VFW NC Post 2031 - Statesville

October Survey

Posted at 08:29 AM on Monday, October 6, 2008 by Post 2031

The American Veteran - October Edition

Posted at 12:09 PM on Sunday, October 5, 2008 by Post 2031

(via The Pentagon Channel)

TRICARE Reserve and Guard Family Benefit Now Permanent

Posted at 12:04 AM on Sunday, October 5, 2008 by Post 2031

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – Eligible families of activated National Guard and Reserve members will continue to save up to $300 in annual deductibles now that a TRICARE "demonstration" program is a permanent benefit.
 
Eligible family members of Guard and Reserve personnel activated for more than 30 days under federal orders in support of a contingency operation are made eligible for TRICARE Standard and TRICARE Extra, which have annual deductibles.  While they may be eligible to enroll into TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Prime Remote for Active Duty Family Members, which have no deductibles, many may choose to stay with TRICARE Standard or Extra.
 
Introduced as one of the first TRICARE healthcare enhancements after Sept. 11, 2001 to assist the increasing number of National Guard and Reserve service members activated to support the Global War on Terrorism, the benefit waiving annual deductibles has been a demonstration project for over seven years.
 
"The demonstration has worked well and the benefit is not changing," said the Deputy Director of TRICARE Management Activity, Maj. Gen. Elder Granger. "We simply want to make sure our Guard and Reserve families know this is a permanent benefit now that final federal regulation has been published."

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2008 Veterans Day Teacher Resource Guide

Posted at 07:04 PM on Friday, October 3, 2008 by Post 2031

The 2008 Veterans Day Teacher Resource Guide is now online. Parents and educators can download the guide as a PDF file from the VA Web site:

The guide includes: suggested activities for Veterans Day (such as a school assembly, musical performance, or flag-raising ceremony); information on how to contact veterans service organizations and staff at VA medical centers, benefits offices, and National Cemeteries; information for older students including handouts on the origins of Veterans Day, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, statistics on America’s wars, and scholarships; and subjects for younger students such as a Veterans Day maze and coloring pages. The guide, along with a Veterans Day poster, is being distributed on CD-ROM to principals at 118,000 schools nationwide. America’s veterans have shaped our history. Let’s share their example of courage and sacrifice with future generations.

Click on image to download .pdf file.

Source: VFW WebCOM Membership Forum

VA News - Week of September 29, 2008

Posted at 10:08 AM on Thursday, October 2, 2008 by Post 2031

VFW Salutes Passage of 2009 VA Budget

Posted at 03:28 PM on Wednesday, October 1, 2008 by Post 2031

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1, 2008--The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is saluting the 110th Congress for providing $50.2 billion in discretionary funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs fiscal year 2009 budget.

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.”

Happy 109th Birthday VFW!

Posted at 04:44 PM on Monday, September 29, 2008 by Post 2031

VFW Washington Weekly - September 29, 2008

Posted at 04:36 PM on Monday, September 29, 2008 by Post 2031

In This Issue:
1. VA Funding Increased in CR
2. VFW Testifies on GI Bill Implementation
3. Senate VA Committee Examines VA/DOD IT Progress
4. FY2009 NDAA Update
5. Code Talkers Recognition Act

1. VA Funding Increased in CR: Both the House and Senate have cleared a comprehensive spending measure to fund most government programs at fiscal 2008 levels. The Continuing Resolution includes the FY2009 Military Construction/VA Appropriation (HR 6599) to fund VA at $4.5 billion above last year; the appropriation meets Independent Budget recommendations for healthcare. This is a victory for veterans and for the VFW. The President is expected to sign the bill this week. Some of the highlights include:

• $3.8 billion for mental healthcare and $584 million for substance abuse programs;
• $250 million to improve access for veterans in rural areas;
• $510 million for medical and prosthetic research;
• $130 million for homeless grants and per diem program
For complete coverage of the bill visit the House Appropriations website at:
http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/MCFY09CONFSummary09-22-08.pdf

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Gold Star Moms Day: September 28, 2008

Posted at 01:02 PM on Saturday, September 27, 2008 by Post 2031

Whereas the preamble to Public Resolution 123, 74th Congress, approved June 23, 1936 (40 Stat. 1895), recites:

Whereas the service rendered the United States by the American mother is the greatest source of the Country’s strength and inspiration; and “Whereas we honor ourselves and the mothers of America when we revere and give emphasis to the home as the fountainhead of the State; and

“Whereas the American mother is doing so much for the home and for the moral and spiritual uplift of the people of the United States and hence so much for good government and humanity; and

“Whereas the American Gold Star Mothers suffered the supreme sacrifice of motherhood in the loss of their sons and daughters in World Wars”

and Whereas the said Public Resolution 12 provides:

“That the President of the United States is hereby authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the Government officials to display the United States flag on all Government buildings, and the people of the United States to display the flag and to hold appropriate meetings in their homes, churches, or other suitable places, on the last Sunday in September, as public expression of the love, sorrow and reverence of the people of the United States for the American Gold Star Mothers."

