Welcome to District 12 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of California.
Our Motto is " Hit the Ground Running!" (Phase Two!)
District 12 covers five counties; San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz,San Benito, and Monterey. These counties are in Northern California, beginning just south of San Francisco in San Mateo county to as far south as King City in Monterey county. Total mileage from the farthest post in the north to the farthest post in the South is approximately 150 miles.
We currently have 25 posts, 10 Ladies Auxiliaries and 1 Mens Auxiliary
NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE SERVICE
1. Navy to Design New GI Bill Software
NATIONAL SECURITY & FOREIGN AFFAIRS
1. JPAC Goes to India
2. Military Healthcare Online Town Hall Meeting
3. Reserve Component Mobilization
NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE SERVICE
1. Navy to Design New GI Bill Software: A navy command center in Charleston, SC, has been chosen to design the new GI Bill software which VA will use to implement its education benefits. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) has experience with sophisticated software that can perform some of the complex calculations that are required under the new law. The benefit rollout is scheduled for Aug. 1, 2009. The new education benefit will pay full tuition up to the cost of the most expensive four-year public college or university in the state where a service member or veteran attends school. It also pays a living stipend based on zip code and other fees for the student veteran. SPAWAR is still awaiting funding from VA in order to begin the initial stage.
In This Issue:
1. 2008 Election
2. IB Releases Critical Issues for 2010
3. 2009 Retired Pay COLA
4. Lower Tricare Reserve Select Premiums
5. Guard/Reserve Debt Relief Act of 2008
1. 2008 Election
The 2008 election is one for the history books, with 136.6 million people, or 64.1% of eligible voters turning out. This exceeds the previous records of 122.3 million voters in 2004 and 63.8% of eligible voters in the 1960 elections. The Democratic Party also extended its majority lead in both the House and Senate, despite a few races that have yet to be decided. VFW congratulates everyone and looks forward to working with them when the 111th Congress convenes in January. VFW remains steadfast in our fight to increase VA funding and to help those transitioning from active duty to veteran status. Linked here are VFW's 2009 Legislative Priority Goals, which are the result of resolutions adopted at the 109th VFW National Convention. We ask that you become familiar with them. Any grassroots action that you take to educate your legislators on them will benefit all us all.
For a list of the 2009 priority goals, go to: http://www.vfw.org/legislative/2009prioritygoals.pdf.
To sign-up to receive our VFW Washington Weekly e-newsletter and join our advocacy team, go to: http://capwiz.com/vfw/mlm/signup/
Staff Sgt. Bryan Spencer, Combat Logistics Battalion 5 Engineer Company operations platoon sergeant, briefs heavy equipment operators and combat engineers on the day's mission to level approximately 1,000 meters of berm along Wolverine Way, a road stretching from Camp Baharia to the outskirts of Fallujah, Iraq, Oct. 18, 2008. The Marines demolished five miles of berm along the road during about a week as part of a larger project to demilitarize Fallujah and turn control of the Fallujah area to Iraqi government control.
Date Taken: October 18th, 2008 Location: Fallujah, Iraq Photo and Story by: Cpl. Daniel Angel I Marine Expeditionary Force (Fwd)
WASHINGTON (Oct. 30, 2008) -- Veterans and active-duty military not in uniform can now render the military-style hand salute during the playing of the national anthem, thanks to changes in federal law that took effect this month.
"The military salute is a unique gesture of respect that marks those who have served in our nation's armed forces," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. "This provision allows the application of that honor in all events involving our nation's flag."
The new provision improves upon a little known change in federal law last year that authorized veterans to render the military-style hand salute during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag, but it did not address salutes during the national anthem. Last year's provision also applied to members of the armed forces while not in uniform.
Traditionally, members of the nation's veterans service organizations have rendered the hand-salute during the national anthem and at events involving the national flag while wearing their organization's official head-gear.
The most recent change, authorizing hand-salutes during the national anthem by veterans and out-of-uniform military personnel, was sponsored by Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, an Army veteran. It was included in the Defense Authorization Act of 2009, which President Bush signed on Oct. 14.
The earlier provision authorizing hand-salutes for veterans and out-of-uniform military personnel during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag, was contained in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008, which took effect Jan. 28, 2008.
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
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.
As part of the $634 billion Continuing Resolution signed by President Bush yesterday, VA discretionary funding is increased $4.5 billion over last year, which meets Independent Budget recommendations for healthcare funding. The Independent Budget is a detailed analysis of VA operations that the VFW has co-authored for the past 22 years with AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans and the Paralyzed Veterans of America.
