Veteran's and soon-to-be Veteran's news roundup.

1.      Peake's Visit Sparks Optimism Among Montana Vets.   The Billings (MT) Gazette (2/24) reports on Secretary Peake's recent visit to Montana noting that Peake learned about the challenges faced by Montana veterans "in a crash course in rural medicine last week." The Secretary received "instructive insight from veterans who packed a forum in Billings to vent frustrations about VA health care and disability compensation." However it is also commented that "it's uncertain how much progress this secretary can make in a short tenure," but "there's reason to expect he will try," as "Peake worked 32 years as an Army doctor, the last four as Army Surgeon General," and "is eminently qualified to lead the VA."

2.      Changes Sought In VA Healthcare Policy Restrictions.   The Citizen Of Laconia (NH) (2/25, Cook) reports, "Veterans' groups in New Hampshire and Maine want the federal government to ease tight restrictions preventing at least 5,000 New England veterans from getting health care benefits." Many of the people "in question fall into a Department of Veterans Affairs category known as Priority 8, reserved for veterans never wounded in action and who earn more than $28,429 annually." In addition to the veterans' groups, state and federal lawmakers also "believe the VA needs to change its eligibility requirements." U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, "held a hearing on the issue on Feb. 13." During the hearing, VA Secretary James Peake "said he'd be willing to review the current policy."

3.      Concerns Expressed About Dental Care Costs Being Shifted Onto VA.   CQ (2/25, Yoest) reports on the recent interest in "the poor oral health of reservists" in Iraq and Afghanistan. Veterans Affairs Secretary James B. Peake has previously pointed out that dental care "deteriorates in the theater just because of the hygiene, the Coca-Cola and everything else," but CQ says a conflict is brewing over who should pay for the care. Indiana's Steve Buyer, the top Republican on the House Veterans Affairs Committee, "says the Army should -- or at least it should be paying for the dental care it has foisted off on the VA." Army spokesman, Lt. Col. George Wright, defended the Army, however, saying it "has not initiated any practices intended to shift costs" to the VA. CQ adds, "The issue appears destined for further congressional prodding."

4.      Web Chat Critical Of VA, DoD Information Exchange.   Government Health IT (2/24, Buxbaum) reported, "The Defense and Veterans Affairs departments are not exchanging information as well as they could be, at least according to comments received by a Military Health System Web chat on wounded warrior care." On February 14, MHS conducted its "first-ever 'Web hall,'" in which "participants posted questions and comments on a message board on the MHS Web site and several military medical officials responded." In response to the comments posted, "Dr. S. Ward Casscells, assistant secretary of Defense for health affairs, wrote that among other initiatives, the Army's warrior transition units 'now surround our wounded warriors with medical, nursing, and bureaucracy help.'" Casscells also wrote that Defense is "working closely with VA in improving the disability evaluation process, and upgrading our electronic health records to make them more useful, private, portable, and patient-controlled."

5.      Electronic Health Records Becoming A Priority For US Healthcare Systems.   The Reno Gazette-Journal (2/25, Hidalgo) reports, "With the federal government setting a 2012 target for all Americans to have manageable electronic health records, replacing the old paper record is becoming a top priority for health care systems nationwide." Retired Army Sergeant Jerry Gunnels "has seen a glimpse of the future with electronic health records -- also known as EHR -- as a patient in the Veterans Administration Sierra Nevada Health Care System," and now "the 63-year-old Carlin resident is wondering how he ever managed without it." Proponents of EHR "said the system offers several advantages," but implementing an EHR system "comes with its set of challenges."

6.      Effort Made To Reach Out To Women Vets Facing Sexual Trauma.   The Tucson Citizen (2/25, Kornman, 28K) reports, "Women veterans can get free counseling and psychiatric services if they experienced military sexual trauma but many haven't asked for help, said Cathy Cosgrove, a Vietnam-era Air Force vet and member of the Honor Society of Women American Legion in Arizona." Cosgrove "organized meetings over the weekend in southern Arizona to reach out to such vets." The Citizen adds that Peggy McClafferty, "the women veterans coordinator for the VA's regional office in Phoenix, encouraged women vets who suffered trauma in the military to ask for help."

7.      Plans For New Super VAMC Bewilders Some New Orleans Residents.   The New Orleans Times-Picayune (2/24, Moran) reports in an extensive story on the neighborhood called Tulane-Gravier which "city, state and federal governments," announced they intend "to demolish the neighborhood and build two teaching hospitals in its place." Already, "political leaders praise the new medical campus, which will be shared by Louisiana State University and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, as a means to revive the crippled health care system, reverse the exodus of doctors and inaugurate a new economy based on medical research and education." However, "for all its benefits, the project comes with significant collateral damage." Residents of the neighborhood say "they have no plans to file lawsuits or otherwise obstruct the hospitals." In fact many "support the ambitious expansion of medical care, but they are angry and bewildered that the city, state and the VA would make plans without calling so much as a neighborhood meeting."

