24 Haziran 2012 Pazar

Hiring of Military Veterans Moving Fast Forward, Finally!

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If you can't get those reagan capitalist 'job creators' to invest in actual economic growth, as free market capitalism was sold would happen, constant economic growth, the trickle down, embarrass them into hiring what they already know they need but still want to hoard that wealth!

More than 5,000 Veterans and Military Spouses Hired in 3 Months
Leading Employers Team Up to Hire 10,000 Veterans and Military Spouses

Jun. 21, 2012 - Milicruit, the recognized leader for virtual career fairs for the military community, reports more than 5,000 veterans and military spouses have been hired in the past 3 months by the employers who have signed on for the 10,000 Jobs Challenge.

In March of this year, Milicruit in partnership with MOAA, DirectEmployers Association of America and dozens of leading employers formed the 10,000 Jobs for Veterans and Military Spouses Challenge www.10000jobs.com. As the name implies, the challenge hoped to find at least 10,000 jobs for the veteran community by the end of 2013. In its first 3 months, the employers have reported hiring more than 5,000 veterans and military spouses.

"When we come up with the idea to put a tangible number of hires in the challenge, we thought that 10,000 was doable, but an aggressive goal, and to see the outstanding commitment these employers are making to reach out and encourage veterans and military spouses to join their company is just overwhelming. The employers recognize that hiring veterans and military spouses is much more than the moral thing to do, it is probably one of the best business decisions a company can make given the skills, education, training, and character they bring to the workforce," said Kevin O'Brien, VP Business Development, Milicruit. read more>>>


More of that 'Freedom is Absolutely Free' for the 98%

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There's some one percent that actually serve the country, including their families. There's some probably another one percent that actually try and do what the country won't by starting or participating in organizations specifically set up to help the veterans, some even do regular volunteering at Veterans facilities like hospitals and clinics, and their families in the many issues the country doesn't fund the veterans administration to do or need help in doing. Some in the rest of the 98% give a few bucks, every now and then, and some time to help but not all. As these organizations are in continuing requests of donations, where if successful they should be able to ease those funding needs with public grants.

Slowly, while everyone has quickly moved on from, DeJa-Vu all over again, individual stories on what this generations veterans from these two wars of choice, same as the old, are going through hits as 'real' news. Greater majority of country yawns but for the handfuls that actually really do care and get it, the Sacrifice!

More of that "Freedom is Absolutely Free!" for the some 98% who not only don't serve but refuse to demand they even Sacrifice, those who served or serve don't do so for groups of citizens they serve the whole country, now a decade plus added to the previous decades of underfunding especially at times of cheering on the wars of choice!

Bill Shephard, Unemployed Veteran, Posts Army Medal On eBay And Gets Huge Bid

06/21/2012 - After exhausting his options, one unemployed veteran felt he had no choice but to make a heartbreaking, desperate move.

Bill Shephard, who returned in 2009 from serving in Iraq, put his Army medal up for bid on eBay to help support his wife and three young children. It sold for $5,200 Thursday afternoon.

“I did it out of desperation and frustration,” Shephard, 43, from Woodbury, N.J, told Fox 29. “It was a last resort.”

After his employment benefits ran out last October, neighbors began helping Shephard by hiring him for odd jobs. Still, it wasn't enough, he said. So he posted the medal for sale Monday, prompting not only monetary donations but also offerings of clothes, jobs and more.

Shephard is not alone in his struggle to find employment and support his family. Post-9/11 veteran unemployment hovers at 12.1 percent, compared to 8.3 percent for veterans overall, according to the BLS. read more>>>

The above follows this recent report, just below, on our politics and the non democratic congresses ability to obstruct in playing that politics by filibusters, and not majority vote, 51 - 49 in the Senate and party politics voting in lockstep in the House, in beating down much needed policies for the country.

Food Stamp Cuts Could Hit Military Members, Veterans

They do those congressional politics, especially as they continue saying they have the plans for economic growth, jobs and more, and do nothing or extremely little, after they themselves brought the economy to it's knee's with their politics. Related to veterans for decades now and those they represent love it, in concert with the private sector, who they and the corporate execs want to regulate themselves, corruption and outright criminal activities.

It also follows this, below, the initiatives of one government branch, the only one, that has been ongoing in relation to the military personal, veterans and the families of. This branch doesn't make the policies, that's what the federal congresses do as do the state legislatures where same political games are played not for country but for their brand of political ideology. Nor can they directly place much needed public funding into place in their cabinet agencies without fighting for same to get the policies of those needs through congress, both houses of. They did that a few years back and it worked great, even though the politics not enough was injected into the economy. But the Veterans Administrations relatively small piece of helped advance many issues, even with a certain politics arguing that stimulus didn't work at all, ignored for way to long or could only be attempted with the funds from a long underfunding and with hope they could get more in the coming years to continue fixing the needs, not only for this generations veterans of these two wars but the older generations veterans long discharged from our service and our wars especially.

If you can't get those reagan capitalist 'job creators' to invest in actual economic growth, as free market capitalism was sold would happen, constant economic growth, the trickle down, embarrass them into hiring what they already know they need but still want to hoard that wealth and come up with many excuses for not using those hoarded funds they keep growing on the labors of all, no sharing or as little as possible

More than 5,000 Veterans and Military Spouses Hired in 3 Months

And instead of the country, Support The Troops, and demanding their government representatives Demand the Country finally Sacrifice, especially those wealthy and their growing wealth, they will settle, again DeJa-Vu all over again, for a few hour parade or a same in welcome homes, only a few attending, rest watching news clips after, and waving those flags of their patriotism, the patriotic message posters and of course the words of same and of that support.

The new 'magnetic ribbons'.

Think 'Desert Storm' and 'Gulf War Syndrome', Ignored till the last couple of years, finally helped along with the VA's share of the recovery funds which gave a big enough boost to the underfunding in that budget to at least start the needed help long ignored, after their 'Parades'!

Have the 'Welcome Home Parades', and more, but at each the one word that should be spoke, especially by any political figure speaking to those gathered, and on the minds of All, 'Sacrifice', Demand It, You Owe It!

And in closing and speaking about jobs especially related to veterans the VA is hosting three major events at Detroit’s Cobo Center June 26-29 where the message is Veterans Encouraged to Apply Now for more than 24,000 Jobs Nationwide. You can find more information in the links of the press release if you follow the above link along with more information. Also other recent Press releases at the VA list of. They plan on more, had one in Washington DC not long ago, and there are a couple of groups that have been holding veterans job fairs around the country which local news stations and papers have reported on. These jobs and or the participating companies can be found online. And here's a headsup of one Government initiative announced yesterday, the 21st, from the Department of Transportation pointed at Veterans and their needs in the agency that these veterans are well qualified to fill.


