VFW Washington Weekly - May 9, 2008
May 10, 2008 at 09:13 AM
by BlogMaster
In This Issue
1. GI Bill Call to Action
2. House Holds Veteran Suicide Hearing
3. Senate Holds Hearing on Benefit Bills
4. Senate Committee Boosts Pay, Rejects Fees
1. GI Bill Call to Action: The VFW still needs you to urge your senators to support S. 22, and your representatives to support H.R. 5740, so that the VFW goal of creating a new GI Bill for the 21st century becomes a reality. As of this morning, 57 senators are supporting S. 22, a number that is unchanged from last week. Introduced by Jim Webb (D-VA), S. 22 has strong bipartisan support from fellow senators such as Chuck Hagel (R-NE) and John Warner (R-VA). Its companion bill in the House, H.R. 5740, increased by 27 to 293 co-sponsors, or 67% of the House. Introduced by Harry Mitchell (D-AZ), it, also has strong bipartisan support from fellow congressmen such as Bill Young (R-FL) and Chris Smith (R-NJ). America's newest Greatest Generation needs your help to bring educational benefits back in line with current day tuitions. Use this link to contact your members: http://capwiz.com/vfw/dbq/officials/.
Read more
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ACTIVITIES FOR VETERANS DAY AT THE LEGISLATURE
May 9, 2008 at 09:34 AM
by BlogMaster
MAY 14, 2008
8A-10A Coffee and Donuts in 1200 Court of Legislative Building.
House and Senate Members are invited to join the Veterans for coffee and donuts with Veterans from their local districts. Veterans will also use this time to visit members offices and distribute a list of priority legislation supported by Veterans Service Groups.
9:30A Veterans Leadership group to meet with President Pro Tempore Marc Basnight in Room 2023 of the Legislative Building. Because of space constraints we must ask that the number be limited to about 6-10 individuals.
10A-11A (times tentative) Meeting of the Joint Select Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs in Room 1228 of the Legislative Building.
11A-12P (times tentative) Meeting of the Military and Veterans' Caucus in Room 1228 of the Legislative Building (same location as above).
Veterans are invited to view a presentation by Representative Ric Killian (LTC USAR) about his legislative trip to Saudi Arabia to visit an NC Air Guard Unit and a presentation by USMC General Dickerson from Camp Lejeune regarding growth issues at Lejeune.
12P-2:30P NO ACTIVITIES SCHEDULED. Veterans are encouraged to continue to seek meetings with their local elected officials and have lunch in preparation for the afternoon session.
2:30P Veterans Leadership group to Meet with House Speaker Joe Hackney.
Rep. Martin has arranged a meeting with Speaker Hackney for the leaders of the Service Organizations. Because of space constraints we must ask that the number be limited to about 6-10 individuals.
3P (time tentative) Session in Senate and House Chambers. Veterans should plan to attend session and expect to be recognized during the session.
4 or 5P DISMISSAL
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May 9 - Military Spouses Day Proclamation
May 8, 2008 at 12:33 PM
by BlogMaster
WASHINGTON, May 5, 2008 – Military spouses embody the courage, nobility of duty, and love of country that inspire every American. On Military Spouse Day, we pay tribute to the husbands and wives who support their spouses in America's Armed Forces during times of war and peace.
The legacy of military spouses began when colonial Americans were fighting for independence. Martha Washington boosted the morale of her husband's troops by visiting battlefields and tending to the wounded. Since then, members of our Armed Forces have served our Nation accompanied by the steadfast love and support of their spouses and families.
While our men and women in uniform are protecting our country's founding ideals of liberty, democracy, and justice, their spouses live with uncommon challenges, endure sleepless nights, and spend long periods raising children alone. Many military spouses are also committed volunteers, serving other military families and local communities. Our Nation benefits from the sacrifices of our military families, and we are inspired by their courage, strength, and leadership.
