Top 10 Veterans News from Around the Country 4-24-09

What’s Inside Today’s Local News for Veterans

1. Shinseki Stresses Connection Between Universal Access, Electronic System.  
2. US Army Announces Plan To Reduce Soldier Suicides.  
3. Vets, Lawmakers Concerned About Obama’s Afghanistan Strategy.  
4. Housing Authority Hoping To Develop Community Project For Veterans.  
5. State-Financed Program Attempts To Find Outdoor Work For Veterans.  
6. Boehner Joins Others In Criticizing Napolitano Over DHS Report.  
7. Judge Orders Mental Exam For Iraq Vet Suspected Of Murder.  
8. Through Pilot Program, VA Intern Helping Alzheimer’s Patients.
9. VA Reps To Appear At Summit In Texas.  
10.     Children Visit VA Facilities On Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Day.

1.      Shinseki Stresses Connection Between Universal Access, Electronic System.   In his syndicated "Military Update" column, appearing in Stars And Stripes (4/24), Tom Philpott writes, "President Obama’s ambitious plan to establish a lifetime electronic record for service members and veterans will improve delivery of benefits, speed processing of claims and, over time, open VA health care to any veteran, regardless of their medical condition or income level. VA Secretary Eric Shinseki first raised the idea of a more sophisticated electronic record system, and linked it to automatic enrollment by all veterans in the VA health system, during a House hearing in February." And this week, through Katie Roberts, his press secretary, Shinseki "confirmed that universal access to VA health care is integral to the administration’s plan to develop as quickly as possible a 21st Century electronic record system." But Chuck Hume, "deputy chief information officer in the Veterans Health Administration, said it’s too soon to predict when VA and DoD will be ready to launch a single electronic record system."
      Joyce S. Anderson also notes Obama’s electronic record initiative in her Jewish Times Of Southern New Jersey (4/24) "Dimensions" column, saying Shinseki and Defense Secretary Robert Gates flanked the President earlier this month when he announced that it would be part of "a five pronged plan of change." According to Anderson, that plan also included advanced funding for veterans’ medical care, increased funding for the treatment of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress, funding for "a pilot program with not-for-profit organizations aimed at meeting the needs of the homeless" veterans "and reducing their number, and providing the resources to effectively implement the Post-9/11 GI Bill." Anderson points out that Paul Rieckhoff, the executive director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, was there when Obama announced his plan, and afterward, Rieckoff said, "Shinseki has a mountain of problems ahead of him and a big mess to clear up," but the President "is setting him up for success."

2.      US Army Announces Plan To Reduce Soldier Suicides.   The AP (4/24, Jelinek) reports the US Army "has approved new guidance to military commanders in an effort to stem the rising toll of soldier suicides." In a statement Thursday, the Army "said…the new plan was approved by Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli after he recently visited a half dozen American military bases and talked to commanders and staff who care for soldiers and their families. The Army didn’t disclose details of the new plan Thursday," but "officials had said earlier the suicide prevention plan would include hiring more mental health workers and tightening the way the service handles drug testing, health screening and a host of other long-standing procedures that in some cases have become lax as the Army has focused…on fighting two wars."

3.      Vets, Lawmakers Concerned About Obama’s Afghanistan Strategy.   AFP (4/24, Hampton) says on Thursday, US veterans of the war in Afghanistan "warned the conflict cannot be solved by military means alone." President Barack Obama "has committed 21,000 additional troops," but while testifying before the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, "some veterans said more troops were not the answer," arguing instead that the US needs to strengthen its intelligence. Republican lawmakers like Sen. Bob Corker also "expressed skepticism about Obama’s strategy," saying, "I have no idea what it is, other than sending additional troops." AFP adds, "Some Democrats also showed concern about the plan. ‘The escalation may further destabilize the situation in Afghanistan to the detriment of US security,’ said" Sen. Russ Feingold.

4.      Housing Authority Hoping To Develop Community Project For Veterans.   The Houston (TX) Chronicle (4/24, Snyder) reports, "In an unusual venture for a public housing agency, the Harris County Housing Authority has purchased a 91-acre site on Lake Houston where it plans to develop a veteran-themed community of homes, businesses and patriotic memorials the agency hopes will attract visitors. The $165 million project, known as Patriots by the Lake, is contingent" on the US Department of Veterans Affairs "relocating offices and other facilities from the Texas Medical Center to the Lake Houston site, providing $9.2 million in annual lease payments that would help to finance the development." And while "a local VA official expressed enthusiasm about the plan, it can’t proceed without the approval of the agency’s national leadership, which the housing authority hopes to secure in May." As thousands of veterans return to the Houston area from Afghanistan and Iraq, this development would be a way of thanking them for their service while providing housing close to VA services," said Guy Rankin, the housing authority’s chief executive.

