Highlights from Adm. Mullen, House Hearing on Rural Vets, and Honoring Korean War Vets

Last Thursday, American Veteran was on hand for a breakfast hosted by The Hill, where Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Adm. Mike Mullen discussed issues facing today's veterans, stresses facing today's military families, and ways that the Pentagon can work with VA and outside communities to assist in a successful transition.

In the afternoon, American Veteran joined Congressional leaders, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Minority Leader John Boehner, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to recognize the 60th anniversary of the start of the Korean War.

The Congressional leaders took the time to honor two of their colleagues who fought in the war, Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) and Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.).

Rangel, who was injured in the war, earning the Purple Hearth and Bronze Star with "Valor" device, recounted the significance of his experience in the conflict, telling those assembled that our nation must never forget the 37,000 brave Americans who gave their lives in the conflict.

Though the Korean War is often referred to as America's "Forgotten War," the conflict is technically ongoing. Each year AMVETS leaders visit with American troops stationed along the demilitarized zone on the Korean peninsula and meet with South Korean allied military leadership.

Late in the morning, American Veteran also joined the House VA Subcommittee on Health, where subcommittee chairman, Rep. Michael Michaud (D-Maine), brought together telehealth industry experts. To view video from the hearing, Click Here.

Much of the hearing focused on expanded use of available wireless technology to ensure veterans can be easily reached by VA. The subcommittee also asked each of the panelists what steps could be taken by federal agencies to improve access to wireless technology for rural and remote located veterans.

"It starts with ensuring the infrastructure is present," said Dr. Joseph Smith, who represented West Wireless Health Institute in the hearing. Smith went on to say that through VA's work, cost savings and improved outcomes have been quantified, directly resulting in a 19 percent reduction in hospitalizations through VA, which should allow for the federal government to expand available telehealth resources and fund the necessary infrastructure expansions.

Smith also said that mobile technologies also offer veterans proper reminders of medication and appointments.

AMVETS, which made rural and remote veterans' access to health care a top legislative priority in 2010, supports expanded use of telehealth and improving wireless infrastructure for remote-located veterans.

(Photos: Top: Rep. Charlie Rangel discusses his experiences in the Korean War with leaders and dignitaries gathered at the U.S. Capitol, marking the 60th anniversary of the conflict. Bottom: The House VA Subcommittee on Health hears testimony on improving telehealth services for rural and remote-located veterans. Photos by Ryan Gallucci.)

Live from Capitol Hill: Adm. Mullen, Rural Vets Hearing and Honoring Korean War Vets

American Veteran is out in full force on Capitol Hill today.

This morning, American Veteran was on hand to listen to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Adm. Mike Mullen for a breakfast hosted by The Hill.

American Veteran was also on hand for this morning's hearing before the House VA Health Subcommittee discussing telehealth and wireless healtch care solutions for rural/remote veterans. Rural and remote veterans' access to healthcare is one of AMVETS' top legislative priorities for 2010.

Finally, American Veteran joined House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Congressional leaders at the U.S. Capitol to honor America's Korean War veterans, leading up to the 60th anniversary of the conflict on Sunday, June 27.

We will bring you highlights from each of these events later today. Check back regularly with American Veteran Online for updates.

Reflections on the 66th Anniversary of D-Day

This weekend, the nation paused to remember thousands of brave Americans and American allies who stormed the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944, launching the campaign to liberate Europe from Nazi oppression in WWII.

The daring attack on Nazi strongholds in the north of occupied France remains the largest single-day amphibious assault ever recorded, with more than 160,000 American and allied troops storming the 50-mile stretch of beachhead.

More than 1,400 brave American troops lost their lives storming Omaha Beach, as Nazi machine gun positions peppered allied landing craft. In total, more than 2,500 Americans were killed in the first day of assaults on Nazi positions across the north of France.

Marking the 66th anniversary of D-Day, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Adm. Mike Mullen joined WWII veterans at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Va., for a special ceremony honoring the nation's D-Day veterans.

To view Pentagon Channel coverage of Mullen's comments and the D-Day ceremony from the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, Click Here.

Bedford, Va., is the town which lost the most service members in the invasion of France. Nineteen "Bedford Boys" from A Company, 116th Infantry of the Virginia National Guard were killed in the assault.

In his remarks, Mullen connected the courage and valor of D-Day's veterans with the courage exemplified by American men and women fighting today on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan.

