First Lady praises military women
By Karen Jowers - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Mar 3, 2009 18:59:08 EST
Will First Lady Michelle Obama have military women in for tea at the White House?
That challenge was laid down Tuesday by retired Army Brig. Gen. Wilma Vaught at an event marking the start of Women’s History Month at the Women In Military Service For America Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery.
“Do they still serve tea in the White House?” she asked. “And if they serve tea at the White House, are there any service women who would be willing to go?”
Most of the more than 150 people in the audience were military women, and virtually all of them cheered and raised their hands.
“You’re all invited. I think that’s an excellent idea,” Obama said, singling out one of her staff members who would be the point person.
The First Lady praised the women’s memorial, and the women it honors who are serving and have served around the world. She included those who have been wounded, and those who have lost their lives in service.
“I can’t think of a better way to begin Women’s History Month than coming here to the women’s memorial at Arlington National Cemetery to honor our nation’s service women,” she said.
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Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Injured vets find safety net online
Injured vets find safety net online
Chicago Tribune - United States
Web site connects potential donors with ex-soldiers struggling with pain and bills
By Sara Olkon Tribune reporter
March 2, 2009
MOLINE, Ill. — The requests are often humble: A disabled veteran in Decatur needed help with an overdue winter fuel bill. A soldier in Minnesota asked for a box spring and mattress—"it doesn't have to be new." A combat medic from Moline asked for clothes for his four young children.
Desperate for help and hobbled by federal bureaucracy, the men went public with their needs, recently posting their stories to total strangers on USATogether.org, a non-profit group created by a Silicon Valley entrepreneur to help injured veterans.
Strangers are coming to the aid of soldiers with things such as auto repair, a new washing machine or lodging for family while a soldier recuperates at a Veterans Affairs hospital far from home. Potential donors can read a soldier's profile and either help financially or donate goods and services.
click link for more
Chicago Tribune - United States
Web site connects potential donors with ex-soldiers struggling with pain and bills
By Sara Olkon Tribune reporter
March 2, 2009
MOLINE, Ill. — The requests are often humble: A disabled veteran in Decatur needed help with an overdue winter fuel bill. A soldier in Minnesota asked for a box spring and mattress—"it doesn't have to be new." A combat medic from Moline asked for clothes for his four young children.
Desperate for help and hobbled by federal bureaucracy, the men went public with their needs, recently posting their stories to total strangers on USATogether.org, a non-profit group created by a Silicon Valley entrepreneur to help injured veterans.
Strangers are coming to the aid of soldiers with things such as auto repair, a new washing machine or lodging for family while a soldier recuperates at a Veterans Affairs hospital far from home. Potential donors can read a soldier's profile and either help financially or donate goods and services.
click link for more
Space Coast Veterans:A sacred trust
Our views: A sacred trust
Obama budget helps veterans with expanded VA care
March 3, 2009
During the campaign, President Barack Obama promised to boost veterans’ health care to fulfill the sacred trust often neglected between the government and those who have served.
His new budget follows through on that pledge in a major way that helps veterans returning from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and those who have fought in past conflicts.
Some numbers show how it could aid many of the 75,000 veterans along the Space Coast:
click link for the rest
Obama budget helps veterans with expanded VA care
March 3, 2009
During the campaign, President Barack Obama promised to boost veterans’ health care to fulfill the sacred trust often neglected between the government and those who have served.
His new budget follows through on that pledge in a major way that helps veterans returning from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and those who have fought in past conflicts.
Some numbers show how it could aid many of the 75,000 veterans along the Space Coast:
click link for the rest
Why is Tammy Duckworth Still Waiting For Job To Help Veterans?
While President Obama has his hands full of problems this nation faces, the veterans have waited far too long to be provided with the care they earned. Yesterday I posted how tens of thousands of claims were not even opened. We've read stories of claims being shredded in the past, of willful misdiagnosis of PTSD claims, of 800,000 backlogged claims and over 300,000 claims on appeal still waiting. While it seems the veterans are very important to President Obama, just as they were when he wanted to be on the committee to take care of them, they are still waiting. With someone like Tammy Duckworth, someone President Obama knows will do a fine job, has already given up her job in Illinois, she is waiting to get to work to help our veterans. It's time her nomination was sent to Congress and get this wonderful woman to work for the veterans sake!
