Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Veterans Seervice Officers


Week of January 28, 2008

County Veterans Service Officers (VSO), in partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs, work to ensure that veterans receive the federal and state benefits to which they are entitled. Thirty states have county VSOs to provide information and help fill out applications; the rest have state or regional officers. The work of VSOs is becoming increasingly important as veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan return home. To learn more about the VSO program, and to locate an office, visit the website of the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers.

Veterans, learn more about your benefits on Military.com.
Posted by Bill Moran at 07:48:34 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

Monday, January 28, 2008

Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Association



from Berta Simmons, via Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Association

Friday, January 25, 2008

Urgent Request for Declarations from Blue Water Sailors


We just received this urgent request from the National Veterans Legal Services Program, the fine folks who argued the Haas case. Please help them out if possible, and as soon as possible:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As you all know, NVLSP is preparing our comment related to the VA’s proposed change of the M21-1 provision. One of the missing links we have is proving that the distilling process used on the Australian ships is the same as that used on the U.S. ships. It is basically common knowledge that the process was the same, but I’m having trouble finding documentary evidence I can cite to prove it. So, I’m trying to obtain the following declaration (with the information in brackets filled in as appropriate) from as many BWN veterans as possible, preferably those who worked in the Engineering Department, and hoping you all could help me spread the word:


I, [NAME], served in the United States Navy from [date] to [date]. I was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal for my service on the U.S.S. [name of ship], which operated in the waters off the coast of Vietnam [from date to date, or in 19XX, etc.]. I was a [rating or billet (for example Engineman First Class, Auxiliaries Officer, etc.)] on that ship. I have firsthand knowledge that, while at sea off the coast of Vietnam, the U.S.S. [name of ship] used a flash-type distilling plant to produce the ship’s potable water. To produce this potable water, sea water was fed into an evaporator where the water was boiled by a combination of heating and reduced pressure (vacuum) and the vapor was condensed in the condenser from where it was pumped into feed tanks.

I declare, under penalty of perjury, that the information set forth above is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.

Date __________



Signature here ______________________________
[type full name]

Any BWN veteran should feel free to modify the statement if necessary to fit their individual circumstances (for example, if a distilling plant other than “flash type” was used on their ship). Here’s the kicker though – I would need them to be able to type up the above statement, sign and date it, then either scan and email it to me, or fax it to my attention at 202-328-0063, by Monday, January 28th, the earlier the better.

Also, I still haven’t heard from any Supply folks with firsthand knowledge that food served on their ship originated in Vietnam, so if you know of anyone fitting the bill, please direct them my way, or see if they are willing to provide a declaration attesting to that fact, in a format similar to the above declaration.

I know we’re in the 11th hour, so thanks in advance for spreading the word.

Sincerely,

Rick

Richard V. Spataro

Staff Attorney
National Veterans Legal Services Program
1600 K Street, NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20006-2833
Tel: (202) 265-8305 ext. 149
Fax: (202) 328-0063
Email: rick_spataro@nvlsp.org
Posted by Bill Moran at 12:44:24 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

TAPS

TAPS:

If any of you have ever been to a military funeral in which taps were played; this brings out a new meaning of it.


Here is something EVERY AMERICAN should know.    TAPS

We in the United States have all heard the haunting song, “TAPS.”


It’s the song that gives us the lump in our throats and usually tears in our eyes. But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be interested to find out about its humble beginnings.  Reportedly, it all began in 1862, curing the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison ’s Landing in Virginia .  The confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land.  During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk this life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment.  When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead.  The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock.  In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier.  It was his own son.  The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out.  Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.  The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted.  The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral. The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate.  But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician.  The Captain chose a bugler.  He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth’s uniform.  This wish was granted. The haunting melody, we now know as
”TAPS”.  Used at military funerals was born.





The words are :

Day is done. . .Gone the sun. . .From the lakes. . .From the hills

From the sky. . .All is well . . .Safely rest. . . God is nigh. . .

Fading light. . . Dims the sight. . . And a star. . . Gems the sky . . .

Gleaming bright . . . From afar. . . Drawing nigh. . . Falls the night . . .

Thanks and praise. . . For our days. . .  Neath the sun. . .

Neath the stars. . . Neath the sky. . . As we go. . .This we know. . . God is nigh.
Posted by Bill Moran at 10:41:17 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

Monday, January 21, 2008

Legionnaire Insurance Trust Program

As a Legionnaire You are Entitled to a Benefit of $1,000.00 at NO COST TO YOU!

Visit    www.theLIT.com      for more details.

OR   CALL:    1-800-235-6943

Posted by Bill Moran at 08:15:23 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

Until We Meet Again

http://www.iwo.com/heroes.htm

This is breathtaking.  The choir is wonderful.  



