VFW Post 5412 - Burke

VFW Applauds VA, National Security Budget Requests

Posted at 09:50 on Monday, February 8, 2010 by Post5412

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.

White House Seeks $125 Billion for Veterans in 2011

Posted at 19:27 on Monday, February 1, 2010 by Post5412

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 14:24 on Friday, January 22, 2010 by Post5412

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/Legislative/2010PriorityGoals%20PROOF.pdf.

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VFW Joins in Haiti Humanitarian Effort

Posted at 19:16 on Friday, January 15, 2010 by Post5412

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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VFW CheckPoint Magazine Jan/Feb 2010

Posted at 13:07 on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 by Post5412

VFW CheckPoint Magazine Jan/Feb 2010 -

VFW Washington Weekly - January 8, 2010

Posted at 16:57 on Friday, January 8, 2010 by Post5412

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

60 Minutes Segment on VA Backlog

Posted at 08:14 on Monday, January 4, 2010 by Post5412

(Airdate: January 3, 2010)

TRICARE Returns to Zero Copay on OTC Meds

Posted at 15:57 on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 by Post5412

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.

Merry Christmas

Posted at 08:16 on Thursday, December 24, 2009 by Post5412

VFW Washington Weekly - December 18, 2009

Posted at 10:43 on Monday, December 21, 2009 by Post5412

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

Wreaths Bound for Veterans Cemeteries

Posted at 09:03 on Wednesday, December 9, 2009 by Post5412

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.

VA To Survey Veteran Households

Posted at 11:12 on Friday, December 4, 2009 by Post5412

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 11:09 on Friday, December 4, 2009 by Post5412

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 15:30 on Monday, November 30, 2009 by Post5412

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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The American Veteran - November Edition

Posted at 15:26 on Monday, November 30, 2009 by Post5412

(via The Pentagon Channel)

USAA Opens Membership to All Veterans

Posted at 06:22 on Friday, November 27, 2009 by Post5412

    SAN ANTONIO – More than 18 million U.S. military veterans and their 17 million family members who are looking for competitive alternatives to their current insurance, banking and investment providers now can take advantage of USAA and its 87-year record of strength, stability and performance in service to the military community.
      Citing steady growth in financial strength and operational capacity, USAA announced that effective immediately, membership now is open to all veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces who served honorably, regardless of years of service.
     The change expands USAA’s potential customer by an estimated 35 million, including 18 million veterans, and 17 million spouses and children who also would be able to access USAA services after their veteran relative becomes a member.
     "We believe everyone who served honorably in the armed forces should be able to manage their financial well-being with USAA, a company committed to caring more about the unique needs of the military community than any other," said retired Army Maj. Gen. Joe Robles, USAA’s President and CEO. "Today, USAA is stronger than at any time in our 87-year history, and we are thrilled to open our doors wider to offer the benefits of USAA membership to more military families than ever before.

Happy Thanksgiving

Posted at 09:36 on Thursday, November 26, 2009 by Post5412

Burke VFW Post 5412 Receives Flag from Deployed Troops

Posted at 22:14 on Monday, November 16, 2009 by Post5412

In recognition of its support to our troops overseas, Burke VFW Post 5412 was presented with a flag on behalf of HHC, 316th ESC deployed to Balad Air Base, Iraq in support of Iraqi Freedom 07-09 and America's War on Terrorism.  The dedication certificate is pictured here.

VFW Washington Weekly - November 13, 2009

Posted at 20:54 on Sunday, November 15, 2009 by Post5412

In This Issue:
1. VFW / VA Members Among Fort Hood Victims
2. VFW Legislative Priority Goals for 2010
3. No Tricare For Life Changes
4. White House Employment Initiative Good for Veterans:

1. VFW / VA Members Among Fort Hood Victims: Last week's tragic shooting
at Fort Hood included VFW and VA members.  Staff Sgt. Justin M. DeCrow,
32, was killed by Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, who allegedly murdered 13
and wounded dozens before being shot and apprehended by two civilian law
enforcement officers.  DeCrow was a member of VFW Post 11016 in Songnam,
South Korea.  He graduated high school in 1996 in Plymouth, IN, and
leaves behind a wife and daughter at Fort Gordon, GA.  Two VA employees
also slain were identified as:
*        Dr. Russell G. Seager, Ph.D., a 51-year old Army Reserve captain
who led a mental health team at the VA medical center in Milwaukee.
*        Lt. Col. Juanita L. Warman, a 55-year-old Maryland National
Guardsman who was a nurse practitioner at the VA medical center in Perry
Point, MD.  She was a former member of VFW Post 8276 in Delmar, MD.
VFW Commander-in-Chief Thomas J. Tradewell Sr. said, "No words can
properly convey our condolences to the wounded and families of those
murdered.  The entire military family is grieving right now.  I just
want them to know they do not grieve alone. Our hearts and prayers are
with them."  Read the VFW press release at
http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=news.newsDtl&did=5280.

