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

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.

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.

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

Cold & Flu Season
Topic: VETERANS

The cold and flu season is upon us and the Department of Veterans Affairs has once again teamed up with Walgreens Pharmacies nationwide to allow all veterans who are currently enrolled in the VA healthcare system to be able walk into any of the over 8000 Walgreens nationally (and the Duane Reade pharmacies in the New York metropolitan area) to receive a vaccination at no cost.  Vaccinations will be available through March 31, 2017.

Veterans wishing to receive the no cost vaccination simply need to present a Veterans Identification Card and a photo ID, at any participating Walgreens to receive the vaccination.

In addition, after the Walgreens pharmacist administers the vaccine Walgreens will transmit that information securely to VA where it becomes part of the patient’s electronic medical record.

VA is committed to keeping Veteran patients healthy, and during this flu season, vaccination is the best way to prevent the spread of flu.  No matter where you live, visit your local VA clinic or Walgreens to get a free flu shot.  

 To find your local VA, visit va.gov/directory/guide/home.asp.
 To locate a Walgreens store near you, call 800-WALGREENs (800-925-4733), or go to com/findastore.
 To learn more about the partnership, call 1-877-771-8537 or visit ehealth.va.gov/Immunization.asp.
 To get more information on flu and flu vaccine, visit publichealth.va.gov/flu or www.cdc.gov/flu.

Charlie Luera, Sr. Vice, Awarded for Postumous Performance on the Job
Topic: Post 3274

JUNE CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Now Playing: Thanx Laverne
Topic: Post 3274
Friday, June 3rd - Dart Tournament

Friday, June 3rd and Saturday, June 4th - VFW and Auxiliary State Convention in Albuquerque at the Sheraton  
                                                                         Uptown

Tuesday, June 14th - Flag Day

Thursday, June 16th - Pack Troop Care Packages - 4:15  PM
                                       Auxiliary Meeting - 5:00 PM
                                       VFW Meeting - 6:30 PM

Sunday, June 19th - Father's Day

Post 3274 Elects Officers for the Coming year.
Topic: Post 3274

Commander = Edwardo Rodriguez (Eddie)

Senior Vice = Charles Luera (Charlie)

Junior Vice = Michael Gimeson (Mike)

Quartermaster = Cathy Brock

Chaplain = Guillermo Rodriguez (Billy)

Judge Advocate = Sid Barrett (appointed)

Surgeon = Stanley Tillman  (appointed)

1st Year Trustee = Frederick Oliver (Ted) 

2nd Year Trustee = Marvin J. Baccus

3d Year Trustee = Charles Dice

Adjutant = Cathy Brock  (appointed)

Service Officer = Edwardo Rodriguez (Eddie) (appointed)

ACTION CORPS
Now Playing: FWD: Reprint from Ann Markel
Topic: VETERANS
                                                           May 6, 2016
 
In This Issue:
1. Progress, Promise, and Challenges in U.S. Veterans' Health Policy
2. VA Expands MyVA Communities
3. New Director of Center for Women Veterans
4. New Military Sexual Assault Report
5. Take the Military Family Survey
6. Invictus Games Begin This Weekend
7. V-E Day Commemoration
8. MIA Update
 
1. Progress, Promise, and Challenges in U.S. Veterans' Health Policy: On Wednesday, the Center for Strategic and International Studies hosted Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald to discuss his transformation of VA into a high performing organization. McDonald detailed his 12 priorities for 2016 which include improving a veteran’s experience when receiving VA health care, staffing critical positions that are vacant, and transforming information technology and supply chain processes. To view a video of his speech, visit: http://csis.org/event/progress-promise-and-challenges-us-veterans-health-policy.
 
2. VA Expands MyVA Communities: As part of Secretary McDonald’s MyVA transformation initiative, VA has established local community engagement boards, called MyVA Communities, around the country. These boards provide a feedback and input mechanism for local veterans, and bring together the local VA leadership to meet the unique needs of veterans in each community and facilitate the development of local solutions. VA has incorporated more than 50 community engagement boards into the MyVA Communities initiative and expects to have nearly 50 more by the end of the year. To learn about the MyVA Communities initiative or to find a local community engagement board, visit: http://www.va.gov/nace/myVA/index.asp.
 
