Friday, 2 December 2016
ACTION CORPS Weekly
Now Playing: fwd from Ann Markel
Topic: VETERANS
December 2, 2016
In This Issue:
1. Mattis Picked as New Defense Secretary
2. Pentagon VSO/MSO Roundtable
3. Jason Simcakoski Memorial and Promise Act Roundtable
4. Defense Bill Update
5. Congress Advances Veterans Bills
6. House Passes Gold Medal Bill for Filipino WWII Veterans
7. CVS Out, Walgreens In
8. Remembering Pearl Harbor
9. MIA Update
1. Mattis Picked as New Defense Secretary: In a speech in Ohio last night, President-elect Donald Trump said he will nominate retired Marine Corps Gen. James N. Mattis to lead the Department of Defense. The general, who received the VFW's top Dwight D. Eisenhower Award in 2015, served more than four decades before retiring in 2013 as the commander of U.S. Central Command. Of his selection, VFW National Commander Brian Duffy said "Our nation has been at war for more than 15 years with no end in sight. It makes perfect sense to put a warfighter in charge of the war fighting. The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States looks forward to working with General Mattis."
2. Pentagon VSO/MSO Roundtable: The VFW participated in a veteran and military service organization roundtable on Wednesday with Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, who was joined by Deputy Secretary Robert O. Work, Under Secretary of Defense Comptroller Mike McCord, Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Peter Levine, as well as senior officials from the Operations and Force Structure directorates. Discussions focused on the potential impact of the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act on force readiness and modernization, the need for budget stabilization, and ensuring a smooth transition into the new administration.
3. Jason Simcakoski Memorial and Promise Act Roundtable: On Wednesday, VFW Deputy Director Carlos Fuentes joined the family of Jason Simcakoski, Senator Tammy Baldwin, Congressman Gus Bilirakis, VA and other stakeholders to discuss VA’s progress in reducing the overmedication of veterans who suffer from chronic pain, which cost Marine combat veteran Jason Simcakoski his life. Fuentes urged VA not to overcorrect by abruptly taking veterans off medications they need and have received for years. He suggested that VA work with veterans to create personalized pain management plans to wean veterans off high dose medications and toward equally or more effective pain management treatment options. To view a video of the roundtable discussion, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F30-fu9RvLk.
4. Defense Bill Update: House and Senate conferees negotiated a $618.7 billion defense policy bill this week that would increase military pay raises from the administration’s proposed 1.6 percent to 2.1 percent, which would equal the anticipated rise in the Employment Cost Index (ECI), and mark the first time in four years that military pay kept pace with the ECI. Other significant provisions would halt planned reductions in active duty Army and Marine Corps forces, keeping end strengths instead at 476,000 and 185,000, respectively; flag officer ranks would be cut by about 12 percent, the majority of them in joint billets; and stripped from the bill are plans to require women, age 18 to 26, to register for the draft. A review of the Selective Service System’s continued viability will instead be initiated. The 2017 National Defense Authorization Act is expected to go to floor votes in the House today and in the Senate early next week.
5. Congress Advances Veterans Bills: This week, the Senate passed several veterans bills to honor veterans who were injured or became ill while in service and fund construction projects for VA facilities in Nevada and California. These bills will now go to the House for further consideration. The House also advanced several bills to require the Department of Labor to better recognize efforts made by employers to recruit and retain veterans. The house also passed bills to require VA to provide headstones, markers, or medallions for Medal of Honor recipients who are buried in private cemeteries and send a Presidential Memorial Certificate to the families of deceased veterans; authorize congressional staffers greater access to the records of veterans who ask for help from their member of Congress; and a bill to rename the VA Medical Center in Long Beach, California after Medal of Honor recipient Tibor Rubin. These bills await Senate consideration. Another bill passed by the House to improve VA’s Automobile Adaptive Equipment Program now heads to the president’s desk for his signature. Stay tuned to the Action Corps Weekly for updates on these and other important veterans bills being considered by Congress.
6. House Passes Gold Medal Bill for Filipino WWII Veterans: This week, the House approved a bill that would honor Filipino and Filipino-American veterans of World War II. The VFW adopted Resolution 305 at the 116th National Convention in 2015 supporting the Filipino veterans who served and fought to help defeat the Japanese and liberate the Philippines. Of the estimated 300,000 Filipino veterans of World War II, more than 57,000 would be killed in action during the four year battle to defend, then free, their homeland which was then sovereign U.S. territory. Filipino veterans were also present at the Bataan Death March which resulted in the loss of between 6,000 to 10,000 Filipino’s alongside 700 members of the United States Armed Forces during the 70 mile march. The bill previously passed the Senate in July and now heads to the president’s desk for his signature.
