James 'Jim' Hoffman
817.297.3017 (Home)
817.297.3057 (FAX)
817.946.3999 (Cell)
*********
New Lottery to Benefit Veterans Fund
(see related Story)
(Copied from the Burleson Star dtd Wednesday, October 21, 2009)
There’s a new lottery in town, with proceeds going to bolster a statewide fund to help veterans.
State Senator Leticia Van De Putte and State Representative Chris Turner were joined Monday, October 19, by the Texas veterans’ leaders in unveiling the Veterans Cash Texas Lottery Scratch-off ticket. The tickets will go on sale Monday, November. 9, 2009 and will benefit the Permanent Fund for Veterans’ Assistance.
The FVA was created by Legislature in 2007 to aid those who served our nation in uniform and their families. Since its creation, the fund has received very little financial assistance and as a result, organizations that aid veterans in need are having to look elsewhere for grants and funding services.
“With over 1.7 million veterans in Texas , we must honor their service and sacrifice by providing the resources and the support they have earned, “turner said. “This fund and the money generated from the scratch-off will not repay the debut we owe our veterans who have served our nation in uniform. We can’t put a price tag on the incredible sacrifices these brave men and women have made to protect our freedom.”
The Legislative Budget Board estimates the single scratch-off game will raise some $8 million for PFVA during the first full year it is in circulation.
“We owe so much to the brave men and women who generation after generation has left their hometowns and families to serve our country.” Van De Putte said. “The Veterans Cash Scratch Off lottery ticket provides a secure revenue stream to fund critical services and programs for veterans and their families. Our veterans have already paid the price, now its time for Texas to honor their sacrifice.”
During the 81st Legislative Session, House Bill 1299 and its Senate companion, Senate Bill 421 by Senators Van De Putte and Chris Harris, were filed to crate the lottery, scratch-off game. HB 1299 passed the House with only minutes to spare and was eventually added to Senator Van De Puttee’s SB 1655.
The passage of legislation to create this scratch-off ticket has been a top priority for veterans’ organizations.
Hal Cleveland, U.S. Navy, (Ret.)
(Back to Top)
VFW Programs E-Newsletter
A Bi-Monthly Publication of the VFW Programs Department January 1, 2010 Volume 39 Issue 1
CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION: Young American Creative Patriotic Art.
The Ladies Auxiliary’s Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest are scholarships for first place $10,000, 2nd place $5,000, 3rd place $2,500, and $1,500 for 4th place, $500 each for 5th – 8th place.
Student deadline to local Auxiliary is March 31. District judging is optional, check with your Department chairman. Department deadline is April 15 and National May 5.
Eligibility for the competition: the student must be in grades 9 – 12 (public school or home-schooled) and attend school in the same state as the sponsoring Auxiliary. Foreign exchange students and previous national winners cannot participate. Contact information: www.ladiesauxvfw.org (816) 561-8655
Citizenship Education Teacher Award
Department judging should be completed by January 10 with winners to national by January 15. District participation reports should be forwarded to Department by January 15 and from Department to National by Jan. 31.
Contact information: tbeauchamp@vfw.org (816) 756-3390 x 287. Teachers Awards http://www.vfwstore.org/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=237
YOUTH ACTIVITIES: Voice of Democracy &
Patriot’s Pen Contest Judging & Reporting
Department judging should be completed by January 7 with winners to national by January 15. District participation reports should be forwarded to Department by January 15 and from Department to National by January 31.
Contact information vfwprograms@vfw.org (816) 968-1117. Gifts and awards http://www.vfwstore.org/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=132
BUDDY POPPY:
ALL AMERICAN STAR-SPANGLED BONUS
The Buddy Poppy Program is offering an additional opportunity to distribute poppies on March 3, in order to assist in meeting two of this year’s All American requirements. This additional Buddy Poppy date marks the anniversary of VFW’s victory in sealing the Star Spangled Banner as the national anthem on March 3, 1931. Further details on this event will be sent to each Department headquarters, Buddy Poppy chairmen and Post Commanders. Contact information: nclifton@vfw.org (816) 968-1148. Please visit http://www.vfwstore.org/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=128 for Buddy Poppy merchandise.
