VA solicits input on access standards and standards for
quality: Federal Register notices part of continuing implementation of 2018 VA
MISSION Act
https://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=5735
Use this link to support various legislation to help
veterans
https://www.fra.org/FRA/Web/Content/VotervoiceFullInfo.aspx
VA extends presumptive period for Persian Gulf War
Veterans
https://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=5733
History of Veterans Day: This Thursday will mark the
103rd anniversary of the armistice ending the First World War on Nov. 11, 1918,
now recognized as Veterans Day
https://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp
This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the Tomb of
the Unknown Soldier. For the first time in nearly 100 years, and as part of the
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Centennial Commemoration, the public will be able
to walk on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Plaza and lay flowers in front of
the Tomb on Nov. 9 and 10, 2021
https://www.wusa9.com/article/features/arlington-national-cemetery-to-observe-100th-anniversary-of-tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier/65-a447c7ba-0bb5-4dc5-8a11-044dd027f330
“Valley Voice,” Newsletter for October, 2021, of DELAWARE
VALLEY VETERANS HOME, 2701 SOUTHAMPTON RD., PHILADELPHIA PA 19154
https://www.dmva.pa.gov/paveteranshomes/DelawareValleyVeteransHome/Documents/DVVH-Newsletter.pdf
Delaware Valley Veterans' Home
Commandant: Peter A. Ojeda RN, BSN, NHA
Medical Director:
Dr. Violetta Berdichevskaya MD
Director of Nursing: Deborah Olivieri RNC, MS
2701 Southampton Rd., Philadelphia, PA 19154
Phone: 215-856-2700
Email: RA-MVDVVH-CONTACT@pa.gov
https://www.dmva.pa.gov/paveteranshomes/DelawareValleyVeteransHome/Pages/default.aspx
Delaware Valley Veterans' Home Advisory Council
https://www.dmva.pa.gov/paveteranshomes/AdvisoryCouncil/Pages/default.aspx
VA updates disability rating schedules for genitourinary
and cardiovascular systems
https://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=5740
VA Philadelphia health care Work with us Volunteer or
donate. You can make a difference when
you volunteer at or donate to the VA Philadelphia Healthcare System.
https://www.va.gov/philadelphia-health-care/work-with-us/volunteer-or-donate/
SB 248 - An Act amending Title
38 (Holidays and Observances) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes,
providing for holidays and observances. Signed
in Senate and the House and Presented to the Governor, Nov. 10, 2021. Approved by the Governor, Nov. 17, 2021, and
enacted into law as Act No. 87.
March 6 of each year is
designated as "Persian Gulf War Veterans Day."
October 7 of each year is
designated as "Global War on
Terrorism Veterans Day."
SEPTEMBER 27 OF EACH YEAR IS
DESIGNATED AS "FIRST RESPONDERS DAY."
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2021&sind=0&body=S&type=B&bn=248
We must keep our promise to our veterans.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAXIJaGTazQ
SHOT DOWN: The true story of pilot Howard Snyder and the
crew of the B-17 Susan Ruth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOXo77gReTE
Steve Snyder is Interviewed by the U.S. Embassy in
Belgium
https://youtu.be/cx72x8-wIK4
Pennsylvania Commission For Women Opens Nomination Period
For 2022 Female Veterans Day Celebration
https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/military-and-veteran-affairs-details.aspx?newsid=516
Wolf Administration Encourages General Assembly to Back
Package of Legislation Aimed at Improving the Lives of Veterans
https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/wolf-administration-encourages-general-assembly-to-back-package-of-legislation-aimed-at-improving-the-lives-of-veterans/
VA Home Loans | Applying, Refinancing, Credit Scores,
Cash Out, & More | theSITREP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwchuWczB_s
How to Enroll in VA Health Care | VA Form 1010EZ |
theSITREP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZO9snrUHP_A&t=11s
What is VA Disability and who can apply? | Department of
Veterans Affairs | theSITREP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aX9FEYEiXwM&t=3s
When should Veterans apply for VA Disability? |
Department of Veterans Affairs | theSITREP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6OW-2YRqaw&t=3s
Getting records for a VA disability claim | Department of
Veterans Affairs | theSITREP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnE6TzurVdQ&t=6s
Why do Veterans get different VA Disability ratings? |
Department of Veterans Affairs | theSITREP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rdnb_a7Wu4&t=1s
Filling the Void
