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

Vans to Help Veteran-Students

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki today announced further outreach to Veteran-students eligible for a special emergency payment of their education benefits. Veterans can now apply online beginning Oct. 2. Veteran-students can also request courtesy transportation to VA regional benefits offices.
“Our Veterans went the extra mile for their country,” Shinseki said. “One of our top priorities in transforming VA is to be, first and foremost, the advocate for Veterans.”

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

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

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

Students without their own transportation can also request free van service, provided by volunteers, to carry them to the nearest benefits office. To obtain this service, Veterans would have to call their nearest VA medical center and ask for the “Volunteer Transportation Coordinator.” Transportation will be on a first-come, first-served, space-available basis. Find a map and list of medical centers.

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

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

A map and list of the participating VA regional benefits offices. The most updated information regarding VA issuing emergency checks will be available at VA’s web site www.va.gov starting Oct. 1.

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

VFW National Commander Issues 'Call to Action' to Assist Student Veterans

VFW APPLAUDS VA GI BILL CHECK AUTHORIZATION

KANSAS CITY, MO, September 29, 2009, — The national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. has voiced support on the decision by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs authorizing checks for up to $3,000 to students who have applied for educational benefits and who have not yet received their government payment. The checks will be distributed to eligible students at VA regional benefits offices across the country starting Oct. 2, 2009.

"We are extremely pleased with Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki’s announcement that VA is moving positively in response to recent reports of veterans experiencing financial difficulty or problems enrolling for college classes since the implementation of the Post-9/11 GI Bill.” said VFW National Commander Thomas J. Tradewell Sr. “This clearly demonstrates Secretary Shinseki’s concern and willingness to take action on behalf of the student veteran community.” The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. will continue to dialogue with the secretary and the Department of Veterans Affairs in order to ensure college-bound veterans receive the education entitlements they have earned.”

Starting Friday, Oct. 2, 2009, students can go to one of VA’s 57 regional offices with a photo ID, a course schedule and an eligibility certificate to request advance payment of their housing and book allowance. Because not all these offices are located near students, VA expects to send representatives to schools with large veteran-student bodies and work with Veteran Service Organizations to help students with transportation needs.
Subsequently, VFW National Commander Tradewell has issued a ‘call to action’ by asking VFW Posts nationwide to mobilize their resources on behalf of student veterans and assist those needing transportation to a VA regional office or college campus.

“Today, I urge every VFW Post to reach-out to their respective student veteran communities. One easy way to do this is to first determine if there is a Student Veterans of America (SVA) chapter on campus. The SVA has a chapter locator that can be accessed by going to their website and makes it easy to contact the student group and offer assistance. Since one of the SVA’s primary goals is to connect with groups with resources from outside their campuses to help meet the common needs of student veterans, they can help coordinate with VFW Posts and students needing transportation assistance. Otherwise, I encourage any VFW Post with a college campus anywhere in their in their vicinity, to contact the campus veterans representative or Dean’s office to help facilitate assistance.”

The VFW began lobbying Congress in 1997 to update the 20-year-old peacetime Montgomery GI Bill with 21st century tuition realities. The VFW did this by testifying at more than 40 congressional committee hearings, through hundreds of VFW Legislative Committee member visits to every House and Senate office in Washington and within their home states, and through the grassroots lobbying effort of VFW and Auxiliary members and VFW Posts nationwide. This intense effort proved successful with the eventual passage and signing on June 30, 2008 of Public Law #110-252.

Janet Napolitano to Speak on Preparedness

The Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Janet Napolitano, will deliver a major speech on preparedness today at 2pm EST.

The speech will be streamed live at www.DHS.Gov.

Secretary Napolitano will thank all of our national partners, and the t...housands of others in the National Preparedness Month Coalition for all their hard work. She’ll also challenge our country to see preparedness as a shared responsibility, and urge Americans to build a year-round culture of readiness and resilience in our communities.

If you can’t watch live, the speech and many other resources will be posted at www.Ready.Gov later in the day.

Secretary Shinseki Orders Emergency Checks to Students Awaiting Education Benefits

Thousands of Checks to Alleviate Student Financial Burden

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has authorized checks for up to $3,000 to be given to students who have applied for educational benefits and who have not yet received their government payment. The checks will be distributed to eligible students at VA regional benefits offices across the country starting Oct. 2, 2009.
“Students should be focusing on their studies, not worrying about financial difficulties,” Secretary Shinseki said. “Education creates life-expanding opportunities for our Veterans.”

Starting Friday, Oct. 2, 2009, students can go to one of VA’s 57 regional benefit offices with a photo ID, a course schedule and an eligibility certificate to request advance payment of their housing and book allowance.

Because not all these offices are located near students, VA expects to send representatives to schools with large Veteran-student bodies and work with Veteran Service Organizations to help students with transportation needs.

A list of those VA regional offices is available at www.vba.va.gov/VBA/benefits/offices.asp.

“I’m asking our people to get out their road maps and determine how we can reach the largest number of college students who can’t reach us,” VA’s Under Secretary for Benefits Patrick Dunne said. “Not everyone has a car. Not everyone can walk to a VA benefits office.”

Although VA does not know how many students will request emergency funds, it has approximately 25,000 claims pending that may result in payments to students. The funds VA will give to students now are advance payments of the earned benefits for housing and books. This money will be deducted from future education payments.

VA officials said students should know that after this special payment, they can expect to receive education payments on the normal schedule -- the beginning of the month following the period for which they are reimbursed.

