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News to share
from all around California!
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Have something to share - send us an email with “NEWS ARTICLE” in the subject line: calegion@pacific.net
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The American Legion Washington DC Office
Daniel S. Wheeler, National Adjutant
Upcoming Hearings
April 10 – House Veterans Affairs Committee
Improving Job Opportunities for Veterans Act of 2013 and other bills:
H.R. 357 GI Tuition and Fairness Act
H.R. 844 VetSuccess Enhancement Act
H.R. 631 Servicemembers’ Choice in transition Act of 2013
H.R. 562 VRAP Extension Act of 2013
H.R. 1305 Eligibility under the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program
H.R. 1316 Responsibilities of the Directors and Assistant Directors of Veterans Employment and Training
H.R. 1402 Five-year extension of Paralympics program authorities
Five-year extension of certain work-study authorities
Staff Testifying. Story being written for TAL Website.
April 10 – House Veterans Affairs Committee
Sustaining the Sacred Trust: An Update on our National Cemeteries
Staff Attending. Story being written for TAL Website.
April 11 – House Veterans Affairs Committee
FY 2014 Veterans Affairs Budget Request
Staff Testifying. Story being written for TAL Website. ED plans to attend.
April 15 – Senate Veterans Affairs Committee
FY 2014 Veterans Affairs Budget Request
Secretary Shinseki will be the sole witness testifying at this hearing. ED plans to attend.
Story being written for TAL Website.
ISSUES
DOD
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel warned Wednesday that sharply deeper cuts to personnel, health care and weapons systems will be needed across his department to put the brakes on spiraling costs and reshape the military for leaner budgets and new challenges. Hagel said that escalating spending to maintain benefits, existing military structures and replacements for aging weapons programs are devouring funding needed for critical operations, training and equipment. The Pentagon, he said, must reevaluate the size of its management and military command structures, which continue to grow even as the overall force numbers decline. And he put the Pentagon and the nation on notice that meeting this challenge will require spending cuts that are far more sweeping and dramatic than those seen to date.
CONGRESS
Staff was contacted by Rep. Michelle Bachmann’s Office regarding legislation to establish in the House of Representatives a select committee to be known as the Select Committee on POW and MIA Affairs. The select committee shall conduct a full investigation of all unresolved matters relating to any United States personnel unaccounted for from the Vietnam era, the Korean conflict, World War II, Cold War Missions, Persian Gulf War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Operation Enduring Freedom, including MIAs and POWs missing and captured. TAL Staff is working with her office on the language of the bill.
First-term U.S. Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia has announced his first piece of federal legislation — Troop Talent Act of 2013. The bill, backed by The American Legion, is designed to bolster efforts to streamline the military-to-civilian licensing and credentialing process. Kaine will formally introduce his bill after the Senate reconvenes on April 8. The senator and members of the Legion’s Economic Commission had been working together on such legislation since Kaine was governor of Virginia. Appropriately, Kaine announced the contents of his veteran employment enhancement bill in anews conference on April 2 at The American Legion Department of Virginia headquarters in Richmond. The Troop Talent Act of 2013 is crafted upon the premise that, as the bill’s summary states, "Servicemembers need enhanced information about credentials that correspond to their military specialty, and credentialing organizations need to better understand what training military service members receive."
EVENTS
- Staff will be meeting with Dr. Gary Miller, Chancellor, University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), and Anne Hickey, Director, American Council on Education. The Legion was invited for a site visit of the UNCW Veterans Services Office as well as to participate in a discussion regarding Veteran education policy.
- ED met with Under Secretary for Benefits, General Allison Hickey to discuss VBA’s transformation Plan. The discussion covered the Regional Offices Segmented Lanes, Veterans Benefit Management System (VBMS) which will eventually make filing a VA disability claim entirely electronic and the Fully Developed Claims (FDC) process. The Under Secretary thanked The American Legion for our work on the FDC Pilot Program.
- ED met with Secretary Shinseki to discuss the disability claims backlog. The American Legion expressed concern over any plan that would place any group of veterans before other in the process. We discussed the importance of ensuring that the Regional Office employees clearly understand the criteria for a Fully Developed Claim (FDC). The Secretary introduced Mr Jose Riojas, Acting Chief of Staff.
