Showing posts with label DAV. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DAV. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

DAV Introduces Framework to Reform Veterans Affairs

DAV Introduces Framework to Reform Veterans Affairs Health Care
PR NewsWire
Press Release

Former National Commander Bobby Barrera speaks with Maj. Thomas Marquardt who
is undergoing rehabilitation therapy at Brooke Army Medical Center near San Antonio, TX.


WASHINGTON, May 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/

Testifying today before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, DAV (Disabled American Veterans) National Legislative Director Joseph Violante proposed a new four-part framework for reforming the Veterans Affairs health care system.

"The past year has largely focused on short-term solutions for VA to meet the immediate needs of veterans. But as we analyze and evaluate how these strategies have worked, we owe it to veterans to also develop a long-term plan to strengthen the VA moving forward," said Violante. "The framework we are proposing today addresses critical areas to rebuild, restructure, realign and reform the VA health care system to meet the needs of America's veterans well into the future."

DAV's framework for long-term solutions to providing timely and convenient access for veterans seeking health care includes:

Rebuilding and sustaining VA's capacity to provide timely, high-quality care, beginning with a long-term strategy to recruit, hire and maintain sufficient clinical staff at all VA treatment facilities;

Restructuring the non-VA care program into a single integrated, extended care network, requiring VA to first complete research and analysis related to the "choice" program and allowing the Commission on Care to complete its work, with Congress providing a single, separate and guaranteed funding mechanism for the VA Extended Care program;

Realigning and expanding VA health care services to meet the diverse needs of future generations of veterans, beginning with the creation of VA urgent care services; and

Reforming VA's management of the health care system by increasing efficiency, transparency and accountability in order to become a veteran-centric organization.

"As we are still in the process of reviewing the effectiveness of the Choice program, it's too soon to outline specific details of how to reform the VA health care system and non-VA care, but what we have done is establish a road map to help guide us," said Violante.

DAV's framework is rooted in analysis of current policies and practices, as well as input from the organization's 1.2 million member base. The plan addresses adequate funding of the VA as a key component of long-term stability and capacity to meet growing demands for service.

In the past decade, DAV and the authors of The Independent Budget have testified before Congress detailing massive multi-billion dollar shortfalls in both VA's medical care and infrastructure budgets which directly contributed to the health care access crisis veterans experienced in 2014.

DAV's plan also calls for sufficient time to complete and thoroughly review the Congressionally-mandated Commission on Care prior to development or implementation of any long-term strategies.

The VA provides highly specialized care to more than 3.8 million disabled veterans, specifically those who have suffered service-connected amputations, burns, paralysis, blindness, traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), all while focusing on treatment of the "whole veteran."

"The VA faces serious challenges and is in need of a pathway for reform that will uphold our nation's promise to care for America's wounded, ill and injured veterans," said DAV Washington Headquarters Executive Director Garry Augustine. "Rather than fracturing veterans' health care, DAV believes the VA must be strengthened, and should remain at the heart of how we deliver care to those who served."

DAV empowers veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. It is dedicated to a single purpose: fulfilling our promises to the men and women who served. DAV does this by ensuring that veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them; fighting for the interests of America's injured heroes on Capitol Hill; and educating the public about the great sacrifices and needs of veterans transitioning back to civilian life.

DAV, a nonprofit organization with 1.2 million members, was founded in 1920 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932. Learn more at www.dav.org.

Sunday, May 10, 2015

VFW and DAV Join Lawsuit for Veterans Against VA Changes

VFW, DAV Joint Legal Fight Against VA Over New Claims System
Military.com
by Bryant Jordan
May 08, 2015
Veterans groups, including the VFW and DAV, told the VA two years ago that any new system that eliminated the informal claims process would be opposed.
Two more veterans organizations are going to court against the Veterans Affairs Department over the agency's decision to end its historic informal claims process.

In a lawsuit filed Wednesday with the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans say that a new claims system the VA adopted in March "severely undercuts the non-adversarial, pro-veteran principles upon which the veterans' benefits system was built. In particular, the VA alters decades-long pro-veterans practices under the guise of creating efficiencies within the VA."

The efficiencies include the use of standardized forms that veterans would have to download, fill out and file.

"The VFW doesn't oppose the use of standardized forms," VFW National Veterans Service Director William L. Bradshaw said. "Our opposition is to this all or nothing approach that VA is forcing on veterans -- changes, that if left in place, will guarantee in this year alone that tens of thousands of service-connected wounded, ill and injured veterans will be denied benefits they were entitled to before the change became effective."

The VFW and DAV are only the latest veterans' advocates to sue the VA over the new system. Attorney Douglas J. Rosinski of Veterans Justice Group in Columbia, South Carolina, also filed a suit challenging the new system last November.

In March, The American Legion, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the National Veterans Legal Services Program, AMVETS, and the Vietnam Veterans of America filed suit.
read more here


These groups are fighting for all generations of veterans. That says something right there considering they have all been doing it for decades!

The VFW and the DAV are very dear to my heart. The VFW fights for all veterans no matter what generation they belong to.

My husband is a lifetime member of the VFW and DAV and I am a lifetime member of the DAV Auxiliary. My Dad (Korean veteran) was a lifetime member of the DAV, so in one way or another, I've known how hard they work all my life. They fight for all veterans to obtain what they are eligible for and compensated appropriately for their disabilities/wounds caused by serving this country.

They have been doing this work since the 40's. Congress on the other hand, did not do the same. The House Veterans Affairs Committee was seated in 1946.

While it may feel warm and fuzzy to think these politicians have the best interest of veterans in mind, the reality is they are like a rusty wheel making a lot of noise going in circles. Every year veterans don't even get excuses from them. They just spin their gears so they can point their fingers at whoever happens to sit in the seat as Secretary of the VA. Don't believe me. Just look up what they are supposed to be responsible for on the link above. Educate yourself so you know exactly what has been going on and why veterans blame congress!



