Top 10 Veterans News from Around the Country 6-08-09

What’s Inside Today’s Local News for Veterans

1. Obama, World Leaders Mark 65th Anniversary Of D-Day At Normandy.  
2. Antiwar Activist Lied About Military Background.  
3. Lincoln Exhibit On Display At VAIHCS. 
4. Drifter Being Investigated By FBI For Impersonating Veteran.  
5. Doctor Being Investigated For Falsifying Study On Treatment Of Wounded Vets.  
6. VA Assists Homeless Veterans Affected By Shelter Closing.  
7. Brain Injury Lab Set To Be Moved From Austin To Waco. 
8. VA Celebrates Cancer Survivors.  
9. Relocated Clinic To Open In Minnesota.  
10. Motorcycle Riders Raise Money For VA Hospital.  

1.      Obama, World Leaders Mark 65th Anniversary Of D-Day At Normandy.         NPR’s Weekend Edition (6/6, Simon) reported, "President Obama is in France this morning, paying tribute to the Allied soldiers who began the liberation of Europe on D-Day 65 years ago today. President Nicolas Sarkozy and Prince Charles of Great Britain and aging veterans of that Normandy invasion are with the President to honor the surviving soldiers and remember their fallen comrades." NPR (Gonyea) said Obama "started the day in Paris, flew up here for a meeting with President Sarkozy and a lunch. They’ve actually developed a pretty close relationship in the first four, five months that Mr. Obama has been in office. But really the centerpiece of the day both will be participating in this ceremony marking the 65th anniversary of the Allied landings here."
      The AP (6/6, Loven) reports Obama "honored the valiant dead and the "sheer improbability" of their D-Day victory, commemorating" the anniversary of the "decisive invasion even as he remakes two wars and tries to thwart potential nuclear threats in Iran and North Korea. The young U.S. commander in chief, speaking at the American cemetery after the leaders of France, Canada and Britain, held up the sacrifices of D-Day veterans and their ‘unimaginable hell’ as a lesson for modern times." Obama "opened the emotional day" by meeting Sarkozy "in the nearby city of Caen. Their wives, dueling style icons in similar attire, met separately at the elegant French Prefecture. Appearing with Sarkozy before reporters, Obama displayed growing impatience with North Korea and what he called its ‘extraordinarily provocative’ nuclear and ballistic missile tests. He suggested that the North is testing international patience as diplomacy has failed to persuade the reclusive communist government to abandon its nuclear weapons program."
      The Los Angeles Times (6/7, Parsons, 797K) reports Obama, "standing on the shores of the historic Omaha Beach landing," paid tribute "to the thousands of servicemen who gave their lives in the D-day invasion 65 years ago and cast it as inspiration for the struggles of today. Obama recalled the German fire that rained down on the troops as they took the beaches of Normandy, which he called ‘the story of America.’" AFP (6/6, Collinson) reports Obama "vowed the world would never forget the dead of D-Day as he joined fellow leaders on Saturday at the site of the Allied landing which changed the course of history."
      The New York Times (6/7, A8, Zeleny, 1.06M) reports, "None of the leaders who took the stage had war stories of their own to offer. So Mr. Obama, born 17 years after D-Day, invoked his deceased grandfather, ‘who arrived on this beach six weeks after D-Day and marched across Europe in Patton’s Army.’ And he introduced his great-uncle, Charles Payne, who fought in Germany and traveled here from Chicago." The Washington Times (6/7, Bellantoni, 74K) notes that "unlike former presidents," Obama "did not use the day to speak of the current state of the world." While Ronald Reagan "explicitly referred to the Cold War with the Soviet Union," Obama "did not speak of the war against terrorism. Nor did he mention the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, or the struggle against al Qaeda."
      The Washington Post (6/7, Wilson, 652K) reports Obama’s speech "served to underscore the message he has sought to deliver throughout his trip to the Middle East and Europe. Using a mix of criticism and understanding, he has urged rivals and allies to work now to resolve conflicts based on his view of how their national interests coincide with those of the United States. … In office just over five months, Obama has offered what he has called a clear-eyed appraisal of the world’s troubles, at times implicating allies such as Israel and his own country in failing to address them squarely. … Even in his remarks Saturday, he noted that the Allied countries that defeated Nazi fascism were ‘not perfect.’"
      The Times of London (6/7) reports Obama "joined beleaguered Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the Prince of Wales," and Sarkozy at the American Cemetery. The Politico (6/6, Allen) reports that Brown, in his remarks, "referred to ‘Obama Beach,’ then corrected himself to ‘Omaha Beach’ a few words later, after a stir in the crowd." The Hill (6/6, Soraghan) and Bloomberg News (6/7, Chen, Goldman) also have reports.
      Shinseki’s Normandy Appearance Noted.   The Honolulu Star-Bulletin (6/7, Star-Bulletin) reports, "D. Zane Schlemmer, 84, of Kaneohe was among veterans singled out today by President Barrack Obama for special mention during ceremonies marking the 65th anniversary of D-Day at the American Cemetery in Normandy. The president said the story of D-Day was told by men like Schlemmer, a member of the 82nd Airborne

