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AMVETS Department of South Carolina welcomes home Guardsmen
Service officers and volunteers lend a hand on Reintegration Training Day
WASHINGTON, April 15, 2008—On April 5, AMVETS Department of South Carolina welcomed home the 1st Battalion, 263rd Armor of the South Carolina National Guard’s 128th Infantry Brigade from a year of service in Afghanistan as part of the unit’s Reintegration Training Day.
Department Commander James Lewis, Executive Director David Brantner, National Executive Committeewoman Mary Barrow, and Department Auxiliary 3rd Vice Commander Patti Lewis were on hand to welcome home each of member of the Guard and to hand out welcome home packages to the soldiers and their family members.
The packages, which contained a few sundries along with information about AMVETS and the Ladies Auxiliary, each contained a personal thank you note to the soldiers and their family members.
Regional Service Director Garry King and National Service Officers Russell Woodall and David Turner were also on hand to discuss veterans’ benefits with the soldiers.
Nearly 150 members of the Guard and their family members took advantage of the knowledge and expertise of the AMVETS on site.
In 2007, AMVETS officially signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Guard Bureau, allowing AMVETS to reach out directly to Guard units across the country. Members of the South Carolina National Guard were appreciative of the support that AMVETS provided for the event, and AMVETS Department of South Carolina is looking forward to supporting the South Carolina National Guard as they carry out their mission.
COMMANDERS COMMENTARY ON FIVE YEARS IN IRAQ
Five years ago U.S.-led coalition forces crossed the berm into Iraq. In a quick, decisive push, the world’s most professional and highly-trained fighting force wrestled control of Baghdad from its brutal dictator.
In the years since that initial push, Saddam Hussein has been brought to justice for the atrocities he committed during his years as the “Butcher of Baghdad.”
Today our military is embroiled in a heated struggle with Islamist extremists fighting for influence in the fledgling democracy in the heart of the Middle East. Our brave military men and women continue to serve in harm’s way, working tirelessly to bring peace and prosperity to an oppressed people.
On this fifth anniversary of the war in Iraq, I ask that all Americans take a moment to pause and reflect on the sacrifices that our men and women in uniform make each and every day. The young men and women who serve in this and every generation have earned the respect of a grateful nation for fighting to protect the ideals that we so cherish.
As our brave volunteer force drives on, we on the home front must fight to preserve the dignity and honor of all of our veterans, past and present.
In the last few months we have made great strides in caring for our veterans. On Capitol Hill, we have successfully lobbied for a more-robust VA budget for fiscal year 2009. The VA has committed to opening new veterans centers across the country and earlier this week announced that mobile pharmacy units will be strategically placed across the country to aid in emergencies and natural disasters.
In the last year AMVETS has partnered with numerous academic institutions to ensure that our veterans and their families have access to affordable higher education. AMVETS Posts across this country continue to pack care packages for our troops serving on the front lines and AMVETS National Service Officers stand ready to assist these troops with their VA benefits once they return from combat.
Although this progress is a step in the right direction, we must do better. As you are reading this, nearly 200,000 homeless veterans roam the streets, looking for an opportunity to get their lives back on track. An additional 600,000 veterans are waiting to hear back from the VA on their service-connected disability claims.
AMVETS will continue to push on Capitol Hill for the legislative changes necessary to ensure that all of our veterans receive the care and support they have earned, and we will continue to look for new and innovative ways to support those who currently wear the uniform.
Unfortunately, a number of Americans are starting to turn their backs on their military men and women. Earlier this week I visited with the two Marines charged with manning the Marine Officer Selection Office in Berkeley, Calif. I thought it was important to acknowledge these brave men for standing their post and maintaining their professional dignity in light of recent protests by radical anti-war groups.
AMVETS will continue to support all of our veterans through this conflict and for years to come. I want to take this time to thank the brave men and women serving in 177 countries around the world and to the millions of American veterans who answered their call to duty.
Veterans serving Veterans,
John P. “JP” Brown III
AMVETS National Commander
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VA Putting Mobile Pharmacies on the Road
Peake: VA Reaches Out to Vets, Families in Need
March 18, 2008
WASHINGTON -- To support veterans and their families during major emergencies, especially natural disasters, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has begun to deploy mobile pharmacies that will provide vital medicine when patients are unable to fill their prescriptions. VA will also open up the facilities to help communities during major disasters and other emergencies.
“The mobile pharmacies give VA the ability to provide critical medications to veterans when disaster strikes,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. “VA is committed to ensuring our veterans receive their care and prescriptions as soon as possible during an emergency.”
Each VA mobile pharmacy is housed in a 40-foot-long solid steel trailer built to withstand winds in a Category 3 storm. The units include a satellite connection with VA’s Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy system, a computerized, automated state-of-the-art mailout pharmacy that can process more than 1,000 prescriptions hourly.
Pharmacists can use the satellite system to obtain a veteran’s prescription data to dispense the drugs on site. In addition, VA can send replacement medications during an emergency by mail or another carrier to a veteran’s home or temporary address.
VA recognized the need for mobile pharmacies in 2005 after hurricanes Katrina and Rita severely damaged VA medical centers along the Gulf Coast. The Department deployed several mobile medical clinics as part of its response to the disasters.
The first mobile pharmacy was unveiled on Sept. 11, 2007 in front of VA’s Washington, D.C., headquarters. The unit was displayed recently at a meeting of the American Society of Health System Pharmacists in Las Vegas. A second mobile pharmacy is expected to be delivered in March 2008.
