2.      Stimulus To Fund Renovations At National Cemeteries Run By VA. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch (8/4, 263K) reports, "Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery will get a $1.4 million face-lift using federal stimulus funds, the Department of Veterans Affairs said Tuesday. Jefferson Barracks is among more than 100 cemeteries and similar sites getting improvements through the American Recovery and Restoration Act, according to...VA." One of the cemeteries receiving stimulus funds is the North Alton Confederate Cemetery in Illinois, which will use the money to "repair a monument dating to 1910."
     The Medford (OR) Mail Tribune (8/4, 28K) says the US government "has earmarked nearly $125,000 in federal stimulus funding for improvements and equipment purchases at the Eagle Point National Cemetery." The "funding is part of the roughly $50 million in stimulus funding given to the VA's National Cemetery Administration for 391 cemeteries and other sites it manages." Business First Of Louisville (8/4), meanwhile, notes the US VA "has received nearly $796,000 in federal stimulus funding to make improvements and purchase equipment for four Kentucky and Southern Indiana national cemeteries."
     News Of National Cemetery In New York Met With Cheers. The Buffalo News (8/4, Michel, Zremski, 185K) reports, "Veterans and their advocates on Tuesday cheered news that Western New York, at long last, will become home to a National Veterans Cemetery. The federal government will soon begin soliciting bids for a site that will be within 25 miles of the interchange for the Youngmann Highway and Mainline Thruway in Amherst and should be at least partially open by 2013, according" to US Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-NY). According to the News, the announcement "means loved ones of veterans seeking" VA burial "will not have to travel more than 100 miles to Bath, the closest national burial ground" for veterans. The Tonawanda (NY) News (8/4) and the AP also cover this story.

 

3.      Broad Operation Changes Ordered For Arlington National Cemetery. In continuing coverage, the Washington Post (8/4, Davenport, 684K) notes that the secretary of the US Army "has ordered widespread changes to the way Arlington National Cemetery operates after a report found a 'general breakdown in sound business practices' that included poor financial oversight, violation of contracting regulations and a lack of competition for lucrative contracts." The report, "conducted by Army procurement" officials, "confirms the findings of a scathing review, released in June, of the cemetery by the Army's inspector general."

 

4.      Vet Center Hosting Family Peer Group Meetings. The second "Briefs" item for the Grand Junction (CO) Sentinel (8/4) reports, "The Grand Junction Vet Center will be host for an ongoing family peer group through Oct. 13 at 2472 Patterson Road, Unit 16." After stating the group is "geared toward family and spouses of combat veterans," the Sentinel says the topic of the next group session, scheduled for Wednesday night, "will be 'What is Post Traumatic Stress?'"

 

5.      Symposium Focuses On Programs For Male, Female Vets. A front page story in the Freehold (NJ) News Transcript (8/4, A1) notes that on July 14th, in "response to concerns of a group of local veterans about not having clear and easy access to programs that exist especially for men and women who have served in the armed forces, the 12th District legislators hosted a symposium on veterans services and benefits...at Colts Neck High School" in Colts Neck, New Jersey. The News Transcript adds, "According to information provided by the 12th District legislators," New Jersey Adjutant Gen. Glenn K. Rieth was at the event and "spoke mainly about the services available through the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs." The Vet Center, "located in Lakewood," provided "materials and contact information about a variety of issues pertaining to veterans."

 

6.      WWII Vet One Of 13 Citizens To Be Honored By Obama. The AP (8/4, Sanner) notes that on Wednesday, President Obama will recognize World War II veteran George J. Weiss Jr., who started an "all-volunteer rifle squad that...has delivered the final salute at more than 56,400 military burials," and "12 other people with the Presidential Citizens Medal, the second highest honor that can be conferred on an American civilian." The Minneapolis Star Tribune (8/4, 347K), which publishes a similar story, points out that Weiss is a Minnesota resident.

 

7.      Vietnam Vet Impressed By Obama Speech. In continuing coverage, the Augusta (GA) Chronicle (8/3, Jones) said that while the "big news from President Obama's speech to disabled veterans Monday was that the Iraq pullout is on schedule," the "commander in chief's words about the veterans themselves were what stuck with Augustan Willie Davis Jr. 'He really surprised me,' the Vietnam vet said," adding that all the vets in attendance that he spoke to said they were surprised Obama cared so much about them. After noting that Davis, "who is the chief of staff in the Georgia Disabled American Veterans," said Obama was given a standing ovation as he finished his speech, the Chronicle said during that speech, the President "talked about increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs' budget and improving health care and benefits for Agent Orange victims and sick gulf war soldiers."
     The Marietta (GA) Daily Journal (8/3, Gillooly) noted that during his speech, Obama "said his administration is making it easier" on Agent Orange-exposed Vietnam vets to address their health care needs. The Daily Journal added, "Similar help is available for Gulf War veterans. Nine infectious diseases are now presumed to be related to service in Desert Storm, he said."
     The NEWS14-TV Charlotte, NC (8/3, Broders) website, meanwhile, said Obama "made it official on Monday when he announced the United States' combat mission in Iraq will end by the end of this month." While the "news is giving military family members a sigh of relief," some "strongly disagree with the Iraq troop drawdown, such as" veteran Quincy Collins, who said, "The job is not done, until it's done."