7. CVS Out, Walgreens In: As of yesterday, CVS and CVS pharmacies in Target stores are no longer part of the TRICARE pharmacy network; but Walgreens now is, so beneficiaries need to transfer all prescription fills or refills from CVS pharmacy to another TRICARE pharmacy to avoid paying the full retail prices. Read more here: https://www.express-scripts.com/TRICARE/news/walgreens.shtml.
8. Remembering Pearl Harbor: VFW National Commander Brian Duffy and Auxiliary National President Colette Bishop will be among thousands of patriots in Hawaii on Wednesday to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the attack. Visitors to Washington can join in the commemoration in a “Reading of the Names Candlelight Vigil” at the National World War II Memorial beginning at 5 p.m. EST, Tuesday, followed by a 75th Anniversary Commemoration at 12:53 p.m., Wednesday. For more information, click here: http://www.wwiimemorialfriends.org/.
9. MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced the identification of remains of three Americans who had been missing in action from World War II and Korea. Returning home for burial with full military honors are:
-- Navy Fireman 1st Class Jim H. Johnston, 23, will be buried in his hometown of Wesson, Miss., on Dec. 7. Johnston was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored off Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when Japanese aircraft attacked his ship on Dec. 7, 1941. Johnston was one of 429 crewmen to be killed in the attack. Read more at: http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/1010134/airman-missing-from-world-war-ii-identified-moessner/.
-- Army Master Sgt. Joseph Durakovich was a member of Company G, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. His unit was attacked by the Chinese forces while establishing a defensive position in Pongmyong-ni east of Kuni-ri, North Korea, on Nov. 28, 1950. After the battle, Durakovich could not be accounted for and was reported missing in action. Interment services are pending. Read more at: http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/1011976/soldier-missing-from-korean-war-identified-durakovich/.
-- Army Cpl. Louis A. Damewood was a member of Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, operating near Hoengsong, South Korea. He was declared missing after his unit attacked an opposition road block on Feb. 13, 1951. Interment services are pending. Read more at: http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/1011982/soldier-missing-from-korean-war-identified-damewood/.
Posted by vfwpost3274
at 1:39 PM MST
Tuesday, 29 November 2016
DECEMBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Now Playing: THANK YOU LAVERNE!
Friday, December 2nd - Dart Tournament
Wednesday, December 7th - National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Thursday, December 8th - House Committee Meeting - 5:30 PM
Thursday, December 15th - Bill of Rights Day
Troop Packages - 4:15 PM
Auxiliary Meeting - 5:00 PM
VFW Meeting - 6:30 PM
Friday, December 23rd - VFW Christmas Party - 6:00 PM
Pot Luck
Chinese Gift Exchange - $10.00 price limit
Sunday, December 25th - Christmas Day - MERRY CHRISTMAS
Saturday, December 31st - New Years Eve
Sunday, January 1st - New Years Day 2017 - HAPPY NEW YEAR
GOD BLESS OUR VETERANS OUR ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY AND GOD BLESS AMERICA
Posted by vfwpost3274
at 12:58 PM MST
Saturday, 19 November 2016
ACTION CORPS
Now Playing: From an article by Ann Markel
Topic: VETERANS
November 18, 2016
In This Issue:
1. Changing Directions
2. Congress Advances Veterans’ Bills
3. White House Hosts Veteran Homelessness Summit
4. TRICARE Publications Update
5. MIA Update
1. Changing Directions: Army Brig. Gen. Donald Bolduc met with VFW National Commander Brian Duffy at the VFW Washington Office on Wednesday to discuss ongoing efforts to change the direction and narrative regarding the stigma associated with seeking mental health care. The general, who commands special operations forces for U.S. Africa Command and is a member of VFW Post 1670 in Laconia, N.H., is the latest senior officer to use himself as an example to his troops that seeking care is a sign of strength, not weakness, and that admitting to having post-traumatic stress is not a career-limiter. His story was featured in a New York Times article last month. Chief Duffy and VFW Auxiliary National President Colette Bishop have made mental wellness the signature issue of their year, and have already partnered with the nation’s leading mental health providers, researchers, peer support and family caregiver organizations to help change the direction and narrative regarding seeking mental health. Read General Bolduc’s story at http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/08/world/africa/donald-bolduc-ptsd.html?_r=0.
