Happy Friday the 13th all. For those of you that are superstitious I hope you all especially had a healthy and accident free day! :-)

Our friend Ms. Pam Hale, Lead Business Development Specialist at the SBA Washington Metropolitan Area District Office invites all VOSBs and SDVOSBs to attend a cost-free SBA, September 28, 2010, Veterans Small Business Conference. The attached flyer is provided.. Thanks Pam!

Prayers and blessings for you and your loved ones and for our Troops and their loved ones everywhere.

Sincerely..................Wayne

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VA News for Friday, August 13, 2010

1. Hall Encouraged By VA's Test Of Paperless Claims Processing System. In continuing coverage, US Rep. John Hall (D-NY) writes in a post for the "Congress Blog" for The Hill (8/13, 21K), "Last week, the Veterans Administration announced that it was starting a pilot program to test its new paperless claims processing system." Hall says that while this "project is long overdue" and that veterans "and Members of Congress should...still" call on VA to enact further reforms, it is "encouraging as...VA continues to improve its service to our veterans and become an organization for the digital age." Hall concludes his post by praising VA Secretary Eric Shinseki, arguing that VA "has made great strides in improving the way we care for our veterans and changing its culture into a Veterans advocate rather than an adversary."
Service Officer: Online Benefits Application Part Of VA Attempt To Go Paperless. On its website, KTXS-TV Abilene, TX (8/12, Skow) said veterans "may be able to access medical benefits sooner," because the Department of Veterans Affairs is allowing them to fill out their medical benefits application and "send it online. Abilene Veterans Services Officer Jimmy Defoor," who "believes a younger generation of vets will...easily" utilize this new tool, "says, 'This is...VA's effort that they keep talking about, trying to go paperless with everything.'" After noting that Defoor "says the department is still about 20 years away from being able to do just that," KTXS pointed out that a veteran, whom KTXS does not identify by name, "says the backlog in...VA is 'unconscionable.'" KTXS-TV San Angelo, TX (8/12, 6:04 p.m. CT) aired a similar report.

2. Nebraska Veterans Cemetery To Be Dedicated Today. On its website, KCSR-AM Chadron, NE (8/12, Fankhauser) reported, "The Nebraska Veterans Cemetery being constructed near Alliance will be dedicated" on Friday, "with an entire day full of activities, including a speech" by Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman.

3. Research Initiative Directed By VA Doctor "Bearing Fruit." In a front page story, the New York Times (8/13, A1, Kolata, 1.09M) says the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) is "bearing fruit with a wealth of recent scientific papers on the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's using methods like PET scans and tests of spinal fluid." After noting that over 100 studies being conducted under the initiative to "test drugs that might slow or stop" Alzheimer's, the Times points out that Dr. Michael W. Weiner "of the San Francisco Department of Veterans Affairs...directs ADNI."

4. Study Co-Funded By VA Finds Prostate Cancer Drug Is Not Being Widely Prescribed. In continuing coverage, HealthDay (8/13, Reinberg) reports, "Even though a major study found that the drug finasteride could reduce the risk of prostate cancer by 25 percent, it is still not being widely prescribed for that purpose, Veterans Administration researchers report" in the "September issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention." The "study was funded by the VA National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and the US Department of Defense -- Prostate Cancer Research Program. Although the doctors" in the study "all came from the VA medical system," Dr. Linda Kinsinger, the study's lead researcher, "said these results most likely mirror what is happening throughout the United States."

