Top 10 Veterans Stories in Today’s News

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From the VA:

Top 10 Veterans Stories in Today’s News

1. Filipino World War II Vets Hear From Duckworth During Listening Tour Stop. According to a front page story in the Las Vegas, Nevada-based location of the Asian Journal (5/26, A1, Putt, 35K), John Bright, “medical director of the Department of Veterans Affairs,” recently told Filipino World War II veterans residing in Nevada that a new US VA medical facility is expected to “begin to open in spring 2012.” These same veterans also heard from VA Asst. Sec. Tammy Duckworth, who “visited Las Vegas last May 12” as “part of a ‘listening tour’ initiated by the Obama administration in celebration of Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) month.” After noting that Duckworth “assured the group – which included other US veterans living in Las Vegas — that VA Secretary Eric Shinseki is committed to addressing issues of veterans, especially in housing and healthcare,” the Asian Journal said Duckworth also “committed that help will be given to those” Filipino World War II veterans who were denied claims for compensation promised to them for their service in the war.

2. Recently Fired Official Files Discrimination Complaint Against Wisconsin VA Secretary. The AP (6/18, Foley) reports, “The new secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs has an agenda to get rid of older, white employees, according to allegations in a discrimination complaint filed Thursday” by Randy Nitschke, a “56-year-old white male who was fired as commandant of the Wisconsin Veterans Home at Union Grove earlier this month.” Wisconsin VA Secretary Ken Black “cited poor performance in firing Nitschke,” a US Navy veteran who in the past has worked for the VA hospital in Milwaukee. After noting that Nitschke “disputed” the reason for his firing given by Black, “who is African-American,” the AP says “other former agency officials have questioned” his Nitschke’s firing.

3. Illinois VA Director To Speak At Event Honoring Fallen Soldiers.

g>The Ottawa (IL) Times (6/17, Stanley, 16K) noted that on Saturday, “Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs Director Dan Grant will be the featured speaker” at the “annual Illinois Motorcycle Freedom Run in Marseilles,” which “draws thousands of motorcyclists…each year to pay homage to servicemen and servicewomen who have died in the Middle East.”

 4.      Nelan Appointed Executive Director Of California VA’s Operation Welcome Home. The 12th “People In The News” item for the Stockton, California-based Central Valley Business Times (6/18) notes that 59-year-old veteran Daniel Nelan “has been appointed executive director of Operation Welcome Home for the California Department of Veterans Affairs.” The “position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $110,580. Mr. Nelan is a Republican.”

5.      Pane To Head VA Medical Assistance Agency. The AP (6/17) said Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell has “appointed Dr. Gregg A. Pane,” a “former…planning officer for the US Veterans Health Administration,” to “head the stage agency that administers Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. McDonnell announced Pane’s appointment as director of the Division of Medical Assistance Services on Thursday.”

 6.      Virginia AG To Freeze Contributions From Director Of Nonprofit Vets Organization. The Roanoke (VA) Times (6/18, Sluss) says Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli “will freeze more than $55,000 in campaign contributions he received last year from the director of a nonprofit veterans organization that is under investigation in Virginia and at least four other states. Cuccinelli’s campaign committee will put the funds in a separate, restricted account pending the outcome of an investigation of the US Navy Veterans Association, according to a statement issued Thursday evening.” The Times notes that after US Sen. Jim Webb “raised concerns” to the US Department of Veterans Affairs last month, VA “removed the association from the agency’s online directory of veterans service organizations.”

 7.      Discarded Headstones Found In Creek Bed Near Arlington National Cemetery. In continuing coverage, the Fox News (6/17, Gibson, Centanni) reported, “Several discarded headstones recently discovered in a creek bed near Arlington National Cemetery have left Department of Defense officials scrambling for answers.” After noting that Pentagon and cemetery officials “had no idea about the existence of the headstones until they were made aware by a Washington Post story,” Fox News added, “Patrick Hallinan, the incoming superintendent of the hallowed cemetery, will be meeting with officials from the Army Corps of Engineers on Friday. The upcoming meeting will ‘hopefully provide more clarity to the situation regarding the headstones in the creek bank,’ Kaitlin Horst, a spokeswoman for Arlington National Cemetery, told Fox News.”
     The Youngstown (OH) Vindicator (6/18, 56K) notes in an editorial that “Secretary of the Army John McHugh released” a negative report on Arlington National Cemetery “last week and announced that long-time civilian executives” at the facility “were being removed from their jobs.” The Vindicator offers details on what the report said, then says there is “no room for mistakes at Arlington.” Similarly, in a letter to the editor of the Fredericksburg (VA) Free Lance-Star (6/18), veteran Oscar E. Dillon also notes the problems at Arlington, saying “fallen veterans deserve much better for having given their all in service to our nation.”

 8.      Vet Waiting For Backup Wheelchair. On its website, WSFA-TV Montgomery, AL (6/17, Henry) reported, “Six months and counting and still no backup wheelchair” for veteran Lavonnya Mixon, who has Lou Gehrig’s disease. Veterans Affairs officials “say they actually offered a backup to…Mixon in early April,” but Mixon, “we’re told, felt he needed something more specialized. Consequently, ordering the backup meant a more detailed process through the government for approval.”

 9.      Former Postal Worker Accused Of Stealing Drugs Meant For Veterans. The AP (6/18) reports 35-year-old Shamus Dean Lenon, a “former postal worker in northern Idaho,” has “been accused of stealing prescription pain drugs from packages postmarked for veterans.” After noting that on Tuesday, a “federal grand jury…issued a four-count indictment against” Lenon, the AP adds, “Federal prosecutors say Lenon took the medication from packages sent to four veterans living in Post Falls by the Veterans Administration between last December and April 2010.”

 10.    Reed Named President Of National D-Day Memorial. The AP (6/18) reports the “cash-strapped” National D-Day Memorial Foundation has hired Robert Reed as its new president. Reed was “introduced as the new president this week at a send-off ceremony” for William McIntosh, the outgoing president, who departs at a time when the National Park Service has been asked to “take control of the memorial. The federal government is studying the possibility.”
     The Williamsburg (VA) Gazette (6/18) publishes a similar story, as does the Roanoke (VA) Times (6/18, Bowman), which says Reed is a “museum expert with experience at the Smithsonian, Colonial Williamsburg and the Museum of the Confederacy.”

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