Southwest Veterans' Business Resource Center Founder's Blog

SAVE THE DATE JUNE 1 2010 FOR NEW PERRIS CA SWVBRC OPENING,

Albert Renteria — Thu, 06 May 2010 07:50:33 GMT

Join us on June 1, 2010 as we open the doors of our 4th location at Perris CA. We met with Perris Mayor Al Landers last month to discuss details about having an SWVBRC in his City. Pictured are Albert Guzman, City Mayor Al Landers and SWVBRC Founder Albert R. Renteria.

The Mayor met with the City council with our proposal and the City approved the use of the facility to serve and support the communities and Veterans of Perris CA.

We invite you to take part of this effort. We have just under four weeks to get ready and we need your participation! Visit SWVBRC Perris CA location to get an inside look of our before photos.

We need paint, your time, furnishings, computers, donations and anything that you can contribute! We reached out to www.RebuildingTogether.org volunteers Ed and Allison Eccelston and they are joining our effort. We are excited that you too want to doing your part in whatever means is best for you!

The Acting Undersecretary of the VA Memorial Affairs Steve L. Muro has confirmed to attend and speak at our event. With him will be his contracting officers and staff members so that we all learn of the many opportunities with the National Cemetery Administration.

Please call me at 760 468-1315 or email me directly at arenteria@swvbrc.org to participate, we do need your support!

With your help, we can gain greater visibility in the community.

We can't do this alone and it is the action of many that have registered with www.WhereCommunitiesServeVeterans.org that prompts our success!

Whether you are near or far, you can join us by being part of our online community and inviting others to join as well. Your registration is your ticket! Hope to see more of your friends, families and all those you know to be part of our effort.

Thank you so very much for all that you do!

Albert R. Renteria
Founder and CEO
Chief Warrant Officer-4, USMC Retired
Southwest Veterans' Business Resource Center
Where Communities Serve Veterans ™

760.468.1315

Service Never Ends for a Marine!

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TODAY, TEN YEARS AGO ON APRIL 1, 2000, MY NEW JOURNEY BEGAN

Albert Renteria — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 01:14:23 GMT

My orientation started October 1999, when I was in Yokosuka Japan, visiting units and during an out brief I presented to the local commands, my vision was triggered and I planned my future. Shortly afterwards, I submitted my retirement request to be effective April 1, 2000, April Fool’s Day. To everyone’s surprise and it became a reality when I actually retired into the sunset after 26 years of Marine Corps service. I share with you that it has taken me ten years to complete my 14 Level Reintegration Program and as a result, effective today I have incorporated Albert R. Renteria Corporation, aka The ARRC ™. And I will finalize my business plan next week.

I created the Southwest Veterans’ Business Resource Center, Inc to empower communities and increase awareness on how best to serve our America Veterans. Below is my ten year journey and a template for our Learners to consider. The success of my efforts is in fact the steps and models I created to develop the value of social capital. Without a network, the cost to start a business will far exceed your means and create more of a burden than meeting your vision to start your own business. I am now ready to start another new journey.

My 14 Level Reintegration Program

Level 2

Who am I? I am an American Veteran, a unique race of people that was indoctrinated the importance of God, Country and its people. I served to defend freedoms and a capitalist society so that the citizens may have the right to a free enterprise to profit and selling products and services the market will bear.

Level 3

What industry am I interest in? All I know is how to be a service provider and for 26 years, I serviced thousands of Marines, I was a Chief Warrant Officer 4, and I want to provide a service to others to ensure their quality of life is prosperous and the awareness of benefits and programs surpasses their own expectation. I want to be in the service provider industry and the premier business sought by many.

Level 4

What are my goals? I knew that I was about to disembark a fast moving vehicle and it was not about to stop to let me off. My goal was to use my GI Bill and embarked to earn my masters degree and I jumped into my first course the same day I retired. I set my goals to complete my masters in one year, completed, I set my goal to establish a non-profit to provide a means to civilians by which they can serve and support deployed forces and I created www.OIDelivers.org, done! A full operational Civilian-to-Military Delivery System® manned by an all volunteer team. My goal was to learn more about what it took to create a business, I worked for George S. May International Consulting firm and met over 2,000 Chief Executive Officers, I learned so much and got paid to learn, done! I wanted to create a post service non-profit after I passed on OI to the civilian volunteers and during May 2008, I founded the Southwest Veterans’ Business Resource Center, Inc., a national organization. My ten year goal was to incorporate April 1, 2010, and I reached that milestone today. I have set my goals and reached them all, these are just my top level goals.

