1. Shinseki: Report By Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses Task Force Nearly Complete. The lead item in George W. Reilly's "Veterans Journal" column for the Providence (RI) Journal (3/8) notes, "Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki announced on Feb. 27 that the department's Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses Task Force has nearly completed a comprehensive report that will redefine how VA addresses the needs of ill veterans who deployed during the Gulf War in 1990 and 1991." Reilly adds, "Task Force chairman John Gingrich, VA's chief of staff and a retired Army officer who served during the Gulf War, said, 'Reaching out to Gulf War veterans is not only essential to our transformation of VA, for many of us it is also personal.'"
2. After VA Finds Errors, EHR Network Portal Shut Down. In continuing coverage, Computer World (3/6, Mearian) reported, "The electronic health record (EHR) network portal for the US Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) was shut down this week after the VA found errors in some patients' medical data that clinicians downloaded from the defense network, according to a patient safety alert." After noting that the "decision to shut down the portal was first reported" by NextGov, Computer World added, "According to the VA, no patients were harmed as a result of the errors in the EHR system."
3. Quantico's Wounded Warrior Regiment Helps Marines Heal. In an article headlined "Marines Taking Care of Their Own," the Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star (3/7, Dennen) reports on the Wounded Warrior Regiment at Quantico, Virginia, which coordinates care for Marines injured in combat in Iraq or Afghanistan. Among the services it offers are family support, clinical services staff to help with care coordination, chaplains, recovery care coordinators, job transition assistance, liaisons with the Department of Veterans Affairs" and with 23 support offices in the US and overseas.
4. Wounded Iraq Combat Veteran Gets Home Makeover. The Orlando Sentinel (3/7, Palm, 222K) reports, "The house on Enclave Drive in South Orlando looks just like any other suburban home, but hundreds of people gathered Saturday to begin the process of making it special. The five-bedroom, three bathroom house is being renovated for William Castillo, a U.S. Army veteran who was severely injured and lost a leg in 2007 in Iraq." A project of the New York-based Building Homes For Heroes a New York-based group that raises money to renovate homes that are donated, mortgage-free to wounded veterans, the project was aided by contributions from foundations begun by a local restaurant chain and a country club. The group, which has thus far rebuilt seven homes nationwide, hopes to finish one or two Florida homes each year.
5. Female USMC Teams Train To Assist Afghan Women. The New York Times (3/7, Bumiller, 1.09M) reports that 40 Marines are set to "begin work as members of the first full-time 'female engagement teams,' the military's name for four- and five-member units that will accompany men on patrols in Helmand Province to try to win over the rural Afghan women who are culturally off limits to outside men. The teams, which are to meet with the Afghan women in their homes, assess their need for aid and gather intelligence, are part of Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal's campaign for Afghan hearts and minds." The Times adds, "The teams reflect how much the military has adapted over nine years of war, not only in the way it fights but to the shifting gender roles within its ranks."
6. VA Hospital Co-Hosting Donation Drive For Victims Of Rape, Domestic Violence. The second item in "Helping Works" for the Boise-based Idaho Statesman (3/7, Webb, 61K) noted that the Veterans Affairs hospital in Boise and the Women's and Children's Alliance (WCA) are scheduled to "host a donation drive for victims of rape and domestic violence, March 15-26." The VA hospital "has coordinated this drive to promote an important campaign: the Department of Veterans Affairs national Women's Health Domestic Abuse Awareness Campaign, and to benefit clients" at a shelter run by the WCA.
7. Tampa's Athena Project Provides Transitional Housing For Female Veterans. The Tampa Tribune (3/7, Morelli, 196K) reports on the Athena Project, a program offered through Tampa Crossroads with financial assistance from the VA, that provides transitional housing for 10 previously homeless female military veterans. The current residence lacks room for children, but a facility planned to open in a year or so would meet that need.
8. Group Seeks Clearance For Transitional Housing For Homeless Female Veterans. The Connecticut Post (3/6, Torres) reports that the Female Soldier: Forgotten Heroes project plans to open the first transitional housing facility in the state for homeless female veterans. The group, which already runs a transitional facility in Bridgeport for male veterans, is seeking zoning approval to convert a three-story frame house in that city to a 17-bed transitional women's housing facility, including veterans with children under the age of 2, while offering vocational training, job placement, life-skills coaching and case management.
