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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7-Eleven Offers Franchise Opportunities
Week of August 24, 2009
7-Eleven, Inc. wants to make it a little
easier for veterans to reach the American dream of owning
one's own business. Qualified veterans who become first-time
7-Eleven franchisees will receive a 10-percent discount on
the initial franchise fee for the first 7-Eleven store they
franchise. This discount can range from $1,000 up to
approximately $35,000, depending on the store. For more
information, visit the
7-Eleven website or call 1-800-782-0711.
September Case Lot Sale Coming
Week of August 24, 2009
Commissary customers can save 50 percent or
more on bulk-sized products through the annual case lot sale
coming in September at their local commissary. These items
range from canned goods, beverages, toilet paper, paper
towels, produce, fresh meat, seafood, pet supplies, cleaning
and laundry products, and more. The products at these events
are normally seen stretched out in a section of a commissary
parking lot or inside a store warehouse. Some 50 to 60
percent of the items are sold in "club pack" product
assortments similar to the oversized or multiple products
sold at commercial warehouse club outlets. Most commissaries
hold case lot sales but schedule them on different weekends
throughout September. To find out when your commissary is
hosting a sale, visit the special
case lot sale webpage.
VA
Creating 28 New Vet Centers
Week of August 17, 2009
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki
announced Aug. 14 that combat veterans will receive
readjustment counseling and other assistance in 28 additional
communities across the country where the Department of
Veterans Affairs will establish vet centers in 2010. The
community-based vet centers, already in all 50 states, are a
key component of VA's mental health program, providing
veterans with mental health screening and post-traumatic
stress disorder counseling. To learn more,
read the full article on Military.com.
DoD
Launches New Web Portal
The
Department of Defense today launched a new home page,
http://www.Defense.gov ,
designed to invite participation from the public and make
military news and information more accessible.
The new Web site will provide quick
access to those sites that are most sought by Web site visitors,
including DoD social media sites, the Pentagon Channel and DoD
news stories.
Prominent on the new home page is a new “We Want to Hear From
You” feature that will give users the opportunity to ask
questions of Defense Department leaders, vote on policy issues
they want explained, and explore frequently asked questions and
answers. The new site, http://www.Defense.gov
, replaces http://www.DefenseLink.mil
as the department’s main Internet entry portal.
DefenseLink will remain a news Web
site and may be accessed from Defense.gov.
Visit us online:
http://www.defense.gov .
Report Suggests DoD
Ban Tobacco Sales
Week of July 20, 2009
The new report titled "Combating Tobacco in Military and
Veteran Populations" calls for the Department of Defense officials
to set a timeline to eliminate smoking on military installations.
The report also recommends DoD officials stop selling tobacco
products in military commissaries and exchanges and to prohibit
tobacco use anywhere on military installations. The report can be
read online for free at the National Academies Press website. The
DoD officials recently launched the "Quit
Tobacco -- Make Everyone Proud" website, which provides
information and practical help.
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Write Your Elected Officials |
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Repealing
'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'
The White House says President
Barack Obama has begun consulting his top defense advisers on
how to lift a ban on homosexuals openly serving in the
military. |
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Click Here
to
send a letter to your public officials. Let your voice be
heard!
The administration will not say how
soon that might happen or whether experts will be commissioned to
study the issue in-depth, as some Democrats have suggested. The
move enables Obama to say he is making good on his campaign
promise to reverse the law, but does not lock him into doing so
anytime soon. The carefully calculated statement, released this
week by White House spokesman Tommy Vietor, is vague enough to
prevent the hot-button issue from consuming Obama's foreign policy
agenda, which is dominated by ending the Iraq war and salvaging
operations in Afghanistan.
The current policy, based on
legislation passed by Congress in 1993 after fierce debate, states
that gays and lesbians may serve in the military only if they keep
their sexual orientation private. Commanders may not ask, and gay
service members may not tell.
Supporters of lifting the
restriction on openly gay service members contend that the
military - under the strain of fighting two wars - can ill-afford
to exclude any qualified volunteers. Those who oppose agree with
the military’s long-standing argument that open homosexuality in
the ranks would lower morale and jeopardize force readiness.
To learn more, read the following
articles at Military.com:
Retired Leaders Hit 'Don't Ask'
Policy
Why not ask? Why not tell?
Obama Says Repeal of 'Don't Ask'
Possible
Soldier Says Policy on Gays Changing
'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Revisited
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Camp Lejeune's Historic
Drinking Water
The Marine Corps encourages all those who lived or worked at
Camp Lejeune before 1987 to register to receive notifications
regarding Camp Lejeune Historic Drinking Water. Please encourage
family or friends who were at Camp Lejeune during this period to
also join the Notification Registry.
