VFW Washington Weekly - May 9, 2008
Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 09:13 AM
by BlogMasters
In This Issue
1. GI Bill Call to Action
2. House Holds Veteran Suicide Hearing
3. Senate Holds Hearing on Benefit Bills
4. Senate Committee Boosts Pay, Rejects Fees
1. GI Bill Call to Action: The VFW still needs you to urge your senators to support S. 22, and your representatives to support H.R. 5740, so that the VFW goal of creating a new GI Bill for the 21st century becomes a reality. As of this morning, 57 senators are supporting S. 22, a number that is unchanged from last week. Introduced by Jim Webb (D-VA), S. 22 has strong bipartisan support from fellow senators such as Chuck Hagel (R-NE) and John Warner (R-VA). Its companion bill in the House, H.R. 5740, increased by 27 to 293 co-sponsors, or 67% of the House. Introduced by Harry Mitchell (D-AZ), it, also has strong bipartisan support from fellow congressmen such as Bill Young (R-FL) and Chris Smith (R-NJ). America's newest Greatest Generation needs your help to bring educational benefits back in line with current day tuitions. Use this link to contact your members: http://capwiz.com/vfw/dbq/officials/.
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May 9 - Military Spouses Day Proclamation
Thursday, May 8, 2008 at 12:33 PM
by BlogMasters
WASHINGTON, May 5, 2008 – Military spouses embody the courage, nobility of duty, and love of country that inspire every American. On Military Spouse Day, we pay tribute to the husbands and wives who support their spouses in America's Armed Forces during times of war and peace.
The legacy of military spouses began when colonial Americans were fighting for independence. Martha Washington boosted the morale of her husband's troops by visiting battlefields and tending to the wounded. Since then, members of our Armed Forces have served our Nation accompanied by the steadfast love and support of their spouses and families.
While our men and women in uniform are protecting our country's founding ideals of liberty, democracy, and justice, their spouses live with uncommon challenges, endure sleepless nights, and spend long periods raising children alone. Many military spouses are also committed volunteers, serving other military families and local communities. Our Nation benefits from the sacrifices of our military families, and we are inspired by their courage, strength, and leadership.
On Military Spouse Day and throughout the year, we honor the commitment spouses have made to freedom's cause. To learn about ways to support our troops and their spouses and families, I encourage all Americans to visit www.americasupportsyou.mil.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 9, 2008, as Military Spouse Day. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities and by expressing their gratitude to the husbands and wives of those serving in the United States Armed Forces.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-second.
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VFW Demands Passage of New GI Bill for 21st Century
Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 07:12 AM
by BlogMasters
WASHINGTON, April 29, 2008 – The national commander of America's largest organization of combat veterans is demanding that Congress pass S. 22, the "Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act."
"A new GI Bill for the 21st century must be passed," said George Lisicki, who leads the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S., a veterans' service organization that includes more than 70,000 Afghanistan and Iraqi war veterans among its 1.7 million members.
"We have an all-volunteer force that has accomplished everything asked of them," said Lisicki. "We need to reward them for their service by helping them to reintegrate back into society with an educational package that meets today's cost of tuition. I join with the leadership of Congress and my fellow veterans' organizations to say that S. 22 is the right bill at the right time."
S. 22 was introduced by Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) to mirror the original World War II educational benefit. It would repeal the $1,200 enrollment fee, match tuition at the highest in-state rate, and provide for books and fees, and a living stipend. For those veterans accepted to private institutions, S. 22 would also provide a dollar-for-dollar tuition match for those colleges and universities who choose to participate in the program.
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VFW Washington Weekly - April 28, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008 at 06:03 PM
by BlogMasters
In This Issue:
1. Senate Passes Large Benefits Bill
2. House VA Committee Bills
3. Senate Hearing on VA/DOD Improvements
4. OIF/OEF Campaign Stars
1. Senate Passes Large Veterans Bill: The Senate passed 96-1 a large veterans' package that improves a wide-array of benefits, including life insurance, burial allowance and adaptive equipment grants. The package now moves to the House. Some of the VFW-supported provisions in S. 1315 would:
• Increase the maximum amount of supplemental Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance from $20,000 to $30,000.
