News from Rainbow Division Veterans Foundation, Inc.

Rainbow Trail History Newsletter August 2025

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 15:00:09 GMT

08/15/2025

Rainbow REVEILLE July 2025 online issue pages 1-10

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 16:46:37 GMT

07/22/2025

Rainbow Reveille April 2025

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 16:55:25 GMT

04/18/2025

Rainbow Trail February 2025 history newsletter pages 1-24

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 18:24:54 GMT

02/12/2025

Rainbow Reveille January 2025

Sat, 18 Jan 2025 20:40:30 GMT

01/18/2025

Rainbow REVEILLE October 2024

Sat, 26 Oct 2024 19:48:16 GMT

10/26/2024

Rainbow Trail History Newsletter August 2024

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 17:07:13 GMT

08/15/2024

Rainbow REVEILLE July 2024

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 15:15:35 GMT

07/19/2024

Rainbow REVEILLE April 2024 pages 1-8

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 18:23:21 GMT

04/17/2024

Rainbow Trail History Newsletter February 2024

Sat, 02 Mar 2024 18:57:18 GMT

03/02/2024

Rainbow Reveille January 2024

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 14:48:04 GMT

01/22/2024

Rainbow REVEILLE OCTOBER 2023 pages 1-8

Tue, 24 Oct 2023 19:44:02 GMT

10/24/2023

RAINBOW TRAIL August 2023

Sat, 26 Aug 2023 15:37:06 GMT

08/26/2023

Rainbow Reveille July 2023

Thu, 13 Jul 2023 21:33:12 GMT

07/13/2023

Rainbow Reveille April 2023

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 15:38:37 GMT

04/19/2023

Rainbow Reveille January 2023

Sat, 21 Jan 2023 18:03:52 GMT

01/21/2023

October 2022 Rainbow REVEILLE

Mon, 17 Oct 2022 13:08:19 GMT

10/17/2022

The Rainbow REVEILLE April 2022

Sun, 21 Aug 2022 12:31:56 GMT

08/21/2022

The Rainbow Reveille July 2022

Tue, 19 Jul 2022 15:36:33 GMT

07/19/2022

Rainbow Reveille

Sun, 16 Jan 2022 19:38:01 GMT

01/16/2022

EXCELSIOR COLLEGE December Virtual Events 2021

Thu, 02 Dec 2021 19:28:12 GMT

12/02/2021

Rainbow Reveille October 2021

Wed, 20 Oct 2021 18:52:24 GMT

10/20/2021

Excelsior College October 2021 Virtual Events Schedule and Description

Mon, 04 Oct 2021 12:53:49 GMT

10/04/2021

Excelsior College September Events Flyer

Tue, 07 Sep 2021 16:36:28 GMT

09/07/2021

Rainbow Reveille pages 1-8

Mon, 19 Jul 2021 17:33:01 GMT

07/19/2021

Rainbow Reveille July 2021

Sun, 18 Jul 2021 17:45:24 GMT

07/18/2021

Excelsior College June 2021 Virtual Events Schedule

Wed, 02 Jun 2021 15:19:26 GMT

06/02/2021

Rainbow Reveille April 2021

Fri, 23 Apr 2021 14:16:54 GMT

04/23/2021

Excelsior College April 2021 Event Schedule

Fri, 02 Apr 2021 15:54:32 GMT

In addition, To read this related news article, Excelsior College’s Amelia Estwick Recently Selected by the Department of Veterans Affairs for a 2021 Trailblazer’s Award https://www.excelsior.edu/article/excelsior-colleges-amelia-estwick-recently-selected-by-the-department-of-veterans-affairs-for-a-2021-trailblazers-award/

04/02/2021

Excelsior College April 2021 Events Schedule flyer

Fri, 02 Apr 2021 15:58:18 GMT

04/02/2021

Virtual Job Fair 24 and 25 March 2021

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 23:02:18 GMT

03/01/2021

Excelsior College February 2021 February Virtual Events with links

Mon, 01 Feb 2021 22:29:35 GMT

02/01/2021

Rainbow Reveille pages 1-8

Wed, 20 Jan 2021 16:03:23 GMT

01/20/2021

Rainbow Reveille January 2021

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 16:20:41 GMT

01/19/2021

Excelsior College December 2020 Upcoming Virtual Events

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 18:24:19 GMT

11/23/2020

Rainbow Reveille October 2020 pages 1-8

Fri, 06 Nov 2020 12:31:09 GMT

11/06/2020

Excelsior College November Virtual Events Schedule

Fri, 06 Nov 2020 15:52:58 GMT

11/06/2020

Excelsior College - Three Upcoming October 2020 Virtual Events

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 14:21:20 GMT

Excelsior College Webinars October 7, 19 and 29

09/29/2020

Excelsior College Partner Virtual Open House

Tue, 08 Sep 2020 20:51:43 GMT

Thursday September 17, 2020 from noon until 2 PM - Learning more about completing your degree

