Advocacyhttps://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archivesAdvocacy RSSen{AAB11EF0-D015-4739-B481-13CB72BA51DA}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2024/3/levin-receives-vfw-congressional-awardLevin Receives VFW Congressional Award<p><strong>WASHINGTON -</strong>The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) presented its 2024 Congressional Award to Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) for his steadfast support to veterans, service members, their families and survivors.</p> <p>"I am honored to present this award to such a staunch advocate for our military and veteran communities," said VFW Commander-in-Chief Duane Sarmiento. "Rep. Levin exemplifies the values of service and advocacy that we at the VFW strive to live every day. His propensity for and track record of working across the aisle to deliver results is remarkable."</p> <p>Presented annually since 1964, the VFW Congressional Award is given to one member of the House or Senate for significant legislative contributions on behalf of veterans and military service personnel. Past recipients include strong national security and veterans' advocates, such as Sen. Bob Dole (R-KS), Rep. G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery (D-MS), Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), Sen. Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI), and Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), among many others. Last year's award went to Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) who serves, among other roles, as the ranking member on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies.</p> <p>Levin, who represents Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and is the grandson of a World War II veteran, has been a member of Congress since 2019. During his time, he has focused on veterans' issues and enacted more than two dozen bipartisan laws to help our nation's heroes. As ranking member of the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, Rep. Levin authored legislation to help veterans ease back into civilian life, access affordable housing, receive workforce training to land good-paying jobs, and more. He introduced the bipartisan Veteran Hunger Coordination Act to combat veteran food insecurity; secured the passage of the Reducing Veteran Homelessness Act to aid organizations that house homeless veterans and improve HUD-VASH case management; and strongly supported the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise To Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022, the most significant expansion of VA health care benefits in over 30 years. As the representative of California's 49th Congressional District, Rep. Levin has also secured considerable federal funds to improve the quality of life for the military there, including more than $250 million to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton for infrastructure projects.</p> <p>In addition to his leadership role on the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, Rep. Levin also serves as a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources.</p> <p>"Rep. Levin's commitment to the well-being of military personnel and veterans is clear," said Sarmiento. "His leadership among peers in this arena makes him the most deserving of this award." </p>2024-03-27T16:29:53-05:00{7AFC8839-742F-46CF-BF25-6D486E4CA107}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2024/3/vfw-calls-on-congress-to-meet-the-challenge-for-veteransVFW Calls on Congress to 'Meet the Challenge' for Veterans<p><strong>WASHINGTON -</strong> With a sea of member caps behind him, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Commander-in-Chief Duane Sarmiento delivered the VFW's legislative priorities during testimony before the 118th Congress during a special joint hearing of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs held today.</p> <p>Sarmiento began by thanking legislators for all their work in passing the Sgt. 1st Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022, or the PACT Act, the most comprehensive toxic exposure legislation in American history. In a demonstration of impact, Sarmiento started by asking each group of veterans affected by the signing of the PACT Act in 2022 to stand. As VFW members from the Vietnam War, Gulf War and post-911 era stood, they were met with applause from those assembled in the Dirksen Senate Office Building chamber where the hearing took place.</p> <p>"This is who the VFW is and who your work is helping today," said Sarmiento.</p> <p>Along with highlighting the much-needed help the PACT Act is providing veterans, Sarmiento shed light on the problem with predatory claims consulting protectives. Unlike VA-accredited VFW Service Officers who provide VA claims assistance free to veterans, service members and serving families, "Claim Sharks" are unaccredited consultants who use contracts that include a commitment by the veteran to pay hefty fees or a significant portion of their increased benefits. Sarmiento stated the VFW strongly supports the GUARD VA Benefits Act, which would reinstate penalties for charging veterans unauthorized fees for submitting VA claims. Sarmiento explained Claim Sharks are spending millions of dollars to lobby against the GUARD Act in D.C., stalling a federal fix.</p> <p>"It's distasteful that these Claim Sharks take money from veterans. But it's disgusting that they take money from survivors," Sarmiento said.</p> <p>To assist veterans before they leave service, the VFW's Benefits Delivery at Discharge, or BDD, program is one of the main efforts in providing free VA claims help to service members in their transition.</p> <p>Sarmiento explained how every year, VFW accredited representatives assist approximately 20,000 service members with BDD claims before they leave the military, meaning they can receive benefits almost immediately upon separation. However, access to accredited representatives for BDD is inconsistent.</p> <p>"That's why the VFW highly recommends passage of the TAP Promotion Act, which will ensure all service members have direct access to accredited representatives during TAP classes," said Sarmiento. "The VFW commends VA for starting down this path in January, but this only reinforces the need to make this the law." </p> <p>Continuing with the topic, Sarmiento bridged to veterans in crisis. He discussed how those transitioning out of the military, particularly junior enlisted service members, are at a higher risk of unemployment, homelessness and suicide. He then urged Congress to pass the Not Just a Number Act, directing VA to report on all its programs and veterans in crisis to identify the root causes that lead to veterans being in dire circumstances.</p> <p>"After the Navy, I spent 20 years as a police officer. If you've got the gun in your mouth, it's too late," said Sarmiento. "We need to understand what happens before a veteran gets to that point." </p> <p>Sarmiento addressed a long-standing VFW legislative priority - ending the practice of offsetting DOD retirement and VA disability pay for those forced to medically retire due to combat-related injuries. Introduced in the House of Representatives last year, the Major Richard Star Act, gained overwhelming bipartisan and bicameral support from the 117th Congress, but failed to move forward.</p> <p>"We must pass the Richard Star Act, so veterans receive the full benefits they have earned through their blood and sweat in their service to our country," said Sarmiento.</p> <p>The bill is named after U.S. Army Maj. Richard Star who was forced to medically retire after he was diagnosed with cancer in 2018 and died in 2021.</p> <p>One area close to Sarmiento that he urged Congress to address is reforming the VA's Foreign Medical Program.</p> <p>"I'm a Filipino Italian American Navy veteran and I still have many friends and family who live overseas," said Sarmiento. "Many are veterans who have earned care and benefits through their service. We know there will never be the same level of care outside the U.S, but what many overseas veterans face is indifference and apathy." </p> <p>Sarmiento explained how many veterans living overseas see their medical care reduced. Compounded by challenges with direct deposit, postal services and access to military bases, veterans find themselves cut off from the VA care and benefits they earned through their service.</p> <p>"The current Foreign Medical Program is a riddle wrapped in a puzzle because experiences vary wildly depending on where you are and who you know," said Sarmiento. "We have to provide consistent access to care and support to veterans overseas." </p> <p>Sarmiento's final segment of his remarks started by reminding congress of its obligations to the fallen and those still in uniform.</p> <p>"Former President Calvin Coolidge once stated, 'The nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten,'" quoted Sarmiento.</p> <p>Sarmiento talked about the need to support U.S. service members still defending American interests abroad. He referenced visits he's made within the past year, from observing firsthand the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency mission in Southeast Asia, to honoring American cemeteries overseas, to his factfinding mission in Europe learning about the challenges the Department of Defense and its allies and partners face in the Eastern Hemisphere.</p> <p>"I've heard firsthand about the needs of today's force, which is why those who are fighting terrorism in the Middle East or deterring aggression on the Eastern flank of NATO deserve proper recognition for their service on behalf of a grateful nation," said Sarmiento.</p> <p>Sarmiento finished his remarks by thanking both veterans' affairs committees and says he's looking forward to the future.</p> <p>"The VFW thanks you for all of your hard work and the work yet to come. Thank you for the opportunity to share the VFW's priorities as we enter our next 125 years in service to our veterans," said Sarmiento.</p> <p>Video of today's testimony is available to watch and share <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/eA5P_iBuxI8?si=307JkA7V9p92LW_v" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <p>Read Commander Sarmiento's full testimony <a href="https://www.vfw.org/advocacy/national-legislative-service/congressional-testimony/2024/3/congressional-statement-of-vfw-national-commander-duane-sarmiento">here</a>.</p>2024-03-27T16:29:53-05:00{F4F36405-E4DE-4EB2-9408-C6F459E93BD0}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2024/2/vfw-poised-with-2024-priority-goals-for-congressVFW Poised with 2024 Priority Goals for Congress<p><strong>WASHINGTON -</strong> Hundreds of members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and its Auxiliary will assemble in the nation's capital next week for the annual VFW Washington Conference, held from March 3 - 7. National leadership, as well as delegates from across the U.S. and abroad, will conduct the business of the organization and meet with members of Congress for the VFW's annual national-level, mid-winter meeting.</p> <p>"One hundred and twenty-five years. This year marks 125 years the VFW has been advocating for those who have borne the battle," said VFW National Commander Duane Sarmiento. "As we descend on Washington, D.C., to deliver our message, we uphold the legacy of service upon which the VFW was built." </p> <p>Joining advocates this week will be students taking part in the VFW's Voice of Democracy Parade of Winners, sponsored by Twisted X. Every year, nearly 22,000 high school students from across the nation compete to win their share of more than $1 million in educational scholarships and incentives by penning a democratic and patriotic-themed essay. The first-place winner in the national competition will receive a $35,000 scholarship, to be paid directly to the recipient's American university, college or vocational/technical school of choice.</p> <p>"Fostering patriotism among America's youth is a core priority for the VFW," Sarmiento said. "Each and every year, I am inspired and heartened by the patriotism and commitment to democracy these young Americans embrace, and I am certain this year will be no different." </p> <p>One of the final events of the Washington Conference is the annual commander-in-chief's testimony set for March 6 at 10 a.m. (EST) before a special joint hearing of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs held at the Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room SD-G50.</p> <p>"The honor of every commander-in-chief's term lies in communicating the VFW's legislative priorities to Congress," Sarmiento said. "We have some big-ticket items we want to see movement on this year, including the correction of a longstanding injustice for retired, disabled veterans, and filling in critical gaps with military transition and benefit access. Unfortunately, we are still facing unaccredited, predatory Claim Sharks seeking to exploit unknowing veterans for financial gain. The VFW will not back down from this fight, and we will continue working to ensure these actors are held accountable for their illegal practices." </p> <p>Sarmiento is prepared to discuss the VFW's top priorities for 2024. Key legislative priorities include: </p> <ul> <li>Concurrent Receipt / Passing the Major Richard Star Act.</li> <li>Predatory Claims / Passing the Governing Unaccredited Representatives Defrauding VA Benefits Act, known as the GUARD VA Benefits Act.</li> <li>Veteran Suicide / Passing the Not Just a Number Act.</li> <li>Military Transition / Passing the TAP Promotion Act.</li> </ul> <p>Sarmiento also plans to call on Congress to address the health care needs of our veterans living overseas - such as the VA's Foreign Medical Program - a personal issue for him and VFW comrades who do not have a consistent voice in Congress, but who support the national security interests of America around the world.</p> <p>While some of these goals persist from last year, others came to fruition in 2023 as a direct result of VFW's advocacy on the Hill. The Not Just a Number Act and TAP Promotion Act were both introduced last year following VFW members' efforts to highlight missing economic opportunity data in government veteran suicide reporting and lack of consistent service member access to accredited claims representatives while participating in the military's Transition Assistance Program, respectively.</p> <p>Read the VFW's complete list of 2024 Priority Goals <a href="https://www.vfw.org//vfworg-cdn.azureedge.net/-/media/VFWSite/Files/Advocacy/PriorityGoalsBrochure.pdf?v=1&d=20240104T171028Z&la=en">here</a>.</p> <p>The U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs will livestream this year's testimony on their hearings page <a href="https://www.veterans.senate.gov/2024/3/legislative-presentation-of-veterans-of-foreign-wars-of-the-united-states-multi-vsos-pva-wwp-nasdva-mrc-bsf-iava-bva-swan-sva-amvets" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <p>Visit <a href="https://www.vfw.org/media-and-events/events/vfw-legislative-conference/2024-vfw-washington-conference">vfw.org/VFWDC2024</a> for all Washington Conference updates.</p>2024-03-27T16:29:54-05:00{1B51C2C8-BE75-4C4C-9C9C-EBDA72E9A4FF}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2024/2/vfw-dav-and-pva-release-independent-budget-recommendations-for-the-department-of-veterans-affairsVFW DAV and PVA Release Independent Budget Recommendations for the Department of Veterans Affairs<p><strong>WASHINGTON, D.C. - </strong>Leading veterans service organizations, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), <a href="https://www.dav.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0070c0;">Disabled American Veterans (DAV)</span></a> and <a href="http://www.pva.org/" target="_blank">Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA)</a>, today released <em><strong><a href="https://www.independentbudget.org/118-congress/" target="_blank">The Independent Budget Recommendations for the Department of Veterans Affairs for Fiscal Years 2025 and 2026</a></strong></em>. The report serves as a comprehensive roadmap to ensure VA is fully funded and capable of carrying out its mission to serve veterans and their families, both now and in the future.</p> <p>The Independent Budget's (IB) recommendations, coupled with the Administration's FY 2025 budget proposal, still yet to be released, will be used to guide Congress with its spending decisions for the coming year. By law, the President is required to submit a budget proposal to Congress no later than the first Monday in February, but that deadline has been routinely missed over the past two decades. Furthermore, Congress has failed to pass a full-year federal budget for FY 2024, which began last October 1st, requiring passage of a series of continuing resolutions that will run out in March.</p> <p>"Not having a timely budget for one of the most complex federal government agencies is detrimental to the safety and well-being of all those who fought for this country - especially to those with catastrophic injuries and illnesses," said Carl Blake, chief executive officer of PVA. "Not only that, it causes major problems that could set back years of progress and, most importantly, produces undue anxiety for countless veterans, their families, and survivors. Although VA is largely protected from government shutdowns thanks to its advance appropriations, the use of continuing resolutions only exacerbates this problem, by hampering VA's ability to focus on meeting the ever-increasing demand for care and benefits. Our veterans depend on timely passage of this budget, and we urge Congress to allot the necessary funding to fully support America's veterans and their families."</p> <p style="text-align: center;">For fiscal year 2025, the IB veterans service organizations (IBVSOs) are recommending $151.8 billion for the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to ensure that all veterans choosing VA for their care receive timely and high-quality medical services. The IB report details specific funding levels and targeted increases for VHA programs, including a $2.8 billion increase to fill clinical and support care vacancies across VHA; a $1 billion boost in long-term care to account for the increasing number of aging veterans and their need for essential services; and a $2.3 billion increase to meet the needs of veterans newly enrolled in the healthcare system, to include those who moved to higher priority groups due to their PACT Act eligibility. The IB recommendations also call for a $340 million plus-up in dental care to begin expanding this critical service to all enrolled veterans, as well as a $100 million increase for virtual health care to provide veterans additional options and access, when and where they need it.</p> <p>"Thanks to enactment of the PACT Act, millions more veterans are now eligible to receive care and benefits as a result of their toxic wounds," said Randy Reese, executive director of DAV Washington Headquarters. "Our nation has a continuing obligation to provide these and all veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors with convenient and timely access to the health care and benefits they have earned. This year's IB recommendations serve as a blueprint for Congress and the Administration to ensure that VA has sufficient funding to meet these needs. In an increasingly challenging fiscal and political environment, the IBVSOs have made thoughtful recommendations based on existing data and historical trends to ensure the needs of our nation's wounded, ill, and injured veterans are properly met."</p> <p>For the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), the IBVSOs recommend a total of $6.2 billion for fiscal year 2025-an increase of roughly $500 million over the projected FY 2024 appropriations from all sources-and $333 million for the Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA). The IBVSO recommendations include a $130 million increase for VBA to expand overtime work to reduce the claims backlog of non-PACT Act-related claims; a $40 million increase to hire more technical support for the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program; and a $70 million plus-up to help both VBA and BVA develop new IT systems, reprogram existing ones, and create more digital tools to increase efficiency and productivity.</p> <p>"While this year's Independent Budget is once again complete, it is now imperative that Congress and VA work together, along with veterans service organizations and other stakeholders, to make the needs and interests of all veterans a top priority," said Ryan Gallucci, executive director of the VFW Washington Office. "We have co-authored this report and offered budgetary recommendations to ensure the timely delivery of specialized health care and earned benefits for the men and women who served." </p> <p>The IBVSOs continue to believe VA infrastructure projects, particularly those that will mitigate serious safety risks to veterans and employees, must be fully funded. To accomplish this, the IBVSOs believe Congress must significantly increase funding for VA's major and minor construction programs, and recommend a total of $6.1 billion for FY 2025. With over $130 billion in backlogged infrastructure projects, this recommendation would begin to set VA on a path to meet current and future construction needs and make the necessary repairs and maintenance on existing projects. In order to increase VA's ability to manage this larger volume of infrastructure projects, the IBVSOs are calling for VA to increase construction management personnel at every VA medical center across the nation.</p> <p>To view The IB's full budget recommendations, please visit <a href="http://www.independentbudget.org/" target="_blank">independentbudget.org</a>.</p> <p style="text-align: center;">###</p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 10px;">About DAV </span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10px;">DAV empowers veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. It is dedicated to a single purpose: keeping our promises to America's veterans. DAV does this by ensuring that veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them; fighting for the interests of America's injured heroes on Capitol Hill; linking veterans and their families to employment resources; and educating the public about the great sacrifices and needs of veterans transitioning back to civilian life. DAV, a non-profit organization with more than one million members, was founded in 1920 and chartered by the U. S. Congress in 1932. Learn more at <a href="https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/XOkfCBBjprtVLExs6fjUZ?domain=dav.org"><span>DAV.org</span></a>.</span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 10px;">About Paralyzed Veterans of America</span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10px;">Paralyzed Veterans of America is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and the only congressionally chartered veterans service organization dedicated solely for the benefit and representation of veterans with spinal cord injury or diseases. The organization ensures veterans receive the benefits earned through service to our nation; monitors their care in VA spinal cord injury units; and funds research and education in the search for a cure and improved care for individuals with paralysis.<br /> <br /> As a life-long partner and advocate for veterans and all people with disabilities, PVA also develops training and career services, works to ensure accessibility in public buildings and spaces, and provides health and rehabilitation opportunities through sports and recreation. With more than 70 offices and 33 chapters, Paralyzed Veterans of America serves veterans, their families, and their caregivers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Learn more at <a href="https://www.pva.org/"><span>PVA.org</span></a>.</span></p>2024-02-22T11:28:39-06:00{CDF11C65-3635-4D6B-8A9A-C7D49868149B}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2024/2/let-us-take-the-lead'Let Us Take The Lead'<p>Despite inclement weather and frigid temperatures, more than 100 veterans attended the first-ever VFW Department of Missouri's District 5 "Veterans Helping Veterans."</p> <p>Held on the manicured lawn of the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Mo., on Oct. 28, the event was hosted by District 5 to help connect local veterans with the VFW and other veterans service organizations in attendance.</p> <p>District 5 Commander Liz Jordan spearheaded the project after many encounters with veterans who expressed their lack of knowledge in the resources available at the VFW and elsewhere.</p> <p>"I got tired of hearing veterans come up to me and say they did not know where there was help or that we could do anything like this [event]," Jordan said. "There are so many fabulous organizations out there. We are the first and the oldest, so let us take the lead and work with these other organizations to help our fellow veterans."</p> <p>Jordan spent months coordinating with several veterans groups and organizations to set up booths to provide local veterans with information on what they do. Among those in attendance were the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA), Heroes on the Water, Wounded Warrior Family Support, Veterans Community Project and the VA.