• Expand eligibility for home improvement and structural alteration assistance to include permanently disabled servicemembers.
• Provide a specially-adapted housing grant to veterans and qualified servicemembers with severe burn injuries.
• Extend authority of the VA to assist individuals living temporarily in residences owned by family members.
• Provide automobile and adaptive equipment assistance to disabled veterans and servicemembers with severe burn injuries.
• Increase to $445 from the current $300 allowance for veteran burial plots.
• Provide a presumption of service-connection for osteoporosis for former POWs with post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Increase cost-of-living for additional dependency and indemnity compensation paid to certain surviving spouses with minor dependent children.
• Expand retroactive traumatic injury protection under SGLI (TSGLI) to include all servicemembers, not just those injured in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom.
For a complete listing of S. 1315 provisions, visit the Thomas website at: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:s.01315:
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Army Reserve Marks Century of Service to Nation
Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 01:56 PM
by BlogMasters
By Retired Army Col. Randy Pullen
Special to American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, April 20, 2008--The U.S. Army Reserve celebrates its 100th birthday on April 23, marking a full century of service in which Army Reserve soldiers have continuously answered the nation's call.
Army Reserve soldiers served in both world wars, the Cold War, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War and the ongoing global war on terrorism. They also helped respond to countless other crises, emergencies, disasters, operations and expeditions.
That busy century of service to America all began when Congress established the Army's first federal reserve force on April 23, 1908. President Theodore Roosevelt signed Senate Bill 1424, creating the Medical Reserve Corps. The Reserve medical officers in the corps could be ordered to active duty by the secretary of war during times of emergency.
In June 1908, the first 160 medical professionals received Reserve commissions. This number grew to about 360 by 1909 and to 1,900 by 1916. The concept of bringing civilian professionals into the Army in a disciplined and quickly-accessible manner also expanded beyond the medical profession and beyond just officers.
Read more of the history of the Army Reserve
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VFW Washington Weekly - April 18, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008 at 02:19 PM
by BlogMasters
In This Issue:
1. House VA Committee Hearings
2. Senate Passes VA Home Package
3. New GI Bill Needs Your Help
1. House VA Committee Hearings:
- On Tuesday, VFW testified before the Subcommittee on Health on several bills designed to enhance health care options for veterans and their families, such as Spina Bifida, epilepsy research centers, substance use disorder treatment and prevention, and dental care. The VFW has a resolution on the epilepsy research centers and strongly supported the bill, noting that the prevalence of brain injuries from the current war is likely to lead to an increased number of epilepsy and seizure disorders in the coming years.
- On Wednesday, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held a hearing on 13 bills under consideration. The VFW testified in support of all the bills, which included several that would improve education benefits for servicemembers as well as Guard and Reserve members serving since 9/11. The VFW once again stressed support for a GI Bill that would cover the full cost of education for all veterans. Other bills discussed would improve transition benefits, make changes to USSERA, and enhance VA's adaptive housing and home loan guaranty programs to bring them more in line with today's markets.
- To read our testimony or for more on the hearings including the webcast visit the House VA website at: http://veterans.house.gov/
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VFW Washington Weekly - April 14, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008 at 03:30 PM
by BlogMasters
In This Issue:
1. VFW Legislative Alert Supports GI Bill for 21st Century
2. House Hearings on Disability Claims, Homelessness
3. President's Statement on Iraq
4. VFW Travels to Southeast Asia
1. VFW Legislative Alert Supports GI Bill for 21st Century: We are arriving at a critical moment for the GI Bill for the 21st Century! This week, a new and improved S. 22, "The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2007," was introduced in the House of Representatives as H.R. 5740 to covers all education costs. Please call or visit your congressional district or Washington offices and urge your legislators to co-sponsor either S. 22 or H.R. 5740. A new GI Bill for the 21st Century is one of the highest VFW legislative priorities. For information about your elected official use the attached link: http://capwiz.com/vfw/dbq/officials/ or find a listing of offices in your local phone book.
