TAKE COVER Bulletin
Valentines Day
Presidents Day
1
American Veterans George R. Zenz Post # 11
1807 N. Irwin Ave.
Green Bay, WI. 54302-1621
WEB PAGE: www.amvetsgb.org
Who to call for information:
Adjutant/Finance Officer - General Post Operations
Land Line Phone 920 – 857-9295
Cell Phone 920-676-1260 – text capable
Email: [email protected]
Commander - Request Post Participation
Phone 920 – 328 - 3165
1st Vice Commander - Membership Information
Phone 920 – 676 - 7368
2011 - 2012 Officers
Commander
John Akey
1st Vice Commander
Jason Maschke
2nd Vice Commander Ron Oliver
3rd Vice Commander
Germaine Buckbee
Adjutant
Matt Stevenson
Finance Officer
Matt Stevenson
Judge Advocate
Mike Dilley
Provost Marshall
Jim Meverden
Quartermaster
Bill Willis
Chaplain
Bernie Demerath
Service Officer
Matt Stevenson
Legislative
Matt Stevenson
Trustee 3 Year
Laird Salisbury
Trustee 2 Year
Lisa Orsini
Trustee 1 Year
Art Walters
Veterans Never Forget Veterans
Team Work Then - Team Work Now
God Bless America!
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February 8, 2012 MEETING - 7:00 pm
NEXT MEETING – March 14, 2012 - 7:00 PM
ALL VETERANS WELCOME
FOOD STARTING @ 6:15 pm
MEETING 50/50 RAFFLE - POT OF GOLD
Happy Birthday
February Celebrators
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
FRIDAYS RED OR BLUE
SUPPORT THE TROOPS
It does not matter if you are wearing red or blue.
It does matter if you are part of the fight for
Freedom even if all you can do is show support of
the troops.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
American Red Cross - One A Week Program
1- 800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543
www.redcrossblood.com
Please call for an appointment
1-800-626-4017 ext. 357
Green Bay Blood Donor Centers
Pilgrim Congregational Church - 991 Pilgrim Way
2131 Deckner Ave
Mon
2pm - 6 pm
Tues
2pm - 6 pm
Wed
2pm - 6 pm
Thurs
2pm - 6 pm
Fri
9am - 1 pm
Sat
8 am - noon
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
http://www.arclakeland.org/contact_blood.php
3
Public
Welcome
OPEN- 3PM
Tuesday thru Saturday
Closed Sunday & Monday
Accept for Special Events
Our Hall is for Rent
Comfortably Seats 60
Catering Available
First Come First Serve
To Book A Date
Call: 920-857-9295 or 920-676-1260
Email: amvets.takecover@gmail .com
Or: Stop and talk to the volunteer bartender
1807 N. Irwin Ave.
Green Bay, Wi 54302
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Volunteers Needed
Do you have any of these talents and are
willing to donate some of your time.
Bartending – Can you pour a beer
Fry Cook – Can you cook a Hamburger
Dishwasher – Can you wash dishes
Building Maintenance & Repair – Just like
you do at home, painting, carpentry, etc
Yard Maintenance – grass cutting, snow
removal, weeding, etc
Vehicle & Equipment Maintenance – oil
changing, leak repair, check tires, etc
Public Relations – talk to friends and
neighbors, deliver menus and flyer, make
phone calls, reach out to other groups
General Cleaning – daily sweeping, mopping,
dusting, washing dirty areas, etc
Office Help – Can you file, fold, staple, sort,
data entry, organize, write job descriptions, etc
Help is always needed and all volunteers are
greatly appreciated. Member volunteers are
important but our non member volunteers are really
special and are making all the difference and keeping
the post operational.
Do not say I can not do this
RSVP for headcount
Please call 920-676-1260 or email:
[email protected]
5
February 20, 2012
United Patriotic Societies of Green Bay
Washington – Lincoln Dinner
Tickets $13.50
Available at the February 8, 2012 meeting only
No door sales.
At: The Woods
Time: 6pm Cocktails
6:30 Dinner
uuuuuuuuuuuuuu
What is Presidents’ Day?
Presidents’ Day is a holiday to celebrate the birthdays of George Washington,
Abraham Linclon, and all of the Presidents of the United States—right? Well, not
exactly. It should have been this simple, but somewhere between the state and
federal governments, Presidents’ Day became something altogether confusing.
This article will explain the confusing aspects of Presidents’ Day and offer an
opinion about how Presidents’ Day can be observed in a simple way.