Published on Apr 12, 2015
Saturday fed up veterans got into a dumpster to show how they feel. Congress has failed them and made them feel like they are disposable. Congress blames the VA only because they refuse to blame themselves! They write the rules, pass the budgets and are supposed to be in control over what the VA

The VFW and DAV earned your support and need your voice to fight for all generations of veterans. 

How many more times will you end up supporting charities to provide "awareness" of what some veterans are going through when these groups have been fighting for all veterans to make sure they didn't have to go through it?
DAV Who is Eligible?
Any man or woman:
who served in the armed forces during a period of war or under conditions simulating war, and was wounded, disabled to any degree, or left with long-term illness as a result of military service, and was discharged or retired from military service under honorable conditions.

What does DAV do for you?
Helps returning veterans transition back to civilian life by linking them with services that address their physical, emotional, and financial needs.

Provides free, professional assistance to veterans of all generations in obtaining VA and other government benefits earned through service.

Fights for veterans’ rights on Capitol Hill.

Links veterans to job training and job assistance programs.

Funds rehabilitation programs for veterans with severe disabilities, such as blindness or amputation.


UPDATE
Just a reminder of what else is going on:


VFW CALLS NEW VA APPROPRIATIONS BILL ‘BAD FOR VETERANS’
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IS SET TO PENALIZE DISABLED VETERANS
April 28, 2015

WASHINGTON — The national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States said the U.S. House of Representatives is set to penalize disabled veterans this week if it votes to reduce the Department of Veterans Affairs budget request by more than $1.5 billion.

“The nationwide crisis in care and confidence that erupted in the VA last year was caused in many ways by a lack of adequate resourcing that only Congress is authorized to provide,” said John W. Stroud, who leads the 1.9 million-member VFW and its Auxiliaries. “That’s why the VFW is demanding that the House amend this bill to appropriate a funding level that fully funds VA.”

In its current form, the fiscal year 2016 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill makes across-the-board cuts to all VA discretionary accounts, and drastically underfunds medical care, major construction and Information Technology accounts. Stroud said across-the-board cuts to discretionary spending is what Congress created back in 2011, but by another name, sequestration. Now the House wants to impose its own sequester on a federal department whose sole mission is to care for wounded, ill and injured veterans.

“The VA cannot fulfill its mission without proper funding, but the House for whatever reason now wants to ration care, eliminate infrastructure projects, and stop improving upon the programs and services that the VA was created to provide,” said the VFW national commander. “This bill is bad for veterans and any vote for it is unconscionable, which is why we want veterans and advocates everywhere to get involved by urging their elected officials to fully fund the VA.”

Friday, April 24, 2015

VA Special Medical Advisory Group Includes DAV Director

VA News Release
Group of Respected Medical Experts to Advise VA on Health Care for 9 Million Veterans
04/24/2015 02:04 PM EDT

Special Medical Advisory Group Led by Dr. Jonathan Perlin of Hospital Corporation of America

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced a new 11-member Special Medical Advisory Group (SMAG) composed of leading medical experts to assist the Department in delivering health care to the 9 million Veterans enrolled in the Veterans Health Administration.

The SMAG is a reconstituted federally-chartered committee that advises the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, through the Under Secretary for Health, on matters related to health care delivery, research, education, training of health care staff and planning on shared care issues facing VA and the Department of Defense.

“We want the best of the best to work on behalf of our nation’s Veterans,” said VA Secretary Robert A. McDonald. “We are honored these respected leaders from the private, non-profit and government sectors have agreed to join in our mission improve how we provide the quality health care our nation’s Veterans need and deserve.”

The appointment of the new members of the SMAG comes at a time when VA is experiencing increased demand for its health care services. Nationally, VA completed more than 51 million appointments between May 1, 2014, and March 31, 2015. This represents an increase of 2.4 million more completed appointments than during the same time period in 2013-2014. In March 2015, VA completed 97 percent of appointments within 30 days of the Veteran’s preferred date.

Serving as SMAG Committee Chair is Dr. Jonathan Perlin, who previously served as VA Under Secretary for Health from 2004-2006. Dr. Perlin is currently Chief Medical Officer and President of Clinical Services for the Nashville, Tennessee-based Hospital Corporation of America (HCA). In this capacity, Dr. Perlin provides leadership for clinical services and improving performance for HCA’s 166 hospitals and more than 800 outpatient centers and physician practices. Recognized perennially as one of the most influential physician executives in the United States by Modern Healthcare, Dr. Perlin is a recipient of numerous awards.

Other Committee members:

Karen S. Guice, MD, M.P.P.
Dr. Guice serves as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs and Principal Deputy Director, TRICARE Management Activity. In these two roles, Dr. Guice assists in the development of strategies and priorities to achieve the health mission of the Military Health System (MHS), and participates fully in formulating, developing, overseeing and advocating the policies of the Secretary of Defense. The Office of Health Affairs is responsible for providing a cost effective, quality health benefit to 9.6 million active duty uniformed Service Members, retirees, survivors and their families. The MHS has a $50 billion annual budget and consists of a worldwide network of 59 military hospitals, 360 health clinics, private-sector health business partners, and the Uniformed Services University.

Joy Ilem, Deputy National Legislative Director, DAV
Ms. Ilem, a U.S. Army service-connected disabled Veteran, was named Deputy National Legislative Director of the of the 1.2 million-member Disabled American Veterans (DAV), in June 2009. In this capacity, Ms. Ilem directs the advancement of DAV’s public policy objectives.

