DAV

While we fully support the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and believe the VA health care system is the best model of care to treat service disabled veterans, DAV is not satisfied with the state of VA today. VA absolutely must reform from top to bottom and must refocus its work squarely on veterans.

As we reported last week, there are some key reforms that are essential for building a healthy and robust VA health care system for the 21st Century. Congress must commit to provide the VA the resources it needs to modernize, rebuild and sustain its internal capacity to provide timely, high-quality health care. To better serve veterans, VA needs to restructure and consolidate all non-VA care programs into a single integrated Extended Care Network. VA must also realign and expand its health care services to meet the diverse needs of all generations of veterans, beginning with establishing new urgent care centers out in the community, and continue its extended operating hours. Finally, VA must reform its management culture through increased transparency and accountability.

As we previously noted, some elected officials are proposing additional reforms in VA health care that we believe would ultimately weaken the system and move VA in the wrong direction.  We have warned that these types of proposals risk eliminating VA as a direct care provider-and will fracture the care that veterans would be able to find for themselves. Overly simplistic "choice" proposals sound good, unless you are a wounded, injured or ill veteran with complex and specialized medical needs who is left on his or her own to find care in the private sector, equipped only with a card.

DAV needs grassroots support, and your direct experience with VA, to remind Congress-and even your own VA facility, why the VA system is essential and important to you as a disabled veteran.  Most importantly, please tell them we want to ensure veterans have the choice to get all or most of their care from VA, and for VA to have the resources and flexibility to provide coordinated care in the community when necessary.

In Washington, DAV continues to work with our service organization partners, and with the Administration and Congress, to address the problems that have been identified.  We must work together to ensure a viable health care system for ourselves now, and for future generations of disabled veterans.

We hope in these messages that we have been able to convey the seriousness of the situation, what is at stake for you, and for all veterans nationwide.  We are approaching a Presidential election year and it is more important than ever to collectively make our voices heard.  Between now and the November 2016 election, it is likely the future course of veterans health will be decided.  Please let your elected officials know what is important to you as disabled veterans, and what we need, deserve, and expect from our VA.

DAV hopes this information has helped you understand and appreciate why we are steadfast in our belief that VA is a vital national asset to disabled veterans. We recognize that some veterans have had a negative experience at VA and we appreciate you providing us that feedback.
DAV's goal is to ensure VA is reformed and services improved so that all veterans who chose VA are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve and most importantly get the care they need in a timely manner. 

Please join us in this battle.

Click the link below to log in and send your message:
https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/QGpcSSIjPXOFDAXkRIujYQ

Fwd: CVA's Weekly SitRep

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Concerned Vets <info@cv4a-mail.org>
Date: Saturday, July 25, 2015
Subject: CVA's Weekly SitRep
To: sean.eagan@gmail.com

Top Story: Veterans & Military Town Hall with Sen. Rand Paul coming MONDAY!

The Weekly SitRep July 25th, 2015 A weekly Situation Report on CVA's efforts and media.    Veterans and Military Town Hall w/ Sen. Rand Paul - MONDAY in Charleston:  Join Us    CVA's Caldwell Pokes Gaping Holes in Obama's Claims of VA Success  Watch    Campaign Holds Lawmakers Accountable That Voted 'No' on VA Accountability Act  Read    Special Guests Headline Defend Freedom Tour in Sunshine State. 7/30 - 8/1  Register  Augusta VA Official Indicted on 50 Counts of Falsifying Veterans Records The Florida Times Union recently reported that Cathedral Henderson, "the person in Augusta responsible for ensuring that more than 2,700 veterans awaiting approval for care outside the VA were properly handled," has been indicted on 50 cases of "making false statements"-i.e. falsifying veterans' records. "The crime is punishable by a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine."  THE WHOLE STORY Concerned Veterans for America 1405 S Fern St #197 Arlington, VA 22202

This email was sent by: Concerned Veterans For America 1405 S. Fern Street Suite 197 Arlington, VA, 22202-2810, UNITED STATES

Update Profile

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 Sean Eagan

 Life Member VFW NY Post 53
 American Cold War Veterans, Inc.

