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Wisconsin Veteran Resources
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VFW "Fortune Raffle" Winners Drawn
Posted at 02:24 PM on Monday, February 8, 2010 by Dan
The winning tickets in the 2009/2010 Wisconsin VFW "Fortune Raffle" were drawn as scheduled Saturday afternoon at the Mid-Winter Conference in Appleton. Prize winners will receive official notification and their prizes direct from State Headquarters in Madison later this week. Congratulations to all, and thanks for all the hard work that went in to making this year's raffle a great success.
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Place |
Prize |
Name |
City |
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1st |
$10,000 |
Alice Parker |
Viola, WI |
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2nd |
$7,000 |
Mike Casper |
De Forest, WI |
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3rd |
$3,000 |
Jeremy Spike |
Janesville, WI |
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4th |
$2,000 |
VFW Post 7591 |
Madison, WI |
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5th |
$1,000 |
David Kluz |
Beavr Dam, WI |
|
6th |
$1,000 |
Richard Weber |
Marshall, WI |
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7th |
$500 |
RobertC. Wicka |
Independence, WI |
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8th |
$500 |
Roger Lunde |
Westby, WI |
VFW Applauds VA, National Security Budget Requests
Posted at 08:50 AM on Monday, February 8, 2010 by Dan
WASHINGTON - The national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is applauding President Obama for submitting a fiscal year 2011 budget that strengthens defense and national security, and boosts programs for veterans, servicemembers and their families.Thomas J. Tradewell Sr., a combat-wounded Vietnam veteran from Sussex, Wis., said the president's vision tracks with key VFW legislative goals that advocate for a strong and secure America, and for ensuring that those who serve in uniform are properly cared for by a grateful nation.
Find more videos like this on My VFW WebCOM
The $60.3 billion discretionary funding request for the Department of Veterans Affairs is 7 percent above 2010 and 20 percent above 2009 funding levels. Key initiatives are to hire 4,000 additional adjudicators to shrink the disability claims backlog; to reduce the homeless veterans' population; to construct new medical facilities in Denver and New Orleans; and to maintain a robust information technology program that will enable a 21st century VA to fully automate its GI Bill benefits system and create a seamless electronic record for military members entering the VA system. Other notable recommendations would enhance women veterans' programs; increase specialized care for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury and other mental health conditions; and expand the national cemetery system into areas where 80,000 veterans reside within 75 miles of a potential VA cemetery. Also included for the first time was a request for $50.6 billion in advanced appropriations for the VA's fiscal 2012 budget.
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White House Seeks $125 Billion for Veterans in 2011
Posted at 06:27 PM on Monday, February 1, 2010 by Dan
WASHINGTON – To expand health care to a record-number of Veterans, reduce the number of homeless Veterans and process a dramatically increased number of new disability compensation claims, the White House has announced a proposed $125 billion budget next year for the Department of Veterans Affairs."Our budget proposal provides the resources necessary to continue our aggressive pursuit of President Obama's two over-arching goals for Veterans," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "First, the requested budget will help transform VA into a 21st century organization. And second, it will ensure that we approach Veterans' care as a lifetime initiative, from the day they take their oaths until the day they are laid to rest."
The $125 billion budget request, which has to be approved by Congress, includes $60.3 billion for discretionary spending (mostly health care) and $64.7 billion in mandatory funding (mostly for disability compensation and pensions).
"VA's 2011 budget request covers many areas but focuses on three central issues that are of critical importance to our Veterans – easier access to benefits and services, faster disability claims decisions, and ending the downward spiral that results in Veterans' homelessness," Shinseki said.
Reducing Claims Backlog
The president's budget proposal includes an increase of $460 million and more than 4,000 additional claims processors for Veterans benefits. This is a 27 percent funding increase over the 2010 level.
The 1,014,000 claims received in 2009 were a 75 percent increase over the 579,000 received in 2000. Shinseki said the Department expects a 30 percent increase in claims – to 1,319,000 – in 2011 from 2009 levels.
