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Iraq War Veterans 20 Years Later

By Petra Epperlein and Michael Tucker for the New York Times. Months after the United States invaded Iraq in 2003, I began filming the U.S. Army’s 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment in Baghdad. The unit was housed in a bombed-out palace on the banks of the Tigris that they named Gunner Palace. Rather than just making a movie about the men, I suggested that we make a film together — an offer that the...
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A&E | Voices Magnified Interview

The Arts and Entertainment television network series: Voices Magnified, featuring Christian Zamora and Dre Popow, co-founders of the award winning charity: Veterans Rebuilding Life: MORE UPDATES

A&E interviews Veterans Rebuilding Life

The Arts and Entertainment television network series: Voices Magnified, interviews Marine Corps veterans Christian Zamora and Dre Popow, co-founders of the nonprofit organization: Veterans Rebuilding Life. MORE UPDATES

Veteran-led nonprofit helps fund child surgeries

By Eric Feldman, Queens New York 1 News Release Published: August of 2022 “I didn’t know it changed me until I got back,” he said. One day, Zamora met up with fellow Marine and New Yorker, Dre Popow, at a Queens’ bar. “It was the first time we were open to each other,” Zamora said. They opened up about the scars they were hiding after their tours in Iraq. “We had to acknowledge the fact...
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A few words from the front lines

Ukraine Crisis Response Safe Passage for Ukraine Heather Black is the Chief Program and Technology Officer for VRL's mission in Ukraine. Heather traveled to Romania to work in a refugee center, and has been helping displaced families since March of 2022. NEXT MISSION My first contact with the Brahina family was with 10 year-old Kateryna. She used almost all of the English words she knew in our first conversation. "Cat, me, see?" And "Zaporizhzhia." At...
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Brooklyn Marine Corps Event

6TH COMMUNICATION BATTALION | ALPHA COMPANY FLOYD BENETT FIELD | BROOKLYN, NYC The Marines of 6th Communication Battalion honored America's first casualties in the Global War on Terror. during the 100th Anniversary of the Marine Corps Reserve, in Brooklyn, NY. The 6th Communication Battalion Marines: Sgt. Major Michael Curtin, and Gunnery Sgt. Matthew Garvey - died saving the lives of others on September 11th, 2001, as members of the New York City Police, and Fire...
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Tunnel to Towers Event

Annual 5K Fundraising Event | Ground Zero | New York City On September 11th, 2001, firefighters on their way to ground–zero were stopped by police from entering the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, concerned it might be attacked, trapping them inside. Many abandoned their vehicles, strapped their gear on their backs, and ran over three miles through the tunnel to the twin towers, where they died, saving others. Among them was Gunnery Sergeant Matthew Garvey, a New...
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Veteran Supreme Court Initiative

Veterans Treatment Court | NYS Unified Court System Most veterans are strengthened by their military service, but the combat experience has left a growing number of veterans diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injuries. One in five veterans has symptoms of a mental health disorder or cognitive impairment.  One in six veterans who served in combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from a form of substance abuse upon returning from their tour...
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Veterans Scholarship Awards

Elmsford Rotary | Tarrytown Hilton, NY Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders who dedicate their time and talent to tackle the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members from more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work impacts lives at both the local and international levels. Official members of the Rotary's: Elmsford Chapter–District 7320, are a dedicated and diverse team of community leaders who share a passion for...
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ABC News Interview

ABC News interviews Veterans Rebuilding Life, on helping vets struggling with PTSD.

Veterans Hall of Fame Recipient

The New York State Senate | Albany, New York "The veterans recognized here, have dedicated their lives to the highest cause. In doing so, we as individuals and as a nation, have had the promise of living lives altered for the better and greater good. Their bravery, and the courage of their convictions, has helped shape and sustain our nation, one of diverse beauty, and unwavering strength." —Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Temporary President and Majority Leader...
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Community Impact Awards

Douglaston Manor | Queens, New York Veterans Rebuilding Life was honored to attend the Times Ledger's Annual Impact Awards Ceremony, held at the beautiful Douglaston Manor, located in Queens, NY. Veterans Rebuilding Life was formally recognized at this year's Gala for their continued support of the local veteran community, by providing pro bono humanitarian services to NYC vets, through VRL's base-of-operations located in Astoria - Queens, NY. Seen above from right, is last year's Impact...
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Why Veterans Miss War