Tammy Duckworth's D.C. post still on hold
By Dan Carden Daily Herald StaffContact writer
SPRINGFIELD - One month ago, Tammy Duckworth looked to be on the fast track to an important job in President Barack Obama's new administration.
The Hoffman Estates resident quit her job as head of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs on Feb. 6 and prepared to become the face of the federal VA as the assistant secretary of public and intergovernmental affairs.
One month later, that fast track to Washington, D.C., isn't moving so fast.
It turns out Obama did not actually nominate Duckworth on Feb. 3, but only indicated his intent to nominate the Iraq war veteran. The White House has still not sent Duckworth's nomination to the U.S. Senate.
"We're still waiting for the nomination," said Kawika Riley, press secretary for the Senate's veterans affairs committee. "When the paper comes we'll be very happy."
A White House spokeswoman told the Daily Herald Tuesday there is no specific reason for the delay in formally nominating Duckworth. Of the thousands of government positions appointed by the White House and needing Senate confirmation, only 42 have been sent up to Capitol Hill. Four of those nominees withdrew following problematic background checks.
Long delays filling positions at the start of new administrations are not unusual, agreed VA spokeswoman Jo Schuda.
"We don't even have names of people for most of the other positions," Schuda said. "The naming of her was pretty swift."
Attempts to reach Duckworth on Monday and Tuesday were unsuccessful.
Should the nomination ever come, Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Daniel K. Akaka, a Hawaii Democrat, already signaled his support for Duckworth, calling her a "fine choice" and "a source of inspiration for the newest generation of veterans." Duckworth's nomination must be approved by the Veterans Affairs Committee and the full Senate before she can take her post.
In February, VA head Eric K. Shinseki said Duckworth would bring "significant talent, leadership and personal experience to this important work."
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Tammy Duckworth's D.C. post still on hold
By Dan Carden Daily Herald StaffContact writer
SPRINGFIELD - One month ago, Tammy Duckworth looked to be on the fast track to an important job in President Barack Obama's new administration.
The Hoffman Estates resident quit her job as head of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs on Feb. 6 and prepared to become the face of the federal VA as the assistant secretary of public and intergovernmental affairs.
One month later, that fast track to Washington, D.C., isn't moving so fast.
It turns out Obama did not actually nominate Duckworth on Feb. 3, but only indicated his intent to nominate the Iraq war veteran. The White House has still not sent Duckworth's nomination to the U.S. Senate.
"We're still waiting for the nomination," said Kawika Riley, press secretary for the Senate's veterans affairs committee. "When the paper comes we'll be very happy."
A White House spokeswoman told the Daily Herald Tuesday there is no specific reason for the delay in formally nominating Duckworth. Of the thousands of government positions appointed by the White House and needing Senate confirmation, only 42 have been sent up to Capitol Hill. Four of those nominees withdrew following problematic background checks.
Long delays filling positions at the start of new administrations are not unusual, agreed VA spokeswoman Jo Schuda.
"We don't even have names of people for most of the other positions," Schuda said. "The naming of her was pretty swift."
Attempts to reach Duckworth on Monday and Tuesday were unsuccessful.
Should the nomination ever come, Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Daniel K. Akaka, a Hawaii Democrat, already signaled his support for Duckworth, calling her a "fine choice" and "a source of inspiration for the newest generation of veterans." Duckworth's nomination must be approved by the Veterans Affairs Committee and the full Senate before she can take her post.
In February, VA head Eric K. Shinseki said Duckworth would bring "significant talent, leadership and personal experience to this important work."
click link for more
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Drought and hunger hit Afghanistan hard
Drought and hunger hit Afghanistan hard
by Ethan Cole, Christian Post
Posted: Tuesday, March 3, 2009, 10:12 (GMT)
Drought-stricken and internally displaced, many Afghans can’t even be sure of one good meal a day for themselves and their family, says Church World Service.