3. New Director of Center for Women Veterans: The Secretary of VA has appointed Kayla Williams as the Director of the Center for Women Veterans. In this role, Williams will be the primary advisor to the Secretary on programs, policies and legislation that affect women veterans. Williams is an OIF veteran and is a long-time advocate for women veterans who has experienced the road to recovery with her husband who suffered a TBI while deployed in Iraq. To learn more about Williams, click here: http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/27420/kayla-williams-selected-new-director-vas-center-women-veterans/.
 
4. New Military Sexual Assault Report: Only 254, or four percent of nearly 6,100 sexual assaults reported by military service members last year resulted in court-martial convictions, according to the Pentagon’s latest report on military sexual assaults, which was released on Thursday. Although court-martial proceedings are still pending on 113 others, many reported assaults resulted in no punishment for an array of legal reasons that included lack of jurisdiction, lack of evidence, a commander's decision not to prosecute, or because the alleged perpetrator separated from the military. A full quarter of the complaints were filed as “restricted” reports, which meant the service member reporting the assault only sought health care or victims' support services, not a formal investigation. More than 500 cases were also resolved without a court-martial, which indicates non-judicial punishments and administrative discharges. About 20 percent of victims were men, which along with the total reports filed was consistent with the 2014 report. Learn more at: http://www.defense.gov/News-Article-View/Article/752797/program-director-military-sexual-assault-efforts-having-impact-but-hurdles-rema.
 
5. Take the Military Family Survey: Blue Star Families has asked the VFW to help distribute their 2016 Military Family Lifestyle Survey to active duty, Guard, Reserve and veteran families. The data collected provides real-time feedback from military members and families on issues ranging from operations tempo to pay and benefits, stress, caregiving and employment. The survey closes on May 31. Take it online now at: https://syracuseuniversity.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_73C1hBjjOK1eky9&RID=MLRP_1ZzNbz37XAfCy5T&Q_CHL=email.
 
6. Invictus Games Begin This Weekend: The second Invictus Games, an Olympic-style international competition for wounded warriors, will be held May 8-12 in Orlando, Florida.  Taking its name from the Latin word for “unconquered,” the mission of the Invictus Games is to use “the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women.” This year, 500 competitors representing 15 nations will compete in 10 athletic events. Television coverage will begin with the opening ceremony on Sunday, and continue throughout the week on ESPN2 and ESPN3. To learn more, visit: http://invictusgames2016.org/.  For the complete broadcast schedule, visit: http://invictusgames2016.org/espn-broadcast-schedule/.
 
7. V-E Day Commemoration: A public ceremony to commemorate the 71st anniversary of Victory in Europe Day will be held at the National World War II Memorial in Washington on Mother’s Day, May 8, at 11 a.m. All WWII veterans are invited to attend and be recognized for their service and sacrifice. The WWII Memorial has very few disability parking spaces, and street parking could be limited since it’s the tourist season. Taxis to the memorial are plentiful and recommended. The two closest Metro stations, Federal Triangle and Smithsonian, are both about a half-mile away. Learn more about this and other events at: http://www.wwiimemorialfriends.org/.
 
8. MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced the identification of remains of four American servicemen who had been missing in action from World War II and Korea. Being returned for burial with full military honors on a date and location to be announced are:
-- Fireman 2nd Class James B. Boring, 21, of Vinton County, Ohio, Navy Fireman 3rd Class Edwin C. Hopkins, 18, of Swanzey, N.H., and Ensign Lewis B. Pride Jr., 23, of Madisonville, Ky., had been missing since Dec. 7, 1941, when the battleship USS Oklahoma they were aboard suffered multiple torpedo hits and capsized as it was moored off Ford Island in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
-- Army Sgt. 1st Class James P. Shunney, of Providence, R.I., was lost fighting in North Korea on Nov. 2, 1950. He was assigned to Company I, 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division.
 
 
To sign up new veterans’ advocates, click here: http://capwiz.com/vfw/mlm/signup.htm