American Veteran Online

To Secretary Panetta: A Plea for Compassion in the Case of Desecration by U.S. Marines

2012-01-18T12:05:00.003-05:00

To Secretary Panetta: A Plea for Compassion in the Case of Desecration by U.S. Marines

Last week, first lady Michelle Obama announced a renewed level of commitment to support research and aide for the mental health of America’s veterans. A growing number of those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and/or depression -- diagnosed or otherwise -- and an overall difficulty assimilating back into civilian life. While science is scrambling to understand these disorders (as well as the enigmatic conditions that sometimes result from brain injuries), alcoholism, divorce, unemployment and suicide statistics among veterans remain some of the highest of any other groups. Mrs. Obama’s focus was on medical educational institutions training new doctors in the treatment and understanding of these difficult conditions.

Despite the First Lady’s efforts to call the attention of the nation to these issues, the prevailing story circulating the 24 hour news networks since last Wednesday is the apparent desecration of alleged insurgent dead by four US Marines in Afghanistan. If it is, in fact, how it seems, anyone would condemn these actions as reprehensible. But no condemnation should be without compassion, and no compassion can be without an attempt at understanding.

It is within the bizarre and cruel tableau of war that men do bizarre and cruel things to each other. But these Marines are not monsters; they are human. And despite what some would say, our adversaries in the Global War on Terrorism are human beings as well. It is precisely because of this humanity that war is such a horrible and tragic ordeal, and thus so mentally trying. As civilians, this now notorious act of desecration would have seemed unthinkable to these Marines. It is only after enduring constant combat operations day in and day out that such an immoral act could be considered acceptible, even humorous.

Indeed these Marines should have considered how images of their insensitive act would endanger their brothers and sisters in arms, and ultimately serve to weaken the efficacy of the American mission in Afghanistan. One moment of indulging in an act of sick gallows humor can partially undermine years of nation building. Whoever leaked the video, regardless of his or her intentions, should be reminded how the United States responded to the desecration of American bodies in Iraq in 2004. The US responded with the second invasion of Falluja. A single image can motivate thousands to act, and in this day and age someone is always watching.

But those who sit in judgment of these Marines and their wildly inappropriate actions should take a moment to remember that we ask more of them than we will likely ever ask of ourselves. Urinating on a dead human body is a deplorable act, but given the situation, the Marines likely regarded the act of taking the insurgents’ lives with more weight and severity.

These Marines deserve admonishment, but not without compassion. Secretary Panetta, in his zeal to “punish those responsible” would do well to apply equal energy toward the identification and prosecution of those who desecrated the remains of U.S. servicemembers whose partially-cremated remains were so callously and improperly dumped in a Virginia landfill. These Marines who have been tried and convicted in the court of public opinion, who may have never committed a crime, and continue to struggle with the ghosts of this war deserve our compassion most of all.

Once this story has played out, and the fickle attention of the national media has shifted to the next shiny bauble to catch its eye, perhaps we can all refocus on the truly critical tasks at hand: winning wars and caring for our warfighters.

AMVETS National Cmdr. Gary L. Fry decries failure of Congress, Sen. McCain, to repatriate first Navy combat casualties

2012-01-11T00:01:00.004-05:00

Soon after his election as commander of America’s most inclusive major veterans service organization, AMVETS National Commander Gary L. Fry met with town leaders in Somers Point, N.J., and learned of the ongoing efforts to repatriate the town’s namesake, Master Commandant Richard Somers, and his 12 fellow sailors lost in 1804 during the First Barbary War.
The 13 men of the USS Intrepid, commandos and precursors to the modern Navy SEALs, were killed during a daring attempt to destroy the fleet in Tripoli Harbor. The following day, the remains of Somers and his crew were buried in four or five mass graves, which the Somers Point Historical Society has long maintained is an inappropriate final resting place for the Navy’s first combat casualties. U.S. Congressmen Frank LoBiondo, R-N.J., and Mike Rogers, R-Michigan, agreed, and pushed for an inclusion in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 (NDAA) of a provision requiring the Department of Defense to repatriate the Sailors’ remains with stipulations. However, at the eleventh hour, Sen. John McCain changed the final language of the legislation in favor of a continuing review of the issue.
Cmdr. Fry called the setback an unacceptable failure of leadership. “As Americans, we have a fundamental responsibility to all our men and women in uniform to ensure they are properly accounted for,” said Fry. “I salute the Somers Point Historical Society, the Intrepid Project, and Congressmen LoBiondo and Rogers for honoring our Armed Forces’ ethos to never leave a comrade behind. AMVETS will continue to support them in this important fight.”
Fry also echoed the belief of the Somers Point Historical Society and the Intrepid Project, which has spearheaded the repatriation effort, that the recent political upheaval in Libya has created a window of opportunity, albeit a rapidly closing one, to recover the remains of the USS Intrepid Sailors.
“After more than 200 years of remaining vigilant, never have the families of Master Commandant Somers and his crew been so close to reaching a positive resolution in this matter,” said Fry. “Together with other leading veterans' advocates in Washington, D.C., AMVETS will remain committed to ensuring we do not lose the opportunity to bring these valiant warriors home to our shores where they belong.”
For more information about the efforts to repatriate Master Commandant Somers and his crew, visit the Intrepid Project blog here.

About AMVETS:
A leader since 1944 in preserving the freedoms secured by America’s armed forces, AMVETS provides support for veterans and the active military in procuring their earned entitlements, as well as community service and legislative reform that enhances the quality of life for this nation’s citizens and veterans alike. AMVETS is one of the largest congressionally-chartered veteran’s service organizations in the United States, and includes members from each branch of the military including the National Guard and Reserves. For more information, visit www.amvets.org.

Cmdr. Gary L. Fry Calls Suffolk University Professor’s Remarks ‘Arrogant,’ ‘Ignorant’

2011-12-15T20:12:00.000-05:00

Controversy indicative of Growing Disconnect Between Civilians and Veterans
Gary L. Fry
AMVETS National Commander
Dec. 15, 2011

A Suffolk University law professor resigned recently in response to a colleague making negative remarks about a university-wide push to put together care packages for troops stationed overseas.
Robert Roughsedge, an Army Reserve major currently serving in Afghanistan, told Fox News that fellow attorney and Suffolk University professor Michael Avery’s widely circulated e-mail saying it was “Shameful,” to solicit donations for troops overseas was “…like a 5 year old throwing a temper tantrum.” Avery also suggested that a large American flag displayed on University property was an unacceptable display of politically-motivated nationalism. The University defended Avery’s right to his opinion while also expressing support for American troops and the program to assemble care packages.

Robert Roughsedge -- American Hero

Michael Avery -- Out-of-touch academic

Michael Avery has enjoyed a great deal of opportunity and success throughout his life. The fact that he criticizes an effort to send soap and flashlights to men and women charged with protecting his way of life is as misplaced as it is ungrateful. It is both arrogant and ignorant to feel entitled to the gifts of democracy while condemning the military that guards that democracy. To target troops and not policy makers suggests that Avery doesn’t make the distinction, further illustrating the tiny scope of his worldview. It’s clear after reading his comments that he believes the military to be an arcane, barbaric institution comprised of bloodthirsty criminals and rogues.
It would be tempting for one to dismiss this as the misguided tirade of one man, or perhaps one university, or even an entire elite, academic community. But the most disturbing aspect of Mr. Avery’s comments is that it depicts a widening chasm between the American veteran, and the American citizen. More detrimental than the occasional outspoken left-wing professor, are the masses of uninformed and uninterested citizens, accustomed to comfort and security. Their interests lie in the pursuit of entertainment, luxury and success, so notions of sacrifice or duty not only seem antiquated, but silly. Many high school students cannot point to Iraq or Afghanistan on a map. Many don’t even know we are at war. As women and men in uniform make life or death decisions, fight for each other, and change history, their civilian peers watch reality television and tweet.
It is within this climate of ignorance that even educated people like Mr. Avery stop differentiating between the civilians who set policies and the service members who enact them. It then becomes easier to dehumanize them. To say that it is “…not particularly rational in today’s world” to sympathize with troops in harms way, as Mr. Avery did, illustrates this disconnect.
A disconnected and unaware American public holds a quiet and shameful discomfort with its men and women who have served that won’t show up on any surveys or in political discourse. Where it is seen best is in soup kitchens and unemployment lines. Uncomfortable issues such as veteran joblessness, homelessness and suicide are pushed to the side and ignored at the expense of the bravest people this country produces.
Politicians engage in the worst of this hypocrisy when they claim to support the troops to court votes, and then fail to address these pressing issues once in office. Fewer and fewer politicians have ever served in uniform (some of them intentionally avoiding military service) further distancing them from veterans issues.
The one percent of American men and women shouldering 100 percent of the burden of the Global War on Terrorism largely do it for selfless reasons. Regardless of the campaign or the mission, these people sign up to protect civilians here at home. Respect and gratitude cost nothing, and are the least we can afford them. In a country where one is allowed to speak one’s mind freely in a public forum, a right the military helps protect, Mr. Avery can and should be allowed to say whatever he wants. But in this instance, Avery’s comments only serve to illustrate the distorted worldview of one pampered, coddled academic elitist with a perilously loose grip on reality -- a worldview that, tragically, is increasingly common in American society.

Commander Fry's Pearl HArbor Message

2011-12-06T18:33:00.000-05:00

This Pearl Harbor Day, Dec. 7, AMVETS National Commander Gary Fry will observe the 70th anniversary of the "day that will live in infamy" in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The following are his remarks.

It is a privilege to be here today to honor the men and women who fought and gave their lives during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Forever entrenched in our minds as “a day that will live in infamy,” the United States was attacked, and the strength of our nation was tested seventy years ago today.

The sky over Oahu was clear and blue that Sunday morning and America awoke in peace. But at 7:55 a.m., this tranquil scene was shattered as Japanese aircraft bombarded the Naval outpost of a dormant Pacific Fleet. Targeting the battleships moored in Pearl Harbor, the enemy planes struck hard and fast. They bombed the Navy air bases at Ford Island and Kaneohe Bay, the Marine airfield at Ewa and the Army Air Corps fields at Bellows, Wheeler and Hickam.

The attack was over in less than two hours, but the devastation was overwhelming. Twenty-one of more than ninety ships in the U.S. Pacific Fleet were damaged or sunk. More than three hundred aircraft were hit or destroyed. But most overwhelming of all was the loss of more than 2,400 lives and the injuries inflicted on 1,200 others.
The sinking of the battleship USS Arizona remains the most recognized symbol of that tragic day. Today, more than 1,100 men are still entombed within her rusting hulk. As an organization born of World War II, AMVETS has made it a point to honor those heroic individuals for their sacrifice. Our efforts to raise the necessary funds to complete the USS Arizona memorial and, later, the wall bearing the names of those aboard who died, testifies to this ongoing commitment.

And while much of the world has yet to fully realize the peace and freedom for which these men gave their lives, we remain determined that they shall not have died in vain. The Japanese struck a savage and treacherous blow at our peace-loving nation on December 7, 1941. The attack triggered a global war of unprecedented proportions and forever changed the course of world history. Our enemies were unaware at the time that their attempts to weaken us brought them only short-term success. Responding to the attack, Americans joined together in an all-out effort to win the war, which we thankfully have not had to repeat since. It was this unbreakable unity, sacrifice, and national resolve that ultimately became our most effective weapons.
On that fateful Sunday afternoon, an editorial appeared on the front page of the Honolulu Star Extra, which foretold the role of our national unity. It stated, “In this crisis, every difference of race, creed and color will be submerged in the one desire and determination to play the part that Americans always play in crisis.”

Today not only marks the 70th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, but also an unhappy yet inevitable milestone for the veterans’ community. Today, the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association will observe this day in history for the final time as an official organization. Congressionally chartered in 1958 with more than 18,000 members, the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association now numbers less than 3,000, and most members are in their 90’s. Because of dwindling numbers, the Association has announced it will be forced to forever close its doors at the end of the month. This serves to remind us all of the fleeting opportunity we have to, honor, celebrate, engage, and learn from this vanishing generation of heroes, our greatest generation. They are national treasures all, and we must make every effort to appreciate these heroes among us.
Finally, I ask you to keep our servicemen and women in your thoughts and prayers throughout this holiday season and beyond. With the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan coming to a close, it is our duty – not as AMVETS, veterans, or veterans’ advocates – but as Americans, to ensure we provide for the needs of our newest generation of returning war fighters. We must give them every opportunity to pursue their goals and dreams: to further their education, to find meaningful and lasting civilian employment, to receive the care and treatment they need for service-connected injuries and disabilities, and to provide for their own families once they return home. This is our charge, and we will not fail them.
With our nation and her allies challenged by those who wish to do us harm and threaten our very way of life, it is our responsibility to uphold the principles upon which America was founded. We can do our part by supporting those who are being called upon to defend these principles, carrying forth the legacy of heroism demonstrated at Pearl Harbor. As Americans, we are able to choose freedom because of the bravery of those who made the ultimate sacrifice on this day 70 years ago. We are proud to honor them. May we never forget their noble sacrifices for generations of Americans who followed. Thank you, and may God bless America.

SUPPORT FREEDOMS FOUNDATION AT VALLEY FORGE, AMVETS NATIONAL COMMANDER GARY L. FRY'S NATIONAL PROJECT FOR THE YEAR 2011-2012

2011-12-06T00:35:00.000-05:00

To donate now, click here.

For more than 30 years, AMVETS has worked in partnership with the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge to deliver quality educational programs to youth and educators. These programs focus on adherence to our nation’s founding democratic principles, building a patriotic citizenry, and advancing active civic engagement.
As our military men and women stationed around the world continue to sacrifice for the protection of our democracy, our partnership with the Freedoms Foundation remains as important as ever.
A study conducted this year by the American Enterprise Institute found that our nation’s top educators ranked the importance of civics as highly as literacy and math. The civics education achievement gap was also discovered to be larger between advantaged and disadvantaged students than the achievement gap between these groups regarding reading and math.
This finding is a strong indicator that AMVETS is on the right track in supporting the civic education provided by the Freedoms Foundation. Thus, equally important is our support for the preservation and care of the wonderful Freedoms Foundation campus, which is visited annually by thousands of AMVETS members, students, educators, military leaders and civic leaders representing every state in the country.
Your contribution to the Commander's 2011-2012 Project will assist the maintenance and improvement of the dormitories, conference rooms, and common areas that are in constant use. Your support for these upgrades will also provide the opportunity to permanently recognize your AMVETS unit on the Freedoms Foundation Campus.
Represented below are the major needs and associated capital improvement
budget of $100,000:
$40,000 for central air conditioning for the Alexander Hamilton Student Dormitory;
$35,000 for central air conditioning for the General MacArthur Cafeteria and adult sleeping rooms located in the building;
$25,000 for refurbishment of the lobbies in the Benjamin Franklin and Alexander Hamilton Student Dormitories - both buildings are in need of new furniture, flooring, lighting and recreational equipment.
Donate today and plan to attend the 2012 AMVETS youth program in November, where the Freedoms Foundation will recognize donors to the Commander’s Project.
Beryl Love and the Freedoms Foundation staff are ready to assist Departments, Posts and individual donors who desire to participate in this fundraising mission. Together we can help the Freedoms Foundation accomplish its mission to educate and inspire our country’s future generations of civic leaders.
For more information, contact:
Beryl Love, AMVETS National Programs Director
Phone: (240) 832-7768
e-mail: blove@amvets.org

AMVETS Cares: New Program for Vets in Hospice Care and Veterans Day and POW/MIA Ceremonies

2011-11-30T12:10:00.009-05:00

AMVETS thanks Post 911, of New Jersey and Post 7, of Virginia for sending in photos and an article highlighting their contributions to bettering the lives of Veterans. Keep up the good work, and we appreciate you sharing.

Post 911 in Somers Point, N.J. made the front page of the Sentinel Newspaper for their participation in an outstanding program that pairs veterans from the Post with veterans receiving hospice care!

Post 7 in Harrisonburg Va., fed more than 100 veterans for free after their POW/MIA Recognition Day Ceremony

AMVETS Applauds VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011

2011-11-21T18:17:00.006-05:00

AMVETS Applauds President Obama for Signing VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011

First Jobs Bill of the Year Provides Tax Credits for Hiring Veterans and Strengthens Vets’ Benefits

Washington, D.C., Nov. 21, 2011 -- AMVETS National Commander Gary L. Fry applauded President Obama for signing into law the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 in a ceremony today at the White House. In a rare act of bipartisan cooperation, Congress came together last week by an overwhelming majority to pass the first major employment legislation of the year aimed at getting veterans back to work.

This legislation could not come at a better time, with veterans of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom facing a staggering 12.1 percent unemployment rate, significantly higher than the national 9 percent rate of unemployment reported in October by the Department of Labor. Younger veterans fare even worse, as DoL's current population survey of veterans ages 18-24 showed an October unemployment rate of 30.4 percent.

“AMVETS is encouraged by this remarkable show of bipartisanship by Congress and the Obama Administration,” said Fry. “This demonstrates the resolve of our elected officials to join the overwhelming majority of grateful Americans who proudly stand behind our 1 percent who have shouldered 100 percent of the burden in the Global War on Terrorism. AMVETS will continue to press Congress and the Obama Administration to ensure we provide for the needs of our heroes.”

Highlights of the AMVETS-supported bill include expanding education and training programs, improving reemployment rights for Guard and Reservists, strengthening Transition Assistance Programs, and providing disabled veterans up to 1-year of additional vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits. The VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 also provides tax credits ranging from $2,400 for employers who hire veterans who have been unemployed at least 4 weeks, up to $9,600 for hiring veterans who have service-connected disabilities and have been unemployed for longer than 6 months.

“Employers who hire our veterans are getting the best America has to offer,” said Fry. Employers benefit, our veterans benefit, the economy benefits, and the nation as a whole benefits. Now, we have an additional incentive for industry to do the right thing and provide opportunities for our vetterans as they make the transition to their new civilian lives.”

