Monday, 31 July 2017
AUGUST CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Now Playing: Thanka Laverne
Tuesday, August 1st - Air Force Day
Friday, August 4th - Dart Tournament
US Coast Guard established 1790
Sunday, August 6th - District 7 meeting - Hobbs 11:00 AM. Lunch to follow.
Please bring side dishes or desserts
Monday, August 7th - Viet Nam war began 1964
Thursday, August 10th - House Committee meeting 5:30 PM
Monday, August 14th - Japan Surrender end of WWII
Navajo Code Talkers Day
Wednesday, August 16th - National Airborne Day
Thursday, August 17th - VFW meeting 6:30 PM
Auxiliary meeting 5:00 PM
Troop boxes packed 4:15 PM
Saturday, August 19th - National Aviation Day
Saturday, August 26th - Women's Equality Day
Posted by vfwpost3274
at 12:31 PM MDT
Thursday, 20 July 2017
VFW ACTION CORPS WEEKLY
Topic: VETERANS
July 20, 2017
In This Issue:
1. VFW on McCain’s New Fight
2. VFW National Convention Rolls into New Orleans
3. VFW Testifies in Support of New GI Bill Additions
4. House Democratic Round Table
5. DHA Working Group
6. Veterans Legislation Roundup
7. VFW-SVA Student Veteran Legislative Fellowship Opens Application Process
8. VA Renews Rural Veteran Transportation Program
9. MIA Update
2. VFW National Convention Rolls into New Orleans: After a 26-year absence, up to 10,000 members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and its Auxiliary are set to roll into New Orleans this weekend to elect new leadership and to approve resolutions that will guide the national organization’s advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill and its veteran and military support programs across the country. The 118th VFW National Convention begins Saturday at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. A free two-day veterans walk-in claims clinic and health fair will be accessible to all veterans, service members and their families. Additionally, National Legislative Service will host a workshop on Sunday which will include a panel discussion with Congressional staff. Read more here.
3. VFW Testifies in Support of New GI Bill Additions: On Monday VFW Associate Director Pat Murray testified before the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee on the largest addition to the GI Bill in almost 10 years. The changes will improve the benefit for hundreds of thousands of veterans now and in the future. “This bi-partisan effort is exactly how things in Washington should get done,” said Pat Murray. “We commend the Committee for continuing to show leadership and commitment toward veterans’ issues.” The main issues the VFW supports in this new legislation include giving full GI Bill eligibility to Purple Heart recipients, allowing access to the Yellow Ribbon Program for survivors and dependents of fallen service members, restoring benefits to Reservists activated without them, and restoration of lost GI Bill eligibility for students affected by school closures. Watch the hearing or read the testimony.
4. House Democratic Round Table: On Tuesday the VFW took part in a round table discussion with Democratic House leadership on VA’s Choice Program and GI Bill additions. Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Tim Walz hosted the discussion that was attended by numerous other interest groups that all held a stake in the future of the two programs. The VFW strongly supports the additions to the GI Bill as it would enhance the great program for hundreds of thousands of veterans. We also support the need for an immediate fix for the funding needed for VA’s Choice program. It is currently set to run out of funding much sooner than originally intended and Congress needs to step up and correct the funding issue. The VFW expects Congress to make sure these great programs are properly funded to ensure our commitment to veterans is fulfilled far into the future.
5. DHA Working Group: On Wednesday, the VFW participated in the monthly Defense Health Agency (DHA) MSO/VSO Working Group meeting led by DHA Deputy Director, Rear Adm. Colin Chinn. The meeting included an update on the rollout of DOD’s new electronic health record, MHS Genesis, which is expected to be fully implemented by 2022; a new transparency website, which allows users to compare military treatment facilities in their area; development of a demonstration project which would allow beneficiaries, specifically children, with a life-threatening illness to obtain hospice and curative care simultaneously; an update on the implementation of the FY 17 National Defense Authorization Act reforms; and changes to TRICARE’s pharmacy auto-refill policy, which will require beneficiaries to opt-in to the auto-refill program annually for each medication starting Sept. 1, 2017. Read more about the pharmacy policy change.