"Life continues to be difficult for all Afghans, but the tens of thousands of displaced Afghans and returnees from Pakistan and Iran are particularly at risk," says CWS Asia and Pacific Region Coordinator Marvin Parvez, who has also directed the CWS Pakistan/Afghanistan programme.
The most severe drought in a decade has only deepened the Afghanistan's food crisis. Oxfam International estimated last autumn that five million people in Afghanistan would face severe food shortages this winter.
In response to the dire needs, the US-based Church World Service will provide immediate assistance to the most vulnerable in three hard-hit provinces – Nangarhar, Takhar, and Laghman.
go here for more
http://icasualties.org/oef/
by Ethan Cole, Christian Post
Posted: Tuesday, March 3, 2009, 10:12 (GMT)
Drought-stricken and internally displaced, many Afghans can’t even be sure of one good meal a day for themselves and their family, says Church World Service.
"Life continues to be difficult for all Afghans, but the tens of thousands of displaced Afghans and returnees from Pakistan and Iran are particularly at risk," says CWS Asia and Pacific Region Coordinator Marvin Parvez, who has also directed the CWS Pakistan/Afghanistan programme.
The most severe drought in a decade has only deepened the Afghanistan's food crisis. Oxfam International estimated last autumn that five million people in Afghanistan would face severe food shortages this winter.
In response to the dire needs, the US-based Church World Service will provide immediate assistance to the most vulnerable in three hard-hit provinces – Nangarhar, Takhar, and Laghman.
go here for more
http://icasualties.org/oef/
Illinois National Guards Woman and single Mom, dies of wounds
Robbins woman dies from wounds received in Afghanistan
March 3, 2009 4:45 PM No Comments
The U.S. military announced today the death of an Illinois Army National Guard soldier killed in Afghanistan, the eighth in five months, identifying her as Spc. Simone Robinson, 21, the single mother of a two-year-old daughter from south suburban Robbins.
Robinson (right) was one of five members of the Guard's 634th Brigade Support Battalion who was wounded Jan. 17 in Kabul, just outside the gate of Camp Eggers there. The injured also included Daniel Acosta, 30, of Whiting Ind.; Aaron Carlson, 20, of Annawan, Ill.; Leigh Herring, 28 of Peoria, and Tyler Keener, 22, of Prairie City, Ill.
They had been providing security for a fuel truck outside the base when a suicide bomber attacked. The explosion trapped Robinson between a burning vehicle and the wall of the compound. She was the most seriously injured, with burns covering half her body, her family said.
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Marines sack 4 over deadly plane crash
Marines sack 4 over deadly plane crash
Story Highlights
Fighter squadron commander, maintenance officer, two others relieved of duty
Pilot involved in fatal crash grounded pending further review, Marine Corps says
Deferred maintenance, faulty decision, pilot contributed to crash, Marine Corps says
Man's wife, children, mother-in-law killed in crash in San Diego, California
(CNN) -- Deferred maintenance, faulty decisions by controllers and the pilot of a fighter jet contributed to an aircraft's fatal crash into a San Diego, California, neighborhood in December, the Marine Corps announced Tuesday.
The commander of the fighter squadron involved in the crash, its top maintenance officer and two others have been relieved of duty as a result of the crash investigation. The pilot has been grounded pending a further review, Maj. Gen. Randolph Alles announced.
Nine other Marines have received other disciplinary action, Alles said.
The December crash killed four people when the F/A-18D jet slammed into houses about three miles from the Marine air base where it was attempting to make an emergency landing.
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Story Highlights
Fighter squadron commander, maintenance officer, two others relieved of duty
Pilot involved in fatal crash grounded pending further review, Marine Corps says
Deferred maintenance, faulty decision, pilot contributed to crash, Marine Corps says
Man's wife, children, mother-in-law killed in crash in San Diego, California
(CNN) -- Deferred maintenance, faulty decisions by controllers and the pilot of a fighter jet contributed to an aircraft's fatal crash into a San Diego, California, neighborhood in December, the Marine Corps announced Tuesday.
