WASHINGTON D.C., January 28, 2011 — America's oldest and largest major combat veterans' organization announced it will do everything within its power to defeat a plan introduced by Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) to cut $4.5 billion from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
"No way, no how, will we let this proposal get any traction in Congress," said Richard L. Eubank, the national commander of the 2.1 million-member Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. and its Auxiliaries.
On her website, the three-term congresswoman lists more than $400 billion in suggestions to cut federal spending. The VA suggestion would cap increases to VA healthcare spending, and reduce disability compensation to account for Social Security Disability Insurance payments — in other words, an offset. She says her plan is intended to generate discussion.
"The only discussion the VFW wants is to tell the congresswoman that her plan is totally out of step with America's commitment to our veterans," said Eubank, a retired Marine and Vietnam combat veteran from Eugene, Ore.
"There are certain things you do not do when our nation is at war, and at the top of that list is not caring for our wounded and disabled servicemen and women when they return home," he said. "I want the congresswoman to join us in a tour of the Minneapolis VA Medical Center and Poly Trauma Center the next time she's in her home district to witness firsthand the great work the VA does every day to heal their wounds and ease their pain. Then I want her to look those disabled veterans in the eye and tell them their service and sacrifice is too expensive for the nation to bear.
"The day this nation can't afford to take care of her veterans is the day this nation should quit creating them," said Eubank.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is a nonprofit veterans' service organization composed of combat veterans and those who currently serve in uniform 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 its oldest major veterans' organization. With 2.1 million members located in 7,600 VFW Posts worldwide, the VFW and its Auxiliaries are dedicated to "honor the dead by helping the living" through veterans service, legislative advocacy, youth scholarships, Buddy Poppy and national military service programs. The VFW and its Auxiliaries volunteer 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
WHO WE ARE:
Friday, January 28, 2011
VFW Washington Weekly
January 28, 2011
In This Issue:
1. Murray is New SVAC Chair
2. VA Eases A/O Claims for Korea Vets
3. VFW Salutes New Family Campaign
4. GITMO Detainee Gets Life
5. Student Vets Out Fake Colonel
6. Korean War MIA Identified
1. Murray is New SVAC Chair: U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) became the new chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee yesterday. She replaces Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI), who becomes the new chairman of Indian Affairs. Just reelected to her fourth term, Murray is the daughter of a disabled World War II veteran who said her top priorities will be the VA claims backlog, veterans' homelessness and mental health care. VFW National Commander Richard Eubank called her selection a "Great choice, considering her past record as a great veterans' advocate." VFW looks forward to working with Senator Murray, the other members of the committee and their staffs in passing legislation that will benefit all veterans and their families.
2. VA Eases A/O Claims for Korea Vets: Under the final regulation published this week in the Federal Register, VA will presume herbicide exposure for any Korean veteran who served between April 1, 1968, and Aug. 31, 1971, in a unit recognized as having operated in or near the DMZ where herbicides were applied. Previously, VA only conceded Agent Orange exposure for certain units between April 1968 and July 1969. VA encourages Korean veterans who may have medical conditions related to Agent Orange exposure to submit their VA claims as soon as possible. Read the VA press release with links to additional information.
3. VFW Salutes New Family Campaign: The president launched a new campaign Monday to strengthen military family programs for mental health, education, childcare, career counseling, combating homelessness, and adds further protections from predatory lenders and financial scams. The initiative is unprecedented, in that every cabinet secretary is now tasked with a specific role to help better the quality of life of all military families. "We can never do enough to support those who support our troops the most, so this initiative to better address their concerns and eliminate obstacles to success is a huge step in the right direction," said VFW National Commander Richard Eubank. Read the VFW press release.
4. GITMO Detainee Gets Life: A U.S. District Court judge sentenced the first Guantanamo detainee to have a civilian trial to life in prison on Tuesday. Judge Lewis A. Kaplan called it a day of justice for the families of 224 people who died in the al-Qaida bombings, including a dozen Americans, and thousands more who were injured. Ahmed Ghailani, 36, a Tanzanian captured in Pakistan in 2004, was moved to Guantanamo Bay in 2006 before being transferred to New York for prosecution.
