2019 Southern Nevada Veterans Legislative Summit January 12, 2019

2019

Southern Nevada

Veterans Legislative Summit

January 12, 2019

The event is designed to provide summary information from the Legislative Symposia, and review current State issues regarding veterans and veteran supporters for the upcoming 2019 Legislative session. The Nevada Department of Veterans Services (NDVS), in partnership with the United Veterans Legislative Council (UVLC), will be hosting the upcoming event in southern and northern

Nevada.

VA Southern Nevada Medical Center

Auditorium

6900 North Pecos Road

North Las Vegas, Nevada

8:15 AM – Coffee and Networking

9:00 AM – 11:30 AM – Summit

To RSVP, email Josh Loftis at Loftisj@veterans.nv.gov

Or RSVP online at: https://bit.ly/2T58LJd

Fisher House Flapjack Fundraiser jan 12 2019

 Friends of Fisher House pass this on to all your friends and come to join us at Applebee's and help the Las Vegas Fisher House or make a donation to Nevada Veterans Foundation

WEBWEELKY

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In This Issue: November 13, 2018

November 14 at the National Archives: Remembering Vietnam Vietnam War Veterans' Kids Say Agent Orange Impact 'a Nightmare' November 15: National Academies Veterans and Agent Orange Report Update 11 Vietnam, U.S. Complete Cleanup of Toxic Chemical from Airport VA Returns Medical Professionals Currently Serving Unions to Serving Veterans VA Secretary Expects Budget Increase despite Trump’s Order to Slash Spending “I Am Not Invisible” Photography Project Spotlights Women Veterans AARP: Operation Protect Veterans Enormous Solar Storm Caused Hidden US Bombs to Detonate During Vietnam War November 14 at the National Archives: Remembering Vietnam  As part of a week-long schedule of activities to celebrate and honor Vietnam veterans, on Wednesday, November 14, at 2:00 pm, at the William G. McGowan Theater, former Senator and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel will deliver remarks for a program on support and resources for Vietnam veterans. Expert panelists include Rick Weidman, ED for Policy and Government Affairs for VVA, and Dr. Linda Schwartz, VVA Special Advisor. For More Information...   Vietnam War Veterans' Kids Say Agent Orange Impact 'a Nightmare' As reported November 12 by Beatrice Peterson for ABC News, More than 40 years after the end of the Vietnam War, children of the men and women who served say they are battling a new war for benefits as they grapple with the impact of toxic exposure which has wreaked havoc on their lives. Read More... November 15: National Academies Veterans and Agent Orange Report Update 11 The release of the National Academies report Veterans and Agent Orange: Update 11 (2018) will take place at 11am EST on Thursday, November 15, 2018. This update— the result of our years-long grassroots effort which resulted in the passage of the Toxic Exposure Research Act on December 16, 2016—includes the panel’s opinion of the feasibility to study the generational health effect of military toxic exposures. Copies of the report will be available for free download in PDF format from links found at https://www.nap.edu/catalog/25137 (link only available after November 15). A briefing on the report’s content is scheduled for November 15 from 11:00 am to noon EST at the Keck Center of the National Academies (500 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001), Room 101. This briefing will also be broadcast over the web—remote participants will be able to view slides, hear the presentation, and participate in the question-and-answer session that follows. To view the report briefing, join here or through the details below: Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://nasem.zoom.us/j/552288898 Or iPhone one-tap :     US: +16465588656,,552288898#  or +16699006833,,552288898# Or Telephone:     Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):     US: +1 646 558 8656 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 855 880 1246 (Toll Free) or +1 877 853 5257 (Toll Free)     Meeting ID: 552 288 898     International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/ad0u6jmmt0 All are welcome; interested persons who are outside the Washington, DC area are encouraged to participate via the web. Vietnam, U.S. Complete Cleanup of Toxic Chemical from Airport Filing from Hanoi on November 7, AP reports that Vietnam and the U.S. said they have finished the cleanup of dioxin contamination at Danang airport. The 74 acres of land, cleansed of the toxic chemical, were handed over to Vietnam at a ceremony. Vice Defense Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh praised the U.S. government's involvement in the cleanup. "It is proof that we are opening a future of good cooperation between the governments of Vietnam and the United States," Vinh said. "Today marks the day that Danang airport is no longer known as a dioxin hotspot, the day that Danang people can be assured that their health will not be destroyed by chemicals left over from the war." Read More... VA Returns Medical Professionals Currently Serving Unions to Serving Veterans On November 8, the VA announced it will be moving nearly 430 medical professionals from taxpayer-funded union work back to healthcare jobs serving veterans. The move will take effect Nov. 15, when VA repudiates certain provisions of master collective bargaining agreements VA accepted during the Obama administration with the following unions: American Federation of Government Employees, National Federation of Federal Employees, National Association of Government Employees, and National Nurses United. Read More... VA Secretary Expects Budget Increase despite Trump’s Order to Slash Spending As reported November 9 by Eric Katz for Government Executive, VA Secretary Robert Wilkie expects his agency will see its largest budget ever in 2020, despite a request from President Trump for all agencies to slash spending by 5 percent. Read More... “I Am Not Invisible” Photography Project Spotlights Women Veterans Women veterans make up ten percent of the veteran population and total roughly two million women veterans. The "I Am Not Invisible" Photography Project aims to instill their joy, professionalism, and service in each photo. Watch Video & Read More... AARP: Operation Protect Veterans The AARP Fraud Watch Network is working with the US Postal Inspection Service to raise awareness of common scams that target America’s military veterans, and as such, is asking that if you encounter suspicious emails, phone calls, or mailings targeting military veterans, you report them to protectveterans@aarp.org or 1-855-800-9023. You can take a picture with your phone or tablet and email it, or call the toll-free number and leave detailed information about the solicitation. You don’t need to have absolute proof that an offer is fraud to report it. More Information... Enormous Solar Storm Caused Hidden US Bombs to Detonate During Vietnam War As reported by Chris Ciaccia for Fox News, the Vietnam War may have been one of the most unpopular wars in U.S. history, but the massive solar event that took place in August 1972, towards the end of the war, may have caused a greater impact than the government let on. According to a new study published in the journal Space Weather, the enormous solar storm may have actually caused old sea mines to detonate unintentionally. Read More...