Level 5

What are my objectives to reach my goals? I set a few objectives that promised that I reach all of my goals. Education, learning, networking, social capital, travel and meet the people I wanted to serve was my primary objective that allowed me to achieve my goals. I volunteered and developed a series of models to make the two non-profits a success. My objective was to ensure I can in fact build a business and serve the community. These objectives was a living plan for a ten year cycle. The cycle is complete and I have new goals to set.

Level 6

How many benefits and resources are there? During my 26 year military career, I was the subject matter expert and I thought I knew all of my benefits and resources, and I was so wrong. What I knew was all the benefits and resources made available by the Department of Defense and nothing really, about the Veteran Affairs or community support for Veterans. Once I finally acknowledged what I didn’t know, I sought out every opportunity to increase my knowledge base and it proved to be a ten year trek and I am still learning! It is an endless list. However, during my discovery, I recognized a problem. The problem was not 100% of the Veterans were enjoying the support, including me. I learned that there are redundancies and wasted resources and a solution is in demand. This new founded information influenced me on what my vision would formulate to be. I am a 50% disabled Veteran and the first year of my retirement I learned a few things, but it was later that I learned the full benefit of the Veteran Vocational Rehab and Employment program. Like most Department of Defense programs, there are many conditions to be met and variances to entitlement. Ten years later, I sought a benefit and approved for one of the programs. I suspect many more that think they know, might not know enough to realize there is so much.

Level 7

What do I need to do to network with all existing resources? Reach out is what I knew I had to do. I am a life member to several Veteran group. It was a financial investment, but I did so, not so much to establish a network, but to give back to these Veteran organizations for doing so much to ensure I had the benefits I earned for my service. I had no expectations, but my network grew into the thousands across the United States. I joined chat rooms, studied behaviors via online. My masters was electronic commerce, my military expertise was manpower management systems, I began to understand the value of social capital and how important it is to create links with not just those you know, but those you don’t know. I know someone in all 50 states and thousands more around the world. I am never a stranger in any town I visit for the first time.

Level 8

Am I registered with the VA, local groups and national groups? I quickly realized his being a necessity if I were to achieve my goals and objectives and became a life member to a dozen Veteran groups. I registered with the VA and have my VA card. This is the essence of being an American Veteran and my interest is to make sure every Veteran is a VA card carry participant. Do know a Veteran that doesn’t have one?

Level 9

What does my network look like, is it providing results? I have a global network, but it took me ten years to build and bring together like minded people to serve others. My approach has always been simple, how can I best serve you? My focus is you, not me, if you succeed, I succeed. The results have been incredible, the learning has been amazing and the blessings of meeting so many has kept me in awe. Awe, because they all want to help a Veteran, their family and our deployed forces. Never have I had any difficulty reaching out to my network to engage them to serve our Veterans, their family and deployed forces. The results, well, I am a loss for words.

Level 10

Are my techniques for interviewing to par? They never are! Each new day demands a new approach and just when I think I nailed it, I have to revise. My technique is up to par, but I have learned never to take for granted that the next person I interview with for a job or contract, I need to adjust to that situation. I have competitors and they are good and better than me, if I settle for one approach. I am a capitalist and risks exists and the greatest risk is when one thinks they have no risk and believe their techniques for interviewing are up to par.

Level 11

Is starting my own business a better option for me? This took some real awareness. I know who I am and I knew my attitude and level of experience would be more of a handicap and as each year passed, my age added to that handicap. Starting my own business is the best option for me. I recognized this early on and my sanity was balanced by creating non-profits to keep my core values intact and to continue to serve as I served for 26 years. I managed financially with my pension and other independent contracts I secured as a self employed. I donated substantially to the non-profits I founded and not just with funds, but my time and resources. It was my way of transitioning and I really needed it, otherwise, I would have collapsed as many do, when they are not doing what they were accustom of doing for so long. My plan was to incorporate on April 1, 2010 and I did. My benefits with the VA were approved to support this decision.