Thomas Lee, MD
Dr. Lee serves as Chief Medical Officer for Press Ganey, which advises and consults with healthcare businesses to help identify the best practices for the organization and the patient. Dr. Lee joined Press Ganey in 2013, bringing more than three decades of experience in health care performance improvement as a practicing physician, a leader in provider organizations, researcher and health policy expert. As Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Lee is responsible for developing clinical and operational strategies to help providers across the nation measure and improve the patient experience, with an overarching goal of reducing the suffering of patients as they undergo care and improving the value of that care. In addition to his role with Press Ganey, Dr. Lee is an internist and cardiologist, and continues to practice primary care at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

Ralph Snyderman, MD
Dr. Snyderman is former president and CEO of the Duke University Health System and director of Duke’s Center for Research on Personalized Health Care. He currently serves as Chancellor Emeritus for the Duke University Department of Medicine. He is former Chair of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).

Jennifer Daley, MD
Dr. Daley is a Senior Adviser for the consulting firm, Cambridge Management Group. She is nationally recognized for her expertise in operational improvement, patient safety, quality and service excellence. Dr. Daley is a past recipient of a U.S. Naval Academy-Harvard Business Review Ethical Leadership Award in July 2007.

James Henry Martin, MD
Dr. Martin has been practicing emergency medicine and primary care medicine in the Chicago area since 1978 and is currently on the medical staffs of Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center, North Chicago; and Metro South Medical Center, Blue Island, IL. He has extensive clinical research experience in the area of nasal insulin studies. Dr. Martin is currently developing a nasal mupirocin spray foam to eradicate nasal MRSA, and a nasal foam medication formulation. He has had 14 US patents issued and over 40 foreign patents issued, including a patent in 2014 covering the formulation above.

Melvin Shipp, OD, MPH, DrPH
Dr. Shipp serves as Dean Emeritus, College of Optometry for The Ohio State University. He has served as a consultant, panelist and reviewer for several federal institutions –notably, the Food and Drug Administration, the Health Resources and Services Administration and in several capacities with the National Eye Institute (NEI) of the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Shipp also has assumed leadership and membership roles within a variety of non-federal, national health-related organizations. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, and a Diplomate and former Chair of the Public Health and Environmental Optometry Section. Dr. Shipp is only the second optometrist to receive the DrPH degree; he is the first to do so through the highly competitive Pew Health Policy Doctoral Fellowship Program at the University of Michigan.

James Weinstein, DO, MD
Dr. Weinstein serves as Chief Executive Officer and President of Dartmouth Hitchcock, a nonprofit academic health system that serves a patient population of 1.2 million in New England. Anchored by Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH, the system includes the Norris Cotton Cancer Center; the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock; affiliate hospitals in New London, NH, and Windsor, VT; and 24 Dartmouth-Hitchcock clinics that provide ambulatory services across New Hampshire and Vermont. Under Dr. Weinstein’s leadership, Dartmouth-Hitchcock is working to create a “sustainable health system” for patients, providers, payers and communities. Dr. Weinstein also is a member of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academy of Sciences. He serves on the IOM Committee on advising the Social Security Administration on Disability. Most recently, Dr. Weinstein was one of four members appointed to the IOM Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice.

Deborah Trautman, PhD, RN
Ms. Trautman is Chief Executive Officer for the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), a role she assumed in 2014. At AACN, she oversees strategic initiatives, signature programming and advocacy efforts led by the organization known as the national voice for baccalaureate and graduate nursing education. She has authored and coauthored publications on health policy, intimate partner violence, pain management, clinical competency, change management, cardiopulmonary bypass, the use of music in the emergency department and consolidating emergency services.

Bruce Siegel, MD, MPH, President and CEO, America’s Essential Hospitals
Dr. Siegel serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of America’s Essential Hospitals (formerly the National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems). Dr. Siegel has an extensive background in health care management, policy and public health. Before joining NAPH, he served as Director of the Center for Health Care Quality and Professor of Health Policy at the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services. He also previously served as President and CEO of two NAPH members: Tampa General Healthcare and the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation. In addition, Dr. Siegel has served as Commissioner of Health of the State of New Jersey. Among many accomplishments, Dr. Siegel has led groundbreaking work on quality and equity for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, as well as projects for the Commonwealth Fund, the California Endowment and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. He also was ranked as one of the “50 Most Influential Physician Executives” and one of the "100 Most Influential People in Healthcare" in 2011 by Modern Healthcare. Currently, he chairs the National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality.

The announcement of the Special Medical Advisory Group follows the introduction of the Veterans Health Administration’s “Blueprint for Excellence,” which lays out strategies for transformation to improve the performance of VA health care now —making it more Veteran-centric by putting Veterans in control of their VA experience.

The SMAG Committee is scheduled to conduct its first meeting on May 13, 2015. More information about SMAG may be found at www.va.gov/ADVISORY/SMAG.asp.

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Older Veterans Will Need More Help Filling Claims

New VA Claims Process Called Detrimental to Older Veterans 
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
by Brian Bowling
Feb 23, 2015

While the new Department of Veterans Affairs claims process uses forms that are simpler than income tax return forms, they have similar names and designs. More importantly, they represent a shift that puts more of the burden on veterans for starting a claim and will end up hurting older veterans and those with traumatic brain injuries, spokesmen for the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans said. "In the end, the changes are being implemented for the convenience of the VA and not for the benefit of the veterans," said Gerald Manar, deputy director of the VFW's National Veterans Service.

The policy, which will take effect March 24, eliminates the informal claim process that allowed veterans to start a claim simply by making a written request. Under the existing policy, the veteran then had one year to file a completed claim. Any benefits awarded would be backdated to the day of the request.

The new policy requires veterans to fill out a standardized form to start the claims process. "They're not going to do anything until they receive the correct form, completed correctly," said Jim Marszalek, the DAV's National Service Director. Consequently, veterans could lose months of benefits while waiting for the VA to notify them that they need to send in the correct form, and some are likely to simply give up, he said. "There's nothing (in the regulation) to specify how long the VA has to respond to someone who doesn't use a standard form," Marszalek said.
read more here

Sunday, December 14, 2014

“What the VA did to me 60 years ago is they tore up the Bill of Rights”

If you missed this story, Vegas Navy Cross recipient shot down by VA benefits office I strongly suggest you read it.

