Veterans for Change News

VA Updates

 At a briefing on Thursday, a VA representative stated they are ready to go to begin payments on Monday November 1, for those who have applied and have been approved for the three new presumptive service-connected Agent Orange conditions of Parkinson’s disease, B-cell leukemias and Ischemic Heart Disease. 

 The representative also stated that for the first time, new disability applications which use the first three forms, referenced in the above article will be able to be filled out and submitted totally on line.  This means that those who apply for the three new service connected conditions, can fill out the Veterans On-Line Application (VONAPP) on the VA website, have the proper questionnaire downloaded to be filled out by your own doctors.  You then would fax the forms in to your Regional Office and do it all without actually going to a VA facility.

 On-Line Auction

 We currently have 19 items on-line to auction off to the highest bidder.

•        Greg Rowles (Emcee at Alabama Theatre in Myrtle Beach, Sc) 2 Christmas CD’s and a t-shirt
•        Grant Turner (Comedy at Alabama Theatre) T-shirt
•        Gail Bliss ( Did tribute to Patsy Cline and played Patsy in a traveling Play of Pasty Cline) 2 t-shirts and autographed 8×10
•        Tammy Cochran (country music singer) t-shirt
•        Rockie Lynne (country music artist)
•        David Phelps (Contemporary Christian Music Artist he is also with the Gaither Vocal Band ) 2 t-shirts and a CD
•        A t-shirt with the flag on the front
•        Randy Houser (Country Music Artist) t-shirt, CD “Anything Goes” and  8×10 both are autographed
•        Lady Antebellum t-shirt and autographed 8×10
•        More to be listed soon

 So everyone go to Wensy and check out the auction items and help support Veterans-For-Change and our brand new program “Homeless Heroes”.

 Stop Loss Special Pay

 The deadline for submitting a claim for Stop Loss Special Pay has been extended to December 3.  More than 145,000 people are eligible but less than half have submitted claims.  Get all the details and find out if you qualify by clicking here. 

 Make Your Voice Heard on Election Day

Election Day, November 2, is just around the corner.  Voting is the most basic means by which you make your voice heard in our government.  By casting your vote, you determine who will represent you, your family, and your neighbors in your community, your State, and your country.  All service members, and all our Members, to exercise this most important citizen’s right:  Get out and vote!

 Veterans-For-Change Says

Giving to Others Can Change Lives

To feel the concept of how giving to others in little ways can change the world in larger ways, consider watching the movie Pay It Forward.  Like the movie Pay it Forward, Veterans-For-Change will lift your spirits, break your heart, make you look at the world in a new way, and just perhaps change your life.

Sometimes in life, people want to give help to others, but don’t have large amounts of money or know how to donate. Other times, one just needs a little lift to get back on their feet but doesn’t know how or where to get help. Everyone else’s problems may seem bigger or more worthy. It can feel embarrassing to ask for a handout. But with Veterans-For-Change, people can offer help when they are strong, and ask for assistance when life seems overwhelming. What a wonderful trade-off.

We request your support by considering a donation to Veterans-For-Change and help us make magic for those who need us most!

In order to meet the needs of those who come to Veterans-For-Change every month, we need 100 regular monthly donors of $20 each and 100 regular monthly donors of $50.  With every dollar we receive $0.93 will go directly to Veterans and their families in need of a one time assistance grant to help get them over a rough patch in life.

Even if you’re not able to commit to a monthly donation, a one time or annual donation is very much appreciated.  And if you’ve been blessed to never have problems, please consider the movie “Pay it Forward!”

If you’re able to contribute $25, $50, $100 or more, please click HERE to be taken direct to the PayPal site!

If you’d prefer to send a check or money order, please send an E-Mail to:  Jim Davis for instructions.

You can also help by book marking and visiting Newsvine frequently:  http://jdavis92840.newsvine.com/

VFC earns money on every article a comment and vote that is posted.  So visit frequently for things not always in the newsletter, comment and click on comment & vote.  (See more stories Links below)

Veterans-For-Change operates under National Faith Based Coalition Disabled Veterans Enterprises

Tax ID #84-1285120

 If Veteran’s don’t help Veteran’s, who will?

