UPDATE 12/17/07

Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes Presents Legion with $500K

Individual grants to be awarded to disabled war vets

INDIANAPOLIS (Dec. 4, 2007) -The Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes presented a check of $500,000 to The American Legion so the nation’s largest veterans organization can award grants to disabled veterans who served in the Iraq or Afghanistan wars.

“These grants are just a small token of appreciation for the sacrifices made by so many of America’s men and women in uniform,” said Thomas J. Palma, general manager of the Coalition. “Our Coalition was able to raise a lot of money from caring people but we do not have the distribution network of The American Legion. The Legion is a well-respected organization with a presence in communities across America. The American Legion will do an excellent job in getting those grants to deserving veterans.”

American Legion National Commander Marty Conatser said that The American Legion is honored to participate in such a worthy project.

“We are extremely grateful to the Coalition for its generous contribution to America’s heroes. Some of these grants will be awarded just in time to brighten the holidays for those who need the help,” said Conatser.

The funds will be divided into $500 grants and awarded to veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq who are rated with disabilities of 30 percent or more. The American Legion will assume all distribution administrative costs, meaning that 1,000 grants will be awarded - the entire amount of the Coalition’s contribution.

It is not the first time that the two organizations have teamed up to award grants to disabled veterans. The American Legion distributed checks for the Coalition in 2005.

“The program was so successful two years ago that The American Legion’s National Executive Committee unanimously passed a resolution at our last convention authorizing our assistance in this great endeavor,” Conatser said.

The Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes, www.saluteheroes.org < http://www.saluteheroes.org>, is a nonprofit organization that was created to provide a way for individuals, corporations and others to

help severely wounded and disabled Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans and their families rebuild their lives.

The American Legion, www.legion.org, was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and patriotic youth programs. The Legion’s 2.7 million wartime veterans work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.

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CONTACT: Joe March or John Raughter at (317) 630-1253. In Washington, D.C., Ramona Joyce at (202)263-2982.

UPDATE 11/29/07

VA/DOD Commence Single Disability Examination Pilot for Wounded Warriors

Evaluation to Provide Smoother Transition to Disability Benefits and Compensation

WASHINGTON -- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) this week began a pilot program to test a new single disability evaluation system for wounded warriors at the three major military medical facilities in the Washington D.C. area.

This initiative is designed to eliminate the duplicative and often confusing elements of the current disability processes of the two departments. Key features of the disability evaluation system (DES) pilot include one medical examination and a single-sourced disability rating.

The single disability examination pilot is another improvement as a result of the President’s Commission on Care for America’s Returning Wounded Warriors (Dole/Shalala) and is aimed to simplify health care and rehabilitation for injured service members and veterans.

This pilot program will seek to ease the transition of wounded service members through the disability evaluation system to reentry into the civilian community with more efficient delivery of disability compensation at the time they leave military service.

VA is providing the medical professionals performing the examinations. The pilot is being conducted for service members at the Washington, D.C., VA Medical Center, Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., and the Malcolm Grow Medical Center at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., and will run for one year. Throughout the pilot, VA and DoD officials will monitor progress to determine potential expansion into other locations.

The pilot includes all non-clinical care and administrative activities, such as case management and counseling requirements associated with disability case processing from the service member’s initial referral to a Military Department Medical Evaluation Board to VA’s compensation and benefits program.

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UPDATE 11/28/07

SENATOR CARDIN APPLAUDS VA DECISION TO ALLOW FLEXIBILTY OF TREATMENT CHOICES FOR VETERANS WITH MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), today in a letter to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), applauded the VA's decision to give veterans who need mental health services flexibility in where they receive their treatment. The VA reversed an earlier decision that would have redirected outpatient services from Re-Entry Associates, Inc. in Cumberland to the Cumberland VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic. Veterans will now be able to receive services at either facility.

"I commend the VA for its decision to give veterans who need mental health services flexibility in where to receive those services," said Senator Cardin. "It is important that veterans in Western Maryland have continuity of treatment, and I commend the VA for giving them a choice between the Re-Entry Associates Inc., and the Cumberland VA Outpatient Clinic. Our goals should always be to ensure that our veterans get the most effective treatment possible by trusted professionals with whom they have developed a therapeutic relationship."

The text of Senator Cardin's letter to the VA is below:

The Honorable Gordon H. Mansfield

Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs

810 Vermont Avenue, NW

Washington , DC 20420-0002

Dear Secretary Mansfield,

I am writing to applaud the Veterans Administration's (VA) decision to allow veterans in Western Maryland who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to continue to seek treatment either from their current provider - Re-Entry Associates - or the Cumberland VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) or both.

