This Memorial Day at 3 p.m., AMVETS leaders will once again join the White House Commission on Remembrance in the National Moment of Remembrance.
The National Moment of Remembrance is a one-minute moment of silence commissioned by Congress where Americans pause for a moment of unity to reflect on the sacrifices of our fallen military heroes.
AMVETS National Commander Duane J. Miskulin encourages all Americans to take a moment at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day to demonstrate their solidarity by joining in.
AMVETS has been a supporter of the National Moment of Remembrance since its inception and offered logistical support to Old Glory's Journey of Remembrance in 2008.
The Journey of Remembrance was a six-month tour of the United States, where the American flag flown over Pearl Harbor was flown at national historic sites from coast to coast, leading up the National Moment of Remembrance on Memorial Day.
To learn more about the National Moment of Remembrance and the White House Commission on Remembrance, Click Here.
On Memorial Day, AMVETS National Commander Duane J. Miskulin will join in ceremonies honoring America's fallen heroes across the nation's capitol, including the national wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
AMVETS will also host four wounded warriors from Walter Reed Army Medical Center for the day's events in Washington, D.C.
AMVETS Riders from around the country will also converge on the nation's capitol for the annual Run for the Wall, honoring America's prisoners of war and those who remain missing in action. American Veteran is accompanying the riders on the final leg of their journey from Norfalk, Va., to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C.
AMVETS posts and departments around the country will also play host to special events for Memorial Day, honoring the brave Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of freedom. These events range from parades to memorial services, speeches and barbecues for veterans and their loved ones.
Memorial Day is one of the most significant holidays to AMVETS, honoring America's fallen heroes. To read AMVETS' official statement for Memorial Day 2010, Click Here.
Next week, American Veteran will bring highlights of AMVETS' Memorial Day commemorations, and we encourage all AMVETS posts and departments to share your Memorial Day photos and stories with us for American Veteran Online and the summer print edition of American Veteran magazine.
This week, AMVETS submitted letters to Congress, calling on legislators to once-and-for-all put an end to the wasteful alternate engine program for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
Over the years, both the Bush Administration and the Obama Administration have called on Congress to pull funding form the program with the support of the nation's top military minds saying that the alternate engine was unnecessary.
This year, legislators have introduced an amendment to strip the program of its funding, diverting much of the funds to the National Guard & Reserve Equipment Account, which has faced persistent shortfalls throughout the Global War on Terrorism.
AMVETS National Legislative Director Ray Kelley has sent letters of support for the amendment to legislators playing a key role in the process, such as amendment cosponsor Rep. John B. Larson (D-Conn.).
AMVETS leaders from the Department of Pennsylvania have also become involved with the issue, calling on Congressmen Chris Carney and Patrick Murphy, two veterans of the current conflicts, to support dissolving the program. AMVETS leaders have also submitted "letters to the editor" calling for an end to the program.
For updates on this issue and the upcoming vote in the House, check back regularly with American Veteran.
(Image: Letter to Congressman Larson voicing AMVETS' support to diverting funds from the F-35 alternate engine to finance equipment for reserve troops.)
This morning, the House Veterans Affairs Committee will host a roundtable discussion on veterans' unemployment. AMVETS leaders will follow the morning's discussion closely.
To view a list of participants in the roundtable, Click Here.
AMVETS has made veterans' reintegration and employment a top legislative priority for 2010, and recent trends point to daunting unemployment statistics among young Iraq and Afghanistan-era veterans.
Today, AMVETS Deputy National Legislative Director Christina Roof sits on the advisory board for the Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment Initiative, seeking to place veterans in more federal government jobs.
American Veteran has been following the veterans' unemployment situation very closely. Check back regularly for updates.
This morning, AMVETS National Commander Duane J. Miskulin and AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary National President Patty Piening visited with wounded troops at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
During rare downtime between his visits to AMVETS posts and departments around the country, Miskulin and Piening managed to schedule visits with troops and a tour of the Army's state-of-the-art prosthetics ward.
AMVETS leaders and AMVETS service officers routinely visit with troops at Walter Reed and Bethesda Naval Hospital, speaking with troops about their entitlements through VA once they separate from service.
AMVETS service officers are also stationed at VA regional offices around the country, offering similar claims assistance, free of charge to all honorably discharged veterans. To learn more, Click Here.
