Veterans & Military Families Monthly News-October 2012

Veterans & Military Families Monthly News
October 2012 Vol. 3 No. 10

Good afternoon and thank you for reading, this months edition of the newsletter. We appreciate your involvement and continued support. Remember, we have two online sources where you can read and offer comments on the current and previous editions of the newsletter. The newsletter is posted on Facebook through the group called Veterans and Military Families Monthly News. Check it out and join the group. Click here to go directly to the page. (Keep in mind, you need a Facebook account to join; however, the documents can be viewed through the docs link toward the bottom of the page even without an account.) The second source for the online version of the newsletter is the website www.scribd.com. This online source for the newsletter works in the same fashion as the Facebook page. Please let us know what you think, or if you have any questions about the online sources. For those of you who enjoy just receiving the email each month, we will continue to send it out. But we want to build the online presence as a way to reach out to more people. As always, thank you very much for reading. Our hope is to continue to expand the newsletter. For that, we need your input. So, again, if anyone has any suggestions for topics to cover or wants to write their own piece, we will gladly try to work it in. We hope you enjoy, and please share your feedback with us. From: From: RAO Bulletin September 2012 (Lt. James EMO Tichacek, USN (Ret) Associate Director, Retiree Assistance Office, U.S. Embassy Warden & IRS VITA Baguio City RPPSC 517 Box RCB, FPO AP 96517 Tel: (951) 238-1246 in U.S. or Cell: 0915-361-3503 in the Philippines. Email: raoemo@sbcglobal.net AL/AMVETS/ DAV/FRA/NAUS/NCOA/MOAA/USDR/VFW/VVA/CG33/ DD890/AD37 member) The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has released a report that shows improvement in gender disparities in 12 out of 14 Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) measures in VA since 2008. HEDIS measures are used by 90 percent of America's health plans to measure performance on important dimensions of care and service, such as screening, prevention and chroni disease management. VA consistently scores higher than private sector health care on both genderspecific and gender-neutral HEDIS measures. We have a solemn obligation to provide high-quality health care to all Veterans, regardless of gender. Although we are encouraged by the progress we have achieved, we are not going to stop working until all gaps are eliminated, said Secretary Eric K. Shinseki. VA began a national initiative to eliminate gender gaps in preventive care in 2008. In 2011, VA asked each health care region across the country to review gender disparity data and create and implement an improvement plan. The Comparing the Care of Men and Women Veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs report released by VAs Office of Informatics and Analytics (OIA) indicates progress. The report shows that VA improved gender disparities in six performance measures specific to VA, including the screening rate for persistence of PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Other findings from the report include:
VA Women Vet Programs
Thank you very much!

P.3-What is ESGR? P.5-VFW urges Congress to Finish Strong for Vets P.6-VA Cancer Treatment P.7-Clinical Study Seeks Answers and Insights To Prevent Suicide P.9-Cpt. Frank Smith Part 3 P.13-The Copper Strikes
In This Issue
P.14-New GI Bill Payment Rates Announced P.15-Veterans Health Benefits Handbook P.18-Big Lest We Forget Book of Heroes, Book Signing Nov 4 P.22-TRICARE Prime P.24-VA Not Making The Grade Says Legal Help For Veterans Attorney.
And much more.
We would like to express our appreciation to all of the Fighting men and women in the United States Military. Thank you for your service to this country.
Paid for by the Michigan Republican Party with Regulated Funds. Not authorized by any candidate or candidates committee. 520 Seymour Street, Lansing, MI 48933
VA has improved rates of screening women Veterans for depression, PTSD and colorectal cancer. VA has improved disease prevention for women Veterans through increased vaccination rates. VA has improved chronic disease management for women Veterans in hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia, all significant risk factors for cardiac disease. Although the gender gaps have narrowed, care remains better for men than women in cholesterol control, diabetes management and flu vaccination. The OIA report includes results of Veterans inpatient and outpatient satisfaction surveys, which show that men and women Veterans reported similar satisfaction except in the Getting Care Quickly and Getting Needed Care outpatient sections. VA has implemented a national initiative to improve care for women Veterans. Some of the components include training VA providers in basic and advanced womens health care, implementation of womens health primary care teams at VA facilities nationwide and ramped-up communications efforts. The Women Veterans Health Strategic Health Care Group, which leads the initiative, also issued a report looking at gender disparities. That report, Gender Differences in Performance Measures, VHA 2008-2011, identifies best practices for eliminating gender gaps based on success in VA networks. Were looking at what works and trying to replicate it throughout VAs system, said Patricia Hayes, chief consultant for the Women Veterans Health Strategic Health Care Group. We want to sustain this trend toward shrinking gender disparities and become a model for all other health care systems on how to eliminate gender disparities. Most importantly, we want to give every Veteran the best health care. Both reports can be downloaded via http://www.womenshealth.va.gov. For more information about VA programs and services for women Veterans, visit: http://www.va.gov/womenvet and http:// www.womenshealth.va.gov. [Source: VA News Release 18 Aug 2012 ++]
Some Useful Links

Air Force Times www.airforcetimes.com Navy Times www.navytimes.com Marine Corps Times www.marinecorpstimes.com Army Times www.armytimes.com Military Times www.militarytimes.com TRICARE www.tricare.mil American Legion www.legion.org Veterans of Foreign Wars www.vfw.org AMVETS www.amvets.org The DAV www.dav.org Department of Defense www.dod.gov Military/Veterans Report www.militray.com The Pentagon Channel www.pentagonchannel.mil Veterans Administration www.va.gov Military Order of the Purple Heart www.purpleheart.org
If anyone has a site they would like to have added to this growing list please let us know! Contact us anytime at mhauser@migop.org Also check out the complete list of links that appear in this newsletter on the last page.
Thank you for your Support!

