Tuesday, February 18, 2020

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Pistol In A Drawer

Trump Must Apologize for Remarks about Traumatic Brain Injuries

VA releases list of 149 Agent Orange sites outside of Vietnam

Kensington coffee club helps veterans connect, alleviates loneliness

Marius Region obituary

HST033: Dr Joseph Currier - Moral Injury

Veteran Mental Health Boot Camp, a series of podcasts that is looking at all aspects of Veteran Mental Health. Check out the first episode and all episodes as they’re released by

Retired colonel tells his story of surviving suicide and thriving

Don Jr: Arlington Cemetery Visit Reminded Me Of All My Family’s ‘Sacrifices’

The Quest to Cure PTSD: For many with posttraumatic stress disorder, relief is elusive. But research pinpointing the source of symptoms is spurring new therapeutic approaches. It may even be possible to stop PTSD before it starts.

Frankford Civil War museum looking for a new home: The Grand Army of the Republic Museum & Library, which has been in Frankford for 60 years, is searching for a new location.

Wars continue to poison: ‘Black snow’ from burn pits impacting health of veterans serving in Middle East

Senator quizzes VA about delaying Agent Orange decision

‘Ready to help:’ VA asks sick veterans from toxic ‘black goo’ base to come forward

Trump says 'I won't be changing my mind' on his view that brain injuries suffered by US troops in Iran's attack are not very serious

This Trump Judge Tormented a Trans Woman—Because He Could: Stuart Kyle Duncan had a history of anti-LGBTQ bigotry before he joined the bench. Now he’s inflicting his pettiness and cruelty on vulnerable litigants.

Stated Meeting of Philadelphia City Council 2-13-2020 (Note: this contains the testimony on the resolution and bill regarding giving equal hiring preference to high school graduates as is currently given to veterans)

Mike Damon outlined his steps toward healing in transition guide for veterans

Death Certificates Required to Schedule Double Interments in National Cemeteries
Dear Funeral Directors:
The National Cemetery Scheduling Office (NCSO) requests the assistance of funeral homes to alleviate an on-going issue with the scheduling of double interments of Veterans with their spouses in VA national cemeteries.
NCA is required to verify the marital relationship between a Veteran and spouse at the time of death.[1] This is accomplished through review of the death certificate for the pre-deceased individual.
In order to comply with the requirement, we must ask you to provide the death certificate prior to calling to schedule a double interment. The NCSO will defer scheduling either interment until the pre-deceased death certificate can be verified.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter as we continue to look for ways to improve our service to Veterans and their family members.
 [1] Title 38 Burial Eligibility authorities: 38 U.S.C. § 2402(a)(5), 38 CFR 38.620(e)
Thank you,
Jay Dalrymple
Director, National Cemetery Scheduling Office
St. Louis, MO

Welcome To America Again (Snapshots of Vietnam)

Welcome to Connected Warriors Yoga Class

Winter Schedule

Philadelphia City Office of Veterans Affairs Reaches out to Serve

VA Deputy Secretary Fired After Less Than 5 Months on Job

Korean War landmine victim committed himself to helping others

#VeteranOfTheDay Air Force Veteran Thomas N. Barnes

SecVA: Veterans to see continued improvements in 2020

VA medical center reveals new Whole Health web page: Provides easy access to services and program coaches

Veterans Received Inaccurate Disability Benefit Payments After Reserve or National Guard Drill Pay Adjustments

Discover the total rewards of a career caring for Veterans: At VA, discover a career with competitive pay, opportunities for growth and mobility, a wealth of benefits and rich rewards.

Registration open for 2020 National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic: VA rehabilitation program marks 13th year supporting Veterans

#VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran Richard J. Whalen

Attorney General James Announces Sentencing Of Man Who Stole Money Intended For Veterans: Michael Erber was also Convicted of Stealing Approximately $200,000 in Lottery Winnings From a Veteran Who Sought Housing Assistance

U. S. Settles False Claims Act Allegations Against Southeastern Retina Associates

Agent Orange Zone

VA’s Dr. Paul Lawrence discusses benefits for Navy vets exposed to Agent Orange

Legal Win Is Too Late for Many Who Got Cancer After Nuclear Clean-Up

Veteran groups to Trump: Make VA 'immediately' provide benefits for additional Agent Orange-linked diseases

Wars continue to poison: ‘Black snow’ from burn pits impacting health of veterans serving in Middle East

Jennifer Harkins is the Interim Medical Center Director of the Coatesville VA Medical Center (CVAMC) effective Feb. 1, 2020.