09/08/2020

Excelsior College Webinar 6 August 2020 news and registration

Wed, 05 Aug 2020 17:57:06 GMT

08/05/2020

Rainbow REVEILLE July 2020

Sun, 19 Jul 2020 20:39:42 GMT

07/19/2020

Excelsior College Webinar 30 April 2020 NEWS for Veterans and Active Duty Military

Sat, 18 Apr 2020 18:49:09 GMT

04/18/2020

Excelsior College Webinar 30 April 2020 NEWS for Veterans and Active Duty Military

Sat, 18 Apr 2020 18:56:51 GMT

04/18/2020

Rainbow REVEILLE April 2020

Tue, 14 Apr 2020 14:12:18 GMT

04/14/2020

Rainbow REVEILLE January 2020

Fri, 17 Jan 2020 14:51:05 GMT

01/17/2020

Rainbow REVEILLE October 2019 pages 1-8

Mon, 14 Oct 2019 13:44:50 GMT

10/14/2019

Rainbow REVEILLE July 2019

Tue, 16 Jul 2019 21:41:58 GMT

07/16/2019

Rainbow REVEILLE April 2019

Mon, 15 Apr 2019 23:53:22 GMT

04/15/2019

Rainbow REVEILLE January 2019

Fri, 15 Mar 2019 21:27:02 GMT

03/15/2019

Rainbow REVEILLE October 2018 pages 1 - 8

Thu, 11 Oct 2018 17:58:32 GMT

10/11/2018

Rainbow REVEILLE July 2018

Mon, 16 Jul 2018 17:29:06 GMT

07/16/2018

Excelsior College News

Fri, 29 Jun 2018 17:48:34 GMT

College Factual Ranks Excelsior 1 for Best Colleges for Returning Adults

06/29/2018

Rainbow REVEILLE April 2018

Sat, 28 Apr 2018 15:51:21 GMT

04/28/2018

REVEILLE January 2018 pages 1 - 8

Mon, 15 Jan 2018 22:02:59 GMT

01/15/2018

Excelsior College Military Times Best Colleges 2018

Wed, 03 Jan 2018 19:47:26 GMT

01/03/2018

Excelsior College success story July 26 Guzman Air Force Vet

Wed, 03 Jan 2018 19:51:34 GMT

01/03/2018

Rainbow Reveille October 2017

Fri, 13 Oct 2017 19:07:25 GMT

10/13/2017

Trustees Reflect on Rainbow Division Centennial

Sun, 27 Aug 2017 17:20:06 GMT

Article - The Garden City News online 08/25/2017 By Rikki N. Massand, M.S.

08/27/2017

Garden City News article front page 18 August 2017

Fri, 18 Aug 2017 20:32:59 GMT

Village hosts 100th anniversary commemoration of Rainbow Division - article by Rikki N. Massand

08/18/2017

Centennial Event Montgomery AL 28 August 2017

Tue, 15 Aug 2017 19:18:52 GMT

Dedication of bronze Rainbow Soldier Sculpture by James Butler, RA

08/15/2017

Ceremony Honors Vets, Marks 100th Birthday of The Rainbow Division

Sun, 13 Aug 2017 18:52:50 GMT

History and links to News Video and 42nd Division still photos of the event

08/13/2017

News From New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs

Sat, 05 Aug 2017 16:24:27 GMT

"Rainbow Division" that represented the United States formed in New York in August 1917

08/05/2017

News from The Village of Garden City NY re 12 August 2017 100th Anniversary Commemoration of the entry of the U.S. into WWI

Sat, 05 Aug 2017 16:47:11 GMT

08/05/2017

Rainbow Reveille July 2017

Mon, 17 Jul 2017 16:38:14 GMT

07/17/2017

Rainbow Reveille April 2017

Mon, 17 Apr 2017 18:42:08 GMT

04/17/2017

Rainbow Reveille January 2017

Tue, 17 Jan 2017 20:06:55 GMT

(click on link) Quarterly issue of Rainbow Division Veterans Foundation, Inc. newsletter January 2017

01/17/2017

Rainbow Reveille October 2016

Fri, 14 Oct 2016 14:06:36 GMT

RDVF newsletter October 2016 pages 1-8 (click on link)

10/14/2016

Excelsior College Commencement Stories

Tue, 16 Aug 2016 19:35:48 GMT

David Miller National Guard Member balances school work and service to earn degree

08/16/2016

Rainbow Reveille July 2016

Wed, 13 Jul 2016 21:04:10 GMT

(click on link)

07/13/2016

Excelsior College Adds New Degrees

Tue, 17 May 2016 15:44:48 GMT

Excelsior College adds Associate of Science Degree in Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Science in National Security and Master Degree in Public Administration

05/17/2016

Rainbow Reveille newsletter April 2016

Thu, 14 Apr 2016 17:54:11 GMT

(click on link) April 2016 Reveille

04/14/2016

Excelsior College - Application Fee Waived for Veterans

Mon, 29 Feb 2016 16:11:54 GMT

02/29/2016

Excelsior College Webinar Wednesday 3 February 2016 7-8 PM

Tue, 26 Jan 2016 21:25:47 GMT

Click on link for flyer "Pathway to a career in Criminal Justice"

01/26/2016

Rainbow Reveille January 2016

Tue, 12 Jan 2016 18:31:21 GMT

(click on link) REVEILLE the RDVF Quarterly newsletter January 2016 pages 1 - 8

01/12/2016

Rainbow Reveille October 2015

Tue, 20 Oct 2015 15:17:53 GMT

(click on link) newsletter of the Rainbow Division Veterans Foundation, Inc.