Important Dates
Deadline dates: February 2, 2010 – National Groundhog Job Shadow Day. For more information and a promotional kit, please call 1-800-373-3174 or visit www.jobshadow.org.
Valentine’s Day Week – National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week. For more information, please visit:
www.va.gov/volunteer/nshv.cfm
March 3, 2010 – All American Star Spangled Bonus. – See story under Buddy Poppy section.
2010 – 2011 THEMES ANNOUNCED:
Voice of Democracy: “DOES MY GENERATION HAVE A ROLE IN AMERICA’S FUTURE?”
Patriot’s Pen: “DOES PATRIOTISM STILL MATTER?”
COMMUNITY SERVICE:
Volunteering in the United States
Nationally, members of the VFW and our Ladies Auxiliary, during the first six-months of the 2009 – 2010 reporting year have volunteered nearly 5 million hours and donated nearly $96 million dollars towards completing many community service projects.
VFW Programs offers community service volunteer recognition. This award is a VFW Community Service Volunteer award on the accumulative hours a member or non-member who volunteer their time in service through outside organizations on behalf of the VFW. For more information, please refer to pages 28 – 29 of the “It’s About Service Chairmen’s Guidebook.
Contact information: nclifton@vfw.org (816) 968-1148
RECOGNITION:
National Public Servant Awards
Each year, the Veterans of Foreign Wars honors public servants including emergency medical technicians (EMT’s), firefighters and law enforcement personnel. Post Safety Chairman are encouraged to nominate a candidate from their local community for each of these awards. Entries should include a letter of nomination containing the candidate’s name, title, address, telephone number and the award for which he or she is being nominated. In addition a one page resume of the candidate’s background, awards and any special recognition in their field should be included along with a photograph of the candidate. These should be submitted to Department Headquarters any time during the program year. The Department’s selection for each of the three awards should be forwarded to VFW National Headquarters by at least three weeks prior to their presentation. Department will receive national citations for presentation to their respective winners in the early Spring for presentation. Contact: tbeauchamp@vfw.org, 816-756-3390, ext. 287
Nelda Clifton, Programs Coordinator
Programs Department
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the US
nclifton@vfw.org
(816) 968-1148
Fax: (816) 968-1149
We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. - Winston Churchill
SENATE PASSES TRICARE PROTECTIONS
House action still needed to recognize VA healthcare
WASHINGTON (April 13, 2010) - With the Senate passage of S. 3148 last night, all military TRICARE programs will soon be recognized as meeting minimum essential coverage standards under the new national healthcare law, according to the national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S.
Though a great victory for more than 9 million military families and retirees, Thomas J. Tradewell Sr. cautioned against celebrating until the House acts on S. 3162, which was introduced by Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) to recognize and protect all VA healthcare programs, too.
"There are a few more parts to this mission, which won't be complete until the House passes S. 3162 and the president signs both bills," he said.
The VFW has been aggressively working since mid-March to ensure the new national healthcare law recognizes and protects all the healthcare programs provided by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.
"National healthcare will help many veterans who are ineligible for DOD or VA care," said Tradewell, a combat-wounded Vietnam veteran from Sussex, Wis., "but missing from the original legislation was language that specifically recognized all military TRICARE and VA programs as meeting minimum essential coverage standards. That meant standalone legislation was required to protect all the healthcare programs provided by the nation's two largest federal departments."
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) was the first to act with the introduction of H.R. 4887. His bill was necessary because the national healthcare legislation, as written, only recognized TRICARE for Life, and excluded a half dozen other TRICARE programs, as well as the health plan provided to DOD nonappropriated fund employees. H.R. 4887 passed unanimously 403-0. Senate Armed Service Personnel Subcommittee Chairman Jim Webb (D-Va.) quickly introduced S. 3148 as a companion to Skelton's H.R. 4887, which cleared the Senate last night.
Senate VA Committee Chairman Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) introduced S. 3162 to recognize and protect all VA programs. His bill remains necessary because the national healthcare legislation, as written, only recognizes veterans covered under chapter 17 of Title 38, and excludes other Title 38 recipients, to include widows and dependent children. S. 3162 passed the Senate March 26, but has yet to move to a vote in the House.