One reason for the increase is VA's expansion of the number of Agent Orange-related illnesses that automatically qualify for disability benefits. Veterans exposed to the Agent Orange herbicides during the Vietnam War are likely to file additional claims that will have a substantial impact upon the processing system for benefits, the secretary said.
"We project significantly increased claims inventories in the near term while we make fundamental improvements to the way we process disability compensation claims," Shinseki said.
Long-term reduction of the inventory will come from additional manpower, improved business practices, plus an infusion of $145 million in the proposed budget for development of a paperless claims processing system, which plays a significant role in the transformation of VA.
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VFW Washington Weekly - January 22, 2010
Posted at 01:24 PM on Friday, January 22, 2010 by Dan
In This Issue:
1. VFW Presents Legislative Goals
2. House VA Committee Hearings
3. Relief for GI Bill Payments Coming
4. Vets Employment Initiative Launched
1. VFW Presents Legislative Goals: The VFW presented its Top 5 legislative goals this week at a House Veterans Affairs Committee roundtable. The issues we want Congress to highlight this year are the claims backlog, employment and training, oversight of VA health care, and military-to-veteran transition issues, to include education. Committee members acknowledged that the VA claims backlog is among their top priorities, and they intend to hold oversight hearings on viable fixes to the critical problem. The VFW's 2010 legislative priority goals can be viewed at http://www.vfw.org/PR/
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Click here to read more Washington Weekly
Past 6th District Commander Virgil Olson
Posted at 12:02 AM on Thursday, January 21, 2010 by Dan
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Past Sixth District Commander Virgil O. Olson has passed away after a long battle with cancer. He was 79.
He was born in Strum, WI to the late Victor and Olga (Moe) Olson on July 15, 1930.
Virgil was a Korean War Veteran, having served with the U.S. Marines there in 1950. His service spanned the years from 1947 to 1951.
Following his stint in the Marines, Virgil returned to his native Wisconsin and, in 1957, married Doris Dodge. They had three daughters and one son.
In civilian life, he worked as a roofer and a butcher before becoming a mechanic at Wisconsin Electric Power Company where he worked for 32 years. After he retired, he worked as a grounds keeper at the Mee-Kwon Golf course for 17 years.
Virgil was a life member of the VFW Post 7037 Waubeka Flag Day Post since August 10, 1964, the Korean War Veterans Post in West Bend, the Military Order of the Cooties, and the 40/8 American Legion Post. He served as a commander many times during his life as well as the Flag Day Chairman. He was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge #1043 in Saukville since 1954.
He was survived by his son Lee of Cedarburg, daughters Suzanne (Dean) Davis of Port Washington and Judith (Rod) Moon of Embarrass, WI, grandchildren Kevin Lemens, Ashley (Ian) Hutchins, Christopher Olson, James Bell, Sean Olson, Colin Moon, Nicholas Olson, and Alicia Moon; great grandson Wayne Hutchins. He is further survived by his brother Clark Olson of Virginia, nieces, nephews and other relative and friends.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife Doris, daughter Christine, and sister Diann Owen-Thomas.
The funeral service will be held at 2PM on Saturday, January 23rd at First Immanuel Lutheran Church, W67 N622 Evergreen Blvd., Cedarburg. Rev. Jonathan van Sliedrecht will officiate. The family will receive visitors on Saturday from 11:00AM until 1:00PM at the Eernisse Funeral Home, 1600 W. Grand Ave. (Hwy 33 & LL) in Port Washington, with a military rites at 1PM before processing to church.
Private burial will be at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove on Monday.
(Click links for directions to Church and Funeral Home)
Lance Corporal Jacob Meinert Mourned
Posted at 01:20 PM on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 by Dan
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| 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 Joins in Haiti Humanitarian Effort
Posted at 06:16 PM on Friday, January 15, 2010 by Dan
Kansas City, MO., Jan. 15, 2010 -The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is assisting in humanitarian efforts in Haiti by providing U.S. service members — with relatives currently located in Haiti — with the funds necessary to purchase airline tickets to the devastated island, so that they may locate, assist or make burial arrangements for relatives affected by the recent earthquake. Funds also may be used to help provide sustenance or other necessities to sustain life.The veterans' organization donation will be used to assist U.S. service members currently on active duty, in the Reserves or in National Guard units.