Tell us about your favorite Veteran!

Veterans Day is coming to honor the military men and women who have bravely served our country.  We’re asking you to tell us about your favorite veteran. Share their story with us and send us a photo and we’ll salute them in our weekly newsletter.

Please e-mail photos and stories about your favorite veteran to [email protected].  Captions and write-ups should include information about each veteran, their rank, branch of military, during which war they served and time of service.  Please also include the town the veteran is from.

Multiple Flu Shot Options Available to TRICARE For Life Beneficiaries

According to the TRICARE Management Activity (TMA), TRICARE For Life (TFL) beneficiaries have a wealth of options when it comes to staying protected during the fall and winter flu season.

Medicare covers influenza vaccines at no cost to TFL beneficiaries as long as a Medicare provider who agrees to accept the Medicare-approved amount as full payment administers them.

Flu shots also are covered by TRICARE if obtained at participating TRICARE network pharmacies in the U.S.  Beneficiaries should call ahead to their pharmacy to determine if it participates in the TRICARE program and has vaccine available.  To find a participating pharmacy, visit the Express Scripts website or call Express Scripts at 1-877-363-1303.

Many military clinics or hospitals also offer flu shots to military retirees, often in conjunction with military retiree appreciation days.  Other options may include local health departments and Veterans Administration medical centers.  Always check ahead for availability before making the trip.

TFL beneficiaries who live in U.S. territories overseas may access either Medicare providers or TRICARE retail pharmacies to get an influenza vaccination within the territory.  Medicare will not pay for care outside the U.S. and its territories.

Those who live overseas outside of U.S. territories should make an appointment with a local provider.  Beneficiaries may have to pay the provider at the time of service and file a claim for the office visit.

In the Philippines, TFL beneficiaries must see a certified provider.  A certified provider list is available here.

This year’s influenza vaccine provides protection from three strains of influenza, including the 2009 H1N1 virus in one shot.  TRICARE covers all age-appropriate doses of vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  For more information about seasonal vaccines and TRICARE, visit the Flu Page.

Adopt-A-Solder

As we all know we still have troops serving in Iraq and they will be there over the Christmas Holidays.

We have several names of soldiers serving and we’d like to adopt all our soldiers out to Church’s and Organizations to make sure they know we have not forgotten them, and they’re not alone.

Each name would need to have approximately 100 zip lock bags filled with non-perishable foods such as hard candy, trail mix, tooth brushes, tooth paste, non fragrant deodorant, CD’s, DVD’s, non fragrant hand lotion, socks, tan colored T-Shirts, Christmas Cards, you can pretty much name it if it fits and ships.

If you’re able to adopt a soldier for this Christmas Season, please send an E-Mail to:  [email protected]

Casey Pledges Continuing Support of Survivors

This week the Army chief of staff said that Army leaders are committed to providing long-term support to survivors of the military fallen, and will continue to create and expand programs and resources that will help to achieve that goal.  “You need to know that your loved one’s sacrifice is both recognized and appreciated and won’t be forgotten,” Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr. told an audience of survivors and the people who support them.

Gen. Casey traced his passion for the issue and desire to help survivors back to his own loss.  Just before earning his Army commission in 1970, Casey’s father, Army Maj. Gen. George W. Casey Sr., was killed in combat.

Decades later, Casey and his wife embarked on a journey to speak with surviving Army families around the world to gauge how they were coping, and what the Army was doing to support them.  It became clear to both that after five years at war, the Army was just doing casualty assistance, and not much else, he said.

Survivors also expressed a need to stay connected with the Army for a longer time, rather than be cut off from the people and organization they had come to see as family.

Casey said he relies on feedback from a survivor panel that he created early on and includes spouses and parents of military fallen.  He also heavily relies on feedback from other survivors across the Army, he said, as he invited the audience to voice their specific issues and concerns.

Buddy Search

Have you been looking for a buddy you served with?  Gone to all the privately owned websites, had no luck?

Look no more!

Veterans-For-Change has databases with 236,590 former military listed.

