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Stolen Valor Or Stolen Self Esteem

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Good day to you all. Veteran Veritas has been on sabbatical for a few weeks. All work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy! Glad to be back amongst you at TC.com’s new look.

The item that jumps out of the National news into my blog is the decision of Colorado’s U.S. District Judge Robert Blackburns dismissal of the case against Rick Glenn Strandlof for violating the Stolen Valor Act.

The Stolen Valor Act makes it a crime punishable by up to one year in jail for the fabrication of earning military medals.

After a lengthy muse, I support Judge Blackburn’s decision in deeming the charges unconstitutional, at least for now. I believe the Judge is up to something. And I believe that he knows his decision will be challenged on appeal, which explains a premeditated notion of giving the Stolen Valor act more teeth in the end.

In the interim, I do believe that one who is under oath and lies is in real hot water. To just lie for the sake of personal gain..is not necessarily criminal. It is a sin with its own consequences and a feeback loop that is likely to be much more painful then any prosecutorial process.

I have been advocating for veterans most all of my adult life. Since 1972 I have heard virtually every confabulated story you can imagine about military service.  I have been in the presence of hundreds of wanna-be’s who telegraph their lame stories right from the get-go.  From the, “I can’t tell you what I did, it  was clandestine.” to the soldier who swore he was exposed to Agent Orange who never left the corn fields of Iowa, to the hombre who I helped with a claim for two years, only to discover he never had an honorable discharge.

Their is an old quote that came out of VFW’s years ago. “By the time a man is 70, he becomes an Audie Murphy.”

It is unfortunate,but there is something about the vacancy in a mans soul that causes him to lie about his military feats or lack thereof. A lie in itself is not a criminal act. Were it so, the halls of Congress would be empty.

As one who has a handful of awards for combat service, I do indeed find Rick Strandlof’s behavior to be despicable, but not criminal. He is not under oath. He is under the Ten Commandments. Different law.

What these men are exhibiting is a cluster of symptomatically low self esteem, and our more in need of a Psychiatrist then a lawyer. I do not feel so much disgust as  pity. Something beneath that drive to grandiosity is a desire to be observed. And embodied in that desire for recognition is some queer form of respect for the achievements of the real combatants–otherwise they would not so badly want to be one.

I say, get the man some clinical help, and let him clean latrines at Camp Pendleton Marine Base for a year.

Politics, Veteran Legislative Update, Veterans Benefits, Veterans Events, Veterans Global, Veterans' Spouses, Partners & Families

Veteran Legislative Update

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Veteran Legislation as of 13 June 2010:  Of the 5518 House and 3482 Senate pieces of legislation introduced in the 111th Congress to date, the following are of interest to the non-active duty veteran community.  Bill titles in green (if any) are new additions to this summary, titles in orange have either passed either the House or Senate and been passed to the other for consideration or been incorporated into another bill, and those highlighted in blue have become public law. A good indication on the likelihood a bill of being forwarded to the House or Senate for passage and subsequently being signed into law by the President is the number of cosponsors who have signed onto the bill. An alternate way for it to become law is if it is added as an addendum to another bill such as the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and survives the conference committee assigned to iron out the difference between the House and Senate bills. At http://thomas.loc.gov you can review a copy of each bill’s text, determine its current status, the committee it has been assigned to, who your representative is and his/her phone number, mailing address, or email/website to communicate with a message or letter of your own making, and if your legislator is a sponsor or cosponsor of it.  To separately determine what bills, amendments your representative has sponsored, cosponsored, or dropped sponsorship on refer to http://thomas.loc.gov/bss/d111/sponlst.html.  To review a numerical list of all bills introduced refer to http://thomas.loc.gov/bss/111search.html. The key to increasing cosponsorship is letting legislators know of their constituent’s views on issues.  Those bills that include a website in red are being pushed by various veterans groups for passage and by clicking on that website you can forward a preformatted message to your legislator requesting he/she support the bill.

Grassroots lobbying is perhaps the most effective way to let your Representative and Senators know your opinion. Whether you are calling into a local or Washington, D.C. office; sending a letter or e-mail; signing a petition; or making a personal visit, Members of Congress are the most receptive and open to suggestions from their constituents. The key to increasing cosponsorship on veteran related bills and subsequent passage into law is letting legislators know of veteran’s feelings on issues.  You can reach their Washington office via the Capital Operator direct at (866) 272-6622, (800) 828-0498, or (866) 340-9281 to express your views. Otherwise, you can locate on http://thomas.loc.gov your legislator’s phone number, mailing address, or email/website to communicate with a message or letter of your own making.  Refer tohttp://www.thecapitol.net/FAQ/cong_schedule.html for dates that you can access your legislators on their home turf.  [Source: RAO Bulletin Attachment 29 Mar 2010 ++]

H.R.32 : Veterans Outreach Improvement Act of 2009 to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the outreach activities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. Companion Bill S.315

Sponsor: Rep McIntyre, Mike [NC-7] (intro 1/6/2009) Cosponsors (41)

Committees: House Veterans’ Affairs

Latest Major Action: 10/28/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Provisions of measure incorporated into H.R. 3949 .

H.R.82 : Veterans Outreach Improvement Act of 2009 to expand retroactive eligibility of the Army Combat Action Badge to include members of the Army who participated in combat during which they personally engaged, or were personally engaged by, the enemy at any time on or after December 7, 1941.