VFW National Commander Tommy J. Tradewell Sr., has asked VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary members to come to the aid of victims of the recent natural disaster by individually donating what they can to the VFW National Military Services program (NMS), either online [Donate now online], text [text "VFW" to 90999 - standard text messaging rates apply], or mail directly to VFW National Military Services, 406 W. 34th Street, Kansas City, MO 64111.
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WORLD WAR II TOURS - AND MORE!
Posted at 10:20 PM on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 by Dan
To e-mail for more information, CLICK HERE!
VFW CheckPoint Magazine Jan/Feb 2010
Posted at 12:07 PM on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 by Dan
VFW CheckPoint Magazine Jan/Feb 2010 -
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VFW Washington Weekly - January 8, 2010
Posted at 03:57 PM on Friday, January 8, 2010 by Dan
In This Issue:
1. VA to Delay Increase in Prescription Copayments
2. TRICARE for Gray Area Reserve Retirees
3. Congress on Recess
1. VA to Delay Increase in Prescription Copayments: VA officials this week announced they are delaying an increase in veterans' out-of-pocket payments for pharmaceuticals until June 30. The scheduled $1 increase-from $8 to $9 per 30-day supply of medicine for nonservice-connected conditions-will be reevaluated so that VA can consider how the increases are calculated. During this period, VA will also keep $960 as the maximum annual out-of-pocket payment for pharmaceuticals for nonservice-related conditions. The $960 cap will not apply to veterans in priority groups seven and eight. The yearly maximum out-of-pocket payment was scheduled to increase to $1,080. There are no copayments associated with the treatment of conditions related to military service. The freeze is considered temporary. Some increases may take affect this summer unless a new way of calculating co-payments is found and implemented.
Continue reading VFW Washington Weekly
Continue reading VFW Washington Weekly
VFW NATIONAL PROGRAMS - TIMELY INFORMATION
Posted at 02:58 PM on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 by Dan
VFW eNewsletter -
60 Minutes Segment on VA Backlog
Posted at 07:14 AM on Monday, January 4, 2010 by Dan
(Airdate: January 3, 2010)VFW Department Address Has Changed
Posted at 06:41 PM on Saturday, January 2, 2010 by Dan
The VFW Department of Wisconsin Headquarters has moved effective December 29, 2009. Computer systems are up and running. We are able to communicate with the World.
Our new temporary address is 4676 Cottage Grove Rd., Madison, WI 53716. As soon as work is completed on our new permanent location, we will be relocating for a final time to our new offices on Dutch Mill Road in Madison.
Because of the relocation, our Headquarters Phone and Fax Numbers had to change. The following are the new, correct, numbers (and will transfer to the Dutch Mill location as shown here.)
Headquarters Phone number is (608) 221-5276
Fax line is (608) 221-5277
Steve's Cell number is (608) 770-0590
Our official mailing address will NOT change. It is still:
P.O. Box 1623
Madison, WI 53701-1623
Holiday Greetings from the Headquarters Staff, Kim Squires, Mike Nalty and Steve Lawrence
TRICARE Returns to Zero Copay on OTC Meds
Posted at 02:57 PM on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 by Dan
FALLS CHURCH, Va. - Positive feedback and cost savings means TRICARE's over-the-counter medication demonstration continues without copayments. The demonstration allows TRICARE beneficiaries to substitute over-the-counter versions for selected prescription drugs.Over-the-counter (OTC) medications available through the program include allergy medications cetirizine and loratadine, and heartburn medications (proton-pump inhibitors) Prilosec OTC and its generic form omeprazole.
The two-year OTC demonstration did not require a copay for covered OTC medications when it began at TRICARE retail pharmacies in October 2007. When the demonstration was extended in November 2009, it coincided with the start of a new pharmacy contract. A $3 copay was required until systems changes could be made and that work is now complete.
"This is a very positive program and we're excited to return to a zero copay," said Rear Adm. Thomas McGinnis, chief of the TRICARE Pharmaceutical Operations Directorate. "This is one way we are working hard to keep costs lower - for our beneficiaries and for the Department of Defense."