Level 12

Of all the resources I have uncovered, do I have the knowledge and tools? After ten years and combined with the tools I garnered during my military career, I have a good set of tools to establish a corporation. I will continue to find more tools, resources and people to be part of what I do.

Level 13

What do I need to do to create a viable business plan? I took steps to learn, maybe ten years is too long for many, but I first had to reintegrate back into society and learn as much as I could to make sure that owning my own business was a better option for me. I knew that I had to reach out to the VA and relearn the five step program and seek support from their self-employment program. The program is to guide and assist the Veteran to develop and produce a viable business plan. I am in that program now.

Level 14

Will my business plan work, is it financially sound, will it create jobs? This is the next journey and I believe it will be and produce all the results I am seeking. I have prepared myself the best I could and with the support of one of my VA benefits, I REFUSE TO FAIL!!

Lieutenant General Joseph F. Dunford, Jr., Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command, Commanding General, I Marine Expeditionary Force

Albert Renteria — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 16:38:54 GMT

Chip Dykes our VP of Business Development and I, had the honor of Visiting with LtGen Dunford, CG of I MEF at his office yesterday.

Our visit was to welcome the General to his new command and to learn how best we can serve your active duty Marines at Camp Pendleton CA.

The General shared with us his gratitude that you and all those that extend their support for your Marines.

Chip and I will be presenting to the General a series of topics that can best prepare the departing Marine how best to reintegrate back into their communities. We are honored to do this.

As we seek the opportunity to coordinate our efforts, I extend an invitation to you to participate. You don't have to be nearby to do so. Technology allows us to reach across the country and participate.

If you have an interest to participate, please let Chip and me know about your interest.

We will keep you posted on our progress. As I shared with the General, we cannot do enough for our men and women in uniform and we are here to serve 24/7. The General again extended his gratitude to all of you for all that you do!!! Semper Fi,

I AM AN AMERICAN VETERAN and WE ARE A RELEVANT RACE

Albert Renteria — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 20:08:31 GMT

During January, 2010, I enjoyed traveling to Phoenix AZ, Dallas TX, Sacramento CA and Anchorage AK. My travels offer me an insight to the pulse of the people and many Veterans I connect with. In every case, as I meet many people we start with small talk and at some point the common question surfaces "where are you from?"

I am certain you have enjoyed getting a pulse as well and similar small talk. What I have concluded is that this small talk always leads to my race or ethnic background. My ethnic background is Mexican, born and raised in Chicago Il. However, I have said in the past that I am an American-Mexican race, I did so to be politically correct.

My travels last month made me reconsider my race. I looked up the definition of race and there are clear definitions in particular " any people united by common history, language, cultural traits...". This hit the nerve of my thought. I am of the American Veteran race as I am united with my fellow Veteran by common history, language and cultural traits.

I started to be part of the American Veteran race when I earned the right to wear the uniform of the United States Marine Corps at age 17. My photo is the cradle of my American Veteran race.

While in uniform, I signed and gave an oath to comply with the Uniform Code of Military Justice, a language of its own.

I am sharing this with you as I continue to share my vision nationally. I have learned and continue to learn that the American Veteran is a relevant race. If we as a nation fail to change on how we serve our American Veterans, soon, we may find the American Veteran to be a dying breed. It has been reported that 23 - 40% of American homeless adults are American Veterans! This is not the result we should accept and it is my aim to eradicate that notion by 2035.

My last photo taken while in uniform was September 9, 1999 with Master Sergeant David Folsom and Brigadier General Mary Wilson, during my visit to Okinawa Japan. While on travel, it was at that time I decided to retire April 1, 2000, with tremendous intention on what I decided to achieve. I am not alone, many have joined my aim and we will REFUSE TO FAIL! Semper Fi, and thank you so very much for crossing the line together with me!