If you’re looking for a buddy, send an E-Mail to [email protected] with the First and Last Name, Last City/State known, and Branch of Service and we’ll respond with all those listed within 7-10 days.

Please keep request to no more than two names, and only place your request one time.  If the person you are trying to locate isn’t found it goes on a wait list to check new databases as received.

If you’d like to be included, please E-Mail me and request a buddy list entry form.

This is another FREE service of Veterans-For-Change!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Veteran’s day, a day to remember, to honor and respect those who have served and given their all.

This coming Veteran’s day I challenge every reader to encourage their Organization to release helium filled orange balloons in remembrance of those who have gone before us who were badly contaminated by Agent Orange.

Communities across this nation will be releasing orange balloons and we hope you will join them, photograph them and send us the photos so we can include in a montage in the newsletter.

FREE Knott’s Berry Farm Admission

November 1st kicks off Knott’s Berry Farms’ Military Tribute Days. The annual event offers FREE admission for Veterans and current Military personnel along with a guest, with additional tickets (up to 6) available for just $15.99 each. DD214, Veterans Administration Hospital ID or Active Military Service ID must be presented at the turnstile. Eligible person must be present. (Sorry, Dependent ID’s not accepted.) Ends Thanksgiving Day.

From the Desk of Nissa LaPointe, National Vice President, Director of Homeless Heroes Program

Are you willing to help us combat homelessness within the Veteran community, or will you turn your backs like so much of society has done already? We are looking for dedicated people who desire to make a difference in a homeless or soon to be homeless Veteran or returning Troop’s life. 

Within the Veterans-For-Change’s Homeless Heroes Program are several different areas we are focusing on such as:

Homeless Heroes – Advocacy- Researching our immediate community to get as much info about our area so that we can stand firm and can review the programs or lack of programs for our Veterans in need.

Assistance – Find resources or the lack of resources and decide what type of assistance is needed as far as:

1)       Emergency Housing Referrals

2)       Clothing

3)       Drug/Alcohol Rehab Referrals

4)       Assistance with PTSD Claims & Counseling Referrals

5)       Financial Assistance

a)       Utilities

b)       Rent

c)       Food

d)       Medical

Outreach – Collect donated items such as back packs, blankets, toiletries, for the Back Pack Project we are working on currently (or whatever project we will be working on ie Afghan Project, Quilt Project). The idea is to contact the VSO’s in our Areas to get them on board and involved and maybe they will have a point of pick up like an office we can set up at on a certain day.

The Veterans Resource Database formation – Gather every possible resource to put into a database that will be accessible.

Outreach (Expanded) – We will be recruiting additional volunteers, who will work with current resources and who will help set up an office for an Emergency Outreach Task Force nationally.

Stand Downs – Organize and have a Stand Down which will help not only your area but areas surrounding.

Care Packages for Troops overseas – Muster up places to get donated items then send them not only to needy Veterans but for Troops overseas.

This program will be a great success if you help us help our Brothers and Sisters in Arms who are in need.

Veterans-For-Change hits Facebook & Twitter

• You can now track us, meet fellow vets and their families and friends on our new FACEBOOK page!
• Come join us, follow us and friends, make new friends, share useful information and more!
• Follow our all new Homeless Heroes Program on Face Book too!
• Follow us on Twitter too:  @VeteransForChng

Veterans Benefits Talk Radio

Helping Veterans understand and access the benefits they have earned.

• Call the show at 877-474-3302
• Listen at wsRadio.com
• Thursday 10am-11am PST
• Or E-Mail to:  [email protected]

A Veterans Advocacy and Assistance Organization

The purpose of Veterans-For-Change is to make major changes in the treatment and rights for all veterans.  In benefits claims, appeals, medical care and treatment, VA Facilities, PTSD, Agent Orange issues (including Toxic Dioxin resulting in Diabetes, Cancers and numerous other health problems), POW MIA recoveries,  TBI and dioxin poisoning during current and past Combat Operations in the Persian Gulf region.

Members combine their talents, information, ideas and suggestions and contribute to a monthly letter that’s sent to all 535 members of Congress expressing the concerns over various issues and offers possible solutions.