On Military Spouse Day and throughout the year, we honor the commitment spouses have made to freedom's cause. To learn about ways to support our troops and their spouses and families, I encourage all Americans to visit www.americasupportsyou.mil.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 9, 2008, as Military Spouse Day. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities and by expressing their gratitude to the husbands and wives of those serving in the United States Armed Forces.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-second.
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VFW Demands Passage of New GI Bill for 21st Century
April 30, 2008 at 07:12 AM
by BlogMaster
WASHINGTON, April 29, 2008 – The national commander of America's largest organization of combat veterans is demanding that Congress pass S. 22, the "Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act."
"A new GI Bill for the 21st century must be passed," said George Lisicki, who leads the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S., a veterans' service organization that includes more than 70,000 Afghanistan and Iraqi war veterans among its 1.7 million members.
"We have an all-volunteer force that has accomplished everything asked of them," said Lisicki. "We need to reward them for their service by helping them to reintegrate back into society with an educational package that meets today's cost of tuition. I join with the leadership of Congress and my fellow veterans' organizations to say that S. 22 is the right bill at the right time."
S. 22 was introduced by Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) to mirror the original World War II educational benefit. It would repeal the $1,200 enrollment fee, match tuition at the highest in-state rate, and provide for books and fees, and a living stipend. For those veterans accepted to private institutions, S. 22 would also provide a dollar-for-dollar tuition match for those colleges and universities who choose to participate in the program.
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Grand Opening of Three New VA Clinics Announced
April 23, 2008 at 07:38 PM
by BlogMaster
The grand openings of three new VA clicnics are announced.
Dates and locations are:
Friday, May 2, 2-3pm, at Jacksonville, 241 Suite B, Freedom Way Drive, Midway Park, N.C.
Monday, May 5, 10am-11am at Hamlet, 106 Jefferson Street.
Thursday, May 29, 10am-11am at Hickory, 1170 Fairgrove Church Road.
For additional information click on: www.vfwwebcom.org/nc/vahospitals
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District Convention Meetings Announced
April 21, 2008 at 04:42 PM
by BlogMaster
For the District Convention, Spring 2008 Series, schedules, click on:
www.vfwwebcom.org/nc/officers
District officers will be elected and installed on the dates of the District Conventions.
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VFW WebCOM Membership Forum: 1000+ Members Strong and Growing
April 8, 2008 at 04:09 PM
by BlogMaster
Late last evening, our 1,000th member joined the VFW WebCOM Membership forum!!!
We'd like to take a moment to thank you all for visiting the forum over the past year and taking the time to register to become part of the VFW WebCOM Community.
If you haven't visited the forum lately, we'd like to take this opportunity to invite you back to see what you've been missing. We now have over 7,400 entries in nearly 2,000 different topics. The forum has become a wealth of information about all sorts of topics relating to the VFW organization, the VFW community and veterans issues.
We'd also like to issue a special thank you to our top posters in the forum. These are the folks who stop by the forum on a regular basis and keep the information moving. Without them, we wouldn't be where we are today:
We'd also like to remind you that you can stay on top of all the latest entries to the forum, get updates on all the information moving thru the VFW WebCOM Network and support your department by downloading and installing the VFW WebCOM Departmental toolbar at
http://toolbars.vfwwebcom.org
And finally, if you'd like to claim the weblog for your VFW Post or District, you can contact your state Blogmaster or IJK3770 in the forum for assistance in getting your Post or District site up and running. We hope you've enjoyed your visit(s) to the forum and welcome your feedback in building a bigger and better community as we reach for our next 1,000 members.
Regards, The VFW WebCOM Membership Forum Team.
http://www.vfwwebcom.org/forum
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Telephone Help for Military, Veterans Expands to "Around-the-Clock" Service
April 3, 2008 at 04:28 AM
by BlogMaster
North Carolina's telephone referral service for counseling and support has expanded its hours to around-the-clock service in response to the needs of veterans and their families.
The CARE-LINE service, operated by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, aims to connect people with counseling and other services provided by government agencies and nonprofits. In each of the past two years, it has received more than 200,000 calls, state officials say.