2010 - THE BEGINNING OF A NEW DECADE, IDEAS AND VISION IN SUPPORT OF THE AMERICAN VETERAN

Albert Renteria — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 18:09:36 GMT

We are at the beginning of a new decade and many opportunities. I start 2010 harvesting my knowledge with an urge to sharing it with you.

Here I am in this photo 35 years ago, a Marine corporal, taking part of a desert field exercise at 29 Palms CA. I was stationed at Marine Air Base 11, Marine Air Group 16, El Toro CA.

I would have never thought I would be doing what I am doing now and I had other plans. I was only 18 years old and at that age, well, I know I am not alone when I admit, the moment was my future if you know what I mean.

As time passsed, I was exposed to many things, my experience and maturity developed and a new meaning of what my future is unfolded.

Fast forward 16 years to 1991 to the Gulf War and here I am in this photo at El Kibrit, now a Marine warrant officer and taking part of a war. My duties changed and my responsilities multiplied. In both tours I accounted for manpower and personnel. The first experience was to track Marines to ensure daily accountability, a paper intensive process and time consuming. The second experience, I was held directly accountable for over 14,000 Marines in a time of war leveraging technology, this was a turning point for me.

I started to realize the value of many things. I recognized that every service member had one thought during a war environment and that thought is the safety of their family and frineds back home. During war, a warrior focuses on the battlefield and prepared to sacrifice the ultimate gift, life, for others to enjoy the land of the free. A compelling thought to consider for the new decade.

This period of time influenced what I wanted to achieve in my lifetime. I learned that all those that serve are skilled with doing anything they set themselves to do. We all have a business acumen and don't even know it! Yes, we were all trained to tracking something, getting the task at hand completed and to use whatever resources we can garner to complete the mission.

I want to ask you to join me today to make a difference in your community. I need your help to reachout to all those that you know and ask them a simple question "Do you know a Veteran?" Do you know if the Veteran is enjoying what they have earned for serving our Country? How can you confirm that? Simple, ask the Veteran if they have a VA card like the one below. And if they don't, send them our way. We will guide them to get their VA card. This is our starting point to eradicating the notion of a homeless Veteran. And perhaps to guiding them to become a Veteran business owner! Will you help me?

We have three centers and our total monthly operating cost for all three centers does not exceeed $3,000. We have negotiated a low cost for rent and this cost includes cable, phone and utilities. Each center is manned by volunteers. We need your financial support to keep our doors open and to open more doors. As we eradicate the notion of homeless Veterans we are encouraging our Veterans to become a business owner and to prosper in your community. Donations can be made online or by check to SWVBRC and mailed to P.O. Box 1025, Fallbrook, CA 92088-1025. Help us help your City make a difference in 2010!

A DAY OF CELEBRATION AND BIRTH OF A NEW LIFE

Albert Renteria — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 22:05:40 GMT

I just completed my thought, but as life is what it is, I lost it as my system froze and with it my written words gone! Imagine that! I always wonder why this happens to me and it does so often.

No matter, I know I won't be able to replicate what I first thought. I have captured the moment as a realization that every second in life has its meaning and necessitates the harvesting of our knowledge.

Today is celebrated around the world and a giving celebration it is. I have been blessed to have traveled the world many times. The gifts have been abundant. Not a tangible gift, but one of lasting value, my experiences. I am a believer of passing on gifts and I pray that I always have a means to do so.

I often reach backwards to understand my past and like you, I either read something I wrote or scurry through photos for a glimpse of my memories. I want to share a memory of my past and it is this photo of me taking my holy communion at age 8. I have vivid memories of that day and my prayer was simple. To always have the strength and courage to give what little I have to as many that I can reach.

Today, I thank you for the gift of knowing you. We met at some point and why you are getting my email. Who would have thought we can meet someone and not eye to eye.

As we end 2009, I reflect on what we have achieved. We have three centers across the country and have grown to be a national organization in about 18 months with the least amount of cost. Evidence that prayers are heard and my strength and courage perpetuating.

The New Year is only days away and as you contemplate your aim for 2010 do consider our aim to eradicate the notion of a homeless Veteran. We are determined to achieve that aspiration by 2035 and with your support of any kind will fuel us. Your thoughts and prayers are invaluable and we accept them as the greatest gift.

