LTC Partners of Portsmouth Helps Veterans

Veterans Count received a $50,000 surprise this week when LTC Partners (LTCP) of Portsmouth upped a promised donation from $100,000 to $150,000. The increased contribution was announced at a reception at LTCP’s Pease International Tradeport Headquarters where almost 100 people, including veterans and government officials, were gathered to witness a presentation to honor the organization that helps returning vets resume their lives as civilians.

“We are so incredibly grateful for LTC Partners’ generosity,” said Greg Whelan, Veterans Count Seacoast Chairman who served in the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1971. “This donation goes a long way to support our mission that no one gets left behind, not on our watch.”

Recalling the 100-year anniversary of World War I commemorated last week, Paul Forte said “it’s not hard to see how isolated events can escalate and lead to widespread conflict, so it’s important that we reflect often and deeply about what we owe to those who answered the call of duty, who stand ready to preserve our liberties,” he said.

Veterans returning home from war face a host of physical and mental challenges, Forte said, including wounds “that have rendered them unable to perform jobs for which they were trained, so it’s of the utmost importance that we make and strengthen our commitments to help them. This means education, assistance with finding a good job and ongoing medical and mental health programs,” he said.

Forte pledged to increase the current number of vets employed by his organization, which already employs 21 veterans, 8 percent of its staff.

Among those who attended the reception were: Leo Cohen, a 94-year-old veteran of World War II who recently attended the 70th anniversary ceremonies at Normandy thanks to support from LTC Partners, Portsmouth Mayor Robert Lister and officials representing New Hampshire’s Congressional delegation.

“Veterans are graduates of the world’s largest technical schools. They are highly trained individuals capable of doing amazing things and working under enormous pressure,” said Mayor Lister. “We need to recognize veterans and their families for the sacrifices they’ve made and the value they provide.”

Over the past few years, LTC Partners has increased its employment efforts by partnering with numerous agencies, attending veteran-only job fairs, and setting up automatic feeds to the Veterans’ Job Bank. LTCP has also worked with New Hampshire Employment Security to locate candidates. All applicants are screened for veteran status and the company works with hiring managers to adapt transferable skills to its business.

In addition to its hiring practices, LTC Partners has sponsored the annual Seacoast Veterans Conference and has provided support for the New Hampshire office of Health and Human Services’ community-based military programs. It has also collaborated with Clear Channel Media Entertainment and IHeartRadio’s 2013 “Show Your Stripes” campaign.

Photo captions: Karen Van Der Beken, chief development officer, Easter Seals NH, Vermont, Maine, and Rhode Island; LTC Partners CEO Paul Forte, Renee Plummer of Veterans Count; Linda Roth, CFO of LTC Partners; Greg Whelan, Veterans Count Seacoast Chairman, and Brian Frankenfield of LTC Partners; WWII Vet Leo Cohen with Paul Forte; and Portsmouth Mayor Robert Lister, at the podium.

Submitted by LTC Partners of Portsmouth.