9. VA Has Programs To Aid Homeless Veterans. The "Veterans Corner" column for the Indiana (PA) Gazette (3/8, 15K).
10. Geriatrician Shortage Seems Likely To Worsen. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (3/7, Glauber, 224K) profiles geriatrician Dr. Edmund H. Duthie, who practices at a local hospital, teaches at a medical school and "is also the section leader in geriatric medicine at Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center." The article notes that while in 2008 the nation had under 7,600 board-certified geriatricians, by the year 2030, it will need 36,000, when over 75 million Americans will be age 65 and up. But, it adds, that looming shortage "is unlikely to be filled. The field is not as financially rewarding as others in medicine -- geriatricians in private practice earned a median salary of $161,888 in 2006. That's less than half the median salary of those in specialties such as radiology and orthopedics."
11. Massive Construction Industry Safety Drill Held At VA Building In Las Vegas. KLAS-TV Las Vegas (3/5) reported that a construction industry safety drill affecting 600 workers was held at the new Veterans Administration building near Pecos and 215. The account notes, "Dummies were used to represent workers" supposedly burned by a propane blast and "another was thrown from the building and had to be rescued by fire crews."
12. First Washington State Veterans Cemetery "Taking Shape." On its website, KREM-TV Spokane, WA (3/6, Langeler) said the "first Washington State Veterans Cemetery" is "taking shape." The "$8.8 million cemetery," which is "being built on land west" of Medical Lake, Washington, "will be dedicated on May 31."
13. Contact Congress, Not Veterans Affairs, To Get DD 214 Corrected, Law Professor Advises. On the "Legal Journal" call-in legal advice program on KHOU-TV Houston (3/6, 9:47 a.m. EST), law professor Gerald Treece advises a caller who says he's been trying for five years to obtain corrected military discharge papers showing his service in Vietnam that "the answer lies with going through the channel, and the channel is not the Veterans Affairs so much as it is accessing your member of Congress. They will then correspond with you and contact the Department of Veteran Affairs."
14. Ribbon Cut On Sikeston Outpatient Clinic. Sikeston (MO) Standard-Democrat (3/7, Feler, 7K) reports that a new community-based outpatient clinic in Sikeston, which held a ribbon cutting ceremony Friday, even though it began providing services in late December. The Sikeston outpatient clinic offers not only primary care services, but also more specialized services, including audiology, mental health and some radiology.
15. Advocate Hails State Law On Annual Day For Vietnam Veterans. In an op-ed in the Eureka (CA) Times-Standard (3/7, Young) a veterans advocate notes that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed a bill calling for an annual "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day," and encourages localities to issue resolutions in support of the commemoration. The writer also expresses his thanks to "the folks at the Eureka VA and Mental Health Clinics and our local Vet Center for the excellent care they provide."
16. Former Handlers Propose Memorial To Military Working Dogs. The AP (3/8) reports 62-year-old Larry Chilcoat, who served as an "Air Force sentry dog handler in Vietnam," is "one of three former military dog handlers who received Pentagon approval in January for a proposed Military Working Dog National Monument. The veterans presented plans for a bronze pedestal with a soldier and four dogs, designed by Brian Rich, of Fairfax Va." Rich is "uncle of a Marine dog handler, Cpl. Dustin Jerome Lee, who was killed by a rocket-propelled grenade on March 21, 2007, in Fallujah, Iraq."
17. Bataan Death March Memorials May Draw 6,000 Participants. The Las Cruces Sun-News (3/7, Ramirez, 22K) reports that as many as 6,000 people worldwide are expected to take part in memorials to the Bataan death March, by hiking 26.2 mile courses, with military participants in full field gear. The account notes that the local observance will take place March 21 on a mostly desert course through the White Sands Missile Range.
18. Initial Oklahoma Honor Flight Slated For May. The Daily Oklahoman (3/7, Schutz, 170K) reports that the first Oklahoma Honor Flight will travel to Washington on May 17. The article notes that 185 veterans have already applied for the 100 spaces available. It also adds that an Oklahoma state representative, one of the organizers of the event, has introduced a bill "seeking to provide a source of ongoing funding to Oklahoma Honor Flights."
19. Honor Flights Michigan Plans Four Flights This Year. The Macomb (MI) Daily (3/7, Kavanaugh, 48K) reports that four Honor Flights are planned from Michigan this year, as backers are working to raise another $30,000. Honor Flights Michigan has sent nearly 1,200 World War II veterans to Washington since getting underway in early 2007.