VA budget highlights include $3.8 billion for mental healthcare, $584 million for substance abuse programs, $510 million for medical and prosthetic research, $250 million to improve access for veterans in rural areas, and additional funding for homeless grants, the hiring of 2,000 additional claims adjudicators, and to raise the mileage reimbursement rate from 28.5 to 41.5 cents per mile.
“We are very grateful to the president and to congressional leadership for keeping to their pledge to take care of our veterans,” said VFW National Commander Glen Gardner, a Vietnam veteran from Round Rock, Texas. “And we hope the delivery of an on-time budget is the start of a trend that will continue into the next administration and Congress.”
Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Salute during the playing of Taps in honor of their fallen comrade, Spc. Marques Knight, on Sept. 15, 2008, at a combat outpost in northeastern Afghanistan.
WASHINGTON - The letter that appeared in a Soldier's mailbox promised an offer almost too good to be true: a home improvement loan approved by Congress and backed up by a government agency.
Officials at the Federal Citizen Information Center fear it's a scam targeting military members that uses the center's credibility to lure victims in.
An eagle-eyed Soldier notified the Federal Citizen Information Center after receiving the ad from the "Home Information Center" linked to post office boxes in Dallas and in Owasso, Okla. The letter included a reference to FCIC's Web site in an apparent attempt to show a federal endorsement.
"The thing that immediately sends up a red flag is the fact that [the advertisement] says these loans are approved by the U.S. Congress," said Mary Levy, director of consumer education and outreach in the FCIC's Office of Citizen Services. "Congress would absolutely never approve any particular home improvement loan." Source: DVIDS-Digital Video and Imagery Distribution System Read Full Story Here: Home Repair Scam Appears to Target Military Families
From: "Phyllis Cale"
To: "_All State Depts"
:
Subject: Department of Texas
Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2008 11:58:37 -0500
MEMORANDUM
FROM
ALLEN F. "GUNNER" KENT
ADJUTANT GENERAL
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES
To: Department Adjutant-Quartermasters
Date: September 15, 2008
As you are aware, homes, businesses and land from Galveston Island to Port Arthur to Beaumont in Texas have been destroyed by Hurricane Ike. However at this time, we do not know if any VFW Posts were lost.
As a result of the devastation, the Department Texas has established a special fund to assist our members who have been evacuated and or suffered a loss due to the hurricane.
The Department of Texas is asking for our support. Please notify the Posts in your Department and ask them to contribute to this immediate relief effort. Monetary donations may be sent directly to;
Roy Grona
Adjutant-Quartermaster
Department of Texas Headquarters
8503 N IH 35
Austin, Texas 78753-5722.
Thank you for all you do for this great Organization.
In This Issue:
1. COLA Passes House
2. House VA Committee Hearings
3. FY2009 NDAA
4. Wounded Warrior Resource Center Established
1. COLA Passes House: The House cleared a cost-of-living bill Wednesday that would provide an increase for veterans with service-connected disabilities, as well as dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) for families of deceased veterans.
The Senate passed the veterans' COLA measure in July. The COLA bill, S 2617, provides for a Dec. 1 increase in disability compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation, and pensions that will match whatever increase is provided in Social Security benefits. The increase, which applies to about 2.8 million veterans and survivors, would first appear in January paychecks. The Social Security increase won't be known until mid-October, but is expected to be a minimum of 6 percent. The Social Security COLA automatically applies to military and federal civilian retired pay, but veterans' disability and survivor benefits and pensions increase only through the enactment of new legislation. The COLA bill now awaits the President's signature.
2. House VA Committee HearingsOn Tuesday, the Subcommittee on Health held a legislative hearing to review three bills. VFW provided testimony for the record and supported HR 3051, The Heroes at Home Act and HR 6153, The Veterans' Medical Personnel Recruitment and Retention Act.
-HR 3051 would provide much needed relief for those suffering from TBI by creating a family caregiver program to train families or friends of veterans suffering from the effects of severe brain injuries. It also requires VA to conduct outreach to educate veterans and the public about PTSD and TBI, as well as promoting the range of services VA can provide for their treatment.
-HR 6153 would improve VA's ability to recruit and retain nurses and other health care practitioners by improving pays for various health care specialties. VFW has called on VA to improve and adapt its policy in order keep up with the ever competitive and changing marketplace of high-quality health care providers.
