| In This Issue October 18, 2013 |
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| 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.
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| VVA National Board of Directors Passes Motion |
Now is the Time for Congress to Grant Statehood for Puerto Rico
VVA Puerto Rico State Council President Jorge Pedroza (left), with Dr. Ricardo Rossello and VVA National President John Rowan (right)
The citizens of Puerto Rico have voted for statehood in the plebiscite mandated by Congress. In is now time for Congress to grant statehood for Puerto Rico. On October 12, the VVA National Board of Directors voted unanimously to pass a motion to seek a legislative sponsor to support the plebiscite, which was voted for and passed by the citizens of Puerto Rico. a
Jorge Pedroza, president of the VVA Puerto Rico State Council, introduced Dr. Ricardo Rossello, who spoke about the veterans of Puerto Rico and the vote for statehood, which passed on November 6, 2012. Dr. Rossello, a Biomedical Engineer and Neurobiologist who holds degrees from MIT and the University of Michigan, is a research professor at Duke University.
In August 2003, the delegates to VVA’s 11th National Convention adopted Resolution MA-10, Self-determination for Puerto Rico, resolving to support legislation whereby the United States Congress would define the political status options available to United States citizens of Puerto Rico and authorize a plebiscite to provide an opportunity for Puerto Ricans to make an informed decision regarding the island‘s future. |
| VA Press Release |
VA Resuming Normal Operations as Government Shutdown Ends
Employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs are working to resume normal operations as quickly as possible. Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) regional offices are re-opening their doors and resuming public contact services for Veterans today.
With the shutdown over, we are all very grateful that the Nov. 1 benefit checks will go out to approximately 5 million Veterans and other beneficiaries as scheduled," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "We at VA are working quickly to resume normal operations in order to fulfill our solemn obligation–to ensure that Veterans receive the benefits and services they have earned through their service. I want to thank all of our VA employees for their dedication and resolve during this difficult period."
Read the complete press release |
| Military Coalition Rally |
Military Coalition Rallies to End Shutdown
On October 15, members of the Military Coalition, along with veterans of all eras, gathered at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., to protest the government shutdown. The 33-member Military Coalition, which represents approximately 5.5 million service members, veterans, and their families pressed Congress to resolve the budget impasse and end the government shutdown.
The rally was an attempt to move lawmakers toward an agreement without the Coalition taking partisan sides. Politicians were told to stay away from the Tuesday event as they would not be allowed to speak. The Coalition had a permit and advised its members to be respectful of National Park Service officers. In planning for the event, rally organizers warned that veteran-related events have been hijacked by other causes, such as an October 11 event at the World War II Memorial that included political speeches and signs calling for Obama’s impeachment.
Dr. Tom Berger, VVA national staff member, is interviewed after the rally. |
| As Reported inStars and Stripes |
JPAC Admits to Phony Ceremonies Honoring 'Returning' Remains
As reported in an October 10, 2013, Stars and Stripes news report, the Department of Defense unit charged with recovering servicemembers’ remains abroad has been holding phony “arrival ceremonies” for seven years, with an honor guard carrying flag-draped coffins off a cargo plane as though they held the remains returning that day from old battlefields.
The Pentagon acknowledged Wednesday that no honored dead were, in fact, arriving, and that the planes used in the ceremonies often couldn’t even fly and were towed into position. The story was first reported on nbcnews.com.
To read the full story: http://www.stripes.com/jpac-admits-to-phony-ceremonies-honoring-returning-remains-1.246322 |
| From CQ Congressional Transcripts |
HVAC Examines Vets' Pain Management
On October 10, the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health held a hearing to examine the rising use of opiate painkillers to treat veterans. The committee expressed concern over the skyrocketing rate of prescriptions for these highly addictive medications, as well as the sense that there is a need for greater care coordination in pain management across VA. Emotional testimony was heard from the widows of two current-era veterans who recently died from overdoses of VA prescribed opiates, as well as two recently medically retired servicemen who continue to struggle with issues surrounding pain and addiction.
VA representatives acknowledged the potential harm caused by opiate painkillers and stated that they are developing new alternative pain-management programs which will soon be instituted across the department. The new approach, known as the Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program (CPRP) and based out of the Tampa VA Hospital, focuses on exercise, occupational therapy, pool therapy, relaxation training, acupuncture, and massage, with the goal of eliminating dependency on opiate painkillers. Although the CPRP currently accepts referrals from all 50 states, it is the goal of the VA to establish a similar program in every VISN. Subcommittee Chairman Dan Benishek (R-MI) closed by noting that further hearings on this issue will be held in the future to monitor progress.
Read testimony here |
| POW/MIA |
UPDATE: October 16, 2013
AMERICANS ACCOUNTED-FOR: There are still 1,643 personnel listed by the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) as missing and unaccounted-for from the Vietnam War. DPMO just posted the identification of SSG Lawrence Woods, USA/SF, of TN, listed as KIA/BNR in South Vietnam on October 24, 1964, is now accounted for. His remains were recovered on April 13, 2010, and identified September 4, 2013. Earlier, DPMO has posted the identification of Colonel Francis J. McGouldrick, USAF, CT, listed as MIA in Laos on December 13, 1968, is now accounted-for. His remains were repatriated May 22, 2012, and identified August 28, 2013. The number of Americans announced by DPMO as returned and identified since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 is now 940. Another 63 US personnel, recovered by the US and ID’d before the end of the war, bring the official total of US personnel accounted-for from the Vietnam War to 1,003. Of the 1,643 unaccounted-for personnel, 90% were lost in Vietnam or in areas of Cambodia and Laos under Vietnam’s wartime control: Vietnam-1,275 (VN-469, VS-806); Laos-308; Cambodia-53; PRC territorial waters-7; over-water losses on DPMO’s list of No Further Pursuit cases number well over 600.
To read the full update: http://www.pow-miafamilies.org/updates-2/ |
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