Salute to Military Families Event - June 12-14, 2009

http://www.salutetomilitaryfamilies.org/
Today's military salaries don't often afford service members the luxury of attending sporting events or recreational activities. Enter the VFW Foundation.

We are scheduling several events in conjunction with various NASCAR races through our VFW Racing program during the 2009 season. It's our way of saying thanks to our brave servicemen and women and to let them know they are appreciated. After all, haven't they sacrificed so much for us all?

A contribution to our Salute to Military Families campaign will boost the morale of deserving American troops and those they love. Your generosity will ensure VIP treatment for local troops and their families at a NASCAR race! This will include free grandstand tickets, tours of the track, a wholesome lunch and other fun activities they will no doubt fondly remember.

To make this happen, we need the financial support of patriotic Americans like you. Won't you help say thanks to our brave servicemen and women by making your gift?

Give a military family the chance of a lifetime! Any donation will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks to the Soldiers Who Served During Vietnam

VFW received the following letter from SFC Stewart, sent May 23, 2009

I would just like to say thank you so very much to all the organizations that have supported this program with your contributions. It means so much that so many go out of their way daily to show us, the Soldiers, how much they appreciate the sacrifice that we give daily for our nation.

I'm so glad to be a part of this generation to see how our country has truly changed from the Vietnam era. I can't even begin to imagine how it was for those Soldiers and how they were treated after going through some of the things that they had to endure.

So often I've been in uniform and many who've served during the Vietnam era have come up to me and said thanks for serving. I take my hat off to them and say thanks to them for all they've done to pave the way. I believe because of what they endured, I'm blessed and able to receive so many blessings like a free phone call, today.

By no means do I take it for granted when the recorded tells me this call is free, thanks to whatever organization that contributed during that time. I think it's a great program that SPAWAR has set up and I'm truly grateful for it. Again for what it's worth, I owe my gratitude to the Soldiers of the Vietnam era for all the benefits I'm able to receive today. Thanks to all of you for all you've done, do, and all you continue to do.

God Bless You
SFC Stewart
(Deployed to Iraq)

'Photographs and Kangaroo Courts' was Mistaken

The following is a letter submitted to the editor of The New York Times by VFW Commander-in-Chief, Glen Gardner Jr.

Your May 17 editorial, “Photographs and Kangaroo Courts,” was mistaken in calling President Obama “wrong” for his recent decision to fight to prevent the release of photographs documenting abuse of prisoners in Iraq and Afghanistan by United States military personnel.

In this case, as Commander-in-Chief, President Obama has kept his priorities straight and has honored his most important obligation to help ensure the safety and security of U.S. service members. He responsibly listened to his top commanders in Iraq and Afghanistan and made his decision after weighing all of the facts instead of abdicating to incomprehensible and unjustified ranting of the liberal left or to the misguided media.

The Department of Defense has already investigated these cases — it would be an understatement to say The New York Times has done likewise — and individuals have been punished through prison sentences, dishonorable discharges, and a range of other punitive measures. The question is this: To what higher purposes or interests do you purport to serve by your continuing festering obsession with photographs relating to Abu Ghraib? We cannot compromise the safety of our troops, and you should never attempt to place the assured safety of our troops between the media and the President of the United States.

This leads to a corollary and important point. There is no denying that overall, the conduct of our military force has been impeccable, especially when comparing it to our enemy’s. Daily, they perform associated acts of kindness, mercy, and just plain beneficence to the civilian populace in both countries. This holds true particularly under extremely trying circumstances and documented use by the enemy of murder, extreme physical torture and the use of civilians as “protective guards” in order to blame Americans as indiscriminately creating civilian collateral damage.

How many articles have appeared in The New York Times on these exemplary civil affairs stories? My guess is that not nearly as many as the front page items you placed on Abu Ghraib in the heyday of that incident reporting.

Again, President Obama’s decision was easily the correct decision.

Glen M. Gardner Jr. Commander-in-Chief, VFW

What is the VFW?

As I talk to some of my peers that are either still on active duty or recently separated from the Army and tell them I am volunteering at the VFW, they commonly respond by asking, “So what are you doing? Sitting around drinking beer?”