Vets a Need for IT Specialists and Engineers Nationwide

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Detroit Veteran Hiring Fair Employers Have Need for IT Specialists and Engineers Nationwide
Employers Include Chrysler, Dell, Jorge Scientific and U.S. Patent & Trademark OfficeWASHINGTON – June 22, 2012 - The Department of Veterans Affairs continues to register public and private sector employers with open positions for its upcoming Veteran Hiring Fair, June 26-28 at Detroit’s Cobo Center. The event is free for Veterans and employers due to a sponsorship from VA for Vets, VA’s flagship program setting new standards in Veteran employment for the public and private sectors.

“Veterans bring many leadership qualities to the workplace. Many also have the high-tech skills needed to excel in these cutting-edge, technical environments,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “Employers are offering thousands of jobs in Michigan and across the country. I strongly encourage Veterans to go to our website, speak with a coach and apply for these jobs now.”

A number of participating employers are looking to hire engineers nationwide. The U.S. Patent & Trademark Office is hiring for mechanical, electrical and computer engineering positions in Michigan and Virginia. Jorge Scientific Corporation is looking to fill Information Technology Specialist positions in Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina and Louisiana.

Veterans are encouraged to visit VA for Vets - Detroit now and apply for these positions. Qualified Veterans will be contacted directly by employers to schedule interviews. Veterans may also sign up to work with certified career coaches on the website to fine-tune or develop resumes and prepare for interviews. read more>>>


VA Media Campaign Promotes “Coaching Into Care” Program

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VA Supports Family and Friends Seeking to Encourage Vets to Get Mental Health Services
WASHINGTON – June 22, 2012 - The Department of Veterans Affairs recently completed a media campaign for its call center “Coaching Into Care,” a telephone service which provides assistance to family members and friends trying to encourage their Veteran to seek health care for possible readjustment and mental health issues.

“Coaching Into Care is a valuable service for family members and friends of Veterans who might be reluctant to seek mental health care,” said VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki. “In the last three years, VA has devoted more people, programs, and resources toward mental health services to serve the growing number of Veterans seeking mental health care and this marketing effort is designed to expand our reach to those who need our services the most.”

The “Coaching Into Care” service offers free coaching to callers, with no limit to the number of calls they can make. The goal of these sessions is to connect a Veteran with VA care in his or her community with the help and encouragement of family members or friends. Callers will be coached on solving specific logistical problems and ways to encourage the Veteran to seek care while respecting his or her right to make personal decisions. read more>>>


Honors to the Montford Marines, Desegregation Pioneers

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Montford Marines who were desegregation pioneers to get their due
Jun 24, 2012 - Few people know their story.

Unlike the Army's Triple Nickels and the Army Air Corps' Tuskegee Airmen, the history of the groundbreakers who went through Montford Point has been largely overlooked.

Fayetteville's James Robert Simpson was among the roughly 20,000 Marines who lived it, training on a small, swampy peninsula jutting into the New River on the North Carolina coast. The World War II veteran, the eldest son of a farming couple from rural Cumberland County, was a "Point man" - one of the first blacks to serve in the Marine Corps.

"I'm proud of that," Simpson said. "To be a part of history, for sure."

At 88 and in poor health, he plans to fly to Washington this week to attend two ceremonies paying tribute to the fighting men known as the Montford Point Marines. These veterans will receive the nation's highest civilian honor, the Congressional Gold Medal.

About 400 of the estimated 420 living Montford Point veterans are expected to attend. In addition to Simpson, five men from Fayetteville are expected to make the trip: Robert Burns Sr., Cosmas Eaglin Sr., Linwood Haith, David Montgomery and Joseph Stinchcomb, said Capt. Kendra Motz, a spokeswoman for the Marine Corps.

"It's most of them, which is awesome," Motz said. read more>>>>


23 Haziran 2012 Cumartesi

Post-Service Challenges of Female Troops

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Documentary looks at post-service challenges of female troops
June 20, 2012 - Alicia Thompson is proud of her Army service and the work she did in Afghanistan. But she doesn’t think many Americans really know about it, or the struggles she still faces in her post-military life.

“I don’t know if they’re naïve to the challenges that women veterans face, or they just choose to look past them,” she said. “The story isn’t getting out there.”

That’s one of the reasons she agreed to take part in the new documentary “Service: When Women Come Marching Home.” The film tracks the post-military lives of eight female servicemembers, chronicling their struggles with homelessness, marriage troubles, post-traumatic stress disorder and a Veterans Affairs health care system still unfamiliar women as patients. read more>>>


The Aftermath Of War: Resources for Veterans

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Services provided by the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
July 14, 2011 - The VA provides the largest network of care facilities in the world, specifically aimed at our nation’s veterans. Medical centers and clinics span the country, providing physical and mental health care. Because the VA has been working to train all providers in evidence-based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the VA mental health programs are a key resource in finding effective therapy (Where to Get Help). VA centers are a confidential option for combat veterans, and they also provide family care. VA benefits include a range of educational, financial, and other services. Some example programs include PTSD psychoeducation and the VA PTSD program locator (PTSD.va); the Veterans Justice Outreach program, created to help struggling veterans get into care instead of into the legal system; and a toll-free 24/7 Veteran Crisis hotline, offered in partnership with the Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800-273-8255, press 1 for veterans).

Services provided by the US Department of Defense (DoD)

The DoD is another large provider of resources for this cohort. Military One Source offers 24/7 assistance for troops, families, and veterans. The DoD Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury created the Web site After Deployment as well as a wealth of other programs and services. The National Guard Bureau supports Family Assistance Centers in all 50 states and provides family services for all branches of the military. In addition, it hosts Yellow Ribbon Reintegration events, before and after deployment, to facilitate the reintegration process.

Services provided at the state level read more>>>


June 20 – 22, 2012 DoD/VA Suicide Prevention: Back to Basics

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Conference Objectives
Objective 1: Engage in a variety of educational opportunities focused on the current state of empirically supported research, clinical practice and prevention programs on the basics of suicidology for service members, veterans and families.

Objective 2: Apply evidence-based or informed approaches in suicidology to prevention, research and clinical practice within and across DoD and VA communities.

Objective 3: Describe the current state of prevention approaches and practical applications in suicide programs within and across DoD and VA communities.

Objective 4: Identify opportunities to enhance and incorporate suicide prevention and postvention strategies for service member and veteran populations by accessing resources available from caregiver and family organizations, community and faith-based organizations, educational institutions, professional societies or other sources.

