VFW Washington Weekly - May 9, 2008
Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 09:13 AM
by post9925
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/.
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ACTIVITIES FOR VETERANS DAY AT THE LEGISLATURE
Friday, May 9, 2008 at 09:34 AM
by post9925
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
Thursday, May 8, 2008 at 12:33 PM
by post9925
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
Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 07:12 AM
by post9925
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
Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 07:38 PM
by post9925
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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Army Reserve Marks Century of Service to Nation
Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 01:56 PM
by post9925
By Retired Army Col. Randy Pullen
Special to American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, April 20, 2008--The U.S. Army Reserve celebrates its 100th birthday on April 23, marking a full century of service in which Army Reserve soldiers have continuously answered the nation's call.
Army Reserve soldiers served in both world wars, the Cold War, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War and the ongoing global war on terrorism. They also helped respond to countless other crises, emergencies, disasters, operations and expeditions.
That busy century of service to America all began when Congress established the Army's first federal reserve force on April 23, 1908. President Theodore Roosevelt signed Senate Bill 1424, creating the Medical Reserve Corps. The Reserve medical officers in the corps could be ordered to active duty by the secretary of war during times of emergency.
In June 1908, the first 160 medical professionals received Reserve commissions. This number grew to about 360 by 1909 and to 1,900 by 1916. The concept of bringing civilian professionals into the Army in a disciplined and quickly-accessible manner also expanded beyond the medical profession and beyond just officers.
Read more of the history of the Army Reserve
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District Convention Meetings Announced
Monday, April 21, 2008 at 04:42 PM
by post9925
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
Tuesday, April 8, 2008 at 04:09 PM
by post9925
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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