Category Archives: Veterans’ Spouses, Partners & Families

Information for husbands, wives, partners and families of combat soldiers, Marines and veterans.

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

Beware Dear Veterans Of Those Who Come To Help

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Veteran Advocacy often entails some vigilance.  This story just burns me, as I know of other Out Reach Programs that have been in existence since right after the invasion of Iraq that have left the radar screen under the smallest amount of scrutiny. I am not inclined to name them as even bloggers can be sued for not fully corroborating evidence. I am happy to give an educated observation however, but only privately. Intuition alone can guide many donors. Yet, so many unsuspecting good souls have their heartstrings tapped in the name and honor of our soldiers. It is hard to imagine how one sleeps at night who engages in such fraudulent behavior. It seems to me they should be drafted to clean the honey pots for our warriors.
God bless Vietnam Veterans of America for alerting us.

To All:
For your information!
Bill Meeks, Jr.
Chair, VVA Membership Affairs
Sent: Saturday, July 31, 2010 7:42 PM
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;
Subject: The United States Fallen Heroes Foundation

Got this from LtGen, USAF (retired) Brett Dula
Subject: The United States Fallen Heroes Foundation

IT APPEARS THAT THE SUBJECT NAMED ORGANIZATION IS A FRAUD.
Begin forwarded message:

I just wanted to let you know about something that I’ve been working on for a few months that is finally coming out.  This group, The United States Fallen Hero Foundation, is a complete fraud.  They’ve been using the families of our fallen brothers and sisters to raise money for a phony Memorial that was to be built in Texas .  The PR firm they hired approached me to set up a meeting with me and Jan to get our advice on building a National Memorial, but things seemed fishy from the start.  The PR firm later became suspicious of the founders activities and came back to me again for advice on how to proceed.  We notified the Texas Attorney General and the FBI, but did not want to go public until we were sure.  They have contacted thousands of families who have gotten very excited about this project and we didn’t want to risk hurting them until we were positive this guy was a dirt bag.  Well, the Attorney General’s subpoena tipped of a Dallas TV reporter and he asked to have an exclusive.  His story aired last night.  I’m not sure if you guys want to do anything to actively warn people, but I just wanted to let you know about it.  His website is still up and he’s still raising money.  He’s claimed to have raised over $2 million.

Here is the Story.  Just let me know if you want any more detail.

http://www.wfaa.com/news/investigates/Unanswered-questions-about-plans-for-military-memorial-99437514.html

I have also informed the leadership of American Legion, VFW, and IAVA.

*********************************************************************************************************************
Unanswered questions about plans for military memorial
by BYRON HARRIS

WFAA

Posted on July 27, 2010 at 10:38 PM

Updated Wednesday, Jul 28 at 8:42 PM

Gallery

NEWS 8 INVESTIGATES

KENNEDALE — Questions are swirling around a $50 million project in Kennedale to honor veterans who have died since the September 11 terrorist attacks.

The Texas Attorney General is looking into documentation behind the United States Fallen Heroes Foundation.

  • What exactly is the United States Fallen Heroes Foundation?
  • Why does its founder use two names?
  • And is it a tax-exempt organization?

The memorial project was introduced to the public during a slick presentation at a news conference two months ago. An animation showed 15 acres of land in Kennedale that would be the site of a memorial. A Web site honoring veterans was set up, and TV spots in which families of vets were used to solicit money.

“This memorial will also include all military personnel that have died post-9/11 and have died as a result of combat and non-combat injuries and trauma,” said Walter Coleman, who said he was chairman of the U.S. Fallen Heroes Foundation.

But while Coleman was happy to be on TV to raise money then, he canceled two appointments with News 8 to discuss the organization. When he finally did show up, he would not let us record an interview.

“I’ll be interviewed, but not on camera,” he said.

Coleman did not want to be interviewed about his application to the IRS for tax-exempt status. The IRS has no record of the the U.S. Fallen Heroes Foundation.

News 8 discovered Coleman signs documents with two signatures and two names: “Evan Coleman” and “Walter Coleman.”

“I’m both,” he said when asked about the dual identity. “I’m Walter Raleigh Evan Coleman Jr.”

He said his use of one name of the other “depends on the documents.”