2
A Note From: Lest We Forget Speakers Bureau

This notice from LWF is to inform the reader of the development of a Lest We Forget Speakers Bureau. Since our organization has conducted three yearlong courses at Lake Michigan College, we have many topics and many qualified speakers to present information from WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, and our involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have developed formats for school children of all ages, and for veterans organization. Whatever the event we will gladly produce the correct format We would be glad to present any topic of interest to any group. As coordinator, I will be glad to help with the choices of presentations and help with planning. Gary C. Lulenski Coordinator Speakers Bureau 269-428-3442 Garykaye2@comcast.net
From: www.esgr.mil ESGR, a Department of Defense agency, was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee's military commitment. ESGR is supported by a network of more than 4,800 volunteers in 54 committees located across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam-CNMI, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Volunteers, hailing from small business and industry, government, education and prior military service bring a vast wealth of experience to assist in serving employers, service members and their families. Together with Headquarters ESGR staff and a small cadre of support staff for each State Committee, volunteers work to promote and enhance employer support for military service in the Guard and Reserve. ESGR has served our country for 40 years, developing and promoting a culture in which all American employers support and value the military service of their employees serving in the Guard and Reserve. These citizen warriors could not defend and protect us at home and abroad without the continued promise of meaningful civilian employment for themselves and their families. ESGR has continued to adapt to meet the needs of our Reserve Component members, their families and Americas employers by joining forces with a network of other national, state and local government and professional trade organizations as together, We All Serve!
What is ESGR
From: The USO In 2012, we're calling on the brave men and women of our armed forces to make some incredible sacrifices in Afghanistan, Iraq, and remote locations around the world. That means you and I need to make an extra effort to show our support. One of the best ways to let our troops know that you've got their back is by supporting the work of the USO. Step Up and Lead -- support our troops by signing up to be part of the USO today.
STEP UP AND LEAD
Click the Michigan Flag to access the ESGR Michigan Page
We would like to express our appreciation to all of the fighting men and women in the United States Military. Thank you for your service to this country.
3
From: www.vfw.org September 10, 2012 WASHINGTON (September 10, 2012) The national legislative committee of Americas largest and oldest major combat veterans organization convenes in Washington this week to urge the 112th Congress to finish strong for veterans before it adjourns later this month until after the November elections. Seventy committee members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. will meet with their elected officials about four key issue areas that are important to veterans, service members and their families. The issue areas are: Budget: Should sequestration occur, the impact across-the-board cuts could have on Department of Veterans Affairs administrative accounts, and Defense Department readiness and Quality of Life programs. Healthcare: Combating military and veteran suicides, ensuring the VA continues to improve access and
VFW URGES CONGRESS TO FINISH STRONG FOR VETERANS THE VFW URGES THE 112TH CONGRESS TO FINISH STRONG FOR VETERANS BEFORE IT ADJOURNS
services to women veterans, and stopping the Pentagon from arbitrarily raising TRICARE fees and copayments on military families and retirees. Benefits Delivery: Creating a fully electronic claims and evaluation system that is based more on quality rating decisions than quantity. Education and Employment: Enhancing and protecting the GI Bill, transition assistance, licensing and certification portability, employer tax credits, enforcing Guard and Reservist reemployment rights, veteran employment and training, and federal contracting with veteran-owned businesses. Also joining the legislative committee will be VFW National Commander John Hamilton from Florida, Senior Vice Commander Bill Thien from Indiana and Junior Vice Commander John Stroud from Nevada. Their agenda also includes meetings and briefings at the VA, the Defense POW/MIA Office, the Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment at Quantico, Army Reserve Affairs, the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves, and with the Student Veterans of America organization. Learn more about how Congress can finish strong for veterans at http://www.vfw.org/uploadedFiles/ VFW.org/VFW_in_DC/2012OutstandingIssues.pdf.
From: http://www.jpac.pacom.mil The mission of the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) is to achieve the fullest possible accounting of all Americans missing as a result of the nation's past conflicts. The highest priority of the organization is the return of any living Americans that remain prisoners of war. To date, the U.S. Government has not found any evidence that there are still American POWs in captivity from past U.S. conflicts. JPAC is located on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. The command was activated on Oct. 1, 2003, created from the merger of the 30-year-old U.S. Army Central Identification Laboratory, Hawaii, and the 11-year-old Joint Task Force - Full Accounting. Commanded by a flag officer,
JPAC is manned by approximately 400 handpicked Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Department of the Navy civilians. The laboratory portion of JPAC, referred to as the Central Identification Laboratory (CIL), is the largest forensic anthropology laboratory in the world. JPAC also maintains three permanent overseas detachments to assist with command and control, logistics and in-country support during investigation and recovery operations. They are Detachment One located in Bangkok, Thailand, Detachment Two in Hanoi, Vietnam and Detachment Three in Vientiane, Laos. JPAC has a fourth detachment, Detachment Four, located at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, responsible for recovery team personnel when they are not deployed.
5
From: From: RAO Bulletin September 2012 (Lt. James EMO Tichacek, USN (Ret) Associate Director, Retiree Assistance Office, U.S. Embassy Warden & IRS VITA Baguio City RPPSC 517 Box RCB, FPO AP 96517 Tel: (951) 238-1246 in U.S. or Cell: 0915-361-3503 in the Philippines. Email: raoemo@sbcglobal.net AL/AMVETS/ DAV/FRA/NAUS/NCOA/MOAA/USDR/VFW/VVA/CG33/ DD890/AD37 member) The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs said it would embark on a "phased implementation" of CT lung cancer screening for veterans after taking inspiration from a national trial that found the scans could help save lives among certain high-risk populations. The department said the program would begin at six yet-to-benamed VA hospitals as a clinical demonstration project. A department spokeswoman said she could not give a start date for the project as it's still under development. The program was inspired by the National Lung Screening Trial, a landmark national screening trial that ended last year and found that after three rounds of screening, high-risk patients -- in this case, current or former heavy smokers -- were 20 percent less likely to die if they were screened with lung CT scans rather than simple chest X-rays. "The experience of veterans who undergo screening will be closely monitored to gather information about outcomes from the screening and follow- up," the VA said in its e-mailed statement. "Patients also will be asked about their experience with the process to help VHA understand the potential harms of screening, such as anxiety, fear, inconvenience and pain."
VA Cancer Treatment
The Lung Cancer Alliance, a nonprofit, first broke the news that the VA would start lung cancer CT screening earlier this month, saying the department told them in a letter after the LCA had pushed for the VA to offer CT screenings to veterans. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, with around 160,000 people succumbing to it every year, according to the American Cancer Society. Veterans are at increased risk for lung cancer, partly because of high rates of smoking and exposure to battlefield hazards, according to the LCA. In May, several major medical groups, including the American College of Chest Physicians and the American Society of Clinical Oncology, endorsed CT lung cancer screening for patients 55 to 74 who have smoked a pack a day for 30 years, or the equivalent, and either still smoke or quit relatively recently. However, the groups stipulated that the screenings should only be offered by facilities that can provide coordinated, comprehensive care for screening and treatment. The American Lung Association tentatively supports similar screening recommendations, although the group urges patients to discuss the issue with their doctors, according to an April report the ALA prepared on the subject. Still, lung cancer CT screening is not without controversy, amid worries about the risks of ionizing radiation from the scans and patients getting false positives. According to a Journal of the American Medical Association paper written by researchers affiliated with the ACP, ASCO and the NCCN, studies suggest that of the 20 percent of patients who test positive for cancer after a CT lung screening, only 1 percent actually has the disease. This means screening could lead to many cancer-free patients experiencing anxiety and undergoing surgical biopsies, which carry risks of their own. The ALA also said the scans, which are often not covered by health plans, typically cost between $300 and $500. [Source: DotMed News Brendon Nafziger article 27 Aug 2012 ++]
By: LEO SHANE III Published: September 7, 2012 From: www.strips.com WASHINGTON Veterans Affairs researchers are finding that battle buddies can help save lives, even when it comes to fighting obesity. Dr. Michele Heisler, a VA physician and director at the Michigan Center for Diabetes Translation Research, said officials have found that veterans struggling with obesity and diabetes are more likely to follow physicians advice, stick to their diets and stay on their medications if they engage in support groups with other veterans. Now outside researchers are looking to see if the same lessons can be applied to civilian populations. Diabetes isnt a veteran-specific problem, but it is a huge health concern within the VA. Nearly 20 percent
VA: Battle Buddies Can Help Fight Obesity In Vets
of veterans receiving care at VA facilities suffer from the disease, and more than two-thirds are considered overweight. Heisler said that similar to their civilian peers, VA physicians have trouble keeping those patients on strict diets and medication routines. But the peer support can help with those self management issues, at least in the short term. VA officials said theyre expanding their peer-topeer-research to see what other lessons can be learned from patients behavior, either for veterans care programs or nationwide approaches to battling those health problems.
Posted by: Health.mil Staff Friday, September 14, 2012 What makes people attempt suicide? Its an important question that seems to not have a direct answer. A new study is working to get to the bottom of the motivations for suicides. Craig J. Bryan, a doctor of psychology and associate director of the National Center for Veterans Studies at the University of Utah, is helping lead the charge to reduce suicide attempts with the studys findings. The ongoing clinical trial tests a brief course of outpatient psychotherapy among active duty soldiers, most of whom have attempted suicide within the previous month. Researchers provide a list of 33 potential reasons for attempting suicide. Study participants reported some 10 distinct reasons but each one reported that they tried to commit suicide to, end bad feelings. The study also served as a course of treatment for the soldiers by helping them with crisis management, distress tolerance and relapse prevention. Bryan says most theories about suicide motivation assume suicidal attempts primarily stem from emotional distress. One of the studys goals is to teach patients how to function and
Clinical Study Seeks Answers and Insights to Prevent Suicide
even, how to suffer in a way that doesnt require you to die. Bryan says early data suggests soldiers who receive this suicide-focused therapy are less likely to attempt suicide after completing treatment. Results of the study should be available within a year. Read more about Dr. Bryans work. Learn more about suicide prevention awareness on health.mil. Read more about the Military Suicide Research Consortium.
7
DISABLED WAYNE COUNTY VETERAN OUTFITTED FOR HUNTING

Published: April 29, 2012 4:07AM By: BOBBY WARREN From: http://www.the-daily-record.com & Chad Miles BLACHLEYVILLE -- A Wayne County man received hunting gear from a new nonprofit organization that helps disabled veterans experience the outdoors. Russell Sellers received the gear for wild turkey hunting Thursday from childhood friend and former Triway classmate Chad Miles, who now lives in the Detroit area and started Sling and Stone Outfitters. In the package were a new shirt, pants, jacket, boots, turkey decoys, a turkey call, a mouth call and a face mask. Miles told his friend he wished there were more, but the nonprofit is new and does not yet have much of a budget. Sling and Stone Outfitters was formed on Veterans Day last year: 11-11-11. Miles had been doing research on crossbow hunting and discovered in several states it is illegal, except for disabled veterans. So, he began thinking what if he could get crossbows into the hands of disabled veterans, along with boots and clothes. His ultimate goal is to be able to provide amputees with special gear for hunting. As a 20-year-old, Russell Sellers, who is permanently disabled, was working as a diesel mechanic in the U.S. Army. While installing a drive shaft in a Utah National Guard truck, in preparation to be shipped out for Operation Desert Storm, he felt a pop in his back. For the next month, he lay in traction. At the time, he was told he had a low lumbar fracture. He refused back surgery because he was told there would be a 50-50 chance of not walking again. The injury ultimately led to him being released from the military. Over the course of the next 20 years, Sellers, now 41, dealt with incredible back pain, leading him to take "every drug known to man" in order to find some relief. "It was very stressful," Russell Sellers said. "I lost some good jobs because of it, and I can't hold my kids." In 2011, he had back surgery, and the doctor said his injury was not a fracture, rather he broke his back. He is doing better since the surgery. Laurie Sellers said when her husband was having all of those problems, it was frustrating. His back could go out at any moment, and he would drop to the floor. Russell Sellers, who loves to hunt, whether deer, squirrel, rabbit or turkey, said he thinks it is great to be the first recipient of hunting gear from Sling and Stone Outfitters. When Miles started the organization, he created a Facebook page. He informed others he was soon going to put together a package for turkey hunting for a disabled veteran. After the Facebook post, Russell Sellers contacted Miles about being considered. With five children, Russell Sellers has not had the money to update his hunting equipment. His boots are 13 years old and shredded from the briars, but they were all he had. He was excited to get a pair of insulated boots. The name of the nonprofit plays on the idea of a primitive weapon, but it is also connected with David, an Old Testament figure who as a young boy slew Goliath with a sling and a stone. The goal of the organization is to help disabled veterans face their psychological Goliaths and slay them, Miles said. Anyone wishing to donate to the organization can visit the website, slingandstone.org, or check out its Facebook page.
From More information contact Chad Miles at: Phone: (313)-690-3010 Email: chad@slingandstone.org Mail: 2130 Audette Street. Dearborn, MI 48124 Facebook: Click Here
8
On July 4th 2012 Mr. Franklin Smith passed away. In December of 2011 I received a letter with a story attached. Since then I have been working on obtaining a copy of his full story. Don Alsbro the President of Lest We Forget SW MI provided me with the document. Mr. Smith wrote over 50 pages in his account of World War II. Over the next few months we will publish the whole story. I thank Lest We Forget for their support with this project.Matthew X. Hauser
By: The Late Cpt. Franklin H. Smith
World War II Memories From Captain Franklin H. Smith-Part III