5. Student Vets Out Fake Colonel: Last fall, student veterans attending Middlebury College's Monterey Institute for International Studies in California challenged the credentials of their instructor, William Hillar, who claimed to be a retired Special Forces colonel trained in tactical counter-terrorism, psychological warfare and emergency medicine, with service in Asia, the Middle East and South America. They said Hillar, 66, did not exhibit the mannerisms of a high-ranking Army officer. On Tuesday, FBI agents arrested Hillar at his Millersville, Md., home following the completion of a fraud investigation. DOD says Hillar's only military experience was in the Coast Guard from 1962-70. Read more about it in the University of Oregon Daily Emerald student newspaper .
6. Korean War MIA Identified: The Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced the identification of remains belonging to Air Force 1st Lt. Robert F. Dees, 23, of Moultrie, Ga. On Oct. 9, 1952, Dees was piloting an F-84 Thunderjet against enemy railcars near Sinyang, North Korea. All contact was lost with him after an explosion near the target was observed by other flight members. In 1954, North Korea turned over remains reportedly recovered from Sinyang, but Army mortuary affairs was unable to identify the remains, which were subsequently buried as “unknown” in the National Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu. For more information on the recovery and identification process, read the DOD press release.
In This Issue:
1. Murray is New SVAC Chair
2. VA Eases A/O Claims for Korea Vets
3. VFW Salutes New Family Campaign
4. GITMO Detainee Gets Life
5. Student Vets Out Fake Colonel
6. Korean War MIA Identified
1. Murray is New SVAC Chair: U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) became the new chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee yesterday. She replaces Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI), who becomes the new chairman of Indian Affairs. Just reelected to her fourth term, Murray is the daughter of a disabled World War II veteran who said her top priorities will be the VA claims backlog, veterans' homelessness and mental health care. VFW National Commander Richard Eubank called her selection a "Great choice, considering her past record as a great veterans' advocate." VFW looks forward to working with Senator Murray, the other members of the committee and their staffs in passing legislation that will benefit all veterans and their families.
2. VA Eases A/O Claims for Korea Vets: Under the final regulation published this week in the Federal Register, VA will presume herbicide exposure for any Korean veteran who served between April 1, 1968, and Aug. 31, 1971, in a unit recognized as having operated in or near the DMZ where herbicides were applied. Previously, VA only conceded Agent Orange exposure for certain units between April 1968 and July 1969. VA encourages Korean veterans who may have medical conditions related to Agent Orange exposure to submit their VA claims as soon as possible. Read the VA press release with links to additional information.
3. VFW Salutes New Family Campaign: The president launched a new campaign Monday to strengthen military family programs for mental health, education, childcare, career counseling, combating homelessness, and adds further protections from predatory lenders and financial scams. The initiative is unprecedented, in that every cabinet secretary is now tasked with a specific role to help better the quality of life of all military families. "We can never do enough to support those who support our troops the most, so this initiative to better address their concerns and eliminate obstacles to success is a huge step in the right direction," said VFW National Commander Richard Eubank. Read the VFW press release.
4. GITMO Detainee Gets Life: A U.S. District Court judge sentenced the first Guantanamo detainee to have a civilian trial to life in prison on Tuesday. Judge Lewis A. Kaplan called it a day of justice for the families of 224 people who died in the al-Qaida bombings, including a dozen Americans, and thousands more who were injured. Ahmed Ghailani, 36, a Tanzanian captured in Pakistan in 2004, was moved to Guantanamo Bay in 2006 before being transferred to New York for prosecution.
5. Student Vets Out Fake Colonel: Last fall, student veterans attending Middlebury College's Monterey Institute for International Studies in California challenged the credentials of their instructor, William Hillar, who claimed to be a retired Special Forces colonel trained in tactical counter-terrorism, psychological warfare and emergency medicine, with service in Asia, the Middle East and South America. They said Hillar, 66, did not exhibit the mannerisms of a high-ranking Army officer. On Tuesday, FBI agents arrested Hillar at his Millersville, Md., home following the completion of a fraud investigation. DOD says Hillar's only military experience was in the Coast Guard from 1962-70. Read more about it in the University of Oregon Daily Emerald student newspaper .