This is in an effort to make change within the VA system, to streamline, expedite and insure claims are honored to the best possible rating, to insure all medical facilities are using the best equipment in the most modernized facilities with a properly trained and fully licensed and compassionate medical staff.

Additionally we circulate petitions for various pieces of legislation to promote their being presented on the floor and voted on.

We conduct research, develop ideas, solutions, and programs and do our best to make sure they’re put into action. We also provide guidance and assistance to veterans, spouses, their children and widows with their claims and appeals and the support of all veterans who seek assistance.

We must guarantee the rights of every single veteran and gain the rights and benefits promised!

If you can volunteer 30-60 minutes per month, from the comfort of your own home and computer, please join us in this tremendous fight and make your voice heard loud and clear.

Veterans-For-Change Advocacy Group:         http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VETERANS-FOR-CHANGE/

From the Editor

As announced in last weeks newsletter Homeless Heroes Project  begun a few weeks back to put together an outreach program which will hit in Virginia and Georgia by passing out 100 backpacks with all sorts of necessities.

T-Shirts, Socks, Boxers, toiletries, non-perishable foods, etc., and we’ve already started receiving requests for Christmas Gift Baskets for low income Veteran’s.

Our Fundraising, Coordinator Debbie McCormick, and our Director of Homeless Heroes Program, Nissa LaPointe both have been working their fingers to the bone and raised donations for many of the products they are packing into these backpacks.

Debbie McCormick found a sock company to donate 100 pair of socks we just need to cover the $30.00 shipping costs.

Christmas gift baskets are being worked on now for low income Veterans and your help is needed in raising the funds to cover those.

We’re still checking into the various hosting services on the internet to bring the VFC site back on-line, and we’re still seeking a Webmaster who can donate his time and is knowledgeable in various website software packages.

We need 12 individuals who each can sponsor $40 to cover the 12 months of web hosting site so we can again rebuild and open up to all Veterans and regain the 1200 hits per day knowing we were providing a much needed service.

If you’re able to contribute $25, $50, $100 or more, please click HERE to be taken direct to the PayPal site!

Our country has asked a tremendous amount of the brave men and women serving our country from the beaches in Normandy to the sands in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many of them have been deployed on tour after tour, away from their homes and families and their service has taken a toll.  Now, as our brave men and women come home from war, we owe them as much support and guidance as we can provide to make their transition back into civilian life is as smooth as possible.  While we can’t begin to repay the debt we owe our veterans for their brave service, we can certainly take steps to ease the physical, psychological and financial hardships they may be experiencing.

Some of the many programs we have already in motion and those to come are listed here:

• Buddy Search Database (NEW)
• Claims & Appeals Assistance
• College Scholarship Fund for Children of Veterans
• Emergency Financial Assistance
• Homeless Heroes Project  (NEW)
• Nationwide Stand-down Programs (Coming soon)
• Service Recognition Program
• Veteran Outreach Program (NEW)
• Veteran Service Officer Referral Program

 There is no greater call to service than that of our brave men and women who serve our country in combat across the globe.  It’s imperative that we remember to pay honor to their bravery and make their transition to civilian life upon their return from combat as smooth and successful as possible.  It’s the least we should do for those who have suffered injury or financial hardship as a result of serving our nation.

On behalf of myself, our directors and volunteers all over the country, I thank you for your continued support.

Jim Davis
CEO

Free Meals for Military and Veterans

McCormick & Schmick’s. For the 11th year in a row, the 87 locations in 25 states are offering free entrees to veterans on Sunday, Nov. 7th. The chain also requests military ID and highly recommends reservations. The promotion is on Sunday instead of Veterans Day, “because it allows vets to bring their families who might not be available during the week,” CEO Bill Freeman says.

Golden Corral is offering free buffet meals – including beverage and dessert – to current military and veterans on Monday, Nov. 16, from 5 to 9 p.m. No military ID is required for its ninth annual Military Appreciation Monday, according to Dolly Mercer, national events manager. The event is held on this date, she says, “so we don’t interfere with Veterans Day activities.”