OTC medications are generally less expensive than their prescription versions, by as much as 400 percent in some cases.
To receive covered OTC medications with no out-of-pocket costs, beneficiaries still need a prescription from their health care provider specifically for the OTC drug. After submitting the prescription at any TRICARE retail network pharmacy or the TRICARE mail-order pharmacy, the prescription for the OTC medication is filled at no cost.
For more information about the TRICARE Pharmacy Program, go to http://www.tricare.mil/pharmacy.
DANE COUNTY LOSES COUNCIL COMMANDER CARLE WEIER
Posted at 11:25 AM on Monday, December 28, 2009 by Dan
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 Dane County Council Commander Carl Weier died December 24th after a brief illness. Comrade Weier was a Life Member of Post 9424, Deerfield.Visitation will be from 2:00 until 4:00pm Wednesday, December 30th, at Olson-Holzhuter-Cress Funeral Home at 201 Bue Street, Deerfield, WI. A Memorial Service conducted by Chaplain Dale Hundt will follow at 4:00pm. |
Merry Christmas
Posted at 07:16 AM on Thursday, December 24, 2009 by Dan
To all our VFW and Auxiliaries members, veterans and active military wherever you may be, may you have a Merry Christmas and safe and joyous holiday.-The VFW WebCOM Team
VFW GIFT CARD PROGRAM ENDED
Posted at 06:08 AM on Thursday, December 24, 2009 by Dan
The Gift Card Program is officially defunct as of 21 Dec, 2009. Full details can be read HERE . All Posts, County Councils and Districts, please note the following information:
1. The criteria of participating in the Gift Card Program is deleted from All-State requirements effective immediately. Due to the fact this program has been discontinued and there was no control by the VFW in this a, this program cannot and will not be used in any weight of judging for All-State Competitors.
2. Any posts who have recently made payments for gift cards should be made aware they will be refunded.
3. All State Representatives, please make sure this information is added to your Talking Points at the District Winter meetings.
Thanks,
Arlene Banks
Chief of Staff
VFW Department of Wisconsin
WI VFW GIFT CARD PROGRAM DEFUNCT
Posted at 09:49 AM on Wednesday, December 23, 2009 by Dan
The parent company of the WI VFW Gift Card Program has ceased operations effective immediately.
In a memorandum sent to recent purchasers, the company states:
It is with great sadness that we announce that as of December 21, 2009, Simplified SCRIP will cease operations and no longer accept new orders.
For years, we have had the pleasure of working with many dedicated individuals that are committed to raising funds for their group. In 2008 when the economy began to decline, a series of factors began to change the way we could operate. Many large retail merchants filed for bankruptcy leaving behind many invalid gift cards. This and a falling economy on the whole prompted widespread changes in purchasing behavior and gift card sales fell across the country. In 2009 further changes in vendor policies, terms, and credit restrictions lead to changes in the way we operated.
Over this past year, we have done everything possible to serve our customers, but despite our efforts we are no longer able to provide the service that we once did. A decision made by the Board of Directors has dictated that we discontinue our service effective today.
We will now concentrate on taking care of all customers. If you have an outstanding order, you will receive a refund check for any unshipped items. Refund checks will begin to be issued in the order they were received beginning 12/28/09. Once all refunds are processed, we will send donation checks for any funds earned during the last quarter.
There are several other scrip and fundraising companies available to work with your group. We hope that you are able to find another program to suit your needs.
We wish all of our customers and groups the best in their future fundraising efforts.
The Wisconsin VFW Gift Card Program is a division of Simplified Scrip. The program offered opportunities for participating Posts and the Department to reap cash rewards for all merchant gift cards purchased through it. Despite frequent promotional attempts, the program did not garner the widespread support that had been hoped for.
Cards currently in your possession should be honored by participating merchants, although we were unable to confirm that as fact. We will continue to attempt to obtain clarification of that point. Watch this website for further updates.
The online link carried by WebCOM will be taken down shortly. In the meantime, all users are advised to not attempt to make purchases through the program from now on.