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VFW National Jr Vice DeNoyer Reports on Tour of Europe

Posted at 20:50 on Sunday, November 15, 2009 by Post5412

(Via Dept of Wisconsin)

2009 Europe Report -

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Click here to update it.

Old Vets Scorched by the Strain of New Wars

Posted at 11:37 on Sunday, November 15, 2009 by Post5412

Old Vets Scorched By Strain of New Wars Tom Philpott | November 12, 2009 Even Old Vets Scorched By Strain of Current Wars A small group of U.S. war veterans, the age difference among them as wide as 70 years, gathered last Saturday at American Legion Post 177 in Fairfax, Va., for a special event at the annual Veterans' Day Community Fair. They had agreed to participate in a "living history," co-hosted by VFW Post 8469, and organized by its commander, Floyd Houston, a man committed to ensuring local war heroes, old and young, don't fade away. For two hours they told war stories and stood by to answer questions that never came from local Boy Scouts seeking to earn merit badges for their time there. The public too was welcomed but didn't show. What they missed was more than the usual compelling personal accounts of war. They missed how deeply some veterans of past wars are disturbed by burdens being carried by the current generation of volunteers. Avon Blevins, a retired Navy chief, began his talk by pulling a few mementoes from a paper bag. He was a teenage radioman aboard USS O'Brien when that destroyer escorted 50 landing craft, with 200 infantrymen apiece, toward Omaha Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944. "We took them in on the first wave. We got them there on target and on time.Patrolled up and down the beach all day and fired when they asked us to fire," Blevins said. O'Brien's guns took out enemy pillboxes and a machine gun nest. It was relieved that evening by its sister ship, USS Meredith. When O'Brien returned at dawn, its crew could see the Meredith on fire and sinking from an explosion later confirmed to have been caused by a German mine. Three weeks later, an eight-inch German shell from a shore battery would rip into O'Brien below its bridge, causing 32 casualties, Blevins said. After repairs, the ship sailed to the Pacific. Blevins was still aboard when Japanese Kamikaze aircraft struck, twice. In the second attack, a plane with 500-pound bomb penetrated to the ship's ammunition magazine. "Almost blew the ship in two. We had a lot of casualties," Blevins said. "We had part of the pilot too. I never will forget he had three or four uniforms on. I had one of his shoes until an officer took it away from me." John Swart was 19, part of 8th Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, which landed at Utah Beach in the second wave ashore at Normandy. "Some troops got out in water over their heads, carrying 30 pounds packs. Where I landed was probably knee high," he said. The first town they liberated was Sainte Marie du Mont. At dusk that evening, Swart recalled, he and other troops watched in horror as Army gliders tried to land in fields the German had planted with telephone poles. "A lot of those boys were butchered up," Swart remembered. Swart's own mortar platoon suffered 60 percent casualties within weeks. He was wounded twice that year, in July and November. For the second set of wounds he spent 10 months in various hospitals before discharge. He let the scouts passed around one of his Purple Heart medals. Lehman Young, a former Navy test pilot, recalled delivering an F4U Corsair fighter to a base in California early in WWII. He had arrived with extra fuel and so, before landing, decided "to do some sightseeing." He was set on flying under the Golden Gate Bridge until he was close to it. Instead he flew up the coastline. Suddenly he saw puffs of black smoke in the air ahead of him, exploding shells from anti-aircraft batteries. "I wasn't supposed to be there," Young said, holding his cane and smiling. "I did a real quick 180, got back over the bay, got down real close to the ground, went up in the mountains and hid for a couple of hours." Young said he had five forced landings while flying naval aircraft, but "that was as close as I came to getting shot down." By the time retired Army Col. George Juskalian, 95, arrived at Legion Post 177 in his wheel chair, the Boy Scouts had moved on. But sharing his experiences through three wars, including capture by the Germans in Tunisia, wasn't his priority this afternoon. Where should we start, I asked him. "It starts with my anger at our present military policies. We have military personnel redeploying to theaters of war five and six times and we're not doing anything about it," said the colonel, his voice rising. "We expand the Army by about 20,000, which is a drop in the bucket. But nobody is mentioning the draft. Nobody! Most of the country doesn't even know we're in a war! After eight, nine years of fighting, when in the hell are we going to level with them? How are we going to continue this all-volunteer business, especially for the Army and Marines taking the losses?" Yes, he said, because of a poor economy the military is meeting recruit requirements. But before civilian jobs grew scarce, the services were lowering standards, Juskalian said. "Who's kidding who?" "I don't hear anybody at the White House, anybody in the Pentagon, any of these generals we have, anyone in the Congress using the word 'draft.' It's become a dirty word! We can't rely on volunteer effort forever!" He said he reads letters in newspapers from military spouses worried that loved ones are going off to war, again and again, perhaps this time never to come back, while they raise their young children alone. "Well it bothers me. Jesus Christ, I could cry," he said, voice growing soft and eyes moist. Eventually he recounts some of his own experiences in WWII and wars in Korea and Vietnam, not mentioning until prompted by Houston his two Silver Stars. Soon Juskalian returned to why he was there. "If it's a war worth fighting for," he said, "the whole country has got to fight for it." Houston, with a son returning to Afghanistan the next day, agreed. To comment, e-mail milupdate@aol.com, write to P.O. Box 231111, Centreville, VA, 20120-1111 or visit: www.militaryupdate.com.