6. Korean War MIA Identified: The Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced the identification of remains belonging to Air Force 1st Lt. Robert F. Dees, 23, of Moultrie, Ga. On Oct. 9, 1952, Dees was piloting an F-84 Thunderjet against enemy railcars near Sinyang, North Korea. All contact was lost with him after an explosion near the target was observed by other flight members. In 1954, North Korea turned over remains reportedly recovered from Sinyang, but Army mortuary affairs was unable to identify the remains, which were subsequently buried as “unknown” in the National Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu. For more information on the recovery and identification process, read the DOD press release.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
VFW Partners with Ricky Lee in Latest Troop Support Effort
Kansas City, Mo., Jan. 25, 2011 — The VFW is pleased to announce it has teamed up with country artist Ricky Lee to benefit soldiers through its Military Assistance Program (MAP). Lee will donate five dollars from each purchase through the VFW Store of his newest album, Freedom, directly to MAP.
Lee’s, Freedom features patriotic songs like, “American Hero,” and “100% American.” He describes his latest CD as, “songs of real stories and inspirations of the heroes whom I have met throughout the years. It’s in honor to all that have served this great country and to their families.”
Spread the word and be sure to purchase your copy from the VFW Store!
Monday, January 24, 2011
VFW Salutes President's New Military Family Campaign
WASHINGTON January 24, 2011 — The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is saluting President Obama for launching a new national campaign to support and strengthen the quality of life programs provided to military families in the areas of psychological health and wellbeing, children's education and development, military spouse career and educational opportunities, and increasing child care availability and quality at military installations everywhere.
The president's initiative is unprecedented, in that it now tasks every cabinet secretary with a specific role to help better the quality of life of all military families. The program was rolled out today in the East Room of the White House with members of the Joint Chiefs and the president's cabinet in attendance, as well as VFW Washington Office Executive Director Bob Wallace.
"Military families need all the support and recognition our nation can provide," said VFW National Commander Richard L. Eubank, a retired Marine and Vietnam combat veteran from Eugene, Ore., who agrees with the president that much has been accomplished, but more can still be done at every level of government.
"Less than one percent of our population has been at war now for more than nine years, and so, too, have been their families, who carry the additional burden of having a spouse, child or parent in a warzone," said Eubank.
"We can never do enough to support those who support our troops the most, so this initiative to better address their concerns and eliminate obstacles to success is a huge step in the right direction," he said.
"We are grateful to the president for his continuing commitment and especially to First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden for pushing military family issues to the forefront of national awareness.
More details on the new national initiative can be found on the White House website here.
The president's initiative is unprecedented, in that it now tasks every cabinet secretary with a specific role to help better the quality of life of all military families. The program was rolled out today in the East Room of the White House with members of the Joint Chiefs and the president's cabinet in attendance, as well as VFW Washington Office Executive Director Bob Wallace.
"Military families need all the support and recognition our nation can provide," said VFW National Commander Richard L. Eubank, a retired Marine and Vietnam combat veteran from Eugene, Ore., who agrees with the president that much has been accomplished, but more can still be done at every level of government.
"Less than one percent of our population has been at war now for more than nine years, and so, too, have been their families, who carry the additional burden of having a spouse, child or parent in a warzone," said Eubank.
"We can never do enough to support those who support our troops the most, so this initiative to better address their concerns and eliminate obstacles to success is a huge step in the right direction," he said.
"We are grateful to the president for his continuing commitment and especially to First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden for pushing military family issues to the forefront of national awareness.
More details on the new national initiative can be found on the White House website here.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
VFW Free Call Days Tops 5 Million Connections
Operation Uplink provides free monthly connections for military.
KANSAS CITY, Mo., Jan. 19, 2011 — As of Jan. 16th VFW Operation Uplink™ “Free Call Day” (FCD) surpassed 5 million connections made from deployed military personnel to their loved ones. Operation Uplink initially provided calling cards to deployed and hospitalized troops, but on Mother's Day 2006, due to the growing popularity of the program and thanks to the generosity of corporate donors like Sport Clips and Harleysville Insurance, the program began hosting "Free Call Days."
Operation Uplink hosts a Free Call Day for service members serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, and hospitalized veterans, giving them the opportunity to call their loved ones in the States at no cost.
Free Call Days are available at more than 700 MWR internet cafes using SPAWAR. Soldiers use their regular SPAWAR prepaid PIN number and use regular dialing procedures, if they don’t have a PIN, on the day of the FCD, the café manager can issue them one. A sponsor message greets them before the call is placed to inform them that the call is at no charge and they are free to talk for as long as they are able.