Posted by Bill Moran at 07:40:27 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

Veterans Receive Much Needed Funding

Washington, DC  - Thanks to the bipartisan support of Congress and the White House, America’s veterans will receive much needed funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). 

“Veterans are very much in need of this additional funding,” said Marty Conatser, national commander of The American Legion after being notified that President George W. Bush formally requested an additional $3.7 billion in “emergency” appropriations for VA in FY 2008.

The President recently signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of FY 2008 providing funding for the remainder of the Federal budget except the Department of Defense.  In an agreement reached between Congress and the President, the bill contained a provision to add an additional $3.7 billion for VA funding.

“The American Legion greatly appreciates the congressional leadership - from both sides of the aisle - for working closely with me and my colleagues to provide VA with a budget worthy of the sacrifices of the men and women of the armed forces, veterans, and their families.” Conatser said.  “No veteran should ever be denied an earned benefit for honorable military service.”


Congress authorized recently-separated service members from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom enrollment in the VA health care delivery system, to receive free health care for two years, and remain in the system if so desired.  Currently, more than 7 million veterans are enrolled in the VA system. 

“This Congress and the Commander-in-Chief met or exceeded the funding recommendations of the veterans’ community,” Conatser pointed out.  “In all my years with The American Legion, this budget stands out as a monumental achievement.”
The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of strong national defense, veterans affairs, Americanism and patriotic youth programs. 

The Legion’s 2.7 million wartime veterans work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.
Posted by Bill Moran at 07:38:39 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

Veterans Looking for Jobs

To all Veterans who are looking for
a job, or if you know of a veteran
looking for a job. please check out
the following website.


http://www.hireveterans.com/



Posted by Bill Moran at 07:31:19 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Please Notify Post of anyone who is Ill, In Hospital or Deceased

IF YOU KNOW OF A LEGION FAMILY MEMBER WHO IS SICK, IN THE HOSPITAL, OR WHO MAY HAVE PASSED AWAY, PLEASE NOTIFY THE POST AT ONCE. 
 
THE POST CHAPLAIN HAS MEANS OF SENDING CARDS, MAKING REFERRALS TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE. AND PRESENTING BIBLES TO THE FAMILIES OF DECEASED MEMBERS. 

WE CANNOT ACT IF WE DO NOT KNOW ABOUT A PROBLEM.  PLEASE EMAIL US AND LET US KNOW.
Posted by Bill Moran at 08:12:03 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Veterans Day Poster Information for 2008

Dean Stoline
Assistant Director
National Legislative Commission
 
Artists, graphic designers and photographers! The Veterans Day National Committee is seeking submissions for the 2008 national Veterans Day poster. The poster is distributed to more than 110,000 schools nationwide, military installations around the world, and to federal agencies in the nation’s capital. It also graces the cover of the official program booklet for the Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. The committee will convene in May 2008 to review all submissions and select a finalist. The final poster must be 18x24” at 300 dots per inch, but please scale down submissions to 9x12” and submit electronic versions as jpg images or PDF files via e-mail to: vetsday@va.gov. Alternatively, send copies of artwork or a CD with artwork files to: Department of Veterans Affairs (002C), 810 Vermont Ave., NW, Washington, D.C., 20420. Please do not send originals. The deadline for submissions is May 1, 2008. To view Veterans Day posters from previous years, please visit http://www.va.gov/vetsday and click on “Poster Gallery”. Submissions should include sufficient information to demonstrate that the image is the work of the artist and is not copyrighted material (i.e. photos and concepts). The committee may select a particular submission but ask the artist to make modifications to the original design. Additional changes may be required prior to printing.
Posted by Bill Moran at 19:27:13 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Legion Hall Rental

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.

FROM THIS DAY FORWARD, JANUARY 3, 2008, ANYONE RENTING THE LEGION HALL AND USING THE KITCHEN, WILL NO LONGER BE ALLOWED TO USE KITCHEN UTENSILS BELONGING TO THE AMERICAN LEGION.

RENTER'S MUST FURNISH THEIR OWN POTS AND PANS, SPOONS, COOKING UNTENSILS, etc.

OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS USING THE KITCHEN HAVE BEEN REMOVING LEGION PROPERTY FROM THE KITCHEN, WHETHER BY ACCIDENT OR ON PURPOSE, AND IF IT IS NOT STOPPED IMMEDIATELY WE WILL HAVE NOTHING LEFT IN THE KITCHEN BY YEARS END.

THEREFORE, COOKING UTENSILS BELONGING TO THE AMERICAN LEGION WILL BE SECURED AND ONLY BE USED BY THE AMERICAN LEGION AND NO OUTSIDE ORGANIZATION OR INDIVIDUAL RENTING THE HALL.

.

Posted by Bill Moran at 18:40:00 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |
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