Suicide Epidemic Among Vets of All Ages

Posted at 13:30 on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 by Post5412

Suicide Epidemic Among Vets of All Ages

Dennis Guthrie

Surgeon General

Veterans of Foreign Wars

SUICIDE

We must talk about SUICIDE like we do breast cancer so that those who are having problems and who might be thinking about it can have alternative ways to deal with those thoughts and will not act on them.

Suicide is as complex as the person who is having those thoughts. It can be and generally is for veterans the results of dealing with PTSD, which a subject for another time.

The attitudes such as "play when your hurt" and "cowgirls don’t cry" and "get back on that horse if you get bucked off" and fear showing weakness for possible retribution from NCO or officers are some of the problems that combat soldiers have admitting they are having problems. It is expected of them to continue on with the mission. The new mission that should be given each soldier when getting home should be "get well", and "take care of yourself". They need to know that having night mares, night sweats, and spousal abuse, is not normal and they need to seek help.

NOW IS THE TIME WHEN I GIVE YOU THE FACTS TO BACK UP WHAT I’VE BEEN SAYING.

A letter I received from the National VFW June of ‘09 had some of those numbers and facts. At that time there had been more deaths from suicide since 9/11 among our active duty troops, National Guard, and Reserve units then all the deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan combined. Since 9/11 there have been 1,900 men and women complete suicide while on active duty. Fact: Suicide accounts for 15% of all casualties in OEF/OIF active forces. The Marines reported suicides in 2006 of 25, in 2007 – 33, and in 2008 – 41 according to DOD by September of 2008. American casualties were 4,700 + and there had been 821 confirmed suicides while in Iraq and Afghanistan.

We can help those who have come home. They are our brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, grandsons, and granddaughters. They are the most recent Veterans to put it all on the line.

The Center for Disease Control estimates that 18 veterans from all wars complete suicide each day which is 6,570 a year.

In Oregon as a veteran you are twice as likely to complete suicide as a non veteran. Every two days somewhere in Oregon a Veteran performs suicide and I believe if you were to check your own state it would be about the same.

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WHAT CAN WE DO?

As in all functions at the State and Post level, someone will have to step up and want to make a difference. We need to get the word out through State News Papers, Post News Letters, and word of mouth. We need to be talking about what to do for those who are having these problems. We need to give them alternative places to go to and talk about what is bothering them, such as "Vet Centers", VA Clinics with PTSD trained staff for one-on-one or group sessions, Churches, perhaps our VFW Posts where Vets can gather to talk out what is bothering them with other Vets, that may have similar experiences . Remember that the holidays are the worst time for suicides. The sooner we get the word out the better the chances of saving a life.