Sponsor: Rep Brown-Waite, Ginny [FL-5] (introduced 1/6/2009)      Cosponsors (19)

Committees: House Armed Services

Latest Major Action: 1/30/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

H.R.161 : Social Security Beneficiary Tax Reduction Act to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the 1993 increase in taxes on Social Security benefits.

Sponsor: Rep Paul, Ron [TX-14] (introduced 1/6/2009)      Cosponsors (7)

Committees: House Ways and Means

Latest Major Action: 1/6/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.162 : Senior Citizens’ Tax Elimination Act to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the inclusion in gross income of Social Security benefits.

Sponsor: Rep Paul, Ron [TX-14] (introduced 1/6/2009)      Cosponsors (4)

Committees: House Ways and Means

Latest Major Action: 1/6/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.333 : Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act to amend title 10, United States Code, to permit retired members of the Armed Forces who have a service-connected disability rated less than 50 percent to receive concurrent payment of both retired pay and veterans’ disability compensation, to eliminate the phase-in period for concurrent receipt, to extend eligibility for concurrent receipt to chapter 61 disability retirees with less than 20 years of service, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Marshall, Jim [GA-8] (introduced 1/8/2009)      Cosponsors (154)  Committees: House Armed Services; House Veterans’ Affairs

Latest Major Action: 2/6/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=12406456&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id] and  http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=12888756

H.R.593 : CRSC for DoD Disability Severances Pay. To amend title 10, United States Code, to expand the authorized concurrent receipt of disability severance pay from the Department of Defense and compensation for the same disability under any law administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs to cover all veterans who have a combat-related disability, as defined under section 1413a of such title.

Sponsor: Rep Smith, Adam [WA-9] (introduced 1/15/2009)      Cosponsors (44)

Committees: House Armed Services

Latest Major Action: 2/6/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=12918951&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]

H.R.775 : Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act to repeal the requirement for reduction of survivor annuities under the Survivor Benefit Plan to offset the receipt of veterans dependency and indemnity compensation.

Sponsor: Rep Ortiz, Solomon P. [TX-27] (introduced 1/28/2009)     Cosponsors (337)   Companion Bill S.535

Committees: House Armed Services

Latest Major Action:  3/15/2010 Motion to Discharge Committee filed by Mr. Jones. Petition No: 111-10.

To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via   http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=12541746

To  support the Discharge Petition send a message via   http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=14825891&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]

S.535 : SBP DIC Offset Elimination. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to repeal requirement for reduction of survivor annuities under the Survivor Benefit Plan by veterans’ dependency and indemnity compensation, and for other purposes. Companion Bill H.775.

Sponsor: Sen Nelson, Bill [FL] (introduced 3/5/2009)      Cosponsors (56)

Committees: Senate Armed Services

Latest Major Action: 3/5/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

To support this bill and/or contact your Senator send a message via http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=14275496&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]

H.R.2243 : Surviving Spouses Benefit Improvement Act of 2009 to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for an increase in the amount of monthly dependency and indemnity compensation payable to surviving spouses by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Sponsor: Rep Buyer, Steve [IN-4] (introduced 5/5/2009)      Cosponsors (77)

Committees: House Veterans’ Affairs

Latest Major Action: 10/8/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.

To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=13303636&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id

S.1118 : DIC Compensation Rate Increase to 55%. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for an increase in the amount of monthly dependency and indemnity compensation payable to surviving spouses by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Sen Lincoln, Blanche L. [AR] (introduced 5/21/2009)      Cosponsors (3)

Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs

Latest Major Action: 10/21/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Hearings held.

H.R.208 : National Guardsmen and Reservists Parity for Patriots Act to amend title 10, United States Code, to ensure that members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces who have served on active duty or performed active service since September 11, 2001, in support of a contingency operation or in other emergency situations receive credit for such service in determining eligibility for early receipt of non-regular service retired pay, and for other purposes. Companion Bill S.644.

Sponsor: Rep Wilson, Joe [SC-2] (introduced 1/6/2009)      Cosponsors (146)

Committees: House Armed Services

Latest Major Action: 1/30/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via http://capwiz.com/vfw/dbq/officials and /or http://capwiz.com/ngaus/mail/compose/?mailid=13672261&azip=92571&bzip=7311

S.644 : National Guard and Reserve Retired Pay Equity Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to include service after September 11, 2001, as service qualifying for the determination of a reduced eligibility age for receipt of non-regular service retired pay.

Sponsor: Sen Chambliss, Saxby [GA] (introduced 3/19/2009)      Cosponsors (13)    Companion Bill H.R.208          Related Bill S.831

Committees: Senate Armed Services

Latest Major Action: 3/19/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

To support this bill and/or contact your Senators send a message via http://capwiz.com/ncoausa/issues/alert/?alertid=12995086&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id] or  http://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/bills/?bill=12960556

S.831 : National Guard and Reserve Retired Pay Equity Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to include service after September 11, 2001, as service qualifying for the determination of a reduced eligibility age for receipt of non-regular service retired pay.

Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. [MA] (introduced 4/20/2009)      Cosponsors (29)             Related Bill S.644

Committees: Senate Armed Services

Latest Major Action: 4/20/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

To support this bill and/or contact your Senators send a message via www.ngaus.org/content.asp?bid=1805

H.R.433 : Ready Employers Willing to Assist Reservists’ Deployment (REWARD) Act of 2009 to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow employers a credit against income tax equal to 50 percent of the compensation paid to employees while they are performing active duty service as members of the Ready Reserve or the National Guard and of the compensation paid to temporary replacement employees.

