vfwlady

VFW Calls 2013 VA Budget Proposal a Good Start

vfwlady — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 13:51:30 +0000

WASHINGTON — The national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is appreciative of the fiscal year 2013 budget President Obama proposed Monday, February 13th 2012 for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

“The VFW appreciates the proposed increase because it recognizes that the proper care and treatment of wounded, ill and injured veterans are ongoing costs of war,” said Richard L. DeNoyer, who leads the 2 million-member VFW and its Auxiliaries. “We remain concerned, however, that the amount* is not enough for the VA to maintain much less improve all the programs and services on their watch, especially knowing the Defense Department plans to shrink the size of the military, which will directly increase the number of veterans seeking VA care and services.”

The proposed VA budget for FY 2013 is $140.3 billion, of which $76.3 billion is for mandatory benefits such as disability compensation and pension. The remaining $64 billion is in discretionary funding, primarily for the Veterans Health Administration, which represents a 4.5-percent increase over FY 2012 funding, but falls more than $4 billion short of the amount recommended by The Independent Budget, which the VFW co-authors with AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans and Paralyzed Veterans of America.

The VFW national commander said there are budget highlights that continue to elevate the importance of healthcare, mental health programs, women veterans, reducing the VA claims backlog and ending veterans’ homelessness. But he will still ask both House and Senate Committees on Veterans Affairs to substantially plus-up the miniscule $1.6 million increase in medical and prosthetic research, and return major construction funding to an amount that is forward focused instead of an afterthought.

“A record 240 troops lost one limb or more in Afghanistan last year,” said DeNoyer, a retired Marine and Vietnam combat veteran from Middleton, Mass. “They will require a lifetime of care, and it shouldn’t be in VA medical facilities that average more than 60 years old,” he said.

“A nation that creates veterans has a sacred responsibility to care for them when they return home wounded, ill and injured. The VFW looks forward to working with the Administration and Congress in the coming days and months to ensure that America keeps that promise.”

*The total amount includes mandatory funding for programs such as disability compensation and pension, as well as discretionary funding for VA medical care, to include advanced appropriations. The amount represents a 4.5-percent increase over FY 2012 funding, but falls more than $4 billion short of what is recommended by The Independent Budget, which the VFW co-authors with AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans and Paralyzed Veterans of America. The VA budget request includes:

· $6.2 billion to expand inpatient, residential and outpatient mental health programs.

· $3.3 billion for returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans’ programs.

· $2.1 billion to improve the benefits claims process.

· $1.3 billion for veterans’ homelessness programs.

· $403 million for women veteran programs.

· $258 million for national cemeteries.

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VFW has concerns about the low recommendation for major construction and the slight increase for medical and prosthetic research. VFW asked Congress to increase funding so VA can complete numerous projects under way, as well as those being planned.

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To read VFW testimony, go to
http://www.vfw.org/VFW-in-DC/Congressional-Testimony/.

To learn more about the hearing and to view a recorded webcast, visit http://www.vfwonthehill.org/2012/02/watch-live-vfw-shinseki-to-testify-on.html.

Read the Independent Budget at http://www.independentbudget.org/.

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House Committee on Veterans Affairs to Review 2013 VA Budget Today

vfwlady — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:00:35 +0000

Committee to Review 2013 VA Budget

WASHINGTON, D.C.—On Wednesday, February 15, 2012, at 10:30 a.m., in Room 334 of the Cannon House Office Building, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs will hold a hearing to review the 2013 VA Budget.

WHO: House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
WHAT: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Budget Request for FY2013
WHEN: 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 15, 2012, Room 334, Cannon House Office Building

WITNESS LIST

Panel 1

The Honorable Eric K. Shinseki, Secretary, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Accompanied by:
The Honorable Robert A. Petzel, M.D., Under Secretary for Health, Veterans Health Administration
Ms. Allison A. Hickey, Under Secretary for Benefits, Veterans Benefits Administration
Mr. Steve L. Muro, Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, National Cemetery Administration
The Honorable Roger W. Baker, Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Mr. W. Todd Grams, Executive In Charge, Office Of Management & Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Panel 2

Mr. Carl Blake, National Legislative Director, Paralyzed Veterans of America
Mr. Raymond C. Kelley, Director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
Mr. Joseph A. Violante, National Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans
Ms. Diane Zumatto, National Legislative Director, AMVETS
Mr. Timothy M. Tetz, Director, National Legislative Commission, The American Legion

