A Memorial Day Message From Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki

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A Memorial Day Message

From Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki

 

WASHINGTON (May 24, 2013) — This weekend, Americans in large numbers will visit our national cemeteries and other final resting places to honor their loved ones, their friends, neighbors, colleagues, even some unknown to them—men and women who gave their lives in defense of our Nation.

 

Memorial Day is a time to reflect on their service and their sacrifice, even as our Armed Forces are performing difficult and dangerous missions in distant lands.  They continue to safeguard our American way of life.

 

Memorial Day is set aside to honor the more than one million of our fellow citizens who have fallen in battle since the founding of our Republic.  Their service helped to shape us as a Nation and secured, for us and our friends and allies, our security in a troubled world.  Except for their service, we all would be facing different circumstances today.

 

During World War II, American forces literally helped to save the world from tyranny and oppression.  Those who marched to the guns in the 1950’s saved a Nation.  And the most devastating conflict in our history, the American Civil War, preserved a Union that would, within a hundred years, emerge as a world power, dedicated to preserving freedom and liberty.

 

Every generation has done its duty, just as today’s 1.37 million members of our Armed Forces are doing theirs under difficult circumstances.

 

On Memorial Day, their service in uniform stands in contrast to our ball games and backyard barbeques.  Our defenders are ordinary Americans performing extraordinary deeds, bearing all the risks for our way of life.  In remembering the Fallen, we honor the men and women who kept faith with our enduring principles of “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”  We remember, as well, those who keep the faith today and honor their patriotism, valor, dedication, and loyalty.

 

A memorial written by Civil War-era orator, Robert Green Ingersoll, eloquently captures the significance of Memorial Day for all generations of our Fallen:

 

They died for liberty—they died for us.  They are at rest. 

They sleep in the land they made free, under the flag they rendered stainless. . . . Earth may run red with other wars, but they are at peace.

In the midst of battles, in the roar of conflict, they found the serenity of death.

 

I join with all VA employees in honoring those who have been called to the Altar of Freedom, in offering prayers for them and their families, who sacrifice still today, and in asking for the Almighty’s continued blessings on this great Nation.

Washington Weekly May 24, 2013

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VFW Washington Weekly
May 24, 2013
In This Issue:
1. Stolen Valor Act Headed to President
2. Obama Vows to Close Guantanamo
3. House VA Committee Evaluates Claims Initiative
4. House VA Subcommittee Discusses Health Care Bills
5. VFW Joins Discussion on Military Credentialing
6. HASC Subcommittee Clears Personnel Bill
7. VFW in Israel for Fact-Finding Mission
8. WWII Soldier Recovered
9. Memorial Day 2013
 
1. Stolen Valor Act Headed to President: The VFW is applauding Congress this week for passing the Stolen Valor Act of 2013, introduced by Rep. Joe Heck and Sen. Dean Heller, both from Nevada. H.R. 258 was passed overwhelmingly in the House on Monday by a vote of 390-3, and the Senate passed its companion, S. 210, Wednesday night by unanimous consent. The legislation now heads to the White House for the president’s signature. VFW National Commander John Hamilton said Congress followed the roadmap laid out by the U.S. Supreme Court when they overturned the original Stolen Valor Act last year. In their writings, the high court suggested any future legislation had to be narrower in focus than just to penalize people for simple lying, which they ruled as protected speech in a 6-3 decision. “Now the new language is bullet-proof,” said Hamilton, “because the focus is on the intent to profit from the lie, to obtain money, property or something of a tangible benefit, which is what con artists have been doing throughout history.” Not every combat award is covered, but the ones most worn by wannabe heroes will be protected once the bill becomes law. VFW advocates were able to reach all 100 Senate offices in record time after the House passed their bill, encouraging the Senate to take action. It is because of you that the Senate bill passed so quickly! Read about the VFW’s reaction at http://www.vfw.org/News-and-Events/Articles/2013-Articles/Stolen-Valor-Act-Passes-Congress!/. To send a thank you to your Senators, click here.http://capwiz.com/vfw/issues/alert/?alertid=62685126.
2. Obama Vows to Close Guantanamo: The president yesterday vowed again to close the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and tasked the Defense Department to locate a site in the U.S. where military tribunals can be held. The VFW is firmly against both proposals by national resolutions approved by delegates attending our past three national conventions. Guantanamo serves a purpose: it keeps our most dangerous enemies off the battlefield, out of America, and provides an extremely secure and controlled environment for the military court system.
 
