VFW MEN'S AUXILIARY NV POST 10047: 2016

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

THE EARLY BRIEF

27 December 2016

Japanese Leader to Make 1st Official Visit to Pearl HarborPresident Obama will escort Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to the Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor Tuesday.Read More

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

W: Nevada Attorney General, Office of Military Legal Assistance

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Please note: forwarded message attached
From: Pamela Roberts <robertsp@veterans.nv.gov>
To: Pamela Roberts <robertsp@veterans.nv.gov>
Subject: FW: Nevada Attorney General, Office of Military Legal Assistance
Date: Wed, 21 Dec 2016 07:10:21 -0800

FYI and to share….

From: Gray, Virginia D. [mailto:Virginia.Gray@va.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2016 3:53 PM
ToSubject: Nevada Attorney General, Office of Military Legal Assistance

FYI for your constituents:

The State of Nevada is providing Free Legal Assistance for Veterans, Friday, January 27, 2017 from 10am to 2pm, in the VA Medical Center Auditorium and again on Saturday, January 28, 2017 in the American Legion Post 40, 425 E. Wagenen Street, Henderson, NV, from 10am to 2pm.

Please promote to your chapters and posts; free services provided are:

Family Law Bankruptcy

Landlord/Tenant/Public Benefits

Consumer Law/Protection

Veteran’s Benefits

Wills

Power of Attorney

For more information, please call 775-684-1100.

Thank you,

Virginia D. Gray

Congressional & DoD Liaison

VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System

6900 North Pecos Road 3H314

North Las Vegas, NV 89086

(702) 791-9006 Ext 19006

(702) 791-9116 Fax

Virginia.Gray@va.gov

Friday, December 16, 2016

VFW Action Corps Weekly, December 16, 2016

Today, 10:20 AM

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December 16, 2016

This is the last issue of the year. The next Action Corps Weekly will be on January 6, 2017.

In This Issue:

1. Congress Passes Major Veterans Bill

2. National Defense Authorization Act Clears Congress

3. Military BAH Rates Set To Increase

4. Army VSO/MSO Roundtable

5. SECAF Holds Facebook Town Hall

6. WWI Centennial Commission

7. MIA Update

1. Congress Passes Major Veterans Bill: This week Congress sent major veterans legislation to the president for his signature. H.R. 6416, the Jeff Miller and Richard Blumenthal Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2016, included numerous provisions related to several VFW resolutions. The bill expands eligibility for grave marker medallions to be issued by VA to include those veterans who died before November 1990. Another section of the bill provides for researching how the health of children of veterans exposed to toxic substances is impacted. Changes that make uniform the definition of homelessness were also included in the bill. These important provisions were 2016 Priority Goals for the VFW and their enactment into law would fully accomplish VFW Resolution 620, and partially accomplish Resolutions 619 and 621 which were approved at the 117th VFW National Convention. Additional legislation to require VA to pilot a self-scheduling program, to authorize VA to partner with non-governmental agencies to finance VA facilities, and to pay back money withheld from veterans discharged after January 17, 1991 who received severance pay also cleared Congress and awaits the president’s signature. This concludes the 114th Congress. The VFW looks forward to working with the 115th Congress to ensure the VFW’s 2017 Priority Goals are accomplished. To view the VFW’s 2017 Priority Goals, visit: www.vfw.org/advocacy/national-legislative-service.

2. National Defense Authorization Act Clears Congress: Legislation providing $618.7 billion and a 2.1 percent pay raise for the military cleared Congress and was sent to the White House this week. The bill also includes a number the VFW’s 2016 Priority Goals, such as requiring DOD to formulate a process by which veterans who received Less-Than-Honorable discharges due to misconduct resulting from the effects of Post-traumatic stress disorder, Military sexual trauma (MST) and Traumatic brain injury are given a fair shake when appealing for discharge upgrade; calculating the military retirement owed to a former spouse based on the rank at time of divorce instead of at time of retirement; and improved reporting and treatment of service members who are victims of MST. The passage of this important bill also fully accomplishes VFW Resolutions 416 and 418 and partially accomplishes Resolution 410, which were approved at the 117thVFW National Convention.

3. Military BAH Rates Set To Increase: This week, the Pentagon announced that there will be a 2.4 percent increase to the Basic Allowance for Housing it pays service members. The average increase will be $41 per month, which is also dependent on the rank of the service member and whether they have dependents. While not all regions will see an increase, there will be no decrease for those living in a region that does not get an increase. Further, this marks the third of a five-year plan that will increase the amount of burden that the service member would be responsible for when paying for housing. In an attempt to reduce personnel costs –– something directly caused by sequestration –– the average service members will have to pay three percent of housing costs out-of-pocket in a design which will increase to 5 percent by fiscal year 2019. The VFW continues to be strongly opposed to this plan as part of our larger opposition to sequestration. For more information on the BAH rate increase, go to: http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/news.cfm?ID=73.