Despite what veterans do for our country, they are not a protected class. In fact, veterans are often treated as an expendable commodity by the civilian class, which makes up 98% of the total American population. Whether the intent is malicious, (like the predatory lenders seeking to exploit veteran benefits), or with indifference, like celebrating veterans day without ever supporting a veterans charity. Regardless of the intent, this treatment often results in a veterans isolating...
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Veterans Memorial Initiative

HONORING SACRIFICE THROUGH SERVICE How do we honor the fallen? How do we translate our appreciation for their sacrifice in a meaningful way? Stone memorials stand in every park, yet we pass them blindly, accustomed to their presence and oblivious to what they represent. We, the men and women who created VRL and support this organization’s activities, were inspired by the sacrifice of our brothers in arms and wanted to create a memorial that would...
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A Mix of Relief and Worry

Press Release | New York Newsday® | Reporter Michael Amon Mixed emotions washed over Dimitry and Genny Popow as they watched Barack Obama's speech last night . On one hand the couple was relieved. Their son, Marine Sgt. Andrei (Dre) Popow wouldn't have to return to the seen of the hellish battle she fought in 2004 and 2005 during the Iraq Campaign's darkest moments. But Sgt. Popow may see combat again – in Afghanistan –...
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LGBTQIA Veterans Event

The Center | 208 13th Street | West Village | Manhattan, NY On the evening of February 28th, 2019 - representatives from Veterans Rebuilding Life attended the first community forum held in New York City developed for Veterans and their family members in the LGBTQIA communities. The veterans initiative took place in the West Village of Manhattan, where it was hosted by The Center. Attending veteran service organizations included the NYPD's Community Outreach Division, and...
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The Manfredi Movement

Community Fundraising Event | Staten Island | New York This Staten Island charities mission is to spread the importance of philanthropy among youth in America. By involving young adults in charitable efforts, the Manfredi Movement's objective is to broaden the demographic of donors supporting the nonprofit sector. The youth initiative, encourages existing nonprofits to continue their humanitarian efforts, by increasing the number of young adults intent on making a lasting positive impact. Founder and CEO of...
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Manhattan Veterans Day Parade

Veterans Rebuilding Life was honored by the city of New York who invited members to ride the lead–float in the Manhattan Veterans Day Parade. Accompanying VRL, were the Montford Point Marine Association (seen above) a nonprofit military veteran's group, founded to memorialize the legacy of the first African Americans to serve in the United States Marine Corps. The first African American U.S. Marines were trained at Camp Montford Point, in Jacksonville, North Carolina, from 1942...
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Donovan’s Memorial Fundraising Event

Event Hosted by Donovan's of Woodside | Queens, NY VRL's latest event was hosted by New York City's landmarked Irish pub: Donovan's of Woodside. The award-winning restaurant and tavern opened its doors in-support of Veterans Rebuilding Life, when the owners learned that the organization was attempting to raise the cost of a memorial, to honor the first casualties in the history of the war on terror. Seen above, are VRL members; Natasha Ryder and Kevin...
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Military Family Day

CORONA PARK BBQ EVENT | QUEENS, NYC Thanks to Everyone Who Came Out to Make VRL's First Annual Family Day Picnic & BBQ a Tremendous Success! With your support, we exceeded the fundraising goal to support American Veterans returning from Afghanistan, by providing them with professional training in a variety of trades, to be followed by full-time employment opportunities in the civilian workforce through our new program: VET: Veteran Employment Training. The program is scheduled...
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NYC Fleet Week Promotion Ceremony

SEPTEMBER 11TH MEMORIAL PARK | GROUND ZERO, NYC The Thousands of Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen from U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard ships arrived in Manhattan for Fleet Week in New York City. Since 1984, Fleet Week New York is the City's celebration of America's amphibious military branches of service, including the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, and Marines. The annual event provides an opportunity for the people of New York and surrounding Tristate area,...
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International Visitors Leadership Program

Sponsored by the U.S. Dept. of State | International Program Initiative | Queens, NY As one of the nation's smallest nonprofit organizations actively engaged with overseas humanitarian operations, Veterans Rebuilding Life had the honor of hosting a cross-cultural dialogue with foreign participants from the U.S. Department of State’s - International Visitor Leadership Program, (IVLP). Arranged by the Meridian International Center, and organized by Miss Dina Siggs, Senior Program Specialist of the New York Branch, the...
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Denise Richardson Interviews VRL

Digital Media Broadcast; Beyond The Bells | Narrated By Denise Richardson Television and radio personality Denise Richardson, interviews three founding members of: Veterans Rebuilding Life (VRL). She asks who they were before and after the war, and what they hope to achieve as a New York based nonprofit. MORE UPDATES