3. House VA Committee Evaluates Claims Initiative: The House VA Committee held a hearing to evaluate VA’s recent initiative to process claims pending over two years. VFW provided written testimony acknowledging that although the project did provide decisions to many who have waited a long time, more needs to be done to ensure VA creates a viable, effective and efficient system to develop and manage claims. VA Under Secretary for Benefits Allison Hickey spoke about the 34,834 claims that have been adjudicated within the last 30 days and how VBA will finalize the remaining 32,000 by the end of June. Committee members voiced concerns about current backlog numbers, employee training and performance reviews, and how VA plans to justify to veterans lengthy wait times for decisions. To learn more about the hearing and to view an archived webcast click here:http://veterans.house.gov/hearing/expediting-claims-or-exploiting-statistics-an-examination-of-va%E2%80%99s-special-initiative-to. To read the VFW’s testimony in its entirety, click here:http://www.vfw.org/VFW-in-DC/Congressional-Testimony/Expediting-Claims-or-Exploiting-Statistics—An-Examination-of-VA%E2%80%99s-Special-Initiative-to-Process-Rating-Claims-Pending-Over-Two-Years/.
4. House VA Subcommittee Discusses Health Care Bills: The House VA Subcommittee on Health hosted a hearing to discuss pending veterans’ health care legislation. VFW provided written testimony offering comments on bills regarding VA travel benefits, CHAMPVA regulations and medical research. Among the bills we supported is legislation (H.R. 984) that would establish an interagency task force on genitourinary organ trauma, or urotrauma – the technical terms for the loss or damage to reproductive organs. A recent study shows that 5 to 10 percent of battlefield injuries involve urotrauma, and that these injuries have been on the rise in Afghanistan. For more on the hearing and to read our complete testimony visit the blog at: http://thevfw.blogspot.com/2013/05/house-hosts-hearing-on-veterans-health.html
5. VFW Joins Discussion on Military Credentialing: This week the VFW joined Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine and Illinois Rep. Tammy Duckworth for a discussion on professional credentialing for military training. Kaine and Duckworth are the sponsors of the VFW-supported Troop Talent Act of 2013, a bipartisan bill that would improve the path to civilian professional credentials for service members trained by the military, ensure credentials are relevant to civilian industries, and increase access to high-demand industries for service members. To learn more about the discussion, click here:http://thevfw.blogspot.com/2013/05/vfw-joins-military-credentialing.html.
6. HASC Subcommittee Clears Personnel Bill: This week, the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel cleared its section of the FY 2014 Defense Authorization bill (HR 1960) by voice vote. Among the provisions is stricter language to combat military sexual assault, which would bar commanders from dismissing all but minor sexual offenses from a court martial, and prohibit them from reducing a guilty finding in a sexual assault case to a lesser offense. The language comes on the heels of recent reports from the Pentagon estimating that 70 sexual assaults take place every day in the military. Other provisions included a 1.8 percent pay raise for service members and strong rejections to any Tricare Fee increases. The full committee is expected to take up the bill sometime after the Memorial Day recess. Check back here for full coverage of the NDAA as it moves through Congress. For VFW statement on military sexual assaults, click here: http://www.vfw.org/News-and-Events/Articles/2013-Articles/VFW-Statement-on-Military-Sexual-Assaults/. To read the bill provisions, visit the committee website at http://armedservices.house.gov/index.cfm?p=fy14-subcommittee-marks.
7. VFW in Israel for Fact-Finding Mission: This week VFW Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Bill Thien is in Israel to share ideas with our allies on issues like military personnel readiness and veterans’ issues like training, benefits, resiliency and access to mental healthcare. The VFW will also learn about the geopolitical issues facing Israelis and Palestinians in the volatile region. VFW National Legislative Director Ray Kelley accompanied Thien on the trip to provide updates. Click here for more information: http://thevfw.blogspot.com/2013/05/vfw-lands-in-israel-for-military-and.html.
8. WWII Soldier Recovered: The Defense POW/MIA Office announced the identification of remains belonging to Army Pvt. William Yawney, 23, of Freemansburg, Pa.. On June 15, 1944, U.S. forces were ordered into Saipan as part of an Allied strategic goal to secure the Mariana Islands. After a month of intense fighting, enemy forces conducted a final attack on the 105th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division’s position. Elements of the regiment sustained heavy losses, to include Yawney, who was originally thought to have been buried in a military cemetery on Saipan. Read more at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/news/news_releases/.
9. Memorial Day 2013: National Commander John Hamilton will be representing the VFW in the White House Monday morning, as well as participate in Memorial Day ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.  Locally, many of our 7,200 VFW Posts will be having similar ceremonies to honor our fallen. As we gather to remember the more than one million Americans who served and died in our nation’s conflicts going back to the Revolutionary War, please remember to keep our 83,000 missing and unaccounted-for servicemen—and their families—in your thoughts, as well as the men and women assigned to the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, who are tasked with bringing them home from some of the most austere places on Earth. As of today, there are 73,661 missing from World War II; 7,918 from the Korean War; 1,647 from the Vietnam War; 126 from the Cold War; and 6 from our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. More information, plus loss statistics, are available at the DPMO website at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/summary_statistics/.
As always, we want to share your advocacy stories on the VFW Capitol Hill blog. To share your stories, either fill out our online form by clicking here,http://www.vfw.org/Forms/Capitol-Hill-Blog-Submissions/, or simply email photos and stories directly to vfwac@vfw.org.