Background
Before the idea of Presidents’ Day existed, George Washington’s Birthday was
observed as a holiday since 1796. It was then proclaimed a federal holiday in
1885. Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday was also observed as a holiday in several
states from the year 1865, but it was never officially established as a holiday by
the federal government. These two holidays were observed by the public without
any difficulty or confusion until 1968.
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Legislation
The federal government reviewed legislation in 1968 that proposed to move
Washington’s Birthday on the calendar from being celebrated on his birthday
(February 22), to being observed on the third Monday of February. Along with
this proposal was another suggestion—to change the name of the holiday to
Presidents’ Day. This would make it possible to integrate Lincoln’s Birthday with
Washington’s Birthday and also to celebrate all other Presidents of the United
States on the same day. As events transpired, the federal government changed
George Washington’s Birthday to the third Monday of February as planned. The
change took place in 1971 with the introduction of the Uniform Monday Holiday
Act. The federal government did not, however, combine Lincoln’s birthday with
the holiday, and they did not change the name to Presidents’ Day.
Run That By Me One More Time, Please
What resulted from the federal government’s changes was a public that was
thoroughly confused. George Washington’s birthday was to be celebrated on a
day that was not his birthday. The holiday would be celebrated on a date that
was between Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday and George Washington’s Birthday.
These changes made it appear that the proposed changes had been accepted by
the federal government, and that the new holiday called “Presidents’ Day” had
emerged. Little did anyone know that what had actually emerged was merely the
federal government’s interest of conveniently having Washington’s Birthday on
Mondays. Hooray!
So What Day Is It Again?
The federal government and the states make independent decisions about
holidays. The holiday that is now observed on the third Monday of February by
the federal government is still officially known as Washington’s Birthday. Some
states still observe Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday on his actual birthday (February
12) and additionally observe Washington’s Birthday (on the third Monday of
February). Other states observe Presidents’ Day to honor George Washington,
Abraham Lincoln, and the other Presidents of the United States, but the federal
government still recognizes this day as George Washington’s Birthday.
If all of this is as clear as mud to you, then you understand it as well as
everyone else does.
Honoring Our Presidents
Many people enjoy having the third Monday of February off of work, or at
least they recognize the day as a holiday of some sort. Whether it is celebrated
as Washington’s Birthday, or Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday, or as Presidents’ Day, it
makes sense to observe this day in respect for all who have served as Presidents
of the United States. It seems worthwhile to remember this holiday as something
more than “the third Monday of February.” On this day let us remember the
courage and character of the great men who have preserved our nation and our
freedom.
Regardless of what the holiday is called by the federal or state governments,
it is left to individual American citizens to determine the significance of
Presidents’ Day. When the children of America awaken on the third Monday of
February, they should have no reservation in saying, “Today is Presidents’ Day.”
7
Take Cover
AMVETS Post # 11
Dinner – Theater Night
February 11 or 16, 2012
Limited to 25 Couples
$50.00 per couple
$30.00 Single
MUST RSVP WITH PAYMENT
Stop by club or send to
AMVETS Post # 11
1807 N. Irwin Ave
Green Bay, WI 54302
Agenda
1700 Hours (5pm) Social Hour
1815 Hours (6:15pm) Dinner
Menu: Beef Tips, Rotisserie Chicken,
Potato Wedges, Salad, Chef’s Choice for
vegetable and dessert
1915 Hours (7:15pm) Leave for
Meyer Theater – Franks Show
Peter, Paul & Frank
8
9
Answering The Mail
By Matt Stevenson – Adjutant/Finance Officer
Before our last meeting there was an email received which
needed some serious thought as to how to answer especially
since it was from one of our newer members.
The mail received was in regards to questions asked in the
last newsletter and now every effort will be made to honestly
answer without upsetting anyone.
Meetings:
By Robert’s Rules minutes of the previous meeting need to
be approved and kept on record. Thus if there is a question in
the future regarding action taken at a meeting it is not open to
discussion but rather to fact and history. I have for many years
tried to have the minutes printed and passed out before the
start so members can look them over and a simple question
asked if there is a need for any changes. If there is not and
according to Robert’s Rules the minutes stand as printed with
no motion needed.
Finance Reports:
I agree they are long and drawn out sometimes. Here
again every effort is made to have them printed so members
can look over them in advance.
Solution from now on a print out from the bank just prior to
the meeting will be made, passed out and will require a
motion of acceptance. If anyone has questions requiring more
detail they may come in during the day and speak with the
finance officer. Office hours are Tuesday – Saturday 2pm thru
3pm.
