Here’s a look at some of the current news events that will impact Pennsylvania’s Veterans. If you have any items you’d like to pass on, please send them to our Office for inclusion in the next digest. The contact information is at the bottom of this message. Please feel free to forward this to others.

VA NEEDS WOMEN VETERANS’ INPUT - On Feb 8th the first meeting of the women's committee on Women Veterans Health issues will meet. This is an appointment by the President and Secretary of Veteran's Affairs. This is a chance to try and have voices heard and correct some issues that women may have with their care. Interested veterans can email Valerie Cortazzo at uz2bface@verizon.net before the meeting takes place.

INTERVIEWS FROM THE 2009 WHEELCHAIR GAMES - Over 500 of our nation’s heroes competed in this 29th Annual event taking place this year in Spokane, Washington. The first of these events was held in San Antonio Texas in 1988 and has now evolved into a week-long celebration that offers a multitude of competitions and entertaining special events, including the team sporting events. These Games are presented each year by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) with a VA medical facility and PVA chapter collaborating to host this exciting event. (read more)

TRAINING GRANTS UP FOR GRABS IN PA - Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor & Industry put $10 million in grants up for grabs this week for the creation of training programs that get veterans, dislocated workers and youth into the work force. (read more)

FREELAND MAN EARNS HONORS IN VETS' CONTEST - Robert Rushalk decided to enter the first Local Creative Arts Competition through the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre mostly because he wanted to perform for other area veterans. (read more)

CONCERT FOR A CAUSE BENEFITS VETERANS - This year, the event (set for April 22 at the Woodlands Inn & Resort) and album proceeds benefit United Way veterans programs that help local veterans and men and women serving overseas. (read more)

VA FACILITIES OPEN DOORS FOR IRAQ VETERANS - Veterans Affairs medical centers in Coatesville and Philadelphia are preparing to open their doors and welcome hundreds of recently returned combat Veterans to the VA health care system. (read more)

PHILADELPHIA VA PLANS NATIONAL SALUTE TO VETERANS - Veterans in the City of Brotherly Love will be honored and thanked for their sacrifices Feb 8-14, during annual National Salute to Veterans activities at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center. (read more)

VETERANS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM TO SPONSOR VETERAN RUNNERS - Veterans Leadership Program (VLP) is going to sponsor runners for the Pittsburgh Marathon as a fundraising initiative. The expectation is that runners will help raise funds for VLP. VLP helps many of our regions most vulnerable veterans, and does wonderful and essential work. VLP’s registration code for the Pittsburgh Marathon is: VETERAN2010. This is the registration code runners use so they won't be charged to run in the race. If for some reason you have already registered but want to run for VLP, contact Al or Annette at (412) 481-8200 or email mercera@vlpwpa.org or romaina@vlpwpa.org as soon as possible and the Marathon may refund your money. Then, you can re-register under the VLP charity number. Remember, runners don't have to run the entire marathon...teams can run legs or portions of the race.

DOCUMENTARY WITH PENNSYLVANIA VETS AWAKENS VIETNAM DEMONS - Army Sgt. Lamont B. Steptoe came home to Pittsburgh after fighting in the jungles of Vietnam and bought a gun. (read more)

CARDS BEING COLLECTED FOR VETERANS - The Washington County Veterans Affairs office is collecting Valentine's Day cards for veterans at the three VA hospitals serving western Pennsylvania. (read more)

MONROEVILLE RESIDENT HOPES CALENDAR FUNDS WWII MEMORIAL - While good soldiers only fade away, a Monroeville resident is trying to ensure that anyone who cares to remember them will have a place to do it. (read more)

FLAG-TOTING MAN PUTS BOOTS ON GROUND TO HONOR MILITARY - Since late 2006, Ronzio has hoisted Old Glory while hiking along Route 40 and Route 119. While sweating under the summer sun or shivering through the winds of winter, he's steadily racked up all those miles in recognition of the sacrifices of the country's military members serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. (read more)

ACCUSED GRAVE MARKER THIEF COULD FACE UP TO 90 YEARS - Now facing 40 counts of “desecration or sale of venerated objects,” the Meadville man charged with allegedly selling approximately 100 brass markers stolen from veterans’ graves as scrap metal waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday before Meadville Area Magisterial Judge William Chisholm. (read more)

NEW WOMEN'S HEALTH CLINIC OPEN AT LEBANON VA MEDICAL CENTER - Lebanon VA Medical Center held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new women veterans’ health clinics and renovated primary care areas on the fifth floor of Building 17. (read more)

HONOR BUS PREPARES TO LEAVE IN APRIL, STILL NEEDS VOLUNTEERS – Mechanicsburg Middle School is seeking WWII veterans to host on an Honor Bus trip to Washington DC to the WWII Memorial. They are also looking for volunteers and sponsors. Visit www.honorbus.org for more information. Interested veterans and volunteers can contact Beckie Lacey at 717-691-4560, ext 7011 or email honorbus2009@gmail.com.

FAYETTEVILLE MARINE KILLED - The Department of Defense announced the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Lance Cpl. Michael L. Freeman Jr., 21, of Fayetteville, PA, died Feb. 1 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

RE-ENACTORS WANTED FOR ARMED FORCES DAY CELEBRATION IN HARRISBURG – The Armed Forces Day Committee is looking for historic military re-enactors for an exhibit to take place during the Armed Forces Day celebration on Harrisburg’s City Island on May 15. Groups or individual participants are welcome. Contact Mike Randazzo at (717) 605-2448 or email at michael.randazzo@navy.mil.

PENN STATE HELPS MILITARY AND VETERAN STUDENTS EARN DEGREES - Senior Airman Kimberly DeLong of Oklahoma City, Okla., is making the Air Force her career, but she also wants a college degree to enhance her knowledge and skills. Enter Penn State, which offers a grant-in-aid and other financial aid to military students. For DeLong, the Penn State grant, coupled with Air Force tuition assistance and the Post-9/11 GI Bill, is enabling her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business online through Penn State’s World Campus. Her only cost is books. (read more)

STATE ADJUTANT GENERAL TO RECEIVE LVC HONOR - Lebanon Valley College will present its 31st Founders Day Award to Pennsylvania's Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Jessica L. Wright, later this month. (read more)

FLAGS LOWERED IN HONOR OF FAYETTEVILLE'S FREEMAN - Flags across Franklin County and Pennsylvania's state capitol complex in Harrisburg were lowered to half-staff Wednesday in honor of Lance Cpl. Michael L. Freeman Jr., who died Monday of combat wounds in Afghanistan. (read more)

STUDY SHOWS DEPLOYMENTS’ IMPACT ON ARMY WIVES - Army wives whose husbands deploy seek mental health services at a higher rate than others, and the longer the deployment, the greater the impact, according to a new study. (read more)

LAST U.S. VETERAN OF WORLD WAR I TURNS 109 - The last surviving U.S. veteran of World War I, former Cpl. Frank Buckles, turns 109 on Monday and is still hoping for a national memorial in Washington for his comrades. (read more)

GREAT LAKES NAVAL MUSEUM RECOGNIZES BLACK VETS - The Great Lakes Naval Memorial and Museum is recognizing the accomplishments and contributions of African Americans who served in the military. (read more)

BLASTS TO THE BRAIN: THE NEW WARTIME EPIDEMIC - If World War I brought shell shock, and the Vietnam War introduced the world to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are etching a new entry in the lexicon of battlefield medicine: blast injury. There have been more than 80,000 detonations of improvised explosive devices in Iraq in the past six years, accounting for more than 60 percent of American and coalition-force casualties and the deaths of thousands of Iraqi civilians. (read more)

2010 COLA FOR RETIRED PAY - The CPI dipped below 4 percent in the first two quarters of FY2009 and was still in negative numbers at the end of the fiscal year. Due to the negative CPI in FY2009 there will be no COLA increase for retirees in 2010. (read more)

EYE GLASSES FOR RETIREES - All retirees, even TRICARE for Life recipients, may receive one pair of standard issue glasses each year from the Naval Ophthalmic Support and Training Activity.  Visit the NOSTRA website and select the "How to Order:  Retirees" link for more information.  Family members and surviving spouses are not entitled to NOSTRA support. Learn more about TRICARE vision benefits at the TRICARE beneficiary portal. (read more)

PTSD VETS WIN RETIREMENT DEAL - More than 4300 Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans who were diagnosed in service as suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, but got low military disability ratings, have won an agreement with the Department of Defense to upgrade those ratings retroactively to 50 percent. (read more)

TRICARE INTRODUCES NEW BENEFITS from Military.com - TRICARE introduced several new programs in 2009. The TRICARE Assistance Program (TRIAP) provides short-term professional counseling assistance. For information about TRIAP and other behavioral health resources, visit the TRICARE Mental Health Resources Center. TRICARE's new Extended Care Health Option (ECHO) benefits for eligible family members who are diagnosed with extraordinary physical or psychological conditions. For more information on TRICARE's new dental program and pharmacy benefits, visit the TRICARE Active Duty Dental Program website at www.addp-ucci.com and the TRICARE Pharmacy Program webpage at www.TRICARE.mil/pharmacy.