 

8.      Advocate: Obtaining Medical Marijuana "Rather Difficult" For Vets. In continuing coverage, Fox News' Fox And Friends (8/3, 8:54 a.m. ET) broadcast, "This week, the Department of Veterans Affairs will begin allowing patients treated at VA hospitals and clinics to use medical marijuana if those" facilities "are in states where medical marijuana is permitted.." When Fox asked Veterans for Medical Marijuana Access Executive Director Michael Krawitz to explain how "most veterans who need medical marijuana as part of their treatment" currently obtain it, Krawitz said, "It's rather difficult for veterans." Krawitz went on to say veterans have to go to private doctors for their medical marijuana recommendations and then find a distributor for the drug, which he said can be a complicated undertaking in some states.
     Meanwhile, in its "Colorado Editorial Roundup," the AP (8/4) notes a recent editorial for the Denver Post said VA's "decision...to allow patients to use medical marijuana in the 14 states where it is legal, including Colorado, is a humane and just call."

 

9.      VA Clinic In Texas To Conduct Open House, Tour. The Longview (TX) News-Journal (8/3, 27K) noted that on Wednesday, a "new Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic," located at "1005 N. Eastman Road, will hold an open house and tour from 3 to 4 p.m." The facility, which opened in July, "replaces a smaller previous Longview clinic and is one of five clinics operated" by the Overton Brooks VA Hospital in Shreveport, Louisiana.

 

10.    Disabled Man Making Crafts For Other Vets To Paint. The Jefferson County (MO) Journal (8/4, Merkel, 37K) profiles 58-year-old disabled veteran Bill Baker, who "has made thousands of owls, ducks, elephants, candles and patriotic bowls" for patients to paint in the craft room of the Jefferson Barracks Veterans Affairs Medical Center spinal cord injury unit. After noting that Baker "has accumulated nearly 10,000 volunteer hours" at the hospital, the Journal quotes occupational therapist Becky Ballard, who said Baker is "part of our VA family."

 

11.    Moon Tree Found At Museum, Vets Hospital. In a story first run by the Troy (AL) Messenger (7/30, Treadwell, 3K), under the headline, "Museum's Moon Tree Celebrates 34 Years," the Gadsden (AL) Times (8/4, 18K), notes that the director of the Pioneer Museum of Alabama said a Moon Tree inside the museum generates curiosity from visitors. After noting that Peak said the tree, which has been at the museum for 34 years, was grown from seeds taken to the moon, the Times pointed out that other moon trees can be found at other buildings in Alabama, including one in the "veterans' hospital at Tuskegee." This AP (8/4) wire service also takes up this story.

 

12.    Fixing Reform. In his "Management Matters" column for Government Executive (8/4), Brian Friel notes that President Obama's "outgoing budget director, Peter R. Orszag, recently told the Center for American Progress, in a speech highlighting Obama's management agenda, that 'closing the IT gap is perhaps the single most important step we can take in creating a more efficient and responsive government.'" Friel argues, however, that while governmentwide reform might be helpful, the "keys to successful turnarounds are found within...individual agencies," as has been demonstrated by the Veterans Health Administration.

 

13.    VA Rule On Agent Orange, Heart Disease Due Soon. The Army Times (8/4, Kennedy).

 

14.    Veterans To Get Agent Orange Funds. The Florida Keys Citizen (8/3, Guerra, 11K).

 

15.    $111 Million For Fort. The Waynesville (MO) Daily Guide (8/2, Leroux, 2K) said the fiscal year 2011 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, which was recently passed by the US House of Representatives, "would give $111.7 million to Fort Leonard Wood." The legislation "would increase the support" to VA "disability claims, providing more than 4,000 additional permanent claims processors, a 25 percent increase. It would also provide $250 million to support initiatives that provide better access to health care for veterans in rural areas."

 

16.    VA To Open Newport Health Care Clinic. The AP (8/4).

 

17.    Katy VA Clinic Moves Forward. The Katy (TX) Sun (8/4, Aboudaher).

 

18.    Pitts, 8 Other Legislative Candidates Drop Out. According to the AP (8/3, Brokaw), "Rep. Carol Pitts said Tuesday she has withdrawn her name from the November ballot and will not seek re-election to the South Dakota House." Pitts, "one of nine legislative candidates who had withdrawn" as of Tuesday, is a dietitian who "said she cannot seek another term in the Legislature because she has accepted a job working on a home-based health care program for the Veterans Health Administration. Federal law clearly prevents federal employees from running in partisan elections, she said."

 

19.    Wounded Warrior Gets Hero's Welcome. The Johnson County (NC) Herald (8/4, Kenney).

 

20.    Patriot Guard Welcomes Home Soldier. The WPDE-TV Myrtle Beach, SC (8/4, Moore) website.

 

21.    Local Vets, Congressman Teague Rally To Help Restore Vandalized Graves. The Deming (NM) Headlight (8/3, Robinson, 4K).

 

22.    Memorial Building Rising Fast. The Anderson (CA) Valley Post (8/4, Woodward).

 

23.    Memorial Being Built For Soldiers In Boise. The Boise-based Idaho Statesman (8/4, 61K).

24.    VA Hearings as of August 4, 2010:

Markup on August 5.  SVAC, Markup – COLA; Murray Vets employment; Claims bill (to be introduced); Akaka GI bill; Health package (including Begich bill waiving Telehealth/telemedicine co-pay. 

 

Hearing on September 16.  The Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity will hold a hearing to receive an update on the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. 

 

Hearing on September 16.  HVAC, Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs will hold a hearing on “VBA Claims Processing Training Requirements.” 

 

Hearing on September 22.  The American Legion will give its annual briefing on its legislative agenda before a joint hearing of SVAC and HVAC.

 

Hearing on September 23.  SVAC Oversight Hearing:  “VA Disability Compensation:  Presumptive Disability Decision-Making.” 

Hearing on September 23.  HVAC, Subcommittee on Health, will conduct a hearing on “VHA Contracting and Procurement Practices.” 

 

Hearing on September 29.  HVAC, Subcommittee on Health will hold a hearing on pending legislation.