VFW ND District 1

September-October Checkpoint

Tuesday, August 25, 2009 at 08:58 AM

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VFW Washington Weekly - August 7, 2009

Monday, August 10, 2009 at 09:51 AM

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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

Wednesday, August 5, 2009 at 10:32 AM

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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

Friday, July 3, 2009 at 02:10 PM

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VFW Washington Weekly - June 5, 2009

Sunday, June 7, 2009 at 09:15 PM

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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

Saturday, May 30, 2009 at 05:56 PM

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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

Monday, May 18, 2009 at 10:47 AM

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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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