This summer and fall the VA sent letters to 94 veterans in Maryland advising them that their access to counseling at Re-Entry Associates, a private provider, would terminate. Many of these veterans had been participating in this program for decades and such a disruption in longstanding clinical relationships was both counterproductive and dangerous to their mental health. I received distressed letters and phone calls from affected veterans, local veteran organizations, elected officials, and others in Western Maryland asking that the VA reconsider its decision to transfer services from the current provider, Re-Entry Associates, to the VA CBOC. I passed many of these communications along to your department in hopes that the VA could reconsider its decision.

I am glad that the VA has listened to its clients -- the veterans -- and appreciates the depth and importance of the clinical relationships they have developed. I look forward to working with you to ensure that these veterans, and all our veterans, continue to receive the most effective treatment from trusted professionals.

Best wishes.

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UPDATE 8/19/07

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) today praised the passage by unanimous consent of his bill (S.1877) clarifying U.S. law to allow veterans and servicemen not in uniform to salute the flag. Current law (US Code Title 4, Chapter 1) states that veterans and servicemen not in uniform should place their hand over their heart without clarifying whether they can or should salute the flag.

“The salute is a form of honor and respect, representing pride in one’s military service,” Senator Inhofe said. “Veterans and service members continue representing the military services even when not in uniform.

“Unfortunately, current U.S. law leaves confusion as to whether veterans and service members out of uniform can or should salute the flag. My legislation will clarify this regulation, allowing veterans and servicemen alike to salute the flag, whether they are in uniform or not.

“I look forward to seeing those who have served saluting proudly at baseball games, parades, and formal events. I believe this is an appropriate way to honor and recognize the 25 million veterans in the United States who have served in the military and remain as role models to others citizens. Those who are currently serving or have served in the military have earned this right, and their recognition will be an inspiration to others.”

Here is the website to check the status on this bill!!!

Tom Davis
Department Adjutant
Maryland
410 752-1405 (office)
410 752-3822 (fax)

4/25/07

Please Contact Congress to Oppose the Conference Report on HR 1591

THE WAR IN IRAQ IS NOT LOST!

More Info

OPPOSE THE CONFERENCE REPORT -- We Want Funding for the Troops With No Specific Iraq Withdrawal Date

Beginning today, Congress will vote on the Conference Report on H.R. 1591, U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Health, and Iraq Accountability Act, 2007. The Conference Committee voted to keep the language on troop withdrawal timetables in this legislation.

It is important that The American Legion’s grassroots be involved in the legislative process. We oppose any and all references to the conduct of military operations, troop movements or prosecution of the Global War on Terror in an appropriations bill. The American Legion opposes a Conference Report that includes a formal date for withdrawal of U. S. troops from Iraq.

Please contact your elected Members of Congress this morning and re-emphasize a vote against this Conference Report. Remember, a Conference Report can only be adopted or rejected – it cannot be amended. We support full funding for the troops in “harm’s way” in Iraq and Afghanistan and for the ongoing costs of war.

The message points to use when contacting your Members of Congress today:
1. Full funding for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and for the ongoing costs of war.
2. No specific date for troop withdrawal from Iraq tied to full funding.

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4/11/07

The following letter was sent to the Congressional leadership today. It is suggested that you send them and our congressional members similar letters also.

Tom Davis
Department Adjutant
Maryland
410 752-1405 (office)
410 752-3822 (fax)

April 11, 2007

Honorable Nancy Pelosi, Speaker
U.S. House of Representatives
H-232, The Capitol
Washington, DC 20515-6501

Honorable Harry Reid, Majority Leader
United States Senate
S-230, The Capitol
Washington, DC 20510-7010

Dear Speaker Pelosi and Senator Reid:

The American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States adamantly oppose H.R. 1591, the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Health, and Iraq Accountability Act. This critical funding request must be void of any language that directs the conduct of military operations or troop movements based on timelines established by Congress rather than the commanders on the ground, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Commander-in-Chief.

Congress should consider and debate the President’s FY 2007 Defense Emergency Supplemental Appropriations request and only amendments directly related to the on-going cost of war. The men and women of the armed forces in the theater of operation are dependent on this emergency funding to sustain and achieve their military missions.

