Department of Wisconsin

Secretary Shinseki Announces Study of Vietnam-Era Women Veterans

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:09:00 -0500

Comprehensive Study Will Help VA Provide High-Quality Care

WASHINGTON (Nov. 19, 2009) -Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K.

Shinseki announced the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is launching

a comprehensive study of women Veterans who served in the military

during the Vietnam War to explore the effects of their military service

upon their mental and physical health.

"One of my top priorities is to meet the needs of women Veterans," said

Secretary Shinseki. "Our Veterans have earned the very best care. VA

realizes that women Veterans require specialized programs, and this

study will help VA provide high-quality care for women Veterans of the

Vietnam era."

SCOCOS ANNOUNCES STAFF CHANGES AT WDVA DIVISION OF VETERANS HOMES

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:01:00 -0500

The following staff changes have been implemented –

1.      Randy Nitschke is the Acting Administrator for the Division of Veterans Homes. He has a total of over 20 years healthcare experience in both the private and government sectors. That experience mixed with his proven leadership will keep our homes moving in the right direction.
2.      Pat Shaughnessy is Acting Commandant at the Veterans Home-Union Grove. Pat has a long history of healthcare experience in both the private and government sectors as well. I have a lot of faith in Mr. Shaughnessy’s ability to keep Union Grove successful.
3.      Bill Crowley is returning as the Commandant at the Veterans Home-King. Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) looked into referrals concerning certain transactions involving the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King (WVH-King) and found that neither criminal violations nor misconduct in public office occurred. With that news, it is only appropriate that Mr. Crowley should return.

JOHN A. SCOCOS
Secretary
Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs

Flags Lowered to Honor Capt. Russell Seager

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 03:38:00 -0500

Gubernatorial Executive Orders pertaining to special flag display are binding only on state office buildings and facilities. Individuals and other organizations are invited to join the state in this display of respect at their own volition. VFW Posts are encouraged to participate in honoring our war dead in like manner.

VFW Washington Weekly - November 13, 2009

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 08:59:00 -0500

In This Issue:
1. VFW / VA Members Among Fort Hood Victims
2. VFW Legislative Priority Goals for 2010
3. No Tricare For Life Changes
4. White House Employment Initiative Good for Veterans:

1. VFW / VA Members Among Fort Hood Victims: Last week's tragic shooting
at Fort Hood included VFW and VA members. Staff Sgt. Justin M. DeCrow,
32, was killed by Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, who allegedly murdered 13
and wounded dozens before being shot and apprehended by two civilian law
enforcement officers. DeCrow was a member of VFW Post 11016 in Songnam,
South Korea. He graduated high school in 1996 in Plymouth, IN, and
leaves behind a wife and daughter at Fort Gordon, GA. Two VA employees
also slain were identified as:
* Dr. Russell G. Seager, Ph.D., a 51-year old Army Reserve captain
who led a mental health team at the VA medical center in Milwaukee.
* Lt. Col. Juanita L. Warman, a 55-year-old Maryland National
Guardsman who was a nurse practitioner at the VA medical center in Perry
Point, MD. She was a former member of VFW Post 8276 in Delmar, MD.
VFW Commander-in-Chief Thomas J. Tradewell Sr. said, "No words can
properly convey our condolences to the wounded and families of those
murdered. The entire military family is grieving right now. I just
want them to know they do not grieve alone. Our hearts and prayers are
with them." Read the VFW press release at
http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=news.newsDtl&did=5280.

Read more VFW Washington Weekly

Army Orders Probe at Arlington National Cemetery, Releases Investigation Findings

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:48:00 -0500

Secretary of the Army John McHugh announced today that he has ordered an investigation into allegations of lost accountability of some graves, poor record keeping and other issues at Arlington National Cemetery.

"This is the place where valor rests, a place of reverence and respect for all Americans," McHugh said after signing an order directing the Army's Inspector General to begin an investigation into allegations regarding cemetery operations. "As the final resting place of our nation's heroes, any questions about the integrity or accountability of its operations should be examined in a manner befitting their service and sacrifice."

McHugh's order comes on the heels of revelations that cemetery workers inadvertently buried cremated remains at a gravesite already in use. The error was discovered in May 2008, and cemetery officials immediately took corrective measures, moving the cremated remains to another gravesite and remarking the original grave. Since then, questions have been raised over whether cemetery officials used proper procedures to correct the mistake, including notifying the next of kin.

McHugh's announcement of the probe follows completion of separate internal investigation by the Military District of Washington (MDW) - which the Army released today - over the discovery of an unmarked grave. Cemetery officials conducted an extensive search of both internal and Department of Veterans Affairs records, followed by the MDW investigation and additional efforts by the cemetery, which employed ground penetrating radar and a team of geoarchaeologists.