8.      Orlando VAMC Hold Celebration For Returning Veterans.   The Orlando Sentinel (2/24, 242K) reports, "At least 300 veterans are expected to attend the 'Welcome Home Celebration' today at the Orlando VA Medical Center, an outreach event for veterans and active-duty soldiers who have recently returned from action in Iraq and Afghanistan." The event "will provide veterans information on housing, education, jobs, financial assistance, claims and health care."

9.      Partial Proceeds From Film To Benefit Veterans Fund.   The syndicated "Sgt. Shaft" column, appearing in the Washington Times (2/25, Fales, 87K), reported, "The American Film Foundation recently announced that 10 percent of each ticket for Academy Award-winning director Terry Sanders' new documentary, 'Fighting for Life,' will go to the Bob Woodruff Family Fund, a charity that assists those injured while serving in the United States Armed Forces." The fund, which was founded by the family of journalist Bob Woodruff, who was nearly killed in early 2006 by a roadside bomb in Iraq, "places special emphasis on...traumatic brain injury and combat stress injuries, including post-traumatic stress disorder." The column added that the documentary "will open in New York on March 7 with expansion to other cities to follow."
      In a related article, USA Today (2/25, Dugas, 2.28M) says Woodruff is keeping himself "busy flying around the world on assignments" for ABC News "and continuing to draw attention to the signature injury of the war in Iraq: traumatic brain injury." Woodruff "does not have his previous job as a news anchor," working instead "with a team to produce more in-depth assignments. He can better cope with longer projects because his traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused" aphasia, "a language disorder that makes it hard for him to come up with words." But even if Woodruff "is frustrated when he occasionally can't find a word, his family and friends are elated by his recovery."

10.    Slippery Rock University Receives Grant For Veterans Activity Program.   The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (2/24, Barcousky, 229K) reports, "While older veterans with disabilities have been a familiar sight on the campus of Slippery Rock University, they will be joined this fall by younger men and women." Slippery Rock has received "a $25,000 grant for a student-led effort to introduce activities like wheelchair basketball and rugby to veterans of the Iraq and Afghan wars." The grant is from the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation and "will support an expansion of a recreation and physical activity that now works with older patients being treated through the Butler VA Medical Center." In particular the "program will concentrate on those who were wounded during more recent conflicts"

11.    Preparations Made To Commemorate End Of WWI Generation.   The Baltimore Sun (2/24, Scharnberg, 252K) reports on the preparations being made to remember the WWI generation once the last surviving veteran passes away. It is noted that "the event will pay tribute to the 4 million American men and women who answered the call to fight in the First World War," and "will honor the families who sent young soldiers off to battle long before telephones or e-mail allowed them routine updates on their safety." Currently "107-year-old Frank Buckles, the sole surviving U.S. doughboy." Buckles "remains in remarkably good health, still living at home and doing news media interviews, still mentally sharp and physically mobile, still exercising every day." Yet "when he goes, so, too, will a generation" and "plans are being made at the National World War I Museum in Kansas City to commemorate the end of an era." At the time

12.    VA Grant To Help Pay For Iraq Vet's New House.   The Burlington County (NJ) Times (2/25, Hayes) reports a nonprofit organization called Homes for Our Troops will build a house in Burlington County for 24-year-old Andrew Robinson, "a Marine who suffered a severe spinal-cord injury...in Iraq." The "mission of Homes for Our Troops, founded in 2004, is to adapt or construct housing for men and women who return home from military service with serious disabilities and injuries." Robinson "said he will sign over a $50,000 housing grant provided to him by the Department of Veterans Affairs, but otherwise the organization will complete the project through donations."

13.    Paper Highlights Services Not Covered By VA.   In response to a reader question in its "For Your Benefit" column, the Honolulu Star Bulletin (2/25, Kakesako) pointed out that the Department of Veterans Affairs does not cover several benefits and services, including abortions, health club memberships, and "hospital and outpatient care for a veteran who is either a patient or inmate in an institution of another government agency if that agency has a duty to give the care or services."

