Monday, October 28, 2013

web weekly


In This Issue October 25, 2013
October is Agent Orange Awareness Month.
Betty Mekdeci on Agent Orange and Our Children
VA Claims Backlog at 400,000, Untouched for 4 Months
VA Study to Compare PTSD Treatments
October 26 Is National Prescription Take-Back Drug Day


FacebookFAO - Facebook
Special Notice:
If you are a veteran in emotional crisis and need help RIGHT NOW, call this toll-free number 1-800-273-8255, press 1, available 24/7, and tell them you are a veteran. All calls are confidential.
VA Caregiver Hotline
October is Agent Orange Awareness Month

Take Action: Sign the Petition

Sign The Petition - Agent Orange
We want you to join us in raising public awareness about the continuing effects of Agent Orange on the children of Vietnam veterans. There is power in numbers. The more signatures we receive, the more our voices will be heard. 
Signing this petition will help thousands who are in dire need of specific medical treatment related to Agent Orange exposure. Be a supporter and sign the petition on behalf of all veterans.
Sign today at: Causes.com/HonorAVet
https://www.causes.com/actions/1694553-support-care-and-medical-treatment-for-the-children-of-vietnam-veterans

Betty Mekdeci on Agent Orange and Our Children

Betty Mekdeci Speaks to AVVA

Watch on YouTube
Betty Mekdeci is the co-founder and executive director of Birth Defect Research for Children, Inc. Visit www.birthdefects.org to learn more about the National Birth Defects Registry and what it is doing to help victims of Agent Orange find answers.
As Reported on the Newsmax Website

VA Claims Backlog at 400,000, Untouched for 4 Months

Dept. of Veteran Affairs
According to an article by Lisa Furgison, posted on the October 22 Newsmaxwebsite, more than 400,000 claims from our nation’s veterans have been left untouched for four months in VA offices. 
Read complete story here
VA Study

VA Study to Compare PTSD Treatments

PTSD Study
According to an October 24 article by VA staff writer Tom Cramer, VA is preparing to launch a $17 million study that will examine the two leading forms of treatment for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: Prolonged Exposure Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy. “Our primary goal is to compare the treatments,” said Dr. Paula Schnurr, the study’s lead investigator. “But we’ll also examine which treatments are best for different types of patients; for example, women versus men.” Schnurr is deputy executive director of VA’s National Center for PTSD and a research professor of psychiatry at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth.
See more at:  PTSD: Exposure versus Cognitive Therapy
From the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

October 26 Is National Prescription Take-Back Drug Day


According to the 2011 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health, twice as many Americans regularly abused prescription drugs than the number of those who regularly used cocaine, hallucinogens, heroin, and inhalants combined. The same study revealed more than 70 percent of people abusing prescription pain relievers got them through friends or relatives, a statistic that includes raiding the family medicine cabinet.  During the Drug Enforcement Agency’s take-back day in April 2013, more than 371 tons of unneeded prescription medications were collected at more than 5,800 locations. The last six take-back days have collected and removed from circulation more than 2.8 million pounds of prescription medications. 
For more information, contact your local law enforcement agency or click to find a collection site near you
Donate to VVA
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FW: Veterans Report: TRICARE and the New Health Care Law, VA Resuming Normal Operations




