-
Under the $9.1 million development
contract awarded by the Veteran's
Administration, IBM is building a system
to allow veterans to file disability
claims online. Initially, the system
will target veterans with B-cell
leukemia, Parkinson's disease, or
ischemic heart disease as a result of
exposure to herbicides during the
Vietnam war. Eventually, the Department
of Veterans' Affairs (VA) plans to
expand the system to handle veterans'
claims for other conditions. VA
estimates that the first trial of the
system will benefit as many as 100,000
veterans.
-
VA loan eligibility guidelines are
determined by the U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs. A Certificate of
Eligibility shows the amount of
entitlement. Those interested in VA home
loan benefits may find it helpful to
speak with a VA loan professional to
understand their own eligibility and
entitlement.
Read More.
-
Now that Shelby, N.C., is the official
site for The American Legion Baseball
World Series, the Shelby's World Series
Committee has created a survey that
features the design of four logos, but
there can only be one winner. In order
to make a final selection, they need
feedback from Legion baseball fans. Cast
a vote by
clicking here. The deadline to vote
is July 31.
-
The National Museum of the U.S. Air
Force recently opened its renovated
Korean War exhibit in the museum's
Modern Flight Gallery. The
42,000-square-foot exhibit commemorates
the 60th anniversary of the start of the
Korean War and features 14 of the most
important aircraft of the conflict. The
National Museum of the United States Air
Force is located on Springfield Street,
six miles northeast of downtown Dayton,
Ohio. Admission and parking are free.
For more information, visit the
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
website.
-
The Department of Veterans Affairs is
offering bronze medallions to attach to
existing, privately purchased headstones
or markers, signifying a deceased's
status as a veteran. The new item can be
furnished instead of a traditional
government headstone or marker for
veterans whose death occurred on or
after Nov. 1, 1990, and whose grave in a
private cemetery is marked with a
privately purchased headstone or
marker. Next of kin will receive the
medallion along with a kit. For more
information on VA-furnished headstones,
markers and medallions, visit the
VA website. Instructions on how to
apply for a medallion are on the VA
website at
www.cem.va.gov/hm_hm.asp.
Information on VA burial benefits can be
obtained from national cemetery offices,
from the VA website at
www.cem.va.gov or by calling VA
regional offices toll-free at
1-800-827-1000.
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The purpose of the Missing in America
(MIA) Project Veteran Recovery Program
is to locate, identify and inter the
unclaimed cremated remains of American
veterans through the joint efforts of
private, state and federal
organizations. Nationwide, this program
visited 414 funeral homes, identified
286 American veterans and interred 149
in the 17 months since it was organized.
The second phase of the MIA Project is
the creation of a network of individuals
working with local funeral homes, state,
and national agencies to ensure that,
from now on, the cremated remains of any
unclaimed veteran will be identified,
claimed and interred in a timely manner.
For more information, visit the
Missing in America Veteran Recovery
Program website.
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ARLINGTON, Va. -- Marines and sailors
gathered at the Memorial Chapel aboard
Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall to
witness the first female chaplain of the
Marine Corps assume her post July 9.
Rear Adm. Margaret Kibben took the oath
of office from Gen. James Amos, the
assistant commandant of the Marine
Corps, and assumed the duties as the
senior Navy chaplain serving with
Marines.
Amos, who previously served as a naval
aviator, told Kibben to enjoy the
opportunity to work with Marines.
-
WASHINGTON - U.S. officials say the
military has sent the White House a
recommendation to award the Medal of
Honor to a Soldier for bravery in
Afghanistan, which could make him the
first living recipient since the Vietnam
War.
The military says the Army Soldier ran
through a hail of enemy fire to repel
Taliban fighters in a 2007 battle,
saving the lives of a half dozen other
men. Officials spoke on condition of
anonymity and declined to name the
Soldier because he is still under
consideration for the honor.
The nation's highest award for valor has
been awarded only six times in the nine
years of war in Afghanistan and Iraq -
and all were awarded posthumously.
-
A U.S. soldier smuggled classified data
from military computers where he was
stationed in Iraq on a disc disguised as
a Lady Gaga CD, Pentagon officials said.
Officials told The New York Times they
discovered the fake disc while
investigating Pfc. Bradley E. Manning,
22, who is charged with downloading more
than 150,000 diplomatic cables as well
as secret videos and a PowerPoint
presentation.
Manning allegedly hummed and lip-synched
Lady Gaga tunes as he downloaded
classified information onto the disc,
capable of accepting text, video and
other data files at an intelligence
center in the desert of eastern Iraq,
the Times reported.
- FORT HUACHUCA,
Ariz. -- While the dry desert heat
soared to nearly 100 degrees, a Soldier
dressed in "full battle rattle," or
protective combat gear, wiped the dust
and sweat from her brow and focused on
the task at hand. Silently she observed
the swinging beam, waiting until the
right moment and then moved forward with
purpose to get to the other side of the
moving obstacle as quickly and deftly as
possible. One by one, twelve other
Soldiers navigated through a series of
wooden, metal and rope obstacles in the
confidence course, under the watchful
eye of the sergeants charged with
observing and recording their
performance.
These 13 Soldiers, who were selected as
the best of the best in their respective
Signal commands around the world,
converged on Fort Huachuca to test their
skills June 14-18 in the Network
Enterprise Technology Command/9th Signal
Command (Army) Noncommissioned Officer
and Soldier of the Year Competition.
After four rigorous days and nights,
Staff Sgt. James Becker, representing
the 1st Signal Brigade, Korea, received
top honors as the NCO of the Year, and
Spec. Brian Williams, of the 21st Signal
Brigade, Maryland, earned the title of
Soldier of the Year.
They became the most outstanding NCO and
Soldier of the year for the command
charged with operating and defending the
Army LandWarNet - the Army\'s portion of
the Global Information Grid. The
command's 17,000 Soldiers and Civilians
work together in more than 100 locations
around the world to ensure the Army's
network enterprise enables the
Warfighter at all echelons of operation.
- The
Department of Defense POW/Missing
Personnel Office announced that the
remains of a serviceman, missing in
action from World War I, have been
identified and returned to his family
for burial with full military honors.
Army Pvt. Thomas D. Costello
of New York, N.Y., will be buried on
July 12 at Arlington National Cemetery.
On Sept. 16, 1918, as part
of the 60th Infantry
Regiment, 1st Brigade, 5th
Infantry Division, Costello encountered
heavy enemy artillery barrage and
machine gun fire near Jaulny, France, in
a wooded area known as Bois de Bonvaux.
He was killed during the battle and his
remains were buried with two other
soldiers in a wooded area between Bois
de Bonvaux and Bois de Grand Fontaine.
Attempts to locate Costello’s
remains by Army Graves Registration
personnel following the war were
unsuccessful. In September 2006, French
nationals hunting for metal in the area
found human remains and World War I
artifacts. A Joint POW/MIA Accounting
Command team, operating near the
location, was notified of the discovery
and recovered human remains upon
excavating the site.
Among other forensic
identification tools and circumstantial
evidence, scientists from the JPAC
laboratory also used dental comparisons
in the identification of the remains.
-
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
is reducing the paperwork and expediting
the process for veterans seeking
compensation for disabilities related to
their military service. The new forms on
VA's website include a shortened VA
Form 21-526 for veterans applying for
the first time to VA for disability
compensation or pension benefits. VA
provides compensation, pension,
education, loan guaranty, vocational
rehabilitation, employment, and
insurance benefits to veterans and their
families through 57 VA regional offices.
For additional information, visit the
VA website or call VA's toll free
benefits number at 1-800-827-1000.
-
The deaths of another four NATO troops
in an accident in Afghanistan made June
the deadliest single month for US-led
foreign forces in nearly nine years of
conflict, according to an AFP tally
Thursday.
The grim landmark followed the sacking
of NATO's commander in Afghanistan,
General Stanley McChrystal, which was
greeted with dismay in Kabul where
Afghan officials and foreign diplomats
praised his efforts to reshape the war.
A total of 79 foreign troops have died
so far this month as a result of the
conflict in Afghanistan, according to an
AFP tally based on statistics on the
independent icasualties.org website.
The record eclipsed the previous
bloodiest month for NATO troops last
August, when 77 soldiers were killed.
Since the US-led invasion in late 2001,
around 1,870 foreign troops have been
killed.
The latest dead were four British troops
who were killed in a vehicle crash in
the southern province of Helmand, the
Ministry of Defence said, bringing the
overall British death toll to 307.
The US military has warned that
casualties will inevitably mount as
foreign forces build up their campaign
to oust militants from the southern
province of Kandahar, a hotbed of
bombings, assassinations and
lawlessness.
Much of southern Afghanistan is blighted
by the Taliban insurgency, now in its
deadliest phase since the US-led
invasion ousted the hardline Islamist
regime and installed a Western-backed
administration led by Hamid Karzai.
So far 299 NATO troops have died this
year, according to AFP tallies. Last
year, 520 NATO troops died -- the worst
annual total yet.
McChrystal's counter-insurgency
strategy, which brought sweeping changes
aimed at cutting civilian casualties and
winning over the population, had been
credited with bringing some order to the
spiralling conflict.
His strategy poured tens of thousands of
extra troops into Afghanistan to win
over civilians and train local forces.
Karzai's government publicly urged the
White House not to remove McChrystal
over disparaging remarks he made about
officials in US President Barack Obama's
administration in a magazine profile.