ICELAND
We kept on moving and eventually arrived in Iceland after zig zagging through the water for eleven days. We arrived in Reykajavik on April 11, 1942 and while we were debarking there was an alert for an air raid. We hardly knew what to do. Our troops were carrying their bags and equipment and the siren was blowing for enemy aircraft overhead. It created a lot of confusion but we finally cleared the dock. We went to a ship that took us to Borgarnes, Iceland, which is in the northwest sector and was a very small town. We went to relieve the British who occupied the area. We came into the area and had to wait while the British assembled their troops and lowered their flag and marched out. We immediately took over their barracks and had our men establish themselves in the Nissen huts. We were not able to fly our flag because there was an agreement with the Icelandic government. It always bothered me because Iceland always had a wind blowing and I used to look at the flagpole and think how nice it would be to have our beautiful flag flying from the flagpole. Some of our troops were located farther north at an area called Reykaskoli and some were at Blondous. The troops at Reykaskoli and Borgarnes were the rest of our battalion. I company was stationed at Borgarnes along with a company of engineers, artillery battery, a quartermaster, paymaster, a postal officer and various attached services. Supplies would come into Borgarnes by Reykaskoli. The trucks that we had at the time were British three ton lorries driven by British drivers. After a
while we did get our own trucks. We created a lot of traffic with our big trucks, which were six wheel drive, one and a half to two ton trucks. When it began to thaw in the spring, the roads began to go out and we had muddy chuckholes that sometimes were seventy five to one hundred yards long. I was assigned to take a road crew and fill those large holes with stone and keep the traffic flowing. We had to clean all the mud out of the chuck holes, put large rocks in and break them up with hammers as best we could. We would get fine gravel out of the streams and haul this gravel up and put it on top. It was a very laborious task. Many times while we were working, loaded trucks would come along on their way to Reykaskoli. We would have to push them to get them through the muddy roads. When they came back they were empty and it was a little easier for them to get through. The Icelandic government had a man out to watch what we were doing and give us advice on how to repair the road. Since the Icelanders normally used horses, the road was only one track and the area was sparsely populated except in the town itself. Reykaskoli was not really a town but it had been an old school that was abandoned. We spent quite a bit of time working on the roads during that spring. Captain Frank M. Weaver was the Company Commander of I company. John Acuff was the Executive Officer. The Lieutenants were Cameron, Hreha, Lowery and myself. One day Captain Weaver was called to a meeting at Reykjavik. General Parker told him to submit a written plan for our garrison at Borgarnes to come to the support of the group at Akranes. When he returned to Borgarnes, he called me in and said. Smith, I have a job for you. I want you to write up the plan which we must send to Division for their approval. This involved our own company, the engineers and the artillery battery. I had never done anything like this. I had to incorporate all details: time of breakfast, time to leave our camp, equipment, line of march, route to be followed, etc. I submitted my plan to Division and it was approved with a few minor changes. I had chosen the shortest route over the high ground. Snow was on the ground so I checked the route daily for about three days before the plan was to begin. Captain Weaver was to be in command. We got up at about 4:00 a.m. and discovered that heavy snow was falling. Captain Weaver decided that as Sub Sector Commander (a post he had originated) he would be an observer and he put Captain Bernie Blank, the artillery commander, in charge of the movement. At the first break he said: Smith, you are the senior line officer, you are to be in charge. So now, I was in command. It was the first time I had seen jeeps stopped by the heavy snow. We hooked chains from the big trucks and dragged the jeeps though the snow. The engineers
9
furnished a halftrack vehicle to lead the way. When we started up the high ground, the half track threw off one of its tracks and continued to do so. We were bogged down in the heavy snow. I told Captain Weaver that I was going to radio the General and tell him about our situation and ask for permission to return to our camp. It was already late in the afternoon. Captain Weaver told me to send the message but to say that I would await further orders. General Parkers radio message was to proceed to Akranes by the next available route. There were other routes on the map but they were all covered with snow and were not visible. It was very difficult to turn our column around, but we did it. I took the column back to the flat ground and proceeded toward Akranes along the fjord. I had sent a rifle squad in a truck far to our front as security. We had just stopped for a short break when I saw headlights approaching in the darkness. It was my security group returning. The squad leader jumped out of the truck and ran over to me and said: Lieutenant, we just ambushed the General. He was impressed with our action but he is mad. I hurried back to warn you. The General pulled up in his jeep and I reported to him. He said: Where have you been? I said: We have been doing our best to get to Akranes. He said: Damn it, when a man is given an order he should carry it out. He then asked where he could find Captain Weaver. He conversed with Captain Weaver and told him to return to Borgarnes, which we did. Later, there was a critique at Division Headquarters and Captain Weaver sent Lieutenant Cameron as his representative. A West Point Lieutenant Colonel, who had joined our force as an observer, started to say something about Captain Weaver. Lieutenant Cameron told us that the General told the Colonel to sit down because Captain Weaver was acting under the Generals orders. He had taken a liking to Captain Weaver and shortly thereafter, promoted Captain Weaver to the rank of Major as SubSector Commander. General Parker had not discussed the promotion with our Regimental Commander, Colonel Yuill. Major Weaver, at a later date, was sent back to the United States as part of a cadre of officers. I always liked Major Weaver. He was a lawyer by profession and quite a diplomat. He later returned to Europe as a Lieutenant Colonel in a military government unit. Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.
From: www.wwimemorial.org In March 2008, Frank Buckles, the last surviving American veteran of World War I, visited the District of Columbia War Memorial, on the National Mall in Washington DC. He observed that this peaceful, secluded memorial, dedicated in 1931 as a memorial to the 499 residents of the District of Columbia who gave their lives in that war, sits neglected and in extreme disrepair, and that there is no national memorial to World War I. Mr. Buckles issued a call for the restoration and re-dedication of the D.C. memorial as a National and District of Columbia World War I Memorial. The World War I Memorial Foundation was formed to make Frank Buckles dream a reality. The mission of the Foundation is to advocate and raise funds for the re-dedication of the DC War Memorial as a national World War I memorial, dedicated to all those Americans who served in the Great War. In 2014 the world will mark the centennial of World War I. Nearly 5 million Americans served during the war, and 116,516 Americans died in defense of democracy overseas. Americas support of its allies in World War I marked the first time in this nations history that American soldiers went abroad to defend foreign soil against aggression -- and it marked the true beginning of the American century. Yet while the later conflicts of the 20th century World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War -rightfully have national memorials on the National Mall, there is no such memorial to the Great War, even though more Americans gave their lives in World War I than in Korea or Vietnam. The D.C. memorial, which is already located adjacent to those other memorials, is the most fitting site for a national World War I memorial.
The World War I Memorial Foundation
~Ronald Reagan
Photo: The Late Frank Buckles during his 2008 visit to the Washington D.C. World War I Monument.
10
11
Additional Benefits for Active Duty Time Served: DD FORM 214-SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFIT
From: Social Security Administration (SSA) Please share this with anyone who's had active duty service between January 1957 to December 31, 2001 and planning for retirement. In a nutshell it boils down to this: You qualify for a higher social security payment because of Military service, for active duty any time from 1957 through 2001 (the program was done away with 1 January 2002). Up to $1200 per year of earnings credit credited at time of application - which can make a substantial difference in social security monthly payments upon your retirement. You must bring your DD-214 to the Social Security Office and you must ask for this benefit to receive it! Social Security website: http://www.ssa.gov/ retire2/military.htm This is something to put in your files for when you apply for Social Security down the road... It is NOT just for retirees, BUT anyone who has served on active duty between January1957 to December 31, 2001. FYI - this benefit is not automatic, you must ask for it!
A Note From Lt. Col. Hank Fuhs