Soldier uses school project to combat suicide

Soldier uses school project to combat suicide

Ohio Army National Guard Capt. Michael Barnes talks to a Soldier about the Ohio Vet 2 Vet Network, a website and mobile app with information and resources for military veterans and their families to combat the risk factors of suicide among veterans. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Carden)

Suicide Prevention
COLUMBUS, Ohio — during his career with the Ohio National Guard, Capt. Michael Barnes has had many opportunities to lead fellow Soldiers through a deployment as well as numerous training exercises. He’s also taken to heart the leadership philosophy of taking care of his Soldiers’ mental health and well-being.

As part of his coursework for a master’s degree in nursing, Ohio Army National Guard Capt. Michael Barnes has created the Ohio Vet 2 Vet Network, a website and mobile app with information and resources for military veterans and their families to combat the risk factors of suicide among veterans. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Carden)
“I helped my first suicidal Soldier in basic training back in 1993,” Barnes said. “When I was in my company command, I counseled at least a dozen Soldiers expressing suicidal ideations. It is then that I truly began to realize how bad the issue was and also how suited I was to help.”
Barnes is channeling his passion for helping veterans to get a master’s degree in nursing, which will allow him to specialize as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. As part of his coursework, Barnes has created a website and mobile app to, as his website states, “bring together a wealth of information and resources to combat the risk factors of suicide.”
“I’ve known veterans who have committed suicide and I’ve heard my military brothers and sisters say, ‘I wish that I could have done more.’ I have even said it myself. The problem is that we say it in the moment and then move on with our lives. I decided I was no longer going to move on with my life without doing something,” Barnes said.
With his Ohio Vet 2 Vet Network, Barnes’ goal is to create a nonprofit, build a network of peer-to-peer support groups and, eventually, establish transitional housing and a counseling center. For now, he’s gathered resource links related to topics that can be risk factors for suicide, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, homelessness and access to health care.
Barnes estimates he’s put in more than 150 hours of work into the project. His professor for the course at The Ohio State University, Judy Donegan, calls the project “remarkable” and plans to have him present it to health professionals during national conferences.
He’s done a remarkable job of bringing his own passion for his fellow veterans to life for those of us who are not military,” she said. “I want my students to do projects that have meaning, not just projects for a class that will go in a cupboard and sit there. My mantra is you can change the world one person at a time, and that is what Mike’s doing.”
According to a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs study, an average of 20 U.S. military veterans take their own lives every day. Barnes will be marketing his app to military groups, social workers, and shelters and charities that assist veterans.
“In the military, you’re taught to be strong,” he said. “Veterans are hesitant to reach out and ask for help. I want to provide them with easy access to help when they’re ready to ask.”
Disclaimer: Re-published content may have been edited for length and clarity.                                                                                               Read original post.

