Top 10 Veterans News from Around the Country 7-16-09

What’s Inside Today’s Local News for Veterans

1. Shinseki Hails "Spirit" Of Wheelchair Games Participants. 
2. New GI Bill Expands Vets’ Education Benefits.  
3. Webb Asks For VA Investigation Of Fraud Reports.  
4. Shinseki To Participate In Town Hall Meeting On Rural Healthcare.  
5. Pentagon Says It Will Not Ban Tobacco Products In War Zones.  
6. Legion Members Hand Out Chits At VA Hospital.
7. Veterans Fair Held In California.  
8. Retired Vets Making Toys For Impoverished Afghan Children.  
9. VA Clinic To Receive Stimulus Funds For Energy Study.  
10.     Stimulus Funds To Help Pay For Mental Health Complex At Huntington VAMC. 

     1.      Shinseki Hails "Spirit" Of Wheelchair Games Participants.   In continuing coverage, the Air Force News Service (7/16, Bates) profiles William Ethridge, who is "taking part in the 29th National Veterans Wheelchair Games," an "annual Veterans Affairs-sponsored event that brings disabled servicemembers together to compete in a variety of sporting activities." Ethridge "is paralyzed from the waist down," but "while his body may be broken, his spirit is still very much intact." The Air Force News Service notes that VA Secretary Eric Shinseki commented on athletes like Ethridge, saying, "Just because these veterans are in wheelchairs doesn’t mean their lives are over." Shinseki added that the Wheelchair Games "celebrate their spirit and their sacrifices." The Air Force News Service adds that while this year is the first time Ethridge has been to the Games, "they’ve already made an impact on him. ‘It’s great,’ he said. ‘I get to…make new friends and have fun playing sports.’" A separate Air Force News Service (7/15, Bates) also took note of the Games, as did an Army News Service (7/14) article.
      Meanwhile, in an editorial, the Jacksonville (NC) Daily News (7/15) praised Iraq veteran Glenn McClary, one of 12 "Tar Heel residents" who "are taking their determination and spirit to the next level this week as they compete" in the Games. McClary "reminds area residents that the true measure of a man is not in how lucky he is in life but in how he handles life’s adversity. McClary handles adversity in his own life by rolling right past it, his eyes firmly fixed on the winner’s circle," but whether "or not he medals" at the Games "is unimportant," because McClary "is already a champion."
      Visit To Games The First Trip Out For Recently Disabled Vet.   The KXLY-TV Spokane, WA (7/15) website said the Games "going on in Spokane this week are filled with stories of inspiration, which is something" that 60-year-old "local resident Gary Keller could use right now after a deadly crash last month took the life of his wife" and "left Gary in a wheelchair. Adjusting to life in a wheelchair is still a new challenge for Gary," but "he was able to get a lot of encouragement Wednesday" from athletes at the Games. With "his buddy of 40 years Arnie McDonald and his daughter Shelly by his side," Gary "watched athletes go head to head" in the Games Wednesday. KXLY added, "Only a month and a half after the crash, this is the first time Gary’s been out." KXLY-TV Spokane, WA (7/16, 11:25 p.m. PT) also aired a report on the Games, noting that on Wednesday, power soccer, the "fastest growing wheelchair sport in the world," was played. KREM-TV Spokane, WA (7/15, 6:11 p.m. PT) aired a similar report, while KHQ-TV Spokane, WA (7/15, 5:23 p.m. PT) aired one in which it noted that swimming events are held at the Games, and KIMA-TV Yakima, WA (7/15, 11:27 p.m. PT) broadcast that the Games "run through Saturday." Several other local TV stations in Washington State also aired brief reports on the Games.
      Head Of Illinois PVA Chapter Participating in Fourth Games.   The Frankfort (IL) Station (7/16, Traut) profiles local resident Ron Miner, who is making his "fourth appearance" at the Games. According to the station, Miner, who "was recently named president of the Illinois chapter" of Paralyzed Veterans of America, "splits his time between volunteering in the office and visiting" the Hines VA Hospital in Manteno, Illinois. Meanwhile, a volunteer at the Games wrote a blog about his experience for the online Seattle Post-Intelligencer (7/15, 116K). The Sequim (WA) Gazette (7/16, Dashiell) also runs a report on the Games.