“This is an extraordinary action we’re taking,” said Shinseki. “But it’s necessary because we recognize the hardships some of our Veterans face.” More than 27,500 students have already received benefits for housing or books under the new Post-9/11 GI Bill, or their schools received their tuition payments.

VFW Day-Congress Pays Tribute to VFW’s 110 Years of Service

September 29, perhaps better known among VFW members as VFW Day, has gained much deserved recognition, extending far beyond the VFW community.

The recently passed resolution, H.Res.483, officially introduced to the U.S. House of Representatives as Supporting the Goals and Ideals of Veterans of Foreign Wars Day was first introduced in May of 2009 by Rep. John Kline, life member of VFW Post 210. With 62 cosponsors in support of the resolution, it took only forty minutes of debate before the resolution was agreed to by voice vote.

An excerpt from the resolution reads: Whereas the members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars celebrate the organization's establishment and achievements on September 29th while carrying on the vital mission of their predecessors: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the goals and ideals of Veterans of Foreign Wars Day.

Rep. Kline had this to say of the VFW during the House session, “I applaud the members of the VFW for their continued commitment to one another and to this great Nation. I am humbled by their work on behalf of our veterans, and I am honored to speak on behalf of this resolution.”

Rep. John Gingrey went on to state, “the brave men and women who sacrificed in the past for our present freedoms deserve our fullest support. Those who have served our nation represent the best our country has to offer, and we must honor them.”

The VFW was established September 29, 1899, when a small group of Spanish-America war veterans banded together to create one voice on behalf of all American veterans. Though the founders of this phenomenal organization are no longer with us, the strength and legacy they left behind has endured for the past 110 years.

Below lists only a few of the VFW’s recent accomplishments:

-The VFW Operation Uplink program reached 3 million free calls home given to deployed troops.
-The VFW Unmet Needs program reached $3 million dollars in financial assistance, disbursed to more than 2,000 military families nationwide.
-VFW military assistance program hosted 259 military support events including welcome home and farewell ceremonies and involved more than 300,000 service members and their families. Attendance at these events increased 38% over last year.

Operation Uplink Free Call Day TOMORROW

Start: Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 12:00am

End: Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 12:00am

Location: Iraq, Afghanistan, & Kuwait (call times are demonstrated in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait time zones)

Lifelock, #1 in Identity Theft Protection, is sponsoring the "VFW Day" Operation Uplink Free Call Day, which allows soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait to call home to the U.S. for free for a full 24 hours.

Free Call Days are available at more than 800 MWR internet cafes using SPAWAR located on military instillations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait.

Take advantage and call your loved ones!

Soldiers, to place a call, use regular dialing procedures using your SPAWAR prepaid PIN, if you do not have a PIN number, get one from the cafe manager. You will hear the sponsor announcement informing you that your call is FREE!

Feedback is welcomed and encouraged!

Full schedule of Free Call Days

Contact info for feedback and/or questions
(816)968-1102 Lferguson@vfw.org

Operation Uplink

VFW Washington Weekly September 25, 2009

In This Issue:
1. Health Care Victory for Veterans
2. VFW Testifies on Bills
3. House VA Subcommittee Hearings

1. Health Care Victory for Veterans: Key House leaders have agreed to offer an amendment that will put to rest any concerns that VA health care will change under the nation health care reform debate. VFW has been in talks with House VA Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA) and Ranking Member Steve Buyer (R-IN) on this important issue. The amendment being offered will ensure that veterans enrolled in VA are automatically deemed as having qualified health care coverage, and also allow veterans using VA health care to purchase other types of insurance through the health insurance exchanges. VFW will continue to monitor health care reform legislation in the House and Senate.

2. VFW Testifies on Bills: VFW testified before the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity on a number of bills designed to expand VA’s work-study, vocational rehabilitation, small business programs, and employment, to include job training and apprenticeship expansion. VFW stressed the importance of helping disabled veteran-owned small businesses through the awarding of government contracts from Federal stimulus funding, and that those contracts adhere to the 3% set-aside. VFW also discussed several bills that would improve small business programs, amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, and improve upon last year Post 9/11 GI Bill. To read VFW testimony, visit the House VA Committee website.

3. House VA Subcommittee Hearings:
- Tuesday: The Subcommittee on Health held a hearing to review VA’s national formulary and the management of the pharmacy program. In FY 2008, VA spent $3.7 billion on approximately 126 million prescriptions dispensed at VHA facilities and through their consolidated mail outpatient pharmacies. Representatives from the VA Inspector General's office testified on their report of recent audits of VA pharmacy inventory, which looked at administrative management of non-controlled drugs. Non-controlled drugs are 95% of VA's pharmaceutical spending. Other issues discussed included pharmacy benefits and VA’s restrictive formulary, when compared to Medicare and DOD's Tricare listings.

- Wednesday: The Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing on Senior Executive Bonuses issued at VA. Recent reports by the media and VA’s own Inspector General have suggested that bonuses were not appropriately awarded or given proper administrative review. Members of the committee restated their opposition to bonuses given to VBA employees when the backlog remains at critical numbers. In questioning, VA Deputy Secretary Scott Gould said Performance Review Board standards need to be tightened and the award of bonuses needs to be tied to organizational goals, but he reminded the committee that not every senior executive within VBA is tied to the claims backlog. He specifically mentioned VBA's home loan and insurance programs as outstanding success stories. Other discussion topics included unfair hiring practices and the award review process among VA managers.