This is still a common misconception that many young veterans who’ve served in Iraq and Afghanistan have of the organization. I was also one of them until I became an active member. At one point in the VFW’s history, it was one of the few places where veterans could go and talk to other veterans about some of the experiences they had in Europe, the Pacific, Korea, Vietnam and a host of other countries scattered throughout the world. There weren’t any clinics, doctors or other official support networks established that focused on the mental trauma experienced by veterans.

The VFW is much more than a place for fellowship with other veterans or to connect with previous generations that have answered our Nation’s call to duty. Many veterans and members of the armed services don’t know how active and supportive the VFW is for those of us who have served or are serving our country overseas.

I’ve learned that the VFW was the main veteran’s service organization that ensured the passage of the new Post-9/11 GI Bill. This new GI Bill will benefit us veterans and our families for years to come. Veterans can now return from fighting in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with the ability to go back to school full-time, even with a family, and then re-enter the work force. I never knew about the tremendous amount of work and commitment it took the VFW to get the bill passed in Congress.
One of the most important components of the VFW is that it assists wounded and disabled veterans in receiving the VA benefits they deserve. I had no idea about the complexities involved when determining the category of a wounded or disabled veteran. I quickly learned that the VFW has an entire department dedicated to assisting veterans navigating the VA bureaucratic process, which might otherwise overwhelm a young returning soldier or even a hardened NCO. The VFW has Field Representatives throughout the country and scattered around the world specifically to assist veterans once they leave the military.

When I put one of the NCOs whom I used to work with in touch with one of the Field Representatives, he was shocked that the VFW had programs like this. I must admit, so was I.
The VFW makes sure that the veteran is never taken for granted and provides the assistance needed when he or she does not know where to turn.

Of course none of this would be possible without the grassroots membership of individual veterans that join their local VFW post. Many young Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are reluctant to join the VFW for various reasons. I say to them, “Go and join!” There are many local posts that are active in their local communities and do a variety of community service and sponsor programs that promote further service to our Nation. Where else will you find a group of individuals welcoming you at 2 o’clock in the morning when your plane arrives at the airport in the States for R&R or as you are coming home from deployment?

If only older veterans compose the VFW, then who will change and evolve the VFW to meet the needs of our generation or future challenges? Who will greet the next generation when they come home from serving the United States overseas? We must take the torch from the older veterans and bear the responsibility to take care of our fellow veterans and continue community service.

By Dave Rowland

Dave Rowland is a volunteer at the VFW National Headquarters Legislative Branch in Washington D.C. He is an active duty infantry officer with multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Dave is currently pursuing a master’s degree at Georgetown University.

SBA ready to help vets

Murphy's first House measure would aid military veterans seeking to start businesses
By JENNIFER A. DLOUHY, Washington bureau
First published in print: Thursday, May 21, 2009

WASHINGTON — Military veterans could get government help in launching new businesses under legislation the House overwhelmingly passed Wednesday.

Rep. Scott Murphy, D-Glens Falls, advanced the veterans measure as part of a broader bill to renew and create Small Business Administration programs. It marked his first legislative achievement since being sworn into the House last month.

Under the business bill, which now goes to the Senate, the Small Business Administration would establish veterans business centers around the country to offer classes and one-on-one counseling to former service members and surviving spouses.

"We know that we're going to have a lot of vets that are going to come back (from Iraq and Afghanistan) looking to start businesses," Murphy said. "What they're going to need is help. They're going to ... try to start small businesses, and it's a difficult task."

Murphy's measure, adopted as an amendment to the business bill passed 406-15 Wednesday, boosted the measure's proposed spending on the veteran programs to $12 million in fiscal 2010 and $14 million in fiscal 2011. Congress would still have to appropriate the money.

The SBA already has a handful of veteran-focused centers, including one just outside Murphy's district, in Albany. But Murphy said more are needed to help would-be business owners make the transition to civilian life after military service.

Murphy took his seat last month after winning a special election against state Assemblyman Jim Tedisco. The seat was formerly held by Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y.

VFW Battles to Keep 75-Year-Old Mojave Desert Memorial Alive

Click here to watch the video regarding the Mojave Desert Memorial case.

VFW Donned ‘Many Different Hats’ During Largest Memorial Ceremony in Arizona

This past weekend, the VFW, along with many other veterans’ organizations, assisted with the Historical Soldiers Relocation Project, one of the largest memorial ceremonies in the nation to date.

