VFW WI District 11

Commander-In-Chief Independence Day Message

Friday, July 4, 2008 at 08:04 AM

by dist11

As we celebrate the 232nd anniversary of our nation's independence, let us pause to remember the victories in battle and the blood that was shed to preserve our freedoms. Let us give thanks to our forefathers for their vision of liberty, life and the pursuit of happiness. Most importantly, let us pay tribute to our nation's greatest assets: our servicemen and servicewomen in uniform who so proudly serve our nation in peace and defend our freedoms in war. We salute you for your dedication to duty and service to country. Thank you from the 2.4 million members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Auxiliaries.

God bless America.

George Lisicki
VFW Commander-in-Chief

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Court Limits Agent Orange Benefits

Tuesday, July 1, 2008 at 11:28 AM

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Some Navy veterans who served in Vietnam and now claim they are sick because of exposure to the herbicide Agent Orange during the war now bear a heavier burden of proof if they hope to earn disability compensation and health care for their conditions from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled May 8 that the VA correctly defined "service in Vietnam" as actually setting foot on land or navigating the country's inland waters, rather than off the coast.

The ruling overturns an earlier Court of Veterans Appeals decision that would have forced the VA to broaden its definition, and as a result open the doors to compensation and treatment to more veterans.

The decision in the case, Haas v. Peake, is available online at find it at: www.cafc.uscourts.gov/opinions/07-7037.pdf

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VFW OFFICER TRAINING REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

Friday, June 20, 2008 at 12:37 PM

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The VFW Department of Wisconsin Officer Training Institute (O.T.I.), scheduled for July 26, 2008, is now open for pre-registration.

The session, which will take place at the Mead Inn, Wisconsin Rapids, is open to all VFW Members interested in learning the "hows and whys" of VFW policies, programs and procedures.

Chairing the training session will be Bill "Knoot" Knudson, who will also serve as Chief of Staff for the coming year. "Last year's OTI, which employed Power Point presentations and several presenters, was acclaimed one of the best ever", says Knudson. "And we're planning to build on that success. Following the session, we received many constructive suggestions and we have incorporated several of them into this year's program. For example, we have creatred a separate 'break-out' session for Quartermasters to allow us to focus exclusively on issues and policies important to these key post officers." Knudson suggested that Trustees might also want to attend the Quartermaster session, but that the general session will also underscore the often misunderstood role of Trustees in the post. "All Trustees should make it a point to attend OTI. Ideally, if all three Post Trustees came, at least one might be well-advised to sit in on the QM session for better understanding of that side of Post Operations," Knudson explained.

As in the past, there will also be a separate training session for District Commanders.

Attendance at the State OTI will be a key element in the 2008/09 White Hat requirements. In addition to a revamped Power Point presentation, OTI workbooks will also be included. The $20 per person Advance Registration Fee includes training materials. (Registration at the door will be $25) Advance registrations must be in hand at State Headquarters no later than Monday, July 21st.

The O.T.I. takes place the day after the State Council of Administration Meeting, which runs on Friday the 25th. Key committee meetings (Finance, Convention, Veterans Service and VFW News) will be held on Thursday afternoon, July 24th.

"We have purposely done all we can to keep the cost of attendance at a minimum", said Knudson. "While some members travelling a longer distance may want to check in the night before, most attendees will not have to deal with any overnight expense." The sessions run from 8:30am (registration) until 4:00pm. Lunch is on your own. There are numerous fast-food restaurants in the area, as well as restaurants at the hotel.

To register, you may go to the VFW Forms Page under the heading of CONFERENCE & CONVENTION forms or CLICK HERE to directly download the mail-in OTI REGISTRATION FORM. 

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VFW Demands Accountability Over Chantix Issue

Thursday, June 19, 2008 at 04:33 PM

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WASHINGTON (June 19, 2008) - "Enough is enough," said George J. Lisicki, the national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S., in response to today's Washington Times article that provides additional information about the potential lethal effect a prescribed drug is having on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder-diagnosed veterans who volunteered for a Department of Veterans Affairs smoking cessation program.