In this one you'll read about the story of a Korean War Veteran being denied benefits and his 60 years battle for justice. Charles Mahoney was treated to electroshock wiping out his memory for days much like 2,000 WWII veterans.
Besieged by psychologically damaged troops returning from the battlefields of North Africa, Europe and the Pacific, the Veterans Administration performed the brain-altering operation on former servicemen it diagnosed as depressives, psychotics and schizophrenics, and occasionally on people identified as homosexuals, according to the report.

The VA’s use of lobotomy, in which doctors severed connections between parts of the brain then thought to control emotions, was known in medical circles in the late 1940s and early 1950s, and is occasionally cited in medical texts. But the VA’s practice, never widely publicized, long ago slipped from public view. Even the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs says it possesses no records detailing the creation and breadth of its lobotomy program.

If you are still under the impression that any of this is new, then please make sure you are not expressing your imbecilic opinions publicly. Lack of knowledge, refusing to do basic research and actually learn the truth are reasons why it has been this bad this long for our veterans. We've doomed them to history repeated over and over again.
Veterans say legitimate claims routinely denied or ignored
Las Vegas Review
By KEITH ROGERS
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
December 13, 2014

Vietnam War Navy Cross recipient Steve Lowery isn’t alone in his battle to convince the Veterans Benefits Administration that his wounds are linked to his military service.

Lowery, a retired Marine major from Las Vegas, took a long-awaited physical examination Thursday at the North Las Vegas VA Medical Center to show a doctor that scars from shrapnel in his knee and those on his thighs from an AK-47 resulted from a 1969 firefight in Vietnam.

In 1994, the VA benefits office in Reno told him those wounds weren’t related to his military service, and he’s been fighting with the agency ever since.

The VA apparently disallowed his initial claim because the government’s archive agency failed to send his records to Reno. Bewildered by the decision, Lowery provided a copy of his personal medical file in 2010. Two years later, his claim was rejected again.

Since the Review-Journal wrote about Lowery’s case last week, other veterans have come forward with complaints about tactics employed by the agency, which demands that veterans prove their injuries were service-related but can deny claims without proving anything.

They include Phil Cushman, a Vietnam War Marine veteran from Oregon who beat the VA system there by winning a “due process” challenge in a federal appeals court that netted $400,000 in compensation. Now, through his nationally recognized nonprofit veterans rights advocacy group, Cushman is helping disabled Korean War soldier Charles P. Mahoney, of Las Vegas, with his appeal for more compensation.
Screen capture from Las Vegas Review Journal

“I’m not filing claims for the money. I want justice,” Mahoney, 82, told the newspaper. “What the VA did to me 60 years ago is they tore up the Bill of Rights.”

Mahoney, who served with the 1st Cavalry Division in Korea in 1950, suffered wounds and mental problems from a mortar blast that heaved him 15 feet into the air. After a hospital stint in Japan, he was taken to Fort Hood, Texas, where he underwent a series of electro­shock treatments in 1951 that “blotted out my memory for nine months.”

Two Army evaluation boards determined he was 100 percent disabled, but a third said he was only 10 percent disabled. The Army then told him he was cured and discharged him in 1952.
read more here


There used to be excuses for all of this happening. When? After the Revolutionary War when the Colonies had no basic understanding of the necessity to care for those who put their lives on the line. It isn't as if that generation was totally off the hook either because they did little to take care of any of them or their widows.

After 1946 when the House Veterans Affairs Committee took their seats there should have been no acceptable excuses.

Saturday, October 4, 2014

New National Memorial Honors 4 Million Disabled Veterans

Commentary: New national memorial to honor disabled veterans
Palm Beach Post
Lois B. Pope
October 3, 2014
This month, for the first time, America will have a place to pay tribute to some of our most courageous heroes — our disabled veterans. I encourage my neighbors here in South Florida, veterans from around the country and all those who wish to honor them, to come to the dedication ceremony on Sunday. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

Every year, more than 25 million people from around the world visit the National Mall in Washington.

The Mall is lined with important memorials, each honoring some of America’s greatest heroes. And yet, none of these monuments recognizes the millions of disabled American veterans who have selflessly fought for freedom throughout our nation’s history.

This will soon change. On Sunday, the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial (AVDLM), the first national memorial honoring disabled veterans, will be dedicated. It opens to the public the following day. Within sight of the U.S. Capitol, this new national landmark will serve as a constant reminder of the cost of human conflict.

My own connection to the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial is deeply personal. As a young singer, I entertained our military coming home from battle. I was so touched by the young men and women whose lives would never be same, I knew helping disabled veterans was something that would always be a priority in my life.

In 1998, Disabled American Veterans National Adjutant Arthur H. Wilson, the late Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jesse Brown and I joined forces to create the Disabled Veterans Life Memorial Foundation. My fondest wish was to honor the 4 million living disabled veterans, as well as those who are no longer with us, who have sacrificed so much for our country.
read more here
American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial

Thursday, August 14, 2014

New DAV Commander, Vietnam Veteran Ronald Hope

Combat-Injured Vietnam Veteran Named DAV National Commander
DAV.org
AUGUST 13, 2014

LAS VEGAS – Combat-injured veteran of the Vietnam War Ronald F. Hope of Clemmons, N.C., was unanimously elected National Commander of the 1.2 million-member DAV (Disabled American Veterans) today at the organization’s 93rd National Convention.

“As our weary nation winds down from combat operations after nearly 13 years of war, those veterans will be making that very challenging evolution that we’ve all experienced ourselves,” Commander Hope told DAV members today. “The transition out of uniform and back to your civilian life is difficult. But that’s where DAV is at its best.”

Hope served 31 years as a DAV National Service Officer, a decade of which was spent as National Area Supervisor overseeing Service Offices in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. His career was dedicated to assisting veterans to ensure they received the benefits they earned.

His devotion to DAV and all of America’s injured and ill veterans and service members is what drew him to seek National Office.