HOUSE AND VETERAN GROUPS DISCUSS PRIORITIES from Military.com - The House Committee on Veterans' Affairs recently met with 40 veterans service organizations to discuss priorities for the second session of the 111th Congress. Committee Chairman Bob Filner detailed the priorities of the Committee which include ensuring adequate VA budgets for the next two years. Following the passage of advance funding legislation, Congress will approve a budget for Fiscal Year 2011 and 2012.  Filner also discussed the need to reconcile health care and benefits legislation with the Senate.  Participants discussed the priorities of each of the 40 different veteran advocacy organizations.

IMPROVEMENT FOR VET CLAIMS COMING from Military.com - Chairwoman Stephanie Herseth- Sandlin (D-SD) convened the first hearing of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs' Economic Opportunity Subcommittee in 2010 to assess the progress of implementing the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill.  The hearing provided an opportunity for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to present clear details about the VA's schedule for designing, developing, and implementing the educational benefits promised to veterans as required by Public Law 110-252. More information on the hearing is available on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs website. Prepared testimony for the hearing and an audio recording of the hearing is also available.

VA OVERSIGHT HEARING from Military.com - The House Veterans' Affairs Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee recently conducted a hearing to evaluate the social work case management which is essential to coordinating complex components of care for polytrauma patients and their families.  The hearing focused on how the Departments of Defense (DoD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) cooperate to support wounded veterans during the transition process and the specific specialized services offered to injured veterans who are transitioning to civilian life. More information on the hearing is available on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs website.

VA TO RECOVER GI BILL ADVANCE PAYMENTS from Military.com - The VA is beginning the process of recovering advance payments made available during the fall 2009 semester to veterans and service members who applied for education benefits. VA officials began sending out notification letters last week explaining the repayment process. VA also will notify active-duty service members who may have mistakenly applied for the advance payment of their options for returning uncashed checks or reimbursing deposited funds. For more information, visit the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) GI Bill website.

CANINE COMPANIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE from Military.com - Crane Co and Canine Companions for Independence have teamed up to help qualified veterans find new hope through their service dog program. Through their Wounded Veterans Initiative, Canine Companions for Independence provides assistance dogs to veterans with physical disabilities resulting from military service. The dogs and vets are matched together, based on a number of factors and then they attend a two-week intensive training program where they learn how to work together. Crane Co. provides the funds for training. For more information on the Wounded Veterans Initiative, visit the Canine Companions for Independence website.

AMERICAN LEGION OFFERS NURSING SCHOLARSHIP from Military.com - Applications are available for the American Legion's $3,000 Eight and Forty Lung and Respiratory Disease Nursing Scholarship for registered nurses. The deadline to apply for the nursing scholarship is May 15. Selections will be announced July 1. For more information or to request an application packet, contact your local Eight and Forty Scholarship chairman or write to The American Legion, Attn: Eight and Forty Scholarships, P.O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206. For more information, visit the American Legion website.

FALLEN HEROES PROJECT DISPLAYED from Military.com - The Fallen Heroes Project by portrait artist Michael G. Reagan is now on display at the Arlington National Cemetery Visitors Center. The project is a poster series displaying collages of portraits that Reagan has hand-drawn. A combat veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and a portrait artist for more than 30 years, Reagan has drawn more than 2,000 portraits free-of-charge for families who have lost a loved one in either Iraq or Afghanistan. For more information, visit the Fallen Heroes Project website. More information about the Cemetery is available on the Arlington National Cemetery website.

CAREGIVER ACCESS FOR MIL FAMILIES - Military families now have free access to an online network of quality caregivers who can assist with everything from babysitting to dog walking. (read more)

WHITE HOUSE SEEKS $125 BILLION FOR VETERANS IN 2011 - To expand health care to a record-number of Veterans, reduce the number of homeless Veterans and process a dramatically increased number of new disability compensation claims, the White House has announced a proposed $125 billion budget next year for the Department of Veterans Affairs. (read more)

BLIND SOLDIER BECOMES COMPANY COMMANDER - Soldier, infantryman, Airborne Ranger, combat diver, mountain climber, skier, tri-athlete, surfer, husband and father are just a few words to describe Army Capt. Scott M. Smiley. (read more)

VA USING TECHNOLOGY TO GIVE VETERANS ACTIVE ROLE IN THEIR HEALTH CARE - As an indication of how broadly the Department of Veterans Affairs seeks to share information, the Phoenix Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System recently had a homeless veteran on “national call” so he could share with others how he uses My HealtheVet. The myhealth.va.gov Website is available to active-duty military personnel and veterans, their families and caregivers as a repository of health information and an electronic personal health record that allows veterans an active role in their health care. (read more)

PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION -- NATIONAL AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH - In the centuries since African Americans first arrived on our shores, they have known the bitterness of slavery and oppression, the hope of progress, and the triumph of the American Dream. African American history is an essential thread of the American narrative that traces our Nation's enduring struggle to perfect itself. Each February, we recognize African American History Month as a moment to reflect upon how far we have come as a Nation, and what challenges remain. This year's theme, "The History of Black Economic Empowerment," calls upon us to honor the African Americans who overcame injustice and inequality to achieve financial independence and the security of self empowerment that comes with it. (read more)

NFL STARS AND VETS SUPPORT INJURED SERVICE MEMBERS - Scientists, researchers and former NFL players have joined together to raise awareness about post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and brain injuries, a spokesman for the Defense Department “Real Warriors” program said today. (read more)

BUDGET REQUEST INCREASES WOUNDED WARRIOR SUPPORT - Calling health care for wounded warriors a top Defense Department priority, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff urged Congress today to support the request for $2.2 billion in the fiscal 2011 defense budget to improve treatment and other services. (read more)

NEW STAMPS HONOR 4 NAVY VETERANS - From admiral to mess attendant, four sailors who distinguished themselves are being honored with new U.S. postage stamps. (read more)

BIOFEEDBACK BEING USED TO HELP VETS SUFFERING FROM PTSD - U.S. soldiers returning from war now use biofeedback to help deal with post-traumatic stress disorder. People suffering from chronic pain often find relief in biofeedback. Even athletes are using biofeedback to gain better control over their bodies. (read more)

STUDY MEASURES TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY - Scientists at the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center and a professor at Columbia University are working on a collaborative study measuring brain damage on traumatic brain injury patients. (read more)

INSURANCE COMPANY EXTENDS RESOURCES TO HELP VETERAN’S LAUNCH THEIR OWN BUSINESS - Accredited’s Veterans Program is the first initiative in this industry to help honorably discharged men and women join the ranks of small business owners by launching and managing their own bail bond agencies. Accredited is proud to provide resources, tuition assistance and business tools to help veterans pursue this exciting and rewarding career path. This innovative program is being launched primarily in Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania, but the outreach can be extended to all 50 states, depending on their needs. (read more)

SEARS ONCE AGAIN SUPPORTS U.S. MILITARY VETERANS BY TEAMING UP WITH AMVETS FOR 'OPERATION BLANKET' - With the final months of winter upon us and some of the coldest temperatures yet to be faced, it is important for Americans to remember those who do not have a warm home, 23 percent of whom are military veterans(1). At a time when these veterans need help the most, Sears is rallying support for them. Today the retailer announced it has teamed up with AMVETS to support "Operation Blanket," a program created to collect blankets that will be distributed to military veterans. (read more)

• February 8 – 14: VA National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans; VA Medical Centers nationwide participate in this event 

• February 12:  ARRA Opportunities for Veteran Owned Businesses; 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM at the Army Experience Center, 1921 Franklin Mills Circle, Philadelphia, PA 

CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST VETERANS’ NEWS AND VIDEO FOOTAGE ON THE PA OFFICE FOR VETERANS AFFAIRS WEB PAGE

Please visit our website and see what Pennsylvania does for its veterans!à www.paveterans.state.pa.us

CHRISTOPHER L. NELSON

MARKETING AND VETERANS INFORMATION

DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY & VETERANS AFFAIRS

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

Phone: (717) 861- 6979

Toll Free: (800) 547-2838

Fax (717) 861 - 8589

Here’s a look at some of the current news events that will impact Pennsylvania’s Veterans. If you have any items you’d like to pass on, please send them to our Office for inclusion in the next digest. The contact information is at the bottom of this message. Please feel free to forward this to others.

