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/.
 
 
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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.
 
 
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MAY CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR POST 3274
Now Playing: fwd: Thank you Laverne
Topic: Post 3274
Sunday, May 1st - May Day
Friday, May 6th - Dart Tournament
Monday, May 9th - Planning Meeting for Memorial Day 6:00 PM
Thursday, May 12th - Installation of VFW and Auxiliary officers 6:00 PM - Hot Dogs, Chili, Chips and Dips
Thursday, May 19th - VFW and Auxiliary Meeting 6:30 PM
                                        Pack Troop Care Packages
Saturday, May 21st - Armed Forces Day
Monday, May 30th - Memorial Day - Details will follow about ceremony.

ACTION CORPS
Now Playing: Rprinted from Ann Markel
Topic: VETERANS
                                           April 29, 2016
 
In This Issue:
1. Army Retains SFC Martland
2. FY 2017 Defense Bill Overview
3. VFW Lauds Senate VA Committee Efforts
4. House Markup of Health Care Legislation
5. VFW Supports Continued Research for Gulf War Illness
6. New Four-Star Leadership
7. V-E Day Commemoration
8. MIA Updates
 
1. Army Retains SFC Martland: The Army announced yesterday that Sgt. 1st Class Charles Martland will be allowed to continue his career in the Army. The decorated Green Beret had been fighting an involuntary discharge after confronting an Afghan police officer in 2011 for sexually abusing a small boy and assaulting his mother. VFW National Commander John Biedrzycki said in a statement that the VFW was pleased to hear that SFC Martland will continue to serve our great nation in uniform. “He is an outstanding soldier who did the absolute right thing for the right reasons, and we are very pleased that Army leadership agreed,” he said.
 
2. FY 2017 Defense Bill Overview: The House Armed Services Committee passed its fiscal year 2017 defense authorization bill draft by a vote of 60-2 early Thursday morning. The full House still has to vote on the $610 billion package, plus differences have to be worked out with a Senate version that is still in committee. Some of the troop strength and quality of life programs contained in the HASC bill include:
-- A 2.1 percent pay raise, which is a half-percent higher than the Administration’s request.
-- Halting most planned troop drawdowns by adding 25,000 more soldiers to the Army National Guard and Reserve, increasing the active Army by 5,000, adding 1,000 more Marines and 285 Airmen.
-- Retain Tricare Prime and create a new Tricare Preferred program out of the current Standard/Extra programs. Current fee structures would remain in place, but could change in 2020 if the Pentagon can meet certain standards for patient access and care. All personnel now serving or who will retire before 2018 will stay in current Tricare fee structures, with enrollment fees adjusted to the cost of living, as mandated by law. Anyone enlisting after Jan. 1, 2018, would pay an annual fee for services.
-- Require military treatment facilities to extend their normal business hours to improve patient access, and realign military health facilities under the Defense Health Agency, which is a step closer to the VFW-supported goal of a joint military medical command.
-- Require women to register with the Selective Service System.
-- Extend by one year the Special Survivor Indemnity Allowance of $310 per month through Sept. 30, 2018, as well as eliminate the different treatment under the Survivor Benefit Plan accorded to members of the Reserve Component who die from an injury or illness incurred or aggravated in the line of duty during Inactive-Duty training.
-- Amend the Uniformed Service Former Spouse Protection Act by eliminating the “windfall provision,” which currently grants divorce awards based on expected retirement pay, not on the actual paygrade at the time of divorce. This is another longtime VFW-supported goal. Former spouses would still benefit from annual COLA increases as approved by Congress.
 