</p> <p>"There were unfortunately about 20 groups that backed out due to the freezing cold," Jordan said of the event, which ran from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. "But overall, the event did what we expected it to do."</p> <p>The VFW also provided its own resources in the form of booths with service officers willing to help any and all veterans who attended the event.</p> <p>"Commander Jordan did an amazing job coordinating with several veterans organizations and the Posts within her District to give local veterans PACT Act information, as well as helping them file VA claims," said Ed Stefanak, a national eligibility coordinator with VFW's national Membership Department.</p> <p>Stefanak, who represented the national VFW headquarters in Kansas City, joined Jordan in making the rounds throughout the event, helping spread the gospel of the VFW.</p> <p>"Events like these allow us to tell non-members what we do on Capitol Hill to expand benefits for veterans," Stefanak said. "It helps us share that all veterans, regardless of being eligible or not for the VFW, can have our veterans service officers help them file VA claims without paying a dime. It is our way of letting them know they have a friend here in the VFW."</p> <p>Jordan added that despite the weather having an effect on the turnout, the event provided a blueprint for future events. She is adamant about her District joining forces with more and more veterans groups and service organizations to provide help to veterans based on their individual needs.</p> <p>"We as the VFW do a lot of stuff for veterans, but sometimes what they need is something more personal, which working with other veterans organizations allows us to direct them to. Something that maybe we cannot do," Jordan said. "So, we can work with and partner with other organizations to host events and turn veterans in the right direction."</p> <p>The District 5 commander already has plans for 2024, which include growing upon "Veterans Helping Veterans." She is working on hosting two job fairs and the second "Veterans Helping Veterans" event, though the dates are tentative as of the publishing of this article.</p> <p>"We are hoping to partner with more groups to build a community of joining in to help our fellow veterans," Jordan said. "We are still serving, so let us show them what that really means."</p> <p><em>This article is featured in the February 2024 issue of <a href="https://www.vfw.org/media-and-events/vfw-magazine">VFW magazine</a>, and was written by <a href="mailto:irodriguez@vfw.org">Ismael Rodriguez Jr.</a>, senior writer for VFW magazine.</em></p>2024-02-20T07:34:38-06:00{90FFC6D9-BCAA-466D-8D19-CBC1CF50967C}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2024/2/vfw-action-alert-claim-sharks-are-illegalVFW Action Alert: Claim Sharks Are Illegal<p>Claim Shark companies have made statements that they aren't breaking the law because they don't charge fees for "preparing" veterans' claims. Claim Sharks state that they "assist" or "consult" for veterans' claims, and this how they rationalize why they should be allowed to charge thousands of dollars for their services.</p> <p>This is still illegal. Using creative semantics to skirt the law is not innovative, and it is not honest or transparent.</p> <p>There are no "good actors" or "bad actors". Every company that charges for initial claims assistance is doing it illegally.</p> <p>Claim Sharks say veterans should have the "choice" to be fleeced out of thousands of dollars. No matter how much money these companies spend on Capitol Hill, the VFW will not allow them to dismantle consumer protections and normalize harming veterans.</p> <p><strong>Take Action</strong></p> <p>Now is the time to <strong><a href="https://votervoice.net/VFW/Campaigns/111733/Respond" target="_blank">remind Congress that we will not accept normalizing harming veterans</a></strong>! Claim Sharks must be stopped! </p>2024-02-21T08:36:31-06:00{2B93F77C-0339-44BD-BD6A-6FF41DF80592}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2024/2/vfw-washington-conference-app-now-availableVFW Washington Conference App Now Available<p><strong>KANSAS CITY, Mo. -</strong> With its 2024 Washington Conference just weeks away, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) has launched its updated mobile event app to give attendees the tools needed to make the most of their visit to our nation's capital. As the official guide to the 2024 Washington Conference, the VFW Events mobile app is available for download now at both the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/vfw-events/id1450852570?mt=8" target="_blank">Apple App Store</a> and the <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vfw.vfwevents" target="_blank">Google Play Store</a>. For assistance and instructions on how to download and update the app, view our <a href="https://www.vfw.org//vfworg-cdn.azureedge.net/-/media/VFWSite/Files/Media-and-Events/Events/VFW-Events-App-Quick-Start-Guide-2024.pdf?v=1&d=20240206T182710Z&la=en">VFW Events App Quick Start Guide</a>.</p> <p>The updated VFW Events app ensures attendees will receive important notifications and reminders throughout the conference, have instant access to the daily agenda, the opportunity to connect with other attendees and more. The app also offers a complete legislative directory to make locating and communicating with lawmakers easy. The app will continue to be updated as meeting room numbers and other pertinent information becomes available.</p> <p>If you are attending the conference, help promote the VFW's veterans advocacy efforts by sharing pictures and videos to social media from your visits with members of Congress using #VFWDC2024.</p> <p>If you are not able to attend the VFW Washington Conference, you can still watch events from the conference live beginning with the Parade of Winners Monday, March 4, at 6:00 p.m. EDT at vfw.org/VFWDC2024, and culminating with VFW National Commander Duane Sarmiento's testimony before a joint session of the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee on Wednesday, March 6, at 10:00 a.m. EDT.</p>2024-03-27T16:29:54-05:00{08A6A19B-8512-4C1B-B782-B205EA5A992B}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2024/2/vfw-service-officers-train-to-navigate-va-bureaucracy-so-you-dont-have-toVFW Service Officers Train to Navigate VA Bureaucracy so You Don't Have To<p>Twice each year, hundreds of VFW Accredited Service Officers from around the world attend a week-long course in Annapolis, Maryland. The training is necessary for many reasons, but VFW National Veterans Service Director Michael Figlioli said it is important for all VFW service officers to be up-to-date on VA policy changes or new laws passed regarding veterans' benefits.</p> <p>Figlioli added that VFW service officers attend these training conferences to develop the skills necessary to help veterans obtain their earned VA benefits. VA requires accredited service officers to spend at least 40 hours each year in training.</p> <p>Figlioli said that he wants his team to be the most qualified team possible.</p> <p>VFW offers up to 80 hours for its service officers each year.</p> <p>"VFW continues to provide over and above the minimum requirement for accreditation by holding two in-person meetings each year with a virtual option," Figlioli said. "There also is an accountability component as outlined in the NVS Policy and Procedure that VFW-accredited representatives must maintain a 70 percent academic average, which aligns with VA standards for accreditation."</p> <p><strong>MORE THAN JUST DISABILITY CLAIMS</strong><br /> Figlioli said that VFW's network of more than 2,000 service officers is committed to life-long advocacy for all veterans who work with one of VFW's Accredited Service Officers.</p> <p>"Our representatives are representing that client from the moment they file a disability claim, through a review of the VA's decision," Figlioli said. "VFW also files any appeals necessary for the veteran or family member to receive the maximum benefit allowed."</p> <p>Figlioli said VFW service officers' work on disability claims does not end with VA disability claims. Service officers must be knowledgeable on topics such as the GI Bill and VA health care, home loans and other VA benefits and services. Service officers also can help clients with National Cemetery Administration benefits and state and county benefits as well.</p> <p>"It does not matter if you are a member of the VFW or not - we are here to help" Figlioli said. "VFW will never charge a fee for assisting a veteran, their spouse or family member in filing a claim."</p> <p>According to a VFW bylaw, Posts are required to appoint a Post service officer.</p> <p>Figlioli said that Post service officers typically are not VA-accredited but are available to assist veterans with disability claims and then turn over the completed paperwork to a Department Service Officer who is required to be VA-accredited. The DSO will then review the records and submit them to the VA.</p> <p>"Any VFW member who is a fulltime employee of their Department is eligible to be accredited as a DSO, assistant service officer or claims consultant," Figlioli said.</p> <p><strong>'I'M HELPING GUIDE OTHERS'</strong><br /> Belinda Boldoe, an Army veteran, is an appeals officer who assists veterans at the Georgia Department of Veterans Service. She also is the service officer with the VFW Department of Georgia.</p> <p>Boldoe said it is her goal to explain the process of filing a VA disability claim to everyone she helps. She added that she assists with about 25 VA disability claims per month.</p> <p>"We've been seeing a lot more claims due to the passage of the PACT Act," Boldoe said. "Most of the claims are respiratory related from veterans of the Persian Gulf War through the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. We also get many claims from Vietnam War veterans who have hypertension related to Agent Orange exposure."</p> <p>Boldoe recalled when she tried to file a disability claim with VA, that she had no one to help her through the process.</p> <p>"There was no guidance, and I messed up my claim," Boldoe said. "When I saw the posting for the job I have right now, I knew that's what I had to do. I was able to learn the process for myself, and I'm helping guide others, so they don't make the same mistakes I made filing a claim."</p> <p>VFW Department of Michigan Service Officer Sidney Love said he became a VFW service officer for a similar reason. The retired Air Force master sergeant said he wanted to become a VA-accredited service officer after VA denied his disability claim related to his cervical spine injury.</p> <p>"When I read the decision that they didn't see anything in my records for my cervical spine, I knew something was seriously f lawed in the process," said Love, a veteran of the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan and Iraq wars. "I was receiving treatment for my lower back and cervical areas three times a week, for the last nine months of service, before I retired from the Air Force in April 2007."</p> <p><strong>'A WONDERFUL DECISION'</strong><br /> Love, who also served in South Korea in 1994 and 2003, said that after receiving the results, he met with a VFW Accredited Service Officer, who Love said "just so happened" to have a job opening for a veterans service officer.</p> <p>"I was in the process of completing my [master of business administration degree], and I knew if something so obviously flawed happened with my claim, it was likely happening to other veterans with less tangible documented proof," Love said. "I immediately realized the necessary impact of becoming a proficient [veterans service officer] for my fellow veterans."</p> <p>Love said that the decision to become a service officer was "a wonderful decision." He said his goal is to improve the livelihood for those who served in the military. Love added that he enjoys receiving training from VFW.</p> <p>"The training over the last four-to-five years has focused on the technical aspects of representing our clients," Love said. "We learn about VA's Special Monthly Compensation, grant writing, preparing a claim for the Board of Veteran Appeals and how to counsel an upset veteran, just to name a few."</p> <p>Boldoe said she believes VFW training is second to none and that she always learns something new to take back home to help veterans.</p> <p>"This isn't just a job for me - it's an assignment," Boldoe said. "I believe God put me here to help veterans."</p> <p><em>This article is featured in the February 2024 issue of <a href="https://www.vfw.org/media-and-events/vfw-magazine">VFW magazine</a>, and was written by <a href="mailto:dspiva@vfw.org">Dave Spiva</a>, associated editor for VFW magazine.</em></p>2024-02-02T12:08:18-06:00{60995207-03CB-448F-BCFC-28C5BD62791B}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2024/1/vfw-says-dont-pay-for-your-benefitsVFW Says Don't Pay for Your Benefits<p>VFW Commander-in-Chief Duane Sarmiento issued a powerful statement to veterans in November: Don't Feed the Sharks.</p> <p>Sarmiento's message refers specifically to what VFW has dubbed "claim sharks," which are unscrupulous individuals or companies charging hefty fees to supposedly assist veterans with their VA claims. This is illegal and needs to be stopped, Sarmiento said.</p> <p>"The bottom line is this: predatory claim shark companies are engaging in illegal activities," the Chief said. "There is no gray area here, no matter how much money they want to throw at it. Their latest collusion is a desperate attempt to avoid accountability."</p> <p>During a VFW press conference on Nov. 14 on Capitol Hill, VFW National Veterans Legislative Deputy Director Kristina Keenan called on the Department of Justice to investigate unaccredited agencies that require veterans to pay fees for their disability claims services.</p> <p>"The harm that unaccredited claims agents have caused veterans and survivors has been significant," Keenan said. "Several [unaccredited claims agents] are even sponsoring veteran events and sporting events. They are doing everything they can to appear legitimate, while scamming people out of their benefits."</p> <p>Since the claim sharks first emerged, the VFW has increased the pressure on these companies by passing legislation to crack down on their practices at the state level and is working to help veterans bring litigation against them. At the press conference, VFW expressed its support for the GUARD VA Benefits Act of 2023 (S. 740), which would protect veterans from entities seeking to take their hard-earned benefits. If approved, the GUARD VA Benefits Act would reinstate criminal penalties for unaccredited claims representatives who charge fees to veterans for filing a disability claim.</p> <p>"This fight may get a little messy in the coming weeks," Sarmiento warned, "But the VFW is determined to stop predatory claim sharks and we are eager to serve alongside you in this fight."</p> <p>Furthermore, VFW has trained its more than 2,300 VFW Accredited Service Officers on how to handle claim sharks. VFW will continue to seek out veterans who need help getting out of these predatory contracts.</p> <p>For more than 100 years, VFW has worked tirelessly to advocate for veterans and their earned benefits. In the last year alone, more than 550,000 veterans received more than $13 billion in benefits from VA through VFW's global network of VA-accredited service officers. Not a penny of this $13 billion went to VFW. It all went to the veterans, as the law requires.</p> <p>A flyer with information about claims sharks <a href="https://www.vfw.org//vfworg-cdn.azureedge.net/-/media/VFWSite/Files/PACT-Act/Dont-Feed-the-Sharks-One-Pager--Print-Friendly.pdf?v=1&d=20231219T204920Z&la=en"><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong>can be found here</strong></span></a>.</p> <p><em>This article is featured in the January 2024 issue of <a href="https://www.vfw.org/media-and-events/vfw-magazine">VFW magazine</a>.</em></p>2024-01-24T11:26:31-06:00{425D5F28-9756-4D3F-8071-81CFBE9869CF}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2024/1/taking-care-of-veterans-first'Taking Care of Veterans First'<p>The passage of the Honoring Our Pact Act in 2022 included a provision known as the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA). The CLJA allows veterans, family members and contractors suffering from the effects of toxic exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, to file lawsuits for compensation.</p> <p>The CLJA applies to people who worked for a period of at least 30 days between Aug. 1, 1953, and Dec. 31, 1987, at Camp Lejeune. It allows them to file lawsuits to obtain "relief for harm" caused by the Marine Corps base's contaminated water.</p> <p>To better serve veterans, two law firms dealing with Camp Lejeune cases have agreed to work with VFW and provide its services to veterans and families.</p> <p>VFW General Counsel John Muckelbauer said that these law firms will provide their services at a reduced rate.</p> <p>"These firms have agreed to work on these cases at a minimal cost to veterans and their families," Muckelbauer said. "Many firms, particularly those spending significantly on advertising, are charging 40 percent plus all costs for each case."</p> <p>The VFW recommends that veterans harmed by the toxic water should contact a VFW accredited service officer to file a claim for VA disability benefits and compensation. These veterans should also pursue a federal lawsuit under the CLJA.</p> <p>VFW's entrusted law firms are:</p> <ul> <li>Bergmann & Moore (Provides services for 33 percent of the award, including costs for the case.)</li> <li>Baird, Mandalas, Brockstedt and Federico (Provides services for 25 percent of the award, plus costs for the case.)</li> </ul> <p>Muckelbauer encourages veterans interested in filing a tort claim under the CLJA to contact each firm and discuss what options may be available to them. He added that picking between the two firms depends on a veteran's individual situation and preference of which team they feel more comfortable working with. Muckelbauer added that picking between the two firms depends on a veteran's individual situation.</p> <p><strong>'WE SUPPORT VFW AND ITS MEMBERS'</strong><br /> Glenn Bergmann, an attorney with Bergmann & Moore, said he has recently seen a significant increase of "over-exaggerated" and "abusive" advertisements related to Camp Lejeune contaminated water cases. This, he said, is the reason he wanted to step in and help.</p> <p>"We saw so many firms that previously had no interest in veterans suddenly become very interested because they saw an opportunity to make money," Bergmann said. "That is why we approached VFW to see what we can do to help veterans and their families."</p> <p>Bergmann added that after screening many different law firms, Bergmann & Moore decided to work alongside Beasley Allen, a law firm known to represent plaintiffs and claimants in tort cases, much like ones related to the CLJA. Bergmann said his firm negotiated a "fair price" that will help veterans and others who are a part of the lawsuit.</p> <p>"First and foremost, we support VFW and its members," Bergmann said. "I don't think it's right for lawyers to take away most of an award a veteran receives in a case. Many of these law firms historically charge a lot more money than we do. We just want to protect veterans."</p> <p>Bergmann & Moore has a long-standing relationship with the VFW to assist VFW appellants with cases before the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.</p> <p><strong>HELP THROUGH THE PROCESS</strong><br /> Baird, Mandalas, Brockstedt and Federico (BMBF Law) has extensive experience in litigating groundwater contamination mass tort cases. Attorney Jason Johns, a gold legacy Life member of VFW Post 328, Wisconsin's Mother Post, said he works on behalf of the firm to give as much information as possible to clients. Johns, an attorney with Johns Law Office, also is a past commander for the VFW Department of Wisconsin. He says veterans can expect attentive service.</p> <p>"When you work with us, you are getting our direct office lines and cell numbers so that we can help you through the process," said Johns, an Army Iraq War veteran and Purple Heart recipient. "When you call, you are not getting a call center. You are getting me or someone else at BMBF Law who is directly involved in your case, and you know our first names."</p> <p>Johns said that while speaking with veterans, families and former Camp Lejeune contractors that they have the VFW to thank for passage of the PACT Act.</p> <p>"The VFW is the only national veteran service organization proactively out at events educating veterans and the public about the Camp Lejeune Justice Act," Johns said. "This alone says a lot about VFW leadership and its members."</p> <p>Johns also said he always recommends veterans pursue VA claims from VFW's service officers.</p> <p><strong>ANOTHER OPTION FOR VETS AND FAMILIES</strong><br /> In September, the Departments of Navy and Justice announced a plan that would give those who have already filed a claim a voluntary "Elective Option." This would allow claimants to "quickly resolve" their federal lawsuits related to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.</p> <p>Claimants, however, only qualify for the Elective Option if they had been diagnosed with one of nine stated conditions less than 35 years after their last exposure at Camp Lejeune. If they meet the requirement of condition diagnosis during the latency period, a claimant could receive a $100,000 to $450,000 settlement from the government (based on the amount of time they were at Camp Lejeune). An additional $100,000 could be given for cases involving death. (Learn more at https://www.navy.mil/clja.)</p> <p>Johns recommends that if an eligible claimant is contacted by the Department of the Navy or Justice about the Elective Option, they should speak with their attorney before agreeing to accept any settlement offer. Johns added that while the elective option may be the best option for some, it is a "slap in the face" to most. The VFW has also expressed concerns with the elective option.</p> <p>"To say that years of pain and suffering for those affected by this is only worth up to $450,000 and that they will only give family members an additional $100,000 for a case involving death is just wrong," VFW National Veterans Service Director Mike Figlioli said. "The government needs to do better than that."</p> <p><strong>TAKING CARE OF VETERANS<br /> </strong>VFW member and Vietnam War veteran Lenny Lazzara said he has been working with BMBF Law for his case. He was stationed at Camp Lejeune from 1968 to 1969. He served in the Vietnam War with the Marine Corps' 1st Division near Da Nang. Lazzara, who also worked at Camp Lejeune as a civilian electrician through the 2000s, said that the whole process of working with BMBF Law has been an "easy" one.</p> <p>"They make me feel like they really care about veterans they help," Lazzara said. "Working with Jason Johns has been an easy process."</p> <p>Johns said that he is prouder of his work related to Camp Lejeune water contamination than any other case in his career. He added that hearing life stories from those affected by toxic exposure at Camp Lejeune "angers and motivates" him to do everything he can to help.</p> <p>"These stories are going to stick with me for the rest of my life," Johns said. "At the end of the day, we are in the business of taking care of veterans first. I am damn proud of doing it."</p> <p><em>This article is featured in the January 2024 issue of <a href="https://www.vfw.org/media-and-events/vfw-magazine">VFW magazine</a>, and was written by <a href="mailto:dspiva@vfw.org">Dave Spiva</a>, associate editor for VFW magazine.</em></p>{0BC04045-3658-4A9E-A863-06106EC61AF5}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2024/1/just-one-phone-call-to-save-someones-lifeJust One Phone Call 'to Save Someone's Life'<p>One phone call to Joshua Kampert in 2019 may have saved his life.</p> <p>Kampert received the call from Iraq War veteran Justin Johnson. Johnson said that he and Kampert talked about their struggles after leaving the Marine Corps. The pair were deployed to Iraq from February to September 2005 with Charlie Co., Combat Logistics Bn. 8.</p> <p>"After connecting, we promised each other that we would meet up by the end of the year," said Johnson, a Gold Legacy Life member of VFW Post 5066 in Collierville, Tennessee. "We then met in December 2019 for the silkies hike in Key West, Florida."</p> <p>While spending time together and with other friends from their time in the service, Johnson told Kampert about his experience with filing a VA disability claim. Johnson said he worked with a VA-accredited service officer.</p> <p>"[Kampert] had plenty of questions about filing a claim and how it would benefit him," said Johnson, a past All-American Post commander (2021-22). "I did my best to answer his questions. I assured him that VA benefits are earned and that he would not be taking benefits from others. At the time, we did not know of the side effects from burn pits from our service in Iraq."