Latest news with #CampV
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Sen. John Cornyn visited Tyler to discuss new bill to improve veteran's quality of care
TYLER, Texas (KETK) — Senator John Cornyn visited Tyler on Wednesday to push a new bill that would provide more support for veterans once they return back home. 'I've lost more friends after combat due to PTSD than during combat,' Sen. Cornyn said. Sen. Cornyn hosted a round table at 'Camp V', a local nonprofit in Tyler that helps veterans and their families. The 'Veterans' Mental Health and Addiction Therapy Quality of Care' Act will analyze the current treatments at the VA to find out what's working and what's not working. The bill will require an independent assessment of the quality of care for veterans in the VA. The Executive Director of Camp V Travis Gladhill spoke about the bill and emphasized how it has been need for awhile in order to support veterans in Texas. 'I've read your bill, and I appreciate your initiative to go forward with this because it's a long overdue need to have that investigative look into how that care is being given how the timeliness of that care is being given,' Gladhill said. The goal of the bill will be to help improve treatments in East Texas, which has one of the highest veteran suicide rates in the state. 'Make that transition, make the community better, and to fulfill that sacred obligation which I believe we have to our veterans, once they have served our nation to protect us and our way of life. We owe it to them to do what we can to help them make that transition back into civilian life,' Sen. Cornyn said. The legislation is still in a Senate committee with hopes to move to the Senate Floor for more deliberation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rose City Airfest adds second day after record attendance in 2024
TYLER, Texas (KETK) — CampV is flying high after last year's Rose City Airfest saw more than seven thousand people. Leading them to add a second day to the event for 2025. 'We heard a lot from the community, of you know, they missed it on Saturday, they still wanted to attend,' CampV executive director Travis Gladhill said. The airshow also received attention from the International Council of Air Shows, an organization in charge of some of the biggest airshow acts in the country. ICAS also recommended CampV extend the show to attract more performers. 'We can start receiving demo teams such as the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds,' Gladhill said. After much feedback, CampV decided to add an additional day to the 2025 show, allowing more people to witness magic in the sky. This year will see 16 performers fly out of Tyler Pounds Regional Airport on Oct. 4 and Oct. 5. 'We have an opportunity to really put Tyler on the airshow map,' Gladhill said. 'We have an aircraft that is going to be making its first-ever airshow debut here at Rose City Air Fest. It is a very specialized aircraft.' CampV will provide new seating so you can witness all the action up close with a new 1 p.m. takeoff time. 'Starting the show a little bit earlier this year as well to take advantage of, to make sure that no one's getting sun glare in their eyes while they're watching the airshow,' Gladhill said. Tickets for the Rose City Airfest go on sale July 1 and CampV expects to sell out both days. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Nonprofit gifts RV to unhoused veteran in Tyler
TYLER, Texas (KETK) – A 5013c non-profit organization called RVs 4 Heroes presented its first RV to an unhoused veteran in Tyler in honor of East Texas Giving Day on Tuesday. Camp V holds BBQ cook-off to celebrate East Texas Giving Day RVs 4 Heroes began its mission to provide housing to veterans in October of 2024. The nonprofit organization refurbishes donated recreational vehicles to gift to veterans in need. Their mission is only made possible through monetary donations and time from volunteers. 'We make it to the point where it is indeed ready to be lived in as a home full time. So everything in there that they need like pots and pans and dishes, bedding, and all that is all in there for the veteran already so that they can really get a good start,' RVs 4 Heroes president Vee Clark said. On Tuesday, the organization gifted an RV to Michael Lougheed who served in the United States Army for more than a decade. Since December of 2024, Lougheed has struggled to acclimate back to civilian life and has been unhoused until he learned that he was the recipient of a newly refurbished recreational vehicle. U.S. Veteran given free roof by East Texas company 'This will definitely change my life because it will be able to put me back on my feet and really motivate me to set me forward and like I said to be an asset to Tyler and Smith County,' Lougheed said. The veteran focused nonprofit organization has a goal of gifting 24 RVs to struggling veterans in the East Texas area this year. For more information on how to donate or volunteer visit the RVs 4 Heroes website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Remarkable Woman Susan Campbell works to save veteran lives
TYLER, Texas (KETK) – This Remarkable Woman is dedicated to saving veterans' lives through her work with a East Texas organization, having already helped more than 40 veterans. Now, she's encouraging others to join the cause. PHOTOS: East Texas hit by storms, tornado warnings cause damage Susan Campbell has been a member of Camp V since the organization was founded. Camp V is dedicated to providing support to veterans along with their families in East Texas. The non-profit offers several programs along with a recreation center, women's center and fitness center. Campbell spoke about the reason she has dedicated the past few years of her life to supporting Camp V. 'I don't come from a military family. I grew up in the Vietnam era and over those years, I lost two friends to suicide,' Campbell said. 'So my heart was just touched by that, and Camp V has just been a way that I can give back and say thank you for what you did for me and for us. So, it's been quite a blessing. It's really changed my life.' Camp V opened in 2019 in Tyler. The complex sits on 20 acres acting as a one-stop shop for veteran resources. 'It is a remarkable place where there are multiple veterans service providers onsite that help veterans find assistance and guidance services that they need, where they don't have to travel all over to be told not a lot,' Campbell said. 'So, it reduces their stress. It helps, you know, resolve what their questions or issues are.' Drugs, firearms found in Rusk County hotel: 5 arrested According to the VA, veterans have a suicide rate of 17. 6%, a statistic they hope to lower by helping them connect with each other. Campbell spoke about this troubling statistic and acknowledged how challenging it is for veterans once they return home. 'It is hard, no matter how strong they are, not even how great of a background they've had,' Campbell said. 'It's still hard to go from the service that has given you everything to now you're on your own.' Campbell reflected on the lives she has already been able to save through her work with Camp V. 'I remember speaking at one point when saying we've saved 42 lives, and I had someone come up to me afterward and said, make that 43,' Campbell said. Campbell encourages other women and wants them to welcome every opportunity that comes their way. 'I think the important thing for women to know is that I'm not sure we're ever done,' Campbell said. 'I was 72 when I started with Jim on Camp V. I am soon to be 79, and I'm still going strong. You never know what life is going to bring you, so just embrace it.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