Objective 5: Identify and recommend strategies for increasing attention to and resources for suicide research, prevention and treatment for service member and veteran populations.

Senior DoD, VA Leaders Kick Off Suicide Prevention Conference
Posted on 6/22/2012 - Military suicides are a national public health concern, especially as suicide rates continue to rise. And, according to Capt. Paul Hammer, director for the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health (DCoE), “everyone owns this problem.” Hammer, who opened the conference, urged attendees to engage with leaders and speakers as part of the ongoing march to end warrior and veteran suicide. “This is our challenge to overcome,” he said.

It was a theme echoed throughout the day by service leaders, key department officials and government representatives as they discussed the work they are doing to provide service members and veterans with the support, treatment and care they need and deserve. Read more...

Suicide Prevention Conference Day 2: Building Bridges; Survivor Stories
6/22/2012 - The vital conversation on suicide prevention continued into day two of the annual suicide prevention conference jointly sponsored by the Defense and Veterans Affairs departments, as chaplains discussed spirituality and survivors shared moving stories of hope.

In the keynote address, Navy Rear Adm. Mark L. Tidd spoke of the different “bridges” that connect those who need help and the resources and people that can help them.

“I believe these bridges already exist. There are many resources that are available that enable them to cross the bridge … but they have challenges,” he said. “[We need to reinforce] bridges of trust in four areas — across communities … within the self of the service member or veteran … between peers … and with the institutions established to support them.” Read More...

DoD/VA Suicide Prevention Conference
As Delivered by Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta, Washington, D.C., Friday, June 22, 2012
Thank you, Dr. Woodson for the kind introduction, and thank you all for your leadership, for your wise counsel, and for your commitment to ensuring that our service members and their families receive the kind of treatment and support that they so richly deserve.

I’d like to express my appreciation to all of you in this audience, appreciation for coming together, appreciation for the work that you’ve been doing at this three-day conference, appreciation for the focus that all of you are making to try to give attention and energy on one of the most complex and urgent problems facing our military families, the problem of suicide. Read More...

Military couple discusses attempted suicide

06/22/2012 - Military family shares story about dealing with suicide considerations, with the hope it will help others. They're among hundreds attending the joint DOD/VA Suicide Prevention Conference in Washington D.C.

Army Releases May 2012 Suicide Data
June 22, 2012 - The Army released suicide data today for the month of May. During May, among active-duty soldiers, there were 16 potential suicides: four have been confirmed as suicides and 12 remain under investigation. For April, the Army reported 14 potential suicides among active-duty soldiers. Since the release of that report, one case has been added for a total of 15 potential suicides: four have been confirmed as suicides and 11 remain under investigation. For 2012, there have been 78 potential active-duty suicides: 42 have been confirmed as suicides and 36 remain under investigation. Updated active-duty suicide numbers for 2011: 165 (confirmed as suicides and no cases remain under investigation). Read More...

VA Boosts Staffing, Programs to Prevent Suicide
WASHINGTON, June 22, 2012 – The Department of Veterans Affairs is making progress in suicide prevention, adding staff and programs to treat the “invisible scars” carried home from the war by service members and veterans, the VA undersecretary for health said this week.

Speaking at the June 20-22 Annual DOD/VA Suicide Prevention Conference here, Dr. Robert Petzel addressed hundreds of mental health professionals, clinicians, military leaders and family members.

“America’s veterans particularly deserve the best care this nation and our departments can offer them, as do America’s service members,” Petzel said. Read More...

Remarks by Secretary Eric K. Shinseki DoD-VA Suicide Prevention Conference
Washington, DC - June 20, 2012 - Good afternoon, everyone. I am honored to be here, and I regret that my friend, Leon Panetta, had to reschedule his appearance for Friday. He and I have worked closely on issues common to both of our departments—five meetings since last July, when he assumed his duties, two last month, and we are hoping to meet again in August. Let me just say that Secretary Panetta's leadership and close partnership on behalf of those who wear and have worn the uniforms of our Nation has been monumental, and, as a result of that, we have brought our two large departments closer together than ever before.

As I often remind our folks at VA, very little of what we do in VA originates in VA. Most everything we do originates in DoD, and we must therefore be collaborative, attentive, and cooperative in supporting DoD's accomplishment of its enormous mission to keep our Nation safe, competitive, and leading. Doing so means that we, at VA, must be situationally aware, agile, and fully capable of caring for those "who have borne the battle" and their families and survivors, long after the guns have fallen silent. Today, we still care for two children of Civil War Veterans, over a hundred spouses and children from the Spanish-American War, about 5,000 from World War I, and the numbers go up from there. The promises of President Abraham Lincoln are being delivered today by President Barack Obama. The same will be true a century from now: VA will be here to deliver the promises of presidents and meet the obligations of the American people to those who have safeguarded us. We, at VA, are proud of our unique mission and of our partnership with the Department of Defense. Read More...

VA Leadership Speaks at Annual DOD, VA Suicide Prevention Conference
20 June 2012 - Earlier today, Secretary Shinseki and Undersecretary for Health Dr. Robert Petzel joined VA’s health care leaders at the Annual DOD/VA Suicide Prevention Conference in Washington, D.C. The three-day long conference brings in key leaders to collaborate on some of the most pressing mental health issues affecting active duty troops and Veterans.

This year’s theme, Back to Basics, “emphasizes the value of and appreciation for good order, disciplined practices, strong clinical skills and service accountability.” Read More...


Honoring the Dover Mortuary Whistleblowers

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Dover mortuary whistleblowers to be honored
06/20/2012 - Three civilian whistleblowers who reported missing body parts and other failures at the mortuary that handles the remains of America’s dead soldiers will be honored as public servants of the year at a ceremony next week.

James G. Parsons Sr., Mary Ellen Spera and William Zwicharowski will be recognized June 28 by the Office of Special Counsel, the independent federal agency that investigates complaints of wrongdoing brought by whistleblowers.

As with many whistleblowers, these employees, based at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, suffered retaliation after speaking up about serious missteps at the mortuary. Their revelations prompted an 18-month investigation by the special counsel’s office that concluded that supervisors at the mortuary had wrongfully tried to fire two of the employees and take other disciplinary action against the others after they reported missing body parts, lax management and other problems at the base. read more>>>


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21 Haziran 2012 Perşembe

Veterans' finances hit by friendly fire

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The Hearst Newspapers have conducted an investigation into how disabled veterans that need help in handling their finances, by family members and others appointed to do so, have had their finances grossly mishandled especially to the benefit of those appointed. The results of were made public in yesterdays, 17 June 2012, papers and online.