4. Army VSO/MSO Roundtable: The VFW participated in a veteran and military service organization roundtable on Wednesday with Under Secretary of the Army Patrick Murphy, who was joined by senior officials from Manpower, Force Development, Army Review Board, Army Wounded Warrior Program and Soldier for Life. Discussions focused on the “Meet Your Army” campaign, discharge review boards, “Soldier 2020” gender integration, the future of the force and transition topics.

5. SECAF Holds Facebook Town Hall: Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James held a Facebook town hall on Dec. 12 to discuss concerns expressed during the October Air Force Spouse and Family Forum. Topics included the hiring of additional family support coordinators; an increase in respite care hours allowed under the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP); quarterly EFMP-related webcasts starting Jan 12; an increase in months of leave without pay available to spouses during moves; the expansion of parental leave per the 2017National Defense Authorization Act; and additional steps being taken to address other childcare and spouse employment challenges. Read more at:http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/1027513/secaf-shares-developments-with-spouse-and-family-programs-at-townhall.aspx

6. WWI Centennial Commission: The World War I Centennial Commission was created by Congress to commemorate America’s significant role during the “war to end all wars,” as well as the subsequent rebuilding of war-torn Europe afterwards. Approximately 4.7 million American men and women served during World War I, with 2 million deploying “over there.” Sadly, 116,516 paid the ultimate price. The commission is engaging with communities across the nation, partnering with the History Channel and the Smithsonian museums, and designing a new National World War I Memorial in Washington, D.C. The VFW is fully supportive of commission initiatives, which include naming Quartermaster General Debra Anderson as a commissioner, identifying those Posts that are named after fallen WWI soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines, publicizing America’s contributions in the VFW magazine, and supporting the 100 Cities/100 Memorials matching grant challenge. Learn more at:http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php.

7. MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced the identification of remains of 12 Americans who had been missing in action from World War II and Korea. Returning home for burial with full military honors are:

-- Navy Seaman 2nd Class Floyd F. Clifford was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored off Ford Island in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, when Japanese aircraft attacked his ship on Dec. 7, 1941. Clifford was one of 429 crewmen killed in the attack. Interment services are pending. Read more at: http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/1030547/sailor-missing-from-world-war-ii-identified-clifford/.

-- Navy Fireman 3rd Class Kenneth L. Holm was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored off Ford Island in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, when Japanese aircraft attacked his ship on Dec. 7, 1941. Holm was one of 429 crewmen killed in the attack. Interment services are pending. Read more at: http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/1030832/sailor-missing-from-world-war-ii-identified-holm/.

-- Navy Seaman 1st Class Harold W. Roesch was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored off Ford Island in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, when Japanese aircraft attacked his ship on Dec. 7, 1941. Roesch was one of 429 crewmen killed in the attack. Interment services are pending. Read more at: http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/1030550/sailor-missing-from-world-war-ii-identified-roesch/.

-- Navy Yeoman 3rd Class Edmund T. Ryan was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored off Ford Island in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, when Japanese aircraft attacked his ship on Dec. 7, 1941. Ryan was one of 429 crewmen killed in the attack. Interment services are pending. Read more at: http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/1026982/sailor-missing-from-world-war-ii-identified-ryan/.

-- Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Byron H. Nelson was a nose gunner aboard an American B-24G Liberator bomber with the 721st Bomb Squadron, 450th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force. During a bombing run near Varese, Italy, on April 25, 1944, Nelson’s aircraft and two others were separated from the formation due to dense clouds and later attacked by German fighters. Of the 10 crewmen, six parachuted from the aircraft and escaped capture, two parachuted and were captured by German forces, and two perished in the crash. Nelson was reported to be one of the two who perished. Interment services are pending. Read more at: http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/1027977/airman-missing-from-world-war-ii-identified-nelson/.

-- Army Air Forces Capt. Albert L. Schlegel, of Cleveland, Ohio, disappeared Aug. 28, 1944, while piloting his P-51D Mustang on a ground strafing mission near Strasbourg, France. In his final communication, the fighter “ace” radioed he’d been hit by heavy anti-aircraft fire and would need to bail out. Interment services are pending. Read more at:http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/1027011/airman-missing-from-world-war-ii-identified-schlegel/.

-- Army Cpl. Gerald I. Shepler was the lead scout on a reconnaissance patrol for Company K, 3rd Battalion, 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, near Hajoyang-ni, North Korea, when his patrol was ambushed by enemy forces. Shepler was unaccounted for after the mission, and the U.S. Army declared him deceased on Nov. 29, 1950. Interment services are pending. Read more at: http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/1027031/soldier-missing-from-korean-war-identified-shepler/.

-- Army Sgt. Homer R. Abney was a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, when his unit was engaged in heavy fighting with Chinese forces on the road from Kunu-ri to Sunch’on, North Korea — later named “The Gauntlet.” After several days of fighting, his regiment declared Abney missing on Nov. 30, 1950. Interment services are pending. Read more at: http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/1027019/soldier-missing-from-korean-war-identified-abney/.

