The freedom and security that citizens of the United States enjoy today are direct results of the bloodshed and continued vigilance given by the United States Armed Forces over the history of our great nation.
In 2004, U.S. Congress passed a resolution proclaiming May as National Military Appreciation Month, calling all Americans to remember those who gave their lives in defense of freedom and to honor the men and women of our Armed Services who have served and are now serving our country, together with their families.
As no stranger to the sacrifices of our brave men and women, this month VFW calls on all Americans to do their part and show your appreciation to each individual who has ever donned the uniform of the U.S. military and committed to maintaining the way of life we all enjoy today.
For ideas on how you can participate, please visit http://www.nmam.org/participate.htm
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Friday, April 30, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Supreme Court Rules on Mojave Desert Cross
Decision sends case back to lower court
Washington D.C., April 28, 2010 — After seven months of deliberation, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed a lower court ruling to tear down a cross-shaped veterans memorial in the middle of the Mojave Desert Preserve, but the national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. said there is still work to be done before the 76-year-old memorial is seen again.
"Their ruling was a strong step forward, but the 5-4 split decision only protects the memorial today and didn't permit the congressional approved land transfer to occur or remove the plywood box that currently encases it," said Thomas J. Tradewell Sr., of Sussex, Wis.
"A decision today could have protected this memorial outright, along with establishing precedent to protect thousands of other veterans' memorials that currently reside on federal, state or municipal property throughout the country," he said. "The high court chose instead to remand the case back to the district court, which means we may have to go through these proceedings all over again."
In Salazar v. Buono, the Supreme Court ruled on the constitutionality of a seven-foot-tall Mojave Desert Veterans Memorial that VFW members erected in the shape of the Latin cross in 1934 to honor 53,000 Americans who fell in battle during World War I. The opposition, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, claimed that a cross on federal lands violated the Establishment Clause, which prohibits the federal government from creating a national religion or endorsing one religion over another.
Congress agreed in 2002 to give the one-acre memorial site to the VFW in exchange for five acres of privately owned land elsewhere within the 1.6 million-acre Mojave Desert Preserve. Lower courts, however, ruled that the government could not cure an Establishment Clause violation with a land swap. A plywood box has covered the cross ever since.
"Those World War I VFW members erected a memorial in the middle of the Mojave Desert 76 years ago to honor their dead," said Tradewell. "Their use of the cross was no more sectarian than our nation’s use of the cross on our second highest military medal for bravery. We hope the district court agrees with us, because modern-day political correctness standards should not be applied to a 1934 gesture to honor the fallen."
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
President Signs Tricare Protections into Law
Washington D.C., April 27, 2010 — The national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is thanking President Obama for signing H.R. 4887 into law yesterday to recognize all Department of Defense TRICARE and nonappropriated fund healthcare programs as meeting minimum essential coverage standards under the new national healthcare law.
"On behalf of more than 9 million beneficiaries, I want to thank the president for his signature, the House and Senate for their unanimous support, and House Armed Service Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) and Senate Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee Chairman Jim Webb (D-Va.) for championing these necessary protections," said VFW National Commander Thomas J. Tradewell Sr., of Sussex, Wis.
Skelton discovered that only TRICARE for Life was recognized as meeting minimum requirements for individual health insurance coverage standards, with no mention of the half-dozen other TRICARE programs or the NAF healthcare plan. His introduction of H.R. 4887 and Webb's introduction of a Senate companion bill led the VFW and others in Congress to wonder what other programs were not explicitly mentioned in the national healthcare bill? The answer: The healthcare programs provided to all Title 38 beneficiaries by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
In response, Senate VA Committee Chairman Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) introduced S. 3162 on March 24 to ensure all VA-provided care was recognized as meeting minimum essential coverage standards. The Senate quickly passed Akaka's bill that week. Now the VFW is working vigorously with House leadership to get S. 3162 passed into law, or its House companion bill, H.R. 5014, that House VA Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-Calif.) introduced April 14.