2. Congress Advances Veterans’ Bills: In its first week back from the election recess, Congress has advanced a number of veterans’ bills to expand the Veterans’ Oral History Project to gold star families, require VA to improve the Veterans Crisis Line to ensure no crisis call goes unanswered and improve VA’s Automobile Adaptive Equipment Program. H.R. 4511, the Gold Star Families Voices Act and H.R. 5392, the No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act now await the president’s signature. Stay tuned to the Action Corps Weekly for updates on these bills and other important veterans legislation.
3. White House Hosts Veteran Homelessness Summit: The White House’s Joining Forces hosted a summit Monday, Nov. 14, bringing in leadership and mayors from across the country who have been crucial in Joining Forces’ initiative to end veteran homelessness. Since 2011, the initiative has cut veteran homelessness in half – eradicating it in 35 communities across the country as well as in two states. During the event, both First Lady Michelle Obama and Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden gave speeches. Both women highlighted that though the success has been promising, the fight to completely ending veteran homelessness will continue into the new administration come 2017. To watch the summit please visit: https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2016/11/14/together-we-can-end-veteran-homelessness. To learn more about Joining Forces’ nationwide initiative to end veteran homelessness go to: https://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/veterans/ending-homelessness.
4. TRICARE Publications Update: DOD has redesigned TRICARE handbooks, brochures, fact sheets and guides to make them more user friendly and visually appealing. To view the updated publications, visit: www.tricare.mil/publications. Please tell us what you think of the redesign by emailing the Actions Corps at vfwac@vfw.org.
5. MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced the identification of remains and burial updates for four American soldiers who had been missing in action since World War II and the Korean War. Returning home for burial with full military honors are:
-- Army Pfc. William W. Cowan, 19, of White House, Tenn., will be buried Nov. 19 in Fredonia, Ohio. On Feb. 12, 1951, Cowan was a member of Company M, 3rd Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, when he was reported missing in action after his unit attacked a road block set up by enemy forces near Hoengsong, South Korea. It would be later learned he had been captured but died in captivity in a POW camp in North Korea. Read more at http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/Article/1001386/soldier-missing-from-korean-war-accounted-for-cowan/.
-- Marine Corps Pfc.Wilbur C. Mattern, 23, of Oelwein, Iowa, will be buried Nov. 21, in Arlington National Cemetery. In November 1943, Mattern was assigned to Company M, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands. After several days of intense fighting at Tarawa, approximately 1,000 Marines and sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded, but the Japanese were virtually annihilated. Mattern died on the second day of the battle, Nov. 21, 1943. Read more at http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/Article/1004088/marine-missing-from-world-war-ii-accounted-for-mattern/.
-- Army Sgt. 1st Class Robert R. Cummings, of Schoolcraft, Mich., was assigned to Company K, 3rd Battalion, 187th Airborne Infantry Regimental Combat Team, when his unit was attacked by an estimated 200,000 Chinese soldiers near the Yalu River in North Korea. He would be declared missing in action on Nov. 29, 1950. Interment services are pending. Read more at http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/1007708/soldier-missing-from-korean-war-identified-cummings/.
-- Army Air Forces 1st Lt. Frederick W. Langhorst, 24, of Yonkers, New York, will be buried Nov. 26 in Battle Creek, Michigan. On July 17, 1945, Langhorst was assigned to the 1330 Army Air Force Base Unit, Air Transport Command, and was the co-pilot of a C-109 aircraft with three other crew members on a routine cargo transport mission from Jorhat, India, to Hsinching, China, when it crashed in a remote area. An extensive search of the area failed to identify the crash site and the crew was declared deceased on July 18, 1946, and their remains designated non-recoverable. Read more at http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/Article/1008332/airman-missing-from-world-war-ii-accounted-for-langhorst/.
Posted by vfwpost3274
at 10:47 AM MST
Thursday, 10 November 2016
ACTION CORPS
Now Playing: From an article by Ann Markel
Topic: VETERANS
November 10, 2016
Happy 241st Birthday, Marine Corps!
In observance of Veterans Day, this week’s issue is being sent today.