Its expanded service was in part a response to the needs of returning military personnel, veterans and their families, state officials say. In addition to being home to large numbers of veterans, North Carolina is home to more than 125,000 active-duty, reserve and National Guard personnel, about half of whom have served in Afghanistan and Iraq or on related missions.
Reach CARE-LINE 24 hours a day, seven days a week at (800) 662-7030 (English or Spanish) or (877) 452-2514 (TTY). Additional information is online at http://www.nccarelink.gov.
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VFW Pledges $1 Million to Build Vietnam Veterans Memorial Center
April 2, 2008 at 04:22 PM
by BlogMaster
WASHINGTON, April 1, 2008--The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) of the United States has pledged up to $1 million to help build the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Center, a visitors and education facility being built on the National Mall, announced Jan C. Scruggs, founder and president of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.
VFW is the first veterans' organization to pledge financial support to the Memorial Center. The organization plans to raise the money over the next three years through its more than 8,000 posts and 1.7 million members worldwide.
VFW has a long history of supporting the Memorial Fund and was, in fact, the first major veterans' organization to contribute to building The Wall itself. VFW contributed $250,000 to build The Wall back in 1982, making it one of the largest contributors to the project. Additionally, the group gave $50,000 to the Memorial Fund to create and distribute a curriculum guide, Echoes from The Wall, to 25,000 public and private high schools in 1999.
"VFW has always been a supporter of The Wall, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and any undertaking that pays tribute to the brave Americans who have served their country in other lands," said Scruggs. "We are proud to have VFW as a sponsor of this important new project, to teach visitors about the sacrifices that were made during the Vietnam War, as well as other American conflicts."
"A visitors and education facility is long overdue and is a vital addition to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial," said George Lisicki, the national commander of the VFW and a Vietnam War veteran. "Not only will the Center complement America's memorial to our Vietnam War comrades, it also will provide an educational experience to the 4 million visitors who visit The Wall annually. We lobbied Congress for several years to approve the Center's addition to the National Mall, so we are thrilled for a vision to finally become a reality."
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Center will be built underground near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. While still in the planning stages, exhibits will include a wall of photographs of those whose names are on The Wall, a selection of the over 100,000 items that have been left at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, a timeline of key military events in the Vietnam War, rotating exhibits and a resource center, where visitors can find in-depth information. One exhibit will illustrate the legacy of service demonstrated by the American people, showing images of those who served in all of America's conflicts, from the Revolutionary War to Iraq.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund has raised more than $16 million to date, with a goal of $75 million to $100 million. The Center will be funded completely from private donations, just as The Wall was privately funded when it was built in 1982. The Memorial Fund expects to break ground for the Center in 2010; the building should be completed 18 months later.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
Established in 1979, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is the nonprofit organization authorized by Congress to build the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Today, through a series of outreach programs, it is dedicated to preserving the legacy of The Wall, promoting healing, educating about the impact of the Vietnam War and is building the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Center, an underground educational facility, near The Wall.
For more information, visit
www.vvmf.org
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GWOT Purple Heart Veterans: Win a Free Trip to Daytona
March 16, 2008 at 09:22 AM
by BlogMaster
KANSAS CITY, Mo., March 14, 2008--Win a Free Trip to the Daytona International Speedway Pepsi 400 through VFW’s Kahle Fund Trip for Iraq and Afghanistan Purple Heart recipients.
If you received a Purple Heart for wounds sustained in Iraq or Afghanistan, you could be one of eight veterans to win VFW’s trip to the Daytona International Speedway Pepsi 400 on July 5, 2008. Airfare, luxurious hotel accommodations and a ticket to the race for each winner are included.
Don’t miss this chance. Only one completed entry per veteran will be accepted, and must be received prior to the drawing on April 15, 2008. Winners will be notified by mail or e-mail in April. To fully qualify for the trip, winners must send a copy of their Purple Heart documentation to VFW National Headquarters by May 15,2008. Note: Previous Kahle Fund trip-winners are ineligible.