VA-appointed fiduciaries often take advantage of their disabled charges

Outside of the decades long underfunding of the peoples responsibility to those that give their years to serve the country, the Veterans Administration, as to care for those that serve and especially in our wars that are cheered on with words of patriotism, cheap symbols of same and hollow words of support. The VA is charged with much much more then that care only and the not fully funding at the front end, especially as we send new generations into wars of choice, it costs much much more trying to catch up with all the needs as well as log jamming all the systems in the needs for faster resolution and policing everything they cover. Yet many we hire to represent in congress and state legislators, each state also has an affiliated veterans administration, they with many of the people they represent including veterans constantly blame the Veterans Administration when the negatives come to light instead of themselves and especially those they hire, elect, to represent them in their responsibilities they owe in also sacrificing as they order the extremely few to do for them. Should say that while they lay blame and attack the agency they never compare to the private sectors many problems in doing same of the VA's many many duties that are comparable while a certain political ideology wants to privatize that agency and much of the government.

This is a cut of the report from the link above:

The grave of Grady Green, World War II veteran, buried at Houston National Cemetery, Tuesday, May 15, 2012, in Houston. Green had his money stolen by a Houston woman who was supposed to be his caregiver - she got $5,000 to buy him a grave and pay for his care, but instead blew it on her own bills, traffic tickets and plumbing repairs. He died before the VA investigated the case. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle )

They survived the Nazis, the Viet Cong and the Taliban. But hundreds of mentally disabled veterans suffered new wounds when the country they served put their checkbooks in the hands of scoundrels.

Gambling addicts, psychiatric cases and convicted criminals are among the thieves that have been handed control of disabled veterans' finances by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, a Hearst Newspapers investigation has found.

For decades, theft and fraud have plagued the fiduciary program, in which the VA appoints a family member or a stranger to manage money for veterans the government considers incapacitated. The magnitude and pace of those thefts has increased, despite VA promises of reform. Three of the largest scams – ranging from about $900,000 to $2 million – each persisted for 10 years or more before being discovered.

In the last six years, the VA has removed 467 fiduciaries for misuse of funds, but only a fraction have faced criminal charges, a Hearst analysis of data from the VA's Office of the Inspector General shows.

The government has never adequately tracked fiduciaries' thefts from brain-damaged or memory-impaired veterans. The inspector general's office says it conducted 315 fiduciary fraud investigations from October 1998 to March 2010, resulting in 132 arrests for thefts amounting to $7.4 million. But a Hearst analysis of court records and documents obtained by freedom of information requests shows that the thieves' take since 1998 is more than $14.7 million – nearly twice the amount reported to Congress.

VA spokesman Joshua Taylor says the program is being reorganized, and improvements are being ordered every year. read more>>>

Will problems in a huge agency happen, most certainly, but they can and should have been greatly minimized by the up front needs, long ago, especially brought with our flag waving wars, the peoples responsibility. With these present long running war and occupation theaters of conflict we were told to go shopping, as the deficits were already rising, with the tax cuts especially to the wealthy charged with, under reaganomic capitalism, that they would invest in economic growth and thus jobs, they are even labeled 'job creators' as they were given even more to invest in the war profiteering private companies instead. The masses small tax cuts went out our exhaust pipes with the first fill ups whether one drives or not as gas prices started rapidly rising thus so did food and costs for everything bought. When I hear 'tax cuts', especially as we beat the drums of war, my first thought is less and less then needed for the Veterans Administration while more and more taken to finance the defense industry. These present wars, all the costs for the CIA's roles in the no bid contracts for the private corporations, ever more involved in our defenses, whatever promises made to those countries who joined in supporting the invasion of Iraq especially after quickly abandoning the main mission for why we sent our military personal into that region in the first place, and much more, were all off the books as they were rubber stamped to what that executive administration at the time wanted, again as the countries deficits were already rising. With extremely little added to the Veterans Administration's budgets and the needs grew rapidly! All that rubber stamping had to be funded by borrowing from others on this planet as those deficits started ballooning ever faster, millions to billions quickly added with each day, week, month and year. We as a country haven't sacrificed a dime of our own on these wars nor especially the care of those returning from as the borrowing continues and the interest on balloons, yet the wealthy are reaping more and more and not investing in economic growth, many instead are investing in political campaigns for the huge returns expected for them and theirs thanks to the Supreme Court, corporations as people aren't coming home in flag covered coffins nor with a scratch on any of their wealth!

These are a few more in the investigative journalism series by Hearst:

In New York, few cases surface so far
Another, Kathleen M. Miller, 45, of Buffalo, suffered from physical and neurological problems, including "panic attacks," raising the question of why the federal government put her in charge of her father's money. A third New Yorker, Jerome... read more>>>

Vets victimized by theft, fraud
Gambling addicts, psychiatric cases and convicted criminals are among the thieves who have been handed control of disabled veterans' finances by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, a Hearst Newspapers investigation has found. For decades,... read more>>>

It's now a decade plus that has passed with no sacrifice, DeJa-Vu all over again, and especially no demand to, quite the opposite many fearing in our reaganomic capitalism to ask or demand their fair share for their labors which produce the business and corporate profits seek to pay less in the countries needs that should be shared by all so those few dollars from their pay checks make them feel they are getting their trickle down, and all the time demanding the government give what they're already used to and more apparently for free, just like their already 'Freedom is Free!' as only a tiny fraction of the country actually sacrifices for the whole, soldiers, military and families of.

Veterans of Korea started getting short changed as ours Vietnam raged and kept extending by years, as veterans of both were ignored in what we were saying. As to Vietnam, some also from Korea, issues finally recognized like Post Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injuries of wars, Agent Orange and much more. Leading to Desert Storm of the first gulf war, National and Community parades held only for the country, after a few hours of flag waving, to go home and totally ignore the rising numbers of those veterans starting to show devastating signs of Gulf War Syndrome and the those with PTS and other needs. Leading to the now decade plus long wars and occupations in Afghanistan, abandoned mission, to Iraq, now officially over but still paying high costs for private security contractors to protect State Department personal and private business visitors to, with many issues of these veterans being ignored while a few like PTS finally unable to be but needs still not filled.

In the present times at least the 110th and 111th Congresses started addressing issues ignored in the previous two as did some state legislatures and even had started addressing issues for us older veterans especially of our past wars. And the present Executive Administration has made the military, their families, and veterans, present to past, a main issue in policy needs. Doing what they can as the executive branch and with a pro active non political appointee, he bringing in many dedicated administrators into that administration, with a very Obstructionist in numbers Congress as they have accomplished much already in trying to move the agency into the 21st century and fulfill what the Country has not wanted to to date!