For more information about the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, visit veterans.house.gov/vow.

About AMVETS:

A leader since 1944 in preserving the freedoms secured by America’s armed forces, AMVETS provides support for veterans and the active military in procuring their earned entitlements, as well as community service and legislative reform that enhances the quality of life for this nation’s citizens and veterans alike. AMVETS is one of the largest congressionally-chartered veterans’ service organizations in the United States, and includes members from each branch of the military, including the National Guard and Reserves. For more information, visit www.amvets.org.

House Veterans Legislation Passes Senate

2011-11-14T11:45:00.003-05:00

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Thursday, one day before Veterans Day, the Senate passed the first two of 22 House-passed bills to spur job growth, including the VOW to Hire Heroes Act. Using the framework of the House-passed VOW Act, the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 is a bipartisan, bicameral bill to get America’s nearly 1 million unemployed veterans back to work. The bill is expected to be taken up by the House next week.

“Today, America’s veterans won. It was not politics as usual,” stated Rep. Jeff Miller, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. “I applaud the Senate on taking up this commonsense legislation that puts our veterans first and puts them on the path to gainful employment. As more and more of our service men and women come home, we need to ensure that they receive the homecoming they deserve, not an unemployment check. This legislation positions our veterans to be competitive in today’s tough job market. A job arms our veterans with confidence and pride as they make the transition home, and also supports their families who have also sacrificed for our nation.”

The latest Department of Labor unemployment report shows that in October 2011, the average unemployment rate among all veterans was 7.7% and 12.1% for veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Veterans between the ages of 35 and 64, the group with the highest financial obligations and the fewest available VA education and training options, continue to make up nearly two-thirds of all unemployed veterans. Overall, nearly one in twelve of our nation’s heroes are out of work.

“I hope that today’s display of bipartisanship will continue, and a special thanks to Senator Murray for her leadership in working with me to craft this compromise,” said Miller. “I hope we don’t stop here. The House has passed 13 bills to support America’s veterans, 10 of which are still pending in the Senate. We must continue that work to provide programs that improve veterans’ quality of life and honor our veterans every day of the year.”

KEY PROVISIONS OF THE VOW TO HIRE HEROES ACT:

• Expands education and training opportunities for older veterans by providing nearly 100,000 unemployed veterans of past eras and wars with up to 1-year of additional Montgomery GI benefits to go towards education or training programs at community colleges or technical schools for high-demand jobs.

• Makes the Transition Assistance Program (TAP)—an interagency workshop coordinated by Departments of Defense, Labor, and Veterans Affairs—mandatory for most service members moving on to civilian life to help them secure jobs in the 21st Century.

• Provides disabled veterans up to 1-year of additional Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Benefits.

• Works with the states to create licensing and credentialing standards to break down the barriers to find meaningful employment in their military occupations.

• Allows service members to begin the federal employment process prior to separation in order to facilitate a truly seamless transition from the military.

• Strengthens USERRA protections for service members in the workforce to clarify what constitutes a hostile work environment.

• Provides a tax credit of up to $5,600 for hiring veterans who have been looking for a job for more than six months, as well as a $2,400 credit for veterans who are unemployed for more than 4 weeks, but less than 6 months. Also provides a tax credit of up to $9,600 for hiring veterans with service-connected disabilities who have been looking for a job for more than six months.

AMVETS National Commander visits Afghanistan

2011-11-08T14:58:00.002-05:00

AMVETS National Commander Gary L. Fry met with Gen. John R. Allen, commander of International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, at ISAF Headquarters, Nov. 1.

AMVETS Supports Obama Administration New Initiatives to Get Veterans Back to Work

2011-11-07T12:25:00.007-05:00

Today at the White House, AMVETS National Commander Gary Fry and Executive Director Stewart Hickey along with other veterans service organization leaders, joined President Obama as he announced his support for the Returning Heroes and Wounded Warrior Tax Credits - two provisions in the American Jobs Act Congress is scheduled to consider this week. The Returning Heroes Tax Credit provides firms that hire unemployed veterans with a maximum credit of $5,600 per veteran, while the Wounded Warriors Tax Credit offers firms that hire veterans with service-connected disabilities a maximum credit of $9,600 per veteran.

The President also announced a series of executive actions that will provide new resources for veterans to translate military experience to the private sector job market, give veterans additional career development support, and better identify companies looking to hire veterans. These initiatives include:

Veteran Gold Card: Effective today, post-9/11 veterans will be able to visit dol.gov/vets/goldcard.html to download the Veteran Gold Card, which entitles them to enhanced services including six months of personalized case management, assessments and counseling, at the roughly 3,000 One-Stop Career Centers located across the country. This should help serve the more than 200,000 unemployed post-9/11 veterans. The President directed the Department of Labor to launch this initiative in his August 4, 2011 speech at the Navy Yard.

My Next Move for Veterans: The Department of Labor will launch My Next Move for Veterans (mynextmove.org/vets), a new online resource that allows veterans to enter their military occupation code and discover civilian occupations for which they are well qualified. The site will also include information about salaries, apprenticeships, and other related education and training programs.

Creating a Veterans Job Bank: Today, the Administration launched the Veterans Jobs Bank, at National Resource Directory (NRD.gov), an easy to use tool to help veterans find job postings from companies looking to hire them. It already searches over 500,000 job postings and continues to grow. Additionally, in a few easy steps, companies looking to hire veterans can make sure the job postings on their own Web sites are part of this Veterans Jobs Bank.

These initiatives could not have come at a more critical time. Troops are returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan only to face an intimidating national unemployment rate of 9 percent, and 12.1 percent unemployment rate for Iraq- and Afghanistan-era veterans who left active duty since 2001. Assistance is crucial, and together, these initiatives and tax credits will lower veteran unemployment by increasing hiring, improving resources for veterans to translate their military skills for the civilian workforce, and providing veterans with new tools to aid their search for jobs.

“AMVETS urges Congress to pass this legislation so that our Warriors will have one less war to fight when they make the inevitable transition from warfighter to civilian employee, be it now, or sometime in the future,” said AMVETS National Commander Gary L. Fry, who attended the White House briefing Monday morning.

In October, AMVETS, with support from Activision Blizzard Entertainment Call of Duty Endowment, expanded its own Career Center program consisting of more than 60 centers in Ohio, adding eight new locations in new states nationwide, including California, Iowa, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. Additional sites are under consideration for late 2011 and early 2012.

Forest Service waives fees in honoring Veterans

2011-11-04T10:04:00.001-04:00

By Deidra L. McGee - Forest Service Office of Communication

The Forest Service will waive fees honoring those brave men and women who have protected our country and nation's lands during the long Veterans Day weekend Nov. 11-13 at some recreation sites. This is the third time this year that fees have been waived to encourage visitors to come to a national forest.

Fee waivers are a perfect opportunity for new and not-so-new visitors to get out onto our nation's forests and grasslands to bike, hike, explore and more.

Day-use fees will be waived at all standard amenity fee sites operated by the Forest Service. Concessionaire operated day-use sites may be included in the waiver if the permit holder wishes to participate.

Fee waivers are offered in cooperation with other federal agencies under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act and were offered earlier this year on National Get Outdoors Day in June and National Public Lands Day in September.

The Fee Waiver days support the goals of President Obama's America's Great Outdoors initiative and First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move Outside. The waiver is an incentive to encourage people to visit our nation's forests and grasslands, which offer a wide range of recreation and educational benefits such as improved physical and mental health, emotional well being, a concern for nature and a conservation ethic.
Traditionally, fees are not charged on 98 percent of national forests and grasslands and over two-thirds of developed recreation sites in national forests and grasslands can be used for free. Many recreation opportunities such as camping, sightseeing and hiking can be enjoyed throughout the year at no cost.

The Forest Service operates approximately 17,000 recreation sites nationwide. Of those, approximately 6,000 require recreation fees, which are used to provide visitor services, repairs and replacements, and facilities maintenance.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!!! TAKE THE AMERICAN VETERAN MEMBER SURVEY

2011-11-03T12:25:00.003-04:00

AMVETS members, please click below on the brief 5 minute survey prepared for AMVETS by the American University in Washington, D.C., and tell us about your military service and AMVETS’ membership. The purpose of this research is to assess the benefits of membership. Your participation is appreciated and much needed, thank you.

AMVETS MEMBERSHIP SURVEY

VETERANS RETURN HOME TO FIND TOUGH LUCK ON THE JOB FRONT

2011-11-02T11:52:00.001-04:00

Many remain unemployed or are denied promotions and raises because of commitment to country

NOV 2, 2011 – WASHINGTON D.C. – Working under the most unfavorable conditions while serving their country overseas, service members are returning home and receiving an even more unfavorable slap in the face on the job front. The U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) reported that in 2010, Uniformed Services Employment Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) cases have risen by 89 percent (533 cases in 2008, 1012 cases in 2010) in two years. USERRA protects individuals who, voluntary or involuntary, leave their civilian job and perform military duties as long as they meet certain criteria.

“What these statistics are saying is that employers are not committed to anyone who commits to their country,” said Greg T. Rinckey, former Army JAG Attorney and managing partner at Tully Rinckey PLLC, a multistate employment law and military law firm.

According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) their latest statistics show that from late 2008 to 2009 the longest USERRA investigation lasted 357 days, far exceeding the 90 day cut-off. After analysis of Department of Labor data, the GAO also reports that 13 percent of USERRA complaints investigated during that time failed to meet deadline.

“Even though the federal government provides free legal representation it’s the same federal government that is breaking all the rules by letting these cases linger around. Law mandates that they complete an USERRA investigation in 90 days but many are taking longer than that. Service members are finding that they need a private attorney because they push the case through faster and are fighting for the service member using other legal theories and remedies that free federal government representation isn’t even looking at,” said Mr. Rinckey.

The unemployment rate for Americans who have served in the military since September 2001 is 11.5 percent, compared to 9.4 percent for non-veterans, according to 2011 U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics.

“There are strict laws against this type of discrimination from federal employers. The only way to really hold their feet to the fire and ensure that all practices are being followed correctly is to score victories in these USERRA cases. When USERRA wins rise, USERRA complaints will fall because it will be then that these agencies get the message,” said Mr. Rinckey.

2nd Annual Wounded Warrior Hiring and Support Conference in Vienna, Va. Nov. 9 - 10

2011-11-02T10:27:00.002-04:00

Department of the Navy is announcing the 2nd Annual Wounded Warrior Hiring and Support Conference being held in Vienna, Va. Nov. 9 - 10, 2011.

The theme of this year’s conference is "Hiring our Nation's Heroes" and aims to convene prominent government, military, and industry leaders and their human resource professionals who are committed to hiring and supporting wounded warriors. Conference attendees will have the unique opportunity to learn best practices from many successful organizations on how to recruit, hire, train and retain wounded warriors.

In addition to the 25 break-out sessions and exhibitors offering tools and resources on how to hire and support wounded warriors, there will be a distinguished line-up of guest speakers including senior leadership in the federal government, private industry, wounded warrior care agencies, and hiring programs. Some of the confirmed speakers include:

- Hon. Ray Mabus, Secretary of the Navy
- Gen. James Amos, USMC, Commandant of the Marine Corps
- Gen. Peter Chiarelli, USA, Vice Chief of Staff of the Army
- Mr. John Campbell, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Wounded Warrior Care and Transition Policy
- Mrs. Holly Petraeus, Assistant Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Office of Servicemember Affairs

This year’s conference will be held at the Sheraton Premiere at Tyson’s Corner, 8661 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, Va., and is free for registered participants. For more information on the conference, schedule and speakers, please go to the registration website at http://www.public.navy.mil/donaa/Pages/woundedwarrior.aspx.

Beautification Project Begins for Homeless Veterans Facility in Indiana

2011-10-27T08:21:00.000-04:00

INDIANAPOLIS, IND. (October 27, 2011) – As part of The Home Depot Foundation’s “Celebration of Service” initiative to honor U.S. military veterans, approximately 20 volunteers from Team Depot®, The Home Depot’s associate-led volunteer force, will provide landscaping and complete other beautification projects grounds on the grounds of Volunteers of America’s Liberty Landing facility for homeless veterans in Fort Wayne

Where: Liberty Landing, 2833 South Calhoun Street, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Volunteers of America of Indiana’s new 49-bed transitional housing facility, serving honorably-discharged veterans from Fort Wayne and
the surrounding area.
Who: Employees of Home Depot Store #2009, working alongside volunteers from the Homes for Wounded Warriors Program (HWWP)
What: Volunteers will remove overgrown trees, plants and shrubbery to prepare the Liberty Landing grounds for new landscaping. They will then plant new
trees, plants, mulch and grass, as well as construct a pave stone retention wall on the property.

“Projects like Liberty Landing are only possible when the community comes together to support them,” Volunteers of America’s President/CEO Tim Campbell said. “Volunteers of America sincerely thanks our friends at The Home Depot Foundation and Fort Wayne Team Depot, as well as the Homes for Wounded Warriors Program, for helping make Liberty Landing a beautiful, welcoming place for the veterans who will reside there.”
Liberty Landing is expected to open later this fall, with a dedication ceremony scheduled December 8, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. In addition to housing, veterans will be provided individualized, strength-based case management services the help them become self-sufficient by linking them with community, employment, housing and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs resources.
Team Depot Captain Steve Bratten states, “Team Depot is excited to partner with Volunteers of America of Indiana to improve the community in which we do business by improving the lives of those who have given for us so selflessly. There are many individuals who find themselves in unfortunate circumstances as a direct result of serving our country and it is our duty to do what we can to help them restore their lives. We are proud to partner in this service project with many volunteers from the Homes for Wounded Warriors Program (HWWP).”

ABOUT CELEBRATION OF SERVICE
“Celebration of Service” is a major campaign by The Home Depot and The Home Depot Foundation to enhance the lives of U.S. military veterans and to highlight the needs and opportunities they face. The campaign includes:
• 200 service projects: In partnership with The Mission Continues, The Home Depot associate-volunteers will be completing 200 service projects directly aimed at improving homes, facilities and community centers where veterans and their families live and receive services.
• $9 million in grants: Each Monday between September 11 and November 11, The Home Depot Foundation will announce grants of approximately $1 million to nonprofits dedicated to veterans’ housing issues.
• A gift card that gives back: When customers purchase this specially-themed Home Depot gift card during Celebration of Service, five percent of the value placed on the card will go to The Home Depot Foundation to support nonprofits dedicated to veterans’ housing needs. Gift cards may be purchased in our stores or online at www.homedepot.com.
• 3 Doors Down: During Celebration of Service, when you buy multi-platinum rock band 3 Doors Down’s new CD “Time of My Life” from www.homedepot.com, $1 of the sale will go directly to support The Home Depot Foundation’s veterans’ housing initiatives. The music of 3 Doors Down has inspired and comforted veterans, active duty troops and their families for many years
To learn more about The Home Depot Foundation’s commitment to veterans and “Celebration of Service” campaign, please visit www.homedepotfoundation.org.

ABOUT VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA
Volunteers of America is a national, nonprofit, faith-based organization dedicated to helping those in need live healthy, safe and productive lives. Since 1896, our ministry of service has supported and empowered America’s most vulnerable groups, including seniors, people with disabilities, at-risk youth, men and women returning from prison, homeless individuals and families, those recovering from addictions and many others. Through hundreds of human service programs, including housing and health care, Volunteers of America helps more than 2 million people in over 400 communities. We offer a variety of services for older Americans, in particular, that allow them to maintain their independence and quality of life – everything from an occasional helping hand to full-time care. Our work touches the mind, body, heart and ultimately the spirit of those we serve, integrating our deep compassion with highly effective programs and services. Learn more at www.voa.org.

ABOUT THE HOME DEPOT FOUNDATION
The Home Depot Foundation is committed to ensuring that every U.S. military veteran has a safe place to call home. In April 2011, the Foundation pledged a three-year, $30 million initiative to address veterans’ critical housing needs.

Since its formation in 2002, The Home Depot Foundation has granted more than $270 million to nonprofit organizations improving homes and lives in local communities. To learn more and see our associates in action, visit www.homedepotfoundation.org, follow us on Twitter @homedepotfdn, and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/homedepotfoundation.

ABOUT THE HOMES FOR WOUNDED WARRIORS PROGRAM (HWWP)
Homes for Wounded Warriors Program (HWWP) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide specially designed new or remodeled homes to Seriously Wounded post 9/11 veterans in order to improve their quality of life through the help of the communities. For more information please visit www.HWWP.org or contact Steve Bratten at steverz70@aol.com.

AMVETS REMEMBERS ITS ONLY JEWISH NATIONAL CHAPLAIN RABBI SIMEON KOBRINETZ

2011-10-26T11:52:00.007-04:00

Sept. 6, 2011 - Rabbi Simeon Kobrinetz, an Air Force veteran, Past National Chaplain and former director of the Veteran Affairs Chaplain Service, passed away only weeks before the dedication ceremony of the Jewish Chaplain's Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery Monday, Oct. 24.

Rabbi Kobrinetz was the first Jewish Chaplain in the Air Force to reach the rank of brigadier general, and he was the first and only Jewish National Chaplain to serve AMVETS. He was National Chaplain in 1977-1978.

Kobrinetz was instrumental in planning the dedication of the Jewish Chaplains Memorial. He is the third rabbi in history to be buried on Chaplain's Hill.

All who knew Rabbi Kobrinetz felt he was a dedicated man, who loved veterans.

This year marks the 150th year of Jewish Chaplains in service to the U.S. Military.

Rabbi Kobrinetz is survived by his wife, Beverly Kobrinetz, his children Nina (Alex) Multak, David (Nancy) Kobrinetz and Alisa (Scott) Chernack; and his sister Rita Bassett. He was the loving grandfather of Ariel, Ilana and Benjamin Multak, Shayna Kobrinetz and Daniel and Jared Chernack.