- Thursday: The Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs discussed the VA national cemetery system. Currently VA maintains more than 2.9 million gravesites at 125 national cemeteries in 39 states and Puerto Rico. Representatives from the VSO community, VA , AFGE, American Battle Monuments Commission, Arlington National Cemetery and the National Park Service all testified to present and future needs of veterans and their families with regard to national cemeteries here and abroad.
For more on this week’s hearings, visit the House VA website.

VFW Reaches $3 Million; Meeting the ‘Unmet Needs’ of Military Families

The VFW National Headquarters — courtesy of its Unmet Needs program—is pleased to announce it has now provided more than $3 million in financial assistance to service members and military families that have experienced financial hardship, often times brought on by a deployment.

Officially launched June 6, 2004, Unmet Needs has grown to become one of VFW’s most acclaimed programs among service members and their families, offering a “lifeline” for those in critical need of financial assistance.

With generous contributions by both individuals and corporate sponsors like Burger King and Vermont American, the program has helped more than 2,000 families across America. The assistance comes in the form of a grant, not a loan, so the recipients aren’t required to repay it. Furthermore, 100% of donations received go directly to the program.

The grants have helped military families with everything from major home repairs to infant formula. Grants are available to all five branches of the military, as well as members of the National Guard and Reserves.

Uniquely, and believing everyone has a talent that can help a military family in need, Unmet Needs also offers donations in the form of “Skills.” Those who’ve applied to the program and are in need of home repairs, auto repairs, etc., can be matched with a skill-donor to fulfill their needs.

“The VFW is extremely proud of the fact that we can provide a lifeline for so many military families, especially during an already trying time in their lives. This program really showcases what we do, and have always done and that’s supporting America’s service members,” said VFW Adjutant General, Allen “Gunner” Kent.


The Unmet Needs Program, created by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, provides emergency financial support to families of military personnel. Since the program’s inception, more than $3 million in grants have been disbursed to over 2,000 families across the country that are facing financial hardships because of the deployment of a loved one. Funds from donations are available to the five branches of service (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard), as well as members of the Reserves and National Guard. Absolutely 100% of every donation goes directly to military families. Web site at www.vfw.org

The Story of the POW/MIA Flag

By Carol Jose

In 1971, Mrs. Michael Hoff of Jacksonville, Florida, wife of MIA Michael Hoff, a Navy Pilot, had the idea that the National League of Families of POW/MIA should have a banner, or flag, to represent its important cause. The League agreed, and told her to proceed to have a flag for the League designed. Mrs. Hoff went to Annin Flag Company, and met with Alan Rivkees, the Vice President. He agreed that Annin would design a flag for the POW/MIA and the League of Families, and assigned it to their advertising agency in New Jersey. Newt Heisley, a World War II Veteran pilot (who passed away on May 14, 2009) was Creative Director at that agency and the project of designing the POW/MIA Flag emblem became his project.

I had the pleasure of meeting Newt and spending two days with him in Colorado in October of 2008. He took me on a tour of the Air Force Academy. He told me then that he had submitted three rough sketch designs to Mrs. Hoff, and her committee chose the one you see on that flag today. Evelyn Grubb, wife of POW “Newk” Grubb, as National Coordinator of the National League of Families, then submitted that final design to the National Board for their approval. Heisley had discussed colors with Evie, and there was some discussion about whether it should be red and white, or other colors, but the final decision was to produce the flag in black and white, which represented the sorrow, anxiety and hope of their cause, and made it different from other flags.

The flag’s design features a silhouette of a Prisoner of War against an unbroken white circle of hope. The young man who modeled for the silhouette is Newt Heisley’s son Jeff, who had just returned from Marine boot camp. Jeff had been very ill, and looked emaciated, the way Newt had seen POWs look in the Bataan Death March of WWII. The guard tower and barbed wire symbolize his prison. The words “You Are Not Forgotten,” emblazoned across the lower part of the flag, are the motto of the National League of Families of POW/MIA. Heisley said that when he was flying in the South Pacific in World War II, he thought about how awful it would be to be shot down, captured and then put into a desolate POW prison camp and forgotten by his fellow Americans. Thus “You Are Not Forgotten” became the League’s symbol for remembering our prisoners and missing troops.

Evelyn Grubb and Carol Jose chose that for the title of the book about the founding of the League of Families and the domestic/U.S. Government/Geneva Convention aspects of the POW/MIA issue, which continue to resonate today. Heisley decided that the flag and his design should belong to all Americans, and that it would remain in the public domain. So it was never copyrighted. The flag was to honor all U.S. military missing and/or imprisoned troops. Unfortunately, parts of Newt Heisley’s original flag design have been copied by other flag companies, not always in the proper design chosen by the League of Families of POW/MIA, and has also been used for many other sales articles, from medallions to patches to Zippo lighters, knives, hats, bumper stickers, and the like.

In October, 1971, Evelyn Grubb, as National Coordinator of the League of Families of POW/MIA, presented the first rendition of the League’s, and the Nation’s, official POW/MIA flag to then Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird, accompanied by Jan Ray, her office assistant, whose brother was MIA. It remains so today. The POW/MIA flag also has become the national symbol of the suffering and sacrifice of our troops far from home. It flew over the White House for the first time on National POW/MIA Recognition Day in 1988. In 1989, it became the only flag on permanent display in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. Other than the Stars and Stripes, it is the only flag to fly over the White House. National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed annually on the third Friday in September.

The League POW/MIA flag flies at military installations, many government buildings, monuments. Also at Andersonville, the infamous former Civil War Prison Camp in Georgia, where more that 30,000 Union POWs were incarcerated and more than 12,000 perished from disease and starvation. They and others are buried there in the Anderson National Historic Site Cemetery, home of the National POW/MIA Museum.
The book, “You Are Not Forgotten” is in the bookstore there.