More than 50 Cavalry, Infantry Soldiers, Indian Scouts and dependants from the 1860-1884’s were interned at the Southern Arizona Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery’s new Historical Memorial section last Saturday. In 2006, Pima County archeologists recovered the remains under a parking lot in downtown Tucson, Ariz., from an abandoned military cemetery.

VFW riders, Sky Island Chapter of Arizona, coordinated the motorcycle escort the day before the ceremony. Traveling from Tucson to Sierra Vista, the escort of about 300 bikes stretched a mile and a half long led by the 35 star U.S. flag from the 1800’s.

Donald Nelson, VFW Post 9972 chaplain, coordinated with Ft. Huachuca, which provided the two-5 ton cargo vehicles used to transport the remains, two large canopies, 550 chairs, and 30 U.S. Army soldiers for the ceremony.

The VFW provided a trailer with food and coffee for overnight security which consisted of VFW members and Army service members. VFW also held a luncheon for all the security volunteers on Saturday following the ceremony.

Financial support was another one of the many ways in which VFW contributed to the ceremony. The VFW riders donated $700, the Ladies Auxiliary donated $100, and Post 9972 contributed $2,500. The City of Sierra Vista graciously bestowed $30,000 upon the VFW, which was in turn granted to the Historical Soldiers Relocation Project.

VFW members set a new flagpole flying the 35 star flag and helped construct a wall surrounding the new historical portion of the cemetery.

Joe Larson, Post 9972 sr. vice commander, and project coordinator for the relocation project said, “VFW had a big impact and played a major role, wearing many different hats, throughout the entire planning and execution of the project.”

Click here to view photos from the event.

VFW Honors Mother Whose 3 Children, Son-in-Law Are Active Soldiers

BY STEPHANIE BARNARD
Eagle correspondent

It was only recently that Kim Whitson realized just how much she was watching her front door, dreading the day a man in uniform might come by to deliver bad news.
"You gave them life. And you're scared all the time," she said.

Three of Whitson's four children -- plus a son-in-law -- are in the military: Pfc. Douglas Taylor in the Army, Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Tommy Cardaropoli in the Navy and Airman 1st Class Shellie Vincent in the Air Force. Vincent's husband, John Vincent, is also in the Air Force, currently on his third tour of Afghanistan.
Cardaropoli will go to Iraq for the second time this summer, and the others have been there as well.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars, which counts Whitson's son-in-law as one of her children, knows of no other mother in the U.S. with four children on active duty, said VFW Veterans' Services Officer Jim Maske.

Her sons and daughter were there to see her presented with a Blue Star banner on Sunday.

Whitson was escorted by the Patriot Guard to Wellington's VFW Post 881, where she received the banner in a ceremony. She will place the four-star banner in her front window to identify her as a military mom.

Whitson comes from a military family; her father and stepfather served in Korea and Vietnam, respectively. Her children's fathers and both of John Vincent's parents are veterans.

"They've grown up around it their whole lives," she said of her children. "(They like) the structure: going somewhere, doing something right. They don't take it lightly."

Maske met Whitson at Fat Ernie's in Wichita, where she works. When he learned about her children, he decided a special ceremony was in order.
"I said, 'That's gotta be honored,' " Maske said. "I'm so proud to be able to do this."

A certificate accompanying Whitson's Blue Star banner bears the signature of VFW Commander in Chief Glen Gardner.

Maske said he hopes Whitson's story will get the attention of other families with multiple military children; even though Whitson's the only one they know of with four, there are probably others, he said.

"It's humbling," Whitson said. "It's a lot of, 'What did I do to deserve this?' I'm not any more special than any other mother."
Her children beg to differ.

The ceremony happened, Cardaropoli said, because "somebody finally saw what we've seen my mom do for almost the past 30 years."
He read a poem he'd written for the occasion that asked the crowd to thank Whitson, rather than her children, for serving her country.
"They've made me proud their whole lives," Whitson said. "I get to stand up tall because of them."

Click here to view photos and video from the event.

IAVA Founder Apologizes to VFW

I wanted to reach out to you personally ASAP regarding the current controversy surrounding our statement on the Camp Liberty tragedy.