"Bill language is extremely important because it becomes the law of the land," said Tradewell, who applauded the efforts of Skelton, Webb and Akaka, as well as Senate VA Committee ranking member Richard Burr (R-N.C.), House VA Committee ranking member Steve Buyer (R-Ind.), and House Armed Services Committee ranking member Buck McKeon (R-Calif.).
"The VFW salutes these true champions in Congress for ensuring all the hard earned DOD and VA healthcare programs for America's veterans, servicemembers and their families are protected in writing
Veterans to Receive Emergency Financial Assistant
Austin – On Wednesday Governor Rick Perry and the Texas Veterans Commission awarded a $1 million grant to the Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation to be distributed to veterans experiencing financial hardship. Veterans across the state are encouraged to apply for emergency assistance with mortgage and rent payments, food assistance, utility payments and other basic needs.
“The Governor’s and Legislature’s support of the Texas Veterans Commission Fund for Veterans’ Assistance helps us provide much needed help to brave service members and their families,” said retired Brigadier General Karen Rankin, chair of the Texas Veterans Commission.
Through this grant, financial assistance is provided to veterans, spouses, dependent parents and children, and surviving spouses on an emergency basis. To qualify to receive this assistance, the “emergency” must be a situation that arose unexpectedly, created an immediate need for financial assistance, and was not caused or created by unreasonable conduct of the applicant.
Sen. Leticia Van de Putte and Rep. Chris Turner authored the legislation that created the lottery scratch-off game providing a permanent revenue source for the Fund for Veterans’ Assistance.
"When our warriors return from the battlefields of distant lands, they are often faced with new battles on the home front. They are now battling to heal from the physical and emotional scars of war, to re-enter the private sector workforce, and to re-adjust to family life,” said Sen. Van de Putte in a statement from her office. “With this award from the Fund for Veterans' Assistance, the Texas VFW will be able to help our warriors and their families meet the new challenges they face at home."
“The $1 million grant will not repay the debt of gratitude we owe 1.7 million Texas veterans. We can't put a price tag on the incredible sacrifices they have made to protect our freedom,” said Rep. Turner . “But through the Fund for Veterans Assistance, veterans who are in financial distress through no fault of their own will have the opportunity to get some help.”
The Texas VFW Foundation assists veterans and their families by promoting programs to raise awareness and educate the public about the sacrifices made by America ’s veterans, as well as the unique and special needs resulting from their service.
To apply for emergency financial assistance contact the Texas VFW Foundation at 800-997-7096 or visit their website at www.texasvfw.org.
For more information about the Texas Veterans Commission, visit www.tvc.state.tx.us.
(Back to Top)
ABC Extreme Home Makeover looking for military families in Texas
Ladies and Gentlemen,
UPDATE: The military families applying do not have to own a home! They can
be renters needing a home. Please get the word out to your folks.
(Back to Top)
TREA WASHINGTON UPDATE FOR APRIL 9, 2010
Congress has been out for a 2nd week. Many have been listening to peoples’ reactions to the new health care bill and economic concerns. They will return just in time for the Nuclear Summit (that will close lots of DC. They are saying that security is going to be similar to what it was during the Inauguration. If that is true it is going to be a very difficult week.)
Today did not go terribly well either. Our Network Server was down for hours-so this Update is going to have to be short-but I hope it is interesting.
1) A Push to Correct Early Reserve Retirement
2) TREA Urges Congress to Include Job Training in The Post 9/11 GI Bill
3) Many “Unfitting Medical Conditions” Eligible for Reevaluation-But Few Know About It
4) TRICARE Dental Program Benefit for Survivors Enlarges
5) DFAS’s New Web Page and New Retired Pay And Annuitant Office
***************************************************
************************************
Click here for a Printable Version of this Update (Back to Top)
From: "\"Wild Bill\" Henneberger" <wildbillcrmm@sbcglobal.net>
Date: May 25, 2010 3:47:27 PM CDT
Subject: Memorial Day Message..................