Records indicate that Coleman used “Walter” as a first name after a credit union sued him for $10,000 in debt under the name of “Evan Coleman.

Another question surrounds Coleman’s military record. Kennedale City Manager Bob Hart is one of several people who say Coleman represented himself as a veteran.

“My impression is that he would have served in Vietnam, because he’s made comments in that regard,” Hart said.

But when pressed, Coleman told News 8 he was never in the military.

He runs the Fallen Heroes Foundation from his home in Mansfield, which until recently was also the home of the Texas/Louisiana Fallen Heroes Foundation.

Although Coleman has given documents to the City of Kennedale which include a non-existent employer identification number, or EIN, Coleman passes it off as an innocent error.

In Kennedale, construction crews are already working on a new road that would have gone by the memorial. The City of Kennedale says it will now investigate the background of the Fallen Heroes Foundation.

The city has signed a contract to sell 15 acres of land to the foundation, but Hart says Kennedale has not lost any money in the deal. “They’ve signed the contract, yes. But the contract allows for an 18-month window in which to raise funds to acquire the land,” Hart said.

The Texas Attorney General has asked the Fallen Heroes Foundation for all of their records.

The man who says he is “Walter Raleigh Evan Coleman Jr.” says he has only collected $1,000 for his $50 million project. But he’s the only one who knows the real total.



This article was in the Fort Worth Star Telegram this morning. It is about the supposedly scam that I previously sent out

http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/08/02/2378827/manfield-mans-past-questions-about.html

—
This message was sent by jimwboyd@vvaft.org via http://addthis.com.  Please note that AddThis does not verify email addresses.

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

Spectacular Job Training Service For Veterans

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With the number of men and women rotating home, this could not be more timely.

The Veterans’ Employment and Training Service and the Employment and
Training Administration’s (ETA) Job Corps are partnering in a
demonstration project that will provide Job Corps’ comprehensive array of
career development services to eligible Veterans 20 to 24 years old to
prepare them for successful careers.

This is a fully-funded, all-expense-paid demonstration project that is
free for the Veterans. The program includes transportation to and from the
Job Corps center, housing, meals, basic medical services, academic and
career technical training, bi-weekly living allowance, and job placement
and post-graduation support.

We have worked with Job Corps to create an accelerated, customized program
developed specifically for Veterans. This program recognizes the maturity
and life experience that our Veterans have gained from their military
experience.

Job Corps employs a holistic career development training approach that
teaches academic, vocational, employability skills and social competencies
in an integrated manner through a combination of classroom, practical and
based learning experiences to prepare participants for stable, long-term,
and high-paying jobs. One of the important outcomes is that participants
will obtain a credential or certificate certifying them in a trade.

Veterans accepted in the demonstration project will be living among
non-Veterans and other Veterans who are also transitioning from the
military
to civilian life. One of the Job Corps program’s key benefits is its
post-graduate support. When Veterans are ready to begin transitioning into
their career, Job Corps staff will assist them in job searching, resume
drafting, and job interviewing skills.

Job Corps will provide graduates with transition services for up to 21
months after graduation, including assistance with housing, transportation
and other support services. Upon completion of training, Veterans will be
assigned to a career transition counselor to assist them with job
placement or enrollment in higher education.

Atterbury Job Corps Center in Edinburgh, Indiana; Earle C. Clements Job
Corps Center in Morganfield, Kentucky; and Excelsior Springs Job Corps
Center in Excelsior Springs, Missouri.

The enrollment will be open and continuous until a center reaches 100
Veterans. It is expected that Veteran participants will be enrolling and
graduating at various rates. Although Job Corps has set aside 300 slots
for the demonstration project, actual participation during the year may
exceed that number due to the continuous enrollment.

We will be announcing this demonstration project and providing handouts
and other information in our TAP Employment Workshops all over the world.
TAP facilitators will discuss this initiative in class and Job Corps
personnel will visit selected sites to answer questions and initiate
applications for interested Veterans. Once a participant has been
identified and accepted into the program, he/she will be given the
opportunity to select one of the three Job Corps training centers chosen
by Job Corps for this demonstration project.

This is a one-year demonstration program and we want to demonstrate demand
for the program and its effectiveness as quickly as possible so that we
can look at expanding it.