Funds Requests:
Yes, the post needs funds to operate on as the bar/grill
business right now is not covering expenses of owning a
building and operating a veterans organization which is active.
The question in this case is negative, will the post survive?
Only the members can answer that.
Volunteer Requests:
Yes, there is a continuous request for volunteers for all
aspects of the club. Volunteers doing different projects and
filling different positions is what makes it a club verses a
business with paid staff and the expenses which come with
that.
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I for one average a minimum of 10 hours a day Tuesday
through Saturday and a lot of times I am around working on
club business, Sunday and Monday despite the club being
closed.
There is only one event which requires a lengthy drive that
is bingo at the Iron Mountain VA Medical Center once a month
and once during the summer to do the patient carnival. I for
one believe, this is worth while and know that if I was in the
hospital it would really be great to see fellow veterans. After
doing this for 6 years, I know that those currently receiving
this service love to have us there.
Younger Veterans taking over?
The number one comment made to me is what do I get out
if this or better put in this mail; what incentive is there for us to
take over or take a position.
This question has haunted me for a number of years. I
realize not everyone is a joiner or a participator and human
nature leads us all to ask the question of what is in this for me
or why should I do it.
My answer is simple; I do this for the brothers and sisters
which never returned, or are physically unable to participate.
Many times these brothers and sisters in arms had my back. I
now have theirs. It is a way to say thank you, stay connected,
heal, recover, and survive. It is not about a pay day or awards.
Yes, everyone’s time is limited by family, school, careers,
duties etc. Here, I say do not tell me what you can not do,
rather what you can. If this means only a ½ hour or just
stopping in to see if there is anything to do, maybe as simple
as running the mail to the post office.
Positions Available:
Commander – Oversees the monthly meeting, represents the
post at State Convention, State SEC Meeting, 5th District
Meeting, United Patriotic Society of Green Bay. Also, is to
oversee all other officers and committee chairman and follow
up with them about their duties. This position requires the
ability to work with members the general public and
communication skills.
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1st Vice Commander – takes over in the events of the
Commanders absence, is responsible for membership
recruitment and retainment, also can be a representative just
like the Commander. This position also requires some clerical
ability, and communication skills.
2nd Vice Commander – is third in command, is responsible
for running and reporting the post programs. A full description
of all of the programs would take up a lot of space so I ask
you come and visit me and I will explain them all. The
reporting will require being able to be guided through the use
of a computer and the online report form at National
Headquarters.
3rd Vice Commander – is forth in command, is responsible
for food at the meeting and other social events, assisting with
post promotion. Also, is in training to move up the ranks by
working with the 1st and 2nd Vice Commanders closely.
Finance Officer – simple responsible for all financial
transactions of the post, bookkeeping and accounting of all
funds income and expenses, paying the bills, doing the 990’s
and tracking the fund raisers.
Judge Advocate – Be current with Roberts Rules, enforce
them during meetings, and review Constitution and Bylaws of
the post for updating and changes needed.
Provost Marshall – Maintain order during meetings, secure
the meeting hall, run the sign in board, meeting raffle, and
meeting pot of gold.
Quartermaster – computer capable to go on line for the
national quartermaster catalogue and order items which
members’ desire fill out the order form and turn over to the
finance officer for processing and payment.
Chaplain – track deaths in the newspaper, find out through
communications to the post of ill members, send cards for
both occasions, participate in funerals, and say opening and
closing pray at the meeting.
Trustee – audit the financial records; watch over the
clubhouse for maintenance needs, improvements, cleaning
and all other equipment this includes inventorying of
equipment and building and grounds, and vehicles of the post.
If there are other questions or concerns stop by and talk
to me!
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Friends and supports of AMVETS Post # 11.
Please support these businesses.
AMVETS Post # 11
Affordable
Computer Layout
Printing
Copies
(Black & White or Full Color)
(8 ½ x 11, 8 ½ x 14, 11x 17)
(Single or Two Sides)
Stop by and check us out as we do all of our printing in house.
1807 N. Irwin Ave
Green Bay, WI 54302
[email protected]
920-857-9295
13
Funeral Honors: The volunteer rifle squad at Fort Snelling National
Cemetery has provided military honors at almost 60,000 burials. But now
it's in danger of losing its guns because the Army wants them back. The
Army wants to replace the honor guard's 1903 Springfield bolt-action rifles,
a model that predated World War I, with a somewhat more modern
weapon, the World War II vintage M-1 Garand semiautomatic. But the
volunteers with the Fort Snelling squad hope to stick to their old guns. U.S.
