Department of Wisconsin

GOOD SAMARITAN AWARD

Posted at 03:49 PM on Monday, January 5, 2009 by Wisconsin VFW News

Wisconsin State Raffle - Post Sales Results to Date

Posted at 03:30 PM on Monday, January 5, 2009 by Wisconsin VFW News in Special Events

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Post 1318 Hosts Fallen Warriors Fundraiser on Super Bowl Saturday

Posted at 06:59 AM on Monday, January 5, 2009 by Wisconsin VFW News

Spaghetti Dinner, Silent Auction, and DJ (Birdtrax) event planned (UW Badger Football Players have been invited to sign autographs)

Super Bowl Saturday, January 31, 2009 starting at 4 pm to ???  Autographs will begin at 4 (if the players are able to attend), Spaghetti will be served from 5-7 pm, Auction from 4-9 pm, DJ 7-? 

VFW 1318 on Lakeside Street, Madison (off of John Nolen Drive)  

The Fallen Warrior Memorial is a bronze sculpture representing the symbol of the rifle, helmet, and boots. This sculpture is presented during a private ceremony, to all the families of Wisconsin servicemen and women who have been killed in the war on terror.  The League has only been able to present about 1/3 of these memorials leaving around 65 yet to present.  Our goal is to present one to each family who has not received the Warrior while keeping current on presenting the current need.  These memorials each cost just over $200.  Flowers and memories can fade and die, but the memorial lasts forever.  The families who have received the memorial were overwhelmed with joy in their greatest time of sadness. 

The Marine Corps League are current and former United States Marines who’s missions are to support the United States Marine Corps and to support Troops of all branches in times of need.  You may have heard of the Marine Corps League because of some of the things they do in Wisconsin communities.  They assist in the annual Toy’s for Tots toy collection and distribution, they march in parades and perform in color guards, and most importantly, they fundraise and present the FALLEN WARRIOR MEMORIAL to families of our military warriors, in all branches, who give the ultimate sacrifice in the War on Terror—their lives.

With the more than 3,500 National Guard members heading to the Middle-east, it is imperative that we be prepared for the worst, that some may not come home. 

How can YOU help?  Come eat, listen to good music, and bid on some great prizes.  If you have items you wish to donate for the auction, please contact Mary ASAP to have the item added to our advertising.

Some auction items:  Signed Green Bay Packer Football from 2007-08 team (Including Brett Farve), Signed Baseball (Jeff Suppan) and two Milwaukee Brewer club level tickets, US Flag flown over the Wisconsin Capitol November 10, 2008, Purse and Wallet made in Iraq, Stacking Dolls from Russia, American Girl Doll, Baby Quilt and accessories, Crochet American Flag, Capitol City Harley Davidson Blanket, Women’s Leather Briefcase, a memorabilia section, and much, much more! 

Please help us with this great project that allows us to give a little peace to the families who lose a loved one in the War on Terror.   

Hope to see you there!

Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful). 

Mary Lloyd, Four Lakes Detachment

Marine Corps League, Madison 

For More Information: Contact Mary Lloyd

VA News Briefs

Posted at 08:50 AM on Thursday, January 1, 2009 by Wisconsin VFW News

VA Ramps Up Job Search for Injured Vets

WASHINGTON – Thirty percent of employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are veterans – the second highest ranking among cabinet departments after the Department of Defense -- and nearly 8 percent of VA employees are service-connected disabled veterans. But the VA intends to increase the number of disabled veterans who obtain employment in its workforce.

"I am proud of this effort," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. "VA knows the true quality of our men and women, and we should be a leader in employing them."

Peake said all severely injured veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will be contacted by VA's Veterans Employment Coordination Service to determine their interest in -- and qualifications for -- VA jobs. So far, that office has identified 2,300 severely injured veterans of those wars, of whom 600 expressed interest in VA employment.

Click here to read more

Some Veterans to See Another Travel Reimbursement Increase

WASHINGTON – Service-disabled and low-income veterans who are reimbursed for travel expenses while receiving care at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities will see an increase in their payments beginning January 9.

A recently passed law allows VA to cut the amount it must withhold from their mileage reimbursement. The deductible amount will be $3 for each one-way trip and $6 for each round trip -- with a cap per calendar-month of $18, or six one-way trips or three round trips, whichever comes first. The previous deductible was $7.77 for a one-way trip, and $15.54 for a round trip, with a calendar-month cap of $46.62.

January Grassroots Survey

Posted at 08:40 AM on Thursday, January 1, 2009 by Wisconsin VFW News

Last month, we asked, "With the election over, do you think our citizens will become more united?"

A majority of respondents—more than 65% percent—believe that the division of American citizens will continue in the years to come. Many noted, however, that people really need to put their differences aside for the health of the country.

• "America is strong as a people, and it's the people who will bring us back as the guiding light of the world, not the government."
• "These are tough times. We've used times like this to re-unite and get stronger. We're Americans first, as that we're all one."
• "We have to, and leaders in all organizations would best serve the goals of the organization and the country by encouraging everyone to do so."

Click here to see more results

Vets Visits on TV - December 2008

Posted at 07:34 AM on Monday, December 29, 2008 by Wisconsin VFW News

VA Reaches 11,000 Survivors for Retroactive Benefit

Posted at 07:10 AM on Monday, December 29, 2008 by Wisconsin VFW News

WASHINGTON (Dec. 24, 2008) -- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has identified nearly 11,000 surviving spouses of deceased veterans who will receive a lump-sum payment before the New Year to correct an error in their VA benefits. Also documented were more than 73,000 who had been previously paid. VA officials are still tracking down eligible survivors.

"I am pleased that our task force working to correct this problem has been able to identify this first group this week," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. "We understand the difference these funds can make for these surviving spouses, especially during the holiday season."

Payments will be released to these survivors on Dec. 29. The total value of the payments is about $24 million.

At issue is a 1996 federal law that makes a surviving spouse eligible to receive the veteran's VA compensation or pension benefit for the month of the veteran's death. VA failed to properly implement that law in all cases.

Most likely to have been affected by this problem are surviving spouses who never applied for VA survivors' benefits following the death of a veteran. Eligible for the payment are surviving spouses of veterans who died after Dec. 31, 1996. The Department doesn't have current addresses for many of them, which makes the process of contacting them difficult.

VA has established a special Survivor Call Center (1-800-749-8387) for spouses who believe they may be eligible for this retroactive benefit. The Call Center is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Central Standard Time. Inquiries may also be submitted through the Internet at http://www.vba.va.gov/survivorsbenefit.htm.

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