The Voice of Texas Veterans

Memorial Day is a time to remember and honor service members who made the ultimate sacrifice. Whether you observe with quiet reflection or community activities, know that Texas Veterans Commission supports survivors year-round. In this episode, hear a Memorial Day message from the Chairwoman of the Texas Veterans Commission and learn about benefits for eligible surviving spouses and dependent children. We discuss Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), Survivor's Pension, and the Hazlewood Education Benefit that helps Texas families pursue higher education.

Texas State Jobs are everywhere! Join us for the State Agency Job Fair on May 20, from 10 - 1 at Workforce Solutions Capital Area in Austin. 9001, North I35 in Austin. Listen here for more info!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, in this episode, we focus on practical, everyday steps to support your mental well-being. Army veteran and mental health professional Dr. Natesha Smith-Isabell, talks about the importance of reducing stigma, recognizing the role of mental health in overall wellness, and simple ways to start prioritizing your mental health today.

May is Military Caregiver and Mental Health Awareness Month — a time to recognize the family members and loved ones who care for wounded, ill, or injured service members and veterans every day. In this episode, representatives from the Elizabeth Dole Foundation share what it means to be a Hidden Hero, explain how communities can support military caregivers and how caregivers can connect with resources available to them.

In this episode, we recognize Military Spouses, by focusing on employment help from Texas Veterans Commission Family Career Advisors. We now have five of them in Workforce Centers around the state, and we are hiring one more. Family Career Advisors, offer spouses and dependents, the same employment support services available to veterans. Learn how they can help spouses build resumes, connect with employers, and continue their career paths—no matter where military life takes them.

April is the Month of the Military Child, in this episode we spotlight the unique experiences and of military-connected kids with the help of Army veteran, author, and entrepreneur Sarah Doran. Sarah shares what inspired her to start her own publishing company, and the challenges and of becoming a veteran entrepreneur. We also highlight how the Texas Veterans Commission supports veterans as they pursue business ownership.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month—a time to listen,learn, and support survivors. In this episode, survivors of military sexual trauma (MST) share their stories, and the Texas Veterans Commission Suicide Prevention Manager talks about the connection between trauma, healing, and hope.

More than 58,000 U.S. service members lost their lives during the Vietnam War, and their names are permanently inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC. Because not everyone can travel there, The Wall That Heals—a three-quarter scale replica—travels across the country each year. This year, Texas stops include Del Rio and Ranger. In this podcast a Vietnam veteran reflects on what the memorial means to him, and we share what visitors can expect during the Del Rio visit.

Many veterans aren't aware of the benefits and services available in their own communities. That's why resource fairs bring organizations like the Texas Veterans Commission, Texas Veterans Land Board, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and other partners together in one place.The FREE April 14 Veteran Community Resource Fair is coming up in Houston, where veterans can get claims assistance, learn about education, housing, employment opportunities, and mental health services. All veterans, family members, caregivers and the veteran serving community are welcome.

As we recognize Vietnam veterans across Texas this month, Texas Veterans Commission encourages families, friends, and communities to help connect these veterans with the benefits and services they earned. In this episode, learn how you can help veterans access TVC services.We also highlight the upcoming visit of 'The Wall That Heals' to Del Rio, April 16–19—a 375-foot replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial that honors the more than 58,000 service members who died during the war. The exhibit is free and open to the public 24 hours a day during its visit.Join us as we remember, honor, and help ensure Vietnam veterans receive the recognition—and support—they deserve.

In this episode, the Texas Veterans Commission provides an overview of the free services available to veterans, family members, and survivors. Learn how to navigate the website, connect with the right programs, and access the benefits you've earned. Featuring insights from multiple TVC staff members, this episode is your starting point for understanding how TVC can support you.

We talk with Williamson County's Veteran Service Officer and the Veterans Treatment Court judge about their Texas Veterans Commission grant. The VSO uses funding to provide financial assistance, while the court uses its grant for staff, monitoring devices, and therapy for justice‑involved veterans.