"Those in the VA who failed to properly serve America's veterans must resign their positions," said Lisicki, a Vietnam veteran from Carteret, N.J. "If not, then the VA secretary must take decisive action to terminate them."

The smoking cessation research program uses the drug Chantix, which Food and Drug Administration officials say helps people to stop smoking, but according to a Washington Times/ABC News investigative report on Tuesday, Chantix has also been linked to almost 40 suicides and more than 400 incidents of suicidal behavior. The drug's manufacturer and the FDA have recently cautioned healthcare providers about adverse side effects that could produce changes in behavior ranging from anxiety and depression to suicide.

All 940 veterans enrolled in the VA's smoking cessation program have PTSD. A test group of 143 of them were prescribed Chantix, which is also known as Varenicline.

Lisicki questions why VA clinicians who knew of Chantix's hazardous side effects would allow veterans suffering from PTSD to continue taking it, because "professional ethics and common sense just dictates that clinicians would stop their patients from taking the drug just to err on the side of safety for the veterans and their families," he said. As of May 21, the Federal Aviation Administration banned the use of Chantix by airline pilots and air traffic controllers.

The VFW national commander also questions the leadership ability of those who oversee these types of medical research programs, asks why it took the VA two more days before revealing additional details of those in the study; and wonders what other information has yet to be uncovered. Aside from Chantix, other drugs that are were reported to currently being used to treat veterans with PTSD are the anticonvulsant Divalproex, and the antidepressants Paroxetine, Mirtazapine and Citalopram, all of which carry warnings of potential suicidal side effects.

"The VA is known for quality healthcare that is delivered by highly trained and educated medical professionals and staff, but in recent weeks, the American public has read stories accusing the department of not properly taking care of veterans with mental health problems, to include veterans attempting suicide under VA care. These stories, to include the well-documented veterans' claims backlog, are having a negative cumulative effect on the overall image of the VA," said Lisicki.

Read more

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WDVA Seeks VETERAN LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Nominees

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at 10:00 AM

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(MADISON) – The Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs is seeking nominations for its Veteran Lifetime Achievement Award to be presented at its meeting on August 15, 2008 in Superior, Wis.

The Veteran Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes Wisconsin veterans who have compiled a record of exemplary service as a military service member, a veteran, and as a citizen during the veteran’s lifetime.  The August 2008 award recipient will be selected from among nominations received for veterans residing in all counties statewide.  Nominations for the Board’s August meeting must be postmarked no later than July 15, 2008.

The award is part of the Board’s ongoing efforts to underscore its commitment to taking veterans issues out to where veterans live, work, and enjoy the freedoms of our great country and to encourage greater veteran participation in Board of Veterans Affairs meetings.

The Board, through a subcommittee appointed by the Board Chair, will select the recipients from nominations submitted by individuals (including family members of the nominee), veterans service and other organizations, county veterans service officers, and fellow veterans.

The first Veteran Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Eugene P. Moran, a World War II veteran from Soldiers Grove, on October 18, 2007 at the National Guard Armory in Platteville.  Dr. James C. Allen, a Korean War veteran from Madison, received an award on February 20, 2008.  He was instrumental in the enactment of the Dr. James C. Allen Veterans Vision Equity Act, authorized by Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI).  A June award will be announced on June 20^th.

There will be six annual awards, four regional and two statewide.  Nominations may be submitted at any time during the year, but no later than the 15^th of the month prior to each proposed award.  Completed nominations should be mailed to:  Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs Lifetime Achievement Award, Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, 30 W. Mifflin St., P.O. Box 7843, Madison, WI  53707-7843, or faxed to:  (608) 264-7616. 

Nomination forms and more information about the award are available online at www.WisVets.com/boardaward, or by calling WDVA toll-free at 1-800-WIS-VETS (1-800-947-8387).