The program is the only one of its kind and provides two designated days each month where deployed service members making calls from their Morale, Welfare & Recreation (MWR) center to the U.S., and Germany and Italy land lines are greeted by a recording which states their call will be free courtesy of Operation Uplink. Members of the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary VFW Posts, as well as other caring citizens generously support the program. The VFW is proud of Operation Uplink because it provides an easy way for individuals and organizations to make an immediate difference in the lives of active-duty military personnel.
Click here if you or your corporation is interested in sponsoring a Free Call Day! Contact John Lowe of the VFW Foundation at (816) 756-3390or Jlowe@vfw.org with any questions.
KANSAS CITY, Mo., Jan. 19, 2011 — As of Jan. 16th VFW Operation Uplink™ “Free Call Day” (FCD) surpassed 5 million connections made from deployed military personnel to their loved ones. Operation Uplink initially provided calling cards to deployed and hospitalized troops, but on Mother's Day 2006, due to the growing popularity of the program and thanks to the generosity of corporate donors like Sport Clips and Harleysville Insurance, the program began hosting "Free Call Days."
Operation Uplink hosts a Free Call Day for service members serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, and hospitalized veterans, giving them the opportunity to call their loved ones in the States at no cost.
Free Call Days are available at more than 700 MWR internet cafes using SPAWAR. Soldiers use their regular SPAWAR prepaid PIN number and use regular dialing procedures, if they don’t have a PIN, on the day of the FCD, the café manager can issue them one. A sponsor message greets them before the call is placed to inform them that the call is at no charge and they are free to talk for as long as they are able.
The program is the only one of its kind and provides two designated days each month where deployed service members making calls from their Morale, Welfare & Recreation (MWR) center to the U.S., and Germany and Italy land lines are greeted by a recording which states their call will be free courtesy of Operation Uplink. Members of the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary VFW Posts, as well as other caring citizens generously support the program. The VFW is proud of Operation Uplink because it provides an easy way for individuals and organizations to make an immediate difference in the lives of active-duty military personnel.
Click here if you or your corporation is interested in sponsoring a Free Call Day! Contact John Lowe of the VFW Foundation at (816) 756-3390or Jlowe@vfw.org with any questions.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Veterans Sue Obama Administration Over 76 Year Old War Memorial
California VFW Wants Obama to Restore Mojave Desert Cross
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Liberty Institute, representing the VFW Department of California and VFW Post 385, just filed a lawsuit against the Obama Administration because it refuses to transfer ownership of the land on which stood the Mojave Desert Veterans Memorial to the VFW, as directed by a 2003 Act of Congress.
The Obama Administration also refused to allow the VFW to rebuild the memorial after vandals destroyed it in May 2010, and it opposed the VFW's intervention into the lawsuit brought by the ACLU.
The ACLU is attempting to permanently remove the VFW's Memorial as the case returns to the district court at the U.S. Supreme Court's direction.
"The way our government has treated the veterans in this case is a disgrace to their service and dedication," said Kelly Shackelford, president/CEO of Liberty Institute.
"Members of the VFW and those this Memorial represents paid for this land with their own blood, sweat, and tears."
The U.S. Supreme Court's opinion in April 2010 reversed the rulings of the district court and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals which had demanded the removal of the Mojave Desert Memorial, and sent the case back to the district court for further consideration. As Justice Kennedy observed in the U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding the Memorial, the Mojave Desert Veterans Memorial "evokes thousands of small crosses in foreign fields marking the graves of Americans who fell in battles, battles whose tragedies are compounded if the fallen are forgotten."
The VFW then filed a motion to intervene in the district court case, which was denied after the Obama administration and the ACLU together opposed the veterans' attempt to defend their own Memorial on land transferred to them by an Act of Congress. The Memorial remains in a vandalized state since criminals tore it down on May 9, weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling protecting the Memorial.
"This land belongs to the VFW, and the court should honor the congressional act that conveys the land and the memorial to the veterans," said Ted Cruz, a Partner at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP and co-counsel with Liberty Institute. "The veterans have an acute interest in restoring and preserving this 76-year-old memorial to those brave American soldiers who gave their lives in World War I."
"This is our land, our memorial and we want it back," said James Rowoldt, State Adjutant/Quartermaster of the VFW Department of California. "To deny the veterans a chance to defend our own is to continue to dishonor those for whom the Memorial stands."