Military life brings unique parenting challenges, finding the right support can make all the difference. In this episode, we explore the Parenting-STAIR (P-STAIR) intervention model—specially adapted to help military-connected moms build confidence, manage stress, and strengthen family relationships. Learn how military and veteran moms can join the study.

Operation Final Salute offers guidance to help veterans protect their families long after they're gone. In this episode, learn what this workshop teaches about end-of-life planning, that includes wills, survivor and burial benefits, and organizing essential military records. The discussion also covers everyday details like passcodes, bill paying, and forms that must be completed while the veteran is still living—to ease the burden on surviving loved ones.

Discover how Heroes Resource Center in Cedar Park, creates a strong support network for veterans, active-duty service members, and their families. Hear from Program Director Carmen Valenzuela and Executive Director Brandon Crook as they share their personal stories and explain how their TVC grant helps veterans and their families thrive.

When a disabled veteran in Austin needed critical home repairs, Fund for Veterans' Assistance grantee, USA CARES partnered with local businesses to step in and help. In this episode, hear how a new roof and landscaping—provided free of charge—restored safety and peace of mind to the veteran and his family.  

Join Texas Veterans Commission for a look at two key programs funded by the Fund for Veterans' Assistance: the Williamson County Veteran Service Office and the County's Veteran Treatment Court. Learn how to connect with these same resources in your community.

Today, we're celebrating a champion of veteran hiring—the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Named our 2025 Government Entity of the Year, TCEQ is setting the standard for what it means to be a veteran-ready employer. In this podcast we hear from TCEQ employees about the work, the mission, and why veterans are an important part of TCEQ. Get TVC Employment Support TCEQ Job Openings

Texas Veterans Commission offers veterans and their families free benefits assistance across Texas—from claims and education to employment, entrepreneurship, health care advocacy, mental health, women veterans services, and the Fund for Veterans' Assistance. Many of our staff are veterans or family members of veterans. Let's meet some of them.

HURRY! Fund for Veterans' Assistance (FVA) grant applications are due December 2, 2025. FVA grantees deliver direct, life-changing services to Texas veterans and their families: from financial assistance and clinical counseling to service dogs, home modifications, veteran treatment courts, and more. In this episode, we talk with several grantees about their veteran services.

Applications are open now for the Texas Veterans Commission's Fund for Veterans' Assistance grants—deadline is December 2, 2025. In this episode of The Voice of Texas Veterans, we talk with three current FVA grantees about how these grants help them make a difference. Learn how non-profits can apply to be a part of the statewide effort to help Texas veterans and their families. List of Grant Services.

In this Veterans Day episode of The Voice of Texas Veterans, Chairwoman Laura Koerner shares a special message of gratitude, children remind us what Veterans Day is all about and we chat with retired Marine Corps Colonel William Dwiggins from our Education Department—soon to be inducted into the Texas Veterans Hall of Fame. Join us as we honor the courage, dedication, and legacy of Texas veterans.

November 4-20, Hiring Red, White & YOU! job fairs are happening all across Texas. These statewide events connect employers with veterans, transitioning service members, and their families—helping them take the next big step in your career. In this episode, we share what to expect, how to prepare, and why showing up ready can make all the difference. Hiring Red, White & You! - Texas Workforce Commission

We talk about Hiring Red White and You! every year, the statewide Job Fairs designed to recruit transitioning servicemembers, veterans and spouses. We dusted off the archives to get some insight from past HRWY attendees who told us just why they decided to attend. Remember, Texas Veterans Commission Employment Services offers help all year long to eligible veterans and their family members.

The 2025 Austin Veteran Arts Festival kicks off October 17 with a military and veteran film festival — and that's just the beginning. This month-long celebration highlights how creativity can help veterans heal from the effects of military trauma. From traditional paintings to dance, comedy, magic, and even a therapist-led seminar on art as medicine — there's something for everyone. The Austin Veteran Arts Festival is open to all.

