Shinseki: Murphy Is An "Outstanding Leader." Home Channel News (8/5) notes that VA Secretary Eric Shinseki commented on Murphy, calling him an "outstanding leader who cares deeply for veterans and their families" and who is "committed to...finding innovative solutions that will break the disability claims backlog."

2.      VA Officials Pleased By Participation In Yellow Ribbon Program. The Army Times (8/5, Maze, 104K) reports, "More than 1,100 private and public schools have signed agreements with the Veterans Affairs Department to reduce tuition for student veterans in the coming school year as part of the Post-9/11 GI Bill's 'Yellow Ribbon' program, VA announced Wednesday." After noting that the under the "program, VA matches dollar-for-dollar any reduction in fees charged to GI Bill students if tuition and fees exceed the reimbursement rate in the state where the school is located," the Times adds, "Because schools can have more than one Yellow Ribbon agreement, VA officials said a total of 3,200 agreements are in effect for the 2010-11 school year," which is "about the same number of schools and total agreements that were in place for the 2009-10 year. Steady participation in the program is a pleasant surprise for VA officials, who had been concerned that some schools might drop out of the program because of tightening economic conditions."
     The State College, Pennsylvania-based Centre Daily Times (8/5), which publishes a similar story, notes, "'We are pleased that so many institutions are joining us to support the educational goals of the men and women who served this Nation so honorably,' said" VA Secretary Eric Shinseki. The Washington Post (8/5, Rein, 684K) also notes the level of participation in the Yellow Ribbon program.

3.      Florida VA Leader Buried. In continuing coverage, the WTSP-TV Tampa, FL (8/4, Heller) website reported, "The late Admiral LeRoy Collins Jr. was laid to rest on Wednesday in the cemetery of his family's home in downtown Tallahassee." Collins, "who led the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, was killed last week in a bicycle crash in Tampa." WTXL-TV Tampa, FL (8/4, 11:07 p.m. ET), WTLH-TV Tallahassee, FL (8/4, 10:03 p.m. ET), WJXX-TV Jacksonville, FL (8/4, 7:03 p.m. ET), WFLA-TV Tampa, FL (8/4, 5:09 p.m. ET), and WEAR-TV Mobile, AL (8/4, 4:27 p.m. CT) aired similar reports.

4.      Stimulus Paying For National Cemetery Improvements. In continuing coverage, the AP (8/5) reports, "National cemeteries in Denver and Las Animas are getting federal stimulus funds to pay for improvements and equipment." On Wednesday, the Veterans Affairs Department "said...Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver will get about $182,000 to contend with erosion and nearly $162,000 for vehicles and equipment for maintenance and burials." After noting that "Fort Lyon National Cemetery in Las Animas will get about $49,500 for a new equipment shelter," the AP says VA "has committed about $50 million in stimulus funds for 391 projects at national cemeteries and other sites nationwide." KXRM-TV Colorado Springs, CO (8/4, 9:29 p.m. MT) aired a similar report while the Albuquerque (NM) Journal (8/5) says the Santa Fe National Cemetery is also receiving stimulus funds.
     The Culpeper (VA) Star Exponent (8/5) reports, "Culpeper National Cemetery will receive nearly $500,000 in federal stimulus money to update and maintain the historic burial ground that dates to the Civil War era." This week, VA "announced...that Culpeper and Winchester national cemeteries will receive a combined $915,331 for maintenance projects, repairs and equipment at the two sites." The Fredericksburg (VA) Free Lance Star (8/5, Johnston) publishes a similar story.
     The WDBR-TV Louisville, KY (8/4) website reported, "Improvement projects" paid for with VA stimulus funds are "on the way for several national cemeteries, including Zachary Taylor in Louisville," the "New Albany National Cemetery in southern Indiana," and the "Camp Nelson National Cemetery in Jessamine County." The Federal "money is part of a nationwide effort to improve national cemeteries," an effort that was touted by VA's Acting Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Steve L. Muro, who said in a news release that stimulus money is "taking care of maintenance that has in many cases been deferred."
     The "Long Island Now" blog for Long Island Newsday (7/31, Miller, 371K) noted that on Friday, the Calverton National Cemetery "unveiled nearly an acre of solar panels that will power" its "administration building. The project will save the cemetery $6,000 per year, said director Michael Picerno." Newsday added, "The project was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009."

5.      Western New York To Get Veterans Cemetery. In continuing coverage, the WIVB-TV Buffalo, NY (8/4, Vaughters) website said "thanks to a successful mission to bring a veterans cemetery to western New York," military families "won't have to travel as far to pay respects to their fallen heroes." According to WIVB, US Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) announced on Tuesday that a location for the cemetery has been chosen.
     The Batavia (NY) Daily News (8/4, Muehlig, 13K) also covered this story, as did the WHEC-TV Rochester, NY (8/4) website, which noted that the "new cemetery will be within 25 miles of where the New York State Thruway and Interstate 290 intersect just north of Buffalo." The facility "should be partially open by 2013," a point also made by Business First Of Buffalo (8/4).