(Photos: Top: L-R, President Piening, Cmdr. Miskulin, and AMVETS National Service Director Denny Boller speak with Walter Reed Executive Services Directorate Ambassador Alberta Barren during this morning's visit to Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Bottom: Prosthetic devises line a wall of the state-of-the-art prosthetics ward at Walter Reed. Photos by Jay Agg.)
This week at American Veteran we will follow this week's House Veterans Affairs Committee roundtable on veterans' unemployment.
This week, AMVETS leaders are hammering out details for the upcoming Symposium for 21st Century Veterans. AMVETS posts and departments interested in sending participants to this year's symposium are encouraged to send participants' names to AMVETS Legislative Director Ray Kelley as soon as possible.
We will also post photos from the recent launch of the AMVETS Warrior Transition Workshops in Elkins Park, Pa., and the recent open house at Camp Hope in Missouri.
The spring issue of American Veteran magazine will also ship this week, and we will feature a run-down of this spring's magazine.
As always, we're eager to hear from our readers. Feel free to comment on all our stories and please send photos and stories of your own for us to post on the blog, or in the summer issue of American Veteran magazine.
Congressman John Boccieri (D-Ohio), a veteran of the war in Iraq and life member of AMVETS Post No. 44 in Youngstown, Ohio, today announced the House passage of legislation he introduced to prevent restrictions on the display of Service flags. H.R. 2546, the Blue Star/Gold Star Flag Act of 2009 ensures the rights of individuals to display a Service flag on residential property without limitation. H.R. 2546 has more than 50 bipartisan cosponsors, including 22 Republicans.
“The Service flag is a symbol of respect for our military members who put their lives on the line only because their country asked them to,” said Boccieri. “As a veteran, I am proud to champion this important measure for military families, giving them the right to honor their soldiers’ sacrifices, no matter where they live.”
The Service flag, sometimes referred to as either the Blue Star or Gold Star flag is an official banner authorized by the Department of Defense for display by families of members serving in the armed forces during a period of war. Each blue star on the flag represents a service member in active duty, while a gold star signifies a service member killed in action or who died in service.
Boccieri’s bill is similar to the Freedom to Display the American Flag Act of 2005 which prohibits a condominium association, cooperative association, or residential real estate management association from preventing residents from displaying the American flag on or around their homes. Boccieri’s bill extends these same privileges to the Service flags.
According to regulations established by the Secretary of Defense, organizations can fly the Service flag as long as it honors the members of that organization serving during a period of war. The Ohio House of Representatives displayed a Service flag for then-State Representative Boccieri and State Senator Steve Stivers while they deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in 2004-2005.
AMVETS, which was a vocal supporter of the Freedom to Display the American Flag Act of 2005, also supports Boccieri's bill, allowing Blue Star and Gold Star families to display their flags without recourse from housing associations or other groups.
"It's ridiculous for these associations to attempt to prohibit proud military families--particularly Gold Star families--from demonstrating support to their loved ones and honoring their sacrifices," said AMVETS National Legislative Director Ray Kelley. "AMVETS hopes that this bill moves through the legislative process quickly, so we can protect the rights of our military families, putting an end to this petty squabble once and for all."
Now, Boccieri's bill will head to the Senate for consideration. American Veteran will follow developments closely. Check back regularly for updates.
(Video: Congressman John Boccieri delivers remarks on the House floor on why the passage of the service flag protection act is important to him. Video courtesy of the Office of Congressman John Boccieri.)
This morning, the House Veterans Affairs subcommittees on Health and Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs hosted a special joint hearing on evaluating military sexual trauma issues. To view video from this morning's hearing at 10 a.m., Click Here.
AMVETS National Deputy Legislative Director Christina Roof submitted testimony for the record and she was on hand for the morning's hearing. To read Roof's written statement, Click Here.
Military sexual trauma, or MST, though not gender exclusive, predominantly affects today's female veterans.
Roof's remarks centered on current shortfalls withing the Veterans Health Administration, or VHA, confusion on definitions between DoD and VA, and potential solutions to help today's veterans exposed to MST receive proper care through VHA.
(Image: Witnesses testify at this morning's House VA hearing on military sexual trauma. Photo by Ryan Gallucci.)
This week at American Veteran we will recap Friday's roll-out of the new AMVETS Warrior Transition Workshops, where Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-Pa.) joined AMVETS National Commander Duane J. Miskulin and AMVETS' new partners from Freedom & Honor to introduce the new transitional tool.