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VFW WebCOM Membership Forum: 1000+ Members Strong and Growing
Tuesday, April 8, 2008 at 04:09 PM
by BlogMasters
Late last evening, our 1,000th member joined the VFW WebCOM Membership forum!!!
We'd like to take a moment to thank you all for visiting the forum over the past year and taking the time to register to become part of the VFW WebCOM Community.
If you haven't visited the forum lately, we'd like to take this opportunity to invite you back to see what you've been missing. We now have over 7,400 entries in nearly 2,000 different topics. The forum has become a wealth of information about all sorts of topics relating to the VFW organization, the VFW community and veterans issues.
We'd also like to issue a special thank you to our top posters in the forum. These are the folks who stop by the forum on a regular basis and keep the information moving. Without them, we wouldn't be where we are today:
We'd also like to remind you that you can stay on top of all the latest entries to the forum, get updates on all the information moving thru the VFW WebCOM Network and support your department by downloading and installing the VFW WebCOM Departmental toolbar at
http://toolbars.vfwwebcom.org
And finally, if you'd like to claim the weblog for your VFW Post or District, you can contact your state Blogmaster or IJK3770 in the forum for assistance in getting your Post or District site up and running. We hope you've enjoyed your visit(s) to the forum and welcome your feedback in building a bigger and better community as we reach for our next 1,000 members.
Regards, The VFW WebCOM Membership Forum Team.
http://www.vfwwebcom.org/forum
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Sen. John McCain: Early Withdrawal from Iraq is Irresponsible; Would Result in Horrible Consequences
Monday, April 7, 2008 at 07:04 PM
by BlogMasters
KANSAS CITY, Mo., April 7, 2008--In a speech given this morning to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Sen. John McCain (R. Ariz.) chided political leaders who are calling for an early withdraw from Iraq the "height of irresponsibility and a failure of leadership." Leaving, he said, might be the easier course of action, but the "consequences would be horrible."
McCain was in town Monday and addressed a standing room only crowd of 300 combat veterans and veteran supporters at the World War I Memorial. In his 20-minute address, he admitted the American people are frustrated by the mistakes made in the war in Iraq, but America must be patient and support General David Petraeus.
"Four years of a badly conceived military strategy had brought us almost to the point of no return. Sectarian violence in Iraq was spiraling out of control, life had become a struggle for survival, and a full-scale civil war seemed almost unavoidable," the former Vietnam War POW said, reminding the audience that there has been substantial progress in Iraq since the strategy shift and the deployment of additional troops to the area.
McCain, who recently returned from one of his many trips to Iraq said that since June 2007, sectarian and ethnic violence in Iraq has been reduced by 90 percent and coalition forces and civilian deaths have fallen by 70 percent.
"The dramatic reduction in violence has opened the way for a return to something approaching normal political and economic life for the average Iraq," he said. "Political reconciliation is occurring across Iraq at the local and provincial grassroots level. Sunni and Shi'a chased from their homes by terrorist and sectarian violence are returning. The "Sons of Iraq" and Awakening movements, where former Sunni insurgents have now joined in the fight against Al Qaeda, continue to grow."
But McCain added, "I do not want to keep our troops in Iraq a minute longer than necessary to secure our interests there. Our goal is an Iraq that no longer needs American troops. And I believe we can achieve that goal, perhaps sooner than many imagine."
Admitting that the road ahead will be hard, McCain said he believes it is the right road and is "necessary and just."
Calling war a terrible thing, the VFW member of Post 7401 in Chandler, Ariz., told the audience that war is sometimes necessary to secure freedom, which is why he has remained firm in his position about the war in Iraq:
"I hold my position on Iraq not because I am indifferent to the suffering caused by this war but because I detest war, and believe sincerely that should we fail in Iraq we will face an even sterner test in the very near future, an even harder war, with even greater sacrifice and heartbreaking loss than we have suffered over the last five years."
McCain also praised the sacrifices of the military veterans in attendance, calling for their sacrifices to be "memorialized in something more lasting than marble or bronze or in the fleeting effect of a politician's speeches."