In This Issue:
1. National Commander Duffy Lays out Expectations
2. Veterans Day in Washington
3. VFW on the Mall
4. MyVA Transformation Process
5. Extension of Presumptive Period for Gulf War Illness
6. VA and Social Security Partner for Faster Service
7. America Voted
8. MIA Update
1. National Commander Duffy Lays out Expectations: Today, at the National Press Club in Washington, VFW's National Commander Brian Duffy laid out VFW’s expectations for the next president and Congress. First and foremost, Duffy stated, “the VFW expects effective leadership, management, and accountability from everyone who is charged with caring for veterans, service members and their families.” Quality delivery of health care and benefits hinges on VA’s ability to quickly and effectively hire quality employees and when necessary, fire bad employees. Ending sequestration and raising the budget caps so Congress can move forward with expanding and improving benefits and services has been and will continue to be a top priority. Duffy continued to explain the harmful effects that sequestration has on our military readiness and quality of life for our all-volunteer force. Duffy ended his opening statement by stating the next president and Congress must bring “action, patience and clarity” to their jobs so veterans, service members, and their families are cared for in the manner in which our nation expects. To read his full statement, click here: http://www.vfw.org/-/media/VFWSite/Files/Advocacy/CIC-Statement-111016.pdf.
2. Veterans Day in Washington: VFW Posts everywhere will be recognizing Veterans Day on Friday, Nov. 11. Visitors to Washington can join in the national salute starting at the World War II Memorial at 9 a.m., at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery at 11 a.m., and at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at 1 p.m. Representing the VFW at a White House breakfast will be National Commander Brian Duffy and his wife, Jean. The Chief will also lay wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery and the Vietnam Wall accompanied by VFW Auxiliary National President Colette Bishop and her husband, Dave. More information on the ceremonies can be found at: WWII Memorial, http://www.wwiimemorialfriends.org/news-and-events/news-events; Arlington, http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil; and The Wall, http://www.vvmf.org/news/article=Free-Family-Tours-of-the-Vietnam-Veterans-Memorial-Set-for-Veterans-Day-Weekend.
3. VFW on the Mall: Tomorrow on Veterans Day, staff members from VFW National Veterans Service will be on the National Mall to provide information and answer questions. As part of VFW National Commander Brian Duffy’s Mental Wellness Campaign, VFW partners Give an Hour and PatientsLikeMe will also be on hand at the VFW booth to discuss mental wellness and share resources for veterans.
4. MyVA Transformation Process: This week, VA released a major update on the MyVA transformation –– Secretary McDonald’s effort to transform VA into the top customer service agency in the federal government. This third edition of the program’s semi-annual report details progress VA has made to improve trust, expedite health care appointments and disability claims, reduce veteran homelessness and other progress to provide veterans more services in better time. To read the full report, visit: http://www.va.gov/myva/docs/MyVA-3-0-v9-digital-11816.pdf.
5. Extension of Presumptive Period for Gulf War Illness: VA announced that it will extend to December 31, 2021, the date by which Gulf War veterans are able to apply for presumptive disability compensation for Gulf War Illness and other conditions associated with service in the 1991 Gulf War, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and functional gastrointestinal disorders. The presumptive period for these illnesses was set to expire on December 31, 2016. For information on research regarding the causes and effective treatments for Gulf War Illness, visit: http://cdmrp.army.mil/GWIRP.
6. VA and Social Security Partner for Faster Service: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) launched a new Health IT initiative that enables VA to share medical records electronically with Social Security Disability processors. This secure process will save time and money, resulting in better service for veterans and dependents who apply for Social Security Disability Benefits. For decades, SSA obtained medical records through a manual process. This new national initiative puts in place an automated process to obtain veterans’ medical records entirely electronically. “This SSA-VA partnership is another example of VA’s leadership in interoperability efforts among federal partners,” said VA Secretary, Robert McDonald. “Increasing federal partnerships to improve operation and resource coordination across agencies is among VA’s 12 Breakthrough Priorities for 2016.” To learn more about VA health care, visit: www.va.gov/health.
7. America Voted: On Tuesday, Americans went to the polls to cast ballots for president, 34 seats in the Senate, and all 435 seats in the House of Representatives. The VFW is committed to working with those who were elected to ensure that laws and regulations favor our military, veterans and their families. We encourage you to meet your members of Congress and to take the 2017 VFW Priority Goals with you to inform them of our position on issues. To view a printable version the 2017 VFW Priority Goals brochure, click here:
http://www.vfw.org/-/media/VFWSite/Files/Advocacy/PriorityGoalsBrochure.pdf.
8. MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has announced the identification of remains and burial updates for two Americans who had been missing in action since World War II and Korea. Being returned home for burial with full military honors are:
-- Marine Pfc. Ben H. Gore, 20, will be buried Nov. 14 in his hometown of Hopkinsville, Ky. Gore was assigned to Special Weapons Group, 2nd Defense Battalion, Fleet Marine Force, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands. Over several days of intense fighting, approximately 1,000 Marines and sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded in securing the island; the enemy force of 4,700 was virtually annihilated. Gore died of his wounds on Nov. 25, 1943. Read more at: http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/Article/997584/marine-missing-from-world-war-ii-accounted-for-gore/.
-- Army Pfc. Daniel Hunt is scheduled to be interred on Dec. 2 in Phoenix. Hunt was a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, in the vicinity of Hill 1030, conducting operations in an area referred to as Heartbreak Ridge. He would be reported killed in action, body not recovered on Sept. 28, 1951. Read more at: http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/997596/soldier-missing-from-korean-war-identified-hunt/.
To sign up new veterans’ advocates, click here: http://capwiz.com/vfw/mlm/signup.htm
Posted by vfwpost3274
at 1:25 PM MST
Friday, 4 November 2016
ACTION CORPS
Now Playing: From an article by Ann Markel
Topic: VETERANS
November 4, 2016
In This Issue:
1. Still Time to Vote Absentee in General Election
2. Veterans Day in Washington
3. Vietnam Era Health Study
4. National Family Caregivers Month
5. VA Center for Women Veterans Meeting
6. Nominate a Hero
7. Shop Amazon, Support the VFW Foundation
8. MIA Update
1. Still Time to Vote Absentee in General Election: The general election is next Tuesday, November 8, and federal election officials are telling military voters there is still time to register to vote absentee, but they have to act quickly. Many states allow you to accomplish some or all of the process electronically. Many states also count ballots postmarked Nov. 8 even if they arrive after Election Day. Find details on your state and more voting information on the Federal Voting Assistance Program website at: https://www.fvap.gov/military-voter. If you requested an absentee ballot that still hasn’t arrived, use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot or get one from your unit’s voting assistance officer or the installation voting assistance office. Learn more at: FVAP.gov.
2. Veterans Day in Washington: VFW Posts everywhere will be recognizing Veterans Day on Nov. 11. Visitors to Washington can join in the national salute starting at the World War II Memorial at 9 a.m., at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery at 11 a.m., and at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at 1 p.m. More updates will be posted on the respective websites: WWII Memorial, http://www.wwiimemorialfriends.org/news-and-events/news-events; Arlington, http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil; and The Wall, http://www.vvmf.org/news/article=Free-Family-Tours-of-the-Vietnam-Veterans-Memorial-Set-for-Veterans-Day-Weekend.
3. Vietnam Era Health Study: This week VA announced a nationwide study –– the Vietnam Era Health Retrospective Observational Study (VE-HEROeS) –– that will assess the current health and well-being of Vietnam veterans, Blue Water Navy veterans, and veterans who served elsewhere during the Vietnam Era (1961–1975). Approximately 43,000 veterans will be invited to participate in this important study and the VFW encourages them to do so. To learn more about VE-HEROeS, visit: www.publichealth.va.gov/epidemiology/studies/heroes/.
4. National Family Caregivers Month: Throughout the month of November, Caregiver Support Coordinators located at every VA medical center will be holding special events for caregivers of veterans to thank them for all they do to ensure their veteran loved ones are cared for and supported. Caregivers interested in participating in events should contact their local Caregiver Support Coordinators. The VA Caregiver Support Line toll free number, 1-855-260-3274, is also available for caregivers who would like to speak to a licensed social worker for support, education and referrals. The Caregiver Support Program website www.caregiver.va.gov provides additional caregiving information, as well as links to VA caregiving resources and services.
5. VA Center for Women Veterans Meeting: The Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Women Veterans (CWV) held a breakfast on Wednesday. The director for CWV, Kayla Williams, hosted the event which was attended by Department of Labor, the VFW, other veterans service organizations, and nearly half a dozen female veteran-specific nonprofits. The intent of the now monthly breakfasts is for key players in women veterans advocacy to come together to discuss their areas of focus. Main topics highlighted on Wednesday included reproductive health, military sexual trauma, women veterans employment, homelessness, outreach and MyVA goals for health equity and gender-specific needs. The next breakfast is slated for Dec. 5. To learn more about CWC, visit: http://www.va.gov/WOMENVET/index.asp.