We are all a pebble in an ocean of hope and create many ripples that intersect to create giant waves that will wipe clear the causes that denies a Veteran the rights to enjoy life and give a new life for serving a Great Nation that empowers its people the Freedoms to live their life within the laws of our land.

Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

P.S. If you are interested to learn how best to support our aim, please send me an email.

DESTINATION: REFUSE TO FAIL

Albert Renteria — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 10:25:59 GMT

September 26, 2009 - My journey back to California from North Carolina started with a 0500 wake up call. I felt refreshed, energized and very pleased with the visit at our third center ready to open November 11, 2009 in honor of Veterans Day. Pictured is Levi Samuels our VP of Family Readiness and property owner Ray Burnette

My first stop before I arrived to Fayatteville airport for a 1437 departure, was with Levi Samuels, our newly named Vice President of Family Readiness. We connected at 0715 for breakfast and covered the details of my trip and discussed our D-35 milestone. We are on track and expecting a good effort. The community in the Fort Bragg area are amazing and are taking ownership of their center.

I headed to the airport around noon to get settled in for the trip back home. All was going well, I did my normal routine, did some research, made some calls and contemplated plans for the next day.

My flight from Fayatteville was on time and I knew my lay over at Charlotte was a couple of hours and it afforded me the opportunity to review my thoughts on the week at Fort Bragg. Time flew by.

The plane that was scheduled for us arrived about a hour prior to our departure only to learn it was struck by lightning and was punctured. It was blessing all arrived safely. However, that meant an hour delay and if you have traveled and this happens, that usually turns into hours delay.

An 1837 departure turned into a 2100 departure. I knew my patience and tolerance needed checking so this was a good time for a quality check and I proceeded to work on "Destination: Refuse to Fail" how appropriate and timely.
While working on this, I get an email telling me my flight has changed with a 0750 departure on Sunday. I smiled and confirmed that this was truly testing my tolerance and patience. I closed my laptop, picked up my checked in luggage and picked up my new ticket for the morning. Another 0500 start day to try this again.

I wanted to share with you this part of my journey and to introduce to you our "Refuse to Fail Landscape". And I figure this was a great time to post it after enjoying this adventure back home.

We have 48 Veteran Learners that we vetted and they have taken on the task to Refuse to Fail. Some have posted their blogs and some have not and some are contemplating their destination. The Refuse to Fail Landscape is for all to enjoy and to realize when it comes down to where the rubber hits the road, we all need a script to consider to revitalize what we know we are capable of.

To learn about the Refuse to Fail Landscape just visit this link Destination: Refuse To Fail.

I have an endless inventory of energy and I am fueled by you, there is no question about that. You have touched my life and in return I will REFUSE TO FAIL to achieve my aim to eradicate the notion of a homeless Veteran by the year 2035!
My patience and tolerance are in check, I am here to serve you 24/7, no matter where I am. I will offer you my time and resources to enrich your value and empower you so that you can empower others to reach out to Veterans of all eras so that we can influence a change and let no Veteran go homeless. They have all earned our support and alone we will fail, but together, there is no obstacle we cannot overcome. Semper Fi!

Don't forget to purchase your My Warrior Candle and keep the light burning! In doing so, we are able to open more centers across the nation!

P.S. If you haven't registered with our online community please do so by clicking Where Communities Serve Veterans. We have three types of registrations, Veteran, Grassroots and Business and each have multiple levels, register with the type and level that best suits you. In doing so your registration is a resounding vote to serve our Veterans!

"We shall not fail or falter; we shall not weaken or tire...
give us the tools and we will finish the job!"
-Sir Winston Churchill

MCCORMICK FOUNDATION WELCOME BACK VETERANS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WORKSHOP

Albert Renteria — Sat, 09 May 2009 05:27:29 GMT

I just returned from one of the best workshop I have ever attended at The McCormick Catigny Estate just outside my hometown of Chicago, IL.

There were eleven other organizations listed below that attended as well.

In the Photo is Johnny from www.Vets4Vets.us, Kate, Catherine and Sharron that hosted the event and gave an incredible presentation! Thank you!

