Source: http://fox4kc.com/2012/02/06/pay-it-forward-veteran-stands-up-for-fellow-vets/
Pay it Forward – VFW in Action
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Districts Ranked by Membership 2-5-2012
1st: District 12 102.14%
2nd: District 1 101.94%
3rd: District 14 95.60%
4th: District 15 95.28%
5th: District 9 93.81%
6th: District 18 93.61%
7th: District 5 93.56%
8th: Department 93.12%
9th: District 8 92.73%
10th: District 6 92.21%
11th: District 2 90.79%
12th: District 7 89.08%
13th: District 17 88.66%
14th: District 3 82.85%
CDR and Sr-Vice CDR attend Homecoming Parade
January 28, 2012 was the date of the first large scale “Welcome Home Parade” for the veterans of the War in Iraq. The event was held in St. Louis, Mo and was a grassroots event organized and began by just a few but quickly caught on and was well attended. The photo below is Dept of Mo Sr-Vice Commander Phil Pippins (left) and Dept of Mo Commander Olin Parks (right). I am told they both walked the entire length of the parade.
The video below was produced by Comrade Tom Clark from the Dept of Illinois.
Department of Mo Commander Parks Attends District 15 Meeting
The 15th District meeting was held on January 29, 2012 and Commander Olin Parks was present.
More photos can be found on the new District 15 website. GO HERE
All photos provided courtesy of Past Department Commander Bob Wonnell
VFW Washington Weekly, February 3, 2012
In This Issue:
1. White House Announces Vets Job Corps
2. Retirement Changes Threaten All-Volunteer Force
3. VA Adds 47 Ships to Agent Orange List
4. Physical Disability Board Review Update
5. Family Caregiver Support Could Expand
6. House VA Committee Hearings
7. VA Acquisitions Internship Available
8. Overseas Absentee Voting Improves
9. MIA Recoveries to Resume in North Korea
1. White House Announces Vets Job Corps: VFW was front and center when the President announced a Veterans Job Corps initiative aimed at helping veterans find pathways to employment. Some of the initiatives include grants to communities that recruit and hire veterans to serve as police, firefighters and other first responders. The program also includes additional support for veterans’ entrepreneurship and intensive reemployment services for Post 9/11 veterans. Said VFW National Commander Richard DeNoyer, “There is no initiative too bold when it comes to helping veterans get jobs, especially with the new generation of post-9/11 warriors now reentering society in numbers not seen since the Vietnam War. Our nation and her public and private employer partners must do everything possible to not only ensure their smooth transition, but to enlist their extraordinary talents to help serve and protect our nation and communities, and to help restore our economy to greatness. We thank President Obama for continuing to move the issue of veterans’ employment forward, and for his strong commitment to those who have worn the uniform and to their families.” Read more on the White House website at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/02/03/president-obama-s-plan-put-veterans-back-work, and on the VFW blog at http://www.vfwonthehill.org/2012/02/vfw-applauds-presidential-jobs.html
2. Retirement Changes Threaten All-Volunteer Force: In an opinion editorial just posted on the Stars & Stripes website, VFW National Commander Richard DeNoyer is very concerned that negative qualify-of-life changes on a military still at war will destroy the all-volunteer force. He said constantly comparing civilian programs with military pay, retirement and health care plans — while calling the military programs “too generous” — is insulting, and so is any proposal that requires those who sacrifice the most for our nation to sacrifice even more. He said the VFW opposes all plans to change the military retirement system, and “we reject any proposal that would require military retirees to pay more for their earned healthcare programs.” Read his OpEd at http://www.stripes.com/vfw-retirement-changes-could-hurt-recruitment-1.167633.
3. VA Adds 47 Ships to Agent Orange List: The VA has added 47 vessels to its list of Navy and Coast Guard ships whose crews may have been exposed to the defoliant Agent Orange. Former service members who served aboard these “blue water” ships as well as the more than 200 others listed in VA’s database from 1962 to 1975 may be eligible for disability compensation. According to The Military Times, vessels recently added to the roster include the hospital ship Repose, which operated in close coastal waters from 1966 to 1970, and the transport ship General R.M. Blatchford, which landed elements of the 1st Infantry Division at Vung Tau in October 1965. Read more at http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/shiplist/index.asp.