5. Families Concerned Agent Orange Use May Have Led To Cancer Cluster Near Fort Detrick. In continuing coverage, the WTTG-TV Washington, DC (8/12, Chavez) website said that on Thursday night, residents of Frederick, Maryland, "continued their fight to prove that chemical contamination at Fort Detrick is causing deadly cancer clusters." After noting that nearly "150 people showed up for the Frederick County Health Department's first hearing to determine whether there is a cancer cluster in Frederick," WTTG said many of the families living near Fort Detrick are "concerned that the fort used chemicals like Agent Orange in the past and now they are suffering." Fort Detrick, meanwhile, "says it's cooperating with the investigation and is leaving it up to health officials."
The Frederick (MD) News-Post (8/13, Eckstein, 38K) also takes note of Thursday's hearing, and, in a separate article, says its own archives, "government documents and Fort Detrick's website all chronicle the Army post's Vietnam-era testing of Agent Orange, a defoliant that has since been proven to cause cancers, Parkinson's disease, skin conditions and more." The Gaithersburg (MD0 Gazette (8/13, Heerbrandt), however, reports Detrick scientists "said this week they only recently found out that field research on Agent Orange was conducted at the base."

6. Official Says VA Has Adopted Standard Identifier For All Vets To Use. In continuing coverage, NextGov (8/12, Brewin) reported, "The Veterans Affairs Department has adopted a standard identifier for all veterans to use in all its systems, including one to build electronic health records that will follow them from enlistment to death, VA's chief information officer said on Wednesday. The identifier will apply to the department's entire universe of beneficiaries and will support data exchange for a joint project with the Defense Department called the Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record for active-duty military personnel and veterans, which President Obama announced in April 2009, CIO Roger Baker said during a press briefing." NextGov pointed out that VA adopted the Electronic Data Interchange Personal Identifier "standard six weeks ago."

7. Congressman Donates Frequent Flyer Miles So WWII Vet's Widow Can Attend His Funeral. CNN Newsroom (8/12, 10:44 a.m. ET) broadcast that the widow of decorated World War II veteran Vernon Baker has said she cannot afford to make a trip to see her husband be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. However, US Rep. Walt Minnick (D-ID), who is himself a veteran, told CNN in a phone interview that he has donated some of his frequent flyer miles so that Baker's widow can attend the funeral. Minnick, who also told CNN he has encouraged his constituents to contribute money for the widow's travel, went on to say that he thinks he will introduce legislation in Congress so that in the future, assistance will be available to military family members going through the same thing Baker's widow has been experiencing.

8. Senate Resolution Notes Ted Stevens' WWII Service. In continuing coverage, the AP (8/13) notes that on Thursday, the US Senate "expressed its 'profound sorrow and deep regret' over the death of former Sen. Ted Stevens, a commanding presence there for four decades." Among other things, a memorial resolution noted Stevens' "service as a pilot during World War II."

9. Ceremony To Honor WWII Vets, Mark Anniversary Of War's End. The Alexandria (LA) Town Talk (8/13, 30K) reports, "A ceremony to honor World War II veterans and mark the 65th anniversary of the end of that war is set for 10 a.m." Friday, "Aug. 13, at Veterans Memorial Plaza at Alexandria City Hall." The event is "part of the 'Keep The Spirit Of '45 Alive' National Day Of Remembrance."

10. South Pacific Island Searched For WWII Vets' Remains. CNN Newsroom (8/12, 10:22 a.m. ET) broadcast that a US military unit specializing in "finding the remains of missing Americans around the world lost in battle" is currently in the South Pacific, searching for the unmarked graves of World War II vets left behind on the island of Tarawa. After noting that one of the "deadliest battles of World War II" took place on that island, CNN said it is the "first of six sites to be excavated." CNN added, "Historic researchers believe more than a hundred Marines could be found during this mission."

11. Lawmaker Presents Five Medals To WWII Vet. The Duncan (OK) Banner (8/13, Hopper) notes that on Wednesday, US Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) "made a special trip" to VFW Hugh Cherry Post 1192 in Duncan, where he presented five medals to World War II veteran Harold T. Garvin.

12. Stand Down For Veterans To Be Held This Month In Alaska. The fourth item in Dermot Cole's Fairbanks (AL) Daily News-Miner (8/13) column notes that the "12th annual Stand Down for veterans will be held" on "Saturday, Aug. 21 at the Pioneer Park civic center." Cole adds, "Call the Fairbanks Vet Center at 456-4238 for more details."