We need your help to grow the Newsletter
We are currently looking for any contact information of individuals or groups that you think would either be interested in receiving our newsletter or interested in writing articles. If you know of anyone please let us know. For it is through your involvement we are able to reach more and more people each month. Thank you very much! We hope you enjoy.
Three ways to help:

1. Email us the contact information at mhauser@migop.org 2. By mail at: 520 Seymour Lansing, MI 48933 3. Or simply forward the newsletter along to a friend. Thank you for your Continued Support -Hank Fuhs
community need when the federal government terminated its program that helped many veterans pay for transportation to VA medical facilities. The DAV has 189 Hospital Service Coordinators around the country who coordinate the transportation needs for disabled veterans. Use the DAV Hospital Service Coordinator Directory to contact your nearest HSC for information or assistance. Please remember that the DAV Transportation Network is staffed by volunteers; therefore, it is unable to cover every community. We hope we can help you. Locate your nearest VA Medical Center
To request a copy of a DD-214 click here.
Form: www.dav.org Because so many sick and disabled veterans lack transportation to and from VA medical facilities for needed treatment, the DAV operates a nationwide Transportation Network to meet this need. Through the Transportation Network, DAV volunteers drive sick and disabled veterans to and from VA medical facilities for treatment. The Transportation Network is a clear example of veterans helping veterans. The DAV stepped in to meet a substantial
Need a Ride
12
From: Department of Veterans Affairs Michiganwww.michigan.gov The following account of the most extensive state duty ever performed by the Michigan National Guard is taken from Adjutant General Roy C. Vandercook's (Colonel Vandercook later served at the first director of the Michigan State Police) Biennial Report of 1913-14: "The strike of the employees of the mining companies of the Upper Peninsula came on without warning, and the Michigan National Guard was called into service for an extended period on telegraphic notice. "The first definite news of the strike came to the Lower Peninsula in the morning of July 24th, 1913. About 10 o'clock in the forenoon of the day Governor Ferris called up the Adjutant General by telephone from Bay City and stated that he had received an urgent request from the sheriff of Houghton County to send troops there to preserve the peace and protect property. ... "There was some discussion over the telephone as to the number of men to be sent, and it was decided that the entire Guard should be ordered into the Upper Peninsula in case it was found necessary to send troops there. By direction of the Governor, every company commander was telegraphed orders to keep in touch with the telegraph office in view of the possibility of call to strike duty. This message was sent about 10:30 o'clock in the forenoon of July 24th. ... "About 3:30 o'clock that afternoon orders were received from the Governor to mobilize the Guard in the
The Copper Strikes
Copper Country, and the following telegram was sent to each company commander. 'Proceed with your company to Calumet for duty, equipped for field service, with no ammunition. Take up matter of train service with your local agent. Report number of men and when you will move. Provide rations for three days." ....Officials of all of the railroads interested in the movement co-operated with the Quartermaster General's Department in moving the troops promptly, and most of them were underway before midnight. Owing to the fact that the trains had to be ferried across at Mackinaw some delay was encountered because of the large number of troops which had to be sent across at that one point. "The Menominee and Soo companies arrived at Calumet the morning of the 25th, and by night a majority of the organizations were on the ground and in control of the situation. "Conditions in Houghton County" The first troops in found the people of the entire copper district in a state of complete terrorization with the lawless ones in control and the civil officers utterly unable to cope with the situation. As fast as the troops arrived they were assigned to stations throughout the district. At the time the strike broke there were twenty mines in operation in the district, including a total of seventy-four shafts and approximately 14,640 employees. ... "No troops were sent to Keweenaw county until July 28th, when the sheriff of that bailiwick applied to the Governor for troops to preserve the peace there ... The Governor, by telegraph, directed General Abbey to offer the services of the Governor as mediator in settling the strike, but this offer was refused. All the troops remained on duty until August 13th, the total number of men on duty for that period being 2,817 officers and men. "On August 14th the total strength was 113 officers and 1,325 men. The force was reduced August 20th to 99 officers and 1, 211 men, and nine days later to 89 officers and 1, 007 men. Various reductions were made until October 7th, when the force had been reduced to 17 officers and 187 men. November 15th the force was reduced to 5 officers and 84 enlisted men, that detachment under command of Capt. Chester B. McCormick, Battery A, Field Artillery, remaining on duty until January 12th (1914).
13
"The tour of duty of the troops in the copper country for all practical purposes obliged the organizations to meet service conditions and confront problems and difficulties which imposed a serious strain on the good judgement of the officers and discipline of the men ... The tour of duty ended without one of the strikers being killed by the Guard or any of the Guard being killed by the strikers, and the record is clean in showing that the state troops at all times had complete control of the situation, carrying out the Governor's orders exactly as prescribed."Only one death resulted from the long tour of duty, Private Ora Green, Battery A, Field Artillery, died as a result of injuries received from the kick of a horse. "In a letter to Brig. Gen. P.L. Abbey, Commanding, relative to the tour of service, Govemor Ferris said. 'Please convey to your staff and to all the boys the expression of my confidence in their loyalty and efficient service. I have had reports from all sources, and they are all praiseworthy as to the splendid behavior that they have manifested... I realize that many of them have families at home depending upon them for support and for daily encouragement and good cheer. I do not believe that there is any Governor in the United States who has greater reason for being proud of his State Militia than has the Governor of Michigan. "
By: Dale Hemphill-Designer, Spirit of America Flag (dhemp31628@aol.com)
Spirit of the American Flag
From: www.military.com Week of September 10, 2012 Each year in October, the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) payment rates increase to meet the growing cost of education. This October the MGIB full-time student payment rate will be increased to $1,564 a month for the 2013 fiscal year (2012-2013 School Year). Eligible veterans and servicemembers could receive as much $56,304 in cash benefits over 36 months. This new monthly payment rate applies to all MGIB users no matter when they became eligible for or began using the Montgomery GI Bill. View the new FY2013 MGIB rates for part-time through full-time enrollment.
New GI Bill Payment Rates Announced
The Spirit of America Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 2001 by a naval veteran realizing the need for historical recognition of American's heroes and the sacrifices they made for our country. The "Spirit of America" insignia shown above was designed to recognize our men and women of the military forces and the battles they fought. As the Spirit of America Foundation continues its mission to promote patriotism and the appreciation of our veterans, it has expanded its reach to help veterans in need in today's tough economy. FORGOTTEN HEROES USA, LTD, supports the missions of the Spirit of America Foundation by offering patriotic products honoring Americas hardships in history dating back to the Revolutionary War to present day Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. With each purchase, a percentage is donated to the Spirit of America Foundation. If you would like to help our cause by making a purchase or donation please know that your generosity will reach many others in their time of need. Please review our web site for more information. If you have any questions or comments please contact us via the "Contact Us" page. Thank you! Video: The Raising of the Spirit of America flag. At the American war cemetery in Margraten in The Netherlands on Sunday the 3rd of July 2011. Made by: RALPH84 Click Here to view the video. We would like to express our appreciation to all of the fighting men and women in the United States Military. Thank you for your service to this country.
14
Hubbardston American Legion Disable Veteran Hunting
From: www.va.gov The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is committed to informing the Veteran community about VA health benefits and services. Currently, VA is producing personalized Veteran Health Benefits Handbooks for Veterans who are enrolled in VA health care. The new handbooks are tailored specificfor each Veteran and provides detailed information about the VA health services the Veteran may be eligible to receive. The Veteran Health Benefit Handbook provides answers to common questions such as contact information for the Veteran's local facility, instructions on how to schedule appointments, guidelines for communicating treatment needs and an explanation of the Veteran's responsibilities, such as co-pays, if applicable. Veterans enrolled in VA healthcare will receive their personalized handbooks via mail as part of a national rollout campaign starting in February 2012 based on Priority Group, beginning with Priority Group 1 and ending with Priority Group 8. In the near future, VA will develop an online version of the handbook for Veterans to access via MyHealtheVet. This will allow Veterans to access their up-to-date health benefit information anywhere, anytime. Click the link below for additional information about the Veterans Health Benefits Handbook or call VA at 1 877-222-VETS (8387).
Veterans Health Benefits Handbook
From: Dan Heckman Adjutant-Hubbardston American Legion Located on Jones Rd. mile South of Maple Rapids Rd. Clinton County, Lebanon Twp. Disabled Veterans Hunting Shack Built and sponsored by the Hubbardston American Legion Post #182. It was constructed on the corner of Tim Chartrand, Doug Cusack and Wilson Dairy Farms properties. The shack is 8 x 8, 2 feet off the ground. Its sporting a fivefoot deck with roof and its insulated and heated. A disabled veteran or person can drive to the shack and exit onto the 4 x 8 platform and ascend up the 12-foot ramp. The entire cost was accepted by the American legion. Sons of the American Legion donated $200.00 for the cost, Triple C trucking donated the gravel for the driveway and Cusack Masonry provided some material and equipment. This opportunity is free, with no guarantee for harvesting a deer. DNR rules & Laws Apply.
100% Disabled Veterans Sept. 26-27 Special Disabled firearm hunt, 100% disability Oct. 15-18 Regular Bow season with a crossbow Oct. 1st-Nov. 14th Regular firearm season Nov. 15th-Nov. 30th Appointments or scheduling, call Mid-Mich. Process Serving at (989) 981-6979
15
Available Hunting Dates are as Follows
16
Michigan Republican Party Facebook Page