VA Starts it's Hiring of Mental Health Professionals Across Country

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Will the Country finally start demanding their Sacrifice, now a decade plus, added to previous decades of not and ignoring the veterans, of not?

Mental health personnel to be added at VA hospital
June 17, 2012 - Additional mental health personnel are expected to be in place at John J. Pershing VA Medical Center locations in Cape Girardeau, Poplar Bluff, Mo., and West Plains, Mo., by Oct. 1.

The expected five new clinicians and one support person will help Pershing better meet the needs of its patients and improve access to care, said Dr. Matthew Geyer, chief of mental health services. read more>>>

Here's but a few more of many reports coming out

Nebraska-Iowa VA adding to mental-health resources

VA Montana to add 5 mental health clinicians, 2 support personnel

Veterans Affairs Medical Center tailors plan to expand mental health staff

VA ramps up mental health care: Alaska staff has been working to improve access

VA hires to expand its mental health team
Veterans Affairs will add positions to its national workforce, including Miami, to help returning veterans facing mental challenges. read more>>>

And plenty more are still coming out!

With the multiple tours for many in both theaters or just one theater and with both occupations lasting years, Afghanistan only winding down, these present veterans will be facing the needs not funded, and ignored by the country, previously from Desert Storm and ours from Vietnam and Korea as well as the many who never received from WWII, from the mental and physical stresses of combat and occupation theaters!


VA Launches Online PTSD Tool

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VA Continues PTSD Outreach with AboutFace Campaign
WASHINGTON – June 20, 2012 - In observance of June as PTSD Awareness Month, the Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has begun a new online initiative, AboutFace, focused on helping Veterans recognize PTSD symptoms and motivating them to seek treatment.

“We must do all we can to help Veterans identify possible indicators that they may be suffering from PTSD,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “It requires a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach to be effective. We hope that this initiative, while just one aspect of our program, will play an important role in that effort.”

The AboutFace campaign introduces viewers to Veterans from all eras who have experienced PTSD and turned their lives around with treatment. Through personal videos, viewers will meet Veterans and hear how PTSD has affected them and their loved ones. Visitors will also learn the steps to take to gain control of their lives.

AboutFace, which is PTSD specific, was designed as a complementary campaign to VA’s current Make the Connection campaign. Make the Connection uses personal testimonials to illustrate true stories of Veterans who faced life events, experiences, physical ailments, or psychological symptoms; reached out for support; and found ways to overcome their challenges. read more>>>


House Committee on Veterans Affairs: 21 June 2012

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Legislative Hearing on H.R. 4115, H.R. 4740, H.R. 3860, H.R. 5747
Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity (EO) | 334 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC | Jun 21, 2012
Witnesses

Panel 1

The Honorable John Garamendi (CA-10)
The Honorable Steve Stivers (OH-15)
The Honorable Elijah Cummings (MD-7)

Panel 2

Mr. Ryan M. Gallucci, Deputy Director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
Mr. Steve L. Gonzalez, Assistant Director, National Economic Commission, The American Legion
MG Andrew “Drew” Davis, USMC (Ret.), Executive Director, The Reserve Officers Association
Mr. John S. Odom, JR., ESQ., Jones and Odom L.L.P.

Panel 3

Mr. Mike Frueh, Director, Loan Guaranty Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Accompanied By:
Mr. John Brizzi, Deputy Assistant General Counsel, Office of General Counsel
Mr. John K. Moran,Deputy Assistant Secretary for Operations & Management, Veterans’ Employment and Training Service, U.S. Department of Labor
Accompanied By:
Ms. Gerri F. Fiala, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor
Mr. Fredrick E. Vollrath, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Readiness and Force Management, U.S. Department of Defense

Submissions for the Record

Mr. Thomas E. Perez Assistant Attorney General Civil Rights Division U.S. Department of Justice

Webcast

Watch Webcast

Visit link at top for links to statements.


DoT Offers Employment Help to Vets

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U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood Announces Assistance for Veterans Seeking Jobs in Transportation
WASHINGTON (June 21, 2012) – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki today unveiled a new portal on their departments’ websites designed to help military veterans find jobs in the transportation industry.

“Our transportation industry needs pilots, controllers, mechanics and drivers – the very kinds of skills that our military is known for developing,” Secretary LaHood said. “This new web link will help repay the debt we owe our veterans for their service to our country.”

“Veterans have the skills, knowledge and attributes that American businesses need to help rebuild an economy that will last," said Secretary Shinseki. "These men and women bring exceptional leadership to any position. They are uniquely qualified for jobs as pilots, mechanics, air traffic controllers, commercial drivers and emergency medical technicians because many of them have performed these roles in combat." read more>>>


20 Haziran 2012 Çarşamba

VA Starts it's Hiring of Mental Health Professionals Across Country

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Will the Country finally start demanding their Sacrifice, now a decade plus, added to previous decades of not and ignoring the veterans, of not?

Mental health personnel to be added at VA hospital
June 17, 2012 - Additional mental health personnel are expected to be in place at John J. Pershing VA Medical Center locations in Cape Girardeau, Poplar Bluff, Mo., and West Plains, Mo., by Oct. 1.

The expected five new clinicians and one support person will help Pershing better meet the needs of its patients and improve access to care, said Dr. Matthew Geyer, chief of mental health services. read more>>>

Here's but a few more of many reports coming out

Nebraska-Iowa VA adding to mental-health resources

VA Montana to add 5 mental health clinicians, 2 support personnel

Veterans Affairs Medical Center tailors plan to expand mental health staff

VA ramps up mental health care: Alaska staff has been working to improve access

VA hires to expand its mental health team
Veterans Affairs will add positions to its national workforce, including Miami, to help returning veterans facing mental challenges. read more>>>

And plenty more are still coming out!

With the multiple tours for many in both theaters or just one theater and with both occupations lasting years, Afghanistan only winding down, these present veterans will be facing the needs not funded, and ignored by the country, previously from Desert Storm and ours from Vietnam and Korea as well as the many who never received from WWII, from the mental and physical stresses of combat and occupation theaters!


"About Face" Program Helping Vets with PTSD

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“AboutFace” See How PTSD Treatment Turns Lives Around
06/18/2012 - “About Face” videos feature Vets talking candidly about dealing with PTSD. We encourage you to learn more about the disorder and how Vets with PTSD were helped by VA treatment.

PTSD: Meet Veterans who have been there.

Anyone who has put on a uniform knows that “about face” means turn around.

Here’s a new “About Face” that could turn your life around.

June is PTSD Awareness Month and VA’s National Center for PTSD just released AboutFace, an online video gallery where you can learn about posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from Veterans who live with it every day. Hear their stories and find out how treatment turned their lives around.