13. Vet, Wife Praise Fisher House. According to the WLOX-TV Biloxi, MS (8/12, Lawson) website, Fisher Houses "can be found at military bases all around the country," including Keesler Air Force Base. WLOX noted that veteran Yohan Nilsen and his wife "love the place."

14. Vet Center Team Leader To Speak At Community Conversation Event. The fifth "Military Briefs" item for the Escondido, California-based North County Times (8/13) reports from Temecula, California, noting that on August 18th at 6:30 p.m., the "Mary Phillips Senior Center in Old Town will host a community conversation on the topic of 'Dealing with PTSD' and will discuss treatments shown to be effective" for post-traumatic stress disorder. Guest speakers "include Doug Allmen, team leader" at a Vet Center operated by the US Department of Veteran Affairs.

15. Ex-Guardsman Finds Cemetery Duty Fulfilling. Jean Edwards' column in the Batavia (IL) Sun (8/12, Hulings, 9K).

16. '45 Comes Alive At North Coast Harbor. Larece Galer's column for the Willoughby (OH) News-Herald (8/13, 37K).

17. Event To Mark War's End In 1945. A letter to the editor of the Baton Rouge (LA) Advocate (8/13, B8) from USS KIDD Veterans Memorial Executive Director Maury Drummond.

18. VA Data Breach Reports Available Online. Federal Computer Week (8/13, Lipowicz).

19. VA Uses Recovery Act Money To Enhance Cemeteries. The Leavenworth (KS) Times (8/13).

20. Cemetery To Get Improvements. The Muskogee (OK) Phoenix (8/12, Purtell).

21. House Panel Investigates Military Death Benefits. NPR (8/13, Naylor).

22. New Butler VA Facili ty To Reflect Changing Needs. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (8/12, Kane).

23. Susanville VA Clinic To Get Official Grand Opening After 3 Months. The Reno (NV) Gazette-Journal (8/13).

24. Fayetteville Selected As Region Site For Veterans Day Observance. The Fayetteville (NC) Observer (8/13).

25. Local Combat Vets Find Help Coping With PTSD. The Price (UT) Sun Advocate (8/13, A1, Scannell).

26. Group Plans Car Show At Veterans Hospital. The Proviso (IL) Herald (8/13, Foster).

27. Lorain New Site Of Rally To Help Save St. Joseph's. According to the Lisbon (OH) Morning Journal (8/12, Metz, 11K), Lorain County Commissioner Lori Kokoski "and a group of individuals have decided to rally in Lorain in support of the St. Joseph Community Center" and a Veterans Affairs clinic, "rather than travel to Washington, DC, to lobby for support." The Morning Journal added, "The St. Joe's center," which "houses...the clinic," has "struggled due to costly utility bills and Lorain city officials are working to transfer the facility to a private owner. In July, Lorain City Council agreed the city would operate the center until Sept. 30."

28. Acupuncturist Offers Free Treatments To Vets. The Grand Junction (CO) Free Press (8/13, Sullivan, 15K) reports, "Before Grand Junction acupuncturist Audrey Barrett," sister of an Afghanistan vet, "moved to Colorado in 2007, she made a list of towns with Veterans Affairs hospitals because she knew she wanted to work with vets." However, it was not "until her last year of acupuncture school...it became clear to Barrett that she'd be working specifically with veterans as a part of her practice. Barrett, who has a private practice on Seventh Street, has begun offering monthly free group acupuncture treatments to veterans."

29. Youngsters 'Rock The Boat' With Library Community Cleanup. The Highland (CA) Community News (8/13, 13K) reports, "At the Highland Sam J. Racadio Library and Environmental Learning Center, Young Adult Specialist Erin Salser likes to 'rock the boat' with some of her teen programs." Salser, who "brings awareness front and center with her annual 'Valentines for Vets' program where teens, along with a few adults and children, create valentines to be sent to the veterans" at the Loma Linda Veterans Affairs Hospital, "encourages her teens to open their minds and experience new things."