U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT LAUNCHES WEBSITE FOR HIRING VETERANS – The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) launched a new web site for hiring veterans and for veterans who are looking for employment. http://www.fedshirevets.gov/

QUIT SMOKING NOW FOR FREE - Starting Monday, Jan. 25, 2010, the PA Department of Health is providing free nicotine patches to help Pennsylvanians who are trying to quit tobacco. Individuals interested in receiving a free NRT kit must call the PA Free Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW. Quit coaches will ask whether callers have any medical conditions that would rule out the safe use of nicotine patches. The kit includes a four-week supply of nicotine patches, as well as, other information to help make the quit attempt successful. Those who qualify must be willing to enroll in the Quitline coaching program and set an actual quit date. For more information, visit www.determinedtoquit.com.

VA HOMELESS GRANTS AVAILABLE - The VA Homelessness Grant and Per Diem NOFAs were posted in the Federal Register yesterday. Go to www.va.gov/homeless and the NOFAs and the applications can be downloaded directly by interested parties. Both NOFAs have targets for women Veterans and for programs on tribal lands.

PA HERO WALK 2010 PREPARATIONS BEGIN – Preparations have begun for the Pennsylvania Hero Walk, scheduled to take place on June 12, 2010. Supporters are being asked to help this year in several ways: Organizing community walks to generate awareness, Fund raising dinners, selling HERO WALK T-shirts, finding potential sponsors, and donating online or through the mail. More information is available online at www.paherowalk.org.

AMVETS LADIES PRESENT GIFTS TO VETERANS - AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary Post 59 of Hanover Township participated in the annual Voluntary Service Holiday Gift Program for veterans at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Plains Township. (read more) 

STUDENTS CONTRIBUTE TO VETERANS’ ENTERTAINMENT - The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Plains Township has received donations of videocassette recorders, movie tapes, music CDs and books from the Student Action Committee of the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce. (read more)

VFW HOOPS PROGRAM HELPED PAL GET STARTED 52 YEARS AGO - The Hazleton Police Athletic League, in which thousands of city youngsters played basketball over the last 52 years, got off the ground when it was combined with a program founded by a veterans' organization. (read more)

VETERAN MENTORS NEEDED FOR PHILADELPHIA VETERANS COURT – The first Information session for Mentors working with defendants of Veterans Court will be held, Monday, February 8, 2010 at the Criminal Justice Center Jury Selection Room 101, 1301 Filbert Street, Philadelphia from 5:30 to 8:00 PM. Pizza and soda will be served. Interested persons should contact Janet DiTomasso at (215) 683-7275 or by email at Janet.DiTomasso@courts.phila.gov.

REST IN HONOR: FIRST INTERMENTS CONSECRATE NEW WASHINGTON CROSSING NATIONAL CEMETERY - On Wednesday afternoon, the cremains of seven deceased veterans and one spouse were interred during a somber and dignified ceremony at the new Washington Crossing National Cemetery. (read more)

BUTLER MEDICAL CENTER HELPS RESERVIST WHO 'FELL THROUGH THE CRACKS' - Army Spc. Matthew Onestar never shirks a challenge -- he looks for them. On Jan. 6, however, he faced the greatest challenge of his life: spending an entire night homeless, sleeping under a tree. (read more)

PA TO GET FIRST FISHER HOUSE FOR RELATIVES VISITING SOLDIERS IN VA CARE - From across the country, families of veterans who are receiving medical treatment and rehabilitation at the Oakland facility of the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System travel here to be near their loved ones. (read more)

HOMELESS VETERAN GETS PROPER BURIAL - Ray Vivier had been an adventurer, a Marine veteran who explored the country from South Carolina to Alaska, the father of five children. (read more)

MORE CHARGES PROMISED FOR ACCUSED GRAVE MARKER THIEF - The preliminary hearing scheduled for Monday for the Meadville man charged with allegedly selling approximately 100 brass markers stolen from veterans’ grave sites in Greendale Cemetery as scrap metal is now expected to take place within the next week to 10 days. (read more)

VETERANS’ STORIES NEEDED - The Silver Spring Township Veterans Memorial Committee is looking for veterans to share their stories and experiences with a new generation of Americans.  Through interviews, veterans' history will be preserved and their memories kept alive. The committee has teamed with Cumberland Valley School District and the Army archives at Carlisle Barracks to preserve the stories and memories of local veterans.  They seek military veterans of all services and any time period, but especially World War II veterans.  Interviews will be conducted by select students as part of their studies.  This is part of an effort to raise a veteran's memorial to promote service to the community and sacrifice beyond self.  Veterans, or anyone nominating a veteran, who would like to share their experiences with future generations should contact Clarence Bouchat at bouchatc@hotmail.com or Terri Martini at 766-0178.  More information is available at: www.sstveteransmemorial.com.

VA MEDICAL CENTER OPENING HEALTH CLINIC AT FORT INDIANTOWN GAP - The Lebanon VA Medical Center will open an outreach clinic Friday at Fort Indiantown Gap that will serve veterans who have recently returned from deployments. (read more)

AREA SOLDIER BRINGS HOME A SPECIAL GIFT - An area soldier brought a special gift home from Iraq for the residents of the Hollidaysburg Veterans Home. (read more)

GAP UNIT HONORS VETERANS AT FUNERALS - Spc. Timothy Wright and Staff Sgt. Timothy Heisey waited, backs stiff, arms by their sides, at the position of attention for the funeral party to arrive last weekend. (read more)

DEPLOYED SOLDIERS FINISH THEIR COLLEGE EDUCATIONS ONLINE - Bombs often exploded a half mile away from Technical Sgt. Christopher Swisher’s tent at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan. (read more)

MOURNERS HONOR HERO - Ron Anderson was never in the military. But that didn't stop the senior pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Altoona from taking a lead role in an organization dedicated to honoring service men and women. (read more)

VFW MEMBERS IN COURT TO SUPPORT CLUB MANAGER - Supporters, many of them in their former service uniforms, filled the gallery of the courtroom in support of Don Hershey, manager of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1599. He was found guilty last year of violating Pennsylvania's Small Games of Chance law and is appealing the conviction. (read more)

OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS FROM YORK HELP LEAD THE WAY - The Way Outfitters provide remarkable opportunities to disabled and terminally ill children and military veterans. (read more)

PA'S CIVIL WAR FLAGS NEED CASH FOR UPKEEP - Forty-nine years after they had last carried them in battle, the surviving flag bearers from Pennsylvania's Civil War regiments again hoisted their unit's colors and marched through Harrisburg in a light rain. (read more)

PENNSYLVANIA MARINE WHO SAVED COMRADES GETS BRONZE STAR - A Marine credited with saving the lives of about a dozen of his comrades in Afghanistan has been honored after death with a Bronze Star with Valor. (read more)

VA, DOD DISCUSS SUICIDE RESEARCH, SCREENING - As Veterans Affairs and Defense Department officials gathered at a conference Jan. 12 to discuss what research tells them about suicide in the military, a young Army captain stood up to ask a question: “What can we do at the unit level? That’s the only reason my commander sent me here.” (read more)

INTEREST GROWS IN CREATING EDUCATION CENTER AT VIETNAM MEMORIAL - Momentum is growing for the campaign to build an Education Center at the Vietnam Memorial Wall. In September 2009, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund launched a National Call for Photos, to gather pictures of the more than 58,000 men and women whose names are on The Wall. There is also a new Web site dedicated to the Education Center, where you will find everything you need to start a local Call for Photos campaign. Click here to visit www.buildthecenter.org. By telling the stories behind every name, the Education Center will help visitors understand the courage, sacrifice and devotion of those who fell, those who returned, and those who waited.