Meet Michelle Rentas, U.S. Army, 1992-1995. “I felt worthless, hopeless. I had a lot of low self esteem.” It’s straight talk you may recognize.

Michelle knows that sharing her story will help other Vets. much more at site>>>


House Committee on Veterans Affairs: 19 June 2012

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Reclaiming the Process: Examining the VBA Claims Transformation Plan as a Means to Effectively Serve our Veterans
House Committee on Veterans' Affairs | 334 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC | Jun 19, 2012 10:30am
Witnesses

Panel 1

Mr. Jeffrey Hall, Assistant National Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans
Mr. Gerald Manar, Deputy Director, National Veterans Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars
Mr. Richard Dumancas, Deputy Director for Claims, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission, The America Legion
Mr. Sherman Gillums, Jr., Associate Executive Director of Veterans Benefits, Paralyzed Veterans of America

Panel 2

Mr. William J. Bosanko, Executive for Agency Services, U.S. National Archives and Records Administration

Panel 3

Ms. Linda Halliday, Assistant Inspector General for Audits and Evaluations, Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Accompanied by:
Mr. Nick Dahl, Director, Bedford Office of Audits and Evaluations, Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Mr. Larry Reinkemeyer, Director, Kansas City Audit Operations Division Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Mr. Brent Arronte, Director, Bay Pines Benefits Inspection Division Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Panel 4

Gen. Allison Hickey, Under Secretary for Benefits, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Accompanied by:
Mr. Alan Bozeman, Director, Veterans Benefits Management System Veterans Benefits Administration U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Mr. Roger Baker, Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs visit site for backlinks, and live stream or archive hearing video.


House Committee on Veterans Affairs: 20 June 2012

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Legislative Hearing on H.R. 2985, H.R. 3730, H.R. 4481, H.R.5948
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations (O&I) | 334 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC | Jun 20, 2012 10:00am
Witnesses

Panel 1

The Honorable Todd Akin, Member, United States House of Representatives

Panel 2

Dave McLenachen, Director of Pension and Fiduciary Service, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Panel 3

Ralph Ibson, National Policy Director, Wounded Warrior Project
Lauren Kologe, Deputy Director of Veterans Benefits Program, Vietnam Veterans of America
Heather Ansley, J.D., Vice President of Veterans Policy, VetsFirst
Lori Perkio, Assistant Director, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission, The American Legion

Visit site page of hearing for backlinks to statements.


VA: Telemental Health Consultations in 2012

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VA to Increase Mental Health Care Access through 200,000 Telemental Health Consultations in 2012
WASHINGTON - June 20, 2012 – In a continuing effort to increase Veterans’ access to mental health care, the Department of Veterans Affairs has set a goal to conduct more than 200,000 clinic-based, telemental health consultations for all mental health specialties in fiscal year 2012. This follows VA’s announcement last month that it would no longer charge Veterans a copayment when they receive care in their homes from VA health professionals using video conferencing.

“Telemental health provides Veterans quicker and more efficient access to the types of care they seek,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “We are leveraging technology to reduce the distance they have to travel, increase the flexibility of the system they use, and improve their overall quality of life. We are expanding the reach of our mental health services beyond our major medical centers and treating Veterans closer to their homes.”

The clinic-based telehealth program involves the more than 800 VA community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) where many Veterans receive primary care. If the CBOCs do not have a mental health care provider available, secure video teleconferencing technology is used to connect the Veteran to a provider within VA’s nationwide system of care.

As a result, Veterans can arrange appointments at times more in synch with their schedules. The program improves access to general and specialty services in geographically remote areas where it can be difficult to recruit mental health professionals.

“As technology is improving people’s lives in many areas, telemental health is making access to health care and support easier for Veterans with mental health conditions,” said Dr. Robert A. Petzel, Under Secretary for Health. “For example, one combat Veteran from Iraq cites telemental health as a critical factor in rebuilding her life and coping with the aftermath of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and military sexual trauma. Telemental health offered her a safe and convenient setting to receive gender sensitive services that helped her fit back into civilian life after three months of therapy.”

Since the start of the Telemental Health Program, VA has completed over 550,000 patient encounters. In Fiscal Year 2011 alone, more than 140,000 encounters were conducted with 55,000 Veterans via CBOCs, where providers at 150 hospitals delivered care to veterans at more than 500 clinics. read more>>>


19 Haziran 2012 Salı

Food Stamps: Military Members, Veterans and Families Of

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More of that "Freedom is Absolutely Free!" for the some 99% who not only don't serve but refuse to demand they even Sacrifice now a decade plus added to the previous decades of underfunding especially at times of cheering on the wars of choice!

Food Stamp Cuts Could Hit Military Members, Veterans
06/18/2012 - Congress' push to cut food stamps could cause collateral damage in the military, hitting everyone from active-duty members to retirees, who together have used more than $100 million in federal food aid on military bases over the past year, a Huffington Post review of the data found.

Decrying the surge in food stamp costs since the start of the recession, politicians increasingly have been calling for a crackdown on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. The program has expanded from covering 26 million Americans in 2007 to more than 44 million in 2011.

Suggesting that growth is evidence of fraud and abuse, House Republicans passed a budget resolution for 2013 that would cut the program by $134 billion over 10 years. In its version of the farm bill, the House Agriculture Committee has proposed $33 billion in cuts.

The Senate Agriculture Committee's farm bill -- which is being debated on the Senate floor this week -- would cut $4.5 billion, likely making that figure the low end in negotiating SNAP belt-tightening when the House and Senate merge their different bills later in the year. read more>>>


Processing of Retroactive Agent Orange Claims Nearly Complete

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Milestone Allows VA to Refocus 1,200 Decision Makers on Claims Backlog
WASHINGTON – June 19, 2012 - The Department of Veterans Affairs announced that nearly 230,000 claims have already been processed for the three newest Agent-Orange related conditions through June 2012, including over 150,000 claims required to be adjudicated under the order of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in Nehmer v. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The near completion of these complex Nehmer claims enables VA to redirect 1,200 employees who were dedicated to reviewing the Agent Orange cases toward addressing the current backlog of disability claims.

“I am proud of our VA employees who worked hard to complete these Agent Orange claims, putting over $3.6 billion into the hands of our Vietnam Veterans and their survivors,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “We completed all of the Agent Orange Nehmer claims for living Veterans, and are now focusing on the fewer than 500 remaining that will benefit survivors.”

The Agent Orange claims stemmed from VA’s 2010 amendment of its regulations to add ischemic heart disease, hairy cell and other chronic B-cell leukemias, and Parkinson's disease to the list of diseases presumed to be related to exposure to the herbicide used in Southeast Asia.