But the Afghan government later said it
respected Obama's decision and welcomed
the appointment of David Petraeus, the
general credited with changing the
direction of the Iraq conflict, to
succeed McChrystal
-
Those who cannot attend the upcoming
2010 American Legion World Series in
Spokane, Wash., Aug. 13-17, can watch
the games streamed live via the
American Legion's website. All 14
World Series games taking place this
year at Avista Stadium will be available
for live viewing on the Legion's
website. In the meantime, see the
excitement that awaits in less than two
months by watching last year's 2009
Legion World Series on the American
Legion website at
www.legion.org/legiontv -- just
click on the "Baseball" link.
-
The Department of Defense POW/Missing
Personnel Office announced the remains
of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action
from the Korean War, have been
identified and are being returned to his
family for burial with full military
honors.
U.S. Navy Ensign Robert
W. Langwell, of Columbus, Ind., will be
buried in Arlington National Cemetery on
July 12. On Oct. 1, 1950, Langwell was
serving on the minesweeper USS Magpie
when it sank after striking an enemy
mine off the coast of Chuksan-ri, South
Korea. Twelve crewmen were rescued, but
Langwell was one of 20 men lost at sea.
In June 2008, personnel
from the Republic of South Korea’s
Ministry of National Defense Agency for
Killed in Action Recovery and
Identification (MAKRI) canvassed towns
in South Korea in an effort to gather
information regarding South Korean
soldiers unaccounted-for from the Korean
War. An elderly fisherman, interviewed
in the village of Chuksan-ri, reported
that he and other villagers had buried
an American serviceman in 1950 when his
body was caught in the man’s fishing
net.
The MAKRI located the
burial site on April 28, 2009, where
they excavated human remains and
military artifacts. The burial site was
approximately three miles west of where
the USS Magpie sank in 1950. The team
turned the remains and artifacts over to
U.S. Forces Korea, which sent them to
Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command for
analysis.
Among other forensic
identification tools and circumstantial
evidence, JPAC scientists used dental
comparisons in the identification of
Langwell’s remains.
With Langwell’s
accounting, 8,025 service members still
remain missing from the Korean War.
The Korean war began on 25 June 1950 and
an armistice was signed on 27 July 1953.
-
Veterans pursuing their educational
goals are usually eligible for
"educational assistance for students" in
most states. Educational benefits for
veterans and their dependents,
particularly the children of deceased
and disabled veterans, are also
available in some states. Military.com
has developed an online general summary
of educational benefits for veterans and
their dependents.
Many states offer veterans benefits.
These benefits may include educational
grants and scholarships, special
exemptions or discounts on fees and
taxes, home loans, veteran's homes, free
hunting and fishing privileges, and
more.
Each state manages its own benefit
programs. The following is a list of
links to the websites for each of the
individual states that offer veterans
benefits. Be sure to take advantage of
the benefits you have earned by clicking
on the link to your State Department of
Veterans Affairs:
Additional State Veteran Affairs
Resources
The National Association of Directors of
State Veterans Affairs (NADSVA)
maintains a list of 50 state and four
territorial (common wealth) Veterans
Affairs offices on their website at
http://www.nasdva.com/.
-
A guidelined speech for Flag Day, is now
available online. The staff drafts
speeches for various patriotic national
holidays as a way for Legion members to
go out into their communities, or just
observe the day with post ceremonies,
and emphasize what The American Legion
represents. They are not meant to be
recited verbatim; members are greatly
encouraged to amend them to taste and in
whatever ways best relate the Legion to
each audience. Flag Day is June 14.
- The
Veterans of Foreign Wars is reporting
that the reward fund for the
cross-shaped Mojave Desert Veterans
Memorial that was stolen recently has
increased from $25,000 to $125,000,
thanks to the generosity of a decorated
combat veteran who wishes to remain
anonymous. Anyone with information
relating to the crime should call the
National Park Service Tip Line at
1-760-252-6120. The reward money is for
information that directly leads to the
apprehension and conviction of the
thieves. To contribute to the reward
fund, visit the
Mojave Desert Veterans Memorial website.
-
The debut album of 4TROOPS, an
official vocal group of The American
Legion, is now on sale. A portion of the
proceeds go to The American Legion
Legacy Scholarship fund, which benefits
children of U.S. military personnel who
died on or after Sept. 11, 2001. The
album is available for purchase online
at the
4TROOPS Store,
Amazon,
iTunes and
Barnes and Noble. For more
information about 4TROOPS, visit the
group's website at
http://www.4troopsmusic.com.
- The
Military.com and
CinCHouse.com 2010 Spouse of the
Year Award, sponsored by ASMBA and
TriWest HealthCare Alliance, will give
away $5,000 to a spouse who has gone
above and beyond to serve his/her
family, country and the military
community. Nominations are open through
June 30.
Get contest details and enter today.
- Veterans
Green Corps, a collaborative initiative
of Denver, Colorado-based Veteran Green
Jobs and conservation corps
organizations, helps returning veterans
transition to civilian life by offering
a unique opportunity for vets to connect
with other former servicemembers and
make new connections with the outdoors.
The program helps veterans gain valuable
experience through employment projects
that promote personal growth, the
development of social skills and an
ethic of natural resource stewardship
while taking an active role to serve our
country in new ways. Veterans (typically
20-30 years old) who have received an
honorable discharge within the last four
years, are eligible to apply. Visit the
VGC website, e-mail at
vgc@veteransgreenjobs.org or call
970.765.6953 to learn more.
-
Five veterans of the Korean War --
retired Marine Sgt. Maj. James Snyder,
Jack Perry, Bernie DeLong, Russell
Harrod, and Sam Morgan -- will be
honored for their service during this
year's Freedom's Call Tattoo on June 25,
2010, on the grounds of the National
Museum of the U.S. Air Force. This sixth
annual Freedom's Call will honor the
contributions of our military veterans,
their families, and all Americans who
supported them with a presentation that
will include flyovers, music, narration,
and fireworks. Look for more information
about Freedom's Call Tattoo 2010 on
Facebook by becoming a fan of AFMC_Now.
You can also follow AFMC_Now on Twitter
or visit the
AFMC Freedom's Call Tattoo website
for additional event information.
-
The American Legion Legacy Scholarship
fund is competing for a $250,000 grant
to be awarded by the Pepsi Beverage
Company as part of its Refresh
Everything Project this month. The
winning charities are determined by the
amount of votes received on the Refresh
Everything website. The American Legion
Legacy Scholarship fund ensures that the
children of these fallen heroes will be
able to attend college and not have to
worry about the rising cost of higher
education. You can support the children
of these heroes simply by voting every
day throughout the month of May. Cast
your vote
here.
-
The Department of Veterans Affairs
offers a comprehensive webpage on the VA
care and benefits that are available to
women veterans. For more information,
visit
VA's Center for Women's Veterans webpage.
- Few
veterans are aware of the Aid and
Attendance benefit that may be available
to them through the Department of
Veterans' Affairs. For those who
qualify, up to $23,396 in annual funding
could be awarded to a veteran or the
veteran's spouse, in cases where the
following conditions are met: (1) the
veteran must have 90 days of active
military service, with one day during
wartime; (2) any nondishonorable
discharge; (3) age 65 or older, or
disabled; and (4) a need for assistance
in activities of daily living. Funding
for veterans who qualify for Aid and
Attendance has already been set aside by
the government, but so few veterans have
taken advantage of the benefit because
of lack of information. For more
information, visit the
Military.com website.
-
The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)
presents the 2010 National Memorial Day
Concert live in high definition from the
West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol on
Memorial Day, May 30, 2010 from
8:00p.m.-9:30p.m. EST on PBS. Top pops
conductor Jack Everly will conduct the
National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) for
the concert. The program will be
broadcast before a concert audience of
hundreds of thousands, millions more at
home, as well as to our troops serving
around the world via the American Forces
Network. For more information, visit the
National Memorial Day concert website.
Please check your local television
schedules for the exact air time in your
area.
-
The Air Force's first double ace in
World War II, who later flew in the
Pacific Theater and the Korean War, died
recently at his home in Newport Beach,
Calif. Ret. Col. Walker ("Bud") Mahurin,
was credited with 24.25 victories while
flying in three theaters of war. He
became the first double ace in November
1943 when he shot down his 10th
aircraft. He was shot down twice and
spent 16 months in a North Korean
Prisoner of War camp. For more
information on Colonel Mahurin, visit
the
Wikipedia website. For more
information on flying aces, visit the
Wikipedia website, and the lists of
flying aces from the
Korean War and
WWI.
-
The Department of the Army announced
today that it has initiated a recall
message for approximately 44,000
Advanced Combat Helmets produced by
ArmorSource LLC (formerly Rabintex USA
LLC). These helmets do not meet Army
specifications.
The 44,000 helmets
represent about 4 percent of Advanced
Combat Helmets issued to soldiers.
Sufficient helmets produced by other
manufacturers that meet Army
requirements are currently available in
the Army’s inventory. The Army will
immediately issue these helmets to
soldiers worldwide serving in those
units identified to have recalled
helmets. Army Central Issue Facilities
have been directed to remove all
affected helmets from the inventory and
to directly exchange noncompliant
helmets turned in for helmets meeting
Army specifications. The recalled
helmets will be sent to the Defense
Logistics Agency Defense Reutilization
and Marketing Services for
demilitarization.
The exact risk to
soldiers wearing the recalled helmets is
still being determined; however, sample
testing from a quarantined inventory
revealed that the helmets did not meet
Army specifications.
The matter is under
investigation by the U.S. Department of
Justice, Office of the Inspector
General.
-
The debut album of 4TROOPS, an official
vocal group of The American Legion, is
now on sale. A portion of the proceeds
go to The American Legion Legacy
Scholarship fund, which benefits
children of U.S. military personnel who
died on or after Sept. 11, 2001. The
album is available for purchase online
at the
4TROOPS Store,
Amazon,
iTunes and
Barnes and Noble. For more
information about 4TROOPS, visit the
group's website at
http://www.4troopsmusic.com.
