VFW WI Post 8244

VA News - Week of July 21, 2008

Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 02:01 PM

by post8244

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VFW Washington Weekly - July 21, 2008

Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 01:50 PM

by post8244

In This Issue:
1. FY2009 VA Funding Bill
2. House VA Committee Action
3. VA Outreach Hearing
4. SECDEF Recommends New Guard Chief

1. FY2009 VA Funding Bill: The Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously cleared its version of the 2009 VA Funding Bill. The bill provides $72.7 billion in discretionary funding for military construction and Veterans Affairs. This is about $5 billion more than the current fiscal year, and is in line with the House Appropriations Committee's recommendations. It includes:
$47.7 billion in total VA discretionary funding.
$41.1 billion for VA health care.
$1.2 billion for VA construction projects, nearly double the president's request, and $1.1 billion for hospital maintenance and repairs.
$84 million more than the president's request for medical and prosthetic research.
$350 million to help certain higher income Category 8 veterans to begin enrolling in VA.
$250 million targeted to the care of rural veterans.
The bill now moves to the floor of the Senate for a vote.

Read more...

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Vote and Get a Free Download

Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 03:47 PM

by post8244

(via VFW.org)

The moment has arrived! Finalists have been chosen in the VFW Fly the Flag Photo Contest and voting has begun. Vote for your favorite photo and we’ll send you a free download of country music artist Ricky Lee's popular song "A Soldier Like You."

The best of the best have been selected. Now it's your turn to vote for the patriotic photo you think should win. Voting makes you eligible to download a country song from Ricky Lee!

Be part of VFW's 2008 Fly the Flag campaign! Let everyone know you support America's defenders and will never forget their sacrifice for freedom.

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VA Announces On-Line Claims Applications

Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 03:36 PM

by post8244

(via VA Press Release)

WASHINGTON (July 16, 2008) - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today that on-line applications are now accepted from veterans, survivors and other claimants filing initial applications for disability compensation, pension, education, and vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits without the additional requirement to submit a signed paper copy of the application.

Effective immediately, VA will now process applications received through its on-line application website (VONAPP) without the claimant's signature.  The electronic application will be sufficient authentication of the claimant's application for benefits.  Normal development procedures and rules of evidence will still apply to all VONAPP applications.

VONAPP (www.va.gov/onlineapps.htm) is a Web-based system that benefits both internal and external users.  Veterans, survivors and other claimants seeking compensation, pension, education, or vocational rehabilitation benefits can apply electronically without the constraints of location, postage cost, and time delays in mail delivery.

VONAPP reduces the number of incomplete applications received by VA, decreasing the need for additional development by VA claims processors.  The on-line application also provides a link to apply for VA health care benefits and much more.

Over 3.7 million veterans and beneficiaries receive compensation and pension benefits from VA and approximately 523,000 students receive education benefits.  Approximately 90,000 disabled veterans participate in VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program.

For more information about VA benefits, go to VA's website at www.va.gov or call our toll-free number at 1-800-827-1000.

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VFW RAFFLE SALES CONTEST - UPDATED REPORT

Thursday, July 10, 2008 at 12:44 PM

by post8244

All Department of Wisconsin VFW Posts (and Auxiliaries) are eligible to compete in the statewide 50/50 Revenue Sharing Contest for 2008. To see the current standings by division, CLICK HERE

Reminder: All participating Posts must submit a report monthly to:

VFW STATE CONTEST
PO BOX 61
MARSHFIELD, WI 54449

Tickets and a Post Check for payment must accompany report. If your post had NO SALES in the month, you may submit an electronic report HERE

To print a Monthly Contest Report Form or Raffle Poster, Order more Tickets, or review participation rules, CLICK HERE.

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OUR POST WILL EARN MONEY THROUGH NEW VFW PROGRAM!

Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at 10:40 PM

by post8244

SIMPLE PROGRAM EARNS BIG BUCKS FOR YOUR POST & DEPARTMENT - AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO PARTICIPANTS!

At our recent State Convention, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Wisconsin Council of Administration, approved

a statewide program that promises to bring much-needed revenue to both the Department of Wisconsin and all active Posts. All Posts are automatically signed up and eligible to receive their share of the new revenue. Other than depositing the check, there's no work involved at the Post level, except to encourage members and friends in the community to make their routine purchases through the VFW GIFTCARD Program.

Hundreds of regional and national brand business participate in the program already. Participating businesses accept the gift cards much as they do a debit or credit card purchase. The cards are purchased either on line or by mail or fax and sent to customers, who then spend them just like cash. There is no cost to the customer to purchase the cards, either. Buyers may specify which Wisconsin VFW Post is to receive a share of the percentage the merchant is donating to the VFW of Wisconsin. (Some businesses donate 3%, others 7% or more.) The donation is divided between the Department of Wisconsin and the designated Post.

Card Purchasers can establish their own online account and track how much has been donated by way of their purchases. Posts may also log on to see how much has been generated on their behalf as well.

The program is already generating serious donations for other organizations across the country, and if our members get involved, and encourage their friends to do likewise, the cash benefits can be tremendous. You don't have to change a thing about your grocery, gas, or other routine expenses except how you pay for them!

To learn more, read the information below and click on it or the logo above to go directly to the VFW Giftcard Store and get started!

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Happening Now in the Forum

Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at 02:03 PM

by post8244

A sample of what's being talked about today in the VFW WebCOM Membership Forum:

• The National VFW would like to hear your opinion on Retaining 40-Yr Old and Younger Members.
• If you could build a post home from scratch, what would it be like?  Add your thoughts to Next Generation Post Home.
• The new GI bill has passed.  Are you ready to attract and serve veterans attending colleges and universities?  Find out in College VSO's.

These discussions and more are going on right now in the VFW WebCOM Membership Forum.

And don't forget, you can stay on top of all the latest news and forum discussions by downloading your VFW WebCOM Department toolbar.

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