VFW MN District 4

Home Depot offering Post Improvement Grants

Posted at 08:32 AM on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 by BlogMasters

Holiday Mailing Deadlines for Military Delivery

Posted at 07:47 AM on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 by BlogMasters

Recommended Mailing Dates to APO/FPO Addresses

WASHINGTON — For military service members stationed around the globe, holiday gifts are a big morale boost. To help the families and friends of U.S. military personnel, the Postal Service offers a discount on its largest Priority Mail Flat Rate box.

The recommended mailing date for the most economical postage to overseas military installations, including Iraq and Afghanistan, is Nov. 13.

Mail sent to overseas military addresses is charged only domestic mail prices. The domestic mail price for the Priority Mail Large Flat Rate Box is $13.95, but for packages to APO/FPO addresses overseas the price is reduced to $11.95. Additional discounts are available for customers printing their Priority Mail postage labels online at Click-N-Ship.

Flat-Rate boxes are free at any Post Office, or can be ordered online at shop.usps.com. Postage, labels and customs forms can be printed online any time using Click-N-Ship.

The Postal Service continues to show support to those serving in the armed forces 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 “America Supports You” large Priority Mail Flat-Rate boxes, four medium-sized Priority Mail Flat-Rate boxes, six Priority Mail labels, one roll of Priority Mail tape and six customs forms with envelopes.

For online ordering of the Large Priority Mail APO/FPO Flat Rate boxes featuring the “America Supports You” logo and APO/FPO addressing block, Click here. More information about mailing letters and packages to military destinations is available online at Supporting Our Troops.

“Mailing holiday gifts to service members early will help insure that a piece of home arrives in plenty of time to make the celebration complete," said Pranab Shah, vice president and managing director, Global Business.

To ensure delivery of holiday cards and packages by Dec. 25 to military APO/FPO addresses overseas, the Postal Service recommends that mail for service members be entered no later than the mailing dates listed below. Mail addressed to military post offices overseas is subject to certain conditions or restrictions regarding content, preparation and handling. APO/FPO addresses generally require customs forms. To see an online table of updated APO and FPO addresses and mailing restrictions by individual APO/FPO ZIP Codes, Click here, select “Pull-Out Information” and click on “Overseas Military/Diplomatic Mail.”

MILITARY MAILING DEADLINES

Military Mail Addressed To	Express Mail® Military Service (EMMS)1/	First-Class Mail® Letters and Cards	Priority Mail®	Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL) 2/	Space Available Mail (SAM)3/	Parcel Post®
APO/FPO AE ZIPs 090-092	Dec-18	Dec-11	Dec-11	Dec-4	Nov-28	Nov-13
APO/FPO AE ZIP 093	N/A	Dec-4	Dec-4	Dec-1	Nov-21	Nov-13
APO/FPO AE ZIPs 094-098	Dec-18	Dec-11	Dec-11	Dec-4	Nov-28	Nov-13
APO/FPO AA ZIP 340	Dec-18	Dec-11	Dec-11	Dec-4	Nov-28	Nov-13
APO/FPO AP ZIPs 962-966	Dec-18	Dec-11	Dec-11	Dec-4	Nov-28	Nov-13

VFW Washington Weekly - September 25, 2009

Posted at 06:12 PM on Saturday, September 26, 2009 by BlogMasters

In This Issue:

1. Health Care Victory for Veterans

2. VFW Testifies on Bills

3. House VA Subcommittee Hearings

 

1. Health Care Victory for Veterans: Key House leaders have agreed to offer an amendment that will put to rest any concerns that VA health care will change under the nation health care reform debate.  VFW has been in talks with House VA Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA) and Ranking Member Steve Buyer (R-IN) on this important issue.  The amendment being offered will ensure that veterans enrolled in VA are automatically deemed as having qualified health care coverage, and also allow veterans using VA health care to purchase other types of insurance through the health insurance exchanges.  VFW will continue to monitor health care reform legislation in the House and Senate.