As leaders of our respective wartime veterans’ service organizations, we strongly encourage the removal of all restrictive language designed to influence the conduct of military operations and troop movements. Our knowledge about warfare and the evils of terrorism were learned in the hard school of experience. With all due respect to you and your colleagues - first things first - take care of the troops. They are the ones placed in harm’s way.

Sincerely,

//signed// //signed//
PAUL A. MORIN GARY KURPIUS
National Commander Commander-in-Chief
The American Legion Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States

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3/27/07

Please share the latest legislative update from Washington with all members of The American Legion family and urge them to contact both their U.S. Senators.

Here is additional background information:

Veterans Service Organizations: "Let Our Generals Be Generals"
American Legion National Commander Paul Morin: "I said it before and I'll say it again, this is a blueprint for disaster. ... We strongly object to tying timelines for withdrawal to much needed funding for our troops on the battlefield. This binding piece of legislation passed in the House today is a road map to failure. It also just sent a clear message that emboldens our enemies. ... Putting timelines on military operations is the equivalent to issuing battlefield strategies from the House floor for our troops fighting the good fight against terrorism. ... Members of Congress should not be armchair generals. ... They need to understand that our deployed service members depend on this emergency funding to sustain and achieve their military missions." (American Legion, "218 Lawmakers Raise White Flag, Passes Blueprint For Disaster In Iraq," Press Release, 3/23/07)

VFW Commander-In-Chief Gary Kurpius: "The national commander of America's largest organization of combat veterans was deeply critical of today's vote in the U.S. House of Representatives and issued a stern warning that the vote 'will precipitously endanger U.S. forces currently engaged in the war on terrorism.' ... 'As I have stated before, we have to let our generals be generals and wage this war as only they are trained to do.' He is most upset that the Democrat-controlled House failed to give the ongoing troop 'surge' and the military's plan even the slightest chance of working." (Veterans Of Foreign Wars, "House Vote Will Endanger Troops," Press Release, 3/23/07)

Editorials And Commentary: "Congress Should Let David Petraeus Play Out His Strategy"
Chicago Tribune: "...the House plan starts to tie the hands of American commanders just when the troop surge seems to be showing the first tentative signs of working." (Editorial, "Congress And The Troops," Chicago Tribune, 3/24/07)

The Wall Street Journal's Bret Stephens: "What is amazing to me is the hubris of a Congress that thinks that it can manage or micromanage the pace of events 5,000 or 6,000 miles away in Iraq. And it is all the more amazing, because you do now have ... a surge that does seem to be working out." (FOX News' "Journal Editorial Report," 3/24/07)

New Hampshire Union Leader: "Our Founding Fathers rightly ensured that there would be only one commander in chief, not 535. The Democrats, as usual, are ignoring the Constitution to do what they think will win them more votes. That's no way to run a war, or a country." (Editorial, "Sapping The Surge: Dems Set Their Deadline," New Hampshire Union Leader, 3/25/07)

The Wall Street Journal: "The bill's 'benchmarks' and deadlines certainly have nothing to do with achieving victory in Iraq, or assisting General David Petraeus's campaign to secure Baghdad. They are all about the war inside the Democratic Caucus. ... And most disgraceful, it will send a message to U.S. troops that they can fight on - albeit without much chance of success and without Congressional support." (Editorial, "'A Triumph For Pelosi,'" The Wall Street Journal, 3/24/07)

Roll Call's Mort Kondracke: "...[M]y position on all this is that Congress should let David Petraeus play out his strategy, and see if it works, and hope that ... it works, and not get in his way." (FOX News' "The Beltway Boys," 3/24/07)

Investor's Business Daily: "In passing a bill that will force a timetable for withdrawal of U.S. troops in Iraq, Democrats have again shown why they can't be trusted with our nation's security - or with spending money responsibly." (Editorial, "A Vote Too Far," Investor's Business Daily, 3/26/07)

Richmond [VA] Times-Dispatch Former Editorial Page Editor Ross Mackenzie: "Unable to win in Congress, the Democrats are working to win the White House. The ultimate potential victims are the Iraqi people and - longer term, denying the rightness of the American effort to extend democratic freedom into the Arab world - the American people." (Ross Mackenzie, Op-Ed, "All Iraq All The Time: Failure To Plant Freedom There Threatens Freedom Here," Richmond [VA] Times-Dispatch, 3/25/07)

