On Wednesday, members of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee conducted a hearing on modernizing VA’s medical supply chain and lessons learned from the pandemic. The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) gave insight to a report due to be released at the end of the month, which will outline VA’s inefficient supply chain process and GAO’s recommendations. In response to lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, VA Regional Readiness Centers will be nationwide and house six months worth of supplies, including gloves, gowns, and masks. Three centers are up and running and the remaining centers will be ready by July 2021.
VA Debt Relief for Disaster-Impacted Veterans
VA announced that it will be extending debt relief to veterans who have been impacted by natural disasters. “Veterans and their families should be focused on their health and safety during the natural disasters,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “VA is taking action to give those with pending debts greater flexibility during these challenging times.” VA can suspend debt collection action for up to 90 days or extend repayment terms on pre-existing debts. To request financial relief, veterans should contact VA Debt Management at (800) 827-0648.
VA Notifies Veterans of Compromised Data
The VA Office of Management announced on Sept. 14 that there had been a personal information data breach of approximately 46,000 veterans. VA’s Financial Services Center (FSC) is alerting the affected individuals, including the next-of-kin of those who are deceased. The department is also offering access to credit monitoring services, at no cost, to those whose social security numbers may have been compromised. Veterans are advised to follow the instructions in the letter from FSC to protect their data. There is no action needed from veterans if they did not receive an alert by mail, as their personal information was not involved in the incident. Any questions should be directed to the FSC Customer Help Desk at VAFSCVeteransSupport@va.gov, or by mail to the VA FSC Help Desk, Attn: Customer Engagement Center, P.O. Box 149971, Austin, TX 78714-9971.
POW/MIA Update
Navy Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Harold L. Dick, 22, of Tipton, Missouri, was aboard the USS Colorado, which was moored approximately 3,200 yards from the shore of Tinian Island, of the Northern Mariana Islands. Early in the morning of July 24, 1944, the USS Colorado, along with the light cruiser USS Cleveland and destroyers USS Remey and USS Norman Scott, commenced firing toward the island. Dick will be buried Oct. 10, 2020, in his hometown.
Navy Gunner’s Musician 1st Class Joseph W. Hoffman, 24, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Interment services are pending.
Navy Mess Attendant 3rd Class Isaac Parker, 17, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Interment services are pending.
Army Pvt. Warren G.H. DeVault, 24, was assigned to Company F, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. His unit was engaged in battle with German forces near Hurtgen, Germany, when he was reportedly killed in action on Nov. 20, 1944. Interment services are pending.
Till next week, praying for all.
– Charles Castelluccio