30. Woman Wants To Make Paralysis Chance To Motivate Others. The Muskogee (OK) Phoenix (8/13, Purtell).

31. Eye Injuries Increase In Veterans. NPR (8/12).

32. Wounded Warriors Stop In Durango. The Durango (CO) Herald (8/13, Andrews).

33. Hensarling Hears From Dallas County Veterans. The Mesquite (TX) News (8/13).

34. Dundee Marine Isn't Letting 22 Buddies Perish Without Tribute. The Toledo (OH) Blade (8/13, Howe).

35. With His Cane, Vietnam Vet Thwarts Would-Be Robber At Tampa Walgreens. The St. Petersburg (FL) Times (8/12, Rossetter, Velde).

36. The Colonel Is A Real Scrapper. The Culpeper (VA) Star-Exponent (8/13, Champion, 7K).

37. Remains Identified As Missing Vietnam War Soldiers. The AP (8/13, Miller).

38. On the Hill for August 12, 2010:

The Senate is adjourned until Monday, Sept. 13.

The House is adjourned until Monday, Aug. 9, when it will convene at 7 p.m. in a pro forma session. No votes are expected.

Senate: Not in session.

House: Not in session.

39. VA Hearings as of August 13, 2010:

Hearing on September 15. HVAC will hold a hearing entitled, "Personality Disorders Discharges: Impact on Veterans' Benefits."

Hearing on September 16. The Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity will hold a hearing to receive an update on the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill.

Hearing on September 16. HVAC, Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs will hold a hearing on "VBA Claims Processing Training Requirements."

Hearing on September 22. The American Legion will give its annual briefing on its legislative agenda before a joint hearing of SVAC and HVAC.

Hearing on September 23. SVAC Oversight Hearing: "VA Disability Compensation: Presumptive Disability Decision-Making."

Hearing on September 23. HVAC, Subcommittee on Health, will conduct a hearing on "VHA Contracting and Procurement Practices."

Hearing on September 29. HVAC, Subcommittee on Health will hold a hearing on pending legislation.

40. Today in History:

1516 - The Treaty of Noyon between France and Spain is signed. Francis recognises Charles's claim to Naples, and Charles recognises Francis's claim to Milan.

1521 - Tenochtitl?n (present day Mexico City) falls to conquistador Hern?n Cort?s.
1536 - Buddhist monks from Ky�to's Enryaku Temple set fire to 21 Nichiren temples throughout Kyoto in the Tenbun Hokke Disturbance. (Traditional Japanese date: July 27, 1536).
1553 - Michael Servetus is arrested by John Calvin in Geneva as a heretic.
1704 - War of the Spanish Succession: Battle of Blenheim - English and Austrians victorious over French and Bavarians.
1792 - Louis XVI of France is formally arrested by the National Tribunal, and declared an enemy of the people.
1814 - The Convention of London, a treaty between the United Kingdom and the United Provinces, is signed in London.
1831 - Nat Turner sees a solar eclipse, which he believes is a sign from God. Eight days later he and 70 other slaves kill approximately 55 whites in Southampton County, Virginia.
1889 - German Ferdinand von Zeppelin patents his "Navigable Balloon"
1913 - Otto Witte, an acrobat, is purportedly crowned King of Albania.
1913 - First production in the UK of stainless steel by Harry Brearley.
1918 - Women enlist in the United States Marine Corps for the first time. Opha Mae Johnson is the first woman to enlist.
1918 - Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW) established as a public company in Germany.
1920 - Polish-Soviet War: Battle of Warsaw begins, lasts till August 25. The Red Army is defeated.
1937 - Battle of Shanghai begins.
1954 - Radio Pakistan broadcasts the National Anthem of Pakistan for the first time.
1960 - The Central African Republic declares independence from France.
1961 - The German Democratic Republic closes the border between the eastern and western sectors of Berlin, to thwart its inhabitants' attempts to escape to the West.
1968 - Alexandros Panagoulis attempts to assassinate the Greek dictator Colonel G. Papadopoulos in Varkiza, Athens.
1969 - The Apollo 11 astronauts are released from a three-week quarantine to enjoy a ticker-tape parade in New York. That evening, at a state dinner in Los Angeles, they're awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Richard Nixon.
1978 - 150 Palestinians in Beirut are killed in a terrorist attack during the Second Phase of the Lebanese Civil War.
1979 - The roof of the uncompleted Rosemont Horizon near Chicago, Illinois collapses, killing 5 workers and injuring 16.
2004 - Hurricane Charley, a Category 4 storm, strikes Punta Gorda, Florida and devastates the surrounding area.
2004 - 156 Congolese Tutsi refugees massacred at the Gatumba refugee camp in Burundi.
2008 - Michael Phelps sets the Olympic record for most the gold medals won by an individual in Olympic history with his win in the men's 200m butterfly.