VA SECRETARY SHINSEKI HELPS VETERANS AT VA MEDICAL CENTER HOMELESS STAND DOWN - At the VA Medical Center in Washington, D.C., (DCVAMC), Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki joined hundreds of volunteers in support of homeless Veterans in our Nation’s capital.  (read more)

ARMY NEWS NOW AVAILABLE VIA IPHONE from Military.com - Soldiers and others can now read the latest Army news on their iPhones. The new iPhone application is available for free from the iTunes application store or by visiting the Army.Mil Mobile website. The new application provides access to both Army video and still imagery. Users of the iPhone application have access to the Army Live Blog, Twitter feed, and Facebook page. Podcasts of the greatest moments of Soldiers Radio News are also available.

AIR FORCE RESTRICTS PORTAL ACCESS from Miitary.com - Air Force computers are restricting access to the Air Force Portal to only users with a common access card or valid public key infrastructure certificate. Air Force Knowledge Now began restricting access to CAC/ PKI users Jan. 1, and Air Force Personnel Center officials will begin restricting access to only CAC/PKI users Jan. 28. This PKI/CAC restriction will impact regular off-base users such as Air National Guard, Reservists, Department of Defense contractors and other home users. The restriction means Airman will access these Web portals with better security of their account identity and with fewer usernames and passwords to maintain.

GEICO OFFERS STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS from Military.com - GEICO is sponsoring two free registrations for women college students ages 18-35 to attend the Business and Professional Women's (BPW) Foundation's Policy and Action Day 2010. Students should submit their name, age, email, educational institution, major and two-three sentences about "What a Successful Workplace Means to Me" to policy@bpwfoundation.org. Deadline for submission is February 12, 2010. For more information, visit the BPW Foundation's website.

TRICARE SOCIAL MEDIA from Military.com - TRICARE is taking the plunge into social media channels and networks like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr to uncover what issues matter most to its beneficiaries around the world. TRICARE is active on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr, and is getting ready to launch a new media center Web page in March, 2010. The media center will include TRICARE news and links to TRICARE's social media channels. It will also allow beneficiaries to "share" benefit information with their friends and families online. For more information, visit TRICARE's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TRICARE, or Twitter account at www.twitter.com/TRICARE.

AIR FORCE TO HIRE DISABLED STUDENTS from Military.com - Air Force organizations have the opportunity to begin hiring students March 17 for temporary, funded positions as part of the 2010 Workforce Recruitment Program for College Students with Disabilities. Students who work in the temporary positions during the summer have their salaries paid by the Department of Defense with funding for the program running May 15 through Sept. 30. Air Force organizations interested in participating in the program should contact their local civilian personnel office for more information. For more information on the program, visit the Workforce Recruitment Program for College Students with Disabilities website at www.wrp.gov.

REPORTER EXPLORES LINK BETWEEN WARZONE BURN PITS AND VETERAN ILLNESSES - A number of U.S. service members have fallen ill after returning home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Some believe their ailments are caused by exposure to toxic open-air burn pits located at military bases throughout the warzone. Journalist Matthew LaPlante discusses his three part series, "Sickened by Service," which ran this month in The Salt Lake Tribune. (read more)

SCIENTISTS SAY SCANNER CAN DETECT PTSD IN VETERANS - Post-traumatic stress is estimated to afflict more than 300,000 veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, but until now, it's been labeled a "soft disorder" -- one without an objective biological path to diagnosis. (read more)

OFFICIAL NOTES HEALTH SYSTEM’S ‘AMAZING’ IMPACT - The Defense Department’s Military Health System has never played a clearer or more important role in the security of the nation, the assistant secretary of defense for health affairs said today. (read more)

VA TO BEGIN RECOVERY OF GI BILL ADVANCE PAYMENTS - The Veterans Affairs Department is beginning the process of recovering advance payments made available during the fall 2009 semester to veterans and service members who applied for education benefits. (read more)

LIVE AMERICAN LEGION WEBCASTS from Miltary.com - More American Legion events and activities than ever before will be streamed live on the American Legion website this year. The Commander's Call at the 50th Annual Washington Conference - expected to include speeches to Legionnaires from some of the nation's top elected officials - kicks off the schedule on March 2 from Washington, D.C. Also new this year will be live webcasts from American Legion Boys Nation and portions of the American Legion's 92nd National Convention from Milwaukee. A list of upcoming webcasts is available on the American Legion website. All of the live Web presentations can be viewed free of charge by visitors to the American Legion website.

FIRST LADY ANNOUNCES FAMILY PROGRAM BUDGET BOOST - President Barack Obama's fiscal 2011 budget request calls for a record $8.8 billion for military family support programs, First Lady Michelle Obama told military spouses today at Bolling Air Force Base here. (read more)

MILITARY FAMILIES GAIN ACCESS TO FREE, ONLINE TUTORING - The Defense Department has launched a free, online tutoring service for service members and their families. (read more)

CAREGIVING STRAINS FAMILIES OF VETERANS WITH SEVERE INJURIES - Kevin Kammerdiener's mother, Leslie, takes care of his every need, which would be fine if he were in preschool. (read more)

"FAMILIES AT EASE" PROGRAM EXTENDS HAND TO VETERANS' FAMILIES - VA Medical Centers in Philadelphia, PA and Durham, NC have begun a pilot program for families of Veterans who have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan. Learn more at VA’s home page at http://www.va.gov/.

ASTRONAUT VISITS WARRIOR TRANSITION BRIGADE - An astronaut who has logged more than 950 hours in the space shuttles Discovery and Atlantis visited service members at Walter Reed Army Medical Center’s Warrior Transition Brigade. (read more)

FIGHT OVER TAINTED WATER CENTERS ON HEALTH CARE - A decades-old dispute over exposure to contaminated ground water at Camp Lejuene, N.C., exploded Thursday before a Senate committee into a battle over whether the Veterans Affairs Department or Defense Department should be responsible for providing health care for affected families and ended with a threat to freeze all of the Navy Department’s civilian leadership nominations. (read more)

·         January 30 – 31: Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program; 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Eastonina, 90 Kunkle Drive, Easton, PA

·         February 2 – 3: National Capital Region (NCR) Wounded Warrior Hiring and Support Conference; 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, 5000 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA

·         February 4: Coffee, Conversations, and Connections; 8:00 to 10:00 AM at the Giant Community Center, 3301 Trindle Road, Camp Hill, PA

·         February 5: In Memory Day Service; 10:00 AM at the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial, Washington, D.C

CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST VETERANS’ NEWS AND VIDEO FOOTAGE ON THE PA OFFICE FOR VETERANS AFFAIRS WEB PAGE

Please visit our website and see what Pennsylvania does for its veterans!à www.paveterans.state.pa.us

CHRISTOPHER L. NELSON

MARKETING AND VETERANS INFORMATION

DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY & VETERANS AFFAIRS

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

Phone: (717) 861- 6979

Toll Free: (800) 547-2838

Fax (717) 861 - 8589

Here’s a look at some of the current news events that will impact Pennsylvania’s Veterans. If you have any items you’d like to pass on, please send them to our Office for inclusion in the next digest. The contact information is at the bottom of this message. Please feel free to forward this to others.