In 2006, the POW/MIA flag flew from the nose area of the C-141 Starlifter #177, dubbed the “Hanoi Taxi,” on its final flight, with many former POWs it had ferried home in 1973 aboard. The famous craft then landed its final time, and was ceremoniously, and tearfully, retired. Rolling Thunder motorcycle escorts fly the POW/MIA flag when escorting the Moving Walls, as do the American Legion Riders. Rolling Thunder is named from the 1965 Bombing missions over North Vietnam in which Larry Guarino of Indian Harbour Beach, FL and many other POW/MIA were shot down and captured or went missing. Larry remained a POW for over 7 brutal years in Hanoi. Fortunately, he survived to return. The C-141 Starlifter #177, the Hanoi Taxi, flew him home to freedom in 1973. He and his wife Evelyn, whose book “Saved By Love” depicts her time as a POW wife and mother of four sons, and the aftermath when Larry retuned, reside in Indian Harbour Beach, FL.

© October 2008, Carol Jose

Please purchase the book “You Are Not Forgotten” (2009 Indie Book Award - History) If not for yourself, then for a student, or your local library.
For each book purchased you receive a 10% discount.
Also a 20% donation goes to The National League of Families.
Go to: www.YANFbook.com
The League is not supported by any government agency, so these donations are appreciated.
To request Carol Jose as a speaker, call 877-843-8877 or email md@csicreativesolutions.com

Order your flag today!

VFW Pledges Total Support to National Guard, VA.

WASHINGTON (September 17, 2009) — The national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. made a quick trip to the Nation's Capitol this week to meet with the chief of the National Guard Bureau and the secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Thomas J. Tradewell Sr., elected last month to lead America's largest organization of combat veterans, met with Air Force Gen. Craig R. McKinley in his Pentagon office Tuesday to discuss Guard rotations, the impact of eight years of war on their families, and how the VFW can help on the home front to support America's 467,000 citizen-soldiers and their families.

"The general applauded our unit adoption program and our other assistance programs," said Tradewell, a Vietnam veteran from Sussex, Wis. "He also encouraged the VFW at every level to get to know their local Guard units, as well as The Adjutant General in every state, in order to help military families wherever they reside."

The VFW national commander said the Guard traces its history back to the militia that was formed to protect the first English settlement in Jamestown in 1607. "Since then it has fought in every war and conflict, and continues to perform humanitarian missions throughout the world today," he said. "These citizen-soldiers are our neighbors and our defenders, and I pledged that the VFW will not let them down."

Tradewell met Monday with VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki to discuss GI Bill implementation, claims processing, information technology, proper staffing, and health care issues that impact all veterans.

"The VFW was instrumental in the creation of the VA in 1930, and we continue to have a vested interest in the proper conduct of their operations," he said. "A successful VA takes care of veterans, and I pledged to the secretary that the VFW would be an active partner in helping them to accomplish their mission."

WWII Veteran’s New Mission: ‘Let Freedom Ring’ in American Classrooms

WWII veteran and VFW member, George Ciampa, 84, knows first-hand the true cost of freedom. During his stint in the U.S. Army he completed five campaigns in the European Theatre including the Invasion of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. Though both operations made a significant impact on young Ciampa who was 18 at the time, his most culminating experience came during his time with the 607th Graves Registration Company. His unit was tasked with a solemn, eleven month assignment to gather, register and bury the bodies of fallen soldiers across the battlefields of Europe.

While that duty was perceived as especially dismal, he was one of the fortunate ones. After service, he returned home to the South Bay area in Southern California to marry, and raise two children. He transitioned back to civilian life, embarking on a successful career, with 37 years in the advertising business and more than 26 years with the Los Angeles Times before retiring a few short years ago.

Still, more than sixty years after Ciampa last witnessed the cost of freedom paid by thousands of American service members; his experiences and lessons learned remained just as vivid and stirring. Advancing in age, he couldn’t help but consider America’s future as he reflected on his past. He hadn’t forgotten, and the possibility that someday our nation might didn’t sit well with him.

For him, no history book, death toll, or glorified Hollywood production expresses sacrifice the way he saw it thousands of times over, face to face, in the eyes of young soldiers. Yet, as America continues to lose its WWII veterans, it’s already evident that future generations have come to rely on these channels to try and understand the cost of freedom and those who fought for it.

Ciampa hopes to change that.

Armed with the overwhelming desire to pass along his insight and familiarity with the price that liberty commands, he formed the non-profit organization Let Freedom Ring, with the purpose of educating America’s young adults in a way that promises to endure well into the future.

In August of 2006, Ciampa returned to Belgium with four high-school history teachers from the Torrance Unified School District in California, and two Battle of the Bulge veterans of the Army’s “Big Red One,” a division that lost 21,000 during WWII.

For the teachers, it was a rare and inspiring lesson of their own. They listened intently as Belgian survivors of the Nazi occupation gave graphic accounts of what it was like to lose their homes, friends, families and their freedom, and Battle of the Bulge combat veterans recalled stories of their survival and what it was like to participate in one of the largest and bloodiest battles American forces experienced during WWII.

Ciampa returned again to Europe in July of 2007, accompanied by two more Torrance, California high school history teachers and three 1st Infantry Division veterans of the D-Day Normandy Invasion. Here they met with French civilians and resistance fighters of the era, who openly —some for the first time in decades— talked about life in concentration camps while living in sub-human status, resulting in another horrific aspect of war for Ciampa and his crew.