Applebee’s is offering a free entree on Wednesday to veterans and all active-duty military from 11 a.m. to midnight at all 1,900 locations. Although Applebee’s requests some kind of military ID, “We’re not going to argue with folks who might forget to bring it,” says Sam Rothschild, senior vice president of operations.

Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation is offering free doughnuts to all Veterans and active military personnel. Just visit any participating Krispy Kreme to redeem your free doughnuts. No identification required but keep it available anyway.

Outback Steakhouse – Free Blooming Onion and beverage.

Agent Orange Quilt of Tears

Hello Everyone,

On November 6th, 2010 we will be displaying The Agent Orange Quilt Of Tears in Reno, Nevada. This will be a one day display in conjunction with Steven-Hay Chapman’s 3rd Annual “Patches” Walk for victims of Agent Orange & other Veterans. The Quilt Of Tears will be displayed inside The California Building in Idlewood Park in Reno Nevada between the hours of 9 a.m. & 4 p.m. I have included a link to the locale & address of the facility. (http://www.reno.gov/Index.aspx?page=1032)

Steven can be contacted at [email protected] or by phone at 1- 775-348-0336

Like so many of us, Steven personally witnessed the effects of Agent Orange, The”Patches” Walk  is in memory of Steven’s father who died from Agent Orange related illness.
“Major. Hay-Chapman” flew  “Patches” which is one of the most recognized Ranch Hand aircraft. In his ten months his Ranch Hand Aircraft were hit 500 times by ground fire.
 “Major. Hay-Chapman” retired after 27 years in Oct 1970, while the going was good and fought to the last day trying to get a 100% disability due to Agent Orange. He did get it just before he passed away from diabetes related illnesses which led to a lengthy process of amputations starting with a toe and eventually losing both legs.

Please find it in your heart to support the 3rd Annual “Patches” Walk which benefits all Veterans, past, present & future.

You can donate on a ‘per mile basis’ & the donations will be split evenly amongst the organizations below or by going directly to any one of the sites listed below:

**The Veterans Guest House is a “home away from home” for U.S. military service veterans receiving medical treatment and for families of veterans who are receiving care at facilities in the Reno/Sparks, Nevada area. It is located within two miles of three of the four major medical facilities. http://veteransguesthouse.org/

**Wounded Warrior Project  WWP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, FL with additional program offices located in New York City and Washington D.C.   http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org

**The Pat Tillman Foundation is a national leader in providing resources and educational scholarship support to veterans, active service members and their dependents. The Tillman Military Scholars program aids all veterans and specifically the ever-growing population of veterans and dependents of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. http://pattillmanfoundation.org/index.php

**Agent Orange Victims & Widows Support Network, Inc. which is home to The Agent Orange Quilt Of Tears. The Agent Orange “Quilt Of Tears” serves as a Traveling Memorial that honors the many Veterans who have become ill or have died due to their exposure to Agent Orange during Vietnam. The Agent Orange Victims & Widows Support Network is a non profit organization which mission is dependant solely upon the contributions. It is our wish to keep The Agent Orange Quilt Of Tears moving to various communities through out our country so that all people can learn about the tragedy of herbicide exposure & the health effects our Veterans are suffering & dying from. http://www.agentorangequiltoftears.com/index.html

Hope to see you there!

Hugz & Prayers, Shelia & Henry Snyder

Agent Orange Victims & Widows Support Network
Home Of The Agent Orange Quilt Of Tears
http://www.agentorangequiltoftears.com
~Sacrifice is meaningless without remembrance~
Join Us!
The 3rd Annual Veterans Day Agent Orange Balloon Release
Click here for Our Facebook Event Page

VETERANS EXPOSED TO CHEMICALS NEED TO KNOW 

By:  Robert O’Dowd

(WASHINGTON, DC) – For the life of me, I still don’t know why the Veteran Service Organizations (VSO’s) have not published the list of 130 military bases on the National Priority List (EPA Superfunds), the chemicals found by EPA and the health effects of exposure.

The EPA Superfund database is accessible from the internet and the health effects of exposure to many of the contaminants have been identified by the Agency for Toxic Substances Disease Registry (ATSDR).

