Monday, 02 February 2015
Did you know:
- Veterans Journal: Remember to report health-care coverage on 2014 tax forms.
- Obama proposing $478 billion public works program in budget.
- 5 things to watch in the defense budget.
- 'Free' ferry running up multimillion-dollar tab for Alaska borough's residents.
- Defense secretary pick Ashton Carter is primed for confirmation.
- Terrorists? Extremists? White House wrangles with rhetorical terminology.
- Nonprofit on path for Operation Desert Storm memorial.
- Navy abandons 'Global force for good' to broaden appeal.
- Military academy students hone hacking skills at CyberStakes competition.
- Drones over Idaho: Some see a hobby, others see a threat.
- Annie’s mailbox: in which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs writes in.
- Safe Haven: Bringing veterans home.
- Corrections & Amplifications.
- Why more American are killing themselves.
- Study examines impact of service dogs on veterans with PTSD.
- ‘The evil hour’: Author’s deep, personal take on post-traumatic stress.
- Battle Buddies help Veterans cope with unseen war wounds, regain life purpose.
- Big Changes for VA Benefits: New ways of counting assets.
- Penalties for transferring assets.
- How Do I Help My Parents Prepare for Long Term Care?
- Baldwin’s actions on Tomah VA accusations fall short.
- Tomah VA Medical Center in need of nurses.
- Unsung heroes: Region’s black Veterans share their memories of military service during World War II. Veterans of 3 wars face lifelong challenges.
- Memories of four WWII Veterans honored in Northampton.
- Times are changing for some Veterans Clubs in the region.
- Voice of Valor: Lois Crook.
Did you know:
Legislation authorizing a memorial to commemorate the men and women who served and sacrificed in support of Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield was signed by President Obama just before the new year.
Language approving the memorial was included in the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act after more than two years of advocates’ tireless campaigning on Capitol Hill for its creation.
Around the 20th anniversary of Desert Storm and Desert Shield, a group of veterans joined forces and created a foundation with the single goal of creating a memorial to honor the sacrifice of the men and women who served in the two conflicts.
Nearly 700,000 American service members joined forces with 33 coalition nations in response to Iraq’s invasion and annexation of Kuwait in 1990.
“This memorial can bring closure to the veterans who became ill or injured because of their service in Desert Storm and Desert Shield. It will acknowledge that their efforts weren’t in vain,” said DAV National Adjutant and Gulf War veteran Marc Burgess. “It will also honor the hundreds of service members who didn’t return home.”
“The men and women who served during Desert Storm and Desert Shield answered the call to service during tumultuous times without hesitation,” continued Burgess. “The National Desert Storm War Memorial will ensure that their sacrifices are never forgotten for years to come.”
Now that the memorial has support of Congress and the president, the next step for the National Desert Storm War Memorial Foundation is to work with the National Park Service to select a site. To learn more about the proposed National Desert Storm War Memorial, visit nationaldesertstormwarmemorial.org.
Providence Journal: Veterans Journal: Remember to report health-care coverage on 2014 tax forms. The National Organization of Veterans’ Advocates Inc. (NOVA) has asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit to review a recent ruling by the [VA] mandating the use of a standardized form by veterans who wish to initiate claims and appeal decisions on their entitlement to benefits.
Obama proposing $478 billion public works program in budget. The $4 trillion budget that President Barack Obama sends Congress on Monday proposes higher taxes on wealthier Americans and corporations, and an ambitious $478 billion public works program for highway, bridge and transit upgrades.
The Wall Street Journal: 5 things to watch in the defense budget. [H]ow will President Barack Obama look to shape defense policy in his final two years? Here are key areas to watch: 1 THE BIG NUMBER. The expected $534 billion base budget request for 2016—up $39 billion from the current year—is only part of the story, with other defense-related spending likely taking the total over $800 billion.
'Free' ferry running up multimillion-dollar tab for Alaska borough's residents. The Matanuska-Susitna Borough’s “free” ferry Susitna, a beach-landing prototype built by the Office of Naval Research, has cost local taxpayers more than $4.4 million. No ferry landings were ever built, so the vessel waits at Ward Cove in Ketchikan ... and the bills keep adding up.
Defense secretary pick Ashton Carter is primed for confirmation. If confirmed as secretary of defense, Ashton Carter will confront urgent concerns: automatic budget cuts slated to gouge the Pentagon's proposed $561 billion budget, countering Islamic State militants menacing Iraq and Syria, and what Sen. John McCain has called "incessant White House micro-management" of the military.
Terrorists? Extremists? White House wrangles with rhetorical terminology. President Barack Obama has long tried to shift his administration's terror rhetoric away from what he saw as the hyperbolic terminology used by his predecessor, George W. Bush.
Nonprofit on path for Operation Desert Storm memorial. More than 20 years after American forces attacked Iraq during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, a memorial to those who served in the Persian Gulf War is progressing ever closer to fruition.
Navy abandons 'Global force for good' to broaden appeal. The Navy is taking a new approach to its recruiting commercials: Appealing to people who are already in uniform, have long since left the military and those who never will join.
Military academy students hone hacking skills at CyberStakes competition. The competition, held by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), was designed to test the computer security knowledge of military cadets from West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.
Drones over Idaho: Some see a hobby, others see a threat. Pullman resident John Thielbahr and his wife were looking out the window of their home one Saturday afternoon in December when they saw it. About 20 feet in the air hovered an unmanned aircraft, or drone. Not knowing why it was there, the Thielbahrs did not want to take any chances.