Sponsor: Rep Poe, Ted [TX-2] (introduced 1/9/2009)      Cosponsors (40)

Committees: House Ways and Means

Latest Major Action: 1/9/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.466 : Wounded Veteran Job Security Act to amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit discrimination and acts of reprisal against persons who receive treatment for illnesses, injuries, and disabilities incurred in or aggravated by service in the uniformed services.

Sponsor: Rep Doggett, Lloyd [TX-25] (introduced 1/13/2009)      Cosponsors (8)

Committees: House Veterans’ Affairs

Latest Major Action: 6/9/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

H.R.1089 : Veterans Employment Rights to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the enforcement through the Office of Special Counsel of the employment and unemployment rights of veterans and members of the Armed Forces employed by Federal executive agencies, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie [SD] (introduced 2/13/2009)      Cosponsors (None)

Committees: House Veterans’ Affairs

Latest Major Action: 5/20/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

H.R.1647 : Veterans’ Employment Transition Support Act of 2009 to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow employers a credit against income tax for hiring veterans.

Sponsor: Rep McCotter, Thaddeus G. [MI-11] (introduced 3/19/2009)      Cosponsors (None)

Committees: House Ways and Means

Latest Major Action: 3/19/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.293 : Homeless Women Veteran and Homeless Veterans with Children Reintegration Grant Program Act of 2009 to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Labor to carry out a grant program to provide reintegration services through programs and facilities that emphasize services for homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children.

Sponsor: Rep Buyer, Steve [IN-4] (introduced 1/8/2009)      Cosponsors (15)

Committees: House Veterans’ Affairs

Latest Major Action: 1/8/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

S.1237 : Homeless Women Veterans and Homeless Veterans with Children Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand the grant program for homeless veterans with special needs to include male homeless veterans with minor dependents and to establish a grant program for reintegration of homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Sen Murray, Patty [WA] (introduced 6/11/2009)      Cosponsors (6)

Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs

Latest Major Action: 1/28/2010 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Date of scheduled consideration. SR-418. 9:30 a.m.

H.R.1211 : Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand and improve health care services available to women veterans, especially those serving in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. Companion Bill S.597

Sponsor: Rep Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie [SD] (introduced 2/26/2009)      Cosponsors (51)

House Reports: 111-165 Latest Major Action: 6/24/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=12833716&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]

H.R.2583 : Women Veterans Access to Care Act to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to improve health care for women veterans, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Boswell, Leonard L. [IA-3] (introduced 5/21/2009)   Cosponsors (9)

Committees: House Veterans’ Affairs

Latest Major Action: 5/21/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

S.597 : Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand and improve health care services available to women veterans, especially those serving in operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. Companion Bill H.R.1211

Sponsor: Sen Murray, Patty [WA] (introduced 3/16/2009)      Cosponsors (20)

Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs

Latest Major Action: 3/16/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

H.R.1232 : Far South Texas Veterans Medical Center Act of 2009 to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to construct a full service hospital in Far South Texas.

Sponsor: Rep Ortiz, Solomon P. [TX-27] (introduced 2/26/2009)   Cosponsors (6)

Committees: House Veterans’ Affairs

Latest Major Action: 2/26/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

S.699 : South Texas Veterans’ Hospital.  A bill to provide for the construction by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of a full service hospital in Far South Texas.

Sponsor: Sen Cornyn, John [TX] (introduced 3/25/2009)      Cosponsors (1)

Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs

Latest Major Action: 3/25/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

H.R.1428 : VA Parkinson’s Disease Compensation. To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide wartime disability compensation for certain veterans with Parkinson’s disease.

Sponsor: Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] (introduced 3/11/2009)      Cosponsors (83)

Committees: House Veterans’ Affairs

Latest Major Action: 3/13/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=12986021&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]

S.1752 : Parkinson’s Disease VA Compensation. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide wartime disability compensation for certain veterans with Parkinson’s disease.

Sponsor: Sen Sanders, Bernard [VT] (introduced 10/5/2009)      Cosponsors (1)

Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs

Latest Major Action: 10/21/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Hearings held.

H.R.2254 : The Agent Orange Equity Act to amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify presumptions relating to the exposure of certain veterans who served in the vicinity of the Republic of Vietnam.

Sponsor: Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] (introduced 5/5/2009)      Cosponsors (257)

Committees: House Veterans’ Affairs

Latest Major Action: 5/8/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=13301656&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]

S.1939 : Vet Presumptive Exposure in Vietnam. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify presumptions relating to the exposure of certain veterans who served in the vicinity of the Republic of Vietnam, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Sen Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [NY] (introduced 10/27/2009)      Cosponsors (19)

Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs

Latest Major Action: 5/19/2010 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Hearings held.

H.R.2926 : VA Special Care for Vietnam-era & Persian Gulf War Vets Exposed to Herbicides.  To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide, without expiration, hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care for certain Vietnam-era veterans exposed to herbicide and veterans of the Persian Gulf War.

Sponsor: Rep Nye, Glenn C., III [VA-2] (introduced 6/17/2009)      Cosponsors (5)

Latest Major Action: 7/9/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.