5.      State-Financed Program Attempts To Find Outdoor Work For Veterans.   The Seattle Times (4/23, Bernton) said that recently a crew of veterans, "most of whom served in Iraq or Afghanistan," hacked down overgrown blackberry thickets in Southeast King County, all of them "hoping to forge new careers through the Veterans Conservation Corps, a state-financed program that helps them tackle two big challenges of civilian life – finding new employment and coping with the psychic battle scars of war. The focus" of the program "is on outdoor jobs in forestry, wildlife management and other natural-resource fields that can put the veterans outside, where it’s hoped they can tap some of the healing powers of nature." The program "combine classroom work at community colleges with weekly" outdoor work forays.

6.      Boehner Joins Others In Criticizing Napolitano Over DHS Report.   In continuing coverage, CQ (4/24, Margetta) reports that on Thursday, "House Minority Leader John A. Boehner joined the chorus" of criticism from conservative lawmakers and commentators "leveled at Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano over" a recent intelligence assessment from her department "on right-wing extremist group recruitment." The report "suggested right-wing groups could try to recruit ‘disgruntled military veterans’ returning from combat," and on Thursday, Boehner said, "I think Secretary Napolitano has an awful lot of explaining to do." Boehner’s

"comments followed calls for Napolitano’s resignation from a small but vocal group of Republican lawmakers." CQ notes, however, that Napolitano "has apologized for any offense given to veterans."
      Report, Obama Make Veteran "Ashamed" Of His Country.   In a related letter to the editor of the Edmond (OK) Sun (4/24), veteran Pete Lepo referenced the DHS report, saying that because of it and some of the things President Obama has done while in office, he is "ashamed" of his country.

7.      Judge Orders Mental Exam For Iraq Vet Suspected Of Murder.   The Altoona (PA) Mirror (4/24, Ray) reports, "The preliminary hearing" for 28-year-old Iraq veteran Nicholas A. Horner, "charged with killing a high school senior and a retired insurance executive in early April, has been continued pending the completion of a mental health competency examination." Blair County President Judge Jolene Kopriva "ordered the exam in a ruling Wednesday."

8.      Through Pilot Program, VA Intern Helping Alzheimer’s Patients.   The Augusta (GA) Chronicle (4/23, Dicks) said Mary Ann Shelton, a social work intern at the Charlie Norwood Veterans Affairs Medical Center, "is the group leader and certified interventionist" for REACH (Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer’s Caregivers Health), "a pilot program to provide caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients with resources and support." The program, which "is being piloted in 24 VA medical centers in home-based" primary care, "recognizes the well-being of the caregiver as an important component of a patient’s care, said Michele Mitchell," Norwood’s program director for home-based primary care. The Chronicle adds, "In February," the VA "recognized Ms. Shelton for her work with the REACH VA program," saying in a statement that "without the efforts of Ms. Shelton, many caregivers in the Augusta community would not have had the opportunity to benefit from the information and guidance offered through the REACH VA program."

9.      VA Reps To Appear At Summit In Texas.   KRGV-TV Harlingen, TX (4/23, 12:07 p.m. CT) broadcast, "Veterans are getting ready for the 2009 Veterans and Military Summit going on in Brownsville" this Saturday. Representatives of the US Department of Veterans Affairs "and the state will be there to speak to veterans and active military personnel about benefits, retirement and medical services available to them. They’ll also talk about employment opportunities and business development." KRGV noted that US Rep. Solomon Ortiz (D-TX) is hosting the event, as does the Brownsville (TX) Herald (4/24, Ortiz), which says veterans attending the summit "will…hear speeches from Ortiz" and "Jason McClellan, director of the Veterans Benefit Administration’s Central Area Office."

10.    Children Visit VA Facilities On Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Day.   The Muskogee (OK) Phoenix (4/24) reports, "Amanda Stephens was one of 50 children from area schools who visited the Veterans Administration Call Center and the VA regional offices on Thursday as part of Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day." Amanda’s Mom, Pam Stephens, "who is a customer service supervisor," commented on the day, saying her daughter "really looks forward to it every year."
      In a related story on Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, the Oklahoman (4/23, Warlick-Moore) said that at the VA medical center "in Oklahoma City, about 20 youths participate in Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work events. There, kids are divided into groups of younger and older participants," and "groups get hands-on experience doing medical work such as…sterilizing equipment. Charlotte Ellison, nurse recruiter, said part of her goal is to recruit future nurses."