14.    Army Opens New "Warrior Transition Units."   The AP (2/24, Schreiner) reports, "Staff Sgt. Gerald Gonzalez has seen plenty of changes in a special unit for wounded soldiers since arriving at Fort Knox last summer with injuries from a roadside bomb in Iraq." Currently, "barracks at the Army post in Central Kentucky are being renovated for soldiers placed in the 'warrior transition unit,'" designed to "help the wounded troops recover so they can either stay in the Army or make a smooth transition to civilian life." Already the Army has established 35 such units which were created after "treatment problems were discovered at Walter Reed Army Medical Center."

15.    Older Veterans Attempt To Aid Veterans From Current Wars.   The Quad-Cities Online (2/24, Donaldson) reports, "Many veterans agree that readjusting to civilian life after serving in a foreign land can be like a brand new battle." In particular, mental conditions such as PTSD can be especially trying and difficult for recent veterans to confront. Yet "the plight of today's soldier is much the same as it was when they served, and, fortunately, there's more support available for those who need it." Already older veterans are reaching out to newer veterans in an effort to help them address such issues and facilitate a transition back to civilian life.

16.    VFW Post Helps Homeless Vets.   The Longview Daily News (WA) (2/24, Pederson) reports, "With the grant money, the Longview Housing Authority has teamed up with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3017 to house 12 homeless vets so far." The VFW Post 3017 estimates "there are 1,100 vets who are homeless or living in transitional housing in Cowlitz County. The voucher program can serve 20 vets and eight people in emergency transitional shelter with rent vouchers." It is hoped that the current success of the program "will lead to the grant being extended."

17.    Florida VFW Looks To Repair Poorly Maintained Graves.   The Fort Myers (FL) News-Press (2/24) reports, "The News-Press identified 68 graves of veterans in the trash-strewn Woodlawn and Oakridge sections of the Fort Myers Cemetery." Many of the graves identified "had old, tattered flags next to them. Some were covered with mold that made reading the headstone difficult. And others had broken and missing headstones." The condition of graves "concerned Dale Mangione, Commander of the VFW Fort Myers Beach Post, the largest in Florida with more than 2,000 members." Now, Mangione said "that he and his membership are willing to make it right," noting "we have funds earmarked for things like that." He added that "money is no problem. Manpower is not a problem. We just need to know where there's a problem, and we'll fix it."

18.    Vet Shot Down Over Vietnam In 1972 Back On Active Duty.   The Washington Times (2/25, Smucker, 87K) reports, "Shot down over Vietnam on his first tour of duty in 1972, 1st Sgt. James Spears is back in the USA Army -- one of hundreds of retired soldiers whom the Pentagon has ordered to suit up and serve the nation once more." Spears "said he did not expect to end up in a war zone dodging bullets and rockets, and that such business should be the work of younger warriors." The Times adds, "Retired in 1995 after 24 years in the Army, Sgt. Spears felt the call of duty after watching the World Trade Center's Twin Towers crumble in 2001 and picked up the phone just to let the Army know he was there if he was ever needed."

19.    Marine Organization Strives To Help Fellow Marines.   The San Jose Mercury News (2/24, Hamilton, 231K) reports on Detachment No.1122 of the Marine Corps League, "where heroism is not simply a concept. It is the guiding force that inspires and drives every last person in the room." The league is a volunteer organization of Marine veterans who "look after the needs of the families of Marines who've fallen on hard times,...attend the funerals of fallen Marines and visit wounded vets up at the VA Hospital in Palo Alto." Says one member, "whenever a fellow Marine is in need, we get together and do what needs to be done."

20.    Illinois Declares African American History Day.   The Southern Illinoisian (2/24, Testa) reports Illinois has declared an African American Veterans Recognition Day. The proclamation "came as part of the state Department of Veterans' Affairs efforts to be celebrate Black History Month." Tammy Duckworth, directors of the Veterans Affairs department, said "We honor and give thanks to all those who rose above adversity and answered the call of duty when their nation needed them."

21.    Akaka Submits Budget Recommendation.   Blackanthem.com (2/24) examines plans for the 2008 VA budget. U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee and other congressional leaders, "submitted their views and estimates for the Fiscal Year 2009 Veterans Affairs budget to the Senate Budget Committee." They recommended "a $6.6 billion increase in overall discretionary funding over Fiscal Year 2008, of which $4.6 billion would be dedicated to medical care operations." Stated Akaka "Congress has an obligation to our troops returning from combat now, as well as a long-standing obligation to the veterans of previous wars," adding that the "VA cannot fulfill that obligation without the necessary funding."

22.    House Subcommittee Reviews Expiring Veterans Programs.   The Army Times (2/24, Maze) reports, "As a House subcommittee reviews expired and expiring veterans programs, veterans groups are urging the lawmakers to strengthen employment and re-employment rights programs, extend an option for adjustable-rate veterans' home loans, and restore a $100 cut in monthly payments for apprenticeships and on-the-job training." While 13 programs are being re-evaluated, "the one getting the most attention is a lapsed test program that had top government lawyers involved in resolving employment and re-employment rights complaints from federal workers who also serve in military reserve components."

