Veterans Report - Week of July 07, 2014
Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 2:06 pm
Veterans Report - Week of July 07, 2014
Benefit Spotlight: Aid and Attendance
The Department of Veterans Affairs Aid and Attendance benefit helps reduce the out-of-pocket costs for veterans who need assistance with daily living. The maximum monthly payment ranges from $1758 for a single veteran to more than $2,700 for a couple where both are veterans. To qualify, a veteran has to have at least one day of military service during a time of war. The wartime veteran or surviving spouse must need the assistance of another person to perform daily tasks, such as eating, dressing, bathing, etc. Being blind or in a nursing home or residing in an assisted living facility qualifies. The benefit will also help pay for caregivers in the home. The veteran cannot have more than $80,000 in assets and must meet an income requirement, which cannot exceed about $22,000. For more information, visit the (http://benefits.va.gov/pension/aid_atte ... ebound.asp) VA website.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.
A Special Report on WWI
The assassination on June 28, 1914, of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, would spark World War I. Visit (http://www.defense.gov/home/features/20 ... ovDelivery) defense.gov to learn more about World War I in the Defense.gov special report: 100th Anniversary of World War I. For more information on World War I, including educational materials, visit the (http://www.1914.org/) First World War Centenary website, the (http://worldwar-1centennial.org/) World War I Centennial website, the (http://www.centenarynews.com/) Centenary News website, (http://www.greatwar.co.uk/events/2014-2 ... events.htm) 2014-2018: WWI Centenary Events, the (https://www.facebook.com/pages/First-Wo ... 3673423155) First World War 100th Anniversary Facebook page, (http://www.firstworldwar.com/index.htm) FirstWorldWar.com, the (http://wwi.lib.byu.edu/index.php/Main_Page) World War I Document Archive, and the (http://www.britishpathe.com/workspaces/ ... collection) British Pathe WWI--The Definitive Collection Film Archive.
Military Healthcare Survey Wants Your Opinion
The Secretary of Defense has ordered a review of the Military Health System (MHS) focused on health care, access, patient safety and quality of care.The review will determine if MHS provides ready access to medical care, has created a culture of safety and effective processes, and meets or exceeds benchmarks for healthcare quality. What do you think about these issues? Take MOAA's survey and your thoughts will be shared with the Secretary of Defense. Click here for the survey: (http://www.moaa.org/MRhealthcaresurvey) http://www.moaa.org/MRhealthcaresurvey.
Free Vets and Family Fly Fishing Camps
Learn the art of fly fishing on one of the most beautiful streams in the country. Total Outdoors is offering military veteran families fly fishing camps on Penn's creek in central Pennsylvania. Camps are July 11-13, July 25-27, August 8-10 and August 22-23. Meals, lodging and equipment are included. Space is limited -- call 570-922-0002 to make your reservations.
For more military-related entertainment and leisure news, visit the (http://www.military.com/off-duty) Military.com Off-duty Center.
Team Navy Roster Set for Warrior Games
Forty seriously wounded, ill and injured Navy athletes have been chosen to represent Team Navy at the 2014 Warrior Games this fall. A roster of those participating is available (http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=81872) online. All of the athletes are enrolled in the Navy Wounded Warrior (NWW) program, which has provided non-medical care throughout their recoveries. The 2014 Warrior Games -- a Paralympic-like competition among wounded warriors from all branches of military service -- will take place Sept. 28-Oct. 4 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. To learn more about NWW, the Warrior Games and adaptive athletics, visit the (http://safeharbor.navylive.dodlive.mil) Navy Wounded Warrior Safe Harbor webpage; call 855-NAVY WWP (628-9997) or email (mailto:navywoundedwarrior@navy.mil) navywoundedwarrior@navy.mil.
For more wounded warrior news, visit the (http://www.military.com/topics/wounded-warriors) Military.com Wounded Warrior page.