FREE VETERANS EXPEDITIONS AT OUTWARD BOUND - Through generous funding by the Military Family Outdoor Initiative Project, a joint partnership of The Sierra Club and The Sierra Club Foundation, The Anschutz Family Foundation, and The Disabled American Veterans we are offering fully underwritten Outward Bound programs to Veterans. This is a tremendous opportunity for adventure and self-discovery to our veterans of combat operations in Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom) and Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom). We have over 20 years serving our nation's combat veterans through a long partnership with the Disabled American Veterans organization, where we have offered enriching wilderness expeditions specifically designed for war veterans at no cost to the participants. (read more)

PBS TO HIGHLIGHT CONTRIBUTIONS OF BLACK SERVICE MEMBERS – In February, PBS will air “For the Love of Liberty,” a documentary highlighting the contributions of black American service members dating all the way back to the American Revolution. Check your local listings for air dates/times. More information on the program can be found at: http://forloveofliberty.com

DONATIONS FOR FISHER HOUSE SOUGHT - For members of our Armed Forces, retirees, veterans and their families, the Fisher House program offers shelter and support during a medical crisis. Fisher Houses provide a comforting "home away from home" while a loved one is undergoing medical treatment in an unfamiliar environment. That special support is even more important when a family member is wounded or injured in military operations like Enduring Freedom or Iraqi Freedom. By contributing to Fisher House Foundation, you can make a difference in the lives of America's service members, retirees, veterans and their families when needed most. To learn more about Fisher House Foundation, you can visit their web site at www.fisherhouse.org. Please use this link below to donate online quickly & securely: www.active.com/donate/AGSMforFisherHouse/GreaterHarrisburg

NORTHEASTERN PA SOLDIER KILLED - Sgt. 1st Class Michael P. Shannon, 52, of Canadensis, Pa., died Jan. 17, in Kabul, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident.  He was assigned to Headquarters, 7th Army and U.S. Army Europe, Heidelberg, Germany. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.

HOPS & BARLEYS HOSTS BENEFIT TO ASSIST VETERANS - A benefit event organized by Ronnie Williams to assist area military veterans was held recently at Hops & Barleys restaurant in Luzerne, which also made a donation to the effort. (read more)

KOREAN WAR VETERANS SEEK MEMBERS from the Pocono Record - The Korean War Veterans Association, Northeast Pennsylvania Chapter 109 is seeking new members. Any person who has seen honorable service in any of the armed forces of the United States, within Korea (Sept. 3, 1945, to June 25, 1950), within or without Korea (June 25, 1950 to Jan. 31, 1955), or within Korea from Feb. 1, 1955, onward, is eligible for membership. The chapter meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month, at the American Legion Post 927, Route 209, Gilbert. To join or for info, come to a meeting or contact John Howard at (570) 722-3027.

FLAG WAVES FOR THE FIRST TIME ABOVE WASHINGTON CROSSING NATIONAL CEMETERY - Holding back the tears, U.S. Navy World War II veteran Fred Caldwell, 84, raised the American flag for the first time over the Washington Crossing National Cemetery on Friday, Jan. 15. (read more)

REST IN HONOR: FIRST INTERMENTS CONSECRATE NEW WASHINGTON CROSSING NATIONAL CEMETERY - A quiet piece of land on Highland Road in Upper Makefield Township is now sacred ground. (read more)

NEW PROGRAM TRIES TO REACH MILITARY FAMILIES - Many soldiers returning from war struggle with mental health issues but are reluctant to seek treatment. The Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center is launching a new program that enlists the help of family members in getting vets into care.  (read more)

‘PITT'S BUCKET BRIGADE FOR HAITI’ ESTABLISHED - In an effort to help bring some long-term relief to the victims of Tuesday's devastating earthquake in Haiti, the University of Pittsburgh is organizing “Pitt's Bucket Brigade for Haiti” campaign. During the course of the next few weeks, 500 five-gallon buckets will be distributed throughout the University campus at offices and residence halls in an effort to collect hygiene products for the victims. (read more)

BOOK HELPS VETERANS DISCOVER HOW TO CLAIM BENEFITS - Working for years as an administrator in assisted living facilities and nursing homes, Joseph Scott McCarthy learned all about the mountains of sometimes mystifying paperwork veterans must complete to get benefits they deserve. (read more)

PENN STATE CLASS CAPTURES SOLDIERS' STORIES AS THEY RETURN FROM IRAQ - U.S. Marines veteran Matt Poth looked into the video camera and told a story about his time in Iraq that, until that point, only a few fellow soldiers had heard. It's hard for him to talk about watching a soldier die at the hands of a suicide bomber, and harder still to relay it to people who have never worn a uniform. (read more)

AMERICAN LEGION POST OFFERS BUS TOUR OF U.S. CAPITOL - American Legion Post 575, Valley View PA, is sponsoring a bus tour of our nation's capital. The tour will include the WWII Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, Korean War Memorial, the Changing of the Guard at The Tomb of the Unknown in Arlington National Cemetery and more. Everyone is welcome. For more information and registration please visit http://www.theplacetogo.com/oot510/

LEBANON VAMC DOCTOR PHONES IN HELP FOR HAITI - Dr. Hank Mackler has been traveling to Haiti on medical missions for 30 years. Mackler, chief of anesthesia at the Lebanon VA Medical Center in South Lebanon Township, said he has been to the impoverished Caribbean nation at least 35 times and knows many people who work in health care there. (read more)

PENNSYLVANIA MILITARY PERSONNEL CAN GET FINANCIAL AID THROUGH FAMILY RELIEF ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - After his Schuylkill County home burned in December, Sgt. Joseph Jordan needed help to get back on his feet. (read more)

SPEAKER SALUTES U.S.-KOREAN ALLIANCE - Bob Gerard would like very much to return to the place where people were trying to kill him barely 60 years ago. (read more)

US SEES INCREASE IN SUICIDE RATE OF YOUNG VETERANS - The suicide rate among men aged 18 to 29 years old who have left the U.S. military has gone up significantly, the government said Monday. (read more)

WOMEN'S SCARS OF WAR - When retired Army Staff Sgt. June Moss returned from Iraq, she had to explain to her children why she couldn't hug them. Any embrace longer than two seconds made her skin feel like it was on fire. (read more)

VFW CHIEF IN EASTERN CONNECTICUT: BEST SOLUTIONS FOUND IN BACKYARD - A Veterans of Foreign Wars national leader came to Eastern Connecticut this weekend and encouraged localized approaches to dealing with homeless veterans. (read more)

RETURNING US VETERANS SEE PAINFUL LEGACY OF VIETNAM WAR: LEFTOVER MINES AND BOMBS - A piece of shrapnel sliced Jerry Maroney's right leg. A bullet pierced Peter Holt's neck. Les Newell took a shot in the rump. (read more)

VA REPORTS NEW GI BILL NUMBERS from Military.com - The American Legion reports that the Department of Veterans Affairs recently released a report that says 164,144 individuals have enrolled in classes under the new Post-9/11 GI Bill, and 130,309 of them have received payments. Currently, the VA says it is paying about 4,500 students per day, and that it takes on average 47 days to process payments from the day the school certifies enrollment in VA. In all, 352,281 people have applied for a Certificate of Eligibility, and 292,896 have received one. They will receive funding when they enroll in a school. To improve the system, VA says it continues to review the process and streamline letters to veterans and their dependents who are attending school on their behalf.

VA CENTERS RECEIVE CERTIFICATION from Military.com - Department of Veterans Affairs announced that 15 of its medical centers have been cited by the Green Building Initiative for their efforts to achieve sustainable energy. As a federal agency, VA is required to have 15 percent of buildings incorporate sustainable practices by 2015 in accordance with Executive Order 13423. The recent Green Globe certifications raise VA's sustainable building inventory and contribute toward reaching the department's goals. The Green Globes system is an independent ratings based on environmental assessments.

AMERICAN LEGION CONTINUES GROWING from Military.com - On the way to breaking another membership record, all five Sons of The American Legion (SAL) regions exceeded their recruitment targets in 2009. The program, offered to descendants of wartime veterans eligible to join The American Legion, finished the year with 335,848 members. Membership in the American Legion Auxiliary is available to a mother, wife, daughter, sister, granddaughter, great-granddaughter, or grandmother of a member of The American Legion, or a deceased veteran who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during the listed war eras. Membership information and application materials for the SAL, American Legion or American Legion Auxiliary are available on The American Legion website.