-
Air Force officials are still seeking
Airmen who have been impacted by
stop-loss. Eligible Airmen were
involuntarily held on active duty
between Sept. 11, 2001 and Sept. 30,
2009. They may be eligible for $500 for
each month they were affected. If you
are unsure as to whether or not you are
eligible, you should still apply. To
file a claim, visit the Air Force
Personnel Center website at
www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/stoploss.
Those serving in the Reserve or Guard at
the time of stop-loss may apply at the
Air Reserve Personnel Center website at
https://arpc.afrc.af.mil/vPC-GR. For
more information, visit the Air Force
Personnel Center personal services
website or call the Total Force Service
Center at (800) 525-0102.
- New
Army recruits with skills critical to
the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are
eligible for bonuses, educational help
and other incentives if they enlist to
serve in the Army's most under-manned
jobs. Incentives include average bonuses
of up to $20,000 for a six-year
active-duty enlistment for the most
in-demand occupations. Perks such as
student loan repayment and the Army
college fund can also be offered for the
14 most critical military occupational
specialties (MOSs). Eligible Soldiers
may also be offered incentives to pursue
a new MOS in some of these career
fields. Soldiers can contact their
career counselor or retention
representative to learn more about
in-service jobs.
To find complete information on current
cash enlistment incentives (signing
bonuses) and reenlistment bonuses
offered by each of the Armed Forces,
visit the
Military.com Bonus Center.
-
While rising reports of military
suicides sweep the headlines, a group of
91 of America's Medal of Honor
recipients are urging servicemembers to
seek help before it's too late. A public
service effort, called "Medal
of Honor--Speak Out!" launched on
Armed Forces Day. The campaign features
nearly 30 video testimonials by
recipients who survived the most
harrowing experiences in battle,
including severe physical wounds as well
as emotional trauma. Don't let the enemy
defeat you at home--make use of the
resources available today for combat
stress. You are invited to download and
share these resources with
Servicemembers and their families.
The Congressional Medal of Honor Society
is chartered by Congress, and regarded
as the most exclusive organization in
our country, as its membership is solely
made up of living Medal of Honor
recipients. Today there are less than
100 members, who come from all social
classes, race and economic levels. They
range in age from 58 to 99, and live in
all areas of our Country. No amount of
money, power or influence can buy one's
rite of passage to this exclusive
circle, and unlike almost any other
organization, this group's members hope
that there will be no more inductees.
For more information, visit
www.cmohs.org.
-
On April 28, 2010 members of the House
Committee on Veterans Affairs were
notified that an unencrypted laptop
computer containing the Social Security
numbers and other information of more
than 600 veterans had been stolen.
According to a May 13, press release
issued by Rep. Buyer, the Ranking Member
of the House Committee on Veterans
Affairs, the computer belonged to an
employee of a health care services
organization that holds extensive
contracts with the Department of
Veterans Affairs. The VA responded to
the last such incident in 2006 by
offering free credit monitoring for
affected veterans. At this time the VA
has not publically commented on the
breach or their next steps to remedy the
situation.
-
Veterans will find it easier and faster
to apply for their health care benefits
now that the Department of Veterans
Affairs updated its online Form 10-10EZ,
"Application for Health Benefits." This
revised online application provides
enhanced navigation features that make
it easier and faster for Veterans to
apply for their health care benefits.
This new version also allows Veterans to
save a copy of the completed form for
their personal records. Veterans may
complete or download the 10-10EZ form at
the
VA health eligibility website.
Veterans may also contact VA at 1 (877)
222-8387 (VETS) or visit the
VA health eligibility website.
-
The
Military.com and
CinCHouse.com 2010 Spouse of the
Year Award, sponsored by ASMBA and
TriWest HealthCare Alliance, will give
away $5,000 to a spouse who has gone
above and beyond to serve his/her
family, country and the military
community. Nominations are open through
June 30.
Get contest details and enter today.
-
The Mohave Desert Cross will stay where
it is. A recent Supreme Court ruling
ordered a lower court to correct its
ruling to tear the cross down. The cross
was erected more than 75 years ago in
California's Mohave Desert by the
Veterans of Foreign Wars to honor fallen
Soldiers of WWI. The cross has been
covered with a large plywood box since
the lower court ruled it
unconstitutional. The ruling is
available in PDF format on the
Supreme Court website.
-
The names of six American servicemembers
were recently added to the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial. The new additions are
veterans who survived serious injury in
the War but were determined by Defense
Department officials to have "died as a
result of wounds [combat or hostile
related] sustained in the combat zone."
The engravings for 11 other
servicemembers will be modified to
reflect that they are no longer
considered missing in action. The six
new names will become official when they
are read aloud during the annual
Memorial Day ceremony May 31. For more
information on the Memorial, visit the
National Parks Service Vietnam Veterans
Memorial webpage.
-
A new museum dedicated to teaching 20th
century military history and honoring
veterans has opened at Fort Harrison
State Park in Indianapolis. The Museum
of 20th Century Warfare displays
artifacts and uniforms from all branches
of the military from 1910 through
Operation Desert Storm in Iraq. Entrance
to the museum is free, but admission to
the park is $5 for Indiana residents and
$7 for out-of-state residents. The
museum is located in building number 711
in the park's Camp Glenn area. For more
information, visit the
Museum of 20th Century Warfare website.
- Pacific
Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)
announced a new job training program to
assist recently separated veterans learn
the skills needed to help them compete
for high pay, high-demand careers in the
utility industry. The free
Bridge to Utility Equipment Mechanic
course, made possible through PG&E's
PowerPathway(TM) program, will be
available this summer at the American
River College Sacramento campus.
Veterans are eligible to apply through
June 1, 2010, at
www.pge.com/powerpathway. Graduates
will become prequalified for mechanic
opportunities at PG&E and other
utilities.
-
Family and friends of a fallen Marine
are compiling his memory on Facebook.
The stories and comments posted on the
memorial Facebook fan page of 2nd Lt.
Jeremiah "Jerms" McGraw weave together
the spirit of a fallen Marine as it was
seen through the eyes of those that
loved him. McGraw, recently posthumously
commissioned, was killed 7 months ago
when his parachute failed to open during
a training jump with his unit.
Jeremiah's brother, Lance Cpl. Josh
McGraw, set up the page as a way to
spread the details of his brother's
funeral to friends and family. The idea
of the page collecting stories about
Jeremiah was born at the actual service.
Visit
Lt. McGraw's Facebook page.
- The
American Legion Legacy Scholarship fund
is competing for a $250,000 grant to be
awarded by the Pepsi Beverage Company as
part of its Refresh Everything Project
this month. The winning charities are
determined by the amount of votes
received on the Refresh Everything
website. The American Legion Legacy
Scholarship fund ensures that the
children of these fallen heroes will be
able to attend college and not have to
worry about the rising cost of higher
education. You can support the children
of these heroes simply by voting every
day throughout the month of May. Cast
your vote
here.
-
Four of the remaining eight famed
Doolittle Raiders, known for their
nearly impossible bombing raid on Japan,
reunited recently for their 68th years
at the National Museum of the United
States Air Force. On April 18, 1942,
Col. Jimmy Doolittle led a group of 80
men to fly B-25 Bombers from the deck of
an aircraft carrier more than 600 miles
to drop bombs on Japan. At the time,
getting a bomber airborne from an
aircraft carrier's deck had barely been
tested. For more information on the
Dolittle Raiders, including educational
materials, visit the
Doolittle Raiders website, the
National Museum of the
United States Air Force website, an
Animated History of the Doolittle Raid,
the
Naval Historical Center Doolittle Raid
webpage, and the
Doolittle Raid Remembered website .
-
Gulf War veterans with medical symptoms
should seek treatment through the
Department of Veterans Affairs in light
of a recent study that says Gulf War
service is a cause of post-traumatic
stress disorder, a senior Military
Health System official said recently.
Dr. Michael Kilpatrick, director of
strategic communications for the
Military Health System, said that if
Gulf War veterans seek care through VA,
rather than private doctors, researchers
can continue to track their data and
search for causes of their symptoms.
Congress ordered that Gulf War veterans
still qualify for high-priority care
through the VA. For more information on
VA benefits, visit the
Department of Veterans Affairs website.
-
Speaking to a House subcommittee, Jacob
Gadd of The American Legion's Veterans
Affairs & Rehabilitation Division said
the Veterans Business Administration
needs to speed up its process of
appointing fiduciaries to handle the
finances of veterans who are mentally
incapable of managing their own
benefits. Gadd told the House Veterans'
Affairs Subcommittee on Disability
Assistance and Memorial Affairs that
many veterans continue to suffer
hardship because of the time VBA takes
to process fiduciary applications and
approve them. A video of Mr. Gadd's
testimony is available on the
American Legion website.
-
WW2 Reflections released its second
documentary in a planned trilogy of
works that chronicle the major battles
fought by U.S. troops in Western Europe
during World War II. "The Americans on
Hell's Highway" picks up the story
shortly after the D-Day invasion, when
planning began for Operation Market
Garden. The film was produced by Richard
Lanni whose video on the 65th
anniversary of the Normandy invasion
appeared last June. This program covers
the many details of what went right and
what went tragically wrong during the
nine-day saga of Market Garden. For more
information, visit
The American's on Hell's Highway website.