Omaha World-Herald: Annie’s mailbox: in which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs writes in. Each February, Americans participate in the National Salute to Veteran Patients by visiting and volunteering at the Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers, and by sending valentines and letters of thanks... This year’s National Salute is Feb. 8 to 14, and we again encourage communities across the country to take part in this effort… As many of your readers know, this past year has been one of challenge for VA.
Safe Haven: Bringing veterans home. In a yearlong series, Stars and Stripes examines the efforts by cities across the country to bring homelessness among veterans to an end. Today: Can homelessness among veterans ever be conquered? — Despite dedicated efforts across the country, there has been no standard or official definition of what “eliminating veteran homelessness” really means.
The Wall Street Journal: Corrections & Amplifications. President Barack Obama this year already has signed some legislation into law. An article in Saturday’s U.S. News section about military veterans’ suicides incorrectly said a bill to aid veterans with mental-health issues could be the first piece of legislation sent to Mr. Obama for his signature in 2015.
Business Insider (The Economist): Why more American are killing themselves. The suicide rate has risen from 11 per 100,000 people in 2005 to 13 seven years later… The rates are highest in Wyoming and Montana, perhaps because guns…are so common there… [N]ow it is the middle-aged who are most at risk... A survey by [IAVA]…found that 31% of veterans had considered taking their own lives. Congress is mulling a bill to overhaul how the [VA] handles the problem.
Study examines impact of service dogs on veterans with PTSD. Doctors from the Department of Veterans Affairs say that the benefits of service dogs working with the physically disabled are well-documented. Now, VA and other veterans groups hope that a new study will support the theory that they are equally beneficial to those with mental scars.
CNN: ‘The evil hour’: Author’s deep, personal take on post-traumatic stress. [David] Morris' new book, "The Evil Hours," isn't only about his experience with PTSD. He explores rarely discussed research about trauma resulting from sexual assault and natural disasters, and delves into sometimes controversial treatments of PTSD. He also examines the medical community's historically slow understanding of PTSD.
WCPO-TV (ABC-9) (Video): Battle Buddies help Veterans cope with unseen war wounds, regain life purpose. Veterans often return home from battle with war wounds, some of which cannot be seen, require special care and need extra aid from a new friend. For one local vet, a special "Battle Buddy" became the perfect partner when it came to healing… Atlas is a Battle Buddies service dog prescribed by a VA doctor.
MasonLawPC.com: Big Changes for VA Benefits: New ways of counting assets. Penalties for transferring assets. If you are even remotely interested in VA benefits such as Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits under the VA Special Monthly Pension or Improved Pension you should read this article. You’ve been warned. Last week the [VA] proposed sweeping new regulations…
Forbes: How Do I Help My Parents Prepare for Long Term Care? It’s hard enough to keep your own finances on track, but the time comes when you…realize your parents may need help, too. Are your parents prepared for long term care? If not, are you prepared to help?.. Fortunately, there are strategies seniors can use to lessen the impact of expenses brought on by long-term care needs… [S]ome of those include: VA benefits…
Green Bay Press-Gazette: Baldwin’s actions on Tomah VA accusations fall short. The [VA] Undersecretary Carolyn Clancy visited the veterans hospital in Tomah on Friday to investigate allegations of opiate over-prescription and retaliation against those who opposed it. U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin has said the accusations "warrant a full investigation." Baldwin's right. However, she would have been right five months ago when she received an initial report on the matter and appears to have not done anything with it.
WXOW-TV (ABC-19) (Video): Tomah VA Medical Center in need of nurses. At the Tomah VA Medical Center, to operate on a day-to-day basis, they need hundreds of employees. To help alleviate that need, the VA hosted a nursing career fair on Saturday. Sarah Ehlers, a Certified Nursing Assistant at Tomah Nursing & Rehab Center, was [at] the Nursing Career Fair on Saturday, looking for a “change of scenery”.
The Buffalo News: Unsung heroes: Region’s black Veterans share their memories of military service during World War II. Prior to [the executive order issued by President Harry S. Truman on July 26, 1948], all military services were segregated and most African-Americans were not eligible for combat duty… The narratives of our military men comprise a large part of [the history of the African-American population in Buffalo] and should be captured as quickly as possible…said Fern Beavers, minority veterans program coordinator at VA Western New York [HCS].
The Buffalo News: Veterans of 3 wars face lifelong challenges. The New Testament tells the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. And a bit of that miracle may have been passed down through the ages to members of James N. Lazaros’ family who have narrowly escaped death while defending America… [Lazaros and his wife] live on a modest military pension and [VBA] disability payments.
WWLP-TV (NBC-22) (Video): Memories of four WWII Veterans honored in Northampton. On the first Sunday in February, western Massachusetts veterans honored the four Military Chaplains who sacrificed their lives during World War Two. Veterans filled the V.A. Hospital Chapel in Northampton Sunday afternoon.
Grand Forks Herald Times are changing for some Veterans Clubs in the region. The recent closing of the American Legion Club in Bemidji surprised some veterans in the area, even though they also are experiencing the struggle to keep their clubs open in communities throughout the region. They're trying special events, shortened or expanded hours, menu changes, community outreach and sometimes combined forces with other separate organizations in their efforts to remain viable. "We were surprised to hear about Bemidji closing," said Paul Dubuque, commander of American Legion Post 20 in Crookston. "We're trying all …
Waco Tribune-Herald: Voice of Valor: Lois Crook. Lois S. Crook…[was on] an Austin Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., where she was the lone female among 20 World War II veterans in attendance. It was a truly memorable experience for her…. After she was discharged from the service, she joined the staff of the [VAMC] in Waco for 25 years. At that time all of the VA patients were psychiatric.