H.R.3491 : Thomas G. Schubert Agent Orange Fairness Act to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a presumption of service connection for certain cancers occurring in veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam and were exposed to certain herbicide agents, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Kagen, Steve [WI-8] (introduced 7/31/2009)      Cosponsors (8)

Committees: House Veterans’ Affairs

Latest Major Action: 9/11/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

H.R.177 : Depleted Uranium Screening and Testing Act to provide for identification of members of the Armed Forces exposed during military service to depleted uranium, to provide for health testing of such members, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Serrano, Jose E. [NY-16] (introduced 1/6/2009)      Cosponsors (2)

Committees: House Armed Services

Latest Major Action: 1/30/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

H.R.2419 : Military Personnel War Zone Toxic Exposure Prevention Act to require the Secretary of Defense to establish a medical surveillance system to identify members of the Armed Forces exposed to chemical hazards resulting from the disposal of waste in Iraq and Afghanistan, to prohibit the disposal of waste by the Armed Forces in a manner that would produce dangerous levels of toxins, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Bishop, Timothy H. [NY-1] (introduced 5/14/2009)      Cosponsors (23)

Committees: House Armed Services

Latest Major Action: 6/8/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Readiness.

S.642 : Health Care for Members of the Armed Forces Exposed to Chemical Hazards Act of 2009. A bill to require the Secretary of Defense to establish registries of members and former members of the Armed Forces exposed in the line of duty to occupational and environmental health chemical hazards, to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide health care to veterans exposed to such hazards, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Sen Bayh, Evan [IN] (introduced 3/19/2009)      Cosponsors (7)

Committees: Senate Armed Services

Latest Major Action: 3/19/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

S.1779 : Health Care for Veterans Exposed to Chemical Hazards Act of 2009.  A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide health care to veterans exposed in the line of duty to occupational and environmental health chemical hazards, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Sen Bayh, Evan [IN] (introduced 10/14/2009)      Cosponsors (7)

Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs

Latest Major Action: 10/21/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Hearings held.

S.1518 : Caring for Camp Lejeune Veterans Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to furnish hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care to veterans who were stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, while the water was contaminated at Camp Lejeune.

Sponsor: Sen Burr, Richard [NC] (introduced 7/27/2009)      Cosponsors (15)

Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs

Latest Major Action: 10/21/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Hearings held.

H.R.568 : Veterans Health Care Quality Improvement Act to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the quality of care provided to veterans in Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities, to encourage highly qualified doctors to serve in hard-to-fill positions in such medical facilities, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Costello, Jerry F. [IL-12] (introduced 1/15/2009)      Cosponsors (4)

Committees: House Veterans’ Affairs; House Oversight and Government Reform

Latest Major Action: 1/15/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

H.R.952 : Compensation Owed for Mental Health Based on Activities in Theater Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Act to amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify the meaning of “combat with the enemy” for purposes of service-connection of disabilities.

Sponsor: Rep Hall, John J. [NY-19] (introduced 2/10/2009)      Cosponsors (95)

Committees: House Veterans’ Affairs

Latest Major Action: 6/10/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

S.1452 : COMBAT PTSD Act. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify the meaning of “combat with the enemy” for purposes of service-connection of disabilities.

Sponsor: Sen Schumer, Charles E. [NY] (introduced 7/14/2009)      Cosponsors (5)

Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs

Latest Major Action: 7/14/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

H.R.1544 : Veterans Mental Health Accessibility Act to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for unlimited eligibility for health care for mental illnesses for veterans of combat service during certain periods of hostilities and war.

Sponsor: Rep Driehaus, Steve [OH-1] (introduced 3/17/2009)      Cosponsors (7)

Committees: House Veterans’ Affairs

Latest Major Action: 3/17/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

H.R.1701 : PTSD/TBI Guaranteed Review For Heroes Act to amend title 10, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Defense to establish a special review board for certain former members of the Armed Forces with post-traumatic stress disorder or a traumatic brain injury, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Jones, Walter B., Jr. [NC-3] (introduced 3/25/2009)      Cosponsors (11)

Committees: House Armed Services

Latest Major Action: 4/27/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

H.R.4051 : Cold War Service Medal Act of 2009 to amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for the award of a military service medal to members of the Armed Forces who served honorably during the Cold War, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Israel, Steve [NY-2] (introduced 11/6/2009)      Cosponsors (41)   Related bill: S.2743

Committees: House Armed Services

Latest Major Action: 11/18/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

S.2743 : Cold War Service Medal Act of 2009.  A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for the award of a military service medal to members of the Armed Forces who served honorably during the Cold War, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Sen Snowe, Olympia J. [ME] (introduced 11/5/2009)      Cosponsors (7) Related bill: H.R.4051

Committees: Senate Armed Services

Latest Major Action: 11/5/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

S.1556 : Veteran Voting Support Act of 2009.  A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to permit facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs to be designated as voter registration agencies, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Sen Feinstein, Dianne [CA] (introduced 8/3/2009)      Cosponsors (6)

Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs

Latest Major Action: 10/21/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Hearings held.
God Bless
Jose M. Garcia
National Executive Director
Catholic War Veterans,USA
josegarcia4@sbcglobal.net
Better to understand a little than to misunderstand a lot.
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Politics, Veteran Statistics, Veterans Benefits, Veterans' Spouses, Partners & Families

Angry Filipino Veterans

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Last week in the San Francisco U.S District Court, three WWll Filipino veterans filed a class lawsuit claiming the Department of Veterans Affairs has unjustly denied benefits to veterans whose archived records were destroyed in a 1973 fire. One of the plaintiffs is a 91 year old blind veteran who survived the Bataan Death March.

The storied life of at least 250,000 Filipinos who fought valiantly side by side with our soldiers and Marines is well documented, yet remains a tender issue.