Division, who ‘parachuted into a dark marsh, far from his objective and his men. Lost and alone, he still managed to fight his way through the gunfire and help liberate the town in which he landed.’ … Also in Normandy for the observance was U.S. Veteran Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki, native of Kauai. He traveled there with a group including Obama’s great-uncle, Charles Payne, member of the first division to reach and liberate a Nazi concentration camp."

2.      Antiwar Activist Lied About Military Background.   The Denver Post (6/7, Simpson) reports, "An elaborate web of deceit has left Richard Glen Strandlof with another indelible mark: fake military hero who misled veterans, politicians and others. All had bought into the story of Rick Duncan, the wounded soldier rallying opposition to the Iraq war and support for struggling vets. … Strandlof’s story winds between malicious deception and actual good works. And it muddies the issue of whether his offense was simply that he fooled the people he purported to champion or broke the law. He awaits arraignment in the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center on a misdemeanor traffic charge. And while the FBI is investigating possible fraud, no charges have been filed. Strandlof, 32, spared no detail in his alleged résumé: Annapolis graduate. Marine captain. Survivor of the Sept. 11 attack on the Pentagon. Wounded, three-tour veteran of the Iraq war. An American hero who, in his next act, would stand up for his band of military brothers on whatever stage was set before him – from the Capitol steps in Denver to the campaign stump. He backed mostly Democratic candidates sympathetic to his anti-war views in the run-up to the 2008 election. Beyond politics, he worked on behalf of homeless veterans in Colorado Springs, an effort that earned him widespread respect."

3.      Lincoln Exhibit On Display At VAIHCS.   The Danville (IL) Commercial-News (6/6) said the Veterans Affairs Illiana Health Care System (VAIHCS) "marked the 200th birth anniversary of America’s 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, by having on display the Lincoln Bicentennial Traveling Exhibition," which was created by the Veterans Health Administration History Office and National Cemetery Association History Program. On "Wednesday, three second-grade classes (60 students) from Northeast Elementary Magnet School visited the VA to see the exhibition" and hear from "Gary Cooney, an Abraham Lincoln presenter from Huntley." The Commercial-News added, "The exhibit highlights legislation and programs signed into law by Lincoln during the Civil War that are now administered by VA and continue to benefit America’s veterans."

4.      Drifter Being Investigated By FBI For Impersonating Veteran.   In continuing coverage, the New York Times (6/8, A10, Frosch, Dao, 1.06M) says that as a "former Marine Corps captain who suffered brain trauma from a roadside bomb in Iraq" and later became an "advocate for veterans rights who opposed the war," the man "who called himself Rick Duncan seemed right out of central casting as a prop for a Democratic candidate running against Bush administration policies last fall." Yet, "except for his first name, virtually none of his story was true. In reality, he was Richard G. Strandlof, a charismatic drifter with a history of mental illness and petty crimes." Last month, "after actual veterans uncovered his deceptions," the 32-year-old Strandlof "was detained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation," which is conducting "an inquiry into whether his subterfuge violated" Federal laws. Meanwhile, the veterans group Strandlof "helped create, the Colorado Veterans Alliance, has disbanded."

