Veterans News Bureau

Daily News Summary 1/7/09

admin — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:40:06 +0000

Here are some of today’s top stories and happenings at IAVA.

Headlines

Bush tells military cause is ‘just and right’
Israel Halts Attack Briefly to Allow Aid Into Gaza
Economists Warm to Government Spending but Debate Its Form

Iraq

U.S. troops’ role changes with new year: Security agreement places restrictions on American forces
This Time, Iraqis Hear and See Candidates
Gates Urges $69.7 Billion More in 2009 for war

Afghanistan

World

National Security Adviser Says Pakistan Is Top U.S. Challenge
Mideast Mediators Seek Anti-Tunnel Plan
Russia Cuts Gas, and Europe Shivers
NKorea to elect new parliament amid speculation over Kim’s health, Cabinet shake-up

Other Military News

Not-guilty pleas in Blackwater case
Gates estimates 2009 war costs at $136 billion
Judge’s Order Could Keep Public From Hearing Details of 9/11 Trials

THE SENATE

The Senate will convene at 10:00

BRIEFINGS and VISITS of INTEREST

January 7, 2009 SVAC staff will receive a briefing on VA’s programs for OEF/OIF veterans. Karen Malebranche, Executive Director, OEF/OIF, Dr. Edward Huycke, VA-DoD Coordination Officer, Alfonso Batres, Director, Vet Center Program, Kristin Day, Deputy Director, Social Work Service, VHA, and Dr. Karen Guice, Executive Director of FRC, will present programmatic information, and Paul Kearns, Chief Financial Officer, VHA, James McGaha, Deputy Chief Financial Officer, VHA, and Daniel Tucker, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Budget, will present budgetary information. Other staff of the Four Corners may be in attendance. 2:00 p.m.; Location: TBD (Lukas)

THE HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES

The House will convene at 10:00

PRESS of interest

Edwards: VA Outlines Plan to Reopen Benefits to 265,000 Middle Income Vets edwards.house.gov <http://edwards.house.gov/html/release.cfm?id=1099>

BRIEFINGS and VISITS of INTEREST

January 7, 2009 Stefanie Mardon, Deputy Chief Business Officer, VHA, and Susan Reed, Consolidated Patient Account Center (CPAC) Program Manager, VHA, will brief HVAC Ranking Member Steve Buyer (IN-4), and Art Wu, Minority Staff Director, HVAC Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, on the CPAC roll out plans. 1:00 a.m.; Rayburn 2230 (Vasquez)

Membership

In the News

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Commander announces NEF award for posts

admin — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:13:35 +0000

By National Commander David K. Rehbein

Historically, American Legion posts have gone above and beyond the call of duty by helping not only The American Legion Family, but entire communities that were devastated by natural disasters.

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Arkansas Blog Activated

admin — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:00:10 +0000

Christine E. Oldham and Tom Evanov recently received training for the new State of Arkansas VFW WebCOM Blog. More information will follow as we get acquainted with the software. This new tool will add new technology for fast "up to date" information for our veterans. It's look is more attractive and will generate both interest and revenue for the VFW.
Tom Evanov
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Clever VFW Post 12078

admin — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:00:09 +0000

The new Clever, MO Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 12078 will be instituted on January 17 at 2:00 p. m. at the Clever, Mo fire Station. Past National Commander Jim Mueller will be the instituting officer. Clever Mayor Trisha Elam and State Representative Jay Wasson will be attending the event. for more information call Post Commander Lance Pearce at 417-885-0549.
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VA Assisting Veterans with Health Care Costs

admin — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:00:06 +0000

WASHINGTON (Jan. 6, 2009) — For veterans struggling financially due to a job loss or decreased income, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers an assortment of programs that can relieve the costs of health care or provide care at no cost. "With the downturn in the economy, VA recognizes that many veterans will feel the effects," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. "Therefore, it is important that eligible veterans learn of the many ways VA has to help them afford the health care they have earned." Veterans whose previous income was ruled too high for VA health care may be able to enter the VA system based upon a hardship if their current year's income is projected to fall below federal income thresholds due to a job loss, separation from service or some other financial setback. Veterans determined eligible due to hardship can avoid copays applied to higher-income veterans. Qualifying veterans may be eligible for enrollment and receive health care at no cost. Also eligible for no-cost VA care are most veterans who recently returned from a combat zone. They are entitled to five years of free VA care. The five-year "clock" begins with their discharge from the military, not their departure from the combat zone. Each VA medical center across the country has an enrollment coordinat available to provide veterans information about these programs. Veterans may also contact VA's Health Benefits Service Center at 1-877-222 VETS (8387) or visit the VA health eligibility website at www.va.gov/healtheligibility .
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New Melle VFW Post 5651 Wall of Honor

admin — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:40:07 +0000

The New Melle VFW recently completed a slight remodel to one of their post home walls and wished to share it with all. Photos and a story about it are on the New Melle WebLog at www.vfwwebcom.org/mo/post5651.
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Communications from National HQ

admin — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:40:04 +0000

Received today three communications from National Headquarters. They are posted here in printable pdf form. Just click on the link and the pdf form will open and you can then print . January National General Orders National Headquarters Bulletin VFW Planning Calendar of Meetings and Events
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TRICARE cost increases proposed - Portales News-Tribune

admin — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:32:00 +0000

A new report from the Congressional Budget Office shows why some military retirees and veterans could face higher out-of-pocket costs if the Obama administration and Congress take bold moves to reform the U.S. health system and to make federal health …
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VA Assisting Veterans with Health Care Costs

admin — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:20:12 +0000

For veterans struggling financially due to a job loss or decreased income, the Department of Veterans Affairs offers an assortment of programs that can relieve the costs of health care or provide care at no cost.
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Gunnery Sgt. Duane E. Black, of Marceline, Mo

admin — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:20:11 +0000

Cpl. Jaimey C. Syvruv, motor transportation mechanic, Combat Logistics Battalion 2, 1st Marine Logistics group, helps an Iraqi soldier trouble shoot a heater problem on a Humvee during the first Iraqi partnership at the Iraq camp, Dec. 31, 2008. “This is the first time we worked with Iraqi Soldiers at their camp instead of our maintenance area,” said Gunnery Sgt. Duane E. Black, 38, Marceline, Mo., Motor Transportation Maintenance Platoon commander, CLB-2, 1st MLG. “We can train more of their mechanics at the Iraqi maintenance bay because they all can’t come over to our shop.” For more than a year, Iraqi mechanics on Camp Majed aboard Al Asad have been traveling to the American side of the base for Humvee mechanical training. No more then five Iraqi soldiers would show up every Wednesday to learn about fixing their military vehicles. Over the last year, the Primary Iraqi Command has been focusing on Marines standing back and advising instead of fixing the vehicles for them. “We’re here to watch over the Iraqi soldiers and observe them work on HMMWV,” said Syvruv, 22, Blanchardville, Wis. “We are standing back and letting them do the work so they can become more self sufficient.” With all the mechanical knowledge the Marines taught to the Iraqi soldiers, U.S. forces will be able to leave Iraq knowing they can function as a military on their own. December 31st, 2008
Location: CAMP MEJID, IQ
Photographer: Lance Cpl. Jacob Singsank
1st Marine Logistic Group Public Affairs Source: DVIDS
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