Click here for Daytona trip entry form
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VFW Backs Udall's Bataan Gold Medal Bill
March 8, 2008 at 07:55 AM
by BlogMaster
WASHINGTON, March 4, 2008--The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW), an organization 2.3 million members strong, has endorsed legislation authored by U.S. Representative Tom Udall, D-N.M., to bestow Bataan Death March veterans with the Congressional Gold Medal.
"The coalescing support around this long-overdue tribute to the veterans who endured unimaginable hardships in Bataan is very heartening," said Udall. "I hope the VFW's endorsement of my legislation to finally honor these soldiers will translate into more Congressional support for the measure."
In a letter to Udall, Michael H. Wysong, Director of National Security and Foreign Affairs for the VFW, said, "...the United States is forever indebted to these brave men for their courage and perseverance in the face of extraordinary circumstances while maintaining dignity, honor, patriotism and loyalty. This resolution will go a long way in recognizing the special sacrifices made by these courageous men and will serve as a solemn reminder of the cost, in human terms, made by our military to preserve our freedom and liberty."
Click here to read VFW's letter to Udall.
On April 9, 1942, 12,500 American soldiers, suffering from a lack of supplies, malnutrition, malaria and starvation, fought bravely to provide US commanders with the breathing room needed to prepare for the full Pacific war. With no resources left to continue, and no reinforcements able to arrive, the troops were surrendered to the Japanese forces in the Philippines.
Immediately following their capture, the troops were forced to endure a torturous 65-mile, five-day march in tropical heat without food or water. Thousands perished along the way, and those who survived were held as prisoners of war in squalid encampments for almost three years.
Read more
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Video: VFW Presents Legislative Agenda Before Joint House, Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees
March 7, 2008 at 01:50 PM
by BlogMaster
WASHINGTON, March 4, 2008--The House Veterans’ Affairs Committee led by Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA), and the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee led by Chairman Daniel Akaka (D-HI), held a joint hearing to receive the legislative presentation of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).
More than a thousand war veterans visited the halls of Congress following the testimony to lobby their elected officials on issues important to the nation’s 24 million veterans, 2.2 million servicemembers, and their families.
Testimony Part 1
Testimony Part 2
“The information provided by the VFW is important as the Committee analyzes the budget and addresses the pressing needs of veterans,” said Chairman Filner. “As we fund the war, we must also fund the warrior. We must provide the necessary funding to pay for the health care services and benefits for our brave men and women who have answered the call of their country. Ensuring veterans are provided promised benefits and services are issues that we as a Congress must continue to take seriously.”
Read Testimony
More video
VA Disability Issues
VFW Support GI Bill
Veteran Employment & Seamless Transition Programs
VFW Mia Support
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VFW Urges Passage of Protect America Act
February 21, 2008 at 03:47 PM
by BlogMaster
WASHINGTON, Feb. 21, 2008--The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is urging House leadership to adopt the Senate version of the Protect America Act to safeguard Americans from future terrorist attacks and to protect third parties from frivolous lawsuits.
"The Fourth Amendment protects Americans from illegal search and seizures, but to allow a terrorist to sue a phone company because his phone records were turned over is just plain stupid politics," said VFW National Commander George Lisicki.
"These people kill without conscience, represent no country, and have no agenda other than the total destruction of our country," said, a Vietnam combat veteran from Carteret, N.J. "Holding vital legislation hostage in order to give terrorists the right to sue for privacy violations is asinine."
President Bush signed the Protect America Act into law last year to modernize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978. FISA was originally passed to define domestic intelligence activities, but after Sept. 11, 2001, it was amended to include terrorist groups, and the procedures by which physical and electronic surveillance was conducted and collected within the U.S. and overseas. Due to a built-in sunset clause, the Protect America Act expired on Sunday, despite the Senate's passage of an updated version Feb. 12. A House attempt to push through a three-week extension failed. The sticking point is the Senate version includes telecom immunity provisions.