2.      New GI Bill Expands Vets’ Education Benefits.   In continuing coverage, the KFOX-TV El Paso, TX (7/15, Han) website said that thanks to the new GI Bill, starting "next month, veterans who served after 9/11 can get a free ride to public and private colleges in Texas." Because of the expanded benefits provided by the new GI Bill, "veterans attending an in-state public university…won’t have to pay a cent for tuition, housing, books and supplies." And through the "new Yellow Ribbon program, Uncle Sam is also helping to foot the bill for 65 private universities in Texas and New Mexico, including Rice University, St. John’s College, and Texas A & M." The program, however, is "not without controversy because there could be huge discrepancies in the amount that veterans can receive." Still, "Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq war veteran, said she’s excited about the education opportunities the new GI Bill will open." Carol Han, who wrote this story, also wrote very similar ones published by the websites for WSB-TV Atlanta, GA (7/15), WPXI-TV Pittsburgh, PA (7/15, Han), KIRO-TV Seattle, WA (7/15), WTOV-TV Steubenville, OH (7/15), WSOC-TV Charlotte, NC (7/15), although Han did tailor the stories for regional readership purposes by changing the word Texas, for example, to Georgia.
      In a related story, the Wilson (NC) Times (7/15, Shaw) said Barton College in Wilson, North Carolina, "has joined a nationwide push to help veterans with college expenses" by committing to provide "up to $250,000 per year, assisting up to 50 veterans, through" the VA’s "Yellow Ribbon Program, the VA announced Monday." According to the Times, the VA "announced agreements Monday with 1,100 colleges, universities and schools nationwide, including 38 in North Carolina, to improve financial aid for veterans participating in the Post-9/11 GI Bill program." The Times noted that Keith Wilson, the "director of VA’s Education Service," said his agency is "pleased so many institutions are supporting our veterans," while VA Secretary Eric Shinseki was quoted as saying that the department is "grateful so many schools are joining us as partners in this unprecedented effort."
      The Juneau (AK) Empire (7/15), which offered the same quote from Shinseki, said two "Alaska universities, Alaska Pacific University and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, have entered into Yellow Ribbon Program agreements" with the VA, while the AP (7/15) pointed out that the VA "says 24 Nebraska colleges, universities and schools have made agreements with the VA’s Yellow Ribbon Program" and the Durham (NC) Herald-Sun (7/16, Childress) notes the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill "is among…38 colleges and universities across the state that have signed Yellow Ribbon Program agreements." The Terre Haute (IN) Tribune Star (7/15), meanwhile, noted that St. Mary-of-the-Woods College is also participating in the program.
      The Kansas City (MO) Star (7/15, Williams), meanwhile, said colleges "and universities expect their own surge this fall – military veterans enrolling to take advantage of a ramped-up GI Bill that offers free tuition and more. Veterans who will start or continue studies are expected to reach 460,000, up from 354,000 in 2008, according" to VA officials. Schools "in the region are still enrolling, said Jill Jess at the University of Kansas, so, ‘we don’t have numbers yet. But interest is definitely high, and we do anticipate an increase in enrollment by veterans and their families.’" The Star added, "Those already benefiting from the Montgomery GI Bill should check with school veteran affairs officials and do the math before trying to switch" to the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
      VA Said To Be Flexible When It Comes To Education Benefit Choices.   Bob Brewin, writing his "What’s Brewin’" blog for NextGov (7/15), said that he recently "cautioned veterans to carefully weigh benefits available under the new post 9/11 GI bill and the older Montgomery GI bill," because, "as an Iraq war veteran" friend of his discovered, the "package of benefits under the new bill" does not always provide "a