In a disturbing trend, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the same court that originally ruled against the Mojave Desert Memorial, recently ruled that the Mount Soledad Memorial, a 43-foot-tall veterans memorial in San Diego, is also unconstitutional. Liberty Institute represents The American Legion as an amicus in the case, and launched a petition at www.DontTearMeDown.com asking President Obama to appeal the disgraceful ruling.
Liberty Institute works to uphold Constitutional and First Amendment religious freedoms and free speech in the courts. Liberty Institute represented all the major veterans groups as amici in the Supreme Court case of Salazar v. Buono involving this 76-year-old war memorial.
Monday, January 10, 2011
VFW Condemns Senseless Tucson Shooting
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is condemning the senseless shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) and others attending a public event outside a Tucson supermarket on Saturday.
"This really hits home because the VFW is also a member of the Capitol Hill community," said its national commander Richard L. Eubank.
"Ms. Giffords is a valued member of the House Armed Services Committee who is committed to improving the quality of life for members of our Armed Forces and their families," said Eubank. "Our hearts and prayers of strength go out to all the victims and their families."
The media is reporting 18 people were shot by the 22-year-old suspect, who was tackled by witnesses and is in custody. Six are reportedly dead, to include a nine-year-old girl and a federal judge.
"We hope justice will be swift and severe for this person and anyone else who considers violence as a means to an end," said the VFW national commander. "That is not the American way."
"This really hits home because the VFW is also a member of the Capitol Hill community," said its national commander Richard L. Eubank.
"Ms. Giffords is a valued member of the House Armed Services Committee who is committed to improving the quality of life for members of our Armed Forces and their families," said Eubank. "Our hearts and prayers of strength go out to all the victims and their families."
The media is reporting 18 people were shot by the 22-year-old suspect, who was tackled by witnesses and is in custody. Six are reportedly dead, to include a nine-year-old girl and a federal judge.
"We hope justice will be swift and severe for this person and anyone else who considers violence as a means to an end," said the VFW national commander. "That is not the American way."
Friday, January 7, 2011
VFW Washington Weekly
January 7, 2011
In This Issue:
1. Gates Recommends $78 Billion in Defense Cuts
2. New Congress Gets Started
3. Government Remains on CR
1. Gates Recommends $78 Billion in Defense Cuts: Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced Thursday that the Pentagon's budget will cut programs and overhead by $78 billion over the next five years through the cancelation of high-cost weapons programs, and through personnel and management efficiencies. His recommendations are just proposals. More details will be known when the president releases his FY 2012 federal budget request in February or March. Notable reductions and changes could include:
•DOD would cut its number of contractors, freeze government civilian salaries, reduce senior civilian billets, and reduce (from 900 to 800) the number of general/flag officers within the services. The secretary also said the new defense budget will propose moderate Tricare fee increases (of an undetermined amount) for working-age military retirees. VFW Resolution 413, passed at the 111th National Convention in August, opposes any Tricare increase, and urges moving the authority to set or increase such fees from DOD to Congress.
•Army would cancel its new surface-launched, advanced medium-range air-to-air missile program, and its non-line of sight launch system. Army would also eliminate 1,000 military and civilian positions by cutting task forces and consolidating commands, and begin reducing its end strength by 27,000 soldiers in FY 2015.
•The Marine Corps would cancel its new expeditionary fighting vehicle program, place on probation its requirement for a vertical take-off-and-landing variant of the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, and begin reducing its end strength by 20,000 Marines in FY 2015. (Note: This proposal, plus the Army's strength reduction, is based upon conditions on the ground in Afghanistan. Gates said even after the troop reductions, there will still be 40,000 more soldiers and 7,000 more Marines than when he took office four years ago.)
•The Navy would cut positions ashore and reassign 6,000 sailors to sea duty, initiate a multi-year deal for new electronic attack jets, and cut submarine, patrol aircraft and destroyer-squadron staffs, as well as one strike group staff. The Navy would also eliminate its Norfolk-based 2nd Fleet, and move its functions to Fleet Forces Command.
•The Air Force would consolidate two air operations centers in the U.S. and two in Europe, and consolidate three numbered Air Force staffs.