</p> <p>Johnson said he shared stories about the struggles Vietnam War veterans had related to Agent Orange. He told Kampert that they might be in the "same scenario" with toxic exposure and burn pits from their deployment to Iraq.</p> <p>Before leaving Key West, Kampert and Johnson vowed toreturn to the same event in 2020.</p> <p><strong>FINDING KAMPERT HELP</strong><br /> A year later, Johnson updated Kampert on his VA disability claim and encouraged Kampert to contact a service officer for his own service-connected disabilities. Johnson searched the internet and found a service officer near Kampert's home. Kampert said that he promised Johnson he would talk to the service officer.</p> <p>"I found the contact information for veteran service officer Jesse Cuff, and I was also able to find out that Jesse was also a combat veteran and around the same age as us," Johnson said. "I later found out [Cuff] was a VFW Accredited Service Officer."</p> <p>Cuff, a member of the VFW Department of Wisconsin, met with Kampert and helped him file a disability claim, which Kampert said gave him VA disability compensation and, more importantly, VA health care benefits. Cuff is the director of the Waupaca County Veterans Service Office in Wisconsin.</p> <p>Kampert, a Life member of VFW Post 11346 in Waupuca, Wisconsin, said that he believed Cuff truly cared about him and did everything he could to help.</p> <p>"He was professional and helped me through the entire process," Kampert said. "Him being a combat veteran around my age made me feel comfortable to work with him."<br /> <br /> </p> <p><strong>'CONNECTING VETERANS WITH THEIR EARNED BENEFITS'</strong><br /> Cuff is an Army Reserve veteran who served from 2002 to 2012 as a combat engineer. He served in Afghanistan in 2010 with the 428th Engineer Company.</p> <p>"Our primary focus obviously is connecting veterans with their earned benefits," Cuff said. "But we also focus on improving the quality of life for veterans who work with us. That is what drives me and my team to keep focusing on our veterans."</p> <p>Cuff said that with just one phone call, he was able to help Kampert with the resources available to him and other veterans. Cuff added that he worked with Kampert on a personal level with his health and well-being rather than focusing on paperwork during the initial contact.</p> <p>"In my opinion, veteran service officers like Jesse Cuff make some of the biggest and impressionable impacts for our veterans on their decision to receive care and help," Johnson said. "Knowing that my comrade was able to receive the care and help he had earned from his service made me so proud and thankful."</p> <p><strong>A CLAIM FOR A BRAIN TUMOR</strong><br /> On Dec. 9, 2022, Johnson said he received a phone call from Kampert's wife. It was not good news.</p> <p>"[Kampert] was in the emergency room for seizures, and the doctors found a tumor in his brain," Johnson said. "I talked to him in great length about how the tumor was more than likely service connected from toxic exposure to burn pits in Fallujah."</p> <p>Johnson said that at the time he was keeping up with VFW's advocacy for the Honoring Our PACT Act, which was made into law in August 2022.</p> <p>"During this time, I remember contacting [Cuff ], who started helping me file a claim for my brain tumor," Kampert said. "I've seen a lot of cases of brain tumors from people who were exposed to burn pits overseas, and I know that was the reason for mine."</p> <p><strong>'I THANK GOD I HAVE VA BENEFITS'</strong><br /> Kampert said he went in for brain surgery with Dr. Mustafa Baskaya, a neurological surgeon at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin. Kampert said the doctor was able to remove the cancerous tumor.</p> <p>"My family and I are extremely thankful for the great service I was able to receive from [Cuff ], which helped me receive the care and benefits I needed," Kampert said. "It just takes one phone call to save someone's life. I know it saved mine. I thank God I have the VA benefits I have, or I would be bankrupt or possibly not be able to get the treatment I need."</p> <p>As of November 2023, Kampert was receiving chemotherapy treatment, which he planned to continue through April.</p> <p><em>This article is featured in the January 2024 issue of <a href="https://www.vfw.org/media-and-events/vfw-magazine">VFW magazine</a>, and was written by <a href="mailto:dspiva@vfw.org">Dave Spiva</a>, associate editor for VFW magazine.</em></p>{23D489CC-1836-422D-84CA-676A0CB85F50}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2024/1/army-reservist-awarded-2-49-mArmy Reservist Awarded $2.49M<p>Six years after his original lawsuit against the state of Texas for not following the <em>Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act (USERRA)</em>, retired Army Capt. LeRoy Torres was awarded $2.49 million by a Texas jury on Sept. 29.</p> <p>An Army Reservist who lost his job as a Texas state trooper when he suffered a service-connected disability in the Iraq War, Torres won the lawsuit a year after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in his favor to sue the state of Texas for alleged discrimination.</p> <p>"A $2.5 million award is great," VFW General Counsel John Muckelbauer said. "But it would have been better if Texas had simply followed the law. That way, Torres and his family would not have had to go through all of this."</p> <p>In <em>LeRoy Torres v. Texas Department of Public Safety</em>, the plaintiff said the state had denied his request to remain on the force in an administrative role that would accommodate his service-related disability. Instead, according to Torres, he was forced to retire and then denied a disability retirement pension from the state.</p> <p>Initially, the state of Texas claimed "sovereign immunity" to get the case dismissed by the court. The majority opinion of the Supreme Court was that Texas cannot claim such protection from <em>USERRA</em>. It was a 5-4 decision that favored the plaintiff.</p> <p>Then-Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer stated Texas agreed that its "domain power" would yield to federal policy to "build and keep a national military."</p> <p>Under <em>USERRA</em>, veterans have the right to continue working for their former employer if they leave their job to perform military service. If a veteran is eligible, his or her employer must restore his or her job and benefits after a military service-related absence.</p> <p><strong>TROOPS HAVE 'THE RIGHT TO REINTEGRATE'</strong><br /> VFW, as well as other veterans' organizations, submitted an <em>amicus curiae</em> brief to the Supreme Court that stated Torres was "discriminated against" for having a service-connected disability. An <em>amicus curiae</em> - or "friend of the court" - brief is a statement submitted by a third-party entity interested in a case.</p> <p>The amicus <em>curiae brief</em> stated that Torres' case is "not unique" and that about 25 percent of all veterans, including about 40 percent of post-9/11 veterans, have a service-connected disability.</p> <p>"Veterans with service-related disabilities are more likely to suffer from unemployment and employment discrimination," the brief stated. "Veterans who develop disabling conditions because of their military service have earned the right to reintegrate into the workforce with the dignity and respect they deserve."</p> <p><strong>'IT WOULD PUT VETERANS AT A DISADVANTAGE'</strong><br /> Muckelbauer said that VFW was interested in the case because it challenged a federal law that was "designed to protect" military service members.</p> <p>"There are hundreds of thousands of state-employed veterans, Reservists and National Guard troops who are affected by the outcome of this case," Muckelbauer said. "If a state were to not follow <em>USERRA</em>, not only would it put veterans at a disadvantage, but it also would be a threat to national security. It would deter those who are serving from continuing their career in the military."</p> <p>VFW's National Legislative Service Deputy Director Kristina Keenan said she hopes cases such as Torres' will continue to discourage <em>USERRA </em>discrimination across the workforce.</p> <p>"Thankfully, over the years employers have become more aware of <em>USERRA </em>and the re-employment rights of veterans," Keenan said. "<em>USERRA </em>complaints handled by Department of Labor usually only range in the hundreds each year, and of those that have merit, most are resolved favorably for the veteran without requiring legal action.</p> <p>Tragically, instances like LeRoy's continue to be some of the most prevalent in <em>USERRA </em>cases, where public servants like police officers are among the most common occupations reporting USERRA problems."</p> <p><strong>TORRES 'JUST WANTED TO WORK'</strong><br /> In 1989, Torres enlisted in the Army Reserve, and in 1998, the state of Texas hired him to be a state trooper. He served in that position until 2007, when the Army called him to serve in the Iraq War. Torres said exposure to burn pits was the norm during his time overseas.</p> <p>In June 2018 testimony to the House VA Health Subcommittee, Torres said that he had been to more than 200 medical appointments since returning from Iraq.</p> <p>Torres said that in 2012, doctors diagnosed him with a debilitating lung condition. Torres added that in May 2018, doctors determined he had a toxic brain injury, which he claimed was "likely" due to burn pit exposure.</p> <p>"What is striking about this case is that rather than looking into accommodating Torres' request following his military service, the state of Texas expressed it didn't need to follow <em>USERRA</em>," Muckelbauer said. "All Torres did was ask for accommodation in a different position because of his disabilities related to toxic exposure. He was not asking for anything unreasonable - he just wanted to work."</p> <p>Torres' victory is another toward decades of advocacy work for burn pits as a health risk that in August 2022, spearheaded by VFW and with help from many other veterans'<br /> organizations, was signed into legislation.</p> <p>Known as the <em>Sgt. 1st Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act (PACT Act)</em>, more than 1 million disability claims have been filed under the PACT Act since it was passed.</p> <p><em>This article is featured in the January 2024 issue of <a href="https://www.vfw.org/media-and-events/vfw-magazine">VFW magazine</a>, and was written by <a href="mailto:irodriguez@vfw.org">Ismael Rodriguez Jr.</a>, senior writer for VFW magazine.</em></p>2024-01-12T14:02:57-06:00{68FD3445-CB98-48C3-B040-ACEAA1BDBB19}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2023/12/vfw-action-alert-stop-claim-sharks-nowVFW Action Alert: Stop Claim Sharks Now<p>A Claim Shark is an individual or company that charges hefty fees to "assist" or "consult" veterans and survivors with filing their VA benefits claims. This practice is illegal!</p> <p>In fact, none of these private companies is better than the others. They are all operating illegally. Claims Sharks are not VA-accredited, meaning they are not required to adhere to professional and ethical standards, so their advice can be misleading or even fraudulent. Some of their predatory practices include guaranteeing an increased disability rating or percentage increase; advertising expedited VA claims decisions; requesting login credentials to access a veteran's personal information through secure VA websites like eBenefits or VA.gov; imposing their predatory contracts; and telling veterans to forego VA medical examinations while offering consultations from their own network of doctors.</p> <p>The VFW opposes proposed legislation like the PLUS for Veterans Act or any legislation that would assign future benefits and legalize these practices to allow companies to charge up to $12,500 for claims assistance. No veteran should have to pay for earned benefits.</p> <p><a href="https://votervoice.net/VFW/Campaigns/109584/Respond" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0070c0;"><strong>Take action today by contacting your elected officials and asking they support the passage of H.R. 1139 / S. 740, GUARD VA Benefits Act, to reinstate penalties for unaccredited consultants who charge veterans and their survivors exorbitant fees</strong></span></a>!</p>2023-12-12T12:35:54-06:00{3BF34866-8E4A-4AA0-A4BA-6822A4D398DC}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2023/11/vfw-ramps-up-efforts-to-combat-claim-sharksVFW Ramps Up Efforts to Combat 'Claim Sharks'<em>A message from the VFW National Commander Duane Sarmiento:<br /> </em><br /> For more than a century, your VFW has been on the forefront of advocating for veterans and their earned benefits. In the last year alone, <strong>more than 550,000</strong> veterans received <strong>more than $13 billion</strong> in benefits from VA through the diligence and professionalism of the VFW's global network of VA-accredited service officers. Not a penny of this $13 billion went to line the pockets of the VFW. It all went to the veterans, as the law requires.<br /> <br /> The VFW has been a vocal opponent of <a href="https://www.vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2021/6/steer-clear-of-va-claim-sharks">predatory "Claim Sharks"</a> - companies who charge veterans illegal fees for sub-par VA benefit claims assistance. Make no mistake, the proliferation of these illicit organizations is a threat, not only to the VFW's cornerstone <strong><em>National Veterans Service</em></strong> (NVS) program, but an even greater threat to the VA benefits system as we know it. <br /> <table align="right" cellspacing="5" cellpadding="5"> <tbody> <tr> <td><img class="img-responsive" alt="Veterans Don't Feed the Claim Sharks" src="//vfworg-cdn.azureedge.net/-/media/VFWSite/Images/Media-and-Events/Archive/2023/11/Dont-Feed-the-Sharks--Thumbnail.jpg?h=240&w=400&v=1&d=20231107T155722Z&la=en" style="height: 240px; width: 400px; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 5px;" /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <br /> Since their emergence, the VFW has ratcheted up the pressure on these companies by passing legislation to crack down on their practices at the state level and are working to help veterans bring litigation against them. We have trained our more than 2,300 VFW Accredited Service Officers on how to handle Claim Sharks, and we continue to seek out veterans who need help getting out of these predatory contracts. <br /> <br /> Now these Claim Sharks are trying to normalize and legitimize their financial exploitation of our nation's disabled veterans - they even <a href="https://www.navr.org/membership/" target="_blank">named VSOs like the VFW</a> as their "threats." While we should be flattered that they recognize the threat we pose, now is the time to decisively defeat this scourge. <br /> <br /> The Bottom line is: Predatory Claim Shark companies are engaging in illegal activities. There is no gray area here, no matter how much money they want to throw at it. Their latest collusion is a desperate attempt to avoid accountability. <br /> <br /> Your VFW has aggressively pursued this issue in all corners of government, solidifying the veteran community's stance on this issue. You will see more from the VFW in the coming weeks, asking you to take action with your Congressional representatives, your state legislatures and your communities. We encourage you to read up on the facts and familiarize yourself with this issue, and to help we have produced a <strong><a href="https://www.vfw.org//vfworg-cdn.azureedge.net/-/media/VFWSite/Files/PACT-Act/Dont-Feed-the-Sharks-One-Pager.pdf?la=en&v=1&d=20240103T161010Z">VFW Claim Shark Fact Sheet</a></strong> for you to use and distribute widely to veterans. (Download a printer-friendly version <a href="https://www.vfw.org//vfworg-cdn.azureedge.net/-/media/VFWSite/Files/PACT-Act/Dont-Feed-the-Sharks-One-Pager--Print-Friendly.pdf?la=en&v=1&d=20240103T161047Z">here</a>.)<br /> <br /> Like the VFW said <a href="https://www.vfw.org/advocacy/national-legislative-service/congressional-testimony/2022/4/at-what-cost-ensuring-quality-representation-in-the-veteran-benefit-claims-process">last year before Congress</a>, "Any group that fails to adhere to VA's well-established standards of accreditation and fee arrangements should be greeted at the door by Capitol Police, not offered a seat at the same table as VA-accredited representatives who are held to certain professional and ethical standards."<br /> <br /> This fight may get a little messy in the coming weeks, but the VFW is determined to stop predatory Claim Sharks and we are eager to serve alongside you in this fight.<br /> <div> </div>2024-03-27T12:35:17-05:00{214D371E-D641-45BD-891D-5DB33874E770}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2023/11/vfw-sva-name-2023-2024-student-veterans-for-legislative-fellowshipVFW, SVA Name 2023/2024 Student Veterans for Legislative Fellowship<p><strong>WASHINGTON -</strong> In the collaborative program's 10th year, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Student Veterans of America (SVA) have selected eight student veterans for the 2023/2024 VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship.</p> <p>"Veterans advocating on behalf of other veterans, service members and military families bring the kind of credibility we need in Washington," said VFW National Commander Duane Sarmiento. "There is more than enough veteran advocacy work to do on Capitol Hill, and I am confident these eight fellows will meet the challenge lying ahead of each of them. On behalf of the entire VFW and its Auxiliary - Congratulations Legislative Fellowship Class of 2023/2024!"</p> <p>The VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship is a semester-long academic experience that involves researching, coordinating, reporting and advocating on behalf of a specific veterans' policy proposal. Each selected fellow submitted a package to address the importance of veteran advocacy. In the submission, candidates were required to indicate their status as a current college student and explain how they've distinguished themselves as an emerging leader on their respective campus. The student veteran must also be an exemplary VFW member.</p> <p>"SVA continues the 10-year partnership with VFW to host the annual VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship Program," said SVA National President and Chief Executive Officer Jared Lyon, a VFW Post 3308 Life member in Tallahassee, Florida. "This unique opportunity provides exceptional student veterans the foundation, knowledge and support to nurture their advocacy skills and ideas, while amplifying their voices on Capitol Hill and with other organizations in the veterans' advocacy space."</p> <p>The fellows will participate in SVA's 2024 National Conference where they will join thousands of fellow student veterans. Later they will attend the VFW Legislative Conference, during which they will be paired with their VFW Department delegation to participate in meetings with their members of Congress to advocate for policy proposals.</p> <p>The eight fellows selected for the 2023/2024 class are:</p> <ol> <li>Alex Ortiz, Army veteran, Inter American University of Puerto Rico - School of Law</li> <li>Alexander Thymmons, Army veteran, University of Hawaii - Manoa</li> <li>Bryce Kyle, Army veteran, University of Texas - San Antonio</li> <li>Jamie Springston, Navy veteran, Marshall University</li> <li>Jason Do, Air Force veteran, Samuel Merritt University</li> <li>Lyssa Losa, Army veteran, Texas A&M University - College Station</li> <li>Terren Wise, Navy veteran, Brown University</li> <li>Jennifer Ray, Air Force veteran, Southwestern College</li> </ol> <p>The VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship program continues a legacy of collaboration between the two organizations that was formalized in 2013. Since its inception, many fellows have continued to significantly impact the veteran community beyond their time in the program. Some examples are Ken Wiseman, VFW National Council of Administration member and past commander for the VFW Department of Virginia; Robert Thoen, VFW-accredited County Veterans Service Officer in Houston County, Wisconsin; and Tammy Barlet, SVA Vice President of Government Affairs.</p> <p>To interview any of the selected fellows, contact VFW National Legislative Service Deputy Director, Kristina Keenan at <strong><a href="mailto:kkeenan@vfw.org">kkeenan@vfw.org</a></strong>.</p>2023-12-07T09:10:52-06:00{E0B86F43-D6C4-40CB-9037-E3060894D819}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2023/10/vfw-still-serving-those-who-serve-around-the-worldVFW Still Serving Those Who Serve Around the World<p><strong>WASHINGTON -</strong> During the last week of September, two VFW teams were simultaneously overseas, on different continents, engaging with regional U.S. commands, service members and military families, and delivering the message that they have the VFW's support.</p> <p>On Sept. 26, VFW National Commander-in-Chief Duane Sarmiento, Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Al Lipphardt and Executive Director Ryan Gallucci arrived in Belgium for the first stop on their two-country mission which also includes Germany. The purpose of their visit was to learn about the mission, readiness and quality of life of those assigned in Europe. VFW leadership and staff regularly travel overseas solely to engage with service members, veterans and their families, to better and more relevantly advocate on their behalf, serving as their voice to the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Congress and the administration.</p> <p>"These trips are vitally important to us because supporting our service members, veterans and their families is why the VFW was created to begin with," said Sarmiento. "I wanted to send a message loud and clear to all who serve overseas - the VFW has not forgotten about you, and we have your backs. No better way to do that than in person."</p> <p>The delegation visited NATO's Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) and Chièvres Air Base in Brussels before traveling to Wiesbaden, Germany, on Sept. 30. For the remainder of their time in country, they will visit various installations and major commands, to include U.S. Air Force Europe (USAFE,) Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, U.S. European Command Headquarters (EUCOM.)</p> <p>"We have learned a lot on this trip," said Gallucci. "The thing that stood out the most is that the Department of Defense's total U.S. workforce in Europe - service members and the veterans who support the military as government civilians and contractors - need VA benefits assistance. The VFW can absolutely provide that support and we are going to look for ways to make it a reality." </p> <p>Over on the Korean Peninsula, a team from the VFW's National Veterans Service (NVS) provided critical information to major commands and transitioning service members alike. Beginning Sept. 23, NVS Director Mike Figlioli, NVS Deputy Director Gregg Orto, and NVS Assistant Director and National Pre-Discharge Claims Representative Cindy Noel, paid visits to U.S. Forces Korea and Eighth U.S. Army at Camp Humphreys, as well as Seventh Air Force and the 51st Fighter Wing at Osan Air Base. At each location, they met with the command groups to explore how to provide permanent support to service members preparing to separate or retire from the military. They also presented briefings to service members about the VA claims process and the free benefits claims assistance services that VFW Accredited Representatives provide to all veterans, military retirees and service members transitioning into civilian life.</p> <p>The team departed the Republic of Korea on Oct. 1 and traveled to Hawaii to provide the same information and services to active-duty military men and women stationed on the islands. Discussions are already underway of a more enduring presence of VFW Accredited Representatives on military installations in Hawaii to support transitioning service members there.</p> <p>"While they may be a whole ocean away in a different country, those in uniform and their families are close to our hearts and in our thoughts always," said Lipphardt. "When they see us making the effort to visit them where they are, they know the VFW means what it says and that makes all the difference."</p> <p>View photos from the trips on the <span style="color: #0070c0;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.707293518105562&type=3" target="_blank">VFW Facebook page here</a></span>.</p> <div> </div>2024-03-04T09:31:04-06:00{AB65FF2B-D95D-4390-BBEB-1A9C81DD7A80}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2023/9/a-full-accounting-of-all-missing-troopsA Full Accounting of All Missing Troops<p>A priority goal since 1929, VFW is committed to the noble mission to account for all missing U.S. veterans from past wars. The VFW's influence in Washington, D.C., made possible the formation in 2015 of today's Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) and its mission to recover U.S. troops listed as POWs and MIAs.