The Unit Diaries alone corroborate the military operations and levels of service of these men. It astounds me that this need be a litigious affair.

As for that damn fire in St. Louis in 73’… we all know, as does the Supreme Court, that it can no longer be used as an excuse for denial of benefits.  Testimony alone from comrades will now suffice. Why waste the money on a weak and futile defense?  Why? Because Congress passed a law denying them their promised benefits one year after the Japanese surrendered.

What the hell, we denied our own World War l veterans their benefits too. They had to march on Washington to get paid! And they were even shot at by our own National Guard! But they got the loot.  Out of that experience was the birth of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

To this day, they still have to fight for their due.  God speed.

Media, Politics, Veteran Legislative Update

48 States Slam Westboro Church

17 Comments

48 States and the District of Columbia have filed legal complaints to the Supreme Court in support of the Father of a young Marine  who died in Iraq. The father sued anti-gay protesters affiliated with the Westboro Church Baptist Church in Kansas, who believe that the death of Cpl Matthew Snyder is a result of God’s punishment for the Untied States Armed Forces tolerance of  gays in the military.

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case to determine whether or not the protesters are protected by the First Amendment. The brief that was filed on June 1st, 2010, indicates a compelling interest in protecting the sanctity of funerals.

Are not the Westboro Baptists mocking God? How can they prop themselves up into the throne of judgment and declare the source of killing? Is there not some queer form of idolatry of belief here?

If they are intractable in their belief and need to protest, I would be happy to raise the money to purchase some tickets to Iraq, so they could go to the source of  the war- and meet their creator at the source of the action.

Politics

Is A Draft Really Possible/Probable?

5 Comments

The ‘Bring Back the Draft’ Act

June 15th, 2010 by Frank J. Gaffney, Jr. Print This Article Print This Article · // ShareThis

As early as this week, the United States Senate may turn to the annual legislation known as “The National Defense Authorization Act” (NDAA) that is supposed to provide the Pentagon what it needs to defend our nation.  Unfortunately, thanks to an amendment added in the Senate Armed Services Committee that would impose the radical homosexual agenda on the U.S. military, a more appropriate title for this bill would be “The Bring Back the Draft Act.”

Mind you, none of the bill’s sponsors would want it given such a descriptor.  Nor are they likely to own up to the reality that their effort to repeal the present statutory prohibition on avowed homosexuals serving in uniform (popularly, though incorrectly, known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”) will have the effect of destroying the highly successful All Volunteer Force.

Yet, that is, nonetheless, the professional judgment of over 1160 retired senior military officers who joined together earlier this year to warn President Obama and the Congress of this danger.

Specifically, these distinguished officers– who included among their ranks two former Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, several service chiefs, a number of combatant command, theater, and other major U.S. and allied force commanders and two Medal of Honor recipients– wrote:

Our past experience as military leaders leads us to be greatly concerned about the impact of repeal [of the law] on morale, discipline, unit cohesion and overall military readiness.  We believe that imposing this burden on our men and women in uniform would undermine recruiting and retention, impact leadership at all levels, have adverse effects on the willingness of parents who lend their sons and daughters to military service, and eventually break the All-Volunteer Force.

Such a grim assessment has been informed by, among other data, the results of a poll of serving military personnel (as opposed to civilians) conducted by the Military Times.  It found that roughly 10 percent of those currently in uniform would leave the armed forces if the proponents of the amendment to the NDAA succeed in repealing the current law.  The pollsters reported that another 15% would actively consider doing so.  In time of war, even the more conservative estimates of such losses would be absolutely devastating – particularly if, as seems likely, they come disproportionately from the critical ranks of field grade and non-commissioned officers.

Those who decide no longer to serve are not “homophobes.”  They are men and women who quite understandably do not want to be put in settings of forced intimacy (foxholes, barracks, showers, submarines, etc.) with individuals who find them sexually attractive.  Civilians, who polls say mostly support the idea of gays serving in the military, tend to have little idea of what such circumstances would be like.  They certainly are ill-equipped to understand the impact more generally of repeal on the military culture, and the essential “good order and discipline” it requires, that would be inflicted by the sort of “zero-tolerance” policy demanded by zealots of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

Interestingly, a front-page article in Sunday’s Washington Post provides a flavor of how problematic such arrangements would be in practice.  Entitled “In Limbo Over ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’” the news item was transparently designed to promote the inevitability of repeal, and to tout the accommodations already being made by the armed forces to the anticipated post-repeal order of things.

Still, the article could not avoid the reality that there will be serious issues involving conduct, discipline, spousal benefits, housing arrangements and the ability of military chaplains to practice and minister their respective faiths.  These are precisely the sorts of problems an internal Pentagon review has been given until December to assess.

But legislators more interested in appeasing homosexual activists than understanding– let alone avoiding– damage to the armed forces are insisting that the current prohibition be repealed now.  In order to secure sufficient votes for passage, they adopted a cynical gambit:  The repeal would only go into effect after the Pentagon’s study is done and three officials (all of whom have already made up their mind, namely, President Obama, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and JCS Chairman Mike Mullen) give the go-ahead.  The House of Representatives has already approved such a rigged game, voting recently to strike the existing law over the bipartisan objections of its Armed Services Committee and the four serving chiefs of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines.