better financial deal than the old one." Brewin said the veteran made his discovery after opting "for benefits under the post 9/11 bill," then "attempted to switch his election and was told by the Veterans Affairs Department that he had made an ‘irrevocable’ choice." Brewin added, however, that when the veteran "informally appealed to VA," the agency "told him the decision was not irrevocable until Aug. 1, when VA starts disbursing payments under the new GI bill." Brewin said this indicates "that VA is flexible as veterans try to figure out the best package of benefits."
      DOD Announces Policy For Transferring New GI Bill Benefits.   The final item in the syndicated "Sgt. Shaft" column, appearing in the Washington Times (7/16, Fales, 74K), notes that the "Defense Department recently announced its policy for transferring educational benefits to the spouses and children of service members under" new GI Bill, "which takes effect Aug. 1." "Eligible service members may make transfer designations by visiting this Web site: https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/TEB." The column notes that the VA administers the new GI Bill "and determines eligibility for education benefits. Further information on eligibility, benefit levels, and application procedures can be found at their Web site, http://www.gibill.va.gov."

3.      Webb Asks For VA Investigation Of Fraud Reports.   On its website, WHSV-TV Harrisonburg, VA (7/15) noted that in a letter sent this week, US Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) "asked Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki to ‘immediately and proactively’ examine recurring allegations of misrepresentation of military service that may have resulted in the awarding of unearned veterans benefits and false recognition for service." This "correspondence reiterates concerns laid out in a July 7 letter" by Webb and US Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI). Included in WHSV’s coverage was a copy of Webb’s letter, which also appeared in the Hampton Roads Virginian-Pilot (7/15).

4.      Shinseki To Participate In Town Hall Meeting On Rural Healthcare.   In continuing coverage, Louisiana’s L’Observateur (7/15, Shannon) reports, "The White House announced last week that St. John Parish has been named as one of nine stops for a presidential listening tour in rural areas of the United States that will feature four members of President Barack Obama’s Cabinet." Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, "Labor Secretary Hilda Solis and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will be in Reserve next Monday at the National Guard Readiness Center to gain feedback on rural healthcare. The event will be a town hall format in which the secretaries will take and answer questions and concerns from residents in attendance." The visit by the secretaries "is part of a broad initiative by the Obama administration to reconnect with the rural public."

5.      Pentagon Says It Will Not Ban Tobacco Products In War Zones.   In continuing coverage, the AP (7/16, Jelinek) reports, "The Pentagon reassured" US "troops Wednesday that it won’t ban tobacco products in war zones. Defense officials hadn’t actually planned to eliminate smoking – at least for now" — but "fear of a ban arose among some troops after the Defense Department received a study recommending the military move toward becoming tobacco-free." Press "secretary Geoff Morrell pointedly told a Pentagon news conference that Defense Secretary Robert Gates is not planning to prohibit the use of cigarettes, chewing tobacco or other tobacco products by troops in combat." The AP notes that the study, which was commissioned by the Pentagon and the Veterans Affairs Department, "said the VA and Pentagon should eliminate use of tobacco on its facilities and the military should stop selling tobacco products at its commissaries."
      The BBC News (7/15) also noted the Pentagon’s announcement, as did Jeff Emanuel, a veteran who "worked in Iraq as a combat journalist," in an op-ed published on the CBS News (7/15) website. Emanuel, who argues that "America’s servicemembers shouldn’t" be deprived of the right to use tobacco products, says the "fact that tobacco use by our military is receiving so much attention, and policies curbing or banning its use are receiving so much consideration, demonstrates a lack of seriousness on the topic of military affairs by far too many outside observers and civilian leaders, including the Secretary of Defense and those above him in the chain of command." The Washington Times (7/16, 74K) takes a similar position in an editorial.

6.      Legion Members Hand Out Chits At VA Hospital.   The St. Louis Post-Dispatch (7/14, Birmingham, 268K) noted that members of Rollo-Calcaterra American Legion Post 15 have been pooling "their own money to buy…chits from the Veterans Administration Volunteer Services department" and hand them out to patients at the VA medical center at Jefferson Barracks. The "chits are honored at canteens at all VA facilities. It’s something" the Legion members "do twice a year to help their brothers in arms, Rollo-Calcaterra Post Commander Skip Berger said." The Post-Dispatch added, "The troops of Post 15 visited a wing of the medical center July 8 that houses the VA’s Audio/Speech Therapy, Community Living Center and the Physical, Medical and Rehabilitation services."