Veterans should be involved in appropriation of VA funds and decision-making

Andrew Vernon: Army veteran and KPE alum fights to raise awareness about veteran suicides

Veteran suicide is not just military issue

Veterans receive help through clergy training program

#VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran Nekohl Mace

Bill to Provide Service Dogs for Veterans with PTSD Passes House Unanimously

VA Leaders Sought Dirt on Woman Making Sex Assault Accusations, Whistleblower Claims

Jobless Rate For Post-9/11 Vets on the Rise, New Data Shows

Senators Worry VA's Long Wait Times Will Continue Despite Mission Act

Agawam Man Charged with Defrauding VA Hospitals by Failing to Inspect Medical Gas Systems

After One Month, Newly Eligible Veterans Still Having Problems with Base Access

Boots to Business: Reboot.  Thursday, March 19, 2020 - 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Altoona LaunchBox supported by the Hite Family, Penn State Altoona
1331 12th Avenue, Altoona, PA 16601

Thursday, March 19, Boots to Business Reboot

LET'S MAKE IT KNOWN.  We’re proud of our veterans. We’re proud of YOU. Let’s show the world how you’re #StillServing.  If you’re a family member or friend, help us honor veterans and share the story of service members in your life.

VA Ramps Up Mental Health Funding After Rash of Parking Lot Suicides

Health executive credits VA with post-military career rise: VA Palo Alto Health Care System Director Thomas Fitzgerald discusses his post-military career path at VA and Intermediate Care Technician careers.

Veterans Experience Office uses customer feedback to build trust in VA: VA Modernization and transformation efforts focus on customer needs

Heroes Linked provides professional growth for Veterans: Helping to enhance and expand career opportunities

#VeteranOfTheDay Marine Veteran Mark R. Black

VA health services for women leaving the military: Women’s Health Transition Training

Widespread flu across Pennsylvania

VA strengthens care and benefits for Veterans with $243 billion budget request for fiscal year 2021

VA programs would see a 13 percent funding boost under Trump’s fiscal 2021 budget plan

VA honors hospitalized Veterans during National Salute to Veteran Patients week: “We are a nation that cares and remembers”

VHA Innovators Network Innovator of the Month: Larry Hillson

Borne the Battle #181: The 2020 State of VA

VFW’s Unmet Needs Program provides grant funds: Supporting Veteran and military families with unexpected financial difficulties

#VeteranOfTheDay Navy Veteran Gretchen Sorensen

Pennsylvania offers its veterans six extended care facilities throughout the state and the level of care provided includes personal and skilled nursing care. These facilities offer qualified veterans and their spouses dedicated, superior care.

DMVA Digest: A publication of Pennsylvania's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, February 12, 2020

Fallen soldier’s Purple Heart award given to nephew almost 75 years later

Local woman gives back to veterans in a unique way

Beyond Veterans Day: Students gave back to local veterans during holiday season

Drive a Van - Volunteer Drivers Needed For Local Veterans

GI Bill – VA Education Benefits

VA encourages communities to volunteer and recognize hospitalized Veterans during National Salute to Veteran Patients week

Vietnam Veteran keeps black history alive in Louisiana

G4S CAREERS - jobs

Veterans Services Officer – job opportunity

Waste Management – job opportunity

Wolf Administration: New Carpentry Apprenticeship Funding Available in Allegheny, Blair, and Lebanon Counties

For many combat veterans and first responders, the stress doesn’t end when the deployment ends or the siren goes silent. Too often, the first to respond to the needs of others are the last to seek help for themselves following a traumatic event.  But through REBOOT Recovery, there is hope after trauma.

DELCO VA Clinic Caregiver Support Open House

Fishing Programs

SCCTU Veteran Service Program

PIA’s Aviation Maintenance and Aviation Electronics programs

National Center for PTSD

Veterans can now update their contact information online

Why are the younger Veterans avoiding the Veteran Service Organizations?