6. Veterans Legislation Roundup: the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Veterans’ Affairs met on July 19 to pass 11 pieces of legislation out of the committee, including the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017, otherwise known as the “Forever G.I. Bill.” Also approved during the session was H.R. 95, the Veterans’ Access to Child Care Act, making the VA’s pilot program for child care a permanent program at VA for veterans who are receiving regular mental health services and other intensive health care services from VA; H.R. 918, the Veteran Urgent Access to Mental Health Care Act, which requires the VA to provide an initial mental health assessment, as well as follow on care, to former service members who received an OTH discharge, but only if they are combat veterans or victims of military sexual trauma and have applied for a character of service determination; and H.R.1690, the Department of Veterans Affairs Bonus Transparency Act, which would require the VA to submit an annual report to the pertinent congressional committees regarding performance awards provided to regional office directors, medical center directors, service network directors, and senior executive staff. The VA would also be required to provide the amount of each bonus awarded, the job title of each recipient, and the location of employment. These bill are expected to be considered for a full vote by the U.S. House as early as next week.
7. VFW-SVA Student Veteran Legislative Fellowship Opens Application Process: On Wednesday, the application process for the 2018 class of legislative fellows opened for the fourth year. The program, for VFW members who attend school on a campus with an approved SVA chapter, selects 10 student veterans for a semester-long program. Focusing on real policy issues faced by veterans, the military and their families, the capstone of the program is participation in the 2018 VFW’s National Legislative Conference. Find out more information on the program and apply here.
8. VA Renews Rural Veteran Transportation Program: The grant program supporting rural transportation options for veterans going to medical appointments has been reapproved. Currently, 11 states have a total of 104 counties where the population is seven people per square mile or less and the VFW is involved in this program for four of the states affected. Veterans who live in approved counties can contact the veterans’ service organization or state agency involved to receive transportation to VA medical facilities and VA authorized facilities. See if you live in one of the participating counties.
9. MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced the identification of the remains of five Americans who had been missing in action from WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Returning home for burial with full military honors are:
-- Air Force Capt. Robert E. Holton, 27, of Butte, Mont., will be buried July 22 in his hometown. Holton was an F-4D pilot assigned to the 497th Tactical Fighter Squadron. On Jan. 29, 1969, Holton flew an armed reconnaissance mission over southern Laos. The flight lead cleared Holton to engage a target, and ordnance was seen impacting the ground. Aircrews reported seeing a large fireball on the ground in the vicinity of the target immediately thereafter. No radio transmissions were received, and no parachutes were seen. Efforts to make contact with the crew continued until the remaining planes were forced to leave the area due to low fuel. Holton was subsequently declared missing in action. Read about Holton. -- Army Pfc. Charles C. Follese, 20, of Minn., will be buried July 25 in his hometown. Follese
was a member of Company K, 3rd Battalion, 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment. On Nov. 29, 1950, Follese was part of a patrol sent to recover casualties near Hajoyang-ni, North Korea, when his patrol was ambushed. Follese could not be accounted for after the ambush and was declared killed in action on Nov. 30, 1950.
Read about Follese.
-- Marine Reserve Cpl. Raymond C. Snapp was assigned to Company F, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division. Snapp’s unit landed on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll on Nov. 20, 1943, against stiff Japanese resistance. Snapp was killed on the first day of the battle. Interment services are pending.
Read about Snapp.
-- Air Force Maj. James B. White was assigned to the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron. On Nov. 24, 1969, contact with White’s F-105D was lost after a single pass attacking enemy troops in Laos. On November 28, wreckage thought to be from White’s aircraft was spotted by an Air America helicopter. A Laotian ground team searched the area and found only small pieces of wreckage. White was subsequently declared missing in action. Interment services are pending. Read about White.