</p> <p>VFW delegates saw first-hand the recovery efforts by DPAA in Southeast Asia during a visit in March. Then-VFW Commander-in-Chief Timothy Borland, then-Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Duane Sarmiento, VFW Washington Office Executive Director Ryan Gallucci and VFW Washington Office Director of Public Affairs Rob Couture met with military and civilian personnel as part of the recovery mission to find missing troops of the Vietnam War. As of May 22, 1,579 troops of the Vietnam War are MIA. (See sidebar on p. 22.)</p> <p><strong>'HELP EDUCATE OUR ORGANIZATION'</strong><br /> During the VFW delegation's visit in Thailand, Borland, Gallucci and Sarmiento visited the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok. There, VFW's leaders met the U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Robert Godec and spoke with Army Col. Kurtis Leffler, the commanding officer of Joint United States Military Group Thailand, about their relationship with Thailand's military in the region.</p> <p>"I am so proud to be a part of this very honorable mission back to Southeast Asia," Borland said during the visit. "This is my first visit ever to the region, and in just the day-and-a-half of being in Thailand, I have already gained some valuable knowledge I will take back with me and help educate our organization that every veteran counts, to include those living here."</p> <p>VFW leadership had been unable to visit DPAA sites in Southeast Asia since 2019 because of COVID restrictions. That hiatus was the first break in visits since 1991, when VFW became the first veterans service organization to coordinate recovery site visits to Vietnam.</p> <p>Sarmiento, who was elected VFW Commander-in-Chief in July, said he was "eager" to visit DPAA's field sites to meet the military service members and civilians who have made recovering missing Americans a priority.</p> <p>"For the first time in four years, the VFW is meeting the challenge of seeing first-hand the critical humanitarian work that DPAA does in Southeast Asia," Sarmiento said.</p> <p><em>This article is featured in the 2023 September issue of <a href="https://www.vfw.org/media-and-events/vfw-magazine">VFW magazine</a>, and was written by <a href="mailto:dspiva@vfw.org">Dave Spiva</a>, associate editor for VFW magazine. To see more photos from the trip, visit: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.589583039876611&type=3" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0070c0;">https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.589583039876611&type=3</span></a>.</em></p>2023-12-07T09:10:42-06:00{6AEE1CA8-7DF0-44A9-9030-0C00BCC55FD5}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2023/9/vfw-calls-on-sen-tommy-tuberville-to-lift-hold-on-military-promotionsVFW Calls on Sen. Tommy Tuberville to Lift Hold on Military Promotions<p><strong>WASHINGTON -</strong> <a href="https://www.vfw.org//vfworg-cdn.azureedge.net/-/media/VFWSite/Files/Media-and-Events/Articles/2023/VFW-Tuberville-Hold-Letter-9-18-2023.pdf?v=1&d=20230918T192337Z&la=en">In a letter sent Sept. 18</a>, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is calling on Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville to lift his hold on the routine promotion of military general and flag officers.</p> <p>"The line in the sand for the VFW is simple: Political disputes must be handled by politicians - not within the ranks of the all-volunteer force. Sen. Tuberville's hold on these routine promotions has consequences up and down the active-duty force that will take years to fix," said VFW Commander-in-Chief Duane Sarmiento. "By sending this letter, the VFW is making our voice very clear - this is not the way Congress should do business."</p> <p>As of today, the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps no longer have confirmed heads of their services, with hundreds of other routine uniformed promotions stalled behind them, due to Sen. Tuberville's refusal to allow confirmations to proceed without unnecessary bureaucratic procedures. VFW members have shared their own experiences and frustrations with how the force is being affected, to include key leaders and staff holding multiple collateral positions, stalled decision-making in critical areas, as well as delayed family and staff relocations.</p> <p>"One of the VFW's top national security priorities is preserving the all-volunteer force," said VFW Washington Office Executive Director Ryan Gallucci in the letter. "At a time of military recruiting challenges, the instability caused by this hold will have far-reaching consequences for the brave Americans who volunteer to serve in today's military and those who may consider future military service."</p> <p>This is not the first letter sent by the VFW on the issue. In July, a <a href="https://www.vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2023/7/vfw-demands-senate-act-in-confirming-critical-military-leadership-positions">letter</a> demanding the confirmation of critical military positions was sent to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Later that same month, VFW members voted at the 2023 VFW National Convention in Phoenix, Ariz., that preserving the all-volunteer force was the 124-year-old organization's top national security priority.</p> <p>"The VFW called on the Senate to resolve this matter earlier this summer and now we call on you directly to end this hold before we set the very dangerous precedent of harming American service members as leverage in Washington political battles," said Gallucci.</p> <p>In a survey conducted Sept. 7 - 9, VFW members overwhelmingly voiced that political civilian leaders should be held accountable for disagreements over policy, that politicians should not be able to harm the troops over political disagreements, and that political decisions that harm the troops will affect the decisions of VFW members in upcoming elections. Last week, VFW members took to Capitol Hill, sharing the results of the survey with their legislators, many of whom echoed their concerns over the hold having a dire impact on national security.</p> <p>"Critics have said our survey seemed loaded, but to the VFW, the choice is straightforward: Can politicians use uniformed service members and military families as leverage in political disputes? In the context of the all-volunteer force, the VFW says no," said Gallucci when asked about the survey. "To promote the effective civilian control of our military, our nation has been very deliberate to frame the all-volunteer military as a non-partisan and trusted institution that transcends party politics."</p> <p>VFW members have also expressed their worries Sen. Tuberville's hold on the confirmation process will not only affect those whose promotions are currently stalled, but also compel emerging leaders to leave the military for more suitable civilian opportunities.</p> <p>"It's easy to look at this issue and think that only generals are affected, but the military doesn't just hire generals off the street," said Sarmiento. "Generals start at the bottom and choose to grow in the military, just like everyone else who wears the uniform. If you're a major, a captain, or an ensign today, are you sticking around to see if this happens to you to?"</p> <p>The survey was completed by more than 7,000 VFW members representing every state and overseas territory where VFW members reside. Complete survey results are: </p> <ul> <li>Who should be held accountable for disagreements over policies in Washington, D.C.? <ul> <li>Political Civilian Leaders: 87%</li> <li>Uniformed Service Members: 13%</li> </ul> </li> <li>Do you believe politicians should be able to harm the troops over political disagreements? <ul> <li>No: 91%</li> <li>Yes: 9%</li> </ul> </li> <li>Will political decisions that harm the troops affect your decisions in upcoming elections? <ul> <li>Yes: 90%</li> <li>No: 10%</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p>"The world is still a dangerous place and brave Americans remain stationed around the world, intent on keeping these dangers far from our shores. This is why the VFW is calling on you to stop this dangerous game," Gallucci concluded in the letter. "Games may belong on the football field, but not in halls of the U.S. Senate."</p> <p> </p>2023-12-07T09:10:41-06:00{E68BCC00-DE6A-4B68-8686-D57D23C1CC8E}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2023/9/3m-lawsuit-ends-in-victory-for-veterans3M Lawsuit Ends in Victory for Veterans<p><strong>KANSAS CITY, Mo. - </strong>Thousands of veterans and current military service members may be entitled to receive compensation in the 3M earplug lawsuit. 3M agreed to pay $6.01 billion to settle lawsuits filed by U.S. service members and veterans who suffered hearing injuries to include hearing loss and tinnitus as a result of using the company's earplugs. From 1999 to 2015, 3M manufactured, marketed and sold its Combat Arms Earplugs, Version 2 (CAEv2) with a design defect which hampered their effectiveness.</p> <p>Approximately 240,000 veterans filed lawsuits against 3M, making the 3M Combat Arms Earplug Products Liability Litigation the largest mass tort multidistrict litigation in U.S. history. The settlement comes after 3M failed to move the lawsuits into bankruptcy court in hope of limiting its liability.</p> <p>"This settlement is a tremendous outcome for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan who put their lives on the line for our freedom," said Duane Sarmiento, VFW national commander. "For those who came home with hearing damage due to 3M's faulty earplugs, this is not only compensation, it's a statement that their sacrifices won't be ignored."</p> <p>In February, VFW filed an Amicus Curiae brief to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in support of claimants seeking relief from 3M for defective ear protection. 3M had tried to shift the blame to its subsidiary Aearo Technologies, who it said was responsible for the defective earplugs and who had filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy, to avoid paying claimants. The bankruptcy appeal is being held in abeyance pending finalization of the settlement.</p> <p>More information about the settlement is available at <a href="https://3m-earplugsettlement.com/" target="_blank">3m-earplugsettlement.com</a>.</p>2023-12-07T09:10:42-06:00{3B48C2B6-283C-42DE-AD46-02D64835198D}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2023/8/deadline-for-vfw-student-veteran-advocates-nearsDeadline for VFW Student Veteran Advocates Nears<p><strong>KANSAS CITY, Mo. - </strong>The Sept. 6 application deadline for the 2023-2024 VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship is quickly approaching, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is calling on all advocacy-minded student veterans to apply to be a part of this exciting opportunity.</p> <p>Established in 2013, the VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship program was created to provide VFW members who are student veterans the opportunity to make their voices heard by advocating firsthand for veterans legislation on Capitol Hill.</p> <p>Candidates will be evaluated on their essay and short video proposal explaining the importance of veteran advocacy and how the candidate plans to address the solutions through community-based advocacy, VFW membership eligibility and current enrollment at an accredited school. Any academic major is eligible to apply and some majors may be eligible for academic credit.</p> <p>Selected fellows will attend the 2024 SVA National Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, in January; and flown to Washington, D.C., to ensure the veterans' voice is delivered to Capitol Hill alongside 500 fellow veteran advocates as part of the annual VFW Legislative Conference held in March.</p> <p>The deadline for applications is midnight, Sept. 6. For more information on the fellowship or to apply, visit <a href="https://www.vfw.org/assistance/student-veterans-support/student-fellowship">vfw.org/Fellowship</a>.</p> <br />2023-12-07T09:10:40-06:00{9F5C7EF6-F4D3-4F48-86D1-BF9CE1F855B1}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2023/8/we-have-been-fighting-for-years'We Have Been Fighting for Years'<p>When the <em>Honoring Our PACT Act</em> was signed into law a year ago this month, VFW Post 9133 Commander Wendy Silvera thought to herself that her Post needed to do its part to help those in her community affected by the new law.</p> <p>"Everyone witnessed what the VFW had done to make sure that the PACT Act was passed," said Silvera, a retired Marine.</p> <p>"It's the biggest piece of veterans legislation ever. As a Post commander, I felt we needed to do our part in the community. And we are already seeing the impact on our veterans."</p> <p>Having her Post located just five miles from Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina, she knew there would be many veterans and families who needed help with claims related to the Honoring Our PACT Act, as well as help with their options regarding the Camp Lejeune Justice Act.</p> <p>The <em>Honoring Our PACT Act</em> is omnibus legislation focusing on providing veterans who served in countries such as Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq expanded access to VA health care and earned disability benefits. A part of that law is the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, which allows veterans and military families who were exposed to toxic water on the base from Aug. 1, 1953, to Dec. 31, 1987, to file a federal tort claim for harm caused by the exposure.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>300 VETS AND FAMILIES HELPED</strong><br /> A veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Silvera said that, from the <em>Honoring Our PACT Act's</em> signing in August 2022 through May 2023, she and other Post members have helped about 300 veterans and families near Camp Lejeune. Post 9133 members have helped those veterans and families with everything from filing VA disability claims to getting in touch with a VFW-entrusted attorney.</p> <p>"We have been inundated with questions and requests to help many veterans in our area," Silvera said. "These are people who greatly suffered, and we don't want to give them the wrong advice."</p> <p>Silvera said that she and others in the community are frustrated. The <em>Camp Lejeune Justice Act </em>was made law a year ago, but the Department of the Navy, as of May, had yet to put out guidance on<br /> one single case regarding the toxic water that harmed troops and families living on Camp Lejeune.</p> <p>"The Navy has known about the water being toxic and harming veterans and their families for years, yet there is still not a solution or way ahead," Silvera said in June. "These people are not numbers. It's incredibly frustrating to watch our members and their families continue to die while the Department of Justice tries to figure out what to do."</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>FIGHTING FOR HIS FAMILY</strong><br /> Wilbour "Mac" McNamee, a Vietnam War veteran and member of VFW Post 9133, is another person helping with PACT Act claims. He knows all too well how the toxic water at Camp Lejeune has negatively affected veterans and families.</p> <p>Silvera said McNamee's daughter, who grew up on the base, died at a young age. McNamee's wife, Rita, also got stage 4 lung cancer. Rita worked on base, and Rita's son, who attended daycare at Camp Lejeune, got cancer, according to Silvera.</p> <p>Silvera said McNamee and other veterans like him are the reason she's an advocate.</p> <p>"[McNamee] has been through enough," Silvera said. "This is why we are working so hard to help veterans in our community and do what's best for them."</p> <p>A member of Post 9133, Brad Blackburn, said he has, on average, helped file 30 claims a month, all related to the PACT Act. Because of the high demand, Blackburn has office hours twice a week at the Post to facilitate those needs.</p> <p>Blackburn is an Army veteran (1981-1990) who served in South Korea in 1982 and from 1986 to 1987. He said that it is common for people to confuse the PACT Act and Camp Lejeune Justice Act as being the same.</p> <p>"It is not," Blackburn said. "We are having to explain the differences between the two."</p> <p>Blackburn said that he expected there to be a higher volume of VA disability claims being filed after the PACT Act was made into law.</p> <p>"The PACT Act affects so many individuals - it goes back all the way to World War II," Blackburn said. "There have been a lot of questions about what conditions are related to the PACT Act."</p> <p>Silvera said that it is important to remember that real people who served their county are associated with the PACT Act, the full title being the <em>Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act</em> (P.L. 117-168).</p> <p>"There is a person attached to the name of this law," Silvera said. "We must treat that with the respect these veterans and families deserve. And this is where the VFW comes in to remind everyone<br /> that we have been fighting for years."</p> <p><em>This article is featured in the 2023 August issue of <a href="https://www.vfw.org/media-and-events/vfw-magazine">VFW magazine</a>, and was written by <a href="mailto:dspiva@vfw.org">Dave Spiva</a>, associate editor for VFW magazine.</em></p>2023-12-07T09:10:40-06:00{2BEDA5AD-F839-48F2-AD4D-867C469ECA65}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2023/7/applications-open-for-2023-2024-vfw-sva-legislative-fellowshipApplications Open for 2023-2024 VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship<p><strong>WASHINGTON -</strong> The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Student Veterans of America (SVA) are now accepting applications from student veterans interested in participating in the upcoming 2023-2024 VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship program. Now in its 10th year, the fellowship will bring select student veterans - who must be VFW members -- to Washington, D.C., early next March to meet face to face with their members of Congress and senior policy makers.</p> <p>Student veterans interested in applying must complete an application package that includes a 400 - 600-word essay and video proposal on the importance of veteran advocacy. The submission should include a discussion of why advocacy is important to the veteran community, and how the fellowship candidate plans to address solutions through community-based advocacy.</p> <p>Past fellows have earned academic credit for their experience, found internships, accepted additional academic opportunities, and landed fulltime employment as a result of their fellowship experience. Several fellows have even had their research integrated into laws, which makes an everlasting impact on veterans, service members and their families.</p> <p>VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship opportunities are open to all currently enrolled student veterans. Eligibility criteria can be found <a href="https://www.vfw.org/join/eligibility">here</a>. Selected fellows will attend and participate in the SVA National Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, Jan. 4 - 6, 2024. They will then be flown to Washington, D.C., to ensure the veterans' message is delivered to Capitol Hill alongside 500 fellow advocates as part of the VFW Legislative Conference, March 3 - 7, 2024.</p> <p>All applications must be submitted by midnight on Sept. 6. For full details about the VFW-SVA fellowship and to apply, visit <a href="https://www.vfw.org/assistance/student-veterans-support/student-fellowship">VFW.org/StudentFellowship</a> or contact Patrick Murray, VFW, at <a href="mailto:Pmurray@vfw.org">Pmurray@vfw.org</a> or Tammy Barlet, SVA, at <a href="mailto:tammy.barlet@studentveterans.org">tammy.barlet@studentveterans.org</a>.</p> <p>The VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship is another example of the strong collaboration between VFW and SVA that resulted from a memorandum of understanding signed by the two organizations at the SVA National Conference in January 2013.</p>2023-12-07T09:10:46-06:00{863D6352-8ABE-44B0-9395-9E414B2C122B}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2023/7/action-alert-support-major-richard-star-act-amendmentAction Alert: Support Major Richard Star Act Amendment<p><strong>Background</strong></p> <p>Reform to military retirement pay and disability compensation policy is long overdue. Many of our nation's combat-disabled veterans are prohibited by Congress from receiving their full earned Department of Defense retirement pay and Department of Veterans Affairs service-connected disability compensation.</p> <p>Over 50,000 retirees with combat-related disabilities must forfeit every dollar of retirement pay for every dollar they receive in disability compensation. No veteran should have to choose between two fundamentally different benefits that they earned for two entirely different reasons. This offset must be eliminated. Our combat veterans have already sacrificed enough.</p> <p><strong>Take Action</strong></p> <p><a href="https://votervoice.net/VFW/Campaigns/106708/Respond" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tell the Senate to support adoption</span></strong></a> of the Major Richard Star Act amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act.</p>2023-12-07T09:10:46-06:00{546FA064-8067-4E40-977A-DA1EF980C153}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2023/7/vfw-calls-on-secdef-to-recognize-operation-atlantic-resolve-service-with-medalVFW Calls on SECDEF to Recognize Operation Atlantic Resolve Service with Medal<p><strong>WASHINGTON -</strong> With President Joe Biden's <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/07/13/ordering-the-selected-reserve-and-certain-members-of-the-individual-ready-reserve-of-the-armed-forces-to-active-duty/" target="_blank">executive order</a> issued July 14, approving the mobilization of select reservists of the Armed Forces to active duty to support Operation Atlantic Resolve, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) National Commander Tim Borland is renewing his call for the Department of Defense to award the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal to those service members deployed to defend NATO's eastern flank.</p> <p>"Operation Atlantic Resolve is now a named contingency operation and the troops directly supporting this crucial mission deserve proper recognition," said Borland. "The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal was created for just this reason."</p> <p>First authorized by Executive Order 10977 signed by President John F. Kennedy in 1961, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is awarded for participations in U.S. military operations, operations in direct support of the United Nations and for U.S. operations of assistance to friendly foreign nations. The DOD previously approved 36 operations eligible for the award. The characteristics of the various operations include assurance, deterrence, peacekeeping, and reinforcement in support of allies, including ongoing NATO operations in former Yugoslavia.</p> <p>During a Pentagon <a href="https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3458135/biden-approves-mobilization-of-reserves-to-support-eucom/" target="_blank">press briefing</a> on July 13, DOD News reported Joint Staff Director of Operations Lt. Gen. Douglas A. Sims II said Operation Atlantic Resolve is designated as a contingency operation. According to Title 10, the definition of the term "contingency operation" is "a military operation that is designated by the Secretary of Defense as an operation in which members of the Armed Forces are or may become involved in military actions, operations, or hostilities against an enemy of the United States or against an opposing military force."</p> <p>"This new designation benefits troops and families with increases in authorities, entitlements and access to the reserve component forces and personnel," said Sims.</p> <p>"By exercising his authority with this simple, yet meaningful gesture," said Borland, "Secretary of Defense Austin has the opportunity to show U.S. service members how much he appreciates what they are doing to support our NATO allies in eastern Europe."</p> <p>During Congressional testimony in March, Borland first addressed the need to recognize service members serving in eastern Europe to support NATO after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Borland observed the need for proper recognition after visiting American troops serving in Poland in February. He said that the global security situation demanded that U.S. service members be quickly sent to the defense of NATO allies, and recognizing those serving in a forward operational capacity with a medal is the right thing to do.</p> <p>"The VFW calls on the DOD and Congress to properly recognize the immense contributions of those who served and are serving on the eastern flank of NATO by awarding them the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for deterring Russian aggression," said Borland.</p>2023-12-07T09:10:46-06:00{29CB6C5B-4AF0-40F3-BEAB-C50322077CA4}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2023/7/vfw-demands-senate-act-in-confirming-critical-military-leadership-positionsVFW Demands Senate Act in Confirming Critical Military Leadership Positions<p><em>The following is the text of a letter sent today from VFW Washington Office Executive Director Ryan Gallucci to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. <a href="https://www.vfw.org//vfworg-cdn.azureedge.net/-/media/VFWSite/Files/Media-and-Events/Articles/2023/Senate-Leadership-Military-Promotion-Letter-JULY2023.pdf?v=1&d=20230711T152505Z&la=en">See the official letter</a>.