-- Army Cpl. James T. Mainhart served with Company I, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, part of the 31st Regimental Combat Team deployed east of the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. The RCT was attacked by an overwhelming number of Chinese forces in late November, 1950. Mainhart was among 1,300 members of the RCT killed or captured in enemy territory. He was reported missing as of Nov. 30, 1950. Interment services are pending. Read more at: http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/1027973/soldier-missing-from-korean-war-identified-mainhart/.

-- Army Cpl. Edward Pool was reported missing in action on Nov. 30, 1950, while serving with 31st Heavy Mortar Company, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. His unit was part of the 31st Regimental Combat Team deployed east of the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. Pool could not be accounted for after several days of intense fighting. Interment services are pending. Read more at: http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/1027047/soldier-missing-from-korean-war-identified-pool/.

-- Army Cpl. Jules Hauterman was a medic with the Medical Platoon, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, attached to the 31st Regimental Combat Team deployed east of the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. The RCT was attacked by an overwhelming number of Chinese forces in late November, 1950. Mainhart was among 1,300 members of the RCT killed or captured in enemy territory. He was reported missing as of Dec 2, 1950. Interment services are pending. Read more at: http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/1030834/soldier-missing-from-korean-war-identified-hauterman/.

-- Army Cpl. George A. Perreault was part of Support Force 21, assigned to Headquarters Battery, 15th Field Artillery Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, near the Central Corridor in South Korea. While supporting Korean-led attacks on Chinese forces, they were caught in a massive Chinese counterattack on Feb. 11, 1951. Perreault was declared missing on Feb. 13, 1951.Interment services are pending. Read more at: http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/1029293/soldier-missing-from-korean-war-identified-perreault/.

To sign up new veterans’ advocates, click here: http://capwiz.com/vfw/mlm/signup.htm.

As always, we want to hear your advocacy stories. To share your stories or photos with us, simply email them directly to vfwac@vfw.org.

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Monday, May 23, 2016

FW: VFW Action Corps Weekly, May 13, 2016

Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.

Subject: VFW Action Corps Weekly, May 13, 2016
From: amarkel@vfw.org
Date: Fri, 13 May 2016 14:27:55 -0400

VFW Action Corps Weekly, May 13, 2016

May 13, 2016

In This Issue:

1. House Hearing on Veteran Suicide

2. Senate Hearing on Tribal Veterans Health Care Bill

3. House Passes Veterans Bills

4. Senate Advances Veterans Omnibus

5. House Advances Key Bills

6. Changes to Spina Bifida Program

7. Take the Military Family Survey

8. MIA Update

1. House Hearing on Veteran Suicide: The House Veterans' Affairs Committee held a hearing on Thursday to discuss veteran suicide. Topics highlighted during the hearing were data gathering and analysis, better staffing of mental health providers, expansion of peer support programs, timeliness of patient care and outreach. The committee strongly highlighted the need to increase mental health staff within VA, as well as shorten the amount of time required to hire these health care providers. VA representatives discussed what they are doing to improve the Veterans Crisis Hotline as well as expand peer support specialist programs. VA also explained that they have been conducting research to better understand veteran suicide, not just as whole, but within subpopulations based on gender and age. The epidemiology department of VA has been working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as DOD to analyze data for all veterans dating back to 1979. Results should be published mid-summer which should help not only VA, but the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees make forward moving decisions on how to better prevent veteran suicide and improve mental health treatments.

To view a video of the hearing, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dd3vAyJeKfM.

2. Senate Hearing on Tribal Veterans Health Care Bill: On Wednesday, the Senate Indian Affairs Committee held a hearing to discuss the Tribal Veterans Health Care Enhancement Act, which would require the Indian Health Service (IHS) to cover the copayments VA charges Native American veterans who have been referred to VA medical facilities by the IHS for non-service connected conditions. The bill's sponsor, Senator Thune, explained that IHS covers the copayments of Native American veterans who are referred to private sector providers, but not VA providers. This bill would correct this inequity. Santee Sioux Nation Chairman Roger Trudell discussed the barriers Native American veterans are required to overcome when receiving the health care and benefits they have earned. To view a video of the hearing, visit: http://www.indian.senate.gov/hearing/legislative-hearing-receive-testimony-following-bills-s-2417-s-2842.

3. House Passes Veterans Bills: This week the House passed two veterans bills which would curb VA's use of opioid prescriptions to treat and manage chronic pain, and would enable service members with military emergency medical technician (EMT) training to leverage their military training to streamline the process for state certification and licensure as an EMT. The bills now await consideration by the Senate. While the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee has advanced its version of the Jason Simcakoski PROMISE Act, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee has yet to consider the Veteran Emergency Medical Technician Support Act of 2015. Stay tuned to the Action Corps Weekly for updates.