6. Nominate a Hero: Do you know a fellow citizen who has performed a singular act of extraordinary heroism or a continued commitment to putting others first? Nominate them for the 2017 Congressional Medal of Honor Society Citizen Honors. Four U.S. citizens and one organization are selected each year to receive Citizen Honors awards. To be considered, nominees age 18 and older must have made a difference in the lives of others through a singular act of extraordinary heroism, or through exceptional selfless service to others. Young Americans age 8-17 can be nominated for their leadership, courage and service. Community organizations can be nominated for their exceptional impact in support of our nation’s service members and families. Award recipients will be recognized in Washington on National Medal of Honor Day, March 25, 2017. Applications are available through Nov. 30 at: www.themedalofhonor.com.
7. Shop Amazon, Support the VFW Foundation: With the holidays quickly approaching, online shoppers have the opportunity to assist America’s veterans, service members and their families by shopping AmazonSmile at https://smile.amazon.com/ and selecting the VFW Foundation as their charity of choice. Amazon will donate 0.5 percent of the total purchase price to the Foundation upon checkout. Purchase items eligible for donations are indicated on the products’ pages. Donations to the VFW Foundation support many vital troop support programs, such as financial grants to help military families during emergencies, veterans’ scholarships, assistance with filing VA claims, and more. You can even select the VFW Foundation as your AmazonSmile charity of choice after the holidays are over. Call the Foundation at (816) 968-2720 if you have any questions.
8. MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has announced burial updates of three Americans who had been missing in action since World War II and Korea. Returning home for burial with full military honors are:
-- Marine Pfc. Nicholas J. Cancilla, 18, will be buried Nov. 7 in his hometown of Altoona, Pa. Cancilla was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands. Cancilla died on the first day of battle, Nov. 20, 1943. Read more at: http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/Article/990641/marine-missing-from-world-war-ii-accounted-for-cancilla/.
-- Army Pfc. William V. Giovanniello, 22, of Brooklyn, N.Y., will be buried Nov. 10 in Port Jervis, N.Y. Giovanniello was a member of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, when his unit was forced into a fighting withdrawal from Chorwon, South Korea. He was declared missing in action on April 25, 1951. Read more at: http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/Article/995006/soldier-killed-in-korean-war-accounted-for-giovanniello/.
-- Army Cpl. Wayne Minard, 19, of Furley, Kan., will be buried Nov. 12 in nearby Wichita. Minard was a member of Company C, 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, fighting a delaying action south to Kunu-ri, North Korea. He would be reported missing in action on Nov. 26, 1950. Read more at: http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/Article/996115/soldier-missing-from-korean-war-accounted-for-minard/.
To sign up new veterans’ advocates, click here: http://capwiz.com/vfw/mlm/signup.htm.
Posted by vfwpost3274
at 1:09 PM MDT
Tuesday, 1 November 2016
NOVEMBER ACTIVITY CALENDAR
Now Playing: Thanks Laverne
Friday, November 4th - Dart Tournament
Saturday, November 5th - Ashley Martinez Birthday
Sunday, November 6th - Daylight Saving Time ends. Clocks are set back one hour
Tuesday, November 8th, Election Day - Please vote!!!! Your vote counts.
Thursday, November 10th - The Godfather's AKA Commander Eddie Rodriguez Birthday
Marine Corp Birthday
Friday, November 11th - Parade Meeting and set up for Saturday Lunch - 5:30 PM
Saturday, November 12th - Veterans Day Parade - 10:00 AM - Lunch at VFW Post after parade.
Thursday, November 17th - VFW meeting 6:30 PM
Auxiliary meeting 5:00 PM. Department President Dale Mann will be visiting to do the inspection for district. Please attend, we need your presence. Troop boxes will be packed at 4:15 PM
Thursday, November 24th - Thanksgiving Day
Posted by vfwpost3274
at 11:23 AM MDT
Monday, 31 October 2016
ACTION CORPS
Now Playing: From an article by Ann Markel
Topic: VETERANS
October 28, 2016
In This Issue:
1. VFW Wants POTUS Involvement in Bonus Payback Crisis
2. TRICARE Removes Cost Barriers for Preventive and Mental Health
3. MyHealtheVet Update
4. Help A Hero Scholarship Campaign
5. MIA Update
1. VFW Wants POTUS Involvement in Bonus Payback Crisis: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter this week ordered the Defense Finance and Accounting Services to suspend all efforts to collect reimbursements from affected California National Guard members, but VFW National Commander Brian Duffy said the suspension decision doesn’t go deep enough, and is now calling on President Obama to issue an executive order to eliminate the collection process altogether, to repay those monies already collected plus interest, and to restore any damaged credit ratings that resulted from a horrendous abuse of power and lack of oversight within the California Army National Guard. “The president must get personally involved and not leave it to a weak system of checks and balances that created a financial crisis that is tremendously impacting the lives of thousands of current and former Guard members,” exclaimed the Chief. “The president often touts that he has a phone and a pen and is not afraid to use either. This would be a good time to use both.” Read more at: http://www.vfw.org/news-and-publications/press-room/archives/2016/10/vfw-calls-on-potus-to-end-bonus-payback-issue-now.
