Top 10 Veterans News from Around the Country 11-13-08

1. Peake Participates In Wreath-Laying Ceremony.  
2. Peake To Tour VA Facilities In Maine.  
3. Columnist Says He Is Confused By Change In Saluting Rules.  
4. DAV Commander Calls For Advanced VA Funding.  
5. Marion VAMC Honors Veterans.  
6. VA Hospitals Celebrate Veterans Day.  
7. Pershing VAMC Offering Assistance To Returning Vets.  
8. Ex-VA Nurse Chooses Veterans Day To Celebrate Retroactive Pension Victory.  
9. World War II Vet Dies In The Middle Of Veterans Day Ceremony.  
10. Canandaigua VAMC Reaching Out To Troubled Vets.

HAVE YOU HEARD?
November is Warrior Care Month, and VA is teaming up with the Department of Defense to educate wounded, ill and injured (WII) service members and veterans about their benefits. Warrior Care Month is a coordinated effort to educate active-duty military members, veterans and family members about services available to them. Seriously injured service members have a variety of benefits, including those provided by DoD, VA and even Medicare. Through November, VA and DoD will remind wounded, ill or injured service members to pay attention to their benefits as they transition form military to civilian life. The new Warrior Care Web site provides links to information on programs, initiatives and support for wounded, ill and injured servicemembers and their families. It includes links to VA’s home page and VA Web sites for OEF/OIF veterans and Vet Center services. Check it out at http://www.warriorcare.mil/ and spread the word about Warrior Care Month.

1.      Peake Participates In Wreath-Laying Ceremony.   In continuing coverage, the second story in Ron Seman’s "Veterans Beat" column in Ohio’s News-Leader (11/12) reported that as part of the national Veterans Day observance on Tuesday, Veterans Affairs Secretary Dr. James B. Peake "joined with White House and military officials and leaders of the major veterans organizations at a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery." Peake also encouraged others to take part in Veterans Day, saying in a press release that such participation could "be as simple as putting out the porch flag or reminding youngsters of the story of a relative who served in the military."

2.      Peake To Tour VA Facilities In Maine.   On its website, AP (11/13) reports Veterans Affairs Secretary James Peake "is coming to Maine on Friday to tour the VA medical center, regional office and national cemetery in Togus." Peake "will be accompanied" by US Rep. Mike Michaud (D-ME), who serves on the House Committee of Veterans Affairs, "when he visits the facilities Friday and talks about issues regarding health care for veterans." After "visiting Togus, Peake and Michaud will meet with the new American Legion national commander at American Legion Post 76 in Scarborough."

3.      Columnist Says He Is Confused By Change In Saluting Rules.   The lead story in Ron Seman’s "Veterans Beat" column in Ohio’s News-Leader (11/12) noted, "Veterans and active-duty military not in uniform can now render the military-style hand salute during the playing of the national anthem, thanks to changes in federal law that took effect this month." In a press release noting this news, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake said, "The military salute is a unique gesture of respect that marks those who have served in the nation’s armed forces. This provision allows the application of that honor in all events involving our nation’s flag." Seman continued, "The new provision improves upon a little known change in federal law last year that authorized veterans to render the military-style hand salute during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag," a practice which the American Legion formally opposed at its last National Convention. Seman added, "Confused? I am. Stay tuned."

4.      DAV Commander Calls For Advanced VA Funding.   In a Washington Times (11/11) Veterans Day op-ed, Raymond E. Dempsey, "national commander of the Disabled American Veterans, which is a member of the Partnership for Veterans Health Care Budget Reform (www.fundingforvets.org )," wrote that the Department of Veterans Affairs "must have sufficient resources provided in a timely and predictable manner." Therefore, a "partnership of nine veteran service organizations was created to encourage Congress to provide the VA with timely and predictable funding for veterans medical care. Our solution is simple: Congress should appropriate funding for the VA health care system one year in advance of when the funds are actually needed, a method already used by Congress to finance some housing and education programs."
      VA Described As "Underfunded."   In a Veterans Day editorial, the Long Beach (CA) Press-Telegram (11/12) said the VA "is underfunded and ill equipped to treat veterans returning with severe head wounds and other traumas, especially psychological ones." The "problems are with policy makers," not "necessarily the hospitals and their staffs," which "can’t offer services that haven’t been funded."

      VA Said To Need Help From Private Resources.   In a Veterans Day editorial, the Washington Times (11/11) noted, "The Department of Veterans Affairs budget for fiscal 2009 is $94 billion, which is a sizable increase of 7 percent over the previous year. Still, the butcher’s bill during a multiple-front war is outpacing" the VA’s "capability to do what is needed." As a result, the "private sector and private individuals are needed to fill the gaps where government is unwilling or unable to do the job."
      Paper Says VA "Must Keep Up With Veterans’ Needs."   In a Veterans Day editorial, the South Bend (IN) Tribune (11/11) reminded the Federal government that the Department of Veterans Affairs "must keep up with veterans’ needs. Any changes must not be at their expense," because veterans "already have paid enough."
      Obama Labeled An "Upgrade" For Veterans.   In a Veterans Day editorial, the Traverse City (MI) Record-Eagle (11/11) said, "Given his track record" of trying to provide vets with "the medical care they need" from the Veterans Affairs Department, President-elect Barack Obama "should be a major upgrade from the Bush administration."
      VA Said To Be Providing Assistance To Troubled Vets.   In a Veterans Day editorial noting that some veterans may be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the Elmira (NY) Star-Gazette (11/11) said, "Veterans services, such as those provided" by Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals, "have developed programs to handle potential problems from PTSD. The Bath VA, for example, has a counselor trained to help with suicide prevention."
      Paper Says "More Must Be Done" For Veterans Suffering From ALS.   In a Veterans Day editorial, the Des Moines (IA) Register (11/11) said, "Very few people, including those serving in the military today, know that veterans are twice as likely to die from ALS — the deadly disease known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease." Recently, both Congress and the Department of Veterans Affairs "have supported ALS research and provided benefits to veterans with the disease, but more must be done."