"The thought of granting the right to sue to non-Americans who continue to plan mass murder is disgusting," said Lisicki, who lives in northern New Jersey, just a few miles from Ground Zero. "American telecommunications companies who voluntarily cooperate with the U.S. government must be protected from frivolous lawsuits."
Lisicki is now calling upon all VFW members to contact their representatives to pass the Senate version of the Protect America Act. "Terrorists have no privacy rights, as it relates to the aiding and abetting of future attacks," he stressed. "We need put an end to this lunacy and get back to the business of safeguarding America."
Click to contact a House member.
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Post Information
February 12, 2008 at 09:15 PM
by BlogMaster
Mailing Address: (Commander) 6304 W. Friendly Ave, Greensboro, NC 27410
Post Location: Meets at Spring Garden Friends Church
Meetings: 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM
Canteen: No
Commander: Arvil Evans, 336-299-3194
QM: Jerry Cecil, 336-674-9711
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Stay Connected with your Department Toolbar
February 11, 2008 at 09:47 AM
by BlogMaster
Did you know you can stay connected with everything that's happening on the VFW WebCOM Network at all times AND help generate revenue for your department? Just
download and install your VFW WebCOM Department toolbar and you'll never miss a thing.
Toolbar Features
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See every story put up on the network with integrated RSS feeds from every weblog on the network, VFW.org, the VFW WebCOM Membership Forum and the VFW WebCOM video channel. |
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Navigate around the network quickly with Quick Links to each Department, MemStats, eMembership and more. |
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Search the internet with Google right from your toolbar. And remember, each time you search, you are generating revenue for your Department. |
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Listen to the VFW's talk radio program, The National Defense, at your leisure, or pick your own radio stations or podcasts and listen. |
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Get your local weather conditions and forecasts updated continually. |
...and much more including online games, live TV and other custom options.
No Adware. No Spyware
Click
here to choose your department. Then click the link for your department and download and install.
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Featured Membership Benefits
January 15, 2008 at 09:36 PM
by BlogMaster
(via
VFW.org)
Win a Golf Vacation to Scotland
VFW announces the 2008 National Golf Tournament. Two teams will be going to Scotland to play St. Andrews old and new courses as well as Carnoustie.
Each state will be sending two teams to play in the National Finals November 17-18 in Myrtle Beach. All state winners receive a pro-rated travel allowance to help pay for travel to Myrtle Beach, hotel accommodations for three nights, tournament golf fees, awards banquet and prizes. You will be playing on round on Golf Digest’s 73rd-rated public course and a second round on a sister course. You will be housed in two bedroom beachfront condos. The teams that win their flight will win 6-night Scotland trips.
This is a 4-man team scramble event, and there will be two flights-low gross for the scratch/low-handicap golfers and a random draw flight for the occasional player. Regardless of your golfing skills, everyone has a chance to win the Scotland Golf Trip. No handicaps are needed. Entry fee is $50 per golfer.
Additional information, rules and registration forms can be found at
www.golftournamentoutfitters.com or contact
sdavis@vfw.org Phone: 816-968-2212
We will need a tournament coordinator for each state. Each coordinator will be compensated and have an opportunity to win a golf vacation. If interested
click here
Our condo/cruise program just got better!
The VFW has negotiated free memberships for all VFW members in the GTO Condo/Cruise Travel Club. This offers our members the very best rates available for a 7-night condo stay. Make a condo reservation with your member ID: VFW and password: FREEDOM.
Beginning January 20, explore the additional full-service benefits being offered.
click on the “Packages, Cruise, Hotel, Air, Auto” tab for all of the details.
· One source for research and booking of vacation packages, cruises, lodging, air and auto rentals
· Combined purchasing power enables us to offer our lowest price guarantee
· A trusted corporate partner to help you avoid travel scams
· Member rewards program
· Exclusive offers on travel packages not available to the general public
· Private telephone access to over 40 certified destination specialists to help you plan your vacation needs.
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