Monthly Archives: October 2009

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

Veterans Make Great Teachers

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A recent study of a 15 year-old Defense Department Program that has the intent of training and placing veterans in teaching positions showed some very encouraging results. A Florida schools study showed that students who completed the Troops to Teachers program, scored higher in reading and math, compared to teachers of the same subject, in the same school and with the same experience.

Troops to Teachers, has placed some 11.500 teachers since 1994. About 82% of the veterans turned teachers are men compared to about 25% of teachers nationwide. Some 40% of these teachers are minorities.

Several States have seen a doubling in the enrollment in the Troops To Teachers program.

The graduates of this program receive a $5000 stipend to pay for their education, and those who elect to teach in ‘High Need” Schools can get another $10,000.00 bonus.

For more information,access www.proudtoserveagain.com

I cannot imagine a more creative way to allure young men and women to the teaching profession. Kudos, to the creator of this program.

My former English teacher at Rincon High School 64′ , was a retired Army Col. named Leo Croteau. He was the most inspiring teacher I had ever encountered. His son Dave Croteau and I speak of him often to this day.

Many of our nations notable writers were both teachers and novelists and veterans of war. Kurt Vonnegut, Norman Mailer, William Manchester, William Buckley, William Styron, Ernest Hemingway for a few. All were warriors first. It clearly broadens your perspective on humanity and affords a depth for students that may not get such richness elsewhere.

Health, Veteran Pals, Veterans Global, Veterans' Spouses, Partners & Families

Vietnam Veterans Fast A Dying Breed

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Dog tags
Dog tags

These are indeed some very sobering statistics. As a combat veteran of Marine Corps having served in Vietnam, I have always known that we seem to have a mortality clock that ticks a bit faster than then that of the standard for insurance actuaries. Might any of our readers speculate about why this may be? I have a few observations, but I will let you all go first.

This isn’t good news for us “in country vets”…. Like I always said ….we died in ‘Nam , just haven’t fallen over yet….Too bad all the imposters don’t die just as quick or quicker.

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In case you haven’t been paying attention these past few decades after you
returned from Vietnam , the clock has been ticking. The following are some
statistics that are at once depressing yet in a larger sense should give you a HUGE SENSE OF PRIDE.

“Of the 2,709,918 Americans who served in Vietnam, less than 850,000 are estimated to be alive today, with the youngest American Vietnam veteran’s
age approximated to be 54 years old.”

If you’re alive and reading this, how does it feel to be among the last
1/3rd of all the U.S. Vets who served in VietNam ?!?!? …don’t know about
you guys, but kinda gives me the chills, considering this is the kind of
information I’m used to reading about WWII and Korean War vets…

So the last 14 years we are dying too fast, only the few will survive by
2015…if any.. If true, 390 VN vets die a day so in 2,190 days from today,
lucky to be a Vietnam veteran alive….. in only 6 years..

These statistics were taken from a variety of sources to include: The VFW
Magazine, the Public Information Office, and the HQ CP Forward Observer –
1st Recon April 12, 1997.

INTERESTING CENSUS STATISTICS. THOSE TO CLAIM TO HAVE “been there”:
1,713,823 of those who served in Vietnam were still alive as of August,
1995 (census figures).

During that same Census count, the number of Americans falsely claiming to
have served in-country was: 9,492,958.

As of the last Census taken during August, 2000, the surviving U.S.
Vietnam Veteran population estimate is: 1,002,511. This is hard to believe,
losing nearly 711,000 between ’95 and ’00. That’s 390 per day.

During this Census count, a huge number of Americans falsely claimed to have
served in-country .  (fact check note by Mike Brewer. I do not concur with this figure. The only qualifier may be that there is a misunderstanding about what “In Country” means.  There are tons of  “Era Vets” who are categorized  as Vietnam Veterans, which is sort of true, but they are Vietnam ERA Vets, and never left the United States. There census number is quite high, but I do not think it is this high.)

Politics

WWll Veterans Gathering

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Subject: Press Release: Gathering of Warriors at the Pima Air and Space Museum–Veterans of WWII

Press Release

For Immediate Release
October 2, 2009
Contact: Paula Maxwell
Office: 520/321-1492

Gathering of Warriors at the Pima Air and Space Museum–Veterans of WWII

We are proud to announce a very special event at the Pima Air and Space Museum Saturday, October 10. This event is to honor our Arizona WWII Veterans, both men and women, who gave so much to our country in time of war. The gates will open at 4:30 PM with KUAT starting the program, in hanger 4, with their “Tucson Remembers WWII” one hour TV special. Starting at 5 PM U.S. Senator John McCain, AZ Governor Jan Brewer and other VIP’s are scheduled for a meet and greet with the WWII Veterans and their guests in the 390th Bomber Group Hanger. This meeting will be open to the media but you must contact me if you wish to attend as arrangements have to be made for your transportation with the Pima Air and Space Museum Staff.

