VA Research Advisory Committee Annual Set for September 15-16

September meetings in DC, ON GULF WAR ILLNESS 

by Denise Nichols  aka DSNurse

Hi Gulf War Veterans wanted to let you know that National Gulf War Resource Center will have an annual meeting starting prior to the VA Research Advisory Committee meeting (Sept 15-16 in DC.  More details on that will come next week.  They are meeting then to support the VA  Gulf War Research Advisory Committee.
 
The Priority for Gulf War Veterans that want to offer their experiences and solutions to VA Care and Benefits is still the new VA Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans (Sept 24-25 in DC).  This is your time to speak up and make a difference in the VA CARE, Problems, Benefits!  This is where the individual face to face public comment can make the MOST Difference to Each of us.  WE need a very strong showing!
 
WE tried all we could to get the new committee to move up their date closer to the VA Gulf War Research Advisory Committee Meeting but it hasn’t worked.  So we must proceed to making plans.

http://gulfwarcouncil.com/gulf_war_rac_meetings_and_travel.htm
 
I have talked with Mr Jim Binns Chairman of the VA Advisory Committee on Gulf War Illness Research.  It was his input that the veterans and families would be most effective at the new VA Gulf War Veterans Advisory Committee.  We still want to support the Research Advisory committee too but we will send veteran advocates VSO and those highly interested in the RESEARCH end to attend his committee meeting.  The veterans will have limited opportunity on their first meeting day Sept 15 for public comment.  BUT this is why the VA RAC GWI supported and wrote letters to the VA Secretary to form the new committee on Gulf War Veterans Issues to address the needs of the veterans at VA!
 
Research will help us in the future and that committee on Research has done invaluable work for all of us but they cannt really make the changes in CARE or Benefits that are truly
needed NOW ASAP. 
 
The Research Advisory committee is important but it is going in right direction.
 
Our VA CARE is not!  And thousands are still not getting the medical diagnostic work, care, and benefits they need and earned!  How many need Aid and attendance and not getting it.  How many have dealt with Doctors and medical professionals that are less than effective or perhaps knowledgeable.  How many need assist at VA centers that are geographically placed that would be Speciality Centers for gulf war illness that we had in the beginning 90s but were closed down.  How many have children born after the war with birth defects etc that did not get in before the family member and child registry(Gulf War illness) was allowed to expire.  How many are still being sent off to PSYCHOLOGY and their physical ailments not followed up on effectively.  That is why I am helping those that want to make valuable input that will guide the NEW VA ADVISORY Committee on Gulf War Veterans. 
 
If I can round up more donations then we can do both!  Their is an area on ttp://gulfwarcouncil.com/gulf_war_rac_meetings_and_travel.htm
for donations and offers of support.  Individuals and groups are encouraged if they have something to help to fill that out.  OR they can email me at [email protected].

I fully intent to get all to work together on the goal for SEPT for All the activities around the two VA Advisory Committee meetings.
 
I am looking forward to Veterans of Modern Warfare leadership also pitching in with VVA backing. I am also informing all other Veteran organizations from grassrooters to the official VSO’s!  And any and all other organizations Civilian, Veteran, or whatever.  I hope these organizations put the info out to their State, Districts, individual posts.  But need you to work local to state.  That way we have bottom up and top down approach.
 
Any gulf war veteran/family member/ veteran organization needs to know of these Advisory Committee meetings so make copies of the flyer and use it in your community.http://gulfwarcouncil.com/flyers1.htm

WE made that generic not focusing on any one organization but on the mission to impact Gulf War Veterans Health needs!
 
I encourage you to contact your local reporters newspapers, radio, TV and talk with them!
WE need their help to get the story on gulf war illness out to the public again!  The recent news on ALS to be service connected for all VETERANS is a good hook as a follow on!
 
The General speaking up for all veterans built on the success of Major Mike Donnelly(Gulf War Veteran  "Falcon’s Cry, Deceased) and his family and others of Gulf War Veterans like USMC Randy Hebert that stepped forward early into the public light and they helped a great deal and need our remembrance and acknowledgement.  The MS story connection with gulf war illness and brain cancers have been out there.  It is time the press pick up the total story.  Maybe they will cover local veterans that are ill traveling to DC to once again speak out.  You must call and try!
 
Next week I will call the Hotel I have finally chosen to make reservations for the ones signed up for Sept 24-25 advisory committee and then will post the info.  I want to include a large enough block of rooms so that others coming that can foot their bill can get the same discounted rate and stay at the same place!  So I really really need gulf war veterans to indicate if they are going to try to make their appearance.  I need you to sign up on the travel form.
 
http://gulfwarcouncil.com/gulf_war_rac_meetings_and_travel.htm
 
Please sign on and let me know whether or not you need assistance.  I am working and coordinating and seeking more donations to help.  The first order of priority is to get that housing nail down and covered!
 
http://gulfwarcouncil.com/gulf_war_rac_meetings_and_travel.htm
 
The second will be getting donations for actual travel gas, airline, bus, train costs.
But each veteran is highly encouraged to approach organizations at the local level (veterans, civilians, unions, etc) for their possible financial assistance for each of you!  Use the Flyer http://gulfwarcouncil.com/flyers1.htm
That they can use to inform other gulf war veterans and help distribute for us to get the word out. 
Ask them for their assistance for yourself ie financial, assistance getting to other veterans, assistance with the media and offer to become active with them now and in the future.
 