Statement by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Jr. on the Passing of Senator John McCain

 

08/25/2018 08:42 PM CDT

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IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. NR-248-18
Aug. 25, 2018

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Statement by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Jr. on the Passing of Senator John McCain

Statement by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Jr.:
"Senator McCain exemplified what it means to be a warrior and dedicated public servant. Both as a naval officer and as a member of Congress, he was a lifelong and tireless advocate for the men and women of the U.S. military.

"He traveled the world to meet personally with Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, to hear what they had to say, and to see firsthand our military in action on the front lines. Senator McCain recognized the sacrifice and hardships military members and their families can experience and proudly served as their champion in Congress. He visited our nation's wounded warriors around the country to offer encouragement and to thank them for their service. Through his tenacious and selfless leadership in the Senate, he fought hard to ensure our Armed Forces remained strong and had the support and resources needed to succeed when placed in harm's way.

"While we mourn Senator McCain's passing, we are eternally grateful for his distinguished service to our nation, his advocacy of the U.S. military, and the incredible example he set for us all."

STAND UP FOR BILL (And Other Veterans and Their Families)

STAND UP FOR BILL

(And Other Veterans and Their Families)

I would like to create state and federal legislation that does the following:

1.  Directs the Veterans Administration (VA) and the Nevada Department of Veterans Services to create free, accredited continuing professional education (CPE) for civilian health care workers and paramedical case workers (including social workers and chaplains) on veterans health issues. 

2.  Directs all health care providers to change their intake forms and health questionnaires to ask if patients “had any US military service” in order to “begin the conversation”.   Self identified veterans should be asked to fill out an additional military questionnaire.  A proposed format is available.

3.  Directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to require that all health care workers (including VA health care workers and CHOICE doctors) be familiar with compensable diseases and disabilities so they can refer Vets and their families to the VA benefits office for evaluation and additional assistance. 

4.  Directs the VA and the Nevada Department of Veterans Services to use public service announcements and other media to reach out to veterans and their families to inform them about presumed connected disabilities and report back to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Nevada state governor and the veterans legislative committee annually on the effectiveness of these techniques.  

5.  Directs the VA and the Nevada Department of Veterans Services to prominently display flyers and other media on presumed connected disabilities to all offices that work with veterans and their families, including VA cemeteries.

6.  Directs the VA and the Nevada Department of Veterans Services to prominently display flyers and other media about survivor benefits to all offices that work with veterans and their families, including VA cemeteries.

7.  Directs the VA and the Nevada Department of Veterans Services to contact civilian support groups that routinely work with people who have one of the presumed connected disabilities (e.g. the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) and work with them to identify veterans, children and grandchildren who have a disease presumed connected to military service. Identified veterans and family members should be referred to designated VA resources.  Records of these referrals should be rolled up to the governor, state legislative affairs committee and the Secretary of  Veterans Affairs on a yearly basis. 

8.  Directs each state to keep records and prepare a yearly report to the governor, the veterans legislative committee and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs evaluating the effectiveness of the training delivered, contacts made and media used to provide information to veterans, spouses and health care professionals.

WE MUST ACT NOW

•   We must make sure that Vietnam Veterans who have a presumed connected disease take full advantage of the benefits that they earned by their service to our country.

•   We must make sure that Vietnam Veteran survivors have access to the benefits that their loved one earned by their service to our country.

•   We must make sure that veterans from other conflicts such as the Korean War, the Gulf War, Iraq War, the war in Afghanistan, certain defense department projects and Camp Lejeune know about the diseases and disabilities presumed connected to their military service.

•    We must act now to protect the children and grandchildren of veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during their military service.

The VA has recognized certain cancers and other health problems as presumptive diseases associated with exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides during military service. Veterans and their survivors may be eligible for benefits for these diseases.