As a practical matter, the result will likely be a hemorrhage of talent from the military.  If so, the Nation would be required to make one of two choices:  The first would be to accept defeat on today’s battlefields– and leave the country wholly ill-prepared to deal with those of tomorrow.  Assuming that outcome is still deemed unacceptable to most Americans, the only alternative would be to reinstitute conscription, better known– and reviled– as “The Draft.”

Whether they own up to it or not, legislators who vote to allow radical homosexuals to inflict their social experiment on the only military we have (in time of war no less), are on notice:  As Colin Powell once famously said in another context: “You break it, you own it.”  The trouble is, the rest of us will pay the possibly exorbitantly high price of such irresponsible breakage of the All Volunteer Force.

Frank J. Gaffney, Jr. is the President of the Center for Security Policy and a columnist for The Washington Times. This article originally appeared in The Washington Times and is used by permission of the Center for Security Policy.

Politics, Veteran Legislative Update, Veterans Benefits, Veterans Global, Veterans' Spouses, Partners & Families

State Of The Art Disability Claim Process For VA

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http://www.vba. va.gov/pubs/ forms/VBA- 21-526EZ- ARE.pdf

FULLY DEVELOPED CLAIM (EXPRESS CLAIM NOTICE)   VA FORM 21-526EZ

Can be filled out online, printed out , etc  pass to Vet orgs,

Post service officers, and Vet org service officers

Fully Developed Claim Criteria:

1. For the purposes of this notice, your claim must be a rating-related claim for live compensation (original, secondary, and increased disability service connection claims only) submitted on VA Form 21-526EZ, Fully Developed Claim (Compensation) .

2. You must submit, with your claim, the Fully Developed Claim Certification signed and dated by you or your authorized representative.

3. You must submit with the Fully Developed Claim Certification:

c All, if any, relevant, private medical treatment records for the disabilities you are claiming and an identification of any treatment records from a Federal treatment facility such as a VA medical center.

c For Guard and Reserve members, any and all Service Treatment and Personnel Records in the custody of your Unit(s).

c If claiming dependents, a completed VA Form 21-686c, Declaration of Status of Dependents. 4. You must report for any VA medical examination VA determines are necessary to decide your claim.

Note: VA forms are available at     www.va.gov/vaforms
God Bless
Jose M. Garcia
National Executive Director
Catholic War Veterans,USA
josegarcia4@sbcglobal.net
Better to understand a little than to misunderstand a lot.
In God We Trust

Politics, Veteran Legislative Update, Veteran Pals

Weekly Update

12 Comments
National Association
for Uniformed Services®
Weekly Update
June 11, 2010

“Arlington Cemetery stands as one of our nation’s greatest symbols of the sacrifices made for our freedom.  We have carried our fallen heroes to these fields for 146 years. The rows of marble headstones are a testament to how one generation defends the next; to how our nation is built upon unimaginable heroism and sacrifice; and to how these sacrifices stretch from our forefathers to the present day.”

~ Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III ~

Remember to celebrate FLAG DAY Monday June 14!!
Deeply Troubling, Unacceptable Problems at Arlington Cemetery

Tuesday, Army Inspector General LTG R. Steven Whitcomb completed a devastating report that brought to light a faulty record-keeping system that allowed occupied gravesites to be improperly marked or often not marked at all.  The report identified 76 separate deficiencies as well as 101 recommendations to improve operations at Arlington National Cemetery (ANC).

In reaction to the IG report, Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh removed ANC Superintendent John Metzler of all authority and placed his deputy, Thurman Higgenbotham, on administrative leave pending additional personnel actions.  Both are career federal civil servants.

“A majority of these findings are deeply troubling and unacceptable,” Secretary of the Army McHugh told reporters Thursday at a Pentagon news conference. “The [inspector general] found Arlington’s mission hampered by dysfunctional management, by a lack of established policies and procedures and an overall unhealthy organizational environment.”

It is reported that in 2008, a master sergeant was buried on top of a staff sergeant already in the grave, but the error wasn’t discovered until the widow of the first service member buried there complained to authorities that someone else’s headstone had been placed on her husband’s grave.

In response, Sec. McHugh established a new position to oversee the Army National Cemeteries Program and Katherine Condon, formerly the senior civilian for the Army Material Command, has been appointed executive director of the cemeteries program.  Also on Thursday, at the request of the Army Secretary John McHugh, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced that Patrick K. Hallinan, a 31-year employee of VA’s National Cemetery Administration (NCA), is being detailed to the Army to assist in the management of Arlington National Cemetery.

Shinseki said, “We look forward to assisting the Army in serving all Members of the Active and Reserve Components, eligible veterans and their families with the utmost dignity, respect, and compassion.”  NAUS Note:  We applaud the swift and decisive actions by Sec. McHugh to fix a problem that never should have happened.  Our veterans and families must not suffer these types of avoidable and worrisome indignities.

Decision on Medicare/TRICARE Reimbursement Expected Next Week

A Senate vote on H.R. 4213, the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010, is expected to occur sometime next week.  This important legislation postpones a scheduled 21.2 percent cut in payments to doctors who treat Medicare and TRICARE patients through December 2011.

Some Hill sources report that the Senate may amend H.R. 4213 to go beyond the 19-month period provided in the bill, possibly up to three-and-a-half years.  Should this occur, the measure would then have to be reapproved by the House before becoming law, which likely means that Congress will fail to act in time, due to delays in the Senate.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have delayed claims processing to give Congress additional time to correct the problem.  CMS has authority to delay processing for 10 business days, which puts the deadline at Monday, June 14.  The TRICARE Management Activity has taken similar action.