Editorials And Commentary: "Clumsy Effort By House Democrats Is Unworthy Of Public Support"
The Washington Post: "As it is, House Democrats are pressing a bill that has the endorsement of MoveOn.org but excludes the judgment of the U.S. commanders who would have to execute the retreat the bill mandates. ... [Democrats] should not seek to use pork to buy a majority for an unconditional retreat that the majority does not support." (Editorial, "Retreat And Butter," The Washington Post, 3/23/07)

The Charlotte [NC] Observer: "The way House leaders have handled the bill is depressing. Unable to unite the party on Iraq, they resorted instead to slathering the legislation with lard." (Editorial, "Peanut Politics," The Charlotte [NC] Observer, 3/23/07)

St. Petersburg [FL] Times: "So while the vote ostensibly was about the funding and conduct of the war in Iraq, it turned on giving billions of dollars to peanut and dairy farmers, shrimpers and fishermen, even spinach growers. ... What does this have to do with the Iraq war? Nothing, and that is why the clumsy effort by House Democrats is unworthy of public support." (Editorial, "A Sleazy War Vote," The St. Petersburg [FL] Times, 3/24/07)

The Chattanooga [TN] Times Free Press: "For Democrats in Congress to combine surrender with 'pork' is a shameful and nauseating procedure." (Editorial, "Buying Votes For Surrender," Chattanooga [TN] Times Free Press, 3/24/07)

The San Diego [CA] Union-Tribune: "This is disgusting. ... [T]he idea that taxpayer funds are being doled out by the multibillion for unrelated domestic programs to influence a profoundly important vote on Iraq should offend everyone." (Editorial, "Shame On Pelosi," The San Diego [CA] Union-Tribune, 3/23/07)

Bipartisan Legislators: "Our Troops March To The Order Of One Commander In Chief, Not 535"
House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH): "'All of us wish Iraq had gone better,' conceded Republican Leader John Boehner of Ohio. But he predicted that to 'bring our troops home and give up' would increase terrorism and genocide, create a safe haven for enemies and shake the Middle East so greatly that it would menace Israel's future." (Renee Schoof, "House Approves War Funding, Timetable For Withdrawal," McClatchy Newspapers, 3/23/07)

House Republican Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO): "The stakes in Iraq are too high and the sacrifices made by our military personnel and their families too great to be content with anything but success." (Anne Flaherty, "Dems Challenge Bush With Iraq Timetable," The Associated Press, 3/24/07)

Rep. John Barrow (D-GA): "What I could not support in the bill was the mandatory timeline for withdrawal. If this bill were to become law, it would require that our commanders in the field comply with a specific plan of battle 17 months from now - a plan of battle that was written in a law 17 months before. ... That's no way to fight a war." (Rep. John Barrow, Statement On Iraq Supplemental Appropriations Bill, Press Release, 3/23/07)

Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA): "Our troops march to the order of one commander in chief, not 535." (CNN's "Lou Dobbs This Week," 3/25/07)

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK): "I believe we can win the war on terror. ...if you don't want to fight this war, then vote to not fund any of it. That's the legitimate vote. But to play this game lowers the integrity of Congress, lowers the confidence of the American people in Congress and shame on us." (Sen. Tom Coburn, Press Conference, Washington, DC, 3/23/07)

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC): "What the House did was disgraceful. It was a low point in my time in Congress." (ABC's "Good Morning America," 3/24/07)

Rep. Sam Johnson (R-TX): "Announcing our time lines for withdrawal literally hands the enemy our war plan and gives them hope that they'll win if they just wait it out." (ABC's "Good Morning America," 3/24/07)

Rep. John R. "Randy" Kuhl Jr. (R-NY): "Congress should never impose its will or politically motivated timetables on military commanders in the field. That's what this bill does, and that's why I voted against it." (Jerry Zremski, "House Votes For Deadline On Iraq War," Buffalo News [New York], 3/24/07)

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT): "What I believe is that here in Washington, we ought to declare a truce in the political wars over the war in Iraq. To let General Petraeus, and our soldiers, fight that war for four or five months until the summer, when Petraeus has told us he would really be able the know whether the new plan is working or not. Until then, this all sends mixed messages to our troops. ... It is wrong for Congress to try to micro-manage a war." (CNN's "This Week At War," 3/25/07)

Rep. Jim Matheson (D-UT): "The supplemental war spending bill includes language that, in my view, will compromise the safety of our troops on the ground. ... I have been outspoken in my opposition to putting a date certain for troop withdrawal in the public debate." (Suzanne Struglinski, "Matheson Votes With GOP Against Iraq War Measure," Deseret Morning News [Salt Lake City, UT], 3/24/07)

Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI): "Setting goals for success is one thing, setting a date in stone for withdrawal is another. ... I firmly believe that such a date not only puts our troops in grave danger, it also allows the insurgents to plot their strategy." ("Iraq Funding Measure Splits Mich. Lawmakers Along Party Lines," The Associated Press, 3/25/07)

"Encouraging Indicator[s]" That The New Iraq Strategy Is Working
Commander Of U.S. Forces In Iraq Gen. David Petraeus Sees "Encouraging Indicator[s]" The New U.S. Strategy Is Succeeding. "Petraeus, in an interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, pointed to lower numbers of violent incidents in recent weeks as an 'encouraging indicator' that the new U.S. strategy is succeeding, though a bloody spate of bombings ripped through Iraq this weekend. ... Two weeks ago, Maliki toured parts of Anbar with Petraeus. The U.S. commander called it a 'historic trip of enormous significance.' '...[I]t was very significant for [Maliki] to show that he is a prime minister for all Iraqis and not just for Shia political parties.'" (Moni Basu, "Army General Upbeat On Iraq," The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 3/26/07)

U.S. Commander Checks Out Surge. ABC's MARTHA RADDATZ: "One month ago, the military would not have considered sending its top commander for the region into this Baghdad market. But today, with 8,000 additional troops now in place in the city, Admiral William Fallon wanted to see for himself what affect the troop increase was having on daily life. ... The market is in far better shape than it has been. Nearly 2,000 concrete barriers have been placed along the perimeter recently, to try to keep out car bombs." (ABC's "World News," 3/25/07)

Iraqi Ambassador To The U.S. Samir Sumaidaie: "The Effort That Has Been Made On This New Plan Is Making An Impact." SUMAIDAIE: "We are up against a very resourceful and determined enemy, but people in Iraq do feel safer. They've started to come out to go to their work more, to open their businesses more. Markets are more populated. ... If we set out a date now for a complete withdrawal, you can bet your bottom dollar that the terrorists are going to be waiting for that date and attacking and launching their biggest attack on civilians and the institutions of state of Iraq." (CNN's "Late Edition," 3/25/07)

Iraqi Police Thwart Chlorine Bombing. "In Anbar province, Iraqi police thwarted a bombing when they arrested a driver who stopped a truck loaded with chlorine and explosives in front of a Ramadi police station on Friday, the U.S. military announced. The truck was carrying two tons of explosives and five 1,000-gallon drums of chlorine, the military said." (Karin Brulliard and Saad Sarhan, "5 U.S. Soldiers Killed In Iraq In Two Roadside Bombings," The Washington Post, 3/26/07)

U.S. Captures Car Bomb Ringleaders. "After months of intelligence gathering, U.S. troops captured the ringleader of the Rusafa car bomb network and three of his lieutenants on Wednesday, Army Maj. Gen. William Caldwell said in an interview Saturday with USA TODAY. ... It was the biggest bust of carbomb makers since the start of the Baghdad security plan last month, Caldwell said." (Rick Jervis, "General: U.S. Captures Car Bomb Ringleaders," USA Today, 3/26/07)

New Shiite-Sunni Radio Station Offers Hope In Northern Iraq. "In one of the most violent provinces in Iraq, two Shiites and two Sunnis kicked off their first broadcast of a new radio and television station on Sunday. ... 'I feel we are standing on the pages of the history books. It is time to make our mark. I am carrying the most effective weapon in this war. It is my microphone and it will carry my voice,' said Samir Khamies, 28, a Sunni from Baquba and co-founder of the Independent Radio and Television Station." (Sahar Issa, "A New Shiite-Sunni Radio Station Offers Hope In Northern Iraq," McClatchy Newspapers, 3/25/07)

"Maliki Is Reaching Back. U.S. Strength Has Given Him The Confidence To Take All These Important Steps." "[Since] January 11, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has permitted U.S. forces to sweep the major Shiite strongholds in Baghdad, including Sadr City... He has allowed U.S. forces to capture and kill senior leaders of Moktada al-Sadr's Mahdi Army - terrifying Sadr into fleeing to Iran. ... He has worked with coalition leaders to deploy all of the Iraqi Army units required by the Baghdad Security Plan. In perhaps the most dramatic move of all, Maliki visited Sunni sheikhs in Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province and formerly the base of al Qaeda fighters and other Sunni Arab insurgents against his government." (William Kristol and Frederick W. Kagan, "Wrong On Timetables," The Weekly Standard, 4/2/07)