Prayers and blessings for you all and for our Dear Troops and their loved ones everywhere.
Federal Report is attached.
1. Shinseki: Workers Being Moved Back To New GI Bill Helpline. The AP (2/18, Hefling) reports, "Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with questions about the new Post-9/11 GI Bill will again be able to get help by phone five days a week starting Thursday." Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki, who "made the announcement in an interview while traveling to a meeting with veterans" in West Virginia, "says that GI Bill helpline employees have been tapped since December to help process a backlog in education claims. With claims being processed more efficiently now, Shinseki says those workers are being moved back to the helpline."
2. Shinseki Tours Chillicothe VAMC, Meets With Local Vets. In continuing coverage, the WBEX-AM Chillicothe, OH (2/17) website noted that US Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki "was in Chillicothe Wednesday, touring" the Chillicothe VA Medical Center "and meeting with local vets." Congressman Zack Space, who hosted the event, "says Shinseki toured the facility to view progress" on hospital projects funded by the Recovery Act. WBEX noted that while in Ohio, Shinseki "also met with and participated in a local veteran's round-table discussion" at Ohio University-Chillicothe.
The Columbus (OH) Dispatch (2/18, Phillips) reports, "During a visit to Chillicothe" on Wednesday, Shinseki "listened to veterans' concerns about disability benefits and other issues and outlined some of the steps he is taking to address those concerns. 'Reducing the backlog (of disability benefits applications) is my primary focus for this year,' said...Shinseki during a roundtable discussion at Ohio University's Chillicothe campus." The Dispatch adds, "Shinseki's visit to Chillicothe...was the first ever" by a VA secretary.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer (2/18, Eaton, 304K) also notes Shinseki's visit to Chillicothe, although only briefly, as part of a larger story on Obama Administration officials and US politicians noting the "one-year anniversary of the date President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law."
3. Shinseki, Rockefeller Meet With Veterans In West Virginia. The Charleston (WV) Gazette (2/18, Clevenger, 44K) reports, "It was just another group therapy session for a handful of veterans at the Charleston Vet Center on Wednesday, except that this meeting had two unusual guests: a cabinet secretary" and a US senator. Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki and US Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) "met with a small group of veterans and listened to those Rockefeller described as members of 'a community of pain, and a community of pride.' The meeting is a part of a larger effort by the VA to reach more veterans and provide better, more specific services to the 8 million Americans who have served in the military, Shinseki said." WOWK-TV Charleston, WV (2/17, 6:01 p.m. ET) also aired a report on this story.
VA Gulf War Task Force Soon To Release Report. The Charleston (WV) Daily Mail (2/18, Gavin) reports the US VA "is taking an in-depth look at concerns facing veterans of the Gulf War, almost 20 years after the conflict ended. A small group of Gulf War veterans from the Charleston area had a chance Wednesday to sit down" with Sen. Rockefeller and Shinseki in a roundtable discussion on Wednesday. The Daily Mail notes that the US VA "compiled a Gulf War task force in September to study the specific issues facing veterans from that era," and the task force's report "is due out in a couple of weeks." WSAZ-TV Charleston, WV (2/17, 11:41 p.m. ET) aired a similar report.
4. VA Planning To Examine Hospital In Illinois For Future Use. The Batavia (IL) Sun (2/18, Okon) reports, "The US Department of Veteran Affairs plans to send a construction assessment team to Silver Cross Hospital to examine the facility for future use by the government." This is according to comments made at recent House Veterans Affairs Committee by "Dr. Gerald Cross, acting undersecretary for health with the VA." The Sun also notes that VA Secretary Eric Shinseki has "said the department is 'taking a strategic look' at its 5,300 facilities and would look at how Silver Cross might fit into the department's plans for the next 10 years."
5. Veterans Attributing Health Problems To Burn Pits In Iraq, Afghanistan. The Los Angeles Times (2/18, Zucchino, 776K) reports some "returning veterans have reported leukemia, lymphoma, congestive heart problems, neurological conditions, bronchitis, skin rashes and sleep disorders -- all of which they attribute to burn pits on dozens" of US "bases in Afghanistan and Iraq. 'The military needs to step up and address this problem,' said John Wilson of the advocacy group Disabled American Veterans, which maintains a registry of more than 500 veterans with disorders they blame on burn pits." The Times notes that the Pentagon "says the pits do not cause serious long-term health problems," but "some health experts," including Dr. Anthony Szema, chief of the allergy section at the Veterans Affairs hospital in Northport, New York, disagree.