•          AL Amyloidosis

•          A rare disease caused when an abnormal protein, amyloid, enters tissues or organs

•          Chronic B-cell Leukemias

•          A type of cancer which affects white blood cells

•          Chloracne (or similar acneform disease)

•          A skin condition that occurs soon after exposure to chemicals and looks like common forms of acne seen in teenagers. Under VA's rating regulations, it must be at least 10 percent disabling within one year of exposure to herbicides.

•          Diabetes Mellitus Type 2

•          A disease characterized by high blood sugar levels resulting from the body’s inability to respond properly to the hormone insulin

•          Hodgkin's Disease

•          A malignant lymphoma (cancer) characterized by progressive enlargement of the lymph nodes, liver, and spleen, and by progressive anemia

•          Ischemic Heart Disease

•          A disease characterized by a reduced supply of blood to the heart, that leads to chest pain also called coronary artery disease

•          Multiple Myeloma

•          A cancer of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell in bone marrow

•          Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

•          A group of cancers that affect the lymph glands and other lymphatic tissue

•          Parkinson's Disease

•          A progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects muscle movement

•          Peripheral Neuropathy, Early-Onset

•          A nervous system condition that causes numbness, tingling, and motor weakness. Under VA's rating regulations, it must be at least 10 percent disabling within one year of herbicide exposure

•          Porphyria Cutanea Tarda

•          A disorder characterized by liver dysfunction and by thinning and blistering of the skin in sun-exposed areas. Under VA's rating regulations, it must be at least 10 percent disabling within one year of exposure to herbicides

•          Prostate Cancer

•          Cancer of the prostate; one of the most common cancers among men

•          Respiratory Cancers  (includes lung cancer)

            and cancers of the lung, larynx, trachea, and bronchus

•          Soft Tissue Sarcomas (other than osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, or mesothelioma) A group of different types of cancers in body tissues such as muscle, fat, blood and lymph vessels, and connective tissues

•          Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis aka Lou Gehrig’s disease causes the death of neuron controlling voluntary muscles.  This disease is associated with service in Vietnam.

If you would like to help me in this effort, or if you have ideas  on how to spread the word about presumed connected disabilities, please feel free to contact me.  I am Barbara Rodgick and I am the widow of an Agent Orange Vet.  My phone number is 425-442-7563 and my email address is barbara98065@gmail.com. 8/18/18

    

Purple Heart recipients short on qualifying service for Post-9/11 GI Bill to receive full education benefits

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 Posted on Thursday, July 26, 2018, 1:22 pm Posted in Benefits, Education by VAntage Point Contributor  2 comments  31 views

If you’ve received a Purple Heart Medal for active duty service on or after Sept. 11, 2001, but didn’t qualify for full Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits because you didn’t have enough time in service, you’ll soon qualify for the full education benefit.

A provision of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act, known as the “Forever GI Bill,” extends education benefits to this group of Purple Heart recipients effective Aug. 1.

If your length of active duty service hasn’t qualified you for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, being awarded a Purple Heart for service on or after Sept. 11, 2001, can qualify you for the 100 percent tier of benefits. This provision is one small way to recognize the sacrifice of this special group, assuring they receive the benefits they have earned.

To qualify for the full benefit, you must have received a Purple Heart on or after Sept.  11, 2001, and have been discharged or released honorably.

Start your education journey

If you haven’t explored your options to use your education benefits, you can start by visiting the GI Bill Comparison Tool. You can see how to maximize your education value and look up the college, training school, or apprenticeship program you’re interested in attending. You can also see how much your GI Bill benefits will cover and if you’d have any out of pocket expenses.

If you have any questions, please call 1–888-GI-BILL-1 (1–888–442–4551). If you use the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD), the Federal number is 711. You can also visit the GI Bill website.

As always, be sure to follow us on our Facebook page and on Twitter  @VAVetBenefits. These give you quick and helpful updates.

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About the author:  Veterans Benefits Administration’s Education Service delivers GI Bill® education benefits to Veterans, service members, and their families.  Since 1944, the GI Bill has helped millions of Veterans pay for college, graduate school, and training programs.

Tags:

·         beneficiaries

·         Benefits

·         Colmery Act

·         dependents

·         forever gi bill

·         GI Bill

·         Post-9/11 GI Bill

·         purple heart

·         service members

·         Veterans

Author

Vantage Point Contributor

— Vantage Point Contributors provide insight and perspective on a wide range of Veterans issues. If you’d like to contribute a story to Vantage Point, learn how you can submit a guest blog at http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/how-to-submit-a-guest-post/

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