Tuesday, June 13, 2017

DAV Alert ... Action Needed

On Jun 12, 2017 09:04,

"David W. Riley, DAV National Commander

Over the past several weeks, DAV has received hundreds of inquiries from DAV members and other concerned parties regarding the proposal to eliminate the total disability rating based on Individual Unemployability (IU) benefits for veterans over the age of 62 contained in the President's fiscal year 2018 budget. Specifically, the proposal would terminate existing IU total disability ratings for veterans when they reach the minimum retirement age for Social Security purposes (age 62), or upon enactment of the proposal if the veteran is already in receipt of Social Security retirement benefits. In the May 24 House Veterans' Affairs Committee budget hearing, DAV expressed its strong opposition to this proposal. We are aware that the elimination of these benefits would affect not only the veteran's family income, but other critical ancillary benefits, such as dental coverage, Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance, the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the VA (CHAMPVA), commissary and exchange privileges, and the value of Social Security benefits. Additionally, this will impact access to some state benefits such as property tax exemptions for veteran homeowners, free vehicle registration and free access to state parks.

Please be assured this is a key priority for DAV and we are trying to respond to your phone calls and email messages as quickly as possible. DAV is actively working to educate Capitol Hill lawmakers and the public about the devastating impact this proposal would have upon service-disabled veterans and their families.

Steps DAV has already taken:
Action alert for members: DAV members and their supporters have sent almost 24,000 emails to Members of Congress through the DAV Commander's Action Network, advising them of our strong opposition to the proposal.
Testimony: On May 24, 2017, DAV, along with our Independent Budget (IB) partners, Paralyzed Veterans of American and Veterans of Foreign Wars, testified on the Administration's budget to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs and expressed our opposition to the IU proposal. DAV and its IB parnters will again condemn the IU proposal at a hearing before the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs on June 14^th at 2:30 PM. There will be a live feed of the hearing on that day.
Press Release: The IB veterans service organizations issued a press release concerning our opposition to the President's budget and IU proposal on May 25, 2017.
Planned actions:
OP/ED from DAV Washington Headquarters Executive Director Garry Augustine to be distributed to major media outlets nationwide.
Meetings with Members of Congress to educate them about the negative impact of the IU proposal on veterans and their families.
Letter to House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees and Congressional leadership to highlight the impact of the IU proposal and express our strong opposition to it.
Developing an information sheet for DAV members to use in their own meetings and conversations with elected officials

Please keep in mind this is ONLY a proposal and the start of the budget process. But it is critical we protect our benefits by educating our elected officials about the negative impact this proposal would have on service-disabled veterans and their families. Please send a message to your elected officials to express your views on this important issue. We appreciate your support in our efforts to assure that America's veterans with wartime injuries and illnesses continue to receive all the benefits they are due from a grateful nation.

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Friday, May 26, 2017

VFW Action Corps Update

May 26, 2017

In This Issue:

1. FY 2018 Budget Request for Veterans Affairs

2. FY 2018 Budget Request for Defense

3. Memorial Day 2017

4. VFW Base Visit

5. Veterans Legislation Clears the House and Senate

6. VFW Attends VA IT Roundtable

7. House VA Budget Hearing

8. VA Financial Management Hearing

9. MIA Update

To view this week's edition, click here: http://www.vfw.org/actioncorpsweekly.

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

Thursday, May 18, 2017

Roe, Walz Lead Resolution to Authorize American Legion Centennial Coin

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "House Committee on Veterans' Affairs" <HVACPress@mail.house.gov>
Date: May 18, 2017 15:12
Subject: RELEASE: Roe, Walz Lead Resolution to Authorize American Legion Centennial Coin
To: <Sean.Eagan@gmail.com>
Cc:




For Immediate Release	Contact: Tiffany Haverly
Thursday, May 18, 2017	View Online

Roe, Walz Lead Resolution to Authorize American Legion Centennial Coin

Washington, D.C. - Today, Reps. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.) and Tim Walz (D-Minn.), Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, respectively, introduced a resolution to authorize the creation of a commemorative coin in honor of The American Legion's 100 years of service to America's veterans.

"I'm proud to join Ranking Member Walz and my colleagues in the Senate in honoring The American Legion on their centennial anniversary with the creation of a commemorative coin," said Roe. These coins will serve as recognition of The American Legion's century of service to America's heroes and enable the Legion to continue its work to support the veteran community."

"Over the past 100 years, the American Legion has become universally recognized as one of our nation's most well respected veterans service organizations," said Walz. "The Legion's passion for serving those who have served has earned them the respect and admiration of a grateful nation and it is my great hope that the American Legion Centennial Coin may serve as a token of our deepest gratitude."

"The American Legion is honored that the Congress of the United States introduced legislation to commemorate The American Legion's century of selfless service and great fidelity to our Nation," said Charles E. Schmidt, National Commander of The American Legion. "Since 1919, The American Legion has been committed to defending the Constitution, remembering our fallen, and promoting American values. This coin will memorialize the legacy of millions of veterans across the generations. Thanks to Ranking Member Tim Walz, Chairman Phil Roe, Senator Todd Young and Senator Joe Donnelly for their leadership on this important issue."