"National healthcare will help many veterans who do not qualify for DOD or VA care, but missing from the original legislation was language that would clearly recognize and protect the hard earned healthcare programs of those who do," said Tradewell, who also applauds the efforts of Senate VA Committee ranking member Richard Burr (R-N.C.), House VA Committee ranking member Steve Buyer (R-Ind.), and House Armed Services Committee ranking member Buck McKeon (R-Calif.).
"Getting H.R. 4887 signed into law is just half the fight," he said. "Now we need the House to pass the Akaka/Filner legislation so that all VA care provided to eligible veterans, widows and children will also be recognized and protected under the new national healthcare law."
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is a nonprofit veterans' service organization composed of combat veterans and those who currently serve on active duty or in the Guard and Reserves. Founded in 1899 and chartered by Congress in 1936, the VFW is the nation's largest organization of war veterans and is one of its oldest veterans' organizations. With 2.1 million members located in 7,900 VFW Posts worldwide, the VFW and its Auxiliaries are dedicated to "honor the dead by helping the living" through veterans service, legislative initiatives, youth scholarships, Buddy Poppy and national military service programs. The VFW and its Auxiliaries contribute more than 13 million hours annually in community service to the nation. For more information or to join, visit the organization's Web site at www.vfw.org.
Contact: Joe Davis, Director of Public Affairs, VFW Washington Office, (o) 202-608-8357, jdavis@vfw.org
"On behalf of more than 9 million beneficiaries, I want to thank the president for his signature, the House and Senate for their unanimous support, and House Armed Service Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) and Senate Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee Chairman Jim Webb (D-Va.) for championing these necessary protections," said VFW National Commander Thomas J. Tradewell Sr., of Sussex, Wis.
Skelton discovered that only TRICARE for Life was recognized as meeting minimum requirements for individual health insurance coverage standards, with no mention of the half-dozen other TRICARE programs or the NAF healthcare plan. His introduction of H.R. 4887 and Webb's introduction of a Senate companion bill led the VFW and others in Congress to wonder what other programs were not explicitly mentioned in the national healthcare bill? The answer: The healthcare programs provided to all Title 38 beneficiaries by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
In response, Senate VA Committee Chairman Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) introduced S. 3162 on March 24 to ensure all VA-provided care was recognized as meeting minimum essential coverage standards. The Senate quickly passed Akaka's bill that week. Now the VFW is working vigorously with House leadership to get S. 3162 passed into law, or its House companion bill, H.R. 5014, that House VA Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-Calif.) introduced April 14.
"National healthcare will help many veterans who do not qualify for DOD or VA care, but missing from the original legislation was language that would clearly recognize and protect the hard earned healthcare programs of those who do," said Tradewell, who also applauds the efforts of Senate VA Committee ranking member Richard Burr (R-N.C.), House VA Committee ranking member Steve Buyer (R-Ind.), and House Armed Services Committee ranking member Buck McKeon (R-Calif.).
"Getting H.R. 4887 signed into law is just half the fight," he said. "Now we need the House to pass the Akaka/Filner legislation so that all VA care provided to eligible veterans, widows and children will also be recognized and protected under the new national healthcare law."
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is a nonprofit veterans' service organization composed of combat veterans and those who currently serve on active duty or in the Guard and Reserves. Founded in 1899 and chartered by Congress in 1936, the VFW is the nation's largest organization of war veterans and is one of its oldest veterans' organizations. With 2.1 million members located in 7,900 VFW Posts worldwide, the VFW and its Auxiliaries are dedicated to "honor the dead by helping the living" through veterans service, legislative initiatives, youth scholarships, Buddy Poppy and national military service programs. The VFW and its Auxiliaries contribute more than 13 million hours annually in community service to the nation. For more information or to join, visit the organization's Web site at www.vfw.org.
Contact: Joe Davis, Director of Public Affairs, VFW Washington Office, (o) 202-608-8357, jdavis@vfw.org
Friday, April 23, 2010
VFW National HQ/Kansas City Chiefs Announce Partnership
Patriotic events to host “Salute to Military Families.”
Kansas City, MO, April 23, 2010 — Two home-town and national icons, The Veterans of Foreign Wars National Headquarters and the Kansas City Chiefs, have joined forces to highlight and honor the service and sacrifice of the millions of military members who have, or are fighting, to preserve our freedoms and liberties at home and abroad.