Along with building the newsletters Facebook page, which can be found by the link above, the Michigan Republican Party is building their page. If you would like join, please click here.
Old Warrior Camp

From: Hank Fuhs Lt. Col., USAF, Retired, ANG This Hunting Camp was built by a retired Marine First Sergeant with the primary purpose of facilitating the Wounded Warriors as they begin their Journey back to Civilian Life. The First Sergeant is the Commander of the Disabled American Veteran (Manistique Chapter 26) He is also 100% totally disabled. There is no cost to veteransBring a Valid Michigan Hunting License and your sleeping bag. Contact Bob Blevins at (906)-477-0025 for dates and times available.
A clipping from Gene Simon. It does bring up an interesting point. Do we forget?Matthew X. Hauser
We hear stories from around the state about Veterans who are in need of help. Please remember what these men and women have done for this nation. Please remember them, and let our communities not forget what these men and women have sacrificed. Thank you to everyone who has supported this newsletter, and if you know of any veterans who are in need of help let us know and we will put the word out to help. -Matthew X. Hauser Contact us anytime at mhauser@migop.org
Lest We Forget
17
From: Don Alsbro and Vicki Dunlop On Nov 4 Lest We Forget of SW MI will have a book signing of their newest book: "Book of Heroes" which features over 90 veteran stories ranging from the Revolutionary War to Iraq/Afghanistan. 80% of the stories feature local Southwestern Michigan veterans and their experiences. However, this book differs from the previous two books in that there are also stories concerning individuals who have made an impact on Lest We Forget and military history. For example, there is a lengthy story on Bob Heft who as a high school student in 1958 designed our 50 star flag that we proudly fly today. Bob was a frequent visitor to Lest We Forget and we loved to hear his story of how he managed to get his flag design recognized in the national contest when there were over 1500 entries. He correctly guessed in 1958 that America would add not just one state (Alaska) but two states (Alaska and Hawaii), so he submitted his 50 star flag in the contest to select the
BIG LEST WE FORGET' "Book of Heroes" and Book Signing on Nov 4
winning the contest to select the 49 star flag design. Another story involves Frank Buckles, the last American WWI veteran who died in Feb 2011 at the age of 110. Lest We Forget made four visits to Frank's home in WVA and our visits are recorded in our story, "Frank Buckles: America's Last WWI Patriot." Arthur "Jibby" Jibilian is another patriot who Lest We Forget was privileged to meet. Jibby is featured in the book by Gregory Freeman, "Forgotten 500." This book is about Operation Halyard in WWII which was the rescue of 500 downed American pilots in Yugoslavia. They were shot down bombing the oil fields of Polesti and harbored by Gen Mihailavich for several months before the U.S. could mount a rescue operation. Jibby was the radio operator of this four man team that parachuted into Yugoslavia and saved the airmen in the largest rescue operation of WWII. Sadly, all of the above mentioned are no longer with us, but their memories are captured in their stories. Lest We Forget has been fortunate to have had the privilege of listening to several Medal of Honor recipients, such as Hershel Williams (WWII), Ron Rosser (Korea) and Duane Dewey (Korea). These individuals are inspiring to listen to. They realize that they are representing the thousands of fellow soldiers who not able to make it home.
18
A good example of that is and presently gets around on his Hershel Williams who received his motorized scooter. There is also an MOH because of Iwo Jima. There Agent Orange story by Roddy were 28 Medal of Honors for the 36 Glenn, "My Secret War." Roddy day war on Iwo Jima. Fourteen were has also been suffering the ill effects living and fourteen were killed of this terrible killer. As an aside I during the battle. Of the 14 living, knew two fellow Vietnam officers Hershel is the last living Iwo Jima who died of the effects of Operation MOH recipient. Ranch Hand (the code word for the Hershel was a flame thrower dropping of Agent Orange. One was on Iwo and he lasted in battle for an infantry officer on the ground and four hours. The average the other was an intelligence officer life expectancy of a flame thrower who flew on the Air Force planes in WWII combat was six minutes out of Thailand that dropped the and Hershel far exceeded that. He herbicide on the Vietnam jungles. went thru several flame throwers There is also excerpts from John and two of his support riflemen If anyone is interested in Lest We Forget Podlaski's book "Cherries." John were killed. Hershel now lives in lives in Sterling Heights, MI and was SW Michigan Membership. West Virginia and has become a "cherry" in Vietnam as a member Please contact Don Alsbro at: a minister. He has been to three of the 25th Inf Div and the 501st dealsbro@sbcglobal.net. re-enactments of Lest We Forget Infantry Brigade. His book is and he delivers "one hell'ava serfictious BUT very real. It is about a mon" on patriotism and combat. This year we had over "newbie" who flies across the "big pond" to Vietnam and 400 people listening to every word he said. his acceptance problems joining the unit, thus the While there are over fifty WWII stories in the acronym "Cherry." There is a chapter from his book in book, there are some riveting stories on the Korean our book. Joann Puff-Kotcher also loaned us a chapter War. One of the stories is on Ron Rosser, a Korean War from her book "Donut Dolly: An American Red Cross Medal of Honor recipient. Ron has made several visits to Girl's War in Vietnam." This book is about her experiLest We Forget and his story is one that will never be ences in Vietnam as a Red Cross "Donut Dolly" in forgotten. Ron's unit was pinned down by fire from a 1966-67. Those were the years of one of my Vietnam Chinese unit located in bunkers on a hill above tours and her book book about An Khe, Pleiku, and Ban them. Only 35 of the 176 in his company were still funcMe Tuot brought back memories. Fortunately, for me tioning when Ron's commander ordered Ron to take a those memories were mostly good ones and they were squad up the hill. Ron accepted the mission and gave his reinforced on a return trip that I led in 2009 to "follow me" command. However, as he charged up the Vietnam. Joann's book recently was selected for honors hill he realized that he was the only one that was obeying as one of the top books by new authors for 2012. Joann is the command. He continued the charge and went from also a Michigander living in Rochester Hills. bunker to bunker firing his weapon and throwing There is also several stories about the Vietnam grenades. He had Chinese soldiers climbing all over him. battle of Ia Drang by the First Cavalry Division He ran out of ammo and went back down to the unit and (Airmobile). One of our Lest We Forget members John policed up grenades and ammo from the dead and woundClark was involved in this battle that later became a best ed American soldiers and charged back up the hill. This selling book "We Were Soldiers Once and Young by resulted in more casualties and again he ran out of ammo. General Hal Moore and reporter Joe Galloway. This book He went back down the hill and made a third charge up then was turned into one of the best movies made on with the same results. It is estimated that he was responsiVietnam by Mel Gibson in "We Were Soldiers." John ble for "several hundred" Chinese casualties. His feat was Clark gives us an account of his remembrances of the so heroic that Ted Turner made a full length movie out of battle and newscaster Jack Smith (son of Howard K. his exploits. Smith) who was also involved in the battle gives a stirring There are about twenty stories on Vietnam includspeech on Ia Drang 38 years later. He gave this speech ing several very moving stories on Agent Orange and the several months before he died of cancer. From Jun 1966effects that this poisonous insecticide is still having on Jun 67 I was a member of the First Cavalry Div (11th their lives. Ron Robaska's story "Agent Death" (Agent Aviation Group) so this movie has always had a special Orange) is Killing Me" is very, very powerful. Ron has place in my heart. suffered through several heart attacks, numerous cancers
19
Another interesting story on Vietnam is "The Day It Became the Longest War" by Marine General Charles Cooper. General Cooper recounts a day in November 1965 when he participated in a briefing delivered by the Army, Navy, Marine, and Air Force Chiefs of Staffs to President Lyndon Johnson. He talks about the presentations and then President Johnson's explosive reaction to their recommendations. That day in November 1965 is the day that the Vietnam War truly became "the longest war." There is an interesting story by Cheryl Walberg who during the war was Cheryl Lane. Cheryl was notified in 1967 that her Air Force husband who was a pilot had been shot down in North Vietnam and they did not know if he was alive or dead. For five years Cheryl watched the evening news to see if when they showed shots of the POW's in Hanoi Hilton if he was one of them. In 1972 when the POW's came home is when Cheryl learned that he was not among them. She still receives updates from the State Dept that they are still searching for his remains. Cheryl has since remarried and is a member of Lest We Forget. There are several stoies on the present conflicts in the Middle East. One of them is by MI NG flight surgeon COL Brian Dykestra of Kalamazoo. COL Dykstra has been deployed as a CCATT physician (Critical Care Air Transport Team) to Iraq, Afghanistan and Germany in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and New Dawn. He has more than 400 flight hours in a
number of different aircraft, more than 25 combat sorties and 140 combat flying hours in support of missions. Brian's story is about his present role when activated as Chief Surgeon on the Medevac Flights from Afghanistan to Ramstein AFB and the Army Hospital in Landstuhl (Germany) or from Landstuhl to Walter Reed or other critical care hospitals in the Armed Forces Medical System. His story is about how well equipped these hospital planes are and he takes the reader through the entire medical evacuation process. Having spent 17 of my 32 years in the military in the Medical Service Corps I was very interested in his story. These stories and many more are in the Lest We Forget book, "Book of Heroes." This book is 350 pages long and there is an additional 150 pages on the accompanying CD for the continuation of some of the stories that were too long to be included in the book. To order your copy of the book please send a check or money order for $30 ($25 for the book and $5 postage) to Lest We Forget, 942 Sierra Dr, Benton Harbor MI 49022. Contact info is Don Alsbro 269-921-7176 or dealsbro@sbcglobal.net. Again, on Nov 4 there will be a book signing at 1 pm, at the Silver Beach Carousel, St Joseph MI. There will probably be 40-50 authors present. PS: Book One "WWII Memoirs by Southwestern Michigan Veterans" and book two, "Wartime Memories of SW MI Veterans, Volume 2" are available for $20 each. Vol 2 features stories from WWII, Korea, Vietnam and Desert Storm.