-
The Wal-Mart Foundation issued a grant
of $500,000 to help Veterans Green Jobs,
a Colorado nonprofit organization, boost
its job creation and training programs
in the green jobs field. As a result of
the funding, Veterans Green Jobs created
approximately 120 jobs in the green
industry in Colorado so far, and more
jobs will be created this year. Veterans
Green Jobs trains and prepares military
veterans for jobs in the areas of home
energy efficiency, renewable energy, and
environmental conservation and
restoration. Its programs are
specifically geared to help veterans
expand their career opportunities and
reintegrate into civilian life. For more
information, visit the
Veterans Green Jobs website
-
.The 2010 VA home loan limits are out
and many locations will remain at the
2009 levels. Even many of the
traditionally high-cost locations like
Alaska with a maximum guaranty of
$625,500 and Nantucket County,
Massachusetts with a limit of $1,092,625
will see no change.
Overall, very few locations saw an
increase for 2010; while several
high-cost areas including locations in
California, saw loan limits decrease due
to falling real estate values. And,
several areas which had been considered
high-cost in the past are no longer
considered high-cost and were reduced to
the $417,000 limit.
Read more about the VA Loan.
SupportYourVet.org
Are you a friend or
family member preparing for the
homecoming of a vet and wondering what
you should say or ask when you see them?
Is your loved one already home and
you're finding it hard to talk to them
like you used to? Are you noticing some
troubling behavior that you want to
address but aren't sure how?
A veteran's
experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan are
unimaginable, and returning home isn't
always easy. As a family member or
friend of a veteran, you have the power
to help, but knowing where to start can
be difficult.
It's natural to be
unsure about what to say to a Veteran
returning from active duty. Or to one
who's been home for a while but may be
suffering from
post-traumatic stress disorder or a
traumatic brain injury. You don't
want to bring up painful memories, but
this person is close to you and you care
about them.
It's important to
talk to your loved one early and often.
Keeping the lines of communication open
can help you to reconnect and overcome
homecoming jitters. It can also make it
easy for you to talk about problems and
get help, should the need arise. Visit
SupportYourVet.org
Silver Star
Banner Day - May 1
Week of April
26, 2010
Congress recently passed H.R.855
making Silver Star Service Banner
Day on May 1st an Official Day to
honor wounded, ill, and injured
veterans. The Silver Star Families
of America -- an organization formed
to remember, honor and assist the
wounded and ill veterans and active
duty Armed Forces -- joined forces
with Military.com to provide a forum
to discuss issues relevant to the
problems facing our veterans and
active duty. Join the
SSFOA forum and let them hear
from you. Visit the
Silver Star Families of America
website to learn more about
their activities and programs.
Deal of the
Week: Top Veterans Discounts
Week of April
26, 2010
Military.com has hundreds of
discounts exclusively for veterans
and their families. Don't pay full
price for anything -- cars,
clothing, computers, electronics,
vacations, groceries, beauty
products, home furnishings, jewelry,
and more.
Browse coupons and discounts now.
VA Study of Women
Vietnam Vets
Week of April 05,
2010
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
is launching a comprehensive study of
women veterans who served in the
military during the Vietnam War to
explore the effects of their military
service upon their mental and physical
health. The study will contact
approximately 10,000 women. Information
will be gathered by a mail survey, a
telephone interview and a review of
medical records for a selected sample of
women. VA will study female Vietnam
veterans who may have had direct
exposure to traumatic events. For more
information on the study, visit the
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
website. For information on how to
participate in the study, call (888)
831-3325
Bill -- VA Health Care for Children
Week of April 05,
2010
The Senate unanimously passed S. 3162, a
bill to clarify that the health care VA
provides to children of Vietnam and
Korean war veterans -- those with
certain birth defects associated with
those conflicts -- meets the standard of
minimum health care coverage required by
the Patient Protection and Affordable
Care Act. The bill was authored by
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee
Chairman Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii). The
text of the bill and Senator Akaka's
introduction in the Congressional Record
are available
here.
Register for the Legion's Legacy Run
Week of April 05,
2010
Online registration is open for the
American Legion's 2010 Legacy Run. The
registration fee is $50 for riders ($60
after Aug. 1) and $25 for passengers
($50 after Aug. 1). The fee for
supporters is $50. The registration form
for the 2010 run can be found on the
American Legion website. A donation
goal of $450,000 has been set for the
run, which raises money for The American
Legion Legacy Scholarship fund. The
route for the 2010 run has not been
finalized yet. For more information,
visit the
American Legion Legacy Run webpage.
25th ID Museum Offers Personal
Histories
Week of April 05,
2010
The 25th Infantry Division's Tropic
Lightning Museum at Schofield Barracks,
Hawaii features personal stories of
retired Tropic Lightning heroes. All
"taro leaf" veterans have stories to
tell, as do the relics on display at the
museum. The Tropic Lightning Museum
began as a small collection of items and
trophies from the division's
participation in the 25th Infantry
Division Association in 1956. Since that
time, the Museum experienced decades of
renovations and expansions to offer
today a history of the division unique
to itself through the use of personal
histories. For more information, visit
the
Tropic Lightning Museum website.
Female Pilots Remembered
More than 1,000 civilians and servicemembers watched as
several members of the World War II Women Airforce
Service Pilot Corps (WASPs) recently remembered their
sisters-in-arms during a wreath-laying ceremony the Air
Force Memorial in Arlington, Va. Of the more than 1,100
women who volunteered for the WASPs and flew every
fighter, bomber, transport and trainer aircraft in the
Air Force inventory 68 years ago, only about 300 are
still alive. For more information on the WASPs, visit
the National WASP WWII Museum website at
http://waspmuseum.org, WASP on the Web at
http://wingsacrossamerica.us/wasp/index.htm, the
Texas Woman's University Women Airforce Service Pilots
collection at
http://www.twu.edu/library/wasp.asp, Andy's WASP
webpages at
http://wwii-women-pilots.org, PBS' American
Experience Fly Girls at
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/flygirls/, Winged
Auxiliaries at
http://helena-schrader.com/womenpilots.html, the
WASP Fact Sheet at
http://www.hill.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=5678,
and the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force's Teacher
Resource Guide on the WASPs at
http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-070323-027.pdf.
Initiative for Disabled
Veterans
The upcoming Federal Hiring Event for People and
Veterans with Disabilities, scheduled for April 26, is
one of several initiatives announced in October by
President Obama to ensure fair and equal access to
employment for people with disabilities. People with
disabilities can submit resumes seeking interviews at
the April 26 hiring event by going to
www.USAJOBS.gov and clicking on "Special Hiring
Events." An estimated 5,000 to 10,000 people with
disabilities are expected to submit resumes. By 2016,
an estimated 550,000 current federal employees will
retire, creating the opportunity to fill some of those
jobs with people with disabilities. For more
information, visit the USAJOBS website at
http://www.usajobs.gov/DisabilityHiringEvent.asp.
VA Honors Women Veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs joins with the
nation to observe Women's History Month in March by
encouraging VA facilities to recognize and honor
employees who are women Veterans. Women Veterans are
one of the fastest growing segments of the Veteran
population. They comprise 7.5 percent of the total
Veteran population and nearly 5.9 percent of all
Veterans who use VA health care services. For more
information about VA programs and services for women
Veterans, visit VA's Center for Women Veterans webpage
at
www.va.gov/womenvet and the Women Veterans Health
Care webpage at
www.publichealth.va.gov/womenshealth.
VA Launches Training Center
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has opened a
national training center in Falling Waters, W.Va. The
National IT Training Academy is the hub for VA's four
existing regional IT training centers, and three more
are planned to open this year. With remote
virtualization capabilities, the national facility
will train the trainers at the regional sites,
including IT professionals working across all VA
activities. The regional centers will be able to
deliver training to each other simultaneously through
a VA distance learning network and to train VA staff
nationwide whose work involves automated data systems,
including through teleconferencing with the National
Academy. The IT regional training centers are
classrooms in VA facilities in Arlington, Texas;
Denver; Orlando, Fla.; and Washington, D.C. Future
sites are in Salt Lake City and Vancouver, Wash.
Marine Combat Shirt Enhancement
to Hit the Hills
The Marine Corps was the first in the game to
recognize the advantages of fire resistant uniforms
for its front-line grunts. Back in 2005 and 2006,
Marine field commanders began issuing their grunts in
Iraq flight suits to help them survive the flash burns
of a roadside bomb. That gave way to the Fire
Resistant Organizational Gear initiative, which
developed specific uniform items for the grunt that
went beyond the 70 percent solution of the (expensive)
Nomex flight suit.
Read More.
Yet Another Protest...
|
CONGRATULATIONS "Momma" Dee!
She won the
2009 Energizer Keep Going® Contest
Dee is a Gold Star
Mother. That means she has suffered the unimaginable loss of a
son who was killed in action. Dee will tell you, Once a Marine
Mom, always a Marine Mom. She has dedicated herself to helping
other men and women serving in the military. Dee formed an
organization, Lea's Prayers & Postage, that funds postage for
care packages that are shipped overseas. Her energy is boundless
as she creatively finds ways to fund her cause. Thousands of
packages have been shipped with the help of Lea's Prayers and
Postage.
|
 |
A
Look at Social Security
Week of March 01, 2010
If you served on active duty anytime between 1957
and 2001, you may qualify for a higher Social Security
payment because of your military service. Under certain
circumstances, special extra earnings for your military
service during those years can be credited to your record
for Social Security purposes. Special earnings credits are
granted for periods of active duty or active duty
training. For additional information, visit the Social
Security website at
http://www.ssa.gov/retire2/military.htm.