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National Association
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Weekly Update

August 13, 2010

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"Our liberties, our values, all for which America stands is safe today because brave men and women have been ready to face the fire at freedom's front. And we thank God for them."

~ Ronald Reagan ~

WASHINGTON REPORT

Legislative Week in Brief, the Irony of Priorities

The Senate and House remain in recess until September 13. On Tuesday, however, the House returned for a day to give final passage of a $23 billion supplemental appropriations bill for federal medical programs and State teacher salaries. And the Senate returned Thursday to approve a $600 million bill (H.R. 6080) making emergency supplemental appropriations for border security for the fiscal year ending a month from now on Sept. 30, 2010. Meanwhile with our Armed Forces engaged in combat, Defense Department Secretary Robert Gates announced major cuts at Defense.

DoD Secretary Plans Higher TRICARE Fees in FY 2012

Monday, Defense Secretary Robert Gates held a press conference to announce a series of initiatives to cut defense spending and state his intent to increase TRICARE fees.

Asked by a reporter when it would be time to control rising health care costs, either through TRICARE premium increases or reducing plan coverage, Secretary Gates said, "Yesterday." Gates went on to say, "There are no sacred cows, and health care cannot be excepted."

With billions of dollars being spent on tens-of-thousands of federal pork projects and numerous supplemental funding bills, the Secretary focused on reducing earned benefits to offset the costs of national security.

For the past several months Gates has been working on a plan to cut $100 billion in defense spending over the next five years. While there are many aspects of his plan that deserve close review, it is clear that shifting the cost of earned healthcare benefits from DoD to the retiree is a key component of the Secretary's plan.

NAUS will continue to work with Congress to ensure that improvements in Pentagon efficiencies are achieved without endangering the earned benefits of those who have served a career in the military defending our nation and its freedom.

NAUS urges readers to remind their representatives in Washington about the importance of earned healthcare benefits. Let them know your vote in November is contingent upon their support to uphold the promises made for a life of military service.

Elimination of US Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM)

At Monday's press conference, Defense Secretary Gates also announced plans to eliminate US Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM), headquartered in Norfolk, VA. USJFCOM is one of ten combatant commands that, as its name implies, coordinates the training, operations, and capabilities of the different service branches.

Secretary Gates also announced a number of immediate steps he will take, like reducing the funding for support contractor personnel 10 percent a year for the next three years. He would also freeze employment in the Pentagon and combatant command at the fiscal 2010 manpower levels for the next three years. He would also cut to a minimum of 50 the number of Admiral and General officers and their staffs.

The secretary's decision to close USJFCOM is part of broader DoD effort to cut $100 billion in defense spending over the next 5 years. He declined to say exactly how much would be saved by the closure, but he expects to dismantle the command over the coming year.

The political backlash to the announcement was swift and fierce, particularly among Virginia lawmakers. Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) called the move a "step backward" and one that could hurt military capability. Rep. Glenn Nye (D-VA) ripped the decision, calling it "short-sighted and without merit." Rep. Rob Wittman said, "the decision appears to have been made without thoughtful consideration of long-term strategic implications for our national defense."

Rep. Ike Skelton (D-MO), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, released a statement saying he would hold hearings on the proposed closure once Congress returns from its August recess.

Congress will likely fight the secretary's decision in the same manner as past Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) recommendations. Thousands of jobs are at stake and the subject of USJFCOM closing and military cuts in general is expected to be a hot topic when Congress returns in September.