*For more news from the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, please visit:

Veterans.House.Gov

Find them on Facebook at:

Facebook.com/HouseVetsAffairs or

follow them on Twitter at:

@HouseVetAffairs

National Military Virtual Job Fairs in February 2012

vfwlady — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:31:24 +0000

Milicruit Nationwide Virtual Career Fair

February 23, 2012
11am – 4pm EST
Join us for the nationwide virtual career fair for veterans. Log into the Virtual Career Fair

Corporate Gray Virtual Military Career Fair

February 29, 2012
12 noon to 4 pm (EST)
Connect to military-friendly employers right from your computer! www.CorporateGray.com/jobfairs

Hostile Fire/Imminent Danger Pay Changes 2012

vfwlady — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:10:05 +0000

HOSTILE FIRE/IMMINENT DANGER PAY

As stated in Chapter 10 of the DoD Financial Management Regulations. Hostile Fire Pay(HFP) is paid when certified by appropriate commanders to military members subjected to:

Subjected to hostile fire or explosion of a hostile mine
On duty in an area in close proximity to a hostile fire incident and the member is in danger of being exposed to the same dangers actually experienced by other Service members subjected to hostile fire or explosion of hostile mines
Killed, injured, or wounded by hostile fire, explosion of a hostile mine, or any other hostile action

Members are eligible for Imminent Danger Pay (IDP) when serving on official duty within a designated IDP area.

IDP rules change Dec. 31, 2011

Prior to Dec. 31, 2011, members eligible for IDP were paid the full monthly rate of $225 for any complete or partial month they served in a qualifying area. The 2012 National Defense Authorization Act modified IDP payments, limiting eligibility to only the actual days served in a qualifying area. Now service members will receive $7.50 for each day they are on official duty in an IDP area up to the maximum monthly rate of $225. The monthly rate is paid to members who serve an entire calendar month in an IDP area regardless of the number of individual days in that month.

Members who are exposed to a hostile fire or hostile mine explosion event are eligible to receive non-prorated Hostile Fire Pay (HFP) in the full monthly amount of $225. Members cannot receive both IDP and HFP in the same month.

The law required proration to begin on Dec. 31, 2011; however, implementing guidance and military pay processes were not in place to begin prorating the pay on that date. DoD began paying the prorated payments Feb. 1, 2012. Some members may have been overpaid between the date the NDAA was signed on Dec. 31, 2011, and Feb. 1, 2012, when the pay systems began proration. The military services are working to waive or remit debts for members who may have been overpaid during this period. The intent is that you will not be liable for any overpayment during this period.

Reading your Leave & Earnings Statement

If you serve an entire calendar month in a designated IDP area, your LES will reflect the maximum monthly amount of $225. If you are in the area less than a month, your LES will reflect payment for only the period you were eligible for IDP. It is important that you review your LES to make sure you have received the correct entitlement.

The Defense Finance and Accounting Service says to “Contact your finance office if you have any questions.”

1-888-332-7411

Some examples:

For Marines: A member arrives in Afghanistan on February 1 and departs the country on February 10. The member earns $7.50 per day for 10 days, for a total of $75.00. The Entitlement section of the LES will reflect a payment of $75.00 for ‘IMMINENT DGR PAY” with the dates of entitlement. If there are multiple periods of entitlement in the same month, the LES will show each period separately.

For Army, Navy, Air Force active duty/Army, Navy, Air Force Reserve/ Air & Army National Guard: A member arrives in Afghanistan on February 1 and departs the country on February 10. The member earns $7.50 per day for 10 days, for a total of $75.00. The Entitlement section of the LES will reflect a payment of $75.00 for IDP for February. If there are multiple periods of entitlement in the same month, the LES will show one amount for total IDP.

Updated Feb. 2, 2012

Ladies Auxiliary VFW $1000 Continuing Education Scholarship

vfwlady — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:26:01 +0000

APPLICATION: VFW LADIES AUXILIARY CONTINUING EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP

The Ladies Auxiliary VFW is pleased to present scholarships to assist members who wish to further their education by pursuing a college degree or a career direction at technical school. The spouse, daughter, and son of a member ONLY are also eligible to apply.