However enlightening these trips were, how could Ciampa possibly expect to educate all future generations using only a small group of teachers from the West Coast as the vehicle?

By arming himself with an HD documentary crew.

Each of the accounts that occurred between Ciampa’s crew and the WWII survivors was recorded on video, resulting in two documentary films: "Let Freedom Ring...The Lesson is Priceless" and "Let Freedom Ring...Memories of France."

Along with lesson plans devised by the teachers, Ciampa hopes these DVDs provide an invaluable tool for classrooms across the country — bringing first-hand accounts of citizens whose countries were stripped of their freedom and heroic tales of the veterans who fought to give it back— straight to the young minds of our nation.

Ciampa has not forgotten. And, not forgetting these stories in the future is the educational mission of George Ciampa.

His goal now is to ensure both films are distributed to all of the 2,117 high schools across California and offer lesson plans contrived by participating teachers on the Let Freedom Ring website, www.letfreedomringforall.org.

His mission doesn’t end here.

Ciampa is now seeking funding for his next mission to bring forth the story of the Eighth Air Force and the dangerous daylight raids executed on German targets during WWII. The “Mighty Eighth” suffered 56,000 casualties as a result of these raids. The film will follow Frenchman, Jean- Paul Favrais — who as a young boy witnessed a U.S. P-38 fighter plane crash near his home — through his relentless search across France for downed American aircrafts.

“In this day and age, freedom is not a word that should be political. It is beyond that. It's the one thing worth dying for because without it, there is no life,” states Ciampa.

For more information or to purchase a copy of "Let Freedom Ring...The Lesson is Priceless" or "Let Freedom Ring...Memories of France," please visit www.letfreedomringforall.org.

Calling all veterans: VFW looking to grow to keep fight for veterans' needs going

Published in the Gaston Gazette September 11, 2009 by Michael Barrett

Long before the events of Sept. 11, 2001, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States was a thriving military organization with a strong membership base.

Combat veterans of World War II, the Korean War and then the Vietnam War provided leadership that gave the VFW expanding influence as a government-chartered non-profit. With 2.2 million members worldwide, it is still America’s oldest and largest organization of combat veterans.

Along with lobbying Congress for better veterans care and health benefits, the VFW also sponsors countless community service programs designed to increase civic pride.

But despite its long history, the VFW has reached a phase where many of its longtime members are growing older and dying, leaving the organization’s future in uncertainty. As membership roles continue to drop, current leaders are determined to bring younger veterans into the fold. And many agree that the VFW’s future as a vibrant entity may depend on veterans of the post 9-11 wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“I’m a baby in this organization,” said Lewis Hunt, 28, who was recently named the assistant membership chairman for the VFW in North Carolina. “But my goal is to put the VFW back in the public eye.”

Dwindling numbers

Hunt was stationed in Norfolk, Va., while serving in the Navy eight years ago. He had just finished a 24-hour shift and was sleeping in his bunk on the morning of Sept. 11 when friends began yelling his name and hollering that “we were being bombed.”

“We went to sea eight hours after that first plane hit,” he said, referring to his eventual departure for Afghanistan. “That was Pearl Harbor for our generation.”

When he left the Navy, Hunt joined the VFW for the camaraderie with fellow combat veterans. He also joined to support the organization’s political activism, which has been crucial to preserving and expanding the rights of hundreds of thousands of veterans and their families over the last century.

But he quickly realized his age made him the odd man out. And Steve Jones, quartermaster of VFW Post 9337 in Gastonia, said it’s not a new trend.

“Fifteen years ago, we had 1,500 members here,” said Jones, a Korean War veteran. “Now we have 500.”

In addition, there are 750,000 veterans in North Carolina, Hunt said. But only 30,000 are VFW members.

Raising the profile

VFW chapters across the state and nation are still active in their communities. But much of what its members do is behind the scenes, or publicized to a limited degree, Hunt said.

Jones and his fellow members helped to place 2,800 American flags on the gravesites of veterans buried at Gaston Memorial Park on Memorial Day this year. The organization supports causes such as cancer research through the Relay For Life. Chapters across the state dole out thousands of dollars each year for essay contests and college scholarships, and there are programs in place to honor police officers, firefighters and other people who work to improve communities and keep them safe.

The VFW’s Buddy Poppy program has raised millions of dollars to support disabled veterans in need of financial assistance. And all of those initiatives are in addition to the lobbying on behalf of veterans that takes place in Washington, D.C.

Steve Herron, 43, an Army veteran who is still active in the Army National Guard, is also a member of Post 9337. A 1984 Ashbrook High School graduate, he coordinates military funerals for veterans throughout the Charlotte region.

Herron pointed out that the VFW’s stated mission was formerly to “Honor the dead by helping the living.” But it has been changed to “Veterans helping veterans,” to broaden its scope.

“Just as with any good organization, it’s about what you can give back,” he said.

A push for new members

Many veterans haven’t joined the VFW over the years because of longstanding rifts, or even because they weren’t aware they qualified, Hunt said. But he and his membership recruiting team members are out to bring in the youngest potential veterans, as well as those going back to Desert Storm and prior conflicts.

“We’re hoping to increase our statewide membership by 5 percent by next June,” he said.

Ryan Stafford, 64, is the commander of VFW District 13, which includes Gaston County. A Vietnam War veteran, he said he wants more veterans, young and old, to realize that they can make the organization stronger by joining.

“The more members we have, the more clout we have at the local, state and national levels,” he said. “For every member, our voice gets louder.”

Hunt sees the organization as a sort of military union that fights for its own, while looking out for others as well.