2. TRICARE Removes Cost Barriers for Preventive and Mental Health: The Department of Defense (DOD) is improving the number of services and cost requirements for TRICARE’s preventive and mental health benefits. These changes, expected to be fully implemented by spring 2017, are being implemented to expand access and reduce financial barriers for beneficiaries. Effective Oct. 3 this year, DOD removed TRICARE limitations on mental health care and made out-of-pocket costs the same as other medical care. These changes improve care such as inpatient mental health and substance abuse admissions, group outpatient mental health visits, outpatient treatment for substance abuse, substance abuse detoxification, treatment of gender dysphoria, family counseling and much more. Beginning January 1, 2017, the expansion of preventive services will go into complete effect. Some of the no-cost services will be expanded to include free genetic counseling for patients who are high-risk for breast cancer, colon cancer screenings/stool DNA testing and laboratory services considered preventive for certain cancers. To learn more about the mental health and substance abuse benefit changes, click here: http://www.tricare.mil/About/News/Archives/09_29_16_MHSUD.
For more information on the preventive health expansion, click here: http://www.tricare.mil/CoveredServices/BenefitUpdates/Archives/10_18_16_PreventiveServices.
3. MyHealtheVet Update: This week, VA launched an updated version of its MyHealtheVet website to make it more user and mobile friendly. My HealtheVet is designed to help veterans track and manage their VA prescriptions, appointments and health care records. The VFW would like your views on the new design. Please visit www.myhealth.va.gov and tell us what you think by emailing us at vfwac@vfw.org.
4. Help A Hero Scholarship Campaign: Since 2013, the VFW and Sport Clips have helped nearly 600 service members and veterans achieve their educational goals without incurring excessive student loan debt through the “Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship.” Now through Veterans Day, you can help further their post-military education goals by making a donation when you get a haircut at one of the more than 1,500 Sport Clips Haircuts locations across the country. Sport Clips will also hold “The Biggest Haircut Day of the Year” on Veterans Day, when participating stores will offer free haircuts to service members and veterans. For more information on the “Sport Clips Help a Hero Scholarship,” visit: www.vfw.org/scholarship.
5. MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has announced the identification of remains of six Americans who had been missing in action since World War II and Korea. Returning home for burial with full military honors are:
-- Navy Seaman 1st Class William E. Welch, 18, will be buried Oct. 29 in his hometown of Springfield, Ohio. On Dec. 7, 1941, Welch was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which capsized after sustaining multiple torpedo hits as it was moored off Ford Island in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Welch. Read more at: http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/Article/981456/uss-oklahoma-sailor-from-world-war-ii-accounted-for-welch/.
-- Army Cpl. Joseph Trepasso, 20, will be buried Nov. 5 in his hometown of Fulton, N.Y. In late November 1950, Trepasso was a member of Company L, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, which was deployed on the east side of the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. He would be declared missing in action on Dec. 12, 1950. Read more at: http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/Article/989134/soldier-missing-from-korean-war-accounted-for-trepasso/.
-- Army Pfc. Lavern C. Ullmer, of Montgomery, Ohio, will be buried Nov. 11 in Dayton. Ullmer was a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, when he was reported missing in action on Nov. 30, 1950, in the vicinity of Kunu-ri, North Korea. It would be later learned he had been captured but died in a POW camp on Jan. 21, 1951. Read more at: http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/988569/soldier-missing-from-korean-war-identified-ullmer/.
-- Army Sgt. James E. Martin, 22, will be buried Nov. 17 in Anacoco, La. In late November 1950, Martin was a member of Company I, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, which was deployed east of the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. He would be declared missing in action on Dec. 3, 1950. Read more at: http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/985470/soldier-missing-from-korean-war-identified-martin/.
-- Army Cpl. Donald E. Matney, 18, will be buried Nov. 19 in his hometown of Seymour, Mo. On July 20, 1950, Matney was a member of Company H, 2nd Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, when his unit attempted to delay the enemy from capturing a town near Taejon, South Korea. Read more at: http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/985474/soldier-missing-from-korean-war-identified-matney/.