At about 5:45 PM we will bring everyone back to hanger 4 where the program will start. A band and group singing music from the 1940’s will be underway as we transition into hanger 4 and start the program. Senator McCain will speak at about 6:15 and the Governor later in the program.

We expect in excess of 600 people in attendance with more than 100 of these being WWII Veterans. Having talked to number of these men and women on the phone I can attest to the fact each one has a very unique and interesting story to tell. I wish we had time for all of them to be told. If you have questions or wish to attend the meeting in the 390th Bomber Group Hanger please call me

Walt Stephenson——–Event Coordinator
398-4755
Cell: 591-0451

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Paid for by the Pima County Republican Party.
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.

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

GI Bill Update

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Subject: GI Bill Update – Transportation Assistance

Secretary Shinseki Announces Ability to Sign Up for Emergency Education Benefit Payments on VA Web-Site this Friday

Vans to Help Veteran-Students

WASHINGTON (Sept. 30, 2009) – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki today announced further outreach to Veteran-students eligible for a special emergency payment of their education benefits. Veterans can now apply online beginning Oct. 2. Veteran-students can also request courtesy transportation to VA regional benefits offices.

“Our Veterans went the extra mile for their country,” Shinseki said. “One of our top priorities in transforming VA is to be, first and foremost, the advocate for Veterans.”

Last week Shinseki announced that on Friday, Oct. 2, VA’s 57 regional benefits offices will begin providing on-the-spot emergency payments up to $3,000 to students who have applied for their education benefits but who have not yet received a government payment.

Citing the distance many Veterans would have to travel to apply in person at a VA benefits office, Shinseki announced Veterans can also apply online at www.va.gov, starting Oct. 2. The online application will guide Veterans through the process to supply needed information. Shinseki noted that online applicants will receive their emergency payments through the mail after processing.

“VA is adapting to meet the financial needs of our Veteran-students who are on campus,” Shinseki said. “They should be focusing on their studies, not worrying about financial difficulties.”

Students without their own transportation can also request free van service, provided by volunteers, to carry them to the nearest benefits office. To obtain this service, Veterans would have to call their nearest VA medical center and ask for the “Volunteer Transportation Coordinator.” Transportation will be on a first-come, first-served, space-available basis. Veterans can find a map and list of medical centers at http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/division_flsh.asp?dnum=1.

Whether traveling by personal vehicle or volunteer van, VA officials suggest students check their mail boxes and banking accounts before leaving home, since some Veterans will find their checks have already arrived. VA would like to recognize the volunteers and Veterans Service Organizations for partnering with the Department to ensure that Veterans’ needs are met.

The emergency checks are an advance on each student’s education benefits, and the amount will be deducted from future benefits payments. Checks will be written at the regional offices for Veterans who bring a photo ID and evidence of their enrollment. VA officials emphasize that $3,000 is the maximum payment, with many Veterans receiving smaller payments based upon their likely monthly education benefits.

A map and list of the participating VA regional benefits offices is available on the Internet at http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/division_flsh.asp?dnum=3. The most updated information regarding VA issuing emergency checks will be available at VA’s web site www.va.gov starting Oct. 1.

Applications from approximately 25,000 Veterans are currently being processed for Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefit payments to students or schools.

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Politics, Veteran Legislative Update, Veterans Benefits

Unique Concept of Veterans Court

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Veterans Court takes center stage at House Veterans Affairs full committee roundtable meeting

NEWS FROM…
CHAIRMAN BOB FILNER
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS’ AFFAIRS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-9756

http://veterans.house.gov

House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Holds Roundtable on Veterans’ Treatment Courts
Discussion Focuses on Successful Courts Aiming to Leave No Veteran Behind

Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, September 16, 2009, Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA) led a roundtable discussion on judicial courts that only hear cases involving veterans and provide judges greater latitude in sentencing for non-violent crimes. Modeled after drug and mental health treatment courts, judges are able to order counseling, substance abuse treatment, mentoring, job training, housing assistance, and job placement services as alternatives to incarceration. With both Democratic and Republican Members of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee in attendance, participants discussed their efforts to help veterans avoid jail by connecting them to necessary treatment and support.

“Today’s roundtable is intended to open up the broader thought process of how to help veterans fully integrate into society after service in the military,” said Chairman Filner. “I believe that we have a social responsibility to help those who have served our nation. We failed our veterans after their service in Vietnam and we cannot fail again. Veterans’ treatment courts provide an opportunity for a more humane response to those that bring the war home with them. We sent these kids to war – and war has affected their mental and psychological condition. Providing support for returning veterans is an obligation we owe to those who have sacrificed so much for our country.”