Rep. John Kline (R-MN) a retired Marine who serves on the House Armed
Services Committee, wrote to Army Secretary John McHugh 16 DEC
asking the service to reconsider. On 21 DEC, he said the Army will look
into the matter.
Vietnam-era machine gunner John Sobaski told Minnesota Public Radio
the Springfield's mechanism is part of the weapon's allure. "I like the action
that it makes, the sound that it makes," he said. "It sounds a little more
traditional." Bob Nelson, a Vietnam vet who commands the squad, which
formed in 1979, said the Springfield's shots have a distinct ring as well.
"They sound the best. M-1's, they have a mellower sound. And we think
it's really a nice tribute to our veterans that we are having the honors for
that they go out in style and class," Nelson said. The Garand is also
heavier, with a tricky reloading mechanism that could spell potential
trouble for the volunteers, many of whom are in their 70s, 80s and even
90s. Howard Tellin, the armorer and bugler for the squad, calls it "The M1
thumb. If you don't watch it, you're going to have the prettiest black-andblue thumb you've ever seen. It hurts for about a week," Tellin said.
The Army wants the Springfields back under a new policy that also limits
the squad to 15 rifles, down from 50 that are now shared among the five
details working different days. Combined, the details serve an average of
45 to 50 burials a week. The reason for the changes remains unclear, at
least to the rifle squad members who blame the Pentagon bureaucracy. A
Pentagon spokesman contacted by the Star Tribune said he did not have
a ready answer.
"We can't get a truthful statement out of anyone," Nelson said. "I don't
know anyone who really knows why they want to take them away." On 21
DEC, Kline announced the Army would launch an inquiry. In addition, an
aide said Kline intends to introduce legislation early next year to ensure
the squad can keep its Springfields. Kline said the issue is largely about
recognizing the squad's sacrifices for their fellow soldiers, sailors and
Marines. "As you talk to them you realize they're all guys in their 70s and
80s," he said. "They're out there in the winter when it's below zero. They're
out there all the time." [Source: Associated Press article 22 Dec 2011 ++]
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Arlington National Cemetery: Thousands of grave markers at
Arlington National Cemetery may need to be replaced or added to
accurately account for the dead, following a meticulous Army review of
each of the nearly 260,000 headstones and niche covers on the grounds.
In a report to Congress on 22 DEC, the Army found potential
discrepancies between headstones and cemetery paperwork on about
64,000 grave markers — about one in four. Congress ordered the review
last year following reports of misidentified and misplaced graves that led to
the ouster of the cemetery‘s top executives. The report found no further
evidence of misplaced graves, though it cautioned that its review is not
complete and that some errors could have gone undetected. There are
potentially thousands of minor errors, including misspelled names, or
incorrect military ranks and dates of birth and death. The Army compared
information on every headstone to its internal records, scouring
handwritten logs of the dead from the Civil War and a hodgepodge of other
records to verify accuracy.
In an interview, the cemetery‘s executive director, Kathryn Condon, said
reviews are ongoing and it‘s premature to try to estimate exactly how
many headstones may need replacement. To be sure, many of the 64,000
discrepancies will turn up no problem with a headstone — it may be as
simple as a typo on an internal record. And in many cases, the
discrepancies are not errors at all but reflect past practices at the cemetery
that are now considered outdated. One of the biggest surprises uncovered
by the review was that in most of the early 20th century, the cemetery did
not include the name of a wife on a headstone when she was buried next
to her husband. Under current practices, the name of the spouse is etched
onto the back of the headstone. Condon said the cemetery will correct that
by adding the spouse‘s name to the gravesite. She said it is not only the
right thing to do but is also required by law. Accounting for the forgotten
spouses alone will require thousands of corrections, officials said. In some
cases, replacement headstones will be made. In cases where the
headstones are considered historic, footstones will be added.
Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO), who was critical of the old management
team and has been supportive of Condon‘s reform efforts, said the
cemetery ―is now a turnaround story. After we uncovered chronic
managerial failure and demanded comprehensive reforms from a new
leadership team, I am pleased to receive this report that shows great
progress and lays out a plan to finish the job. But Sen. Mark Warner (DVA), said the report ―raises more questions than it answers, particularly
with the ultimate disposition of those 64,000 discrepancies. He said that
while Condon has worked hard to improve management at the cemetery,
he is not convinced that the cemetery has fixed its data-management
problems. Warner had asked a consortium of northern Virginia technology
companies to help the cemetery get a data-management plan in place,
and he wants further assurances that the Army took the help that was
offered on a pro bono basis. The Army and a team of 70 analysts are
undertaking painstaking reviews of every case where they find a potential
15
discrepancy to ensure that records are made accurate. Those reviews are
expected to be completed in the summer.