6. Wisconsin VA Planning Special Event For Vietnam Vets. On its website, WISN-TV Milwaukee, WI (2/17) reported, "The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs is teaming up with the Wisconsin Historical Society and Wisconsin Public Television to honor the Badger state's Vietnam veterans. Landing Zone Lambeau," which "will feature a weekend of recognition and celebration of those who served" in the Vietnam War, "kicks off on Thursday, May 20 and runs through May 24 in Green Bay."
7. VA Contract Allows Company To Retain Staff. In a story noting that opinions differ on "how effective" the stimulus bill has been, the Chambersburg (PA) Public Opinion (2/18, Rauhut) reports, "One year after" the bill "was signed into law, millions of dollars have flowed into projects in Franklin County." For example, Industrial Control & Computer Consultants "in Waynesboro won a $264,035 contract to install a patient monitoring system" at the Veterans Affairs hospital in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Industrial Control President Dave McCarney "said his firm will be able to retain one or two employees because of the contract."
8. Military Retirees Volunteering To Go Back On Active Duty. USA Today (2/18, Schweers, 2.11M) reports, "Elbert 'Rusty' Coleman...retired" from the US Army in 1989, but 21 "years later, he has returned to active duty, answering a voluntary recall notice for retirees, in part to serve with his two sons...and to finally get a taste of combat." USA Today adds, "Coleman is one of 974 current US Army enlisted men and officers who volunteered to return to active duty after retirement, said Lt. Col. Maria Quon, public affairs officer for the Human Resources Command." The paper notes that similar "volunteer programs exist for the Air Force, Navy and Marines."
9. Seattle VAMC Testing New Prosthetic Foot. Popular Science (2/18, Hsu, 1.32M) says researchers at the University of Michigan "have created a new prosthetic foot that recaptures the mechanical energy between steps." Unlike a conventional prosthetic foot, which requires "23 percent more metabolic energy" than "two normal feet," this prosthetic "manages to cut down the energy usage to just 14 percent more than normal." The device is already being tested "on amputees at the Seattle Veterans Affairs Medical Center," and the researchers "hope to commercialize the device for more widespread use among" Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.
10. Brain Injured Vets Seeking Care At VA Hospital In Texas. On its website, KWES-TV Odessa, TX (2/17, Ruiz) reported, "Brain injuries on the battlefield have been around forever, but modern medicine means more soldiers are making it home and seeking care at facilities like" the Veterans Affairs hospital in Big Spring, Texas, which "tracks all" progress being made by patients "and helps guide them through their therapy."
11. Commissioners Ask For $1 Lease On Land Meant For VA Clinic. In continuing coverage, the Decorah (IA) Journal (2/18, Greiner, 7K) reports, "The Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors is willing to do whatever it can to accommodate a new" Veterans Affairs clinic in Decorah. At "Monday's meeting of the Board of Supervisors, Winneshiek County Commission of Veterans Affairs Chairman Glenn Larson of Decorah and Commission members Chuck Ira of Spillville and Francis Wenthold of Ossian asked the Board if it would commit to leasing county land adjacent to Winneshiek Medical Center for as little as possible. 'Our main message today, and what we're asking of you, is if it comes to the point the county (land adjacent to WMC) has been selected to build a clinic, that it be leased to the builder or the VA for $1 as long as a clinic is in Decorah,' said Larson."
12. VA Breaks Ground On Mental Health Facility In Montana. In continuing coverage, the AP (2/18) reports officials with the Veterans Affairs medical center "at Fort Harrison have broken ground on a $6.7 million mental health care facility" that is "expected to open next spring. It will employ up to 40 people, including doctors and nurses." The AP notes that US Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), "a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, joined a team of doctors and directors on the grounds of the VA hospital west of Helena for Tuesday's groundbreaking."
13. VBA Official: Service For Alaska Vets Is Being Improved. In continuing coverage, the Anchorage Daily News (2/17, 59K) noted that during a field hearing of the US Senate's Veterans Affairs Committee on "Tuesday at Loussac Library, Veterans Benefits Administration executive Mark Bilosz gave details of how the VA is improving service for Alaska vets in the aftermath of a poor review of the Anchorage regional office by federal inspectors." But down the "table from Bilosz," Iraq veteran Gabriel Fierros "offered living testimony that some vets are still frustrated with the local office." The Daily News pointed out that at the request of US Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK), who conducted the hearing, Bilosz "promised a full report of progress at the Anchorage office by June."
The AP (2/17) noted that during Tuesday's hearing, Bilosz "said the Anchorage office has increased staffing, is handling more claims and doing a better job," while the KTUU-TV Anchorage, AK (2/17, Kim) website reported, "About 70 people attended the hearing at the Anchorage Assembly chambers." This story is also covered by the Fairbanks (AK) Daily News-Miner (2/18, Freiberg).