VA
Education Call Centers Return
Week of March 01, 2010
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has
announced that the Education
Call Center is again operating five days a week. Because
VA is now processing spring enrollments timely, advance
payments are no longer available at VA regional offices or
through the online advance payment website. Information
about the Post-9/11 GI Bill, as well as VA's other
educational benefit programs, is available at VA's website
at
www.gibill.va.gov, or by calling 1-888-GIBILL-1
(or 1-888-442-4551).
Organizations Assist Wounded Marines
Week of March 01, 2010
The Veterans of Foreign Wars, in conjunction with
the Wounded Warrior Regiment at
Quantico, VA, has agreed to assist recently discharged
Wounded Warriors. Any former Marine who has a claim
pending at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or
wants to file a claim with VA will be referred to a VFW
service officer near them who will be happy to discuss
their claim and how to obtain the most correct decisions
possible from VA. If you have filed a claim with VA, or
want to file a claim, send your name, county and state
where you live, along with a daytime phone number to
1marine@VFW.org.
American Legion Debuts Video
Week of March 01, 2010
The American Legion has a brand new video
available that targets the younger generation and tells
The American Legion story in just under four minutes. "A
Pledge to Service" presents the Four Pillars of the
American Legion and ends with a call to join The American
Legion either through the American Legion website at
http://www.legion.org/ or at "your nearest American
Legion post." The new
video is currently available on
The American Legion website and will be available free
in mid-March on a DVD by request to
pr@legion.org or by calling (317) 630-1253.
Click here to also view the video on YouTube.
VFW
Conference to be Streamed Live
Week of February 22, 2010
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) will stream
live its National Legislative Conference, March 6-10, on
the VFW website at
www.vfw.org. Streaming will begin with the Voice of
Democracy Parade of Winners at
6:00 p.m. (EST) on March 7. A delayed stream of VFW Commander-in-Chief,
Thomas Tradewell's testimony on Capitol Hill will also air
the afternoon of Tuesday, March 9. In addition to
streaming the segments live, all events will also be
available on demand on the VFW website. For up to the
minute information, video clips and pictures from the VFW
National Legislative Conference
join us the VFW on Facebook at
http://www.facebook.com/VFWFans!
Career Expo: Talk face-to-face with Florida Employers
Week of February 22, 2010
Military.com Career Expo is coming to Patrick
AFB, Fla. on
Feb. 25, 2010. This event will feature top employers seeking the valuable skills
you learned in service to your country. You can also
attend employment workshops focused on helping you
leverage your military experience in the civilian job
market.
Register to attend -- it's free.
Remembering African-American Veterans
Week of February 22, 2010
During February, we honor the achievements of
over 41 million Americans of African heritage. The
Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) reports that Joshua
Williams was the first African-American veteran patient.
He was admitted to the National Home for Disabled
Volunteer Soldiers, which is now the Dayton,
Ohio, VA Medical Center, in March of 1867. To learn more
about Joshua Williams, visit the Department of Veterans'
Affairs website at
http://www1.va.gov/health/African-American1.asp.
21st
Century Pinup Girl
Week of February 22, 2010
Since 2007, Gina Elise has raised tens of
thousands of dollars for military and VA hospitals in the
western
United States through sales of her "pinup girl" calendars,
posters and T-shirts. With a nostalgic appreciation for
Betty Grable and other World War II-era pinup girls, Elise
decided the best way she could raise funds for wounded
warriors was to become a 21st-century pinup girl herself.
American Legion Post 360 in Lake Arrowhead, Calif.,
sponsored her efforts. To learn more or purchase a
calendar, visit Pin-Ups for Vets at
www.pinupsforvets.com.
Purple
Heart Ceremony
The combat wounded Patriots of Aaron A. Weaver Chapter
776 Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) cordially
invite all veterans and the public to attend the Fifth
Annual Purple Heart Ceremony at the Florida National Guard
Armory, Crystal River, 11 a.m., Saturday, February 20.
The ceremony will commemorate the proud legacy of the Purple
Heart and pay tribute to Florida’s fallen heroes of the
Global War on Terror and America’s wounded warriors. The
ceremony will also feature the MOPH Department of Florida
Afghanistan/Iraq War Memorial Portrait Mural. The mural
honors approximately 250 Floridians who have fallen during
the Afghanistan/Iraq War and is the first memorial to bear
both the engraved names and color portraits of those who
fell. Vocalists Paul and Jackie Stevio will provide
patriotic music.
For more information, visit the Chapter 776 web site at
www.citruspurpleheart.org or call (352) 382-3847.
Test Your Way
to a Degree
Week of February 08, 2010
Although you have surely heard of CLEP tests, you may not
know that these credit-by-exam tests are widely accepted by
colleges and universities. In addition, by passing these
examinations you can earn one-third or more of the credits
you need for a college degree. If you haven't started taking
your CLEP exams yet, contact your school or local VA office
to find out how to get started. If you have already taken
your CLEP exams, then the next step is search for
military-friendly schools that are VA-approved and
experienced with the CLEP and other credit-by-exam tests.
Search for schools now.
Get more information on CLEP.
President Signs
Veterans Act
Week of February 08, 2010
President Barack Obama recently signed the Veterans' Emergency
Care Fairness Act of 2009. The new law will enable the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to reimburse veterans
enrolled in VA health care for the remaining cost of emergency
treatment if the veteran has outside insurance that only
covers part of the cost. Previously, VA could reimburse
veterans or pay outside hospitals directly only if a veteran
has no outside health insurance.
Last WWI
Veteran Turns 109
Week of
February 08, 2010
The last surviving U.S.
veteran of World War I, former Cpl. Frank Buckles, recently
turned 109. More than a dozen friends and relatives gathered
Monday afternoon at the West Virginia farmhouse where Buckles
lives. Mr. Buckles is still hoping for a national memorial to
his comrades in Washington. For more information, visit Mr. Buckles'
official website at
http://frankbuckles.org/.
New Pay
Tool Helps Wounded Warriors
Week of
February 08, 2010
The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS)
recently launched their latest tool to help medically retired
wounded warriors understand how their retirement pay, disability
compensation, and Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC) pay
rates are determined. Called the "Medical
Disability Retired Pay Income Estimator," the tool coupled
with a detailed online PowerPoint tutorial can help explain how
the combined post-retirement income payment rates are
determined.
Canine Companions for Independence
Week of February 01, 2010
Crane Co and Canine Companions for
Independence have teamed up to help qualified veterans find new
hope through their service dog program. Through their Wounded
Veterans Initiative, Canine Companions for Independence provides
assistance dogs to veterans with physical disabilities resulting
from military service. The dogs and vets are matched together,
based on a number of factors and then they attend a two-week
intensive training program where they learn how to work
together. Crane Co. provides the funds for training. For more
information on the Wounded Veterans Initiative, visit the
Canine Companions for Independence website.
VA Opens New Cemetery
Week of February 01, 2010
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K.
Shinseki announced the opening of the new Washington Crossing
National Cemetery in Newtown, Pa. The new 205-acre national
cemetery in the Philadelphia area will serve Veterans' needs for
at least the next 50 years. Information on VA burial benefits
can be obtained from national cemetery offices, from
VA's Burial and Memorial benefits webpage or by calling VA
regional offices toll-free at (800) 827-1000. For information
on Washington Crossing National Cemetery, call the cemetery
office at (215) 504-5610. To make burial arrangements at the
time of need, call the national cemetery scheduling office at
(800) 535-1117.
Pets for Vets
Week of February 01, 2010
A program in California is helping veterans
returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with post traumatic stress
disorder by pairing them with homeless animals. Pets for Vets
rescues animals from the Los Angeles animal shelter and trains
them as service dogs or companion animals for veterans. Every
veteran who wants a dog and can care for it is eligible. "Pets
for Vets" is expanding to other cities. For more information,
visit the
Pets for Vets website.
Soldiers in Haiti Get Special Pay
Week of February 01, 2010
U.S. Soldiers in Haiti will collect several
special entitlements, including imminent danger pay while
deployed, according to the Army. Soldiers will also get hardship
duty pay, and soldiers with families will receive an extra $250
per month in separation pay. The deployment will not affect
basic allowance for housing.
Read the full article.
Sailors Should Check LES
Week of February 01, 2010
Reviewing your Leave and Earnings Statement
(LES) each pay period is always a good idea. But Sailors who
made any changes during the Federal Benefits Open Season should
also check their LES for the first full pay period of the year
(Jan. 22). The LES Sailors receive on January 22, 2010 will
reflect any change they made during the Federal Benefits Open
Season. Benefits Bulletin 2009-10 provides additional
information. If an error is noticed, Department of the Navy
(DON) employees should immediately call the Benefits Line at
888-320-2917 and select menu option #4 to talk to a Customer
Service Representative (CSR). CSRs are available 7:30 a.m. to
7:30 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, except on
Federal holidays. The TTY number for the deaf and hard of
hearing is 866-328-9889.
American Legion Offers Nursing
Scholarship
Week of February 01, 2010
Applications are available for the American
Legion's $3,000 Eight and Forty Lung and Respiratory Disease
Nursing Scholarship for registered nurses. The deadline to apply
for the nursing scholarship is May 15. Selections will be
announced July 1. For more information or to request an
application packet, contact your local Eight and Forty
Scholarship chairman or write to The American Legion, Attn:
Eight and Forty Scholarships, P.O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN
46206. For more information, visit the
American Legion website.
Legion
Offers Veterans Benefits Calculator
Week of
January 25, 2010
The American Legion has launched a new online
tool, The American Legion Veterans Benefits Calculator , which
gives veterans and their families a simple questionnaire and
easy access to service officers who can help them with their
claims. Answer a few questions about your military service at
the online calculator. Once finished, the module lists possible
benefits, including contact information for department service
officers (DSOs) who can assist you. You can then contact a DSO
for more individualized information. You can also find a
department service officer on the
American Legion website.