20. Ride2Recovery Slates Second Challenge In Texas. The San Marcos (TX) Record (3/6, 2K) reports that over 100 veterans with war wounds will take part in a seven-day bicycle tour through Texas. The second annual Texas Challenge is sponsored by "Ride 2 Recovery," part of the non-profit Fitness Challenge Foundation.
21. Stand Down Event In Algonquin Aims To Help Homeless Veterans. The Chicago Daily Herald (3/7, 130K) reports that the NASA Education Corp. "will sponsor the semiannual Stand Down for Veterans on Monday, March 8, and Tuesday, March 9" in Algonquin. Between 200 and 250 homeless veterans are expected to attend the McHenry County event, which provides medical screenings, meals, showers, overnight shelter, haircuts, clothing and information of employment and other services.
22. Musician "Still Beaming" From VA Hospital Gig. In continuing coverage, the AP (3/8, King) reports musician "Darius Rucker is still beaming" from a recent gig that involved going from "room to room" at a Veterans Affairs hospital in Nashville, Tennessee, "singing for one or two patients at a time." The organization "Musicians On Call arranged last week's visit as part of a nationwide effort to bring live and recorded music to patients." The AP notes that Rucker also "played a benefit concert" at the Hard Rock Cafe "in Nashville on Wednesday to raise money for Musicians on Call."
23. Local Veterans' Artwork To Be On Display At Denver VAMC. The KOAA-TV Colorado Springs, CO (3/7, Smith) website noted that on Monday, "artwork from local" veterans would "be on display" at the Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center's auditorium. Local "artists will judge the artwork" and "first place winning pieces will advance on to the national level," where they "will compete with entries submitted" by veterans from other VA facilities for a chance to "attend the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival in...La Crosse, Wisconsin in October."
24. Overton Brooks VAMC Holds First Warrior Run. KTBS-TV Shreveport (3/6,Caloway) reports that the Overton Brooks VA Medical Center "held the first Warrior Run Saturday morning." Over 400 people took part in the 5K/10K Walk/Run in Veterans Park that was intended to honor veterans and to raise funds for veterans' service programs sponsored by Volunteer Services at the VA Medical Center.
25. Witness Disputes Police Account Of Tasering Veterans Home Resident. WLUK-TV Green Bay, WI (3/6, 8:32 a.m. EST) reported that one woman who says she saw a local sheriff's deputy use of taser on an apparently disoriented elderly resident of a state veterans home. While the Waupuca County Sheriff's office maintains that its officer responded appropriately, eyewitness Kim Lick says that "it was horrifying because this elderly man did not know what was going on." The station noted that neither the veterans home nor the man's family could be reached for comment.
26. North Carolina Community Covenants Commitment To Military. The Greenville (NC) Daily Reflector (3/5, Livingston, 21K) repors that the Greenville City Council "was joined Thursday night by six members of the military in a ceremony that formalized the community's commitment to the nation's armed forces. The council and military representatives signed the Community Covenant, a statement that the community recognizes the commitment that the military and their families make every day." The account notes in passing that area communities "have supported the military by lobbying for an expanded Veterans Administration clinic in Greenville," according to one of the military representatives.
27. Local Lions Club Has Regular Visits With VA Nursing Home Residents. The Wilkes Barre (PA) Times-Leader (3/7) reports that the JLW Mountain Laurel Lions Club visits the local Veterans Meidcal Center nursing home on the first Saturday of each month, serving coffee and doughnuts to the patients.
28. Chicago Heights Veterans Mound Get Renovation. The Chicago area SouthtownStar (3/7, Toner) reports that, "Come this Memorial Day, the Veterans Mound off Chicago Road and Lincoln Highway will look a little brighter, a little more patriotic. That's because city foreman Andrew Suppes is helping to incorporate a series of World War II-themed mosaic tiles from the former VFW hall into the renovated display. It is scheduled to be completed by the end of May."
29. Providence VAMC Hosting Prostate Cancer Support Group. The third story in George W. Reilly's "Veterans Journal" column for the Providence (RI) Journal (3/8) reports the Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center "hosts an American Cancer Society-sponsored Man-to-Man prostate cancer support group, which will meet next Monday at 8:30 a.m., in classroom 3 on the 5th floor of building 1." The group "session is free and open to veterans and their family members coping with prostate cancer. This month's presenter is Asma Ahmed, a urology nurse practitioner, who will discuss prostate cancer screening and PSA test results."