"Infantrymen who served in ground combat during World War II between December 7, 1941 and September 2, 1945, are eligible to apply for a Bronze Star Medal (BSM), according to the U.S. Army Human Resources Command. Approval is virtually guaranteed for those recipients of the Combat Infantryman's Badge (CIB) or the Combat Medic's Badge (CMB). Army regulations that govern this award may be found in AR 600-8-22, Military Awards.
Next of kin may apply for the posthumous award(s). If the veteran has previously received a BSM during combat for a specific act of bravery, he or his next of kin is still eligible to apply for a BSM."
August 10 Hollister Post w/ School of Instruction following - Oct 10-12 Gilroy Post w/ (Official Visit) - January 11, 2009 Salinas Post - March 8 Seaside Post - May 17 Marina Post (District Convention).
16 of 25 Posts were represented at District Convention on May 18 in Seaside. In accordance with Section 213 of our Nat'l By-Laws, Six posts were not eligible to be recognized or participate at all because they failed to be current on their district dues, Election Report or had not submitted their quarterly audit. Besides nomination and election of officers, topics voted upon included Dist 12s financial budget, updating of Dist 12 By-Laws, Department By-Law Resolutions, and 2008-09 District meeting locations. All Dist 12 officers elected for 2008-09 ran unopposed. 2008-09 DISTRICT 12 OFFICERs: Commander - Henry Wadahara, Sr Vice Cmdr - Danny Stevens, Jr Vice Cmdr - F. Castillo, Qmaster - Rick Rankin, Chaplain - Jim Bland, Judge Advocate - Joe Gonzales, Surgeon - John Walker, Trustees: 3 yr - Joe Tymer, 2 yr - Joe Perez, 1 yr - Larry Doutherd -
ELECTED OFFICERS: Commander - Joe V. Gonzales Sr. Vice: Henry Wadahara Jr. Vice: Danny Stevens Quartermaster: Rick Rankin Chaplain: James Bland Judge Advocate: Curtis Martin Surgeon: John Walker Trustee 1 year: Lloyd Paris Trustee 2 year: Lawrence Doutherd Trustee 3 year: Joe Perez STEERING COMMITTEE: Chairman: Joe V. Gonzales Member 2 year: Jeffrey Beckham Member 3 year: Curtis A. Martin
Through the continued efforts of the Monterey County Veterans Affairs Advisory Commission, Ft. Ord Cemetery Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC), Monterey County Supervisors, Senator Maldonado, Congressman Farr, Assemblyman Laird, city and county officials, and veterans groups, plans are moving along for the Cemetery on Fort Ord. The land has been set aside and is guaranteed for the cemetery. In September, Gov. Schwarzenegger signed a bill creating the Central Coast State Veterans Cemetery Endowment Fund that is responsible for generating the money necessary to ensure the maintenance and operations of the cemetery. A consultant firm has been selected to do the Cemetery Master Development Plan. The Ft. Ord Reuse Authority (FORA) has agreed to a Reimbursement Agreement for the payment of the $991,000.00 consultant fee that will speed up things. The cities of Seaside and Marina have already agreed to assist financially. Early next year a CAC Committee will be going outside of Monterey County seeking additional funds from cities, corporations, businesses, veterans groups and the public. Once adequate funds are raised, $4 million, the state will file an application with the US Dept of Veterans AffairsÕ Cemetery Grant Program, which will cover the cost of the designing, developing, constructing and equipping of the cemetery. If the cemetery foundation raises $4 million, it will receive $4 million in matching funds for maintenance and upkeep from the state and $14 million for construction of the cemetery from the federal government. Additional funds must also be raised to cover additional landscaping, equipment, and structures such as a museum, monuments, memorials, and building for the honor guards as they are not a part of the Cemetery Grant Program. When completed, the cemetery will be serving all veterans, but will be most convenient for the approximate 100,000 veterans and their families that live within the service area of the four-county 75-mile radius. The four counties that are within this radius are Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito and half of Santa Clara. The estimated interment needs of this veteran population are 5,600 burial and crypt sites for the initial 10-years. The actual interment sites to be provided in this initial phase will be approximately 2,800 burial and crypt sites. The Phase I plan will develop 26 acres of the site. Maps, photographs and Arial views of the cemetery site may be seen at: www.co.monterey.ca.us/cemetery/about_us/aboutus.htm
VFW Posts and Districts throughout the organization can now take possession of their free Web Sites/Blogs on the VFW WebCOM Network.
Effective today we are extending an open invitation for all Posts and Districts to claim their VFW WebCOM Network site. If your Post already has a web presence this would be a great way to expand it. If your Post does not have a web presence this is a no cost way for you to establish one and start sharing with the world what your Post does in the community and Organization.
