Veterans with Disabilities to TEE Off in Iowa

Strengthening Self-Esteem Through Adaptive Golf

WASHINGTON (August 25, 2010)- Nearly 200 military Veterans are
registered to tee-off in a unique golf tournament in Riverside, Iowa,
September 6 - 9, 2010, proving that having a visual impairment or other
disability does not mean they cannot lead a full and rewarding life.

"These Veterans, many of whom were injured during their military
service, will show that being involved in athletic activity can continue
regardless of disability," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K.
Shinseki. "I applaud all of the Veterans who will be traveling from
across the country to participate in this event, as they strive to
achieve their goals and continue to lead an active lifestyle."

The National Veterans TEE (Training, Exposure, and Experience)
Tournament provides visually impaired Veterans and those with other
disabilities the opportunity to develop new skills and strengthen their
confidence through adaptive golf as well as bowling and other
recreational sports activities.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) endorsed this important event in
2008 and it became one of VA's six national rehabilitation programs for
Veterans. Initially a local program, the first Tournament was held in
1994 in Nauvoo, Ill, and was attended by 36 legally blind Veterans from
six Midwestern states. In 1995, the event was moved to the Iowa City
area. Now in its 17th year, the Tournament has expanded to include not
only Veterans who are legally blind, but also amputees, those who use
wheelchairs and Veterans with other disabilities.

This year's event will take place at various golf courses in and around
Riverside, Iowa, including the Lake MacBride, Quail Creek, West Liberty,
Elks Country Club and Blue Top Ridge golf courses. The bowling events
will take place at Colonial Lanes in Iowa City.

Participation is open to U.S. military Veterans who are visually
impaired or have other disabilities including amputations, traumatic
brain injuries, certain neurological conditions and spinal cord
injuries. The participants receive care at VA medical facilities across
the nation, and many utilize VA's comprehensive visual impairment
services. Nearly 300 volunteers from the local VA Medical Center in Iowa
City and surrounding area will assist at this event.

VA is an unmatched health care leader in rehabilitation, with an
impassioned commitment to serve all our Nation's heroes, men and women,
past and present. The Tournament is hosted by the Iowa City VA Medical
Center, with sponsorship support provided by Help Hospitalized Veterans
and other organizations.

For more information about the National Veterans TEE Tournament or to
volunteer during the week, visit the Web site at www.tee.va.gov.

# # #

Attention Cold War Vets A Message from Belladonna Productions About Divided the Movie

Belladonna Productions would first like to thank you for your commitment and
service to this country, especially during the Cold War. Our film DIVIDED,
by writer/director Michael Johnson, concerns the events that transpired in
Berlin during the Cold War, specifically during the first days of the
construction of the Berlin Wall. The film's events involve not just German
residents, but also American GIs stationed in West Berlin as well.

DIVIDED is the story of a love-triangle set in Berlin during the first days
of the Berlin Wall. During the overnight construction of the Berlin Wall, a
young woman makes it across the closing border, but her husband is left
behind in the east. The dilemma unfolds when she falls in love with the
American GI she enlists to bring her husband to the west.

Michael Johnson's father, in fact, was a GI stationed in West Germany and
met Michael's mother, a true Berliner, after she escaped to the West. The
film is inspired by Michael' story, and he himself lived all his childhood
in West Berlin shadowed by the wall. He has spoken to GIs and MPs and has
done extensive research on accounts by refugees that crossed the border
during this time. Many scenes in the film were inspired by real events.

We are spreading the word about the film to people, such as members of
blogs, communities, Facebook groups, etc.--those who may have ties or can
relate to the circumstances of those events then and those that followed.
We're encouraging people, residents and soldiers alike, to get involved by
posting and sharing stories, pictures, etc. on our Facebook fanpage
<http://www.facebook.com/pages/Divided/170513009784?ref=search>. Most
importantly, DIVIDED's website <www.dividedmovie.com> provides everyone with
a chance to truly get involved and contribute to the literal making of the
film by sponsoring frames for $14 each in return for all kinds of cool
rewards including a download of the film and invitations to gala screenings.
We are also looking for investors for the film.

DIVIDED is being produced by Linda Moran and Rene Bastian of Belladonna
Productions ("LIE", "Transamerica", "A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints",
"Mulberry Street", "Funny Games"). The film is currently in development and
we are hoping to shoot the movie in Berlin later in early 2011.

Thank you very much for giving us the opportunity to share our film project
with, and we hope you'll want to get involved in our journey.

Sincerely,

René Bastian and Linda Moran, Producers
http://www.dividedmovie.com/index.php
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Divided/170513009784?ref=ts

VA To Enhance Patient Care

Indianapolis (August 24, 2010) - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
today announced a new pilot in the Indianapolis region that will improve
the delivery of Veterans health information.  The Richard L. Roudebush
VA Medical Center in Indianapolis will partner with the Indiana Health
Information Exchange (IHIE), the largest health information exchange
organization in the United States, to securely exchange electronic
health record (EHR) information using the Nationwide Health Information
Network.

