Veterans to see Largest COLA Increase Since 1982
Thursday, October 16, 2008 at 01:53 PM
by VFW News
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Effective December 1, 2008, veterans’ disability compensation, among other benefits, will be increased by 5.8 percent, to respond to the increasingly high cost-of-living in the United States. This increase was secured by an Act of Congress, authored by U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee. The exact percentage increase of 5.8 percent was determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, corresponding with the increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
The Social Security Administration reports that this year’s CPI increase is the largest since 1982. Last year’s increase was 2.3 percent.
(via Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Press Release)
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VFW WASHINGTON WEEKLY - Oct. 16, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008 at 12:42 PM
by VFW News
In This Issue:
NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE SERVICE
1. Election Day
NATIONAL SECURITY & FOREIGN AFFAIRS
1. President Signs Defense Bill
2. VFW Leaders Travel to Europe
3. Reserve Component Mobilization
NATIONAL VETERANS SERVICE
1. Retirees and Disabled Veterans Receive 5.8% Increase
NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE SERVICE
1. Election Day: The election is fast approaching (Nov. 4), so now is a
great time to volunteer to work at your local polling place or to
volunteer to provide transportation to others who may need help getting
to the polls. The VFW encourages everyone to be educated on the issues
and to exercise their constitutional right to vote. The October 2008
issue of VFW Magazine covered both presidential candidates and their
positions on issues important to veterans. That link is at
http://www.vfw.org/resources/pdf/partyplatforms.pdf.
Read more Washington Weekly
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VA News - Week of October 13, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at 03:22 PM
by VFW News
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USPS Sets Holiday Mailing Deadlines for Military
Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 02:27 PM
by VFW News
Washington, DC -Holiday gifts from home are a big morale boost for military service members stationed around the world. To help the families and friends of military personnel, the Postal Service is offering a discount on its largest Priority Mail Flat-Rate box.
Mail sent to overseas military addresses is charged only domestic mail prices. The domestic mail price for the largest Flat-Rate Priority Mail box is $12.95, but for packages to APO/FPO addresses overseas the price is reduced to only $10.95. Flat-Rate boxes are free at any Post Office, or can be ordered online at
usps.com. Postage, labels and customs forms can be printed online any time using Click-N-Ship at
www.usps.com/clicknship.
"Flat-Rate Priority Mail boxes offer the best bargain in holiday shipping," says Paul Vogel, managing director, Global Business and senior vice president. "The contents can be any weight for one low rate. If it fits, it ships."
The Postal Service continues to show its support by offering free Military Care Kits, designed specifically for military families sending packages overseas. The mailing kits can be ordered by phone by calling 1-800-610-8734 and asking for the Care Kit. Each kit includes two Priority Mail boxes, six Priority Mail Flat-Rate boxes, eight Priority Mail labels, one roll of Priority Mail tape and eight customs forms with envelopes.
"The best support for the troops this holiday season is a gift that's on time, so mail before the deadline," Vogel advises.
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DoD Healthcare Feedback Deadline Extended
Monday, October 13, 2008 at 07:05 AM
by VFW News
Falls Church, Va – Wounded, ill or injured service members and their families now have until November 28, 2008, to help Military Health System (MHS) leadership better understand the needs and expectations of warriors in their care. The deadline for participating in the MHS questionnaires has been extended due to overwhelming response.
The questionnaires—one for wounded, ill or injured service members and one for family members—are available on the Military Health System Web site at http://www.health.mil and will remain open through November. November has been designated as Warrior Care Month.
The questionnaires ask for feedback concerning a service member’s experience and satisfaction with the care he or she has received since becoming wounded, ill or injured.
All questionnaire responses are anonymous to encourage honest and specific answers that will lead to positive changes in how the MHS handles care for wounded, ill or injured service members.
The questionnaires are part of Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ commitment to supporting wounded, ill and injured service members—ensuring that their care is the Department of Defense’s top priority. Care is continually improving but MHS leaders recognize that there is still more to be done. By listening to the opinions of wounded, ill or injured service members and their families, the MHS will be in a better position to meet their needs and expectations. The online questionnaires are available directly at http://www.health.mil/Pages/Page.aspx?ID=18.
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VFW Washington Weekly - October 9, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008 at 11:25 AM
by VFW News
110th Congress Wrap-Up
In This Issue:
1. President Signs VA Funding Bill
2. Congress Clears Veterans' Health and Benefit Bills
3. Vet Accomplishments for 110th Congress
4. Election Day Coming - Get Out the Vote
1. President Signs VA Funding Bill
President Bush signed the FY 2009 VA funding bill which is $4.5 billion more than last year. Some of the highlights in the VA funding package, which was passed as a part of the $634 billion Continuing Resolution, include $3.8 billion for mental healthcare, $584 million for substance abuse programs, $510 million for medical and prosthetic research, and additional funding for homeless grants. It allows the Veterans Benefits Administration to hire 2,000 additional claims adjudicators to help reduce the disability claims backlog, raises the mileage reimbursement rate to 41.5 cents per mile, and provides an additional $750 million in funding for the construction of VA medical facilities. It was the first time in well over a decade that the VA was able to begin a new fiscal year with an on-time budget. VFW national commander Chief Glen Gardner thanked Congress and the president, and said, "We hope the delivery of an on-time budget is the start of a trend that will continue into the next administration and Congress."