National Youth Transitions Center Opens Doors: First Center Devoted Exclusively to Serving Youth with Disabilities and Wounded Veterans

2011-10-26T08:30:00.003-04:00

Washington, D.C. (October 26, 2011) -- Surrounded by healthcare, labor, community and military leaders, The National Youth Transitions Center (NYTC) was launched and officially opened its doors today, making needed services available to hundreds of young adults across the country. Developed by the HSC Foundation, the NYTC will, for the first time, bring multiple organizations together in one space to provide much-needed transition services, research, public policy, and wounded veterans’ services to youth. The center will provide assistance for youth with physical, sensory, intellectual, and emotional disabilities like autism, and to veterans making that difficult transition from life on the battlefield to life as a civilian.

“The National Youth Transitions Center will enhance the ability of young people and veterans to re-enter the workforce, participate in and contribute to community life, and to become productive members of society. This vitally-needed center will bring together experts from across the country to ensure that our youth and young veterans with disabilities are included in all aspects of our communities,” said Thomas Chapman, President and CEO of the HSC Foundation. “We’re making sure a neglected youth population doesn’t fall through the cracks as they enter adulthood.”

More than 40 organizations (see attached list) are collaborating with the center and will see youth and young veterans with disabilities (ages 14-26) to help get them ready for higher education and the workforce. Twelve of these organizations are housed in the new, state of the art, seven-story facility that is located in northwest Washington D.C. near Georgetown University’s campus. It will be equipped with the latest technology to provide services not only to youth at the center, but across the nation.

Some of the services they will provide include:

• Personal development and leadership training

• School¬-to-¬work readiness training

• Family education and support

• Work based learning (mentoring and internships)

• Career counseling and exploration

Ari Ne’eman is the president and co-founder of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), one of the organizations collaborating with the National Youth Transition Center. Ne’eman also sits on the National Council on Disability—a position he has held since being confirmed by the Senate last year. He says a center like this is long overdue.

"The National Youth Transitions Center is an extraordinary project that ASAN is proud to be a part of. By bringing together disability organizations from across the spectrum of our broad community, we can make progress we never could manage on our own. We're stronger together - and the NYTC is making that happen,” Ne’eman says.

For young people with disabilities that do not have assistance, the outcome is grim, as statistics have shown:

 Youth with disabilities are more than twice as likely as their peers to drop out of school, and they will face much higher unemployment rates.

 The adjudication rate of youth with disabilities is four times higher than for youth without disabilities.

 Youth with disabilities are three times more likely to live in poverty as adults than their peers without disabilities.

In addition to serving youth with disabilities, the center will also serve young veterans who are making that difficult transition from life on the battlefield to life in an office or college environment (especially when that transition brings with it new mental and physical disabilities).

Veterans like 27-year old Ryan Lamke understand the need for a center like this all too well. Lamke joined the Marine Corps after the September 11, 2001, attacks. He served for four years doing two deployments in Iraq. After being blown up by several roadside bombs and a grenade, Lamke suffered multiple brain and orthopedic injuries forcing him to resign from active duty. He found going back to civilian life was more difficult than he ever imagined.

“When you get out of the military it’s as if you have to go through a whole new boot camp. When you enroll in basic training, you’re taught how to be a solider, when you get out you need to be taught the same things, but most people don’t understand that,” Lamke says. “When I came back I had to learn not only how to deal with the people I had left behind I had to learn simple things like budgeting, paying bills, and most importantly understanding how to trust people in the civilian world again. That coupled with my injuries made life incredibly complicated,” Lamke says.

Until now, there has not been a comprehensive facility that really offered a safe haven for young veterans to talk about their problems and experiences. The NYTC is partnering with The Student Veterans of America not only to give them that place, but also to be surrounded by the support of young counselors and employment advisors who have faced and overcome the same issues as the men and women they’re helping.

“The National Youth Transition Center is about employment, education, freedom, and independence and you can’t have independence without an education or a job. We’re giving them the tools to help them build a path to independence and reach their highest potential,” Chapman said.

The partners at the center envision a multitude of beneﬁts that include:

• For youth and veterans with disabilities: Readiness for jobs or college, eased reentry into their communities as well as conﬁdence and skill

• For employers: Outstanding, capable employees ready to help reach goals and fulﬁll missions

• For the disabilities and transitions ﬁelds: New thinking and learning from research, evaluation, advocacy, and models of service

• For the nation: A valuable human resource for the future

The official opening ceremony was attended by several members of Congress including Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.) and Rep. Gregg Harper (MI), as well as Sue Swenson, Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Department of Education, Ortiz, Jr., Deputy Assistant Secretary of Veterans’ Employment and Training Services for the Department of Labor, and Gen. Gale Pollock.

About The HSC Foundation
The HSC Foundation (HSCF) is dedicated to improving access to services for individuals who face social and health care barriers due to disability and chronic illness. It puts a particular emphasis on youth, especially those who are transitioning to adulthood. Health Services for Children with Special Needs, Inc., The HSC Pediatric Center, HSC Home Care, LLC and Special Needs Consulting Services are subsidiary organizations of the Foundation. To learn more about The HSC Foundation, visit http://www.hscfoundation.org.

President Obama Has Ended the War in Iraq

2011-10-21T14:59:00.002-04:00

In 2008, in the height of the presidential campaign, then-Senator Obama made a promise to give our military a new mission: ending the war in Iraq.

As the election unfolded, he reiterated this pledge again and again -- but cautioned that we would be "as careful getting out of Iraq as we were careless getting in."

Last year, the President made progress toward achieving that goal. He brought an end to the combat mission in Iraq, and through the course of the past 14 months, more than 100,000 troops have returned to their families.

Now, that promise will be wholly fulfilled. Today, President Obama announced that the rest of our troops will be home by the holidays:

Over the next two months, our troops in Iraq—tens of thousands of them—will pack up their gear and board convoys for the journey home. The last American soldiers will cross the border out of Iraq—with their heads held high, proud of their success, and knowing that the American people stand united in our support for our troops. That is how America’s military efforts in Iraq will end.

But this moment represents more than an accomplishment for the President. It marks a monumental change of focus for our military and a fundamental shift in the way that the our nation will engage in the world:

The United States is moving forward, from a position of strength. The long war in Iraq will come to an end by the end of this year. The transition in Afghanistan is moving forward, and our troops are finally coming home. As they do, fewer deployments and more time training will help keep our military the very best in the world. And as we welcome home our newest veterans, we’ll never stop working to give them and their families the care, the benefits, and the opportunities that they have earned.

Veteran Employment Hindered In Local Communities By Ability to Reach Unemployed

2011-10-21T10:58:00.001-04:00

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held two field hearings to discuss the employment problems facing veterans in local communities and how to solve those issues. The two hearings led by Subcommittee Chairman, Rep. Marlin Stutzman, and Ranking Member, Rep. Bruce Braley, were held in Waterloo, Iowa, and Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Iowa is home to 56 Army National Guard armories in 53 communities. Northeast Indiana has a veteran population of 48,000. Both communities have been active in supporting measures to help servicemembers transition to civilian life.

“We traveled to Iowa and Indiana this week to hear directly from the communities to learn more about the employment difficulties facing our National Guard, Reserve, and military,” stated Rep. Marlin Stutzman, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Veterans’ Affairs. “It is shocking that as many as 30 percent of returning members of the Guard and Reserves do not come home to a job in this country. We must find ways to help these men and women find meaningful employment after having served their nation.”

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Indiana’s overall veteran unemployment rate in September was 6.9 percent, while it was lower in Iowa at 5.8 percent. Yet, 35.6 percent of OIF/OEF veterans’ aged 20 to 24 are currently unemployed—four times higher than the national average.

“We heard this week that one of the greatest obstacles to unemployed veterans in these communities is that many employers don’t know where to go find veterans to hire,” Stutzman said. “We need to look for new ways to connect veterans with employers. This week we heard some good ideas such as increasing the outreach to local employers, especially small businesses, to ensure they understand how to contact state agencies who can get them in touch with unemployed veterans.”

Business leaders and members of the National Guard and Reserve in Waterloo and Fort Wayne both pledged to continue to work together to help lower veteran unemployment in their states.

First Lady Michelle Obama Announces Major Private Sector Commitment to Hire 25,000 Veterans and Military Spouses in Support of Joining Forces

2011-10-19T11:19:00.006-04:00

Yesterday AMVETS participated in a White House conference call announcing that the American Logistics Association (ALA) and their 270 affiliate companies have committed to hiring 25,000 veterans and military spouses by the end of 2013. This initiative falls in line with the President's challenges to eradicate homelessness among veterans by 2015 and to hire 100,000 post-9/11 veterans or their spouses by the end of 2013. AMVETS understands that the government must play a vital role in these initiatives, but it is time for the private sector to make a larger contribution. Our brothers and sisters in arms havent fought for the United States government alone. Every single citizen of our great nation reap the benefits of the sacrifices our military service members make on a daily basis. It's about time more companies in the private sector stepped up to help lower the devastating rate of unemployment among veterans, which currently stands at 13 percent.

Below is the official press release from the White House:

270 companies committing to employ veterans and military spouses

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, while visiting Joint Base Langley-Eustis with President Obama on Day Three of the American Jobs Act bus tour, First Lady Michelle Obama announced that the American Logistics Association (ALA) and their 270 affiliate companies have committed to hiring 25,000 veterans and military spouses by the end of 2013. This commitment is part of the First Lady’s and Dr. Jill Biden’s Joining Forces initiative to support veterans and military families. The ALA’s commitment will fulfill a quarter of the President’s challenge to the private sector to hire or train 100,000 veterans and military spouses by the end of 2013. The announcement comes as the President and First Lady visit Joint Base Langley-Eustis to discuss the critical importance of hiring America’s veterans.

“We ask our men and women in uniform to leave their careers, leave their families, and risk their lives to fight for our country,” said President Obama. “The last thing they should have to do is fight for a job when they come home. That’s why I’ve made increasing job opportunities for veterans a critical priority for my Administration and why the American Jobs Act I proposed includes tax credits to make it easier for businesses to hire America’s veterans.”

“The ALA’s commitment today is the largest coordinated effort by the private sector we’ve seen in years, maybe ever. And they’re making these hires not just because it’s the right thing to do or the patriotic thing to do. They’re doing it because it’s good for their bottom line. They know that these veterans and military spouses represent the best, and they want them on their team,” said First Lady Michelle Obama. “And that’s what Joining Forces is about, tapping into all that goodwill that’s out there, all across America, in every sector of society, and channeling it into meaningful action that’s a win-win for everyone.”

Led by the largest consumer packaged goods companies in the United States, the ALA includes major manufacturers such as Tysons Foods, Coca Cola, Unilever and ConAgra along with a multitude of specialty suppliers to the on-base military consumer channel. With annual sales of nearly $20 billion, these companies provide goods and services to a military channel comprised of military commissaries (grocery stores), exchanges (convenience stores, department stores, food concessions, gas stations, communications and electronics, ship’s stores, tactical retail outlets), Morale, Welfare, and Recreation sales and services (restaurants, child care, fitness centers, libraries, auto service) and Veteran’s Canteen Service (retail outlets in VA Hospitals and offices), as well as retail outlets on Coast Guard bases. To achieve its goal, the Association will be teaming up with several on-going employment programs including the Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) and the Chamber of Commerce’s Hiring Our Heroes program.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden created Joining Forces to bring Americans together to recognize, honor and take action to support veterans and military families as they serve our country and throughout their lives. The initiative aims to educate, challenge, and spark action from all sectors of society to ensure veterans and military families have the support they have earned. The initiative focuses on key priority areas – employment, education, and wellness while raising awareness about the service, sacrifice, and needs of America’s veterans and military families.

The ALA’s commitment to hire 25,000 veterans and military spouses by the end of 2013 will further promote the goal of Joining Forces to create greater connections between the American public and those inspirational men and women who have served and sacrificed so greatly for this country.
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For more information about Joining Forces, visit www.joiningforces.gov

To learn more about the American Jobs Act, visit www.whitehouse.gov

Membership Report For September 2011

2011-10-19T08:32:00.003-04:00

Membership Report For September 2011

At the end of September we were 177,829 members strong. Congratulations California and welcome CA-2011. Congratulations Florida and welcome FL-1064. Thank you both for blazing the trail we all are walking on!

Ohio Career Centers gave a great presentation for our newly formed Call of Duty Endowment Career Centers. California, Iowa, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia were represented at the training. We will learn from the successes demonstrated by Ohio AMVETS.

Returning veterans throughout America will benefit from your hard work. We know its voluntary and coming from the heart. Every state should be looking for career center locations. Soldiers need jobs and the collective experience in AMVETS will help them get jobs. Most of you have traveled the roads these young men and women are on. Show them the way.

The season of giving is approaching. AMVETS National Headquarters reached out to three outstanding servicemembers to reward their service with Life memberships. We will find more.

Each department should look for deserving veterans in their states. Make sure every recruiter in your state knows AMVETS appreciates the service they are providing to our country. Know the veteran in your town serving and show you appreciate their service with an AMVETS gift membership.

Stay connected and ride the digital wave. It gets easier every day.

Go to www.amvets.org , checkout the new video then click on the Facebook link. Your post could have a Facebook page. Hook up with someone to help or call us. Sons of AMVETS, these young patriots travel digital roads every day. Build a bridge.
Each department should have a digital guru slot. Find a wizard, fill the slot and use digital media as a force multiplier.

-Harry Neal,
National Membership Director

College Credit for Heroes

2011-10-18T08:30:00.001-04:00

For the 2011-2012 academic year, Coleman College for Health Sciences at Houston Community College is offering an accelerated alternative delivery Surgical Technology Certificate program for eligible veterans. The College Credit for Heroes Surgical Technology Certificate program is designed to assist veterans who received their Surgical Technology training while in the military and worked in the field during their service to our country. Eligible veterans will receive college credit at Houston Community College for some of their training and experience, successfully complete two distance education courses, and sit for the National Surgical Technology Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) exam at the end of the program. Passing the NBSTSA will enable the veteran to go to work in the field of Surgical Technology making as much as $22 per hour, or $45,762 annually (www.TexasIndustryProfiles.com).
Please call 713-718-7233 or e-mail Karen.coker@hccs.edu, CCHI Surgical Technology, to determine eligibility. Go to: http://coleman.hccs.edu/cc4h

Helping a Homeless Veteran Only a Phone Call Away

2011-10-14T08:39:00.003-04:00

VA’s Homeless Veterans Program Office is on a mission to ensure that everyone from VA employees, to first responders and civilian personnel know who and where to call should they encounter a homeless Veteran or a Veteran at-risk of becoming homeless. A major homeless outreach and awareness campaign is under way in 28 cities across the nation as part of VA’s commitment to eliminate Veteran homelessness by 2015. The initial phase of the massive outreach effort is designed to inform and educate those in frequent contact with homeless Veterans have them serve as messengers bhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gify directing Veterans to three primary channels: the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans (1-877-424-3838); the VA Homeless Veterans Website at http://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/ ;and local VA medical centers. These major events will include brochures and other information as well as advertising posters at bus stops and radio and TV ads to promote “Make the call.”

AMVETS Supports the Veterans Opportunity to Work Act of 2011

2011-10-13T08:20:00.000-04:00

While no single piece of legislation is perfect, AMVETS National Legislative Director Diane Zumatto believes H.R. 2433 - Veterans Opportunity to Work Act of 2011, will positively impact veterans in multiple areas including: making improvements to the TAP (Transition Assistance Program); allowing up to 100,000 unemployed veterans from all eras to receive up to 12 months of Montgomery G.I. Bill benefits; strengthening USERRA (Uniformed Services Employment & Reemployment Rights Act) protections for National Guard/Reserve members; and working with the DOL (Department of Labor) will help to remove credentialing/licensing impediments for transitioning Servicemembers.

Also, one of the particular points of interest and importance to our members is that this legislation in not limited to only Post 9/11 veterans, but all veterans from age 35 – 60 (of which there are approx. 868,000 according to the House Veterans Affairs Committee).

Here is a copy of the letter from AMVETS supporting the VOW Act, H.R. 2433:

Please contact your Congressional Representative and tell him or her that you support the VOW Act and it needs to be passed once it reaches the Senate!

One Step Closer...

2011-10-12T12:51:00.004-04:00

Yesterday, the House passed by voice vote, a provision that would open all VA facilities to various types of assistance dogs. Currently, only seeing-eye dogs are allowed entry into VA facilities. AMVETS Legislation Department has diligently championed this cause as it will make life much easier for our veterans who rely on these service dogs for improved quality of life.

Here is an excerpt from the Army Times article by staff writer, Rick Maze about this positive step forward:

The Veterans Affairs Department soon could be going to the dogs after a key House vote Tuesday to expand the types of assistance dogs allowed in VA facilities.

VA service-dog regulations, last changed in 1985, guarantee access to only seeing-eye dogs. Other canines trained to help with mobility, hearing impairment, seizure disorders or post-traumatic stress or other mental illnesses are allowed onto VA facilities only by local policy, which is inconsistently applied.

“As a result of current regulations, disabled veterans may be denied entrance to VA medical facilities if accompanied by their VA-approved service dog,” the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee said in an Oct. 5 report about why the change is needed.

To read the article in its entirety click here.

F.M.L.A. CHANGE GRANTS MILITARY FAMILY MEMBERS TIME TO DEAL WITH DEPLOYMENTS

2011-10-11T11:47:00.004-04:00

Allows federal employees to take up to 12 weeks off to deal with situation at home
Photo by Lance Cpl. Alfred V. Lopez

OCT. 11, 2011 – WASHINGTON, D.C. – Many service members will say one of the toughest parts about a deployment is saying goodbye to their family. Soon new changes to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) will make that farewell easier to handle. Beginning October 31, federal employees who have an active duty family member will be allowed to take up to 12 weeks off of unpaid time to deal with the emotional stress at home that often times accompanies deployment.