As significant as the cuts may appear, the services would be permitted to reinvest most of the savings into other hardware and people programs, such as purchasing more unmanned aerial vehicles and improving suicide awareness and prevention programs. Gates and Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen warned against deeper annual funding cuts, saying that further cuts would hurt national security. As both have previously expressed, it is better for the military to voluntarily trim their own programs than to have an outsider do it for them.
2. New Congress Gets Started: The 112th Congress convened this week with the election of new Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH), and the installation of newly elected members of both the House and Senate. As is with any new congressional cycle, any unfinished or pending legislation from the previous has now expired and will have to be reintroduced. January is an organizational month with many committee assignments still being made and offices continuing to be moved into. VFW looks forward to working with the new leadership and all congressional members as we continue to help create and improve programs that benefit veterans, our military and their families. For updated House information, go to http://clerk.house.gov/. For the Senate, go to http://senate.gov/.
3. Government Remains on CR: A Continuing Resolution was passed before the holiday break to fund the government until March 4, 2011. The bill extends most department and agency funding at 2010 levels. VA was given an additional $460 million to help reduce the backlog of claims that includes a bevy of new claims from the addition of three presumptive illnesses associated with Agent Orange exposure. The resolution also includes a two-year pay freeze for federal civilian employees. Military personnel will not be affected by the freeze; they received 1.4% increase this month.
In This Issue:
1. Gates Recommends $78 Billion in Defense Cuts
2. New Congress Gets Started
3. Government Remains on CR
1. Gates Recommends $78 Billion in Defense Cuts: Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced Thursday that the Pentagon's budget will cut programs and overhead by $78 billion over the next five years through the cancelation of high-cost weapons programs, and through personnel and management efficiencies. His recommendations are just proposals. More details will be known when the president releases his FY 2012 federal budget request in February or March. Notable reductions and changes could include:
•DOD would cut its number of contractors, freeze government civilian salaries, reduce senior civilian billets, and reduce (from 900 to 800) the number of general/flag officers within the services. The secretary also said the new defense budget will propose moderate Tricare fee increases (of an undetermined amount) for working-age military retirees. VFW Resolution 413, passed at the 111th National Convention in August, opposes any Tricare increase, and urges moving the authority to set or increase such fees from DOD to Congress.
•Army would cancel its new surface-launched, advanced medium-range air-to-air missile program, and its non-line of sight launch system. Army would also eliminate 1,000 military and civilian positions by cutting task forces and consolidating commands, and begin reducing its end strength by 27,000 soldiers in FY 2015.
•The Marine Corps would cancel its new expeditionary fighting vehicle program, place on probation its requirement for a vertical take-off-and-landing variant of the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, and begin reducing its end strength by 20,000 Marines in FY 2015. (Note: This proposal, plus the Army's strength reduction, is based upon conditions on the ground in Afghanistan. Gates said even after the troop reductions, there will still be 40,000 more soldiers and 7,000 more Marines than when he took office four years ago.)
•The Navy would cut positions ashore and reassign 6,000 sailors to sea duty, initiate a multi-year deal for new electronic attack jets, and cut submarine, patrol aircraft and destroyer-squadron staffs, as well as one strike group staff. The Navy would also eliminate its Norfolk-based 2nd Fleet, and move its functions to Fleet Forces Command.
•The Air Force would consolidate two air operations centers in the U.S. and two in Europe, and consolidate three numbered Air Force staffs.
As significant as the cuts may appear, the services would be permitted to reinvest most of the savings into other hardware and people programs, such as purchasing more unmanned aerial vehicles and improving suicide awareness and prevention programs. Gates and Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen warned against deeper annual funding cuts, saying that further cuts would hurt national security. As both have previously expressed, it is better for the military to voluntarily trim their own programs than to have an outsider do it for them.
2. New Congress Gets Started: The 112th Congress convened this week with the election of new Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH), and the installation of newly elected members of both the House and Senate. As is with any new congressional cycle, any unfinished or pending legislation from the previous has now expired and will have to be reintroduced. January is an organizational month with many committee assignments still being made and offices continuing to be moved into. VFW looks forward to working with the new leadership and all congressional members as we continue to help create and improve programs that benefit veterans, our military and their families. For updated House information, go to http://clerk.house.gov/. For the Senate, go to http://senate.gov/.
