Department of Wisconsin - Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States

Welcome to the Department of Wisconsin, Wisconsin


VFW WI Commander: Wilfred Johnson Commander's Blog	Recent News Entries Veterans Eligible for 2009 Property Tax Relief Secretary Shinseki Announces Study of Vietnam-Era Women Veterans SCOCOS ANNOUNCES STAFF CHANGES AT WDVA DIVISION OF VETERANS HOMES Flags Lowered to Honor Capt. Russell Seager VFW Washington Weekly - November 13, 2009
Our Sponsors
The Appearance of Political, Product or Service Advertising on this Network is for Informational Purposes Only and Should not be Construed as an Endorsement.

Become a Friend of the Department of Wisconsin

Multimedia


Find more photos like this on My VFW WebCOM

Veterans Resources

Veterans Coalition

Sponsors

100% VA Refinance Now Available

Get Help on VA Loans

CHECK OUT OUR SPECIAL INFO LINKS AMERICANISM PROGRAMS STATE ADJUTANT/QUARTERMASTER STATE JUDGE ADVOCATE WI VETERANS SERVICES VFW STATE CHIEF OF STAFF MEDICAL UPDATES BY VA DR. JEFF WHITTLE

Veterans Eligible for 2009 Property Tax Relief

Posted at 01:16 PM on Monday, November 23, 2009 by Wisconsin VFW News

The following reminder was sent to us by Post 10272 Commander "Trapper" John Schultz:

Eligible Wisconsin veterans who are 100% service-connected disabled and rated
under individual unemployability (IU) can apply for a Property Tax Credit when
they file their 2009 property taxes.

The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) and the Wisconsin Department
of Revenue (DOR) have updated new procedures and forms on WDVA's WEBSITE.

The updated WDVA B0106 Wisconsin Veterans and Surviving Spouses Property Tax Credit Booklet is now available online for immediate use.

Eligible veterans and eligible unremarried surviving spouses who are verified by
the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs as meeting conditions of
certification may apply for the benefit. They may use Form WDVA 2097 (found in
the WDVA B0106 booklet). "Veterans or spouses who have questions can contact my
office at 715-346-1310," said Mike Clements, County Veterans Service Officer,
Portage County.

Once a veteran or unremarried surviving spouse receives a certification from the
Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, they may then claim the Property Tax
Credit by: completing a Wisconsin income tax return for the eligible year and
claiming the Veterans and Surviving Spouses Property Tax Credit on the designated
Property Tax Credit line on the long or short form- note that 2009 is the first
year of eligibility for approved applicants under the "new 2009 criteria;"
enclosing a copy of a property tax bill and proof of payment with the Wisconsin
tax return (if filing a tax return electronically, use Form W-RA to submit
required documents to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue; and, for the first year
qualifying for the credit, by enclosing a photocopy of the certification received
from WDVA with the Wisconsin tax return.

Returns are preferred to be filed electronically. Required paperwork should be
submitted with a W-RA form that can be printed off with most tax software
programs, and should be mailed to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, P.O. Box
59, Madison, WI 53785-0001.

For additional information, please contact your County Veterans Service Officer.

0 Comments | Post Comment | Email This

Secretary Shinseki Announces Study of Vietnam-Era Women Veterans

Posted at 12:09 PM on Friday, November 20, 2009 by Wisconsin VFW News in Health Issues

Comprehensive Study Will Help VA Provide High-Quality Care

WASHINGTON (Nov. 19, 2009) -Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K.

Shinseki announced the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is launching

a comprehensive study of women Veterans who served in the military

during the Vietnam War to explore the effects of their military service

upon their mental and physical health.

"One of my top priorities is to meet the needs of women Veterans," said

Secretary Shinseki. "Our Veterans have earned the very best care. VA

realizes that women Veterans require specialized programs, and this

study will help VA provide high-quality care for women Veterans of the

Vietnam era."