The commander of the fighter squadron involved in the crash, its top maintenance officer and two others have been relieved of duty as a result of the crash investigation. The pilot has been grounded pending a further review, Maj. Gen. Randolph Alles announced.
Nine other Marines have received other disciplinary action, Alles said.
The December crash killed four people when the F/A-18D jet slammed into houses about three miles from the Marine air base where it was attempting to make an emergency landing.
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13,000 Stop-loss troops still wait for pay
Gates, Army working out stop-loss payments
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Mar 3, 2009 14:46:26 EST
The snail’s-pace development of a plan to pay a monthly allowance of up to $500 for soldiers affected by stop-loss orders has not escaped Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who has now taken a personal interest in getting the payments to 13,000 eligible soldiers.
Gates and Army leaders are negotiating final details for a proposal that could be announced within weeks to provide a congressionally approved payment that is expected to apply to 7,300 active-duty soldiers, 4,430 National Guardsmen and 1,452 Army Reserve members, according to testimony Tuesday before the House Armed Services military personnel panel.
go here for more
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/03/military_stoploss_payments_030309w/
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Mar 3, 2009 14:46:26 EST
The snail’s-pace development of a plan to pay a monthly allowance of up to $500 for soldiers affected by stop-loss orders has not escaped Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who has now taken a personal interest in getting the payments to 13,000 eligible soldiers.
Gates and Army leaders are negotiating final details for a proposal that could be announced within weeks to provide a congressionally approved payment that is expected to apply to 7,300 active-duty soldiers, 4,430 National Guardsmen and 1,452 Army Reserve members, according to testimony Tuesday before the House Armed Services military personnel panel.
go here for more
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/03/military_stoploss_payments_030309w/
"Tens of thousands unopened VA claims" found
So much for the VA getting their act together! Think of the backlog of claims from opened mail and then add these claims to that and you have a veteran suffering along with usually a family as well. Support the troops has boiled down to just a bunch of words from Bush's hand picked friends instead of heads that put the veterans first!
Unopened claims letters hidden at VA offices
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Mar 3, 2009 17:22:51 EST
A new report about Veterans Affairs Department employees squirreling away tens of thousands of unopened letters related to benefits claims is sparking fresh concerns that veterans and their survivors are being cheated out of money.
VA officials acknowledge further credibility problems based on a new report of a previously undisclosed 2007 incident in which workers at a Detroit regional office turned in 16,000 pieces of unprocessed mail and 717 documents turned up in New York in December during amnesty periods in which workers were promised no one would be penalized.
“Veterans have lost trust in VA,” Michael Walcoff, VA’s under secretary for benefits, said at a hearing Tuesday. “That loss of trust is understandable, and winning back that trust will not be easy.”
Unprocessed and unopened mail was just one problem in VA claims processing mentioned by Belinda Finn, VA’s assistant inspector general for auditing, in testimony before the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee. click link for more
Lawmakers want faster progress on TBI, PTSD
Well Comgressman Murtha is getting it right,,,I didn't need to post the rant after all.
Lawmakers want faster progress on TBI, PTSD
ArmyTimes.com - Springfield,VA,USA
Lawmakers want faster progress on TBI, PTSD
By Kelly Kennedy - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Mar 3, 2009 16:03:36 EST
A hearing meant to give Defense Department officials a chance to explain their plans for spending $900 million allocated for mental health care quickly turned into a debate on how that money should be spent.
As yet, military experts on post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries are still working out which studies should be funded, which treatment methods should be adopted and which pilot programs should be put in place.
“We keep getting studies,” Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., chairman of the House defense appropriations panel, said at a hearing Tuesday. “That’s the problem with the Defense Department — they study it to death.”
“I would say that you’ve helped us significantly,” Ellen Embrey, deputy assistant secretary of defense for force health readiness and protection, told Murtha and other lawmakers. “I would like to report in future hearings what we’re doing with that money.”
Lawmakers had plenty of ideas of their own: Buy more helicopters to get wounded troops out of Afghanistan faster; begin treating traumatic brain injuries immediately using hyperbaric oxygen chambers; and, most importantly, quit spending so much time studying options that never become reality.
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