Prior to his DAV career, Hope earned a Bachelor’s of Arts degree with a major in marketing from Tarleton State University. He served in the U.S. Army from 1968 until his medical retirement in 1970.

After accepting his new post, he urged his fellow veterans to keep the newest generation in mind. “Be ready to teach them, to reach out to them, to show them the impact we make in peoples’ lives and to give them a role to serve,” Hope said.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to serve as your National Commander and I pledge to you I’ll work tirelessly to ensure your voices are heard as we continue our nearly 95-year mission of service to the men and women who raised their hand, said ‘send me,’ and went forward to conduct America’s business when called.”
Read more about the DAV here

Friday, June 13, 2014

DAV Van Driver Saw Veteran Shoot Himself at Milwaukee VA

Veteran fatally shoots himself at Milwaukee VA campus
Journal Sentinel
By Meg Jones
June 12, 2014

A veteran shot himself at the Milwaukee Veterans Affairs campus Thursday morning and was taken to Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa, where he later died.

The incident happened at 8:40 a.m. in one of the VA parking lots. The man's identity was not released.

The man was a post-Vietnam era, non-combat veteran who came to one of the parking lots, pulled out a gun and shot himself. A Disabled American Veterans van driver saw the man shoot himself and immediately alerted VA police and medical staff, who provided medical care until the veteran was taken by ambulance to Froedtert, said Gary Kunich, VA Hospital spokesman.
read more here

Thursday, May 29, 2014

DAV Blames Congress Too Because They Paid Attention All Along

In VA Scandal Fallout, Disabled American Veterans ‘Outraged’ at Burr,
Blames Congress for Lack of Funding
RollCall
By Steven Dennis
May 25, 2014

Sen. Richard Burr’s statement ripping the leaders of veterans’ groups Friday has sparked a second letter of outrage, this time from Disabled American Veterans, in the latest fallout from the VA scandal.

After the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) torched Burr, R-N.C., Saturday for a “monumental cheap-shot,” DAV National Commander Joseph W. Johnston issued a statement of his own.

Johnston defended his and other groups’ decision not to join the American Legion’s calls for Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki to resign, and blamed a lack of funding from Congress for much of the VA’s troubles.

“If Senator Burr believes that calling for the resignation of Secretary Shinseki is the only measure of whether a leader cares about veterans, perhaps he should check with Speaker Boehner, Chairman Miller and numerous Republican Senate colleagues who have not yet done so,” Johnston wrote.

Burr dismissed the criticism in a statement later Sunday, suggesting that groups were more outraged by his letter than they were by the VA scandal.

Speaker John A. Boehner, R-Ohio, is one of Burr’s best friends. He said last week he was getting “closer” to calling for Shinseki’s resignation.

The blistering VFW letter and Burr’s original letter are posted here.

As for me and my husband, proud to be life members of the DAV and the Auxiliary

The full DAV statement:

DAV is outraged that North Carolina’s Senator Richard Burr chose the eve of Memorial Day weekend – a sacred time to remember and honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our nation — to attack the patriotism of leaders of most of the nation’s leading veterans service organizations.

Last week at a hearing of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, DAV and other veteran service organizations offered comprehensive testimony on the underlying causes of the waiting list problems afflicting VA health care facilities that are currently under investigation. In addition to demanding full accountability for anyone found to have violated VA rules, regulations or laws, we provided detailed analysis and forward-looking recommendations to address the root cause of waiting lists: lack of access and capacity to treat all veterans seeking care.

Although Senator Burr attended much of that hearing, apparently all he wanted to hear were calls for the VA Secretary to resign. Senator Burr may be enamored with the idea that all of VA’s problems and challenges can be overcome by replacing one Secretary, but the plain facts and simple logic indicate otherwise. If Senator Burr believes that calling for the resignation of Secretary Shinseki is the only measure of whether a leader cares about veterans, perhaps he should check with Speaker Boehner, Chairman Miller and numerous Republican Senate colleagues who have not yet done so.

Regrettably, Senator Burr shows no interest in pursuing serious policy solutions, preferring instead to launch cheap political attacks on the integrity of leaders of veterans organizations that do not agree with him, all of whom served honorably to defend this nation and then devoted all or most of their lives to serving their fellow veterans.

In spite of Senator Burr’s attacks, we will continue to call for an open and comprehensive investigation in Phoenix and at any other VA facility where wrongdoings are alleged. While Senator Burr challenges our integrity, we will continue to demand full accountability for all who violated the public trust, regardless of who or where they are, including criminal prosecution if warranted. While Senator Burr ignores VA’s real challenges, we will continue to call for an independent review not just of VA’s wait list and scheduling problems, but the access and capacity deficits that created them.

History clearly shows that unless VA receives sufficient resources to hire enough doctors and nurses, and has enough physical space to treat veterans, waiting list problems will continue. Over the past decade, DAV – along with many of our veteran service organization partners – have pointed out that the VA has received more than $17 billion less than was needed, a figure that is primarily derived from VA’s own internal analysis. Although these facts have been clear to successive Administrations and Congresses – including Senator Burr – none took the actions necessary to provide VA the resources it requires.

Rather than be distracted by Senator Burr’s hollow insults, we will continue to reach out to thoughtful Republicans and Democrats in the Senate and House, as well as the President and leaders in VA, to join with us in taking an honest look at all the facts, to discuss with us all possible remedies and reforms and to work with us to implement solutions that truly honor the heroism of the men and women we remember this Memorial Day weekend.

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Family Caregivers of All Severely Injured and Ill Veterans

Family Caregivers of All Severely Injured and Ill Veterans
Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
February 9, 2014

Memorial Day is the day we remember all generations of war fighters we credit with obtaining the freedom of this nation and retaining it since 1775. We do not honor one generation over another. Veterans Day is the day we honor all our veterans no matter when they served.

If we can really say we support our veterans then it is vital to insure that all veterans are treated equally.