10/20/2015

Excelsior College - RDVF Partnership tuition and fees savings

Tue, 20 Oct 2015 16:09:26 GMT

(click on link) Rainbow Division Veterans Foundation, Inc. members receive significant savings on Excelsior College tuition and fees.

10/20/2015

Excelsior College - Webinar Aims to Help Returning Veterans Jumpstart College and Career Success

Sat, 08 Aug 2015 14:57:53 GMT

(click on link) Recorded one hour Webinar targets issues in the college's two premier courses on college success

08/08/2015

Rainbow Reveille July 2015

Thu, 23 Jul 2015 14:04:09 GMT

(click on link) July 2015 issue of the Quarterly Rainbow Reveille newsletter

07/23/2015

Letters To The World War II Veterans of the 42nd Infantry "Rainbow" Division

Tue, 21 Jul 2015 20:27:37 GMT

Three young Americans honor the 70th Anniversary Commemoration of the Liberation of Dachau Concentration Camp and the WWII veterans of the 42nd Division

07/21/2015

Commemoration at Croix Rouge Farm Sunday July 26, 2015

Sun, 19 Jul 2015 18:59:51 GMT

for further information visit www.croixrougefarm.org

07/19/2015

USDLA Recognizes Excelsior College Online Writing Lab With Two Awards

Tue, 12 May 2015 14:43:07 GMT

Excelsior College Online Writing Lab (OWL) Integrates Multimedia Elements Into Learning Experience

05/12/2015

Excelsior College Webinar Aims To Help Returning Veterans Jumpstart College and Career Success

Sun, 19 Apr 2015 18:39:35 GMT

article and link to one hour recorded Webinar

04/19/2015

Rainbow Reveille April 2015

Sun, 19 Apr 2015 18:44:35 GMT

Click on Link

04/19/2015

Excelsior College - Veterans' Bachelors in Nursing Project

Thu, 12 Mar 2015 15:02:54 GMT

(click on link) news on Excelsior College Veterans' Bachelors in Nursing Project

03/12/2015

Excelsior College Nursing Program flier

Thu, 12 Mar 2015 15:08:32 GMT

(click on link) A program designed to assist veterans in the RN to BS in Nursing: the VBSN Project

03/12/2015

2015 RDVF Eastern Region Chapter Reunion Information April 22-23-24 Ocean City NJ

Fri, 13 Feb 2015 16:44:08 GMT

(click on link) Information for RDVF Eastern Region Reunion April 22-23-24 Ocean City NJ

02/13/2015

Holocaust Survivor Salutes Liberator In Emotional Meeting Decades Later

Tue, 27 Jan 2015 21:07:09 GMT

(click on link) WWII Rainbow Division Veteran meets Dachau Survivor

01/27/2015

Capt. Amanda Ponn, A Sackets Harbor Resident, Takes Command of New York Army National Guard Company in Troy

Mon, 26 Jan 2015 16:57:20 GMT

(click on link) 42D Division Change of Command - Army National Guard’s 42nd Infantry Division Headquarters Support Company

01/26/2015

photos 42nd Division Change of Command Headquarters Support Company January 10, 2015

Mon, 26 Jan 2015 17:00:32 GMT

(click on link) photos

01/26/2015

Excelsior College documentary 'Courageous Learning'

Fri, 23 Jan 2015 19:35:21 GMT

(click on link) Excelsior College documentary 'Courageous Learning'

01/23/2015

January 2015 newsletter

Wed, 21 Jan 2015 18:56:55 GMT

(click on link) January 2015 Reveille

01/21/2015

Veterans Day Rainbow wreath-laying 2014

Thu, 13 Nov 2014 17:27:31 GMT

link to photos of wreath-laying Veterans Day 2014 at the Rainbow Division National Monument, Garden City, New York, birthplace of the Rainbow Division, Camp Mills, Long Island, New York 1917

11/13/2014

October 2014 Newsletter

Tue, 14 Oct 2014 12:47:41 GMT

(Click on Link) October 2014 Reveille

10/13/2014

Excelsior College - Class of 2014: More than 4600 Adult Learners Graduate

Thu, 07 Aug 2014 20:07:28 GMT

Class of 2014: More than 4,600 Adult Learners Graduate from Excelsior College

Posted in Featured By Mike Lesczinski

Graduates and their families came together in Albany, N.Y. Friday, July 11 to celebrate Excelsior College’s 2014 Commencement. More than 300 of a graduating class of 4,693 are attended the ceremony at the Empire State Convention Center. Jamie P. Merisotis, president and CEO of Lumina Foundation, the nation’s largest private foundation committed solely to enrolling and graduating more students from college, offered the keynote address.