Veterans Report
Find your next job at Veterans Virtual Career Fair
Can't see this email? Click Here.
28 OCTOBER 2013
TRICARE and the New Health Care Law The new health care law is the Affordable Care Act. Simply speaking, the Affordable Care Act will have very little impact on TRICARE beneficiaries. Read More
VA Resuming Normal Operations Employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are working to resume normal operations as quickly as possible. Read More
Holiday Mail Deadlines Announced The Military Postal Service Agency (MPSA) recommends that parcel post packages for servicemembers overseas be mailed by Nov. 12 for delivery by the holidays. Read More
Tuition Assistance Resumes Last week the services began offering tuition assistance following the government shutdown. Read More
Veterans Virtual Career Fair Help move your career to the next level and find your next job at this virtual event. Read More
Military Family Appreciation Month November is Military Family Appreciation Month. To learn more about the history of this event, visit Military.com's Military Appreciation Month page. Read More
$300k Protection: from Only $21 a Month Your family's future is important. Could your family survive financially if the unthinkable happened? Read More
Vets Invited to March in Vet Day Event The commander of American Legion New York County is encouraging all veterans to join America's Parade, the largest Veterans Day event, held in New York City. Read More
Stamps to Honor Medal of Honor Recipients The U.S. Postal Service will issue special Medal of Honor stamps on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. Read More
The Legion's Centennial Website Preparations continue for The American Legion's 100th anniversary -- a 15-month celebration that will begin in 2018 and continue through Veterans Day 2019. Read More
New Structure for Civil Air Patrol The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) has approved to restructure its noncommissioned officer corps to align with the Air Force NCO corps. Read More
National Physical Therapy Month VA physical therapists are looking to form strong bonds with their veteran patients as they work together to prevent injury and further loss of movement. Read More
State Farm Committed to Hiring Veterans Start your civilian career with a company that can provide endless opportunity. Read More
Warrior Resilience Conference The recent Warrior Resilience Conference featured presentations on the factors of sleep and fatigue, nutrition, exercise, family resilience, and more. Read More
New Curriculum for Separating Troops The Defense Department continues to assist servicemembers and their families in preparing for the transition to civilian life with a new virtual curriculum. Read More
Federal Employees Get Retro Pay Civilian Air Force employees who were furloughed during the government shutdown were authorized to return to work Oct. 17, 2013. Read More
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Sunday, October 27, 2013

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Fw: Warrior & Family Support Newsletter: Friday, 25 October 2013

JS Pentagon OCJCS Mailbox Warrior and Family Support [js.pentagon.ocjcs.mbx.warrior-and-family-support@mail.mil]
Sent: Friday, October 25, 2013 4:18 PM
Subject: Warrior & Family Support Newsletter: Friday, 25 October 2013


CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
Warrior & Family Support News
"Keeping Faith with the Military Family"
Friday, 25 October 2013

Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Warrior & Family Support Office
Use of these news items does not reflect official endorsement.
Reproduction for private use or gain is subject to original copyright restrictions.

LINK OF THE WEEK:       My HealtheVet (VA)

