Michigan veterans discount card in works
State seeks to boost access to services as well as offer savings
By Alanna Durkin
Associated Press
February 7, 2013
Lansing — Michigan's secretary of state announced her support Wednesday for establishing special identification cards that would give the state's 670,000 military veterans discounts on stores and hotels and other benefits, part of the administration's larger effort to make the veterans more aware of resources available to them.
Ruth Johnson said placing the specialized designation on driver's licenses and identification cards would make it easier on veterans, who currently must carry discharge papers to prove their service.
It will help the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and county veteran service officers better identify veterans and reach out to them about available services, she said. Aaron Jenkins, public information officer for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, said it would provide the department with more complete and up-to-date contact information for veterans.
The veteran's identification plan was recently introduced in a bill by lawmakers and Johnson said her office will work with them to see that it is written into law.
While Michigan has the nation's 11th highest population of veterans, the state ranks dead last in federal money spent per person on services provided through the U.S. Veterans Administration, including medical treatment and employment assistance.
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Thursday, February 7, 2013
Pentagon and VA drop plan for new computer system
Pentagon, VA drop plan for new computer system for health records
Posted Wednesday, Feb. 06, 2013
Star Telegram
BY KEVIN FREKING
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- Congressional leaders overseeing veterans' issues criticized on Wednesday a decision by the Obama administration to move away from building a new computer system for storing the health records of troops and veterans.
The Pentagon and the Veterans Affairs Department are working to merge their health records so that doctors can track a patient's health history from the time he or she enters the military to when her or she leaves and gets care at the VA.
The plan was to build a new computer system that would allow the two departments to merge their health records by 2017. The departments announced Tuesday they could get the job done more quickly and cheaply by enhancing their existing, but disparate computer systems.
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Posted Wednesday, Feb. 06, 2013
Star Telegram
BY KEVIN FREKING
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- Congressional leaders overseeing veterans' issues criticized on Wednesday a decision by the Obama administration to move away from building a new computer system for storing the health records of troops and veterans.
The Pentagon and the Veterans Affairs Department are working to merge their health records so that doctors can track a patient's health history from the time he or she enters the military to when her or she leaves and gets care at the VA.
The plan was to build a new computer system that would allow the two departments to merge their health records by 2017. The departments announced Tuesday they could get the job done more quickly and cheaply by enhancing their existing, but disparate computer systems.
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42 Years after enlistment Vietnam Vet retires from National Guards
Last Vietnam veteran retires from the Tennessee National Guard
By ALEXIS ZOTOS
6 News Reporter
KNOXVILLE (WATE) – The last Vietnam veteran serving in the Tennessee Army National Guard has donned his uniform for the last time.
Born and raised in Oliver Springs, Command Sgt. Maj. Gregory Peck joined the Army at age 17. After more than 40 years of service, he is retiring.
Sgt. Maj. Peck enlisted in 1970 serving as a combat engineer in Vietnam with the 20th Engineer Brigade. For the next 42 years he worked his way up the ranks. Now he retires with the highest rank possible for an enlisted man.
Peck enlisted when he was just shy of his 18th birthday, believing it was something he was meant to do.
"I just feel like I always wanted to do something for somebody," said Sgt. Maj. Peck.
After serving in Vietnam, he spent 10 years in active duty before joining the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment.
"That's all the years I've been in, my rank and all my ribbons," Peck said, describing his dress uniform.
He has decorations for each of the 42 years of service.
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By ALEXIS ZOTOS
6 News Reporter
"It feels like yesterday," said Command Sgt. Maj. Gregory Peck. "You never forget some people, they're always kind of a part of you."
KNOXVILLE (WATE) – The last Vietnam veteran serving in the Tennessee Army National Guard has donned his uniform for the last time.
Born and raised in Oliver Springs, Command Sgt. Maj. Gregory Peck joined the Army at age 17. After more than 40 years of service, he is retiring.
Sgt. Maj. Peck enlisted in 1970 serving as a combat engineer in Vietnam with the 20th Engineer Brigade. For the next 42 years he worked his way up the ranks. Now he retires with the highest rank possible for an enlisted man.