[Follow #ExcelsiorGrad2014 for all Commencement-related updates and activities. Learn more about the 2014 Graduation Class (At-a-Glance). ]

Typical Excelsior graduates are working adults, average age 37 years old, balancing jobs, family and college coursework, while seeking to improve their lives and advance in their careers. This year’s graduates come from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and 19 other nations. They earned their degrees through online coursework, credit by examination, transferring credit from other institutions, and recognized non-collegiate sources. Nearly 1,600 graduates are members of the U.S. military and 34 percent are from minority groups.

In total, more than 1,700 degrees were conferred at the associate level, 2,600 at the bachelor’s and nearly 300 at the master’s level. Fifty nine students earned more than one degree during the past academic year and the oldest graduate is 69 years old.

While each graduate leaves Excelsior with a degree, their personal journey to Commencement is unique.

Anna Truss fled her troubled home country of Turkmenistan for Turkey in 2004 in search of academic freedom, eventually making her way to the U.S. via a student-exchange program. Passionate about math and science, the Seattle, Washington resident taught herself web development, graduated from a community college, and enrolled in Excelsior’s Bachelor of Science in Information Technology program, concentrating in cybersecurity. In August 2013, Truss followed the path of so many immigrants before her and started her own business, DefSec Solutions, LLC, a digital forensics firm, with three former classmates. In addition to running a successful – and growing – company, she’s now pursuing a Master of Science in Cybersecurity from Excelsior.

Other notable 2014 graduates who embody the spirit of lifelong learning – and who will be in attendance at this year’s ceremony – include:

Rosa Pena-Roberts, a young mother and immigrant from the Dominican Republic, who through the help of a college partner and the use of Prior Learning Assessment (PLA), was able to earn an MBA.
Thomas Drake, a U.S. Navy veteran, detective, and 17-year law enforcement veteran, who returned to school for a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice to advance in his career and serve as a role model to his young children.
Laurie Herrera, a grandmother and LPN who earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences 25 years after taking her first class at Excelsior.
Lisa Miller, who overcame numerous obstacles, including family and personal health problems, to earn a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts.
Nancee Berling, a veteran who successfully balanced work, school, family, and a disability, to earn a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree, Summa Cum Laude.

Excelsior publicly broadcasted the Commencement live on the Web.

Excelsior College has an education partnership with Rainbow Division Veterans Foundation. RDVF employees, members and their spouses or domestic partners will receive reduced pricing on tuition and fees while pursuing associate and bachelor degrees and 15% reduced tuition for graduate/master’s degrees and credit bearing certificate programs at Excelsior College.

For more information on the partnership go to: http://www.excelsior.edu/web/partners/rainbow

08/07/2014

42nd Infantry Division veterans mark 10-year anniversary of historic mobilization

Thu, 03 Jul 2014 12:21:29 GMT

07/01/2014

June 2014 Newsletter

Fri, 06 Jun 2014 12:32:43 GMT

(Click on Link) June 2014 Reveille

06/01/2014

Excelsior College - Veterans Get a Leg Up in the Job Market Using Transferable Skillsxcelsior College -

Thu, 15 May 2014 20:48:27 GMT

How Veterans Get a Leg Up in the Job Market Using Transferable Skills

By Maribeth Gunner Pulliam

If you have retired from the military and are transitioning to a civilian career, it’s time to take an inventory of your transferable skills – the skills that will place you light years ahead of your civilian peers in a recovering economy.

The job market remains sluggish and veterans in particular are challenged in finding work. But there is good news. The experience and knowledge gained from military service, including training and coursework, has provided you with valuable transferable skills that will serve you well in your transition to civilian life. The challenge: Define these skills and sell them – and yourself – to your future employer.

What are “transferable skills?” These are the proficiencies mainly acquired through broad work, education, and life experience, and they translate across jobs and career fields. For instance, if you worked as a training specialist in the military, you have probably mastered communications and personnel management skills, as well as leadership abilities that are sought and valued in business and industry, government or education.

In addition, most military personnel have developed “work-content skills” that are technical and job-specific. These skills typically require formal training. They are more specific to trades or professions. And they have a separate skills-based vocabulary or jargon that is unique to the job, such as knowledge of certain sophisticated equipment operation. Work-content skills are not as portable as transferable skills, but when combined, both skill sets reflect the strength of your overall work ethic and demonstrate the array of accomplishments and abilities you have attained.

What employers want

Prospective employers have one important question: What can you do for us? The answer is often found in your portable, transferable skills. These skills influence how you prepare a top-notch resume and cover letter, conduct your job search and convey your talents in an interview. As you recognize and reveal these skills, you will also get a boost of self-esteem about your own achievements.

Identify your transferable skills

Start by reviewing your past or current educational, work, military and life experiences. Did your experience teach you to analyze data and write reports? Supervise others? Work as a team? Make quick decisions or meet deadlines? Organize and implement projects?

