Jason T. Strickland, chief communications officer at the VA Rocky Mountain Network. Jason T. Strickland

During my military career, I spent several Christmases away from family. In 1994, I was deployed with the 10th Mountain Division in Haiti. In 1998, I spent the holiday in Panama with the 7th Transportation Group. In 2003, I was a member of Multi-National Force-Iraq in Baghdad.

Some of you spent more time away during the holidays than I did. Thanks so much for your sacrifice, no matter if it was Christmas day, an anniversary or the birth of a child.

But enough about the past. For the third consecutive year, I'm happy to spend Christmas with my readers and share the annual "12 Days of Vet-mas" with you.

Disclaimer: Sharing this information does not constitute an endorsement by VA.

1. Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center is a comprehensive nonprofit service for the veteran community throughout Colorado. Their goal: provide wraparound services -- transition and employment, health and wellness, support help for life's basic needs, access to resources and safe event space.

They've helped veterans find homes and jobs, and donated warm clothing, sleeping bags, and boots for the winter season, and provided haircuts, too. Mt. Carmel has grown to include more than 430 partner organizations -- all focused on assisting our military and veteran community.

For more information or to donate, visit www.veteranscenter.org.

2. Alpha Coffee is all about their tagline "Fuel for Warriors." I met Carl and Lori Churchill more than 10 years ago. Carl, a U.S. Army veteran, shared with me, "Lori and I started Alpha 14 years ago in our basement. Now we have 30 team members, run the two highest-rated coffee shops in Salt Lake City, have wholesale customers serving our coffee across the country, offer online sales and subscriptions, and are known for our high quality, smooth and delicious coffee. Hard work creates results."

Consider grabbing their 20% first order discount at www.alpha.coffee, and their ongoing discounts for subscriptions, veterans, first responders and teachers.

3. DAV (Disabled American Veterans) empowers veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. They ensure veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them; fight for their interests on Capitol Hill; provide employment and caregiver resources; and educate the public about the sacrifices and needs of veterans.

Visit https://www.dav.org/ to learn more about why I'm a lifetime member of this great organization.

4. Vet Tix (Veteran Tickets Foundation) distributes free event tickets to verified veterans, active service members, and their families. Vet Tix, which has distributed over 26 million event tickets, gives something to those who gave by distributing free event tickets to thank them for their service and sacrifice to our country.

These tickets help reduce stress, strengthen family bonds, build lifelong memories, and encourage veterans to stay engaged with their local communities and American life.

Sign up at www.Vettix.org for the opportunity to attend events free, like distillery tours, Nuggets, Broncos, Avalanche and Rockies games, concerts, performing arts and family events.

5. Semper Fi & America's Fund (The Fund) was founded to meet the needs of our wounded from Iraq in 2003.

My friend and fellow veteran Ted Wong learned about The Fund while volunteering in the polytrauma unit at the Palo Alto (Calif.) VAMC. The Fund provided valuable necessities to Marines that had no belongings after being separated from their units and going through multiple live-saving surgeries.

Considering a gift this year at https://thefund.org/donate/, since one month remains to "Double Down for Veterans matching gift campaign" where the Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation will match every donation up to $10 million.

6. PureTalk, a Veteran-led wireless service provider, supports our nation's heroes through round-up and donation match campaigns, benefiting organizations like America's Warrior Partnership. Customers have contributed over 400,000 individual donations to AWP, aiming to reach $1 million in donations over the next five years.

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William Curry, chief strategy officer at PureTalk, recently shared with me, "At PureTalk, we recognize the sacrifices our veterans have made for this great nation. Our mission is more than providing premium wireless service at a fair price; it's about making a difference for those who have put their lives on the line for this country. Our commitment to our nation's heroes is unwavering, and together we can work to create a world where they are consistently celebrated and honored."

Head over to https://www.puretalk.com/roundup to learn more about this patriotic company.

7. The El Paso County Division of Veterans Services is a premier resource for veterans seeking assistance with VA benefits claims. All El Paso County Veterans Service officers are veterans, fully accredited, and uniquely positioned to provide comprehensive support. I know many local veterans who testify to the outstanding work done by their team.

Interim Division Director Vernon Stewart and I have known each other for many years, and he shared with me recently, "As Veterans ourselves, we understand the challenges clients face and are dedicated to helping Veterans and their beneficiaries secure the benefits they have earned."

Visit their website for more information: https://justiceservices.elpasoco.com/veterans-services/.

8. Scotty Hasting is a U.S. Army veteran turned country music star. The former soldier flew out of Afghanistan in 2011 after being shot 10 times. Narrowly escaping death more than a decade ago, Hasting is now on a mission to help anyone struggling with loss or mental health challenges to find solace through his music.

Scotty recently shared with me, "Music saved my life and has not only given me an escape and a new purpose, it has given me a new mission and goal to strive for. When I'm writing a song or performing on stage, for that brief moment in time, my PTSD, depression and anxiety disappear. Being on stage is my sanctuary. I hope that someone can hear my songs or my story and they connect with it and it gives them hope that if I can find something or if I can do this, then anyone can."

Head over to https://www.scottyhasting.com/ to listen to this country music virtuoso.

9. I may be biased, but The BLUF is an outstanding short-segment, infotainment video series. It's by veterans for veterans: written, directed, hosted, edited, and produced by a dedicated team who want to share information with their brothers and sisters in arms in an entertaining manner.

Visit https://www.youtube.com/@DeptVetAffairs, then head to The BLUF playlist. If you like what you see, share the episodes with your fellow veterans.

10. A Soldier's Child Foundation serves the children of military personnel who have lost their lives on active duty. A Soldier's Child offers love to the child left behind, honor for the memory of the fallen and a hope for the children to live a courageous life.

The organization has affected more than 3,000 families across the country, 151 of those right here in Colorado. Visit their website at https://asoldierschild.org/.

11. Each week, almost 16 million veterans and family members across the country receive the #VetResources newsletter. It's packed with resources, discounts and veteran perks like concert tickets, national park passes, free workshops and more for veterans and their families.

Receive it in your inbox every Wednesday, by signing up at www.va.gov/VetResources/.

12. The Winter Sports Clinic is my favorite week of the year. I have the privilege to join 400 disabled from across the country as they experience "Miracles on the Mountainside" in Snowmass. World-class instructors train veterans in adaptive alpine skiing and several other adaptive sports to help veterans achieve their maximum potential. Visit www.wintersportsclinic.org to learn more about the event scheduled to occur March 31-April 5, 2025.

Merry Christmas to all my readers and thanks for allowing me to walk alongside you behind friendly lines.

Victory!