-- Army Maj. Jack D. Griffiths, of Comanche County, Okla., was a member of Headquarters, 38th Field Artillery Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, when he was reported missing in action on Nov. 30, 1950, in the vicinity of Somin-dong, North Korea. It would be later learned he had been captured but died in a POW camp. Interment services are pending. Read more at: http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/988573/soldier-missing-from-korean-war-identified-griffiths/.
To sign up new veterans’ advocates, click here: http://capwiz.com/vfw/mlm/signup.htm.
Posted by vfwpost3274
at 6:58 AM MDT
Posted by vfwpost3274
at 6:10 AM MDT
Friday, 21 October 2016
ACTION CORPS
Now Playing: From an article by Ann Markel
Topic: VETERANS
October 21, 2016
In This Issue:
1. New COLA Stays Stagnant
2. VFW-SVA 2017 Legislative Fellowship Program
3. MIA Families Sought
4. MIA Update
1. New COLA Stays Stagnant: Military retirees, veterans receiving VA compensation, and some 70 million Americans on Social Security will see a 0.3 percent cost-of-living increase at the end of the year. Veterans’ benefits are not automatically tied to the Social Security increase, but Congress in July passed legislation to link them in 2017. The slight increase matches the 2016 raise, and marks the third consecutive year COLA has been less than a half percentage point.
2. VFW-SVA 2017 Legislative Fellowship Program: The application deadline for the 2017 VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship has been extended to October 28, 2016. First held in 2015, the program mentors 10 student veterans as they research policy areas affecting veterans and the military. Once their research is completed, the fellows will advocate for legislative and regulatory fixes related to their selected issues. Part of that advocacy includes attending the VFW’s National Legislative Conference in March where fellows will join more than 500 VFW members in promoting the VFW’s legislative agenda by meeting with members of Congress. Last year, fellows also briefed staffers from the White House and both the Senate and House Veterans’ Affairs Committees. The program, with all travel expenses covered, is for VFW members who attend a college or university with a Student Veterans of America chapter. For more information, including the topics for research and the application link, click here:
http://www.vfw.org/community/student-veterans-of-america/student-fellowship.
3. MIA Families Sought: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency is seeking families of missing American service members to attend informational update meetings and to collect DNA samples if one is not already on file. Learn more at: http://www.dpaa.mil/Families/Family-Events/.
4. MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has announced the identification of remains of three Americans who had been missing in action since World War II and Korea. Returning home for burial with full military honors are:
-- Army Cpl. Milton T. Bullis, 19, of Detroit, will be buried Oct. 21 in Holly, Mich. Bullis was a member of Medical Company, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, fighting a delaying action south from the Ch’ongch’on River to Kunu-ri, North Korea. He was declared missing in action on Dec. 1, 1950, but it would be later learned he died in captivity in early 1951. Read more at: http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/Article/973514/soldier-missing-from-korean-war-accounted-for-bullis/.
-- Navy Fireman 3rd Class John H. Lindsley, 22, born in the Philippines and raised in Waukegan, Ill., will be buried Oct. 25, in Arlington National Cemetery. On Dec. 7, 1941, Lindsley was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which capsized after sustaining multiple torpedo hits as it was moored off Ford Island in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Read more at: http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/Article/977243/uss-oklahoma-sailor-from-world-war-ii-accounted-for-lindsley/.
-- Army Cpl. Melvin R. Hill was one of 2,500 U.S. and 700 Republic of Korea soldiers assembled into the 31st Regimental Combat Team on the east side of the Chosin River, when they were attacked and forced into a fighting withdrawal in late November 1950. By Dec. 6, 1950, approximately 1,500 wounded soldiers were evacuated, and the remaining had been either captured or killed. Hill was reported missing in action as a result of the battles. Interment services are pending. Read more at http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/973957/soldier-killed-in-korean-war-accounted-for-hill/.
To sign up new veterans’ advocates, click here: http://capwiz.com/vfw/mlm/signup.htm.
Posted by vfwpost3274
at 11:54 AM MDT
Thursday, 29 September 2016
Event Calendar for October
Now Playing: Thanks Laverne
Topic: Post 3274
Friday, October 7th - Dart Tournament
Monday, October 10th - Columbus Day Observed
Thursday, October 13th - House Committee Meeting - 5:30 PM
Thursday, October 20th - VFW Auxiliary Meeting - 5:00 PM
VFW Meeting - 6:30 PM
Monday, October 31st - Halloween
Posted by vfwpost3274
at 1:40 PM MDT
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