If you can analyze, write, plan, organize, lead others and work with a team -- you have just identified six highly valued skills you can place on a resume, discuss in a job interview and put to use in a new work setting.

When starting a military transition (http://www.excelsior.edu/web/career-center/military-transition-job-resources ) job search, you can also identify your transferable and work-content skills with online career assessment tools and career guidebooks. Keep this list updated over time, as you progress and evolve in your career. This “skills package” record will be a valuable resource for your future, and a reminder of how far you have come.

Trouble getting started?

Taking inventory of your various skills and categorizing them may seem like a daunting task, but there are several online tools you can use to get started. Excelsior offers free advice at its site (http://www.excelsior.edu/web/career-center/military-transition-job-resources ). Take your time to reflect upon all that you have done. Talk with your friends, family and coworkers to discover more about the valuable transferable skills they believe you exhibit, since they can offer helpful observations that you may not see. These small steps will help you prepare for a job search and feel more confidence in your ability to convince employers that you are the person they’ve been looking to hire.

Veterans may not realize the many exceptional transferable skills they have acquired through their military service. Veterans are trained to lead by example, work respectfully and collaboratively, and accomplish tasks on time – even when facing adversity. They understand the importance of dedication and perseverance. These are all skills employers seek.

Webinar: Demonstrate your value in the civilian job market

The Center for Military Education, veteran services office, has produced a webinar series; You’re Back, What’s Next? located in the Lt Col Bryant A. Murray online veterans center. To see the webinar, Demonstrate Your Value in the Civilian Job Market at: https://ac.excelsior.edu/p7hr2ljutxa/?launcher=false&fcsContent=true&pbMode=normal

Maribeth Gunner Pulliam, MS Ed is the Career Services Coordinator at Excelsior College in Albany, N.Y., the education partner serving the Rainbow Divisions Veterans Foundation’s members and their spouses, through reduced cost higher education degree programs. For more resources on higher education and career transitions, visit Excelsior College at www.excelsior.edu, the Excelsior College Career Resource Center at, www.excelsior.edu/career, and the VFW Partnership page http://www.excelsior.edu/rainbow-division-veterans-fund

05/15/2014

Retired Rochester Police Officer and Iraq War Vet Louis Wilson Named as Top New York National Guard Sergeant

Tue, 29 Apr 2014 15:43:13 GMT

Retired Rochester Police Officer and Iraq War Vet Louis Wilson Named as Top New York National Guard Sergeant

Command Sergeant Major Louis Wilson will become New York Army National Guard Command Sergeant Major in the fall

Related Media

Command Sargeant Major Louis Wilson

LATHAM, N.Y. (04/22/2014)(readMedia copied with permission)-- Command Sergeant Major Louis E. Wilson, a retired police officer from Rochester and a veteran of the Iraq War, has been picked to become the next senior enlisted Soldier for the 10,500-member New York Army National Guard later this year.

Wilson, a member of the New York Army National Guard for 38 years, has served as a sergeant major, the top Army enlisted rank, since 1999.

He has served as the Command Sergeant Major for the 1st Battalion 156th Field Artillery in Kingston, the Engineer Brigade of the 42nd Infantry Division in Buffalo, the 153rd Troop Command, also in Buffalo, and is currently the Command Sergeant Major of the 4,300-member 53rd Troop Command.

The 53rd Troop Command is headquartered at Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill and has units located across New York.

The Army pairs an enlisted Soldier with an officer in all command positions. The sergeant major of an Army unit is the top enlisted leader in that unit and acts as a direct advisor to the commander on training and discipline for the unit.

"Command Sgt. Major Louis Wilson has a wealth of experience working with Soldiers at all level of command. He is a proven leader who has distinguished himself in every position he has held. I look forward to working with Command Sgt. Major Wilson as we ensure the New York Army National Guard is prepare to respond to both domestic and overseas

operations," said Major General Patrick Murphy, the Adjutant General of New York.

Wilson will replace Command Sergeant Major Frank Wicks, also a veteran of the Iraq War, who has held that position since 2011. Wicks, a West Sand Lake resident who has been on leave from his position as a civilian employee of the New York State Police, plans to retire from the New York Army National Guard on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

"It is an honor to be named as the Army Guard's sixth senior enlisted leader and to be able to continue to work for this professional organization, to help the citizens of New York," Wilson said.

Wilson joined the New York Army National Guard in January 1976 as an artilleryman and was first assigned to the 1st Battalion, 209th Field Artillery in Rochester.

He deployed to Tikrit, Iraq in 2004 and 2005 with the Engineer Brigade of the 42nd Infantry Division.

Wilson is a 2002 graduate of the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy and holds an associates degree in food service administration from Monroe Community College. He retired from the Rochester Police Department after 20 years on the force.

Wilson's military awards include the Meritorious Unit Commendation Award, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, the New York State Conspicuous Service cross, and the Combat Action Badge.