“If you haven’t experienced this moment of goodbye then you just don’t get it. This law change allows a person to take the time off and deal with the emotional toll that this farewell imposes. It gives them the mental security of knowing their job will be safe when they return” said Lisa Windsor, retired Army colonel currently practicing Military Law at Tully Rinckey PLLC. “Someone is looking into the eyes of their loved one who they will not see again for months if not years so the last thing they should be concerned about is their job.”

The new changes will also apply to all military-run, deployment related counseling services for the employee and the service member’s child. Finding child care, attending school related conferences and making financial and legal preparations could qualify as FMLA-covered leave. It will even allow a family member to spend some quality time (up to 5 days) with the service member when he or she returns home on leave.

“This law change is brand new and many employers will not be aware of it. Employees face a personal crisis when a loved one is called to active duty. Employers who give them a hard time for attempting to address such a crisis will soon be facing one of their own – only it will be prompted by a civil lawsuit” said Ms. Windsor, a former Army JAG attorney.

The FMLA was created in 1993 to provide job protection for employees taking time off to deal with approved medical and family reasons. In 2008 Congress made the first of what would be many revisions to the act to further protect employees with family members serving in the military.

Another Incident of Veterans' Personal Information Being Stolen

2011-10-06T09:00:00.004-04:00

Over the last few years there have been several instances of personally identifying information being stolen from trusted sources. It happened at the VA in 2008, the Army's Fort Belvoir in Virginia in 2009, and this time, 4.6 million Tricare beneficiaries’ data was stolen last month from a locked car in Texas. The information was stored on tapes that were being transferred between government facilities by a Science Applications International Corp (SAIC) employee, however, in most instances the confidential information was stored on laptops.

This most recent theft of Social Security numbers, addresses, phone numbers and health data including data from patients seen at military treatment facilities in San Antonio between 1992 and Sept. 7, 2011, as well as those who filled prescriptions or had lab tests processed at San Antonio-area military health facilities during the same period were contained on backup tapes of Tricare electronic health records.

According to a statement released Thursday by McLean, Va.,-based SAIC, there has been no indication that the data has been misused and the tapes contained no financial data, credit card information or bank account numbers. But thieves can use information such as names and Social Security numbers to obtain credit cards and acquire loans.

While beneficiaries can place a free 90-day fraud alert on their credit by registering with the Federal Trade Commission, I wonder when this rash of incidents will come to an end. Since that question is impossible to answer, what can we do to prevent this from occurring?

What we can do is demand that our private information be guarded more closely. Maybe it isn't a good idea to transport this type of information in a personal vehicle. And if that can not be avoided, then the driver should not be allowed to make any pit stops between drop-ff and pick-up facilities. Unfortunately, that would only cover transporting documents, and not theft that occurs in actual facilities/buildings. With that said, I believe that we should all keep a closer watch on our credit and initiate those fraud alerts as often as the FTC allows.

What do you think? Leave your comments below.

Keeping Posted Spotlight: Best AMVETS Honor Guard in Florida

2011-10-04T09:00:00.000-04:00

The Honor Guard of AMVETS Post 312 of North Port, Florida competed at the Department of Florida AMVETS State Convention in Orlando Florida. Honor Guard Commander Rick Howard, Bob Anttila, Ron Larrivee, Barbara McGann and Richard Swore took First Place as the AMVETS best Honor Guard in the State of Florida.

New Telephone Service: Coaching into Care

2011-09-30T13:53:00.001-04:00

When a Veteran comes home, or their military service comes to an end, their support shifts from military comrades and superiors to family members and close friends. Frequently it is friends and family who are first to notice their Veteran having a tough time adjusting. If you haven’t served in the military yourself, it can be hard to know how to help–what to say, how to reach out.

VA has several programs that help family members provide support to their Veterans, like Caregiver Support, counseling at your local Vet Center, and an initiative that got started earlier this year: Coaching into Care.

Coaching into Care is a telephone service that provides assistance to family members and friends trying to encourage their Veteran to seek health care for possible readjustment and mental health issues. It’s a national phone service that places priority to linking Veterans with benefits and services available in their own communities.

Secretary Shinseki pointed out that

“Family members and friends may not know what to say to encourage their Veterans to seek much needed readjustment and health care. The Coaching into Care line will help them find the right words.”

If you think your Veteran friend or family member is having a difficult time and could benefit from readjustment counseling or mental health care, please utilize the Coaching into Care service: call 1-888-823-7458 or email CoachingIntoCare@va.gov .

AMVETS Posts 9/11 Tributes

2011-09-23T12:52:00.007-04:00

Thank you to Posts 178 and 5293 for sharing their 9/11 Remembrance Services.
Post 5293 in Ironton, Ohio was featured on the front page of the Ironton Tribune.

Kudos to you!

Post 178 in Defuniak Springs, Fla. 9/11 service program

Defuniak Springs ROTC Color Guard

Send in those LETTERS

2011-09-22T09:51:00.002-04:00

Thank you for supporting the American Veteran Magazine blog.

We here at AMVETS National Headquarters are calling on all AMVETS members and subscribers to American Veteran Magazine to submit letters to the editor.

We want to know what you want to hear more about.
What stories do you want to read?

What are you up to in your posts and departments?

This magazine is for veterans and we would like our members to have a stronger voice to influence the information we present.

We welcome all letters, photos, and stories. Send stories and HI-RES photos to swilliams@amvets.org!

Hiring Veterans is the Right Thing to Do

2011-09-12T17:09:00.006-04:00

by Edward F. Clemons, SPHR
Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources & Ethics Officer
The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company
AMVETS Life Member

Since 9/11 we have been a country at war in places far from home. Unfortunately, there does not seem to be a time in the future when this will not be so. A whole generation of young Americans like you have gone off to war on behalf of America, and the question remains as to what this country will do when you come home.

The average modern veteran of military service is likely to be better educated than veterans of other eras. He or she is also likely to have worked with technologies and advanced systems under extremely stressful conditions. This average veteran also knows the value of teamwork and leadership.

Unfortunately, this veteran also has a good chance of being unemployed.

According to recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for post-9/11 veterans was 10.9% in April, 2011. That’s a full 2% higher than the overall unemployment rate throughout the United States.

One might argue that these returning veterans are coming back to a country just out of recession and still not creating enough jobs – particularly not enough jobs for young men. Our veterans should not have to return from fighting a war on foreign soil, only to come home and fight another war for a job.

Male non-veterans in the 18-24 age group have an unemployment rate of around 17%. For male veterans in the same age group, the number is 27%.

Have employers lost the sense of obligation to veterans that they had in other eras?

There is no evidence that we have lost our emotional interest in them. We put the bumper stickers on our cars and we welcome them home in parades and town halls all across the country.

In fact, there are structural changes in the economy that make it more difficult for the modern returning veteran. A report to the Congressional Joint Economic Committee said “Prior to the start of the recession, post 9/11 veterans were more likely than non-veterans to be employed in mining, construction, manufacturing, transportation and utilities, information, and professional and business services – all industries that experienced significant drops in employment during 2008-2009.”

Not only did employment in many of these categories drop, there is little doubt that many of these professions will not instantly rebound with the next positive economic news.

It should be that we look at returning veterans not as a set of unwanted skill sets but as character assets. In the insurance industry, character counts as much as hard work, intelligence and contacts. Our business is based on duty, loyalty and nobility of purpose. These are hardly foreign concepts to the returning veteran.

What employers need to do is match those character assets to training programs in their industry that will educate and enable a new generation of professionals.

At Penn Mutual we just made a $2.5 million commitment to The American College to build the nation’s first Center for Veterans Affairs. The American College specializes in training and education for the insurance industry, and returning veterans could very well be part of the new generation that is urgently needed to replace a rapidly graying group of practitioners.

The Center for Veterans Affairs will work with a special panel of active duty and retired military leaders and insurance industry recruiters to create a ‘Mission Roadmap’ for soldiers who are interested in becoming life insurance professionals and financial advisers. It is anticipated that the first soldiers graduating from The College with these designations will be within the next two years.

While we are justifiably proud of our participation in this program, it’s important to remind colleagues that we don’t have any exclusive rights to support for this kind of training. Any company can, and should, participate.

When a veteran comes off a tour of active duty military service, the last thing he or she wants is the opportunity to rest on some well-deserved laurels. What veterans want is challenge, opportunity, a way to provide a future for their families, and the chance to once again serve others honorably as a civilian.

Matching those character assets to an industry always looking for new talent is the right thing to do.

AMVETS National Commander Gary Fry's 9/11 Commemorative Speech

2011-09-09T16:13:00.003-04:00

Ten years have passed since the tragic terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Today, millions will gather to remember and honor those whose lives were lost that fateful day. Ceremonies at the Pentagon, near the site of the World Trade Center in New York, in Pennsylvania, and at hundreds of other places around the world are being held at this very moment. Just as we were united in the hours and days following the September 11 attacks, we are again drawn together in solidarity to remember those who were lost. And today we also honor the men and women, in and out of uniform, who continue to fight against those who would harm us for no other reason than our great country, the United States of America, remains a beacon of freedom in an increasingly dark and chaotic world.

With their blows to the Pentagon and the World Trade Center, Al Qaeda sought to overturn the world’s most powerful symbols of military strength and economic prosperity. They impacted our sense of safety, making it hard to trust the man or woman standing next to us. Some of us are still suspicious of strangers and many of us are still looking over our shoulders. Rebuilding trust certainly takes time. But they did not accomplish their goals. They did not cripple the far reaching capabilities or the effectiveness of our military and our collective resilience as a nation. Look around you. Take note of your brothers and sisters. This is your American family. We stand together against those who would attack our freedoms and our way of life. But they can’t keep us down.

Not long after the attack, family members who lost loved ones during the terrorist strike at the Pentagon created a makeshift memorial outside the damaged building. There were memorials at the site of the World Trade Center and the field in Pennsylvania. We are resilient, persistent and determined; all of which I would dare to say are inherent American attributes. These people did not wait for an official call to action. They made it happen. Fast-forward ten years. Where are we now? We continue to grieve, but we also continue to fight the war on terrorism. They wanted to make us weak, but they only made us stronger.

United in strength and camaraderie, we grieve for the 3,000 innocent people who perished in those dastardly attacks against our nation. They came from all walks of life, all races, and all ages. And while most of those who perished were U.S. citizens, we must not forget that the victims at the World Trade Center included citizens of dozens of other nations. Terrorism threatens the entire global community, not just the United States.

Again, I propose that the terrorists failed in weakening our great nation. In fact, the attacks produced new American heroes, such as the passengers of United Airlines Flight 93. The plane was hijacked the same way the passenger airliners flown into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were, however, the passengers were united under the resolve that their airliner would not be used as another guided missile – and it wasn’t.

Additionally, America has newfound heroes in the hundreds of New York City policemen, firefighters, paramedics and other emergency responders who gave their all when the World Trade Center towers collapsed around them as they fought to get everyone out.

A little more than a week after the attacks, President George W. Bush told us that "We are a country awakened to danger and called to defend freedom. Our grief has turned to anger, and anger to resolution. Whether we bring our enemies to justice, or bring justice to our enemies, justice will be done."

And justice has been done. Working closely with the armed forces of other nations, our military campaigns have eliminated al Qaeda’s safe haven in Afghanistan and the Taliban government that supported them. Osama Bin Laden has been brought to justice, and our military service members continue to deliver justice every single day as they hunt down remaining fugitives throughout Afghanistan, even as they help the liberated Afghan people embrace freedom and democracy.

We have met many milestones during these past ten years and during the war against terror. We have a way to go, but as we speak, the numbers of American troops are drawing down. Eventually this war will end. Life will never be what it was before the attacks, but what has not eliminated us only educated us and made us stronger.

Soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen are fighting the Global War on Terrorism, in an effort to create and maintain the conditions for peace. Every day they sacrifice to protect and defend our homeland, and our freedoms.

We will never forget September 11th, 2001 as one of America’s darkest days. But a renewed sense of national pride has arisen out of the gloom. A national resolve to make this world a safer place now shines brightly. Our unwavering strength and resolve is a wonder for the world to behold. We stand united. America will remember her heroes who emerged from the tragedies of those attacks, and we will fight the good fight against a global network of terrorism for as long as it takes to end its threat to our way of life.

AMVETS PASSES RESOLUTION SUPPORTING VETERANS TREATMENT COURTS

2011-09-01T16:43:00.004-04:00

LANHAM, MD., Sept. 1, 2011— Newly-elected AMVETS National Commander Gary Fry announced today the passage of AMVETS Resolution 12-26, “Establish Veterans Treatment Courts,” at the 67th annual AMVETS National Convention in St. Louis, Mo.

Resolution 12-26 outlines the significant benefits of Veteran Treatment Courts to the veterans’ community, and calls upon existing Drug Courts and Mental Health Courts to assess veteran involvement within their programs and better assist this underserved population.

Fry, of Sugar Grove, Pa., said veterans suffering from substance abuse and/or mental health conditions in his home state and elsewhere have benefitted from Veterans Treatment Courts by receiving life-changing drug treatment and mental health counseling in lieu of incarceration.

“We have an obligation to ensure the men and women who have served their nation honorably have access to the benefits and treatment to which they are entitled,” said Fry. “To allow them to slip through the cracks of our criminal justice system is a national disgrace and an affront to all who have worn and continue to wear the uniform.”

With one in five veterans of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom suffering symptoms of a mental disorder or cognitive impairment, and one in six veterans of OEF/OIF suffering substance abuse problems, unprecedented numbers of veterans are appearing in criminal courts facing charges stemming directly from these charges. Veterans Treatment Courts connect these veterans with benefits and services to which they are entitled from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs health care networks and the Veterans Benefits Administration, and assistance provided by veterans service organizations including AMVETS.

The nation’s first Veterans Treatment Court was established in early 2008 in Buffalo, New York. Since then, nearly 80 programs have been launched throughout the United States. With over 2,600 Drug Courts in operation, Justice For Vets sees the potential for a significant increase in the number of Veterans Treatment Courts in the coming years.

“The infrastructure is in place to expand this model throughout the United States to serve every eligible veteran in need. As we do so, it is critical that we have the support of our most respected veteran’s organizations,” said Justice For Vets Director of Development and Outreach Matt Stiner. “AMVETS has an unmatched reputation for serving veterans, and AMVETS’ involvement in local Veterans Treatment Courts is proving to be an invaluable tool for getting veterans stabilized and connected to the appropriate treatment and benefits. We are deeply honored to have this support.”

Fry said the expanded use of Veterans Treatment Courts nationwide is a key component of his agenda for his term as AMVETS national commander for the 2011-2012 year, and to this end, he will seek to forge strategic relationships between AMVETS and veterans legal advocacy groups, including Justice for Vets and the National Association of Drug Court Professionals.

READ RESOLUTION 12-26

About NADCP and Justice For Vets:
Drug Courts combine rigorous drug treatment and accountability to compel and support drug-using offenders to change their lives. After 22 years of innovation, there are now over 2,600 Drug Courts located in all 50 states. Since 1994 the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP), a non-profit organization 501 (c) (3) representing over 27,000 multi-disciplinary justice professionals and community leaders, has worked tirelessly at the national, state and local level to create and enhance Drug Courts. Now, the Drug Court community is answering the call of duty at home to meet the needs of justice-involved veterans struggling with substance abuse and/or mental illness. In the country’s first Veterans Treatment Courts, veterans have the opportunity to go through the treatment court process with the support of other veterans and a team of court staff that understands military culture and the specific issues with which veterans are faced. NADCP is now recognized as the experts in the field of addiction and the criminal justice system. In 2009, NADCP launched Justice For Vets: The National Clearinghouse for Veterans Treatment Courts with the goal of ensuring a Veterans Treatment Court is within reach of every eligible veteran in need. For more information, visit JusticeForVets.

RED HOT: New Guidance for Purple Heart Eligibility

2011-08-30T22:06:00.003-04:00

Under new guidance, Veterans and Soldiers previously denied the Purple Heart for such an injury are highly encouraged to submit an application for reconsideration of the medal.

To be eligible, the concussive or m/TBI must have occurred on or after September 11, 2001. Active-duty and reserve-component Soldiers must work with their respective chains of command for reconsideration. Veterans can submit packages directly to U.S. Army Human Resources Command.

To learn more click the link at the end of this story to read an article published by the Army News Service, which discusses the Adjutant General's new guidance on awarding the Purple Heart for concussive or mild traumatic brain injuries and includes application instructions.

http://www.army.mil/article/63926/

AMVETS partners with Bass Pro Shops during the Bass Pro Shops Honoring Our Heroes Labor Day Event

2011-08-29T16:55:00.002-04:00

AMVETS will process donations and distribute to active duty service members

Washington, August 30, 2011— AMVETS will support Bass Pro Shops retail locations** across the U.S. during the Honoring Our Heroes Event during Labor Day weekend September 3rd –4th and again September 10th –11th, by distributing donations received during the event to deployed troops.

Bass Pro Shops retail locations will offer free family activities from 1-5pm each of those days and free crafts from 2-4pm (while supplies last) Labor Day weekend, September 3rd and 4th and again Saturday and Sunday, September 10th and 11th and it’s all free!

Show your appreciation for our troops, most of whom won’t be able to get home for the holiday, by bringing in new or gently used DVDs, video games or books. All donated items will be sent to our troops through AMVETS. The first 50 people at each store to donate, beginning at 10am each day, will receive a Sportsman’s Racing Team poster.