The Kansas City Chiefs and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation’s "Salute to Military Families " patriotic program is expected to unite thousands of Kansas City residents in publicly displaying their support of America's men and women in uniform during a host of events at Arrowhead Stadium and select military bases and VA medical facilities. The partnership is slated to be launched during the Chief’s ‘Draft Day’ on April 22 at Arrowhead Stadium.
“We’re thankful to the Kansas City Chief’s organization for their interest and concern for our nation’s service members, veterans and their families. Moreover, we’re especially appreciative of the incredible enthusiasm they have for showing our troops and their families that patriotic Kansas Citians care about them and are not going to forget about them," said VFW national commander Thomas J. Tradewell Sr., a combat-wounded Vietnam veteran from Sussex, Wi.
Headquartered at the corner of 34th and Broadway in Kansas City, Mo since 1930, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is a nonprofit veterans' service organization composed of combat veterans and those who currently serve on active duty or in the Guard and Reserves. Founded in 1899 and chartered by Congress in 1936, the VFW is the nation's largest organization of war veterans and is one of its oldest veterans' organizations. With 2.1 million members located in 7,500 VFW Posts worldwide, the VFW and its Auxiliaries are dedicated to "honor the dead by helping the living" through veterans service, legislative initiatives, youth scholarships, Buddy Poppy and national military service programs. Annually, the VFW and its Auxiliaries contribute more than 13 million hours of community service to the nation.
The VFW Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization and official charity of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), America’s oldest and largest service group for combat veterans. The mission of the VFW Foundation is to support non-political programs that secure, manage and distribute resources to improve the lives of veterans, military service personnel, their families and communities.
The Foundation’s “Return the Favor” campaign is designed to raise unrestricted monies through the Foundation to support the causes listed above www.returnthefavor.org.
Kansas City, MO, April 23, 2010 — Two home-town and national icons, The Veterans of Foreign Wars National Headquarters and the Kansas City Chiefs, have joined forces to highlight and honor the service and sacrifice of the millions of military members who have, or are fighting, to preserve our freedoms and liberties at home and abroad.
The Kansas City Chiefs and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation’s "Salute to Military Families " patriotic program is expected to unite thousands of Kansas City residents in publicly displaying their support of America's men and women in uniform during a host of events at Arrowhead Stadium and select military bases and VA medical facilities. The partnership is slated to be launched during the Chief’s ‘Draft Day’ on April 22 at Arrowhead Stadium.
“We’re thankful to the Kansas City Chief’s organization for their interest and concern for our nation’s service members, veterans and their families. Moreover, we’re especially appreciative of the incredible enthusiasm they have for showing our troops and their families that patriotic Kansas Citians care about them and are not going to forget about them," said VFW national commander Thomas J. Tradewell Sr., a combat-wounded Vietnam veteran from Sussex, Wi.
Headquartered at the corner of 34th and Broadway in Kansas City, Mo since 1930, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is a nonprofit veterans' service organization composed of combat veterans and those who currently serve on active duty or in the Guard and Reserves. Founded in 1899 and chartered by Congress in 1936, the VFW is the nation's largest organization of war veterans and is one of its oldest veterans' organizations. With 2.1 million members located in 7,500 VFW Posts worldwide, the VFW and its Auxiliaries are dedicated to "honor the dead by helping the living" through veterans service, legislative initiatives, youth scholarships, Buddy Poppy and national military service programs. Annually, the VFW and its Auxiliaries contribute more than 13 million hours of community service to the nation.
The VFW Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization and official charity of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), America’s oldest and largest service group for combat veterans. The mission of the VFW Foundation is to support non-political programs that secure, manage and distribute resources to improve the lives of veterans, military service personnel, their families and communities.
The Foundation’s “Return the Favor” campaign is designed to raise unrestricted monies through the Foundation to support the causes listed above www.returnthefavor.org.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
VFW Urges Passage of Veterans Jobs Bill
Corporate America the key to stemming rampant unemployment rate
Washington D.C.,(April 20, 2010) — The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is backing legislation introduced today by Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) to create a veterans jobs bill to help ease the rampant unemployment rate among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.
