United States Submarine Veterans Inc. Charleston Base
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TTo
perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in the
pursuit of duties while serving their country. That their dedication, deeds and supreme sacrifice be a constant source of motivation toward greater accomplishments. Pledge loyalty and patriotism to the United States of America and its Constitution. |
H.R.1171 & S.573 Formerly Owned Resources for
Veterans to Express Thanks for Service (FOR VETS) Act of 2013
By a vote of
387-1, the House of Representatives passed a bill that would allow veterans
service organizations (VSOs) to obtain, at no cost, federal surplus property
such as computers, vehicles and appliances. The Formerly Owned Resources for
Veterans to Express Thanks for Service (FOR VETS) Act of 2013 (H.R.1171) was
introduced last March by Rep. Dan Benishek (R-MI.) The legislation would amend
Title 40 of the U.S. Code "to improve veterans service organizations
access to Federal surplus personal property." American Legion National
Commander James E. Koutz sent a letter 9JUL to Sen. Thomas Carper (D-DE)
asking him to move the Senate version of the FOR VETS bill (S.573) forward so
that it can be voted on before Congress recesses in August. Carper, an original
co-sponsor of the Senate bill chairs the Senate Homeland Security &
Governmental Affairs Committee, where the measure is being considered. In his
letter, Koutz wrote that the bill would enable VSOs "to gain increased
opportunities to Federal surplus property to educate, train, and improve the
quality of life for veterans, their families, and communities in which they
live." Rep.
Mark Sanford (R-SC) was the sole member of the House to oppose the FOR VETS Act
of 2013. A former governor of
Disabled Veterans Receive
Priority at VA Facilities
The VA has issued a new directive
providing priority health care access to veterans with service-connected
disabilities. New policy guidelines mandate that vets requiring treatment
for service-connected disability, regardless of the extent of their injuries,
must be scheduled for a primary care evaluation within 30 days of their
request for care. If the VA facility is unable to schedule an appointment
for hospitalization or outpatient care in that time period, it must arrange
for care at another VA facility, a contract facility or through a sharing
agreement. This new policy expands an earlier rule that offered priority
access to vets with disability ratings of 50 percent or more, which includes
care for non-service-connected medical problems.
Copied from Naval Affairs, February 2004
VA Cemeteries Seek Volunteers
The VA is looking for volunteers to research and photograph monuments in its 120 national cemeteries and 33 soldiers' lots. The VA began to inventory its memorials in May 2002, expecting to identify an estimated 300 monuments. To date, more than 800 memorials have been identified, but more remain to be inventoried. The National Cemetary homepage is: http://www.cem.va.gov/ For additional information on the project or to volunteer, please contact Darlene Richardson at 202.565.5426 or email nca.memorials@mail.va.gov
On-Line DD-214 Access - Pass to Every Vet - MILITARY RECORDS
NPRC initiates online records request procedures. The National Personnel Records Center is working to make it easier for veterans with computers and Internet access to obtain copies of documents from their military files. Military veterans and the next of kin of deceased former military members may now use a new online military personnel records system to request documents. Other individuals with a need for documents must still complete the Standard Form 180 which can be downloaded from the online web site. The new web-based application was designed to provide better service on these requests by eliminating the records center's mailroom processing time. Also, because the requester will be asked to supply all information essential for NPRC to process the request, delays that normally occur when NPRC has to ask veterans for additional information will be minimized. Veterans and next of kin may access this application at http://vetrecs.archives.gov |