</em></p> <p>Dear Majority Leader Schumer and Minority Leader McConnell:</p> <p>On behalf of the 1.5 million members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) and its Auxiliary, I write to convey our sincere concern over the continued hold on military promotions. For the first time in more than 150 years, the U.S. Marine Corps Commandant position is vacant and demands Senate action. Gaps in critical military leadership positions not only create uncertainty and hardship for the members and families directly impacted, but also threaten force readiness and national security.</p> <p>We are equally concerned about what is driving the stalled promotions. The VFW believes it is inappropriate for lawmakers to penalize those who wear the uniform for an Administration policy with which they disagree. Unfortunately, partisan social disputes like these now seem to regularly permeate military-related discussions in Congress, obfuscating the real challenges our military faces. The military needs confirmed uniformed leadership. Anything less emboldens our enemies and harms those currently serving around the world protecting American interests.</p> <p>Today, major threats to our all-volunteer force include private sector competition for talent, waning eligibility for and propensity to serve, and quality of life issues, among others. Stalling hundreds of uniformed military promotions compounds these threats.</p> <p>The persistent projection of partisan politics onto the fighting force, and the willful disruption of an institution whose sole purpose is to protect our nation, endangers the nonpartisan nature of the military. We call on you to work together to resolve political and ideological disagreements outside the military space, expedite blocked and imminent promotions, and mitigate the true challenges facing the military that are grounded in data, research, and the pragmatic, on-the-ground realities as communicated by our senior military leaders.</p> <p> </p> <p>Sincerely,</p> <p>Ryan Gallucci<br /> Executive Director<br /> VFW Washington Office</p> <div> </div>2023-12-07T09:10:45-06:00{6150DD01-714D-4BD1-8C44-F67BB6C71EA3}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2023/6/elderly-veterans-care-bill-introduced-in-houseElderly Veterans Care Bill Introduced in House<p>A VFW-approved House bill that aims to improve service for aging veterans was introduced in February.</p> <p>The Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act (H.R. 542) would give additional support to caregivers and expand access to home and community-based care programs for older veterans.</p> <p>If passed and signed into law, the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act would require VA to:</p> <ul> <li>Expand access to a non-VA provider that would furnish all-inclusive care to elderly veterans living in the community.</li> <li>Update electronic capabilities to assist veterans and caregivers using long-term health care and support services.</li> <li>Start a pilot program that would address homemaker and health aide services to veterans.</li> <li>Give reports and conduct studies on programs that provide medical and health services to elderly veterans in their homes and communities.</li> </ul> <p>In a March testimony before the House VA Health Subcommittee, VFW National Legislative Service Associate Director Meggan Thomas said that the approval of the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act, legislation that VFW has long advocated for, would expand many services for veterans' caregivers. She also said caregivers "relieve VA of the necessity" to place veterans in homes with long-term care.</p> <p>"Even though veterans may require assistance with daily activities, being at home offers independence and familiarity, which is essential for veterans in the beginning stages of dementia," Thomas said. "This freedom to remain in their homes needs to be supported by VA services and funding, while not financially stressing veterans and their families."</p> <p>According to a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimate in March, the implementation of the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act would cost about $120 million to implement and increase VA spending by $82 million over the next 10 years.</p> <p>The CBO also reported that estimating the number of veterans who would enroll in an elderly care program is a "significant uncertainty."</p> <p>The bill is named after former Sen. Elizabeth Dole, widow of the late former Senate majority leader and VFW member Bob Dole. Elizabeth Dole has been a long-time advocate for veterans and their caregivers.</p> <p><em>This article is featured in the June/July 2023 issue of <a href="https://www.vfw.org/media-and-events/vfw-magazine">VFW magazine</a>.</em></p>2023-12-07T09:10:49-06:00{AF9CACBA-FF2B-4427-A032-C9B63630C79E}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2023/6/va-needs-help-reaching-veteransVA Needs Help Reaching Veterans<p>A government watchdog organization reported that VA is not working with veterans service organizations to contact veterans as part of the Solid Start program.</p> <p>The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported that VA needs to work with organizations, such as VFW, to help department representatives contact newly separated veterans. Doing so is required by law.</p> <p>The review, titled "Veterans Benefits: VA Could Enhance Outreach for Its Solid Start Program by Increasing Collaboration with Veterans Organizations," stated that VA is failing to work with veterans service organizations, even though they are "well-positioned" to reach veterans.</p> <p>"VA may be better able to connect with hard-to-reach veterans by further collaborating with veterans organizations," according to the report. "VA agreed with the recommendation."</p> <p>VA's Solid Start program, which began at the end of 2019, allows department representatives to contact veterans to help them better understand the benefits available to them. The representatives<br /> call newly discharged veterans three times - 90, 180 and 365 days - after military service.</p> <p>The GAO is an agency - part of the legislative branch - that audits and investigates services required by law. In its report, it was recommended that VA further assess Solid Start's strategy to contact veterans who are experiencing homelessness, struggling to use a computer to find resources and hesitant to speak with a VA representative.</p> <p>The Department of Labor says that about 200,000 military members leave their service and transition into civilian life each year. The VA reported that representatives had connected with nearly 70,000 veterans through the then-pilot program in fiscal year 2020.</p> <p>VA officials have said that the Solid Start program aims to connect newly separated veterans with VA resources and benefits, including home loans and health care services.</p> <p>As part of Solid Start, VA representatives also tell transitioning veterans about free mental health resources available for up to a year to all who left the military, regardless of discharge status or service history.</p> <p>Last year, Congress and President Joe Biden approved the Solid Start Act of 2022 (P.L. 117-205), making the program a permanent entity of VA.</p> <p>The legislation, which was supported by VFW, requires VA to:</p> <ul> <li>Ensure calls by VA representatives are "truly tailored to the needs of each veteran's unique situation."</li> <li>Provide women veterans with information about their specific health care and benefit needs.</li> <li>Give information on access to state and local veterans resources, including veteran service organizations, such as VFW.</li> <li>Assess the "effectiveness" of the Solid Start program.</li> <li>Encourage transitioning military service members to give other contacts who can be reached in case representatives are unable to contact veterans directly.</li> <li>Follow up missed phone calls with mailings to "ensure" veterans receive information from VA.</li> </ul> <p>VFW has touted that VA's Solid Start program helps to ensure veterans are making a successful transition into civilian life.</p> <p><em>This article is featured in the June/July 2023 issue of <a href="https://www.vfw.org/media-and-events/vfw-magazine">VFW magazine</a>, and was written by <a href="mailto:dspiva@vfw.org">Dave Spiva</a>, associate editor for VFW magazine.</em></p>2023-12-07T09:10:49-06:00{B4377CF2-E0EC-47D5-BF62-AB90E1047C73}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2023/5/cornhole-at-conventionCornhole at Convention<p>This year's VFW National Convention in Phoenix will bring one of the oldest and most popular games into the fold to help fundraise for VFW's National Veterans Service.</p> <p>Spearheaded by VFW Director of Programs Lynn Rolf, the 124th VFW National Convention in July will introduce the first-ever VFW cornhole tournament for attendees wanting to embark on a competitive activity while in Phoenix.</p> <p>"Our Commander-in-Chief, Tim Borland, had challenged our headquarters staff to do something fun outside of what we've always done by bringing something different to the National Convention," Rolf said. "We as VFW members love to beat our friends. Cornhole brings that passion together for a great cause."</p> <p>Like the world's oldest and largest veterans' organization in VFW, the game of cornhole has a long history dating as far back as 1325. Created by a German cabinetmaker named Matthias Kuepermann, the grain-filled bags and box made of cabinet materials replaced what had been stones into a dug hole on the ground to prevent injury.</p> <p>Since then, the game migrated to the U.S. and became a staple in 1800s Cincinnati, Ohio, among German immigrants, who propelled the game forward into the cultural phenomenon it is today.</p> <p>Rolf sought out and partnered with the largest adult sports league in Kansas City, Mo., the veteran-owned KC Crew, to make the vision a reality.</p> <p>"The founder-owner is a VFW member, so who better to help us put on a world-class tournament at convention than them," said Rolf of Luke Wade, a member of VFW Post 7397 in Lenexa, Kan., about 15 miles south of Kansas City.</p> <p>Dubbed the 1st Annual Cornhole Tournament Series, the tournament will run from July 22-24, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day within the convention hall and in the food court area. Each day presents a different tournament that guarantees four games followed by a single-elimination playoff, as well as different themes to include each military faction.</p> <p>"This is first and foremost to help continue to educate our VFW members, Auxiliary and our general public on the success of our efforts on the PACT Act legislation," Rolf said of the PACT Act, a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances. "But it is also to show our gratitude to our VFW service officers and give them some more funding to do more outreach."</p> <p>Though it is open to the public at the National Convention, teams on the first two days must include at least one veteran, whereas the final day will only be open to veterans and Auxiliary members. Registration is $100 per team.</p> <p>In continuing to help celebrate veterans and raise awareness and funds to support VFW service officers across the world, Rolf hopes this 1st Annual Cornhole Tournament Series will be the first of many new additions to the National Convention.</p> <p>"This is just the start to our plan," Rolf said. "We know VFW Posts and Departments do their own cornhole events, so we envision in the coming years to host a championship, where Posts and Departments could send their best teams."</p> <div> </div>2023-12-07T09:10:38-06:00{60F24FD1-B7F3-410A-937F-E93010899369}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2023/5/vfw-troubled-by-reports-of-veterans-moved-for-profitVFW Troubled by Reports of Veterans Moved for Profit<p><strong><span style="padding: 0in; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black;">WASHINGTON -</span></strong><strong><span style="padding: 0in; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black;"> </span></strong><span>The VFW is actively following the recent news that nearly two dozen homeless veterans were suddenly forced to find alternate temporary housing when suburban New York City hotels, to include the <span style="background: white; color: #222222;">Crossroads Hotel in Newburgh,</span> said they could no longer accommodate them. The VFW is deeply troubled by reports indicating the move was in effort to turn a higher profit by offering these rooms for government use.</span></p> <p><span>The VFW Department of New York remains actively engaged with state government, local municipalities, and regional VA offices to ensure the needs of these veterans are being addressed, and on Wednesday VFW representatives will attend a State Veterans Council meeting where the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Veterans Services will provide a status update.</span></p> <p><span>Through a continued partnership with Humana, the VFW Department of New York, remains committed to alleviating veterans homelessness and food insecurity, raising and donating nearly $80,000 to shelters throughout the state in 2021-2022.</span></p> <p><span>Nationally, the VFW remains committed to helping combat veterans homelessness and actively advocates for increased funding for HUD-VASH vouchers, grant and per diem payments, and pilot programs geared to assist veterans in their time of need. It encourages any veteran who is, or at risk of homelessness to visit <a href="https://www.va.gov/homeless/">www.va.gov/homeless</a> or contact the VA's National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877.424.3838 for assistance.</span></p> <p> </p>2023-12-07T09:10:38-06:00{A1A21264-7B2F-4C55-B117-A86868669C01}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2023/4/vfw-asks-speaker-of-the-house-to-honor-the-promises-of-the-pact-actVFW Asks Speaker of the House to Honor the Promises of the PACT Act<p>Dear Speaker McCarthy:</p> <p>On behalf of the 1.5 million members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Auxiliary, a significant number of whom rely on U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and benefits, we write to express our grave concerns with the proposed reports of returning to Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) funding levels for the federal government and its potential effects on veterans' programs. Congress has championed monumental advancements in veteran care and benefits in the past few years and we believe we need to continue pushing forward instead of taking steps backward in serving our veterans.</p> <p>Plainly stated, the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022 did not exist when funding levels were set for FY 2022. The VFW is gravely concerned the Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023 missed the mark by not protecting the advances in care and benefits for toxic-exposed veterans. This could set our collective hard work back years and make veterans once again have to fight for the care and benefits they have earned.</p> <p>Through PACT Act reforms, we believe we are on the cusp of resolving many issues that have plagued VA for decades, thanks to the years of hard work from veteran advocates around the country, as well as our faithful supporters in the past few Congresses and across multiple Presidential Administrations. Military Toxic Exposure claim denials, VA processing backlogs, hiring delays, and unacceptable appointment wait times will hopefully be a thing of the past, and we will once again be able to point to VA as a world-class provider of healthcare and benefits. These advancements will fade away if they are not resourced properly, which is why the VFW believes returning funding levels to FY22 would likely jeopardize the care and benefits our nation's veterans have earned.</p> <p>Bills aiming to return the budget to FY22 funding levels, without explicitly securing care and benefit programs for veterans are intolerable to our organization. The service members, veterans, and families we represent have seen the true cost of more than 20 years of war, and it is unacceptable to ask them to now pay the bill.</p> <p>Mr. Speaker, the VFW understands your goal of fiscal responsibility, but we respectfully ask that in the context of Limit, Save, Grow, that you provide explicit assurances on how Congress will continue to properly invest in VA programming - specifically the reforms authorized through the PACT Act. The members of the VFW and our Auxiliary hope you will continue to honor the promise made to the men and women who served our country by reinforcing your long-standing support of those who stood in harm's way. Returning VA to FY22 funding levels will negatively affect millions of Americans across the country and we look forward to working with you to make sure this does not happen.</p> <p> </p> <p>Sincerely,</p> <p>Ryan Gallucci<br /> Executive Director<br /> VFW Washington Office</p> <p><a href="https://www.vfw.org//vfworg-cdn.azureedge.net/-/media/VFWSite/Files/Media-and-Events/Articles/2023/Hon-Kevin-McCarthy--Budget-Ltr042023.pdf?v=1&d=20230425T185023Z&la=en"><strong><em>Download the letter here</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong></p> <div> </div>2023-12-07T09:10:50-06:00{40D7AF42-FBD3-4645-8229-C629B834E575}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2023/4/the-washington-post-editorial-board-wants-veterans-to-forfeit-earned-benefitsThe Washington Post Editorial Board Wants Veterans to Forfeit Earned Benefits<p><strong>WASHINGTON -</strong> Yesterday, The Washington Post Editorial Board suggested America <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/04/03/veterans-affairs-disability-payments-overdue-update/" target="_blank">balance its budget on the backs of veterans</a>. The VFW has heard these tired arguments before but was shocked to see them endorsed by an institution like the Washington Post.</p> <p>According to their public bios, none of the 10 members of The Washington Post Editorial Board have spent a single minute serving this country in uniform unlike those who have earned the benefits the Board quickly dismisses as charity and essentially a waste of public money. The impudence with which these individuals enthusiastically signed their names to criticize the care and benefits our service members earn, while enjoying the very freedoms our service members defend, should bring shame upon them as both journalists for a once-revered institution like The Washington Post and as fellow Americans.</p> <p>This lazy opinion piece from The Washington Post Editorial Board is a recycled compilation of anti-veteran talking points against which the VFW has fought for years. The VFW would have welcomed the opportunity to refute these unjustifiable points if approached to do so. Yet, those of us who represent millions of veterans are now forced to react to hatchet journalism. Had the elitist Editorial Board chosen to reach out to anyone who assists veterans in navigating these hard-earned benefits, they may have learned about the true hidden costs of more than 20 years of war, and why our nation's commitment to care for both the visible and invisible wounds of war is crucial to our long-term national interest.</p> <p>If The Post's esteemed Editorial Board wants to take a shot at veteran benefits, they should at least provide original thoughts and ideas, and not the scraps of other writers or proposals that the VFW dismantles on a regular basis. Veterans' benefits cost more than they did in years past. That is the price of war. It is also the price of peace and the price of defending misguided free speech - such a paradox for those of us who swore to defend the very Constitution that protects such vitriol.</p> <p>However, this cost is not only a reflection of more Americans surviving the battlefield, but it is also our country recognizing the inherent danger of military service. Last year, the Honoring Our PACT Act rightfully expanded toxic exposure benefits to veterans who have suffered debilitating illnesses, some dating all the way back to the 1950s. Does The Washington Post Editorial Board prefer these veterans, their families and survivors continue to suffer in silence as they have for years? Should those who defend the very institution and profession that printed these words continue to suffer and die because it might be too expensive? </p> <p>It is laughable that the employees of one of the richest individuals in the world have the audacity to suggest disabled veterans should be the persons responsible for balancing the federal budget - instead of their wealthy billionaire benefactors who notoriously skirt their tax liabilities.</p> <p>You would think with all the collective Ivy League degrees held by The Washington Post Editorial Board they would understand basic economics. Instead, they recommend that veterans be subjected to means tests or outright forfeit their earned benefits if they manage to constructively cope with these life-altering disabilities.</p> <p>Sadly, it seems those degrees only served to inspire the Editorial Board to take the easy way out and renege on promises made to veterans, their family members and survivors. If the Editorial Board is so worried about moral responsibility, maybe they should pick up a weapon and stand a post.</p> <p> </p> <p><em>Ryan Gallucci is the executive director of the VFW Washington Office where he is responsible for the organization's legislative advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill and the VFW's global network of benefits representatives who are accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to assist veterans, eligible family members, and survivors in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of benefit claims before the agency.</em></p> <div> </div>2023-12-07T09:10:50-06:00{B4BC5AE8-B22E-45E2-A7EA-FE077216A47F}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2023/3/vfw-delegation-returns-to-southeast-asiaVFW Delegation Returns to Southeast Asia<p><strong>BANGKOK - </strong>Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Commander-in-Chief Tim Borland and a VFW delegation arrived in Thailand for the first leg of their three-country diplomatic and fact-finding mission to Southeast Asia, the first of its kind since 2019.</p> <p>"I am so proud to be a part of this very honorable mission back to Southeast Asia," Borland said. "This is my first visit ever to the region, and in just the day and a half of being in Thailand, I have already gained some valuable knowledge I will take back with me and help educate our organization that every veteran counts, to include those living here." </p> <p>During the first 36 hours on the ground, the delegation, which also includes VFW Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Duane Sarmiento, VFW Executive Director Ryan Gallucci and VFW Washington Office Communications and Public Affairs Director Rob Couture, completed a robust schedule of engagements. On Monday, the delegation met members of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) Detachment 1 and received a mission briefing about their area of responsibility. They also had a chance to visit members of the Joint United States Military Advisory Group Thailand as well as had an office call with the U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Robert Godec.</p> <p>"I'm looking forward to learning so much more in the coming days," Borland said. "I'm so glad we can get back to business, especially after being held back due to the pandemic."</p> <p>For almost 30 years, the annual trip to Southeast Asia was intended to prepare VFW leadership for the advocacy work they would do during their year as the organization's national commander. Then in early 2020, COVID restrictions kept the VFW from traveling abroad. Now with nearly all restrictions lifted, VFW delegates will again be able to observe and learn more about search and recovery operations in person.</p> <p>"For the first time in four years, the VFW is meeting the challenge of seeing firsthand the critical humanitarian work that DPAA does in Southeast Asia," said Sarmiento. "We are eager get out to DPAA field sites and to meet with the American service members, civilians, and host nation counterparts who make recovering our missing Americans a priority."</p> <p>Another opportunity the delegation was able to take advantage of was visiting with members of the VFW Department of Pacific Areas' District 5. During a luncheon on Tuesday, local VFW Post members living in Thailand and Cambodia shared the challenges faced by the veteran community living there.</p> <p>"It was great to connect with VFW comrades who are on the ground in Thailand and around the region," said Gallucci, who is on his first Southeast Asia trip in his new role as executive director. "They are serving the thousands of veterans who live in this part of the world, many of whom support American interests abroad.</p> <p>"Whether it's VA disability claims, VA's foreign medical program, or simply access to mail, we are eager to learn about the challenges our veterans face so that we can explore solutions on their behalf when we return stateside," said Gallucci.