VFW Washington Weekly - December 18, 2009
Posted at 09:43 AM on Monday, December 21, 2009 by Dan
In This Issue:1. First Session Wrap Up
2. VA Appropriations Update
3. Secure Your Luggage
1. First Session Wrap-Up: As the 111th Congress wraps up its first
session, now is a great time to review our successes and what's ahead in
2010. Our number one priority goal, Advanced Funding for VA Health
Care, was signed into law in October (PL 111-81). VA will now know its
medical care funding a year in advance, making it possible to plan ahead
and provide the best care for all veterans. Several other critical
bills which have now been rolled into larger omnibus packages have
passed the House and Senate and are in conference committee. These
bills are:
* S. 1963, The Caregiver and Veterans Omnibus Health Services
Act of 2009, includes six VFW-supported bills that would provide
caregiver support for family members taking care of severely injured
veterans, child services for veterans seeking treatment at VA,
improvements for women veterans including mental health services and
studies on access to care. The bill would also provide programs to
reduce homelessness among veterans, allow catastrophically disabled
veterans to use emergency care outside VA, and expands care in rural
areas.
* S.728, The Veterans' Benefits Enhancement Act of 2009,
includes a host of other VFW-supported bills that would improve veteran
insurance programs, update burial plot allowances, increase housing,
automobile and adaptive grant programs, enhance disability compensation
for disabled veterans having difficulties with prosthetics and those
suffering from TBI, and clarify certain provisions under USERRA.
The VFW Washington Office could not have accomplished these improvements
without your legislative advocacy in your communities and states! We
look forward to working with you in the New Year as we continue to fight
for America's veterans, servicemembers and their families. For a list
of bills and our 2010 priority goals, visit the VFW website and click on
the National Legislative Service link at
http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=caphill.levelc&cid=3692&tok=1.
Continue reading Washington Weekly
Applicants Sought for VA Under Secretary Position
Posted at 10:32 AM on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 by Dan
RECRUITMENT BULLETIN!
The Department of Veterans Affairs is recruiting for the position of Under Secretary for Benefits (USB). Resumes and nominations are currently being accepted for the position.
Position: VETERANS AFFAIRS UNDER SECRETARY FOR BENEFITS
By Law:
The Under Secretary for Benefits shall be appointed without regard to political affiliation and solely on the basis of demonstrated ability in:
· fiscal management, and
· the administration of programs within the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) or programs of similar content and scope.
Secretary's Vision:
Candidates for the Under Secretary position must be strategic and creative thinkers who will challenge assumptions for seeking the best ways of performing VBA’s important missions of providing timely and appropriate benefits. Candidates are to be senior leaders who will ensure responsive and sustained execution of decisions, focus on results and outcomes, and enforce accountability while advocating for the Veterans.
In managing VBA’s compensation and pension, education, loan guaranty, vocational rehabilitation and employment, and insurance programs, it is critical that candidates be knowledgeable of VA's core mission. Candidates must be committed to providing the highest quality customer service and delivery of benefits to a diverse Veteran population in recognition of their service to this Nation and ensuring those benefits are provided with dignity and compassion.
Statement of Responsibilities:
The Under Secretary for Benefits provides leadership and direction for the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), a large component of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Under Secretary for Benefits reports directly to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and serves as the principal advisor to the Secretary on non-medical Veterans benefits matters. The Under Secretary serves as the Secretary's representative on matters relating to Veterans benefits programs and must be committed to the priorities, goals, and objectives of the Department.
VBA provides an integrated program of non-medical benefits and services authorized by law to Veterans, their dependents and survivors. VBA administers this broad range of benefits through 57 regional offices. These offices are located nationwide with at least one office in every state plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.
The benefits provided include compensation for service-connected disabilities; pensions for aged, needy, and totally disabled Veterans and Veterans' survivors; vocational rehabilitation and employment services; educational and training assistance; home buying assistance; estate protection services for Veterans under legal disability; information and assistance through personalized contacts and outreach programs to separating service members and other special groups of Veterans; and life insurance programs. Funding levels depict the broad scope of these programs, e.g., $43 billion for compensation benefits and $4 billion for pension benefits. Life insurance programs currently cover 7 million policies in force and provide over $1 trillion in insurance protection.