VA Offers Registry
The Department of Veterans Affairs has established an Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry allowing eligible veterans and service members an opportunity to document their exposures and report health concerns through an online questionnaire. Eligible participants include those who served in: (1) Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn; (2) Djibouti, Africa, on or after Sept. 11, 2001; (3) Operations Desert Shield or Desert Storm; and (4) the Southwest Asia theater of operations on or after Aug. 2, 1990. People will need a Premium DS Logon Level 2 account to sign up.For more information and to register for a DS Logon, visit VA's (https://veteran.mobilehealth.va.gov/AHB ... #page/home) Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry webpage.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.
Armed Services Blood Program Seeks Donors
Eligible service members, beneficiaries, contractors, government service workers and retirees are encouraged to give blood through the Armed Services Blood Program. Generally, blood donors must: (1) weigh at least 110 pounds; (2) be at least 17 years of age, though the age may vary by state; (3) have been feeling well for at least three days; (4) be well hydrated; and (5) have eaten something before donating. Blood donor travel-related deferral criteria do not apply to organ and bone marrow or hematopoietic stem cell donation, and those ineligible to donate blood due to travel to disease-prevalent areas may still be eligible to donate organs and bone marrow. For more information and to find where to donate, visit the (http://www.militaryblood.dod.mil/) Armed Services Blood Program website. Visit the (http://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/) Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network and the (https://www.salutetolife.org/) C.W. Bill Young Department of Defense Marrow Donor Program for additional ways to save a life.
For more family support resources, see this (http://www.military.com/spouse/military ... vices.html) Military.com Family Center.
Low Cost SGLI/VGLI Alternatives from $1 a Day
Protection for less. Get up to $500,000 Coverage from only $1 a day. (http://www.military.com/insurance/?lpid ... rvr0707.nl) Could your family afford their lifestyle if something happened to you?
Your VA Loan is Ready to Use!
Now is the time to use your VA Loan. You don't have to pay PMI or have a large down payment. Plus you can get financing up to $417,000. (https://secure.military.com/leads/VALoa ... rvr0707.nl) Use your VA Loan Benefit today.
(http://www.military.com/money/va-loans?ESRC=mrvr0707.nl) Interested in finding out more about the VA Loan?
Chevron Committed to Hiring Veterans
Start your civilian career with Chevron. Translate your military skills, experience and training into career opportunities at Chevron that best align with your capabilities. (http://www.military.com/jobs-in/employe ... =vr0707.nl) Read More.
VA Transitional Housing Grants
The Department of Veterans Affairs today announced that it is making renewed funding available to 25 organizations in 11 states that provide transitional housing and supportive services to homeless veterans with special needs. The Grant and Per Diem Program (GPD) Special Need Grants will allow the organizations to continue providing housing and necessary services to homeless veterans from any or all of the following groups with special needs: women, frail elderly, terminally ill, chronically mentally ill and individuals who care for minor dependents.To review the Notice of Funding Availability for the GPD Special Need grant, visit the website of the National Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program at (http://www.va.gov/homeless/GPD.ASP) www.va.gov/homeless/GPD.ASP. The deadline for submitting proposals will be July 16, 2014.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.
Air Force Museum Breaks Ground
The American Legion reports that the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force recently broke ground on a new $35.4 million building that will house aircraft from the museum's Presidential, Research and Development (R&D) and Global Reach collection, as well as a new and expanded Space Gallery. The 224,000-square-foot building, which is scheduled to open to the public in 2016, is being privately financed by the Air Force Museum Foundation. The new building will house the popular Presidential and R&D Gallery aircraft including SAM 26000 (Air Force One), which served eight presidents from President Kennedy to President Clinton, and the only remaining XB-70. For more information, visit the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force webpage at (http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/) www.nationalmuseum.af.mil and the Air Force Museum Foundation website at (http://www.afmuseum.com/) www.afmuseum.com.
Higher Narcotic Prescription Rates
New research has found the rate of narcotic prescription use among U.S. troops coming out of combat is more than three times the rate for civilians and more than 44% of servicemembers complain of chronic pain lasting longer than three months. The research was based on a survey of soldiers in an Army brigade three months after returning from Afghanistan in 2011. More than 45% said they had been injured in combat. About 15% said they had used opioid pain relievers in the month prior to the survey, and the vast majority complained of continuing pain. A summary of the report is available on the (http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article ... id=1885986) Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Internal Medicine website.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.
