Veteran's report: 10 July 2006
South Dakota Paying Veterans Bonus
South Dakota is paying a veterans bonus of up to $500 to certain military personnel who were legal residents of the state for no less than six months immediately preceding entry into the Armed Forces, who are currently on active duty or were honorably discharged from the Armed Forces, and who served on active duty during one or both of several periods. Application forms and more information may be obtained by writing to: SD Veterans Bonus, 500 E. Capitol, Pierre, SD 57501 or by calling us at (605) 773-7251.
Deal of the Week: Special Military Offer
FREE Nokia 6102i Camera Phone - Plus $25 off accessories. This cool flip phone features: Bluetooth, FM stereo radio with 20 presets, IM, mobile email, color dual display and speakerphone! Shop Cingular 24/7. http://www.military.com/cingular55
Stolen VA Data Recovered
The stolen computer and hard drive containing the names and Social Security numbers of 26.5 million veterans and active duty personnel have been recovered. The Army has activated a secure website at https://ID-Theft.army.mil enabling current and former servicemembers to determine if their personal information was included in the data loss. For a valid response to queries done at the new website, users should enter all requested information in the format specified. Anyone identified as having had their personal information compromised will be linked to the VA Website, which lists steps for protection from identity theft. For additional information on identity theft protection, go to DoD's Military One Source at www.militaryonesource.com or call (800) 342-9647.
How do you feel about this action? Let your public officials know how you feel! http://capwiz.com/military/issues/alert/?alertid=8799616&type=CO
So They Found The Laptop
On 29 June, VA Secretary Jim Nicholson told Congress that the laptop containing the names and Social Security numbers of 26.5 million veterans was recovered. According to Javelin research, it takes an average of nearly nine months for victims of this kind of Identity theft to find out about the crime. More than 25% don't find out for two years or more. LifeLock is the only solution that secures your identity from thieves, and backs its services with a million dollar guarantee that your identity is safe. In light of the recent compromise of 24 million Veteran Identities, LifeLock is offering to all Veterans 90 DAYS FREE and a 25% discount thereafter on the Nation's only proactive identity theft solution. To learn more, read the full article at Military.com. http://www.military.com/Finance/content/0,15356,104154,00.html
Supreme Court Intervenes to Save Cross
The Supreme Court intervened last week to stop the removal of a large cross from city property in San Diego. A lower court judge had ordered the city to remove the Mount Soledad National War Memorial or be fined $5,000 a day. The Memorial is a 29-foot cross that sits atop Mount Soledad, which is San Diego city property. The lower court judge had ruled that the cross was an unconstitutional endorsement of one religion over another. For more information on the Mt. Soledad Cross, visit http://www.savesoledad.com/.
How do you feel about this action? Let your public officials know how you feel! http://capwiz.com/military/dbq/officials/
The Best Kept GI Bill Secret
Most veterans and reservists know they can use the G.I. Bill to pay for the costs of education. But did you know that you can also receive up to $12,000 in tax-free benefits for training twenty-four months in an On-The-Job or Apprenticeship training program? That means that the VA will pay you up to $878.90 a month ($252.45 for Reserve GI Bill) tax-free, on top of your regular salary! Find out how the GI Bill On-The-Job training program works for you!
Click here more info
Featured Job: Ground Radar Systems Tech
ManTech International Corporation, a leading provider of innovative technologies and solutions for mission-critical national security programs is seeking Ground Radar Systems Technicians. www.ManTech.com/careers/AF0206
VA Announces New Medical Center for Louisville
Veterans in the Louisville area will be receiving a new, state-of-the-art medical center from the VA to replace the existing facility. VA Secretary Nicholson said he is directing that a technical analysis for the new facility begin as soon as possible, followed by establishment of a site selection board to evaluate potential locations for a new hospital. The Louisville decision was made after a study was completed that has been in progress since 2004 to upgrade health care facilities across the country that serve veterans. The current Louisville VA Medical Center was constructed around 1950.
VA Announces New Vet Centers
VA will soon open additional “Vet Centers” in Atlanta and Phoenix. VA’s Readjustment Counseling Service (RCS) Vet Center program is a special program designed to help veterans exposed to the unique stress of serving in combat. VA has 207 community-based Vet Centers across the country. Last year, the Vet Centers had 1,046,628 visits by 132,853 veterans and their families. VA Secretary Nicholson also announced that VA is moving the employment status of 50 additional Global War on Terror Outreach Specialists nationwide from temporary to permanent.