NAUS Meets with White House Officials on Mariners "Belated Thank You"

On Wednesday, NAUS President Bill Matz met with key White House staff to discuss progress on the Merchant Mariner "Belated Thank You" legislation (H.R. 23 and S. 663).

During a more than one-hour meeting in the West Wing, President Matz, Terry Turner with Seafarers International, and Legislative Director Rick Jones spoke with senior policy and budget staff on the status of the legislation and the opportunity for its passage.

While the road ahead is uncertain, NAUS is confident that the issue is better understood and serious attention is under consideration at the White House, and it is appreciated.

As Mariners recall, President Obama, then a U.S. Senator, cosponsored "The Belated Thank You" bill and wrote in a 2007 letter to Merchant Mariners that he was "proud to stand with you (Mariners) in this effort" to "honor your brave service."

NAUS continues its effort to see that the brave men of the Merchant Marine can be honored with final passage of "The Belated Thank You" bill.

Virginia IT Group to Help Fix Arlington Cemetery Problems

Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) recently announced that a group of Northern Virginia IT companies has volunteered to help draw up a plan to modernize the record keeping at Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) with no cost to the taxpayers.

In a press release sent to his constituents Senator Warner said: "I am extremely happy to report to you today that, after several weeks of discussions with U.S. Army Secretary John McHugh and others, the Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) has reached an agreement to partner with the Army on a 21st century plan to fix the 19th century recordkeeping practices still in use at ANC."

The NVTC will organize a volunteer team of IT professionals from 15 of its leading member companies to provide the Army with a written assessment, and a clear-cut plan, to digitize and preserve the paper records at Arlington.

NVTC members are offering this valuable gift with no strings attached. They are donating their IT expertise -- they will produce this written assessment for free -- and the team of IT professionals will start work on this important project immediately." NAUS Note: It is good to hear some good news concerning ANC and that this plan is being donated is even better. NAUS called on ANC to update its organization and thanks the NVTC for stepping up to help coordinate this important effort.

Gulf War Anniversary

August marks the 20th anniversary of the start of the Gulf War when Iraq invaded and occupied Kuwait. NAUS salutes all who have served in this conflict.

Senator Ted Stevens

Former Alaska Senator Ted Stevens died in a plane crash Monday. He was 86. Stevens served as Senator from 1964 to 2009.

Senator Stevens, a decorated World War II veteran, played a key role in Alaska achieving Statehood. He held several key posts during his tenure in the Senate, including service as Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee In this position, he was a fierce defender of active duty military members and the benefits they earned. He was instrumental in ensuring adequate funding for TRICARE and many other quality of life issues for our active and retired military men and women.

Senator Stevens survived the crash of a Learjet 25C at Anchorage International Airport on Dec. 4, 1978, that killed five people, including his first wife, Ann. His second wife Catherine and his six children survive him.

Rep. Dan Rostenkowski

Former Representative Dan Rostenkowski (D-IL) died at his Wisconsin vacation home on Wednesday. Rostenkowski served for two years in the Army after enlisting in 1946. In Congress, the Illinois Democrat served for 13 years, starting in 1981, as the powerful chairman of the Ways and Means Committee and had a hand in some of the most important legislation of that period.

HEALTH CARE NEWS

TRICARE Sets Gray Area Retiree Premiums

Last year, Congress approved the creation of the TRICARE Reserve Retired program, a premium-paid TRICARE Standard coverage plan for "gray area" Reserve retirees. The program is planned to start in the fall. The Premium rates were unveiled on Aug. 6 and are quite pricey. The premiums -- $388.31 per month for single coverage and $976.41 a month for family coverage -- have been set high enough to cover the full cost of the program because the benefit is not subsidized by the government.

Immunization Month

The Military Health System (MHS) recognizes August as Immunization Awareness Month. During the course of the month, the MHS partners with the Military Vaccine (MILVAX) Agency to encourage service members, veterans and family members to receive their scheduled vaccinations. Click on the links provided to learn more.