Posted by vfwpost3274
at 2:22 PM MDT
Sunday, 2 July 2017
July Calendar of Events
Now Playing: Thanks Laverne
Topic: Post 3274
Sunday, July 2nd - US Army Air Corps established - 1926
Tuesday, July 4th - Independence Day - Fly your Flag
Friday, July 7th - Dart Tournament
Thursday, July 13th - House Committee Meeting 5:30 PM
Saturday, July 15th - VFW Auxiliary Council of Administration Meeting - Post 401 - Albuquerque - 9:00 AM
Thursday, July 20th - VFW meeting - 6:30 PM
Pack troop boxes 4:15 PM
VFW Auxiliary meeting - 5:00 PM
Thursday, July 27th - Korean War ended - 1953
Friday, July 28th - World War I began 1914
Posted by vfwpost3274
at 4:24 PM MDT
Monday, 1 May 2017
MAY CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Now Playing: Thanks Laverne
Topic: Post 3274
Monday, May 1st - Loyalty Day
Thursday, May 4th - National Day of Prayer
Friday, May 5th - Dart Tournament
Saturday, May 6th - Nurses Day
Monday, May 8th - V-E Day Declared 1945
Thursday, May 11th - House Committee Meeting - 5:30 PM
Sunday, May 14th - Mother's Day
Monday, May 25th - Women's Army Corp founded 1942
Peace Officers Memorial Day
Thursday, May 18th - VFW Meeting 6:30 PM
Pack Troop Packages 4:15 PM
VFW Auxiliary meeting 5:00 PM and Installation of 2017-2018 Officers
Saturday, May 20th - Armed Forces Day
Monday, May 29th - Memorial Day Observed
Posted by vfwpost3274
at 7:56 AM MDT
Tuesday, 4 April 2017
APRIL CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Now Playing: fwd from Laverne Lester
Topic: VETERANS
Friday, April 7th - Dart Tournament
Saturday, April 8th - Auxiliary workshop and Department President's homecoming - Clovis
Thursday, April 13th - House Committee meeting - 5:30
Friday, April 14th - Good Friday
Saturday, April 15th- VFW Garage Sale at the Post
Sunday- April 16th - Easter Sunday
Tuesday - April 18th - Income Tax Day
Thursday, April 20th - VFW Meeting - 6:30
Auxiliary meeting 5:00 - Pack troop boxes 4:15
Saturday, April 23,2017 District 7 Convention, Hobbs NM Post #3274
Friday, April 28th - National Arbor Day
Posted by vfwpost3274
at 12:38 PM MDT
Updated: Tuesday, 4 April 2017 12:43 PM MDT
Monday, 13 March 2017
Maritime Injury Center.com
Now Playing: Thanks to Michael Egan
Topic: VETERANS
Good morning
" Maritime Injury Center's mission is to be the most comprehensive and accurate informational online resource for maritime workers (https://www.maritimeinjurycenter.com/). The goal of the site is to help educate workers, including their furthered understanding of risk(s) related to things like electrical failure, chemical exposure, hypothermia, and more. This also includes detailed information on rules/regulations, procedures and laws. For more information about the Jones Act, please visit https://www.maritimeinjurycenter.com/jones-act/. "
All the very best,
Michael
Semper Fi
Michael K. Egan
USN Petty Officer 3rd Class Disabled Veteran
Posted by vfwpost3274
at 1:03 PM MDT
Updated: Tuesday, 14 March 2017 4:15 PM MDT
Saturday, 11 March 2017
ACTION CORPS Weekly
Topic: VETERANS
March 10, 2017
In This Issue:
1. Veterans Education Roundtable
2. Caregiver Benefits Legislation Introduced
3. HVAC Hearing on Future of Choice Program
4. Location for Gulf War National Memorial Approved
5. VA Mental Health Care for Vets with OTH Discharges
6. VA Offers Free Services for MST
7. HVAC Advances Five Important Veterans Bills
8. Military Quality of Life Hearing
9. FY2017 Defense Funding Bill Passes House
10. MIA Update
Posted by vfwpost3274
at 6:46 AM MST
Saturday, 4 March 2017
ACTION CORPS Weekly
Now Playing: fwd from Ann Markel
Topic: VETERANS
1. VFW National Commander Testifies Before Congress: VFW National Commander Brian Duffy testified on Wednesday before 23 members of the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees on issues important to America’s veterans, service members and their families. Backed by a standing-room-only packed house of 500 fellow VFW comrades, the Chief stressed the need for this Congress to finally eliminate the budget ax called sequestration, and to continue transforming the Department of Veterans Affairs so that it can better provide timely access to quality health care and benefits that wounded, ill and injured veterans earned and deserve. Read the Chief's full testimony or view the hearing video.
2. IB Coauthors Release FY 2018 Budget Recommendations: The three Independent Budget (IB) coauthors (VFW, DAV and PVA) released a fiscal year 2018 recommendation today that calls for an 8.3 percent increase in medical care funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Administration has yet to release a FY 2018 budget request, which is normally presented the first week of February, but such a delay is not unusual in the first year of a new president. Highlights from new IB report include:
- $88.9 billion in overall discretionary budget authority for VA –– an approximate 10 percent increase over FY 2017;
- $76.9 billion for veterans’ medical care funding for FY 2018 –– a $5.9 billion or 8.3 percent increase over FY 2017;
- $82.8 billion for veterans medical care for FY 2019 advance appropriations –– a 7.6 percent increase over the IB’s FY 2018 recommendation;
- $3.1 billion for the Veterans Benefits Administration –– a $278 million or 9.7 percent increase over FY 2017;
- $2.5 billion for VA construction programs to repair, renovate, expand and replace VA’s aging infrastructure –– a $1.5 billion increase over FY 2017; and
- $713 million for medical and prosthetic research –– a $38 million or 5.6 percent increase over FY 2017, as well as an additional $75 million to support the Million Veteran Program.