I attempted to get this on facebook but could not... too long for wall post. If you have a web site that will post it great, woul like to get this message out to as many as possible, please pass it on. Thanks WB
It is Memorial Day! Like many veterans, this is the hardest day of the year to deal with. First, it is neither a holiday nor a celebration! We all gave some, but this day is all about the ones that gave all. A day to remember those who died for our freedom and way of life. This should be done with honor, respect and it is a solemn day. Many are unaware of how veterans feel Memorial Day, a feeling of lose, guilt and remorse. Many veterans that made it home live daily with guilt or shame, just because they lived. This rips at our very soul. I have had many people come up to me and say happy Memorial Day, or they thanked me for serving. All done with good intentions very unaware that they just drove a dagger into my heart. To a Veteran this day is not a celebration and it is not about my service or the living! It is a day of remembering our fallen! A day to respect and honor those who died! There will be many veterans withdrawn
and angry on this day. Many will use whatever they can to avoid the emotional pain, some will drink, others may use drugs, and we all have used anger. It is coping any way we can. But those coping skills usually come at a high cost.
I am talking to you, my fellow veteran, DO NOT WAIT TO SEEK HELP, THERE IS HOPE AND HELP AND NOW!We have felt guilt and remorse for just being alive and live each day asking the question of why me? Why did I survive? Many fight this emotional hell alone. I have learned we must have responsibility to assume fault. To have responsibility you must be in control. We did not have control of the war or action. We simply did what we were told to do, to the best of our ability at that time and that is all any of us could do!
We could not control the situation, therefore we were not responsible and we should not feel guilty for something that is out of our control. I waited 45 years before I got help and it took a couple years to understand it was not my fault. Does it release me from feeling the lose? No, but I no longer beat myself up each day just because I survived! I do not need to be a workaholic to avoid idle time when my mind brings me back to a place I want to forget. A majority of veterans who survived a war or conflict, deal with the guilt of survival. Many deny they have a problem; the truth is we do have the problem and try to deal with it by ourselves. It has a name, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). There is no shame in taking back your life and I am asking veterans to seek help now. Many of the Vietnam Vets waited 45 years before we got help. But at what cost: divorce, separation from family and friends, losing jobs, or dropping out of
society completely. PTSD has been identified and there is hope and help for all who live with this nightmare. Contact the local VA Hospital or Clinic and ask for help. There are programs that work and will allow us to live again. We cannot change the past; but we sure can change our future. Remember, to be at fault; you must have had the responsibility and to have responsibility you must have the control of what we are responsible for. We will never forget those who gave all, we should honor their memory with respect and gratitude, and we should thank God that we did survive.
My Memorial Day Prayer for all Veterans, especially those who suffer in silence with awful memories no human should endure: I ask our Father in Heaven, the Creator of all things, our Savior and Sovereign Lord, to give peace and comfort to all veterans. I ask for comfort and peace for their families and loved ones. I ask for the healing of this Great Nation and the individuals that we are honoring on this day be remembered with honor, respect and gratitude. I pray that they did not die in vain. Grant us wisdom and understanding. Father, I ask a special blessing for all our military members and their families give them comfort and peace. Lord, give them the courage and strength needed for battle. Keep them safe from harm and bring them back home. All this I ask in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, Amen.
A vet who cares, MSGT USAF Ret.
William "Wild Bill" Henneberger
President Circuit Riders Motorcycle Ministry
Fort Worth, Texas Chapter
(Back to Home Page)
Veteran’s Feedback Meeting
January 27, 2010
PRESENT: Jim Hoffman, Gene Bowyer, Brent Carr, Tim Lindsey, Sal Adamski, Terry Bigley, Dee Browne,
Jim McDermott, Brooke Knox, Stevie Hansen, Tammy Dubberke, Kristi Wiseman, Bob Brown, Artie
Williams, Janelle Thurman
Dr. McDermott welcomed the group and introductions were made. Dr. McDermott explained that
MHMR of Tarrant County wants to help inform veterans groups on new services for veterans and to get
feedback from the veterans groups on a grant program that we are proposing.
Judge Carr then discussed the history of special courts and the specifics of the new specialty court for
veterans that will be starting soon. This court will attempt to identify veterans who have become
involved in the criminal justice system for non-violent crimes. If they meet the criteria for the program,
they will be put into appropriate services and be able to get the criminal charges dismissed and/or their
record expunged. He noted that there has been excellent cooperation from the Veterans’
Administration (VA). The VA has actually created a position and hired someone to participate in the
court program. MHMR of Tarrant County (MHMRTC) has agreed to provide interim services for those
individuals who need immediate services but need time to get VA paperwork process completed. He
also discussed the Health Reunion program run by Mental Health Association (MHA) which provides
services to families of veterans. The Judge noted that other veterans’ courts have a mentoring program
and he sees the need for veterans to participate in mentoring of those in the court program.