The statewide Hiring Red, White & You! job fairs are coming this November! Veterans, spouses, transitioning service members, National Guard, and Reserve — this is your chance to connect with employers across Texas who are ready to hire. The Texas Veterans Commission is helping you prepare with Off-Base Transition Training workshops in West Texas, and TVC career readiness sessions at Workforce Centers statewide. Tune in to learn how to make the most of this opportunity and land your next career!

Texas Veterans Commission's Fund for Veterans' Assistance is now accepting grant applications through December 2, 2025. These grants support nonprofits that directly serve veterans, offering help in areas such as financial assistance, home modification, career training, veteran treatment courts, and mental health services. One of our current grantees is Marriage Management, workshops designed to help military and veteran couples reconnect, fostering stable and fulfilling relationships. In this episode, we spoke with co-founders Bob and Barbara Zielinski about their mission to guide couples in understanding and learning from one another."

On October 2, Texas Veterans Commission begins accepting applications for the 26-27 grant year. Veteran serving nonprofits and local governments are urged to apply for a Fund for Veterans' Assistance grant. Our website offers help along the way. You can also get info about the grants we have now. This year we awarded 213 grants totaling $46,315,000. Those grants will provide direct services to an estimated 40,000 veterans, their dependents, and survivingspouses. Listen to learn about some of our grantees.

The Fund for Veterans' Assistance will begin accepting applications for the 2026-2027 grant year on October 2, 2025. Right now, we are crisscrossing Texas congratulating this year's grantees.  Grantees provide a number of free services including Mental Health support. Skeleton Crew Adventures takes that support to a whole new level. How does sailing out in the Gulf and beyond sound?

Henry's Home, Horse and Human Sanctuary, a Fund for Veterans' Assistance Mental Health grantee, offers free peer support services that allow rescued horses like Henry, and veterans to heal together. In this episode, we explore how the sanctuary creates a safe space for growth, connection, and recovery—and hear about new programs designed to support veterans and their entire families.

September is Suicide Prevention Month. Texas Veterans Commission is raising awareness with workshops and training always available so individuals and groups will have the resources needed for suicide prevention. In this show we discuss the risk factors, warning signs and available help for veterans, family members and the community.

This September, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will host its annual Veteran Suicide Awareness Ruck Hikes. Military, veterans, families, and friends are invited to join in at parks across Texas for trails, activities, and community connection in support of suicide prevention. The Military Veteran Peer Network will be at some of those hikes. Listen to find out how they help veterans every day.

Texas Veterans Commission's Claims Department is the busiest in the agency, County Veteran Service Officers (VSOs) are a vital part of the team. In this episode, we meet Donald Bourgeois of Childress County, he turns 93 this year. For the past 11 years, Mr. B has been helping veterans and their families with disability claims, pensions, and survivor's benefits. Hear why he says this “part-time” role is anything but, and why he's still serving his fellow veterans.

In this episode, we are asking for applicants for the Fund for Veterans' Assistance Advisory Committee, we'll take a look at the Highly Rural Transportation Grant, and remind you of our TVC online resource for veterans age 55 and older.

Texas Veterans Commission has launched a special webpage for veterans aged 55 and older — filled with important information you can use now. If you were denied a disability claim years ago, don't give up. In this episode, we talk with Army veteran and award‑winning TVC Claims Benefits Advisor Reggie Lewis about why it's worth trying again and how TVC can help.

The Texas Veterans Commission's Veterans 55 Plus Campaign has begun, reminding older veterans that it's never too late to claim the benefits they've earned.Learn about the free, personalized support TVC offers,from help filing VA claims to career advising and VA health care enrollment assistance. Family members you play a crucial role by helping veterans get online and connected.Veterans Over 55 ⋆ Texas Veterans Commission

In this episode, we explore how Veteran Career Advisors and Employer Liaisons help veterans make the move from military life to the civilian workforce. TVC Career Advisors help veterans find careers that fit, assist with resumes, andprep them for interviews. Employer Liaisons match veterans' skills with the businesses who need them. Texas Veterans Commission Employment Services

