News
PBS Salutes America’s Military Men and Women with Special Memorial Day Programming
Friday, May 27, 2016 | Category: History/Heritage - National
The 27th annual PBS broadcast of the NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT, which pays tribute to America’s military, will air live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, Sunday, May 29, 2015, 8:00-9:30 p.m. ET, with an immediate re-broadcast at 9:30 p.m. PBS is also hosting special broadcasts on May 30th to include "TED TALKS "War and Peace" and "Of Men and War." Then, on June 1st, kicking off their 10-part digital series, "Veterans Coming Home." Using storytelling, media and dialogue, the series will premiere on PBS.org intending to help veterans and communities understand the opportunities and challenges faced during a veteran’s transition to civilian life and to help bridge the military-civilian divide.
Memorial Day Is Not the Same as Veterans Day (or Labor Day) — Here’s What They All Mean
Friday, May 27, 2016 | Category: History/Heritage - National
Fox Q13 news staff offer a primer on who is paid tribute on Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Labor Day as well as each day's legislative history.
Congress OKs Funding to Fill Gap in Women Vets’ Care With Mobile Clinic
Monday, May 23, 2016 | Category: Health Care - National
Senator John Hoeven of North Dakota stated that currently the VA medical centers nationwide do not have the infrastructure to provide gender-specific services such as mammograms, ultrasounds, and OB/GYN services. Proposed 2017 VA appropriations are $74.9 billion, an increase of $3.2 billlion. Within this bill is language that "presses the VA to improve health care for female veterans by considering the launch of a mobile health care pilot program," in part an outcome of the Congressionally-commissioned study on barriers to women veterans using in the VA health care system. One study finding was that "72 percent of the female vets don’t use their nearest VA facility for primary care because it lacked women’s health services." The study is linked in the article.
VA Selects New Director of the Center for Women Veterans
Tuesday, May 3, 2016 | Category: Department of Veterans Affairs - National
Kayla M. Williams was appointed as Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Center for Women Veterans. She will be the VA Secretary's primary advisor on Department policies, programs and legislation that affect women veterans. Ms. Williams is a post-9/11 veteran, a former member of the VA Advisory Committee on Women Veterans, an author of two books, a 2013 White House Woman Veteran Champion of Change, and a 2015 Lincoln Award recipient. She was a RAND Corporation researcher for eight years, focusing on service member and veteran health needs and benefits, international security, and intelligence policy.
After Decades Avoiding the Water, Amputee Invents His Way to Dive Back In
Thursday, April 28, 2016 | Category: Health Care - National
Randy and Lori Lord of Danforth, Maine dedicated decades to developing a prosthetic to aid amputees to swim in their home kitchen. At one point they thought about giving up, but veterans returning from Iraq sparked their interest to continue. Today, they ship their "AMP FIN" worldwide. It is manufactured in Maine, they have a U.S. patent and are applying for country patents. They hope to open nationwide stores, managed exclusively by veterans.
Army’s First Female Infantry Officer is Capt. Kristen Griest, Ranger School Graduate
Wednesday, April 27, 2016 | Category: Combat - National
Captain Kristen M. Griest, a West Point graduate from Connecticut, is again making military history. She will be the first female U.S. Army infantry officer. In summer 2015, she graduated from the Army's Ranger school with 1st Lieutenant Shaye Haver.
More Must Be Done to Help Female Vets
Wednesday, April 27, 2016 | Category: Legislation - Colorado
Christina Dieters,spouse of a veteran, shares her interest and concern for challenges women veterans may experience. She notes that most health-related issues are not gender-specific, but the care and treatment may be beneficially tailored. She makes a plea for citizens to reach out to their legislators to support veteran legislation.
Making A Difference: Non-Profit Helping Homeless Female Veterans Almost Done With House
Wednesday, April 27, 2016 | Category: Housing/Experiencing Homelessness - Kentucky
Sheppard's Hands is opening a Deporres Avenue home for women veterans at risk of homelessness or homeless. They will offer services for three women who will take part in a one-year program including counseling, financial planning, nutritional classes, and job training skills. The home is still being renovated. Donations are welcomed.
UCLA Study Finds Majority Of California Veterans Who Need Mental Health Care Receive Inadequate Or No Treatment
Wednesday, April 27, 2016 | Category: Mental Health - California
The UCLA Center for Health Policy Research study found that "76% of California veterans in need of mental health care from 2011 to 2013 either didn’t receive treatment or received inadequate care." Researchers noted that 90,000 veterans with at least one year of military service, or 3.5% of California's veterans, needed mental health care compared to 3.9% of nonveterans. This finding is contrary to perceptions that veterans are more likely to need mental health care.
Retired General's New Mission is Restoring Trust in Wounded Warrior
Saturday, April 23, 2016 | Category: Advocacy/Outreach - National
In light of news reports criticizing how "Wounded Warriors" spent donors' money, retired Maj. Gen. Charles Fletcher was selected by the "Wounded Warrior Project’s" board as interim chief operations officer to “restore trust” in the Jacksonville-based charity.