VFW Washington Weekly

 

May 4, 2012 Defense Bill Update The House Armed Services Committee is set to hold a full-committee markup next week on the fiscal year 2013 National Defense Authorization Act. The bill being considered would set the base defense budget at about $554 billion, about $4 billion above the president's request and $8 billion above the caps set by the Budget Control Act. It is expected that the bill will eliminate the controversial TRICARE fee hikes proposed by the administration, as well as slow the pace of the planned 100,000 active duty troop reduction that will primarily impact the Army and Marine Corps. The bill would also allocate money for an environmental impact study of potential locations along the East Coast for weapons capable of shooting down ballistic missiles. VFW Resolution 405 calls a ballistic missile defense system a national security priority. Camp Lejeune Exposure The House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees joined forces to request that the Administration provide immediate VA healthcare to Camp Lejeune veterans and their families who were exposed to contaminated water over a 30-year period. After receiving correspondence from VA Secretary Eric Shinseki that it was "premature" to provide healthcare to these veterans, House Chairman Jeff Miller (R-Fla.), Ranking Member Bob Filner (D-Calif.), Senate Chairman Patty Murray (D-Wash.), and Ranking Member Richard Burr (R-N.C.) sent a letter to President Obama to plead their case. The VFW will continue to monitor developments. If you or someone you know was stationed at Camp Lejeune during the time of exposure (1957-1987), please contact the VFW. Learn more about the exposure of Camp Lejeune veterans.  Seeking Desert Shield/Storm Veterans  The VA's War Related Injury and Study Center in East Orange, N.J., is asking all Desert Shield/Storm veterans to complete an anonymous online survey to help the VA better understand the problems and needs of first Gulf War veterans. The survey asks for demographic information, deployment experience, physical and mental health problems, and treatments or wellness practices that veterans may or may not be currently using. Complete the survey. Learn more about the VA's War Related Injury and Study Centers.  Promote Veteran Retraining Assistance Program Over the next couple of months, the VFW will continue to raise awareness of a new VA employment training assistance program called the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP), authorized by last year's VOW to Hire Heroes Act. VRAP offers 12 months of training assistance to veterans age 35 to 60. Eligible participants will receive up to 12 months of training assistance at the full-time payment rate under the Montgomery GI Bill–Active Duty program (currently $1,473 per month). The Department of Labor will also offer employment assistance to every veteran who participates or applies to the VRAP program. Learn more about VRAP. Learn more about each of the new programs authorized under VOW. Nine Thousand Marines to Move U.S. and Japanese officials agreed to move 9,000 U.S. Marines off Okinawa to other locations in the Pacific. Approximately 5,000 Marines will head to Guam, with the rest to Hawaii, Australia and possibly California. Approximately 10,000 Marines will remain on Okinawa when the relocation is complete. Read more. Bataan, Corregidor Survivors The VFW Washington Office joined five Bataan and Corregidor survivors last week to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the infamous Bataan Death March. The veterans included past national commanders of the now-disbanded American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor, who traveled to Japan in 2010 and 2011 to receive an official apology from the Japanese government for their maltreatment, and to visit their former POW camps. The five veterans, who represent only about 200 remaining Bataan and Corregidor survivors, are: Dr. Lester Tenney, 92, from San Diego, formerly assigned to Company B, 192nd Tank Battalion, Illinois Army National Guard; Mr. Joseph Alexander, 85, San Antonio, 440th Ordnance Aviation Bombardment Squadron, Army Air Corps; Mr. Donald Versaw, 91, Lakewood, Calif., E Company, 2nd Battalion 4th Marines (China Marines); Mr. Ben Steele, 94, Billings, Mont., 7th Material Squadron, 19th Bomb Group, Army Air Corps; Mr. Roland Towery, 89, Austin, Texas, Battery C, 60th Army Coast Artillery. WWII MIA Identified The Defense POW/Missing Personnel announced the identification of remains belonging to Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Charles R. Moritz, 21, of Effingham, Ill. On June 7, 1944, Moritz, of the 555th Fighter Squadron, was piloting a P-51C Mustang when it collided with another U.S. aircraft while on a training flight over Lincolnshire, England. A witness reported the crash, but officials were not able to recover his remains at the time. Read more.  Was this Washington Weekly forwarded to you by a friend? Sign up to get your own free issue each week. —

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Sean P Eagan
Former Chairman American Cold War Veterans

Life Member Veterans of Foreign Wars
716 720-4000

American Cold War Veterans in the Capitol

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Sean P Eagan

Former Chairman American Cold War Veterans

Life Member Veterans of Foreign Wars716 720-4000

May 1st ACWV Meeting at the Capitol Visitors Center

 

Report Redefines How Care and Services Are Provided to Gulf War Veterans

WASHINGTON (Oct. 21, 2011)- Today, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced that the Department's Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses Task Force has completed the draft of a comprehensive report that will outline how the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) addresses the concerns of Veterans who deployed during the Gulf War in 1990 and 1991.
"This report provides a roadmap for our continued enhancements in our care and services we provide to Gulf War Veterans," said Shinseki. "We will be applying lessons learned from this report to Veterans of all eras."