4. Senate Advances Veterans Omnibus: On Thursday, the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee advanced a veterans omnibus bill, the Veterans First Act, which includes a number of important provisions the VFW strongly supports, including expansion of the Caregivers Program to pre-9/11 veterans, expansion of the Yellow Ribbon Program to Fry Scholarship beneficiaries and authorization for research on the health effects toxic exposures may have on the descendants of exposed veterans. This bill would also curb VA's use of high dose opioids to treat and manage chronic pain and improve accountability of VA employees who put veterans' lives at risk. The VFW looks forward to working with the Senate to secure the swift passage of this important bill. For a summary of the bill, visit: http://www.veterans.senate.gov/newsroom/majority-news/isakson-blumenthal-unveil-groundbreaking-veterans-legislation-to-change-culture-at-va.

5. House Advances Key Bills: On Wednesday, the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittees on Economic Opportunity and Disability Assistance & Memorials Affairs each held markups to advance several pieces of legislation to the full committee. They included bills that would increase accountability for VA employee relocation and travel, encourage veteran hiring in the private sector, improve oversight of the GI Bill, authorize a cost of living allowance for 2017, provide an extra month of benefits to families following a veteran's death, and provide special compensation for veterans who lose or lose the use of creative organs in the line of duty. The VFW supports each of these measures. Stay tuned to the Action Corps Weekly for updates as they continue to move through the House.

6. Changes to Spina Bifida Program: This week, VA implemented changes to health care and services it covers for certain children of Vietnam War and Korean DMZ veterans born with spina bifida. Starting this week, Spina Bifida Program beneficiaries are eligible to receive homemaker or home health aide services that provide assistance with daily living activities or instrumental activities of daily living that have therapeutic value. VA has also made changes to the list of health care services that require preauthorization. For more information on these changes, contact the Spina Bifida Health Care Benefits Program General Information at 888-820-1756. You can also read more at: http://www.va.gov/purchasedcare/programs/dependents/spinabifida/.

7. Take the Military Family Survey: Blue Star Families has asked the VFW to help distribute their 2016 Military Family Lifestyle Survey to active duty, Guard, Reserve and veteran families. The data collected provides real-time feedback from military members and families on issues ranging from operations tempo to pay and benefits, stress, caregiving and employment. The survey closes on May 31. Take it online now at: https://syracuseuniversity.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_73C1hBjjOK1eky9&RID=MLRP_1ZzNbz37XAfCy5T&Q_CHL=email.

8. MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced the identification of remains of four American servicemen who had been missing in action since World War II and Korea. All will be buried with full military honors. Returned home are:

-- Navy Ensign William M. Finnegan, 44, of Bessemer, Mich., Ensign John C. England, 20, of Alhambra, Calif., and Chief Petty Officer Albert E. Hayden, 44, of Mechanicsville, Md., had been missing since Dec. 7, 1941, when the battleship USS Oklahoma they were aboard suffered multiple torpedo hits and capsized as it was moored off Ford Island in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Hayden will be buried May 18 in Morganza, Md.

-- Army Sgt. Billy J. Williams, 20, of Madisonville, Texas, will be buried May 17 in Madison County, Texas. On Feb. 14, 1951, Williams was assigned to 2nd Reconnaissance Company, 2nd Infantry Division, when his company was attacked by Chinese forces in the vicinity of Chuam-ni, North Korea. He was declared missing in action after the battle. It would be later learned he had been captured, but died in captivity in April 1951.

To sign up new veterans' advocates, click here: http://capwiz.com/vfw/mlm/signup.htm.

As always, we want to hear your advocacy stories. To share your stories or photos with us, simply email them directly to vfwac@vfw.org.

If you no longer wish to receive e-mail from us, please click here.

Friday, May 6, 2016

FW: VFW Action Corps Weekly, May 6, 2016

Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.

Subject: VFW Action Corps Weekly, May 6, 2016

From: amarkel@vfw.org
Date: Fri, 6 May 2016 13:38:07 -0400

VFW Action Corps Weekly, May 6, 2016

May 6, 2016

In This Issue:

1. Progress, Promise, and Challenges in U.S. Veterans' Health Policy

2. VA Expands MyVA Communities

3. New Director of Center for Women Veterans

4. New Military Sexual Assault Report

5. Take the Military Family Survey

6. Invictus Games Begin This Weekend

7. V-E Day Commemoration

8. MIA Update

1. Progress, Promise, and Challenges in U.S. Veterans' Health Policy: On Wednesday, the Center for Strategic and International Studies hosted Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald to discuss his transformation of VA into a high performing organization. McDonald detailed his 12 priorities for 2016 which include improving a veteran's experience when receiving VA health care, staffing critical positions that are vacant, and transforming information technology and supply chain processes. To view a video of his speech, visit: http://csis.org/event/progress-promise-and-challenges-us-veterans-health-policy.