VA Adds
Five Coordinators
Week of
January 25, 2010
The Department of Veterans Affairs has hired five
new Federal Recovery Coordinators. The new coordinators will be
available at the following locations: Eisenhower Army Medical
Center, Ga.; San Antonio Military Medical Center, Texas; Naval
Medical Center, San Diego, Calif.; Tampa VA Medical Center (VAMC),
Fla.; Bethesda, National Naval Medical Center; Walter Reed Army
Medical Center, D.C.; Houston VAMC, Texas,; and Providence VAMC,
R.I. Recovery coordinators assist servicemembers, Veterans and
their families with access to care, services and benefits
provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Department
of Defense (DoD), other federal agencies, states and the private
sector.
Suicide
Rates Increase Among Vets
Week of January 18, 2010
Suicide rates for veterans not on active duty in
the military have gone up significantly. According to the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), in 2007 for every 100,000
veterans 56.77 committed suicide. That number is up from 44.99
just two years earlier. The suicide rate among 18- to
29-year-old male veterans jumped 26% from 2005 to 2007. VA
Secretary Eric Shinseki noted recently that of the 30,000
suicides each year in America,
about 20% are committed by veterans.
More information and resources on PTSD.
Medical Disability Retired Pay
Estimator
Week of January 18, 2010
The Defense Finance and Accounting Service
(DFAS) launched their new Medical Disability Retired Pay
Estimator, an interactive online tool for medically retiring
Wounded Warriors, available at the
DFAS website. The new online tool helps medically retired
servicemembers estimate their retired pay, Combat Related
Special Compensation and VA disability compensation. Visit the
DFAS
Retired Disability Income Estimator.
Find out how much you'd make with a promotion or at your next
duty station. Calculate pay by rank, location or duty with the
Military Pay Calculator.
Army News Now Available Via iPhone
Week of January 25, 2010
Soldiers and others can now read the latest
Army news on their iPhones. The new iPhone application is
available for free from the iTunes application store or by
visiting the
Army.Mil Mobile website. The new application provides access
to both Army video and still imagery. Users of the iPhone
application have access to the Army Live Blog, Twitter feed, and
Facebook page. Podcasts of the greatest moments of Soldiers
Radio News are also available.
New AF Fitness Scoring System
Week of January 25, 2010
As Airmen begin transitioning into the new testing cycle this
month, officials published the new Air Force instruction to the
Air Force Publications website recently with an effective date
of July 1. Air Force leaders in November delayed the effective
date for the new scoring system while implementing a hybrid
approach that incorporated the biannual testing cycle. This
gives commanders time to establish base fitness assessment cells
and hire more than 250 civilian fitness testing technicians
across the Air Force. To learn more about the new fitness
program and view scoring components that become effective in
July, visit the
Air Force Fitness Program webpage.
Applicants
Sought for DoD Internship
Week of
January 18, 2010
The Department of Defense is seeking applicants
for a two-year, paid Military Health System Internship Program.
Applicants generally need a Master's degree or two, full years
of progressively high-level graduate education and one year of
specialized experience that equips them for the skills needed to
perform the duties of the position. Positions are currently
available in the Washington,
D.C. area in human resources, information technology, management
analysis, financial management analysis, and health systems
analysis. Applications must be e-mailed by January 29, 2010. For more information, visit the
Military Health System Blog webpage or call the MHS Human
Capital Office (571) 296-2960.
Benefits
for Wounded Warriors
Week of January 18, 2010
Men and women serving in the
U.S. military who become disabled while on active duty on or
after October 1, 2001, regardless of where the disability occurs, are receiving
"expedited processing" of disability claims from the Social
Security Department. Servicemembers can apply for and receive
benefits even while receiving military pay. Visit
Social Security's Disability Benefits for Wounded Warriors
webpage. The website has everything you need to know about
Social Security and military service, including a link to apply
for disability benefits online.
See more
Wounded Warrior news on Military.com.
Suicide
Rates Increase Among Vets
Week of January 18, 2010
Suicide rates for veterans not on active duty in
the military have gone up significantly. According to the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), in 2007 for every 100,000
veterans 56.77 committed suicide. That number is up from 44.99
just two years earlier. The suicide rate among 18- to
29-year-old male veterans jumped 26% from 2005 to 2007. VA
Secretary Eric Shinseki noted recently that of the 30,000
suicides each year in America,
about 20% are committed by veterans.
More information and resources on PTSD.
Determining
VA Loan Eligibility
Week of
January 11, 2010
In order to be considered for the VA home loan
program, a borrower must meet military service requirements. The
eligibility requirements vary depending on when the military
service was completed, but can be summarized by 90 days of
active duty during wartime, 181 days of continuous active duty
during peacetime, or 6 years of service for Reservist/National
Guard.
Get more information on eligibility here.
Virtual
Burn Treatment
Week of January
18, 2010
National
Public Radio's "All Things Considered" recently covered a new
aspect of burn treatment being administered at Brooke Army Medical Center in
San Antonio. Some
servicemembers and veterans affected by burns are being
distracted from their pain through the use of a virtual reality
program called SnowWorld.
The
version of the program in the military hospital uses high-tech
goggles that have a wide field of vision.
SnowWorld helps patients who wear the goggles block the
unpleasant view of their wounds and charred skin, allowing them
to navigate an icy canyon instead. In it, users can push a
button and throw a snowball at a giant penguin or a mammoth,
which trumpets angrily in response. The Army is also researching
the use of virtual reality for the treatment of post-traumatic
stress disorder. Read more about BAMC's use of SnowWorld
at NPR's website. For a look at this virtual treatment in
action, you can view
a video report from Fox 7 News, Austin, Texas.
Benefits
for Wounded Warriors
Week of January 18, 2010
Men and women serving in the
U.S. military who become disabled while on active duty on or
after October 1, 2001, regardless of where the disability occurs, are receiving
"expedited processing" of disability claims from the Social
Security Department. Servicemembers can apply for and receive
benefits even while receiving military pay. Visit
Social Security's Disability Benefits for Wounded Warriors
webpage. The website has everything you need to know about
Social Security and military service, including a link to apply
for disability benefits online. See more
Wounded Warrior news on NeverEndingSupport.org.
Marines Test New Tracking Device
Week of January
11, 2010
A newly
installed electronic tracking device in the Service Record Books
at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. is expected to save
the base nearly $1.5 million and 54,000 man-hours annually. The
tracking system now manages more than 38,000 Service Record
Books belonging to Camp Pendleton servicemembers. Service Record
Book accountability that normally took weeks to establish, could
now only take days. Camp Pendleton is
the second and largest installation to utilize the electronic
tracking system after Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Personnel
administration centers throughout the Marine Corps are expected
to adopt the new system as testing continues at Camp Pendleton.
Read the full article at Military.com
VA
Selects
Civil War Memorial Locale
Week of
January 11, 2010
The Department of Veterans Affairs has selected
the Frazier International
History Museum in Louisville, Ky. as the new home of the
Bloedner Monument, the nation's oldest Civil War memorial. The
Bloedner Monument was removed from Cave Hill National Cemetery
in Louisville in December, 2008 and taken to a temporary
facility where it was professionally conserved by Conservation
Solutions Inc. to arrest further damage. A new monument, with a
sign explaining the significance of the original Bloedner Monument
and indicating its location, will be placed at Cave Hill
National Cemetery in 2010. For more information on the Museum,
visit the
Frazier International History Museum website.
Some to
Lose Stop-Loss Pay
Week of
January 11, 2010
The fiscal 2010 defense budget extends payments
to servicemembers involuntarily extended on active duty under
the so-called "Stop Loss" program. However, those who received a
bonus for voluntarily re-enlisting or extending their service no
longer qualify for retroactive stop-loss pay. Servicemembers
affected by the new policy who already received stop-loss
payments will not be required to repay them. However, all
outstanding applications from affected servicemembers will be
returned, along with an explanation of the change in law that
makes them no longer eligible to receive the payments. While the
services work to phase out the policy, officials have authorized
a special pay of $500 a month of anyone retained on active duty
due to stop loss.
Read the full article.
VFW
Publication Contest
Week of
January 11, 2010
The Veterans of Foreign Wars is currently
accepting submissions from the organization's departments,
districts, and posts for the VFW's 2010 National Publications
Contest. One copy of each winning Post and District publication,
as well as only one issue of the Department newspaper, must be
mailed by Department adjutants, quartermasters or Department
editors, to Kelly Von Lunen in the Publications Department at
the VFW National Headquarters, 406 West 34th Street,
Kansas City, Missouri 64111 by April 5, 2010. Issues published between Jan. 1, 2009, and Dec.
31, 2009, are eligible.
Determining
VA Loan Eligibility
Week of
January 11, 2010
In order to be considered for the VA home loan
program, a borrower must meet military service requirements. The
eligibility requirements vary depending on when the military
service was completed, but can be summarized by 90 days of
active duty during wartime, 181 days of continuous active duty
during peacetime, or 6 years of service for Reservist/National
Guard.
Get more information on eligibility here.
Costly
Agent Orange-Heart Disease Link
Week of
January 04, 2010
The cost of war -- on veterans? health and
taxpayer wallets -- will loom a little larger in the new year
when the Department of Veterans Affairs issues a final rule to
claim adjudicators to presume three more diseases of
Vietnam veterans, including heart disease, were caused by
exposure to Agent Orange.
Read the full article.
