COMBAT & OPERATIONAL STRESS/PTS/TBI

·         Bin Laden's death may reignite PTSD for some: (MSNBC) --- “I think the phenomenon being experienced now and witnessed last night when the news was revealed is reminiscent of what occurred in this country on VE day undefined when World War II ended,” said Dr. Jeffrey Lieberman, professor and chair of psychiatry at Columbia University. “When a population is burdened by the memory of an emotional trauma and then relief comes suddenly there can be a powerful release of pent-up emotions.”  http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/42867361/ns/health-mental_health/

·         Combat Vet Loses GI Bill Over Pot And Spice: (KUOW-NPR, SEATTLE) --- Here's a soldier's tale. Bill Surwillo deploys to Afghanistan. Nearly a quarter of his platoon is killed. He comes home with PTSD. He turns to marijuana and spice – a synthetic version of the drug – to relax. The Army kicks him out and takes away his GI Bill. Is this fair?  http://kuow.org/northwestnews.php?storyID=135969935

WOUNDED WARRIOR CARE/TREATMENT

·         A Veteran and His Service Dog: (WNYC-NPR, NYC) --- [Audio Only]: 17-year veteran and former captain in the U.S. Army, where he earned the Combat Action Badge, two Bronze Stars, and the Purple Heart, talks about the service dog who helped him recover from injuries he received in combat. Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him is an account of his experience. http://www.wnyc.org/shows/lopate/2011/may/02/until-tuesday-veteran-service-dog/

WOUNDED WARRIOR & FAMILY SUPPORT

·         Mrs. Mullen Spotlights Family Issues in New Blog: (DOD NEWS) --- Building resilience and providing long-term support are keys to strengthening military families and better equipping them to weather the frequent, multiple deployments so prevalent in this decade of war, the wife of the nation’s top military officer said. http://www.defense.gov//News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=63793

·         Family Forum: Supporting Military Families Year Round: (DOD FAMILY MATTERS BLOG) --- There is no issue nearer or dearer to my heart than reinforcing to our military children that they are, indeed, a key part of the military community and how equally important it is to recognize the sacrifices they make every day.  http://afps.dodlive.mil/2011/05/03/family-forum-supporting-military-families-year-round/

·         Military recognizes role of spouses: (ARMY NEWS) --- Friday is being set aside to recognize the wives and husbands of more than one million active-duty servicemembers, Guardsmen and Reservists.  May 6 is Military Spouse Appreciation Day, which the Department of Defense will mark with ceremonies and celebrations on installations worldwide. President Barrack Obama noted that spouses are part "of the force behind the force" during his remarks last month to announce a national initiative tagged "Joining Forces," which is aimed at increasing the support of U.S. military families.  http://www.army.mil/-news/2011/05/03/55886-military-recognizes-role-of-spouses/

·         Widow of first serviceman killed in Afghanistan honors sacrifice of others: (NW CABLE NEWS, SEATTLE) --- Most every American had a stake in the hunt for Osama bin laden. For Renae Chapman, news of bin Laden's death was welcome and bittersweet. She is the widow whose husband was the first serviceman killed by enemy fire in Afghanistan. http://www.nwcn.com/home/?fId=121219499&fPath=/news/local&fDomain=10212

WOUNDED WARRIOR RECOVERY

·         Wounded warriors return to Iraq: (ARMY NEWS) --- Denied the opportunity to go home on their own terms, eight servicemembers wounded in Iraq during previous deployments returned to seek closure and see first-hand the results of their sacrifice during Operation Proper Exit, April 26, 2011. http://www.army.mil/-news/2011/05/02/55839-wounded-warriors-return-to-iraq/

·         Wounded soldiers build resiliency through skiing: (THE DAILY, SUMMIT, CO) --- Bobby Briggs brought his family from the small town of Hillsboro, Iowa to the Colorado Rocky Mountains not just to learn to ski but to participate in a unique program to help his military family improve their communications and relationships. The program, called Wounded Warriors Family Ski Week (WWFSW), is held in Breckenridge and is now in its fourth year. http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20110504/NEWS/110509948/1078&ParentProfile=1055

