Ozzy Ramos
Founder
~ American Veterans Ball ~
Ozzy: The Early Years
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Copa: Where are you from?
Ozzy: I'm a descendant of the enchanted and beloved island of Puerto Rico but I was born and raised in the Bushwick – Bedford Stuyvesant communities of Brooklyn, NY. Copa: At what time did you establish the Veteran's Ball?
Ozzy: The birth of the American Veterans Ball was ignited by a group of retired and separated armed forces service veterans in Stafford, VA, on November 11, 2014. |
The Brooklyn Bridge
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Copa: What are some of the main issues veterans face today you would like to share with our readers.
Ozzy: The main issues veterans face today stem from feeling an immediate disconnection post-service, total isolation, job placement, financial instability, divorces, separations, homelessness, immortality, and invincibility. We also suffer from many mental health and wellness challenges and life events that continue contributing to the constant alarming suicide rates for over a decade.
We focus on the those that struggle daily and encourage them to stay in the fight. Finding our passion and purpose in life could turn the tides of the many we hear about taking their lives. We are observing this decade-long problem and looking at it differently. Spinning a positive light and outcome on desired results instead of focusing on the many who we can't bring back. Don't get me wrong. Yes, we should honor them, take care of their families, and never forget them, but the fact remains that although noble efforts are a way to celebrate the fallen, no sit-ups, walks, run, or any other event will change this fact.
Ozzy: The main issues veterans face today stem from feeling an immediate disconnection post-service, total isolation, job placement, financial instability, divorces, separations, homelessness, immortality, and invincibility. We also suffer from many mental health and wellness challenges and life events that continue contributing to the constant alarming suicide rates for over a decade.
We focus on the those that struggle daily and encourage them to stay in the fight. Finding our passion and purpose in life could turn the tides of the many we hear about taking their lives. We are observing this decade-long problem and looking at it differently. Spinning a positive light and outcome on desired results instead of focusing on the many who we can't bring back. Don't get me wrong. Yes, we should honor them, take care of their families, and never forget them, but the fact remains that although noble efforts are a way to celebrate the fallen, no sit-ups, walks, run, or any other event will change this fact.
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Copa: Is our Veteran's Administration doing to make a serious change to make a difference for this year?
Ozzy: I do not feel comfortable speaking about what the Veterans Administration is or not doing for veterans. But, we can continually improve and make room for enhancement, even within my organization. It's a cyclic evolution; we must keep our fingers on the pulse and stand to watch for seasons of change.
Ozzy: I do not feel comfortable speaking about what the Veterans Administration is or not doing for veterans. But, we can continually improve and make room for enhancement, even within my organization. It's a cyclic evolution; we must keep our fingers on the pulse and stand to watch for seasons of change.
Copa: Please tell us more about your organization and its major activities.
Ozzy: AVB is a Certified 501(c)(3) non-profit veteran service organization that offers the "ONLY" ALL Armed Forces Service Ball in the country. The AVB was created to provide "ALL" veterans of the "Armed Forces" with the opportunity to participate in an annual service ball similar to our active service components. The AVB was created to provide "ALL" veterans of the "Armed Forces" with the opportunity to participate in an annual service ball similar to our active service components. In short, it is an evening of comradeship and connection. The most common denominator we discovered was that once we'd transitioned out of our respective branches of service, there was an immediate disconnection with these traditional and customary events of shared comradeship, which we've always treasured. Yet, despite this disconnection, whether in or out of the uniform, we still live out our instilled values and way of life as active leaders in our communities, workplace, and in every good daily endeavor we perform.
AVB serves out its MISSION by creating a pathway to reignite, connect with, and maintain our patriotism with our fellow veterans through this unique event for years to come. We aim to highlight our PASSION & PURPOSE VISION that encompasses ending veteran suicide and aiding our underserved & homeless veterans to achieve residential stability. This can be achieved through outreach programs, case management, crisis intervention, employment assistance, counseling, educational opportunities, recreational sports activities, the discovery of available benefits, mental health/wellness services, and living out a purposeful life post-active service. The GOAL of AVB is to CONNECT our PAST and PRESENT military professionals to the FUTURE LEADERS of America through our mission and vision aspirations. A full circle generational torch-passing initiative.
Ozzy: AVB is a Certified 501(c)(3) non-profit veteran service organization that offers the "ONLY" ALL Armed Forces Service Ball in the country. The AVB was created to provide "ALL" veterans of the "Armed Forces" with the opportunity to participate in an annual service ball similar to our active service components. The AVB was created to provide "ALL" veterans of the "Armed Forces" with the opportunity to participate in an annual service ball similar to our active service components. In short, it is an evening of comradeship and connection. The most common denominator we discovered was that once we'd transitioned out of our respective branches of service, there was an immediate disconnection with these traditional and customary events of shared comradeship, which we've always treasured. Yet, despite this disconnection, whether in or out of the uniform, we still live out our instilled values and way of life as active leaders in our communities, workplace, and in every good daily endeavor we perform.
AVB serves out its MISSION by creating a pathway to reignite, connect with, and maintain our patriotism with our fellow veterans through this unique event for years to come. We aim to highlight our PASSION & PURPOSE VISION that encompasses ending veteran suicide and aiding our underserved & homeless veterans to achieve residential stability. This can be achieved through outreach programs, case management, crisis intervention, employment assistance, counseling, educational opportunities, recreational sports activities, the discovery of available benefits, mental health/wellness services, and living out a purposeful life post-active service. The GOAL of AVB is to CONNECT our PAST and PRESENT military professionals to the FUTURE LEADERS of America through our mission and vision aspirations. A full circle generational torch-passing initiative.
Copa: How many venues have you held the AVB in so far?
Ozzy: 6 locations to date: Hospitality House and EXPO Center in Fredericksburg, VA. Charlotte, NC, and Rochester, NY. MGM and now the Gaylord Resort in the National Harbor, and the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC..
Ozzy: 6 locations to date: Hospitality House and EXPO Center in Fredericksburg, VA. Charlotte, NC, and Rochester, NY. MGM and now the Gaylord Resort in the National Harbor, and the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC..