"Your valor and devotion to duty have earned your country's abiding concern for your welfare. And when our government forgets to honor our debts to you, it is a stain upon America's honor," he said. "Those who have borne the burden of war for our sake must be treated fairly and expeditiously as they seek compensation for disability or illness."
"We owe them compassion, knowledge and hands-on care in their transition to civilian life. We owe them training, rehabilitation and education. We owe their families, parents and caregivers our concern and support. They should never be deprived of quality medical care and mental health care coverage for illness or injury incurred as a result of their service to our country."
He also addressed the deficiencies in the government's military disability system and called for changes in the Department of Veterans Affairs treatment of the nation's veterans:
"I believe that we should give veterans the option to use a simple plastic card to receive timely and accessible care at a convenient location through a provider of their choosing. I will not stand for requiring veterans to make an appointment to stand in line to make an appointment to stand in line for substandard care of the injuries you have suffered to keep our country safe. Whatever our commitments to veterans cost, we will keep them, as you have kept every commitment to us. The honor of a great nation is at stake."
In closing McCain asked the audience to remember the sacrifices of our men and women in war, and to honor those to ensure their sacrifices are not in vain.
"Let us show an appropriate humility by recognizing that so little is asked of us compared to the burdens we imposed on them, and let us show just a small, but significant measure of their courage, resolve and patriotism by putting our country's interests before every personal or political consideration," the senator said.
Following the speech McCain met with VFW leadership, as well as toured the Liberty Memorial.
Click to Read Sen. McCain's speech before the Veterans of Foreign Wars
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VFW Washington Weekly - April 4, 2008
Monday, April 7, 2008 at 06:55 PM
by BlogMasters
1. New GI Bill Needs Our Help
2. House VA Committee Hearings
3. Women Veterans' Bill
4. VA Home Loan Fix
5. VA Names Acting Benefits Chief
6. Soldier Missing in Iraq Identified
1. New GI Bill Needs Our Help: Now is the time to push for a GI Bill for the 21st Century, one that will cover all education costs, to include tuition, fees, books and a subsistence stipend. Two bills introduced last year would provide these benefits: S. 22 and HR 2702, "The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2007." Yet only half the Senate and a quarter of the House have signed on as co-sponsors. Please call or visit your Congressional offices at home or on Capitol Hill and urge your legislators to sponsor this VFW priority goal. Both bills would:
• Increase education benefits for members of the military serving on active duty since September 11, 2001. Qualifying veterans must have served at least two years on active duty. Members of the Reserve and National Guard need a total of two years of active duty service.
• Provide a powerful transition assistance program by allowing veterans to readjust to civilian life and improve their ability to care for themselves and their families. The subsistence stipend will also help ease a tough decision new veterans with families have to make: school or food and rent.
• Create additional tax revenue generated by better-educated veterans, which will likely pay for the program, as it did with the WWII GI Bill.
• Increase military recruitment efforts, broadening the socio-economic makeup of the military, and strengthening our national security.
A new GI Bill for the 21st century is the right thing to do for those who are now serving in harm's way. To view our Alert and contact your elected officials, go to:
http://capwiz.com/vfw/issues/alert/?alertid=11232976
To read a joint opinion editorial by VFW National Commander George Lisicki, and Paul Rieckhoff, the founder and executive director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, go to: http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=news.newsDtl&did=4526.
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2008 VA Benefits Handbook Available Online
Thursday, April 3, 2008 at 02:02 PM
by BlogMasters
WASHINGTON -- A new edition of the popular handbook Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) updates the rates for certain federal payments and outlines a variety of programs and benefits for American veterans.
Most of the nation's 24 million veterans qualify for some VA benefits, which range from health care to burial in a national cemetery. In addition to describing benefits provided by VA, the 2008 edition of the 153-page booklet provides an overview of programs and services for veterans provided by other federal agencies.
Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents includes resources to help veterans access their benefits, with a listing of toll-free phone numbers, Internet addresses and a directory of VA facilities throughout the country. The handbook can be downloaded free from VA's Web site at http://www.va.gov/OPA/vadocs/current_benefits.asp.
To read more or get information about ordering printed copies, click here.
