Stability & Trust: Reflecting reliability and strength (rooted in veteran service).
Warmth & Compassion: Illuminating your human-centered, service-first orientation.
Professionalism & Clarity: Emphasizing structured, results-driven consulting.
Personal Touch: Highlighting individualized support and leadership.
Registering your nonprofit corporation in SAM.gov (System for Award Management) opens doors to
federal opportunities, funding, and resources while enhancing visibility and compliance.
Hope we can help your organization too!
The news that the penny is being removed from circulation made me pause and reflect on something far more valuable than its monetary worth. The penny was once a daily connection between my father and me, a lighthearted gauge of the world around us.
Every day on his walk, my father would keep an eye out for lost pennies. If he found one, it was a good day. If he found two, well, “The economy is looking up!” he’d say with a chuckle when he called me to report his findings. It was his personal economic indicator, a small but amusing tradition that made us both smile.
Over the years, I picked up the habit myself. If I spotted a penny on the ground, I’d snap a picture and send it to my closest friends and my sons. “Looks like things are turning around!” I’d joke, carrying on my father’s tradition with the same ridiculous insight. But we never left the penny behind. We picked it up, and added it to our collection—a tangible reminder of life’s little fortunes and the simple joys of paying attention.
Now, with the penny becoming a thing of history, finding one will feel even more special. No longer just a quirky sign of economic optimism, it will be a rare token of the past, a link to my father’s voice on the other end of the phone, laughing about his new found fortune.
So, when I spot a penny on the ground, I’ll pause. I’ll smile. I’ll pick it up. And I’ll think of him.
And you know what? The economy—and life—are still looking up.
When I first read the letter from Cleve.ai, I wasn’t entirely sure how to process it. It wasn’t a traditional award letter or recognition from a colleague, but rather a reflection generated by artificial intelligence. It summarized the essence of my efforts on LinkedIn throughout 2024—efforts I’ve often viewed as more personal musings than any calculated form of marketing or pontification. And yet, reading it stirred something deeply emotional and thought-provoking in me.
For much of my life, I’ve been under the impression that I came across as standoffish, maybe even arrogant. My efforts to communicate my values—faith, caregiving, selfless service—felt, at times, like shouting into the void. But here was this letter, written by an AI, mirroring back to me not the person I feared I might be, but the person I’ve strived to become: an empathic, kind soul who lifts others through action and advocacy.
The words resonated because they didn’t just state facts—they articulated the intentions behind my actions, the “why” of my life that I’ve always hoped to communicate but wasn’t sure anyone really heard. It was humbling and deeply moving to see my journey reflected in this way. For once, I felt truly understood, not just by the people around me, but perhaps even by myself.
This is the strange power of artificial intelligence: its ability to observe, synthesize, and reflect human emotion in ways we might not expect. To some, this might seem shallow or contrived—after all, how could a machine “know” anything about kindness or integrity? But for me, the experience highlighted something profound: AI, through its data and patterns, can sometimes help us see ourselves more clearly than we’re willing to on our own.
As I reflect on this, I realize that the power of the letter wasn’t just in what it said—it was in what it challenged me to believe. If an AI can see me as a beacon of hope and strength, why can’t I? If it can articulate my passion for caregiving, my unwavering faith, and my commitment to ethical service, why do I still hesitate to believe in those things myself?
The truth is, I’ve always used LinkedIn as a sounding board—not to market myself, but to give voice to the lessons, struggles, and triumphs of my journey. It’s as much for me as for anyone else who might be listening. This letter reminded me that, whether or not I always see it, those efforts matter. They create ripples, touch lives, and perhaps most importantly, reflect the values I hold most dear.
So, here I am, grappling with the strange and wonderful reality of emotions created by an artificial experience. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the mirrors we least expect—whether in the form of a friend, a stranger, or even an AI—can offer the clearest view of who we are.
And for that, I am grateful. Not just for the letter, but for the journey it reflects—and for the faith it inspires me to carry forward into 2025 and beyond.
