VFW Washington Weekly, June 18, 2010

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In This Issue:
1. VFW National Commander Meets With President
2. House Subcommittee Meets on Claims Backlog
3. Senate VA Committee Discusses Rural Healthcare
4. Help VFW Win a $250,000 Grant
5. Pearl Harbor Sailor Identified
6. Four Vietnam MIAs Identified

1. VFW National Commander Meets With President: VFW National Commander Thomas J. Tradewell Sr. met with President Obama yesterday to discuss issues of importance to America's veterans, servicemembers and their families.  He thanked for the president for signing into law advanced appropriations for the VA and family caregiver legislation, and also expressed VFW concerns about the high military suicide rate, the huge VA claims backlog, unemployed veterans, and burial accountability problems that recently surfaced at Arlington National Cemetery.  "It was good meeting and I am grateful for the opportunity, because it is clear that the president shares our concerns to make things right, as does the first lady, and the vice president and Dr. Jill Biden," said Tradewell.  A VFW press release is at http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=news.newsDtl&did=5515.

2. House Subcommittee Meets on Claims Backlog: The House Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a hearing to discuss VA progress relating to the disability claims processing system.  Committee Chairman John Hall (D-NY) noted this was the 7th hearing this year on the subject, and despite significant congressional oversight, the VBA claims system is still in need of comprehensive repair.  There are more than one million claims and appeals in the backlog.  Fixing the VBA claims system is the VFW's number one legislative priority goal.  For testimony or to view the recorded hearing, visit the House VA Committee website at http://veterans.house.gov/.

3. Senate VA Committee Discusses Rural Healthcare: The Senate VA Committee discussed rural health care initiatives and long-range goals.  Witnesses talked about efforts to improve access, quality and coordination of care, with emphasis on telehealth and telemedicine services.  Committee members referred to rural outreach services, mobile clinics and other options as a way to help reduce the burden of care for those veterans living in highly rural areas.  VA established an  Office of Rural Health in 2008.  For complete hearing coverage, visit the Senate VA Committee website at http://veterans.senate.gov/.

4. Help VFW Win a $250,000 Grant: You are urged to vote daily during June to help the VFW Foundation receive a $250,000 grant through the "Return the Favor" contest by Pepsi Refresh Grants.  Your vote will help VFW provide financial assistance to military families in need.  For example, since 2004, the VFW has provided more than $3.4 million to help thousands of military families through emergency financial situations, as well as funded military unit "homecoming" and "sendoff" events, plus provided free calls for troops in the field to their loved ones at home.  The $250,000 grant will go a long ways towards helping the Foundation continue providing these free programs for our service personnel and their families, plus you don't have to be a VFW or Auxiliary member to vote.  Please "Return the Favor" by going to http://www.refresheverything.com/ReturnTheFavor and vote for the VFW every day this month, and please encourage your friends, family and neighbors to do so, too.

5. Pearl Harbor Sailor Identified: The Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced the identification of Navy Fireman Third Class Gerald G. Lehman of Hancock, MI, who was one of 393 sailors and Marines to be buried as unknowns after the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on the battleship USS Oklahoma.  More details are contained in the DOD press release at http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=13601.

6. Four Vietnam MIAs Identified: The Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office also announced the identification of Air Force Capt. Peter H. Chapman II of Centerburg, OH: Tech. Sgts. Allen J. Avery of Auburn, MA, and Roy D. Prater of Tiffin, OH; and Sgt. James H. Alley of Plantation, FL.  The four were part of a six-man crew flying a combat search and rescue mission over Quang Tri Province when their HH-53C Super Jolly Green Giant helicopter was hit by enemy fire and crashed on April 6, 1972.  More details are contained in the DOD press release at http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=13605

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