Currently, Veterans’ Treatment Courts operate in New York, Alaska, California, Oklahoma, Illinois, and Pennsylvania, with other states working to establish similar programs. Highlights of the different courts include partnering veterans with mentors who are veterans, appointing public defenders who encourage active veteran participation in the court room, ensuring that veterans get the appointments they need for VA services, and addressing underlying problems like substance use, unemployment and homelessness. Judges relayed that their goal is to run a demanding program that requires personal responsibility and renewed discipline. Defendants are veterans of Iraq, Afghanistan, Desert Storm, Vietnam, and even the Korean War. Participants noted that the costs of veterans’ courts are significantly lower than the costs of incarceration.

“These courts save money, but more importantly, they save lives,” said Chairman Filner. “Nearly two million veterans have returned from combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Often, veterans struggle to adjust to the sudden loss of military camaraderie. Some return with anxiety, post-traumatic stress, or other psychological wounds of war and may self-medicate with drugs and alcohol. Others return with physical injuries that require prescription drugs that can lead to addiction. When veterans suffer from substance dependency disease, jobs are lost, marriages tested, and families suffer. Understandably, illegal actions can result in less than honorable discharges from the military – but then these veterans are prevented from accessing the VA services they so obviously need. I applaud the hard work and healing spirit of the experts here today. As veterans graduate from these programs, our grateful nation stands behind them and celebrates their bravery once again.”
Participants
Honorable Robert T. Russell, Jr., Judge, Buffalo City Court, Buffalo, New York
Patrick William Welch, Ph.D., Director, Erie County Veterans Service Agency, Buffalo, New York
Jack O’Connor, Mentor Coordinator, Veterans Court Mentoring Program, Buffalo, New York
Jennifer P. Stergion, Esq., Chair, Committee on Veterans and Service-Members Legal Issues, Buffalo, New York
C. “West” Huddleston, III, Chief Executive Officer, National Association of Drug Court Professionals
Honorable Michael E. McCarthy, Judge, Civil Division, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Honorable Charles V. Romani, Jr., Circuit Judge, Madison County Circuit Court, Edwardsville, Illinois
William F. Feeley, MSW, FACHE, Director, VA Medical Center, Buffalo, New York
George P. Basher, Health System Specialist for the VA Healthcare Network (VISN2), Albany, New York
Prepared testimony and a link to a recording of the hearing are available on the internet at this link: http://veterans.house.gov/hearings/hearing.aspx?newsid=464.

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

Helping Put U.S Veterans To Work

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In October of 2008, DK Associates Inc. started a new program to provide employment services to disabled veterans. It is their goal to collaborate with private industry to facilitate the process and help expand the career opportunities for our most valued citizens– those whom have served and protected us all.

The primary goal is to not only help one find a job, but to help start a career and eliminate barriers to employment with peer support and job coaching.

I have known Dot Kret and her work for 25 years. We are fortunate to have a such a resource in our community. Her associate Lori Kiefer is also a trained veteran benefits counselor, an Army veteran, and thoroughly dedicated to helping our veterans. Lets help them put these men and women to work.

Free job services and computer training to any US veteran who has a copy of their DD214, proof of disability, service connected or not, and is currently unemployed.

We will meet with you and explore your job interests and vocational goals, assist in the preparation of resumes and job applications, help in narrowing your job search and provide you as many tools as possible to help you become more job-ready. In addition, our staff or members of our business advisory council will have you participate in practice or mock interviews if you so desire. After you become employed, job coaching, both onsite and off-site will be offered to you.

Please contact Lori Kiefer at 790-7677 (w)

Employment Specialist, BHT

Project HERO

1502 E Broadway

Tucson, Arizona 85719

520-790-7677 Office

520-437-5510 Cell

http://www.linkedin.com/in/lorikiefer

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Health, Politics, Veteran Legislative Update

What Fate Holds for Current Congress

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I cannot help but wonder how this health care debate will spill out. The level of enmity and identity politics is reeling so far out of control that I think we need a Psychiatric Department added to the Cabinet.

If for a moment our readers can suspend their editorial inclinations, and chime into something substantial and concrete, I would love to hear some predictions about how health care reform will look by Christmas. Or will it have a look?

A man must know his destiny. if he does not recognize it, then he is lost. By this I mean, once, twice, or at the very most, three times, fate will reach out and tap a man on the shoulder. if he has the imagination, he will turn around and fate will point out to him what fork in the road he should take, if he has the guts, he will take it.” Gen. George S. Patton