30. Montgomery VAMC Official Praises Award-Winning Volunteer. The Muskogee (OK) Phoenix (3/8, 14K) reports, "Amy Hansen is the winner of this year's" Soroptimist Violet Richardson Award, which "is given to a young woman who volunteers in her community or school." Last "summer, Hansen volunteered more than 200 hours" at the Jack C. Montgomery Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and "has continued to volunteer there during this school year." Gregory T. Sorenson, the hospital's chief of Voluntary Service, "has high praise for Hansen," saying she does a "great job."
31. Group Thanked For Sending Items To Veterans Hospital. The Moultrie (GA) Observer (3/8, 7K) reports, "The Shaw Senior Gladiators...was organized in October of 2000, under the direction of Samuel 'Coach' Stewart and Phil Gregory of the City of Moultrie Recreation Department." During 2009, "they sent two large boxes of toiletries and other items to the Veterans Hospital in Lake City, Fla." After noting that the group usually does "this at least twice a year," the Observer adds, "They received a letter of 'thanks' from Nicky Adams, assistant chief of volunteer services at the Department of Veterans Affairs in Lake City, Fla., for the boxes."
32. Local Honor Flight Head Wins Community Service Award. The Mattoon, Illinois-based Journal Gazette and Times Courier (3/5, Stroud) reports that the local man who developed the East Central Illinois Honor Flight program taking local World War II veterans to Washington is one of six local residents to receive the local Jefferson Award for community service.
33. VA-Sponsored Bowling Tournament Draws 400. The Fort Wayne (IN) Journal Gazette (3/7, Scarlett) reports that a bowling tournament sponsored by the VA Medical Centers in Fort Wayne and Indianapolis drew over 400 contestants, including some of the nation's best keglers, with most participants "veterans, VA Medical Center employees or other government employees."
34. Veterans Thankful For Valentines. A letter to the editor of the Bethany Beach (DE) Wave (3/7) said veterans "at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home," Perry Point Veterans Affairs Medical Center, "Loch Raven VA Community Living and the Baltimore VA Medical Center again enjoyed receiving valentines from local children and adults" that were collected by the Republican Women of Worcester County.
35. Helenan Pitches Device For Detecting Carpal Tunnel, Traumatic Brain Injury. The Helena (MT) Independent Record (3/8, Kidston).
36. Bill Mauldin Stamp Honors Grunts' Hero. A column on the CNN (3/7) website by Bob Greene, who said the "United States Postal Service deserves a standing ovation for something that's going to happen this month: Bill Mauldin is getting his own postage stamp." Mauldin, who "died at age 81 in the early days of 2003," was a "kid cartoonist for Stars and Stripes, the military newspaper," during World War II.
37. Brothers In Arms. Bob Lind's column in The Forum Of Fargo-Moorhead (3/7), a newspaper in Fargo, North Dakota.
38. If They're Acting Weird, It Might Not Be An Act. In his Cumberland (MD) Times-News (3/6, 27K), Jim Goldsworthy listed things he has on his cubicle walls, including three "photos of soldiers," one who served in World War II, one who served in Vietnam, and one who served in Iraq, "that were given to me by a lady who used to work at the newspaper." Goldsworthy's walls also have virtual "rubbings from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial."
39. Silent Barriers. The New York Post (3/8, Moore, Erikson).
40. On the Hill for Week of March 8, 2010:
The Senate continues consideration of a bill to extend expired tax provisions as well as other programs, including unemployment insurance, flood insurance and COBRA health care subsidies. Senators are scheduled to vote on amendments Tuesday.
The House reconvenes Tuesday to consider a number of minor commemorative resolutions. Later in the week, the chamber takes up measures to encourage debt relief for Haiti, to expedite tax breaks for earthquake relief in Chile, and to set a timeline for withdrawing U.S. troops from Afghanistan.
The House is also expected to vote to impeach Judge G. Thomas Porteous Jr.
House
Monday: Not in session.
Tuesday: Convenes 2 p.m. for legislative business.
Under suspension of the rules:
H Res 1055 — National Robotics Week
H Res 1069 — Physics Nobel Prize winners
H Res 935 — National Medal of Technology and Innovation winners
HR 3650 — Algal blooms research
H Res 1032 — Fighting Mexican drug cartels
H Res 1088 — Albinism in East Africa
H Res 1107 — Greek independence
H Res 1036 — Korean Americans
HR 4621 — Census lookalike mailings
HR 4547 , HR 4624 — Post office namings
H Res 1091 — School Social Work Week
H Res 1047 — Rose Bowl winners
H Res 1142 — Silver Lake College
Wednesday: Convenes 10 a.m.