“Sec. 2. That the last Sunday in September shall hereafter be designated and known as “Gold Star Mother’s Day,” and it shall be the duty of the President to request its observance as provided for in this resolution.”

Read President Bush's Proclamation here

Find out more about our Gold Star Mothers here

Post Information

Posted at 07:17 PM on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 by Post 2031

COMMANDER: JIMMY ALDRIDGE

Call Post: 704-873-9126 or Home Phone: 704-873-0601

Please do not call his Cell Phone Number.

Sr. Vice Commander: Gerry Bancroft

Jr. Vice Commander: Carley Guy 704-929-8131

Quartermaster: Dale Bost

Judge Advocate: Jimmy Scardo

Adjutant: George Campbell

Surgeon: Joe Stallings

Post Service Officer: Cathy "Casey" Williams

Trustees:

3 Year: leon Ijames

2 Year: Bob Broda

1 Year: Bob Ruddiman

House Committee:

Chairman: Ray Josey

Roy Shoemaker

Gary Hicks

Dale Bost (Quartermaster)

Jimmy Aldridge (Post Commander)

Post Address: 139 Jordan Lane, Statesville, NC  28677

Post Phone: 704-873-9126

Canteen: Yes

Ladies Auxiliary: Yes

Meetings: 4th Tuesday at 7:30 P.M.---Post and Auxiliary Meeting

Post Web Master: Cathy "Casey"  Williams Evening 704-664-1484

 

 

VA: Changes to TBI, Burn Scars and ALS Programs

Posted at 05:47 PM on Tuesday, September 23, 2008 by Post 2031

Traumatic Brain Injuries and Burn Scars

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced changes in the way VA will evaluate traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and burn scars for purposes of determining the appropriate level of compensation veterans receive for these injuries.

“These important regulatory changes will allow VA decision makers to better assess the consequences of these injuries and ensure veterans are properly compensated for their residual effects,” stated Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake.

VA has revised the Disability Rating Schedule in light of current scientific and medical knowledge in order to provide VA employees with more detailed and up-to-date criteria for evaluating and compensating veterans with these injuries.

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New VA Rules for ALS Victims

New VA Rules for ALS Victims Veterans with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may receive badly-needed support for themselves and
their families after the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today that ALS will become a presumptively compensable illness for all veterans with 90 days or more of continuously active service in the military.

"Veterans are developing ALS in rates higher than the general population, and it was appropriate to take action," Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake said.

Secretary Peake based his decision primarily on a November 2006 report by the National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine (IOM) on the association between active-duty service and ALS.

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Home Repair Scam Appears to Target Military Families

Posted at 12:48 PM on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 by Post 2031

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

VFW WebCOM Department Toolbar Tour

Posted at 10:36 AM on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 by Post 2031

What is the VFW WebCOM Department Toolbar?  What does it do?  Click the video below for a tour or click here for a larger version.

VA Clarifies Voter Registration Regulations

Posted at 10:33 PM on Monday, September 8, 2008 by Post 2031

WASHINGTON (Sept. 8, 2008) - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today it has clarified its policy on assisting veterans' voter registration activities, with particular focus on inpatients and residents of VA community living centers, domiciliaries and patients with limited access to community voter registration resources.

The Department will welcome state and local election officials and non-partisan groups to its hospitals and outpatient clinics to assist VA officials in registering voters at VA facilities.  Such assistance, however, must be coordinated by those facilities in order to avoid disruptions to patient care.

"VA has always been committed to helping veterans exercise their constitutional right to vote, which they defended for all Americans while serving their nation," said Dr. James B. Peake, Secretary of Veterans Affairs.  "We've now established a uniform approach to helping those of our patients who need assistance to register and to vote."

Read more on Clarification of Voter Registration Regulations

Department VFW Canopy Available

Posted at 06:58 AM on Wednesday, September 3, 2008 by Post 2031

The Department's canopy is available to posts and districts for use at recruiting events. To reserve the canopy contact State Membership Chairman Jason Schoolcraft at (910) 642-7105 or jschoolcraft@embarqmail.com