Thursday, March 19, 2015

FW: Wendesday, 18 March 2015



Ya' know, every once in a while something comes along that is just perfect!!!
We are here on earth to do good unto others. What the others are here for, I have no idea. 


To: rserge1@outlook.com
Subject: Fwd: Wendesday, 18 March 2015




Zach,  Herald & Review  After eBay spotting and long journey, WWII pilot's possessions end up with family.  You just never know when you're going to bump into the last traces of a real hero. That's true even for experts such as Dan Janvrin, who is used to sifting through the bits and pieces of their lives. 
 Did you know:
-      Department of Defense Warrior Games 2015. 
-      Army picks female intelligence soldier for USAREUR's top enlisted slot. 
-      Tricare to No Longer Cover Some Prescription Pain Killers.   
-      White House office to delete its FOIA regulations. 
-      McCain: GOP can't afford to defer defense spending debate.
-      House GOP taps war fund to solve defense spending cap. 
-      DOD explores changes to 5-year rule, LQA. 
-      Quality of life for Vets. 
-      House vets chairman: VA impeding congressional oversight. 
-      VA, Congress trade barbs over trust, transparency. 
-      VA Watchdog overhauls policies on investigative report. 
-      US Sets New Record for Denying, Censoring Government Files. 
-      Special Report: Traumatic Brain Injury.  
-      Obama talks about trust at VA scandal site. 
-      Colorado VA Hospital Construction is More Than $1 Billion Over Budget. 
-      Cost of new Denver-area VA hospital swells fivefold to $1.73 billion. 
-      Estimated cost of new Denver VA hospital balloons to $1.73B. 
-      Veterans Affairs Wants A Disney Run Hospital. 
-      Veterans Group Launches Social Network to Put Personal Dave on VA Scandal. 
-      Elder Law: Department of Veterans Affairs proposes 3-year look-back for gifts. 
-      Bad advice? VA wants retirement home resident to repay $45,000. 
-      Facebook's suicide prevention tools connect friends, test privacy. 
-      Civil War re-enactors bring history to life at Fayetteville exhibit. 
-      After eBay spotting and long journey, WWII pilot's possessions end up with family. 
Did you know:
Military Medicine, VA aim to share more patients in San Antonio:  In a move that helps veterans, and active-duty military patients and their families, local VA and military medical facilities have dramatically increased their work-share agreements over the past two years and they are seeking to add more.
Department of Defense Warrior Games 2015.  The Department of Defense Warrior Games 2015 will take place June 19 - 28 at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia.  DoD Warrior Games is an annual sporting competition bringing together wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans from across the country.  This is the first year that the department is organizing the games, which were previously run by the United States Olympic Committee and held at
Army picks female intelligence soldier for USAREUR's top enlisted slot.  U.S. Army Europe's Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges has selected Command Sgt. Major Sheryl Lyon as the next senior enlisted leader for U.S. Army Europe, breaking new ground for a position that until now has always been held by male combat arms soldiers.
Military.com  Tricare to No Longer Cover Some Prescription Pain Killers.  Tricare officials are rolling out a new prescription drug clearance system that will block from coverage some ingredients used in compounded medications like pain killers, officials announced March 13. 
USA Today   White House office to delete its FOIA regulations.  The White House is removing a federal regulation that subjects its Office of Administration to the Freedom of Information Act, making official a policy under Presidents Bush and Obama to reject requests for records to that office. 
The Hill   McCain: GOP can't afford to defer defense spending debate.  Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) is keeping up the pressure on his fellow Republicans to lift spending caps for the Defense Department. 
House GOP taps war fund to solve defense spending cap.  Fiscal hawks in the House on Tuesday proposed pumping billions into the military's emergency overseas war fund as a way to circumvent a mandatory limit on base defense spending that the services warn will damage national security and readiness.
DOD explores changes to 5-year rule, LQA.  The Defense Department is considering new limits to housing allowances for civilian employees as it reviews a benefit that costs the government about $500 million annually.
TribLIVE: Quality of life for Vets.  If H.R. 969 is passed, it will afford proper, equitable VA benefits to Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange. Thousands of Vietnam veterans who did not have boots on the ground will be eligible for benefits and compensation.
House vets chairman: VA impeding congressional oversight.  Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., has accused the inspector general and other officials at the Department of Veterans Affairs of withholding reports from his panel, despite pledges to be transparent.
Military Times: VA, Congress trade barbs over trust, transparency.  A year after the Veterans Affairs Department was rocked by findings of hidden patient wait lists and manipulated records, House Republicans are accusing the department's new leadership of doing little to fix the transparency problems.