VA Awards Grants to Michigan Veterans Homes
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is targeting two grants worth nearly $1.5 million for improvements at the state veterans homes in Marquette and Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Marquette facility received $696,058 for an emergency generator and fire safety upgrades. The Grand Rapids veterans home received $786,000 for safety code renovations. VA’s grants cover 65 percent of the total cost of the projects. Michigan’s veterans homes are available to all veterans who served in the military for 90 days since December 7, 1941. Under certain circumstances, spouses and parents of some eligible veterans may be admitted.
Museum Houses Wartime Treasures
Stars and Stripes reports that the American Armoured Foundation Tank Museum in Danville, Va., has assembled one of the most expansive private collections of tanks and tank memorabilia anywhere. Housed in the museum's 333,000-square-foot building are 115 tank and artillery pieces, hundreds of rifles, thousands of patches, uniforms, helmets, and the personnel effects of 130 generals. William Gasser, the museum's founder and curator, spent a lifetime the memorabilia. For more information, visit the museum's website at http://aaftankmuseum.com/.
Silent Thunder Memorial for Freedom
A former illegal alien from Iran who now is an American citizen is showing his love and appreciation for what his adopted country has done for him by building a memorial in Washington, D.C. to honor servicemembers who have died in the global war on terrorism. Kevin Roustazad said his creation, a 45,000-pound, seven-foot-tall, 25-foot-long slash of granite, is going to have the name, date, hometown, branch of service, and the last place each fallen servicemember served along with a picture of each soldier embedded into the stone. Roustazad has already started construction of the Memorial. For more information, visit the Memorial's website at http://www.silentthundermemorial.com/.
Wounded Warrior Program Leads Soldiers, Families
The Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2), which has assisted Soldiers who’ve been severely injured while supporting the Global War on Terror since April 2004. Their injuries range from loss of limbs and sight to extreme burns and brain injuries. The AW2 supports Soldiers and their families through a three-phased process. Phase one is notification and evacuation; phase two is the medical care and board evaluation; and phase three involves helping Soldiers reintegrate into the Army or transition to civilian employment. For more information, call (800) 237-1336 or visit www.aw2.army.mil.
South Dakota is paying a veterans bonus of up to $500 to certain military personnel who were legal residents of the state for no less than six months immediately preceding entry into the Armed Forces, who are currently on active duty or were honorably discharged from the Armed Forces, and who served on active duty during one or both of several periods. Application forms and more information may be obtained by writing to: SD Veterans Bonus, 500 E. Capitol, Pierre, SD 57501 or by calling us at (605) 773-7251.
Deal of the Week: Special Military Offer
FREE Nokia 6102i Camera Phone - Plus $25 off accessories. This cool flip phone features: Bluetooth, FM stereo radio with 20 presets, IM, mobile email, color dual display and speakerphone! Shop Cingular 24/7. http://www.military.com/cingular55
Stolen VA Data Recovered
The stolen computer and hard drive containing the names and Social Security numbers of 26.5 million veterans and active duty personnel have been recovered. The Army has activated a secure website at https://ID-Theft.army.mil enabling current and former servicemembers to determine if their personal information was included in the data loss. For a valid response to queries done at the new website, users should enter all requested information in the format specified. Anyone identified as having had their personal information compromised will be linked to the VA Website, which lists steps for protection from identity theft. For additional information on identity theft protection, go to DoD's Military One Source at www.militaryonesource.com or call (800) 342-9647.
How do you feel about this action? Let your public officials know how you feel! http://capwiz.com/military/issues/alert/?alertid=8799616&type=CO
So They Found The Laptop
On 29 June, VA Secretary Jim Nicholson told Congress that the laptop containing the names and Social Security numbers of 26.5 million veterans was recovered. According to Javelin research, it takes an average of nearly nine months for victims of this kind of Identity theft to find out about the crime. More than 25% don't find out for two years or more. LifeLock is the only solution that secures your identity from thieves, and backs its services with a million dollar guarantee that your identity is safe. In light of the recent compromise of 24 million Veteran Identities, LifeLock is offering to all Veterans 90 DAYS FREE and a 25% discount thereafter on the Nation's only proactive identity theft solution. To learn more, read the full article at Military.com. http://www.military.com/Finance/content/0,15356,104154,00.html
Supreme Court Intervenes to Save Cross
The Supreme Court intervened last week to stop the removal of a large cross from city property in San Diego. A lower court judge had ordered the city to remove the Mount Soledad National War Memorial or be fined $5,000 a day. The Memorial is a 29-foot cross that sits atop Mount Soledad, which is San Diego city property. The lower court judge had ruled that the cross was an unconstitutional endorsement of one religion over another. For more information on the Mt. Soledad Cross, visit http://www.savesoledad.com/.