Many vets have access to the internet from their own computers or from another family member. It’s not like this is classified information or any national security issues are in play.

What is at stake is the health of veterans. The health of veterans should be of paramount interest to all VSO’s. Veterans pay dues to their VSO’s to represent them and to protect their interests.

Not everyone who served on an EPA Superfund base was exposed to toxic chemicals. Publishing the EPA lists is not going to spread panic among veterans. We’re mature adults fully capable of making rational decisions about our health care needs.

DOD, the biggest owner of Superfund sites, has no interest in notifying veterans of their possible exposure to toxic chemicals nor is there a legal requirement for any government agency to notify veterans or Congressional interest in pursuing this.

Emails or letters to the CEO’s of most of the major VSO’s, including the VFW, American Legion, Marine Corps League, Catholic War Vets, etc., were left unanswered.  Only the Catholic War Vets agreed to notify their membership.

Am I going to cancel my membership to the American Legion and the Marine Corps League? No. But, I’d like to think that the CEO’s of these organizations would demonstrate a personal interest in the health care of their memberships by publishing this information.

What’s the big deal? We pay dues to VSO’s to represent our interests. I’m betting that most vets have no idea that bases they served on are now EPA Superfund sites. A number may have been exposed to deadly contaminants, are now sick, and have never connected the dots to military service. Putting aside the VA disability claim issue, these men (mostly) need to know what chemicals they were exposed to so their doctors can provide an effective treatment plan. Keeping them in the dark is definitely not helpful. DOD is not going to tell them anything. If I didn’t know better, I’d think the VSO’s are working for DOD, not for their memberships.

EPA’s Unacceptable Risks to Human Health

For every military base on the National Priority List (Superfunds), EPA lists the chemicals found in the soil and groundwater that are an “unacceptable risk” to humans and the environment. This information is not classified. It’s not a secret. Every veteran who served on an EPA Superfund needs to know what chemcials he or she may have been exposed to and the health effects of exposure.

EPA’s Contaminants of Concern (COC’s) “are the chemical substances found at the site that the EPA has determined pose an unacceptable risk to human health or the environment. These are the substances that are addressed by cleanup actions at the site.”

“ Identifying COC’s is a process where the EPA identifies people and ecological resources that could be exposed to contamination found at the site, determines the amount and type of contaminants present, and identifies the possible negative human health or ecological effects that could result from contact with the contaminants.”

A link to the list of COC’s is shown on the first page of each EPA Superfund website under the caption, “view contaminants of concern at this site.”

For example, the health effects from exposure to a particular COC at MCAS El Toro, an EPA Superfund base, can be obtained by clinking on the ATSDR Profile next to the COC.

DOD is the biggest owner of EPA Superfund sites. For a complete list of the military bases on the National Priority List (NPL), click

Links to other Stories

• VA Honors Psychologist with Olin Teague Award
• VA Mammography Program Gives Women a Chance to Beat Breast Cancer
• Veterans courts seek to rehabilitate offenders outside jail

Please keep in mind each of these stories, if you comment MSNBC pays Veterans-For-Change 3-4 cents per comment.  You do need to log-in, in order to post comments which will provide funds to VFC.  The more comments, the better the chances we have at being on front page and the more opportunity we have of MSNBC picking up the story for national.

Medical Malpractice & Poor Medical Care in VAMC’s

I’m sure at one point or another you’ve either heard of a case of malpractice or poor medical care or been on the receiving end of either.

Veterans-For-Change is still documenting as much as we can to present cases to Congress to address these issues.

If you or someone you know has endured these experiences, and would be willing to share your stories, please contact me direct at:  [email protected].

Toxic Chemicals CONUS

As most are aware, seen on TV, in the newspapers, and from veteran sites across the country, TCE/PCE is a major issue.

TCE a chemical degreaser used on all bases and board ships is a carcinogenic chemical, and on the many military bases nationwide was disposed of into the ground behind buildings eventually contaminating the ground water and getting into the drinking wells.

Same thing with PCE which is a dry cleaning chemical used both on bases and off base nationwide, also being disposed of into the ground and eventually contaminating the ground water and getting into the drinking wells.