USA Today: VA Watchdog overhauls policies on investigative report.  The chief watchdog at the Veterans Affairs Department is overhauling its policies for making public the findings of dozens of investigations into veterans' health care… Acting VA Inspector General Richard Griffin announced Tuesday that all decisions about whether to release investigative reports will now be made by his immediate staff.
The New York Times (AP): US Sets New Record for Denying, Censoring Government Files.  Obama administration more often than ever censored government files or outright denied access to them… records showed Veterans Affairs doctors concluding that a gunman who later killed 12 people had no mental health issues despite serious problems and encounters with police during the same period.
Special Report: Traumatic Brain Injury.   Traumatic brain injury is one of the invisible wounds of war and one of the signature injuries of troops wounded in Afghanistan and Iraq. This Defense.gov special report highlights the Defense Department's efforts to care for wounded warriors suffering from this condition while …
The Washington Post (Federal Eye): Obama talks about trust at VA scandal site.  President Obama went to the scene of the misdeeds when he visited the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Phoenix on Friday… Obama visited Phoenix not to claim victory that the afflicted agency had been healed, but to inspect the repair job.
Wall Street Journal: Colorado VA Hospital Construction is More Than $1 Billion Over Budget.  A Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in Colorado will be more than $1 billion over budget before the project is completed, according to new estimates released by the department Tuesday… The medical center in Aurora, Colo., is now projected to cost $1.73 billion, nearly three times its original budgeted amount with the contractor.
Stars and Stripes (AP): Cost of new Denver-area VA hospital swells fivefold to $1.73 billion.  The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced Tuesday that it will cost $1.73 billion to build a VA hospital in the Denver suburb of Aurora — more than five times its initial $328 million price tag… Work resumed under an interim contract after the VA enlisted the Army Corps of Engineers as project advisers.
The Washington Times (AP): Estimated cost of new Denver VA hospital balloons to $1.73B.  The Department of Veterans Affairs says it will cost $1.73 billion to build a VA hospital in the Denver suburb of Aurora - more than five times its initial $328 million price tag… The Denver Post reports the new cost estimate, which VA Deputy Secretary Sloan Gibson revealed to Colorado lawmakers Tuesday, is the latest development in the project that has been in development for more than a decade and has suffered huge cost overruns and delays.
DisabledVeterans.org: Veterans Affairs Wants A Disney Run Hospital.  Four weeks ago, we first heard Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald has been pushing Disney ideals onto veterans, and that the Disney love affair did not start with him… Disney is apparently behind the MyVA and ICARE platform proposed by Secretary McDonald to help VA employees be friendlier with veterans and their family members.
BuzzFeed: Veterans Group Launches Social Network to Put Personal Dave on VA Scandal.  A veterans group has created a new way for service members to put pressure on the Veterans Administration as complaints of long lines and substandard care continue to plague the VA… The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America will launch TheWaitWeCarry.org Tuesday, a social network that lets veterans post personal stories of seeking and receiving care at VA facilities around the United States.
Houston Chronicle: Elder Law: Department of Veterans Affairs proposes 3-year look-back for gifts.  On Jan. 23, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposed to amend its regulations governing entitlement to VA Pension. The VA helps veterans and their families by providing supplemental tax-free income through the Veterans Pension benefit.
The Modesto Bee: Bad advice? VA wants retirement home resident to repay $45,000.  Debera Fathke said an adviser at the Standiford Place retirement center in Modesto helped obtain veterans benefits for residents, including her mother, who was granted $1,100 a month in 2011 to supplement her retirement income.
Minnesota Public Radio News: Facebook's suicide prevention tools connect friends, test privacy.  Facebook is the latest social media network to roll out support resources for suicide prevention. The company is now trying to combat suicide by doing what it does best — connecting friends… one initiative is deploying this big data to predict the suicide risk of veteran soldiers by monitoring social media posts among other behavioral factors.
Civil War re-enactors bring history to life at Fayetteville exhibit.  The exhibit continues this afternoon with displays of weapons, clothing, toiletries and other items that the soldiers of the 1860s carried across country and into battle.
Herald & Review  After eBay spotting and long journey, WWII pilot's possessions end up with family.  You just never know when you're going to bump into the last traces of a real hero. That's true even for experts such as Dan Janvrin, who is used to sifting through the bits and pieces of their lives. 