Families can also register to win one of two exciting prizes being given away. One winner will be selected nationally to win the Grand Prize of a trip to Charlotte, NC and meet NASCAR® driver of the #1 Bass Pro Shops car Jamie McMurray. The Grand Prize Package includes two tickets to the May 2012 Sprint Cup All-Star race in Charlotte, three-night hotel accommodations, special meet-n-greet with Jamie McMurray, a Bass Pro Shops® themed go-cart, one pair of Oakley® sunglasses, a tour of Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing and a $300 Bass Pro Shops gift card to spend at the Charlotte store. You may enter to win at the store or online at http://www.basspro.com/winatrip.

This Labor Day, help show your appreciation for all the everyday heroes plus our troops and squeeze the last drop out of summer fun without putting any pressure on your budget, by bringing the family to Bass Pro Shops Honoring Our Heroes Event.

**Bass Pro Shops retail locations in Miami, FL and Branson, MO will not have the event but will honor sale prices. Event details for Canadian locations can be found here.

About Bass Pro Shops Group:
Bass Pro Shops -56 retail stores in 26 states and Canada visited by over 110 million people annually, international catalog and internet retailing, American Rod & Gun wholesale division selling to over 7,000 independently owned retail stores worldwide, Outdoor World Incentives also selling Bass Pro Shops gift cards through over 132,000 retail outlets across America and a restaurant division with 26 locations. For more information regarding Bass Pro Shops store locations, products or special events, please visit http://www.basspro.com. To request a free catalog call 1-800-BASS PRO.

TACOMA AMVETS AID VETERANS ADVOCATES AFTER ACCIDENT

2011-08-19T11:53:00.001-04:00

AMVETS POST 1 HELPS CROSS-COUNTRY BICYCLISTS REPLACE BIKE AND TRAILER

TACOMA, WA., August 18, 2011— Friday, Aug. 19 at 4:30 PM, Commander Kelley Buyers of AMVETS Post 1 in Tacoma will present a check at the post for $750 to two young veterans to help replace a bicycle and trailer destroyed Aug. 11 in a collision with a pickup truck in Oregon.

Erick Barfield, a Coast Guard veteran and 9/11 first responder, and his wife Monica, an Army veteran, left Tampa, Fla., in February on a year-long trek to raise awareness for homeless and disabled veterans. The couple has also promoted AMVETS, a leading veterans organization they say has helped them in the past.

After leaving Florida in February, the Barfields traveled north and westward, eventually reaching Indiana where they adopted their road companion, a Jack Russell Terrier named Lily. They had another eventful stop in Cheyenne, Wy., where the couple were joined by AMVETS volunteers from Wyoming Post 10 in assisting local homeless veterans. Continuing on to Southern California, they received support from California Post 113, then headed north where they ran into trouble in Oregon Aug. 11.

While fortunate not to have been seriously injured in the traffic accident that destroyed his bicycle and trailer, Erick was discouraged by the set back and feared the couple’s year-long mission of service would come to a premature end. The generosity of Washington AMVETS Post 1 changed all that.

“I was totally shocked; I couldn’t believe it,” said Barfield. “I wasn’t expecting anything, and for them to do this – well, they didn’t have to.”

The donation from Post 1 enabled Barfield to purchase a modified Trek 1000 touring bicycle and a replacement trailer, and during the unscheduled stop other generous donations have poured in including a stay at the Governor Hotel in Olympia, and cycling equipment donated by a local REI store. The Barfields plan to re-donate these items to local Washington veterans in need.

Dave Harris, past commander of the AMVETS Department of Washington and Post 1, said the donation came from post funds as well as individual contributions from members.

“We were glad to do it,” said Harris. “They’re really nice people. I think it’s cool they’re getting out and doing something to help other veterans, see the country and help people along the way. They’re sincere and dedicated.”

Brigadier General David Smalley, Deputy Commanding General for Professional Services, U.S. Army 807th Medical Command, Addresses AMVETS Convention

2011-08-12T10:24:00.003-04:00

Brig. Gen. David Smalley spoke Aug. 11 at the AMVETS National Convention in St. Louis, Mo. Smalley is the Deputy Commanding General for Professional Services, U.S. Army 807th Medical Command (Deployment Support).

Smalley shared information about a few of the United States Army Reserve’s Family Support Programs and Communities, designed to meet the changing needs of a new generation of veterans. Veterans are an invaluable part of the Army Reserve and of our nation’s workforce, and it is essential that we continue to make strides in bettering their transition between active duty and retired status.

Army Reserve Family Programs provide a range of education and training benefits, outreach and referral services, as well as informational resources to support our geographically dispersed Soldiers, veterans and families. He spoke about the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program, the Army Strong Bonds Program and the Army Strong Community Center (ASCC). In addition, he discussed how the Army Reserve is working with the private sector as part of the Employer Partnership Program.

If you’ve participated in any of these programs, please visit http://myarmyreserve.dodlive.mil and let the Army Reserve know about your experience. Please feel free to submit a comment, tell your story and spread the word. By working together, we can and will ensure that the Army Reserve continues to be a positive investment for our Soldiers, our nation and especially our veterans.

As one of the nation’s largest veteran service organizations, AMVETS members include more than 180,000 active duty service men and women and honorably discharged veterans from all of the armed services, including Reserve and National Guard. The annual convention, which attracts state and national leaders and key influencers from across the country, offers an ideal backdrop for learning and engagement around ways to improve the quality of life for Soldiers, veterans and their families.

AMVETS 67th Annual Convention Begins

2011-08-10T12:00:00.004-04:00

Today marked the opening ceremony of the 67th Annual AMVETS National Convention in St. Louis, Mo.

Members from all over the country began arriving at the Millennium Hotel as early as Thursday to participate in various pre-convention activities, see the St. Louis sites and to catch up with other AMVETS members whom they hadn't seen in a year. Hands were shaken and toasts were made at the Dugout, a hotel hospitality suite that served as the Sad Sacks Hospitality Room from Thursday to Monday, and then the Dept. of Missouri's hospitality room Tues. and Weds. Members from posts and departments enjoyed refreshments and good conversation into the wee hours of the morning.

Many members looked forward to the opening ceremony to hear remarks from honored speakers, VA Secretary Eric Shinseki, Sen. Claire McCaskill (MO), and Congressman Lacey Clay (MO), who made it a priority to address the AMVETS audience.

Shinseki, McCaskill and Clay thanked AMVETS for their service and advocacy. Shinseki outlined the Obama administration's goals for improving the quality of life for the nation's veterans focusing on the increased budget for 2012. He also mentioned the various initiatives that are planned for transitioning veterans and eradicating homelessness.

During a press conference following the ceremony, Shinseki emphasized the importance of responsible leadership when providing quality care to veterans at VA healthcare facilities and said he was satisfied at the direction VA healthcare administrators were going. He said change is never fast enough, but progress is being made and it is one of the highest priorites of President Obama.

AMVETS Serves St. Louis Veterans, Reaffirms Commitment to Homeless Veterans Cause

2011-08-09T16:20:00.004-04:00

Sunday, in advance of the 67th Annual AMVETS National Convention in St. Louis, Mo., AMVETS volunteers joined the St. Louis VA Medical Center and the St. Louis City and County in Eternal Flame Park to deliver critical services to more than 450 homeless American veterans. AMVETS was honored to welcome participation from the Vet Hunters Project riders, whose remarkable, 1,900-mile trek from Los Angeles has served to raise public awareness for veteran homelessness. Regrettably, The Vet Hunters Project did not accept AMVETS’ offer to provide five minutes for brief remarks from a Vet Hunters representative during Wednesday’s opening ceremony, and instead insisted that they be afforded time to present a documentary film and to directly address VA Secretary Eric Shinseki during the ceremony. AMVETS does not exercise control over the Secretary’s schedule and other groups and dignitaries could not be accommodated during the opening ceremony. As evidenced by AMVETS’ participation in Sunday’s stand down for homeless veterans, this organization does actively support the cause to end homelessness in the veterans’ community, and recognizes the importance of the Vet Hunters’ mission. It is truly unfortunate that the Vet Hunters Project has chosen to publicly attack a major leading veterans service organization with an aligned mission, rather than expending their limited resources on their stated cause: serving homeless veterans.

AMVETS Riders Sponsor New Cabin at Camp Hope

2011-08-08T11:25:00.006-04:00

Nearly two hundred AMVETS Riders rode motorcycles from the Millennium Hotel in St. Louis, the site of the 67th Annual National Convention, to Camp Hope in Farmington, Mo., as AMVETS leaders, local politicians, veterans and their supporters gather to dedicate a newly constructed cabin in honor of Air Force Master Sgt. Brad Clemmons. Clemmons, who earned the Bronze Star Medal in the Global War on Terrorism, was killed in August of 2006 when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device near Taji, Iraq.

The AMVETS Riders successfully raised more than $30,000 for Camp Hope since officially designating Camp Hope a national cause for the organization one year ago at the 66th Annual AMVETS National Convention in Louisville, Ky. The AMVETS Riders’ contribution wholly funded a new cabin to be used by wounded warriors and their families while visiting Camp Hope, with remaining funds going to support a new main lodge, for which a ground breaking ceremony was also held Saturday.

After the ceremony, several AMVETS posts and chapters delivered monetary donations for Camp Hope, all of which totaled more than $12,000.

Founded in 2007 by Gold Star Parents Mike and Galia White, Camp Hope provides a variety of outdoor recreational activities to wounded warriors and their families free of charge.

Among the dignitaries in attendance for the ceremony Saturday was AMVETS National Commander Jerry Hotop of Branson, Mo., AMVETS Riders National President Victor “Dutch” Stivason, and Master Sgt. Brad Clemmons’ surviving family, including his wife, Rebecca, and the couple’s four children.

Stivason called the Riders’ yearlong campaign to support Camp Hope an outstanding success and a fitting tribute to a true American hero.

“I am proud of the hard work and dedication of our AMVETS Riders from all over the country this past year,” said Stivason. “Our mission will ensure our veterans and their families continue to enjoy the truly remarkable healing that happens here at Camp Hope for years to come. Having the Clemmons family with us is also a tremendous privilege. We are honored to pay tribute to the life and service of Master Sgt. Brad Clemmons.”

Following the Camp Hope cabin dedication, the Riders held a fundraising dance at Shady Jack’s restaurant and bar in St. Louis.

My first look at St Louis

2011-08-08T10:11:00.003-04:00

Landing in St. Louis last Thursday, I didn't know what to expect for my first convention. I have never before been to the "Show Me" state either, so this would be a new experience for me all around. I knew the city would be hot, and that there's a huge Arch, but other than that, I was pretty clueless.

On the flight over, I had the pleasure of meeting a soldier who just graduated from boot camp. His MOS is supply clerk. During our conversation, I learned that he wanted to get all of his training out the way so that he could join the fight in Afghanistan and follow in his brother's footsteps. It was fun trading boot stories and how we changed froom civilians into troops.

Once we landed, the young private and I said our goodbyes, and Commander Hotop and his wife Judy greeted me at the airport. The Hotops showed me that wonderful Midwest Hospitality and after making sure I was settled, treated me to a dinner of traditional St. Louis barbecue. I stuffed my face with tender beef brisket and fried okra, washing it down with a delicious root beer float made with Fitz's soda, which is a local company.

My overall first impression of St. Louis is that it is a friendly, welcoming city with a love of country and our troops. I look forward to the rest of my stay here, and will most assuredly visit in the future.

Now.... If I can only make time to visit the top of the Arch...

AMVETS Testifies Before the House Committee on Veterans Affairs about H.R. 1154, the “Veterans Equal Treatment for Service Dogs Act.”

2011-07-26T11:13:00.006-04:00

Yesterday, was the first time I witnessed a congressional hearing on Capitol Hill. In case you've never been in a hearing room, imagine stepping back in time to the Victorian era. The room in which the hearing took place was intimidating to say the least, with extremely high ceilings painted white, with golden accents and pearl-like air vent covers. (At least they looked like pearls to me at like a million feet away)The window treatments were dramatic draperies in dark blue and white lace. There were three enormous windows that let in lots of natural light.
All set the perfect tone to get down to the business of passing H.R. 1154 into law.

H.R. 1154 was introduced by Rep. John Carter (TX) and gained overwhelming bi-partisan support since it's introduction on March 17, 2011. The bill's purpose is to give veterans utilizing Service Dogs the same access rights to VA Medical Centers and VA facilities already given to blind veterans using Guide Dogs. In March, more than 100 members of AMVETS, the sons of AMVETS and the AMVETS Women's Auxiliary stormed the Hill in an effort to let lawmakers know they were serious about the swift passage of H.R. 1154 and finally removing this hurdle to care disabled veterans are experiencing, such as AMVETS member Kevin Stone, and his Service Dog, Mambo.

AMVETS testified before the House Veterans Affairs subcommittee on Health, focusing their oral testimony on H.R. 1154, the "Veterans Equal Treatment for Service Dogs Act", as well as another piece of legislation AMVETS has assisted in developing, H.R. 198, introduced by Rep. Grimm (NY).

Below is an excerpt from the oral testimony of Christina Roof, National Acting Legislative Director for AMVETS, on the two bills.

AMVETS strongly supports H.R. 1154, the “Veterans Equal Treatment for Service Dogs Act.” In 2009, I personally began to play an active role in AMVETS 30 plus years of work in the area of disabled veterans and Service Dogs. I could have never imagined that 2 ½ years later, I would be sitting here testifying on a piece of legislation that is in dire need of being signed into law and implemented without any further delay. This piece of legislation is HR 1154.

AMVETS believes this cost free piece of legislation will permanently eliminate an often overlooked and unwarranted hurdle to care disabled veterans are currently experiencing when seeking their necessary VA health care services. To date, Title 38, Part 1, § 1.218 (a)(11) states:

“Dogs and other animals, except seeing-eye dogs, shall not be brought upon property except as authorized by the head of the facility or designee”.

AMVETS finds the aforesaid language of Title 38 to be inconsistent and outdated when compared to the sections of Title 38 it is to govern. While numerous parts of Title 38 are constantly updated to reflect the health care needs of today’s wounded warriors, this section of Title 38 has been overlooked and has thus failed to be updated since July of 1985.

This outdated law is resulting in disabled veterans utilizing VA approved Service Dogs as a prosthetic device, to be denied entrance into the VAMCs and CBOCs they depend on for life sustaining care. One of the veterans who has personally experienced this barrier to care is AMVETS member, Kevin Stone and his Service Dog, Mambo, who are in attendance today.

AMVETS believes disabled veterans, such as Mr. Stone, using Service Dogs as a prosthetic device must have the same access rights to VA care and facilities as currently afforded to blind veterans using Guide Dogs.

AMVETS supports H.R. 198, the “Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act.” AMVETS lends our support to the updated language of H.R. 198 that will be submitted in committee markup. AMVETS believes the updated language will help ensure that H.R. 198 provides veterans the highest quality care and vocational training.

By way of background, AMVETS has worked with Paws With A Cause, an ADI -accredited agency, to help provide Service Dogs to disabled veterans for over 25 years. Through this partnership, AMVETS has witnessed first -hand the incredible changes that occur in a veteran’s life when introducing a dog into their overall treatment plan. These changes are often illustrated through a veteran’s ability to maintain a higher quality of life and greater mental health improvements, when compared to veterans undergoing clinical care alone. HR 198 and the dogs it will use, have the ability to break down barriers in a veteran’s world by shattering public stigmas and increase a veteran’s overall wellbeing by reigniting purpose through allowing the veterans to continue their service to their country by assisting their comrades.

AMVETS is aware of VAMCs that have used programs similar to the structure of H.R. 198 with great success for both the veteran trainers and the veteran Service Dog recipients. Furthermore, AMVETS believes H.R. 198 will be beneficial to VA by developing stronger policies and procedures regarding Service Dogs within the VA health care system. AMVETS is happy to lend our support to H.R. 198.

Gearing up for Convention

2011-07-20T15:06:00.003-04:00

Things around the AMVETS National Headquarters have been busier than ever, as we get ourselves and everything we need to bring with us together to take down to St. Louis for the AMVETS 67th Annual National Convention.

This will be my first convention, and I am looking forward to meeting all of the members out there who read the magazine and comment and respond to posts on Twitter and Facebook. I am eager to put faces to names and dive right into the mix.

I plan to take lots of pictures to post online, and cover stories that will go into the Fall issue of American Veteran magazine.

History will be made, and I am anticipating a good time to be had by all.

Hope to see you there! Only a couple weeks to go.

-Sha'ahn

National Commander Hotop's Address during the Women's Memorial Reception Dinner July 15, 2011

2011-07-18T09:08:00.000-04:00

Let me begin by thanking the folks who thought enough of me to have me speak to you this evening. I am truly honored and humbled after visiting the Women Veterans Memorial. I would like to recognize Secretary Shinseki and those at the VA Center for Women Veterans for the outstanding work they have been doing to get our women veterans the healthcare they need and deserve. There is still much progress to be made, but I am encouraged that they are on the right track, particularly with their latest campaign of surveying women veterans to learn how to better service them. I applaud your new efforts at community outreach.

Friends and veterans, thank you for gathering here to recognize the contributions of women veterans. I know I speak for all of us here when I say you are important figures in the history of our nation – as well as important role models for our future.

The choice you made was not an easy one. You chose to place your personal needs behind the needs of your country. It takes a selfless person to do that, and I on behalf of AMVETS extend the warmest, most sincere, “Thank You,” for your service.

You are truly diverse, dynamic women who play many roles in your lives. To your families, you are Mothers, daughters, wives, aunts, sisters… And to your unit or shop, you are Gunny, Chief, or Top. You sure do wear many hats, but that’s the beauty of being a woman. I am not taking away anything from the men, because they sacrifice too, but there is a special strength with which God has blessed a woman. It’s tough to explain, and only He knows why, but you all are like chameleons. You do the work in the field alongside your brothers-in-arms without batting an eyelash. And then just that quick you can turn around to comfort your baby boy who just skinned his knee! You are respected and deserve this night of recognition. You deserve this “Thank You” for all that you do.

By celebrations such as this, we are highlighting your contributions to this great nation, and in doing so also helping to guarantee good services for the women who don the uniform in the future.