</p> <p>In partnership with the Departments of Defense and State, directors of the VFW Washington Office plan and coordinate VFW command visits so the organization can better advocate on behalf of veterans, service members and their families, serving as their voice to Congress, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the DOD.</p> <p>After their time in Thailand, the delegation will travel to Laos and Vietnam to visit DPAA Detachments 2 and 3, joint field activities and U.S. embassies as well as assigned American service members in each country.</p> <p>In February, Borland and Gallucci traveled to Poznan, Poland, to visit with U.S. service members supporting the defense of NATO against Russian aggression, and to Italy to visit with American soldiers, airmen, veterans and their families in the Vicenza and Aviano military communities.</p> <p>Photos of the VFW fact-finding mission to Southeast Asia can be found <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=VFWFans&set=a.589583039876611" target="_blank">here</a>. We'll continue to add pictures as they complete their trip.</p>2023-12-07T09:10:54-06:00{F969DE14-4C15-4FC6-8926-6BB5DC663BD5}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2023/3/boozman-receives-vfw-congressional-awardBoozman Receives VFW Congressional Award<p><strong>WASHINGTON - </strong>The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) presented its 2023 Congressional Award to Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) for his outstanding service and years of unwavering support to veterans, service members, their families and survivors.</p> <p>"What an honor it is to present this award to such an honorable man," said VFW Commander-in-Chief Tim Borland. "His devotion to reaching across the aisle and across chambers on behalf of veterans is unparalleled. He is a stalwart example of the ideals, traditions and values that we hold dear in the VFW."</p> <p>The VFW Congressional Award has been presented annually since 1964 to one member of the House or Senate for significant legislative contributions on behalf of veterans and military service personnel. Past recipients include strong national security and veterans' advocates, such as Vermont's Sen. Bernie Sanders (I), South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson (R), and Montana Sen. Jon Tester (D), among many others. Last year's award went to former chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA).</p> <p>Boozman, the son of a U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant, has been a staunch supporter of veterans, service members and their families throughout his 10 years in the U.S. House of Representatives and now 12 years in the U.S. Senate. During his time in the House of Representatives, he chaired the Veterans' Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee where he led the passage of multiple veterans bills surrounding veteran education and employment. Since being elected to the Senate, he continued his strong leadership for veterans by sponsoring the Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas SERVICE Act and being a steadfast ally in the passage of the Honoring our PACT Act. Now in the 118th Congress, Boozman is a staunch proponent the GUARD VA Act which will protect veterans by eliminating predatory claims practices.</p> <p>The senator is the ranking member of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry Committee, and a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, where he is also the ranking member of the subcommittee that funds Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and related agencies, and a senior member on the Environment & Public Works Committee.</p> <p>"Sen. Boozman is a consummate champion of the rights, benefits and quality of life of those who served and those who are still serving our great country," said Borland. "I can't think of any other elected representative who has done more in reminding congress that 'Every Veteran Counts.'" </p>2024-03-27T16:29:56-05:00{EF0944EB-09A0-4704-9242-F3E441ACAB37}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2023/3/vfw-continues-to-press-congress-to-pass-legislation-positively-impacting-veterans-service-membersVFW Continues to Press Congress to Pass Legislation Positively Impacting Veterans, Service Members<p><strong>WASHINGTON - </strong>In a standing-room-only packed chamber in the Cannon House Office Building, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) National Commander Tim Borland delivered his message of "Every Veteran Counts" during in-person testimony before the 118th Congress during a special joint hearing of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs held today.</p> <p>Backed by almost 400 VFW and VFW Auxiliary members in the audience and two overflow rooms, Borland recounted the VFW's efforts in championing the Sgt. 1st Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022, or the PACT Act, which was passed into law in August of last year. He also talked about how the VFW is helping process VA claims as a result of the most comprehensive toxic exposure legislation in American history.</p> <p>"All across the country VFW Service Officers are assisting veterans with their PACT Act claims and have already seen conditions approved and rated," said Borland. "This service has already helped thousands of veterans free of charge."</p> <p>Borland bridged from the success of the PACT Act to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) paid to the survivors of service members who died in the line of duty or veterans who died from service-connected injuries or illnesses. He said that while the PACT Act finally fulfills a critical promise to many survivors who now qualify for benefits, DIC is still not equal to other federal survivor programs.</p> <p>"The VFW urges Congress to pass legislation that would finally increase DIC payments to survivors from 43% to 55%, reaching parity with other federal agencies," said Borland.</p> <p>One topic of heavy emphasis was the concerning predatory claims consultants which the VFW calls "claim sharks." Borland testified that under VA regulations, fees charged for claims assistance are capped and usually apply only to a percentage of retroactive benefits. However, he pointed out, that many of these unaccredited consultants use contracts that include a commitment by the veteran to pay the "claim shark" all or a significant portion of their increased benefits.</p> <p>"This is why we strongly urge the passage of the GUARD VA Benefits Act," said Borland. "If VFW representatives charged for claims help, they would lose their accreditation and be subject to both fines and jail time. 'Claim sharks' should be treated the same way."</p> <p>"Companies that prey upon veterans and blatantly disregard congressional oversight authority should be held accountable. Period!" said Borland.</p> <p>Veteran suicide prevention is a complex, multifaceted initiative requiring an approach informed by a multitude of upstream and protective factors. Borland implored committee members to work with the Department of Veterans Affairs to look beyond mental health and to other contributing factors to the epidemic, such as economic opportunity.</p> <p>"This is why the VFW believes VA's Office of Suicide Prevention needs to be moved out of [Veterans Health Administration] over to the enterprise level of VA so it can report on and utilize information from across the agency to combat suicide," said Borland. "Access to economic opportunity benefits from the point of transition is critical. We owe it to our veterans to understand every access point to VA and how it affects their well-being."</p> <p>A reoccurring issue Borland addressed is improving the military's Transition Assistance Program. He said that service members have a very slim window in which they are eligible to file for VA disability benefits through the VFW's Benefits Delivery at Discharge program, also called BDD. While the VFW's BDD representatives are currently supporting transitioning service members at 20 military installations, there needs to be more access to more installations to help service members face fewer hurdles during transition.</p> <p>"Senior military leaders understand this," said Borland. "For example, retiring generals and senior non-commissioned officers frequently reach out to the VFW for more in-depth knowledge on the VA benefits process.</p> <p>"If our military leaders see this as a priority, then VA should make it a priority for everyone leaving the military," said Borland.</p> <p>One of the long-standing legislative priorities of the VFW is ending the practice of offsetting DOD retirement and VA disability pay. Borland urged Congress to pass the bill which would end requiring veterans to forfeit all or part of one benefit, even though the benefits are earned for entirely different reasons.</p> <p>"Though I recently called on the White House and Congress to push for full concurrent receipt for all military retirees, the VFW's first priority is to solve this injustice for medical retirees through the Major Richard Star Act," said Borland.</p> <p>The bill, named after U.S. Army Maj. Richard Star, who was forced to medically retire after he was diagnosed with cancer in 2018 and died in 2021, was introduced in the House of Representatives today.</p> <p>The last issue Borland addressed was that of recognizing service members serving in eastern Europe to support NATO after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He said that the global security situation demanded that U.S. service members be quickly sent to the defense of NATO allies, and recognizing those serving in a forward operational capacity with a medal is the right thing to do.</p> <p>"The VFW calls on the DOD and Congress to properly recognize the immense contributions of those who served and are serving on the eastern flank of NATO by awarding them the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for deterring Russian aggression," said Borland.</p> <p>"I will conclude with my call to action and remind everybody that we must meet the challenge to take care of these critical issues for those we represent because 'Every Veteran Counts'," said Borland.</p> <p>Video of today's testimony is available to watch and share <a href="https://www.vfw.org/media-and-events/events/vfw-legislative-conference/2023-vfw-legislative-conference">here</a>. Read Commander Borland's full testimony <a href="https://www.vfw.org/advocacy/national-legislative-service/congressional-testimony/2023/3/congressional-statement-of-vfw-national-commander-timothy-m-borland">here</a>.</p>2024-03-27T16:29:56-05:00{C1C724B2-67FE-4B17-B946-B993DB473EF8}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2023/3/vfw-names-first-post-9-11-veteran-to-lead-washington-officeVFW Names First Post-9/11 Veteran to Lead Washington Office<p><strong>WASHINGTON -</strong> The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) made a historic move by selecting a post-9/11 veteran to head the VFW's presence on Capitol Hill.</p> <p>Ryan Gallucci is now the executive director of the VFW's Washington Office. He is the first post-9/11 veteran to hold the position.</p> <p>Gallucci, a member of VFW Post 3150 in Arlington, Virginia, started as a VFW employee in June 2011. His past roles with the organization were as deputy executive director to the former executive director, Bob Wallace; National Veterans Service (NVS) director; NVS deputy director; and National Legislative Service deputy director.</p> <p>Gallucci, a native of North Kingstown, Rhode Island, served in the Army Reserve from June 1999 to June 2007. He served in the Iraq War from 2003 to 2004 as a civil affairs sergeant with the 443rd Civil Affairs Battalion, where he received the Bronze Star for meritorious service and the Combat Action Badge. While still serving in the Army Reserves, he used his G.I. Bill benefits to attend college, interned as a public affairs specialist at the Naval War College, and earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and political science from the University of Rhode Island. He leveraged his education and experience to become deputy communications director at the American Veterans (AMVETS) National Headquarters, before landing at the VFW Washington Office.</p> <p>Gallucci said he was "honored" to be selected by VFW Adjutant General Dan West, with the support of VFW Commander-in-Chief Tim Borland, for the position. Gallucci added that he knows he will play an important role in the organization and serve to "amplify" the voices of VFW members in Washington, D.C.</p> <p>"With the historic signing of the Honoring Our PACT Act and the VFW's legacy of professional veterans' advocacy, the VFW has a unique opportunity to distinguish itself as the premier organization advocating for the interests of veterans, service members and military families in the years to come," Gallucci said. "The VFW team in our nation's capital will seize this momentum by pressing forward on veterans' issues while continuing to cultivate our relationships with Congress, VA, the Department of Defense and the White House." </p> <p>During his time with the VFW, Gallucci was instrumental in the implementation of numerous veteran-focused initiatives. He has worked directly with Congress and federal agencies to craft and implement transition and education policies that benefited the veterans' community, such as in-state tuition protections for veterans and the redesign of the military Transition Assistance Program. He served as advisor, and later chairman, on the Secretary of Labor's Advisory Committee on Veterans Employment, Training, and Employer Outreach, providing feedback to the Department of Labor and Congress on the employment needs of veterans and the efficacy of federal employment programs for veterans. Gallucci also established the VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship program, which offers exemplary student veterans the opportunity to learn about veterans' advocacy hands-on in Washington.</p> <p>Gallucci said he is excited about what the future holds for the VFW.</p> <p>"This is no small task for the VFW, and as the first post-9/11 veteran to take up this position, I intend to carry forward this responsibility in a way that honors the 123-year legacy of our great American institution," Gallucci said.</p> <p>He and his wife, Katie, reside in Annapolis, Maryland, with their daughters, Lily and Mia.</p>2024-03-27T16:29:56-05:00{6C319991-B402-4054-B081-229130C4C72B}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2023/2/the-most-significant-piece-of-veterans-legislation-in-history'The Most Significant Piece of Veterans Legislation in History'<p>With the Honoring Our PACT Act now law, VFW's VA-accredited veterans service officers around the world are helping veterans harmed by burn pit fumes or other toxins.</p> <p>The legislation, considered by VFW to be the most significant piece of veterans legislation in history, focuses on providing veterans who served in countries such as Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq expanded access to VA health care and earned disability benefits.</p> <p>Kenneth Deist, one of VFW's more than 2,000 VA-accredited service officers, is now actively working PACT Act claims. As the VFW Department Service Officer for Arizona since 2018, Deist sees between 15 and 20 veterans in person each week. The commander of VFW Post 7401 in Chandler, Arizona, splits his time between his offices at the VA Regional Office in Phoenix and the VFW Department Headquarters in Tempe.</p> <p>Deist says that as soon as the PACT Act passed, his office was inundated with communication from veterans, particularly Vietnam War veterans.</p> <p>"They were calling all day, every day," said Deist, who served in 2005 with the Air Force's 586th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron in the Iraq War. "Vietnam War veterans with hypertension [related to Agent Orange exposure] have waited a long time for this."</p> <p>Deist's wife, Cristina, also is a member of Post 7401 in Chandler. The pair met while serving at Guantanamo Bay. Cristina is a VA service officer as well and is a veteran of both the Marine Corps and Army.</p> <p>Deist, who also served in the Afghanistan War, said claims for respiratory issues also are on the rise.</p> <p>"We see a lot of sleep apnea problems," Deist said. "The VA has not acknowledged sleep apnea as a presumptive condition, even though studies have shown a connection."</p> <p><strong>'FREE OF CHARGE - NO MATTER WHAT'</strong><br /> VFW Commander-in-Chief Timothy Borland said one of the best services that the VFW offers is helping veterans file disability claims through VFW's network of accredited service officers.</p> <p>"We'll guarantee service is done the right way," Borland said. "This ensures that we help veterans and family members of veterans."</p> <p>VFW National Veterans Service Director Ryan Gallucci said that, overall, Vietnam War veterans have been the most active in filing PACT Act claims with VFW service officers. He said most of those claims are being filed for hypertension.</p> <p>"One of the challenges VFW is having is making some veterans, especially Post-9/11 veterans, aware that the PACT Act applies to them, too," Gallucci said. "The simplest thing these veterans can do is talk to a VA-accredited veterans service officer about the PACT Act."</p> <p>To make it easy to find help with a military service-related disability claim, VFW has a website, <a href="www.PACTActInfo.org" target="_blank">www.PACTActInfo.org</a>, which creates a simple way for veterans to file claims. It is a simple screening that only requires a veteran to state his or her:</p> <ul> <li>Name</li> <li>Email address</li> <li>State of residence</li> <li>Location of military service</li> <li>Time of military service</li> <li>Suspected or diagnosed conditions</li> </ul> <p>"A VFW VA-accredited service officer should contact these veterans within a week to have a conversation about what each needs to do," Gallucci said.</p> <p>Gallucci added that veterans should trust VFW's accredited service officers because they are recognized by VA to represent veterans in the claims process.</p> <p>"Being recognized by VA means that our veterans service officers need to meet certain standards and provide services to veterans free of charge - no matter what," Gallucci said. "By law, VFW is not entitled to any money the veteran may receive."</p> <p>VFW service officers undergo up to 80 hours of training per year to maintain qualification to represent veterans who file disability claims. The VA requires veterans service officers to attend only 40 hours of training each year.</p> <p>"In addition, VA authorizes our veterans service officers to have access to their veterans claim file," Gallucci said. "This access allows us to fix a veteran's claim before VA decides on the veteran's benefits. It allows our service officers to advocate for veterans, which goes far deeper than what non-accredited companies claim to provide."</p> <p><strong>'EVERY VETERAN COUNTS'</strong><br /> The PACT Act was signed into law by President Joe Biden on Aug. 10, 2022. Borland was at the White House when the PACT Act was signed into law.</p> <p>"As your Commander-in-Chief, I am proud that I was the one who represented all of us on stage with the President on Aug. 10 when he signed the Honoring Our PACT Act into law," Borland said. "This shows that every veteran counts, because no one does more for veterans."</p> <p>VFW's formal push to get help for veterans exposed to toxic substances was highlighted in 2021 when past VFW Commander-in-Chief Hal Roesch II testified before the House and Senate VA committees. He gave lawmakers an idea that would change the way veterans receive disability benefits from VA.</p> <p>Roesch, who served in VFW's top position from August 2020 to July 2021, told congressional members that they needed to address toxic exposure to save the lives of veterans who served from the Vietnam War to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Roesch added that through this past century, troops have returned home from war with unexplained health conditions and illnesses linked to toxic exposures and environmental hazards.</p> <p>"Today is no different," Roesch said. "Toxic exposure is synonymous with military service. For this reason, it is time for Congress to change the framework through which VA benefits are granted for individuals with conditions associated with toxic exposures and environmental hazards."</p> <p>This is when VFW's work began to help create the PACT Act.</p> <p><strong>'VFW TOOK THE LEAD'</strong><br /> VFW National Legislative Service Director Patrick Murray said VFW was the leader in lobbying efforts for the PACT Act. He said that because VFW's Washington Office is on Capitol Hill, advocates from other organizations would attend meetings and planning sessions at VFW's buildings.</p> <p>"Through the years, there have been dozens of different types of toxic exposure bills cover a variety of different things," Murray said. "But, in 2021, we started working toward getting legislation approved that would take care of all of it at once. The VFW took the lead when it came to the PACT Act's advocacy efforts."</p> <p>Murray added that while getting the PACT Act approved only took about a year and a half, the law covers reforms that have been advocated for a generation.</p> <p>"Things such as recognizing that troops were exposed to Agent Orange in Thailand, as well as reform for veterans suffering from Gulf War Illness and atomic veterans, have been worked on for decades," Murray said. "This has all been in the works for a long time."</p> <p>Murray said representatives from VFW worked alongside congressional staff members to review drafts of the bill and add items that were crucial to the bill being a success.</p> <p>"We had our hand in the bill the entire way through the end," Murray said. "We were there to make sure there were no gaps in the bill that could have changed it entirely without it being fixed."</p> <p><strong>MAKING THE PACT ACT 'A REALITY'</strong><br /> Past-VFW Commander-in-Chief Matthew "Fritz" Mihelcic, who served in that position from August 2021 until July 2022, used his time as VFW's Chief to advocate for the PACT Act. He stood side-by-side with the likes of comedian and activist Jon Stewart, leaders of many other veterans service organizations and Congress members to champion the bill.</p> <p>During the final days of advocating for the PACT Act, even with the uncertainty that the PACT Act would not be approved by the Senate, Mihelcic and Stewart, via broadcast, asked VFW members at the 123rd VFW National Convention in Kansas City, Missouri, to send messages to their representatives in Congress in support of the PACT Act. About 6,000 messages were sent during the convention.</p> <p>Murray said that without VFW's Action Corps and its grassroots advocacy network of VFW members, the PACT Act would not have been passed.</p> <p>"Action Corps members through the past two years sent about 130,000 messages to Congress about toxic exposure reform alone," Murray said. (Learn more about the Action Corps and its newsletter at <a href="https://www.vfw.org/actioncorps" target="_blank">https://www.vfw.org/actioncorps</a>.)</p> <p>After the conclusion of the 123rd VFW National Convention, Borland worked to make the signing of the PACT Act a reality.</p> <p><strong>IMPROVING VETERANS' 'QUALITY OF LIFE'</strong><br /> Borland said that every member of the organization counts when it comes to advocating for veterans in Washington. He added that members should use the news of the PACT Act to their advantage when recruiting new members.</p> <p>Borland stressed that adding new members to VFW's ranks is the "lifeblood" of the organization.</p> <p>"Veterans are very excited about the PACT Act's passage," Borland said. "And, when they hear that we passed it last year, they want to become part of our membership base so that they can be a part of helping veterans in the future."</p> <p>Deist said that it is his and other accredited veterans service officers' goal to do their best to "improve the quality of life" of veterans through educating them about their earned VA benefits.</p> <p>"It does not matter whether you are a part of the VFW. We just want to take care of veterans," Deist said. "If VFW did not exist, it would be a bad thing."</p> <p><em>This article is featured in the 2023 February issue of <a href="https://www.vfw.org/media-and-events/vfw-magazine">VFW magazine</a>, and was written by <a href="mailto:dspiva@vfw.org">Dave Spiva</a>, associate editor for VFW magazine.</em></p>2023-12-07T09:10:41-06:00{5CDD88B0-58A7-48FC-8494-CE2A6AD327E3}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2023/2/vfw-legislative-conference-app-now-availableVFW Legislative Conference App Now Available<p><strong>KANSAS CITY, Mo. - </strong>With its 2023 Legislative Conference just weeks away, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) has launched its updated mobile event app to give attendees the tools needed to make the most of their visit to the nation's capital. As the official guide to the 2023 VFW Legislative Conference, the <strong>VFW Events</strong> mobile app is available for download now at both the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/vfw-events/id1450852570?mt=8" target="_blank">Apple App Store</a> and the <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vfw.vfwevents" target="_blank">Google Play Store</a>. For assistance and instructions on how to download and update the app, view our <a href="https://www.vfw.org//vfworg-cdn.azureedge.net/-/media/VFWSite/Files/Media-and-Events/Events/2023-Legislative-Conference/VFW-Events-App-Quick-Start-Guide-2023.pdf?v=1&d=20230217T142348Z&la=en">VFW Events App Quick Start Guide</a>.