3. Government Remains on CR: A Continuing Resolution was passed before the holiday break to fund the government until March 4, 2011. The bill extends most department and agency funding at 2010 levels. VA was given an additional $460 million to help reduce the backlog of claims that includes a bevy of new claims from the addition of three presumptive illnesses associated with Agent Orange exposure. The resolution also includes a two-year pay freeze for federal civilian employees. Military personnel will not be affected by the freeze; they received 1.4% increase this month.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
VFW Aids Soldiers in the Wake of Ft. Leonard Wood Tornado
Kansas City, MO., January 5, 2010- As clean-up and recovery efforts continue in Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo., after an EF-3 tornado tore through the area on New Year’s Eve, the VFW has come to the aid of service members and military families with $57,500 in emergency financial aid.
According to The National Weather Service survey teams, the Fort suffered the worst damage in the region from Friday’s line of storms, obliterating or causing substantial damage to a number of homes on the Army post.
After hearing reports of how extensive the damage was, VFW Department of Missouri Adjutant Jessie Jones immediately reached out to VFW National Headquarters for assistance on behalf of soldiers displaced by the storm.
Through its Unmet Needs program — a program enacted to provide emergency financial aid to service members experiencing financial hardship — VFW’s National Military Services distributed grants totaling $57,500 among 167 service members and military families stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood.
“VFW was founded on the premise of helping veterans. There’s no greater form of support than reaching out to those who’ve lost their homes and need us - that’s what VFW is here for,” said Jones.
The emergency grants were presented to the service members during a special presentation at the Army post on January 5, 2010.
“This incident was extremely unfortunate and couldn’t have affected a more-selfless group than our nation’s soldiers. It’s a privilege being in the position to help those who deserve it most and have sacrificed so much for all of us,” said Mike Penney, Director of VFW’s National Military Services.
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 $3.7 million in grants have been disbursed to over 2,400 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. Learn more about VFW’s programs at: vfw.org/Assistance.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
New VFW member benefit helps military families prepare for college
Prepping Military Teens for College Exams
Tremendous challenges face America’s military families, especially when frequent relocations are involved. Military families move approximately every two years and military children will attend six to nine different schools between kindergarten and high school graduation.
Students face the stress of making new friends and leaving others behind. They must become acquainted with new schools at awkward times, and the stress can affect their school performance. It is especially difficult for high school students preparing for college.
The SAT/ACT exams are one of the most important tests in a child’s life. Above average scores can result in thousands of dollars in scholarships and acceptance to preferred universities. The best way to improve score results on the SAT or ACT—and thus increase a student’s odds of receiving scholarships and getting into the school of their choice—is to practice. By practicing students become acquainted with the format, the timing and the subject-matter on the tests.
But families do not need to spend a fortune preparing their students for SAT and ACT exams. Many programs allow self-paced practice that fits the military student’s needs and lifestyle.
There are excellent SAT/ACT test prep programs on the market; many contain hours of video instruction, animation, graphics, thousands of sample questions and practice tests.
Students can select the training they need and study at their own pace. Research shows that students who study for their college entrance exams are more comfortable, more confident and better prepared, resulting in higher test scores.
For more information please call the Member Benefits Department at 1-800-821-2606, option 3.
Tremendous challenges face America’s military families, especially when frequent relocations are involved. Military families move approximately every two years and military children will attend six to nine different schools between kindergarten and high school graduation.
Students face the stress of making new friends and leaving others behind. They must become acquainted with new schools at awkward times, and the stress can affect their school performance. It is especially difficult for high school students preparing for college.
The SAT/ACT exams are one of the most important tests in a child’s life. Above average scores can result in thousands of dollars in scholarships and acceptance to preferred universities. The best way to improve score results on the SAT or ACT—and thus increase a student’s odds of receiving scholarships and getting into the school of their choice—is to practice. By practicing students become acquainted with the format, the timing and the subject-matter on the tests.
But families do not need to spend a fortune preparing their students for SAT and ACT exams. Many programs allow self-paced practice that fits the military student’s needs and lifestyle.
There are excellent SAT/ACT test prep programs on the market; many contain hours of video instruction, animation, graphics, thousands of sample questions and practice tests.
Students can select the training they need and study at their own pace. Research shows that students who study for their college entrance exams are more comfortable, more confident and better prepared, resulting in higher test scores.
For more information please call the Member Benefits Department at 1-800-821-2606, option 3.
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