I will create a web page soon to list all the attending organizations. This workshop is the first of its kind and a paradigm shift on a best practice on bringing like minded organizations in support of our Veteran together to create a unique partnership and perhaps create a coalition that ensures the best service possible to our men and women the preserve the freedoms of a Great Nation.

My next trip is to North Carolina followed by our grand opening at Vancouver Washington. Semper Fi,

WE WELCOME TWO LEARNERS FROM LAS VEGAS NV AND WILLISTON VT

Albert Renteria — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 15:32:21 GMT

This month ends with our first two Learners from Nevada and Vermont.

Our Learners travled to Las Vegas to attend the NAB Show and to sign on our first Learner, Steve Sanson from Las Vegas. This is a first for our Learners and not the last event we will send them on.

During their Las Vegas trip, I traveled to Vermont and met some great Americans. I attended the Vermont Military & Family Network at Newport Vermont, where I had the honor of meeting Colonel NDoye and his small delegation from Senegal Africa. I learned that Vermont on behalf of the United States have extended a cooperative with Senegal Africa and Macedonia to share how the United States provides a variety of outreach programs to our military, families and Veterans. We had a very interesting conversation and I must say, I very proud of our country for sharing ideas with other Nations.

As we end the month, we have a busy month during May in honor of Memorial Day. We plan to have our grand opening on May 24, 2009 in Vancover Vermont. This will be our second location we celebrate to empowere communities to serve Veterans.

As always, I remain your servant and I thank you for all that you do to serve our Veterans. Many Blessings, Al

CHAFFEE MOTORSPORTS - SPORTS SWVBRC LOGO

Albert Renteria — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 03:05:45 GMT

During my tirp to Fort Bragg North Carolina, I had an opportunity to meet with a dear friend, Ron and his son Gage Chaffee and I was introduced to Jeff McGaffic.

They were at the Lowes Speedway, Concord North Carolina displaying their Top Fuel NHRA Funny Cars.

Ron was generous to sport our SWVBRC logo. Thank you Ron and Gage, for your continued service and support to our military.

As you can see, this Funny Car is in honor of the USS Enterprise and up close, well, it is an awesome sight!

It has been a fast paced April and I just wanted to share this experience with you. We are fueled with the support of a Nation to serve and support those that have served us! God Bless, Al

ILLINOIS LEARNERS

Albert Renteria — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 16:35:24 GMT

I am at Midway Airport in Chicago and headed back home to Fallbrook California, only to head out the next day to Fort Bragg NC. However, I remain honored and humble to serve our Veterans and find new ways to empower our communities to join the effort.

I logged in a few miles driving from Crystal Lake to Cissna Park Illinois and everywhere in between.

We have three new learners and our first Illinois Learner is from Crystal Lake. A Marine that continues to serve and on recruiting duty. Not an easy tour, or at least it wasn't during my tour on recruiting duty from 1977 - 1980 in Chicago. However, it was the best tour where I learned so much about our communities and the difficulty for a mother to see her child serve our country.

Our mothers need to know that we love and care for her child and we won't let her children not be attended to post service. I extend my deepest appreciation and gratitude to Mom for her own sacrifice of her children that have defended the freedoms of many.

Chicago happens to be my hometown and naturally, I reached out to my brother, a Vietnam Era Marine and the one I credit for influencing my way of thinking. Like many, he works so I had to track him down at his work site in Hillisde, but he lives in Cissna Park. This is our very first "back of the car" signing of Articles. He had little time, but we managed to secure the signing of his Articles of Agreement and one of his witnesses was a Navy Veteran.

The first Learner I was suppose to visit on Sunday the 29th of March, had to attend an out of town event. We didn't get to meet until the 31st. When I went to boot camp and in the chow line, this Marine was on the serving side and the last time I seen him. It is amazing how we were able to reconnect and this time, I am on the serving side. These our are first three Learners for Illinois and our starting point. If you are from Illinois, join me to invite and encourage others to register with our online connection www.WhereCommunitiesServeVeterans.org.