I am pleased to inform you of your acceptance to the 2024 Veterans Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Florida. After reviewing many deserving applications, our admissions committee believes you are a good fit and will be a great addition to the program this year.
“What a great opportunity to reach more people, to help more people and learn more from people“
Lou Schwartz Enrollee
The National Veterans Entrepreneurship Program (VEP) provides a rigorous entrepreneurial learning and development opportunity for veterans with service-connected disabilities and those who have uniquely distinguished themselves in the military. VEP is designed for veterans interested in starting a new venture as a means to financial independence and for veterans who have an existing business for which they would like to increase profits.
Feb 26
This gallery contains 14 photos.
A Picture is Worth a Thousand words…. some highlights A weekend fire pit turned into a 3 month project…scope creep and lots of rules :-). I didn’t realize although I did the math, that an 8″ deep 14′ wide excavated hole that is then filled with cement fines and sand weighs in excess of 6 […]
Today was my first visit to a VA Medical Facility as a patient.
I honestly avoided it like the plague. I retired from the military in 2011 and because of my health benefits with my next career I did not qualify for VA care. That was fine with me as I had worked in and with the VA for years, and I always got the feeling it was place to go and die. Like a Hospital in the 1950s where the majority of patients never left or the scene from “Born of the 4th of July” as the main character, Ron Kovic is treated as a nuisance and less than human. Perhaps it’s the incentive of rewarding veterans with financial compensation for illness or disability of which I am a recipient. Although a noble idea and commensurate with our need for self preservation I believe the secondary effects begets a sense of sorrow and defeat as most of us veterans never served for a paycheck but to serve the Nation. Perhaps it was visiting my Scoutmaster in his VA hospital room decades ago. It was a lime green tiled to the shoulder hot room with five other gentlemen. As a young person to see a hero in my eyes in such a state had a profound effect on me. It actually made me think I wanted to be as tough as he was to deal with that. These are my reflections and makes me see the VA in a specific way. I know my impressions are affected by my history as does my experience working in and with dozens and dozens of hospitals over 30 years.
The days that I reflected on are long gone from the VA. They have modern facilities with beautiful architecture. The staff fall over backwards to help you when you are there with them. Perhaps they cannot help, but they do try as the processes are still associated with governmental rules and regulations that any American can relate to in a negative away. You can say whatever you want about VISTA the electronic medical record but the system works and does not run the facility like commercial products, but that is another subject for another day. So why do we need to change the VA? Its the culture.
You can have the best facility with the best system and great people but overall have a poor experience. That’s is organizational behavior 101. When veterans believe the VA is a last resort and is something that is owed to them, can it really provide a service that is viewed as something of value? It’s like free lunch at elementary school it never tasted as good as the Mcdonalds burger you had to buy got it hot and fresh after walking there from school.
Of course I don’t know the answer to my premise, but I do have some recommendations.
Get rid of Medicare and Medicaid and provide universal healthcare to all Americans which includes veterans, provide them with a higher level of care as they have earned it through a “platinum” insurance PPO plan. America (tax dollars) already spends more money per capita then an other national with universal healthcare. We spend around 13K per person per year. Other countries do not even spend half that and have better outcomes and much better quality. A person can always pay for private care as I did before I needed the VA. If veterans had a platinum plan they earned and could use where they wanted it would bring better outcomes.
Return the VA to what it was started as a tertiary medical care mission with professional education. They can’t do all of the additional missions, it’s been given. Its too big for a governmental bureaucracy to be successful.
I also want to say thank you to a VA employee. After several months of being told to call this and that I was able to get assigned a primary care manager, and ID and an appointment within a few days. Ms Dorothy answered the phone and said come on down and I’ll square you away. The calling and computer processes just didn’t work, but a former Army NCO made it happen. She still leads from the front. I miss the Army sometimes.
I wanted to share what ChatGPT said about my post as an editor and critic….