Veterans Groups Cite Deaths
Two veterans groups are charging that at least ten veterans exposed to Agent Orange while serving aboard aircraft contaminated by the Vietnam-era defoliant have died after being denied care by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The veterans, who served between 1972 and 1982, flew or maintained the C-123 aircraft that were used to spray Agent Orange on Southeast Asian forests during the Vietnam War. The Vietnam Veterans of America and the C-123 Veterans Association said in a joint statement that "VA continues to deny all claims from post-Vietnam C-123 veterans, while at the same time deceptively assuring Congress that claims are considered 'on a case-by-case basis.'" For more information, visit the C-123 Veterans Association website at (http://www.c123agentorange.com/) www.c123agentorange.com.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.
American Legion to Help with VA Crisis
The American Legion is sending a team of its experts to Fort Collins, Colo., in response to a recent Department of Veterans Affairs internal investigation that showed long wait times for veterans seeking treatment at a local VA community-based outpatient clinic (CBOC). The American Legion will also set up a Veterans Crisis Command Center at Post 4 from July 15-18. Members of the Legion's national staff, along with local Legionnaires, staff from VA facilities and volunteers from other organizations will be on hand to assist veterans and their families. Operating hours for the crisis center at Post 4 are noon to 8 p.m. on July 15, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the 16th and 17th, and 8 a.m. to noon on the 18th. A town hall meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on July 14 at American Legion Post 4 on 2124 Country Road 54 G in Fort Collins.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.
Keflavik Air Base Reunion 2014
Attention all service members and veterans who served at Naval Air Station Keflavik; the good people of Iceland will be hosting a reunion in your honor at NASKEF on September 4 - 7, 2014. The event will include tours of the local area and former air station and a gala/dinner. There is also an optional brunch to be held at the world famous 'Blue Lagoon.' The registration fee is $25 and the reunion/gala dinner is $60.Local tours, trips, hotels, and rental cars can be booked through (http://www.keflanding.com/) www.keflanding.com or request more information through (mailto:info@keflanding.com) info@keflanding.com.
Benefit Spotlight: Aid and Attendance
The Department of Veterans Affairs Aid and Attendance benefit helps reduce the out-of-pocket costs for veterans who need assistance with daily living. The maximum monthly payment ranges from $1758 for a single veteran to more than $2,700 for a couple where both are veterans. To qualify, a veteran has to have at least one day of military service during a time of war. The wartime veteran or surviving spouse must need the assistance of another person to perform daily tasks, such as eating, dressing, bathing, etc. Being blind or in a nursing home or residing in an assisted living facility qualifies. The benefit will also help pay for caregivers in the home. The veteran cannot have more than $80,000 in assets and must meet an income requirement, which cannot exceed about $22,000. For more information, visit the (http://benefits.va.gov/pension/aid_atte ... ebound.asp) VA website.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.
A Special Report on WWI
The assassination on June 28, 1914, of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, would spark World War I. Visit (http://www.defense.gov/home/features/20 ... ovDelivery) defense.gov to learn more about World War I in the Defense.gov special report: 100th Anniversary of World War I. For more information on World War I, including educational materials, visit the (http://www.1914.org/) First World War Centenary website, the (http://worldwar-1centennial.org/) World War I Centennial website, the (http://www.centenarynews.com/) Centenary News website, (http://www.greatwar.co.uk/events/2014-2 ... events.htm) 2014-2018: WWI Centenary Events, the (https://www.facebook.com/pages/First-Wo ... 3673423155) First World War 100th Anniversary Facebook page, (http://www.firstworldwar.com/index.htm) FirstWorldWar.com, the (http://wwi.lib.byu.edu/index.php/Main_Page) World War I Document Archive, and the (http://www.britishpathe.com/workspaces/ ... collection) British Pathe WWI--The Definitive Collection Film Archive.