Web:	http://americancoldwarvets.org/
Blog:	Cold War Veterans Blog
Email:	Sean.Eagan@gmail.com
Phone:	716 720-4000
Network:	My Fast Pitch! Profile

VFW Action Alert: Military Compensation and Retirement

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Ann Markel <amarkel@vfw.org>
Date: Friday, July 10, 2015
Subject: VFW Action Alert: Military Compensation and Retirement
To: Sean Eagan <sean.eagan@gmail.com>

Military Compensation and Retirement Take Action!   Background: Congress established the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission in 2013 to provide the President and Congress with recommendations to modernize the military's compensation system. One of the Commission's recommendations is to provide all service members with a 401(k)-style retirement plan with a government match, and provide retirees with a blended retirement plan – one that has both a defined pension and 401(k)-style plan. Both the House and the Senate have included some version of this plan in their version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) legislation. The differences between these bills are being compromised through a conference committee and will be voted on in the near future. Prior to the Commission's recommendations, Congress authorized a 1-percent reduction in the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for working-age military retirees who enter service after December 2015. This retirement cut would cost service members 10s of thousands of dollars between military retirement and traditional retirement age. This is nothing more than a cost saving measure that will negatively affect future retirees and it must be repealed. Take Action: Contact your Members of Congress and urge them to support an NDAA that provides a retirement plan that will grandfather all currently serving service members in the existing plan if they choose, provide an immediate 1-percent employer contribution to a 401(k)-style retirement plan that can be matched up to 5-percent after two years of service, allows reserve retirees options to receive some portion of their pension at the point of retirement, and does away with the 1-percent COLA penalty.

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 Sean Eagan

 Life Member VFW NY Post 53
 American Cold War Veterans, Inc.

Web:	http://americancoldwarvets.org/
Blog:	Cold War Veterans Blog
Email:	Sean.Eagan@gmail.com
Phone:	716 720-4000
Network:	My Fast Pitch! Profile

OLD GLORY

by Coldc War Veterans Blog on Flickr.

Just follow this link to see and comment on this photo:
https://www.flickr.com/gp/72273096@N04/x1k005