The three IB coauthors have presented budget and policy recommendations to Congress and the Administration for 30 years. The recommendations, which are supported by 27 other organizations, are meant to inform Congress and the Administration of the needs of all veterans, and to offer substantive solutions to address the many health care and benefits challenges they face. The IB serves as the veterans groups’ benchmark for properly funding VA so it can provide the timely delivery of quality health care, and accurate and appropriate benefits. View the new IB.
3. In Memory Program Deadline Today: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is accepting applications for Vietnam veterans to be honored at the 2017 In Memory ceremony on June 17 on the east knoll of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. The In Memory program honors those whose lives were cut short as a result of their service, but do not meet the Department of Defense guidelines to be added to The Wall. Causes of death that meet the inclusion criteria include Agent Orange exposure, suicide, cancer, diabetes and heart attack, among others. The deadline for loved ones to apply to honor a Vietnam veteran at the ceremony is today. Learn more or submit an application.
4. Marine Reunion Web Page: The Commandant of the Marine Corps General Robert B. Neller is encouraging all Marines to “get connected … Reach out, catch up, and when needed, help others” by using a new Marine Corps web page designed to facilitate unit reunions. The “Year of the Reunion” page offers logistical advice for planning a reunion, as well as after action reviews of past reunions, a photo gallery and a list of upcoming reunions. Read about Year of the Reunion.
5. MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced the identification of remains of five Americans who had been missing in action from WWII and Korea. Returning home for burial with full military honors are:
-- Army Sgt. 1st Class Robert R. Cummings, 20, of Manistique, Michigan, will be buried March 4 in Clarksville, Tennessee. In late November 1950, the 187th regiment was moved to positions along the Chongchon and Kuryong rivers in order to preserve lines of communication after an attack by approximately 300,000 Chinese soldiers. On Nov. 29, Cummings was sent out as part of a reconnaissance patrol. The patrol was ambushed near Hajoyang, North Korea, and Cummings was declared missing in action. Read more about Cummings.
-- Navy Steward’s Mate 1st Class Cyril I. Dusset was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored off Ford Island in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, when Japanese aircraft attacked his ship on Dec. 7, 1941. Dusset was one of 429 crewmen killed in the attack. Interment services are pending. Read more about Dusset.
-- Navy Fireman 1st Class Lawrence H. Fecho was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored off Ford Island in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, when Japanese aircraft attacked his ship on Dec. 7, 1941. Fecho was one of 429 crewmen killed in the attack. Interment services are pending. Read more about Fecho.
-- Navy Seaman 1st Class Paul S. Raimond was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored off Ford Island in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, when Japanese aircraft attacked his ship on Dec. 7, 1941. Raimond was one of 429 crewmen killed in the attack. Interment services are pending. Read more about Raimond.
-- Navy Fireman 1st Class Walter B. Rogers was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored off Ford Island in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, when Japanese aircraft attacked his ship on Dec. 7, 1941. Rogers was one of 429 crewmen killed in the attack. Interment services are pending. Read more about Rogers.
Do you know someone who wants to help us fight for veterans? Sign up new veterans' advocates today.
Posted by vfwpost3274
at 7:23 AM MST
Thursday, 2 March 2017
MARCH CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Now Playing: fwd from Laverne Lester
Topic: Post 3274
Friday, March 1st - Dart Tournament
Thursday, March 9th - House Committee Meeting - 5:30 PM
Sunday, March 12th - Daylight Saving Time begins. Set clocks forward one hour
Thursday, March 16th - VFW meeting 6:30 PM
Auxiliary meeting 5:00 PM
Pack troop boxes 4:15 PM
Friday, March 17th - St. Patrick's Day - wear green
Posted by vfwpost3274
at 8:39 AM MST
Updated: Thursday, 2 March 2017 8:40 AM MST
Friday, 24 February 2017
ACTION CORPS Weekly
Now Playing: fwd from Ann Markel
Topic: VETERANS
1. VFW Legislative Conference to Begin: More than 500 VFW members are converging in the nation’s capital this weekend to urge their members of Congress to continue transforming the Department of Veterans Affairs, so that it can more efficiently and effectively serve America’s veterans. Said VFW National Commander Brian Duffy, “The VFW is fully committed to working with Congress and the VA to change the way the department delivers health care, to include finding the best way to leverage what the VA provides with what public or private practitioners out in the community can offer, with the end goal being the delivery of the highest quality integrated care so that no veterans are ever stranded in line again.” The Chief will present the VFW’s legislative positions at 2 p.m., Wednesday, in testimony before a joint hearing of the Senate and House Veterans’ Affairs Committees in room G-50 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. Along with fixing VA, Duffy will also demand that this Congress—the 115th Congress—finally eliminates sequestration. “When the 112th Congress created sequestration in 2011, Russia was not in the Ukraine, China was not building islands out of rocks, Iran and North Korea were not as emboldened as they are today, and the Islamic State did not exist,” he explained. “Yet here we are six years later, American forces are still in Afghanistan, in Iraq, and now in Syria, and our brave men and women in uniform must still operate under a budget ax called sequestration that is still the law of the land. Once again, the VFW demands that this Congress eliminate sequestration!” Read more here.