VBA has an operating budget of $2 billion, an average employment level of 17,000, and a benefits budget of $56 billion. Overseeing the management of this budget is a major responsibility of the Under Secretary, and the ability to develop, defend, and administer a budget of this size and complexity is of primary importance.
The Under Secretary formulates and articulates VBA policies to implement the policies and programs of the Department. The Under Secretary is charged with addressing specific challenges to improve VBA's benefits delivery services in all program areas. Specifically, these challenges include providing timely and accurate disability claims decisions as the volume of new claims and the complexity of those claims continue to steadily increase; ensuring timely delivery of benefits to the increasing numbers of veterans participating in VA education programs; maintaining the integrity of the loan guaranty program in a changing economy and housing market; and vocationally rehabilitating and counseling disabled Veterans seeking employment opportunities. Major responsibilities also include oversight of the development of legislative initiatives and implementing policies, and providing direction for the application of innovative management techniques to increase organizational effectiveness and efficiency. The Under Secretary is responsible for providing leadership and direction to develop and implement plans to meet these challenges and responsibilities. The Under Secretary for Benefits must possess the critical ability to successfully negotiate with stakeholders at all levels, and must also be able to effectively communicate VBA's major initiatives to a wide range of individuals and groups, including members of Congress, Veterans Service Organizations, other government entities, and the private sector.
Candidates must:
· Demonstrate the business acumen to lead, from a global perspective, a complex set of programs that rely on the adjudication of claims and delivery of correlating entitlements.
· Be decisive but equally adept at being compassionate and sensitive to VBA's unique responsibility of delivering timely and quality benefits and services to Veterans and their beneficiaries who rely on VA’s expediency and accuracy to enhance and maintain the quality of their daily lives.
· Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and experience on case management operations, customer service and operational IT in support of Veterans benefit management.
· Possess the experience and skills necessary to build cooperative relationships with stakeholders in both the public and private sectors, and partner with VA's Veterans Health Administration and National Cemetery Administration, as well as with the Department of Defense and other federal agencies.
Nominations:
- Due by December 28, 2009 · Via mail: Chair, Under Secretary for Benefits Commission, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20420 Attn: Joyce Mitchell (05C)
- Via email: usbcommissionn@mail.va.gov
- Facsimile to: (202) 208-0557, Attn: Chairperson, Under Secretary for Benefits Commission (05C)
Resumes:
- Due by January 4, 2010·
- Via mail: Chair, Under Secretary for Benefits Commission, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20420 Attn: Joyce Mitchell (05C)
- Via email: usbcommissionr@mail.va.gov
- Facsimile to: (202) 208-0557, Attn: Chairperson, Under Secretary for Benefits Commission (05C)
Questions may be directed to:
- Joyce Mitchell at 202-461-7858; or
- Via email: usbcommissionq@mail.va.gov
Application Materials:
The following application materials must be submitted no later than January 4, 2010:
- a resume, curriculum vitae, Application for Federal Employment (Standard Form 171), or Optional Application for Federal Employment (Optional Form 612 - available on-line at <http://www.opm.gov/forms>),
- a Declaration for Federal Employment (Optional Form 306 - available on-line at <http://www.opm.gov/forms>),
- Supplemental Application Form (Responses should relate to your experience, education and other accomplishments in the five categories, as well as to the Under Secretary for Benefits statement of responsibilities), and
- Any additional information you believe the Commission should consider.
Wreaths Bound for Veterans Cemeteries
Posted at 08:03 AM on Wednesday, December 9, 2009 by Dan
Wreaths bound for veterans cemeteries across the country are on their way to their destinations as part of the Wreaths Across America program.The Wreaths Across America story began over 18 years ago when the Worcester Wreath Company from Harrington, Maine initiated a tradition of donating and placing wreaths on the headstones of our Nation's fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery. Recognition of the service and sacrifice of our veterans, and their families, is especially poignant during the traditional holiday season.
