Happenings : Messages For Soldiers

From: Rev-Lin-McGee___Rain  (Original Message)

Sent: 10/18/2006 8:44 PM

 In honor of Veterans Day, beginning October 20th through November
11, Wal-Mart stores and SAM'S CLUBS across the U.S. created their
annual in-store "Wall of Honor" to recognize military men and women
currently serving our country, as well as the veterans who have
fought to protect our freedom. During this time, customers wishing
to honor their "hero" who has served or is currently serving in the
U.S. Armed Forces were invited to bring a photo to any U.S. Wal-Mart
or SAM'S CLUB Photo Center to be included on the Wall.

Customers have their choice of one of the two packages courtesy of
Kodak. The first package includes two free 5"x7" prints. One of the
prints was placed in a decorative photo holder and added to the wall
among other honored veterans and military men and women of that
local community and the other print was given to the customer free
of charge. The second package includes one 5"x7" print, one 3.5"x5"
print and two wallet sized photos. The 5"x7" was placed on the "Wall
of Honor." One wallet sized print was placed in a "Badge of Honor"
and given to the customer along with the second wallet and 3.5"x5"
print.

Also this October, Wal-Mart and Eastman Kodak Company have joined
America Supports You, a nationwide Department of Defense campaign
that highlights military support and encourages others to share
their gratitude for the troops. Although Wal-Mart and Kodak began
the "Wall of Honor" program in 1998, this new partnership further
highlights the shared commitment to honoring those who have
dedicated their lives to protecting ours.

"Wal-Mart and Kodak are true champions for our military men and
women and this is yet another way to show their strong support,"
said Allison Barber, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for
Public Affairs. "We are excited about this new partnership with Wal-
Mart and Kodak and are looking forward to working with them as they
continue to support our troops and their families." Wal-Mart will
also engage in other activities to support our service men and
women, families and veterans over the coming months and year.

"Veterans Day reminds us how important it is to remember and honor
those who serve and protect our country," said Betsy Reithemeyer,
vice president of corporate affairs for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. "We
started the Wall of Honor at Wal-Mart seven years ago as a way to
help our communities pay tribute to those who bravely serve our
nation. We are happy to have joined forces with the Department of
Defense's America Supports You team to continue honoring the men and
women who defend our freedom everyday."

"For more information about Wal-Mart's continuing support of our
military and other community giving programs, log on to
www.walmartfacts.com. To learn more about America Supports You and
the stories of Americans supporting the troops, please log on to
www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil

November 3, 2006
Media contact: Jeff Schrade (202)224-9093

( Washington , DC ) With the Senate set to reconvene, the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs issued the following action report on Congressional efforts on behalf of veterans. This report covers the past two years of the 109th session of Congress . Inflation for 2005, and so far in 2006, has gone up a total of 6.8 percent.

It is worth noting that since 2001, while overall inflation has increased 12.9 percent, Congress has increased overall spending on veterans by 64 percent and increased spending on veterans’ health care by 70 percent .

Hearings

The Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs has held 52 hearings during the 109th session of Congress (2005 to 2006). Topics included reducing the backlog of veterans’ benefits claims, VA research, homelessness among veterans, the theft and recovery of VA computers, Presidential nominations, employment concerns of young veterans and, of course VA's budget.

Important Bills Passed

• S. 1182 - Veterans Health Care Act of 2005
• S. 1235 - Veterans' Housing Opportunity and Benefits Improvement Act of 2006
• S. 2694 - Veterans' Choice of Representation and Benefits Enhancement Act of 2006
• H.R. 5037 - Respect for Fallen Heroes Act

Veterans Cost of Living Adjustment Increased 2.7 percent in 2005, 4.1 percent in 2006 and 3.3 percent for 2007

Each year Congress has approved legislation increasing the veterans cost of living adjusment (COLA) to keep pace with rates of inflation.

VA's Overall Budget Up 27 Percent

The total VA budget will have increased from approximately $63 billion at the end of 2004 to approximately $80 billion for 2007. That is an increase of $17 billion.

VA's Health Care Budget Up By 29 Percent

Spending on medical care for veterans, including collections, has risen will have risen from $27.7 billion at the end of 2004 to approximately $35.8 billion for 2007.

Mental Healthcare Funding To Go Up 30 Percent - Over $3 Billion in 2007

With new surveys finding rising concerns about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Congress has increased funding for treatment, increasing the budget to over $3 billion for 2007.

Homelessness Funding up for Sixth Straight Year

In 2006 VA will spend upward of $221 million on grants, housing and treatment of underlying conditions. In fact, the fiscal year 2007 budget for VA will support a record level of funding for the sixth straight year for targeted programs for homeless veterans.

VA Healthcare Continues to Earn High Marks

Reviews published in two national publications gave VA high marks for its medical care - Time Magazine ran a story entitled: "How VA Hospitals Became The Best," while Business Week ran a story which referred to VA as "The Best Medical Care In The US ."