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September-October Checkpoint

Posted at 07:58 AM on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 by BlogMasters

VFW Washington Weekly - August 7, 2009

Posted at 08:51 AM on Monday, August 10, 2009 by BlogMasters

In This Issue:

1. VFW Protects Health Care Programs

2. Vet Bills Update

3. New GI Bill Benefit Begins

4. Senate Hearing on Disability Compensation

5. Congress on Recess

 

1. VFW Protects Health Care Programs: VFW is working closely with House leadership to ensure national health care reform legislation does not change the way veterans, military retirees and their families receive their health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs or the military's TRICARE program.  Key VFW-supported amendments adopted by the House include:

• Exclude TRICARE from all reform movements;
• Exclude VA health care from all reform movement, and maintain the VA secretary's current authority to operate the organization as he deems appropriate.
• Give veterans using VA health care the option of purchasing additional insurance under the new national health care plan. This would expand, not restrict, health care coverage available to them and their families;

VFW will continue to work closely with Congress to ensure that neither VA nor TRICARE are adversely affected under the national health care reform proposal.  We have also received assurances from the President that veterans and servicemembers will be safeguarded under any bill passed by Congress.

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VFW: New GI Bill Will Change Lives

Posted at 09:32 AM on Wednesday, August 5, 2009 by BlogMasters

WASHINGTON, August 4, 2009 - The national commander of the 2.1 million-member Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. and its Auxiliaries called this week's implementation of the new Post-9/11 GI Bill a significant milestone for military servicemembers, their families and the entire country.

"The original World War II GI Bill opened higher education to the masses and produced U.S. presidents, scientists, scholars, and captains of industry who were directly responsible for America's tremendous era of growth and prosperity in the second half of the 20th century," said Glen M. Gardner Jr., a Vietnam veteran from Round Rock, Texas.

"The new 21st century GI Bill will provide today's warrior with that same access to a first class education, and it's all due to the leadership and determination of Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.)," he said.

"The VFW is proud to have been an early supporter of his landmark legislation through the advocacy work of our Washington Office on Capitol Hill and the grassroots efforts of our members in every congressional district. Education changes lives, which in turn strengthens families and our communities and nation. We are proud to have helped this bill become reality."

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VA News - Week of June 29, 2009

Posted at 01:10 PM on Friday, July 3, 2009 by BlogMasters

VFW Washington Weekly - June 5, 2009

Posted at 08:15 PM on Sunday, June 7, 2009 by BlogMasters

In This Issue:

1. House Committee Marks up Vet Bills

2. Healthcare Bill for Women Veterans Cleared

3. House VA Committee Hearings

4. Japan Apologizes to American POWs

5. McHugh Tapped for Army Secretary

 

1. House Committee Marks up Vet Bills: Several VFW-supported bills cleared their respective subcommittees this week.  All of the bills now move to the full committee for consideration.

HR 952 would expand the meaning of combat with the enemy to mean active duty service in a combat theater during a time of war not just during actual combat. The bill aims to shorten the claims process for many veterans suffering from psychological injuries. 

HR 2270 would establish a compensation fund for certain WWII veterans who were not eligible for readjustment benefits.  Those eligible would receive a monthly payment of $1000

HR 1037 would authorize $10 million annually to implement a five-year pilot program to expand work-study activities for veterans on campuses.

HR 1098, The Veterans' Worker Retraining Act of 2009 would increase educational assistance for veterans pursuing internships or on-the-job training. It also increased the monthly training assistance for eligible veterans and their dependents under the Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance program.

HR 2180 would waive housing loan fees for veterans with service-connected disabilities called to active duty.

HR 1821, The Equity for Injured Veterans Act of 2009 would extend VA's Vocational Rehabilitation program to 15 years following discharge or release from active duty. It also authorizes single parents participating in the program up to $2000 a month for child care services.