Remember as you make the trip to organize a folder now for you to place your receipts for gas and travel related receipts…Because you will need to give copy to them to show their contribution went to right direction and they can use it in their book keeping.  I will also need those gas receipts to document if I get donations from organizations back to them to show who was paid what.  I intend to be as fair and equal as possible if we get 1,000 I will divide it out to each on equal basis to take some of the financial pain off of each for this trip.  The first priority cost wise will be the housing hotel for nights related to the actual advisory meeting.
 
All this will be available after the meetings.  IE Documentation.
 
I am asking you to try to get local assistance for your travel(gas,etc) so it will lighten the load if possible.  Then you and the local organization deal with that if possible.
 
  The press stories could help you!  So contact the media your newspapers and TV and radio stations!  Use the flyer http://gulfwarcouncil.com/flyers1.htm
 
I have not forgotten the potential to get us all planning to stay in DC between the two meetings. It looks like cost wise to stay in DC between the two meetings the option to go to a very close in camp site with cabins might work in Sept but I need input if you think you could handle that.  It would lower the cost and allow us time in the outdoors to get to know each other and strategize on our needs of Gulf War Veterans.
http://gulfwarcouncil.com/gulf_war_rac_meetings_and_travel.htm
 
I will keep you infoed…and could use assistance from others in DC to check the actual close in campsites that I have zeroed in on. 
 
The Congress Sine quo is suppose to be SEPT 26 since it is an election year and most of them have to get home to campaign! That is date they project to leave town!  So the hill will be chaos!  But contact the DC office of your US REP and Senator in DC and ask if they have a short time to meet with you since you will be in DC but be AWARE of their deadlines.  You need to call their DC offices now to coordinate that!  Try to do it the day after  of the Research advisory committee(Sept 15-16)  so that would be suggested date: Sept 17th
 
or before  the Gulf War Veterans advisory committee meeting(Sept 24-25)  which would mean  suggested date Sept 23rd!
 
When you do these calls please ask them to have staff attend these advisory committee meeting particulary Sept 16th at 11 AM for the Release of the VA Research on gulf War illness Advisory Committee Report and September 24-25 Gulf War Veterans Advisory Committee.  Get their email address and send them the flyer as a reminder! http://gulfwarcouncil.com/flyers1.htm.  Go to your state US REPRESENTATIVES and US Senators websites and email them the flyer information!
 
This also means we have to get these plans committed.  I need to reserve block of rooms we intend on using next week to get them so that is the push for people to sign up.  We also need you to reserve your tickets air fare, bus, train if you are choosing that to get a best price.  And that way others can do same and travel as a group possibly on those modes of transportation. 
 
Note:  Airlines are packed now and cutting flights so you need to make those plans.  I am hearing trains are also highly packed.  So Reservations NOW.  Amtrack has a website.  You can reserve and pay direct to them.  Buses?

Airlines google cheap airfares but now if you do this you are comitted to the dates you give them changes to them are Impossible.  Check the airline websites and sign up for their alerts on specials to be emailed to you.  Check their specials on their websites.  Travel on Saturday, Tues, Thursdays have historically neted savings to the passenger.  But balance that with extra night cost of lodging. Booking with the airline allows you if necessary and at a cost to change departure date whereas the cheap priceline, cheap tickets, hot tickets, etc you do not have that option at all!
 
WE also desperately need commitment if you are going to group up and travel the road ie auto van so that people can plan the routes!  And those that will be drivers can route their travel in order to save each the added expense.  It also will be safer to travel together. 
 
Traveling together will allow time for gulf war veterans to get to know what each other are trying to live through and the common and different problems and create the bonding and comradeship we desperately need to promote! WE need to know each other, support each other, and bind together to face the government and to make change happen for all of us!
 
 We need each other people!
 
http://gulfwarcouncil.com/gulf_war_rac_meetings_and_travel.htm
 
It is time to get out of your isolated bunkers into larger action to help all the thousands that still are sufferring.  YOU represent many more than yourselves!
 
If you are flying, bus, train still sign up so we can formulate plans to hook up in DC as a group!
 
http://gulfwarcouncil.com/gulf_war_rac_meetings_and_travel.htm
On the form indicate your desires in the comment section.  Also indicate your physical limitation crutches, arm braces, scooter, wheel chair, Oxygen supplementation, what ever.  In compiling this I see it will be best to get us housed inside the district close to the meeting sites so we dont have to battle getting up even earlier and the commute on Metro from Arlington across the bridges from DC.
 
http://gulfwarcouncil.com/gulf_war_rac_meetings_and_travel.htm
 
I will keep you updated.
 
WE need you to commit now it may seem that we are 60 days ahead but when you are going to DC in a peak time then these plans have to be done NOW!
 
Hopefully I will see more leadership among you.  I am having good phone conversations and email from those that are Ready and Committed to this plan.  I see that I will be able to count on you to be active and pull together as we once did in ODS and did in the early 90s. I hope that you will be the lead element and then will turn to helping other vets from your local area on the future meetings of the GULF WAR VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
 
I want to move on with the plan so we have time to work other things for the DC Sept events
to get our issue on Gulf War illness covered and dealt with in this election period!  It is a critical time.  Anniversary of Invasion of Kuwait  AUGUST 1 1990.  Time for media to give some attention to those that have been left behind!
 
 
I am doing what I can.  Others individuals, other veterans, organizations, family can also help and that is welcomed and invited.  WE have a lot to do together.  WE is each gulf war veteran with health effects since our service in 1990-91 and that includes nondeployed that got ill from vaccines or possible secondary effects from contaminated equipment returning from that war.
 
Several of us are connected to different organizations but this is about GULF WAR VETERANS that are ill and sufferring and dying and that is why I am not pushing one organization versus another.  IT is time for Total Effect and EFFECTIVE ACTION and working together as we did in the desert in 1990-91.