“The VFW can step in where the Army (or other branches) can’t,” he said. “If you don’t step up and speak out, no one’s going to speak for you.”

You can reach Michael Barrett at 704-869-1826.

For more information about joining the local VFW call 704-867-0970.

Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance, 2009

By The President of The United States of America: A Proclamation

Through the twisted steel of the twin towers of the World Trade Center, the scarred walls of the Pentagon, and the smoky wreckage in a field in southwest Pennsylvania, the patriotism and resiliency of the American people shone brightly on September 11, 2001. We stood as one people, united in our common humanity and shared sorrow. We grieved for those who perished and remembered what brought us together as Americans. Today, we honor the lives we lost 8 years ago.

On a bright September day, innocent men, women, and children boarded planes and set off for work as they had so many times before. Unthinkable acts of terrorism brought tragedy, destruction, pain, and loss for people across our Nation and the world. As we pay tribute to loved ones, friends, fellow citizens, and all who died, we reaffirm our commitment to the ideas and ideals that united Americans in the aftermath of the attacks. We must apprehend all those who perpetrated these heinous crimes, seek justice for those who were killed, and defend against all threats to our national security.

We must also recommit ourselves to our founding principles. September 11 reminds us that our fate as individuals is tied to that of our Nation. Our democracy is strengthened when we uphold the freedoms upon which our Nation was built: equality, justice, liberty, and democracy. These values exemplify the patriotism and sacrifice we commemorate today.

In that same spirit of patriotism, I call upon all Americans to join in service and honor the lives we lost, the heroes who responded in our hour of need, and the brave men and women in uniform who continue to protect our country at home and abroad. In April, I was proud to sign the bipartisan Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which recognizes September 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance.

Originated by the family members of those who lost loved ones on 9/11, the National Day of Service and Remembrance is an opportunity to salute the heroes of 9/11, recapture the spirit of unity and compassion that inspired our Nation following the attacks, and rededicate ourselves to sustained service to our communities. Throughout the summer, people of all ages and backgrounds came together to lend a helping hand in their communities through United We Serve. As this summer of service draws to an end, we renew the call to engage in meaningful service activities and stay engaged with those projects throughout the year.

Working together, we can usher in a new era in which volunteering and more service is a way of life for all Americans. Deriving strength from tragedy, we can write the next great chapter in our Nation's history and ensure that future generations continue to enjoy the promise of America.

By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001 (Public Law 107-89), the Congress has designated September 11 of each year as Patriot Day, and by Public Law 111-13, approved April 21, 2009, has requested the observance of September 11 as an annually recognized National Day of Service and Remembrance.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 11, 2009, as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance.

I call upon all departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the United States to display the flag of the United States at half-staff on Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance in honor of the individuals who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks against the United States that occurred on September 11, 2001.

I invite the Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and interested organizations and individuals to join in this observance. I call upon the people of the United States to participate in community service in honor of those our Nation lost, to observe this day with other ceremonies and activities, including remembrance services, and to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. eastern daylight time to honor the innocent victims who perished as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

BARACK OBAMA

VFW Comes Through for Family When Injury Strikes

It all started with a nagging pain in Spc. Michael Scaramozza’s back.

“I was training for deployment,” he said. “The field training exercise included a lot of heavy lifting. My back started to really ache.”

Like most soldiers, Scaramozza tried to ignore the pain and push through it. But then suddenly, he awoke to find he couldn’t walk. Scaramozza was diagnosed with a ruptured disk and other major back problems. He needed multiple surgeries.

“Our plans went out the window,” he said. “I went from being active to bedridden in less than 24 hours. I couldn’t even lift my daughter Makayla, who was 13 months old at the time.”

Making matters worse, Sharon, his wife, had to miss many days of work. The family started to fall behind on bills.

“It was awful,” Scaramozza said. “There was nothing I could do. Sharon was taking care of me, Makayla—who was sick a lot—and trying to work as much as possible to keep us afloat.”

An employee at the hospital suggested the Scaramozza family contact VFW for emergency assistance. VFW Unmet Needs awarded the Scaramozza family much-needed gift cards to Wal-Mart and funds to cover an electric bill, car insurance and rent.

“I thought it was a long shot,” Scaramozza said. “When help arrived, we were in disbelief and completely speechless.

“We will never forget the way you have helped our family,” he shared. “We will always remember that there are people in this world who still have compassion and empathy to assist struggling military families. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

Scaramozza has undergone two back surgeries and will soon have another procedure. He is entering a Warrior Transition Unit and hopes to continue his military career.

Caravan Across Country to Help Save Mojave Desert War Memorial

AMERICAN SOLDIERS SAY “DON’T TEAR ME DOWN”:
Caravan Across Country to Help Save Mojave Desert War Memorial
Liberty Legal Institute-News Release

WASHINGTON, D.C.September 8, 2009 – A group of American soldiers returning from Iraq are taking a road trip across the country to bring awareness to the plight of the Mojave Desert War Memorial and gather signatures of support for the 75-year old monument. The memorial is the subject of an intense decade-long legal battle brought by the ACLU because it sits on public property and is in the shape of a cross. Today, it is boarded from view by a federal judge and could be torn down if the ACLU wins their legal case at the U.S. Supreme Court on Oct. 7.

The men begin their cross-country trek Sept. 14, in Fort Polk, Louisiana, and arrive at the memorial in the Mojave Desert on September 17. They will visit war memorials and gather signatures along the way. Veterans from the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and American Legion posts join them at different stops and all will caravan to the monument together where the soldiers will lay a wreath, observe a moment of silence for America’s war dead, and read the names of fallen comrades.
Click here for a detailed itinerary.