5.      Marion VAMC Honors Veterans.   The Southern Illinoisan (11/12, Homan) reported, "About 50 Southern Illinoisans participated in a candlelight vigil Tuesday" at the Marion Veterans Affairs Medical Center "honoring American veterans on Veterans Day. The brief walk on Commander Drive leading into the hospital with a bagpipe escort was followed up with a special presentation orchestrated by VA officials." At the presentation, Marion Director Warren Hill delivered a speech that "paid tribute to veterans." The Marion (IL) Daily Republican (11/12, Wilkins) also noted the ceremony at the Marion VAMC.                                                                                                                          Marion Administrators Hope To Regain Veterans’ Trust.   On its website, WSIL-TV Carterville, IL (11/12, Kruger) reported the Marion VAMC "has been under a cloud of controversy for more than a year. But now," administrators "say they’re ready to re-build the hospital’s reputation" and hopefully regain the trust of veterans. Part of that "includes opening its doors to the public for the first time in years." Marion’s director, Warren Hill, "says part of the problem in the past was a lack of communication with the public," and "inviting them to see the VA is one way to improve that." Hill also "says he hopes to have a full surgery program in place within the next month."

6.      VA Hospitals Celebrate Veterans Day.   The Manchester (NH) Union Leader (11/12, Dornin) reported, "Among the 200" at Tuesday’s Veterans Day service at the Veterans Affairs medical center, where letters from US Sens. John Sununu and Judd Gregg, "both New Hampshire Republicans, and a proclamation from Gov. John Lynch honoring veterans" were read aloud. Meanwhile, "Democratic Congressmen Paul Hodes and Carol Shea-Porter pledged their support for all veterans."
      In continuing coverage, the San Francisco Chronicle (11/12, Koopman) reported that "House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco," spoke Monday at a Veterans Day ceremony hosted by the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
      On its website, KOMU-TV Columbia, MO (11/12) reported, "The Veterans Affairs Hospital in Columbia celebrated Veterans Day in it’ own unique way." The hospital "supports veterans every day of the year, but Tuesday workers took some extra time to remember and recall. Doctors, nurses, veterans and patients alike at the VA gathered to honor what Veterans Day means to them." Meanwhile, student "winners of an essay contest sponsored by the VA were also on hand" at the ceremony.
      On its website, WUSF-FM Tampa, FL (11/12, O’Brien) reported, "Veterans Day is a time to honor those who served and are currently serving in the military," and some "did just that at James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa," which held its "first ever Veterans Day parade."
      The Tampa Tribune (11/12, Challenger) reported "several hundred people" attended Tuesday’s "Veterans Day ceremony at the Bay Pines veterans hospital in Pinellas County."
      On its website, News10Now-TV Syracuse, NY (11/12) reported that the VA medical center in Bath "marked the Veterans Day holiday with a big celebration Tuesday night."
      On its website, KHBS-TV Fort Smith, AR (11/12) reported that the VA hospital "in Fayetteville honored veterans with a special ceremony" Tuesday.

7.      Pershing VAMC Offering Assistance To Returning Vets.   The Southeast Missourian (11/12, DiCosmo) reported, "Those employed in veteran services are searching for ways to fulfill the needs of younger soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan but also get them involved in Veterans Day ceremonies. Those who have served recent terms overseas may not necessarily know of Veterans Day ceremonies available in their area, said Kevin Ellis, 42," of Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Ellis, who works at the John J. Pershing Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, "said he plans on reaching out to younger veterans over the next year." The Missourian added, "Family counseling is offered by the VA hospital, as is a reintegration program designed for those who served during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom."

8.      Ex-VA Nurse Chooses Veterans Day To Celebrate Retroactive Pension Victory.   The AP (11/12, Plushnick-Masti) reported, "For Mary Ann Mackin, a retired nurse," this year’s Veterans Day had a new meaning because it marked "the official end of a 20-year battle" with the US government "over pensions for nurses who cared for the nation’s veterans. In August, the Merit Systems Protection Board, a quasi-judicial agency within the federal government, sided with 158 nurses who wanted to retroactively receive full pensions for part-time work they performed over four decades for the Department of Veterans Affairs. The order became official" in late October "when the government chose not to appeal the ruling. Mackin…chose Veterans Day to gather with other VA nurses in her attorney’s Pittsburgh

conference room to pop a bottle of champagne and toast their success." The KDKA-TV Pittsburg, PA (11/12) website published a similar story.

9.      World War II Vet Dies In The Middle Of Veterans Day Ceremony.   The AP (11/12) reported 85-year-old John Weinberger, a "World War II veteran who survived the bombing" of Pearl Harbor, "collapsed and died during a Veterans Day ceremony" Tuesday in Washington County.

10.    Canandaigua VAMC Reaching Out To Troubled Vets.   The Rochester (NY) Democrat & Chronicle (11/12, Goodman) reported, "Giving veterans time to adjust to civilian life…and providing support services to help them" do so "are needed in any war. But counselors say that the transition has been arguably harder for those who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. A stretched military force, long tours in combat and the stress of protecting a sometimes-hostile citizenry have exacerbated a situation that can be challenging enough." Since "2001, about 2,500 residents from the Rochester area have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, said Kai Chitaphong, who oversees" the Canandaigua Veterans Affairs Medical Center’s outreach effort. An "estimated 1,250 veterans…have gone to the Canandaigua" after returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.