"The nation’s economy is showing signs of improvement, but the unemployment rate of current war veterans is accelerating in the wrong direction," said VFW National Commander Thomas J. Tradewell Sr., of Sussex, Wis. "We believe Senator Murray’s bill will help address many of those concerns and impediments to employment."
According to the Department of Labor, there are more than 1.1 million unemployed veterans, a quarter-million of whom are Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, with unemployment rates of 30.2 percent for age 24 and younger, and 17.9 percent for ages 25 to 34. The national unemployment average is just below 10 percent.
In testimony last week before the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, the VFW said Washington cannot solve the veterans' unemployment epidemic alone, but Washington can — and must — do a better job of selling veterans to corporate America.
"The federal government must become a veteran’s greatest cheerleader," said Tradewell, who is very supportive of Murray’s bill to expand counseling, training and placement services, as well as entrepreneurial opportunities, because "veterans hire veterans."
The VFW also wants federal incentives increased to entice more businesses to hire more veterans.
One such incentive, for example, would be to double the $2,400 and $4,800 Work Opportunity Tax Credit for businesses who hire veterans and disabled veterans, respectively, as well as eliminate the program's five-year window that currently excludes 765,000 unemployed veterans from being eligible.
In addition, the VFW national commander wants America's veterans who are in the corporate world to use their veteran status as a bully pulpit to push "Veterans First" in boardrooms across the country.
"A young platoon sergeant or lieutenant is in a foreign country right now helping a small community get back on its feet — and they are doing it in a different language and armed primarily with the common sense in their head and the people skills they learned in the military. Just imagine what that can-do attitude could bring to America's business community if just given a chance," said Tradewell.
"Our greatest generation returned home from World War II to become the scientists, scholars and captains of industry who led our nation's tremendous era of growth in the second half of the 20th century. That is exactly what America's newest greatest generation is capable of, and it all begins with one job and one employer who believes that those we entrust to protect our nation can also be trusted to run their companies."
-30-
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is a nonprofit veterans' service organization composed of combat veterans and those who currently serve on active duty or in the Guard and Reserves. Founded in 1899 and chartered by Congress in 1936, the VFW is the nation's largest organization of war veterans and is one of its oldest veterans' organizations. With 2.1 million members located in 7,900 VFW Posts worldwide, the VFW and its Auxiliaries are dedicated to "honor the dead by helping the living" through veterans service, legislative initiatives, youth scholarships, Buddy Poppy and national military service programs. The VFW and its Auxiliaries contribute more than 13 million hours annually in community service to the nation. For more information or to join, visit the organization's Web site at www.vfw.org.
Contact: Joe Davis, Director of Public Affairs, VFW Washington Office, (o) 202-608-8357, jdavis@vfw.org
Washington D.C.,(April 20, 2010) — The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is backing legislation introduced today by Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) to create a veterans jobs bill to help ease the rampant unemployment rate among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.
"The nation’s economy is showing signs of improvement, but the unemployment rate of current war veterans is accelerating in the wrong direction," said VFW National Commander Thomas J. Tradewell Sr., of Sussex, Wis. "We believe Senator Murray’s bill will help address many of those concerns and impediments to employment."
According to the Department of Labor, there are more than 1.1 million unemployed veterans, a quarter-million of whom are Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, with unemployment rates of 30.2 percent for age 24 and younger, and 17.9 percent for ages 25 to 34. The national unemployment average is just below 10 percent.
In testimony last week before the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, the VFW said Washington cannot solve the veterans' unemployment epidemic alone, but Washington can — and must — do a better job of selling veterans to corporate America.
"The federal government must become a veteran’s greatest cheerleader," said Tradewell, who is very supportive of Murray’s bill to expand counseling, training and placement services, as well as entrepreneurial opportunities, because "veterans hire veterans."
The VFW also wants federal incentives increased to entice more businesses to hire more veterans.
One such incentive, for example, would be to double the $2,400 and $4,800 Work Opportunity Tax Credit for businesses who hire veterans and disabled veterans, respectively, as well as eliminate the program's five-year window that currently excludes 765,000 unemployed veterans from being eligible.