Whether you are a Soldier, Airman, Marine, Sailor or Coast Guardsmen, You are the driving force behind the American Dream. Your sacrifices in service allow us the freedoms we enjoy every day. AMVETS is committed to constantly reminding our leaders on Capitol Hill of the promises they made to you. We will continue to fight for legislation that makes life a little easier for those who serve and have served, and WILL serve in this country’s armed forces in the future.

I am pleased that not only does the VA seem committed to equality in its service, but it also intends to close the information gap about the benefits you have earned through your valiant sacrifices on behalf of our nation. AMVETS is here to help VA close that gap as well. Our service officers can help you file a claim, and educate you about the benefits to which you are entitled.

Now, I cannot, in good conscience, leave you all without extending an invitation to learn more about the fine organization that I lead. Unlike other VSOs, membership in AMVETS is open to anyone who is currently serving, or has honorably served, in the U.S. Armed Forces from World War II to present, to include those in the National Guard and Reserves.

I know that VSOs have been wrongly perceived as a club for men, of sorts, and that we do not welcome women. But that is a myth that I have strived to help eradicate during my year as National Commander. AMVETS welcomes ALL, regardless of gender, race and ethnicity.

With women making up at least 15% of our military personnel today, we at AMVETS want to be sure that you, our veterans, know that you can turn to us for help. If you know a veteran, male or female, who needs help, tell them to visit AMVETS.org, or contact our National Programs Department to learn more about our programs.

In closing, I want to say one last thank you to the women veterans here today. Even though you may not have always known it, you were moving stones and creating a path for the women who will serve after you. This nation owes you a great debt of gratitude.

Your pride in your service is a tremendous source of patriotism in our communities. I am so proud of you. You are doing great things, and I know you will continue to provide outstanding leadership in your communities. I, and every one of our 180,000 AMVETS members are here to help in any way we can.

Because you made the vow, “I will serve, too,” – our nation is stronger. I am proud to be an American.

AMVETS, Veterans Community, Condemn DoD for Breaking Sacred Promise with POW/MIA Families

2011-07-13T13:17:00.003-04:00

WASHINGTON (July 13, 2011) — President Obama is a strong supporter of our nation’s veterans, military and their families, as well as the families of almost 88,000 missing servicemen and civilians, yet some within his Administration do not share that same level of commitment.

They would instead disregard White House guidance and abandon a Presidential Commission that was created in 1992 by President George H.W. Bush and Russian President Boris Yeltsin — and supported by every American president since — to help determine the fates of Americans who disappeared behind the Iron Curtain. They would also recall a multiyear budget submission for the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), whose worldwide mission to recover and identify America’s fallen is stretched thin by manning constraints and laboratory space.

After nine months of broken promises, we cannot sit quietly and allow senior officials in the Department of Defense to redirect funding, transfer researchers and linguists, and jeopardize any possibility of mission success for the U.S.-Russia Joint Commission on POW/MIAs. The Defense Department had previously agreed to reinstate by the end of June what it had taken from the Joint Commission, but to date, DOD has chosen to ignore the policy and funding recommendations made by the White House Office of Management and Budget and the National Security Council.

Such actions will negate 19 years of slow but increasingly steady progress that has permitted U.S. investigators to access Russia’s central military archives and to interview potential eyewitnesses. Such actions will also contradict a show of support by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who last month appointed a new co-chairman and more than 30 commissioners to their side of the Joint Commission.

Ongoing DOD actions will make it nearly impossible for our government to locate information and/or remains to help determine the fates of hundreds, if not thousands, of Americans who may have perished in the former Soviet Union or in the lands of their allies during World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the Cold War. The Defense Department’s actions will help ensure mission failure, which will render the Joint Commission expendable, all because DOD wants to control a Presidential Commission instead of strongly supporting it.

We also cannot acquiesce to a relook of JPAC’s budget, which in these austere fiscal times means reduced funding. Congress has mandated that JPAC begin recovering and identifying 200 or more MIAs annually by 2015. This is more than double their current success rate, and without increased funding, it will be an impossible goal to reach.

When President Obama spoke at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day, he reminded us of the debt America and the entire world owes to our military — for their benevolence as well as their resolve. He honored the memory, service and sacrifice of those men and women who gave their all, and he offered assurances to thousands of Americans who continue to seek answers — the families of almost 78,000 missing and unaccounted-for from World War II, 8,000 from Korea, 1,680 from Vietnam, and one each from Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the countless veterans who served by their side.

Our nation’s fullest possible accounting mission is a national priority that the president is committed to, a mission that other nations wish they could emulate, and a mission in which success can only be measured by recovering, identifying, and returning those we send to war back to their families and to their country.

On behalf of millions of members of our nation’s largest, oldest, and most influential veterans and POW/MIA family organizations, we call upon President Obama to immediately direct DOD to restore funding and personnel to the U.S.-Russia Joint Commission, and to protect JPAC’s proposed budgets. We also urge our fellow veterans and their families, as well as all Americans, to contact the president and their members of Congress to urge them to live up to our nation’s sacred obligation to never leave a service member behind.

//signed//

James B. King, National Executive Director, American Veterans
Barry A. Jesinoski, Executive Director, Disabled American Veterans
Herb Rosenbleeth, Col., USA-Ret., Executive Director, Jewish War Veterans of the USA
Michael A. Blum, Executive Director, Marine Corps League
Ann Mills-Griffiths, Executive Director, National League of POW/MIA Families
Peter S. Gaytan, Executive Director, The American Legion
Robert E. Wallace, Executive Director, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S.
Richard F. Weidman, Executive Director for Policy & Government Affairs Vietnam Veterans of America

Contact information:
AMVETS, Jay Agg, 301-683-4035; DAV, Thom Wilborn, 202-314-5221; Jewish War Veterans, Herb Rosenbleeth, 202-265-6280; Marine Corps League, Mike Blum, 703-207-9588; National League of POW/MIA Families, Ann Mills-Griffiths, 703-465-7432; The American Legion, Craig Roberts, 202-263-2982; VFW, Joe Davis, 202-608-8357; and Vietnam Veterans of America, Mokie Porter, 301-585-4000

ATTENTION MD/VA/DC Job Seekers: DC VA MEDICAL CENTER HOSTS JOB FAIR FOR VETERANS, ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY AND THEIR SPOUSES

2011-07-08T15:12:00.002-04:00

DC VA MEDICAL CENTER HOSTS JOB FAIR FOR VETERANS, ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY AND THEIR SPOUSES

WHAT – Washington DC VA Medical Center Compensated Work Therapy Program is sponsoring a free job fair for Veterans, active duty military personnel and their spouses. Interviews may be conducted on site. Some of the participating employers are FBI, USDA, Homeland Security, SOC Enterprises, Computer Science Corporation, CW Resources, America Works, US Secret Service, ABLE Forces, and the National Housing Corporation Learning Center.

WHEN – Monday, July 11, 2011; 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

WHERE – Washington DC VA Medical Center, Abraham Lincoln Auditorium, 4th Floor, 50 Irving Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20422

WHO – Veterans, military personnel and their spouses.

WHY – To link Veterans, military personnel and their spouses seeking employment with employers who have vacant positions.

The Compensated Work Therapy Program (CWT) is a Department of Veterans Affairs clinical program designed to prepare qualified Veterans for employment. The CWT Program is sponsoring this event as a community service effort and to provide direct support to Veterans, military personnel and their families in the DC metropolitan area in locating employment.

Parking at the DC VA Medical Center is limited. All Job Fair attendees are encouraged to use public transportation. Free shuttle service is available to and from Brook land/CUA, McPherson and the Columbia Heights Metro Stations. For more information on DC VA Medical Center shuttle service visit: http://www.washingtondc.va.gov/PatientInformation/transportation.asp

If you have questions, please contact the Office of Public Affairs, 202-745-4037. For directions to the Medical Center please visit the Medical Center website at http://www.washingtondc.va.gov/

AMVETS SUPPORTERS BIKE TO BRING AWARENESS TO VETERANS HOMELESSNESS AND AMVETS

2011-07-08T08:38:00.005-04:00

Erick and Monica Barfield, both military veterans riding bicycles across the country for AMVETS and to raise awareness of the nation's homeless and disabled veterans, have embarked on a 4,500 mile journey to champion their cause.

U.S. Army veteran Monica and Coast Guard veteran Eric left their home state Florida on Feb. 15 and plan on arriving in San Diego in February 2012. They are traveling with their 5-year-old Jack Russell terrier, Lily. They have been supporting their trip through private donations. They said the purpose for their AMVETS ride is raising awareness of and donations for homeless and disabled veterans.

The two from Plant City, Fla., met while both were at an avionics seminar regarding Army Blackhawk and Coast Guard Jayhawk helicopters at Fort Campbell, Ky., Monica’s base. She specialized in aviation supply and served two tours in Iraq during five years in the Army. He responded with the Coast Guard after the World Trade Center attacks, and he was wounded in a drug raid between Cuba and south Florida.

According to the couple's official Biking Across America for Homeless and Disabled Veterans Facebook page, the couple plans to help educate others about the struggles veterans face when trying to receive the healthcare they need and deserve, take part in fundraising to help get some veterans "off the streets," and make donations to AMVETS, which supports their efforts.

Currently, the Barfields are heading toward Cheyenne, Wyo., and will stop at AMVETS Post 10.

The Barfields are Members at Large in Florida.

VA Creates Women Veterans Call Center

2011-07-07T16:40:00.003-04:00

I receive press releases every day announcing various initiatives and campaigns that are pertinent to veterans. Today, I learned about the Department of Veterans Affairs' major outreach effort targeting women veterans. I guess it caught my eye because I am a veteran myself (and a woman) and I understand how important it is to reach this small but rapidly growing segment of service members.

According to the release, the VA is interested in soliciting input on ways to enhance health care services VA provides to women veterans. In order to accomplish this goal, representatives at VA's Health Resource Center are placing calls to women veterans nationwide asking them to share their experiences with VA and suggest potential enhancements that will further VA's mission to provide to provide the best care possible.

Women Veterans are one of the fastest growing segments of the Veteran population. Of the 22.7 million living Veterans, more than 1.8 million are women. They comprise nearly 8 percent of the total Veteran population and 6 percent of all Veterans who use VA health care services.

VA estimates by 2020 women Veterans will constitute 10 percent of the Veteran population and 9.5 percent of VA patients. The HRC, which started placing calls on June 1, is contacting women Veterans who have enrolled, but have not begun using VA services.

“Through this contact center, we are placing friendly, conversational calls to women Veterans,” said Patricia Hayes, chief consultant of the VA’s Women Veterans Health Strategic Health Care Group. “We want these Veterans and their caregivers to talk candidly about why they are not using VA, whether they are aware of the gender-specific services we offer, and what additional services they would like to see VA offer.”

The HRC representatives making the calls are also informing women Veterans about the services VA offers and quickly connecting them with appropriate departments if they are interested in trying VA health care. Veterans who have complaints about VA are connected to a patient advocate who helps resolve issues.

The Women Veterans Health Care program has made significant changes in the last few years to enhance the health care offered to eligible women Veterans.
This progress includes:

Adopting key policies to improve access and enhance services for women Veterans;
Implementing comprehensive primary care for women Veterans;
Conducting cutting-edge research on the effects of military service on women’s lives;
Improving communication and outreach to women Veterans; and
Providing mental health, homelessness and other services designed to meet the unique needs of women Veterans

For more information about VA programs and services for women Veterans, please visit: www.va.gov/womenvet and www.publichealth.va.gov/womenshealth.

TODAY Legislative Update: AMVETS bill, S. 769 (VETS Dogs)

2011-06-29T09:15:00.002-04:00

AMVETS bill, S. 769 (VETS Dogs) is scheduled for committee markup TODAY at 11 am. Please call your Senator and let them know you support removing any barrier to care disabled veterans experience.

Today, June 27, is National Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day

2011-06-27T14:17:00.004-04:00

In an attempt to promote public understanding of PTSD, Congress last year designated today, June 27, as National PTSD Awareness Day. AMVETS encourages members to help increase awareness of PTSD and its devastating consequences by informing employers, workmates, neighbors, friends and relatives of the realities of PTSD. The better we understand PTSD, the better we can support our veterans battling this condition.

The organizations and departments listed below are all working together to create awareness of PTSD and effective treatments that can help.

(From the Department of Veterans Affairs)

Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
This VHA site provides access to apply for health benefits. Read real stories from Inside Veterans Health, or access the MyHealthIVet portal.

VA Office of Mental Health Services
Provides a range of information on depression, substance abuse, and other mental health problems, to improve the health and well-being of Veterans through excellence in health care, social services, education, and research.

VA MIRECCs
The Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Centers (MIRECC) generates new knowledge about the causes and treatments of mental disorders, applies new findings to model clinical programs, and widely disseminates new findings through education to improve the quality of Veterans' lives and their daily functioning in their recovering from mental illness.

For a more comprehensive list of organizations and departments visit the VA PTSD web page.

AMVETS to Give Oral Testimony at Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Oversight Hearing

2011-06-23T08:00:00.003-04:00

Today, at 2:30 PM EST, Ms. Christina M. Roof, AMVETS National Acting Legislative Director, will give testimony during the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Oversight Hearing entitled, “Arlington National Cemetery: An Update from the New Administration.”

The Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, has legislative, oversight and investigative jurisdiction over compensation; general and special pensions of all the wars of the United States; life insurance issued by the Government on account of service in the Armed Forces; cemeteries of the United States in which veterans of any war or conflict are or may be buried, whether in the United States or abroad, except cemeteries administered by the Secretary of the Interior; burial benefits; the Board of Veterans' Appeals; and the Court of Appeals for Veterans' Claims.

In June 2010, the Army released a report from its inspector general that found widespread problems at the Arlington National Cemetery, including 211 graves that were unmarked or mislabeled on cemetery maps and at least four urns that had been unearthed and dumped in landfill piles. The probe also found that cemetery officials with limited expertise in federal contracting regulations and little outside supervision improperly paid millions of dollars to companies that failed to create a digital database of the cemetery's records. Since that time, a new administration has taken charge of the cemetery's affairs and are now conducting a hearing to solicit feedback from and share updates with those the cemetery's former mismanagement directly affects - veterans and their families.

During the hearing, Ms. Roof will share AMVETS' views and recommendations regarding the Army Office of the Inspector General's detailed investigation into the activities of Arlington National Cemetery last year.

Here is an excerpt from her prepared statement:

"AMVETS was saddened and upset over the numerous disgraceful wrongdoings the IG outlined in their report. Furthermore, AMVETS is still at a loss for words as to how Arlington National Cemetery's sacred grounds could have ever been so blatantly mismanaged in a way that showed absolutely no respect or care for the remains of this nation’s fallen heroes. While AMVETS is eager to read the IG’s follow-up report to the investigation, we still believe that we must voice the concerns, recommendations and problems experienced by our membership last year, if only in an effort to give our members the comfort of knowing their experiences are understood. Moreover, AMVETS believes that it is important to preface our statement with the fact they we are not aware of all of the improvements already in place at Arlington National Cemetery, as we too are awaiting the Army’s new report. However, the concerns we share with you today are still just as important and personal as they were one year ago."

Ms. Roof went on to say that the happenings at the cemetery were a direct result of mismanagement, outdated technology and a blatant insubordination of Army Regulation 25-30,issued in 2006. Many AMVETS members are concerned whether their loved ones are being properly cared for at the cemetery and what measures have been taken to prevent further problems and confusion.

View Hearing LIVE

Read full Testimonials

NEWS RELEASE: VA to Expand Housing for Homeless Veterans

2011-06-17T11:35:00.008-04:00

The Department of Veterans Affairs continues to develop housing opportunities for homeless and at-risk veterans by adding 34 VA locations across the country.

According to a press release from the Department of Veterans Affairs released June 8, the VA plans to develop unused and underused buildings at existing VA properties across the country to increase the Department's available beds by more than 5,000. VA currently has 15,000 transitional beds available to homeless veterans.

“This initiative will significantly support our efforts to eliminate Veteran homelessness and improve quality of life for Veterans,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “We have a moral obligation to ensure that Veterans and their families have access to affordable housing and medical services that will help them get back on their feet.”

Culminating two years of work to end homelessness among Veterans, a recent strategic study, the Building Utilization Review and Repurposing (BURR) initiative, identified unused and underused buildings at existing VA property with the potential to develop new housing opportunities for homeless or at-risk Veterans and their families through public-private partnerships and VA’s enhanced-use lease (EUL) program. Under the EUL program, VA retains ownership of the land and can determine and control its reuse.

Additional opportunities identified through BURR will include housing for returning Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans and their families, assisted living for elderly Veterans and continuum of living residential communities.

The project will support VA’s goal of ending Veteran homelessness by providing safe, affordable, cost effective, and sustainable housing for Veterans on a priority basis.

To expedite the project, contractors will be asked to develop multiple sites in a region. VA will hold a one-day national Industry Forum in Chicago for interested organizations on July 13, 2011. For information regarding the forum mail to: VA_BURR@va.gov.

Supportive housing projects are planned for homeless Veterans and their families at 23 VA sites: Tuskegee, Ala.; Long Beach and Menlo Park, Calif.; Bay Pines, Fla.; Dublin, Ga.; Hines and North Chicago, Ill.; Danville and Fort Wayne, Ind.; Leavenworth, Kan.; Perry Point, Md.; Bedford, Brockton and Northampton, Mass.; Battle Creek, Mich.; Minneapolis and St. Cloud, Minn.; Fort Harrison, Mont.; Castle Point, N.Y.; Chillicothe and Dayton, Ohio; and Spokane and Vancouver, Wash.