VIRTUAL BURN TREATMENT from Military.com - National Public Radio's "All Things Considered" recently covered a new aspect of burn treatment being administered at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. Some service members and veterans affected by burns are being distracted from their pain through the use of a virtual reality program called SnowWorld. Read more about BAMC's use of SnowWorld at NPR's website. For a look at this virtual treatment in action, view this video report from Fox 7 News, Austin, Texas.

APPLICANTS SOUGHT FOR DOD INTERNSHIP from Military.com -The Department of Defense is seeking applicants for a two-year, paid Military Health System Internship Program. Applicants generally need a Master's degree or two full years of progressively high-level graduate education and one year of specialized experience that equips them for the skills needed to perform the duties of the position. Positions are currently available in the Washington, D.C. area in human resources, information technology, management analysis, financial management analysis, and health systems analysis. Applications must be e-mailed by January 29, 2010. For more information, visit the Military Health System Blog webpage or call the MHS Human Capital Office (571) 296-2960.

NATIONAL HEALTH REFORM AND THE MILITARY - As House and Senate Democrats negotiate a final compromise national health care reform bill, military people across the nation -- and their advocates in Washington D.C. -- remain vigilant for side effects. (read more)

TWO STUDIES: PTSD IS CHEMICAL CHANGE IN BRAIN from Army Onesource Family News - Two new studies seem to provide more evidence that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a chemical change in the brain caused by trauma — and that it might be possible to diagnose, treat and predict susceptibility to it based on brain scans or blood tests. To read more, go to http://www.myarmyonesource.com/News/2010/01/PTSD1.

DOGS HELPS SOLDIERS DEAL WITH PTSD from Army Onesource Family News - One in eight Soldiers returning from Iraq or Afghanistan reports symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. Psychiatric service dogs have been assisting people who have a variety of mental illnesses for more than a decade; 10,000 such dogs are in use today. A survey by the Psychiatric Service Dog Society found that the trained dogs reduced post-traumatic stress symptoms in 82 percent of 39 patients surveyed. Forty percent said they used less medication, and many reported that their dogs could sense impending manic episodes and panic attacks, even before the patients did. The Army found those findings promising enough to allocate $300,000 to study the effects of pairing the dogs with Soldiers who have the stress disorder. To read more, go to http://www.myarmyonesource.com/News/2010/01/PTSD2.

GUARD, RESERVE TRICARE OPTIONS DURING TRANSITION TO CIVILIAN LIFE from Army Onesource Family News - TRICARE now offers many options for recently deactivated guardsmen, reservists and their Families to maintain their health during the transition from active duty back to civilian life. After serving in contingency operations for more than 30 days, deactivated guardsmen, reservists and their Family members are eligible to receive care through the Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP) for 180 days after deactivation. TAMP participants can choose TRICARE Standard or TRICARE Prime, if it is locally available. To learn more, go to http://www.myarmyonesource.com/News/2010/01/TRICARE.

FAMILY SUICIDE PREVENTION AND AWARENESS TRAINING from Army Onesource Family News - The U.S. Army created a Suicide Prevention Task Force in an ongoing effort to decrease the number of suicides in the Army. One of the goals of the task force is to increase the number of available training programs, to include one for Families. This Family training is strictly voluntary. To learn more, go to http://www.myarmyonesource.com/News/2010/01/Training.

DEFENSE COMMISSARY AGENCY (DECA) 2010 SCHOLARSHIP FOR MILITARY CHILDREN from Army Onesource Family News - Scholarship applications are now available in commissaries worldwide and online through a link at http://www.myarmyonesource.com/News/2010/01/Scholarship1 and directly at http://www.myarmyonesource.com/News/2010/01/Scholarship2. Since the program began in 2000, it has awarded $7.3 million in scholarships to almost 5,000 children of service members. Only dependent, unmarried children, younger than age 21 (age 23 if enrolled as a full-time student at a college or university), of active duty personnel, Reserve, Guard and retired military members, and Survivors of the Fallen may apply for a scholarship. Eligibility is determined using the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System database. The applicant must be planning to attend, or already be attending, an accredited college or university full time in the fall of 2010, or be enrolled in a program of studies designed to transfer directly into a four-year program. Applicants should prepare to submit an essay on the following topic: “You can travel back in time; however, you cannot change events. What point in history would you visit and why?” Applications are due to a commissary by close of business February 17, 2010. Each commissary with qualified applicants will have at least one scholarship awarded. To learn more, go to http://www.myarmyonesource.com/News/2010/01/Scholarship3.

NMFA JOANNE HOLBROOK PATTON MILITARY SPOUSE SCHOLARSHIP from Army Onesource Family News - Spouses of Soldiers, including active duty, National Guard and Reserve, retiree and Survivors, are eligible for the 2010 National Military Family Association (NMFA) Joanne Holbrook Patton Military Spouse Scholarship. Scholarships of up to $10,000 are available for military spouses to use to obtain GED or English as a Second Language (ESL) training; vocational training; professional certification; post-secondary; and graduate school. These scholarships assist with tuition, fees, and school room and board. NMFA sends funds directly to the accredited educational institution. In 2009, NMFA awarded more than three hundred scholarships. For more information or to apply for a scholarship, visit http://www.myarmyonesource.com/News/2010/01/Spouse.

NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE CHILDREN WELCOMED AT THE FIRST TEE CHAPTERS from Army Onesource Family News - In 2010, The First Tee will offer golf instruction combined with character and life skills education to children of National Guardsmen and Reservists living in communities across the country. The initiative is made possible as part of a two-year agreement with the DoD. The goal is to welcome at least 6,000 school-aged participants from military Families to The First Tee to participate in no-cost programs. Prior golf experience and equipment are not necessary. Trained coaches and staff at over 200 chapters of The First Tee offer a progression of lesson plans that creates a fun and safe learning environment. The curriculum fosters curiosity about the game of golf and teaches participants how to use the positive values inherent in the game at home, in school and in other areas of everyday life. For chapter locations or more information, Families should visit http://www.myarmyonesource.com/News/2010/01/FirstTee.

SPOUSE BATTLEMIND TELEPHONE SUPPORT GROUPS from Army Onesource Family News - The Army and DoD funded a research study administered by the Memphis Veterans Affairs Medical Center for the spouses of Service members who were deployed at least one time to Iraq or Afghanistan. Free confidential telephone support groups are one hour, one time a month for 12 months. Spouses learn ways to manage stress and solve problems related to reintegration, education about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and other common problems. For Information or to enroll, contact Spouse BATTLEMIND at 1-800-636-8262 X7485 or http://www.myarmyonesource.com/News/2010/01/Battlemind.

SEA SYSTEMS COMMAND RECRUITS WOUNDED WARRIORS - Due to advances in modern medicine, many wounded service members are returning to the fight or transitioning their experience to civilian employment. Naval Sea Systems Command wants them on board. (read more)

HALL OF REMEMBRANCE HONORS FALLEN TROOPS - Army Spc. Jonathan Emard, 20, was killed June 4, 2008, in Tikrit, Iraq, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces using small-arms fire and hand grenades. (read more)

VA WINS NATIONAL AWARD FOR SAFE MEDICATION PRACTICES - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has won top national honors from the independent Institute for Safe Medication Practices for its excellence in preventing medication errors. (read more)

GI BILL LOOKS BETTER FOR SPRING, VA SAYS - Veterans Affairs Department officials appear to have a good jump on processing spring semester claims for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, and they hope that hiring more people, getting help from an outside contractor and convincing schools to submit enrollment information faster will avoid delays that plagued the program in the fall. (read more)

WOMEN VETERANS ASKED ‘WHO HAS TIME FOR THE FLU?’ - “Who has time for the flu?” is the question Women Veterans Program Managers (WVPMs) are asking women Veterans this flu season. A poster designed by the Women Veterans Health Strategic Health Care Group bearing this question was distributed to all WVPMs to kick off the vaccination season. WVPMs used the posters to spread the word about the importance of H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccinations, especially for new mothers and pregnant and lactating women—two of the groups at highest risk for complications from the flu. A survey conducted by Women Veterans Health Strategic Health Care Group found that of 72 responding facilities, 98.6% were engaged in outreach to pregnant and lactating women veterans. Many went beyond hanging posters—to calling patients, mailing reminders, and engaging in provider education. In Big Spring, Texas, Women Veterans Health staff advertised in the local paper and traveled to rural areas to distribute vaccinations. And the Long Beach, CA, facility partnered with local VSOs and held a baby shower at which new mothers and moms-to-be could get flu vaccinations. The event was a hit—two more baby showers are on the books for 2010. For more information on VHA programs on flu and on women veterans health, visit www.publichealth.va.gov.