Monday, Sept.14 Arrive in Dallas for a Signing Ceremony at Flag Pole Hill, White Rock Lake
(2 to 3 p.m.)

Tuesday, Sept.15 Arrive in Sierra Vista, AZ, visit Buffalo Soldier Memorial; Arrive Phoenix

Wednesday, Sept. 16 Help construct moving Vietnam Wall; Depart for Flagstaff, AZ, Kingman,AZ,& Laughlin, NV to pick up and The American Legion Riders. Stop at War
Memorial at the McGuireville Rest Area on I-17.

Thursday, Sept.17 Meet long-time caretakers of the memorial, Henry and Wanda Sandoz, at Kelso,CA at 12:30 p.m. and travel together to the Monument

“I think I speak for a lot of folks in uniform when I say we are disappointed this is happening in America,” says Zachary Thomson, one of the main organizers for the trip. Friend and co-organizer Weldon Kelly agrees. ““The Mojave Desert War Memorial honors all war dead, and it saddens me that there are those who want to tear down a memorial to those who gave their lives for this nation.”

The soldiers learned about the case surrounding the Mojave Desert War Memorial from a video released by Liberty Legal Institute, a non-profit legal group which represents the more than four million veterans in the VFW, The American Legion, Military Order of the Purple Heart, VFW of California, and American Ex-Prisoners of War in the legal battle to save the memorial. Liberty Legal is helping publicize their ride, but is not organizing it.

The video is part of a larger public campaign launched shortly before Memorial Day called Don’t Tear Me Down. To date, there have been more than 1.7 million views on YouTube and over 135,000 signatures on a petition of support to be distributed to the veterans groups.

Liberty Legal Institute is a legal organization committed to the defense of religious freedoms and First Amendment rights and practices before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Interviews and B-roll of memorial are available. Visit www.DontTearMeDown.com for photos, detailed trends, and background information, and look for us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/donttearmedown) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/donttearmedown). For interviews with the soldiers, Liberty Legal Institute attorneys, the memorial caretakers, and others, contact Jennifer Grisham, director of media, at 202.297.1290 or media@libertylegal.org.

Veteran, 89, Receives WWII Medal

When May Fromm watched two female veterans of the Iraqi and Gulf Wars pin a medal of honor on her husband, 89-year-old Louis Fromm, a lifetime of soldier stories and wartime memories felt honored and validated.

“That was the highest honor for him and for me,” Fromm, of Manalapan, said afterwards to her daughter, Margaret Tamarkin of Jackson, and friends and staff from the Chelsea Assisted Living Facility in Manalapan where the ceremony was held. “My husband loves this country, and it is important that we remember it.”

Mr. Fromm received the Medal for Meritorious Service last week for his years fighting in Europe and stationed in Fort Dix, NJ, during the Second World War, where he was a Field Artillery Battalion Sergeant. Though he suffers from some dementia, he saluted VFW Post Commanders Terry Ching and Barbara Kim as they pinned the medal and told Mr. Fromm that his service honored them as well.

"It is especially important to remember these soldiers today, their loyalty and service to our country during the war," Mrs. Fromm said of today's military conflicts abroad. "He would go back and fight again if he could."

Mr. Fromm entered the U.S. Army on December 8, 1941, the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and fought across Belgium, Holland, Germany, Austria and France during his years of active duty.

Mrs. Fromm, 86-years-old, and also living at the Chelsea with her husband, remembers those years well.

“I wrote him every day,” she said of Mr. Fromm, whom she met at a party in Brooklyn and “immediately clicked with,” when they were teenagers. “He couldn’t write back too often because, of course, a slip of the lip could sink a ship!”

Mrs. Fromm explained how the public knew less about war developments in that time because restricted media access and censorship.

“It wasn’t in everyone’s living rooms at night,” she explained. “You were always worried about the men over there and what was happening.”

When he returned safely, Mr. Fromm eloped with Mrs. Fromm against his parents’ wishes in Brooklyn, New York, but the two later remarried in a religious ceremony in front of family and friends. The couple then took off together to travel the country—a trip, Mrs. Fromm explained—borne out of Mr. Fromm’s love for America.

“He loved this country more than anything, and he wanted to show it to me. We went to all the bases where he was stationed, and we saw everything,” she said.

When asked about his service during the ceremony, Mr. Fromm said he would reenter the service today if the government would take him, according to Tamarkin.

“My dad was always devoted to the country,” she said later. “He always told us about his camaraderie and brotherly love in the service.”

“He loved talking about it,” Mrs. Fromm agreed. “Some soldiers came back and had to lock it up in their minds, you know, but he was always talking about it. It’s important to talk about it so that we remember,” she said.

Mr. Fromm had previously received the EAME Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, WWII Victory Medal, and American Service Medal. When asked about his service to the country, Mr. Fromm replied, “I’ve had a wonderful life.”

Mrs. Fromm, wiping away tears at her husband's response, smiled and nodded. "We've had a wonderful life, and we love this country."

More pictures and original article

Agent Orange Linked to New Diseases

In its recent review of medical research into the long-term effects of exposure to herbicides in Vietnam, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) concluded that there is a suggestive link between exposure to Agent Orange and Ischemic Heart Disease, Parkinson's Disease and certain rare cancers.

In the same review, the IOM affirmed its earlier conclusion that there is a significantly increased risk of developing hypertension in those who served in Vietnam.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars is calling on the VA to fully recognize these findings and award presumptive service connection for veterans suffering from these diseases who were exposed to Agent Orange.