Under the enhanced-use lease agreements, Veterans will receive senior and non-senior independent living and assisted living at eleven VA sites: Newington, Conn.; Augusta, Ga.; Marion, Ill.; Topeka, Kan.; Togus, Maine; Grand Island, Neb.; Big Springs and Kerrville, Texas; Salem, Va.; Martinsburg, W.Va.; and Cheyenne, Wyo.

Army Clarifies Purple Heart Criteria for Concussions

2011-05-20T14:32:00.004-04:00

Recently the Department of the Army clarified its criteria for awarding the Purple Heart to soldiers suffering from blast-related concussion wounds like traumatic brain injury, or TBI.

In a letter to AMVETS from the Army Adjutant General, Brig. Gen. Richard P. Mustion, the Department of the Army clarified its policy toward concussion injuries that did not result in loss-of-consciousness, which was often considered a defacto criterion for rating the Purple Heart.

In the letter, Mustion encourages soldiers who may have been previously denied the Purple Heart for the injury to resubmit their paperwork through the first general officer within their chain of command for review.

The policy is retroactive for concussion injuries sustained on the battlefield through contact with the enemy dating back to Sept. 11, 2001.

Mustion was clear to note that the memorandum was not a change in policy, but rather a clarification. The Marine Corps recently amended its policy to conform with other service standards, dropping the caveat for loss-of-consciousness and leaving discretion for awarding the Purple Heart to battlefield doctors who could diagnose the injuries properly.

AMVETS supported the Marine Corps adopting its new standard for the Purple Heart that was in line with the standard of the other uniformed services.

"As a veterans’ advocacy group, AMVETS’ primary concern is delivery of proper care for combat injuries," said AMVETS National Commander Jerry Hotop in response to the change in Marine Corps policy. "A Purple Heart automatically entitles combat-wounded veterans to receive requisite care from VA. In the case of TBI, the old Marine Corps policy may have actually created an unnecessary roadblock to care for veterans exposed to blast injuries. Like broken bones or internal bleeding, you can’t always necessarily see the physical damage caused by roadside bombs. This is particularly true with TBI, which is why AMVETS believes the Marine Corps is making the right decision by deferring to its doctors to make that call."

In reaction to the Army's clarification of its policy, AMVETS leaders encourage any soldier who suffered a blast injury in combat who was previously denied the Purple Heart to resubmit their paperwork in a timely manner.

"We applaud the Army's outreach on this critical issue," said Hotop. "No veteran who needs care for a blast-related injury should be allowed to slip through the cracks, and we're encouraged to see Army leadership taking the necessary steps to ensure their soldiers receive the care that they need."

Proper identification and treatment for polytraumatic blast injuries like TBI is one of AMVETS top legislative priorities for 2011, as outlined in the 2011 Legislative Priorities book. American Veteran will continue to follow this issue closely. Check back regularly for updates.

(Image: Letter from the Army Adjutant General to AMVETS clarifying the Army's policy for awarding the Purple Heart for concussion injuries.)

AMVETS Moves Forward on VETS Dogs Act

2011-05-12T09:33:00.000-04:00

Last week VA Chief of Staff John Gingrich sent a letter to AMVETS outlining VA's plans to enact a new directive that would allow veterans utilizing service dogs as prosthetic devices access to VHA facilities.

The target date for all VHA directors to implement new policies is June 30, 2011.

Under the directive--which expires in March 2016--VA facilities must create new policies allowing veterans who utilize VA-sanctioned service dogs for physical disabilities the same access afforded to seeing-eye and guide dogs.

In the past veterans like AMVETS members Kevin Stone and Sue Downes have been denied access to VA facilities while accompanied by their service dogs Mambo and Leila. Meanwhile, both Stone and Downes receive VA compensation for the proper upkeep of their service dogs, which assist with mobility and independence for both veterans, who sustained serious injuries in the line of duty.

In response to the letter, AMVETS Acting Legislative Director Christina Roof sent a reply to Gingrich, applauding VA's efforts, but clarifying that AMVETS must continue to pursue a permanent legislative solution to the access issue through the Veterans Equal Treatment of Service Dogs Act, or VETS Dogs Act, which was introduced in the House by Rep. John Carter, R-Texas, during the recent LZ:DC, and subsequently introduced in the Senate by Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa.

"AMVETS sincerely appreciates your personal attention to the issue of access to VA facilities for disabled veterans utilizing service dogs as prosthetic devices," said Roof in her letter to Gingrich. "However, AMVETS still maintains that the new VA directive is only a temporary solution to ensuring disabled veterans access VA facilities."

In the letter, Roof clarified that the legislative solution was not an attack on VA or on Gingrich, who gave personal attention to the veterans' service dog issue last summer during AMVETS National Convention, but rather a prudent course of action to ensure that VA policy toward service dogs does not change in the future.

The House and Senate committees on Veterans Affairs intend to address the VETS Dogs Act in the coming months, and Roof said she invites VA's insight on the potential regulation change, when that time comes.

American Veteran will continue to follow the VETS Dogs Act closely. Check back regularly for updates.

To learn more about the VETS Dogs Act, Click Here.

To see video of the press conference announcing the VETS Dogs Act, Click Here.

(Images: Top: Letter from VA Chief of Staff John Gingrich to AMVETS addressing health care access for veterans utilizing service dogs. Bottom: AMVETS' response to the Gingrich letter.)

Thoughts on Bin Laden's Death, Photos, and a 5/2 World

2011-05-03T11:19:00.022-04:00

Yesterday AMVETS National Commander Jerry Hotop and I sat down to formulate AMVETS' reaction to the death of Osama Bin Laden at the hands of U.S. Navy SEALs in the Pakistani suburb of Abbottabad.

Needless to say, there was such overwhelming emotion behind our discussion. I served a year in Iraq in support of the Global War on Terror, and Cmdr. Hotop is a veteran and a Blue Star Father whose son, Dean Hotop, also served in Iraq.

Thankfully, we were able to keep our thoughts fairly concise, as you can read here, but to me, this doesn't even scratch the surface on what this means for our nation.

Over the last day we've seen hundreds of analysts and pundits discuss how this most certainly is not the end of Al Qaeda or transnational terrorism as the network's weapon of choice. However, I feel this is a major symbolic victory for our nation that strikes at the heart of Al Qaeda's ideology.

September 11, 2001 has in many ways come to define my life and the lives of those closest to me--whether it was pulling emergency guard duty in the days after 9/11, deploying to Iraq for a year, working here in Washington, or losing friends and watching lives change forever. Though I never questioned whether or not our military was succeeding in the War on Terror, I had lingering doubts about whether we could translate our incremental success on the battlefield to success in the public eye, which seemed to be growing increasingly weary of the open-ended commitment. By hunting down Osama Bin Laden and putting a bullet through his skull, we've conveyed that ever-important message of success.

It was always a sore spot for me that we failed to catch Bin Laden. To me, he was going to be the one who got away, only emboldening our enemies. All the "key lieutenants" or "masterminds" that we've caught or killed over the years never seemed to resonate with the American public, and ongoing operations and successes in Afghanistan seemed to be continually buried in the headlines.

I was honestly concerned that we would soon learn that Bin Laden died back in 2007 of natural causes, surrounded by loved ones and criminal cronies. To know now that he died at the end of an American rifle, facing those he victimized, makes me feel as though justice has been served.

With that said, I feel it's time to release the photos. I'm confident that Bin Laden's corpse is already feeding the fishes at the bottom of the Arabian Sea, but one can already see conspiracy theories floating around the internet about whether it was really Bin Laden, or whether this was some kind of publicity stunt. I know this is garbage, but much like we saw with the death of Saddam Hussein, his sons, Mussaub Al-Zarkawi, and others, our enemies need to see proof to believe it's true.

To me, this proof cuts off the head of our enemy and strikes deeply at the morale of those who have sworn allegiance to Bin Laden. Over the last few months we've seen Al Qaeda significantly weakened ideologically by the nonviolent secular revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia and the ongoing secular uprisings across the Arab world. The death of Bin Laden proves once-and-for-all that the end game for Al Qaeda is not the empty promise of a path to overthrowing nebulous tyranny, but rather brutal, violent, and meaningless death.

I am extremely proud to be an American today. I feel as though my sacrifices and the sacrifices of those closest to me who served in the military have been validated. Our decade of hard work has yielded the results our nation needed.

When Americans started to gather at the White House and Ground Zero, it was easy to see that the crowds were largely young and mostly college students. What surprised me, though, was how many had American flags readily available; and I was particularly moved when the crowd belted out the Star Spangled Banner and other patriotic staples. These young Americans are much more patriotic than I ever gave them credit for and I think it's a testament to our nation's pride and unity--despite what we may have seen and read in the news in recent months.

Though I know this does not bring an abrupt end to our operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Horn of Africa, and elsewhere, I believe that this is the most significant victory for the United States since the demise of Adolf Hitler. This was justice. This brings closure to the families who lost their loved ones on 9/11 and the families who lost loved ones subsequently on the battlefield.

As President Barack Obama said in his address to the nation, this demonstrates that we, as Americans, can accomplish anything. To me, that means we can vanquish our enemies in preservation of the ideals that we cherish. Though we must still be vigilant, I'm personally looking forward to a post-Bin Laden world--a 5/2 World--where our nation no longer lives in fear and uncertainty, but once again prospers off of the ingenuity, pride and unwavering dedication of our citizens.

(Image: U.S. Marine Corps veterans Mike Demo, center, and Bill Cortese, right, drove 30 minutes to New York's Ground Zero, May 2, 2011, to mark the news of Osama bin Laden's death. Two of Cortese's cousins were killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the World Trade Center. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Randall Clinton. Video: Official White House video of President Obama's address to the nation on the killing of Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan.)

Live from Capitol Hill: AMVETS to Testify Before House Subcommittees

2011-05-03T08:26:00.003-04:00

Today AMVETS Acting Legislative Director Christina Roof will testify before both the House VA Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs and the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.

Live Web casts from both hearings can be viewed at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. by Clicking Here.

The first hearing before the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee came to order this morning in the Veterans Affairs committee chambers in Cannon 340, and will focus on seven pieces of legislation potentially affecting veterans. To view a full list of participants and to read their prepared remarks, Click Here.

Roof's remarks this morning will focus on four of the bills, which AMVETS supports; the Providing Military Honors for our Nation's Heroes Act, or H.R. 811, which would offer travel reimbursement to organizations that provide military honors for veteran funerals; the Veterans Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act, or H.r. 1407, which will set rates for COLA adjustments for veterans in 2011; H.R. 1627, an act to support uniform definitions for monuments at Arlington National Cemetery, and H.R. 1441, an act which would prohibit the long-overlooked practice of reserving space at Arlington National Cemetery.

In the afternoon, Roof will once again appear in Cannon 340 to testify before the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee, addressing four additional pieces of legislation related to veterans' educational and entrepreneurial opportunities. To view a full list or participants and to read their prepared remarks, Click Here.

Roof's remarks will focus on two pieces of legislation before the subcommittee which AMVETS supports, H.R. 1657, an act which would revise the penalties for small businesses misrepresenting themselves as "veteran-owned" to secure set-aside government contracts; and
H.R. 1383, an act which would temporarily preserve higher tuition reimbursement rates under the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill for student veterans attending private institutions of higher learning.

During her remarks, Roof will also address an overlooked inequity in last year's G.I. Bill improvements act, which stripped nearly 400,000 enrolled veterans of living allowance payments during academic break periods.

American Veteran will follow both hearings closely. Check back for highlights.

National Commander Hotop Visits Walter Reed

2011-04-21T14:25:00.002-04:00

This morning AMVETS National Commander Jerry Hotop and AMVETS National Programs Director Beryl Love made their way to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. to visit with wounded warriors recovering at the facility.

Hotop, whose schedule routinely takes him out of the Washington area, wanted to take a few moments to meet with troops recuperating at the facility.

During the visit, Hotop was able to meet with troops in various stages of the recovery process from all across the country and offered words of gratitude and encouragement on behalf of the 250,000 AMVETS, AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary, and Sons of AMVETS nationwide.

Hotop also received a briefing from hospital brass on the forthcoming merger between Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the nearby National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., to form the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

The two facilities are slated to merge between September and October, when the current Walter Reed facility is scheduled to close permanently. The majority of patients transferred to the new facility in Bethesda will be amputees and those suffering from severe traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder. Remaining patients will be transferred to the new state-of-the-art Army hospital at Fort Belvoir, Va.

While at Walter Reed, Hotop also had the opportunity to visit with three of the Federal Recovery Coordinators who have been assisting service members and their families in requests for financial assistance through the AMVETS Healing Heroes program. To date, AMVETS Healing Heroes has given more than $500,000 in grants to 256 requesting families, with more aid still available.

(Story with contributions from Beryl Love.)

AMVETS at the White House for Roll-Out of "Joining Forces"

2011-04-13T11:35:00.006-04:00

Yesterday AMVETS National Acting Legislative Director Christina Roof joined President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, the nation's top military brass and leading veterans' advocates at the White House for the roll-out of a new program by First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden to serve military families called "Joining Forces."

Joining Forces is the latest in a string of initiatives from Obama and Biden designed to meet the needs of military men and women and their loved ones who have borne the burdens of war for nearly a decade.

During the announcement, Obama said she felt that Americans were grateful for the sacrifices America's military families have made over the years, but that many civilians were simply disconnected from the rigors of military life.

Retired U.S. Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal was tapped by the White House to head the new initiative, designed to help Americans connect with military families and offer support while their loved ones continue to defend the American way of life.

The fledgling "Joining Forces" Web site currently includes an overview of the program, ways for Americans to become involved, and a link where visitors can send personal messages to troop s.

Roof said she was honored to represent AMVETS at such a critical announcement and looks forward to working with the White House and her colleagues in veterans' advocacy to support the initiative.

Below is the official White House video explaining "Joining Forces":

(Photo: President Barack Obama discusses the importance of serving America's military families during yesterday's roll-out of "Joining Forces" in the East Room at White House. Photo by Christina Roof. Video: Official video explaining "Joining Forces," courtesy of the White House, released.)

AMVETS Says 'No' to TRICARE Increases

2011-04-07T08:47:00.005-04:00

This week AMVETS took a stand on proposed increases in military health care premiums, voicing support for legislation that would keep premiums for TRICARE at the current rate.

The Military Health Care Affordability Act, H.R. 1285, was introduced by Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., and AMVETS Acting Legislative Director Christina Roof sent a letter of support to the Congresswoman, expressing the importance of the bill.

At the 2010 AMVETS National Convention in Louisville, Ky., AMVETS members voted on a resolution to fight increases in military health care premiums. The resolution is included in the 2 011 AMVETS Legislative Priorities book and has guided AMVETS' legislative department in its decision-making on proposed TRICARE increases.

AMVETS is one of the few veterans' organizations to put its foot down on the issue of TRICARE increases, calling health care an earned entitlement for military service.

AMVETS leaders call the proposal particularly unconscionable during a time of war, and encourage AMVETS members around the country to reach out to their representatives in Congress, voicing their opposition to the proposed increases.

To find your representative and to voice your opinion on TRICARE increases, Click Here.

Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans

2011-03-31T11:10:00.008-04:00

Yesterday, the nation recognized the sacrifices of all Vietnam veterans with Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.

The Senate passed a resolution on March 7, declaring March 30 "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day," and organizations around the country, including AMVETS, hosted events throughout the week to honor those who served in Southeast Asia during the conflict.

In California, Irwindale AMVETS Post 113 also worked closely with local Vietnam veteran Jose Ramos to support his Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans, Inc., which hosted its "Welcome Home" ceremony on Sunday, March 27. To learn more about Ramos' work, Click Here.

To read about Post 113's support to the event, Click Here.

In Vinton, Iowa, AMVETS Post 218 helped to organize their local "Welcome Home" cermony and AMVET Denny Miller spoke at the event. To read about AMVETS' support organizing the ceremony, Click Here. To read highlights from the event, Click Here.

If your post or department has highlights from a Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day ceremony that you would like to share with American Veteran, please send digital photos and details to rgallucci@amvets.org for possible publication on this blog and the print edition of the magazine.

March 30, 1973 was the last day marking the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Vietnam. However, an ungrateful American public chose not to delineate politics of the day from the brave American men and women tasked with fighting the war.

American service members were greeted with hostility and disdain by the very country they had sworn to protect and defend.

In nearly 30 years since the conflict officially ended, groups like AMVETS have consistently sought out ways to right the tremendous injustices done to America's Vietnam veterans.

The Senate's resolution honoring the sacrifices of the Vietnam generation was the latest step in ensuring that all American war heroes receive the honor and recognition they have earned.

Call of Duty Endowment Polls Public of Veterans' Unemployment

2011-03-29T10:12:00.003-04:00

Activision's Call of Duty Endowment, or CODE, recently conducted a man-on-the-street poll outside of the Washington, D.C.'s Union Station to gauge public awareness and public opinion on the current employment situation facing American veterans.

In 2010, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that one in five young veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were unemployed.

CODE decided to do something to address the unemployment crisis facing American veterans by awarding $500,000 in grants to veterans' groups devoted to addressing the issue.

AMVETS received $100,000 from CODE to support the expansion of AMVETS Career Centers beyond Ohio, where the state program has helped more than 1,000 veterans find jobs.

To view highlights from CODE's check presentation to AMVETS from the recent LZ:DC, Click Here.

To learn more about CODE, Click Here.

LZ:DC: Video from Vet Hunters Presentation

2011-03-24T10:19:00.003-04:00

On Saturday the AMVETS National Executive Committee voted to adopt California's Vet Hunters program as a national pilot to assist homeless veterans.

The program, which was conceived by California AMVET Joe Leal, seeks to find homeless veterans and ensure that they receive the services they need to make it off the streets.

At the spring meeting of the AMVETS National Executive Committee, Leal took some time to explain the genesis of his program and AMVETS National Programs Director Beryl Love made a motion to adopt Vet Hunters, which was unanimously approved by the committee.