FW: Purple Heart


   
Ya' know, every once in a while something comes along that is just perfect!!!
We are here on earth to do good unto others. What the others are here for, I have no idea. 



Subject: Fwd: Purple Heart

Marine Slain By Friendly Fire in Vietnam to Be Awarded Purple Heart

Cpl. Conrad Lerman (WMF.ORG)
Cpl. Conrad Lerman (WMF.ORG)
Stars and Stripes | Mar 16, 2015
A Marine who was one of three killed when their helicopter was shot down by friendly fire during the Vietnam War will soon be awarded a Purple Heart, culminating a decades long effort by the only survivor to secure the recognition for his crewmates, The New York Times reported Saturday.
Dan Jones, a Marine first lieutenant in 1968, was co-piloting the helicopter, which was carrying supplies to troops, when it was shot down accidentally by an American howitzer. The howitzer had been "firing continuous rounds in support of heavily engaged Marines," according to an affidavit written last year by Capt. James T. Butler, another pilot from the squadron, who investigated the crash, The Times reported.
Jones was informed while recovering from severe injuries that his three dead crewmates — 1st Lt. Glenn J. Zamorski, who was in command on the flight; Sgt. Raymond W, Templeton, the crew chief; and Cpl. Conrad Lerman, who was manning a .50-caliber machine gun — would not be awarded Purple Heart medals, the Times reported. Jones twice asked the Marines to issue the medals for his dead comrades, but was told that victims of "friendly fire" were excluded.
"I dropped it, thinking there was pretty much no hope," Jones, now 70 and living in Arizona, told the Times.
In 1993, Congress expanded eligibility after learning some victims of friendly fire in the first Gulf War had been awarded Purple Hearts but others had not, Fred L. Borch, a retired Army colonel and historian of American medals and decorations, told the Times.
Jones learned of the change and his crew's eligibility for the medal after he and other veterans began sharing records and memories of the incident in 2013. Nevertheless, Jones feared the awards would not be issued. "I've been hauling around these letters and such for forty-some years," the Times said he wrote in an email from the time.
But last year, George Ross, another fellow pilot from the squadron, called Jones after submitting documents to the Marine Corps to tell him the entire crew would be awarded Purple Hearts.
"My reaction to that call was pretty much the same as it is now," Jones told The Times. "I cried. I was at a loss for words.
"They were my buddies," he told the paper. "I felt their deaths needed to be honored, and as the surviving crewmember it was my responsibility to make sure that occurred."
Jones and two of his crew have since been awarded the medal, the Times reported. Lerman's medal is likely to be presented during a family reunion in the summer, the Times quoted Maj. Rob Dolan, a Marine Corps spokesman, as saying.
"The Purple Heart is absolutely an appropriate recognition of their courageous service and sacrifice to our nation," Dolan said, according to the Times. "This is closing a tragic story from the Vietnam era."

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Thursday, March 12, 2015

FW: MOPH National Commander Pat Little, Supports "Women Veterans Acces s to Quality Care Act"


Ya' know, every once in a while something comes along that is just perfect!!!
We are here on earth to do good unto others. What the others are here for, I have no idea. 





Subject: MOPH National Commander Pat Little, Supports "Women Veterans Access to Quality Care Act"
Date: Wed, 11 Mar 2015 18:04:35 -0400 (EDT)




The Honorable Patty Murray        
154 Senate Russell Building        
Washington, DC 20510   

The Honorable Dean Heller
324 Senate Hart Building
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senators Murray and Heller:

On behalf of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), I would like to thank you for introducing legislation that recognizes the unique health care needs of women veterans.  S. 471, "Women Veterans Access to Quality Care Act", will ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) adapts to meet the needs of the expanding women veteran population.

This legislation will require the VA to establish standards in VA facilities to meet the specific needs of women veterans.  It will also require every VA medical center to have a full-time obstetrician and/or a gynecologist on staff.  It will improve the outreach of the VA to women veterans and the VA will be required to analyze the outcomes of the treatment of women veterans as part of  VA executive performance measures.

The VA, and indeed all agencies, must recognize that the number of women veterans is growing at a rapid rate and agencies must adjust to the needs of women veterans.  These women served their country and they deserve the same benefits and health care as their male counterparts with their special needs met.

Respectfully,

J. Patrick Little
National Commander

Military Order of the Purple Heart | 5413 B Backlick | Springfield | VA | 22151


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Monday, March 9, 2015

FW: Folds of Honor Applications


Ya' know, every once in a while something comes along that is just perfect!!!
We are here on earth to do good unto others. What the others are here for, I have no idea. 




From: Military Order of the Purple Heart <communications@purpleheart.org>

Subject: Folds of Honor Applications
Date: Mon, 9 Mar 2015 11:13:38 -0400 (EDT)



Dear Patriots,

Folds of Honor is still accepting scholarship applications for this year. This email is to make you aware of the March 31st, 2015 deadline for the 2015-2016 academic year. 
If you have children that will be going to college in the future, do not miss out on this great opportunity that you have earned with your service or loved ones service. Folds of Honor seeks to meet the needs of families for private education tuition, tutoring and education summer camps K-12. 