Read the VFW Press Release at: http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=news.newsDtl&did=4772. For a summary of the bill, visit the House Appropriations Committee website at http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/MCFY09CONFSummary09-22-08.pdf.
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VA News - Week of October 6, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008 at 10:31 AM
by VFW News
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DoD Revises Purple Heart Policy
Friday, October 10, 2008 at 01:11 AM
by VFW News
The Department of Defense announced today
(6 OCT08) it has expanded the Purple Heart eligibility criteria allowing prisoners-of-war who died in captivity to receive the award.
The revised department policy presumes, for service members who die in captivity as a qualifying prisoner-of-war, that their death was the "result of enemy action," or the result of wounds incurred “in action with the enemy” during capture, or as a result of wounds incurred as a “result of enemy action” during capture, unless compelling evidence is presented to the contrary.
The revised policy allows retroactive award of the Purple Heart to qualifying prisoners-of-war since Dec. 7, 1941. Posthumous award will be made to the deceased service member’s representative, as designated by the secretary of the military department concerned, upon application to that military department.
Each military department will publish application procedures and ensure they are accessible by the general public. Family members with questions may contact the services: Army: Military Awards Branch, (703) 325-8700; Navy: Navy Personnel Command, Retired Records Section, (314) 592-1150; Air Force: Air Force Personnel Center, (800) 616-3775; Marine Corps: Military Awards Branch, (703) 784-9340. For further information, media representatives should contact Eileen Lainez, (703) 695-3895
Source: Defense Link
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Buddy Poppies: History
Thursday, October 9, 2008 at 05:44 PM
by VFW News
Among all the flowers that evoke the memories and emotions of war is the red poppy, which became associated with war after the publication of a poem written by Col. John McCrae of Canada. The poem, "In Flander's Field," describes blowing red fields among the battleground of the fallen.
For more than 75 years, the VFW's Buddy Poppy program has raised millions of dollars in support of veterans' welfare and the well being of their dependents.
The VFW conducted its first poppy distribution before Memorial Day in 1922, becoming the first veterans' organization to organize a nationwide distribution. The poppy soon was adopted as the official memorial flower of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
It was during the 1923 encampment that the VFW decided that VFW Buddy Poppies be assembled by disabled and needy veterans who would be paid for their work to provide them with some form of financial assistance. The plan was formally adopted during the VFW's 1923 encampment. The next year, disabled veterans at the Buddy Poppy factory in Pittsburgh assembled VFW Buddy Poppies. The designation "Buddy Poppy" was adopted at that time.
In February 1924, the VFW registered the name "Buddy Poppy" with the U.S. Patent Office. A certificate was issued on May 20, 1924, granting the VFW all trademark rights in the name of Buddy under the classification of artificial flowers. The VFW has made that trademark a guarantee that all poppies bearing that name and the VFW label are genuine products of the work of disabled and needy veterans. No other organization, firm or individual can legally use the name "Buddy" Poppy.
Today, VFW Buddy Poppies are still assembled by disabled and needy veterans in VA Hospitals.
The minimal assessment (cost of Buddy Poppies) to VFW units provides compensation to the veterans who assemble the poppies, provides financial assistance in maintaining state and national veterans' rehabilitation and service programs and partially supports the VFW National Home for orphans and widows of our nation's veterans.
In Flander's Field
by John McCrae
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow,
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky,
The larks, still bravely singing, fly,
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead.
Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved and now we lie,
In Flanders Fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe
To you, from failing hands, we throw,
The torch, be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us, who die,
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow,
In Flanders Fields.
Source
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VFW Chief Visits Camp Lejeune: Includes $7,000 for Warriors effort
Thursday, October 9, 2008 at 05:21 PM
by VFW News
Colonel Buddy Ballard, Chief of Staff, XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg with
Commander-in-Chief Gardner . (Photo Credit-Dept VFW NC)
By Jennifer Hlad, jdnews.com
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C., Oct 9, 2008--The commander-in-chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States visited Camp Lejeune this week, as part of an effort to visit more military bases inside the country.
"We think it's important to let the troops know we're here for them and we support them," said Glen Gardner Jr., commander of the national VFW organization.
Gardner also wanted to find out how the VFW can support and assist active-duty service members.
"There are a lot of active-duty and families that need help," he said.
Tuesday, the VFW presented a check for $7,000 to Hope for the Warriors, said Brian Jackson, VFW pre-discharge claims representative at Camp Lejeune.
The VFW also has a program called
"Unmet Needs" to help service members and their families, Gardner said.
In the past, the VFW leadership has mainly visited overseas installations, and focused in issues related to finding and bringing home the nearly 90,000 American service members still listed as missing in action, Gardner said.
But the leadership visited Ft. Bragg and Camp Lejeune this week, and will visit Camp Pendleton and other military bases later this year, he said.
Gardner said he wants service members to know the importance of joining veterans organization, especially as the number of older living veterans dwindles. Veterans organizations can help keep veterans informed of their rights and how to get the services they need, as well as advocate for all veterans, he said.
The VFW and its auxiliaries includes 2.2 million members in about 8,100 posts around the world, according to the organization's Web site, visit www.vfw.org.
Contact interactive content editor and military reporter Jennifer Hlad at jhlad@freedomenc.com Visit
www.jdnews.com to comment on this report.
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