Congress needs to act.  We cannot allow this situation to linger.  You can help.  Use the NAUS CapWiz system to send a message.  Simply click on the link provided to begin.

Concurrent Receipt for Chapter 61 Medical Retirees

The American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act (H.R. 4213) also includes a provision to provide full concurrent receipt to Chapter 61 Medical retirees who are rated 70 to 100 percent disabled by the VA.  However, because sufficient offsets were not found, the provisions would only be funded for two years.

While we would like to see a more aggressive phase-in, NAUS welcomes forward movement on iexpansion of concurrent receipt.  The provision may fall short of our goal, but it will assist a number of brave men and women who served our country in uniform and who carry a disabling injury due to that service.

We remain concerned, however, with the tendency of lawmakers to cite an inability to find sufficient funds for correcting matters like concurrent receipt while seemingly finding money at the drop of a hat for any number of lesser priority items.  Please contact your Senators to let them know the importance of moving forward on concurrent receipt.  Urge their support.  for the concurrent receipt provision as outlined in H.R. 4213.  A Sample Letter is available on our CapWiz site for your use.

TRICARE Programs Update

NAUS met Tuesday with TRICARE Management Activity (TMA) Deputy Director Rear Admiral Christine Hunter to discuss TRICARE access, progress and related issues.  RADM Hunter assured NAUS that DoD is on track to begin the new “Gray Area” TRICARE benefit approved in last year’s defense authorization bill by October 1.  Once implemented, this program will allow Guard and Reserve retirees under age 60 the opportunity to purchase TRICARE Standard individual or family coverage at a premium equal to the full cost of coverage to DoD.

Adm. Hunter also spoke extensively about the rising cost of pharmaceuticals and about actions beneficiaries can take to help reduce them.  She told NAUS a 90-day supply of medication obtained by mail order averages $169, and through the retail pharmacy (your local drug store) $294.  The TMA new effort centers on getting more beneficiaries to switch to the Home Delivery system.

NAUS supports the Home Delivery because it is a matter of dollars and sense—common sense that is.  Prescriptions filled at retail pharmacies cost DoD more than double of those obtained through Home Delivery.  The money saved when beneficiaries switch helps counter arguments for higher fees and copays from the pockets of military retirees.

Patients using Home Delivery for maintenance drugs like those used to treat high blood pressure or cholesterol win big too.  In addition to the benefit of having medications delivered right to the door, these beneficiaries receive a 90-day supply for the same copay at retail, a 66 percent savings.  Learn more about Home Delivery and save money, too, click here.

Agent Orange Update

The Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act, signed by the President on May 5 (Public Law 111-163), includes significant portions of a bill (HR 2926) introduced earlier in the year by Rep. Glen Nye (D-VA) to protect troops exposed to Agent Orange.  The Caregivers bill contains a provision to permanently extend authorization for the VA to provide hospital care, medical services and other treatments to veterans suffering from exposure to Agent Orange or from the ailments commonly known as Gulf War Illness.

HEALTH CARE NEWS

Milestone Reached

TRICARE Management Activity announced that as of May 26, 2010, the one billionth TRICARE Encounter Data (TED) record was processed for TRICARE services around the world.   TED records provide detailed information for each treatment encounter and are required for TMA healthcare and financial reporting.

The TED system helps civilian providers get paid promptly for the services they provide to TRICARE beneficiaries outside of military treatment facilities.  Records are processed for provider payments in less than 24 hours in most cases.

The ease and speed of the TED system gives providers an incentive to participate in TRICARE.  Increased participation in TRICARE networks provide beneficiaries better access to health care.  By verifying and analyzing the information in each record, the TED system allows provider payment to occur promptly and helps reduce payment of duplicate, fraudulent or erroneous claims.  To date, the TED system has processed more than $140 billion of purchased services for TRICARE beneficiaries worldwide.

Overseas Travel and TRICARE

Traveling overseas is one of the many benefits of military service.  Whether on vacation or a business trip, eating different foods, meeting exciting people and enjoying a different climate can make for a worthwhile trip – unless you get sick or have a medical emergency.

Having a medical emergency on an overseas trip can be very stressful.  Understanding your TRICARE coverage before leaving home is key.  The TRICARE Management Activity outlines several important considerations regarding overseas care here.  If you plan on traveling overseas anytime soon, please take time to review this information.

ACTIVE DUTY NEWS

Corps Seeking Family Readiness Feedback

The Marine Corps Inspector General is looking for your feedback about Family Readiness Program.  Marines, sailors, family members of service members, Family Readiness Officers, MCCS Family Readiness Support Personnel and Family Readiness Assistants/Volunteers are encouraged to participate.

The Family Readiness survey component of this assessment will be available until June 18. To complete the survey, visit the Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) webpage.

Navy Changes Individual Augmentee Policy

Starting in October, sailors filling Individual Augmentee (IA) billets will be operating under a new program called Overseas Contingency Operation Support Assignment (OSA), which will replace the Global War on Terror Support Assignment (GSA) program.

OSA will allow sailors to determine when and where they will deploy in support of Overseas Contingency Operations.  Sailors will be also be able to apply online for OSA assignments using Career Management System Interactive Detailing within the 10 to 12 month window before their projected rotation date and prior to negotiating orders with a detailer.  If the application is approved, the OSA detailing team will contact the applicant and offer more detailed information regarding OSA opportunities.  Navy Personnel Command and United States Fleet Forces are working to update existing IA publications and websites, and a comprehensive policy is slated for release in July.