Thank you all for taking the time to read my blog. During April I will visit Fort Bragg North Carolina, Milton Florida and Burlington Vermont. God Bless all, Albert R. Renteria, CWO-4 USMC Retired, Founder and CEO

Texas Learners

Albert Renteria — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 21:35:56 GMT

I am at the Austin Airport waiting for a late flight. While waiting thinking of my trip to Texas, I found myself visiting memories of the past.

It has been a few years since I have visited Texas, and it remains as friendly as ever. It was a busy, but a very productive trip. I met with many I knew and met many more new friends.

The visit of the past is reflected in this posted photo where Nina Gayheart joins me with three Marines I had the honor of serving with.

I met Franc Montalvo during 1983 and we have been connected by distance for some time. I think it was about five years since we last met. Franc is now retired and settled in Austin. Welcome Franc, as one of the first Learners of Texas. Franc is in the center of the photo.

The tallest gentleman is Michael C Sosa and we served together at 3rd Battalion 1st Marines. I am a firm believer that one learns from another and Mike taught me many things and what I learned most from Mike is to trust at all cost and learn from any mistakes. I had the opportunity to have lunch with Mike today and honored by his thoughts. It is Mike that has charged my means to serve and I thank him!

Eric is the fourth from the left in the photo. He too served with Mike and I. We all served on the Maiden Voyage of the USS Essex during 1994 in support of the Somalia withdrawal. I was proud to learn of Eric's post service success and his vision for future endeavors. I can remember Eric's demeanor during deployment and my responsibility to provide him the tools to serve others. He taught me the importance of always making more tools so that a service to others is second to none.

These Marines are just three of many that influenced me to create this organization and it was the many civilians that taught me how much the Community wants to Serve Veterans.

Texas is the third State we have signed Learners and with what I learned from this trip we are 47 States to go!

I want to extend my gratitude to John and Sigrid for hosting a dinner event yesterday. I met an extraordinary young man and his name is Austin. He is only 13, but you would easily mistaken him to be much older. Austin served as a reminder to me on why I do what I do! Thank you Austin!

After I spend a couple of days home I am off to Vancouver WA to sign for our second Center, which we are planning for a grand opening during May 2009 in honor of Memorial Day. From there, I head back home on the 25th and get ready to head to Chicago to sign on more Learners.

I want to thank you for reading my blog and for sharing with me how best to serve you so that together we can eradicate the notion of a homeless Veteran by 2035. God Bless, Al

Introducing George M. Keyes, our First Learner from the State of Washington

Albert Renteria — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 20:16:26 GMT

I had the honor of meeting with Matt at his home in Vancouver, Washington along with his friends and family.

Matt signed his IX Articles of Agreements and represents the First Learner in the State of Washington.

Matt is our first out of state state learner and we are making plans to open our center during May 2009, in honor of Memorial Day.

We have our eye on a location at 1st and 164th street in Vancouver. It is 800 sq ft and if all goes well, we will get this location ready for business.

I look forward to seeing Matt's first blog post and your comments. God Bless you All!

P.S. I will traveling to Vermont next to sign our next out of state learner and than off to Florida and other states. Our goal is to have 12,288 learners by the end of the year.

THE VETERAN FORCE

Albert Renteria — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 02:55:02 GMT

Happy New Year America! We start the New Year with seven Learners and where The Veteran Force begins. For the month of January 2009 it is our hope to sign on at least five more veterans to become Learners.

Our strategy is simple and that is to bring on a number of veterans to match the total number of Learners prior to the new month. Our success in doing so will result in over 6,000 veterans signing on as Learners during 2009.

This vision will not occur without the support of all communities. We have reached out to many and the pulse says it all Communities Want to Serve Veterans. Visit the Learners Blog and read what they are posting and volunteer to provide your thoughts.

Every learner has a level to complete and it consist of writing a chapter with a predetermined number of pages. The first level is a four page chapter. To proceed to the next level, the learner must receive four comments from the existing community and comment back. However, the learner must also solicit four comments from others that have not registered. This is a total of 8 minimum comments.

There are 14 levels consisting of 450 pages of writing. Measuring the completion consists of a few variables and one of them is getting the community to engage and in doing so each Learner will be responsible for bringing on 422 new registered community participants.