Independent Budget is a joint effort by AMVETS, DAV, VFW and PVA
"Our veterans have always stepped forward when we needed them to do the tough jobs, often in the worst conditions imaginable, and while making numerous personal sacrifices and enduring physical and emotional pain. Veterans have paid their dues in full. It is time that those sacrifices be repaid in kind."

Notice how this statement from those organizations do not separate generations but include all together equally? That has been the mission of most veterans groups. The problem is it isn't in the interest of all veterans groups.
Summary: H.R.2342 — 111th Congress (2009-2010)
There is one summary for this bill. Bill summaries are authored by CRS.
Shown Here:
Introduced in House (05/11/2009)

Wounded Warrior Project Family Caregiver Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, as part of authorized Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home health care services for veterans, to furnish to a family member or other designated individual advanced instruction and training and certification as a family caregiver for a veteran who incurred serious wounds on active duty during, or in training for, Operations Enduring Freedom or Iraqi Freedom and is determined to be in need of personal care services.

Requires the Secretary to provide to such caregiver: (1) appropriate support services; and (2) a monthly family caregiver allowance. Authorizes the Secretary to provide medical care to such caregiver.
While Vietnam veterans families have endured and suffered longer, just as Korean War and WWII veterans had, all generations were fought for by the Vietnam veterans and their families.

We have been pushed out of the way for far too long. Let congress know they should never, ever support one generation of veterans over another.
Family Caregivers of Severely Injured and Ill Veterans

Many family members serve as lifelong caregivers to severely injured veterans. To respond, Congress enacted Public Law 111-163, the “Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act.” More than 10,000 families of veterans are now enrolled in this support program.

Over our objection, the law limits eligibility for full benefits and services to families of veterans who served on or after September 11, 2001. This comprehensive support program should apply to all service-disabled veterans on the basis of medical and other pertinent needs, not based solely on the period of military service involved. To make the benefit more effective, we urge Congress to authorize expansion of the comprehensive program to cover family caregivers of all service- disabled veterans, irrespective of a veteran’s period of service.

Our families do not deserve less from the Congress. We have waiting longer for the same issues the OEF and OIF families face. We have to take care of our disabled veterans the same as they do. Did members of Congress ever stop to think about how the Caregiver Act made us feel when we were excluded?

Sunday, December 1, 2013

DAV and VFW team up for veterans

This is what can happen with veterans' charities work together.
DAV thankful for new garage at VFW in Massena
JOHNSON NEWSPAPERS
By BENNY FAIRCHILD
PUBLISHED: SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2013

MASSENA — For years, veterans hoping to catch a ride to the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Syracuse would meet at 4:30 a.m. outside Town Hall for the long ride to Syracuse, having to arrive even earlier during the winter to scrape ice and snow off the vehicles belonging to Disabled American Veterans Post 171.

While Massena didn’t magically get any closer to Syracuse, area veterans can now sleep an extra hour during those winter months, as they’ll no longer have to clean ice and snow off the vans thanks to a new garage built at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1143.

“Last year with all those ice storms, we had veterans out there at 3 a.m. trying to chip away at the ice,” DAV Commander Edward Gebault said.

“We were having trouble keeping members. It was tough. They were out there when it was 20 below trying to get those vans going,” he said.
read more here

Thursday, November 21, 2013

New vans haul disabled veterans

New vans haul disabled veterans
The Daily Inter Lake
By LYNNETTE HINTZE
Posted: Saturday, November 16, 2013

Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake New vans haul disabled veterans From left, John Babb, Dean House, Shane Stratton, Montana DAV Commander Joe Parsetich and Carey Dill gather in front of the three new Disabled American Veterans vans on Friday at the National Guard Armory north of Kalispell.

When three of the four vans serving local disabled veterans crossed the 200,000-mile mark some time ago and a third van had topped 196,000 miles, Larry Smith decided it was time for some new wheels.

Smith, the local area coordinator for the Flathead Valley Chapter of Disabled American Veterans, turned into a fundraising dynamo, bringing in $44,495 in just six weeks. That was the amount needed for the national DAV organization to match half the cost for three new vans.

“These vans have served the vets well,” Smith said about the worn fleet. “The guidelines for replacement for the DAV is 200,000 miles. Our oldest van had 246,000 miles. It was used strictly for local runs, not for long hauls.”

The local DAV held a ceremony on Friday during which top donors were presented plaques for their generosity. Those donors included Plum Creek Timber Co., Kalispell and Whitefish VFW posts, and the Babb family.

Tracy Babb, a Navy veteran, had decided to donate to the van project before she died, so her brother John Babb, of Kalispell, saw to it that the family chipped in $14,000. The Babb family’s donation also honors Ronald Babb, an Army veteran, and John Bartlett, a Whitefish Vietnam veteran who died last year.

“We’ve had lots of smaller contributions, too, from as far away as Charleston, South Carolina,” Smith said.

Last year 2,100 veterans received transportation services from the DAV vans. It’s common to put on 12,000 miles a month, Smith said. The smaller vans transport veterans locally to the Veterans Center on Meridian Road, Kalispell Regional Medical Center and the VA Clinic on Three Mile Drive, while a larger, 12-passenger van takes veterans regularly to facilities in Missoula and the VA Medical Center at Fort Harrison west of Helena.
read more here

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Veterans frustrated with shutdown

Vets frustrated with the shutdown rally at WWII Memorial
PBS News Hour
BY: CINDY HUANG
October 15, 2013
"We have been assured that budget won't be balanced on backs of veterans, but here we are today," Steve Gonzales, from the American Legion, said to the morning crowd at the memorial.
Dressed in navy sweat pants and sweatshirt and sporting an "Iraqi Freedom Veteran" hat, Bill Garcia used two canes to navigate his wheelchair around the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., Tuesday. He lost the use of legs in the Iraq war and has since been receiving veterans disabilities and vocational rehabilitation. But if the partial government shutdown -- now on Day 15 -- drags on much longer, the federally employed veteran fears his disabilities payments could soon stop along with his salary.

