I have extreme needs for utilities &/or rent plus asked for help to repair my automobile. my…read moredaughter has been in three spine surgeries that failed, & needs a fourth surgery. All CombinedArms does is hand me off to other charities who also have handed me off to others. a few months later we STILL NEED ASSISTANCE, she even needs assistance for the medical bills, next surgery, etc. This TX "main link" for disabled veterans, as I am, is a FAKE & a JOKE!

I am a USAF Veteran and am currently serving as a first responder. Combined Arms is such a great…read moreveteran organization. They bring so many organizations together to support veterans and have been there for me when I have needed assistance or when I have referred other veterans to them. Recently my home was damaged in Hurricane Beryl and today they provided a disaster relief check that will be used to repair damages. I am truly grateful for this organization and the team of persons that work to support veterans. Thank you John Smith and Combined Arms for taking care of a fellow veteran in need.

Yesterday was my first time entering the actual building of Department of Veterans Affairs in…read moreHouston. It is heavily guarded with x-ray scanner and metal detector. Not sure if it was the headquarters of its Houston main office. I only contacted them via email for over a decade. I was here yesterday to receive Covid-19 vaccine as directed on the invitation. I didn't get a chance to visit other offices. This building is separate from VA Medical Center. Military police were very strict on where you park. Absolutely no medical center parking allowed on the VA parking lot. The MP patrolling around all entrances. It also made me uncomfortable to take any photos. (Got stopped several times on different days because I was really lost with so many back roads and detours due to construction.) I wasn't here for their usual operation. So, this is only a general experience at The Department of Veterans Affairs office lobby on Almeda by Gate 71.

For the past three months, I've been attempting to obtain an updated certificate of eligibility…read more Each time I call, I'm directed to the Atlanta office, which does not handle Texas home paperwork. The staff in Atlanta are frustrated because they can't connect me with anyone in Houston due to the VA's decision to restrict inter-office communication. As a result, I've missed out on three home opportunities because of the VA's failure to process my certificate of eligibility. This situation is unacceptable, and the Houston office needs to find a way for customers to communicate with them and with the central 1-800 number. As a veteran, I'm both disgusted and frustrated, and I've lost out on thousands of dollars. Once again, the federal government is failing to support veterans.

The VFW is family friendly. It is a private club but if you look on the website you will find some…read moreevents open to the public. They are closed on Sunday & Monday and open every other day from 2 - 10 pm. There is a nice bar, a smoking area, karaoke, a dance hall for rent, and many other events.

From the owner: Our Mission is to foster camaraderie among United States veterans of overseas conflicts, to serve…read moreour veterans, the military and our communities, and to advocate on behalf of all veterans. ​ Our Vision is to ensure that veterans are respected for their service, always receive their earned entitlements, and are recognized for the sacrifices they and their loved ones have made on behalf of this great country.

I had exposure to Agent Orange while serving in Vietnam. As a consequence I now have non Hodgkin's…read moreLymphoma, and other illnesses. Previously these conditions were not listed as "presumptive" but because of the passage of the PACT Act these and other conditions are now listed as presumptive.. I talked to Miguel (Veteran Service Officer Manager) about these conditions and he filed an application for compensation for the cancer and for high blood pressure. My application was successful thanks in large part to all the hard work Miguel put in. I would highly recommend that any veteran needing assistance with filing compensation claims contact Miguel's office for assistance. Bill D

Midtown Terrace (now called Cloudbreak Community) was a decent place to live when I first moved in…read moreduring 2011. Then they mainly only rented to veterans. Now they rent to anyone. About 5 years ago they hired a property manager to show them how to increase their profits by taking every amenity away from their tenants and by shirking most of their responsibilities as owner. My apartment failed two inspections because Cloudbreak would not clean black mold from the ceiling even though the inspector wrote that it was their responsibility. Cloudbreak denied responsibility and sent me notice that it was my responsibility. I am a HUD VASH recipient and I have been given a move voucher so I can find another livable apartment somewhere else. I am glad because this is now the worse place I have ever lived. I know they will keep my deposit because of the mold they were supposed to get rid of. I would highly discourage any one from moving here. This place has major critter problem the worst of which are bed bugs and roaches. They are making a lot of money by keeping all or most of the renters deposit when they move out and getting another deposit when the new renter moves in. The staff here are heartless people.

Big props to Dave L for setting this thing up…read more It's nice to have something FOR FREE! Not many things in life are actually FREE. They claim LOVE is FREE but that doesn't account for all the gifts, meals, trips that come along the way. With the BON Running club, just sign up, run/walk around rice and BAM!!! FREE FOOD! FREE BEER! and after your 10th Run FREE SHIRT!!! You really can't beat that. Plus there is always free Red Bull, and many other times random sponsors will show up with various other items. Great way to get people active!

Oh my neck! Oh, my back! Oh my neck AND my back!…read more This was a great run! I normally do my jog at Rice solo, but with a group of 80 or so runners helping set the pace (different paces: sprinters, joggers, walkers), I was highly motivated to move faster, do less stops and refrain from any detours at the Farmer's Market for some yummy goods. Dave does a wonderful job making the sign in table a breeze. It's FREE, so all you need to do is show up (first timers sign a onetime waiver; repeats have to check in each time) and you're good to go. Make sure you're there on time, because the run starts at 6pm sharp. (You might catch a few late comers sprinting across the parking lot to catch up.) Awaiting you at Brian O'Neill's after the run is a FREE energy filled buffet of pasta and salad, along with water. There's also FREE Red Bull Energy bevs before your run, and Skinny Dip beer. After your 10th run, you get an awesome Brian O'Neill's Social Running Club tee which guarantees you 10% discounts at Fleet Feet! This is such a creative way to get fit, meet a lot of cool locals, and score free grub, beer and fun schwag. Dave L rocks for organizing this! Spread the word, yelpers!