"This pilot is one more step taken to deliver a Virtual Lifetime
Electronic Record for our Nation's Veterans and Servicemembers," said
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.  "This new technology
allows safer, more secure, and private access to electronic health
information, which, in turn, enhances our ability to continue providing
Veterans with the quality care that they have earned."

 VA will invite Veterans who receive health care from VA and from
selected hospitals and providers in the Indianapolis area to sign up for
the pilot, with the understanding that their information will not be
shared without their authorization.  Veterans who participate will
enable their public and private sector health care providers and doctors
to share specific health information electronically, safely, securely
and privately.

The pilot is planned to run through 2012 with the goal of advancing EHRs
for VA and other community providers.

Led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Nationwide
Health Information Network provides a technology "gateway" to support
interoperability standards and a legal framework for the secure exchange
of health information between treating physicians, when authorized by a
patient.  Clinicians from the participating organizations can share
authorized patient data electronically, securely, and privately,
ensuring around-the-clock access to critical health information.  This
immediate electronic access supports increased accuracy, efficiency, and
safety.  It also helps to avoid redundant care and testing.

Since more than half of America's Veterans and active duty
Servicemembers receive some portion of their health care outside of VA
or Department of Defense facilities, interoperability between federal
agencies and the private sector is essential to provide the best care
for Veterans, Servicemembers, and their dependents.

IHIE is made up of collaborative partnerships with Regenstrief
Institute, private hospitals, insurers, local and state health
departments, and other health care organizations that impact more than
60 hospitals providing care to more than 6 million patients.

A national effort is underway to promote the important use of EHRs.

www.HopeForTheWarriors.gov

Hope For The Warriors
Wed, 18 Aug 2010 09:04:15 -0500

''Hope For The Warriors'' has released its Spring 2011 scholarship application. Visit www.HopeForTheWarriors.gov for the application and eligibility requirements.

VFF PAC Update

Vets for Freedom PAC members,

This week, Vets for Freedom PAC is proud to introduce a new member to the team--former Army Captain Flagg Youngblood. As the PAC Director, Flagg will be charged with doing everything possible to help elect our conservative Iraq and Afghanistan veterans to Congress this November.

Flagg Youngblood

Flagg brings a wealth of both military and civilian experience to VFF-PAC. Before joining us, Flagg served as Director of Military Outreach for Young America's Foundation, advocating for military recruiters on college campuses and fighting for student access to ROTC.

Militarily, Flagg served in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from 2003-2004, commanding a security task force for Travis Air Force Base and Moffett Field in northern California. Previously, he served with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment from 1998-2000. Originally from Nashville, Tennessee, Flagg is a 1997 graduate of Yale and the University of Connecticut's ROTC.

Flagg will be interfacing with VFF-PAC's "Operation 10-in-10" campaigns, most urgently with our two remaining primaries--Captain Kevin Calvey (OK-5) and Captain Jonathan Paton (AZ-8). Both warriors are in tight GOP primaries next week (August 24), and operations are ongoing for both campaigns down the homestretch.

Click here to give VFF-PAC the ammunition needed to ensure both Calvey and Paton can fight on towards November.

We need your help. Donate today. Entrenched Washington interests are stacked up to beat these veterans, and we must fire back with everything we've got. Join Flagg & VFF-PAC in the fight today!

Move out and draw fire,

Pete Hegseth
Iraq War veteran

Storm The Hill

Dear Sean,

Many Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are struggling, and what is Congress doing about it? They're going on vacation.

Our lawmakers have checked out for the summer, but the urgent issues facing vets remain. Military suicides are skyrocketing, unemployment is up, the VA disability backlog is at an all-time high, and the New GI Bill needs to be upgraded. And Washington is going on summer break.

But we're not. And Congress is going to find out just what that means when our Summer Storm hits Capitol Hill. Over the next few weeks, with your help, we're pushing hard for reform in three key areas, in three phases.

First, we're focused on upgrading the New GI Bill by asking Congress to support H.R. 5933. Once the GI Bill is squared away, we'll tackle the disability claims process. When that's done, we'll shift our focus towards getting jobs for vets.

It's going to take a lot of work, and we don't have a lot of time.

Watch this quick video and find out how a few minutes of your day will complete the first phase of the Summer Storm: upgrading the New GI Bill.

Watch the video here.

New vets are tired of campaign promises and yellow ribbons. We need politicians on Capitol Hill to take immediate action to truly support Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.

Just five minutes of your time can make a huge difference. Click here to join the IAVA Summer Storm and help us make a real impact. And be sure to check back often to see the progress we make over the next few weeks.

Thanks for always having our back.

Todd

Todd Bowers
Deputy Executive Director
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)