Military Healthcare Survey Wants Your Opinion
The Secretary of Defense has ordered a review of the Military Health System (MHS) focused on health care, access, patient safety and quality of care.The review will determine if MHS provides ready access to medical care, has created a culture of safety and effective processes, and meets or exceeds benchmarks for healthcare quality. What do you think about these issues? Take MOAA's survey and your thoughts will be shared with the Secretary of Defense. Click here for the survey: (http://www.moaa.org/MRhealthcaresurvey) http://www.moaa.org/MRhealthcaresurvey.
Free Vets and Family Fly Fishing Camps
Learn the art of fly fishing on one of the most beautiful streams in the country. Total Outdoors is offering military veteran families fly fishing camps on Penn's creek in central Pennsylvania. Camps are July 11-13, July 25-27, August 8-10 and August 22-23. Meals, lodging and equipment are included. Space is limited -- call 570-922-0002 to make your reservations.
For more military-related entertainment and leisure news, visit the (http://www.military.com/off-duty) Military.com Off-duty Center.
Team Navy Roster Set for Warrior Games
Forty seriously wounded, ill and injured Navy athletes have been chosen to represent Team Navy at the 2014 Warrior Games this fall. A roster of those participating is available (http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=81872) online. All of the athletes are enrolled in the Navy Wounded Warrior (NWW) program, which has provided non-medical care throughout their recoveries. The 2014 Warrior Games -- a Paralympic-like competition among wounded warriors from all branches of military service -- will take place Sept. 28-Oct. 4 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. To learn more about NWW, the Warrior Games and adaptive athletics, visit the (http://safeharbor.navylive.dodlive.mil) Navy Wounded Warrior Safe Harbor webpage; call 855-NAVY WWP (628-9997) or email (mailto:navywoundedwarrior@navy.mil) navywoundedwarrior@navy.mil.
For more wounded warrior news, visit the (http://www.military.com/topics/wounded-warriors) Military.com Wounded Warrior page.
VA Offers Registry
The Department of Veterans Affairs has established an Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry allowing eligible veterans and service members an opportunity to document their exposures and report health concerns through an online questionnaire. Eligible participants include those who served in: (1) Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn; (2) Djibouti, Africa, on or after Sept. 11, 2001; (3) Operations Desert Shield or Desert Storm; and (4) the Southwest Asia theater of operations on or after Aug. 2, 1990. People will need a Premium DS Logon Level 2 account to sign up.For more information and to register for a DS Logon, visit VA's (https://veteran.mobilehealth.va.gov/AHB ... #page/home) Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry webpage.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.
Armed Services Blood Program Seeks Donors
Eligible service members, beneficiaries, contractors, government service workers and retirees are encouraged to give blood through the Armed Services Blood Program. Generally, blood donors must: (1) weigh at least 110 pounds; (2) be at least 17 years of age, though the age may vary by state; (3) have been feeling well for at least three days; (4) be well hydrated; and (5) have eaten something before donating. Blood donor travel-related deferral criteria do not apply to organ and bone marrow or hematopoietic stem cell donation, and those ineligible to donate blood due to travel to disease-prevalent areas may still be eligible to donate organs and bone marrow. For more information and to find where to donate, visit the (http://www.militaryblood.dod.mil/) Armed Services Blood Program website. Visit the (http://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/) Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network and the (https://www.salutetolife.org/) C.W. Bill Young Department of Defense Marrow Donor Program for additional ways to save a life.
For more family support resources, see this (http://www.military.com/spouse/military ... vices.html) Military.com Family Center.
Low Cost SGLI/VGLI Alternatives from $1 a Day
Protection for less. Get up to $500,000 Coverage from only $1 a day. (http://www.military.com/insurance/?lpid ... rvr0707.nl) Could your family afford their lifestyle if something happened to you?
Your VA Loan is Ready to Use!
Now is the time to use your VA Loan. You don't have to pay PMI or have a large down payment. Plus you can get financing up to $417,000. (https://secure.military.com/leads/VALoa ... rvr0707.nl) Use your VA Loan Benefit today.
(http://www.military.com/money/va-loans?ESRC=mrvr0707.nl) Interested in finding out more about the VA Loan?
Chevron Committed to Hiring Veterans
Start your civilian career with Chevron. Translate your military skills, experience and training into career opportunities at Chevron that best align with your capabilities. (http://www.military.com/jobs-in/employe ... =vr0707.nl) Read More.