4. Physical Disability Board Review Update: Congress established a Physical Disability Board Review (PDBR) in 2008 to review disability determinations of veterans discharged between September 11, 2001, and December 31, 2009. Those with a combined disability rating of 20 percent or less who did not retire can apply for a review. Since the programs creation, only 5 percent of those eligible have applied to have their status reviewed. DOD is partnering with VA to reach out to others to notify them about the PDBR by sending letters to veterans this year. While the collaboration will help ensure that veterans have access to their benefits, eligible veterans can also directly contact the PDBR immediately through their website. We also ask you share this information with everyone you know. For more, go to http://www.health.mil/About_MHS/Organizations/MHS_Offices_and_Programs/PDBR/pdbr-faqs.aspx.
5. Family Caregiver Support Could Expand: First Lady Michelle Obama announced this week a series of measures intended to increase the nation’s support for the caregivers of wounded, ill and injured service members by expanding military family leave protections under the Family and Medical Leave Act. The proposals will, in part:
* Extend the 26-week unpaid leave entitlement to family members caring for recent veterans with a serious injury or illness incurred in the line of duty, including conditions that may arise up to five years after leaving the military;
* Allow family members to take time off from work before, during or after a spouse, child or parent’s deployment to tend to service-related matters, such as military briefings or making financial and legal arrangements; and
* Increase the amount of time an employee may take to spend with a loved one who is on rest or recuperation leave from five days to up to 15 days.
Read more at http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=66983.
6. House VA Committee Hearings: The House Veterans Affairs Committee held two hearings this week to focus on VA pharmacy contracts and another on employment for Guard and Reservists.
* On Wednesday, the full committee discussed VA pharmaceutical contracting practices after a VA Inspector General report revealed that the VA did not follow their own standard purchasing practices. Committee members asked heated questioned about the procedures and policies in purchasing drugs and who is being held accountable. They also discussed what fixes are being made and how will it affect the care provided to veterans. VA Representatives openly admitted that violations took place, but that changes have been implemented to fix the deficiencies. Subpoenas have been requested for all documents and communications from VA related to the issue by the committee. Committee Chairman, Jeff Miller (R-FL) said the committee plans to continue strict oversight on the issue and intends to hold senior officials accountable. Read more at http://www.vfwonthehill.org/2012/02/house-committee-questions-va-on.html.
* On Thursday, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held a hearing entitled “Lowering the Unemployment Rate for National Guard.” Witnesses representing various State National Guard programs, the Department of Labor’s Veterans Employment and Training, VetJobs, as well as the Manufacturing Institute, all discussed ways to combat the troubling unemployment numbers. Initiatives and policies like mandatory Transition Assistance Programs for all Guard and Reservists and changes to USERRA were mentioned to maximize employment opportunities. Read more at http://www.vfwonthehill.org/2012/02/watch-live-house-to-address.html.
7. VA Acquisitions Internship Available: The VA last week launched an acquisition internship to prepare newly-returned veterans to become federal contracting specialists. Called “Warriors to Workforce,” the internship is a three-year program where participants will earn the 24 educational credits in business required to become contracting professionals. The program includes courses in leadership, technical acquisition training and on-the-job experience. Graduates will have taken the required coursework to earn a Federal Acquisitions Certification in Contracting, which is recognized throughout the federal sector as evidence of solid education in the career field. Successful graduates will be eligible for contract specialist positions at the GS-11 level. Read more about VA’s Acquisitions Academy at www.acquisitionacademy.va.gov.
8. Overseas Absentee Voting Improves: Last year, 18 states were noncompliant with the 2009 Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act. The number now is four, according to a new Pew Center on the States report. The four states in noncompliance are Alaska, California, New York and West Virginia. The primary reason is they have not changed state laws to adhere to the 45-day window for mailing and receiving absentee ballots from overseas-assigned military and other U.S. citizens stationed or residing in foreign countries. Getting those four states to adhere to the provisions of the MOVE Act would fulfill VFW Resolution #416, which was passed at last year’s 112th VFW National Convention in San Antonio. Read the Pew report at http://www.pewcenteronthestates.org/uploadedFiles/Pew_Democracy_From_Afar.pdf.
9. MIA Recoveries to Resume in North Korea: After a seven-absence due to security concerns, Joint POW/MIA Action Accounting Command teams will be heading back into North Korea this spring to search for the remains of missing Americans from the Korean War. The teams are scheduled to work in two areas: Unsan County, about 60 miles north of Pyongyang; and near the Chosin/Jangjin Reservoir, where more than 2,000 soldiers and Marines are believed to be missing. Of approximately 83,000 Americans missing since World War II, almost 8,000 are from the Korean War—with about 5,500 of them believed to be in North Korea. The resumption of recovery operations in North Korea fulfills VFW Resolution #423, which was passed at last year’s 112th VFW National Convention in San Antonio. Read more at http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=66958.