SGLI and VGLI Increased to $400,000

In 2005, Congress passed and the President signed H.R. 3200 which increased coverage for both the Servicemembers' and Veterans Group Life Insurance programs. Other legislation also allows servicemembers who have been legally determined to be totally disabled when they separated from the military, to have up to two years from that date to apply for premium-free SGLI coverage and convert their coverage to VGLI or an individual plan or policy.

Veterans Employment Numbers at 96.5 percent - Younger Veterans Trending Better

The U.S. economy has done well in the past two years and the overall employment rate for all Americans is now at 95.6 percent. Veterans are doing even better - their employment rate is 96.5 percent. The unemployment numbers for younger veterans continue to be a concern, but their numbers are improving. In 2005 the unemployment rate for veterans 20 to 24 years old was 15.7 percent. As of October 2006, that number had improved to just over 11 percent. VA the and Department of Labor are conducting interviews of 2,000 younger veterans to explore the problems younger veterans face.

Brain Injury Funds Restored

Al though not under the jurisdiction of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, veterans should be aware that the Senate added $12 million to a defense appropriations bill to treat traumatic brain injuries. The final funding level will be determined when Congress reconvenes.

Wounded Warrior Benefit Created

In 2005 Chairman Craig authored, and the Senate and House passed, legislation creating a new benefit for those wounded or seriously injured since the war on terror began in 2001. So far over 2,500 servicemembers have received over $164 million - an average of $65,000 each. Benefits range from $25,000 to $100,000.

Veterans' Housing and Benefits Act Becomes Law

In June President Bush signed into law S. 1235, bill to to help severely injured veterans. It authorizes VA to make grants available ranging from $2,000 to $14,000. The funds assist with housing adaptations on a family member's home in which a severely disabled veteran is living. Prior to the change, severely disabled veterans had to own their homes to qualify.

Promoting Dignity at Funerals of the Fallen Becomes Law

A fringe group of protestors have disrupted funerals of our military heroes. Congress passed the Respect for Fallen Heroes Act which balances the rights of grieving families; the rights of private property owners who live near cemeteries; and the rights of demonstrators to have their message heard.

#####

• See this release online at: http://veterans. senate.gov
• Want to send Chairman Craig a note?  Click on: Contact the Veterans' Affairs Committee
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National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Proclamation
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

On the morning of December 7, 1941, America was attacked without warning at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, by the air and naval forces of Imperial Japan. More than 2,400 people perished and another 1,100 were wounded, triggering our entry into World War II.

Today, we honor those killed 60 years ago and those who survived to fight on other fronts in the four succeeding years of world war. We also remember the millions of brave Americans who answered our country's call to the battlefield, to the factory, and to the farm, remembering Pearl Harbor by their deeds, their devotion to duty, and their willingness to fight for freedom. The attack at Pearl Harbor fired the American spirit with a determination that freedom would not fall to tyranny; and the United States and its allies fought to victory, preserving a world in which democracy could grow. The tragedy of December 7, 1941, remains seared upon our collective national memory, a recollection that serves not just as a symbol of American military valor and American resolve, but also as a reminder of the presence of evil in the world and the need to remain ever vigilant against it.

Now, another date will forever stand alongside December 7 -- September 11, 2001. On that day, our people and our way of life again were brutally and suddenly attacked, though not by a complex military maneuver, but by the surreptitious wiles of evil terrorists who took cruel and heartless advantage of the freedoms guaranteed by our Nation. Their target was not chiefly our military, but innocent civilians. We fight now to defend freedom, secure civilization, and ensure the survival of our American way of life.

As we fight to defend what we believe is right, we remember the sacrifice of those who have gone before us -- not only the heroes of Pearl Harbor but all the men and women of the greatest of generations who defeated tyranny. We are grateful for their service, and honor it by pledging to do our best to secure for our children, our grandchildren, and all of posterity the continuing blessings of liberty.

The Congress, by Public Law 103-308, as amended, has designated December 7, 2001, as "National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day."

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim December 7, 2001, as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this solemn occasion with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I urge all Federal agencies, interested organizations, groups, and individuals to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff this and every December 7 in honor of those who died as a result of their service at Pearl Harbor.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-sixth.

From: Rev-Lin-McGee___Rain  (Original Message)

Sent: 2/9/2007 6:56 AM

From the Office of the Director of Public Relations
    Post Office Box 2351, Indianapolis, IN 46206-2351
     
                       ATTENTION ---EXTREMELY IMPORTANT
   
Notify your members that there is a FAKE so-called Veterans Organization operating out of Beech Grove, Indiana that has a primary goal of soliciting money through telephone calls with the spiel they are giving telephone cards to our military men and women.
     
This outfit calls itself INDIANA VETERANS RELIEF FUND
They are using a storefront address at 157 Bethel, Suite B, Beech Grove,
IN 46107.
Telephone (317) 783-1974.
   