To read the Armed Forces Press Service coverage of the Bedford ceremony, Click Here.

On D-Day, AMVETS posts and department around the country also gathered to recognize the sacrifices of Americans who served on the Western Front in WWII--especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice on the beaches of Normandy.

Born out of WWII, AMVETS will continue to pay special tribute to the sacrifices of our nation's Greatest Generation. The men who fought at Normandy truly embody the best of what our nation's military has done to secure the freedoms we cherish today.

(Photos: Top: American troops observe Omaha Beach approaching the landing at Normandy on D-Day in 1944. U.S. Navy photo, released. Middle: Adm. Mike Mullen addresses the crowd gathered at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Va., on Sunday, June 6, 2010, reflecting on the 66th anniversary of D-Day. DoD photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad McNeeley, released.)

Live from Capitol Hill: Pentagon to Discuss Plan for "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

This afternoon, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Adm. Mike Mullen will discuss the Pentagon's plan to address the controversial "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee will be broadcast live on C-SPAN 3 at noon eastern time. For a live video link on C-SPAN's Web site, Click Here.

President Barack Obama asked Congress and the military to find ways to responsibly overturn the policy during last week's State of the Union address.

AMVETS delegates voted on a resolution at this summer's national convention--Resolution 10-17--calling for continued support to the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" until Congress and the military addressed broader social issues associated with overturning the policy during a time of war. To read the resolution, Click Here.

AMVETS leaders demanded equitable treatment for all service members with regard to benefits and entitlements, should the policy be overturned--something that hasty legislative changes could not guarantee. To read AMVETS' full response to last week's announcement, Click Here.

Preliminary reports indicate that the Pentagon may seek a long-term solution to ensure the policy is changed in a responsible manner, taking into consideration many of the concerns voiced by AMVETS.

American Veteran will follow today's developments closely. Check back later for details.

President, Top Military and VA Leaders Honor the Fallen at Fort Hood

President Barack Obama, VA Secretary Eric Shinseki, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, and Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Casey joined hundreds of soldiers, military families, first-responders, and survivors at the Army III Corps Headquarters at Fort Hood for a somber remembrance ceremony in honor of the 12 soldiers and one civilian who were killed last Thursday in the brutal rampage at Fort Hood's Soldier Readiness Processing center.

Thirty-eight other soldiers were wounded in the cowardly act perpetrated by another American soldier.

"It may be hard to comprehend the twisted logic that led to this tragedy, but this much we do know: No faith justifies these murderous and craven acts; no just and loving God looks upon them with favor," said Obama in his remarks, "and for what he has done, we know that the killer will be met with justice in this world, and the next."

Below is video of the Fort Hood memorial service in its entirety posted on the official White House blog:



Following today's somber ceremony, military leaders met with families of the fallen and soldiers who survived the brutal attack. Defenselink, the official Pentagon Web site, features in-depth multimedia coverage of the tragedy, including a tribute to the victims. To view the Pentagon's site, Click Here.

AMVETS leaders ask that this Veterans Day, Americans remember the 13 Americans who lost their lives in this cowardly act:

Lt. Col. Juanita Warman, Havre de Grace, Md.
Maj. Libardo Caraveo, Woodbridge, Va.
Capt. John P. Gaffaney, San Diego, Calif.
Capt. Russell Seager, Racine, Wis.
Staff Sgt. Justin Decrow, Plymouth, Ind.
Sgt. Amy Krueger, Kiel, Wis.
Spc. Jason Hunt, Tillman, Okla.
Spc. Frederick Greene, Mountain City, Tenn.
Pfc. Aaron Nemelka, West Jordan, Utah
Pfc. Michael Pearson, Bolingbrook, Ill.
Pfc. Kham Xiong, St. Paul, Minn.
Pvt. Francheska Velez, Chicago, Ill.
Michael G. Cahill, Cameron, Texas

American Veteran will continue to follow this story. Check back regularly for updates.

(Photos: Top: President Obama speaks at today's Fort Hood memorial service honoring the victims of the Nov. 5 shooting rampage. DoD photo by Cherie Chullen, released. Bottom: Adm. Mullen with Army 2nd Lt. Brandy Mason, who was shot in the hip during the horrific rampage that left 13 dead and 38 wounded. DoD photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley, Released. Video: Tuesday's memorial service in honor of the Fort Hood victims from the official White House blog.)