6.      September Groundbreaking Planned For Canandaigua VAMC Energy Project. In continuing coverage, the Geneva, New York-based Finger Lake Times (8/4, Hibbard) reported, "A September groundbreaking is planned for a $15 million renewable energy project at the Canandaigua Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Called the Combined Heating and Power Renewable Energy Project, the design/construction contract was recently awarded to the team of Whiting-Turner and Lockheed Martin at a cost of $15,282,432." The "project is being funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009."

7.      Filmmaker Says VA Is Helping Those With TBIs, PTSD.  CNN Newsroom (8/4, 10:20 a.m. ET) aired an interview with Iraq veteran Justin Springer, who made a documentary "called 'Along Recovery," which is "about the effects" of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) "on our men and women in uniform." Springer told CNN that "by and large," those facing such difficulties are "getting the help that they need" from the US military and the Department of Veterans Affairs, although he did admit that there is a stigma surrounding PTSD in the military and soldiers might be "afraid of the repercussions" of seeking help.
     Disabled Vet From Earlier War Learns To Play Golf. In a separate segment it aired on veterans, CNN's Newsroom (8/4, 10:20 a.m. ET) spoke negatively about VA, stating that with "two wars, horrific injuries, PTSD, a record rate of suicides, homelessness," VA "botching some healthcare," and Arlington Cemetery "even dropping the ball," it is "always looking for stories to inspire our men and women coming home from war." CNN then interviewed disabled Vietnam vet Mike Reader, a double amputee who has become an avid and gifted golf player.

8.      Duckworth Earns Right To Pilot Fixed-Wing Aircraft. The AP (8/5) reports, "Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs Tammy Duckworth can fly again." After noting that Duckworth "was a helicopter pilot in Iraq when she lost both her legs and partial use of one arm in a rocket-propelled grenade attack in 2004," the AP adds, "The Illinois Army National Guard said Wednesday that Duckworth has earned Federal Aviation Administration certification to pilot fixed-wing aircraft." Duckworth, who "says the license 'fills in the gap in my life that has been there since the day I was shot'" down, "says she hopes to pilot a helicopter again."

9.      Advocates Lobbying VA To Provide More Benefits To Injured Iraq Vet. According to the Plant City (FL) Courier & Tribune (8/4, Plants), two "veterans advocacy organizations" -- the "Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund and Navy-Marine Corp Relief Society" -- are helping the family of injured Iraq veteran David Brown "financially and lobbying" the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide more benefits. The Courier & Tribune added, "A VA spokesman was unable to provide a comment on Brown's status."

10.    Iraq Veteran Hiking Across Country For Military Families. On its website, KXRM-TV Colorado Springs, CO (8/4, Burke) said Iraq veteran Troy Yocum, along with "his small team of three people and one dog," is "hiking across the country for military families in need." Yocum "will walk 7,000 miles across the nation, raising money for the Soldiers' Angels' Financial Assistance Program."

11.    Expanded VA Clinic Includes Area Devoted To Women's Care. In continuing coverage, the KLTV-TV Tyler, TX (8/4) website noted that on Wednesday, an "open house was held...for Longview's much needed new" Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic "on North Eastman Road. The 20,000 square foot facility," which "replaces the smaller previous clinic on Marshall Avenue," is "one of five clinics operated" by the Overton Brooks VA Hospital in Shreveport, Louisiana. The "new facility features a pharmacy," a "women's veterans clinic," and a "dietician's home-based care technician to treat veterans who can't make it to the clinic."

12.    Lawmaker Focuses On Illegal Immigration, Honoring Vets. The Roseburg (OR) News-Review (8/5, Sowell, 18K) reports, "The United States won't get a handle on its illegal immigration problem, US Rep. Peter DeFazio told a Roseburg audience Tuesday, until it takes action against workers who don't have the right to be in this country." Earlier in the day, DeFazio, a "Springfield Democrat who's running for re-election against Republican nominee" Art Robinson, "handed out Bronze Stars and other medals to World War II veterans" during a "ceremony at the Roseburg Veterans Affairs Medical Center."

13.    WWII Vet, 12 Others Receive 2010 Citizens Medal. In continuing coverage, the "Oval" blog for USA Today (8/5, Jackson, 2.11M) notes that on Wednesday, World War II veteran George Weiss, Jr., whose "volunteer rifle squad delivers the final salute at military burials," was one of 13 Americans receiving the "2010 Citizens Medal...from President Obama." The CBS Evening News (8/4, story 11, 0:40, Couric, 6.1M) also broadcast a story on the medals being handed out. The AP (8/5) also covers this story.