Sent from my iPhone

Carter Pursues Pentagon Innovation at Sun Valley Conference

Carter Pursues Pentagon Innovation at Sun Valley Conference 07/10/2015 04:01 PM CDT Carter Pursues Pentagon Innovation at Sun Valley Conference By Cheryl Pellerin DoD News, Defense Media Activity WASHINGTON, July 10, 2015 - Defense Secretary Ash Carter was in Sun Valley, Idaho, yesterday to attend a meeting of technology business leaders and to pursue, for the Defense Department and the nation, innovation that will take the Pentagon into the future. Capping off his day at the Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference in Sun Valley, Idaho, July 9, 2015, Defense Secretary Ash Carter participates in an interview with CNBC reporter Julia Boorstin. DoD Photo by Glenn Fawcett (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. During the annual Sun Valley Conference -- hosted since 1983 by private investment firm Allen & Co. -- Carter spoke with CNBC reporter Julia Boorstin about what he called "building bridges between the Pentagon and the tech community." Carter called conference attendees the most innovative business leaders in the nation and said he wants the Pentagon to continue to be a very innovative place. "We have the finest fighting force the world has ever known now," the secretary said. "And I'd [also] like to leave to my successors in the future the finest fighting force." Staying Ahead In addition to having the best people, maintaining the finest fighting force means having the best technology and embracing innovation, he added, noting that the only way to stay ahead in today's world is to push the department to change and innovate. Carter said the best way to work with technology companies is to share the expertise of technologists and other experts as part of a two-way street of collaboration and partnership. "Many young technologists are excited by the problems we have to solve to protect our people and build a better world," he said. "What they don't necessarily want to do is be part of the government for their career." To meet this challenge, Carter and his team have created mechanisms by which companies can send their technologists to work in the Pentagon for a time. Solving Important Problems For the department, the secretary said, private-sector technologists can "solve an important problem that they'll remember for the rest of their lives and be proud of, and then go back [to their companies], having learned something from us also." Carter added, "If we can build that two-way street we'll have the best of the tech world available to us in the Department of Defense and we'll give something back ... that experience and the wonderful feeling you get from being part of something that's bigger than yourself." Two-Way Street So far the Pentagon has two such programs and there's another at the White House, Carter said, describing all three. -- As part of the Secretary of Defense Business Fellows, people in the program can work in the secretary's office on high-level problems for a couple of years and then return to their companies, he said. -- The new Defense Innovation Unit-Experimental is a DoD outpost in Silicon Valley that will promote partnerships and help bring innovation to the department, Carter added. -- President Barack Obama established the U.S. Digital Service to bring technologists into the federal workplace for a time to work on important information technology challenges, he said. Security and Vitality The long-term security and vitality of the Defense Department depends on partnerships with industry and -- broadly across the nation -- the education enterprise, including science-technology-engineering-mathematics education. This and other things "go into making what has been for all of our lives and our generation now the most innovative country in the world," Carter said. "We want that to continue so the American dream continues for generations beyond ours," he added. "That's not a defense mission, but defense ultimately depends upon the success of the American dream." Carter was on the first stop of a three-day, three-city trip that today took him to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and tomorrow to Charlotte, North Carolina, where he is scheduled to deliver keynote remarks at the 80th Annual Conference of the National Association of Counties. His speech will be streamed live on defense.gov. (Follow Cheryl Pellerin on Twitter @PellerinDoDNews) Biographies: Ash Carter Related Sites: Special Report: Force of the Future Related Articles: DoD, IT Industry Program Achieves Mutual Benefits Carter Calls Bragg Troops 'Tip of Spear' for New Strategic Era Carter Begins Travel to Idaho, North Carolina   Defense Department News Through Facebook on the DoD News Facebook page, you can post comments and share news, photos and videos on the DoD News Facebook page. Go to https://www.facebook.com/pages/DoD-News/808154485884259 or search for DoD News at Facebook.com. Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time by clicking on your 'User Profile' page at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDOD/subscriber/edit?preferences=true#tab1. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com. Have another inquiry? Visit the online FAQ at http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx for up-to-date information. Get the help you, your family, and fellow service members need, when you need it. Visit www.WarriorCare.mil to learn more. Check out the National Resource Directory at www.nationalresourcedirectory.org, a new web-based resource for wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans, their families, families of the fallen and those who support them from the Departments of Defense, Labor, and Veterans Affairs. This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Department of Defense. Visit us on the web at http://www.defense.gov/. Updates from the U.S. Department of Defense

--

 

 Sean Eagan

 Life Member VFW NY Post 53
 American Cold War Veterans, Inc.

Web:	http://americancoldwarvets.org/
Blog:	Cold War Veterans Blog
Email:	Sean.Eagan@gmail.com
Phone:	716 720-4000
Network:	My Fast Pitch! Profile

VA's Mockery of Disabled Homeless Veterans - Rosebrock ....and Captain K on this continued criminal behavior by the VA Boss McDonald and Cronies. 60 Minutes went so easy on him last Sunday what a puff piece. Not one word on 20K Homeless Vets whose land was stolen and now must continue to suffer as the Rich continue to occupy prime real estate that was set aside and willed to Disabled Vets. Criminal

Fellow Veterans and Friends of Veterans

The insults and mockery imposed against war-injured and homeless Veterans by VA bureaucrats continue to mount.

Recently, VA Secretary McDonald held a secret and private "gate opening" ceremony with Carolina Winston Barrie, a past board member of Veterans Park Conservancy (VPC), and ever since Veterans land has been overrun with the general public -- including dogs.

Now the neighboring children play in a fountain at the so-called "Healing Garden" while their nannies enjoy the shade, all a stone's throw away from where we have requested (and been denied) Emergency Humanitarian Housing for war-injured homeless Veterans who are forced to live homeless and hungry in back-alley squalor.  SEE ATTACHMENT

VPC is one of nine illegal occupants listed in the Federal Judgment that Secretary McDonald secretly vacated in their behalf.