HOMELESS VETERANS

·         Catholic Outreach raises hope & apartments for homeless vets: (KKCO-TV, GRAND JUNCTION, CO) ---  Struggling veterans in Mesa County will have a new place to call their own. Work has begun on an apartment complex for servicemen and women, searching to reclaim their lives. Grand Valley Catholic Outreach is leading the effort to raise the two apartment buildings for homeless veterans. http://www.nbc11news.com/localnews/headlines/Catholic_Outreach_raises_hope__apartments_for_homeless_vets_121227334.html

VA

·         VA to expand caregivers program: (AP) --- The Veterans Affairs Department has reversed course and says it will make sure more caregivers of severely disabled Iraq and Afghanistan can receive the help they need to help their wounded relatives.  http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hmx5sYYHI0bnhFU6A9DrGXs4joyw?docId=8cf083508a1143219b069af80b9751bd

·         Apply ASAP for caregiver benefits, VA says: (MILITARY TIMES) --- The Veterans Affairs Department will start accepting applications on Monday for a new, landmark benefits program for the caregivers of severely disabled Iraq- and Afghanistan-era veterans.  Full benefits, which will include living stipends, won’t be paid until July, but there is a good reason for caregivers to apply as soon as possible: Benefits will be retroactive to the date of application.  http://militarytimes.com/news/2011/05/military-apply-now-for-caregivers-benefits-050311w/

·         VA officials blasted by both parties at House hearing: (POST-DISPATCH, ST LOUIS) --- U.S. House members, troubled by medical safety lapses, on Tuesday accused Veterans Affairs of carelessness and a lack of accountability in treating patients at the John Cochran VA Medical Center in St. Louis and other VA facilities.  http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_e6c350a6-fee5-503d-8807-c4918a622c14.html

OPINION/COMMENTARY

·         The Military Can Take Care of Bin Laden -- Let's Take Care of Homeless Veterans: (HUFFINGTON POST) --- I felt out of place at a California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVets) Conference in the Los Angeles Police Academy dining hall. I was not a decorated war hero, and not a veteran. I had never even played with toy guns as a child. But, I was asked to speak to these honored guests about the sad state of homelessness among our nation's war veterans. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joel-john-roberts/homeless-veterans_b_856054.html

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From: Kevin Secor at VA HQ – Kevin is a retired USMC Master Gunnery Sergeant! Thanks Kevin

Sent:  Wednesday, May 04, 2011 3:54 AM

Subj:  HAVE YOU HEARD?

An unprecedented VA program that promises to redefine the science of genomics goes national tomorrow, when the official launch of the Million Veteran Program (MVP) is announced during the May 5 Research Forum at VA Central Office. The MVP is a groundbreaking VA project to build what is expected to be one of the largest databases of genetic, military exposure, and health information. By identifying gene-health connections, the program could greatly advance disease screening, diagnosis, and prognosis and point the way toward more effective, personalized therapies. VA Under Secretary for Health Robert A. Petzel, M.D., described MVP as “an important partnership between VA and Veterans to learn more about how genes affect health, and thus transform health care for Veterans and for all Americans.”

Additional information about MVP is available online, at www.research.va.gov/MVP. And to learn more about Research Forum events and Research Week activities taking place at VA facilities across the country, please visit www.research.va.gov/researchweek

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From:  VA Media Relations

Sent:   Thursday, May 05, 2011 4:09 PM

Subj:   VA-Army Agreement Helping Transform Health Care for Patients

WASHINGTON (May 5, 2011)  - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and

Department of the Army are working together to provide cutting-edge simulation-based training for medical staff to enhance the quality of patient care at VA medical facilities across the Nation.

"This agreement between the VA and the U.S. Army strengthens an important relationship that helps VA deliver better health care and value for all of our Nation's Veterans. It also allows VA to make the best and most cost-effective purchases of simulation equipment, while also moving us toward system-wide standardized simulation training," said Dr. Robert A. Petzel, VA Under Secretary for Health.

The $5 million agreement utilizes the expertise of the Army's Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI) to provide support and services for simulation equipment and supplies acquisition in support of VA's Simulation Learning, Education and Research Network (SimLEARN) Program.