7.      Veterans Fair Held In California.   The Contra Costa (CA) Times (7/15, Thissen) said veterans "returning from service in Iraq or Afghanistan face the highest unemployment rate in decades," along with other potential difficulties, including post-traumatic stress disorder, physical injuries, and homelessness. But on Monday, "about 300 veterans" attended the "East Bay Veterans Fair in Concord," where dozens "of colleges, service agencies and employers" had "set up booths," according to "Denver Mills, director of the Concord Vet Center." The Times added that as "war in Iraq winds down and veterans who have returned home realize they need assistance, the demands on the VA and other organizations will grow, Mills said. ‘We see this wave on the horizon of these new veterans who are going to be coming back,’ Mills said." The San Jose (CA) Mercury News (7/15) published the same story.

8.      VA Offers Payment Option To Vets Exposed To Infections.   In continuing coverage, the WSMV-TV Nashville, TN (7/15) website reported, "More letters are being sent to veterans who may have had questionable colonoscopy procedures" at the Veterans Affairs hospital in Murfreesboro, but "this time, the letters are linked to money." However, attorney Mike Shepard "warns recipients might want to read the fine print before signing on the dotted line. The letters offer veterans who have tested positive for HIV and hepatitis B or C after colonoscopy procedures at the Murfreesboro VA options to seek payment, but by filing out these forms, patients could be placing limits on future options." According to WSMV, the letter "starts with an apology but quickly gets down to business, giving veterans two options: They can file" a Federal "tort claim or apply for monthly payments from the VA." WSMV added, "Last week, the VA announced that any veteran affected will receive completely free treatment from the VA."

9.      VA Clinic To Receive Stimulus Funds For Energy Study.   The Martinez (CA) News-Gazette (7/15, Mart) said the Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Martinez is "slated to receive over $350,000" in Federal stimulus funds. The "money is intended to pay for an extensive study on how to incorporate solar and geothermal energy systems into the facility’s existing infrastructure," said Amy Peake, spokesperson for US Rep. George Miller (D-CA). Meanwhile, according to the US VA, it "is targeting nearly one-quarter of its $1.4 billion in funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that passed earlier this year for clean energy generation and energy conservation investments, and will direct more than $68 million to renewable sources, including solar, wind and geothermal energy and has dedicated nearly $238 million toward retrofitting existing buildings to use energy and water more efficiently." The News-Gazette noted that VA Secretary Eric Shinseki commented on the situation, saying such VA investments will "help spur new energy savings and, at the same time, reduce our environmental footprint."
      VA Part Of Administration’s Clean Energy Efforts.   In a related Seattle Times (7/16, 197K) op-ed, Van Jones, "the special adviser for green jobs at the White House Council on Environmental Quality," writes that under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Obama Administration is making the "largest single investment in clean energy in American history." And recently, "top officials from throughout" the Administration "highlighted some of the incredible work their agencies are doing to retrofit America." One such official was VA Secretary Eric Shinseki, who "announced that his department will direct hundreds of millions of dollars to investments in clean-energy generation and energy conservation."

10.    Stimulus Funds To Help Pay For Mental Health Complex At Huntington VAMC.   The AP (7/15) said the Huntington Veterans Affairs Medical Center "is getting $5.9 million" in Federal "stimulus funding to help pay for a new mental health complex." According to the AP, US Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV) "says the funding released by the US Department of Veterans Affairs will allow for work to begin on renovating a vacant 15,000 square-foot-building adjacent to the hospital."
      The WSAZ-TV Huntington, WV (7/15) website, which also covered this story, noted that the ultimate goal is to create a comprehensive mental health care facility on the Huntington VAMC campus, which will include special facilities" for post-traumatic stress disorder "treatment and substance abuse rehabilitation. ‘Once the facility is finished there will be a total of four buildings that will have been renovated and built out to accommodate the additional patient care and treatment services,’ explained Edward H. Seiler," the hospital’s director.