The Department of the Navy is funding two independent research
initiatives. The CDC’s Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease
Registry (ATSDR) is conducting a health study to determine if
there is an association between in-utero exposure to the water and
certain adverse health effects. The National Academy of Sciences’
National Research Council (NRC) has reviewed scientific evidence
on associations between adverse health effects and historical
data.
See website, along with reports, and Register Here. |
Hotline for Vets Considering Suicide
Week of March 23, 2009
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a
24-hour, toll-free suicide hotline that is available to anyone
experiencing a suicidal crisis. When an individual calls in, they
will be able to speak with a professional who will refer the
caller to the nearest crisis center and other mental health
services. Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or visit the
National Suicide Prevention website. To ensure veterans with
emotional crises have round-the-clock access to trained
professionals, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) began
operation of a national suicide prevention hotline for veterans.
Veterans can call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and press "1" to reach the
VA hotline.
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Proposed 2010 Military Pay Charts
President Obama’s
proposed budget 2010 budget includes a 2.9 percent pay increase
for all servicemembers. This proposal is one percent lower than
the 2009 military pay increase. However, considering current
economic conditions this may prove to be a generous increase
when compared to the civilian wage rates.
Military Pay
Update: The House has proposed raising the White House
request by 0.5 percent, upping the 2010 military pay raise
to 3.4 percent.
The next step is for the House of Representatives, the
Senate, and the White House to wrangle over the details. In 2008
Congress increased President Bush ’s military pay raise by 0.5
percent.
This budget process can take several months to work out and
will likely be determined by October 1, 2009. The 2010 military
pay increase will go into effect on January 1, 2010 and will
likely be reflected by the mid-January paydate.
Compare the proposed 2010 Military Pay Raises:
and see what you may be getting next year.
Factors That Affect Military Pay
- The Annual Pay Raise.
- Longevity raises virtually every 2 years (based on the
number of years in service).
- Promotions.
- Basic Allowance for Housing Increases
BAH (based on location).
- Basic Allowance for Subsistence
BAS Increase.
- Cost of Living Allowance
COLA Increase (based on location).
- And
Special Pay(s) (based on occupations: Language Skills,
Combat, Flight, Hazardous Duty).
Find Your Current Military Pay Chart
2009 Active Duty Pay Charts
2009 Guard and Reserve Drill Pay Charts (pdf)
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Senator Introduces Caregiver Legislation
Week of April 20, 2009
The Chairman of the
Veterans' Affairs Committee, recently introduced legislation to
create a permanent program to increase support for veterans'
family caregivers. The Family Caregiver Program Act would
provide the following to family and loved ones caring for
veterans at home: (1) training and certification, (2) access to
VA health care and financial support; and (3) new Travel
Benefits for veterans whose loved ones must travel with them.
How do you
feel about this action? Let your public officials know how you
feel!
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American Legion Members Prepare
Spring Hill House for Soldier
SPRING HILL — In a
straightforward, no-nonsense style befitting an 18-year Army
veteran, Sgt. First Class John Borders detailed some of the
injuries he received in Iraq when a mortar round exploded.
"My legs and left arm
were crushed; my neck was broken; my liver was lacerated; I
suffered some burns and I had shrapnel in my eyes and face. My
right leg was amputated after the surgeons attempted to save it
for several weeks and the infection just kept getting worse."
We can't put the entire
Story here,
but you can read it on the website...
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Wounded Warrior Takes Key VA Post
Week of June 01, 2009
Iraq war amputee and outspoken veterans' advocate Tammy
Duckworth was sworn in Wednesday to be the assistant secretary
for public and intergovernmental affairs with the Department of
Veterans Affairs. Duckworth, a major in the Illinois National
Guard, was shot down over Iraq in 2004 while co-piloting a UH-60
Black Hawk transport helicopter north of Baghdad. She eventually
lost both of her legs from injuries sustained in the attack and
spent 13 months in rehabilitation at Walter Reed Army Medical
Center in Washington, D.C.To learn more,
read the full article on Military.com.
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Reps Look Into VA Care for Female Vets
Week of June 01, 2009
The Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
recently held a roundtable to address and assess the ability of
the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide the right
services to the country's 1.8 million female veterans. The
roundtable format allowed participants from veteran service
organizations, representatives of the VA, and interested
stakeholders to come together to indentify the specific issues
facing female veterans. A list of the participants in the
roundtable discussion is available on the
House Committee on Veterans' Affairs website.
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Remembering Flag Day
Week of June 08, 2009
Every Flag Day, June 14, America recognizes birthday of Old
Glory with its own holiday. In 1885, Wisconsin school teacher B.J.
Cigrand started a grassroots campaign that began with his
students celebrating Flag Day. After nearly 30 years of state
and local celebrations, President Woodrow Wilson made Flag Day
official in 1916. Flag Day became a national observance by an
Act of Congress in 1949 and was signed into law by President
Harry Truman. For more information, including educational
materials, visit the
National Flag Day Foundation website,
USFlag.org, the
Library of Congress website,
and the
Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA)
website.