Vision
Project Seeks Participants
Week of
January 04, 2010
Dr. Amy Nau, an optometrist and director of the
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Eye Center Contact
Lens and Low Vision Services, is conducting a nationwide search
for blind veterans of all ages to participate in a research
study on a new device to aid the blind to "see" called BrainPort.
Once study participants have been trained on the device, they
will return home where they will be asked to use the BrainPort
daily and document their experiences and findings. If you are a
veteran of the U.S.
military and are legally blind, you may qualify to participate
in the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's BrainPort
study. For more information, contact the medical center at
412-647-2481, or e-mail Gail Engleka at
gle1@pitt.edu, or visit the
McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine website.
New Navy Personnel Webpage
Week of December 28, 2009
The Chief of Naval Personnel launched a new
webpage to serve as an additional resource for the Navy Total
Force and their families. The new webpage at www.navy.mil/cnp
features news stories, podcasts and videos to update the force
on the latest in personnel programs, policies and other areas.
The page features links of interest for families, active duty
Sailors, Navy civilians and Reservists. Topics range from health
care and financial preparedness to education resources for
families. Also found on the new leadership page is information
on CNP's top priorities to include training, manpower and
diversity outreach policies and programs.
Bootcamp
for Veterans Expands
Week of
December 28, 2009
The Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with
Disabilities (EBV) announced an expansion of its services to
include veterans of the U.S. Coast Guard who have a
service-connected disability as a result of their support of
Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom. The EBV program is
designed to offer training in small business and
entrepreneurship to post-9/11 military veterans with
disabilities. The program was created by the Whitman School of
Management at
Syracuse University in 2007. For more information, visit the
Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV)
website.
Legion
Catalog Available
Week of
December 28, 2009
The new 2010 American Legion "Flag & Emblem"
catalog has more than 70 new items for the entire Legion family,
along with brand new offerings for American Legion Riders. Some
of the new items available for 2010 include branch of service
Challenge Coins, branch of service ties and caps, Lady Legion
shirts, Legion Riders leather vests, chaps and caps, Boys
State caps and polar fleece tops. Nearly 85,000 catalogs have
been mailed to members. Additional copies of the catalog are
available by calling toll-free, (888) 453-4466. Most catalog
items can be ordered 24 hours a day online at the American
Legion's
Emblem Sales webpage.
Lifeline
for Vets Extends Hours
Week of
December 28, 2009
The National Veterans Foundation (NVF) announced
that it’s extending the hours of its Lifeline for Vets™ to aid a
growing number of veterans who need help with crisis
intervention and resource referrals. The new Lifeline for Vets™
hours will be 6:00
a.m. - 9:00 p.m., (PST) Monday through Friday. The Lifeline will continue to
operate 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.(PST)
on weekends. The Lifeline is staffed by trained veterans with
access to extensive resources and information to help former
servicmembers in need. The Lifeline's toll-free number is
888-777-4443. For more information, visit the
National Veterans Foundation website.
President
Signs Veterans Health Act
Week of
December 28, 2009
President Barack Obama recently signed the
Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009
into law. The new law will provide timely, predictable funding
for the Veterans Health Administration one-year ahead of the
regular appropriations process. The text of the new law is
available
online.
Wreaths
Across America
Week of
December 14, 2009
Through Wreaths Across America, veteran memorials
and grave sites, including
Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., are currently
being adorned with remembrance wreaths from Maine's Worcester
Wreath Co. The tributes honor many of the 25 million men and
women who served in the U.S. armed forces and guarded and
preserved America's
freedom throughout history. More than 400 wreath-laying
ceremonies are expected in all 50 states and 25 cemeteries and
memorials abroad in 2009. Wreaths Across America is a monumental
initiative, with partners such as Civil Air Patrol, numerous
veterans' groups, and private citizens participating. For more
information, visit the
Wreaths Across America website.
Hunt for
'Fake UK Veteran'
Week of
December 14, 2009
The hunt is on throughout the
United Kingdom for the "fake veteran" who recently marched in a
Remembrance Day parade alongside 600 genuine war heroes wearing
an impossible array of medals. Parade organizers in Bedworth,
England became suspicious when military experts confirmed that
it would be impossible for one man to have been awarded all the
decorations. Meanwhile, the new website
Report Stolen Valor.org has been created in the U.S. by the
veteran's organization AMVETS to expose people who lie about
their non-existent military service. In the United States,
the "Stolen Valor Act" makes lying about one's military record a
federal misdemeanor that is punishable with one year in prison
and a $150,000 penalty.
Do You Know
Your VA Benefits?
Week of
December 14, 2009
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) launched
a national survey of veterans, active duty servicemembers,
activated National Guard and reserve members, and family members
and survivors to learn if they are aware of VA services. The
national survey will also collect important health care,
benefits, employment, and demographic information that VA will
use to inform policy decisions and improve benefits. VA expects
approximately 10,000 veterans to complete the full-length
survey. The data collection is expected to be finished by the
end of February and the final report released by December 2010.
Get the latest
Veteran Benefits news on Military.com.
Legion
Supports Flagpole Fight
Week of
December 14, 2009
The American Legion joined the fight being waged
by a Medal of Honor recipient against a
Virginia homeowner association's demands to remove a flagpole.
Col. Van Barfoot, 90, a World War II and Vietnam veteran, was
ordered by the Sussex Square Homeowner's Association to remove
the flag pole from his front lawn after he flew the U.S. Flag on
Labor Day and Veterans Day. The association claims that the flag
pole is not "aesthetically appropriate." National Commander
Clarence Hill said, "Col. Barfoot hired legal counsel. The
American Legion is prepared to help with the expenses and fight
these disgraceful actions by the association." For complete,
continuing coverage of the flagpole controversy, visit the
Richmond Times-Dispatch website.
Veterans
Push for WWI Memorial
Week of
December 14, 2009
A push is underway to designate a national
memorial to those who fought in World War I -- among those
asking for such a memorial is the last remaining American
veteran from that war, Frank W. Buckles. Two competing pieces of
legislation for a national memorial are now moving through
Congress. One would name the existing Liberty Memorial in
Kansas City, Mo., as a national monument to veterans of the
first world war. The other legislation, known as the "Frank
Buckles World War I Memorial Act," would rededicate a memorial
already in Washington, D.C.
Proponents of both pieces of legislation were on Capitol Hill
recently to provide testimony before the Senate Committee on
Energy and Natural Resources, subcommittee on national parks.
Navy Announces Decision On Marine Mammal Use To Protect
Washington Navy Base
The Navy announced today its decision to install a
swimmer interdiction security system at Naval Base Kitsap (NBK)
Bangor, Wash., that will employ teams of security personnel and
specially-trained marine mammals to protect waterside assets and
sailors. This action will enhance security capabilities to
counter intruder threats from swimmers or divers and will be
implemented in 2010.
The use of marine mammals to protect sensitive
waterside areas has been proven to be reliable and
effective. The Navy’s bottlenose dolphins and California sea
lions are uniquely qualified for underwater sentry duty, mine
clearance, and object recovery because of their exceptional
sensory and diving capabilities.
An environmental impact statement (EIS) evaluated
potential effects of several factors on the Navy's dolphins and
sea lions, including temperature, noise, water quality, toxins
and the presence of other marine mammals in the NBK-Bangor
environment. The EIS concluded that the Navy’s dolphins and sea
lions are not expected to experience adverse
environmentally-related effects from transfer to, and residence
at, NBK-Bangor.
The Navy’s decision concludes a multi-year process
involving operational assessments, technical analysis, and
environmental analysis under the National Environmental Policy
Act. In addition to addressing public concerns, the Navy also
consulted with state and federal regulatory agencies, including
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries
Service, Army Corps of Engineers, Washington State Department of
Ecology, and the Washington Department of Archeology and
Historic Preservation.
Media may direct queries to the Navy Office of
Information at 703-697-5342. For more information including the
record of decision, visit
http://www.nbkeis.gcsaic.com .
Army Orders
Arlington Probe
The Secretary of the Army ordered an
investigation into allegations of lost accountability of some
graves, poor record keeping and other issues at Arlington
National Cemetery in Virginia. The order comes after revelations
that cemetery workers inadvertently buried cremated remains at a
gravesite already in use. The inspector general is also in the
midst of a management review of Arlington
National Cemetery to make overall recommendations on how better
to operate the facility, including possible changes in policy,
procedures and regulations. A copy of the Army Regulation 15-6
investigation is available on
defenselink.mil.
More Veterans in
Government
Week of November 16, 2009
President Barack Obama signed an executive order Nov. 9 aimed at
hiring more veterans to work in the federal government. The
order calls on each federal agency to establish a veterans
employment program office designed to help veterans get through
the maze of paperwork as they apply for positions in the federal
work force and mandates that agencies train personnel
specialists on veteran employment policies. The federal hiring
process will be streamlined to make it easier for people to
apply for federal jobs.
Read the full article at Military.com
Help the Legion
Help Recovering Heroes
Week of November 16, 2009
The American Legion is renewing its fundraising efforts for the
holiday season by purchasing comfort items for troops recovering
in U.S. military hospitals and warrior transition units around
the world through its Operation Comfort Warriors campaign.
Donors can make online contributions by visiting
www.legion.org/ocw or by sending a check to Operation
Comfort Warriors, PO Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206.
Paralympics
Initiative Launched
Week of
October 26, 2009
The Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S.