He and his wife Teresa have three children: Latasha, Louis Jr., and Leigh and two grand-daughters: Aria and Imari

04/29/2014

April 2014 Newsletter

Mon, 28 Apr 2014 12:39:19 GMT

(Click on Link) April 2014 Reveille

04/01/2014

Iraq Deployment Memorial

Fri, 28 Mar 2014 20:05:41 GMT

RDVF ESTABLISHES MEMORIALS FOR 42^ND IRAQ VETERANS

As you know, one of our stated goals as a Foundation is to maintain existing memorials and establish new memorials in order to preserve the Legacy of our Division and its Soldiers. In the near future we will have posted to our website the entire list and location of all 42^nd Division memorials/monuments, they are numerous! Two such memorials exist in Garden City LI, NY the other at Camp Gruber, Oklahoma. These two memorials commemorate the mobilization and deployment of the 42^nd for WWI and WWII and stand in recognition of the sacrifices of those soldiers and families. Now we are pleased to establish new memorials at Fort Drum and Fort Dix, the site of the mobilization and deployment of the 42^nd for the Iraq war. This is the ten year anniversary of the mobilization of the 42^nd for the Iraq war. The RDVF unanimously approved the expenditure of funds to support the establishment of these memorials calling them totally in keeping with our Foundations mission.

The mobilization and deployment of the 42^nd for the Iraq war was the first call up of a National Guard Division for combat since the Korean War. The 42^nd was the first or only two NG Division called to duty for the Iraq or Afghanistan Wars. It was truly historic and added greatly to the Legacy of our beloved Division. The 42^nd occupied a large portion of North Central Iraq (the size of West Virginia!) which was home to some 6.5 million Iraqi citizens. The 42^nd was the third US Division Hq’s to occupy the palace complex in Sadaam Hussein’s home town of Tikrit and was The US Hq’s that turned it back to the Iraqi people. The 42^nd Division was awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation for its outstanding performance.

The memorial ceremony at Fort Drum is scheduled for Jun 28^th. The Fort Dix ceremony is tentatively scheduled for Sep 13^th. You can stay up to date on all the details by going to the RDVF website and clicking on events. We will post ceremony details there. There is a short article in the April Reveille regarding the general agenda for the June 28^th event.

We are anticipating the Memorials (depicted in the picture below) to cost in the range of $10,000 each. The Foundation will be responsible to pay not only for the plaque and granite mounting stone, but also for the concrete pad and walkway. We are asking our members to donate to the Iraq memorial fund to help defray expenses.

While the Foundation can and will pay for all costs, donations will help keep our memorial funds available for the sustainment of existing memorials for the upcoming WWI anniversaries! 2014-18 marks the 100 year anniversary of WWI. Preparations in France are well underway and the 42^nd has been asked to play a role in the festivities at a time and date to be determined. Obviously we have many WWI memorial and monuments across France and we want to make sure they are all in good shape and representative of our Divisions legacy and its soldiers.

Please click here to donate to the Iraq Deployment Memorial Campaign.

03/26/2014

Excelsior College - Resume Help

Wed, 15 Jan 2014 20:30:50 GMT

Excelsior, Smarthinking Team on Resume and Cover Letter Critique Services

Posted in Featured By Mike Lesczinski

For many adult learners heading back to school, career advancement is among the top deciding factors. However, just as a degree can help a candidate differentiate themselves in a competitive job market, so can a well-written resume or cover letter, which is why college career services are in-demand.

For good or ill, first impressions matter.

To help meet this demand, the Excelsior College Career Center has partnered with Smarthinking, an online tutoring service, to offer comprehensive resume and cover letter critique service free of charge to enrolled students. The college will also continue to offer its own fee-based service conducted by professional career counselors for alumni and current students.

“Although social media tools like LinkedIn have become prevalent in the professional world, a strong, targeted resume and cover letter still remains a prominent gateway to the job interview, said Maribeth Gunner, director of career services at Excelsior. “To be considered for any new position, students will need a marketable resume that outlines their unique value and captures the attention of potential employers.”

The new Excelsior College resume and cover letter critique service assists students in learning how to best showcase their skills and accomplishments. Whether it is guidance in developing a newly formatted resume, or minor suggestions on how to polish current credentials, the objective of Smarthinking critique services is to help students create professional, well-designed documents that can capture the attention of an employer.

Available 24/7, a professional e-structor will review a student’s resume, include suggestions, identify next steps, and provide references to additional guides and resources as needed. According to the Career Center, documents submitted for review will be returned to students within a 24 hour timeframe.

Excelsior already offers on-demand online tutoring through Smarthinking for students enrolled in online courses or its credit by examination program, UExcel.