ACTIVE DUTY NEWS

DoD Launches "Lessons Learned" Blog

This week DoD launched a new blog that seeks to bring lessons learned to an accessible online platform. Titled "In Their Own Words: Lessons Learned in Today's Military" the blog aims to provide a platform for service members, veterans and families to share thoughts and experiences on a variety of topics. Each month, the blog will feature a different topic ranging from multiple deployments to the military family.

New Navy Message System

The Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS) and Navy Personnel Command will transition to a new message system beginning this month. All unclassified message traffic from BUPERS and NPC, including permanent change of station orders, will be sent via command e-mail. BUPERS is also fielding a new system called Government Official Information Exchange System (GOES), which will act as a router for all BUPERS official information destined for command e-mail or other Web-based applications. GOES will continue to deliver information to BUPERS online so users will still be able to access messages posted there.

Child Care Fee Policy Announced

The Department of Defense has announced the school year 2010/2011 childcare fee policy. Changes will impact families who have children enrolled in DoD child development centers and school age care programs. The DoD broadened childcare fee ranges from six to nine categories and raised the income cap on each fee range. Each military service will provide fee guidelines specific to their installations. The policy will adjust fee ranges in childcare programs across the services and will be implemented no later than Sept. 30, 2010. For more information, contact your local child development center and school-age care program.

VETERANS NEWS

Job Help For Wounded Vets

The Recovery and Employment Assistance Lifelines program helps wounded service members and veterans to transition back into the civilian sector. The program is sponsored by the Department of Labor and works in conjunction with military medical transition centers and career workforce agencies to support the economic recovery and reemployment of transitioning injured service members and their families. All service members in the program are eligible for the services offered at the more than 3,500 One-Stop career centers the Department of Labor runs nationwide. For more information, visit the REALifelines webpage and the Career One Stop website.

Disability Benefits for Wounded Warriors

Military service members and veterans can receive expedited processing of disability claims from Social Security. Benefits available through Social Security are different than those from the Department of Veterans Affairs and require a separate application. For more information, visit the Social Security Administration website.

NAUS NEWS

NAUS on the Road

On August 27, NAUS Legislative Director Rick Jones will be the keynote speaker at the Hill AFB, Utah, Retiree Appreciation Day. Come out and bring a friend.

TN-1 Chapter Meeting

Upper East Tennessee Chapter, TN-1 invites members and guests to come hear keynote speaker Dr. Donald Bruce, Associate Professor and Graduate Director, U of Tenn. Center for Business and Economic Research. Dr. Bruce will speak at the Aug 17th chapter meeting at 11:30 at McGhee Tyson ANG Armed Forces Club. Topic will be A Separate COLA for Seniors. Dr. Bruce was recently tasked with providing data for H.R. 5305, the CPI for Seniors Act, introduced by Rep John Duncan, (TN-2). All active duty, veterans, reserves and retirees of all services are welcome. Call MSGT Jim Watson, 983-2104 or Capt. Tom Teague, 789-5896 for more info.

Get Yours in Our Annual "I Got Mine!" Member-Get-A-Member Campaign

Do you have a son or daughter serving or who has served in the military? A cousin? A sibling? A friend? A neighbor? Invite them to join you as a member of NAUS to help protect their benefits. For each new member you recruit during the 2010 I Got Mine! Member-get-a-Member Campaign, you'll receive one entry into the prize drawing pool. The more members you recruit, the more chances you have to win! You could win prizes like a NAUS sweatshirt or the Grand Prize: a $500 Marriott gift card! The campaign runs through Oct. 15, 2010. For a complete list of prizes, campaign rules, application forms and other information to help you get yours, click here.

Our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen stand in harm's way around the globe to defend our nation and our cherished liberties. NAUS asks you to please pray for their continued strength and protection-and pray as well for their families, who daily stand in support of their spouses, fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, and brothers and sisters.

GODBLESSAMERICA

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Godspeed,

Wayne

FW: VA and NAUS News for Friday, August 13, 2010, and some other scoop

Virginia IT Group to Help Fix Arlington Cemetery Problems