"The uncertainty broods over you, adds to the PTSD, adds to the anxiety," Garcia said. "It's stressful."

Garcia said he lost two friends in the war. And another one of his friends lost an arm in combat.

"We were there when we were called to war," said Garcia. And looking out onto the memorial, he said, "You said you'd take care of us after we do this."
read more here

Friday, July 12, 2013

Orlando DAV Chapter 16 new officers

Orlando DAV Chapter 16 new officers
Last night the Orlando DAV Chapter 16 installed new officers. When you watch this, notice two triple amputee Vietnam Veterans. If you want to know that nothing stops these guys, both of them were National Commanders of the DAV.

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Fort Hood Victory Corner revisited

Victory Corner revisited
Dec 31, 2012
Rose L Thayer
Herald staff writer

The history of Victory Corner can best be described by the inscription on the monument there: “At this site during all hours of the day and night, people cheered and proudly waved flags and banners as over 26,000 soldiers passed by on their way home to their waiting units and to their loved ones.”

Photos of the dusty U.S. Highway 190 and Clarke Road intersection from the spring of 1991 — just after the Gulf War ended — depict cars lining the street and people standing and waving American flags. In one, a man riding a horse can be seen in the background and on the hill is a van, broadcasting each plane’s landing as if it were a hometown football game.

Always present were wooden cutouts of Uncle Sam and a camel named Clyde. A sign read, “Hope this is the last camel you see.”
read more here

Monday, December 31, 2012

Wounded Times Year End Thank You

Wounded Times Year End Thank You
by Kathie Costos
Wounded Times Blog
December 31, 2012

It has been a crazy, busy, year. In May I finished Valencia College Digital Media Certification. Not bad, ended up with a 3.1 GPA.

The top post this year as well as last year was For Those I Love I will Sacrifice with a total of 35,038 views.

In November I re-released For the Love of Jack, His War/My Battle the book I self published in 2002 trying to warn families about what they were facing with combat and PTSD.

Last month I started a new book, The Warrior SAW, Suicides After War, because of requests from families needing help when someone they love committed suicide. I hope to have it finished next month.

I need your prayers while I get through this because it is emotionally draining.

Up until I was done with college, I didn't want to ask for donations because it just didn't seem right.

In August, I finally received my tax exempt from the State of Florida and was able to start getting donations. Up until then, all the work I did, the travel, equipment, food, phone and everything else was coming out of my husband's pocket. Usually it runs between $1,000 and $2,000 a month depending on how much traveling I have to do. While this is really low for a charity, what I do does not cost much at all, but when you are talking about taking the money out of your personal budget, it hurts!

Donations for 2012
August 24, 2012
Lenny $25.00

August 25, 2012
Rofkens $20.00

August 26, 2012
Fearless $10.00
Theresa $50.00

August 27, 2012
John $10.00

August 28, 2012
Ed and Sue $50.00
Veterans Multi-purpose Center $100.00
Thomas $25.00

September 4, 2012
Ivy $25.00
Aaron $50.00

September 18, 2012
VFW $1,000

October 13, 2012
Judith, $10.00

November 2, 2012
Richard $50.00

November 12, 2012
Kim $20.00

November 13, 2012
Steve $100.00

November 14, 2012
Michael and Patricia $200.00

November 27, 3012
Brian $20.00

December 6, 2012
Lenny $20.00

December 16, 2012
Nam Knights $200.00



This is what your money helped me do and I thank you very much for your support. You helped all of these groups get some attention for the work they are doing.

Videos filmed for veterans around Central Florida for 2012
January 22
Stunt Show Motorcycle Crash
Orlando Bikers Against Child Abuse
February 3
Memorial Service for John Michael Barrett
February 7
WWII Four Chaplains Service
February 12
WWII Montford Point Marine
February 22
Veterans Walk of Honor
March 8
Memorial Service for Daniel Hurley
March 10
DAV Dinner for Wounded Warriors
March 10
Nam Knights Bike Week Party
Dannis Bish
April 12
Three Wounded Veterans
April 15
Orlando Marines Come Home
April 18
Dannis Bish Memorial Service
April 19
MOMS
April 22
Vietnam Wall Escort
April 29
Guitarists Plays With One Hand
April 29
Veterans Reunion
May 7
Medal of Honor Sammy Davis
Combat? Talk About It
Nam Knights Homes For Our Troops Fundraiser
MOH Sammy Davis Shenandoah
May 27
Ocoee Memorial Day
May 28
Vietnam War Museum Memorial Day
May 31
Glen Haven Memorial Day
June 17
Orlando DAV Volunteers
DAV Convention Candy Man
Member of the Year Award I ended up filming myself getting the Auxiliary Award
June 23
Home Depot Helps DAV
June 28
VFW Military Awards
July 18
Orlando DAV New Officers
July 22
Rebel Rider Magazine Anniversary
July 28
Funeral for Capt. Bruce MacFarlane
August 7
Purple Heart Day
August 18
Lukas Nursery Butterfly Encounter about Spiritual Healing
August 29
DAV Van Dedication
September 15
Orlando Marines Fundraiser
Orlando US Navy Chief Petty Officers
September 23
Renewal of Vows Ambush
October 18
Nam Knights Memorial Dannis Bish
Nam Knights Memorial Eternal Chapter
November 11
Healing PTSD with Horse Power
November 18
Giving Thanks for Veterans
December 8
Coast Guard Fill the Boat
December 16
Coast Guard Fill the Boat Wrap Up
December 22
Brothers in Bras

Videos created for 2012


All of these videos from this year, as well as videos done going back to 2006, were all done for free! The donations above, while deeply appreciated, were not enough to cover the cost of going to these events during the year. The editing program to turn footage into videos is $2,500. Camera equipment along with everything else is very expensive. My car is getting old on top of everything else, so if you want to see more veterans events covered next year, I'm counting on you to carry me through!