COMMUNITIES IN ACTION
NextAvenue.org
Like many women of her generation, Lee Woodruff, 53, grew up believing in the importance of giving back.  But the writer and part-time correspondent for CBS This Morning, who is married to ABC News correspondent Bob Woodruff, never expected that the cause she'd embrace would be as an advocate for injured war veterans and their families…
MLB.com
After Game 1 of the 109th World Series was dedicated to military veterans and their families, Major League Baseball continued to drive home awareness Thursday afternoon with an event that drew Commissioner Bud Selig, Red Sox chairman Tom Werner, Hall of Famer Jim Rice, Red Sox legends and other dignitaries to the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. The delegation met there with veterans who have suffered…
An army of helpers
Hillsboro Tribune
Jay Mello, manager of the Home Depot store on Tualatin Valley Highway in Hillsboro, took a personal interest when he found out there was a veteran in the community who could use a helping hand. So last Thursday at 7 a.m., more than 50 volunteers from ...
WELLNESS
HuffingtonPost.com
Although we are welcoming our warriors home with balloons and applause -- and we do shake their hands and thank them for their service -- we continue to struggle to ensure that returning troops and their families receive the opportunities they need and the support they deserve beyond the homecoming. At the very least we must offer them understanding and acceptance; so far, we are falling short…
I have PTSD, but it's not who I am
Pacific Daily News
I anticipated sharing my experience because revealing that I suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder makes me vulnerable, but being vulnerable (which I later found out) was a process that helps me cope with PTSD. I can reveal my PTSD symptoms to ...
Housing Unit at Jail Aims to Help Veterans
WKBW-TV
Military flags flight high in the special housing unit. Deputy Ronald Overturf, with the Erie County Sheriff's Office, is a veteran himself. "I came home and I'm okay, but to see so many that came home and are not, it's tough," Overturf says.'' Judge ...
EMPLOYMENT
Time
When Dekiema Pogue learned that her husband, a Petty Officer Second Class in the U.S. Navy, had been given orders for a change of station from their home in Norfolk, Va. to Jacksonville, Fla., her first thought was about her family. But her second thought was about her job…
Forbes.com
Companies want to hire military veterans. It's the right thing to do and it's good for business. I've spoken to several recruiters who want to help veterans successfully transition from the military to the private sector. Their advice: "help us help you." "Job seekers must think like recruiters,"…
TheBlaze.com
Despite a nominal dip in the unemployment rate for September, the number of young veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq reached 10.1 percent, up nominally from 10 percent in August. American Legion spokesman Craig Roberts told TheBlaze that the following companies have been "heavy hitters" when it comes to stepping up to hire more veterans…
EDUCATION
Defense.gov
The Defense Department continues to assist service members and their families in preparing for the transition to civilian life with a new virtual curriculum, a Defense Department official said here. We recognize that many of our service members don't have access to brick and mortar classrooms for transition instruction" Kelly said. "The JKO portal is our effort to take all of the redesigned TAP curriculum, which is called Transition GPS, … and put it into an environment where they can access it whenever they need it from anywhere in the world."…
Rockford Conference Aimed At Women Veterans
WNIJ and WNIU
There are currently 67,000 women veterans in Illinois, accounting for 8.8 percent of the state's veteran population. That is expected to ... The conference will include topics such as sexual trauma, post traumatic stress disorder, and entrepreneurship ...
Washington Organizations Rally To Provide Financial Education And Support To ...
Access Washington
"This is a great opportunity for Service members, spouses, and their children to get some free financial education and meet other military families living in the Spokane area," Army OneSource CSC, Angela Traina added. Time: 5 to 8 p.m.. Date: Saturday ...


If you are interested in events for wounded warriors or their families at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) at Bethesda, please see the link for the Warrior Care homepage at: http://www.wwcc.capmed.mil/SitePages/WarriorCare.aspx.
If you would like to submit information about what you are doing for our warriors and their families, please send us a hyperlink to media coverage of your efforts.

Best regards,

Randall E. "Smitty" Smith, Lt Col, USAF
Deputy Director, Warrior & Family Support
Office of the Chairman
703.692.2105  (DSN: 222)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED

Friday, October 25, 2013

FW: November 7 field hearing in Las Vegas

Date: Fri, 25 Oct 2013 06:44:57 -0700
To: southern@lodelink.com
From: southern@lodelink.com
Subject: November 7 field hearing in Las Vegas

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS HEARING SCHEDULE

November 7, 2013
(Thursday)
2:00 P.M. (PST)
FIELD HEARING
Las Vegas City Hall
3rd Floor Conference Room
495 S. Main Street,
Las Vegas, NV 89101


Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs
"Complications of Geography: Focusing on VBA Outreach, Accessibility, Leadership and Staffing Efforts to Meet the Needs of Veterans Living in Areas Remote from a Regional Office"

Thursday, October 24, 2013

FW: Mental Health Resources for Veterans on AVVA

i have also added this to the list on the left side of our blog

Date: Wed, 23 Oct 2013 15:58:26 -0400
Subject: Mental Health Resources for Veterans on AVVA
From: melissa@reingoldassociates.com
To: questions@chapter17lasvegas.org

Hi

A couple of weeks ago I emailed you about Make the Connection, which provides extensive resources for Veterans suffering from mental health conditions.  Make the Connection also features video testimonials from Veterans from all eras and branches and VA approved treatment and support resources.  I believe these resources would be a good addition to the your resources listed on http://www.chapter17lasvegas.org/resources.html.