The process began with a hand count, using simple mechanical clickers,
of every gravesite — 259,978 to be exact. (More than 300,000 people are
buried at Arlington, but some grave markers have two or more names.)
Then, during the summer, members of the Army‘s ceremonial Old Guard
unit used iPhones to photograph the front and back of every headstone, so
the information could be compared against internal records. Officials cited
Christian Keiner, a Civil War veteran from New York who died in 1919, as
a typical example. The headstone reflected only his name, but internal
records showed that his wife, Caroline Keiner, had also been buried there
in 1915. In addition, the internal records spelled Caroline Keiner‘s name as
―Kiner. Officials reviewed handwritten Census records from 1900 and
Civil war-era military and pension records to confirm that ―Keiner was
indeed the correct spelling. The Keiners‘ great-granddaughter, 52-year-old
Cee Cee Molineaux of Annapolis, Md., was shocked to learn the story of
her ancestors when reached by phone by The Associated Press. She had
only passing knowledge of her great-grandparents, and no idea her greatgrandfather served in the Civil War. She was gratified that the cemetery is
making efforts to commemorate the resting place of her greatgrandmother. ―It‘s absolutely meaningful to me — not just because she‘s
an ancestor but just for women in general. To not have their final resting
place acknowledged is kind of sad, said Molineaux, who now works for the
American Red Cross.
John Schrader, co-chair of the Gravesite Accountability Task Force, said
record keeping methods varied widely over the cemetery‘s 147-year
history, from handwritten logs to index cards, to typewritten forms and two
different computer databases. That sometimes compounded problems, as
transcription errors were common. To avoid those problems, all of the old
records have been scanned and digitized, rather than transcribed, to avoid
introducing further errors, he said. The sheer size of the cemetery also
made the task difficult. It is the second-largest cemetery in the country as
well as a tourist site that draws more than 4 million visitors a year, all while
conducting nearly 30 burials a day, some with full military honors. The
most significant part of the review, Condon said, is that the cemetery for
the first time has a single, reliable database that will allow officials to fix
past mistakes and plan for the future. The cemetery is currently testing an
interactive, web-based version of its database that will allow visitors to
click on a digital map to see gravesites and learn who is buried there,
ensuring the cemetery‘s records are open and accessible going forward.
―We‘ll have 300 million American fact-checkers, Schrader said. [Source:
Associated Press Matthew Barakat article 22 Dec 2011 ++]
16
Veterans Upward Bound: Like many Veterans, you have
probably avoided going to college because you feel you lack the needed
academic skills. After all, it's been years since you went to school. Thanks
to the Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) Program you don't have to let your
rusty academic skills keep you from getting your degree and pursuing the
career of your dreams. Veterans Upward Bound is a free U.S. Department
of Education program designed to help you refresh your academic skills
and give you the confidence you need to successfully complete your
choice of college degrees. Forty-seven Veterans Upward Bound projects
are currently funded across the U.S., including Puerto Rico. If interested
visit the National Veterans Upward Bound Program website
http://www.navub.org to find a program near you and contact them. The
VUB program services include:
Basic skills development to help Veterans successfully complete a high
school equivalency program and gain admission to college education
programs.
Short-term remedial or refresher classes for high school graduates that
have put off pursuing a college education.
Assistance with applications to the college or university of choice.
Assistance with applying for financial aid.
Personalized counseling.
Academic advice and assistance.
Career counseling.
Assistance in getting Veteran services from other available resources.
Exposure to cultural events, academic programs, and other educational
activities not usually available to disadvantaged people.
The VUB program can help you improve your skills in:
Mathematics, Foreign Language, Composition, Laboratory Science,
Reading, Literature, and Computer Basics
Any other subjects you may need for success in education beyond high
school.
Tutorial and Study Skills Assistance.
To be eligible for VUB you must:
Be a U.S. Military Veteran with 181 or more days active-duty service
and discharged on/after Jan. 31, 1955, under conditions other than
dishonorable.
Meet the criteria for Low-income according to guidelines published
annually by the U.S. Department of Education, and/or a first-generation
potential college graduate.
Demonstrate academic need for Veterans Upward Bound according.
Meet other local eligibility criteria as noted in the local VUB project's
Approved Grant Proposal, such as county of residence.