Indiana Veterans Relief Fund is operating under a blanket organization called Common Ground Charities, Inc.  A Michael Q. Risley, Jr. is listed as Director of Fund Raising and a Tanya Risley is shown to be the Office
Manager.
   
I visited the location and talked with Ms. Risley.  The rented office space is essentially a telephone Boiler Room.  I viewed about a half-dozen people sitting at small work areas facing three walls wearing headphones and mikes making telephone calls.  The front office room and rear telephone room are unkempt and dirty with no trappings of a veterans organization.  No Flags, no wall pictures, no sign of any
patriotism.  I confronted Ms. Risley with some pointed questions.  How many telephone calling cards have been issued to American troops?  (She said they gave some to departing troops at Camp Atterbury but couldn't
tell me when or how many.)  How much money has been solicited since this operating began last year?  (She told me the figures have not been compiled and are not available.)
   
Ms. Risley informed me they are legal.  I told her there is a difference of being legal on paper and morally correct in practice!  (I am convinced this outfit is only interested in lining their own pockets with cash from proud Americans whom think they're helping our military and our men and woman in uniform.)
   
The Indiana Consumer Protection section of the Attorney Generals Office appears to be not interested in this situation after talking with them at length.  IF WE CAN'T SHUT THIS OUTFIT DOWN WE CAN AT LEAST GET THE
WORD OUT:

         VETERANS & CONSUMERS BEWARE!
    Donald F. Myers, USMC Retired
    Department of Indiana, Marine Corps League
    Director of Public Relations
   
    Contact point Indianapolis Marine Corps League Office: (317) 546
7228
      (or write Marine Corps League, POB 2351, Indianapolis, IN
46206-2351
      (Attn:  Director of PR D. F. Myers

You Are Invited...to participate in the wreath-laying ceremony and activities at Arlington National Cemetery, or at any of the locations across the Country on

Thursday, December 14th, 2006

*see location list for specific times and schedule. A Moment of Silence will be held at ALL locations at Noon EST(sharp).


List of Participating Locations

Help us with these locations we are still waiting to hear from

How can you get involved?

We hope you will be able to join us at Arlington National Cemetery or one of the other participating locations across the Country.

For those not able to attend, please pass the word that there will be a Moment of Silence at Noon EST, where people all across the Nation will stop and share a silent thank you, to all those who serve, to all we've lost, and to their families who will be without loved ones this holidays.

Please Print and Share - Help us spread the word!

Connecticut

Col. Raymond Gates Memorial Cemetery - Rocky Hill
Lt. Col Anthiny Cichocki, Jr.
860-306-6149
Royal Charter Composite Squadron

and

Spring Grove Veterans Cemetery - Darien
Greg Sokerka
914-293-7544
WE THANK YOU

Media Contact: Tim Gray

Cell: (860) 514 9514

Office: (860) 572 5955 x 338

Email: tgray@mysticaquarium.org 
 

MYSTIC AQUARIUM & INSTITUTE FOR EXPLORATION READY FOR ARRIVAL OF VETERANS AND MILITARY  

Special Admission Rates Offered and a Documentary

on D-Day Scheduled for this Saturday 

Partial Proceeds to Benefit the

New WWII Memorial in Providence, RI 

MYSTIC, CT – Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration is set to hold a very special Veteran’s Day weekend celebration on Saturday, November 10^th.  

Bank of America is the presenting sponsor of the event. Connecticut State Senator Andrew Maynard, who represents the 18^th Senate District, will introduce the documentary film at 1:30 p.m. 

All veterans, active military and an accompanying adult will receive a very special $12.00 discount admission ticket to Mystic Aquarium. Children of veterans and active military (ages 3-17) will also be admitted to the Aquarium at the discounted price of $10.00. Active and retired military are asked to bring their military ID to receive the discount prices. We also encourage active military to visit in uniform. 

Spouses with a husband or wife currently serving away from home will also be admitted at the special adult rate as will their children. They should identify that a spouse is currently on active duty when they purchase their tickets. 

The Emmy Award winning 48 minute film on the return of five New England D-Day veterans to Normandy, France in 2006 will be shown in the Marine Theatre beginning at 1:30 p.m.  

The documentary film, D-Day: The Price of Freedom is an emotional look at American World War II veterans and how they are still held in such high regard in Normandy. The film aired nationally this past summer on over 125 PBS stations. 

A percentage of all tickets sold on November 10th will go towards the completion of the beautiful new World War II Memorial in Providence, Rhode Island. 
 

Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration is a division of Sea Research Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit institution. The Foundation’s mission is to inspire people everywhere to care about and protect our oceans by exploring and sharing their biological, ecological, and cultural treasures.     
 

Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration

55 Coogan Boulevard, Mystic, Connecticut

Exit 90 off I-95 860 572 5955

Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00am to 6:00pm