VA, DoD and HHS Partner to Expand Access to Mental Health Services for Veterans, Service Members and Families

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 21, 2013

VA, DoD and HHS Partner to Expand Access to Mental Health Services for Veterans, Service Members and Families

Inter-Agency Effort to Increase Access to Mental Health Services Responds to Executive Order

WASHINGTON – Today, the Departments of Veterans Affairs (VA), Defense (DoD) and Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the progress made to date on initiatives called for in President Obama’s August 31, 2012, Executive Order to Improve Access to Mental Health Services for Veterans, Service Members, and their families.

“We have made strong progress to expand Veterans’ access to quality mental health services, and President Obama has challenged us to do even more,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “Our ongoing, joint efforts reflect our commitment to the health and well-being of the men and women who have served the Nation.”

“One of the great challenges we face as a nation is how to provide quality, accessible, long term, mental health care for service members, veterans and their families.  Using the combined resources and expertise from across the government we are advancing services for those who have sacrificed so much for our nation,” said Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel.

President Obama’s Executive Order directed VA, DoD, and HHS, in coordination with other federal agencies, to take a number of steps to ensure that Veterans, Service Members, and their families receive the mental health services and support they need.

“There’s no more important work than taking care of those who protect our nation,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.  “By working together, we can make sure our service men and women, our veterans, and their families have the behavioral health services they need to build healthy and fulfilling lives.”

Today, the Departments released an interim report, found here, outlining progress on this initiative, including:

•             Increasing the capacity of the Veterans Crisis Line by 50 percent to help ensure that Veterans in crisis can readily reach help.

•             Establishing 15 pilot projects in seven states where VA is working with community-based mental health providers to help Veterans access mental health services in a timely way.

•             Increasing VA mental health services capacity through VA hiring of nearly 1,400 mental health providers and 248 new peer specialists.

•             Implementing a national suicide prevention campaign to connect Veterans and Service Members to mental health services.

The Departments are actively working on additional deliverables called for in the Executive Order, including the development of a National Research Action Plan.