Peck enlisted when he was just shy of his 18th birthday, believing it was something he was meant to do.
"I just feel like I always wanted to do something for somebody," said Sgt. Maj. Peck.
After serving in Vietnam, he spent 10 years in active duty before joining the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment.
"That's all the years I've been in, my rank and all my ribbons," Peck said, describing his dress uniform.
He has decorations for each of the 42 years of service.
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Fort Benning Captain and fiancee killed in murder-suicide
Army Captain, fiancee killed in murder-suicide identified
Ledger Enquirer
Published: February 6, 2013
By BEN WRIGHT
A Fort Benning soldier accused of shooting his girlfriend at American Storage Rental Spaces before turning the gun on himself Tuesday had been in the military more than four years and never deployed, a post spokeswoman said Wednesday.
Authorities identified the Army captain as Gonzalo Raphael Garcia, 38, of California and the woman as Victoria Andrea Jacquez, 27, of Las Cruces, N.M. Both died of a gunshot wound to the head in what police called a murder-suicide at 3560 Victory Drive.
Elsie Jackson, a public affairs spokeswoman, said Garcia entered the military in November 2008.
In October 2012, he was assigned to the 199th Infantry Regiment, a training unit at Fort Benning. His last duty station was at Fort Bliss, Texas, she said.
Garcia was a graduate of the Airborne School at Fort Benning but was never deployed.
Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan said the soldier and the woman were engaged. She was wearing what appeared to be an engagement ring on her finger. "She was here to see him," he said. "Her family didn't know she was here."
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Ledger Enquirer
Published: February 6, 2013
By BEN WRIGHT
A Fort Benning soldier accused of shooting his girlfriend at American Storage Rental Spaces before turning the gun on himself Tuesday had been in the military more than four years and never deployed, a post spokeswoman said Wednesday.
Authorities identified the Army captain as Gonzalo Raphael Garcia, 38, of California and the woman as Victoria Andrea Jacquez, 27, of Las Cruces, N.M. Both died of a gunshot wound to the head in what police called a murder-suicide at 3560 Victory Drive.
Elsie Jackson, a public affairs spokeswoman, said Garcia entered the military in November 2008.
In October 2012, he was assigned to the 199th Infantry Regiment, a training unit at Fort Benning. His last duty station was at Fort Bliss, Texas, she said.
Garcia was a graduate of the Airborne School at Fort Benning but was never deployed.
Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan said the soldier and the woman were engaged. She was wearing what appeared to be an engagement ring on her finger. "She was here to see him," he said. "Her family didn't know she was here."
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Unclaimed, story of one man's search for missing in Vietnam
Nixon said "All of our American POWs are on their way home." and people believed it. They are shocked to discover after all these years remains of missing pilots and soldiers are still being identified so they can be returned to their families for a proper burial.
What they didn't know is what is in this movie.
UNCLAIMED Michael Jorgensen Film
While working in Southeast Asia, a war torn veteran of the Vietnam War discovers a mysterious man claiming to be an American MIA and so begins his struggle to prove the lost soldier's identity and reunite him with his family.
"What is one life worth? How much do I sacrifice for the soul of one human being someone I don't even know?
"A wiseman once said time heals all wounds. One thing I know for certain,,,that man never went to war."
Feb 3, 2013
While working in Southeast Asia, a war torn veteran of the Vietnam War discovers a mysterious man claiming to be an American MIA and so begins his struggle to prove the lost soldier's identity and reunite him with his family.
What they didn't know is what is in this movie.
UNCLAIMED Michael Jorgensen Film
While working in Southeast Asia, a war torn veteran of the Vietnam War discovers a mysterious man claiming to be an American MIA and so begins his struggle to prove the lost soldier's identity and reunite him with his family.
"What is one life worth? How much do I sacrifice for the soul of one human being someone I don't even know?
"A wiseman once said time heals all wounds. One thing I know for certain,,,that man never went to war."
Feb 3, 2013
While working in Southeast Asia, a war torn veteran of the Vietnam War discovers a mysterious man claiming to be an American MIA and so begins his struggle to prove the lost soldier's identity and reunite him with his family.
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