By now, I know you have seen some of the emails going around saying that I and/or IAVA are trying to disrespect Vietnam vets.

I hope you know that this is totally untrue. We have tremendous respect for all generations of vets--especially Vietnam vets--and would never want to diss any other veteran, generation of veterans or veterans group.

It was not our intent to offend anyone or disparage anyone. If we did, we sincerely apologize.

We can only imagine what you guys went through coming home, and would never attack you--and anyone else who served in Vietnam. We view Vietnam vets as our brothers--and true mentors. And the Chairman of our Board is himself a Vietnam veteran.

Pat Campbell, Todd Bowers, me and our entire team at IAVA have always been honored to work alongside Bob Wallace, Eric Hilleman and the entire DC VFW team. We also work closely with the Vietnam vets at the Legion, VVA, DAV and all our other brothers and sisters in the larger VSO/MSO community.

These folks know us well. And know that we have nothing but respect for your service--and that of all those in your generation. We believe it, and we say it anytime we have the chance.

The GI Bill victory last year and our recent meetings with the President on the ridiculous third-party billing scheme showed what we can do if we all stick together. I hope we can keep that level of unity going forward--especially in the fight for Advanced Funding--which benefits us all.

I also hope that this week we can all focus on the larger issues surrounding the Camp Liberty tragedy, address the mental health urgency, and use this as a wake-up call to better serve our fellow vets. Any in-fighting between our groups will only distract from more important issues that confront our nation in this critical time.

I would be happy to talk to you, or anyone else at the VFW who is free today or later this week to discuss this further. If you have any other thoughts or suggestions about this issue, please send them my way. We would appreciate your guidance.

Again, we are very sorry.

And I hope we can all work together as our nation deals with this terrible tragedy at Camp Liberty.

Thank you very much.

Best,
Paul

Click here to read Paul Rieckhoff's original statement.

VFW Statement on IAVA

Glen M. Gardner Jr.
VFW Commander-in-Chief

The poorly chosen remarks made in a May 11 press release by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, which stated that the Vietnam generation military was not as professional as today's military forces, were inappropriate and unbecoming of someone in a position to obviously know better.

While IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff maintains that his choice of words were inadvertent and were not meant to be offensive in manner, the regrettable fact remains they were - not only to Vietnam veterans but also to veterans of previous wars and conflicts who fought equally and as valiantly as today’s exemplary military.

Mr. Rieckhoff doesn’t need to be reminded that every entitlement, every service and every program Iraq and Afghanistan warriors enjoy – many of whom are VFW members –is because previous generations of (as he regrettably put it), non-professionals, demanded and fought to be properly recognized and respected for their service to our country. And because of that, he owes a sincere apology to our brethren.

Certainly, the VFW will continue to work with IAVA and other organizations to ensure our nation properly cares for veterans, service members and their families from all generations. We simply ask that Mr. Rieckhoff pay closer attention to what he or his organization says. To quote a fellow service organization (VVA), "Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another.” IAVA needs to keep that close to heart.

IAVA CHIEF, RIECKHOFF, DISSES VIETNAM VETERANS

Calls Vietnam veterans unprofessional and takes a swipe at all draftees.

by Larry Scott, VA Watchdog dot Org

In 2004, Iraq War veteran Paul Rieckhoff founded Operation Truth.

Operation Truth was an almost-anti-war, definitely anti-Bush organization funded by vast amounts of left-wing money ... which is not necessarily bad, but it always helps to know where the money comes from. (The editor at a well-known military web site names George Soros as the source of much of the funding.)

The goal was to co-opt veterans' issues by using the media contacts of the left-wing money ... to make the country think of "veterans" as those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Rieckhoff became a star on such programs as the Rachel Maddow Show on Air American Radio and MSNBC-TV.

Realizing that he needed a broader base, Rieckhoff changed the name of the organization to Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA).

IAVA became a lobbying powerhouse on Capitol Hill. Even though Iraq and Afghanistan vets make up just 3% of the veteran population, and IAVA membership is just a few thousand of that 3%, IAVA became a loud voice.

Rieckhoff's agenda has always been a divisive force in the veteran community.

Because of Rieckhoff's work, we now have a two-tiered VA system, with vets from Iraq and Afghanistan getting priority treatment for health care and first-in-line status for disability claims ... while the other 97% of veterans just have to wait.