Let me know if I can answer any questions or provide you with additional information on these valuable resources for Veterans. 

Thanks,

Melissa Schaff


PS – To add Make the Connection images or banners to your site, download them at: http://maketheconnection.net/resources/spread-the-word

I've added the paragraph below in case you would like language to describe the link:

Make the Connection provides personal video testimonials and resources to help Veterans discover ways to improve their lives. The site also provides informational resources on mental health conditions such as PTSD and depression, and symptoms of problems such as drug and alcohol abuse.

Monday, October 21, 2013

FW: Trunk or Treat flyer and wish list


> Hopefully you will get the flyer this time. I'm excited for Friday
> glad you invited families to join us. I'm looking forward to seeing
> everyone.
>
> Thanks for all you do for the community bless you and your family.
>
> Regina
>
>
> Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S®4
>
> -------- Original message --------
> From: Patricia Martinelli Price <holidayofnations@gmail.com>
> Date: 10/21/2013 3:10 PM (GMT-08:00)
> To: ReginacHolman <ReginacHolman@aol.com>
> Subject: Re: Trunk or Treat flyer and wish list
>
> Hello Regina,It was great seeing you again.I hope you are doing well.
> I have some families that
> want to go but no flyer was sent out so as soon as you have time
> please foward me the flyer.As you know their are many needs
> in our community. We don't mind sharing what we have left over we help
> several agencys that have been doing event for many years like my
> grand father and father and my self.We will try to get you more items
> because alot of the left overs had been promiced to Pastor Hewlett
> that feeds the homeless families every Wednesday and Sundays.We are
> working now on Holiday of Nations for December 2013 and with friends
> and families Donna Medclaf. Mahori and Bill
> will be at the event with Music and all that is needed. Please send me
> the flyer as soon as you can. God bless have a great week. My phone
> number is 702-365-5686.Email holidayofnations@gmail.com
>
> On 10/19/13, ReginacHolman <ReginacHolman@aol.com> wrote:
> > Thank you for giving us your left overs for our event. The community will
> > benefit from your donations and we are so grateful.
> >
> > If you can provide candy and any other snacks will be greatly appreciated..
> >
> > We look forward to seeing you Friday. Set up is at 5 -630..we start at 7.
> >
> > Thanks
> > Regina Coward
> > LVMPD/COP team
> > 265-5714
> >
> >
> > Sent from my Samsgung Galaxy S®4
>
>
> --
> *Holiday of Nations*
> *Patricia Martinelli Price*
> *Pulidor Foundation - Spirit of Nations*
> *5319 Regal Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada 89147*
> *702 365-5686*
>
>
>
> --
> *Holiday of Nations*
> *Patricia Martinelli Price*
> *Pulidor Foundation - Spirit of Nations*
> *5319 Regal Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada 89147*
> *702 365-5686*

FW: Warrior & Family Support Newsletter: Monday, 21 October 2013

From: JS Pentagon OCJCS Mailbox Warrior and Family Support [js.pentagon.ocjcs.mbx.warrior-and-family-support@mail.mil]
Sent: Monday, October 21, 2013 5:31 PM
Subject: Warrior & Family Support Newsletter: Monday, 21 October 2013
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
Warrior & Family Support News
"Keeping Faith with the Military Family"
Monday, 21 October 2013

Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Warrior & Family Support Office
Use of these news items does not reflect official endorsement.
Reproduction for private use or gain is subject to original copyright restrictions.