 For more information on any of the bills cleared visit the House VA website at: http://veterans.house.gov/

OR type the bill # into the box at http://thomas.loc.gov/

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VFW Stands Up Against Military Suicides

Posted at 04:56 PM on Saturday, May 30, 2009 by BlogMasters

In an open letter, VFW Commander-in-Chief Glen Gardner is urging his 1.6 million members to help OEF/OIF veterans cope with the stresses of war.

Dear Comrades:

There is an enemy in our midst that is having a devastating effect on our servicemen and women in the field and at home. That enemy is stress.

Since 9/11, more military personnel and veterans have committed suicide than the total dead from both wars in Iraq and Afghanistan combined, and this tragedy is occurring despite the best of intentions and programs offered by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. That is because the need has overwhelmed the capacity of government and civilian mental health centers. It's also because some people simply refuse to admit they need help.

After incurring 11 suicides since the beginning of the year, the 101st Airborne Division commander at Fort Campbell, Ky., ordered a three-day standdown of activities this week so that his soldiers could refocus on the mission of healing themselves and each other.

This is a very positive initiative, but more needs to be done to overcome the stigma that's unfortunately attached to seeking help, which Army Secretary Pete Geren called a significant challenge to the culture of the Army that places "a premium on strength: physically, mentally, emotionally."

Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen even asked his military leaders to set an example for lower ranking personnel. "You can't expect a private or a specialist to be willing to seek counseling when his or her captain or colonel or general won't do it," he said.

Since then, general officers as well as sergeant majors have admitted publicly to mental health counseling. And even though few of them would be seen manning remote outposts, and still fewer would be at risk of being separated from the military due to "preexisting personality disorders," their personal testimonials do help to lessen the stigma attached to seeking help.

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VFW Washington Weekly - May 15, 2009

Posted at 09:47 AM on Monday, May 18, 2009 by BlogMasters

In This Issue:

1. VA Appropriations Update

2. House VA Committee Hearings

3. Merchant Mariner Bill Passes House

4. GI Bill Registration Update

 

1. VA Appropriations Update: In testimony before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, VA Secretary Eric Shinseki reaffirmed the Administration's support for advanced appropriations, a VFW top priority goal.  Advanced appropriations would ensure funding for veterans healthcare is sufficient, timely and predictable for all who use the system by funding the system one year in advance.  H.R. 1016 and S. 423, sponsored by House VA Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA) and Senate VA Chairman Daniel Akaka (D-HI), respectively, still needs your support.  VFW asks you to contact your legislators and urge them to co-sponsor these critical bills.  To send a message to your legislators, visit the VFW website at: http://capwiz.com/vfw/issues/alert/?alertid=13251881.

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Video: National VOD and Patriot's Pen Winners

Posted at 09:09 PM on Saturday, April 11, 2009 by BlogMasters

Natale Szabo from the Department of Washington is this year's Voice of Democracy winner.  Click the image below to view her winning entry.

VFW Washington Weekly - March 13, 2009

Posted at 08:35 AM on Monday, March 16, 2009 by BlogMasters

In This Issue:
1. Third-Party Collection Proposal a Reality
2. VFW Testifies on FY 2010 VA Budget
3. House Small Business Hearing
4. VA Celebrates 20th Birthday Sunday

1. Third-Party Collection Proposal a Reality: VA Secretary Eric Shinseki confirmed in House and Senate VA Committee testimony Tuesday that the Administration's FY 2010 VA budget is considering a proposal to bill veterans with private insurance for their service-connected disability treatments.  Although some committee members questioned the proposal, only three voiced their outright objections to it: Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking minority member Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), and Rep. Michael Michaud (D-ME).  VFW joins them in adamantly opposing any attempt to pass healthcare costs on to wounded and service-connected disabled veterans.  Billing a veteran's private insurance could lead to higher premiums and make it difficult for veterans and their families to obtain or retain their health insurance, as well as discourage employers from hiring disabled vets.  The VFW is asking all of its members as well as all Americans to contact the White House and their congressional delegations to urge them to stop this budget proposal. 
To send a message to the White House, go to: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
To send a message to your members of Congress, go to: http://capwiz.com/vfw/issues/alert/?alertid=12844211
To read the VFW press release, go to: http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=news.newsDtl&did=4952