14. Administration Proposes New Veterans Cemetery In Western New York. The Buffalo News (2/18, Zremski, 185K) reports the Obama Administration "is proposing a National Veterans Cemetery in Western New York, a move that would mean local military families would no longer have to travel 105 miles to Bath, in Steuben County, to bury or visit their late loved ones. In documents accompanying" the Administration's "fiscal 2011 budget proposal, the Department of Veterans Affairs suggested adopting a policy to build new cemeteries in any area with more than 80,000 veterans that does not already have such a facility," which, according to the budget documents, would include the Buffalo/Rochester area, as well as two areas in Florida and one in Nebraska. The News adds, "That suggestion is good news to local veterans groups that have been pushing for a Western New York veterans cemetery for years," as has US Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), "who announced the proposal Tuesday."
15. Roanoke VA Office Discovers Benefit Check Scheme Not Found By IG Program. In continuing coverage, the Newport News (VA) Daily Press (2/17, Dujardin, 76K) asked, "How did it take the Department of Veterans Affairs 18 years to discover it was sending monthly benefits checks" to the deceased mother of Gilbert C. Harges? After noting that Harges recently pleaded guilty in Federal court to stealing those checks, the Daily Press reported, "Jim O'Neill, assistant inspector general for investigations" with VA's Inspector General's Office, "said 382 people have been arrested and $40 million has been recovered since his office began a program 10 years ago to match Social Security data on dead people with the list of VA beneficiaries." But O'Neill "said that Harges' case was not cracked by the Inspector General's death match program, but by the VA's Roanoke office."
16. Event In New York A Warm-Up For National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic. The eight item in "Good Morning Buffalo" for the Buffalo News (2/17, 185K) noted that on Wednesday, local "military veterans with disabilities" were to "hit the slopes...at the Holiday Valley Ski Resort in Ellicottville." Several veterans were planning to "use this ski outing," which was "sponsored by the Lounsbury Adaptive Ski Program," as "an opportunity to warm up for the 24th annual National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic set for March 28 to April 2 in Snowmass, Colo." The News added, "The Department of Veterans Affairs annually sponsors six national events" for US "military veterans served by its medical facilities nationwide."
17. VA Hospital's New Director To Focus On Outreach. The Daily Hampshire Gazette (2/18, Lowe), a paper based in Northampton, Massachusetts, notes that during an interview it conducted on Wednesday, Roger Johnson, the new director of the US Department of Veterans Affairs hospital "in Leeds, said he plans to focus on outreach, both to veterans already enrolled in the system and those in western Massachusetts who haven't signed up." This is "music to the ears of those who work closely with veterans in the area," including Steven Connor, director of "Central Hampshire Veterans Services, which assists veterans in Amherst, Chesterfield, Cummington, Northampton, Pelham and Williamsburg." The Gazette points out that the hospital's "previous director...helped expand the center's mental health services."
18. Museum Captures History Of Battle Creek VAMC. The Battle Creek (MI) Enquirer (2/18, Christenson, 20K) reports, "A dream for 10 years and a project for one, the covers come off Friday at a new museum at the Battle Creek Veterans Affairs Medical Center." Suzanne Klinker, the hospital's director, "will be among those present at 9:30 a.m. to open the 12-by-14-foot collection of history at the 85-year-old facility." The Enquirer notes that the "museum has photographs and drawings displayed on the walls and more pictures, letters, newsletters and other documents in four glass cases."
19. VA Facilities Co-Hosting Information Fair. On its website, WJXT-TV Jacksonville, FL (2/17) noted that a Veterans Affairs clinic in Jacksonville, the Jacksonville Vet Center, "Worksource, Urban League, and other vendors will host a Veteran and Community information fair" on "Thursday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the American Legion Post 197 on Benedict Road. Members of the community and veterans will be able to obtain information on VA benefits, Jacksonville Vet Center Services and legal assistance. They can also learn job search techniques and employment opportunities through Worksource and other community information."
20. New VA Director Says Top Goal Is Rural Access To Health Care. The Helena (MT) Independent Record (2/18, Kidston).
21. Excellence In Nursing Services: Madison VA Hospital Receives Magnet Recognition. The Freeport (IL) Journal-Standard (2/18, Morse, 11K).