The wealthy homeowner group canceled their own lease but they remain on Federal VA property -- illegally --including illegal signage, even after the Secretary's top legal advisor – Cameron Gore, Esquire -- promised that all VPC signs would be removed from VA property more than two months ago.

The lies, mockery, chicanery, cronyism and insults continue far beyond the days before Mr. McDonald and his fellow charlatans ever set foot on this property.  We once held high trust in them but they have lied and betrayed us repeatedly.

The Secretary's "homeless veteran expert" -- Vince Kane -- helped orchestrate the private gate opening fiasco that is closed every day at 5 PM when homeless Veterans are most vulnerable.

Make no mistake, VPC is well and alive on VA property and they've come through the front gates with the blessings of Secretary Robert A. McDonald under the direction of Carolina Winston Barrie, a so-called "former" member of their board of directors.

Join us this Sunday for our 382nd consecutive Sunday Rally against the biggest land-fraud scandal in American history, compounded by the most heinous crimes against humanity on American soil – against thousands upon thousands of war-injured and impoverished homeless Veterans.

Become a public voice for the voiceless 20,000 disabled homeless Veterans in Los Angeles and demand the firing of Robert A. McDonald as Secretary of the VA.

God Bless America and the Veterans Revolution!

Captain K ... Great observation!  Once again, very well stated -- you're right

on  anne.kamansky@verizon.net writes:

   FIRST.  Federal Regulations as I know them in a pool of water meant for public use must (  a. be chlorinated  and cleaned to OSHA standards- NO SUCH DAILY MONITORING AS THIS IS A DECORATIVE FOUNTAIN- POOL  (b. require signs stating that children under the age of 5 as these are have undergarments that protect this pool of water from feces and urine and other bodily fluids such as saliva in a sick child and OTHER DISEASES - NO SIGNS PRESENT  .  (c. that a lifeguard with appropriate lifesaving certificates be present and if not a sign be posted that the responsibility of care at the pool be that of an adult at all times- NO SIGN PRESENT – CHILDREN CAN DROWN IN 6 INCHES OF WATER FEDS AND DVA ( d. In this drought under State mandate  the CITY OF CLAREMONT, CA .  was required to stop their kiddy pool under current Governors WATER RATIONING  ORDERS .  Why on earth are the Feds ABOVE STATE LAW IN THESE MATTERS RR?  (e.  The fines for WATER  fountains of this order  are in the hundreds of dollars for us COMMION CITIZENS TODAY AS OF JULY 1 IN CALIF.-IS THIS FOUNTAIN NOT  IN CALIF.- GIVE ME A BREAK FEDS- THE CONSTITUTION APPLIES  TO ALL CITIZENS AND RESIDENTS! ( f. It is the duty of the VA Police to INFORCE THESE REGULATIONS AS THEY DID WITH THE OLD VETERAN'S GUARD WITH 1 POUND SIGNS AGAINST A 10 ton fence     AND YOU RR WHEN YOU WENT WITH A REPORTER TO AN ILLEGAL CONSTRUCTION SITE- AS I WITNESSED THE SIGN VIOLATION VA POLICE PRESENCE!  (g.  I ask the VA Police and DVA to follow these FEDERAL OSHA  guidelines and prevent this kind of ILLEGAL BEHAVIOR on OUR veteran's land IMMEDIATELY including citing the nannies who will now come in the many numbers if no action is  taken.  Captain and Cold War I veteran, R.

Fellow Veterans and Friends of Veterans

The insults and mockery imposed against war-injured and homeless Veterans by VA bureaucrats continue to mount.

Recently, VA Secretary McDonald held a secret and private "gate opening" ceremony with Carolina Winston Barrie, a past board member of Veterans Park Conservancy (VPC), and ever since Veterans land has been overrun with the general public -- including dogs.