To make this demonstration project a success, we need your assistance in
getting the word out. Attached are three brochures that provide all the
pertinent details and contact information.

Brochures (PDF) http://www.dol.gov/vets/jc-brochures/brochure.pdf
Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
http://www.dol.gov/vets/jc-brochures/faqs.pdf
General Information (PDF)
http://www.dol.gov/vets/jc-brochures/general-info.pdf

Here is the contact info to sign-up for the demonstration project:
(800) 733 – JOBS / 5627
http://www.recruiting.jobcorps.gov

VETS’ point of contact in our National Office is Tim Winter at phone
number,
202 693-4705 or mailto:winter.timothy@dol.gov.

This is a great opportunity for our young Veterans and we all need to help
them take advantage of it.

Sincerely,

Ray Jefferson
Assistant Secretary for Veterans’ Employment and Training

Veterans’ Employment and Training Service
U.S. Department of Labor

*****************************

Dwayne E. Campbell | Department of Veterans Affairs | Center for Minority
Veterans | Hispanic Veterans Liaison | 810 Vermont Avenue, Northwest
(OOM) | Washington, D.C. 20420 | (: 202-461-6197 | 7: 202-273-7092  | *:
Dwayne.Campbell3@va.gov | Website:
http://www1.va.gov/centerforminorityveterans/

“Action is the foundational key to all success.” – Pablo Picasso
Politics, Veteran Pals, Veteran Statistics, Veterans Global, Veterans' Spouses, Partners & Families

Race? Whose Race? My Race? Your Race? Our Race?

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I thought I would be able to let this, “race card” storm pass, but you know the beloved main stream media have managed once again to spawn, fuel and incense America into listening to them. Give them an inch and they take a mile of storytelling, some of which is actually newsworthy, most of which is for their stockholders and ratings.

We have a race issue in America alright, it is the Narcissism Race of 24/7 cable news. They play the race card every hour of the day, waiting to trounce on the most triffling of affairs and spin them into national news stories. But this race is  more akin to a horse race card then any matter of  ethnicity.

True journalists used to work hard to scoop the competition on a breaking news story. Once the competition beat you in the race, the other moved on to another story. Not now. The race is to determine who can sensationalize the changing of the wind once the wind direction is reported, and then milk it all day.  Edward R. Murrow would puke over much of cable news.

Enter Shirley Sherod. Yawn.  A mistake was made. The parties involved were not harmed. Apologies were granted. Move on for cryin’ out loud. This is not news. America is on the brink of an all out Depression and we are at war against the most difficult enemy in our history of warfare. Lets focus and pull together and insert some leadership into the media.

Why does Veteran Veritas hold this out for discussion? Because if these folks were in the Armed Forces, this topic would last about an hour! If the level of enmity and tirade were to occur in the military over a race issue, like it does in the cranked up ADHD MSM, someone would walk away with an Article 15.

Few civilians know that an active duty soldier cannot even have a bumper sticker message on their car on a Military Base?  I like that level of  disciplined civility. Free speech is overrated.

One media outlet, even suggested that we stop and think about how many black people have helped us in our lives, like that Georgia farming family. My God, is that milking a story or what? This could be an episode on the new AMC , Mad Men! Who can give the best identity to a non-story? Get the ad men involved, like Glen Beck does with his staff Psycholgists.

Well, I did stop and think of all the Black Americans who have helped me throughout this pilgrimage. The MSM made me do it.

I learned to fish for trout on the Rock River in Illinois by black men. I learned to sing from those same black men. Four of my soul brothers in Vietnam saved my ass on many a patrol. My black Drill Sgt. in Marine Boot Camp taught me how to survive and be brave but not stupid. A sage black man standing by me on a street corner in the midst of the Watts Riots in 1965, when I was a grunt cub reporter for Norm Woodruff of KRLA News, afforded me a thumb nail sketch of how cities spend money and ignore the inner city. No change to this day.  My VA Psychologist was an Army Officer, black man.  The lady that tracked down vital records for me at the Chicago VA was a black woman named Maude. The most helpful person I could find in my claim process was a black Gunny Sgt at the Marine Corps Records Section in Quantico, Va. He penetrated all red tape and bureaucracy to get my records  amended to show additional war wounds.