14.    Book Recounts Vietnam Vet's Escape From Prisoner Camp.  Comedy Central's The Daily Show (8/4, 11:20 p.m. ET) broadcast an interview with Bruce Henderson, a veteran and "bestselling author," whose "latest book is called 'Hero Found: The Greatest POW Escape of the Vietnam War.'" Henderson told Comedy Central that he thinks Dieter Dengler, the subject of his book, was the "first real hero to come out of an unpopular war."

15.    VA Hospital, NAMI To Sponsor Weekly Mental Health Classes. According to the "Hampton Roads Recon" blog for the Newport News (VA) Daily Press (8/4, Lessig, 76K), the Hampton Veterans Affairs Medical Center is partnering with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), a "leading mental health group," to "sponsor a series of 12 weekly classes that offers real-world advice for men and women trying to help loved ones deal with depression, bipolar disorder or other mental illnesses." After noting that the "NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program is open to veterans and family members of veterans," the Daily Press added, "Classes will be held" at the Hampton VAMC "from 6-8:30 p.m. starting Thursday, Sept. 9 and running to Dec. 2."

16.    Stimulus Funding Bath VAMC Upgrades. According to the Steuben (NY) Courier (8/4, 11K), the Bath Veterans Affairs Medical Center "has received more than $12.2 million in infrastructure upgrades due to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act." Hospital officials "said the most recent project includes a $1.2 million project to upgrade the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system and fire suppression system in Building 17." The Corning (NY) Leader (8/2, 13K) published the same story.

17.    Benefits Forum Held At VA Hudson Valley Facility. The Beacon (NY) Free Press (8/4) said, "It was standing room only" at the Veterans Affairs Hudson Valley Health Care System "Castle Point campus multi-purpose room, where a benefits information forum for veterans was held on Thursday, July 29." Approximately "200 people that attended the forum," where they heard from "Adrienne Vavricka, Social Security Administration Claims Representative," who "spoke to veterans about what they need to do to make sure they receive the benefits they are entitled to when considering retirement." The Free Press added, "Veterans were also able to hear from and speak with representatives from the Dutchess County Department of Social Services, Dutchess County Office for the Aging," the New York State Division of Veterans Affairs, "and the Veterans Health Administration."

18.    Veterans Independence Program Underway At Three VA Hospitals In Illinois. According to the Chicago Tribune (8/4, Neumann, 534K), while "elderly and disabled veterans often prefer living at home to a nursing home," home care "can be expensive, and health aides are not always a good fit." However, the Veterans Independence Program, a "new pilot program for veterans" that is being partly "coordinated by three" Veterans Affairs hospitals in Illinois, "will make it easier" for such vets to "stay comfortable at home." The Tribune noted that the Illinois program is part of a national initiative being run by the US VA and the US Administration on Aging.

19.    Respicio Pushing For Guam VA Clinic To Support VA's New Medical Marijuana Stance. In continuing coverage, Guam's Pacific News Center (8/5, Brown) notes that on Tuesday, Sen. Rory J. Respicio with the Guam Legislature "sent a letter" to Dr. James Hastings, director of the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System Director, "regarding the Department of Veteran's Affairs position on the use of medical marijuana by veterans who are VA beneficiaries in states where medicinal marijuana has been legalized." According to the Pacific News Center, Respicio "insists that the Guam VA clinic support the provisions set forth in the Directive as they apply to 'state' programs because he says Americans in Guam should never be treated differently than Americans in the mainland." Guam's Pacific Daily News (8/5) publishes a similar story.

20.    Quinn Shows Support For Veterans. In a letter to the editor of the Chicago Tribune (8/5, 534K), the American Legion of Illinois' Richard C. Groharing says his organization is "pleased that the Illinois General Assembly passed," and Illinois Governor Pat Quinn "signed, two bills that helped veterans' organizations and their communities." Groharing adds, "Under Public Law Act 96-1410, veterans' service organization posts throughout the state will be able to continue to operate amusement games that help to ensure the viability of the posts themselves," while "Public Act 96-1105 will allow" vets' "organization posts to become resellers of the Veterans' Cash Lottery ticket."

21.    Katy, Tomball VA Clinics Receive Green Light. The Sealy (TX) News (8/5).

22.    VA Medical Center Hosts Paralysis Presentation. The Muskogee (OK) Phoenix (8/5).

23.    VA Center Petition Passing Around Bluefield. The WVNS-TV Bluefield, WV (8/4, Clark) website.

24.    Wounded Veteran Shares Story Of Recovery. The Escondido, California-based North County Times (8/4, Hutman).

25.    Missing WWII Veteran Honored At Cemetery. The Moberly (MO) Monitor-Index (8/4, Herrold, 5K).

26.    VA Hearings as of August 5, 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.”