In addition, the VFW national commander wants America's veterans who are in the corporate world to use their veteran status as a bully pulpit to push "Veterans First" in boardrooms across the country.
"A young platoon sergeant or lieutenant is in a foreign country right now helping a small community get back on its feet — and they are doing it in a different language and armed primarily with the common sense in their head and the people skills they learned in the military. Just imagine what that can-do attitude could bring to America's business community if just given a chance," said Tradewell.
"Our greatest generation returned home from World War II to become the scientists, scholars and captains of industry who led our nation's tremendous era of growth in the second half of the 20th century. That is exactly what America's newest greatest generation is capable of, and it all begins with one job and one employer who believes that those we entrust to protect our nation can also be trusted to run their companies."
-30-
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is a nonprofit veterans' service organization composed of combat veterans and those who currently serve on active duty or in the Guard and Reserves. Founded in 1899 and chartered by Congress in 1936, the VFW is the nation's largest organization of war veterans and is one of its oldest veterans' organizations. With 2.1 million members located in 7,900 VFW Posts worldwide, the VFW and its Auxiliaries are dedicated to "honor the dead by helping the living" through veterans service, legislative initiatives, youth scholarships, Buddy Poppy and national military service programs. The VFW and its Auxiliaries contribute more than 13 million hours annually in community service to the nation. For more information or to join, visit the organization's Web site at www.vfw.org.
Contact: Joe Davis, Director of Public Affairs, VFW Washington Office, (o) 202-608-8357, jdavis@vfw.org
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Senate Passes Tricare Protections
House action still needed to recognize VA healthcare
Washington D.C., April 13, 2010 — With the Senate passage of S. 3148 last night, all military TRICARE programs will soon be recognized as meeting minimum essential coverage standards under the new national healthcare law, according to the national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S.
Though a great victory for more than 9 million military families and retirees, Thomas J. Tradewell Sr. cautioned against celebrating until the House acts on S. 3162, which was introduced by Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) to recognize and protect all VA healthcare programs, too.
"There are a few more parts to this mission, which won't be complete until the House passes S. 3162 and the president signs both bills," he said.
The VFW has been aggressively working since mid-March to ensure the new national healthcare law recognizes and protects all the healthcare programs provided by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.
"National healthcare will help many veterans who are ineligible for DOD or VA care,” said Tradewell, a combat-wounded Vietnam veteran from Sussex, Wis., "but missing from the original legislation was language that specifically recognized all military TRICARE and VA programs as meeting minimum essential coverage standards. That meant standalone legislation was required to protect all the healthcare programs provided by the nation's two largest federal departments."
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) was the first to act with the introduction of H.R. 4887. His bill was necessary because the national healthcare legislation, as written, only recognized TRICARE for Life, and excluded a half dozen other TRICARE programs, as well as the health plan provided to DOD nonappropriated fund employees. H.R. 4887 passed unanimously 403-0. Senate Armed Service Personnel Subcommittee Chairman Jim Webb (D-Va.) quickly introduced S. 3148 as a companion to Skelton's H.R. 4887, which cleared the Senate last night.
Senate VA Committee Chairman Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) introduced S. 3162 to recognize and protect all VA programs. His bill remains necessary because the national healthcare legislation, as written, only recognizes veterans covered under chapter 17 of Title 38, and excludes other Title 38 recipients, to include widows and dependent children. S. 3162 passed the Senate March 26, but has yet to move to a vote in the House.
"Bill language is extremely important because it becomes the law of the land,” said Tradewell, who applauded the efforts of Skelton, Webb and Akaka, as well as Senate VA Committee ranking member Richard Burr (R-N.C.), House VA Committee ranking member Steve Buyer (R-Ind.), and House Armed Services Committee ranking member Buck McKeon (R-Calif.).
"The VFW salutes these true champions in Congress for ensuring all the hard earned DOD and VA healthcare programs for America's veterans, servicemembers and their families are protected in writing."