In this episode we learn how the Fund for Veterans' Assistance is helping grantee, Wheelchairs forWarriors change lives. From basketball courts to daily routines, these free custom mobility devices are more than wheelchairs, they're tools for independence.Veterans, JP, John and Tiffany tell us how Wheelchairs for Warriors made a difference in their lives. (This episode contains candid descriptions of combat injuries. )

The Fund for Veterans' Assistance (FVA) supports nonprofits that directly assist Texas veterans and their families. Some serve across the state, others focus on local communities. Today we spotlight one of our long-time grantees, Bring Everyone in the Zone, (BEITZ). They have been providing peer support to Central Texas service members, veterans, and their families long before their first FVA grant in 2014. Listen to hear how BEITZ is making a difference for veteran families.

The Texas Veterans Commission does a lot—but it does more with help from our Fund for Veterans' Assistance grantees. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Texas, offer clinical counseling to veteran families in the Fort Hood area, while American GI Forum offers supportive services to veterans across Texas.

In recognition of PTSD Awareness Month, Don Hipp, Provider Training Manager with the Veterans Mental Health Department, breaks down what PTSD is, how to recognize it, and what treatment can look like. We also talk with one of our Mental Health grantees Skeleton Crew Adventures about veterans finding peace through therapeutic sailing trips.

In honor of Women Veterans Day, this episode shines a spotlight on the Women Veterans Program Coordinators who work across Texas to connect women veterans with the benefits, services, and support they've earned. We'll meet the Program Director and the coordinators who are working every day to make a difference.

Disabled veteran artists here's your chance to shine! Each October, Texas celebrates Disability Employment Awareness Month, and they're looking for artwork to feature on this year's official poster. Listen to learn how you can get involved and make your art part of something big!Guidelines and entry form here.

Memorial Day is personal, whether you spend the dayremembering with quiet reflection or special activities. In this episode we feature a message from the Chairwoman of the Texas Veterans Commission. Also, keep in mind, Texas Veterans Commision serves survivors and their families. Listen to learn about VA benefits for eligible survivors including Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), and Survivor's Pension, plus a detailed look at the Hazlewood Education Benefit for surviving spouses and dependent children.

In this episode, we shine a light on the statewide Military Veteran Peer Network (MVPN), which connects Texas veterans and their families with local mental health services and support. We talked with two dedicated Peer Service Coordinators (PSC): Army veteran Greg Gutierrez from Bring Everyone in the Zone in Killeen, and Marine Corps veteran Oscar Pulido who's using a rolling billboard to promote the Victoria MVPN.   Connect with your MVPN here.

In this episode, we explore how Texas Veterans Commission Family Career Advisors are making a difference in the lives of veteran spouses and dependents. Learn how tailored resume assistance, interview coaching, and employer connections are helping veteran family members find meaningful employment.

This show features Army veteran Sarah Doran, children's book author and entrepreneur. Sarah draws on her life as a young dependent to write about the unique experiences of military children. She launched her own publishingcompany to make her dream happen.  We'llalso discuss how the Texas Veterans Commission is supporting veterans like Sarah on their journey to business ownership.

Communities In Schools of Greater Central Texas is making a big difference for students. With support from the Fund for Veterans' Assistance, their onsite coordinatorsare right there in the schools, helping kids push through tough times—whether it's struggles at home, in class, or just life in general. It's all about giving students the support they need to stay in school, graduate, and build a better future.

The healing process is not the same for every veteran. In this episode, we dive into adventure therapy with Skeleton Crew Adventures—A Fund for Veterans' Assistance grantee that takes vets sailing with pros and mental health experts. It's all about reconnecting with nature, finding purpose, and trying new ways to support suicide prevention.

In Young County, the role of Veteran County Service Officer (VCSO) may not be officially full-time, but it sure feels like it. Join us as TVC Excellence Award winner Adam Lavine shares how his commitment to helping veterans keeps him working well past quitting time.

As we celebrate Vietnam Veterans this March, let's make sure we connect them with their benefits. Texas Veterans Commission can help with that, offering free services to veterans, spouses, and survivors.