2. VA Expands MyVA Communities: As part of Secretary McDonald's MyVA transformation initiative, VA has established local community engagement boards, called MyVA Communities, around the country. These boards provide a feedback and input mechanism for local veterans, and bring together the local VA leadership to meet the unique needs of veterans in each community and facilitate the development of local solutions. VA has incorporated more than 50 community engagement boards into the MyVA Communities initiative and expects to have nearly 50 more by the end of the year. To learn about the MyVA Communities initiative or to find a local community engagement board, visit: http://www.va.gov/nace/myVA/index.asp.

3. New Director of Center for Women Veterans: The Secretary of VA has appointed Kayla Williams as the Director of the Center for Women Veterans. In this role, Williams will be the primary advisor to the Secretary on programs, policies and legislation that affect women veterans. Williams is an OIF veteran and is a long-time advocate for women veterans who has experienced the road to recovery with her husband who suffered a TBI while deployed in Iraq. To learn more about Williams, click here: http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/27420/kayla-williams-selected-new-director-vas-center-women-veterans/.

4. New Military Sexual Assault Report: Only 254, or four percent of nearly 6,100 sexual assaults reported by military service members last year resulted in court-martial convictions, according to the Pentagon's latest report on military sexual assaults, which was released on Thursday. Although court-martial proceedings are still pending on 113 others, many reported assaults resulted in no punishment for an array of legal reasons that included lack of jurisdiction, lack of evidence, a commander's decision not to prosecute, or because the alleged perpetrator separated from the military. A full quarter of the complaints were filed as "restricted" reports, which meant the service member reporting the assault only sought health care or victims' support services, not a formal investigation. More than 500 cases were also resolved without a court-martial, which indicates non-judicial punishments and administrative discharges. About 20 percent of victims were men, which along with the total reports filed was consistent with the 2014 report. Learn more at: http://www.defense.gov/News-Article-View/Article/752797/program-director-military-sexual-assault-efforts-having-impact-but-hurdles-rema.

5. Take the Military Family Survey: Blue Star Families has asked the VFW to help distribute their 2016 Military Family Lifestyle Survey to active duty, Guard, Reserve and veteran families. The data collected provides real-time feedback from military members and families on issues ranging from operations tempo to pay and benefits, stress, caregiving and employment. The survey closes on May 31. Take it online now at: https://syracuseuniversity.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_73C1hBjjOK1eky9&RID=MLRP_1ZzNbz37XAfCy5T&Q_CHL=email.

6. Invictus Games Begin This Weekend: The second Invictus Games, an Olympic-style international competition for wounded warriors, will be held May 8-12 in Orlando, Florida. Taking its name from the Latin word for "unconquered," the mission of the Invictus Games is to use "the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women." This year, 500 competitors representing 15 nations will compete in 10 athletic events. Television coverage will begin with the opening ceremony on Sunday, and continue throughout the week on ESPN2 and ESPN3. To learn more, visit: http://invictusgames2016.org/. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit: http://invictusgames2016.org/espn-broadcast-schedule/.

7. V-E Day Commemoration: A public ceremony to commemorate the 71st anniversary of Victory in Europe Day will be held at the National World War II Memorial in Washington on Mother's Day, May 8, at 11 a.m. All WWII veterans are invited to attend and be recognized for their service and sacrifice. The WWII Memorial has very few disability parking spaces, and street parking could be limited since it's the tourist season. Taxis to the memorial are plentiful and recommended. The two closest Metro stations, Federal Triangle and Smithsonian, are both about a half-mile away. Learn more about this and other events at: http://www.wwiimemorialfriends.org/.

8. MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced the identification of remains of four American servicemen who had been missing in action from World War II and Korea. Being returned for burial with full military honors on a date and location to be announced are:

-- Fireman 2nd Class James B. Boring, 21, of Vinton County, Ohio, Navy Fireman 3rd Class Edwin C. Hopkins, 18, of Swanzey, N.H., and Ensign Lewis B. Pride Jr., 23, of Madisonville, Ky., had been missing since Dec. 7, 1941, when the battleship USS Oklahoma they were aboard suffered multiple torpedo hits and capsized as it was moored off Ford Island in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

-- Army Sgt. 1st Class James P. Shunney, of Providence, R.I., was lost fighting in North Korea on Nov. 2, 1950. He was assigned to Company I, 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division.

To sign up new veterans' advocates, click here: http://capwiz.com/vfw/mlm/signup.htm.

As always, we want to hear your advocacy stories. To share your stories or photos with us, simply email them directly to vfwac@vfw.org.

If you no longer wish to receive e-mail from us, please click here.

FW: VFW Action Corps Weekly, April 22, 2016

Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.