- ED attended VSO Briefing on VA’s Strategic Plan Development. VA’s Office of Policy and Planning will be including the VSO’s and MSO’s in their Quadrennial Strategic planning process as well as Agency Priority Goals. Their identified Agency Priority Goals for 2013 – 2014 are:
- Improve Veterans Access to VA Benefits and Services
- Eliminate the Disability Claims Backlog
- Eliminate Veteran Homelessness
- The American Legion will continue to have a presence at these Strategic Planning meetings.
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Leo P. Burke Veteran Resource Center Dedication
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(L-R) Delta Trustee Janet Rivera, Willie Burke and Superintendent/President Kathleen Hart cut the ribbon to dedicate the Leo P. Burke Veteran Resource Center.
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Stockton) - With family, friends, state and local officials in attendance, San Joaquin Delta College officially dedicated the the Leo P. Burke Veteran Resource Center on Saturday, Nov. 10, 10 a.m. at the DeRicco Student Services Building.
San Joaquin Delta College’s new Veteran Resource Center is named to honor the late Leo P. Burke, World War II veteran and longtime Delta College trustee. Mr. Burke served 29 years on Delta’s board, including five terms as board president. Leo Burke was a proud United States Marine, serving in the Pacific Theater. He never forgot his comrades in arms, devoting a great portion of his life to bettering the lives of our veterans.
Mr. Burke’s dedication to veteran services include: President of the Disabled American Veterans Charities of San Joaquin County; Chairman of the California Veterans Board; Member of the Governor’s Commission on Veterans Homes (appointed by governors of both political parties); Elected National Vice-Commander of the American Legion.
In 2002, Mr. Burke was appointed by the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs to serve on the Advisory Committee of Cemeteries and Memorials. He also served at the federal level as a delegate to the White House Conferences on Aging in 1995 and 2002, which deliberated elderly veterans’ issues.
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NEC LENNOX
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VIEW VIDEO
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On November 10, 2012, San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, California, dedicated the Leo P. Burke Veteran Resource Center.
It was a gorgeous sunny morning as friends and family honored the late Leo Burke, a 29 year Delta College Trustee, WWII Marine, and champion of veterans causes, both in California and the nation.
The Leo P. Burke Veteran Resource Center will help our veterans attain their educational goals for years to come as they transition to civilian life. This video recaps the ceremony.
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The Leo P. Burke Veteran Resource Center is part of the “Troops to College Initiative,” which works to attract more veterans to public colleges by making them more veteran-friendly. The Center provides computers, workshops, tutors, counseling, a quiet study area for veterans to do homework and network with veterans and volunteer staff.
“Research has shown us that vets need other vets,” says Delta College Superintendent/ President, Kathleen Hart. “The Leo P. Burke Veteran Resource Center will allow veterans to meet and access resources that support their educational goals. Whether it’s housing or obtaining veterans benefits, this is the place where veterans will get the support they need to be successful Delta College students.”
Denise Donn, Director of Financial Aid & Veteran Services, is proud Delta College has once again been recognized as a “2013 Military Friendly School” by Victory Media. "Delta College will continue to make the extra effort to help our veterans achieve their academic and career goals. It's important that those who put their lives on the line for their country know Delta College is their dedicated partner. Our commitment will not waver."
Located in DeRicco 151, the Leo P. Burke Veteran Resource Center is open Monday thru Friday,
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. The center is staffed by veterans for veterans. For more information, call the Veteran Resource Center - (209) 954-5151, x6151, or visit: http://www.deltacollege.edu/dept/troops/VeteranResourceCenter.html
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CalVet Announces Recruitment Effort for Redding and Fresno Veterans Homes
The California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) has begun recruiting to fill hundreds of positions at the Veterans Homes of California in Redding and Fresno. Throughout 2013, CalVet will work to fill positions in nursing, medicine, pharmacy, mental health, social services, speech and physical therapy, dietetics and food service, sanitation and janitorial, plant operations, grounds keeping, security, accounting, human resources, medical billing, contracts, clerical, health care analysis and IT management.
“Caring for elderly and disabled veterans at our beautiful state-of-the-art Veterans Homes of California isn’t a job, it’s a privilege,” said Robin Umberg, Undersecretary, Veterans Homes of California. “These men and women who served our country have sacrificed so much. We’re looking for caring, compassionate, and talented staff to help ensure that the veterans in our Homes live the highest quality of life with dignity and honor.”