“While we work to transform how we do business through new processes and technology, at the end of the day it’s about taking care of our Veterans and their loved ones on the issues affecting their lives,” said Secretary Shinseki.

Given the complexity of the historical casework, the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) allocated its most experienced decision makers, about 37 percent of its rating staff, to processing Agent Orange claims. VBA’s 13 resource centers were exclusively dedicated to re-adjudicating these claims.

Even with this allocation of 37 percent of the rating staff dedicated to Agent Orange claims, VA processed over 1 million disability claims in each of the last 2 years, an unprecedented number. “Incoming claims over the last ten years have nearly doubled,” said VA Under Secretary for Benefits, Allison A. Hickey. “Being able to refocus these skilled raters on the backlog is vitally important.” readmore>>>


Partnering on Detroit Veteran Hiring Fair June 26-28

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VA, U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s National Chamber Foundation Sign Pact to Boost Veteran Employment
WASHINGTON – June 19, 2012 - Leaders of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s National Chamber Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes program have signed an agreement pledging “cooperation and collaboration” to help Veterans find civilian jobs. In that spirit, the two organizations will work together in Detroit during the Veterans Hiring Fair June 26-28.

“Working with our partners at Hiring Our Heroes, VA can increase awareness among employers of the training, skills and experience that Veterans bring to the workplace,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.

The pact commits Hiring Our Heroes to promote VA’s VA for Vets and VetSuccess.Gov hiring initiatives in websites and encourage local chambers of commerce to support Veteran employment programs in their communities. VA will provide staff and promotion for the Chamber Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes employment initiative across the country.

VA is hosting three major events at Detroit’s Cobo Center June 26-29: The VA for Vets Hiring Fair, the Veteran Open House, and the National Veterans Small Business Conference and Expo. The events are expected to attract thousands of Veterans, business owners and federal employees, with an economic impact estimated at $11 million for the city.

More than 24,000 federal and private-sector job openings across the country will be available at the free Veteran Hiring Fair June 26-28. VA will bring together partners like the First Lady’s “Joining Forces” initiative and Hiring Our Heroes, along with private sector companies, during the fair. Not only will the fair provide Veterans an opportunity to showcase their skills to potential employers, it will also assist Veterans with resume preparation, interview techniques and career coaching to help Veteran attendees become career ready. VA hosted a similar event Jan. 18 in Washington, D.C., which attracted over 4,100 Veterans and resulted in over 2,600 on-the-spot interviews and more than 500 tentative job offers. read more>>>


Hosting Workshops during Detroit VA for Vets Hiring Fair

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Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Hosts Workshops during Detroit VA for Vets Hiring Fair
WASHINGTON - June 19, 2012 – The Department of Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program (VR&E) will host several workshops aimed at helping Veterans understand the many benefits and programs that promote Veteran employment during the VA for Vets Hiring Fair being held in Detroit June 26-28.

As part of the Veteran Open House, VA will educate Veterans on vocational rehabilitation and employment services, register them for VA’s online employment toolkit, Vet Success , and provide tools that help Veterans find meaningful careers, receive accommodations for disabilities at their place of employment, and start a small business.

“At VA, we know the skills and characteristics Veterans bring with them to a new career can only benefit an organization,” said Under Secretary for Benefits Allison A. Hickey. “Our VR&E program is committed to assisting Veterans find meaningful careers, whether in the federal government or in the private sector.”

VA is hosting three major events at Detroit’s Cobo Center June 26-29: The VA for Vets Hiring Fair, the Veterans Open House, and the National Veterans Small Business Conference and Expo. The events are expected to attract thousands of Veterans, business owners and federal employees, with an economic impact estimated at $11 million for the city. read more>>>


Job Training Grants for some 8,600 Homeless Veterans

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Approximately 8,600 homeless veterans to benefit from more than $15 million in job training grants awarded by US Labor Department
WASHINGTON — 06/19/2012 - Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced the award of 64 grants totaling more than $15 million that are aimed at providing approximately 8,600 homeless veterans nationwide with job training to help them succeed in civilian careers. The grants are being awarded under the U.S. Department of Labor's Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program.

"Today, the Department of Labor is taking an important step to help homeless veterans reintegrate into the American labor force," said Secretary Solis. "This is a complicated challenge that requires an ‘all hands on deck' response. Our grantees span communities across the country, from the District of Columbia to Puerto Rico, and we salute them for their commitment to assist those who've served."

Funds are being awarded on a competitive basis to state and local workforce investment boards, local public agencies and other groups, including faith-based and community organizations. These recipients are familiar with the geographic areas and populations to be served, and have demonstrated that they can provide effective help to homeless veterans. read more>>>


18 Haziran 2012 Pazartesi

They are known as the invisible injuries

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NFL, Military Partner to Reduce Concussions
15 June 2012 - They may not result in bruises, breaks, or even loss of limb but the results of concussions can be disastrous, leading to severe brain trauma as well as psychological and neurological disorders.

They are injuries that the NFL knows too well. Six out of 10 NFL athletes have suffered concussions and nearly one-third reported having three or more, according to a 2000 study conducted by the American Academy of Neurology. In a more recent study, conducted in 2007 by the University of North Carolina's Center for the Study of Retired Athletes, 20 percent of the retired athletes who recalled having three or more concussions suffered from depression.

But while the consequences are pervasive, the problem is not unique to athletes.

For General Raymond T. Odierno, chief of staff for the U.S. Army, concussions are often looked at as lesser injuries and are rarely discussed among his soldiers.

"We have to make them [the soldiers] understand that you have to come forward because it has to be treated," Odierno said.

For this reason, he and the United Service Organizations Inc. (USO) have partnered with the NFL to try and eradicate the stigma associated with head injuries. He met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goddell last month to discuss how a future campaign will play out. read more>>>


DoD conference to address military suicides

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Military suicides a 'national public health problem'
June 16, 2012 - Following reports of yet another spike in suicides among U.S. servicemembers, the Defense Department plans to hold its annual conference next week on suicide prevention, the Army Times reports.

Hosted by the Defense Centers of Excellence, the four-day meeting that starts Wednesday will feature some high-ranking officials, including Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki, according to the Army Times. The conference is schedule for June 20-23. read more>>>


Veterans' finances hit by friendly fire

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The Hearst Newspapers have conducted an investigation into how disabled veterans that need help in handling their finances, by family members and others appointed to do so, have had their finances grossly mishandled especially to the benefit of those appointed. The results of were made public in yesterdays, 17 June 2012, papers and online.