VETERANS NEWS

VA Announces Medication Copay Increases for Some

On Wednesday, the VA announced that veterans who generally have higher income and no service-connected disabilities – referred to as Priority Groups 7 and 8 veterans – will now pay an additional $1 for each 30-day supply of outpatient medications.  Taking effect on July 1, the increase to $9 from $8 is the first change in VA medication copay since Jan. 1, 2006.

Veterans in Priority groups 2-6 will have NO increase in their copay.  When asked why this increase was necessary the VA replied that the CPI for medication was increasing at a higher rate than the rest of the economy and this increase was deemed necessary.  The prices will hold steady for the next 18 months and will again be looked at in January 2012.

States with no Income Tax for Military Retirees

We have received many calls asking about States that do not impose an income tax on military retired pay.  Several States do not tax military retirements.  They include:  Alabama, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

The following do not carry any State income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming.  And New Hampshire and Tennessee only tax dividend income.

We urge you to contact the State you have interest in to get the latest information on its tax laws.  Although the above-mentioned States exempt military retirement pay, they may not exempt other retirements that you are receiving.

Bill to Improve Post-9/11 GI Bill

U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) recently introduced S. 3447, a bill to improve the Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits program. Akaka introduced the bill to provide a starting point for discussion among Members of Congress, veterans service organizations, and concerned Americans who want to improve this benefit program.

Some of the highlights of S. 3447 would:

  • Make members of the National Guard and Reserve programs who were inadvertently omitted from inclusion fully eligible for benefits.
  • Make all types of training— including vocational programs, OJT and apprenticeship training, flight, all types of non-college degree training and more—eligible for benefits under the new program
  • Eligible individuals enrolled in degree granting programs of study at public institutions anywhere in the United States would pay little, if any, out of pocket costs for their education.
  • For students enrolled in other institutions of higher learning, benefits would be paid based on a national average cost of education, which would be indexed and increased annually.
  • Make a book allowance award of up to $1,000 available to individuals enrolled while on active duty and their spouses.
  • Allow individuals enrolled in VA’s program of rehabilitation and training under chapter 31 of title 38 who also have eligibility for the new chapter 33 program to elect the program from which to receive their subsistence allowance. This would mean that a service-connected disabled OEF/OIF veteran would not need to elect to training under the new GI Bill and forego the valuable counseling and support services available under chapter 31 in order to receive an increased living allowance.

NAUS NEWS

Flag Day

This Flag Day (Monday, June 14), NAUS asks you to remember that our flag is a promise of hope, not only to ourselves, but to the world.  It flies today as a tribute to those men and women across the country who have served freedom and given hope to millions living overseas.

And please remember that the pledge to the flag is a spoken commitment to all that we as Americans honor our flag and all that it stands for: “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

NAUS on the Road

Upcoming NAUS RAD Appearances

On 19 June, NAUS President Matz presents the keynote address at the Buckley, AFB, CO Retiree Appreciation Day (RAD).

NAUS Monterey/Ft. Ord Chapter President Karl Karl will man a table at the Ft. Ord RAD in Monterey, CA on 19 June.

NAUS Board Member General Billy Bowden will man a table at the Tinker, AFB, OK RAD on 26 June.

Annual I Got Mine! Member-get-a-Member Campaign Now Underway

NAUS Members – Earn rewards, including a chance for the grand prize drawing – a $500 Marriott gift card – for EACH new member you recruit during the 2010 I Got Mine! Campaign.

NAUS Directory

Eager to connect with other NAUS members and network with the larger NAUS community?  NAUS is helping you do just that with our partner Harris Connect.  An Association Membership Directory – a first for NAUS – is now in production and will include up-to-date contact information of thousands of your fellow NAUS members.  Please take a few moments when you receive your postcard or email notice from our publisher, Harris Connect, and call them at 1-800-726-2836 to verify your directory listing information.  Members choose whether they wish to be listed, and also how much/how little information they wish to have published in their listing. There is no cost to be listed in the directory, though members will be offered the opportunity to purchase a directory.  NAUS receives a small royalty on the sale of each directory, so your participation helps your Association financially too!
Our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen stand in harm’s way around the globe to defend our nation and our cherished liberties. NAUS asks you to please pray for their continued strength and protection—and pray as well for their families, who daily stand in support of their spouses, fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, and brothers and sisters.

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Weekly Update?

God Bless
Jose M. Garcia
National Executive Director
Catholic War Veterans,USA
josegarcia4@sbcglobal.net
Better to understand a little than to misunderstand a lot.
In God We Trust

Politics

BP Or BS

9 Comments

Veterans Veritas was formed primarily as a, “zocalo,” for advocacy, not editorial commentary. There is no dearth of that in the universe of bloggers.

Yet, when it comes to the really, really big picture of BP and the oil spill it makes one wonder who exactly our soldiers are defending.

Do we not supply oil to the British waning Empire? Do we not defend their interests world wide? Does it not seem a bit odd to the Tea Party folk, that we are now more beholden to the Brits then at the time of King George? Surely, there is more at stake here.

I like Leonard Pitt’s reference to the dictum, “there are no atheists in fox holes,” as it now pertains to the siren cry for the help of the Federal Government to perform salvific acts. Do the TV generation Tea Party devotees speak with forked tongue? And why is the British Government not helping? Do they not benefit from the taxes and the crude oil for their own consumption? Why does America always go it alone, when we are daddy to all?

Take it TC.com mavens!