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9txkmP9EYQ&t=1s
VA Caregiver Support Program: Program of Comprehensive
Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)
https://www.caregiver.va.gov/support/support_benefits.asp
VA Caregiver Support Program: PCAFC decisions – options
for further review and appeal
https://www.caregiver.va.gov/support/PCAFC_Appeals.asp
A Caregiver’s Toolkit: What You Need to Know When Caring
for Someone
https://saafdn.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/CAREGIVER-Booklet-1.pdf
VVA LEGISLATIVE ACTION CENTER
https://vva.org/what-we-do/veterans-advocacy/legislative-action-center/
VVA PTSD & SUBSTANCE ABUSE
https://vva.org/what-we-do/outreach-programs/ptsd/
S. 796 - Protecting Moms Who Served Act of 2021. Passed in the Senate on 10/7/21 and House on
11/16/21 and presented to the President on 11/19/21.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/796
S.894 - Hire Veteran Health Heroes Act of 2021. Passed in the Senate on 7/21/21 and House on
11/15/21 and presented to the President on 11/19/21.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/894
S.1031 - A bill to require the Comptroller General of the
United States to conduct a study on disparities associated with race and
ethnicity with respect to certain benefits administered by the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Passed in the Senate on 8/6/21 and House on 11/15/21 and presented to
the President on 11/19/21.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/1031
S. 1095 - Colonel John M. McHugh Tuition Fairness for
Survivors Act of 2021. Passed in the
Senate on 6/24/21 and House on 11/15/21 and presented to the President on
11/19/21.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/1095
Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Hearing on 11/17/21 to Consider
Pending Legislation
S. 1296 (Brown/Blumenthal) Daniel J. Harvey Jr. and Adam
Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act
S. 1564 (Shaheen) Veterans Legal Support Act of 2021
S. 1607 (Schatz/Rounds) Student Veterans Transparency and
Protection Act of 2021
S. 1664 (Klobuchar/Rounds) Department of Veterans Affairs
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Processing Claims Improvement Act of 2021
S. 1838 (Scott/Blumenthal) Building Credit Access for
Veterans Act of 2021
S. 1850 (Warnock/Boozman/Cassidy) Chaplains Memorial
Preservation Act
S. 1881 (Rosen) Veteran Education Empowerment Act
S. 1936 (Booker) GI Bill National Emergency Extended
Deadline Act of 2021
S. 2089 (Shaheen/Hassan/Cramer) Burial Equity for Guards
and Reserves Act of 2021
S. 2329 (Rubio/Sinema) BEST for Vets Act of 2021
S. 2405 (Baldwin/Sullivan) Commitment to Veteran Support
and Outreach Act
S. 2431 (Hassan/Boozman) Department of Veterans Affairs
Office of Inspector General Training Act of 2021
S. 2513 (Cortez Masto/Boozman) Brian Neuman Department of
Veterans Affairs Clothing Allowance Improvement Act of 2021
S. 2644 (Moran/Tester) GRAD VA Educational Assistance
Parity Act of 2021
S. 2687 (Tester/Boozman/Manchin) Strengthening Oversight
for Veterans Act of 2021
S. 2761 (Hirono) Every Veteran Counts Act of 2021
S. 2794 (Tuberville/Cramer/Rounds) Supporting Families of
the Fallen Act
S. 3047 (Portman/Sinema) Veterans Pro Bono Corps Act of
2021
S. 3094 (Moran/Manchin/Sullivan/Hirono/Hassan) Reaching
Every Homeless Veteran Act of 2021
S. 3163 (Tester/Moran) RURAL Exams Act of 2021
S. XXXX (Tester) Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of
2021
https://www.veterans.senate.gov/hearings/hearing-to-consider-pending-legislation-11.17.21
Testimony of Patrick Murray, Director, National
Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States on 11/17/21
Before the United States Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs With Respect To
“Pending Legislation”
https://www.vfw.org/advocacy/national-legislative-service/congressional-testimony/2021/11/pending-legislation
H.R. 147 - BRAVE Act.
Passed by the House on 11/16/21.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/147
H.R. 4233 - Student Veterans Counseling Centers
Eligibility Act. Passed by the House on
11/16/21.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/4233
H.R. 4626 - VA AIM Act.
Passed by the House on 11/16/21.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/4233
Take the Women Veteran’s survey
https://survey.voice.va.gov/?cwv-women-veterans
Blood and Platelet Donors Needed - Give blood by Nov. 23
& receive a $10 Gift Card via email, thanks to Amazon.
https://www.redcrossblood.org/
Holiday Shipping Deadlines
https://www.usps.com/holiday/holiday-shipping-dates.htm
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that
returning home for burial with full military honors is Army Cpl. Leon E.