The SimLEARN Program was established by VA to develop national simulation-based clinical training throughout its more than 150 medical centers around the Nation. As the Army's acquisition agency for simulation and training devices, PEO STRI has unique expertise in the area of acquisition services for medical instruction and related program management services. PEO STRI has established equipment and technology

requirements to support its nationally recognized simulation-based medical training programs.

"This agreement certainly joins our active and retired service men and women in a way they've never been connected before," he said.  "The cutting-edge modeling and simulation expertise that our combat medics and combat lifesavers receive for treating active duty Soldiers will be leveraged for supporting the training efforts of medical personnel who care for our veterans.  It's truly a win-win situation for our nation's

heroes."

About SimLEARN:  VA's SimLEARN program is designed to improve care for America's Veterans by providing a safe and supportive environment in which practitioners master skills, practice protocols, learn system-based practices, apply critical decision making, and promote improved team communication and functioning.  To learn more about the  SimLEARN program, visit www.simlearn.va.gov

About PEO STRI: Headquartered in Orlando, Fla., the U.S. Army PEO STRI executes an annual budget of more than $3 billion. In addition to providing interoperable training and testing solutions and program management, PEO STRI provides life-cycle support for the Army's most advanced training systems around the world. PEO STRI is dedicated to putting the power of simulation into the hands of our Warfighters.

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From: John Bircher, Military Order of the Purple Heart

Military Order of the Purple Heart Salutes the United States Postal Service on the First Day of Issue of the Purple Heart Forever Stamp

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

San Diego, CA   May 5, 2011

On May 5, 2011, aboard the USS Midway permanently docked in San Diego harbor, Ron Stroman, Deputy Postmaster General of the U.S. Postal Service unveiled the “Purple Heart with Ribbon” forever stamp, assisted by Clayton Jones, National Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and RADM Mac McLaughlin, CEO of the USS Midway Museum.

In his remarks, Mr. Stroman noted that “with the issuance of this stamp, the Postal Service, along with the rest of our nation, can pay tribute to those whose sacrifices have given all of us, a country that is truly the ‘land of the free and the home of the brave.”  In his remarks, Commander Jones said, “Because the Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to members of the U.S. military who have been wounded or killed in action, this stamp has special meaning.  Until now, the only ‘forever’ stamp has been the Liberty Bell stamp, which is the symbol of our nation’s freedom.  The significance of the Purple Heart forever stamp is that it now honors the symbol of the cost of our nation’s freedom.  The Purple Heart Medal on every recipient’s chest is a reminder that the bill for freedom is paid in full.”

On August 7, 1782, during the Revolutionary War, General George Washington created America’s first badge of distinction for meritorious action on the battlefield.  The award was distinctive because it was available to the common soldier at a time when normally only officers were eligible for military decorations.  The decoration consisted of a heart made of purple cloth, and was known as the Badge of Merit.  General Washington wrote, "The road to glory in a patriot army, is thus open to all."  Although the Badge of Merit fell into disuse after the Revolutionary War, it was reinstated by General Douglas MacArthur, the U.S. Army Chief of Staff, on February 22, 1932 to mark the 200th anniversary of Washington's birth. The redesigned “Purple Heart Medal” consists of a heart shaped gold medal, suspended from a purple and white ribbon. In the center of the medal is a profile bust of George Washington mounted on a purple heart, beneath the Washington family coat of arms.   On the reverse of the medal are the words “For Military Merit.”

The first Purple Heart stamp was issued in 2003. Since that time, each time the price of a first class letter changed, a letter writing campaign had to be mounted to ensure that a Purple Heart stamp would continue to be available to the public.  Today, following a 12-year successful campaign by the Military Order of the Purple Heart and other veterans organizations to create a “forever” stamp, the new Purple Heart postage stamp will continue in circulation indefinitely, and supporters will no longer need to advocate for a new issue each time the price of stamps increases.  Past National Commander Boyd Barclay, who started the campaign for a Purple Heart forever stamp in 1999, stood proudly beside current National Commander Clayton Jones and the entire MOPH leadership team on the deck of the USS Midway today to help mark the ‘first day of issue’ of the stamp.

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Godspeed..................Wayne