Remember, your donations are tax deductible and also cover spiritual counseling I do with veterans and their families.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Universal Studios to salute veterans on Friday

Disabled American Veterans Chapter 16 of Orlando and the Auxiliary members will be in this parade too! I've been looking forward to this for over a month now. Should be a really wonderful day.
Universal Studios to salute veterans on Friday
Universal City Walk
Universal Orlando
posted by dewayne bevil
November, 6 2012

Universal Studios will have a in-park parade of its military veterans for an early commemoration of Veterans Day on Friday.

Members of the Universal Orlando Resort’s Veteran Network will be joined by folks from the American Legion, Orlando Police Department, the Orlando Fire Department’s Pipe and Drum Corps, high-school ROTC branches and the Jones High School marching band.

The parade will start at 11 a.m. at Beetlejuice’s Graveyard Revue, and it will include a ceremonial flag-raising at the theme park’s Music Plaza.

Universal Orlando characters and performers will accompany veterans as they parade through the Studios.
read more here

Sunday, October 21, 2012

My work ripped off for Wounded Warrior Project fundraiser!

My work ripped off for Wounded Warrior Project fundraiser!
by Chaplain Kathie
Wounded Times Blog
October 21, 2012


The first thing to point out is that I DO NOT SUPPORT WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT! To see something I did tied to fundraiser for them makes me sick to my stomach.

This morning I was working on a report and needed data on amputees. (If you read this blog, you know I link to everything I find that belongs to someone else.) I figured I'd start out with a graphic report, so I went into images.

At the top I saw these two pictures.




This is where both pictures linked to. Xcellimark a "Performance-Driven Digital Agency"
Yahoo Daily News 2012-06-08: Help Donate $10,000 to the Wounded Warrior Project by voting for Orlando Interactive Digital Agency Xcellimark in the Social Madness Contest sponsored by the Orlando Business Journal. Orlando, Florida (PRWEB) June 07, 2012 With employee family members currently serving in the Armed Forces and retired military within the group, Orlando Interactive Digital Agency Xcellimark is very supportive of the troops. That is why Xcellimark is hoping..


This is where they outright stole my work from! I was using the video camera and not taking pictures.


This video and post were for the Orlando DAV! I belong to that Chapter in the Auxiliary. I spent the time talking to these veterans, shooting the footage, editing it and putting it up on the web because I BELIEVE IN WHAT THE DAV IS DOING! The link goes to the post I put up which shows the video and not pictures so someone deliberately went to great lengths to turn video footage into a jpeg.

If anyone donated to this group thinking it was for me, for the DAV or Point Man Ministries, get your money back!

Click on the link they have and you end up with this.

Your Vote Helps Donate $10,000 to Wounded Warriors – Vote Xcellimark
PRWeb – Thu, Jun 7, 2012

Help Donate $10,000 to the Wounded Warrior Project by voting for Orlando Interactive Digital Agency Xcellimark in the Social Madness Contest sponsored by the Orlando Business Journal.
Orlando, Florida (PRWEB) June 07, 2012

With employee family members currently serving in the Armed Forces and retired military within the group, Orlando Interactive Digital Agency Xcellimark is very supportive of the troops. That is why Xcellimark is hoping to have $10,000 donated to the Wounded Warrior Project by winning the Social Madness Contest sponsored by the Orlando Business Journal.

The contest started on June 1st and will run throughout September 19th. The first round is called “Open Phase” in which all businesses can compete within their local market (i.e. – Orlando, Jacksonville, Tampa, Miami, etc.). Each local market is split into three (3) categories: small companies (less than 100 employees), medium companies (100-499 employees), and large companies (500 or more employees). After June 18th, the top eight (8) companies will go on to the regional round and continue competing with the other top eight (8) companies from other local markets within the region.

In addition to bragging rights and increased online exposure, there is more up for grabs. After a couple more rounds of competition, the top three companies in the nation will be able to designate $10,000 to a charity of their choice.

"If we’re fortunate to win, our choice of charity is the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). WWP is a 501(3)(C) non profit organization that serves military service members who incurred service-connected wounds, injuries, or illnesses on or after September 11, 2001 and their families,” said Scott Lambert, President of Xcellimark.

Voting helps troops who put their lives on the line every day for America’s freedom. To vote for Xcellimark, click on the following link and vote for Xcellimark under the Small Business tab: http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/exclusives/socialmadness About the Wounded Warrior Project

The Wounded Warrior Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing programs and services to severely injured service members during the time between active duty and transition to civilian life. About Xcellimark

Xcellimark focuses on increasing its clients’ revenues and profits by improving their online image and performance, increasing online leads and closure rates, and improving branding through custom website design, search marketing, social media, email marketing and campaign optimization. For more information on how Xcellimark can help you improve your bottom line, contact Scott Lambert at 407-678-3062 ext. 210 or visit http://www.xcellimark.com.
Scott Lambert
Xcellimark
407-678-3062 210
Email Information

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Desperate Arkansas Veterans paying for help with claims

The DAV and VFW offer help for free!

Ark. Veterans Affairs: Don't pay for benefits assistance
Sep 26, 2012
Written by
Lindsey Tugman

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - The Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) issued a caution to veterans today in an effort to prevent them from paying for benefits assistance.

According to the agency, there is a growing trend of individuals and businesses charging veterans to help them apply for various VA benefits, including filing disability claims.

"There are veterans paying large sums of money for services that, because of their military service, should not cost them a dime," said ADVA Chief of Claims and Appeals Tony Gordon. "Navigating the benefits system can be challenging but our service officers are accredited to assist veterans in doing so, one-on-one and free of cost."
read more here

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Orlando VA gets a new van from DAV Chapter 16

This morning I met up with members of the DAV Chapter 16 as the VA accepted the new van to transport disabled veterans to and from the VA.

Really a great morning for Central Florida Veterans.