Now the neighboring children play in a fountain at the so-called "Healing Garden" while their nannies enjoy the shade, all a stone's throw away from where we have requested (and been denied) Emergency Humanitarian Housing for war-injured homeless Veterans who are forced to live homeless and hungry in back-alley squalor.  SEE ATTACHMENT

VPC is one of nine illegal occupants listed in the Federal Judgment that Secretary McDonald secretly vacated in their behalf.

The wealthy homeowner group canceled their own lease but they remain on Federal VA property -- illegally --including illegal signage, even after the Secretary's top legal advisor – Cameron Gore, Esquire -- promised that all VPC signs would be removed from VA property more than two months ago.

The lies, mockery, chicanery, cronyism and insults continue far beyond the days before Mr. McDonald and his fellow charlatans ever set foot on this property.  We once held high trust in them but they have lied and betrayed us repeatedly.

The Secretary's "homeless veteran expert" -- Vince Kane -- helped orchestrate the private gate opening fiasco that is closed every day at 5 PM when homeless Veterans are most vulnerable.

Make no mistake, VPC is well and alive on VA property and they've come through the front gates with the blessings of Secretary Robert A. McDonald under the direction of Carolina Winston Barrie, a so-called "former" member of their board of directors.

Join us this Sunday for our 382nd consecutive Sunday Rally against the biggest land-fraud scandal in American history, compounded by the most heinous crimes against humanity on American soil – against thousands upon thousands of war-injured and impoverished homeless Veterans.

Become a public voice for the voiceless 20,000 disabled homeless Veterans in Los Angeles and demand the firing of Robert A. McDonald as Secretary of the VA.

God Bless America and the Veterans Revolution!

On Jul 2, 2015 10:24 PM, <RRosebrock1@aol.com> wrote:
Captain K ... Great observation!  Once again, very well stated -- you're right on target!

In a message dated 7/2/2015 5:50:50 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, anne.kamansky@verizon.net writes:
   FIRST.  Federal Regulations as I know them in a pool of water meant for public use must (  a. be chlorinated  and cleaned to OSHA standards- NO SUCH DAILY MONITORING AS THIS IS A DECORATIVE FOUNTAIN- POOL  (b. require signs stating that children under the age of 5 as these are have undergarments that protect this pool of water from feces and urine and other bodily fluids such as saliva in a sick child and OTHER DISEASES - NO SIGNS PRESENT  .  (c. that a lifeguard with appropriate lifesaving certificates be present and if not a sign be posted that the responsibility of care at the pool be that of an adult at all times- NO SIGN PRESENT – CHILDREN CAN DROWN IN 6 INCHES OF WATER FEDS AND DVA ( d. In this drought under State mandate  the CITY OF CLAREMONT, CA .  was required to stop their kiddy pool under current Governors WATER RATIONING  ORDERS .  Why on earth are the Feds ABOVE STATE LAW IN THESE MATTERS RR?  (e.  The fines for WATER  fountains of this order  are in the hundreds of dollars for us COMMION CITIZENS TODAY AS OF JULY 1 IN CALIF.-IS THIS FOUNTAIN NOT  IN CALIF.- GIVE ME A BREAK FEDS- THE CONSTITUTION APPLIES  TO ALL CITIZENS AND RESIDENTS! ( f. It is the duty of the VA Police to INFORCE THESE REGULATIONS AS THEY DID WITH THE OLD VETERAN'S GUARD WITH 1 POUND SIGNS AGAINST A 10 ton fence     AND YOU RR WHEN YOU WENT WITH A REPORTER TO AN ILLEGAL CONSTRUCTION SITE- AS I WITNESSED THE SIGN VIOLATION VA POLICE PRESENCE!  (g.  I ask the VA Police and DVA to follow these FEDERAL OSHA  guidelines and prevent this kind of ILLEGAL BEHAVIOR on OUR veteran's land IMMEDIATELY including citing the nannies who will now come in the many numbers if no action is  taken.  Captain and Cold War I veteran, R. Kamansky

From: RRosebrock1@aol.com [mailto:RRosebrock1@aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 02, 2015 4:15 PM
To: rrosebrock1@aol.com
Subject: VA's Mockery of Disabled Homeless Veterans