"Cemetery records, the MDW investigation, and the non-invasive geophysical analysis of the grave sites strongly indicate that a husband and wife, who died years apart and should have been buried in the same gravesite, were instead buried in adjacent graves," said MDW spokesman Col. Dan Baggio.

Cemetery officials have ordered new grave markers for the site. While exhuming the remains and conducting DNA testing would provide a 100 percent assurance of the cemetery's findings, the family has declined taking such invasive action. The Army is abiding by their wishes.

While the unmarked grave was first discovered in 2003, cemetery officials took no action until 2009. McHugh is now directing the Inspector General to examine accountability and policy issues in that case. The Inspector General is also in the midst of a management review of Arlington National Cemetery, begun under former Army Secretary Pete Geren, to make overall recommendations on how better to operate the facility, including possible changes in policy, procedures and regulations.

"A thorough investigation, and transparency in its results, can help correct whatever may be wrong, and ensure America's confidence in the operation of its most hallowed ground," McHugh said, adding, "We will take appropriate action as the facts dictate."

A copy of the Article 15-6 investigation can be found HERE

Two Fallen Soldiers Honored

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:07:00 -0500

VFW National Jr Vice DeNoyer Reports on Tour of Europe

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:59:00 -0500

2009 Europe Report -

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Law Firm Seeks Possible Abuse Victims

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:59:00 -0500

Attorney Eric Knobloch of Milwaukee’s Warshafsky Law Firm is seeking additional victims to join a lawsuit against the Veterans Administration over the alleged sexual abuse of male patients being treated at the VA Hospital in Milwaukee.

Warshafsky Law Firm is representing (name withheld, referred to as CLIENT), a former marine from Appleton, Wis., who was sexually and physically abused on multiple occasions by a registered nurse at the Milwaukee VA Hospital.

The client was being treated for what the client was led to believe was an STD (later findings report that it was molloscum, a comparatively benign infection). After four separate visits in which “treatment” was taking place, the client spoke with his wife about how uncomfortable the “treatments” made him feel. They decided to contact the Milwaukee Police Department. The MPD investigated and taped a one-hour phone call between the client and the suspect nurse but determined there was not enough evidence.

The VA brought in a special investigator, Joe Cossairt from the Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (VAOIG). Cossairt learned there had been 50 similar occurrences regarding this nurse. His findings are in the hands of the Milwaukee DA’s office, Paul Tiffian, and they are looking into whether they will proceed with criminal charges.

As the lead attorney on this case, Vic Harding, has filed a Form 95, which is a prelude to a negligence claim against a federal or government employee. The report goes to the U.S. Dept. of Justice and is copied to the local U.S. Attorney’s office.

Warshafsky Law Firm has brought this case public to encourage other patients abused by Riano to step forward as witnesses so that this does not happen to anyone else. Harding stated, “It is important for those who have been victims to know that they are not alone and that together, we can ensure the accused nurse receives proper disciplinary action and, hopefully, bring some peace of mind to those who were sexually and physically abused.”

In an interview with WISN-TV 12 News in Milwaukee, the nurse’s attorney, Marty Kohler, denies that there was any fondling or abuse, stating that the treatment legitimately involves touching the organ.

According to the VA, the nurse is still a VA employee, but no longer sees patients.

If you believe you have been victimized in a similar manner by this nurse, contact:

Eric M. Knobloch, Esq.
Warshafsky, Rotter, Tarnoff and Bloch, S.C.
839 N. Jefferson St., Suite 300
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(p) 414-276-4970

To see the WISN-TV Report on this case, CLICK HERE.

Veterans Day Message from VFW WebCOM

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:17:00 -0500

To all who have served and those who are serving now, we thank you for your service and remember those who have fallen in defense of our freedom.

- VFW WebCOM Network Staff

VFW: White House Initiative Good for Veterans

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:51:00 -0500

WASHINGTON, November 10, 2009 � The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is applauding the president's new executive order for helping more military veterans get federal and private employment.

"The president is serious about helping veterans get a job, and he is making sure the federal government is at the top of the hiring line," said VFW Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Richard L, Eubank, a Vietnam veteran from Eugene, Ore., who is in Washington to represent the organization at different national Veterans Day events.

According to the White House, approximately 480,000 veterans work for the government, about one-fourth of the total federal workforce. While the executive order places emphasis on hiring veterans for both public and private employment, it is specifically focused on hiring veterans for federal positions. It created a special Council on Veterans Employment to encourage federal agencies to recruit and train military veterans. The council will be co-chaired by the secretaries of Labor and Veterans Affairs.

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