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MILITARY FAMILY RETREAT PLANNED FOR OIF/OEF VETS

Thursday, June 12, 2008 at 04:26 PM

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A Retreat for Wisconsin and Minnesota OEF/OIF Vets and their families is scheduled for July 4th through the 6th at Camp New Hope in McGrergor, MN.

• Who: OIF/OEF Veterans and Families.
• What: Family Retreat, Camp New Hope.
• Cost: FREE, including all meals! 
• Includes: Series of short presentations on trauma, relationships, problem-solving, sleep, finances, and more will be offered at different times throughout each day.
• Location: Rural and peaceful.
• Objective: To offer low-key assistance as requested by family.
• Youth: Activies will be offered based upon need.
• Sponsors: Department of Veterans, 88th Regional Support Command, Friendship Ventures, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Lions Clubs.
• When: Check-in 4-July 08 @ 1400 hrs; Check out: 6-July 08 @ 1200 hrs.
• Why: Provide education & offer services in a relaxed rural setting to aid Vets and their families in readjustment from deployments.

To download a registration form, CLICK HERE

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“D-Day” Invasion Anniversary is Observed 64 Years Later

Friday, June 6, 2008 at 06:15 PM

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A Special Message From:

Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary John A. Scocos

 

The 64^th anniversary of Operation Overlord is June 6. Called “D-Day,” or “Day of Days,” the assault on Europe in 1944 took place on the shores of northern France, in what was to be the largest seaborne invasion in history to that time.

Over 850,000 American and British troops crossed the English Channel from southern England to the shores of Normandy. The objective to secure Normandy was accomplished through additional land and naval support of other Allied nations. This critical spearhead invasion is today recognized as the turning point towards the Allied victory in WWII.

The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, through the Wisconsin Veterans Museum (WVM), preserves the materials and memories of all Wisconsin veterans, including those at D-Day.  The collections of the WVM are of immeasurable benefit to the veterans and grateful citizens of this state as we reflect on the sacrifices made in France 64 years ago.

The Wisconsin Veterans Oral History Project, administered by the WVM, currently holds over 1,200 recorded interviews with Wisconsin veterans, including more than a dozen with D-Day participants.  These oral histories provide the benefit of hearing the voices of these men and women as they reflect on their experiences.

A paratrooper in the 101^st Airborne, Orville Collins of Denmark, Wisconsin landed near Foucarville, France on June 6 and immediately found himself under German fire.  In his interview, Collins described his thoughts and feelings as he took part in this momentous event:

"You can hear mortars, machine guns, sporadic, all over.  But still you feel alone.  And I never was.  I suppose it is fear.  You got to admit there is fear there.  I never had such a dry throat in my life.  I often think of that poem, Gunga Din. “It was crawling, and it stunk, but all the drinks I drunk, I am most grateful for that one from Gunga Dun.” It was crawling and it stunk.  I know I had my canteen cleaned up in no time.”

Milwaukee native Martin Gutekunst, a member of the Navy’s 2^nd Beach Battalion, talked about landing in an LST (Landing Ship, Tank) and his reaction upon hitting Utah Beach:

"And I never gave it much thought as to what was going on.  Besides, I was sort of numb by the whole thing.  Because it was something we didn’t have any training in this sort of thing, with all these guns going off, the Navy guns and the other Navy firing, and the Germans had the bombs and they also had their 88 mm.  And those were something that really gave you a scare, because they had an odd whistle to them.”

Though a significant victory, the D-Day invasion was not without cost. Of the over 400,000 Americans who lost their lives during WWII, more than 2,400 died on June 6, 1944, and today, we reflect on the experiences of that historic day.

It was also in 1944 that the original GI Bill provided for the full cost of a higher education plus a living allowance for our Greatest Generation. While the original GI Bill was allowed to erode since World War II, Wisconsin has been among a handful of states that continued to provide veterans educational assistance through the Wisconsin GI Bill. A new federal bill – the Webb GI Bill – has been proposed to provide federal dollars for full educational benefits for veterans. More than 64 years after the year D-Day occurred, today’s newest Greatest Generation deserves nothing less than the same.

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