VSO Donations by District – Rank Order
District 12 $3.91
District 8 $2.67
District 5 $2.43
District 1 $2.14
District 15 $2.11
District 7 $1.92
State Average 1.88
District 18 $1.87
District 9 $1.83
District 17 $1.68
District 3 $1.59
District 6 $1.29
District 2 $1.18
District 14 $0.87
Parade of Checks will be at the C of A this weekend – let’s get these averages up to where they should be.
Mo VFW QM/ADJ Jessie Jones Campaigns for National VFW Officer
Pictured above is State Adjutant/Quartermaster Jessie Jones and Miss Nebraska: Photo was taken during Jessie’s and Dewey’s recent Campaign visit to Nebraska’s Winter Conference.
Mo VFW General Orders – February 2012
Correction to General Orders: “Our Post Election Report mailing, which is scheduled to go out in a couple weeks, encourages the on-line processing, but also mentions the ability to fax or mail a copy to my office. As we have done in previous years, we’ll provide advance copies of the Post Election Report/Convention Registration mailing to all Departments.”
Mo VFW General Orders – February 2012
VFW Washington Weekly, January 27, 2012
In This Issue:
1. DOD Unveils Budget Priorities
2. House VA Discusses VA Rating Schedule
3. Combat Brother Visit
4. Korean War MIA Identified:
1. DOD Unveils Budget Priorities: Defense Secretary Leon Panetta unveiled at a Pentagon press conference yesterday what his department’s priorities and choices will be as they are forced to reduce their overall budget by $487 billion over the next 10 years. The Defense Department is expected to request $525 billion as a baseline budget for FY 2013, with an additional $88.4 billion for overseas contingencies, which is $6 billion and $27 billion less, respectively, than FY 2012. Five key strategies are to drive the future military force, which will be smaller and leaner; repositioned with more emphasis on Asia-Pacific and the Middle East; stronger through better alliances and partnerships; extremely agile and deadly; and second-to-none in technology and capability. Some key priorities and choices in the budget proposal included a comprehensive review of the military retirement system and possible increases in health care fees for retirees. To learn more about the Pentagon’s announcement and to read the VFW’s reaction, click here: http://www.vfwonthehill.org/2012/01/vfw-reacts-to-pentagon-budget.html
2. House VA Discusses VA Rating Schedule: This week the House Veterans Affairs’ Subcommittee on Disability and Memorial Affairs discussed VA’s Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD). The Subcommittee members questioned witnesses on the differences between DOD and VA ratings systems, ratings they feel are often in direct conflict with each other, causing confusion for the veteran. VSO representatives highlighted equitable compensation for like injuries and that the VASRD has not been reviewed or updated to ensure that disability categories, rating percentages and compensation levels remain accurate. Other areas discussed by all included possible restructuring of the Individual Unemployability (IU) benefit, accuracy of claims and measuring quality of life payments. To view the recorded webcast or for more information from the hearing visit the House VA website at: http://veterans.house.gov/
3. Combat Brother Visit: The VFW Washington Office hosted a six-member international Combat Brotherhood delegation this week from Russia, the Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. The Combat Brotherhood consists primarily of Afghanistan and Chechnya veterans who banded together to urge their respective governments to care for their wounded, ill and injured veterans. Their visit to Washington included all-day visits and briefings at the Department of Veterans Affairs central office, VA Medical Center, Pentagon and Naval Academy. The VFW also hosted a conference with seven other veteran and POW/MIA family organizations, so that the Combat Brotherhood could better understand the impact of veteran advocates on the legislative process. The Combat Brotherhood is an invaluable partner toward achieving VFW’s goal toward the fullest possible accounting of missing American servicemen who, from World War II forward, disappeared inside the former Soviet Union or one of its satellite states. Also present was VFW Senior Vice Commander John Hamilton, Adjutant General Allen F. “Gunner” Kent, and the American co-chairman of the U.S.-Russia Joint Commission on POW-MIAs, retired Air Force Gen. Robert “Doc” Foglesong.
4. Korean War MIA Identified: The Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced the identification of remains belonging to Army Pfc. George A. Porter, 21, of Philadelphia. On Feb. 11, 1950, Porter and Battery B, 15th Field Artillery Battalion, were supporting South Korean forces when Chinese forces attacked in what became known as the “Hoengsong Massacre.” Porter and more than 100 men were taken as prisoners. Read more at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/news/news_releases/.