VA REACHING OUT TO STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS TO SPEED BENEFIT PAYMENTS - In a coordinated effort to speed up the processing of Post 9/11 GI Bill education benefits this spring, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today that it has been reaching out to student Veterans, service members, university officials and other partners to meet its commitment to an aggressive processing goal by Feb. 1, 2010. Feb. 1 is the first date spring payments are due and presently VA has processed over 72,000 of the approximately 103,000 spring enrollments received.  Since inception of the historic new program last year, VA has paid over $1.3 billion in benefits to more than 170,000 students. (read more)

COMBAT WOUNDS NOT THE LEADING CAUSE OF EVACUATIONS - American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan were more likely to be medically evacuated for health problems such as a bad back than for combat injuries, a new study says. (read more)

·         January 22 – 24: TBI Family Retreat; 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Camp Little J, Spruce Creek, PA

·         January 23 – 24: Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Event; 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Millersville University, 1 South George St, Millersville, PA

·         January 25 – 27: 28th Annual Healthsports Ski Classic; 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Hidden Valley Ski Resort, 1 Craighead Drive, Hidden Valley, PA

·         January 25: John Neely Blood and Bone Marrow Drive; 1:00 to 7:00 PM at Rochester VFW, 179 Virginia Avenue, Rochester, PA

·         January 26: Johnstown Job Fair; 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Hiram G. Andrews Center Seminar Theatre, 727 Goucher Street, Johnstown, PA

·         January 27: Office of Disability Employment Policy Listening Session; 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA

·         January 28: Jobs Gone Wild Career Fair; 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM at the Wachovia Center, 3601 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA

·         January 30 – 31: Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program; 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Eastonina, 90 Kunkle Drive, Easton, PA

CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST VETERANS’ NEWS AND VIDEO FOOTAGE ON THE PA OFFICE FOR VETERANS AFFAIRS WEB PAGE

Please visit our website and see what Pennsylvania does for its veterans!à www.paveterans.state.pa.us

CHRISTOPHER L. NELSON

MARKETING AND VETERANS INFORMATION

DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY & VETERANS AFFAIRS

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

Phone: (717) 861- 6979

Toll Free: (800) 547-2838

Fax (717) 861 - 8589

Here’s a look at some of the current news events that will impact Pennsylvania’s Veterans. If you have any items you’d like to pass on, please send them to our Office for inclusion in the next digest. The contact information is at the bottom of this message. Please feel free to forward this to others.

CORRECTION – The bill that was mentioned in the PA CARES minutes is still only a draft at this point and has not been introduced into the legislature. It is not likely this bill will be introduced any time in the immediate future. The Pennsylvania Association of County Directors of Veterans Affairs is currently working with Senator Lisa Baker’s office on creating a bill that will outline the duties of a County Director of Veterans Affairs. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused.

VIDEOGAME PUBLISHER HELPS VETERANS FIND JOBS - Activision, the video game publisher behind the popular Call of Duty games, has recently started a non-profit organization called the Call of Duty Endowment.  This organization provides grants to groups aimed at helping veterans with career training and job placement. For more information, visit: http://www.callofdutyendowment.org/

GREEN JOBS TRAINING FOR RECENTLY SEPARATED VETERANS AVAILABLE NOW - Focusing on the expanding opportunities of Green Jobs, two non-profit veterans employment organizations have partnered with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to manage a Veterans Workforce Investment Program (VWIP) that seeks to place veterans into environmentally-friendly jobs. A special emphasis for recruiting will target recently separated men and women from the US military and the PA National Guard. For more information in the Eastern part of the state go to:  http://www.impactservices.org/vet_services/employment.php. For more information in the Western part of the state go to:  http://www.vlpwpa.org/content.agent?page_name=HOME 

VA EMPLOYEES DO VOLUNTEER WORK - Employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Plains Township volunteer at the medical center and Community Living Center during their off-duty hours to show their appreciation to the patients and residents. (read more) 

VA CENTER RESIDENTS RECEIVE GIFTS FROM CRIME WATCH - The Plains Township Neighborhood Crime Watch donated holiday gifts for patients and residents of the Community Living Center at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Plains Township. (read more)

CINNAMINSON BUS STOP FOR VETS TO BE RELOCATED - The stop in Cinnaminson for the Veterans Bus Service is being relocated to the Shoppes at Cinnaminson on Route 130 at Cinnaminson Avenue beginning Feb. 2, county officials said. (read more)

NEW VA FACILITY MAKES CARE MORE CONVENIENT FOR LOCAL VETERANS - Since Rudy Cozad retired from the United States Air Force in 1972, he has driven more than 20 miles from his home in Cranberry to receive medical care at a Veterans Administration facility in Butler. (read more)

SIDNEY SINGER, FOUNDER OF VETERANS PLACE OF WASHINGTON BLVD DIES AT 84 - On Washington Boulevard in Larimer there stands a $2.5 million housing facility for veterans that almost everyone -- except Sidney Singer -- believes should have Mr. Singer's name on it. (read more)

PA MAN CHARGED WITH SELLING VETS' GRAVE MARKERS - A northwestern Pennsylvania man allegedly sold roughly 100 brass markers stolen from veterans' graves for scrap. (read more)

KOREAN WAR VETERANS SEEK MEMBERS from the Pocono Record - The Korean War Veterans Association, Northeast Pennsylvania Chapter 109 is seeking new members. To join, come to a meeting or contact Paul A. Warman, commander, at (570) 595-2885 for additional information.

VA CENTER REASSESSING SOLDIERS’ HEALTH - The effort, which will include about 700 soldiers by the time it ends today, is part of a Defense Department-mandated Post Deployment Health Reassessment. (read more)

FREE FAMILY RETREAT FOR VETERANS WITH TBI – Frontline ministries will be holding their first Family Retreat of 2010 at Camp Little J in Spruce Creek, PA, located near Altoona. Network, meet new friends, spend time with others dealing with similar issues and concerns, or spend time relaxing. Contact George Palmer for more information or to register at (814) 684-1515 or email flmin@msn.com.

ALTOONA MARINE KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN - The Department of Defense announced today the death of an Altoona Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Staff Sgt. Matthew N. Ingham, 25, of Altoona, PA died Jan. 11, along with two other Marines, while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Ingham, was assigned to 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan.

LEBANON VA IS PAVING THE WAY FOR OPENING OF NEW PATIENT ACCOUNT CENTER THAT WILL ADD 450 JOBS - Preparations are in the works for the Consolidated Patient Account Center that will bring an estimated 450 jobs to the Lebanon VA Medical Center by the end of 2011. (read more)

CHAMBERSBURG'S VFW POST 1599 HONORED - The Charles M. Nitterhouse Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1599, Chambersburg, is celebrating its 75th anniversary as the largest VFW post in Pennsylvania and the third largest in the United States. (read more)

VA REACHES OUT TO STRYKER BRIGADE MEMBERS - Hundreds of veterans who returned from Iraq last fall are getting special attention in Altoona this weekend. The program is part of a Veteran's Administration efforts to make sure returning members of the Pennsylvania National Guard have the support they need. (read more)

STUDIES SEEK BEST WAYS TO DRAW HOMELESS VETERANS INTO PRIMARY CARE - Stefan Kertesz, MD, MSc, vividly recalls a patient he saw at a homeless shelter in the 1990s. The man had a mood disorder and hypertension. Clinical guidelines and performance measures called for aggressively managing the blood pressure. But Kertesz sensed that if he were to go that route during their initial meetings, it would drive the man away and stifle their budding patient-doctor relationship. (read more)