Subject: VFW Action Corps Weekly, April 22, 2016
From: amarkel@vfw.org
Date: Fri, 22 Apr 2016 15:03:39 -0400

VFW Action Corps Weekly, April 22, 2016

April 22, 2016

In This Issue:

1. VFW Testifies on Veterans Preference

2. VFW Presents Views to Commission on Care

3. House Hearing on VA Health Care Delays

4. House Hearing on Pending Health Care Legislation

5. Senate Armed Services Subcommittee Hearing on PTSD, TBI

6. Senate Confirms VA Inspector General

7. Brain Trust Conference

8. Higher Pay Raise Proposed

9. V-E Day Commemoration

10. MIA Update

1. VFW Testifies on Veterans Preference: On Wednesday, National Legislative Deputy Director Aleks Morosky presented the VFW's views on veterans' preference in federal hiring. Over the past several years, veterans in the federal workforce has grown to 30 percent, with 25 percent being preference eligible. While veterans are finding their way into federal employment, there are opportunities for improvement. To read Morosky's testimony and to view the hearing, click here: http://veterans.house.gov/hearing/a-review-of-veterans-preference-in-federal-government-hiring.

2. VFW Presents Views to Commission on Care: On Monday, National Legislative Director Ray Kelley joined a VSO panel to discuss the future of VA health care with the Commission on Care. He discussed the importance of VA coordinating and guaranteeing the quality of care, regardless if that care is provided by VA or a community provider. Discussion continued around the arbitrary 30-day and 40-mile rules for accessing care in the community, and he reinforced the idea that how far veterans travel or how long veterans wait for needed care must be a clinical determination made by doctors in consultation with their patients. To see all the recommendations the VFW has for improving access to quality health care, click here: http://www.vfw.org/uploadedFiles/VFW.org/VFW_in_DC/IB_AFrameworkforVeteransHealthCareReform.pdf. To learn more about the commission and to provide them with your feedback on VA health care, click here: https://commissiononcare.sites.usa.gov/contact-us-2/.

3. House Hearing on VA Health Care Delays: On Tuesday, the House Veterans' Affairs Committee held a hearing to discuss recent VA Office of Inspector General and Government Office of Accountability (GAO) reports on weaknesses in the way VA measures and reports appointment wait times. Committee members questioned the validity of VA's wait time data following a GAO report that highlighted how VA's wait time metric only measures a fraction of the time veterans wait for their care. Under Secretary for Health Dr. Shulkin testified VA is working to eliminate manipulation of wait time data and is working on better ways to report health care outcomes and patient satisfaction. To view a webcast of the hearing, visit: http://veterans.house.gov/hearing/a-continued-assessment-of-delays-in-veterans-access-to-health-care.

4. House Hearing on Pending Health Care Legislation: On Wednesday, the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health held a hearing to discuss legislation to expand adult day care services, increase informed consent for potentially dangerous prescription drugs, require VA medical facilities to comply with appointment scheduling directives, and improve the Caregivers Program. VFW Senior Legislative Associate Carlos Fuentes offered the VFW's support for many of the bills being considered and offered recommendations to improve others. Fuentes urged the subcommittee to consider reviewing and reforming the VA clinical appeals process to ensure veterans who have been discontinued from the Caregivers Program are given the opportunity to have their doctor's clinical decision reviewed by other doctors who understand veterans' health care needs. To read the testimony or view the webcast, visit: http://veterans.house.gov/hearing/legislative-hearing-6.

5. Senate Armed Services Subcommittee Hearing on PTSD, TBI: The Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel held a hearing on Wednesday regarding the research, diagnosis and treatment of PTSD and TBI. During the hearing concerns for MST, suicide and other comorbidities of psychological health were also discussed. Senator Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY) raised gender-specific questions asking, "…I'd like to know if PTSD presents itself differently in male survivors versus female survivors and how treatment for PTSD meets the unique needs of male survivors of sexual assault." Doctors from VA agreed research is heading in the right direction for PTSD and TBI, but with nearly 25 percent of veterans transitioning from DOD to VA receiving mental health care during their last year of service, there is still much work that needs to be done. In the future VA foresees research innovations for diagnosis and treatment progressing with more neuroimaging and the finding of biomarkers. To read witness testimony or view the hearing, click here: http://www.armed-services.senate.gov/hearings/16-04-20-current-state-of-research-diagnosis-and-treatment-for-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-and-traumatic-brain-injury. For more information on PTSD/TBI research, visit: http://www.dcoe.mil/About_DCoE.aspx.

6. Senate Confirms VA Inspector General: On Tuesday, the Senate confirmed President Obama's nominee, former federal and congressional investigations counsel, Michael J. Missal, to be the next VA Inspector General. The position has been vacant for more than two years, but the office has played an integral role in exposing system wide wrongdoing and data manipulation issues that have contributed to the VA health care access crisis. The VFW is hopeful that permanent leadership in this important position will lead to better accountability at VA.

7. Brain Trust Conference: VA hosted a groundbreaking two-day summit in Washington, D.C., this week focused on brain health. "Brain Trust: Pathways to InnoVAtion," is a public-private partnership that brings together a number of VA brain researchers with some of the most influential voices in the field of brain health to help identify and advance solutions for mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. A number of representatives from the sports community were also present, since issues related to brain health and head trauma impact all Americans. In attendance for the VFW was Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Brian Duffy, who is championing mental health issues and the VFW's role to help others recognize them and seek effective treatment. Learn more at: http://www.stripes.com/news/experts-sharing-information-a-key-factor-in-success-of-tbi-research-1.405623.

