stress the importance of service members and veterans to a free nation and how veterans have earned benefits for their military service.
The videos offer activities to engage students. Teachers are encouraged to watch the videos first to see how the content can supplement their curriculum.
The videos are part of MVAA’s Speakers Bureau, which aims to cultivate patriotism and build support for service members and Michigan 530,000-plus military veterans and their families. For more information and the videos, visit www.michigan.gov/ mvaa.
Gov. Whitmer recognizes Oct. 31 to Nov. 3 as Veterans Small Business Week
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recognized Oct. 31 to Nov. 3 as Veterans Small Business Week in Michigan to celebrate the positive contributions made by veteran-owned small businesses to our local communities and economies across Michigan.
Gov. Whitmer has worked to ensure Michigan’s veterans and their families have the opportunities and support they need to succeed. She has signed legislation to reduce barriers to professional licensure creating an expedited path for veterans and their families to practice their licensed profession in Michigan, easing the pathway to reciprocal licenses through expedited processing and waiving initial license and application fees.
Veterans who are interested in registering a business in Michigan may also qualify for a waiver of fees for profit corporations, limited liability companies and nonprofit corporations. Learn more at: www.michigan.gov/lara/ bureau-list/cscl/corps/ how-do-i/services/waiverof-fees-for-veterans.
Brian L. Love, the new director of the MVAA, said small businesses are the backbone of the Michigan economy and a key part of the state’s “Make it in Michigan” economic development strategy.
For more information on professional and entrepreneurial development for veteran-owned businesses, small business training and counseling, networking opportunities and mentoring programs, visit www.michigan.gov/dmva.
Upcoming events
• Oakland University’s Veterans Appreciation Week is Nov. 6 to Nov. 10. Join fellow veterans, community members, campus students and staff for days of events designed to inspire, support, and commemorate those who served. All events are free and are at various campus locations. For more information, call 248-370-2100 or email vss@oakland.edu and visit https://oakland. edu/veterans.
• Holly High School to host Veterans Day Salute at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, at 6161 E. Holly Road, in the auditorium. All veterans welcome. For more information, call 810-348-9960.
• The Orion Veterans Memorial to host a free veterans luncheon at noon Nov. 10, at the Orion Senior Center, at 1335 Joslyn Road, Lake Orion. Must register at 248-391-0304, ext. 3500.
• The Women Marines Association to host celebration of the Marine Corps Birthday at 248th Annual Birthday Ball from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov.
12, at the Romeo Masonic Hall, 231 N Main St, Romeo. Gifts for all guests and raffles, $55 per person. Register by Nov. 10 at: women-marines-association.springly.org/collect/choice/362858-zwma-248th-birthday-celebration. For more information, visit mi2@womenmarines.org or call 586-752-9421.
• Royal Oak American Legion Post 253 Riders to host Fundraiser Breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday, Nov. 12, at 1505 N. Main St., Royal Oak. No set amount. Donations accepted. Everyone is welcome. For more information, call 248-546-0490.
• Holly American Legion Post 149 to host Pancake Breakfast 8:30 a.m. to noon Sunday, Nov. 12, at 408 S. Saginaw. All-you-can eat. Adults $9. Children under 12, $5. Public welcome. For more information, call 248-634-3822.
The Oakland Press is interested in all veterans events in Oakland County. Please send info in the body of an email with subject line “Veterans Affairs” to Sharon Longman at sslstart@ aol.com. Allow two weeks’ notice for scheduled events and include a phone number for readers to call for more information.