In 2000, a similar study found a link between Agent Orange and Type II Diabetes. Those findings led the VA to recognize presumptive service connection for Vietnam veterans suffering from the disease.

“Based on this data, the VA should take swift action,” says Gerald Manar, Deputy Director, National Veterans Service. “The VFW is pushing for full recognition of conditions linked to Agent Orange exposure, along with proper medical care and timely compensation.”

Patient Care Group SCAM ALERT!!!

The Veterans of Foreign Wars asks that you spread the word to all veterans!

The Department of Veterans Affairs has received reports that veterans are being contacted by a "Patient Care Group" that is claiming they are helping to administer the VA's prescription medicine program. The "Patient Care Group" is saying the VA recently changed its pharmacy billing procedures, therefore a personal credit card number is now required for prescription payments in advance of filling those prescriptions. This is a scam! Do not provide credit card information over the phone to anyone who claims they represent the VA! The VA has not changed their pharmacy procedures, and they do not call and ask veterans to disclose personal financial information over the phone. If you should receive such a call, do not give them any information. Tell them you are busy and try to get a name and callback number. Report that information to your local police and VA.

VFW Post 1127 Donates to Support Community

"VFW Donates PA System, Equipment to CYFL"

Published in The Brazil Times Friday September 4, 2009
By Jason Moon, Managing Editor

It only took a handful of days.

Approximately 10 days after representatives with the Clay Youth Football League discovered someone had stolen the public address system at McKinney Field, an area organization stepped up to the plate and delivered.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1127, 303 S. Depot St., Brazil, has agreed to donate its old PA system to the league.

"This worked out real well for us," CYFL President Mitch Hyatt said. "I'm pretty amazed with the V.F.W. Those guys are awesome. That's something you don't get a lot of times.

"(The V.F.W.) coming through that fast, I think it shows good community support. There's good people still in the community that want to help out."

CYFL board member Mike Rader contacted The Brazil Times Aug. 28, informing of the theft.

He said the items stolen from the facility were valued at more than $1,000, and included the PA system and a wireless microphone system.

The system and microphones were attached to a table made by PDF, Inc., Brazil.

V.F.W. Post 1127 Senior Vice Commander Bob Bigley told The Brazil Times after reading about the stolen PA equipment, he felt like the organization should do something.

Bigley said members of the V.F.W. started a discussion regarding what they could do.

"When we found out about this, we thought what could we do for them," Bigley said. "We could donate money to help them get a new PA system, but we couldn't come up with any ideas.

"We thought we've got to do something for these guys."

After racking their brains, V.F.W. members Michael Galloway and Steve Cohee suggested donating the old unit out of the organization's old building.

"I looked at them dumbfounded and said, 'My God, why didn't I think about that,'" Bigley said.

Bigley added the V.F.W. then voted on it and elected to donate the system.

"It worked fine for us for years," Bigley said. "I used it every Wednesday night for Bingo."

Bigley said the V.F.W. no longer needs the system as a state-of-the-art PA system is currently housed in its new building.

"We're extremely happy about this," Bigley said. "The V.F.W. does a lot of things in the community that people don't know about."

Bigley informed Hyatt of the donation Thursday.

"He told me he was ecstatic," Bigley said.

"We're very appreciative," Hyatt said. "(The V.F.W.) has been really good to us this year. They bought a banner and they are sponsoring a team."

Hyatt said delivery of the PA system could come as early as Tuesday.

No games are scheduled to take place during the weekend, but the league returns to action Tuesday.

"Hopefully, we'll have it ready," Hyatt said.

Unemployed OEF/OIF Vets at All-Time High

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4, 2009 — August unemployment data released today by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics has the new national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. very concerned. The data reflects 185,000 current war veterans as unemployed, an all-time high.

"The economic downturn has impacted the entire nation, and nowhere is it more demoralizing than in our armed forces," said Thomas J. Tradewell Sr., who was elected Aug. 20 to lead America's largest organization of combat veterans.

The BLS data increased the nationwide unemployment average to 9.7 percent for the general population, and dramatically increased the unemployment rate of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans from 9.8 percent to 11.3 percent. Equally disturbing is the increase in the total number of unemployed current war veterans, from 160,000 in July to 185,000, which almost equals the total U.S. military strength currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Hundreds of millions in stimulus money has now flowed to the states and commercial businesses, yet nowhere was there an attached stipulation regarding veterans employment or preference," said Tradewell, a Vietnam veteran from Sussex, Wis. "That has to be corrected immediately."

Tradewell said the VFW strongly believes that any entity that accepts federal stimulus money, regardless of amount, should be required to adhere to federal veterans' laws, in particular the Jobs for Veterans Act and the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act.

"The current state of the economy has today's military seriously questioning if they should separate or retire," he said. "That means they and their families are choosing between staying in uniform — and possibly returning for another combat tour — and standing in line at a job fair. There must be a better alternative."

VFW National Commander Holds Talks with Chinese Officials

VFW National Commander Thomas J. Tradewell Sr. with Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General, ZHENG ZEGUANG .

In keeping with VFW’s long-standing effort to obtain a full-accounting of U.S. POW/MIA’s, newly elected VFW National Commander Thomas J. Tradewell Sr. is on a fact-finding mission to the People’s Republic of China (PRC). During the meeting at the ministry, Tradewell requested access to Chinese government archival information relating to MIA’s from the Korean War. The discussion culminated with the director general stating he would assist the VFW in obtaining permission to view government archives.

Later this week, VFW National Commander Tradewell is slated to attend additional meetings with Chinese officials at the Ministry of Defense.