0 Comments | Post Comment | Email This

SCOCOS ANNOUNCES STAFF CHANGES AT WDVA DIVISION OF VETERANS HOMES

Posted at 12:01 PM on Thursday, November 19, 2009 by Wisconsin VFW News in Information Pages
The following staff changes have been implemented –

1.      Randy Nitschke is the Acting Administrator for the Division of Veterans Homes. He has a total of over 20 years healthcare experience in both the private and government sectors. That experience mixed with his proven leadership will keep our homes moving in the right direction.
2.      Pat Shaughnessy is Acting Commandant at the Veterans Home-Union Grove. Pat has a long history of healthcare experience in both the private and government sectors as well. I have a lot of faith in Mr. Shaughnessy’s ability to keep Union Grove successful.
3.      Bill Crowley is returning as the Commandant at the Veterans Home-King. Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) looked into referrals concerning certain transactions involving the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King (WVH-King) and found that neither criminal violations nor misconduct in public office occurred. With that news, it is only appropriate that Mr. Crowley should return.

JOHN A. SCOCOS
Secretary
Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs
0 Comments | Post Comment | Email This

Flags Lowered to Honor Capt. Russell Seager

Posted at 02:38 PM on Monday, November 16, 2009 by Wisconsin VFW News in Obituaries

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.

0 Comments | Post Comment | Email This

VFW Washington Weekly - November 13, 2009

Posted at 07:59 PM on Sunday, November 15, 2009 by Wisconsin VFW News
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.

Read more VFW Washington Weekly
0 Comments | Post Comment | Email This

Army Orders Probe at Arlington National Cemetery, Releases Investigation Findings

Posted at 03:48 PM on Friday, November 13, 2009 by Wisconsin VFW News

            Secretary of the Army John McHugh announced today that he has ordered an investigation into allegations of lost accountability of some graves, poor record keeping and other issues at Arlington National Cemetery.

            "This is the place where valor rests, a place of reverence and respect for all Americans," McHugh said after signing an order directing the Army's Inspector General to begin an investigation into allegations regarding cemetery operations. "As the final resting place of our nation's heroes, any questions about the integrity or accountability of its operations should be examined in a manner befitting their service and sacrifice."

            McHugh's order comes on the heels of revelations that cemetery workers inadvertently buried cremated remains at a gravesite already in use.   The error was discovered in May 2008, and cemetery officials immediately took corrective measures, moving the cremated remains to another gravesite and remarking the original grave. Since then, questions have been raised over whether cemetery officials used proper procedures to correct the mistake, including notifying the next of kin.

            McHugh's announcement of the probe follows completion of separate internal investigation by the Military District of Washington (MDW) - which the Army released today - over the discovery of an unmarked grave. Cemetery officials conducted an extensive search of both internal and Department of Veterans Affairs records, followed by the MDW investigation and additional efforts by the cemetery, which employed ground penetrating radar and a team of geoarchaeologists.

            "Cemetery records, the MDW investigation, and the non-invasive geophysical analysis of the grave sites strongly indicate that a husband and wife, who died years apart and should have been buried in the same gravesite, were instead buried in adjacent graves," said MDW spokesman Col. Dan Baggio.

            Cemetery officials have ordered new grave markers for the site. While exhuming the remains and conducting DNA testing would provide a 100 percent assurance of the cemetery's findings, the family has declined taking such invasive action. The Army is abiding by their wishes.

            While the unmarked grave was first discovered in 2003, cemetery officials took no action until 2009. McHugh is now directing the Inspector General to examine accountability and policy issues in that case. The Inspector General is also in the midst of a management review of Arlington National Cemetery, begun under former Army Secretary Pete Geren, to make overall recommendations on how better to operate the facility, including possible changes in policy, procedures and regulations.

            "A thorough investigation, and transparency in its results, can help correct whatever may be wrong, and ensure America's confidence in the operation of its most hallowed ground," McHugh said, adding, "We will take appropriate action as the facts dictate."

            A copy of the Article 15-6 investigation can be found HERE

0 Comments | Post Comment | Email This

Two Fallen Soldiers Honored

Posted at 12:07 PM on Friday, November 13, 2009 by Wisconsin VFW News in Obituaries

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.

0 Comments | Post Comment | Email This

Previous Page | Home | Next Page

You are invited to join the conversations in the:

Content found on this site, unless otherwise noted, is provided for informational and discussion purposes only and does not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, its Departments, Districts or Posts.

Privacy Policy

Department of Wisconsin is proudly produced by Policlicks 2008