Clevenger, 21, of Durham, North Carolina, was assigned to Company K, 3rd
Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was reported
missing in action on July 11, 1950, while involved in combat operations against
the North Korean People’s Army in the vicinity of Chonui and Choch’iwon, South
Korea. Following the battle, his remains could not be recovered. Clevenger will
be buried on Dec. 11, 2021, in his hometown. Read about Clevenger.
https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2011184/soldier-accounted-for-from-korean-war-clevenger-l/
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that
returning home for burial with full military honors is Army Air Forces Staff
Sgt. Charles McMackin, 26, of Boston, was assigned to 68th Bombardment
Squadron, 44th Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force. On Aug. 1, 1943, the B-24
Liberator aircraft on which McMackin was serving as a bombardier crashed as a
result of enemy anti-aircraft fire. Following the war, his remains could not be
identified. McMackin will be buried on April 14, 2022, in Chestnut Hill,
Massachusetts. Read about McMackin.
https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2317559/airman-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-mcmackin-c/
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that
returning home for burial with full military honors is Army Sgt. Howard R.
Belden, 19, of Hague, New York, was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters
Company, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was reported missing
in action on Dec. 1, 1950, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces near the
Chosin Reservoir, North Korea. Following the battle, his remains could not be
recovered. He will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington,
Virginia. The date has yet to be determined. Read about Belden.
https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2816347/soldier-accounted-for-from-korean-war-belden-h/
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that
returning home for burial with full military honors is Army Air Forces 1st Lt.
John J. Heffernan, Jr., 24, was assigned to 490th Bomb Squadron, 341st Bomb
Group, 10th Air Force. On Feb. 22, 1944, the B-25G Mitchell bomber on which
Heffernan was serving as a navigator burst into flames and crashed near
Letpadaung. Following the war, his remains could not be identified. Interment
services are pending. Read about Heffernan.
https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2842881/soldier-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-heffernan-j/
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that
returning home for burial with full military honors is Army Tech. Sgt. Ross H.
Thompson, 50, was assigned to the Finance Department, U.S. Army Forces Far
East, when Japanese forces invaded the Philippine Islands in December 1941.
Intense fighting continued until the surrender of the Bataan peninsula in 1942.
Thompson was among those captured and held at the Cabanatuan POW Camp, where he
reportedly died on Dec. 10, 1942, and was buried. Interment services are
pending. Read about Thompson.
https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2847343/soldier-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-thompson-r/
Rediscovering the Power of Unions: Better wages and
health care may always face headwinds in Washington, but unions are striking to
win them directly.
http://www.populist.com/27.21.Entralgo.html
Student Veterans Battle for GI Bill Benefits at MIT,
Another School Fighting the VA
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2021/11/22/student-veterans-battle-gi-bill-benefits-mit-another-school-fighting-va.html?ESRC=army_211123.nl
50,000 Extra VA Patients Died in 2020 Compared to Normal,
Study Finds
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2021/11/18/50000-extra-va-patients-died-2020-compared-normal-study-finds.html?ESRC=army_211123.nl
Veterans and Depression: Addressing the Problem
https://inlandempiretms.com/veterans-and-depression/
New Bill Would Provide Benefits to Descendants of Black
WWII Veterans Who Were Unable to Take Advantage of Original GI Bill
https://atlantablackstar.com/2021/11/24/new-bill-would-provide-benefits-to-descendants-of-black-wwii-veterans-who-were-unable-to-take-advantage-of-original-gi-bill/
Special Group / Born Between 1930 - 1946. Today, they
range in ages 75 to 90. Are you or do you know someone "still here"?
http://www.bellflowerresort.com/449997730
Faut pas se mélanger les crayons (Italian Air Show)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fc8gmy4fnD8
After 84-Year-Old Kris
Kristofferson Shared Startling News, His Fans Led The Tributes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j53doRL1YI0
VHA iEX Talks: Race -Based Stress and Empowerment Program
(RBSTE)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IR0bglZ2DPw
NJ Black heritage trail would link cultural and
historical markers, according to bill: The bipartisan legislation, if passed,
would create a Black Heritage Cultural & Historical Commission, and would
create a database of significant sites
https://www.phillyvoice.com/new-jersey-bill-black-heritage-trail/
A Dark-Money Team of Trump Cronies Is Cooking Up a
Scandal at Biden’s VA: Fox News' Pete Hegseth, former Veterans Affairs
officials, and a Koch-backed group are ganging up to accuse the agency of
“cancel culture” and even “killing its veterans.”
https://newrepublic.com/article/164379/veterans-4-america-first-trump-biden-va-scandal?utm_medium=notification&utm_source=pushly&utm_campaign=pushly_launch
S.2792 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2022. As the Senate continues to
debate the NDAA FY22 bill, which requires only 60 votes for passage. Senators
are holding out votes requesting amendments be included in the bill. Hopefully, the bipartisan legislation
will not break tradition and be signed
into law by Christmas.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/2792/text
Congress is getting ready to do what it does best:
Procrastinate. Lawmakers are scrambling
to pass a continuing resolution that will keep the government open — and push a
funding fight to next year.
https://www.vox.com/2021/11/30/22807627/congress-government-shutdown-funding-fight
H.R.1510 - To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
submit to Congress a report on the use of cameras in medical facilities of the
Department of Veterans Affairs.