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VFW Washington Weekly - February 27, 2009

Posted at 07:29 AM on Monday, March 2, 2009 by BlogMasters

1. FY2010 VA Budget Released
2. GI Bill Hearing
3. FY2010 Defense Budget Released
4. HASC Hearing on Military Personnel
5. Dover Media Ban Lifted

1. FY2010 VA Budget Released: President Obama released a fiscal year 2010 budget outline Thursday for the Department of Veterans Affairs that contains a sizeable increase in veterans discretionary funding to a total of $55.9 billion, which is about $5.5 billion more than the current funding level.  The president's proposal is in line with what the VFW is calling for in the Independent Budget.  The budget proposal includes additional funding to allow more veterans to enroll in the VA system, and targets access issues, especially for rural veterans.  It would also expand concurrent receipt of disability compensation and retirement pay for highly disabled veterans who are medically retired from the service.  The VFW does have one note of concern that is being tracked down, and that's to determine if the budget anticipates charging a service-connected disabled veteran's private health insurance for service-connected disability care.  If true, the VFW will fight this proposal vigorously.  More information will be relayed as full budget details become available.
For more on the VFW co-written Independent Budget, go to: www.independentbudget.org.
To view the FY10 budget proposal for the VA, go to: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/assets/fy2010_new_era/Department_of_Veterans_Affairs.pdf.

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VFW Washington Weekly - February 20, 2009

Posted at 09:29 AM on Saturday, February 21, 2009 by BlogMasters

VFW Washington Weekly - March 6, 2009

Posted at 07:30 AM on Friday, March 7, 2008 by BlogMasters

In This Issue:
1. VA Proposal Would Charge Disabled Vets for Care
2. House VA Committee Hearings
3. President Announces Troop Withdrawal
4. Don't Ask, Don't Tell

2. House VA Committee Hearings: The House VA Committee had a busy week of hearings.
Tuesday:
* Subcommittee on Health: VFW testified on several recently-introduced bills designed to expand healthcare options for veterans.  VFW supported all four bills with special emphasis on HR 1211, "The Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act."  The legislation would expand access and improve upon VA's current services for female veterans.  With the number of female service members increasing, and those using VA after service on the rise, there is no better time for VA to begin enhancing access and improving its services for this unique group of veterans.
* Subcommittee on Disability and Memorial Affairs: An oversight hearing was held on a recent VA Inspector General report that investigated document mishandling at several VBA regional offices.  Belinda Finn, Assistant Inspector General for Auditing, discussed the vulnerability of veterans' claims and the accuracy of benefit claim dates.  Some of the new committee members questioned the need for duplicate documents being provided by veterans.  Chairman John Hall (D-NY) asked Deputy Under Secretary for Benefits Michael Walcoff about the status of VA's electronic medical file project.  Hall noted that moving quickly on implementation would help VA to move away from endless files, thus reducing the chance for loss.  The VSO panel discussed accountability, demands made on employees to finish claims quickly and overall lack of management at senior levels.
Wednesday:
* Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity: VFW presented testimony on a host of bills regarding employment, vocational rehabilitation, education benefits, USSERA, and VA's homeless program.  One of the bills, HR 950 introduced by VA Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA), did not garner the support of VFW or VA. The legislation would allow distance learning students to be eligible under the new GI Bill for the same stipend as those students attending regular college classes.  Under current law, the new chapter 33 education benefits will not pay living stipends to distance-learning students.  To qualify for the stipend, a person must have at least one class in a regular classroom and carry a credit load that makes them at least a half-time student.  VFW testified that Filner's bill would create an inequity by paying living stipends that are not based on actual costs that veterans would face while going to school.
To read VFW testimony and for more on the hearings, visit the House VA website at: http://veterans.house.gov/.

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