CalVet is currently scheduling the examinations necessary to create employment eligibility lists and is posting job announcement bulletins for open positions. To find current Veterans Homes and other CalVet job and examination announcements, go to www.calvet.ca.gov/AboutUs/Jobs/Default.aspx.
In January, CalVet will host recruitment fairs at the Redding and Fresno Homes. The fairs will offer information about positions available at each Home, the State of California testing and job application process, and the mandatory background check required for certain types of Homes employees. More information about these fairs will be made public as the events draw near.
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I Am The American Legion Project
Here is an interesting and potentially important request from the Magazine Division of National Legion HQ. They are looking for interesting Legionnaires to spotlight in a monthly full-page spread. Those Legion members selected may also be interviewed on videotape for the national website and other Legion media, advertising, etc. The Magazine will fund the writer’s travel to meet and interview those selected. The project will last at least a year so we can expect at least 12 to be selected (one per issue, perhaps more). Eldon is looking for members with interesting wartime stories AND interesting American Legion stories to tell, and what could be more interesting than The American Legion Riders?
Think about those members and Riders you know that you think may be appropriate for this treatment. Of course they’re looking for the young, fresh, minority or female faces as always, but keep in mind that a 90-year old honorary ALR member who flew a bomber in WWII, or the white male Korean War veteran who was there with Task Force Smith (and is now a Rider) would fit the bill nicely as well.
In short, interesting personalities with a story to tell. Sorry, no SAL or AUX for this program.National is hoping to be able to get 2 or 3 American Legion Riders into this important campaign for the national organization.
If you know of any Riders who might be interested in participating, please have them contact me by email at prescottbikers@hotmail.com
Here’s a PDF sample of the article (click here) as well as a brief bio sketch (MS Word - click here) which would need to be filled out and attached to the email)
Thanks ...John Moffitt
Email: prescottbikers@hotmail.com
Member, National American Legion Riders Advisory Committee
Chairman, American Legion Riders, Department of Arizona (AZALR)
Assistant State Captain, PGR (Patriot Guard Riders)
Judge Advocate, District 8, American Legion, Dep't of Arizona
Director, ALR 79 (Yarnell)
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Commander's Message
Legion Commander to White House, Congress: Stop Sequestration
click here >>> Take Action!
Bipartisan Resolution Called For
(October 18, 2012) Concerned about the major hit to the defense budget coming in January 2013, National Commander James Koutz, addressing the leadership of The American Legion in remarks at the organization’s Fall Meetings in Indianapolis this week, put elected officials officially on notice to stop "sequestration" cuts now.
Last year's Budget Control Act specified that if legislators couldn't agree on options to reduce the deficit, a mandatory "sequester" would take place to cut spending by $1.2 trillion dollars -- with about half of that coming from the defense budget.
That ill-advised requirement was thought to be so bad that Congress would agree on other less-draconian options. But Congress has been more consumed by election-year politics than avoiding cuts that nearly all acknowledge would devastate our national defense capability, force massive military force reductions, and almost certainly mandate grossly unfair cutbacks in pay, health care and other benefits.
The Pentagon’s civilian and military leadership have gone on record as saying that the prospect of roughly $500 billion in additional defense cuts - on top of the already-approved $487 billion reduction over the next decade - would be “devastating” to the U.S. military and “very high risk” to national security. Congress must pass an alternate debt reduction deal that avoids hurting the military, veterans, and the country.
“While there is plenty of blame to go around as to who caused the current deficit crisis,” Koutz said, “it is certain that it is not the soldier or the veteran that created this mess. And it should not be our men and women in uniform who must pay the price. We call on all Americans to put our elected leaders on notice: Fix it now.”
The American Legion needs you to contact your elected officials and ask them to act with all due haste to stop the sequester before it devastates America's future ability to defend itself.
Please send the message below to urge your elected officials to act now... click here >>> Take Action!
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The American Legion Department of California
2013 Winterer Sweepstake Winners
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And The Winners Are!
At the drawing and officiating were (L to R): Ed Castillo, District 10 Commander; Peggy Vogele, Auxiliary Department of CA Secretary/Treasurer; Bill Siler iii, Department of CA Adjutant; Ron Parshall, District 10 1st Vice Commander
The drawing was held at the San Francisco HQ office on April 1, 2013.