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American Legion Backs Missing in America
Project
Week of June 08, 2009
Ohio Congressman Pat Tiberi (R-OH) recently introduced a bill
entitled the "Veterans Missing in America Act," which bolsters
an effort backed by The American Legion to respectfully and
reverently inter the unidentified or abandoned remains of
military veterans. In May, 2007, The American Legion formally
endorsed the Missing in America Project (MIAP) - the genesis of
Rep. Tiberi's bill. MIAP volunteers, many of them members of The
American Legion, request records from mortuaries with the aim of
taking custody of abandoned veterans' cremains (cremated
remains) and interring them with military honors. For more
information, visit the
Missing in America
Project website.
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82nd Airborne Seeking Veterans
Week of June 15, 2009
The 82nd Airborne Division Association, Inc. is trying to locate
veterans who have served with the division during the last 66
years to record their deeds for history for the younger
generations. The 82nd Airborne Division is the most decorated
division in today's military. The association has 100 civilian
chapters in the U.S., which serve 34,000 military and civilian
members. For more information, visit the
82 Airborne Division Association website. Are you a veteran
of the 82nd Airborne? Reunite with your buddies on the
Military.com website. |
Free Entry to National Parks
Week of June 15, 2009
Free entry to 147 U.S. national parks will be available three
weekends this summer: June 20-21, July 18-19 and Aug. 15-16. The
National Park Service typically waives entry fees for everyone
on National Public Lands Day (the last Saturday in September)
and for military service people and veterans on Veterans Day,
Nov. 11. But, this is the first time in 20-plus years that the
fees being waived for entire weekends for the public. For more
information, visit the
National Parks Service website.
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Florida Museum Salutes WWII
Week of June 15, 2009
The memory of the Soldiers who fought in D-Day and World War II
is celebrated every day at the Camp Gordon Johnston Museum, 55
miles southwest of Tallahassee, Fla. The museum, founded in
1996, commemorates the Carrabelle Army base where troops were
trained in amphibious warfare for the D-Day assault. The
museum is located on the new City Complex on Gray Avenue in
Carrabelle, Fla. Camp Gordon Johnston opened in 1942 for the
sole purpose of training over a quarter of a million amphibious
Soldiers and their support groups during WWII. For more
information, visit the
Camp Gordon Johnston Association website.
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Wounded Warrior Diaries Help Others
Week of June 15, 2009
The Wounded Warrior Diaries ispart of the Defense Department's
new "Real Warriors" campaign. The Diaries highlight stories of
warriors who admitted they needed help, and after receiving
treatment, are pursuing their military careers. The
Wounded Warrior Diaries are
available.
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June is Men's Health Month
Week of June 15, 2009
To be a good warrior, husband or father, one needs to stay
strong, which means staying healthy. To help with that, the MHS
is observing
Men's Health Month in June. The
purpose of Men's Health Month is to heighten the awareness of
preventable health problems and encourage early
detection and treatment of
disease among men and boys. For more information, visit the U.S.
Department of Defense Military Health System's
Men's Health Month webpage.
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Education Opportunity for Wounded
Warriors
Week of June 22, 2009
The Wounded Warrior Education Initiative allows wounded
Soldiers, on active duty or medically retired, to pursue their
master's degrees at no cost from the University of Kansas.
Wounded warriors are enrolled in courses full time, and those on
active duty are assigned to Fort Leavenworth, Kan. After
graduation, participants serve the Army in either active-duty or
civilian status. Candidates must have a bachelor's degree and
have been wounded in combat to be eligible for the program. They
also must be a part of the Army's Wounded Warrior program. For
more information on the Wounded Warrior Education Initiative,
contact Scott Cox, Career Coordinator with the Army Wounded
Warrior Program, at 703-325-6925. To learn more,
read the full article on Military.com. |
Liberty University Offers Tuition
Discounts to Military
Week of June 22, 2009
In today's economy, you need a degree to complement your
military training. At Liberty University Online, it's easy for
servicemembers, veterans, and military spouses to get an
in-demand education. Benefits including tuition discounts, fee
waivers, free book vouchers and evaluation of military training
for college credit make it possible for you to become a college
graduate on your own schedule.
Find out more about the military benefits at Liberty University
Online! Visit
www.luonline.com today for more information.