More details will be available on Vet Hunters in the coming weeks. Check back regularly for updates. In the meantime, here is video of Leal's presentation to the NEC, explaining his unique program.

(Image: AMVET Joe Leal, the visionary behind Vet Hunters, shakes hands with AMVETS National Commander Jerry Hotop before his presentation to the AMVETS National Executive Committee on Saturday, March 19. Photo by Ryan Gallucci.)

LZ:DC: Video of CODE's Check Presentation to AMVETS

2011-03-22T09:07:00.012-04:00

On Saturday, retired Navy Rear Adm. Jim Carey presented AMVETS National Commander Jerry Hotop with a check for $100,000 from Activision's Call of Duty Endowment, or CODE, to support the expansion of AMVETS Career Centers.

Carey made the check presentation during the spring meeting of the AMVETS National Executive Committee as part of LZ:DC.

CODE recently donated $500,000 to worthy veterans' causes to fight veterans' unemployment and selected AMVETS as one of its grant recipients.

AMVETS Department of Ohio launched AMVETS Career Centers as a state program to offer veterans free resources to help complete job-critical certifications and to assist in resume-writing and job-hunting at AMVETS posts across the state.

AMVETS Department of Ohio also offers a veteran-specific job board, Ohio Vets CAN, where companies looking to specifically employ veterans can post available positions.

With thousands of successful placements for Ohio veterans, CODE recognized the value of the program and wanted to provide AMVETS with the requisite funding to implement Ohio's program on a national scale during difficult economic times when veterans' unemployment figures eclipse daunting civilian numbers.

To read CODE's official announcement of the grant, Click Here.

To learn more about CODE, Click Here.

(Image: Retired Navy Rear Adm. Jim Carey from Activision's Call of Duty Endowment presents AMVETS National Commander Jerry Hotop with a check for $100,000 to support AMVETS Career Centers. Photo by Ryan Gallucci.)

LZ:DC: Highlights from Congressional Silver Helmet

2011-03-22T08:47:00.017-04:00

Last week, AMVETS presented Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tenn., with the 2011 Congressional Silver Helmet Award during a reception in the Cannon Caucus Room on Capitol Hill.

To learn more about Dr. Roe's award in AMVETS' official announcement, Click Here.

Video of the award presentation can be viewed below. It is also available on the AMVETS National YouTube page.

Roe, who also served in the U.S. Army as a surgeon, was honored for his sustained commitment to caring for American service members, veterans and their loved ones, which has spanned his careers as both a soldier and a statesman.

Here are photo highlights from last week's Silver Helmet presentation.

(Image: AMVETS family members gather in the Cannon Caucus Room to honor 2011 Congressional Silver Helmet Award recipient, Rep. Phil Roe, on March 17.)

(Image: AMVETS National Commander Jerry Hotop reads the Silver Helmet citation for Dr. Roe during last week's reception, while AMVETS Acting Legislative Director Christina Roof, AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary National President Dee Kreiling and AMVETS National Executive Director Jim King applaud.)

(Image: Dr. Roe accepts the Silver Helmet Award from Cmdr. Hotop, while Kreiling and King look on.)

(Image: Dr. Roe explains what the Silver Helmet Award means to him during the reception.)

(Top Image: AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary National President Dee Kreiling, AMVETS National Commander Jerry Hotop, and AMVETS Past National Commander Bill Kilgore pose for a photo alongside 2011 Congressional Silver Helmet Award recipient Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tenn., during last week's reception honoring the Congressman in the Cannon Caucus Room on Capitol Hill. All photos by Ryan Gallucci.)

LZ:DC: AMVETS Introduces VETS Dogs Act

2011-03-18T15:37:00.002-04:00

Yesterday afternoon, AMVETS joined Rep. John Carter, R-Texas, and Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., for a press conference to announce the Veterans for Equal Treatment of Service Dogs Act, or VETS Dogs Act, which Carter introduced in the House of Representatives on Thursday morning.

Here is AMVETS' video of yesterday's announcement, which took place as part of AMVETS LZ:DC:

During the press conference, Carter said that in only two short days since issuing a "Dear Colleague" letter, seeking support for the bill, he had already signed on more than 30 cosponsors from both sides of the aisle--and he was yet to approach the Texas Congressional delegation, or the many caucuses to which he belongs.

"This is a bill whose passage I believe will draw very little debate," Carter said. "This is a rare opportunity to do a great thing for our disabled veterans that adds nothing to the federal deficit, simply by eliminating unneeded and unjustified regulations.

When Congress adjourned from its afternoon votes, random members--some of whom had already signed on to support Carter's bill--consistently stopped by the press conference on the House Triangle to thank veterans Kevin Stone and Sue Downes, who were on hand with their service dogs, Mambo and Lila, to discuss what the legislation will mean for veterans.

VetsFirst, a program from the United Spinal Association, and Paws With A Cause joined AMVETS to applaud Carter and Congressional cosponsors for submitting the bill, which would close a loophole in VA policy that has caused some veterans who utilize service dogs as prostheses to be denied care at certain VA health care facilities.

Stars & Stripes was on hand to cover the announcement. To read the Stripes' coverage, Click Here.

To read Military Times coverage of the bill, Click Here.

To read AMVETS' official statement on the bill roll-out, Click Here, and check back regularly with American Veteran for updates from the LZ.

(Images: Top: Rep. John Carter, R-Texas, discusses the VETS Dogs Act during a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol Building while cosponsor Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., and AMVETS Sue Downes and Kevin Stone look on. Middle, Left: Kevin Stone pets his service dog, Mambo, while explaining his experiences and why the VETS Dog Act is important to him. Middle, Right: Sue Downes explains why the bill is important to veterans, with her service dog, Lila, by her side. Bottom: Rep. Michele Bachmann shakes hands with Stone and Downes, thanking them for their service and their advocacy for veterans. Photos by Luis Jimenez.)

LZ:DC: Video of Cmdr. Hotop's Testimony Before Congress

2011-03-18T10:13:00.004-04:00

On Wednesday, AMVETS National Commander Jerry Hotop delivered AMVETS' 2011 Legislative Agenda to a special joint hearing of the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committee as part of LZ:DC. Below is video of Hotop's remarks, highlighting the needs of underserved veterans and VA's goal to eliminate veterans' homelessness.

To read Hotop's full submission for the Congressional record and to view a full video of the hearing, Click Here.

American Veteran continues to follow this week's events closely. Check back regularly for updates from the LZ.

LZ:DC: Pennsylvania Sons Honor Congressman

2011-03-18T09:19:00.007-04:00

This week, the Pennsylvania Sons of AMVETS met with most of the Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation during their annual Capitol Hill visits as part of LZ:DC.

On Wednesday, the Sons hosted a special meeting with Rep. Jason Altmire, D-Pa., where they presented Altmire with an award for his continued dedication to veterans' causes.

Though the award does not have an official name yet, the Pennsylvania Sons have acknowledged that the award will now be an annual tradition when the group comes to Washington to advocate for American veterans and their loved ones.

During their visits with legislators, the Pennsylvania Sons not only advocated for AMVETS Legislative Priorities for 2011, but bolstered support for the Veterans for Equal Treatment of Service Dogs Act, of VETS Dogs Act, which AMVETS helped to champion on Capitol Hill and officially announced yesterday alongside Rep. John Carter, R-Texas, who introduced the bill, Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., one of the bill's original cosponsors, AMVETS Acting Legislative Director Christina Roof, and AMVETS Kevin Stone and Sue Downes.

Details and highlights from the bill's introduction will be available later today on American Veteran and the LZ:DC timeline.

The Pennsylvania Sons explained the bill in detail and encouraged their representatives to sign on as cosponsors as soon as they had the chance.

Pat Brown, a member of the Sons Squadron from Lancaster AMVETS Post 19, said that most members were enthusiastic about the bill and eager to learn how they could support.

The bill, which would close a loophole that has prohibited certain veterans utilizing service dogs from receiving VA care, already has extensive bipartisan support in only a few short days since it was drafted.

The Pennsylvania Sons schedule 13 meetings with their Congressional delegation this week and dropped by the offices of their entire delegation to hand-deliver copies of the AMVETS Legislative Agenda.

American Veteran continues to follow the Sons of AMVETS and all participants in this week's LZ:DC. Check back regularly for updates from the LZ.

(Images: Top: Pennsylvania Sons of AMVETS present Rep. Jason Altmire, D-Pa., with their inaugural award, recognizing service and advocacy on behalf of American veterans. Middle: The Pennsylvania Sons pose for a photo with Rep. Tim Holden, D-Pa., on Capitol Hill. Bottom: The Pennsylvania Sons review their schedule and materials between meetings on Capitol Hill. Photos courtesy of Pat Brown.)

LZ:DC: AMVETS to Introduce Service Dog Bill, Tesify Before the House, Honor Congressional Leadership

2011-03-17T08:28:00.008-04:00

This afternoon, AMVETS will once again be out in force on Capitol Hill when AMVETS Acting Legislative Director Christina Roof appears alongside Rep. John Carter, R-Texas, AMVETS members Sue Downes and Kevin Stone, and other Congressional leaders to introduce the Veterans Equal Treatment of Service Dogs Act, or VETS Dogs Act, a critical piece of legislation that will permanently close a loophole in VA policy that has created hurdles to care for disabled veterans.

Carter and AMVETS will officially announce the bill during a press conference at the House Triangle, outside the U.S. Capitol Building at 3 p.m.

Both Downes and Stone are veterans utilize service dogs as VA-sanctioned prosthetic devices for physical injuries, but both have experienced barriers to care at VA facilities. Though VA issued a directive recently to ensure veterans and their service dogs will not be turned away, AMVETS and Congressional leaders continue to push for a policy change that will offer permanent equality in access.

Downes, a double amputee who was severely wounded in Afghanistan, was the first female combat veteran from the current conflicts to receive a service dog. Downes earned two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star for her service and today she is a mother of two.

Stone, a former Army infantry light fighter who was injured in a training accident, is now a U.S. Paralympic medalist in archery who represented Team USA in Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008.

Downes and her service dog, Lila, and Stone and his service dog, Mambo, will be available to explain what the legislation means for veterans and share some of their personal, inspiring experiences.

This afternoon, AMVETS National Communications Director Jay Agg will also appear before the House VA Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs to discuss the proposed 2012 budget for VA's National Cemetery Administration, or NCA, and the Veterans Benefits Administration, or VBA.

The hearing will come to order at 1 p.m. in the House Veterans Affairs Committee chambers, Cannon 334. To view live video of the hearing, Click Here.

Agg will appear alongside Independent Budget partner Disabled American Veterans and VA officials, including VA Acting Under Secretary of Veterans Benefits Mike Walcoff. Agg's testimony will focus heavily on the mission of NCA, but will also touch on issues facing VBA, such as the ongoing claims backlog.

To view a full list of witnesses and to read their prepared remarks, Click Here.

Sons of AMVETS from around the country will also continue their visits with legislators, armed with the AMVETS Legislative Priorities for 2011, and AMVETS Department of Ohio will commence its annual visits with the Ohio Congressional delegation.

Finally, tonight, AMVETS will honor Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tenn., with the 2011 Congressional Silver Helmet Award during a special reception in the Cannon Caucus Room at 5:30 p.m. Roe, a former Army doctor and current member of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, was chosen for the award for his sustained commitment to American veterans, which spans both his career as an Army surgeon and his current role as a veterans' advocate in Congress.

All events are open to the public and all members of the AMVETS family in Washington for LZ:DC are invited to attend. American Veteran will also be on hand throughout the day, bringing continuing coverage of AMVETS LZ:DC. Check back regularly for updates from the LZ.

(Image: Kevin Stone meets with Rep. John Carter, R-Texas, during visits to Capitol Hill last March when AMVETS and partner non-profit Paws With A Cause educated legislators on the benefits of service dogs for disabled veterans. Photo by Ryan Gallucci.)

LZ:DC: Massachusetts Sons Take to the Hill

2011-03-16T18:30:00.013-04:00

This morning, the Massachusetts Sons of AMVETS took to Capitol Hill, armed with AMVETS Legislative Priorities for 2011, to advocate for America's service members, veterans and their loved ones.

Led by Sons of AMVETS Past National Commander David Spencer, the Massachusetts contingency plans to meet with all 10 representatives in Congress and both Senators that comprise the Massachusetts Congressional delegation.

With the AMVETS family converging on Capitol Hill for AMVETS "LZ:DC," the Sons of AMVETS have come out in force in 2011 looking to surpass last year's total of more than 120 visits with legislators, enlisting help from members of AMVETS, AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary and the AMVETS Riders.

American Veteran will continue to bring you highlights throughout the week and all AMVETS family members are encouraged to keep submitting their content to rgallucci@amvets.org.

Check back regularly for continuing updates from the LZ.

(Images: Top: Massachusetts AMVETS Post 51 Commander Don McLean, Massachusetts Sons of AMVETS Commander Mark Serpis, and Sons of AMVETS Past National Commander David Spencer meet with Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass. Middle: Serpis, McLean, and Spencer meet with Rep. Chris Neal, D-Mass. Bottom: Serpis, McLean and Spencer meet with Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass. Photos courtesy of David Spencer.

LZ:DC: National Commander Hotop Delivers Legislative Agenda to Congress

2011-03-16T13:43:00.007-04:00

This morning AMVETS National Commander Jerry Hotop appeared before a special joint session of the House and Senate Veterans Affairs committees to deliver AMVETS' legislative agenda for 2011.

To view a full list of witnesses, read their prepared remarks and to watch the hearing in its entirety, Click Here.

Cmdr. Hotop's testimony and AMVETS Legislative Priorities for 2011 were guided by three sources, AMVETS adopted resolutions from the 2010 AMVETS National Convention, findings from the 2010 AMVETS Symposium for 21st Century Veterans, and the concerns of AMVETS members.

In his prepared remarks, Hotop discussed each of AMVETS' top legislative priorities in depth, ranging from improving services for rural veterans, improving services for female service members and veterans, improving screening and treatment for polytraumatic blast injuries, modernizing VA's prosthetic services, ending the claims backlog, and providing education, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for veterans.

Given the time constraints, Hotop's remarks focused on meeting the needs of underserved veterans--particularly women veterans, whose ranks continue to grow; and rural/remote veterans, who comprise nearly half of today's veterans who utilize VA services.

Hotop also took the time to praise VA's efforts to end homelessness within five years, but also acknowledged that VA needs to implement more innovative programs to stop homelessness before it starts.

"We must go to the veterans, not simply sit back and hope the veterans come to us," Hotop said. "This is not a handout. This is providing the entitlements and care they have earned through their service to our country."

The AMVETS national commander's testimony before Congress is an annual tradition around which the AMVETS family of organizations converges on Washington, D.C., to advocate for veterans' causes. This year's testimony is part of the inaugural "LZ:DC," where AMVETS has landed on Capitol Hill for a week of advocacy on behalf of American veterans and their loved ones.

American Veteran is following the week's events closely. Check back regularly for updates from the LZ.

(Images: Top: AMVETS National Commander Jerry Hotop waits to testify before the Congressional Veterans Affairs committees. Middle: Cmdr. Hotop delivers AMVETS' legislative priorities to Congress while AMVETS Acting Legislative Director Christina Roof looks on. Photos by Jay Agg. Middle, left: AMVETS members from across the country joined Cmdr. Hotop for his testimony. Bottom, right: Roof discusses Sons of AMVETS legislative visits as part of LZ:DC with a member of the Sons of AMVETS prior to the hearing. Photos by Ryan Gallucci.)

LZ:DC: Sons of AMVETS Take to Capitol Hill

2011-03-15T08:51:00.005-04:00

This morning, AMVETS' week of advocacy in Washington, "LZ:DC," will commence when the Sons of AMVETS land on Capitol Hill, meeting with legislators, advocating for American service members, veterans and their families.

Armed with AMVETS Legislative Priorities for 2011, the Pennsylvania Sons of AMVETS will be the first to hit the halls of Congress, meeting with Rep. Chaka Fattah, D-Pa., at 10 a.m.

The Pennsylvania Sons have more than a dozen meetings scheduled this week with the Pennsylvania Congressional delegation and a special award presentation to Rep. Jason Altmire, D-Pa., taking place tomorrow afternoon.

Sons of AMVETS National Commander Robert Hammett, a life member of the Indiana Sons, is already on the ground in Washington and plans join the Pennsylvania contingency for their early meetings.

Each year, the Sons of AMVETS come to Washington in force to advocate for veterans and their loved ones. The Capitol Hill visits coincide with the testimony of the AMVETS National Commander before a special joint hearing of the House and Senate committees on Veterans Affairs, where AMVETS officially presents its legislative priorities for the coming year.

AMVETS National Commander Jerry Hotop will present AMVETS' legislative agenda tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. in the Senate Derksen Ground Room 50. For details about the hearing, Click Here.

Last year, the Sons of AMVETS conducted more than 120 meetings with legislators, and Hammett said this year they plan to surpass that mark.

For this year's visits, the Sons also recruited support from AMVETS and the AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary to cover more ground on the hill.

Every year, members of AMVETS, the AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary, the Sons of AMVETS and AMVETS Riders converge on the nation’s capitol for four days of advocacy on behalf of American military families, memorial events to honor the fallen, organizational business, and the annual AMVETS Silver Helmet Awards, honoring champions of veterans’ service from across the country. This year, AMVETS has given this week a name that captures the urgency and scale of the mission: LZ:DC.

“LZ” is the common military acronym for a helicopter “landing zone”—a place where forces can be quickly inserted into the forward-most areas of the battle space. This week, AMVETS' LZ is Capitol Hill.

American Veteran will follow LZ:DC and the Sons of AMVETS Capitol Hill advocacy closely, bringing you updates from each day's events. Each Sons of AMVETS Department participating in LZ:DC will also be sending in photos and highlights as they happen, which we will include on the blog and on the AMVETS National Web site.

To learn more about LZ:DC, Click Here.