2. Military Health System Working Group: The VFW participated in a veterans and military service organization working group on Tuesday with Acting Deputy Director of the Defense Health Agency RADM Colin Chinn, who was joined by representatives of three service Surgeons General. Discussions focused on health care for military children, specifically hospice care and programs for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder; implementation of National Defense Authorization Act TRICARE changes; and the May 1 transition of the TRICARE dental program from MetLife to United Concordia. Read more about the dental transition.
3. Meeting the Needs of Female Veterans: On Tuesday, the VFW, alongside the Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Women Veterans and Department of Labor Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (DOL) met with Forward Assist, a veterans group from the United Kingdom. The focus of the meeting was to discuss the successes in gender specific health care, transition from military to civilian life and other needs of female veterans in the United States. Since there is still more work that must be done for female veterans, leadership at Forward Assist traveled to research and discuss ways to begin addressing the needs of female veterans in the U.K. Learn more about Forward Assist and what the VFW is doing for women veterans.
4. General Dunford Talks Security: The VFW attended a Brookings Institute event yesterday to hear Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joe Dunford talk security, threats, challenges and opportunities. He said as a nation that thinks and acts globally, our military must also be balanced and fully capable of winning in all spectrums of warfare in a transregional environment. He discussed the Big 5 threats—Russia, China, Iran, North Korea and ISIS—and added a sixth, solvency, which he said extends beyond just budget stability, because it is the economic strength of a nation that allows for a strong military. Regarding a military plus-up, he said it’s important to get the strategy in place before resizing the force begins. Watch the hour-long program.
5. VA to Host Summit for Women Veterans: The Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Women Veterans is slated to host the Summit for Women Veterans in Dallas from April 19-20, with original dates pushed back for the intent of catering to as many people interested as possible. The summit will be the first national-level event for women veterans since 2011. Topics will include training, information and guidance particular to female veterans, regardless of VA enrollment. There will be lectures, panel discussions, exhibits and open forums promoting forward-thinking dialogue, collaboration with industry best practices and research. The target audience includes women veterans, public sector partners, academics and community partners. “Attendees will have an opportunity to hear from VA leadership, and participate in breakout sessions focused on employment, mental health, entrepreneurship, military sexual trauma, reproductive health, culture change and more. Additionally, plenary sessions will focus on VA care and benefits, partner organizations, and a special “Voice of the Veteran” panel,” said Kayla Williams, the director of VA’s Center for Women Veterans. Learn more about the summit.
6. Women’s History Month Art Exhibits: The Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Women Veterans has announced 10 VA Medical Centers that will display female veteran artists’ work throughout the month of March to celebrate Women’s History Month. The Center for Women Veterans partnered with Veteran Artist Program to select the 10 artists who will be featured. Find the location nearest to you and read more about the exhibits.
7. MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced the identification of remains of two Americans who had been missing in action from WWII and Vietnam. Returning home for burial with full military honors are:
-- Navy Fireman 1st Class Charles W. Thompson was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored off Ford Island in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, when Japanese aircraft attacked his ship on Dec. 7, 1941. Thompson was one of 429 crewmen killed in the attack. Interment services are pending. Read more about Thompson.
-- Air Force Capt. Robert R. Barnett was a B-57B pilot with the 8th Bomb Squadron. While on a strike mission over Laos, Barnett’s aircraft reportedly crashed with no parachutes seen. The hostile threat in the area prevented a search and rescue mission and Barnett was declared killed in action on April 7, 1966. Read more about Barnett.
Do you know someone who wants to help us fight for veterans? Sign up new veterans' advocates today.
As always, we want to hear your advocacy stories. Email the VFW to share your stories or photos with us.
Posted by vfwpost3274
at 12:30 PM MST
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