It's easy to install-easy to remove-and has no spyware!
Includes a cookie cleaner, a history cleaner, and a cache cleaner
Get notified when you receive new e-mails to your POP3, Yahoo!, Gmail, or Hotmail accounts
Instant access to the VFW WebCOM Network from any site on the web- plus track instantly new stories posted to the Network from over 10,000 sites and keep up on the latest conversations in the VFW Membership Forum
Each time you search anywhere on the web from your toolbar you generate fractions of a penny for the Organization..
Get instant access to useful links
Chat with other users who have your Department's toolbar installed
Listen to online radio from the toolbar....spotlighting Jerry Newberry's National Defense Hour
Get up-to-date local and global weather forecasts...and much, much more
to request assistance if you need help or if you have already started using it and would like to share your experience or make suggestions on how the toolbar can better serve you the user or the organization.
Welcome to Departments of the Veterans of Foreign Wars' VFW WebCOM Network. This Network is comprised of close to 10,000 pre-built, established sites for each of the 54 state and international Departments, their Districts and all 8,500 VFW Posts. Each department now has an integrated internal and external communications system at their disposal for consideration of universal deployment in support of existing and planned communication protocols.
The network provides the organization the ability to push a button and broadcast, or syndicate, the same piece of information, whether it’s text, pictures, video or audio, across every site. Departments also have the ability to push a button and accomplish the same thing across just the District and Post sites within their Department. Most importantly it enables a VFW Post to directly manage and publish information to the Internet for their local community and their organization as a whole..
Over 5 years in the making and built with the oversight and to the specifications of VFW Department leadership and membership, its objectives are to foster:
More efficient organizational communication to your members and potential members.
More efficient organizational communication to your communities.
More efficient organizational communication to your legislators.
Generate revenue and resources for the organization.
In support of the Network, we have added Department toolbars, a video-sharing platform, instant WebCHAT, a Membership Forum and pre-built 31,000 VFW Department-specific Officer e-mail accounts which are transferable to the next person filling the position. E-commerce storefronts for each post, online calendars and much more are in the works.
All identified product and services are provided at zero cost to the organization with the understanding that costs are to be covered through a revenue sharing agreement. The organization retains 100% control of all branding, 100% editorial control of your message on all levels of the Network and final approval authority on all advertising and e-commerce opportunities. If the Network should fail to generate enough revenue to cover our service and product-provider partners' cost of doing business, there is no cost liability to organization.
At this time advertising and e-commerce opportunities are only available for the eight aforementioned Departments.
While you are here take a moment to take a closer look at how you can support these efforts.
1) Do you have a website or a weblog that you could add a link to a local VFW or State site? Do you have a few minutes to write about us and let people know what we are doing?
2) If you are a VFW Member or Supporter, you can download your Department toolbar. The toolbar has lots of neat features; all the RSS (syndication) feeds for every site in the Network run through them, keeping you instantly connected to all the information moving through the Network. Plus every time you search the Internet using the tool bar you generate revenue for your Department.
3) If you are a VFW Member or Supporter, you can join the conversations in the VFW Membership Forum and instant WebCHAT. There’s lots of good information and opportunities to meet new friends there.
5) If you are a VFW Member or Supporter, do you know of a business that may be interested in supporting your local VFW Posts or Department by purchasing advertising on their site? Prices start at $2.00 a day for one site and scale from there with opportunities to advertise across all sites in a Department. (Again, at this time advertising and e-commerce opportunities are only available for the eight aforementioned Departments.)
As you can see, there’s plenty to see and do on the VFW WebCOM Network with more still to come. We thank you for stopping by and invite you back regularly to support and stay connected with your Veterans of Foreign Wars.
KANSAS CITY, Mo., June 8, 2007--The VFW talk-radio program, The National Defense, has joined forces with Talk Radio Network Entertainment (TRN).
The National Defense radio show highlights important issues and hot topics of vital importance to our country that until now have only been discussed by talk show hosts who have little or no connection to the United States military. The hour-long weekly show, which is produced in Kansas City, Mo., is hosted by Vietnam War veteran Jerry Newberry, VFW communications director. Co-hosting the show is Kansas City radio personality Randy Miller.
According to Newberry, The National Defense's hard-hitting approach to important issues will fill a void in talk radio because of the show’s military focus and dedication to championing relevant issues and causes affecting the nation’s uniformed forces.
Content found on this site, unless otherwise noted, is provided for informational and discussion purposes only and does not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, its Departments, Districts or Posts.