Most recently CNN did a broadcast show highlighting the male breast cancer cluster surrounding Camp LeJeune, North Carolina.

Personally I feel the anchor didn’t bother to do his homework very well, didn’t bring to light all the other medical issues or the families harmed by these chemicals.

Veterans-For-Change has a bill which was drafted back in February 2009 along with a petition to which we’re trying to collect at least 40,000 signatures in order to get either a Senator or Congressman to sign off and present the bill to the floor which will not only address TCE but PCE as well, and opens it up to all military, veterans and family members who served at any base where these chemicals were used and disposed of improperly thereby contaminating all who drank the water or who used the chemicals in their daily jobs.

Veterans-For-Change needs your support desperately to meet the number of signers on the petition.  This is NOT an electronic petition, but a hard copy petition.  We ask that everyone interesting in signing the petition and able to gather 8-10 more please click HERE and send us an E-Mail requesting the petition, be sure to put in the subject line TCE Petition.

Sign and try to obtain at least 10 more signatures and mail the complete form into our California office ASAP.

Should you have any questions, please click HERE and send us an E-Mail and we’ll be more than happy to reply!

OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM – MILITARY DEATHS

As of October 17-26, 2010 

 Listed above are the names of those of our soldiers who gave their all in defense of our Country!  Please remember those who have served and are serving still, and pray for these families in their time of need, and for those still serving for their safe return home.

Veterans who served in Korea & along the DMZ; your help is needed!

The research questionnaire response so far has been good, but we still need more veterans who served in Korea to participate.

Veterans-For-Change is distributing a questionnaire to veterans pertaining to service in Korea to help us gather statistical information in our ongoing efforts to correct the wrongs and to assist in declassifying many missions in Korea so that veterans such as you will be able to gain the benefits and services needed from the VA System.

This questionnaire is anonymous, you do not need to provide personal contact information if you’re not comfortable with this.

However, if you do provide personal contact information it will be kept 100% confidential, will not be given to any member of Congress, the VA or the DoD, nor will it be sold to any company for any reason what-so-ever.

Statistical information will be used to compile a report to submit to various members of Congress in our efforts to declassify all missions 25 or more years ago so that all veterans can apply for and gain the much needed benefits and medical care/services needed and long over due.

If you’re interested in participating, please click HERE and request a copy.  In the Subject put Korean Service.

More Discounts and Freebies

Retail Freebies

• Brides Across America – Provides free wedding gowns to qualified military brides.
• Lowe’s & Home Depot – Extra 10% off to active-duty military members, National Guard and reserve members, retirees, honorably discharged veterans and immediate family members.
• Sam’s Club – Over 25,000 Hugo canes will be given away to U.S. veterans in need of mobility assistance. Membership is not required, but supplies are limited, so check with your local store.
• Amazon.com – Free “Veterans Day Honor” MP3 album download. The album includes 12 songs by The Bands and Ensembles of the U.S. Armed Forces.
• Cabela’s Outdoor Store – Offers their employee discount to all veterans, active-duty military and reserves, law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel Nov. 11-12. Discounts vary from 5% to 50%, depending on the item.
• Build-a-Bear Workshop – Members of the armed services including the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Reserve Officer Training Corps, will receive a 20% discount Nov. 11-15on any one transaction at Build-A-Bear Workshop.
• Dollar General – 10% discount for all veterans, active-duty military, National Guard and reserve and their immediate families.
• Fashion Bug – 20% off all plus-size and misses clothing purchases with a copy of military ID or spouse’s military ID.