 

Federal Department actions to date include:

Suicide Prevention:  VA and DoD jointly developed and are implementing a national suicide prevention campaign to connect Veterans and Service Members to mental health services.  This year-long effort began Sep. 1, 2012.  The program continues to save lives and link Veterans with effective ongoing mental health services on a daily basis.  As of March 2013, the Veterans Crisis Line (1-800-273-8255, press 1) has received over 814,000 calls, over 94,000 chats, as well as over 7,200 texts, and has helped more than 28,000 Veterans in imminent danger.  VA has also completed the hiring and training of additional staff to increase the capacity of the Veterans Crisis Line that were called for in the Executive Order. In addition, the DoD has initiated a thorough review of its mental health and substance abuse prevention, education and outreach programs informed by the expertise of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental

Health Services Administration.

Enhanced Partnerships Between the VA and Community Providers:  VA worked with HHS to help identify potential local community resources to improve Veterans access to mental health services.  VA has enhanced access to mental health care by establishing 15 VA pilot agreements with clinics in local communities to improve access to mental health service.

Expanded VA Mental Health Staffing:  As of May 7, 2013, VA has hired a total of 1,360 mental health clinical providers towards the goal of 1,600 new mental health professionals outlined in the Executive Order. Additionally, VA has hired 2,036 mental health clinical providers to fill existing vacancies.   VA has also hired nearly 250 new peer specialists in support of the specific goal of 800 peer specialists outlined in the Executive Order.  The interim report indicated that as of Jan. 29, 2013, VA had hired 1,058 mental health clinical providers in support of the specific goal of 1,600 mental health professionals, and over 100 peer specialists in support of the specific goal of 800 peer specialists.

Improved Research and Development: The development of a National Research Action Plan to better understand and develop treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and co-occurring conditions; and identify strategies to support collaborative research efforts to address suicide prevention is underway. VA, DoD and HHS and the Department of Education have collaborated and submitted the plan on time. DoD and VA are investing more than $100 million in new research to improve diagnosis and treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  They have launched two initiatives to establish joint DoD/VA research consortia with academia and industry partnerships to study the chronic effects of mild TBI and PTSD.

 

Working together, the Departments will continue to expand the public health approach to providing optimal support for the mental health needs of Veterans, Service Members and their families.  They also will continue to provide updates on their work as it progresses.

Wounded Warrior Fund Raiser May 28 Nashua High School North

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Nashua High School North
front lawn
Tuesday May 28 
   9:30 am
buy a flag  $5
  
 Flag Display and Memorial Ceremony
National Honor Society
Ms. Anton    Antonk@Nashua.edu
Ms. Brodeur   Brodeure@nashua.edu
_____________________________________________________________________________
also  note:  a great group of local singers for Patriotic songs:    NH Patriettes

MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY AT STATE VETERANS CEMETERY MAY 30TH

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Memorial Day Ceremony – Thursday – May 30th

Summary:

The Marine Corps League and Staff of the State Veterans Cemetery cordially invites you to attend the Memorial Day Ceremony

Commencing at 11:00AM on Thursday, May 30, 2013 at

110 Daniel Webster Highway, Route 3, Boscawen, New Hampshire

Seating is limited; please bring a lawn chair for your comfort. Ceremony normally runs for one hour. Refreshments will be served in the Maintence Building following the ceremony. Please extend this invitation to friends and family.

STOLEN VALOR ACT CALL OUR SENATORS NOW

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Update:

Thanks to   all of you and our many advocates,  the Senate passed S. 210 , the   Stolen Valor Act last night – below is the link to the new alert and a   letter you can send to thank your Senators. We were able to get through to all   100 Senate offices!  Kudos!

Have a   wonderful Memorial Day!

 

Teresa   Morris

 

http://capwiz.com/vfw/issues/alert/?alertid=62685126

 

 

VFW Legislative Alert: Urge Senate to Pass Stolen Valor Act Today!