Excelsior College has an education partnership with Rainbow Division Veterans Foundation. RDVF’s employees, members and their spouses or domestic partners will receive reduced pricing on tuition and fees while pursuing associate and bachelor degrees and 15% reduced tuition for graduate/master’s degrees at Excelsior College. For more information on the partnership go to: http://www.excelsior.edu/rainbow-division-veterans-fund

Excelsior

Excelsior College http://www.excelsior.edu is a regionally accredited, nonprofit distance learning institution that focuses on removing obstacles to the educational goals of adult learners. Founded in 1971 and located in Albany, NY, Excelsior is a proven leader in the assessment and validation of student knowledge. It offers more efficient and affordable access to degree completion through multiple avenues: its own online courses and college-level proficiency examinations, and the acceptance in transfer of credit from other colleges and universities as well as recognized corporate and military training programs. Excelsior College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Mike Lesczinski

Public Relations Manager

518-608-8450

mlesczinski@excelsior.edu

01/15/2014

January 2014 Newsletter

Mon, 28 Apr 2014 12:37:57 GMT

(click on link for newsletter) January 2014 Reveille

01/01/2014

November 2013 Newsletter

Fri, 01 Nov 2013 15:56:27 GMT

(click on link for newsletter) November 2013 Reveille

11/01/2013

September 2013 Newsletter

Tue, 05 Nov 2013 19:12:24 GMT

(click on link) September 2013 Reveille

09/01/2013

2013 Reunion & Conference

Wed, 14 Aug 2013 14:02:36 GMT

We are now taking registrations for the 2013 Reunion and Conference which will take place in Albany, New York this September. The conference will kick off on Thursday 9/5/2013 and will run through Sunday 9/8/2013.

People will be arriving at the Albany Hilton Hotel throughout the day on Thursday and John Willsey and his staff will be in the lobby area with registration materials. Seating arrangements for the Saturday night banquet can be requested at the registration table. Thursday evening dinner will be on your own, however, the Hospitality Room will be open.

There will be three different tours away from the hotel which require transportation, however, this year the transportation costs are being paid by sponsors and there will be no cost of transportation to the participants.

Several different activities have been planned for Friday. There will be some committee meetings taking place on Friday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 and then a tour of the Governor's Mansion is scheduled for 9:30 to about lunchtime. This tour is limited to the first 30 that sign up, so if you are interested please sign up early. After lunch on Friday there will be a tour of the New York State Capital Building. This tour is limited to 45, however, if there is enough interest a second tour can be added. The Capital Building tour will last about 2 hours. There is no charge for either tour on Friday.

The Trustees are scheduled to meet Friday afternoon at 2:30.

Friday evening will be the Task Force Liberty Reception, beginning at 6:00 PM. The reception is open to everyone. There will be Hors d'oeuvres provided. Photos and Videos related to TF Liberty will be running throughout the reception.

Saturday morning the Trustees will meet from 9:00 to 11:00, followed by our General Business meeting from 11:00 to noon. This year the 42nd ID "Commander's Call" meeting was scheduled to coincide with the RDVF Conference and they will be meeting on Saturday from noon to 3:00 PM.

Saturday afternoon there will be a Museum & Monuments tour, guided by MAJ (Ret) Pat Chaisson. Transportation will be provided for this tour also, however there will be a $5.00 charge for admittance to the Museum. In addition, the city of Albany is having a Jazz Festival at the Albany Riverfront Park Amphitheatre.

Saturday night will be the annual banquet with a sit-down dinner. Cocktail Hour will begin at 6:00 PM and dinner will be served at 7:00 PM.

No activities are scheduled for Sunday morning, as attendees usually depart for home early that morning.

Please sign up as soon as possible so we can estimate what our attendance will be this year.

08/14/2013

Excelsior College’s Veteran Webinar Series: You’re Back – What’s Next?

Wed, 14 Aug 2013 19:34:18 GMT

By Judy Reed, M.Ed.

The Center for Military Education has offered a webinar series to support veteran education and veteran transition to the civilian work force. Below is a list of past webinars with a link for review and the upcoming webinar.

How to Use Your Post 9/11 Veterans GI Bill to Pursue A College Degree with collaboration with VA Education Liaison and Howard Community College - Post 9/11
Veteran Strategies for College Success Webinar covering topics on Time Management, Learning Styles and Mentorship in collaboration with Marist College - Strategies
Veterans: Demonstrate Your Value in the Civilian Job Market learn how to effectively communicate your military skills and credentials when crafting a resume or preparing for a job interview go to: Civilian Job Market
Veteran and Military Friendly Degrees, learn how to apply your military training and experience for college credit and career pathways available based on your degree. Go to: Friendly Degrees

Upcoming Webinar: College Writing Support Services for Veteran Student Success

As a veteran, the transition from the military to student roles can be difficult. One of the challenges you may encounter is how to effectively convey your thoughts and ideas in writing to fulfill class assignments. During this presentation you’ll hear from Excelsior College staff and veteran students about what it takes to apply writing skills in college to be successful.

In addition, Excelsior experts will outline educational writing resources freely available to the general public, including Grammarly and both the Excelsior College Online Writing Lab (OWL) and the ESL Writing Online Workshop (ESL-WOW) as well as Smarthinking, which is open to Excelsior students.