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Member Name District - Post
$5,000 Winner: Lee J. Quaintance P507 / D20
$2,000 Winner: Robert C. Augello P775 / D7
$1,000 Winner: Sheila K. Martin Auxiliary
The 24 Winners of $500 each:
John E. Blowers P263 / D11 Mary J. Copeland Auxiliary Daniel R. Trainor P1000 / HQ
Melvin Williams P1000 / HQ Donald F. Mathiasen P303 / D22 Kenneth Franzen P537 / D22
Mike A. Andrizzi P1000 / HQ Philip G. Olson P1000 / HQ Ruth C. Hackney Auxiliary
Ava Denise Davis Auxiliary Ted Lacy P22 / D11 Don A. Carpenter P537 / 22
Arthur H. Hindebrandt P117 / D10 Vella P. Myers Auxiliary Dwight L. Breckenridge P77 / D6
Mike Bidegary P217 / D13 Wallace Tarver P117 / D10 Margarite I Kittyle Auxiliary
Robert McElligott P99 / D13 Kenneth N. Lasiter P148 / D12 Jared Castro P1000 / HQ
John B. Curcuru P582 / D20 Juanita Lyle Auxiliary Michael C. McQueen P409 / D26
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Veteran Liaison for the Mesothelioma Center
My name is Mike Postorino and I'm the Veteran Liaison for the Mesothelioma Center (Asbestos.com); an organization devoted to assisting veterans through their application processes for VA benefits. Countless veterans are currently suffering from life-threatening illnesses that are a result of exposure to asbestos, a material that was commonly used in hundreds of military applications, products, and ships because of its resistance to fire.
The Mesothelioma Center provides a complete list of occupations, ships, and shipyards that could have put our Veterans at risk for developing asbestos-related diseases. In addition, we have created a veterans-specific section on our website in order to help inform about the dangers of asbestos exposure. All of our services are free of charge. Additionally our website is HON code certified (Health on the net) with the most up to date information on asbestos and its negative health effects.
Because so many veterans visit your site, I thought that you may be interested in posting our link to help educate veterans on the dangers of asbestos exposure by linking to our website
Please let me know. You can reach me at mpostorino(@)asbestos.com Thanks again.
Best Regards... Mike Postorino, Mesothelioma Center
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Play it Forward Golf
As our Play it Forward Golf program expands, we have now been added to the member benefits programs at 33 alumni associations and 4 service organizations reaching over 1.5 million golfers. We are continually looking for new ways to support the program and make it more successful for everyone.
In addition to the copy and ad graphics support we offer as part of our basic program, we look for compelling and cost efficient marketing approaches to reach more potential users (your members) to build awareness and to generate trial and new revenues.
To supplement your efforts, we have recently initiated a search engine optimization program that will help us improve our ranking with the various search engines so that should your golfer members decide to play (and aren't aware of the program through your efforts), we'll be in a better position to reach them and introduce them to the program. And, of course, you'll receive commission for the sale either way - everyone benefits.
We're also working on several other initiatives which we will announce soon. Our goal is to make Play it Forward Golf and indispensable tool for your members...and a valued offering in your member benefits program. Comments and suggestions are always welcome.
Thank you for your continued support!
Frank Wainwright
Tee Time Marketing Group llc- Partner
Play it Forward Golf Program
203-829-5665
frank@ttmggolf.com
www.pifgolf.com
http://www.facebook.com/PlayitForwardGolf
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V A & R Challenge Coins
The VA&R coin has been specifically designed to commemorate the Department of California's 94 years of service to our veterans. These coins will be a LIMITED EDITION, with only 1000 minted. These coins can also be used to recognize those Legionnaires in your Post or District who have and/or continue to support The American Legion.
 We are asking a $15 donation per coin - both sides of the coin are shown at right. If you would like to receive a coin, please let me know and I will reserve a coin (more if you desire) for you.
Just E mail me your confirmation: clappbill@yahoo.com
You can also send me your donation in advance: Bill Clapp, 4422 Canehill Ave, Lakewood, CA 90713. Please make checks payable to me, or you can pay when you pick up your coin(s).
Thanks in advance for your consideration and support.
For God and Country... Bill Clapp
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