Take Action!
Background:  Earlier this week, the House overwhelmingly passed their version of the Stolen Valor Act (HR 258), which makes it a federal crime to profit from falsely identifying yourself as having received certain valorous military medals and awards.  The crime could include a fine and/or up to one year imprisonment.
The Senate bill, S. 210, now needs your support.
Action Needed:  Contact your two U.S. Senators today and urge them to pass S. 210, the Stolen Valor Act before Memorial Day. Tell them that America holds her military service members and veterans in high regard, and those who falsely identify themselves as war heroes in order to reap benefits should be punished!
Tell them to support our heroes and pass S. 210 today!

M1 Garand Rifle Operation and Maintenance Guide

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In response to recent reports of serviceability issues both with .30 Caliber Blank Ammunition and Maintenance Issues with Ml Garand Rifles that have led to both damaged weapons and personnel injury the U.S. Army Research Development and Engineering Command (ARDEC) Technical Community in the interests of improving safety for the user and better feedback concerning issues with both Ml Rifles and.30 caliber Blank Ammunition, has developed an Operations and Maintenance guide for use with the Ml Garand Rifle. This guide provides safety of use information, instructions for preventive maintenance checks and services, information about where to obtain assistance in the event of a mishap and information for ordering ammunition from JMC.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE M1 Garand Operation and Maintenance Guide- 2013

 

 

David E. Prohaska Deputy Director, Administrative Operations Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States 406 W 34th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111

VFW ACCEPTING DONATIONS FOR OKLAHOMA DISASTER

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Dear Comrades,

In the wake of the devastation resulting from the tornadoes in Oklahoma, the VFW has dispersed funds to the state to assist fellow VFW members and their families seeking aid.

While the full extent of the damage is still being evaluated, we know there will be a need for financial assistance among our members and their families. Any assistance is much appreciated.

If any VFW Department, District, Post or individual wishes to make a donation to the Oklahoma Tornado Relief Fund, please click here.

Checks can be made out to “VFW” and mailed to:

Quartermaster General c/o VFW 406 W. 34th St. Kansas City, MO 64111

Any money received will be used for this purpose and should there be a surplus, it will be held in reserve for future disasters as was done with the VFW’s Hurricane Sandy and Katrina Relief Funds.

Update::

Dear Comrades,

I want to update you on our relief efforts in Oklahoma following the devastating storms that tore through the state this week.

In addition to Moore, the following towns have also been hit hard and need our help:

Arcadia
Bethel Acres
Carney
Edmond
Norman
Shawnee
Wellston

The VFW has dispersed funds to the state to assist fellow VFW members and their families seeking aid statewide.

We still don’t know the full extent of the damage, but we know there is a need for financial assistance among our members and their families.

Any assistance you can provide is much appreciated.

If any VFW Department, District, Post or individual wishes to make a donation to the VFW Oklahoma Tornado Relief Fund, please click here.

Checks can be made out to “VFW” and mailed to:

Quartermaster General
c/o VFW
406 W. 34th St.
Kansas City, MO 64111

Any money received will be used for this purpose, and should there be a surplus, it will be held in reserve for future disasters as was done with the VFW’s Hurricane Sandy and Katrina Relief Funds.

Yours in Comradeship,
Allen “Gunner” Kent
Adjutant General, Veterans of Foreign Wars

 

 

 

 

Yours in Comradeship,

Allen “Gunner” Kent Adjutant General, Veterans of Foreign Wars

Pelham Post 10722 – 2013 National Community Service Award Winners!!!!

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 just received word that we are the winners of 2013 The National Community Service Award!!! That’s three years in a row!!!

You are an awesome group of dedicated members and I am so very proud of all that we continue to do for our veterans and community!

I’m in awe of our continued above and beyond dedication and contributions!

Great job everyone!

Thanks For All That You Do!!

Mark

Congrats Mark & Rita,

 

    WOW!!!  I am once again totally impressed (but not surprised) that Pelham Post & Auxiliary is recognized by National for their outstanding work…..A tribute to great leadership and great effort by a fabulous membership team. Adding your Jr. Girls Unit will just make you that much more of an example for the rest of the Department of NH to emulate.  Congratulations once again, and thank you for such a great example of teamwork.

 

Paul Chevalier

Past State Commander