Photo: The first two books published by Lest We Forgot all are available through their online store at: www.lestweforgetusa.org Paid for by the Michigan Republican Party with Regulated Funds. Not authorized by any candidate or candidates committee. 520 Seymour Street, Lansing, MI 48933
20
21
From: RAO Bulletin August 2012 (Lt. James EMO Tichacek, USN (Ret) Associate Director, Retiree Assistance Office, U.S. Embassy Warden & IRS VITA Baguio City RPPSC 517 Box RCB, FPO AP 96517 Tel: (951) 238 -1246 in U.S. or Cell: 0915-361-3503 in the Philippines. Email: raoemo@sbcglobal.net AL/AMVETS/DAV/FRA/ NAUS/NCOA/MOAA/USDR/VFW/VVA/CG33/DD890/ AD37 member) The fiscal year 2013 TRICARE Prime enrollment fees for uniformed service retirees and their families go into effect Oct. 1, 2012. The Prime enrollment fees for 2013 are $269.28 for retirees, and $538.56 for retirees and their family members. Survivors of active duty deceased sponsors and uniformed services medically retired service members and their dependents are exempt from annual fee increases. Their enrollment fee is frozen at the rate in effect when they were classified and enrolled in TRICARE Prime. Their fee remains frozen as long as there is no break in their TRICARE Prime enrollment. As always, active duty service members and their families have access to TRICARE Prime with no enrollment fee. Please Support and listen to Frontlines of Fredom Military Talk Radio Hosted by Lt. Col. Denny Gillem. You can hear it every Saturday at 1p.m. on 1260 AM the Pledge (Zeeland, MI), or by visiting the website at www.frontlinesoffreedom.com. Or on Facebook by clicking here. Thank you for your Support!
Tricare Prime
The 2013 fees are based on the cost of living adjustment retirees received in 2012. The adjustment was applied to the $260 (individual) and $520 (family) 2012 Prime enrollment fees. Because of this, most retirees who were enrolled in Prime prior to Oct. 1, 2011, will see a more significant increase since their enrollment fee remained at the 2011-levels of $230 and $460 per year. Beneficiaries can opt to pay their enrollment fee monthly, quarterly or annually. Before deciding to pay annually, beneficiaries should keep in mind that in most cases enrollment fees are non-refundable, and Congressional changes to fees in the 2013 budget could occur. For this reason, its recommended that beneficiaries pay their enrollment fee monthly or quarterly. To learn more about TRICARE Prime enrollment fees, refer to http:// www.tricare.mil/costs . [Source: TRICARE News Release 23 Jul 2012 ++]
From: www.michiganpva.org MPVA is celebrating its 50th year of service in Michigan. It is a chapter of the national Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), operating according to the standards and practices established by the PVA. MPVA is, however, a separate 501(c)(3) charitable organization. The Michigan programs, services, education, and outreach conducted here are made possible by local volunteers, partners, sponsors, and donors. The mission of Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America is to enhance the lives of veterans with spinal cord injury or disease as well as all citizens with disabilities, by advocating for civil rights, assuring quality health care, supporting continued research and education, and encouraging independence and healthy living through various health, sports and recreational programs. MPVA shall continue striving to remain at the forefront of both veterans benefits services and disability rights, while working toward a better quality of life for all American citizens.
The MPVA Mission
22
By: Tech. Sgt. Jake Richmond U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron Public Affairs From: Hank Fuhs 12/8/2011 - NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNS) -- The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds announced their 2012 show schedule Dec. 7. The team is set to perform more than 60 demonstrations in 33 locations, including two shows in Canada. The team, officially known as the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, will again kick-off their season by performing a flyover for the 54th running of NASCAR's Daytona 500 on February. 26. The remainder of the schedule is as follows bellow: March 17: Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz. March 31 and April 1: Lakeland, Fla. April 14-15: Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. April 21-22: Barksdale AFB, La. April 28-29: Fort Lauderdale, Fla. May 5-6: Shaw AFB, S.C. May 12-13: Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. May 19-20: March Air Reserve Base, Calif. May 23: Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force Academy graduation flyover) May 26-27: Hill AFB, Utah June 2-3: Rockford, Ill. June 9-10: Ocean City, Md. June 16-17: North Kingstown, R.I. June 23-24: Indianapolis, Ind. June 30 & July 1: Battle Creek, Mich. July 7-8: Gary, Ind. July 21-22: Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. July 25: Cheyenne, Wyo. July 28-29: Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska Aug. 4-5: Hillsboro, Ore. Aug. 11-12: Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada Aug. 17: Atlantic City, N.J. Aug. 25-26: Brunswick, Maine Sept. 1-2: Davenport, Iowa Sept. 8-9: Sacramento, Calif. Sept. 15-16: Scott AFB, Ill. Sept. 22-23: Salinas, Calif. Sept. 29-30: McConnell AFB, Kan. Oct. 6-7: Fort Worth, Texas Oct. 13-14: Daytona Beach, Fla. Oct. 20-21: El Paso, Texas Oct. 27-28: Moody AFB, Ga. Nov. 3-4: Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla. Nov. 10-11: Nellis AFB, Nev.
Thunderbirds Release 2012 Show Schedule
Five F-16 Fighting Falcons of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration team perform aerial stunts Oct. 8, 2011, during their demonstration at the Legacy of Liberty Open House and Air Show at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. The team's primary mission is to exhibit the capabilities of modern warfighting aircraft and to demonstrate the high degree of skill maintained by Air Force members serving in a variety of career specialties. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman DeAndre Curtiss)
"We are excited about the upcoming season and representing our fellow American Airmen," said Lt. Col. Greg Moseley, who will command and lead the team in the 2012 show season. "We feel honored to tell the story of U.S. Air Force Airmen serving on the front lines of freedom around the world. We will proudly represent each Airmen with the same pride, precision and professionalism in which they perform their duties each and every day." As of 2012, the Thunderbirds will have been in existence for 59 years, dating back to 1953 when the team flew the straight-winged F-84G Thunderjets. This season will mark the 30th season the squadron has performed in the F-16 Fighting Falcon, the Air Force's premier multirole fighter aircraft. The Thunderbirds team is an Air Combat Command unit composed of eight pilots, including six demonstration pilots, four support officers, four civilians and more than 100 enlisted people serving in about 30 Air Force job specialties. A Thunderbirds aerial demonstration is a mix of formation flying and solo routines. The pilots perform approximately 40 maneuvers in a demonstration. The entire show, including the beginning ground ceremony, lasts about one hour. The air show season lasts roughly from March to November, with the winter months primarily used to train new team members. To learn more about the Thunderbirds, visit the U.S. Air Force Demonstration Team Facebook, Twitter orYouTube pages.
23
VA Not Making The Grade, Says Legal Help For Veterans Attorney
From: Jim Fausone An annual survey of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs services, circulated to hundreds of veterans involved with the VA disability claim process around the country, showed just how far the VA has to go to even pass muster. The recent survey, circulated via email and social media outlets, was sent to veterans with disability claims by the firm Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC. The results they collected indicate that VA processing has a comprehensive series of processing issues. Veterans were asked to give the Veterans Affairs a grade which reflected how well the VA handled their disability claim, including the time it took for their claim to be processed. Overall, some 75 percent of respondents gave the VA a failing grade. The grades awarded include 51 percent of respondents who gave VA an F grade, 24.5 percent veterans rated their experience as a "D," and a passing "C" grade was issued by a mere 18.4 percent. Only 6.1 percent of veterans gave the VA either an A or B-level grade. "While we know the VA system has some claim processing issues, it is disheartening to see how disorganized the process has been for so many of our veterans," stated Legal Help for Veterans attorney James Fausone.
The survey found that nearly half of the veterans, who responded, 47.9 percent, felt that an acceptable amount of time for VA to decide a disability claim was within six months. The VA deciding a claim within a 6-11 month timeframe was supported by 28.1 percent of respondents, and 16.7 percent of veterans thought a decision within twelve months would be an acceptable time period. Only 7.3 percent of the veteran respondents felt a claim should take more than one year. The vast majority of the survey respondents, 73 percent, had been waiting over one year for their claim to be processed. In fact, 42 percent of veterans reported that their claim processing took more than three years. The customer service problems reported by the veteran respondents included extensive delays, misplaced records, multiple requests for the same information, and scheduling repeat exams. --Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC is a national firm representing veterans before the VA since 1998 and has helped thousands of veterans obtain millions in veteran disability compensation benefits. It can be reached at 800-693-4800 and www.legalhelpforveterans.com. Press Contact James G. Fausone Veteran Disability Lawyer 248-380-1818 Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.
~Ronald Reagan
Short video from www.tricare.mil that explains some back ground information
View this video to get a better understanding of what TRICARE is. Or Click Here.
24
Legal Help for Veterans