Stevie Hansen discussed Liberty House, a partnership between MHMRTC and the VA, which will offer
safe, sober housing to homeless veterans. Liberty House has 30 rooms with two beds each. Residents
will be admitted through the local VA office and can stay for up to two years. Residents will have access
to MHMRTC’s co-located detox and rehab services, to the VA vocational training services and to the VA
treatment programs.
Artie Williams discussed two grants to assist veterans and their families for which MHMRTC will be
applying.
(Top of Page)
(Back to Home Page)
Great -Congress is on recess - I posted something on VFW Face book - basically saying they are in recess here is the info
VFW WASHINGTON WEEKLY
August 13, 2010
In This Issue:
1. Congress on Recess
2. Stolen Valor Judgment
3. Korean War MIA Identified
4. Two Vietnam MIAs Identified
1. Congress on Recess: After returning to DC for an emergency vote, House members finished their business and joined the Senate in recess for the month of August. Now is a great time to schedule an appointment with them in their home districts and state offices. Ask them to finish work on the veterans’ employment bill (S. 3234/H.R. 5120) and legislation that would provide improvements to the Post-9/11 GI Bill (S. 3447/H.R. 5933). Let Congress know that the VFW expects them to pass legislation that offers solutions to the VA claims backlog, and to provide critical funding for mental health research, women veteran programs, veterans who reside in rural areas, and help for our homeless veterans. Urge your U.S. senators and representatives to do the right thing for our veterans, servicemembers and their families. For a list of VFW legislative priority goals, go to http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=caphill.leveld&did=3694.
2. Stolen Valor Judgment: A 46-year-old Massachusetts veteran was sentenced by the U.S. District Court of Boston last week to three year's probation and 200 hours of community service for wearing medals he never earned. Michael Frisoli, of Millbury, often posed for pictures and accepted awards from Toys For Tots dressed as a Marine Corps first sergeant wearing the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Navy Commendation and Army Commendation Medals—all with combat "V" devices—plus the Combat Action Ribbon with two gold stars. According to trial records, Frisoli served two stints in the Marine Corps Reserves in the 1980s and early '90s. He earned a single Good Conduct Medal. Prosecutor Anthony Fuller wanted a six-month jail sentence, but recommended his community service be spent cleaning bed pans at the VA hospital to force him to confront real people who earned those medals. In the courtroom was Worcester Police Sgt. Timothy M. Watts, who commanded a Marine convoy in Iraq in 2005. In 2008, Watts had observed the overweight Frisoli enter a bar in Marine Corps first sergeant's uniform bedecked with the medals. That chance encounter led to Frisoli’s downfall.
3. Korean War MIA Identified: The Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced that the remains of Army Cpl. Roy Stewart of Jackson, MS, have been identified. Stewart was assigned to Company A, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, deployed to North Korea near Kujang-dong. In late November 1950, he was captured by enemy forces and reportedly died while in captivity on March 14, 1951. During Operation Glory in the fall of 1954, North Korea turned over 4,167 caskets, including remains they claimed to be Stewart's. At the time, the Army was unable to identify Stewart. His remains were buried as "unknown" along with 415 others at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu. In 2008, a DPMO analyst and an independent researcher concluded they had evidence to support identifying several of the unknowns. The remains were exhumed, and through dental comparisons and other circumstantial evidence, Stewart was identified. Read the full press release at http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=13796.
4. Two Vietnam MIAs Identified: The remains of two soldiers missing in action since Vietnam were also identified. They are Army 1st Lt. Paul G. Magers of Sidney, NE, and CWO Donald L. Wann of Shawnee, OK. On June 1, 1971, both men were flying an AH-1 Cobra gunship in support of an emergency extraction of Army Rangers in Quang Tri Province. After the extraction, the helicopters were ordered to destroy claymore mines left behind in the landing zone. Their Cobra was hit by ground fire, crashed and exploded. Enemy activity in the area precluded a ground search. A Vietnamese team unilaterally excavated the site and recovered human remains and other artifacts in 2008 and 2009. Read the full press release at http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=13789.
(Back to Home Page)
|