</p> <p>The updated VFW Events app ensures attendees will receive important notifications and reminders throughout the conference, have instant access to the daily agenda, the opportunity to connect with other attendees and more. The app also offers a complete legislative directory to make locating and communicating with lawmakers easy.</p> <p>If you are attending the conference, help promote the VFW's veterans' advocacy efforts by sharing pictures and videos to social media from your visits with members of Congress using <strong>#VFWDC2023</strong>.</p> <p>If you are not able to attend the VFW Legislative Conference, you can still watch events from the conference live beginning with the Parade of Winners Monday, March 6, at 6:00 p.m. EST at <a href="https://www.vfw.org/media-and-events/events/vfw-legislative-conference/2023-vfw-legislative-conference">vfw.org/VFWDC2023</a>, and culminating with VFW National Commander Tim Borland's testimony before a joint session of the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee on Wednesday, March 8, at 10:00 a.m.</p>2024-03-27T16:29:57-05:00{08AC52CD-9791-4044-BA19-74D26F3DEE76}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2023/2/leading-veterans-service-organizations-release-annual-report-ahead-of-white-house-budget-releaseLeading Veterans Service Organizations Release Annual Report Ahead of White House Budget Release<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><img class="img-responsive" height="320" width="1078" src="//vfworg-cdn.azureedge.net/-/media/VFWSite/Images/Testimony/2022/IB-Header-and-Logos_061522.jpg?v=1&d=20220615T185609Z&la=en" alt="2022 The Independent Budget VFW DAV and PVA" /></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>WASHINGTON -</strong> Leading veterans service organizations the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), <a href="https://www.dav.org/" target="_blank">DAV (Disabled American Veterans)</a> and <a href="http://www.pva.org/" target="_blank">Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA)</a> today released <a href="https://www.independentbudget.org/118-congress/" target="_blank">The Independent Budget Veterans' Agenda for the 118th Congress: Budget for FY 2024-2025 and Critical Issues</a>. The IB report provides funding estimates VA will require in order to adequately provide health care, benefits, and transition services to more than ten million veterans, their families and survivors. It also lists military-to-civilian transition, VA infrastructure, implementation of the PACT Act, long-term care, and mental health, among the many critical issues facing today's veterans.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">"All of the Independent Budget recommendations and critical issues are of utmost importance to today's veterans, particularly PVA members with spinal cord injuries and disorders who rely on VA's specialized care to live and work," said Heather Ansley, PVA Associate Executive Director of Government Relations. "VA vacancies and staffing shortages, outdated infrastructure, limited specialized long-term care facilities, and inaccessible home and community-based services must be addressed now as they can make the difference between life and death for those with SCI/D." </p> <p style="text-align: left;">Included in this year's IB are more than 30 key recommendations for both legislators and VA spread across five critical issues in three areas - to include health care, benefits, and employment & education.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">"DAV has partnered with PVA and VFW to produce The Independent Budget for nearly 40 years," said Joy Ilem, DAV National Legislative Director. "As an organization of veterans serving veterans, we know their issues, and we make it our mission to fight for them. This year, we recommended notable VA funding plus ups in two major areas - long-term care and construction - which are vital to both sustaining quality VA care and ensuring access to that care." </p> <p style="text-align: left;">For FY 2024, the IB recommends Congress appropriate $161.6 billion for all VA programs and services, a 10.5% increase over FY 2023 appropriation levels of $143.7 billion. Among the reasons for the rise in VA funding is a recommended $1 billion plus up in long-term care due to the increase in aging and disabled veterans, inflation, and expansion of assisted living centers for veterans living with traumatic brain injury and other disabilities. Another reason for the rise is a nearly four-fold increase over the FY 2023 enacted in the recommendation for major construction to begin or resume building VA infrastructure, as well as fund repairs and maintenance on existing VA structures. Yet another reason for the increase is a $50 million plus up for VA Call Centers to account for more full-time employees to cover VA claims which are expected to rise over one million in FY 2024 due to the PACT Act.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">"Like all of our past reports, this year's Independent Budget is a vital tool to help members of Congress and VA take the necessary steps to ensure that all veterans - regardless of branch, age, sex, and ethnicity - receive proper care and get the benefits they earned," said Pat Murray, VFW National Legislative Service Director. "It all boils down to proper VA funding. We look forward to working alongside congressional leaders to address each of our critical issues." <br /> <br /> <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">KEY FACTS, ISSUES, AND RECOMMENDATIONS:</span></strong><br /> <br /> While there are five critical issues and countless recommendations noted throughout this 40-page report, below are just a sample of them. To view the reports in full, visit <strong><a href="http://www.independentbudget.org/" target="_blank">IndependentBudget.org</a></strong>.</p> <ul> <li><span style="text-decoration: underline;">**FACT</span> - VA's health care infrastructure includes more than 5,600 buildings and 34,000 acres, much of which was built more than 50 years ago.<br /> Issue: For more than two decades, funding for construction, repairs, and maintenance of VA's health care facilities has lagged behind even the most conservative estimates of the actual needs. <ul> <li><span style="color: #c00000;">IB Recommendation:</span> Congress and VA work together to develop and implement a new comprehensive strategy to build, repair, and realign VA's health care infrastructure to meet current and future demand. <em>**See critical issue 1 on page 25.</em></li> </ul> </li> <li><span style="text-decoration: underline;">**FACT</span> - The PACT Act added more than 20 presumptive conditions related to toxic exposures, expanded health care for toxic-exposed veterans, and created a process for VA to consider additional presumptive conditions for any toxic exposure.<br /> Issue: Veterans may be vulnerable to companies that charge high fees to assist with claims, offering promises of increased disability ratings. <ul> <li><span style="color: #c00000;">IB Recommendation:</span> Congress conduct oversight of all disability claims and pass legislation to reinstate penalties to crack down on bad actors that charge inappropriate fees for claims assistance. <em>**See critical issue 3 on page 33.</em></li> </ul> </li> <li><span style="text-decoration: underline;">**FACT</span> - One of the higher cohorts of veterans who die by suicide are veterans who have recently separated from service.<br /> Issue: Veterans who engage with VA benefits are less likely to die by suicide than those who do not utilize these services. Ensuring transitioning service members have access to the benefits and care they earned is critically important. <ul> <li><span style="color: #c00000;">IB Recommendation:</span> Congress ensure pre-separation briefings be mandated in TAP curriculum to help service members successfully transition into civilian life and mitigate suicide. <em>** See critical issue 5 on page 37.</em> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p>The IB provides a comprehensive roadmap to help ensure VA is fully funded and capable of carrying out its mission of serving veterans and their families, both now and in the future. Throughout the year, the VSOs collaborate to promote their shared recommendations, while each organization also works independently to identify and address legislative and policy issues that affect their respective members and the broader veteran community.</p> <p style="text-align: center;">###</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 10px;"><em>About DAV <br /> DAV empowers veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. It is dedicated to a single purpose: keeping our promises to America's veterans. DAV does this by ensuring that veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them; fighting for the interests of America's injured heroes on Capitol Hill; linking veterans and their families to employment resources; and educating the public about the great sacrifices and needs of veterans transitioning back to civilian life. DAV, a non-profit organization with more than one million members, was founded in 1920 and chartered by the U. S. Congress in 1932. Learn more at <a href="https://www.dav.org/" target="_blank">DAV.org</a>.<br /> <br /> About Paralyzed Veterans of America <br /> Paralyzed Veterans of America is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and the only congressionally chartered veterans service organization dedicated solely for the benefit and representation of veterans with spinal cord injury or diseases. The organization ensures veterans receive the benefits earned through service to our nation; monitors their care in VA spinal cord injury units; and funds research and education in the search for a cure and improved care for individuals with paralysis.<br /> <br /> As a life-long partner and advocate for veterans and all people with disabilities, PVA also develops training and career services, works to ensure accessibility in public buildings and spaces, and provides health and rehabilitation opportunities through sports and recreation. With more than 70 offices and 33 chapters, Paralyzed Veterans of America serves veterans, their families, and their caregivers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Learn more at <a href="https://www.pva.org/" target="_blank">PVA.org</a>.<br /> <br /> About Veterans of Foreign Wars of The United States <br /> The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is the nation's largest and oldest major war veterans organization. Founded in 1899, the congressionally chartered VFW is comprised entirely of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, Guard and Reserve forces. With more than 1.5 million VFW and Auxiliary members located in over 6,000 Posts worldwide, the nonprofit veterans service organization is proud to proclaim "NO ONE DOES MORE FOR VETERANS" than the VFW, which is dedicated to veterans' service, legislative advocacy, and military and community service programs. For more information or to join, visit our website at <a href="https://www.vfw.org/">VFW.org</a>.</em></span></p> <br />2023-12-07T09:10:41-06:00{AECECFEC-F1F5-4BB4-BEB3-B8656C8FF361}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2023/1/vfw-urges-potus-to-support-repeal-of-concurrent-receipt-policyVFW Urges POTUS to Support Repeal of Concurrent Receipt Policy<p><strong>WASHINGTON -</strong> In a letter sent to the White House, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) National Commander Tim Borland urged President Biden to support the repeal of concurrent receipt policy, which denies veterans receiving both retirement pay and VA compensation if they were forced to retire early from military service because of battlefield injury or illness.</p> <p>"I write to request your urgent support in ensuring our nation's veterans receive the benefits they have earned by defending the ideals our nation holds sacred," opened Borland in his letter addressing the policy. "This policy is nothing more than a way to save money on the backs of veterans."</p> <p>As it stands the current compensation rule imposes what is known as an offset, requiring veterans forfeit all or part of one benefit to pay for or pay back another. Congress justifies the policy as a way to prevent veterans from "double-dipping" from the federal government, a justification which Borland says is erroneous.</p> <p>"Military retirement pay is earned for years of vested service, while VA disability compensation is awarded as supplementary income for reduced earning potential of disabled veterans who incur lifelong illnesses and injuries from their service," wrote Borland. "These are two fundamentally different benefits earned for two entirely different reasons." </p> <p>The Major Richard Star Act (H. R. 1282/S. 344), which would provide total offset relief to veterans who suffered combat injuries or illnesses who were medically retired with less than 20 years of service, garnered overwhelming bipartisan and bicameral support from members of the 117th Congress. Despite this, the bill did not get enough votes to make it to the president's desk.</p> <p>"It has become clear that political will is lacking, warranting the White House's leadership," wrote Borland. "The VFW - and by extension the entire veteran community - is looking to you, President Biden, to lead from the front on this issue."</p> <p>The letter concluded by pressing the President to make repealing the concurrent receipt policy one of his legislative priorities in the fiscal year 2024 Department of Defense budget request.</p> <p>"No veteran should question the value of their service to our country due to an unethical budget gimmick," wrote Borland. "By repealing concurrent receipt, you will let them know that Every Veteran Counts."</p> <div><a href="https://www.vfw.org//vfworg-cdn.azureedge.net/-/media/VFWSite/Files/Media-and-Events/Articles/2023/Signed-1-17-23---President-Biden---Concurrent-Receipt.pdf?v=1&d=20230118T144445Z&la=en">Read the official letter sent to President Biden</a>.</div>2023-12-07T09:10:47-06:00{51903B5D-219B-4E37-B49A-5F8F608DA1E0}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2023/1/new-vfw-initiative-to-safeguard-toxic-exposed-veteransNew VFW Initiative to Safeguard Toxic-Exposed Veterans<p><strong>KANSAS CITY, Mo. -</strong> The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) announced today the launch of its <a href="https://pactactinfo.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0070c0;">PACT Act Info</span></a> initiative, an effort to educate toxic-exposed veterans on the expansion of benefits brought on by the passage of the PACT Act and streamline trusted access to securing those benefits.</p> <p>Since the historic Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022 was signed into law last August, an onslaught of phishing, vishing and social media scams have targeted veterans with the promise of help accessing PACT Act benefits, but for a fee.</p> <p><a href="https://pactactinfo.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0070c0;">PACT Act Info</span></a> is the VFW's latest effort to safeguard veterans, offering a tool to quickly and easily determine benefits eligibility and streamlining direct referrals to VFW Accredited Service Officers who provide free, expert assistance in filing for VA benefits.</p> <p>"We want to ensure America's veterans do not fall victim to predatory agents whose intentions are focused on monetary gain and not on what's best for the veteran," said VFW National Commander Tim Borland. "Veterans do NOT need to pay for consultations or any other assistance to secure PACT Act benefits." </p> <p>The VFW National Veterans Service trains and oversees a global network of more than 2,000 veterans service officers who are accredited by VA to file benefit claims on behalf of any veteran, regardless of VFW membership. VFW Accredited Service Officers walk the veteran through the entire process, from determining eligibility and the initial filing, to the decision and any additional appeal actions all free of charge, as required by law.</p> <p>"The VFW was instrumental in the passage of the PACT Act to secure the life-changing legislation for veterans, but our mission does not end there," said Borland. "Now comes the hard work of ensuring every veteran receives the care and benefits they have earned, without paying unnecessary fees."</p> <div> </div>2023-12-07T09:10:47-06:00{261270FC-C68D-4BBE-9C1B-29E7C9507311}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2023/1/vfw-sva-name-2023-student-veteran-finalists-for-legislative-fellowshipVFW, SVA Name 2023 Student Veteran Finalists for Legislative Fellowship<p><strong>WASHINGTON - </strong>Five Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) members were named today at the SVA National Conference in Orlando, Florida, for the 2023 VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship.</p> <p>"This is fantastic news, not only for these fellows, but also for veterans, service members and their families they will represent," said VFW National Commander Tim Borland. "On behalf of the entire VFW and its Auxiliary, I'd like to congratulate the five student veterans selected for the Legislative Fellowship Class of 2023. We look forward to all the advocacy work they will do on Capitol Hill, ensuring Congress understands that <strong>Every Veteran Counts</strong>."</p> <p>The VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship is a semester-long academic experience that involves researching, coordinating, reporting and advocating on behalf of one of four veterans' policy areas: student veteran success on campus and beyond, improving veteran's health care and benefits, transitioning from military to civilian life, and challenges for service members and military families.</p> <p>Each selected fellow submitted a policy proposal to address one of these issues through federal legislative action.</p> <p>"Our alliance with the VFW focuses on strengthening the opportunities and outcomes available to veterans," said SVA's National President and CEO, Jared Lyon at the initial announcement of the opening of the 2023 program this past September. "This fellowship ensures Capitol Hill hears directly from those impacted by the programs and services we advocate for."</p> <p>"This important program cultivates the future of veteran advocacy and we look forward to welcoming the 2023 VFW-SVA Legislative Fellows to Washington," said Lyon, who is also a member of VFW Post 3308 in Tallahassee, Florida.</p> <p>The fellows will participate in the 2023 VFW Legislative Conference, March 5-9, during which they will be paired with their VFW Department delegation to participate in meetings with their members of Congress to advocate for their policy proposals.</p> <p>Upon returning home, each of the fellows will also be responsible for executing a community action plan, to include delivering their individual research papers directly to their respective congressional delegations.</p> <p>The five fellows selected for the 2023 class are:</p> <ul> <li>Chet Bennetts, Marine Corps veteran, Kansas State University</li> <li>Meghan Fitzgerald, Army veteran, University of Denver</li> <li>Harry Phillips, Army veteran, Tulane University</li> <li>Jordan Quinones, Army veteran, Arizona State University</li> <li>Gregory Sanchez, Navy veteran, University of California - Riverside</li> </ul> <p>The VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship program continues a legacy of collaboration between the two organizations that was formalized in 2013. To interview any of the selected fellows, contact VFW National Legislative Service Associate Director, Katherine Cassell at <a href="mailto:kcassell@vfw.org">kcassell@vfw.org</a>.</p> <p><em>Photo cutline: (L-R) Chet Bennetts, VFW National Veterans Service Director Ryan Gallucci, Jordan Quinones, Greg Sanchez, Harry Phillips, VFW National Legislative Service Associate Director, Katherine Cassell, Meghan Fitzgerald, SVA National President and CEO, Jared Lyon.</em></p>2023-12-07T09:10:47-06:00{35894066-6BD4-4688-A816-A04F44853ACE}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2022/12/vfw-action-alert-last-chance-for-congress-to-support-veterans-this-yearVFW Action Alert: Last Chance for Congress to Support Veterans this Year<p><strong>Background</strong><br /> The Senate must pass this critically needed legislation before the end of the 117th Congress. The House has done its part, and now the Senate must finish the job.</p> <p><em><a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1361/text?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%221361%22%2C%221361%22%5D%7D&r=2&s=5" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0070c0;">H.R. 1361</span></a></em>, the Advancing Uniform Transportation Opportunities for Veterans Act, also known as the AUTO for Veterans Act, would ease the financial burden of the most severely disabled veterans.</p> <p><em><a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1836/text?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%221836%22%2C%221836%22%5D%7D&r=2&s=4" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0070c0;">H.R. 1836</span></a></em>, the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2021, is a long overdue resolution to the countless members of the Guard and Reserve who serve on active duty orders for periods of time shorter than the ninety-day requirement to receive GI Bill eligibility.</p> <p><em><a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/6411/text?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%226411%22%2C%226411%22%5D%7D&r=38&s=2" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0070c0;">H.R. 6411</span></a></em>, the Support The Resiliency of Our Nation's Great Veterans Act of 2022, or the STRONG Veterans Act of 2022, would authorize pilot programs, expanded mental health care, studies and research, outreach to veterans regarding mental health resources, and update training provided by VA for their workforce and Veterans Crisis Line staff.</p> <p><a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/2513/text?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%222513%22%2C%222513%22%5D%7D&r=2&s=3" target="_blank"><em><span style="color: #0070c0;">S. 2513</span></em></a>, the Brian Neuman Department of Veterans Affairs Clothing Allowance Improvement Act of 2021, would allow for the commonsense renewal of this allowance, easing the administrative burden on both VA and veterans in need.</p> <p>The VFW urges the Senate to finish the job on veterans legislation this year. Our veterans cannot afford to wait any longer for these benefits.</p> <p><strong>Take Action</strong></p> <p><strong><a href="https://www.votervoice.net/VFW/Campaigns/99333/Respond" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0070c0;">Contact your senators today</span></a></strong> and tell them to pass H.R. 1361 / H.R. 1836 / H.R. 6411 / S. 2513.</p>{D00AF94A-AFCF-4CEC-A4E3-53E862C11A70}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2022/11/vfw-bergmann-moore-collaborate-to-assist-with-camp-lejeune-claimsVFW, Bergmann & Moore Collaborate to Assist with Camp Lejeune Claims<p><strong>WASHINGTON -</strong> For nearly a decade, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the law firm of Bergmann & Moore have worked together to provide effective legal representation for veterans with VA disability benefit appeals before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Through a renewed agreement, the VFW is entrusting Bergmann & Moore with guiding and assisting its members in navigating the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA).</p> <p>"Ensuring veterans harmed in the line of duty are made whole has been a guiding principle for the VFW since our founding more than 123 years ago," said VFW National Commander Tim Borland. "We are honored to expand our association with Bergmann & Moore to ensure veterans and their families who benefit from filing a lawsuit are represented by someone who has their best interest at heart."</p> <p>In August, the VFW-championed SFC Health Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022 was signed into law. Along with the most significant expansion of health care and benefits in more than a century, Section 804 of the PACT Act, known as the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, authorizes veterans and military families who were exposed to toxic water at Camp Lejeune from August 1953 to December 1987 to file a federal tort claim for harm caused by such exposure.</p> <p>"Since the PACT Act added another recourse for veterans and their families suffering the effects of toxic exposure at Camp Lejeune, getting the right legal advice is crucial," added Borland. "That's why we turned to our long-trusted relationship with Bergmann & Moore to provide the best counsel possible for those we assist."