Friday, Oct. 13, is the start day of The Pennsylvania VFW’s Erie to Pittsburgh Diabetes Walk. This is the 40th year. The walk will start at 7:30 a.m. on Rt. 19, just south of Erie at the Snowmobile club, and walk to Meadville. On Saturday morning, the walk will start in Meadville and end in Mercer. On Sunday, the walk will begin in Mercer and end in Pittsburgh. It has been reported by the VA that one in four veterans has diabetes. If you would like to give a donation to the walkers, they will gladly accept it. Donations are tax deductible. You can also send a donation to Pennsylvania VFW headquarters at. Pa. VFW 4002 Fenton Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17109. Make checks out to PA VFW with Diabetes Walk 2017 in the memo.
U.S. Navy Marks 242 Years
The United States Navy will celebrate there 242nd birthday on Oct. 13. There motto is “Non sibi sed patriae” (“Not for self but for country”). The Navy was founded on Oct. 13, 1775. The Navy has the world’s largest aircraft carrier fleet, with eleven in service, one more in reserve and two new carriers under construction. The service has 322,421 personnel on active duty and 107,577 in the Navy reserve. It has 276 deployable combat vessels and more than 3,700 operational air craft.
VFW Hosts Roundtable Discussion on Toxic Exposures
Last Tuesday, the VFW hosted a discussion on the efforts of several veterans and military service organizations to tackle issues related to toxic exposures faced by military veterans. The VFW was joined by the Association of the U.S. Navy, Military Officers Association of America, Vietnam Veterans of America and Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. The goal of the meeting was to find common ground, share information on efforts and discuss barriers to success. The VFW has a long history of working with other veterans organizations on major legislation. Future efforts on issues like Blue Water Navy, Agent Orange and burn pit exposure will be areas where collaboration will also help. Continue to follow the VFW Action Corps Weekly for updates on future work related to these issues and many more.
Veterans ID Card Update
VA will begin issuing veteran identification cards to all honorably discharged veterans in November. The initiative is required by the Veterans Identification Card Act 2015, which ordered VA to issue a hard-copy photo ID to any honorably discharged veteran who applies. The card will be issued for free upon request, according to a Military.com article, and will contain the veteran’s name, photo and a non-Social Security identification number. VA will provide additional information once finalized.
POW/MIA Update
Marine Corps 2nd Lt. George S. Bussa, 29, of Chicago, whose identification was previously announced, will be buried Oct. 10 in Arlington National Cemetery, near Washington, D.C.
Army Air Forces Tech. Sgt. Earl P. Gorman, 23, of Lynn, Mass., whose identification was previously announced, will be buried Oct. 13 in Valatie, N.Y.
Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Clarence L. Dragoo, 21, of Sandyville, W.Va., whose identification was previously announced, will be buried Oct. 14 in his hometown. Based on this information, Dragoo was reported missing in action.
Storekeeper 3rd Class Wallace E. Eakes was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored off Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Interment services are pending.
Seaman 1st Class Clifford G. Goodwin was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored off Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Interment services are pending.
Seaman 1st Class Joseph M. Johnson was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored off Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Interment services are pending.
Storekeeper 3rd Class Eli Olsen was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored off Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Interment services are pending.
Marine Corps Pfc. Harold P. Hannon was assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. Interment services are pending.
Army Air Forces Tech Sgt. John F. Brady was a B-17 crew member assigned to the 323rd Bombardment Squadron, 91st Bombardment Group (Heavy). Interment services are pending.
Army Air Forces Tech Sgt. Allen A. Chandler was a B-17 crew member assigned to the 323rd Bombardment Squadron, 91st Bombardment Group (Heavy). Interment services are pending.
Army Air Forces 1st Lt. John H. Liekhus was a B-17 crew member assigned to the 323rd Bombardment Squadron, 91st Bombardment Group (Heavy). Interment services are pending.
Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Robert O. Shoemaker was a B-17 crew member assigned to the 323rd Bombardment Squadron, 91st Bombardment Group (Heavy). Interment services are pending.
Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Bobby J. Younger was a B-17 crew member assigned to the 323rd Bombardment Squadron, 91st Bombardment Group (Heavy). Interment services are pending.
Army Pfc. Willie E. Blue was a member of Company K, 3rd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. Interment services are pending.
Marine Corps Reserve Sgt. Johnson McAfee, Jr., was assigned to Company F, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force. Interment services are pending.
Till next week, praying for all service members.
– Charles Castellucio