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VFW Pledges $1 Million to Build Vietnam Veterans Memorial Center
Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at 04:23 PM
by BlogMasters
WASHINGTON, April 1, 2008--The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) of the United States has pledged up to $1 million to help build the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Center, a visitors and education facility being built on the National Mall, announced Jan C. Scruggs, founder and president of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.
VFW is the first veterans' organization to pledge financial support to the Memorial Center. The organization plans to raise the money over the next three years through its more than 8,000 posts and 1.7 million members worldwide.
VFW has a long history of supporting the Memorial Fund and was, in fact, the first major veterans' organization to contribute to building The Wall itself. VFW contributed $250,000 to build The Wall back in 1982, making it one of the largest contributors to the project. Additionally, the group gave $50,000 to the Memorial Fund to create and distribute a curriculum guide, Echoes from The Wall, to 25,000 public and private high schools in 1999.
"VFW has always been a supporter of The Wall, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and any undertaking that pays tribute to the brave Americans who have served their country in other lands," said Scruggs. "We are proud to have VFW as a sponsor of this important new project, to teach visitors about the sacrifices that were made during the Vietnam War, as well as other American conflicts."
"A visitors and education facility is long overdue and is a vital addition to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial," said George Lisicki, the national commander of the VFW and a Vietnam War veteran. "Not only will the Center complement America's memorial to our Vietnam War comrades, it also will provide an educational experience to the 4 million visitors who visit The Wall annually. We lobbied Congress for several years to approve the Center's addition to the National Mall, so we are thrilled for a vision to finally become a reality."
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Center will be built underground near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. While still in the planning stages, exhibits will include a wall of photographs of those whose names are on The Wall, a selection of the over 100,000 items that have been left at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, a timeline of key military events in the Vietnam War, rotating exhibits and a resource center, where visitors can find in-depth information. One exhibit will illustrate the legacy of service demonstrated by the American people, showing images of those who served in all of America's conflicts, from the Revolutionary War to Iraq.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund has raised more than $16 million to date, with a goal of $75 million to $100 million. The Center will be funded completely from private donations, just as The Wall was privately funded when it was built in 1982. The Memorial Fund expects to break ground for the Center in 2010; the building should be completed 18 months later.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
Established in 1979, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is the nonprofit organization authorized by Congress to build the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Today, through a series of outreach programs, it is dedicated to preserving the legacy of The Wall, promoting healing, educating about the impact of the Vietnam War and is building the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Center, an underground educational facility, near The Wall.
For more information, visit
www.vvmf.org
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April 9 National Commemoration Day of 5th Anniversary of Fall of Bagdad
Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 08:34 AM
by BlogMasters
KANSAS CITY, Mo., March 31, 2008--The Veterans of Foreign Wars encourages all Americans to join the nation in a moment of national reflection April 9 in remembrance of the 5th anniversary of Iraqi Liberation Day and the fall of Baghdad.
At 5 p.m. EDS--as the sun sets across Arlington National Cemetery--Americans are urged to honk their car horns to celebrate, honor and recognize the courageous actions of U.S. and multinational forces in giving hope to the Iraqi people.
The National Remembrance Ceremony will culminate with a joint U.S-Iraqi wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as salute the nation's troops, veterans and military families.
The national remembrance moment is being initiated by
Families United for Our Troops and Their Mission, a not-for-profit 501(c)3 grassroots coalition of Gold Star and Blue Star families, veterans and Americans, who share a deep appreciation and support for the uniformed services men and women in their efforts to make America safer.
Collectively the group's mission is ensuring that the sacrifices of courageous warriors have not been made in vain, and that the heroic soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who have been charged with such a vital mission will be given the support they need to complete their mission.
Note: In early 2006, the VFW passed Resolution 440 to support the president and the war in Iraq as part of the larger global war on terrorism. VFW Resolution 440 also stipulates that American forces should remain in Iraq in sufficient numbers until Iraqi forces can provide security for their own nation. The out of session move by America's largest organization of combat veterans to support the war is meant to get the nation refocused on supporting the troops instead of armchair quarterbacking the how and why the war in Iraq began. To read Resolution 440, click here.
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