I’ve been working with the Director of our Veterans Affairs in Oregon who is quite aware of the stats on suicide and has been a very great help getting the word out through all the Veterans Organizations. We are working with local Law enforcement, EMS, and local Veterans who can be the first on the scene when a veteran or family members calls for help. We can make a difference. We are the VFW, we made a difference when we served, many of us had no one to reach out to when we came home, and it is time for us to make a difference in the lives of those Vets of all ages that need our help now.

Some State Departments of Veterans Affairs have set up SUICIDE HOT LINES, and there are Two "HOT LINES" Nationally. They are:

VA SUICIDE HOT LINE 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

NATIONAL SUICIDE HOT LINE 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)

FOLLOW UP

FOLLOW UP!

These phone numbers are no help if we do not get them out to those who could need them. I have made copies of these numbers with some of the signs and symptoms to look for on 8.5"X11" and have handed them out at the Post and at the National Guard Armory. I also have put these numbers on business card size and handed them out so Vets can have them in their Wallets to hand out or use.

We as Veterans need to bring the silent epidemic out of the DARK so we can deal with it as it is. If we only save one Veteran per Department that would 54 fewer dead Veterans and who knows how many family members who will not have to live with the suicide for the rest of their lives.

SOME OF THE WARNING SIGNS:

 

Talking about suicide or making plans, obsessing about death, giving away treasured belongings, taking unnecessary risks, increase in drug or alcohol use, withdrawing from friends and family activities. These are only a few possible signs that may help, but some Veterans are very good about masking their feelings.

I am asking each Department Adj. or Adj/QM. to get this article to the Department Newspaper Editor to publish it and then publish the hotline numbers and the warning signs so that each Veteran receiving your Department paper may cut or tear it out, make copies, and distribute them. I also ask that each Post Cmdr. make sure that this article is published in the Post News Letter or Newspaper and discussed and copies of the Hot Line numbers and Warning Signs are available at Post meetings and at Post homes. I am also asking each Cmdr to ask the Ladies Auxiliary President to discuss this article and also have handouts available. This is how we get the word out and this is how we save lives!

Yours in Comradeship,

Dennis Guthrie

Your National Surgeon General

Veterans of Foreign Wars

4495 NE 25^{th St.}

Redmond, OR 97756

541-548-6990 (Home)

541-280-5161 (Cell)

Information was taken from the internet, VA, DOD, and my personal experience.

It is very important to have the person who was "talked down" to see a professional within 24 hrs. There have been many cases where the vet who is "talked down" turns around the next day and completes the suicide., A word no one wants to use or a subject no one wants to talk about. We are in the midst of a silent epidemic. Thirty years ago breast cancer was not talked about openly. We knew it was there, but very few people knew enough about it to talk about it. It took those who survived the ordeal to come out and make it a topic which most people can talk about comfortably today. First Lady Betty Ford was one of those who talked about it in 1974.

Veterans Day Message from VFW WebCOM

Posted at 10:05 on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 by Post5412

VFW: White House Initiative Good for Veterans

Posted at 09:48 on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 by Post5412

WASHINGTON, November 10, 2009 — The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is applauding the president's new executive order for helping more military veterans get federal and private employment.

"The president is serious about helping veterans get a job, and he is making sure the federal government is at the top of the hiring line," said VFW Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Richard L, Eubank, a Vietnam veteran from Eugene, Ore., who is in Washington to represent the organization at different national Veterans Day events.

According to the White House, approximately 480,000 veterans work for the government, about one-fourth of the total federal workforce. While the executive order places emphasis on hiring veterans for both public and private employment, it is specifically focused on hiring veterans for federal positions. It created a special Council on Veterans Employment to encourage federal agencies to recruit and train military veterans. The council will be co-chaired by the secretaries of Labor and Veterans Affairs.

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Businesses Honoring Veterans With Discounts

Posted at 09:37 on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 by Post5412

During Veterans Day Weekend, several retail businesses are raising money for programs, while other businesses are offering various discounts to veterans. VFW received the following notices about Veterans Day Specials:

• Sport Clips nationwide on Veterans Day, November 11, is supporting VFW Operation Uplink™ with "The Biggest Haircut Day of the Year." On that day, Sport Clips will donate a dollar for every haircut given in our 660+ stores. Show your support for troops and veterans by getting your next haircut at Sport Clips.
• Burger King restaurants in select states across the country are raising money for VFW Unmet Needs through November 30. More than 800 Burger King restaurants are participating in the “buy a burger; donate a buck” fundraiser in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin.

Click here for the VFW's full list of participating businesses.

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