[Source: Military.com article Dec 2011 ++]
17
VA Communications: The Department of Veterans Affairs announced
22 DEC that all of its 152 medical centers are now actively represented on
Facebook, the world‘s largest social networking site. ―This event marks an
important milestone in the overall effort to transform how VA communicates with
Veterans and provide them the health care and benefits they have earned, said
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. ―Veterans and their families told us
from the beginning that they want to engage and they want relevant information
delivered at the local level. By leveraging Facebook, the Department continues to
expand access to VA, and embrace transparency and two-way conversation. The
process that began with a single Veterans Health Administration Facebook page in
2008 has now produced over 150 Facebook pages, 64 Twitter feeds, a YouTube
channel, a Flickr page, and the VAntage Point blog. Additionally, in JUN 2011, VA
produced a Department-wide social media policy that provides guidelines for
communicating with Veterans online. The overarching strategy is designed to help
break down long-perceived barriers between the Department and its stakeholders.
―Veterans of all eras are depending on us to get the right information to the right
person at the right time, said Brandon Friedman, VA‘s director of online
communications, and a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan. ―With more troops
returning home, we also have a responsibility to connect with the thousands of
Servicemembers who have been—and will be—entering our system. They‘re using
social media, so that‘s where we need to be. Facebook helps us do that. ―We are
very pleased to have pioneered social media in VA, and now our VA medical
centers across the nation are all engaged, said Dr. Robert Petzel, under secretary
for health. ―We are committed to helping Veterans understand their benefits and
receive the health care their service has earned them. VA clinicians can‘t discuss
the specific health concerns of individual Veterans on Facebook, but that doesn‘t
prevent staff from monitoring VA‘s sites closely each day—and providing helpful
information to Veterans when they can. In the last year, for instance, VA‘s Crisis
Line counselors have successfully intervened on Facebook in cases where
Veterans have suggested suicidal thoughts or presented with other emotional
crises.
―Facebook‘s mission is to make the world more open and connected and we are
excited to see government agencies using our service to better to connect with
citizens, provide information, and deliver services, said Don Faul, Facebook‘s vice
president of online operations, a former U.S. Marine and a veteran of Iraq and
Afghanistan. ―We want to do all we can to support Veterans, so we‘re pleased to
see the Department of Veterans Affairs using Facebook connect with Veterans in
an authentic and engaging way. VA currently has over 345,000 combined
Facebook subscribers (or, ―fans). The Department‘s main Facebook page has
over 154,000 fans and its medical centers have a combined subscribership of over
69,000. The Department plans to continue expanding its Facebook presence while
also focusing on bringing Twitter to every VA medical center as well. For more
information, visit the Directory of All VA Social Media Sites:
http://www.va.gov/opa/SocialMedia.asp and the VA Facebook Page Directory:
http://www.facebook.com/VeteransAffairs?sk=app_7146470109. [Source: VA
News Release 22 Dec 2011 ++]
18
To Be Introduced at Demobilization Sites Nationwide
WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs partnered with the
First Army at Camp Shelby, Miss., to launch a streamlined version of its
online application for VA health benefits (VA Form 1010EZ) for
Servicemembers returning from deployment. VA will introduce it at
demobilization sites nationwide by early spring 2012.
“This online application demonstrates VA’s commitment to work with the
Department of Defense to make it easier for Servicemembers to get the
care they earned by their service,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric
K. Shinseki. “The new, online system noticeably reduces the paperwork
and reduces a 10-day process to three days.”
The application is used to enroll in the VA health care system, which has
more than 1,000 sites of care across the country.
Enrollment for VA health care is done as part of a Servicemember’s
demobilization. The online form allows the application to be completed
during a regularly scheduled briefing for all Servicemembers on VA
benefits.
Quick enrollment is important for returning troops because recently
discharged combat Veterans are eligible for five years of cost-free care
and medications for conditions potentially related to combat service.
The new application was piloted as part of the demobilization process at
Camp Shelby. Based on the results, VA plans to collaborate with DoD to
offer this online application at all 61 demobilization sites nationally.
For more information, Servicemembers may contact VA at 1-877-222
VETS (8387) or visit VA’s health eligibility website at
www.va.gov/healthbenefits.
19
Burial Flags
Why Does VA Provide a Burial Flag?