ACTORS JOIN THEATER PROJECT TO AID COMBAT VETERANS – Actors from Broadway and television are performing in Washington as part of a theater project to help returning soldiers discuss the psychological effects of war and combat. (read more)

RIDING TOWARD RECOVERY: CAISSON HORSES HELP INJURED VETS GET ON WITH LIFE - A stronger blast, a little less luck, and the horse that Marine Sgt. Michael Blair is riding down an Arlington, Va., trail could easily be pulling his coffin. (read more)

INCREASE IN SUICIDE RATE OF VETS - The suicide rate among 18- to 29-year-old men who've left the military has gone up significantly, the government said Monday. (read more)

MILITARY MISCONDUCT MAY BE SYMPTOM OF STRESS DISORDER - In 2007, a high-ranking Navy doctor sent a sobering warning to colleagues: The service may be discharging soldiers for misconduct when in fact they are merely displaying symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. (read more)

TIME TO HONOR EMPLOYERS from Military.com - The Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is encouraging Guard and Reserve servicemembers to speak out and honor their patriotic employers. Guard and Reserve servicemembers can nominate their employers for the Patriot Award at the ESGR website at www.esgr.org and the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award at the Freedom Award website at www.freedomaward.mil. The Patriot Award recognizes all employers with a certificate and an accompanying lapel pin. The deadline for nominations for the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award is Jan. 18. It was created by the Department of Defense to publicly recognize employers that provide exceptional support to their National Guard and Reserve employees.

NEW "DOT MIL DOCS" PODCAST AVAILABLE from Military.com - Episode 91 of the Military Health System's (MHS) podcast Dot Mil Docs features Ron Horne, deputy director for the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), discussing TAP services provided to wounded warriors and other servicemembers preparing for transition to civilian life. Click here to listen. For more information on the Transition Assistance Program, visit www.turbotap.org.

TRICARE OFFERS SEASONAL VACCINES from Military.com - TRICARE beneficiaries who are eligible to use the TRICARE retail pharmacy benefit can now receive the seasonal flu, H1N1 flu and pneumonia vaccines at TRICARE retail network pharmacies at no cost. Other vaccines still must be administered in a doctor's office or authorized convenience clinic to be fully covered by TRICARE's preventive health services cost-share waiver. Beneficiaries should call their local TRICARE retail network pharmacy to make sure it participates in the vaccine program and has the vaccine in stock. To locate a participating retail network pharmacy, visit Express Scripts' TRICARE Pharmacy Program webpage at http://www.express-scripts.com/TRICARE or call Express Scripts at 877-363-1303.

BETTER MENTAL FITNESS WILL HELP PREVENT SUICIDE, SUTTON SAYS - Preventing suicide is more than simply recognizing the signs, it involves building strong community and individual support before the idea ever sets in, the Army's top psychiatrist and director of the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury said here today. (read more)

VA SECRETARY SHINSEKI HONORED FOR PATRIOTIC SERVICE - Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki was awarded the Gold Good Citizenship Medal by the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) during an honors dinner Jan. 9 at the Mount Vernon Inn.  The gala was hosted by the George Washington Chapter of the SAR. (read more)

VETS GET MORE TIME FOR HOME TAX CREDIT - Federal legislation extending the popular homebuyers tax credit has something extra for members of the armed forces serving overseas — more time. (read more)

MORPHINE FOUND TO HELP STAVE OFF PTSD IN WOUNDED TROOPS - More than 200 years after it was isolated from poppies, morphine remains one of medicine's best painkillers. But that isn't its only use. (read more)

COMMISSARIES PARTNER WITH DOD TO PROMOTE PSYCHOLOGICAL CARE FOR VETERANS, FAMILIES - Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Megan Krause had deployed to Iraq and returned without any injury, or so she thought. Marine Sgt. Josh Hopper had been wounded by a roadside bomb during his second tour to Iraq, but his scars ran deeper than even he could imagine.  (read more)

ARMY WORKS TO INCREASE SOLDIERS’ RESILIENCE - Army officials are trying to increase the resilience of soldiers and family members by increasing their physical, emotional, social, spiritual and family strengths. (read more)

VA, DOD EXPAND RANKS OF FEDERAL RECOVERY COORDINATORS - Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced the hiring of five new Federal Recovery Coordinators, bringing to 20 the number of professionals coordinating care for the most seriously injured service members. (read more)

OFFICIALS URGE MORE CARE FOR CAREGIVERS - The military needs to step up efforts to head off compassion fatigue among its caregivers, a National Guard official said here yesterday. (read more)

PENTAGON HONORS CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER’S LEGACY - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today challenged the Defense Department and all Americans to honor Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy during a Pentagon observance in advance of the Jan. 18 holiday that marks the civil rights leader’s birth. (read more)

·         January 16 - 17: Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Event; 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Fort Indiantown Gap, Building 8-80, Multipurpose Room, Annville, PA

·         January 21:  ‘Vetwork’ Your Business: Networking at the Hub; 8:00 AM at The Hub, Cira Centre, 2929 Arch Street, Suite 200, Philadelphia, PA

·         January 22 – 24: TBI Family Retreat; 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Camp Little J, Spruce Creek, PA

·        January 23 – 24: Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Event; 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Millersville University, 1 South George St, Millersville, PA 

CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST VETERANS’ NEWS AND VIDEO FOOTAGE ON THE PA OFFICE FOR VETERANS AFFAIRS WEB PAGE

Please visit our website and see what Pennsylvania does for its veterans!à www.paveterans.state.pa.us

CHRISTOPHER L. NELSON

MARKETING AND VETERANS INFORMATION

DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY & VETERANS AFFAIRS

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

Phone: (717) 861- 6979

Toll Free: (800) 547-2838

Fax (717) 861 - 8589

News Release

Jan. 12, 2010

Philadelphia VA program reaches out to

Iraq, Afghanistan Veterans not currently in VA care

“Families At Ease”: 1-877-823-5261 weekdays 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center has launched a pilot program to help Veterans and their families get the assistance they need – and take advantage of the benefits they have earned.

The “Families At Ease” program is designed to enhance outreach to recently returned combat Veterans who are reluctant to seek help, or who may be unaware that they need it.  The program will include brochures, advertisements, posters and other outreach methods to encourage Veterans and families to contact a call center where they will receive more information. 

“The VA has a range of programs available for Veterans, and it’s really important for them to take advantage of what they have earned,” said Steven L. Sayers, Ph.D., who is leading the effort.  “We’re directing the campaign toward families because loved ones are often in the best position to see changes in the Veteran and influence him or her to seek help.”

Follow-up strategies include telephone consultation to the family member or Veteran regarding how to seek care, family member coaching to help motivate the Veteran toward evaluation or consultation, and encouragement to seek assessment or services.  It is a collaborative effort between VA medical centers in Philadelphia, Pa., and Durham, N.C. 

“Families At Ease” is the latest of many efforts by the VA to reach out to this new generation of combat Veterans, who receive five years of health care upon discharge or demobilization.  In 2009, Philadelphia VA staff members reached more than 4,000 Veterans and families at 50 gatherings such as Yellow Ribbon events, Veteran fairs, redeployment activities, and other forums.  The objective is to educate them and encourage them to take advantage of the benefits they have earned.

There is added significance in the Philadelphia area as Pennsylvania and New Jersey National Guard soldiers recently returned in large numbers from Iraq and Afghanistan.  Philadelphia VA staff was on hand this fall at Fort Dix, N.J., to welcome them back and educate the soldiers on their VA health care benefits.

For more information about Families At Ease, contact the call center toll-free at 1-877-823-5261. 

The Philadelphia VA served more than 50,000 Veterans in 2009 and also operates outpatient clinics at Fort Dix, Gloucester County and Camden, N.J., Center City Philadelphia, and Horsham, Pa. – the Victor J. Saracini Community Based Outpatient Clinic.

Daniel Lasko, District Representative

US Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz (PA-13)

7219 Frankford Avenue

Philadelphia, Pa 19135

(215) 335-3355

(215) 333-4508 (FAX)

Daniel.Lasko@Mail.House.Gov

www.house.gov/schwartz