Show your support, register with our community and be part of our success and empower a nation to make a difference in support of those that have gallantly served to protect and preserve our freedoms.

Semper Fi,

Albert R. Renteria, CWO-4, USMC Retired

Founder and CEO

Thanksgiving

Laurel Ho — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:59:46 GMT

This comes a little late but I wanted to thank all the Founding members and wish everyone involved with SVBRC a very happy holiday season. 2009 looks to be very exciting!

TRIP TO VANCOUVER WASHINGTON

Albert Renteria — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:35:44 GMT

I am at the Portland Oregon Airport after enjoying a very fruitful visit in Vancouver Washington.

I had the honor of meeting with a great group of Americans. Their energy is high and their level of support beyond words.

Our ground team is Matt Keyes and Fran Tobias and I hope you get a chance to see who they are by visiting our Founding Community. We are aiming to opening a Center during May 2009 in honor of Memorial Day. I can't wait! Thank you all for all that you do!

Albert R. Renteria, Founder and CEO, Where Communities Serve Veterans.

Thank you Veterans!

Chris Thayer — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 01:39:36 GMT

I work at a school and last week I overheard one of the professors saying that it was strange that school would be closed on Tuesday (Nov. 11th) rather than having the holiday on Monday (in reference to Veteran's Day). I didn't hear any comments about how wonderful it is that we can honor our Veteran's on the actual date in history, Nov. 11, formerly known as Armistice Day, as it was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on Nov. 11, 1918.

This sparked my interest in learning more so I "googled" the history of Veteran's Day and found this article on Military.com. I have attached the link-it is worth reviewing: History of Veterans Day

I want to thank all the Veterans and their families for the opportunity to live in a free country with its many privileges and many blessings. Thank you to ALL the men and women and their families who sacrifice daily to give us our freedoms. I appreciate all that you do every day and your commitment to our great country. You are in my prayers and in my heart. God Bless, Chris Thayer, volunteer

Empowering Your Community

Daniel Boothe — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 02:21:56 GMT

I like to think everything happens for a reason, and if it doesn’t then I just got lucky.

I happened to come across the Southwest Veterans’ Business Resource Center after the opening Nov. 1 while covering it as an article for Camp Pendleton’s base newspaper. I thought nothing of it until actually seeing everything the center had to offer first hand. I was amazed.

The center offers everything you might need to accomplish the goals you have set in your life. It has the potential to offer communities across the nation the oppurtunity to give veterans’ the support they need and deserve to succeed.

Remembering Our Veterans

Daniel Boothe — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 23:18:49 GMT

One out of every four homeless men sleeping in a doorway, alley or box in our cities and rural communities has put on a uniform and served this country, according to the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness.

Government agencies only reach an estimated 25 percent of the 400,000 homeless veterans every year, according to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. Leaving 300,000 veterans without a place we like to call home.

Personally, I am only 22-years old and don’t have even half the wisdom generations before me have, but if I can recognize this national concern, so can you.

I have always approached problems in my life very logically: Identify the problem, Apply the solution, and Overcome. We have identified the problem and with the Southwest Veterans’ Business Resource Center as a solution to apply, we have nothing left to do but overcome.

We have the resources today to make a difference tomorrow.

Welcome to Where Communities Serve Veterans

Albert Renteria — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 20:34:07 GMT

I am in Richmond VA waiting for my flight home to San Diego CA. While I am waiting I turned on our BLOG feature. The BLOG will be avaiable to the public for comment, but only registered participants can post a blog.

The month of November 2008 is the month our founding community came together. I am reaching out to all 50 states to invite registrations and I encourage your participation to reach out as well.

This is your community and a place for all of us to harvest our knowledge and share our life and lineage. All that I have done has been the result of meeting so many people from all over the world. As we create our virtual world where communities serve veterans I believe we will all learn together and be enriched with what we share with each other.

Thank you, for registering during November 2008 and for being part of our founding community.

Albert R. Renteria

Founder and CEO

Chief Warrant Officer-4, USMC Retired

Southwest Veterans' Business Resource Center

Where Communities Serve Veterans™

www.swvbrc.org

760.468.1315

Service Never Ends for a Marine!