VFW NM Post 8874

In This Issue:
1. Congress Returns Next Week
2. Airlines Drop Third Checked Bag Fee

1. Congress Returns Next Week: Congress returns from their August recess next week to many important issues that still await final action, such as VA funding, the Defense bill, and several veteran-related health and benefits packages. Call your elected members and let them know that you expect them to finish the work they started: To fund VA and pass important defense and veteran-related legislation before the federal government's new fiscal year begins Oct. 1. Remind your senators and representatives that you will be watching their actions and voting accordingly in the November election, when the entire House and one third of the Senate is up for reelection. To find contact information for your legislators, go to: http://capwiz.com/vfw/dbq/officials/.

2. Airlines Drop Third Checked Bag Fee: The VFW is saluting US-flagged air carriers for waiving the luggage fee they were charging traveling military personnel. The airlines had been allowing military personnel traveling on orders to check two bags without a fee, but the $100 industry norm for a third checked bag was creating a severe financial burden, especially within the junior enlisted ranks. In a press release, new VFW National Commander Glen Gardner praised the Air Transport Association for helping to negotiate the third checked bag fee waiver among its member airlines who carry passengers. The airlines are Air Tran, Alaska, American, Continental, Delta, Frontier, Hawaiian, Horizon, JetBlue, Midwest, Northwest, Southwest, United and US Airways. To read the VFW release, go to: http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=news.newsDtl&did=4688.