From: James G. Fausone Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC is a law firm located in Northville, Michigan. We have a national practice representing veterans on veterans disability claims. This representation occurs at the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, the Board of Veterans Appeals and regional offices. We have helped veterans collect over $10,000,000 in retro and future benefits. Over the last decade, LHFV has become a trusted name in the legal community for providing legal services to veterans and lecturing at law schools, bar associations and community events. Members of the Legal Help for Veterans practice group are former service members who bring not only legal expertise but an understanding of service and duty. The members of the group have medical and administrative backgrounds as well as finely honed legal skills developed over twenty years of practice and experience. We have represented thousands of veterans and currently have over 650 active clients. For more information about the organization and about legal help for veterans and for contact information www.legalhelpforveterans.com and found on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Our telephone number is 800.693.4800. Our blog discusses current issues facing veterans and the VA. Typically our clients are enlisted men and women who served post Korea. The Vietnam vet is still the one with the most common problems. These include Agent Orange related disabilities, PTSD, psychiatric or orthopedic injuries. Other vets often have hearing loss, military sexual trauma or tinnitus. We are now seeing Iraq and Afghanistan vets with TBI. Many vets do not even begin the disability claim process until many years after service. The trigger may be unemployability and the need for benefits. With a million claim back log at VA, it is a slow and confusing process and many people need professional help establishing the proper diagnosis and service connection. That is what Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC has been doing for clients for years. We would like to express our appreciation to all of the fighting men and women in the United States Military. Thank you for your service to this country.
From: Rick Briggs, Major, USAF (Ret) The Brain Injury Association of Michigan (BIAMI) Veterans Program utilizes numerous types of outdoor activities to gather Veterans and currently serving military personnel together for a little R&R. These special events are almost always free for the troops depending totally on the kind donations of sponsors and donors. In addition to being a great way to say Thank you for their service, these activities serve as the mechanism to get the troops to open up a little if they are having post-deployment issues. Frequently we find that in the comfortable confines with others who have been there, done that they tend to be more receptive to learn about Invisible Wounds says Rick Briggs the Program Manager, both PTSD and TBI are treatable if they seek the proper help. To find out more about these activities, or to donate to their Veterans Program, please make out checks to BIAMI Veterans Program and send them to 7305 Grand River Suite #100, Brighton, MI 48114 or contact Rick Briggs at veterans@biami.org or call him (810) 2295880 or visit www.biami.org.
Brain Injury Association of Michigan
BIAMI is celebrating its 30th Anniversary as it continues to strive to provide persons with a brain injury and their families, healthcare professionals, and the general public with the resources necessary to enhance brain injury awareness, education, prevention, and support. BIAMI is also fields the first and only dedicated Veterans Program staff within the Brain Injury Association of America.
25
About the Brain Injury Association of Michigan (BIAMI):
MICHIGAN AIR NATIONAL GUARD HISTORY BOOKS

The Michigan Air National Guard Historical Association created a three volume set of history books covering the periods 1926-1996. A fourth volume covering the years 1996 to 2006 is in production and should be available soon. Volume 1 covers the period 1926 to 1976-Cost: $1.00 Volume 2 covers the period 1976 to 1986-Cost: $4.00 Volume 3 covers the period 1986 to 1996-Cost: $1.00 Volume 4 covers the period 1996 to 2010-Cost: $6:00 Full color $35.00 If you wish to purchase one or more of these volumes or are interested in more information, please contact MAGHA at Phone: 586-239-6768, Fax: 586-239-6646, Email: 127.wg.selfridgeairmuseum@ang.af.mil
MANGBANG
From: Eugene (Gene) A. Simon- Command Chief Master Sergeant USAF (Retired) & Matthew X. Hauser As you may have seen in past editions of the newsletter, MANGBANG has been one of our sources. We are thankful for the source and so we just wanted to pass the information along for MANGBANG in case anyone is interested in joining the Michigan Air National Guard Historical Association. You can contact Lou Nigro if you are interested. We think it is a worthwhile investment-it supports the history of the Michigan Air National Guard and his monthly publications are very informative. For those who want to view it on our website (www.selfridgeairmuseum.org, http://www.selfridgeairmuseum.org ), Lt Col Lou Nigro, MI ANG (Ret) Executive Director, Selfridge Military Air Museum Email: louis.nigro@ang.af.mil
From: Dept. Hospital Chairman Merridy Lewis Hospitalized Veterans Writing Program (HVWP). This program helps veterans get their poems and stories down on paper is one of the goals for our volunteers. Volunteer aides help both with a one on one or with groups of patients to help them put their thoughts and feelings into stories and poems. The stories and poems can be submitted to veterans voices, a magazine that publishes the articles that have been submitted. The HVWP does its very best to publish every article that has been submitted following the guide lines.
"Veterans Voices"
It is important to submit the authors name, VAMC facility and state, the authors permanent address the branch of service and duties along with the serial number or social security number. Manuscripts must be original and unpublished, except in VAMC publications. Writers can submit up to three poems, each no longer than 24 lines with 60 character width. Stories no longer than 10 pages, typed using double spacing. This is a brief detail of what HVWP is about. It may be an interest you would like to share with a Veteran on a volunteer basis. This is part of our history for generations yet to come we are losing World War II Veterans every day and we need to hear their stories. For more information about the organization please visit their website at www.veteransvoices.org.
26
Two Great Sources for Veterans/Military Legislative Updates in Washington D.C. Simply click the images to view the site.
Military and Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security

Committee Testimony Committee Minutes No SubCommittees Committee Members: Ray A. Franz (R), Committee Chair, 101st District Dale W. Zorn (R), Majority Vice-Chair, 56th District Gail Haines (R), 43rd District Sharon Tyler (R), 78th District Mike Callton (R), 87th District David E. Nathan (D), Minority Vice-Chair, 11th District George T. Darany (D), 15th District Charles Smiley (D), 50th District Lesia Liss (D), 28th District Paul Clemente (D), 14th District Ben Cook, Committee Clerk 517-373-2002 bcook@house.mi.gov
Rep. Ray A. Franz Committee Chair Welcome to the Military and Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security Committee. The committee's regularly scheduled meeting time is Tuesday at 12:00 p.m. in room 308 of the House Office Building in Lansing. I welcome citizens to contact me or other committee members regarding bills or proposals our committee is addressing. Individuals needing special accommodations to participate in a committee meeting may contact my office to request the necessary assistance.
27
Steaming Live for those who serve check it out.

If anyone has any other sites or link they find to be a good source please let us know we will gladly work it in. Please contact us anytime at mhauser@migop.org.
Veterans Radio is dedicated to all of the men and women who have served or are currently serving in the armed forces of the United States of America. Our mission is to provide all veterans with a voice, to give them a forum where they are able to discuss their issuesand tell their stories. You can listen to the show on: WDEO (990-AM Ann Arbor/Detroit), WMAX (1440-AM, Saginaw), WDEO-FM (99.5 FM, Naples FL), KAGY (1510-AM Port Sulfur/New Orleans LA), KIXW (960-AM, Apple Valley CA) and KMRC (1430AM Morgan City, LA). Or, listen to our Webcast and archives at: www.veteransradio.net.
Lest We Forget SW Michigan