8. Higher Pay Raise Proposed: Draft legislation released this week by the House Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee calls for a 2.1 percent military pay raise in 2017––a half percent higher than what the Administration requested. If enacted, it would be the largest percentage increase since 2010 (which was then 3.4 percent). Military pay increases are supposed to match increases in private sector wages, as measured by the Employment Cost Index (ECI), but the Administration can request more or less than the ECI, with Congress having final approval. Congress erased a double-digit pay gap of the 1990s by directing military pay raises from 2000-2006 to be a half percent above private sector wage increases, and raises from 2007 forward to match the ECI, although more could be authorized. The 1.7 percent increase in FY2013 was the last time military pay matched the ECI. The draft legislation is just a first step in a very long process before the FY2017 National Defense Authorization Act is signed into law.

9. V-E Day Commemoration: A public ceremony to commemorate the 71st anniversary of Victory in Europe Day will be held at the National World War II Memorial in Washington on Mother's Day, May 8, at 11 a.m. All WWII veterans are invited to attend and be recognized for their service and sacrifice. The WWII Memorial has very few disability parking spaces, and street parking could be limited since it's the tourist season. Taxis to the memorial are plentiful and recommended. The two closest Metro stations, Federal Triangle and Smithsonian, are both about a half-mile away. Learn more about this and other events at: http://www.wwiimemorialfriends.org/.

10. MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced the identification of remains of three servicemen who had been missing in action since World War II. Being returned home for burials with full military honors on a date and location yet to be announced are:

-- Navy Fireman 3rd Class Kenneth L. Jayne, of Suffolk County, N.Y., had been missing since Dec. 7, 1941, when the battleship USS Oklahoma he was aboard suffered multiple torpedo hits and capsized as it was moored off Ford Island in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

-- Army Cpl. George G. Simmons, of Hamilton, Mont., had been missing since Nov. 19, 1942, while fighting in the Philippines. It would be later learned he died in a Japanese prison camp. He was assigned to Battery H, 60th Coastal Artillery Regiment.

-- Army Pvt. John P. Sersha, 21, of St. Louis County, Minn., had been missing since Sept. 27, 1944, while fighting in the Netherlands. He was assigned to Company F, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division.

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FW: VFW Action Corps Weekly, April 15, 2016

Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.

Subject: VFW Action Corps Weekly, April 15, 2016
From: amarkel@vfw.org
Date: Fri, 15 Apr 2016 15:22:54 -0400

VFW Action Corps Weekly, April 15, 2016

April 15, 2016

In This Issue:

1. VFW Testifies at Two Bill Hearings

2. House Holds Hearing on IT

3. Military Construction and VA Bill Advanced by Congress

4. VA's Commission on Care to Hold Public Meeting

5. Puerto Rican Regiment Receives Congressional Gold Medal

6. Top VFW & Auxiliary Volunteers

7. Veterans in Public Office

8. MIA Update

1. VFW Testifies at Two Bill Hearings: On Wednesday, April 13, Deputy Legislative Director Aleks Morosky presented VFW's position on pending legislation before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. If enacted into law, these bills will provide special compensation to veterans who lost the use of their reproductive organs, authorize a COLA increase for 2017, improve burial benefits and protect surviving spouses from repaying VA for certain overpayments. To view this hearing click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9UOA-YJ2o8&feature=youtu.be. On Thursday, April 14, Morosky presented testimony before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity. This bill hearing focused on legislation that will provide additional educational benefits to veterans in STEM programs, expand GI Bill usage for certain pre-apprenticeship programs, and make permanent the Vets Success on Campus program, along with other meaningful legislation. To view this hearing, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBQLbXWay8w.

2. House Holds Hearing on IT: On Thursday, April 14, the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation held a hearing to examine VA's work to improve and implement needed improvements to its IT to support the Choice Program. The committee heard directly from VA Under Secretary for Health, Dr. David Shulkin, and Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology, LaVerne Council, on issues surrounding VA's IT scheduling and community care provider claims processing system, as well as the new system that will support the consolidation of community care networks. To view this hearing, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEvhAk2YcMo.

3. Military Construction and VA Bill Advanced by Congress: Thursday, the Senate Appropriations Committee held a markup to discuss and advance the fiscal year 2017 MilConVA appropriations bill that sets funding levels for VA and DOD's military construction accounts. The bill would provide $74.9 billion for VA's discretionary accounts. The bill also includes two provisions that are important to VFW members. It would expand VA fertility treatment options for veterans who have lost their ability to start a family due to their military service. The bill would also prohibit VA from interfering with the medications of veterans participating in state-approved medical marijuana programs. The Senate bill's VA discretionary appropriations are $1.4 billion above the House's MilConVA bill's, which was also reported out of its respective committee this week. Both bills await consideration by their respective congressional chambers. Stay tuned to the Action Corps Weekly for updates on this important legislation.