Why Are The Younger Veterans Avoiding The Veteran Service Organizations?

DELCO VA Clinic Caregiver Support Open House

Raleigh County Woman Enters Guilty Plea to Health Care Fraud: Defendant fraudulently obtained over $300,000

VA’s Electronic Health Records System Won’t Make Its First Go-Live Deadline


Support a progressive cause but not its tactics? Alicia Garza has advice for you

Let's remember the Heroes of the Greensboro Sit-ins on its 60th Anniversary

Dr. Dorothy Height inspired us to reach for higher heights. #BlackWomenLead

How do we engage people who've been sitting on the political sidelines? An organizer breaks it down

I offer you my intricate, beautiful, yet complex story of Black History Month through my lens.

Black History Month: Afro-Latinos, Boricuas, colorism—and the Super Bowl

#BlackHistoryMonth: Lessons we can learn from the life of Rosa Parks on the anniversary of her birth

Black History Month is an opportunity to instill year-round confidence in our kids

The Scramble for Black Votes

Biloxi VA nurses support Puerto Rican relief effort

VA senior leaders participate in the 2020 PIT Count in communities nationwide

Maj. Howard V. Lee: Just Doing My Duty

#VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran Tim James

Veteran gets VA health care at home: Home based primary care delivers care to Veterans where they live

On Wednesday, February 19th at 11:30 a.m., the Friends of the National World War II Memorial will hold a brief ceremony and wreath presentation at the National World War II Memorial in DC to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima

VA Fiduciary Program

File a VA disability appeal

VA Caregiver Support - Caring for Seriously Injured Post-9/11 Veterans

The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers

National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention - Manage Stress

National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention - Healthy Living Assessment - The HealtheLiving Assessment (HLA) can help Veterans improve their health.

‘Lending a Helping Hand’: Unmet Needs grant helps Army vet and family stay warm

Lawrence, Gallucci, Eshenbaugh Named to HillVets 100 Class of 2019: ‘These three gentlemen are the epitome of what the VFW represents’

FRA NewsBytes February 14, 2020.  In this issue: VA Budget Boost, DoD Gets Small Increase; Some MTFs to Be Closed to Retirees; SVAC Holds Hearing; New Law: Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act

VA MISSION Act: Update on the Implementation of the Community Care Network.  SVAC Holds Hearing.
The Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee held an oversight hearing on the implementation of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Community Care Network (CCN) program that was part of the VA MISSION Act. Senior officials of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and the CEOs of both CCN providers testified at the hearing. All the witnesses claimed that the implementation of CCN is progressing smoothly. There were questions about the pace at which providers are being reimbursed as well as the backlog of provider payments on the VA’s books. The VA is working on new processes to speed up the turnaround time for reimbursements. They expect to be caught up by the fall. The issue was raised that CCN contracts do not reflect MISSION Act standards for community care. The contracts were awarded prior to the MISSION Act’s passage into law. The VA pledged to move toward MISSION Act standards with the program and the CEOs both testified that they will strive to meet the MISSION Act’s more stringent standards for access and timeliness.

Bill promoting STEM careers for veterans enacted into Law.  President Trump signed into law the Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act (S.153), which was sponsored by Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla). The act will assist veterans who are re-entering the workforce by directing the National Science Foundation to encourage veterans to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The act mandates the NSF’s Office of Science and Technology to establish an interagency working group to increase veteran and military spouse representation in the STEM field. 

S.153 - Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act

VFW Action Corps Weekly, February 14, 2020

2020-2-12 Subcommittee on Technology Modernization Hearing: Protecting Veterans’ Personal Data

VA doctors are using artificial intelligence to diagnose cancer

Veterans Reps. Jason Crow and Mike Gallagher Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Authorize Reserve Placement on the National Mall to Memorialize Serivcemembers of the Global War on Terrorism

Memorials & Museums Master Plan

Senate passed H. J. Res. 80, which would provide congressional approval of the VA Innovation Center’s programs to expand access to dental care through pro bono services at community dental clinics. This legislation was previously passed by the House so the project is now authorized to begin.