VA-appointed fiduciaries often take advantage of their disabled charges

Outside of the decades long underfunding of the peoples responsibility to those that give their years to serve the country, the Veterans Administration, as to care for those that serve and especially in our wars that are cheered on with words of patriotism, cheap symbols of same and hollow words of support. The VA is charged with much much more then that care only and the not fully funding at the front end, especially as we send new generations into wars of choice, it costs much much more trying to catch up with all the needs as well as log jamming all the systems in the needs for faster resolution and policing everything they cover. Yet many we hire to represent in congress and state legislators, each state also has an affiliated veterans administration, they with many of the people they represent including veterans constantly blame the Veterans Administration when the negatives come to light instead of themselves and especially those they hire, elect, to represent them in their responsibilities they owe in also sacrificing as they order the extremely few to do for them. Should say that while they lay blame and attack the agency they never compare to the private sectors many problems in doing same of the VA's many many duties that are comparable while a certain political ideology wants to privatize that agency and much of the government.

This is a cut of the report from the link above:

The grave of Grady Green, World War II veteran, buried at Houston National Cemetery, Tuesday, May 15, 2012, in Houston. Green had his money stolen by a Houston woman who was supposed to be his caregiver - she got $5,000 to buy him a grave and pay for his care, but instead blew it on her own bills, traffic tickets and plumbing repairs. He died before the VA investigated the case. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle )

They survived the Nazis, the Viet Cong and the Taliban. But hundreds of mentally disabled veterans suffered new wounds when the country they served put their checkbooks in the hands of scoundrels.

Gambling addicts, psychiatric cases and convicted criminals are among the thieves that have been handed control of disabled veterans' finances by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, a Hearst Newspapers investigation has found.

For decades, theft and fraud have plagued the fiduciary program, in which the VA appoints a family member or a stranger to manage money for veterans the government considers incapacitated. The magnitude and pace of those thefts has increased, despite VA promises of reform. Three of the largest scams – ranging from about $900,000 to $2 million – each persisted for 10 years or more before being discovered.

In the last six years, the VA has removed 467 fiduciaries for misuse of funds, but only a fraction have faced criminal charges, a Hearst analysis of data from the VA's Office of the Inspector General shows.

The government has never adequately tracked fiduciaries' thefts from brain-damaged or memory-impaired veterans. The inspector general's office says it conducted 315 fiduciary fraud investigations from October 1998 to March 2010, resulting in 132 arrests for thefts amounting to $7.4 million. But a Hearst analysis of court records and documents obtained by freedom of information requests shows that the thieves' take since 1998 is more than $14.7 million – nearly twice the amount reported to Congress.

VA spokesman Joshua Taylor says the program is being reorganized, and improvements are being ordered every year. read more>>>

Will problems in a huge agency happen, most certainly, but they can and should have been greatly minimized by the up front needs, long ago, especially brought with our flag waving wars, the peoples responsibility. With these present long running war and occupation theaters of conflict we were told to go shopping, as the deficits were already rising, with the tax cuts especially to the wealthy charged with, under reaganomic capitalism, that they would invest in economic growth and thus jobs, they are even labeled 'job creators' as they were given even more to invest in the war profiteering private companies instead. The masses small tax cuts went out our exhaust pipes with the first fill ups whether one drives or not as gas prices started rapidly rising thus so did food and costs for everything bought. When I hear 'tax cuts', especially as we beat the drums of war, my first thought is less and less then needed for the Veterans Administration while more and more taken to finance the defense industry. These present wars, all the costs for the CIA's roles in the no bid contracts for the private corporations, ever more involved in our defenses, whatever promises made to those countries who joined in supporting the invasion of Iraq especially after quickly abandoning the main mission for why we sent our military personal into that region in the first place, and much more, were all off the books as they were rubber stamped to what that executive administration at the time wanted, again as the countries deficits were already rising. With extremely little added to the Veterans Administration's budgets and the needs grew rapidly! All that rubber stamping had to be funded by borrowing from others on this planet as those deficits started ballooning ever faster, millions to billions quickly added with each day, week, month and year. We as a country haven't sacrificed a dime of our own on these wars nor especially the care of those returning from as the borrowing continues and the interest on balloons, yet the wealthy are reaping more and more and not investing in economic growth, many instead are investing in political campaigns for the huge returns expected for them and theirs thanks to the Supreme Court, corporations as people aren't coming home in flag covered coffins nor with a scratch on any of their wealth!

These are a few more in the investigative journalism series by Hearst:

In New York, few cases surface so far
Another, Kathleen M. Miller, 45, of Buffalo, suffered from physical and neurological problems, including "panic attacks," raising the question of why the federal government put her in charge of her father's money. A third New Yorker, Jerome... read more>>>

Vets victimized by theft, fraud
Gambling addicts, psychiatric cases and convicted criminals are among the thieves who have been handed control of disabled veterans' finances by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, a Hearst Newspapers investigation has found. For decades,... read more>>>

It's now a decade plus that has passed with no sacrifice, DeJa-Vu all over again, and especially no demand to, quite the opposite many fearing in our reaganomic capitalism to ask or demand their fair share for their labors which produce the business and corporate profits seek to pay less in the countries needs that should be shared by all so those few dollars from their pay checks make them feel they are getting their trickle down, and all the time demanding the government give what they're already used to and more apparently for free, just like their already 'Freedom is Free!' as only a tiny fraction of the country actually sacrifices for the whole, soldiers, military and families of.

Veterans of Korea started getting short changed as ours Vietnam raged and kept extending by years, as veterans of both were ignored in what we were saying. As to Vietnam, some also from Korea, issues finally recognized like Post Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injuries of wars, Agent Orange and much more. Leading to Desert Storm of the first gulf war, National and Community parades held only for the country, after a few hours of flag waving, to go home and totally ignore the rising numbers of those veterans starting to show devastating signs of Gulf War Syndrome and the those with PTS and other needs. Leading to the now decade plus long wars and occupations in Afghanistan, abandoned mission, to Iraq, now officially over but still paying high costs for private security contractors to protect State Department personal and private business visitors to, with many issues of these veterans being ignored while a few like PTS finally unable to be but needs still not filled.

In the present times at least the 110th and 111th Congresses started addressing issues ignored in the previous two as did some state legislatures and even had started addressing issues for us older veterans especially of our past wars. And the present Executive Administration has made the military, their families, and veterans, present to past, a main issue in policy needs. Doing what they can as the executive branch and with a pro active non political appointee, he bringing in many dedicated administrators into that administration, with a very Obstructionist in numbers Congress as they have accomplished much already in trying to move the agency into the 21st century and fulfill what the Country has not wanted to to date!