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University Offers Free Career Webinar
Week of June 22, 2009
Henley-Putnam University is offering a free webinar "Using
LinkedIn to Advance Your Career in Strategic Security" on
Tuesday, June 30, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. PDT. The webinar will
address how to use LinkedIn to build networks, identify career
opportunities, prepare for job interviews, and gather up-to-date
information about Strategic Security. Those interested in
attending the webinar should
register online. Register soon as space is limited. |
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Annual Clothing Allowance
Week of June 22, 2009
A clothing allowance is paid to a veteran who has a
service-connected disability or a disability that requires he or
she wear or use a prosthetic, orthopedic device, or medication
prescribed by a physician for a service-connected skin condition
that wears out or tears clothing. At the end of July,
computer-generated letters or applications are issued to
veterans whose records are set to require annual
re-determination of a clothing allowance. To be eligible for the
clothing allowance, the veteran must meet the eligibility
requirements by Aug. 1, 2009. The application for the Annual
Clothing Allowance,
VA Form 10-8678. For more information on the annual clothing
allowance, contact your local Veteran Service Officer, VA
Regional Office or visit the
Department of Veterans' Affairs website. |
House Passes Job Security Bill
Week of June 22, 2009
House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA)
recently announced that the House of Representatives passed H.R.
466 -- The Wounded Veteran Job Security Act. H.R. 466 seeks to
expand the protections of the Uniformed Services Employment and
Reemployment Rights Act to include veterans with
service-connected disabilities who seek an excused leave of
absence from work to obtain medical attention. The bill has been
referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs. The text
of H.R. 466 is available on
Military.com's legislative center.
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VA Addresses Homelessness
Week of June 29, 2009
The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH)
met for the first time under the Obama Administration. U.S.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki chaired the
meeting. The mission of the USICH is to coordinate the federal
response to homelessness. Under the Veterans Affairs Supportive
Housing Program (HUD-VASH), HUD will provide housing assistance
through its Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8), which
allows veterans to rent privately owned housing. The VA will
provide clinical and supportive services to eligible homeless
veterans through its health care system. For more information on
Homeless Programs and Initiatives, visit the
Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) website. To learn more,
read the related article on Military.com. |
VA Begins
Stimulus Payments to Veterans
Week of
June 29, 2009
The first $250 payments to veterans as part of
President Obama's recovery plan were sent Monday, and officials at
the Department of Veterans Affairs said all payments will be
distributed by June 30. As part of the recovery plan, VA is making
one-time payments of $250 to eligible veterans and survivors to
offset the effects of the current economy. VA estimates $500
million in payments will be made to approximately 1.9 million
veterans and eligible beneficiaries as part of this measure. To
learn more,
read the full article on Military.com. |
Unknown's Tomb to
be Repaired
Week of July 06, 2009
The Arlington National Cemetery and the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers recently committed to repairing the authentic tomb
monument at The Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National
Cemetery, which is a monument to honor those who do not return
from battle. The monument at the tomb currently shows signs of
wear and tear, including visible cracks. The process of repair
and proper care of the Monument would be similar to the Lincoln
Memorial -- re-grouting the cracks and use of only gentle
cleaning methods instead of high-pressure power-washing. For
more information on the Tomb of the Unknowns, visit the "The Old
Guard"
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier webpage and the Society of the
Honor Guard Tomb of the
Unknown
Soldier website.
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Veterans Benefits
Guide Available
Week of July 06, 2009
The latest edition of VA's
Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors is
now available. The 164-page handbook provides the latest
information on important changes in eligibility for VA medical
care and benefits. It describes other federal benefits,
including education, disability compensation, pension, home loan
guaranty, vocational rehabilitation, life insurance and burial
assistance. This year's edition marks the addition of
"Survivors" to the title as well as details on the Post-9⁄11 GI
Bill signed into law in 2008. Printed copies may be ordered from
the
Government Printing Office at $5 a copy.
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Spreading Good Cheer
Overseas |
Jun 25, 2009 - "Oorah!"
That, as a dozen members of the 2009 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Cheerleaders team are now well aware, is a traditional cry of
greeting or enthusiasm by a U.S. Marine. Apparently, it can
also mean, 'Job well done!'
Meagan Pravden, whose father, grandfather and uncles have all
served in the U.S. military, was recently treated to a rousing
chorus of 'Oorahs!' at Camp Kinser in Okinawa, Japan, as were
her fellow Buccaneer Cheerleaders. The cheerleaders, part of a
traveling troupe participating in an Armed Forces
Entertainment overseas tour, had just concluded a variety show
performance for a large group of Marines, and there was little
doubt it had gone well.
More.... |
How to Lay Old
Glory to Rest
Week of June 29, 2009
We raised our flags September 11, 2001 and flew them proudly.
Our flags stand tall as we leave our mark on foreign soil. Each
year, Americans across the nation unfurl their flags on
Independence Day, Memorial Day, and Flag Day. For some, the
Stars and Stripes decorates their porches all year as a daily
reminder of what it means to be an American.
But what do we do when our flags become tattered and torn, and
can fly no longer?
Find out on Military.com.
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