Have you ever felt that history, particularly military history, isn't being taught in our schools like it was in the "good old" times? Why is it that many of our high school graduates, some say a majority, don't know who we fought in WWII, who bombed us at Pearl Harbor or worst yet, believe that the holocaust never happened? Our children are not being taught the basic principles that have made this country great! "Lest We Forget" was started by a group of veterans who felt that patriotism was too important of a subject to be given the short shrift that it presently receives in our schools and community. Our operating principle is "To brighten the future we must illuminate the past." We've "illuminated the past" through WWII re-enactments, patriotic concerts, presentations by Medal of Honor recipients, presentation of the American flag to Frank Buckles, our last WWI veteran, TV telecasts to schools throughout the country, participation in local parades, made presentations in our schools on the flag, presented college classes on WWII, Korea and Vietnam wars, published a book of WWII stories by local veterans, presented college classes on WWII, Korea and Vietnam wars, published two books of veterans stories, brought in the VN Wall and honored the Korean vets this year. Next year (2012) Jun 29-Jul 1 we will have D-Day and Iwo Jima beach landings and much more. Remember, "Freedom is NOT free!" Patriotically Yours, Don Alsbro, President COL, US Army (ret) Lest We Forget For more info about Lest We Forget SW MI please visit their website by simply clicking here.
LWF 2010 Group Picture
28
For the link to the interview with Rep. Ray Franz please Click Here
Rep. Ray Franz talks about the new Veterans program "Hire Heroes" that can be found online at - http://www.hireheroesusa.org/
A Little Information about Hire Heroes

From: www.hireheroesusa.org Mission: Hire Heroes USA (Hire Heroes) is dedicated to creating job opportunities for US military veterans and their spouses through personalized employment training and corporate engagement. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, Hire Heroes services are provided at no cost to the veteran. Creating the Opportunity. Headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia, Hire Heroes USA has built a national reputation of excellence for its success at helping unemployed veterans find jobs currently at the rate of one veteran confirmed hired every business day. Our team is comprised of military veterans many with combat experience in Iraq and Afghanistan and business veterans. That mix of military and civilian experience has proven essential to effectively training veterans in the skills of self-marketing and then networking them into good jobs with great companies. The hallmark of the program is a personal approach where each veteran receives dedicated assistance from a highlytrained staff member in order to help them overcome barriers to employment. To become part of this program, click on the tab above that best suits your interest.
29
Newsletter Links From Articles For October

Affairs Michigan Page 1 Newsletters Facebook www.michigan.gov www.facebook.com Page 14 Newsletters Scribd Military.com www.scribd.com www.military.com Military.com Spirit of the American Flag www.military.com www.forgottonheroesusa.com Page 2 Page 15 Department of Veteran Affairs VA Veterans Benefits www.va.gov www.publichealth.va.gov Page 3 Page 16 ESGR Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund www.esgr.mil Dearborn MI www.vvmf.org/dearbornmi The USO www.uso.org Page 17 Page 27 Page 5 MIGOP Facebook U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans Of Foreign Wars www.facebook.com Veterans Affairs www.vfw.org www.veterans.senate.gov Page 21 Joint POW/MIA Accounting Team Pascarella U.S House Committee of Veterans Command www.teampascarella.com Affairs www.jpac.pacom.mil www.veterans.house.gov Page 22 Page 7 Department of Military and Veterans TRICARE Stars and Stripes www.tricare.mil Affairs Michigan www.strips.com Front Lines of Freedom www.michigan.gov www.frontlinesoffreedom.com Page 8 Military and Veterans Affairs and The Daily Record Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of Homeland Security Committee www.the-daily-record.com America www.house.mi.gov Sling and Stone www.michiganpva.org Page 28 www.slingandstone.org Page 24 Pentagon Channel Legal Help for Veterans Page 10 www.pentagonchannel.mil World War I Memorial Foundation www.legalhelpforveterans.com Veterans Radio www.wwimemorial.org TRICARE www.veteransradio.net www.tricare.mil Page 12 LEST WE FORGET SW MI Page 25 Social Security Administration www.lestweforgetusa.org Legal Help for Veterans www.ssa.gov Page 29 www.legalhelpforveterans.com DD-214 Form Hire Heroes USA Brain Injury Association of Michigan www.archives.gov www.hireheroesusa.org www.biami.org DAV Also check out the Some Useful Page 25 www.dav.gov Links Section on Page 2. Michigan Air National Guard Page 13 Thank you for your Support! www.selfridgeairmuseum.org Department of Military and Veterans
30
Stand Up For Veterans-They Stood Up For US

-The DAV
American Legion Post is in looking for current military members to send care packages to. Please contact Robert Goulet if you know of any military member who might like something. Please see News From American Legion Post 341 below for more information. Thank you very much!
Staff & Contributors

CoordinatorMatthew X. Hauser ContributorsDon Alsbro Rick Briggs Helen Budd Sen. Patrick Colbeck Sam Cottle Rep. Kurt Damrow Matt Davis David Duenow Vicki Dunlop Mark Eddy Keith Famie James G. Fausone Rep. Ray Franz Sean M. Furr Denny Gillem Robert Goulet John Haggard Larry Harr Dan Heckman Dale Hemphill John Hess Norma Housey Sec. of State Ruth Johnson James Julian Adrian Keogh Adele Krovsky Bill Langbehn Merridy Lewis Gary C. Lulenski Claude McManus
In Memory of Gary Lillie

Chad Miles Louis Nigro Sid Rubin Eugene (Gene) A. Simon Phil Smith Sherry Swann Tim Pascarella Bob Tidmore Rep. Fred Upton Maureen VanHooser Publisher-Hank Fuhs
News From American Legion Post 341

American Legion Post 341 is seeking the names of troops that are deployed to a combat zone so that we can send them large package of goodies and that their names and address should be sent to the address below. Also post 341 is always seeking new members please contact Robert at the same address if interested. American Legion Post 341 Sr. Vice Commander Robert P. Goulet 6130 Nicholas West Bloomfield, MI rgoulet264@aol.com
Thank you for your service to our country. It is truly the men and women like you who make this nation great, and we must never forget that. Thank you to everyone for all the help you have given us with the newsletter. We have been able to reach more people because of your help. Compared to when we first started, the amount of input and ideas we receive has increased greatly. For that we are very thankful. If you have anything you would like to share, any questions, or have an article idea, please let me know. You may contact us anytime at mhauser@migop.org. Sincerely, Matthew X. Hauser and Lt. Col Hank Fuhs
In Closing
Lest We Forget-A Clip from Hank Fuhs Lt. Col., USAF, Ret, ANG (Just Click the Link Below)
I Fought For You
31
Hope you enjoyed the Newsletter!

Please let us know what you thought. Contact Matthew X. Hauser at mhauser@migop.org
We need your help to grow the Newsletter
We are looking for any contact information of individuals or groups that you think would either be interested in receiving our newsletter or interested in writing articles. If you know of anyone please let us know.
Sincerely,
Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.
~Ronald Reagan
Lt. Col. Hank Fuhs & Matthew X. Hauser

32

Veterans &amp; Military Families Monthly News-October 2012

Diunggah oleh

Informasi Dokumen

Deskripsi Asli:

Hak Cipta

Format Tersedia

Bagikan dokumen Ini

Bagikan atau Tanam Dokumen

Opsi Berbagi

Apakah menurut Anda dokumen ini bermanfaat?

Apakah konten ini tidak pantas?

Hak Cipta:

Format Tersedia

Veterans &amp; Military Families Monthly News-October 2012

Diunggah oleh

Hak Cipta:

Format Tersedia

Veterans & Military Families Monthly News

October 2012 Vol. 3 No. 10

VA Women Vet Programs

Thank you very much!

And much more.

Some Useful Links

Thank you for your Support!

A Note From: Lest We Forget Speakers Bureau

STEP UP AND LEAD

Click the Michigan Flag to access the ESGR Michigan Page

VA: Battle Buddies Can Help Fight Obesity In Vets

Clinical Study Seeks Answers and Insights to Prevent Suicide

DISABLED WAYNE COUNTY VETERAN OUTFITTED FOR HUNTING

By: The Late Cpt. Franklin H. Smith

World War II Memories From Captain Franklin H. Smith-Part III

The World War I Memorial Foundation

A Note From Lt. Col. Hank Fuhs

Three ways to help:

To request a copy of a DD-214 click here.

The Copper Strikes

By: Dale Hemphill-Designer, Spirit of America Flag (dhemp31628@aol.com)

Spirit of the American Flag

New GI Bill Payment Rates Announced

Hubbardston American Legion Disable Veteran Hunting

Veterans Health Benefits Handbook

Available Hunting Dates are as Follows

Michigan Republican Party Facebook Page

Old Warrior Camp

BIG LEST WE FORGET' "Book of Heroes" and Book Signing on Nov 4

The MPVA Mission

Thunderbirds Release 2012 Show Schedule

Legal Help for Veterans

Brain Injury Association of Michigan

About the Brain Injury Association of Michigan (BIAMI):

MICHIGAN AIR NATIONAL GUARD HISTORY BOOKS

Military and Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security

Steaming Live for those who serve check it out.

Lest We Forget SW Michigan

LWF 2010 Group Picture

A Little Information about Hire Heroes

Newsletter Links From Articles For October

Stand Up For Veterans-They Stood Up For US

Staff & Contributors

In Memory of Gary Lillie

News From American Legion Post 341

Hope you enjoyed the Newsletter!

Lt. Col. Hank Fuhs & Matthew X. Hauser

Anda mungkin juga menyukai

Veterans & Military Families Monthly News-October 2012

Veterans & Military Families Monthly News-October 2012