So what is the point of referencing these experiences? Not once during those encounters, did I stop and think, “geeeze this is a black person.”   Racism is an implanted idea. It is not a natural human emotion. Do not let them put this weed in your garden.

Summarily, where was the media during World War ll when 80% of the officer corps believed in segregation?  Lets sensationalize that story.

Politics, Veteran Legislative Update, Veteran Pals, Veterans' Spouses, Partners & Families

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.
In God We Trust .AOLWebSuite .AOLPicturesFullSizeLink { height: 1px; width: 1px; overflow: hidden; } .AOLWebSuite a {color:blue; text-decoration: underline; cursor: pointer} .AOLWebSuite a.hsSig {cursor: default}

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.

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

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

Lest We Forget

5 Comments

The Arizona Immigration Legislation has cast a long shadow over the working of our State. It’s merit will most likely find its own level. Since its enactment, I detect nothing in the MSM about the passing of the following very fine piece of legislation that is only being spoken of in small group conversations. Very few Veterans know of its passing.  I guess it is just not sensational enough to garner attention.

The journalistic cliche marches on, “you cannot tell a story about- there was no plane wreck today.”  Veterans affairs frequently fall into that column. Lip service on Holidays and then 360 days of  dreary news.

I want to say thanks one last time for the effort and the assertiveness it took to get this bill passed. These college educated veterans are the ones who will be leading us out of the morass created by decades of political narcissism and phony polarities. They did not fight for that!

The following is the presentation made by David Alegria to the Arizona House of Representatives.

Arizona House Bill 2350 Purple Heart; Tuition Waiver Becomes Law
April 23, 2010
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed historic legislation granting tuition waivers to Veterans who
were awarded the Purple Heart Medal, are 50% or more disabled, were residents of Arizona or
stationed in Arizona when they were wounded, and are otherwise qualified to attend a State
Community College or University.
The passage of House bill 2350 is historic because this is the first bill that has been passed by the
Arizona State Legislature that provides a State benefit specific to Combat Wounded Veterans.
While every politician finds it politically correct to proclaim support for the military soldier and for
veterans’ issues, the Governor and the Arizona State Legislature bellied up to the table and showed
their support in a concrete manner. The law now requires all State Community Colleges and
Universities to waive the tuition for all veterans meeting the criteria of this law.
In the forefront of this historic event was State Senator Frank Antenori. Senator Antenori introduced
the legislation as a member of the Arizona House of Representatives prior to his appointment to the
Arizona State Senate. Senator Antenori is a Gulf War Veteran and the leading advocate in the
Arizona Legislature for issues affecting members of the military and veterans. Military Order of the
Purple Heart Commander of the Tucson Chapter, David Alegria was the lone member of veterans
organization providing testimony before the House Education Committee and the Senate Committee
on Veterans and Military Affairs. There was not one vote cast by any legislator against this bill
during the committee hearings and roll call votes in both Chambers of the Arizona State Legislature.
Governor Jan Brewer, a staunch supporter of veterans issues, signed the bill into law without
reservation.
The passage of House Bill 2350 is important for a number of reasons:
• Combat Wounded Veterans are having a difficult time collecting on the much promised
education benefits of the NEW G.!. Bill. The Veterans Administration says it is doing
the best it can, but processing problems still remain. Some of these veterans have
mobility issues due to their injuries and find it difficult to chase after the VA. Others,
just don’t want to take up another fight. Most of these veterans are part-time patients,
spending most of their free time at the veterans administration hospital clinics.
• Combat Wounded Veterans having difficult financial hardships will use the proceeds of
the NEW G.1. Bill to help house and feed their families. They then pay for their
education by taking out student loans.
• The NEW G.1. Bill permits veterans to transfer their education benefit to one of their
dependents. So far, 100,000 veterans have transferred their G.I Bill education benefits
to dependents. These wounded warriors are still looking out for others before
themselves.
Our student veterans deserve this benefit and the State of Arizona has stepped up and provided the
necessary assistance. All of these veterans already paid for this benefit with their blood in some far
off land.
House Bill 2350: Purple Heart; Tuition Waiver
Tucson Citizen Article by Blogger/Writer Mike Brewer