1/23/2021 President signed and it Became Public Law No: 117-64.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1510/all-info
S. 796, the “Protecting Moms Who Served Act of 2021,”
which codifies the Department of Veterans Affairs" current maternity care
coordination program. 11/30/2021 Signed
by President.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/796/
S. 894, the “Hire Veteran Health Heroes Act of 2021,”
which requires the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense
to identify separating members of the Armed Forces with a health care
occupation for potential employment with the Department of Veterans
Affairs. 11/30/2021 Signed by
President.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/894/text
S. 1031, which requires the Government Accountability
Office to conduct a race and ethnicity study regarding certain Department of
Veterans Affairs benefits. 11/30/2021
Signed by President.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/1031
S. 1095, the “Colonel John M. McHugh Tuition Fairness for
Survivors Act of 2021,” which requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to
disapprove any course of education offered by public institutions of higher
learning that do not charge the in-State tuition rate to individuals using
education benefits under the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance
Program. 11/30/2021 Signed by President.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/1095
Joe Biden Delivers Remarks on
U.S. Veterans I LIVE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8ogtbDeYoc
Inside the ‘highly suspicious’
veterans charity that celebrities love and ex-employees can’t stand: “After
working there for six months, I still don’t know what the non-profit does to
help veterans,” one former employee said.
https://taskandpurpose.com/news/vetty-awards/?utm_source=Task+%26+Purpose+Today&utm_campaign=c98e927b49-TP_Today_12_03_2021&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_67edd998fe-c98e927b49-76873159
Maura Gillen - 2021 Freedom
Medal Honoree
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOLMh0CVC0g
DELAWARE VALLEY VETERANS CONSORTIUM
https://dvvc.org/
Pearl Harbor 80th Anniversary
https://vimeo.com/event/1541615
Letters from an American December 7, 2021
https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/december-7-2021?r=5eumi&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR2-gy6V5Q1SefTs9monN5OB_jmiGirlmzlA8oltVHFxtwb-owPNVs_oOwQ
Brittany Ramos DeBarros Took on the War Machine. Now
She’s Running for Congress. Can an
anti-war ex–Army officer defeat a centrist Dem and a Trumpian Republican in New
York City’s most conservative district?
https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/brittany-ramos-debarros-election/
Selective Conscience: John Rawls’s doctrine of fairness.
https://www.thenation.com/article/society/john-rawls-shadow-of-justice/
Nothing Sugar-Coated Here: Type 2 Diabetes. Learn how to navigate lifestyle changes after
diagnosis
https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/web/myhealthevet/ss20210630-type-2-diabetes
Insomnia After Returning from Deployment
https://www.veteranshealthlibrary.va.gov/142,41442_VA
How to Talk About PTSD: Talking about your experiences
can lead to relief and healing
https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/web/myhealthevet/ss20211203-advice-for-disclosing-trauma
Energize Your Diet as You Age: Can the right foods improve
your energy levels every day?
https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/web/myhealthevet/ss20210820-energize-your-diet-as-you-age
Recharge With Yoga: Exercise for your mind, body, and
soul
https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/web/myhealthevet/ss20191001-how-yoga-helps
Lung Cancer: Good and Bad News. Find out if yearly screenings are right for
you
https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/web/myhealthevet/ss20211203-lung-cancer-good-and-bad-news
James K. Chappelle passed away
on Dec. 12, 2021. James was 72 years old. He was born on Dec. 17, 1948.
yesterday would have been his 73rd birthday. He is married to his wife Donna.
James was the president of Liberty Bell Chapter 266 for 3 years, and a member
of the chapter color guard for many years.
James enlisted in the Army in 1967. He served in Vietnam from Feb. 68 to
Feb. 69. James was in a supply company in Qui Nhon. May he rest in peace, and
God bless him. A celebration of James’ life will occur on Thursday, Dec.23. 2021 at
the Wood Funeral Home, 5537-39 West Girard Ave., Phila., Pa. 19131. Viewing: 9:30 - 10:30 am, Service: 10:30 am. James will be laid to rest in Washington
Crossing National Cemetery at 2:00 pm. All are welcome
https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/23392974/james-k-chappelle/philadelphia/pennsylvania/wood-funeral-home