One scholarship will be presented each year to a selected candidate in each of the four Ladies Auxiliary VFW Conferences. Applicant must be 18 years of age or older. Qualifying member must have been a member of the Ladies Auxiliary VFW for one year prior to application. Previous national winners are not eligible.

Complete this application in full and MAIL to Director of Programs, Ladies Auxiliary VFW National Headquarters, 406 W. 34^th St. 10^th Floor, Kansas City, Mo. 64111 so that it is received by February 15, 2012.

Applicant Name___________________________________________________

Relationship to Member_____________________________________________

Member Name____________________________________________________

Auxiliary Membership ID#___________________________________________

Auxiliary Name & Number____________________________________________

Date Member joined Auxiliary_________________________________________

Applicant Street Address_____________________________________________

City, State, Zip Code_________________________________________________

Telephone (____) _____________________Today’s Date___________________

This scholarship shall be used in the 2012-2013 academic year to further my education, and will be in the amount of $1,000. The scholarship will be paid directly to the American college or vocational/technical school of my choice.

Signature of Applicant_______________________________________________

On a separate sheet of paper please answer each of the questions below:

Name of college, university or vocational school that you plan to attend?
Course or major? Have you been accepted?
Adjusted Gross Income from the family’s Federal Income Tax return for the previous year? How many dependents in household?
What are your financial reasons for applying for this scholarship?
Have you been awarded Financial Aid from any other sources? Please specify.
A brief essay (no more than 300 words) describing your commitment to your goals and how this scholarship will help you attain these goals.

Youth Patriotic Art $10,000 Scholarship Contest

vfwlady — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:11:53 +0000

Officially known as the Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest, this annual scholarship contest gives talented art students in grades 9-12 an opportunity to compete for up to $10,000 for college. The 2012 Deadline for entries is fast approaching in March, so don’t miss out!

Sponsored solely by the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, this competition requires the fusion of artistic talent with patriotic vision. Over the years, this competition has produced some amazing and thoughtful pieces, and the program itself is one of my personal favorites!

Entries must be submitted to your local VFW Ladies Auxiliary Youth Activities Chairman by March 1st. For more information, download the entry brochure here:

https://www.ladiesauxvfw.org/images/stories/PatArt1112.pdf

and don’t forget the “helpful hints” that guarantee the entry is submitted correctly:

https://members.ladiesauxvfw.org/eweb/images/patriot%20art%20helpful%20hints%2009-10.pdf

Vote NOW: State of the Union Poll

vfwlady — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 03:16:11 +0000

2012 State of the Union: Watch Online Version for Graphs, Stats, Twitter, and Facebook Chat

vfwlady — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:16:36 +0000

Everyone watching the 2012 State of the Union online will have a chance to chat, post comments, ask questions, and get involved in the discussions and reactions via social media. The White House is asking everyone to take part and have a say, and invited us to do so in the following communication sent out this afternoon:

Good afternoon,In just a few hours, at 9:00 p.m. ET, President Obama will stand before Congress to give the State of the Union Address. He’ll talk about where we are as a nation, and he’ll lay out a blueprint for an America built to last…

….We made a behind-the-scenes video to show you what went into this year’s State of the Union. Check it out, and stay tuned to watch the speech with us at 9:00 p.m. ET:

To make sure you get the most out of the State of the Union, we’ve put together an enhanced version of the speech. As the President outlines his plans for 2012, you’ll see key facts and figures. We’ll present charts and infographics so that everyone can get a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges ahead of us.

We hope you’ll join us after the speech as well — when a group of policy experts and senior White House staff will sit down to discuss the President’s remarks online and answer your questions.

The best place to learn more about the State of the Union is at WhiteHouse.gov. Dig in and watch the speech with us:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/sotu

Moving forward, the President will do everything he can to turn this blueprint into reality — and you can help. We need a vigorous debate about these ideas. So lift up your voice, share your views, and spread the word.

Thanks,

David Plouffe
Senior Advisor to the President

VFW Announces 2012 Priority Goals for Veterans

vfwlady — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:47:44 +0000

“And Then They Came Home” Documentary of November 2004 Fallujah Battle

vfwlady — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:20:24 +0000

“And Then They Came Home” relays the story of 12 men who fought together in one of the worst battles of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Watch the full video of this documentary-in-the-making for actual footage, and please support this project so the full story can be told.