3. VFW Lauds Senate VA Committee Efforts: On Thursday, the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee unveiled its version of a comprehensive veterans package, known as the “Veterans First Act.” The VFW is encouraged that the committee has addressed some of the VFW’s priority goals, including expanding caregivers benefits to pre-9/11 veterans, expansion of the Yellow Ribbon Program to Fry Scholarship beneficiaries, and reducing VA’s use of high-dose opioids to treat and manage chronic pain. The VFW lauds the committee for its progress on this bill, and while there are key omissions, we call upon the full Senate to quickly pass it so that the House and Senate can compromise on a final bill. As the bill is conferenced, the VFW will strongly urge both chambers to include a consolidated community care payment provision, as well as to provide expanded urgent care options for veterans, postnatal care for new mothers, expanded childcare options at VA facilities, and an increase in the VA home loan guarantee amount. The VFW looks forward to working with the committees to pass this much needed bill, as well as finding a way forward to implement appeals reform that improves the process and reduces the current backlog of pending appeals. For a summary of the bill, visit: http://www.veterans.senate.gov/newsroom/majority-news/isakson-blumenthal-unveil-groundbreaking-veterans-legislation-to-change-culture-at-va.
 
4. House Markup of Health Care Legislation: Today, the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health held a markup of several health care bills, many of which the VFW supports, including expansion of adult day care services and establishing a program to afford transitioning combat medics and corpsmen the ability to use their combat medical experience to become VA physician assistants. The bills await action by the full committee. To view the webcast of the markup, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxtPdbO_T0E&feature=youtu.be.
 
5. VFW Supports Continued Research for Gulf War Illness: On Thursday, VFW Senior Legislative Associate Carlos Fuentes participated in a panel discussion at a VA Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans Illnesses meeting on how VA can improve health care and benefits for Gulf War veterans. Fuentes urged the committee to continue researching the causes of Gulf War Illness and to work with VA to develop a single disability benefits questionnaire for Gulf War Illness disability claims. For more information on the research advisory committee, visit: http://www.va.gov/rac-gwvi/.
 
6. New Four-Star Leadership: The Senate Armed Services Committee approved the nomination of the first female officer to lead one of the military's nine combatant commands, as well as two other four-star generals to lead U.S. forces in Europe and Korea. The full Senate is expected to confirm all three nominations. Approved this week was Air Force Gen. Lori J. Robinson to be commander of U.S. Northern Command. She is a life member of VFW Post 541 in Prescott, Ariz., and currently the commander of Pacific Air Forces. Also approved were Army Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti to lead U.S. European Command and Army Gen. Vincent K. Brooks to lead U.S. Forces Korea. Scaparrotti is currently the USFK commander and will succeed retiring Air Force Gen. Philip M. Breedlove. Brooks, a life member of VFW Post 2979 in Washington, D.C., is currently the commander of U.S. Army Pacific.
 
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 Updates: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced the identification of remains of four American servicemen who had been missing in action since World War II and Korea. Returning home for burial with full military honors are:
-- Navy Lt. Julian B. Jordan, 37, from Georgia, and Seaman 2nd Class Rudolph V. Piskuran, of Ohio, 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. They will be buried on dates and locations yet to be announced.
-- Army Air Forces 1st Lt. Leonard R. Farron, 23, will be buried May 4 in his hometown of Tacoma, Wash. On Oct. 15, 1942, Farron was piloting a P-39 Airacobra that failed to return to base after a strafing mission over Tassafaronga, Guadalcanal. He was assigned to the 67th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group, 13th Air Force. Read more at: http://www.dpaa.mil/NewsStories/NewsReleases/tabid/10159/Article/743794/airman-missing-from-world-war-ii-accounted-for-farron.aspx.
-- Army Cpl. David J. Wishon Jr., 18, of Baltimore, will be buried May 6 in Arlington National Cemetery. Wishon was declared missing in action after his unit was heavily attacked by enemy forces in the vicinity of the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea on Dec. 1, 1950. He was assigned to Medical Company, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Read more at: http://www.dpaa.mil/NewsStories/NewsReleases/tabid/10159/Article/744912/soldier-missing-from-korean-war-accounted-for-wishon.aspx.
 
 
To sign up new veterans’ advocates, click here: http://capwiz.com/vfw/mlm/signup.htm.