The American Legion 100th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act would authorize the U.S. mint to produce a commemorative coin for The American Legion's 100th anniversary of its founding in 1919. The mint would issue the coins for a one-year period beginning January 1, 2019, and proceeds from the sale of the coins would support The American Legion's program and services, which fall under four categories: Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation, National Security, Children and Youth and Americanism.

Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) introduced the Senate version of this legislation on May 18, 2017.

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Thursday, February 16, 2017

Mattis Meets With Turkish Defense Minister in Brussels

Mattis Meets With Turkish Defense Minister in Brussels

02/16/2017 08:19 AM CST

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis meets with Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, Feb. 15, 2017. DoD photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Mattis Meets With Turkish Defense Minister in Brussels

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2017 — In a meeting with his Turkish counterpart on the sidelines of a NATO defense ministers conference in Brussels yesterday, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis recognized Turkey's contributions to the alliance and welcomed a transparent dialogue with an ally facing significant threats -- within and outside its borders, a spokesperson for Mattis said in a statement.

Strategic Partnership

Navy Cmdr. Sarah Higgins said Mattis also assured Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Işik of the support of the United States as a strategic partner in the campaign to counter the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

The secretary and minister agreed to continue their full range of bilateral defense activities and consultations, and to look for ways to further strengthen defense cooperation in the future, Higgins added.

Mattis is in Brussels to attend the defense ministers conference and to meet with partners in the coalition countering ISIS. He also will attend the Munich Security Conference in Germany during this overseas trip.

Related Biographies

Jim Mattis
Jim Mattis

Defense

Saturday, February 11, 2017

Farmer-Veterans Movement Getting Stronger

Farmer Vet Movement Gathering

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Ground Operations" <info@groundoperations.net>
Date: Feb 10, 2017 10:15
Subject: Farmer-Veterans Movement Getting Stronger
To: <sean.eagan@gmail.com>
Cc:

Hundreds gathered at 'United We Farm'

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"United We Farm" Draws 400+ Farmer-Veterans

What a shindig! Last December, we all gathered in Michigan at MSU for three days of stories, camaraderie, connecting and education.The flag bearers marched in to ceremonial drumming from the local Native nation. "Farming as Healing" delivered the results of a V.A. national study, working with 700 members of the Farmer Veteran Coalition, to track the improvements in their physical & emotional health from working in agriculture. Agribility's Col. Cindi Chastain offered tools and farm equipment for veterans with any type of disability. The always-fabulous "Successful Farmers Panel" discussed everything from "finding new ways to sell the same crop vs. diversifying to new crops," to ... how to train your kids into paid-employment vs. chores. The Governmental Partners panel had top leadership from the Dept. of Labor, Small Business Admin. and USDA. AND WE WERE THERE FILMING IT ALL! So stay tuned for the edited videos coming in the next month.

Beginning the conference day with some warrior yoga at dawn.

Kabota Tractors is a key sponsor of the Farmer Veteran Coalition -- and it looked so darned snappy in the dining room. Don't try this at home!

Our heroes!
Michael O'Gorman of the FVC &
Will Allen of Growing Power,
who have both fed a LOT of people

West Virginia Veterans & Warriors to Agriculture Project

"Other than a combat situation, there's nothing that gets me more present-moment than opening a box of 20,000 stinging insects!"

WVU Small Farms Conference
February 12-14

This month they are launching the Homegrown by Heroes label and the WV State Chapter of the Farmer Veteran Coalition.

Applications for 2017

Two separate 10-week courses at the Denver Botanic Garden's Chatfield Farms are scheduled for
May 23 - Aug.3
Aug. 8 - Oct. 13
Two days a week: Tues & Thurs.
7:00am - 3:00pm
Contact: Rich@veteranstofarmers.org

Coming Soon!!
4th Annual

Empowering Women Veterans
May 3-5 in Santa Rosa, CA

Business, Agriculture, Well Being
"I met my soil sisters at this conference, women with like minds." -- Althea Raiford, Gilliard Farm

Register: http://www.farmvetco.org/ewvc/

Steve Acheson, veteran & founder of Peacefully Organic Produce
will be speaking after a screening of Ground Operations
at the

Food + Farms Film Festival
Madison, WI
March 21 @ the High Noon Saloon

A film screening & discussion of Ground Operations spawned another regional group:

Pikes Peak Veterans in Agriculture
Colorado Springs, CO

With upwards of 600 military leaving Fort Carson alone each month, we are serving a need, helping veterans to continue their mission by contributing to the food security of themselves and their communities.

Contact: info@ppvetsinag.org

Help us reach more veterans

Have a community screening with a school, vet center, community group or church near you

Buy a license (click here)

During these politically polarizing times, it is important to find places of convergence, events that can unite disparate groups, programs that uplift and energize us to help one another face an uncertain future. Supporting veterans to do regenerative agriculture is just such a bridge builder. We hope you will consider renting, buying or licensing Ground Operations: Battlefields to Farmfields, and sharing it with those you love as well as those with whom you may disagree on many issues. Good people growing good food unites us all.