A United States flag is provided, at no cost, to drape the casket
or accompany the urn of a deceased Veteran who served
honorably in the U. S. Armed Forces. It is furnished to honor the
memory of a Veteran's military service to his or her country. VA
will furnish a burial flag for memorialization for each other than
dishonorably discharged:
• Veteran who served during wartime• Veteran who died on
active duty after May 27, 1941• Veteran who served after
January 31, 1955• peacetime Veteran who was discharged or
released before June 27, 1950• certain persons who served in
the organized military forces of the Commonwealth of the
Philippines while in service of the U.S Armed forces and who
died on or after April 25, 1951• certain former members of the
Selected Reserves
Who Is Eligible to Receive the Burial Flag?
Generally, the flag is given to the next-of-kin, as a keepsake,
after its use during the funeral service. When there is no next-ofkin, VA will furnish the flag to a friend making request for it. For
those VA national cemeteries with an Avenue of Flags, families
of Veterans buried in these national cemeteries may donate the
burial flags of their loved ones to be flown on patriotic
holidays.How Can You Apply?
You may apply for the flag by completing VA Form 21-2008,
Application for United States Flag for Burial Purposes. You may
get a flag at any VA regional office or most U.S. Post Offices.
Generally, the funeral director will help you obtain the flag.Can a
Burial Flag Be Replaced?
The law allows us to issue one flag for a Veteran's funeral. We
cannot replace it if it is lost, destroyed, or stolen. However, some
Veterans' organizations or other community groups may be able
to help you get another flag. How Should the Burial Flag Be
Displayed?
The proper way to display the flag depends upon whether the
casket is open or closed. VA Form 21-2008 does provide the
correct method for displaying and folding the flag. The burial flag
is not suitable for outside display because of its size and fabric. It
is made of cotton and can easily be damaged by weather.
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VA Paralympic Program: In OCT 09 the U.S. Olympic Committee
(USOC) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) launched a new program to
provide Olympic standard training, equipment, coaching and logistics for regional
sports events for veterans hospitals and disabled veteran‘s support services
throughout the U.S. In addition to $8 million in annual funding to operate the
program, $2 million a year is available for grants to individual disabled veterans to
pay for additional athletic training needs. On 22 DEC 2011 the USOC announced
that more than $4.4 million in funds from the DVA has been awarded to 95
community-based organizations in support of Paralympic sport and physical activity
programs for disabled Veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces.
Grants ranging from $2,500 to $500,000 were provided to USOC partner
organizations and community programs to increase the opportunities for disabled
Veterans to participate in physical activity within their home communities and in
more Paralympic programs at the regional and national levels. ―This funding is
already having a tremendous impact on disabled veterans and disabled members
of the Armed Forces, USOC CEO Scott Blackmun said. ―Through the
USOC/Veterans Affairs partnership many community programs have been able to
expand their programming and provide increased opportunities for Veterans to
participate. [Source: Colorado Springs ‗The Gazette‘ article 22 Dec 2011 ++]
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Veteran Civilian Cultural Rift: As this decade of a two-front war
gradually comes to a close, a sadly familiar cultural rift has been resurrected in
America: the communication crisis between the civilian and the soldier/veteran. A
groundbreaking Pew Research study attempted to assess the gravity of this
miscommunication, achieving startling results. According to their research, 96% of
the post-9/11 veterans and 91% of the public, regardless of the attitudes on either
the Iraq or Afghanistan war, feel proud of those who served. Yet despite this pride
and appreciation, 77% of these modern-era veterans say the American public has
little or no understanding of the problems that those in the military face.
Disappointingly, 71% of the public agrees. This may be why 44% of Post-911
veterans reported trouble adjusting to civilian life, meanwhile an estimated 25%
experienced difficulty in past generations (we can deduce that these percentages
are larger, as often veterans do not answer honestly). From these numbers, it is
natural to conclude that most veterans feel detached from civilians, and civilians,
despite their love affair with patriotism, do not feel connected to veteran‘s issues.
This is unsurprising. This longest sustained period of warfare has been fought by
an all-volunteer, draftless military comprised of less than one-half of a percent of
the 310 million person population in this country; a startling contrast to the 9%
fighting at the height of World War II. Furthermore, passionate politics, cultural
differences and life experiences drive a wedge between those that have and have
not experienced war. Combat changes people and the American civilian is not fully
engaged in these wars; these are inescapable truths. However, it is also true that
many of the same social ills plaguing civilians affect the military community and
veterans on an equal or more devastating level. Veterans and non-veterans have
more in common than most realize. The United States is experiencing an economic
crisis that is changing lives, both civilian and veteran. The national unemployment
rate is higher than it was in the Great Depression. 14 million Americans are looking
for work, 6.2 million of whom have been unemployed six months or longer. For
veterans, unemployment is nearly twice the national average. According to a
recent Bureau of Labor Statistics report, the unemployment rate for post 9/11
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veterans was 11.5 percent in 2010, compared to 8.7 percent for veterans of all
eras combined and 9.4 percent for non-veterans.