Title: Improving Veteran Healthcare: Changing the VA’s Culture
Introduction: My recent visit to a VA Medical Facility as a patient prompted me to reflect on the state of veteran healthcare in the United States. Having retired from the military in 2011 and benefiting from alternative health insurance, I had avoided the VA healthcare system, largely due to perceptions of it being a place of despair and disillusionment. However, my visit revealed a different reality, showcasing modern facilities and dedicated staff. While the VA has made significant improvements, there is still a fundamental issue that needs addressing: its culture.
Conclusion: Improving the veteran healthcare system requires a shift in culture, a move towards universal healthcare for veterans, and a reevaluation of the VA’s mission. By addressing these issues, we can ensure that veterans receive the care and support they deserve, ultimately honoring their service to the nation and providing them with the healthcare they have earned. It’s time to reshape the perception of the VA and make it a place where veterans feel valued and cared for, just as they should be.
Several years ago, I embraced the European philosophy of “holidays”. A vacation lasting longer than two weeks sometimes a month or longer, completely cut off from work and most of my personal life.
During that time I try and stay present mentally by not using my phone and staying active both physically and mentally. This really has benefits on my return to my home as I can “see” my situation much clearer than before.
I just returned from a three week holiday, and immediately I feel more empowered in my daily work life. I understand more and more that my work is just that, and I need to enjoy it and feel that I am providing a benefit or any financial gains that I receive are fleeting and ultimately nothing beyond the basic requirements of shelter, food and comfort.
The Holiday helps me to see areas I can improve. Taking away distractions a person can concentrate on interpersonal relationships. Am I this needy? Do I need to offer my opinion? Why do I need so much time alone? I ask many questions of myself. Does it have any benefit? I hope it does as change is possible but its hard. I have to see an issue (clear vision) to analyze it (ask questions) and decide to make a change. The Holiday helps me do this abridged scientific method.
The Holiday provides a better perspective of people and things as true experience is the best teacher. People are good. The dark side is present in us all but for the vast majority of life experiences the idea that People choice right over wrong good over bad this philosophy holds true. Through my travels on Holiday this is always reinforced.
Time to get ready to go to my next job….
It started as an announcement that my wife and I would be working as (1099) folks for small companies. That means they give you money, you worry about all the stuff your parents told you working for an established company gives you. Through that spark or kick in the pants to leave our parents directions behind we started off on our dingy down the Thames.
As I do most things, I ask my friends; “what type of business structure I should choose?” Everyone said an S-Corp as it was the best for two folks working as independent contractors making hopefully over 80,000 a year. Simple enough, I did a search on the app “Thumbtack” for Formation of S-Corps and I hired another veteran from a long list of possibilities. Connie is great, hired he on April 16th and any accountant that can take a call on that day has gotta be organized. So for 180 dollars I was able to get my EIN, Corp Docs, CAGE and Election of a Small Business as well as my states Dept of Revenue structure set up. With that one phone meeting I surrendered my first bit of independence by committing to tax filing both personal and business to someone else, no more TurboTax for me. As well as a reoccurring expense.
I asked Connie; “if she took the federal and state taxes out of the monies the Companies I did business with?” No, she said I have a referral for you to a guy that does payroll. So after setting up a business bank account with a Credit Union, I set up payroll administration with another Company. Two more alliances in the battle for two small folks working for others.
From formation to banking, taxes, and payroll we jumped into Insurance; all kinds of insurance, I got umbrella, professional liability and general liability not to mention a medical and dental plan for our employee (1) and growing! All those come with its own program administration portal and of course a reoccurring fee which all the sales people say is great because its a deduction and several more partners in crime to add to my phone contacts along with 800 numbers to service desks around the world to wait on hold to support my team.
Luckily in a way as my sole employee and also owner and wife can’t have a business provided HSA she had to do that on her own. I’m just happy I don’t have to administer the program, but I am the webmaster, bringing me back to my youth and providing me an outlet to write which I love to do.
As the say;” A Soldier ain’t happy if he aint bitchin” so I guess I am happy, I’m happy.