VA Transitional Housing Grants
The Department of Veterans Affairs today announced that it is making renewed funding available to 25 organizations in 11 states that provide transitional housing and supportive services to homeless veterans with special needs. The Grant and Per Diem Program (GPD) Special Need Grants will allow the organizations to continue providing housing and necessary services to homeless veterans from any or all of the following groups with special needs: women, frail elderly, terminally ill, chronically mentally ill and individuals who care for minor dependents.To review the Notice of Funding Availability for the GPD Special Need grant, visit the website of the National Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program at (http://www.va.gov/homeless/GPD.ASP) www.va.gov/homeless/GPD.ASP. The deadline for submitting proposals will be July 16, 2014.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.
Air Force Museum Breaks Ground
The American Legion reports that the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force recently broke ground on a new $35.4 million building that will house aircraft from the museum's Presidential, Research and Development (R&D) and Global Reach collection, as well as a new and expanded Space Gallery. The 224,000-square-foot building, which is scheduled to open to the public in 2016, is being privately financed by the Air Force Museum Foundation. The new building will house the popular Presidential and R&D Gallery aircraft including SAM 26000 (Air Force One), which served eight presidents from President Kennedy to President Clinton, and the only remaining XB-70. For more information, visit the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force webpage at (http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/) www.nationalmuseum.af.mil and the Air Force Museum Foundation website at (http://www.afmuseum.com/) www.afmuseum.com.
Higher Narcotic Prescription Rates
New research has found the rate of narcotic prescription use among U.S. troops coming out of combat is more than three times the rate for civilians and more than 44% of servicemembers complain of chronic pain lasting longer than three months. The research was based on a survey of soldiers in an Army brigade three months after returning from Afghanistan in 2011. More than 45% said they had been injured in combat. About 15% said they had used opioid pain relievers in the month prior to the survey, and the vast majority complained of continuing pain. A summary of the report is available on the (http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article ... id=1885986) Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Internal Medicine website.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.
Veterans Groups Cite Deaths
Two veterans groups are charging that at least ten veterans exposed to Agent Orange while serving aboard aircraft contaminated by the Vietnam-era defoliant have died after being denied care by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The veterans, who served between 1972 and 1982, flew or maintained the C-123 aircraft that were used to spray Agent Orange on Southeast Asian forests during the Vietnam War. The Vietnam Veterans of America and the C-123 Veterans Association said in a joint statement that "VA continues to deny all claims from post-Vietnam C-123 veterans, while at the same time deceptively assuring Congress that claims are considered 'on a case-by-case basis.'" For more information, visit the C-123 Veterans Association website at (http://www.c123agentorange.com/) www.c123agentorange.com.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.
American Legion to Help with VA Crisis
The American Legion is sending a team of its experts to Fort Collins, Colo., in response to a recent Department of Veterans Affairs internal investigation that showed long wait times for veterans seeking treatment at a local VA community-based outpatient clinic (CBOC). The American Legion will also set up a Veterans Crisis Command Center at Post 4 from July 15-18. Members of the Legion's national staff, along with local Legionnaires, staff from VA facilities and volunteers from other organizations will be on hand to assist veterans and their families. Operating hours for the crisis center at Post 4 are noon to 8 p.m. on July 15, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the 16th and 17th, and 8 a.m. to noon on the 18th. A town hall meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on July 14 at American Legion Post 4 on 2124 Country Road 54 G in Fort Collins.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.
Keflavik Air Base Reunion 2014
Attention all service members and veterans who served at Naval Air Station Keflavik; the good people of Iceland will be hosting a reunion in your honor at NASKEF on September 4 - 7, 2014. The event will include tours of the local area and former air station and a gala/dinner. There is also an optional brunch to be held at the world famous 'Blue Lagoon.' The registration fee is $25 and the reunion/gala dinner is $60.Local tours, trips, hotels, and rental cars can be booked through (http://www.keflanding.com/) www.keflanding.com or request more information through (mailto:info@keflanding.com) info@keflanding.com.