 Entertainment Freebies

• National parks, forests and monuments – Admission is free to everyone on Veterans Day.
• Knott’s Berry Farm – Free park admission to U.S. armed forces personnel and a guest during Veteran’s Month, November 1-26.
• Colonial Williamsburg – Free admission Nov. 6-11 for active-duty military, guard and reservists, retirees, veterans and their dependents.
• San Jacinto Museum of History – Free visits to the Observation Deck, theatre, and special exhibit for veterans, active duty military personnel, and their families.
• Historic Jamestown – Free admission to veterans, current Armed Forces members and their family members.
• Battleship Cove – Free admission and a special ceremony for veterans, active, duty and reservists.
• Vicksburg National Military Park – Free admission for all.
• Birmingham Museum of Art – Free admission to the ticketed event “Life and Liberty” on Nov. 10-11 for veterans and active military.
• Vulcan Park and Museum- In Birmingham, Alabama is offering discounted admission through November to the park and museum.
• Greenbay (WI) New Zoo – Free admission to veterans and their families.
• Central Florida Zoo – Free admission to the Sanford, Florida zoo with proper ID.
• Strategic Air & Space Museum- Free admission for veterans Nov. 11-14 to the Ashland, Neb. museum.
• National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum – in Oklahoma City offers free admission to veterans and five guests from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Veterans Day.
• Natural Elements Spa & Salon – In Chesapeake, Virginia, will provide free services from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to both active duty and retired military

 Anytime Offers:

MILITARY DISCOUNTS UPDATE 02:  All these businesses offer military discounts; all you have to do is ask:

Restaurants

• Arby’s · A&W · Back Yard Burgers · Burger King · Captain D’s · Chick-Fil-A · Cotton Patch
• Denny’s · Dunkin’ Donuts · Farmers Boy · IHOP (20 percent discount with military identification)
• Java Café · KFC · Long John Silver · Pancho’s Mexican Buffet · Pizza Hut · Quizno’s · Sizzler
• Sonic · Taco Bell · Whataburger

 Services

• AT&T · California Cryobank · Geico · Jiffy Lube · Meineke · Sears Portrait Studio

 Travel and Leisure

• Blockbuster · Movie theaters · Ripley’s attractions and museums · Professional Sports teams

 Products

• Apple Computers · AutoZone · Barnhill’s · Bass Pro Shop · Bath and Body Works
• Big 10 Tires · The Buckle · Champs Sports · Copeland’s Sports · Dell
• The Discovery Channel Store · Dress Barn · The Finish Line · Foot Action · Footlocker
• Gadzooks · GNC · Goody’s · Great Party· Happy Harry’s ·Home Depot · Hot Topic
• Jockey · Lerner ·Lowe’s  · Michael’s · NAPA Auto Parts · New York & Company · Pac Sun
• Payless Shoes · Play It Again Sports · Pure Beauty · Sally Beauty Supply · Spencer’s Gifts
• Suncoast · Timberland Outlets · Wilson’s Leather

 Cell Phone Service Discount – All Federal employees are able to get a 15% discount on their personal cell phones by calling their carrier

and mentioning the “Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 – Discount to Federal Employees Past and Present.” You will need to know the military member’s supervisor’s name, phone number, and full address, so that his/her military status can be verified.  Use the following contact numbers:

• Cingular – 800-319-6393
• Sprint – 877-812-1223
• T-Mobile – 866-646-4688
• Nextel – 800-639-6111
• Verizon – 800-865-1825

[Source:  VA Frederick Service Office Maryland VSO msg. 26 Apr 2010]

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 “With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”

-Abraham Lincoln  (VA Motto 1959)

Veteran’s News Sources:

• Newsvine:             http://jdavis92840.newsvine.com/
• Salem News:       http://www.salem-news.com/
• VT:   https://www.veteranstoday.com/

Veterans-For-Change

11901 Samuel
Garden Grove, CA  92840-2546

Serving those who served!

 Please pass to all your Veteran friends and family! 

Jim Davis

Jim Davis is the son of USMC MGySgt. Lesley Davis (Ret.) who passed away on April 24, 2006, from ALS caused by Agent Orange. His dad’s mission before he passed on was to ensure all veterans, spouses, children, and widows all received the benefits, medical care and attention, and proper facilities from the VA.

Because of the promise made to his dad to carry on the mission, in May 2006 Davis began as a one-man show sending out 535 letters every single week to all members of Congress requesting and politely demanding the fulfill their promises made over the past decades to care for life those who wore the uniform and their families.

Veterans-For-Change was born in August 2006 with a very small membership of 25 people composed of veterans, spouses, widows, family members, and friends and to date continues to grow.