Action Corps Weekly Hero 2021

VFW Action Corps Weekly

House Veteran Affairs Committee

House Committee Holds Hearing on Electronic Health Record Status: VFW National Veterans Service Deputy Director Gregg Orto submitted a statement for the record for a House Committee on Veterans' Affairs oversight hearing on the status of the VA Electronic Health Record Modernization program. Orto stated that the VFW has long supported the goal of a modern, interoperable system to allow the transfer of healthcare information from DOD to VA as service members become veterans. He also expressed the VFW’s appreciation of VA’s improved outreach to veterans, citing how its leadership worked with the VFW Department of Michigan prior to the new system deployment in that state. The VFW looks forward to continuing to work with VA and Congress as implementation moves forward to ensure the reliable and seamless healthcare veterans have earned and deserve. Read the testimony.

Cutting veterans benefits is a choice. Don't choose it.

Advocacy Efforts Continue During Congressional Recess: Opposition to Section 108 of the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act continues as Congress is in recess until September 14. The VFW encourages advocates to continue contacting their lawmakers via email, phone and in-district meetings to make our concerns clear and tell them to remove Section 108 before advancing this legislative package. Take action.

2026 Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service (VAVS) National Advisory Committee Volunteer of the Year Robert Sherrill

VFW Volunteer Honored at Annual Conference: During the 80th VA Voluntary Service National Advisory Committee Meeting and Conference, Robert Sherrill of VFW Post 9785 was selected as VA’s Voluntary Service Male Volunteer of the Year from among more than 20,000 VA volunteers nationwide. He was recognized for his service at the Alaska VA Healthcare System where he conducted suicide prevention awareness, participated in veteran hospital visits and homeless standdowns, and supported veterans throughout his community. Robert's dedication reflects the work of VFW volunteers serving in VA medical facilities across the country, providing critical helping hands in clinics, hospital wards, nursing homes, outreach programs and through VA’s Compassionate Contact Corps. The VFW is proud to be a longtime partner in VA’s volunteer programs and encourages members to contact their local VA medical facility to learn how they can get involved. Learn more or volunteer.

VFW Podcast Episode 72
Anniversaries Prompt Reflection, Camaraderie on Newest Podcast: Amid ongoing controversy around the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act, host Rob Couture and co-host Brittany Dymond Murray welcomed VFW Washington Office leadership into the studio for a frank discussion on where the bill stands during the House’s brief return to Capitol Hill. Allied Forces Foundation’s Dr. Kelly Brown also makes an appearance as the podcast’s Still Serving Spotlight, where she outlines what participants can expect during the upcoming U.S. Warrior Yomp in Washington D.C., which takes place Nov. 7 – 8, 2026. The podcast closes with an extended Good of the Order segment where Rob, Brittany and guests reflect on the 5th anniversary of the withdrawal of United States military forces from Afghanistan and the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. Listen to episode 72, "Don’t Skip Leg Day,” on your favorite podcast platform or watch it on YouTube.
The POW/MIA flag flying in the breeze

MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced one burial update for a service member who has been missing and unaccounted for from World War II.

 

Update:

-- World War II Army Air Forces Sgt. Adolph P. Aguirre, California

The VFW is not responsible for third-party content material that may be misleading, incomplete, erroneous, offensive, indecent or otherwise objectionable.

Click here to sign up new veterans’ advocates.

Click here to view VFW-supported bills in the 119th Congress

As always, we want to hear your advocacy stories. To share your stories or photos with us, simply email them directly to vfwac@vfw.org.

View current and archived editions of the Action Corps Weekly.

t

o

p