</p> <p>The VFW cautions its members and supporters to avoid predatory law firms advertising endlessly on television and other media. To assist those who wish to join the Camp Lejeune Justice Act lawsuit determine if a law firm has their best interest at heart, the VFW has established six guiding principles. Bergmann & Moore has a proven track record of treating our members honestly and fairly and has agreed to (1) cap attorney fees at a reasonable rate, (2) no upfront costs, (3) work with the VFW to ensure veterans explore their earned Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, (4) counsel claimant on the impact of the offset included in the Camp Lejeune Justice Act before accepting an award, (5) encourage VFW membership to eligible veterans, and (6) provide resources to support the VFW Service Officer Program.</p> <p>"The goal of the agreement between VFW and Bergmann & Moore is to ensure VFW members who file a Camp Lejeune claim receive the greatest benefit and understand what they may be giving up as a result of any offset," said Glenn Bergmann, Bergmann & Moore's Managing Partner. "The Camp Lejeune Justice Act contains broad offset language that no one is talking about. Understanding whether an award under the CLJA will result in an offset of VA care or benefits will allow VFW members to make an informed decision before they accept the one-time benefit."</p> <p>To date there are differing opinions on the meaning of the offset language. The VA is expected to release regulations related to this in the coming months. The VFW continues to encourage its members and supporters to consult with a VFW-Accredited Service Officer to determine whether filing a lawsuit is the right step for them. This includes determining how the offset required by the law impacts their VA benefits and any possible award from a Camp Lejeune Justice Act claim.</p> <p>The Camp Lejeune Justice Act potentially offers historic benefits to veterans and their families. However, these benefits need to be carefully evaluated by a firm that understands VA disability benefits. The VFW encourages anyone who served or lived at Camp Lejeune from Aug. 1, 1953, to Dec. 31, 1987, to visit <a href="https://camplejeunelitigationteam.com/vfw/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0070c0;">vfw.org/CampLejeuneHelp</span></a> or call 800.898.9450.</p>2023-12-07T09:11:23-06:00{8A32BEF0-E374-437E-B05A-02C8AD55949D}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2022/10/legal-loophole-some-contracts-skirt-protections-for-service-membersLegal Loophole: Some Contracts Skirt Protections for Service Members<p><strong><em>The following is an Op-ed by VFW National Commander Tim Borland, published by <a href="https://www.militarytimes.com/opinion/commentary/2022/10/11/legal-loophole-some-contracts-skirt-protections-for-service-members/" target="_blank">Military Times</a>.</em></strong></p> <p><strong>WASHINGTON - </strong>When a recruit joins the U.S. military, they have a lot of tasks to complete - paperwork and ID cards, physicals, boot camp, and training for their military occupational specialty - all responsibilities they accept as part of wearing the uniform. In return for accepting these responsibilities, and the sacrifices that come with them, our service members are rightfully afforded special federal statutory legal protections.</p> <p>However, these special protections afforded to service members are being undermined by a legal trap buried in the fine print of contracts and click-through agreements: forced arbitration. This legal trap means that active duty, Guard or reserve members and veterans are unable to take their case to court when big corporations break the law and violate their rights.</p> <p>Two of the most important of these special protections provided by Congress are the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, or USERRA, and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, or SCRA.</p> <p>USERRA provides protection to service members from employment discrimination due to their military service. Under USERRA, the civilian jobs of deployed Guard and reservists are legally protected. Upon their return home, they are to be reemployed in a similar or comparable job and are entitled to any promotions and seniority benefits they would have received if not for their deployment.</p> <p>SCRA provides financial and legal protections for active duty personnel and their families, as well as Guard and reservists while on active duty orders. Service members regularly confront challenging circumstances that civilians do not, such as limited access to internet or banking services while deployed, reduced household income and increased costs necessary to keep a one-parent home going. SCRA is meant to prevent predatory actions by unscrupulous banks, companies, and other financial institutions, such as arbitrarily raised interest rates, exorbitant late payment fees, and illegal foreclosures. Forced arbitration clauses buried in the fine print make it difficult to enforce this important law.</p> <p>Forced arbitration has become so commonplace in employee and financial contracts that more and more service members find themselves unable to hold employers and corporations responsible for violating their rights. Forced arbitration requires nondisclosure of the details of the proceedings and is held at a location selected by the corporation with an arbitrator hired and paid for by the corporation whose decision is binding and unappealable to any impartial judge or jury. This lopsided "legal proceeding" unsurprisingly favors the defendant corporation most of the time and circumvents Congress' intent for passing USERRA and SCRA in the first place.</p> <p>Congress acted in February to end forced arbitration for survivors of sexual harassment and sexual assault. These survivors now can choose if their claim is heard by a judge and jury or through arbitration. The Veterans of Foreign Wars firmly believes veterans and service members deserve the same choice, and 31 other veteran and military service organizations do too.</p> <p>Thankfully, we have great allies in Congress who have joined us in this fight. In the House, Reps. David Cicilline, D-R.I.; Mark Takano, D-Calif.; Guy Reschenthaler, R-Pa.; Jared Golden, D-Maine; Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa.; and Conor Lamb, R-Pa.; sponsored the Justice for Servicemembers Act (HR 2196). This bill's protections and language were included in the House passed version of the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA. We thank Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, for being steadfast champions on this issue and we hope the Senate maintains this language in its version of the NDAA.</p> <p>The Veterans of Foreign Wars calls upon Congress to honor the intent of the laws they passed to protect service members - SCRA and USERRA - and give these laws back their enforcement power. To continue to ignore doing so only sets a bigger legal trap for our troops. Congress must act now to close this loophole in the law.</p> <p>Timothy M. Borland currently serves as Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. Tim served in the U.S. Army from 1979 to 2007, last serving with the 101st Airborne Division. He earned his VFW eligibility serving in Korea and Iraq and currently maintains his Gold Legacy Life membership at VFW Post 9972 in Sierra Vista, Arizona, Tim is also a member of AMVETS, American Legion, and a life member of Disabled American Veterans.</p>{3E40C51C-C8E0-4331-B511-1B550664286F}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2022/9/vfw-action-alert-eliminate-unjust-offset-for-chapter-61-retireesVFW Action Alert: Eliminate Unjust Offset for Chapter 61 Retirees<p><strong>Background</strong><br /> Reform to retirement pay and disability compensation policy is long overdue. Many of our nation's combat-disabled veterans are prohibited by Congress from receiving their full earned Department of Defense retirement pay and Department of Veterans Affairs service-connected disability compensation.</p> <p>Over 50,000 Chapter 61 retirees with combat-related disabilities are required to <strong>forfeit every dollar</strong> of their retirement pay for every dollar they receive in disability compensation. No veteran should have to choose between two fundamentally different benefits that they earned for two entirely different reasons. This offset must be eliminated. Our combat veterans have already sacrificed enough.</p> <div> </div> <strong>Take Action</strong><br /> <strong><a href="https://www.votervoice.net/VFW/Campaigns/97496/Respond " target="_blank">Tell Congress to end this extremely unjust offset</a></strong> by immediately passing the Major Richard Star Act.2023-12-07T09:11:37-06:00{6324C080-E744-4B13-8AEF-A96186AB8833}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2022/9/student-vets-fight-for-veterans-benefits-on-capitol-hillStudent Vets Fight for Veterans' Benefits on Capitol Hill<p>Since 2013, members of VFW and the Student Veterans of America, or SVA, have had the opportunity to make their voices heard on Capitol Hill.</p> <p>This year, five student veterans were selected to be part of the VFW-SVA Fellowship program, which gave them a platform to advocate alongside VFW representatives on issues facing veterans. Fellows get to meet the nation's lawmakers and administrators responsible for implementing veterans' policy in the nation's capital.</p> <p>This year's Fellows were:</p> <ul> <li>James-Anthony Burandt, Marine Corps, California State University-Fullerton</li> <li>Thomas Fischer, Army, Syracuse University</li> <li>Natalie Koffarnus, Army, Montana Tech of the University of Montana</li> <li>Alex Ortiz, Army, Rhode Island State College</li> <li>John Randolph, Air Force, Pennsylvania State University</li> </ul> <p>Then-VFW Commander-in-Chief Matthew M. "Fritz" Mihelcic said the 2022 VFW-SVA fellowship provided veterans the chance to "hone their advocacy skills" for issues directly related to veterans across the country.</p> <p>"Keeping our veterans, the military and their families in the forefront of legislators' minds is paramount," Mihelcic said. "Now more than ever, veteran representation on Capitol Hill matters."</p> <p>Each student completed an essay that proposed legislative improvements to one of the following veterans' issues:</p> <ul> <li>Student veteran success in higher learning and jobs</li> <li>Veterans' health care and earned benefits</li> <li>The transition from military to civilian life</li> <li>Challenges facing service members and their families</li> </ul> <p>Ortiz, who during the fellowship attended Rhode Island College in Providence, graduated in May with a bachelor's degree in accounting. He currently is working on obtaining a law degree from Puerto Rico's Inter American University.</p> <p>Ortiz, who medically retired from active duty in 2013 after seven years of service, said his proposal for the fellowship was changing a provision in the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The bill, which was signed into law in 2008 after years of VFW advocacy, gives its beneficiaries 15 years to use the higher education benefits. Ortiz, a Life member of VFW Post 10011 in Providence, said he wants to change that.</p> <p>"They could have done better with writing the bill," Ortiz said. "They needed to think about some of the situations that are happening now before they write laws that affect veterans' benefits."</p> <p>Ortiz said the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a lot of student veterans to postpone their education, which he adds could lead to the veterans not being able to use the fully-earned benefits. For Ortiz, the inspiration for his interest in the GI Bill came from a friend. His friend's experience caused Ortiz to fix the 15-year provision in the GI Bill.</p> <p>"He got a notice from the VA saying that he had 22 months left on his GI Bill benefits," Ortiz said. "He thought he didn't have any benefits left, but he still received the notice."</p> <p>It was VA's error, he claims.</p> <p>Ortiz said his friend moved his family to start a new semester of school. However, at the end of the semester, the school told his friend that the GI Bill benefits expired.</p> <p>"So then he had a bunch of debt, and there was no way for him to cover his household expenses," the Iraq and Afghanistan war vet said. "He was counting on that housing allowance."</p> <p>Ortiz - who served in Iraq in 2008 and 2009 and Afghanistan from 2010 to 2011 with the 10th Mountain Division - said the bill he proposed will allow anyone who earned the GI Bill and served after Dec. 10, 2001, (which is 90 days after Sept. 11) would be able to keep their GI Bill benefits longer than the current limit.</p> <p>Ortiz said working with the VFW Washington Office was an "amazing" experience.</p> <p>"It was a learning process for me on how bills are negotiated and made, as well as what VFW does for veterans," Ortiz said. "I was very grateful for the experience. At first, I didn't know the VFW was so involved with the legislative work in Washington. If you were to ask me two years ago what the VFW is, I would have said, 'It's somewhere veterans hang out and have a beer.'"</p> <p>Ortiz added that the whole VFW-SVA fellowship program was "eye-opening" for him.</p> <p>"The amount of support and resources that the VFW has to change the veterans' lives for the better boggled my mind," Ortiz said. "It was a whole new world that opened up to me."</p> <p>SVA student veterans interested in the fellowship can get more information about the program by visiting <a href="https://studentveterans.org/programs/vfw-sva-legislative-fellowship" target="_blank">https://studentveterans.org/programs/vfw-sva-legislative-fellowship</a>.</p> <p><em>This article is featured in the 2022 August issue of <a href="https://www.vfw.org/media-and-events/vfw-magazine">VFW magazine</a>, and was written by <a href="mailto:dspiva@vfw.org">Dave Spiva</a>, associate editor for VFW magazine.</em></p>2023-12-07T09:11:36-06:00{DF7565F2-94EF-4AE1-9B75-FB79535CFB28}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2022/8/troops-likely-exposed-to-toxic-hazards-at-k2-in-uzbekistanTroops Likely Exposed to Toxic Hazards at K2 in Uzbekistan<p>Operation Enduring Freedom veterans who were stationed at an air base in Uzbekistan during the early years of the Afghanistan War may have been exposed to many different toxins, according to the Department of Defense.</p> <p>Karshi-Khanabad Air Base was in operation from 2001 to 2005. More commonly known as K2, as well as Camp Stronghold Freedom, the base was located in the southeastern portion of Uzbekistan, which is north of Afghanistan. K2 occupied about 1-square-mile near the border of Tajikistan. The base currently is occupied by the Uzbekistan Air Force.</p> <p>In total, at least 15,777 U.S. troops were deployed to K2, according to the Stronghold Freedom Foundation. At any given time, as many as 1,300 military members were stationed at the base, stated the foundation, which focuses on advocating for the troops who passed through K2.</p> <p><strong>TOXINS AT KARSHI-KHANABAD</strong><br /> Troops at K2 were likely exposed to multiple toxic hazards, according to DOD documents that were unclassified in 2020.</p> <p>One such toxin is petroleum. Another hazard is particulate matter, which is from both natural and manmade sources, according to an Army document. Sources of particulate matter exposure include:</p> <ul> <li>Windblown dusts</li> <li>Fires</li> <li>Construction activities</li> <li>Factories</li> <li>Power plants</li> <li>Incinerators</li> <li>Automobiles</li> </ul> <p>Exposure to tetrachloroethylene also was identified as a possible toxin in the DOD documents. Tetrachloroethylene could have been used as a degreaser for machinery and equipment.</p> <p>The declassified DOD documents also stated that "up to 100 percent" of troops stationed at K2 were exposed to radiation.</p> <p><strong>VFW SUPPORTS TOXIC EXPOSURE REFORM</strong><br /> In March, then-VFW Commander-in-Chief Matthew M. "Fritz" Mihelcic told lawmakers that bipartisan support is needed for two pending bills. If made into law, the legislation would improve VA's care for veterans suffering from toxic exposure.</p> <p>During a hearing with the House and Senate VA committees, Mihelcic asked Congress to pass the Comprehensive and Overdue Support for Troops of War Act of 2021 (S. 3003) and Honoring our<br /> Promise To Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021 (H.R. 3967).</p> <p>"For generations, veterans have returned home from war with an array of unexplained health conditions and illnesses associated with the toxic exposures and environmental hazards they encountered in service," Mihelcic said. "Today is no different, and toxic exposure has become synonymous with military service."</p> <p><strong>UPDATE: After months of VFW advocacy, the Honoring Our PACT Act was passed and then signed into law by President Biden on Aug. 10. Read the VFW's full press release <a href="https://www.vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2022/8/vfw-celebrates-as-landmark-pact-act-is-signed-into-law">here</a>.</strong></p> <p><em>This article is featured in the 2022 August issue of <a href="https://www.vfw.org/media-and-events/vfw-magazine">VFW magazine</a>, and was written by <a href="mailto:dspiva@vfw.org">Dave Spiva</a>, associate editor for VFW magazine.</em></p>2023-12-07T09:11:28-06:00{1FBC96EF-3614-4E20-A4C6-12E546B459FA}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2022/8/applications-open-for-2023-vfw-sva-legislative-fellowshipApplications Open for 2023 VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship<p><strong><span>WASHINGTON - </span></strong>The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Student Veterans of America (SVA) are now accepting applications from student veterans interested in participating in the upcoming 2023 VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship program. Now in its ninth year, the fellowship will bring select student veterans - who must be VFW members - to Washington early next March to meet face to face with their members of Congress and senior policymakers.</p> <p>Student veterans interested in applying for the 2023 VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship must complete an application package that includes a 400 - 600-word essay and a short video that proposes legislative improvements to one of four specific veterans' issues:</p> <ul> <li>Student veteran success on campus and beyond</li> <li>Improving veterans' health care and benefits</li> <li>Transition from military to civilian life</li> <li>Challenges for service members and military families</li> </ul> <p>The essay proposal should include a discussion of why the issue is important to the veterans' community, and how the fellowship candidate plans to address the issue through federal policy solutions and community-based advocacy.</p> <p>VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship opportunities are open to all currently enrolled student veterans. Fellowship candidates must be VFW members in order to be considered. Eligibility criteria can be <a href="https://www.vfw.org/join/eligibility"><span style="color: #0070c0;">found here</span></a>. Selected fellows will attend and participate in the SVA National Conference in Orlando, Florida, Jan. 5-7, 2023. They will then be flown to Washington, D.C., to ensure the veterans' message is delivered to Capitol Hill alongside 500 fellow advocates as part of the upcoming VFW Legislative Conference, March 5-9, 2023.</p> <p>All applications must be submitted by midnight on Oct 15. Selected fellows will be notified before Thanksgiving, with a formal announcement of the 2023 fellowship class at the SVA National Conference in Orlando, Florida, in January. For full details about the VFW-SVA fellowship and to apply, visit <a href="https://www.vfw.org/studentfellowship" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0070c0;">VFW.org/StudentFellowship</span></a> or contact Tammy Barlet, VFW, at <a href="mailto:tbarlet@vfw.org">tbarlet@vfw.org</a> or Lauren Augustine, SVA, at <a href="mailto:lauren.augustine@studentveterans.org">lauren.augustine@studentveterans.org</a>.</p> <br />2023-12-07T09:11:29-06:00{18175BCC-47CC-4E05-8A1D-49A385C1345C}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2022/8/vfw-celebrates-as-landmark-pact-act-is-signed-into-lawVFW Celebrates as Landmark PACT Act is Signed into Law<p><strong>WASHINGTON -</strong> After years of persistent advocacy, National Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Tim Borland, families of loved ones affected by toxic exposures and other veteran service organizations, stood together behind President Joseph Biden at the White House as the <em>SFC Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022</em>, the landmark bill focused on assisting toxic-exposed veterans, was signed into law, Wednesday morning.</p> <p>"What an honorable moment in history for veterans!" exclaimed Borland after the event. "The PACT Act becoming law is the largest expansion of veteran benefits since the creation of the VA. My sincerest thanks to the members of Congress, I am so proud of all the hard work VFW staff, our Action Corps and VFW members everywhere did to push Congress to pass this bill and was honored to represent our organization at the White House on this historic day."</p> <p>The PACT Act, as it's commonly known, is named after Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson who passed away in 2020 from conditions related to toxic exposure during his service in the military. The comprehensive bill expands health care for generations of veterans who up until now had the arduous task of proving their conditions or illness a result of service-connected exposure to toxic substances or environments, such as the burn pits many Post-9/11 veterans were exposed to during deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. The bill enacts VA provisions for 23 presumptive conditions for rare respiratory diseases and cancers, and creates a framework for the establishment of future presumptions of service connection related to toxic exposure.</p> <p>"Too many of our brothers and sisters have succumbed to illnesses connected to toxic exposure," said Borland. "That is why this bill has been the VFW's #1 priority for the past few years, and we weren't going to give up until it was passed."</p> <p>Passed by the Senate on Aug. 2, the bill was in limbo for almost a month as procedural hurdles, amendment considerations, and shaky support among some Senators caused the bill to stall before it was passed overwhelmingly with a vote count of 86 - 11. For almost a week leading up to the final vote, VFW members, PACT Act advocates and other veterans held a fire watch on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol, holding a constant vigil for six straight days until it was announced the bill passed.</p> <p>"With one voice, we told Congress 'every veteran counts' and they listened," said Borland. "I encourage every eligible veteran to join the VFW so we can continue to secure and improve the health and benefits for veterans, service members and their families. The veteran's voice has strength, and it is even stronger when we are all together."</p> <p>The PACT Act is the latest achievement on the long list of legislative victories the VFW has fought for since its inception, part of the legacy of the VFW's veteran advocacy that continues to carry on into the future.</p> <p>"After 123 years, the VFW continues to show we are alive and well, and that 'No One Does More For Veterans,' because for the VFW 'EVERY VETERAN COUNTS!'" said Borland.</p>{FD4DCBD6-D7B7-48AE-A890-A08DC04443DC}https://vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2022/8/vfw-commemorates-hard-fought-win-as-senate-finally-passes-pact-actVFW Commemorates Hard Fought Win as Senate Finally Passes 'PACT Act'<p>"Today's passage of the PACT Act is a landmark victory for veterans of all ages, of all conflicts and their families. Too many of our veterans have suffered over the years from effects of toxic exposure, with no medical care, no recompense, and no support to their loved ones. They fought with everything they had to prove their illness was service-connected and were delayed or denied care until death overtook them.</p> <p>No amount of money or legislation can bring them back. However, today, their fight was vindicated. Because of their efforts and the work of veteran advocates, the voices of sick and dying veterans was finally heard and the future health care of today's and tomorrow's veterans will finally be made right. I thank Sens. Tester and Moran for leading a bipartisan effort to get this done. Your sincerity in caring for the well-being of veterans and their families will not be forgotten.</p> <p>Lastly, I congratulate my legislative team at the VFW's Washington Office, our Action Corps network, as well as all the VSOs and veteran advocates that partnered in this endeavor and never backed down. Your long, tenacious fight for veterans' rights and the stand you took on fire watch this weekend is the model of effective, grassroots advocacy for generations to come. Veterans truly are stronger together. Thank you for reminding Congress that every veteran counts."</p>2023-12-07T09:11:28-06:00