Thursday: Convenes 10 a.m
Friday: Convenes 9 a.m.
Under suspension of the rules:
HR 4573 — Haiti debt relief
H Res 1087 — John H. “Jack” Ruffin Jr.
H Res 1115 — Enrique “Kiki” Camarena
H Con Res 249 — “Bloody Sunday”
H Res 1081 — Teen dating violence
H Res 1061 — Court security officers
Draft — Tax breaks for Chile earthquake relief
Subject to a rule:
H Con Res 248 — Withdrawing U.S. troops from Afghanistan
Privileged resolution:
H Res 1031 — Impeaching Judge G. Thomas Porteous Jr.
Senate
Monday: Convenes 2 p.m.
No roll call votes expected.
HR 4213 — Extending tax provisions and other programs
Tuesday – Friday: Convene times TBA.
Roll call votes expected.
HR 4213 — Extending tax provisions and other programs
HR 2847 — Job creation package (tentative)
S 1451 — FAA reauthorization (tentative)
Markups
House Rules considers rules for floor debate for a resolution calling for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan ( H Con Res 248 ). 5 p.m. Tuesday, H-313 Capitol
Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions votes on nominations. Wednesday, time and location TBA
House Veterans’ Affairs marks up pending legislation. 10 a.m. Wednesday, 334 Cannon
Senate Judiciary marks up bills on cocaine sentencing disparities ( S 1789 ), criminal justice grants ( S 2772 ), medical bankruptcy ( S 1624 ), hate crimes against the homeless ( S 1765 ) and manufacturing pricing agreements ( S 148 ); also votes on nominations. 10 a.m. Thursday, 226 Dirksen
Hearing Highlights
Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee hearings on fiscal 2011 funding for the Interior Department, with Secretary Ken Salazar . 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, 124 Dirksen
Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions hearing on reauthorizing the “No Child Left Behind” education law. 2 p.m. Tuesday, 430 Dirksen
Senate Foreign Relations hearing on global health programs, with philanthropist Bill Gates. 10 a.m. Wednesday, 419 Dirksen
Senate Judiciary hearing on corporate spending in federal elections. 10 a.m. Wednesday, 226 Dirksen
House Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on fiscal 2011 funding for the Labor Department, with Secretary Hilda L. Solis . 10 a.m. Wednesday, 2359 Rayburn
House Veterans’ Affairs hearing on restructuring the Veterans Affairs Department. 10 a.m. Wednesday, 334 Cannon
Senate Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on fiscal 2011 funding for the Health and Human Services Department, with Secretary Kathleen Sebelius . 2 p.m. Wednesday, 124 Dirksen
Senate Transportation-HUD Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on fiscal 2011 funding for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, with Secretary Shaun Donovan . 9:30 a.m. Thursday, 138 Dirksen
Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation hearing on the proposed merger of Comcast and NBC Universal. 10 a.m. Thursday, 253 Russell
House Agriculture hearing on U.S. agricultural sales to Cuba. 1 p.m. Thursday, 1300 Longworth
41. Today in History:
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From: Ms. Bridget Bean, Director, SBA, Washington Metropolitan Area District Office (You fantastic Lady Veterans should read this proposed Rule) Thank you Ms. Bean!
Sent: Mon 3/8/2010 1:30 PM
Subj: FW: FR Public Inspection: WOSB Proposed Rule
FYI - The WOSB rule is available for public inspection at http://www.federalregister.gov/inspection.aspx Please feel free to forward to any interested parties.
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, PROPOSED RULES - Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program
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From: Kevin Secor at VA
Sent: Mon 3/8/2010 4:26 AM
Subject: HAVE YOU HEARD?
U.S. News and World Report columnist Paul Bedard wrote last week that Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki is considered one of the Obama Administrations five best secretaries. “Typically, State, Treasury, and Defense lead the pack, followed by Commerce,” Bedard wrote, “but under Obama, Treasury has fallen.” He noted that Washington insiders include Defense Secretary Gates and Secretary of State Clinton on their lists of the best but then add Veterans Affairs, Transportation and Education, usually considered “second tier”. “That's because all three secretaries are bringing new energy to the stodgy posts,” Bedard wrote. “Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki has turned an agency that is at the bottom of lists in past administrations into an example of how to bring federal services to the troops, injured veterans, and even homeless vets. He's showing that the VA has a heart.”
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Godspeed..................Wayne
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