Consider the American healthcare crisis. Due to the lack of competition in
healthcare markets and excessive malpractice lawsuits, most American citizens
are either uninsured at 50%, or pay exorbitant fees for healthcare. Health
insurance costs increased 30% between 2001 and 2005 while income for the same
period only increased 3%. 45% of insured civilian adults struggle to pay medical
bills and 50% of personal bankruptcies are due to medical expenses. The only
solution in sight is the much debated healthcare reform, which rewards providers
for their billions in political investments by strengthening their hold on healthcare
through government regulations, mandates, penalties, standards and subsidies
that work in their favor. This will only drive costs higher, though ―everyone will
have insurance.
For veterans, the crisis of civilian healthcare is unimpressive. They‘ve already
experienced healthcare in the arms of the Department of Veterans Affairs. In 2006,
the VA lost records containing the personal information of 26.5 million veterans. In
2008, workers in 41 of 57 VA regional benefits offices improperly set aside
hundreds of claims records for shredding, more than likely to relieve their own
workload. In a recent audit, out of only 45,000 cases reviewed 23% of claims were
processed incorrectly. The audit also showed that 83% of the regional offices failed
to follow their own policies. Lost paperwork leads to delayed, denied or abandoned
claims for medical or financial assistance that are urgently needed, sometimes for
2-14 months. Though one out of every three Afghanistan or Iraq veteran suffers
from Post Traumatic Stress, Traumatic Brain Injury or wounds from combat
trauma, the VA takes six months on average to process each compensation
request for illnesses or injuries. Currently, there is a back-log of 1 million cases.
Just like civilians trapped in the flawed ―private insurance system, veterans and
their families do not get the care they were promised or desperately need.
Sadly, homelessness is an American problem. Due to the current economic
downturn and subprime mortgage schemes of 2001-2008, the housing bubble
burst and 20% of sub-prime mortgages went into default, displacing millions of
families. This situation, combined with high unemployment and a stagnant
economy, contributed to a sharp increase in homelessness. As it stands now, an
estimated 2.3 and 3.5 million Americans will experience homelessness this year,
1.8 million of which are American children directly impacted by the ongoing
foreclosure crisis. About one-third of the adult homeless population are veterans.
107,000 veterans, nearly half of whom served during the Vietnam era, are
homeless on any given night. Two-thirds served our country for at least three
years, and one-third were stationed in a war zone. With no recovery in sight for the
American economy and with veteran financial assistance in the hands of the
incompetent VA, our current soldiers and Marines returning from Iraq and
Afghanistan threaten to swell these numbers further. It is estimated that 260,000
veterans will be homeless this year.
Americans may remain divided on the necessities of both wars and politics and
differences in experience may play a major role in the lack of dialogue between
both communities, but we have much to discuss. The common social ills deem
these roadblocks largely irrelevant in the grander picture. For we, the American
people, whether civilian or warrior, are both citizens. We are the only individuals
that can effect change in the civilian world, and most effectively by working
together. As our longest perpetual state of war ends, we will choose to understand
each other, learn to communicate with civility, situational awareness, common
sense, and compassion, or continue to allow the gap between our communities to
widen. [Source: Washington Times Tiffany Madison article 20 Dec 2011 ++]
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AMVETS George R. Zenz Post # 11 MEMBERSHIPS
I want to become a:
Copy of DD214 - Appreciated
( ) New Annual Member @ ($32.00)
( ) Renewal My Annual Membership @ ($32.00)
( ) Life Membership @ ($200.00)
(Life Membership Payment program available through post)
Name:
_________________________________________________
Address:
_________________________________________________
City:
_________________________________________________
State & Zip:
_________________________________________________
Phone
_________________________________________________
Email:
_________________________________________________
Branch of Service:
_________________________________________________
Year Entered Service:
_________________________________________________
Year Discharged from Service:
_________________________________________________
Service Number:
_________________________________________________
Type of Discharge:
_________________________________________________
Date of Birth:
_________________________________________________
Male ( ) Female ( )
Spouses Name:
_________________________________________________
Signature & Date:
_________________________________________________
Post Authorizing Officer Signature
_________________________________________________
Sponsor:
_________________________________________________
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