23.    Mikulski Asked To Help Reinstate DAV Program.   In an open letter to Maryland's Senator Mikulski, the Cumberland (MD) Times-News (2/24) derides, the "director approved Martinsburg Veterans Administration Medical Center decision to discontinue allowing veterans who ride the DAV (disabled veterans) vans a meal on the day of their appointments." The letter argues that "the policy has been in effect at the VAMC for approximately 18 years. It has worked very well and truly nothing was broken that required a fix." After describing the circumstances of the programs termination the paper then calls on the Senator to help get the program reinstated.

24.    Iowa General Assembly To Debate Veterans-Related Measures.   The AP (2/24, Glover) reported that this week, the Iowa House of representatives "will debate a measure creating a new lottery ticket game, with the estimated $3 million profits earmarked for the veterans trust fund." The fund, which is controlled by the Veterans Affairs Commission, "provides money to veterans for expenses such as travel for follow-up medical care as well as individual and family counseling." The AP added that a proposed smoking ban is scheduled for an Iowa Senate debate Wednesday, "and it's looking increasingly likely the measure will land on Gov. Chet Culver's desk." The Iowa House "approved the indoor smoking ban last week," although the measure "would exempt...private veterans organizations."

25.    VA Funding Heart Study.   The Buffalo News (2/25, 194K) reports, "Cardiac researchers at the University at Buffalo have received a four-year, $512,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to investigate how a common cholesterol- lowering drug increases cardiac- muscle cells and helps to stem the progress of heart failure." The goal of the research "is to develop pharmacological and cell-based approaches to treat patients before advanced heart failure develops."

26.    VA's Education And Training Benefits Noted.   The syndicated "Sgt. Shaft" column, appearing in the Washington Times (2/25, Fales, 87K), reported that the House Veterans Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee "recently heard testimony on a number of bills aimed at improving education benefits for active-duty service members and members of the National Guard and Reserve forces." The column, which said "Department of Veterans Affairs education and training benefits provide veterans and surviving dependents with the opportunity to improve their vocational and financial status," then gave an "attaboy to Rep. John Boozman, Arkansas Republican, for his support and reiteration of his long-standing concern that only about 70 percent of eligible veterans take advantage of the benefit they have earned."

27.    Number Of Calls To Pentagon's Hotline Up 40% Since 2004.   USA Today (2/25, 1A, Zoroya, 2.28M) reports on its front page, " The number of troops and their relatives seeking help from a Pentagon employee-assistance hotline -- often linked to war deployments -- has grown 40% every year since 2004, say Pentagon officials and hotline operators." USA Today adds "the program receives a thousand calls daily from military members and families and nearly 6,000 individual visits to its website, says Jane Burke, who supervises the program for the Pentagon's Office of Military Community and Family Policy. ... The increase in help calls underscores concerns raised publicly by military leaders such as Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Gen. George Casey, Army chief of staff, that more and longer combat tours strain troops and their families."

28.    Mullen Hears Complaints From Troops.   U.S. News and World Report (2/25, Mulrine, 2.03M) reports Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen "said this week that it is a Pentagon priority to provide two years of rest time for troops who serve in combat zones for one year or 15 months. 'But I don't see that happening in the next year or so,' he added." Last week, at a town hall meeting Iraq veterans "asked the chairman pointed questions about equipment in the combat zone and about their vacation time, too. One marine wondered why the officers above him were receiving new M-4 rifles but many enlisted grunts doing regular patrolling in Iraq were not (they have the older M-16s). Another pointed out that when he and some other members of his unit replaced their uncomfortable boots with footwear they bought out of pocket, they were threatened with disciplinary action for not wearing standard-issue gear. Still another soldier asked why he was being charged vacation time when he came back to the United States for his two-week home leave from Iraq."
      Simulations Teach Marines What To Expect In Iraq.   U.S. News and World Report (2/25, Mulrine, 2.03M) reports on a "new Marine Corps effort to not only give its troops a heightened sense of the sights, sounds, and smells of Iraq but also teach them some hard and fast lessons about ethical decision making. As two Camp Pendleton-based marines face court-martial later this month in connection with the 2005 Haditha killing of 24 civilians, including women and children, the Marine Corps is increasingly aware of the importance of preventing lapses in the moral judgment of stressed-out troops that can result in the death of innocents and turn Iraqi families and towns against American forces."