4. VA's Commission on Care to Hold Public Meeting: VA announced that its Commission on Care will host a meeting open to the public on April 18 and 19, 2016. The commission was established by the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 and is responsible for recommending ways to better deliver health care to veterans for the next 20 years. The meeting will be held in Washington, D.C., and those who cannot attend in person can register to dial into the meeting. For more information on the meeting and how to attend by phone, visit: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2016/04/07/2016-07919/commission-on-care-meeting-notice.

5. Puerto Rican Regiment Receives Congressional Gold Medal: A Puerto Rican Army regiment, the 65th Infantry Regiment known as the "Borinqueneers," was honored with the Congressional Gold Medal during a ceremony inside the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. The VFW-supported recognition comes more than 50 years after the unit was disbanded, and the effort was largely due to the leadership of Congressional Gold Medal Alliance chairman Frank Medina, who is a member of VFW Post 3822 in Panama. Learn more at: http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/politics/2016/04/13/congressional-gold-medal-awarded-to-puerto-rican-army-regiment/.

6. Top VFW & Auxiliary Volunteers: In recognition of National Volunteer Week, the VFW is saluting two of our own for representing the VFW and the Auxiliary in the Department of Veterans Affairs volunteers of the year award. Dale Henry, of VFW Post 8884 in Vinton, Iowa, has contributed almost 2,100 volunteer hours over the past four years with the Iowa City VA Healthcare System. Mariann Hamann, of VFW Post 7546 Auxiliary in Dearborn Heights, Mich., has volunteered more than 700 hours to Ann Arbor's VA Healthcare System, as well as serving as secretary/treasurer of the local VA Volunteer Service (VAVS) Executive Committee. From its beginning in 1946, VAVS volunteers have served alongside VA staff to provide quality care and compassionate service to all veterans. The initial group of eight national organizations has grown to more than 7,400 national and local community organizations and 75,000 active volunteers. Last year, more than 6,100 VFW volunteers donated 700,000 hours to 159 VA medical facilities, which according to the nonprofit coalition Independent Sector would equate to almost $16.5 million in salary had they been paid.

7. Veterans in Public Office: An American Enterprise Institute article released on Tuesday provides a detailed breakdown of veterans serving in federal and state elected offices. Nationally, veterans made up 72 percent of the U.S. House of Representatives and 78 percent of the U.S. Senate in 1971. Today, those percentages are 18 and 20 percent, respectively, which still doubles veterans' representation in Congress despite being only 9 percent of the general population. Veteran status averages about 14 percent in the state legislatures, with the top five being New Hampshire (23 percent), Nevada and Alabama (22), and North Dakota and Tennessee (21), and the bottom five being Utah (5), California and Minnesota (6), and Massachusetts and Illinois (7). The article includes a political party breakdown, but does not go further into detail regarding names or congressional districts. Read more at: https://www.aei.org/publication/serving-after-serving-veterans-in-state-public-office/.

8. MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has announced one burial update and the identification of remains of four sailors who had been unaccounted for since Dec. 7, 1941, when the battleship USS Oklahoma suffered multiple torpedo hits as it was moored off Ford Island in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The attack capsized the ship, resulting in 429 casualties. Thirty-five sailors would be subsequently recovered and identified; the rest would eventually be buried as unknowns in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, better known as the Punchbowl. Being returned home for burial with full military honors on a date and location yet to be determined are Ensign Joseph P. Hittorff Jr., 25, of Westmont, N.J.; Chief Storekeeper Herbert J. Hoard; Fire Controlman 1st Class Paul A. Nash, 26, of Indiana; and Machinist's Mate 1st Class Alfred F. Wells.

-- Army Cpl. Dudley L. Evans, 24, will be buried with full military honors on April 23 in his hometown of Greenville, Miss. He was assigned to Company G, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, engaged in a battle in the vicinity of Chipyong-ni, South Korea. It would be later learned he died in captivity after being taken prisoner on Feb. 15, 1951.

To sign up new veterans' advocates, click here: http://capwiz.com/vfw/mlm/signup.htm.

As always, we want to hear your advocacy stories. To share your stories or photos with us, simply email them directly to vfwac@vfw.org.

If you no longer wish to receive e-mail from us, please click here.

FW: VA Benefits Get Veterans Off the Streets

Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.

From: friendsoffreedom@vfw.org
Subject: VA Benefits Get Veterans Off the Streets
Date: Tue, 5 Apr 2016 10:08:08 -0500

The Veterans of Foreign Wars

April 2016

VFW SUPPORTER EDITION

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VFW Advocates Join Forces to Help Homeless Veterans

VFW Post 8692 Senior Vice Commander John Pemrick Lewis and VFW Service Officer John Lombardo partner with VFW Posts and other organizations to help homeless veterans in Albany, N.Y., secure jobs and safe housing.

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