We will also follow AMVETS to Capitol Hill, where AMVETS National Deputy Legislative Director Christina Roof will testify before the House Veterans Affairs Committee on military sexual trauma. The committee will also host hearings on information security within VA and the VA home loan program, which American Veteran will follow.
This week, we will also finally post on Camp Hope's recent open house and we will highlight the upcoming issue of American Veteran magazine, which should be arriving in your mailboxes next week.
American Veteran will also continue to follow developments within the military and veterans' communities, keeping up to date on issues such as the purported medal for combat restraint and the possible new Georgia law, allowing veterans to annotate "PTSD" on drivers' licenses.
As always, we're eager to hear from posts and departments around the country, so please send photos and stories, and please feel free to leave your comments.
Yesterday, AMVETS National Deputy Legislative Director Christina Roof joined House leadership and the nation's top veterans' advocates for a roundtable discussion on veterans' issues.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) hosted the roundtable, which brought many majority members of the House to the table to hear from the nation's leading veterans' advocates.
The afternoon's discussion centered around the VA claims backlog (AMVETS' top legislative priority for 2010), Post-9/11 G.I. Bill updates, and veterans' unemployment.
Veterans' groups were given the opportunity to candidly discuss each of the issues, receiving critical feedback on potential next steps from Congressional leaders.
Joe Violante from the Independent Budget partner DAV laid out three potential ideas to help alleviate the claims backlog.
Among the afternoon's attendees were Congressional Silver Helmet Award recipients, Reps. Chet Edwards (D-Texas) and Tim Walz (D-Minn), House Armed Service Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-Mo.), and House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-Calif.).
Each of AMVETS' other partners on the Independent Budget--Paralyzed Veterans of America and VFW--also participated in the discussion, which included other noteworthy groups such as the American Legion, IAVA, Wounded Warrior Project, and Gold Star Wives.
(Image: AMVETS' Christina Roof participates in yesterday's roundtable on veterans' issues, hosted by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Photo by Ryan Gallucci.)
In April the San Diego Padres kicked off their 2010 season at Petco Park in San Diego. Keeping with tradition as the "Team of the Military," Padres Director of Military Outreach and retired Navy Capt. Jack Ensch hosted the team's annual Military Opening Night on Wednesday, April 14.
Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Tom Conant, commanding general of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing threw out the ceremonial first pitch and the Padres recognized 20 military award recipients from San Diego-area commands on the field.
Local military children Jacob and Jeremiah Bruce called "play ball," accompanied by their mother, Aleah, only to be treated to a surprise message from their deployed father, Navy Chief Todd Bruce broadcast on the stadium's big screen.
Northrop-Grumman provided more than 5,000 tickets to the game for San Diego military men and women and their families, and the Padres hosted wounded warriors from nearby Balboa Naval Hospital. The Padres also unveiled their new military logo, which will be featured on all Padres military outreach materials and new souvenirs throughout the 2010 season.
Throughout the 2010 season the Pacdres will offer discounted tickets to members of the military, retirees, Department of Defense civilians and dependents with valid DoD ID cards. The will also introduce the Padres Veterans' Appreciation Card, or PVAC, offering benefits and discounts to non-career veterans.
For more information on the Padres' military programs, Click Here.
(Images: Top: Naval Base San Diego's 50-state Flag Team lines the outfield of Petco Park, as the Edwards Air Force Base Honor Guard presents the colors on Military Opening Night. Photo by Shana Siler. Middle Left: Maj. Gen. Tom Conant waves to the crowd before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. Photo by Chris Handy. Middle Right: Jacob, Jeremiah, and Aleah Bruce look up at the stadium's big screen for the special greeting from Navy Chief Todd Bruce, who is serving overseas. Photos by Shana Siler. Bottom: San Diego Padres' military logo for 2010, based on the U.S. military aircraft roundel. All photos courtesy of the San Diego Padres.)
This afternoon, AMVETS will join House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and other top veterans' advocates for a roundtable discussion on veterans' issues.
During the roundtable, AMVETS National Deputy Legislative Director Christina Roof plans to address VA's inspector general report on the implementation of uniform mental health policies within the VA health care system.
Roof and AMVETS have been calling for a report on implementation since August and the latest IG report pointed toward continued deficiencies within VHA.
American Veteran will bring you photos and highlights from the discussion. Check back later for updates.
This week at American Veteran, we will follow AMVETS' leaders around Washington discussing critical veterans' issues ranging from the VA claims backlog to VA's implementation of the uniform mental health services handbook.