Notification of the draft written report is published in the Federal Register, and the draft written report addresses seven areas where VA provides services for this group of Veterans.

Over the past year, the task force has examined, evaluated, designated and adjusted the initial roadmap outlined in last year's report. VA has designated steps to improve care and services to Gulf War I Veterans and these improvements are becoming a part of our culture and operations.

This year's report focuses on improvements in the delivery of health care for Gulf War Veterans. One of the most substantial additions is modifications to clinical care models used for Gulf War Veterans, which is the most critical point of service VA provides. There are better linkages between specialty knowledge and services at the basic point of care. Clinical research and development is significantly contributing new concepts and methods to clinical practice and clinical education throughout VA.

Two new positions were established in the Office of Research and Development for deployment and Desert Shield and Desert Storm health-related issues. Both positions have been filled and are enhancing research efforts for Gulf War Veterans and will continue to do so in the coming years.

VA is also strengthening partnerships and medical surveillance to address the potential health impacts on Veterans from the environmental exposures on today's battlefield. Additionally, VA continues to use social media to improve communication with Gulf War Veterans.

The Chairman of the Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses Task Force is John R. Gingrich, chief of staff at VA, a retired Army officer who also served in the Gulf War.

"To ensure we are tracking the needs of our Veterans, we want to get feedback from Gulf War Veterans on this draft report," said Gingrich. "Their feedback is critical to our efforts to understand and serve their specific needs. Therefore, we hope they take advantage of one of the different opportunities to provide feedback that we have created for them."

As a first step, VA is seeking public comments on the draft written report before final publication. The public notice and instructions for how to submit electronic and comments via postal mail will be posted at www.regulations.gov<http://www.regulations.gov>, and the draft written report will be open for comment for 30 days. In addition, VA recognizes that a great number of Gulf War Veterans use the Internet on a daily basis to share their ideas and concerns, so VA has also created a public discussion board on the seven recommendations at: http://vagulfwartaskforce.uservoice.com/. To view the report without making recommendations, please visit VA's website at http://www.va.gov/opa/publications/Draft_2011_GWVI-TF_Report.pdf.

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Sean P Eagan

Former Chairman American Cold War Veterans

Life Member Veterans of Foreign Wars
716 720-4000

May DAV Newsletter

Dear Friend,

For those who have lost a friend or loved one in war, the pain is a bright hurt that glows each and every day. Yet on Memorial Day, we feel this pain as one nation.

As the memory of our fallen war heroes comes alive in your heart, I ask you to honor them by caring for those who have recently come home wounded.

In Solemn Remembrance of Their Sacrifice,

Arthur H. Wilson, National Adjutant,
Disabled American Veterans

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"Super Trooper" Enlists as DAV's Newest Volunteer 

Known for the character he plays in the film Super Troopers, Erik Stolhanske is carving out a new role as a DAV advocate and volunteer. Born without a fibula, Erik says amputee service members inspired him to live with confidence. Today Erik pays back this gift by visiting troops and veterans recovering from wounds.

DAV and Veteran Win Battle for Benefits

It was shared tenacity that helped the DAV and Air Force veteran Marlene Crespo win the military benefits she earned. Today, that teamwork continues as Marlene helps fellow veterans through the DAV: "I have the DAV's National Service Office number on speed dial. Like the DAV, I go above and beyond in helping other veterans."

Secretary Pledges to Make Good on VA's Promises

The DAV applauds the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) Eric Shinseki for his continued commitment to our veterans. At the recent Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic, General Shinseki outlined the VA's key priorities and pledged to make good on promises to troops and veterans: "The nation honors and appreciates their service. It has not forgotten, and it will not forget."

DAV Supports Veterans History Project

World War II Navy veteran Peter Violante carries a unique piece of history in his memory: an account of landing on Normandy Beach two days after the invasion. Thanks to the DAV's proud support of the Veterans History Project, stories like Peter's are being preserved for future generations.

Honor the Fallen, Care for the Wounded

On this Memorial Day, we mourn loss that can never be regained and debts that can never be repaid. Yet as we render a heartfelt salute to the fallen, their disabled brothers and sisters also stand in our midst. Lead the charge to care for those who are living with the wounds of war as you make your Memorial Day gift of of $25 … $50 … $100 or more now

Warrior Recovery Center

USO Mission Briefing
To:	USO Supporter
From:	Sloan Gibson
Re:	Warrior Recovery Center
MISSION:	To bring our programs and services to the new Warrior Recovery Center in Kandahar, Afghanistan. This space is strategically positioned to provide immediate support and encouragement to our warriors wounded on the field of battle.
GOAL:	Raise $300,000 in the next three days for our wounded warriors. In addition to the new Warrior Recovery Center, we'll be supporting USO programs that provide a full range of services to our wounded, ill and injured troops and their families.
YOUR ROLE:	Make a tax-deductible donation today -- and it will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to the $150,000 limit. Your generous donation could have twice the impact if you donate before the May 4 Healing With Honor Matching Gift Fund deadline. Please give as generously as possible.
Support Our Troops

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Sean P Eagan