VFW Set to Stream Live From 2010 Legislative Conference

KANSAS CITY, Mo., February 12, 2010 — Due to overwhelming response from the veteran community following last year’s live stream from the 110th VFW National Convention, VFW will stream live from this year’s National Legislative Conference, March 6-10, only on www.vfw.org.

Streaming will begin with the Voice of Democracy Parade of Winners at 6:00 p.m. (EST) on March 7th.

We’ll pick it back up with the Conference’s Opening Session, set to begin at 8:00 a.m. the next morning, featuring guest speakers General George W. Casey, Jr., Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, and Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Eric Shinseki.

A delayed stream of VFW Commander-in-Chief, Thomas Tradewell’s testimony on Capitol Hill will also air the afternoon of Tuesday, March 9.

Help Build The American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial

Are you a coin collector? 2010 American Veterans Disabled for Life Commemorative Silver Dollar available February 26th. A portion of every coin sold will go towards the construction of The American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial in Washington D.C

VFW APPLAUDS VA, NATIONAL SECURITY BUDGET REQUESTS

WASHINGTON (February 2, 2010) – The national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is applauding President Obama for submitting a fiscal year 2011 budget that strengthens defense and national security, and boosts programs for veterans, servicemembers and their families.

Thomas J. Tradewell Sr., a combat-wounded Vietnam veteran from Sussex, Wis., said the president's vision tracks with key VFW legislative goals that advocate for a strong and secure America, and for ensuring that those who serve in uniform are properly cared for by a grateful nation.

“Our nation’s very existence depends on strong national defense and homeland security programs, and the men and women who selflessly shoulder that responsibility,” said Tradewell. “This budget recognizes the realities of fighting a war against a very dangerous, unpredictable and determined enemy.”

The $60.3 billion discretionary funding request for the Department of Veterans Affairs is 7 percent above 2010 and 20 percent above 2009 funding levels. Key initiatives are to hire 4,000 additional adjudicators to shrink the disability claims backlog; to reduce the homeless veterans’ population; to construct new medical facilities in Denver and New Orleans; and to maintain a robust information technology program that will enable a 21st century VA to fully automate its GI Bill benefits system and create a seamless electronic record for military members entering the VA system. Other notable recommendations would enhance women veterans’ programs; increase specialized care for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury and other mental health conditions; and expand the national cemetery system into areas where 80,000 veterans reside within 75 miles of a potential VA cemetery. Also included for the first time was a request for $50.6 billion in advanced appropriations for the VA’s fiscal 2012 budget.

The Defense Department’s budget submission of $548.9 billion represents a 3.4-percent increase over the previous year, plus $159.3 billion in additional funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Notable initiatives are improvements to military medical care and family support programs. Funding would increase for TBI and psychological care and research, as well as military family counseling and childcare services. The administration will not propose a Tricare insurance premium increase, but they did propose a 1.4-percent military pay raise, which if unchanged by Congress would represent the lowest since 1962.

The Department of Homeland Security would receive almost $43.6 billion, a 4-percent increase over the previous year. The budget submission focuses heavily on safeguarding the nation’s transportation system and on strengthening border security. High priorities are preventing terrorists from entering the country; improving security screening of passengers, baggage and employees; and improving the process in which illegal immigrants are detained and removed from the U.S.

“The president’s budget will help protect our nation and take care of the men and women and families who defend her,” said Tradewell. "We look forward to working with the administration and Congress to make this vision a reality."

More information on the VA, DOD and DHS budget submissions, as well as other federal departments and agencies, can be found on the White House Office of Management and Budget website at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget_factsheets_departments/.

Last U.S. veteran of World War I turns 109

From Paul Courson, CNN
Washington (CNN) -- The last surviving U.S. veteran of World War I, former Cpl. Frank Buckles, turns 109 on Monday and is still hoping for a national memorial in Washington for his comrades.

Buckles is expected to deliver remarks during a quiet celebration Monday afternoon at his home in Charles Town, West Virginia.

But the old "Doughboy" -- as World War I American infantry troops were called -- has already been outspoken in recent years, urging congressional lawmakers to give federal recognition and a facelift to a run-down District of Columbia memorial in an overgrown, wooded area along the National Mall.

In December, at 108, Buckles testified on Capitol Hill as lawmakers considered whether to fund renovation and give the site "national" monument status. But rival legislation seeks the "national" designation for a 1920s-era memorial located in Kansas City, Missouri.

Congress has not yet decided on the legislation.

In 2008, the old soldier came to Washington and visited that 1930s-vintage District memorial. In his wheelchair, helped along by a military aide, he slowly crossed the cracks in the flagstone walkway, and saw the cracks in the marble gazebo.

Still sharp at only 107, he noted during that visit that the names engraved along the gazebo's marble walls are only of those who hailed from District of Columbia.

Buckles that day also met with then-President George W. Bush at the White House and Defense Secretary Robert Gates at the Pentagon.

Later in 2008, Buckles was the guest of honor at Veterans Day ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery. He said he considers it his duty to represent his fellow soldiers.

"I have to," he told CNN, "because I'm the last living member of Americans," who fought in what was called The Great War.

As a soldier in the U.S. Army, Buckles was an ambulance driver for U.S. forces in Europe, and once met commanding Gen. John Pershing, near whose grave the more recent Veterans Day ceremony was held.

Buckles was warmly greeted with standing applause by those in uniform and others who had gathered for the commemoration, but he said he did not think the fuss was about him.

"I can see what they're honoring: The veterans of World War I."

"Time has passed very quickly to me," he told CNN after a wreath-laying, "I've had a lot of activity in the last 90 years."