VFW DISPATCH – March 2015

Last week your VFW was out in force on Capitol Hill during the 2015 VFW Legislative Conference to voice the concerns of the veterans’ community and demand that Congress end sequestration. Armed with the VFW’s 2015 Legislative Priority Goals, more than 500 VFW advocates and VFW-SVA fellows stormed the Hill.

VFW National Commander John W. Stroud testified before a special joint hearing of the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees to lay out the VFW’s legislative agenda for 2015, which includes issues like the devastating effects of sequestration on the military, the continued and proper funding of the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act and the misleading geographic qualifications for the Veterans Choice Card program. Visit www.vfw.org/legislativeconference to watch the full testimony. To view highlights from last week’s conference, check out hashtag #VFWHill2015 on Facebook and Twitter, or visit www.vfw.org.

Respectfully,

Your VFW Membership Team

VFW National Commander to Congress: ‘Congress Must End Sequestration!’

Testimony caps the 2015 VFW Legislative Conference

During the 2015 VFW Legislative Conference, VFW National Commander John W. Stroud testified before a special joint hearing of the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees. His testimony laid out the VFW’s Legislative Priority goals for 2015. Find out more here.

VFW Demands Removal of VA Supervisor

Ms. Paul is still listed as the STICC program manager

After the release of an email mocking veteran suicide and mental health issues, VFW National Commander, John Stroud, issued a statement demanding that the STICC program manager at the VA Medical Center in Indianapolis, Ind., be removed. Hours later, she was. Read his full statement here.

VFW Releases Initial Report on the Veterans Choice Program

VFW recommendations would improve delivery of health care options for veterans

The VFW released its initial report on the implementation of the VA’s Veterans Choice Program. The report is based on a survey of more than 2,500 VFW members and their personal experiences with the program over the first three months of the program, which was launched November 5, 2014. Read more here.

Veteran Faces VA Red Tape and Thousands in Student Loans after Paperwork Error

VFW’s 1 Student Veteran program helped when no one else could.

After being informed by his school’s financial aid office that his GI Bill benefits wouldn’t cover his commercial driver’s licensing program or out-of-pocket housing costs, one student veteran found the help he needed through the VFW’s 1 Student Veteran program. Read more here.

Agent Orange Debate Renewed by Bill, VA Decision

Proposed bill to expand coverage for sailors

A bill introduced by Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) would extend Department of Veterans Affairs health benefits coverage to include Vietnam-era “blue water” sailors who served on aircraft carriers, destroyers, cruisers and other large Navy ships in Vietnamese waters during the war. Read more here.

THIS EDITION’S VIDEO FEATURE:

7 Interesting Facts about the Javelin Missile System

THIS MONTH’S STORE FEATURE:

NEW Color Block Polos
Stay cool and dry this summer with a new VFW moisture wicking Polo. Featuring the VFW Cross of Malta on the front left chest, this shirt is stocked for immediate shipment and is available in both Men’s and Women’s cuts! Also offered in blue and grey with the new VFW Branded logo.

MEMBER BENEFIT SPOTLIGHT:

VFW Cancer Insurance Protection
VFW Cancer Insurance Protection helps ease the financial burden of a cancer diagnosis, with up to $250,000 of coverage. No medical exam is required to obtain coverage and benefits can be paid to you or an entity of your choice. Visit http://www.vfwinsurance.com/cancer-insurance.html to watch our informative video.