On January 13, 2020 the House of Representatives approved the House Joint Resolution 80 for VA’s waiver request to implement a pilot program under Section 152 of the MISSION Act of 2018 to improve access to dental care for Veterans. The MISSION Act authorizes VA to submit statutory waivers to Congress for the purposes of testing innovative service delivery models to improve the quality of care for America’s Veterans. Under existing statute, VA has limited authority to provide dental services for Veterans. With this waiver request, VA proposed to increase access to dental services for enrolled Veterans by connecting them with community-based, pro bono, or discounted dental service providers.

2020-2-12 Joint Oversight Hearing: Provider Relations During the Transition to VA's New Care Program

Tricare Users Get Discounts on Chiropractic Care, Gym Memberships in New Pilot

Veterans History Project

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that returning home for burial with full military honors is:  U.S. Army Pfc. James W. White, 21, was a member of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), also known as Merrill’s Marauders. After taking the airfield in Myitkyina, Burma, from the Japanese on May 17, 1944, White’s battalion was tasked with holding the airfield and taking part in the siege of Myitkyina. White was reported to have been killed during fighting on July 2, 1944. Interment services are pending. Read about White:

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that returning home for burial with full military honors is:  U.S. Army Pvt. James J. Cansler, 21, was assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 8th Infantry Division. His unit was engaged in battle with German forces near Vossenack, Germany, in the Hürtgen Forest, when he was reported as missing in action. A year later, Army officials had received no evidence he had been captured or otherwise survived combat, and so released a presumptive finding of death. Interment services are pending. Read about Cansler:

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that returning home for burial with full military honors is:  U.S. Navy Chief Fire Controlman Daniel F. Harris, 40, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Harris. Interment services are pending. Read about Harris:

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that returning home for burial with full military honors is:  U.S. Navy Seaman 1st Class Edward Wasielewski, 21, of Detroit, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Wasielewski. Interment for Wasielewski will be Feb. 21, 2020, in San Diego. Read about Wasiclewski:

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that returning home for burial with full military honors is:  U.S. Navy Fire Controlman 1st Class Robert L. Corn, 24, of Baker City, Oregon, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in Corn’s death and the deaths of 429 crewmen. Corn will be buried May 1, 2020, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Read about Corn:

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that returning home for burial with full military honors is:  Marine Corps Reserve Pfc. Raymond Warren, 21, of Silverdale, Kansas, was a member of Company K, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands, in an attempt to secure the island. Over several days of intense fighting at Tarawa, approximately 1,000 Marines and sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded, while the Japanese were virtually annihilated. Warren died between the first and second day of battle, Nov. 20-21, 1943. Warren will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. The date has yet to be determined. Read about Warren:

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that returning home for burial with full military honors is:  U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Thomas H. Cooper, 22, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, was a member of Company A, 2nd Amphibious Tractor Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands, in an attempt to secure the island. Over several days of intense fighting at Tarawa, approximately 1,000 Marines and sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded, while the Japanese were virtually annihilated. Cooper died on the first day of the battle, Nov. 20, 1943. Cooper will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. The date has yet to be determined. Read about Cooper:

First African American Hospital Director in VA History: African American History Month

The Great American Spit Out challenges Veterans to quit smokeless tobacco

Get answers to military spouse employment questions on Feb. 20: Feb. 20 is the Military Spouse Employment Partnership Facebook Live event.

Veteran’s family receives long overdue medal

VA Photos of the Week: February 14, 2020

#VeteranOfTheDay Air Force Veteran Samuel E. Via

RAO Bulletin Update 15 February 2020

The Battle of Ia Drang Valley, 1965

VA is a data driven organization

#VeteranOfTheDay Marine Corps and Navy Veteran Eric F. Shellenberger

Helping Veterans handle a silent killer: Hypertension.  Are you at risk?

Borne the Battle #182: Air Force Veteran and Entrepreneur Charlynda Scales

New technology in use at VA

Alabama Veterans access VA benefits, services at Veterans Experience Action Center: VEACs brings direct access to VA and non-VA resources to your community

#VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran Elgin Baylor

Committee on Labor and Civil Service Committee - Bill No. 200007 02-18-2020

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