Please be sure to go to 
www.foldsofhonor.org and complete yours soon! Purple Heart and/or Gold Star families encouraged to apply. (Requirements are on website)



Military Order of the Purple Heart | 5413 B Backlick | Springfield | VA | 22151

Saturday, March 7, 2015

FW: House Veterans Affairs Committee Staff Director Jonathan A. Towers Honored by the Military Order of the Purple Heart with the 2014 Exemp lary Service Award


Blog Master 
Web Master  
Ya' know, every once in a while something comes along that is just perfect!!!
We are here on earth to do good unto others. What the others are here for, I have no idea. 




From: richardandshirley@netzero.net
Date: Sat, 7 Mar 2015 14:56:54 +0000
To: rserge1@outlook.com
Subject: Fw: House Veterans Affairs Committee Staff Director Jonathan A. Towers Honored by the Military Order of the Purple Heart with the 2014 Exemp lary Service Award



---------- Forwarded Message ----------
From: Military Order of the Purple Heart <communications@purpleheart.org>
To: richardandshirley@netzero.net
Cc:
Subject: House Veterans Affairs Committee Staff Director Jonathan A. Towers Honored by the Military Order of the Purple Heart with the 2014 Exemplary Service Award
Date: Fri, 6 Mar 2015 16:26:39 -0500 (EST)




From left to right: HCVA Chairman Jeff Miller, Jon Towers, Pat Little 
Washington D.C., March 4, 2015.
House Veterans Affairs Committee Staff Director Jonathan A. Towers Honored by the Military Order of the Purple Hear with the 2014 Exemplary Service Award.

Each year, the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) is honored to pay special recognition to a Professional Staff Member of the U.S. Congress who best demonstrates exemplary service to our nation's veterans.  On March 4, 2015, MOPH National Commander J. Patrick Little presented this year's Exemplary Service Award to Jonathan A. Towers, Staff Director of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs.

A dedicated and selfless U.S. Government employee for more than 18 years, Jon Towers has served America's veterans and the US Congress with distinction. He initially served on the staff of the senate committee on veterans' affairs, where he was the lead staff member on legislative and oversight matters concerning VA health care, disability compensation, pension, housing, insurance and memorial affairs issues. In 2011, Towers joined the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs as deputy staff director and in 2013 was selected to become the staff director, where he coordinates and oversees the legislative and oversight agenda for the Committee as directed by the Chairman.

Jon has consistently demonstrated that he is the consummate veterans advocate, and has worked tirelessly to assist the Chairman and Members of the Committee in ensuring that America's veterans receive the benefits and healthcare that they have earned through service and sacrifice. The unique needs facing Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are among towers' expertise, especially when it comes to mental health needs. In 2014 he was the lead staffer on the passage of the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act, which improved access to health care for America's veterans. In 2015 he was instrumental in advancing the "Clay Hunt SAV" legislation to the full house for speedy passage.

Mr. Towers' exemplary service to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, as the committee discharges its duty to ensure America's veterans receive the honor, respect and benefits for which they are eligible, demonstrates all that is good about government service and reflects favorably upon the committee, the House of Representatives and the United States of America.

The organization now known as the "Military Order of the Purple Heart of the U.S.A. Inc.," (MOPH) was formed in 1932 for the protection and mutual interest of all combat wounded veterans and active duty men and women who have received the decoration. Chartered by the Congress, The MOPH is unique among Veteran Service Organizations in that all its members were wounded in combat. For this sacrifice, they were awarded the Purple Heart Medal. With grants from the MOPH Service Foundation, the MOPH and its Ladies Auxiliary promote Patriotism, Fraternalism, and the Preservation of America's military history. Most importantly, through veteran service, they provide comfort and assistance to all Veterans and their families, especially those requiring claims assistance with the VA, those who are homeless, and those requiring employment assistance. Programs of the MOPH include VA Volunteer Service, First Responder Recognition, JROTC Leadership Award, Scholarships, Americanism, Purple Heart Trail and Cities, Welfare, and numerous community service programs, all with the objective of service to Veterans and their families.


For information contact:
National Public Relations Director, John Bircher, (352) 753-5535
Or, National Adjutant, Ernesto Hernandez, (703) 354-2140
Email: PublicRelations@Purpleheart.org
MOPH on the Web
MOPH on Facebook
Forward this email



This email was sent to richardandshirley@netzero.net by communications@purpleheart.org |  

Military Order of the Purple Heart | 5413 B Backlick | Springfield | VA | 22151


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