5.      Doctor Being Investigated For Falsifying Study On Treatment Of Wounded Vets.   The New York Times (6/6, B1, Meier, Wilson, 1.06M) said, "Dr. Romney C. Andersen, a Walter Reed Army Medical Center surgeon, was surprised last summer when his neighbor, a fellow doctor, congratulated him on a new medical journal study bearing his name." Soon, US Army "officials, alerted by Dr. Andersen, began an investigation" and "uncovered an apparent case of falsified research" by Dr. Timothy R. Kuklo, "who had befriended Dr. Andersen when they both worked at Walter Reed, treating American soldiers severely injured in Iraq." The Times added, "Within the last week, the Justice Department opened an inquiry into the episode, said two people with knowledge of it, who spoke only on condition of anonymity."

6.      VA Assists Homeless Veterans Affected By Shelter Closing.   The Temple Daily Telegram (6/7, Gibbs) reports, "It’s good there are programs to help the homeless, but bringing them together is a challenge. The social workers at the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System are devoted and will go the extra mile to make sure what needs to be done gets done, said Paula Wood, health care for the homeless veteran coordinator. … The VA, one of several entities working with men who will be displaced if Martha’s Kitchen men’s shelter closes, has been on site to help veterans find alternative arrangements. The VA has a number of programs for the homeless, including the domiciliary, which offers substance abuse treatment and employment and rehabilitation programs. The homeless are offered contract residential treatment programs for substance abuse and psychiatry stability; transitional housing; supportive housing vouchers; and shelter referrals."

7.      Brain Injury Lab Set To Be Moved From Austin To Waco.   The Waco Tribune Herald (6/7, Dennis) reports, "State officials from the Department of Veteran Affairs are hoping to move a research lab focusing on brain injury treatment and rehabilitation from Austin to Waco VA hospital within the next two weeks. The Brain Injury Research Lab has been based at the University of Texas at Austin since its conception in 2003. The Department of Veteran Affairs decided last month to move the lab to the Waco VA Hospital, where a Center for Excellence for war veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder is being established. ‘There were a lot of different VA departments that came in to review the Brain Injury Research Lab in Austin, and based on all of their reports the recommendation was made to move the research functions to the Center of Excellence,’ said Diane Struski, a VA spokeswoman for the Heart of Texas Health Care Network based in Fort Worth. ‘That way it enhances and expands the services that the center is already conducting.’ Struski said the target date for the move is June 15. The four staff members who manned the lab in Austin have been reassigned to either the Temple or Waco VA hospitals."

8.      VA Celebrates Cancer Survivors.   The Iowa City Press-Citizen (6/8, Rhatigan) reports, "An event Sunday afternoon" at the Veterans Affairs Iowa City Health Care System "attracted about 200 people celebrating National Cancer Survivors Day." Gary Million, "VA hospital associate director, said the celebration was particularly appropriate this year with the recent opening of a chemotherapy clinic at the VA hospital. He added that treating and caring for cancer patients is a specialty for the hospital."

9.      Relocated Clinic To Open In Minnesota.   In continuing coverage, the Brainerd (MN) Dispatch (6/7) reported, "The St. Cloud Veterans Affairs Medical Center will open its relocated and newly renovated Brainerd Community Based Outpatient Clinic 8 a.m. P 4:30 p.m. Monday at 722 N.W. Seventh St., in Brainerd." Meanwhile, a "ribbon-cutting/dedication ceremony is planned at 10:30 a.m. June 15," for the clinic, which "will continue to offer primary health care services and specialty care referrals to the St. Cloud and Minneapolis VA medical centers."

10.    Motorcycle Riders Raise Money For VA Hospital.   The Martinsburg (WV) Journal (6/8, Marshall) reports, "The roar of more than 2,000 motorcycles filled the grounds of Martinsburg’s Veterans Affairs Medical Center on Sunday as riders who took part in Operation God Bless America once again showed their unwavering support for area veterans. In all, the 2,500 registered motorcycle riders helped raise $62,000" for the hospital "during the 19th annual charity motorcycle ride." The Journal adds, "Over the course of the last 18 years, riders have raised and donated about $225,000 to the center, 100 percent of which goes directly to the care of veterans."