To register for the upcoming webinar September 18, from 7 – 8: 00 pm ET go to: http://ecwritingforveterans.eventbrite.com/

Excelsior College has an education partnership with Rainbow Division Veterans Foundation (RDVF). Their employees, members and their spouses or domestic partners will receive reduced pricing on tuition and fees while pursuing associate and bachelor degrees and reduced tuition for graduate/masters degrees at Excelsior College. For more information on the partnership go to: http://www.excelsior.edu/rainbow-division-veterans-fund

08/13/2013

Excelsior College Supports RDVF Reunion

Wed, 14 Aug 2013 14:05:57 GMT

Excelsior College’s director of veteran services and outreach, Judy Reed, will be available to discuss the education partnership between the college and the Rainbow Division Veterans Foundation (RDVF) during the Annual Reunion and Conference on Saturday, September 7 at the at the Albany Hilton.

Reed will be manning an information table and be available to speak on the important aspects of the education partnership, which includes reduced tuition and fees for Excelsior College’s associate and bachelor degrees as well as a 15% discount for master’s degrees for veterans and their spouses who are members RDVF.

Current and prospective RDVF members and their spouses are invited to provide their unofficial military and civilian transcripts via email veterans@excelsior.edu or fax – 518-608-8142 to the attention of Military Admissions Counselor for a ‘courtesy unofficial review’ to the degree you are closest to completing or a particular degree you have in mind. Reed will be available to personally accept your unofficial transcripts and speak with you about a degree.

Excelsior College was recently recognized by Military Times, Edge magazine as a “Best for Vets” college.

For more information, please contact veterans@excelsior.edu or call 1-888- 2388, Ext. 1352 or go to: http://www.excelsior.edu/rainbow-division-veterans-fund

08/13/2013

June 2013 RDVF Newsletter

Wed, 28 Aug 2013 19:03:52 GMT

(Click on link for newsletter) June 2013 Rainbow Reveille.

06/30/2013

April 2013 RDVF Newsletter

Wed, 28 Aug 2013 19:10:23 GMT

(Click on link for newsletter) April 2013 Rainbow Reveille.

04/30/2013

January 2013 RDFV Newsletter

Wed, 28 Aug 2013 19:08:51 GMT

(Click on link for newsletter) January 2013 Rainbow Reveille.

01/31/2013

Nov 2012 RDVF Newsletter

Wed, 28 Aug 2013 19:05:50 GMT

(Click on link for newsletter) November 2012 Rainbow Reveille.

11/30/2012

42nd ID Hurricane Sandy Response

Wed, 14 Aug 2013 14:00:19 GMT

By Spc. J.p. Lawrence, 42nd Infantry Division Public Affairs

SPRING VALLEY, N.Y. – Sgt. 1st Class John A. Wilson stands guard, just as he has for the last few hours. To his right, 30 feet away, is a downed power line, entangled in a fallen true. Is it live? Is it dead? No matter. Each wire could be dangerous. Wilson’s mission: man the wire and ensure the public stays safe and far away.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has mobilized more than 2,800 Servicemembers of New York’s volunteer military forces to help civilian authorities in recovery efforts in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Sandy. In Westchester and Rockland counties, those efforts include standing guard over fallen wires.

By standing guard, servicemembers of the New York National Army Guard, the New York Air National Guard, the New York Naval Militia, and the New York Guard aim to help civilian recovery efforts restore electricity as soon as possible.

Electrical workers have been working around the clock to restore the power, but there are only so many workers to go around. In the meantime, someone has to make sure that until the wires are fixed or deadened, no New Yorker is endangered.

Servicemembers like Wilson, a saxophone player with the 42nd Infantry Division Band, are sent in teams to each downed wire. Then, armed with barricade tape, traffic triangles and flashlights, they cordon the area around the downed wires and stand guard until a civilian electrical worker comes by.

In addition to securing the safety of nearby New Yorkers, each 12-hour shift relieves civilian electrical workers from wire guard duty and allows them to focus on bringing the power back.

The help is much appreciated, Donato Jimenez, an Environmental Health and Safety Specialists with Consolidated Edison, said as he briefed a group of servicemembers.

“I’m a little emotional,” Jimenez, who said he was at the end of a long week, said. “I’ve never been around so many people who do so much for America.”

The job requires long hours in the cold or in the dark, Jimenez said, and in the past, frustrated customers have made the job difficult for wire watchers.

“No one’s gonna say, ‘thank you for watching the wire!’” Jimenez said. “It’s a thankless job, but we need it to free up people and help restore power.”

Nonetheless, numerous civilians went out of their way to thank the servicemembers on wire watch. Tom O’Daniels and his son, Tyler, whose home Wilson stood in front of, came out to give thanks and cookies and coffee.

“Every house we went to, a civilan would come up to us, as military personnel, to give us thanks,” 1st Lt. Lenon Charles, a sustainment officer with the 42nd Infantry Division, said.

“It makes us feel,” Charles, a Brooklyn, N.Y., resident, said, “that we are doing what we are trained to do, which is help the community and the people of the community.”