22. Day In The Life: West Roxbury VA Hospital. The Roslindale (MA) Transcript (2/18, Flock).
23. Business Schools Tap Veterans. The Wall Street Journal (2/18, Middleton, 2.08M).
24. Service Helps To Link Ex-Military M.B.A.s. The Wall Street Journal (2/18, Porter, 2.08M).
25. Tavera Triumphs. The Havelock (NC) News (2/17, Wilson).
26. Pearl Harbor Opens New Visitor Center For The USS Arizona. The Honolulu Advertiser (2/18, Nakaso, 130K).
27. Mishicot Veteran Visits War Memorials Courtesy Of Old Glory Honor Flight. The Manitowoc (WI) Herald Times Reporter (2/18, 13K).
28. Seeking An Alternative. The Des Moines (IA) Register (2/17, Jaco).
29. Today in History:
- 1229 – The Sixth Crusade: Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor signs a ten-year truce with al-Kamil, regaining Jerusalem, Nazareth, and Bethlehem with neither military engagements nor support from the papacy.
- 1268 – The Livonian Brothers of the Sword are defeated by Dovmont of Pskov in the Battle of Rakvere.
- 1332 – Amda Seyon I, Emperor of Ethiopia begins his campaigns in the southern Muslim provinces.
- 1478 – George, Duke of Clarence, convicted of treason against his older brother Edward IV of England, is executed in private at the Tower of London.
- 1685 – Fort St. Louis is established by a Frenchman at Matagorda Bay thus forming the basis for France's claim to Texas.
- 1745 – The city of Surakarta, Central Java is founded on the banks of Bengawan Solo river, and becomes the capital of the Kingdom of Surakarta
- 1797 – Trinidad is surrendered to a British fleet under the command of Sir Ralph Abercromby.
- 1814 – The Battle of Montereau occurs.
- 1841 – The first ongoing filibuster in the United States Senate begins and lasts until March 11.
- 1846 – Beginning of the Galician peasant revolt.
- 1856 – The American Party (Know-Nothings) convene in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to nominate their first Presidential candidate, former President Millard Fillmore.
- 1861 – In Montgomery, Alabama, Jefferson Davis is inaugurated as the provisional President of the Confederate States of America.
- 1861 – With the Italian unification almost complete, King Victor Emmanuel II of Piedmont, Savoy and Sardinia assumes the title of King of Italy.
- 1865 – Union forces under Major General William T. Sherman set the South Carolina State House on fire during the burning of Columbia.
- 1873 – Bulgarian revolutionary leader Vasil Levski is executed by hanging in Sofia by the Ottoman authorities.
- 1878 – John Tunstall is murdered by outlaw Jessie Evans, sparking the Lincoln County War in Lincoln County, New Mexico.
- 1884 – Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is published for the first time.
- 1901 – Winston Churchill makes his maiden speech in the House of Commons.
- 1929 – The first Academy Awards are announced.
- 1930 – While studying photographs taken in January, Clyde Tombaugh discovers Pluto.
- 1930 – Elm Farm Ollie becomes the first cow to fly in a fixed-wing aircraft and also the first cow to be milked in an aircraft.
- 1932 – The Empire of Japan declares Manzhouguo (the obsolete Chinese name for Manchuria) independent from the Republic of China.
- 1943 – The Nazis arrest the members of the White Rose movement.
- 1943 – Joseph Goebbels delivers the Sportpalast speech.
- 1948 – Eamon de Valera resigns as Taoiseach of Ireland.
- 1955 – Operation Teapot: Teapot test shot "Wasp" is successfully detonated at the Nevada Test Site with a yield of 1.2 kilotons. Wasp is the first of fourteen shots of the Teapot series.
- 1957 – Kenyan rebel leader Dedan Kimathi is executed by the British colonial government.
- 1965 – The Gambia becomes independent from the United Kingdom.
- 1970 – The Chicago Seven are found not guilty of conspiring to incite riots at the 1968 Democratic National Convention.
- 1972 – The California Supreme Court in the case of People v. Anderson, 6 Cal.3d 628 invalidates the state's death penalty and commutes the sentences of all death row inmates to life in prison.
- 1977 – The Space Shuttle Enterprise test vehicle is carried on its maiden "flight" sitting on top of a Boeing 747.
- 1979 – Snow fell in the Sahara Desert in southern Algeria for the only time in recorded history.
- 1983 – Thirteen people die and one is seriously injured in the Wah Mee Massacre in Seattle, Washington. It is said to be the largest robbery-motivated mass-murder in U.S. history.
- 1991 – The IRA explodes bombs in the early morning at both Paddington station and Victoria station in London.
- 1998 – Two white separatists are arrested in Nevada and accused of plotting a biological attack on New York City subways.
- 2001 – FBI agent Robert Hanssen is arrested for spying for the Soviet Union. He is ultimately convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
- 2003 – Comet C/2002 V1 (NEAT) makes perihelion, seen by SOHO.