How do you feel about this action? Let your public officials know how you feel! http://capwiz.com/military/dbq/officials/
The Best Kept GI Bill Secret
Most veterans and reservists know they can use the G.I. Bill to pay for the costs of education. But did you know that you can also receive up to $12,000 in tax-free benefits for training twenty-four months in an On-The-Job or Apprenticeship training program? That means that the VA will pay you up to $878.90 a month ($252.45 for Reserve GI Bill) tax-free, on top of your regular salary! Find out how the GI Bill On-The-Job training program works for you!
Click here more info
Featured Job: Ground Radar Systems Tech
ManTech International Corporation, a leading provider of innovative technologies and solutions for mission-critical national security programs is seeking Ground Radar Systems Technicians. www.ManTech.com/careers/AF0206
VA Announces New Medical Center for Louisville
Veterans in the Louisville area will be receiving a new, state-of-the-art medical center from the VA to replace the existing facility. VA Secretary Nicholson said he is directing that a technical analysis for the new facility begin as soon as possible, followed by establishment of a site selection board to evaluate potential locations for a new hospital. The Louisville decision was made after a study was completed that has been in progress since 2004 to upgrade health care facilities across the country that serve veterans. The current Louisville VA Medical Center was constructed around 1950.
VA Announces New Vet Centers
VA will soon open additional “Vet Centers” in Atlanta and Phoenix. VA’s Readjustment Counseling Service (RCS) Vet Center program is a special program designed to help veterans exposed to the unique stress of serving in combat. VA has 207 community-based Vet Centers across the country. Last year, the Vet Centers had 1,046,628 visits by 132,853 veterans and their families. VA Secretary Nicholson also announced that VA is moving the employment status of 50 additional Global War on Terror Outreach Specialists nationwide from temporary to permanent.
VA Awards Grants to Michigan Veterans Homes
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is targeting two grants worth nearly $1.5 million for improvements at the state veterans homes in Marquette and Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Marquette facility received $696,058 for an emergency generator and fire safety upgrades. The Grand Rapids veterans home received $786,000 for safety code renovations. VA’s grants cover 65 percent of the total cost of the projects. Michigan’s veterans homes are available to all veterans who served in the military for 90 days since December 7, 1941. Under certain circumstances, spouses and parents of some eligible veterans may be admitted.
Museum Houses Wartime Treasures
Stars and Stripes reports that the American Armoured Foundation Tank Museum in Danville, Va., has assembled one of the most expansive private collections of tanks and tank memorabilia anywhere. Housed in the museum's 333,000-square-foot building are 115 tank and artillery pieces, hundreds of rifles, thousands of patches, uniforms, helmets, and the personnel effects of 130 generals. William Gasser, the museum's founder and curator, spent a lifetime the memorabilia. For more information, visit the museum's website at http://aaftankmuseum.com/.
Silent Thunder Memorial for Freedom
A former illegal alien from Iran who now is an American citizen is showing his love and appreciation for what his adopted country has done for him by building a memorial in Washington, D.C. to honor servicemembers who have died in the global war on terrorism. Kevin Roustazad said his creation, a 45,000-pound, seven-foot-tall, 25-foot-long slash of granite, is going to have the name, date, hometown, branch of service, and the last place each fallen servicemember served along with a picture of each soldier embedded into the stone. Roustazad has already started construction of the Memorial. For more information, visit the Memorial's website at http://www.silentthundermemorial.com/.
Wounded Warrior Program Leads Soldiers, Families
The Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2), which has assisted Soldiers who’ve been severely injured while supporting the Global War on Terror since April 2004. Their injuries range from loss of limbs and sight to extreme burns and brain injuries. The AW2 supports Soldiers and their families through a three-phased process. Phase one is notification and evacuation; phase two is the medical care and board evaluation; and phase three involves helping Soldiers reintegrate into the Army or transition to civilian employment. For more information, call (800) 237-1336 or visit www.aw2.army.mil.