To ensure rapid response to a wide range of emergencies, VA’s mobile pharmacies will be strategically placed across the nation. Plans now call for one of the three mobile pharmacies to be stationed at Dallas; Murfreesboro, Tenn.; and Charleston, S.C. The Department also expects to acquire a fourth unit that will be placed in the western part of the country.
Each mobile pharmacy is divided into five compartments, including a work area for pharmacists, an entryway accessible to patients and a sleeping area with a bath and shower for VA personnel.
Pharmacy personnel from across the country have already volunteered to staff the units in the event of a natural disaster or other emergency. Six pharmacists who were part of a regional disaster drill have already completed their training and can deploy on short notice.
“Our mobile clinics enabled us to provide critical services during hurricanes Katrina and Rita not only to veterans but also to thousands of others in the area who were adversely affected by the storm,” said Michael Valentino, VA’s pharmacy chief. “These new mobile pharmacy units will ensure that we are even better prepared for future emergencies.” |
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AMVETS NATIONAL SERVICE OFFICER WORK TO HELP OREGON VETERANS
WASHINGTON, Feb. 5, 2008—Bill Talley, a new AMVETS National Service Officer in Portland, Ore., is working to make a difference for local veterans. Like all AMVETS service officers, Talley works pro-bono for any veteran that needs assistance.
“We don’t turn anyone away,” Talley said. “If you’re a veteran and you need help with your claim, we’ll be here for you. We can cut through the boloney and find what’s really going on.”
Though he has only been on the job for two months, Talley has seen the difference that AMVETS National Service Officers can make. He is currently working on a claim for World War II veteran Alex Kirnak, who has struggled to receive treatment from the VA for hearing loss.
“After going through the labyrinth of the VA, being told I didn’t qualify—I had just about given up,” Kirnak said. “Someone suggested I go to AMVETS; they opened the door after years of trying to do it on my own. When I needed help, I got a man who knew the language.”
Kirnak, now a life member of AMVETS, went on to say that Talley’s knowledge of the system helped him receive his first hearing aide from the VA and adjusted his compensation accordingly. Talley is happy to help veterans like Kirnak earn their long-overdue compensation and treatment.
“Many times, veterans have well-documented service connected conditions, but they don’t seek compensation,” Talley said. “It’s not the military way. They’re used to serving silently—never complaining, never asking for anything. We’re here to help them get the care that they need.”
AMVETS takes pride in all 53 of its National Service Officers at Department of Veterans Affairs facilities around the country, working tirelessly to ensure all veterans receive the benefits they deserve. Last year alone, AMVETS service officers processed more than 65,000 benefits claims with the VA, resulting in more than $324 million in compensation.
About AMVETS:
A leader since 1944 in preserving the freedoms secured by America’s armed forces, AMVETS provides support for veterans in procuring their earned entitlements, as well as community services that enhance the quality of life for this nation’s citizens. AMVETS is one of the largest congressionally-chartered veterans’ service organizations in the United States, representing all branches of the military. To learn more about AMVETS National Service Officers, visit www.amvets.org.
| CLEVELAND UNIVERSITY LAUNCHES PROGRAM FOR STUDENT-VETERANS |
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WASHINGTON, Feb. 1, 2008—This semester Cleveland State University, with the help and support of AMVETS, launched the Supportive Education for the Returning Veterans (SERV) program to address the unique academic needs of student-veterans.
“These veterans are the next generation of leaders,” said John Schupp, SERV’s founder and a chemistry professor at the university. “They have volunteered to serve and they represent everything that makes America great. We owe it to this country to see that they have all of the opportunities for success.”
SERV is a comprehensive program at CSU that provides exclusive classes for student-veterans, as well as a forum for them to learn about benefits such as the G.I. Bill and other veteran-specific topics. This spring, SERV launched its veteran-centric learning communities, opened a permanent booth in the CSU student center, and started to work extensively with the university’s Army ROTC Battalion.
Schupp, inspired by a student who served in Kosovo, knew that faculty support would be difficult to muster, so he sought the help of AMVETS. His idea caught the attention of AMVETS National Cmdr. John P. “J.P.” Brown III, who supports SERV’s proactive approach to reintegrating veterans into scholastic programs.
“Often times it’s difficult for a vet to return to school,” Brown said. “Vets are older than most of their peers and college is so vastly different from military life. SERV helps show vets that the long-term benefits are well worth the effort.”
AMVETS has long been a proponent of veterans’ education. AMVETS provides thousands of dollars in scholarships to veterans and their families each year through partnerships with DeVry University and the University of Phoenix. AMVETS National Service Foundation has also funded veterans’ scholarships over the years totaling more than $2 million.
AMVETS is currently working with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges to investigate “best practices” for student-veteran services.
The three groups recently formed a core team with the goal of surveying many of the nation’s top colleges and universities about programs provided for veterans. From this survey, the team hopes that many institutions of higher learning will adopt comprehensive programs similar to SERV.
About AMVETS:
A leader since 1944 in preserving the freedoms secured by America’s armed forces, AMVETS provides support for veterans and the active military in procuring their earned entitlements, as well as community services that enhance the quality of life for this nation’s citizens. AMVETS is one of the largest congressionally-chartered veterans’ service organizations in the United States, and includes members from each branch of the military, including the National Guard and Reserves. To learn more visit www.amvets.org. |
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Copyright AMVETS DEPARTMENT OF SOUTH CAROLINA
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