Olympic Committee signed a memorandum of understanding to
provide Paralympic sport programming and additional community
support, including funding and resources, to injured
servicemembers and veterans across the country. Under the terms
of the agreement, the U.S. Olympic Committee, its Paralympics
Division, along with USOC member organizations, including
veteran and military organizations, will expand rehabilitative
support at the community level in collaboration with the VA, to
injured veterans. Support includes training, equipment, access
to Paralympics mentors and ongoing sports programming in
communities across the country. Headquartered in
Colorado Springs, Colo., U.S. Paralympics is a division of the
USOC and was formed in May 2001 with the goal of enhancing
programs, obtaining funding and providing competitive
opportunities for athletes with physical disabilities to
participate in Paralympic sports.
Eat Free at
Applebee's
Week of
October 26, 2009
Military veterans and active-duty service members
will be able to eat for free at any Applebee's across the U.S.
on Veterans Day, Wed., Nov. 11, 2009. There will be six entrées from the menu to
choose from. Guests will be asked to show one or more of the
following as proof of service: a U.S. Uniform Services
Identification Card, U.S. Uniform Services Retired
Identification Card, Current Leave and Earnings Statement,
Veterans Organization Card, a photograph in uniform, or wearing
a uniform in person. For more information about Veterans Day at
Applebee's, visit the Applebee's website at
www.applebees.com/vetsday. A complete listing of all
Applebee's locations is available at
www.applebees.com.
Red Cross to Deliver Holiday Cards
Week of
October 26, 2009
The American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes Inc. will
partner for the third year to sponsor the national "Holiday Mail
for Heroes" campaign to receive and distribute holiday cards to
service members, veterans and their families in the
United States and abroad. The card campaign includes those
working and receiving care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. A
special P.O. Box address will be published the first week of
November online at
http://www.redcross.org/holidaymail. In the meantime, people
should not send cards to Walter Reed unless they are addressed
to a specific wounded warrior. Cards postmarked no later than
Dec. 7 will reach service members recovering at Walter Reed.
New Gravesite Locator
Week of
October 26, 2009
The Department of Veterans Affairs launched a
new, nationwide Gravesite Locator, which makes the gravesites of
more than 6.7 million veterans easier to locate using cell
phones with Internet capability. The new Nationwide Gravesite
Locator, at http://m.va.gov/gravelocator,
is enhanced for viewing and browsing on "smart phones." Users
enter a name to search and find where the loved one is buried.
The website will provide the name of the cemetery and a grave
location, offer a link to a Google map, driving directions to
the cemetery, and if the deceased is buried in a national
cemetery or state veterans cemetery, provide a link to a
cemetery map to help find the section where the grave is
located.
Benefit
Enhancements Act Passes Senate
Week of October 19, 2009
Recently, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved S. 728, as
amended, the Veterans’ Benefits Enhancement Act of 2009, which
(1) provides for retroactive payments to those servicemembers
who suffered traumatic injury while on active duty on or between
Oct. 7, 2001, and Nov. 30, 2005; (2) strengthens life insurance
and mortgage insurance programs for disabled veterans;
(3) removes the enrollment cap on the number of veterans allowed
in VA’s Independent Living program; and (4) eases the burden of
proof on veterans seeking to establish that their disabilities
are related to their service. Information on S. 728 is available
on the
Library of Congress' THOMAS website.
Retirees and Vets
Allowed to Salute Flag
Week of October 19, 2009
Traditionally, members of the nation’s veterans service
organizations have rendered the hand-salute during the national
anthem and at events involving the national flag only while
wearing their organization’s official head-gear.The National
Defense Authorization Act of 2008 contained an amendment to
allow un-uniformed servicemembers, military retirees, and
veterans to render a hand salute during the hoisting, lowering,
or passing of the U.S. flag. A later amendment further
authorized hand-salutes during the national anthem by veterans
and out-of-uniform military personnel. This was included in the
Defense Authorization Act of 2009, which President Bush signed
on Oct. 14, 2008.
By
William R.
Levesque, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Sunday, October 18, 2009
Holiday Mailing
Deadlines
Week of October 19, 2009
The Christmas holiday mailing deadlines are now available on the
Military Postal Service Agency website. Express Mail
Military Service is available to selected military post offices.
Check with your local post office to determine if this service
is available to your APO/FPO address. PAL is a service that
provides air transportation for parcels on a space-available
basis. SAM parcels are paid at parcel post postage rate with
maximum weight and size limits of 15 pounds and 60 inches in
length and girth combined. For more information, contact your
local post office.
VA Restarts Vietnam
Vet Study
Week of September 28, 2009
House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-Calif.)
commended Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) Secretary
Shinseki for agreeing to restart the National Vietnam Veterans
Longitudinal Study. VA initiated the study in 1984 as a result
of a Congressional mandate. In 2000, Congress again directed VA
to reassess this generation of veterans in a follow-up study and
provide a report by October 2004. However, this directive hasn't
been carried out by the VA until now.
Learn more about what the VA is up to on Military.com.
New American Legion
Website
Week of September 28, 2009
The American Legion launched a new website to increase the
visibility and local activities of posts in communities
throughout the U.S. and overseas. The American Legion
invites posts and Legion family members to tell us their
stories by posting blogs and photos on the new
Legiontown website. The organization also recently published
two, new booklets -- "Legiontown, U.S.A." and "The Four Pillars
of The American Legion." To order a copy of each booklet,
e-mail pr@legion.org or call
(317) 630-1253.
For more information, or to join The American Legion go to
www.legion.org.
Checks to Relieve
Vet Student Debt
Week of September 28, 2009
The delay in
Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit payments has caused a financial
burden for many veterans. In response the Department of Veterans
Affairs has authorized checks for up to $3,000 to be given to
eligible veteran students who have applied for educational
benefits and who have not yet received their Post-9/11 GI Bill
benefit payments. The emergency payments are an advance on their
earned benefits for housing and books. This money will be
deducted from future Post-9/11 GI Bill payments. The checks will
be distributed to eligible students at VA regional benefits
offices across the country starting Oct. 2, 2009.
Read the full article.
SP Times Story
Sgt. First Class Michael Spaulding left for Afghanistan in June
for a year-long tour with the C Company 4/23 5th Striker Brigade,
US Army out of Fort Lewis, Washington. His three children expected
him back for a two-week leave in March but the dates got pushed up
and his wife Tammy kept the secret so he could surprise them at
school Wednesday.
Story and
Photos
Vietnam Memorial
Care Changes Hands
Week of September 21, 2009
The foundation that built the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is
taking over lawn care for more than 13 acres on the National
Mall around the monument. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
initially plans to spend $96,000 to repair a broken irrigation
system and improve the grass through weed treatment,
fertilization, and aeration. The group decided to take over the
lawn care after reading that the lawn area had been at a
disadvantage in competing for federal money for upkeep, compared
with other sites in districts that are represented by powerful
members of Congress. For more information, visit the
Vietnam Veterans
Memorial Fund website. For more information on the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial, visit the
National Park Service website.
VA Warns of
Phone Prescription Scam
Week of
September 21, 2009
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is
warning Veterans not to give credit card numbers over the phone to
callers claiming to update VA prescription information. "America's
Veterans have become targets in an inexcusable scam that dishonors
their service and misrepresents the Department built for them,"
said Dr. Gerald Cross, VA's Under Secretary for Health. "VA simply
does not call Veterans and ask them to disclose personal financial
information over the phone." For more information,
read the full article on Military.com.
Federal
Benefits for Veterans
Week of
September 14, 2009
The 2009 Edition of VA's
Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors
booklet is available online. The booklet provides the rates for
certain federal payments and outlines many programs and services
provided by VA and other federal agencies. It also includes
toll-free phone numbers, Internet addresses and a directory of VA
facilities throughout the country.
New Initiatives for
Women Veterans
Week of August 31, 2009
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) embarked on new
initiatives to meet the unique needs of women veterans
including (1) comprehensive primary care and specialized medical
care at every VA medical center; (2) enhanced mental health
care specifically for women veterans; (3) staffing every VA
medical center with a women veterans program manager;
(4) improving communication and outreach to women veterans; and
(5) continuing the operation of organizations such as VA's
Center for Women Veterans and the Women Veterans Health
Strategic Healthcare Group. For more information about VA
programs and services for women veterans, visit the Department
of Veterans' Affairs
Center
for Women Veterans webpage and
Women Veterans Health Care.
Retiree Cola Buried
In Oil
Week of August 31, 2009
It was higher oil prices last year that led to the largest
annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to federal entitlements
since 1982. Good thing, too. Lowered oil prices since then is
almost certain to block any COLA this year for military
retirees, federal civilian retirees, Social Security recipients,
survivor benefit annuitants or disabled veterans. To learn more,
read the full article on Military.com.
VA Moves to
Simplify PTSD Rules
Week of August 31, 2009
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is taking steps to
assist veterans seeking compensation for post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD). The VA published a proposed regulation in the
Federal Register to make it easier for a veteran to
claim service connection for PTSD by reducing the evidence
needed if the veteranf stressor claimed by a is related to fear
of hostile military or terrorist activity. Comments on the
proposed rule will be accepted over the next 60 days. The text
of the proposed rule is available on the
Federal Register website. Find, review, and submit comments
on Federal rules that are open for comment and published in the
Federal Register using
Regulations.gov. To learn more,
read the full article on Military.com.
Millions in VA
Bonuses Questioned
Week of August 24, 2009
Outside the Veterans Affairs Department, severely wounded
veterans have faced financial hardship waiting for their first
disability payment. Inside, money has been flowing in the form
of $24 million in bonuses. In scathing reports this week, the
VA's inspector general said thousands of technology office
employees at the VA received the bonuses over a two-year period,
some under questionable circumstances. It also detailed abuses
ranging from nepotism to an inappropriate relationship between
two VA employees. To learn more,
read the full article on Military.com
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