On Friday, American Veteran will be on hand at Elkins Manor in Elkins Park, Pa., where AMVETS National Commander Duane J. Miskulin will unveil the new AMVETS Warrior Transition Workshops alongside partner non-profit Freedom & Honor, Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-Pa.), and 77th Reserve Support Command Maj. Gen. William Terpeluk.
The Elkins Park workshop will be the first in a series set to take place at locations from coast to coast. To learn more about the new program, Click Here.
Also, the latest issue of American Veteran magazine has gone off to the printer and should be arriving in your mailboxes shortly. Later this week, we will preview the spring issue.
With the new issue downrange, American Veteran Online can resume our regular publishing schedule, catching up on all the happenings within the veterans' community over the last few weeks, including the recent open house at Camp Hope and the San Diego Padres ongoing support to the veterans' community.
This week, Washington, D.C., will also play host to the fourth annual G.I. Film Festival and AMVETS National Deputy Legislative Director Christina Roof will be on hand for the event.
Finally, it's military appreciation week and we will look to bring you highlights of AMVETS' military appreciation activities from around the country, as they come in.
As always, we're eager to hear what you think. Please feel free to share your veterans' news and comments with the editorial staff of American Veteran.
This afternoon, AMVETS National Executive Director Jim King will join President Barack Obama and the nation's other leading veterans' organizations at the White House for the signing of the historic Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act.
The landmark bill, for which AMVETS has advocated for more than a year, establishes a new program for VA which will finally offer training, living stipends and respite care for veterans' family members tasked with caring for their wounded loved one.
The bill also includes new provisions providing improved care for women veterans and rural/remote veterans--two of AMVETS' top legislative priorities for 2010.
Though the bill represents a compromise between the House and Senate, only offering caregiver assistance for Iraq and Afghanistan-era veterans, AMVETS leaders see the bill as a critical first step in ensuring comparable care for all generations of veterans.
AMVETS National Legislative Director Ray Kelley said AMVETS will continue to push for equity in the new benefit, but that the current caregiver plan represents a significant step in improving the quality and effectiveness of care that VA offers to today's wounded warriors.
As always, please let us know what you think of today's historic signing and the continued fight to improve care for America's veterans.
(Video: President Barack Obama signs the landmark veterans' caregiver bill at the White House. Official White House video, released.)
This morning, the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs listened to testimony on traumatic brain injury and the effects on today's service members.
The committee heard testimony for experts on the invisible wounds of war from top research institutions, alongside Karen Bohlinger, the mother of TBI sufferer, and Jonathan Barr, a Marine who was medically retired for TBI in 2009.
To view video from the hearing, a list of this morning's witnesses and prepared remarks, Click Here.
AMVETS has paid close attention to the invisible wounds of war, like TBI, and continues to advocate for improved screening and treatment for today's wounded veterans.
American Veteran will follow developments on this issue closely. Check back regularly for updates.
This week at American Veteran, we will be wrapping up the spring print edition of American Veteran magazine. In the meantime, blog posts may continue to lag behind. We're still planning to bring you highlights of the AMVETS Riders' recent visit to Camp Hope for the wounded warrior retreat's open house. We will also highlight the San Diego Padres' 2010 military-support programs.
This week, AMVETS legislative team will also be out in force on Capitol Hill. AMVETS National Deputy Legislative Director Christina Roof continues to gather Congressional signatures in support of veterans' assistance dogs. Roof will also submit for the record this week on several key veterans' issues. This week, the House Committee on Veterans Affairs plans to tackle the health effects of the Vietnam War, VA's Vocational Rehab program, and Veterans Benefits Administration's work-credit program on claims-processing.
To view this week's hearings in the House, Click Here.
This week, the Senate will also discuss the invisible wounds of war--particularly traumatic brain injury--which AMVETS National Commander Duane J. Miskulin has made a top priority for 2010.
American Veteran will be following each of this week's key hearings closely. Check back regularly for updates.
Thank you to everyone who submitted content for the spring edition. If you have something you would like us to include in the summer issue of American Veteran magazine, it's never too early to start sending it in.
View the latest issue of American Veteran magazine
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Contributors
Andrew Keirn, National Publications Editor, Marine Corps veteran
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This Memorial Day at 3 p.m., AMVETS leaders will once again join the White House Commission on Remembrance in the National Moment of Remembrance.
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