In fairness, Rieckhoff has worked hard for his constituency, and it has paid off ... to the detriment of other veterans.

Now, we see Rieckhoff's feelings about other veterans, especially those who served in the Vietnam War.

Today, it is reported that a GI in Iraq killed five fellow soldiers. Rieckhoff issued a press release about this, and said, in part:

"Unlike during the Vietnam War, today's military is a professional, all-volunteer force."


The full press release is here...

Statement on the Tragic Shooting Incident at Camp Liberty

By Michelle McCarthy

Created May 11

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, May 11th, 2009

Statement on the Tragic Shooting Incident at Camp Liberty

NEW YORK – Today, on behalf of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation’s first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for the veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff issued the following statement in response to the shooting of U.S. troops by a fellow U.S. service member at a clinic inside Camp Liberty near Baghdad, Iraq:

"The events at Camp Liberty today are a great tragedy. The friends and families of those killed have suffered a terrible loss, and our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.

Unlike during the Vietnam War, today’s military is a professional, all-volunteer force. There have been only five cases of intentional fratricide by U.S. service members in Iraq. But these incidents, however rare, draw public attention to an important issue: the enormous stress on our armed forces. Many troops are under great psychological strain and are not receiving the treatment they need. Over 600,000 troops have served more than one combat tour since 9/11. Military suicide rates have hit record highs every year since 2003. Much more must be done to address troops’ psychological injuries before they reach a crisis point."

IAVA recently launched a nationwide Veterans Support Campaign to provide support and critical mental health resources to new veterans and their friends and family. Veterans should visit www.CommunityOfVeterans.org, a social network exclusively for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, and friends and family should visit www.SupportYourVet.org

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America www.IAVA.org is the country's first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and has more than 125,000 veteran members and civilian supporters nationwide. Its mission is to improve the lives of this country's newest generation of veterans and their families.

With the above statement, Rieckhoff has shown his true colors. Divide ... conquer. My vets first ... the unprofessionals later.

Not only does his statement diss Vietnam veterans, but all vets who served during times of a draft ... and that would include my Father who served with distinction during World War II.

So, while Rieckhoff uses his connections to party with the elites of Broadway, 97% of veterans wait for their health care and benefits.

Veterans' Advocate Jim Strickland also has strong feelings about Rieckhoff's comment:

-------------------------

by Jim Strickland

The boss over at IAVA issued a press release earlier today. In it he defended the murder of five soldiers by a madman in part by saying, "Unlike during the Vietnam War, today’s military is a professional, all-volunteer force." Somehow that remark is supposed to divert your attention that there's been a whole lot of friendly fire goin' on in Iraq.

I can't remember a moment in the last 30 years where I've been more offended. The sentence neatly insults the more than 58,000 US personnel who died for our country in Vietnam and the millions of the rest of us who served honorably. The "Vietnam Era" ran from 1961 to 1975. It wasn't until 1979 that Public Law 96-22 established the first Vet Centers in recognition of what the war had done to the nearly 3 million veterans who had served "In Country". That's 3 million minus 58,000 of course. The current veterans who are arriving home are finding that there is a better understanding of their physical wounds and the PTSD that stalks them because of those 3 million Vietnam veterans and the millions more of us "Vietnam Era" veterans who served back then. That the leader of IAVA would make such a divisive statement is shocking and almost unbelievable. We can debate for months about which group of soldiers was better educated, more patriotic, better equipped or who fragged who the most. But the fact is that a warrior is a warrior is a warrior...no matter the era, we stand united, we fall divided. The VBA is enjoying the game of playing the groups against one another. There is no possible gain for our own leaders to support such nonsense. I guess the next thing we may expect from IAVA is a quick one about how much smarter the current soldier is when compared to the WWII veteran. Those farm hands and dirt laborers who couldn't read nor write sure weren't much of a "professional, all volunteer force" were they? But somehow those farmers like Audie Murphy and 440 Medal of Honor recipients (250 awarded posthumously) managed to become what is now commonly known as The Greatest Generation. Ten's of thousands of them haven't made it home yet...I know, I've visited their graves all over Europe. Back off Paul. We didn't need this slap from you.