Worcester Wreath Company continues to be a major supporter of the project, donating over 25,000 total wreaths in 2008. Over 100,000 wreaths will be sponsored by individuals, businesses, and groups from communities Nation-wide. Wreaths will be placed in all 50 states from Maine to Alaska and Hawaii, at several locations is Iraq, and at 24 national cemeteries on foreign soil.
For people who wish to support the project, wreath sponsorships are available online. A complete list of participating locations is available on the website at www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org.
REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR
Posted at 06:22 AM on Monday, December 7, 2009 by Dan
FLAGS TO FLY AT HALF-STAFF UNTIL SUNSET TODAY
VA To Survey Veteran Households
Posted at 10:12 AM on Friday, December 4, 2009 by Dan
WASHINGTON (Dec. 3, 2009) - Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has launched a national survey of Veterans, active duty service members, activated National Guard and reserve members, and family members and survivors to learn if they are aware of VA services."By hearing directly from Veterans and their family members, we gain valuable information to help us serve them better. We hope those who receive the survey will respond to it," Secretary Shinseki said.
In addition to assessing awareness levels, the National Survey of Veterans will collect important health care, benefits, employment, and demographic information that VA will use to inform policy decisions and improve benefits. Recognizing a broader client base than just Veterans, this is the first time VA has included others, such as Veteran family members, in its survey population.
VA is mailing out survey "screeners" to more than 130,000 households to identify potential survey participants. The screener asks if anyone in the household is a member of one of the identified survey groups - Veterans, family members and survivors, active duty, Guard or Reserve members. Eligible survey participants then may be requested to participate in a full-length survey.
Participants will be able to select a preferred survey method: through U.S. mail, telephone or a password-protected Internet address. VA expects approximately 10,000 Veterans to complete the full-length survey.
This is the sixth VA National Survey of Veterans since 1978. The information collected will help VA in its efforts to design and conduct outreach to Veterans. In addition, it will provide a clearer picture of the Veteran population's characteristics to help evaluate existing programs and policies and measure their impact.
The data collection is expected to be finished by the end of February and the final report released by December 2010.
VFW Strongly Supports New Afghan Strategy
Posted at 10:09 AM on Friday, December 4, 2009 by Dan
WASHINGTON, December 2, 2009 — The national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is strongly supporting the president's new strategy to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda and its extremist allies."President Obama set the conditions for success in Afghanistan, and he did it without lowering any bars" said Thomas J. Tradewell Sr., a combat wounded Vietnam veteran from Sussex, Wis. "What we now need is for Congress and the American people to get behind him and destroy this global threat to world peace once and for all."
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VFW Commander Refutes M.T. Columnist
Posted at 02:30 PM on Monday, November 30, 2009 by Dan
By Thomas J. Tradewell Sr.Columnist Robert F. Dorr has once again missed the mark regarding the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. ["Some vets still more equal than others," Nov. 16]. His insinuation that we regard Cold War veterans as "second-class citizens" is disingenuous, and the facts reveal a different story altogether.
The VFW is a membership organization that is open to all who currently serve or have served, provided they meet eligibility requirements as established by Congress through public laws. Founded in 1899, the VFW is America's oldest major veterans' organization, and with more than 1.5 million members, we are also her largest organization of combat veterans, an all encompassing category that includes those who went to war as well as those who deployed in support of contingency operations.
All who have deployed into the unknown are forever bound by a common experience — regardless of service, conflict or MOS — and so, too, are our families. It is a "One Team, One Mission" concept that only we who have been there can understand. It is unfortunate that Mr. Dorr continuously refuses to understand this concept and its critical distinction.
He used the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall to say we "betrayed" Cold War veterans because our membership requirements are more exclusive than inclusive, and he cites Korea in trying to validate his point. Had he checked VFW eligibility requirements, he would have discovered that those who served in Korea from the end of World War II forward are eligible. So, too, are those who flew clandestine reconnaissance flights over the former Soviet Union or its satellite states, provided hostile fire or imminent danger pay or an expeditionary medal was awarded.
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