LINK OF THE WEEK:       My HealtheVet (VA)

COMMUNITIES IN ACTION
Heroic vet is homeless no more
77Square.com
James Lofton, who helped save a woman this summer, is no longer homeless, thanks to the efforts of local housing officials and a federal program aimed at assisting homeless veterans. Enlarge Photo. James Lofton, the homeless man who helped prevent a ...
Kindness of a stranger touches a homeless Valley veteran
ABC15.com (KNXV-TV)
PHOENIX - The kindness of a stranger is touching the life of a homeless veteran here in Phoenix. A Valley woman is reaching out to help with more than spare change, and she hopes others will think twice about doing the same. If you pass by 24th Street ...
Woman pushes for PTSD movie in West MI
WOOD-TV
DELTON, Mich. (WOOD) - According to the department of veterans affairs, 22 vets and one active-duty service member commit suicide every day. Now, a film about post traumatic stress disorder and post traumatic stress is hoping to raise awareness, and ...
With help, a veteran gets back on his feet
Stockton Record
From 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs holds a drop-in center to determine eligibility for homeless veterans for a housing voucher program at the San Joaquin Housing Authority's business office at 421 S. El Dorado St. in ...
EDUCATION
Military restarts Tuition Assistance - again - even as Pentagon vows to keep ...
al.com (blog)
"Army Education regrets any inconvenience this TA suspension caused to soldiers and wishes you continued success with your educational pursuits," the website said. The Air Force is following a similar policy. "Effective immediately all Military Tuition ...
Education digest: Help for children of military families; Montgomery boundary ...
Washington Post
A transition specialist will work with counselors at Ashland, Henderson and Pattie elementary schools, which have the county's highest concentration of military families. The new position will be paid for by a $570,000 Defense Department grant. The ...
As War Winds Down Veterans Flock To University Classrooms
University Herald
Veterans not only face academic challenges due to the time gap since returning back to school, but they also face cultural hurdles as an unconventional student. While many college freshmen are testing their independence, some of the veterans back in ...
WELLNESS
Zucca Fights For Those Fighting PTSD
thejournal-news.net
Former Hillsboro native Tony Zucca will be among those on the card for Saturday's MMA vs. PTSD fights at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis. Zucca, an Army Captain stationed at Scott Air Force Base, lobbied to be a part of the event, which will raise money ...
'Letters Home' opens the Park City Institute's new season
Park Record
From there, Massolia also took inspiration from a New York Times editorial piece, "The Things They Were," and author Frank Schaeffer's books "Voices From the Front," "Letters Home from America's Military Family," "Faith of Our sons" and "Keeping Faith.".
Local doctor to offer new study for vets suffering from PTSD
WWL
Veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury may soon have relief from their symptoms. Dr. Paul Harch, a leader in hyperbaric medicine, claims hyperbaric oxygen therapy may substantially improve TBI and PTSD symptoms.
EMPLOYMENT
Vexing problem: Bridging scores of military veterans into civilian jobs
American Homecomings
"But we're never going to be a Home Depot, UPS or Walmart and hire thousands and thousands of transitioning military personnel and veterans," said Veysey, a Marine Corps veteran who served in Vietnam. "So we decided to leverage our technology.".
Labor rules to boost employment for vets, disabled
Military Times
Veterans and disabled workers who often struggle to find work could have an easier time landing a job under new federal regulations. The rules will require most government contractors to set a goal of having disabled workers make up at least 7 percent ...
Veteran homelessness is dropping, but jobs still hard to find
News & Observer
But Youker said he thinks that's because the area continues to attract veterans who think they will find better employment opportunities in this region. Expanding veteran help. Across the state, and throughout the country, the number of homeless ...


If you are interested in events for wounded warriors or their families at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) at Bethesda, please see the link for the Warrior Care homepage at: http://www.wwcc.capmed.mil/SitePages/WarriorCare.aspx.
If you would like to submit information about what you are doing for our warriors and their families, please send us a hyperlink to media coverage of your efforts.

Best regards,

Randall E. "Smitty" Smith, Lt Col, USAF
Deputy Director, Warrior & Family Support
Office of the Chairman
703.692.2105  (DSN: 222)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED