U.S. Capital

Tampa Veterans Attorney Applauds Nonprofit Support of Florida Vets

Jun 27, 2013

Tampa, FL (Law Firm Newswire) June 26, 2013 – Sentinels of Freedom is a nonprofit organization which provides wounded vets with assistance through what it calls “life scholarships.”

These life scholarships can help the veteran make major life changes after returning home, including obtaining a home of their own, heading back to school or obtaining with much-needed health care.

“So many vets would benefit from all sorts of support as they transition back to civilian life, as would their families,” commented Tampa veterans attorney David W. Magann.

The Sentinels of Freedom program began in California, launched by the father of a son who was wounded in 2003 in Iraq. The cost of each program depends on the veteran’s existing resources and family needs, but can run as much as $100,000 per vet; the funds support the vet through the program, which may run as long as four years. The Sentinels of Freedom program works to supplement funds provided to the vet by the Veterans Administration.

The Sentinels of Freedom chapter in Brevard, Florida started in 2008. The scholarship money for the first graduate was raised over the course of one-and-a-half years through private donations; the Florida chapter is now graduating its second “Sentinel.” Marine Cpl. Robert Smith, the programs first Sentinel, graduated from Brevard Community College with honors, and is currently studying at the University of Central Florida. He says the program helped him, his wife and two children.

The second Brevard, Fla. Sentinel, Ernso Auguste, 32, was a combat medic who suffered traumatic brain injury while serving in Iraq as part of the Army’s 1st Cavalry Division. He used the program to earn a bachelor’s degree from Miami-Dade College, and is now in the process of earning a master’s in health care management at Webster University.

The stated mission of Sentinels of Freedom is to provide life-changing opportunities to men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who suffered severe injuries and need support to pursue their dreams. The program provides “life scholarships” as well as mentors and guidance to support returned injured vets to become more self-sufficient.

To learn more about the Tampa veterans attorney David W. Magann and his law practice, go to http://www.tampaveteranslawyer.com/ or call 813-657-9175.

David W. Magann, P.A.
Main Office:
156 W. Robertson St.
Brandon, FL 33511
Call: (813) 657-9175

Tampa Office:
6107 Memorial Hwy
Tampa, Florida 33615

South Tampa Office:
Bank of Tampa Building
601 Bayshore Blvd Ste 105
Tampa, FL 33606

View Larger Map

  • Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): The Basics
    Spouses, children, and parents of Servicemembers and Veterans who are deceased or totally and permanently disabled by a service-connected disability may be eligible for VA dependent and survivor benefits, i.e., DIC compensation. These benefits can also include pension, health care, education, home loans, and burial. Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a tax free monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of military Servicemembers who died in the line of duty or eligible survivors of Veterans whose death resulted from a service-related injury or disease. •Complete VA Form 21-534, “Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, Death Pension and Accrued Benefits by […]
  • Military Records Lost: 1973 St. Louis Fire
    Often we see clients who have had military records lost and sometimes those records are attributable to the fire in St. Louis, but more often or not, the records do still exist and need to be requested from another location. The following may clear up what was lost in the great fire and what form to submit for the military records request: A fire at the NPRC in St. Louis on July 12, 1973, destroyed about 80 percent of the records for Army personnel discharged between November 1, 1912, and January 1, 1960. About 75 percent of the records for […]
  • VA Permanent and Total Service Connected Disability: What does it mean?
    Under 38 USCS Section 110 states: “A total rating of 100% (or other permanant rating) that has been in continous force for twenty years shall not be reduced.” Until then you are subject to whatever exams for rating purposes the VA desire. However, barring no reduction, permanent and total service connected disability is a 100% rating that entitles you to many benefits not available to those who are not P & T, i.e., dental treatment, commissary privileges, veteran?s employment preference for spouse, ?special home adaptation grants, survivors and dependents education assistance, etc. and the list goes on. One should be […]