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is a nonprofit veterans' service organization composed of combat veterans and those who currently serve on active duty or in the Guard and Reserves. Founded in 1899 and chartered by Congress in 1936, the VFW is the nation's largest organization of war veterans and is one of its oldest veterans' organizations. With 2.1 million members located in 7,900 VFW Posts worldwide, the VFW and its Auxiliaries are dedicated to "honor the dead by helping the living" through veterans service, legislative initiatives, youth scholarships, Buddy Poppy and national military service programs. The VFW and its Auxiliaries contribute more than 13 million hours annually in community service to the nation. For more information or to join, visit the organization's Web site at www.vfw.org.
Contact: Joe Davis, Director of Public Affairs, VFW Washington Office, (o) 202-608-8357, jdavis@vfw.org
Washington D.C., April 13, 2010 — With the Senate passage of S. 3148 last night, all military TRICARE programs will soon be recognized as meeting minimum essential coverage standards under the new national healthcare law, according to the national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S.
Though a great victory for more than 9 million military families and retirees, Thomas J. Tradewell Sr. cautioned against celebrating until the House acts on S. 3162, which was introduced by Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) to recognize and protect all VA healthcare programs, too.
"There are a few more parts to this mission, which won't be complete until the House passes S. 3162 and the president signs both bills," he said.
The VFW has been aggressively working since mid-March to ensure the new national healthcare law recognizes and protects all the healthcare programs provided by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.
"National healthcare will help many veterans who are ineligible for DOD or VA care,” said Tradewell, a combat-wounded Vietnam veteran from Sussex, Wis., "but missing from the original legislation was language that specifically recognized all military TRICARE and VA programs as meeting minimum essential coverage standards. That meant standalone legislation was required to protect all the healthcare programs provided by the nation's two largest federal departments."
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) was the first to act with the introduction of H.R. 4887. His bill was necessary because the national healthcare legislation, as written, only recognized TRICARE for Life, and excluded a half dozen other TRICARE programs, as well as the health plan provided to DOD nonappropriated fund employees. H.R. 4887 passed unanimously 403-0. Senate Armed Service Personnel Subcommittee Chairman Jim Webb (D-Va.) quickly introduced S. 3148 as a companion to Skelton's H.R. 4887, which cleared the Senate last night.
Senate VA Committee Chairman Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) introduced S. 3162 to recognize and protect all VA programs. His bill remains necessary because the national healthcare legislation, as written, only recognizes veterans covered under chapter 17 of Title 38, and excludes other Title 38 recipients, to include widows and dependent children. S. 3162 passed the Senate March 26, but has yet to move to a vote in the House.
"Bill language is extremely important because it becomes the law of the land,” said Tradewell, who applauded the efforts of Skelton, Webb and Akaka, as well as Senate VA Committee ranking member Richard Burr (R-N.C.), House VA Committee ranking member Steve Buyer (R-Ind.), and House Armed Services Committee ranking member Buck McKeon (R-Calif.).
"The VFW salutes these true champions in Congress for ensuring all the hard earned DOD and VA healthcare programs for America's veterans, servicemembers and their families are protected in writing."
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is a nonprofit veterans' service organization composed of combat veterans and those who currently serve on active duty or in the Guard and Reserves. Founded in 1899 and chartered by Congress in 1936, the VFW is the nation's largest organization of war veterans and is one of its oldest veterans' organizations. With 2.1 million members located in 7,900 VFW Posts worldwide, the VFW and its Auxiliaries are dedicated to "honor the dead by helping the living" through veterans service, legislative initiatives, youth scholarships, Buddy Poppy and national military service programs. The VFW and its Auxiliaries contribute more than 13 million hours annually in community service to the nation. For more information or to join, visit the organization's Web site at www.vfw.org.
Contact: Joe Davis, Director of Public Affairs, VFW Washington Office, (o) 202-608-8357, jdavis@vfw.org
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Women Veterans VA Health Care and VA Disability Claim
The VFW is interested in the timeliness, quality, and accessibility of health care female veterans are receiving at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care facilities. We would also like to know if VA is meeting your expectation of privacy during both office check-in and during the actual physical examination. We are seeking comments regarding experiences you have encountered both negative and positive. Please send to Email to vfw@vfw.org, using the subject line Female Veteran Concerns. In addition, if you have questions about your VA disability claim please contact us at the same email address listed above.
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