Flag Day and the birthday of The United States Army share the same day, June 14th. The Army is now 242 years old. On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress replaced the British symbol of the Grand Union flag with a new design featuring 13 white stars in a circle on a field of blue and 13 red and white stripes – one for each state. The number of stars increased as the new states entered the Union, but the number of stripes stopped at 15 and was later returned to 13. Remember to proudly fly your American Flag.
VFW Launches Action Alert Opposing Veteran Benefit Cuts
The VFW increased its opposition to proposed cuts to benefits received by disabled veterans by launching an Action Alert. The proposed cuts were in the President’s budget proposal and would result in tens of thousands of dollars being cut from the annual benefits a veteran receives. Known as Individual Unemployability (IU), the program helps those veterans who have service connected disabilities and are not able to work. The proposed cut would eliminate the IU benefit once a veteran becomes eligible for Social Security. This would be a devastating drop as many veterans on IU have not been able to work for many years. Because the IU program also raises veterans’ disability rating to 100 percent, other benefits, including dental insurance for the veteran and medical insurance for their dependents, would also be lost. Everyone is asked to participate, including veterans and non-veterans, as well as members and non-members.
VFW Testifies at Senate Choice Program Hearing
The Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs held a hearing this week to discuss how to improve the Veterans Choice Program. Secretary of Veterans Affairs David J. Shulkin summarized VA’s proposal to re-brand and restructure the program to enable veterans and their doctors to decide what options work best for them, whether it’s seeing a doctor in the private sector or staying in VA. VFW Legislative Director Carlos Fuentes identified several issues with the choice program which must be addressed, such as the breakdown in communication between VA, the contractors and veterans. Committee members and the VFW expressed concerns with certain aspects of VA’s proposal, such as turning VA into a health care insurance program. Committee members plan to review VA’s plan and develop legislation to improve and extend the choice program.
MIA Update
Marine Corps Pfc. Larry R. Roberts, 18, of Damascus, Arkansas, will be buried June 14 in Arlington National Cemetery, near Washington, D.C. Roberts was declared killed in action on Nov. 25, 1943.
Navy Cmdr. Charles B. Goodwin was an RF-8A pilot assigned to Detachment D, VPF-63, CVW-15. On Sept. 8, 1965, Goodwin took off from the USS Coral Sea on a combat photo mission over North Vietnam. Interment services are pending.
Air Force Reserve Capt. Joseph Smith was an F-100D pilot. During a combat mission over Cambodia, Smith’s wingman noticed a stream of white vapor coming from the left wing of Smith’s aircraft. Smith was listed as missing in action as of April 4, 1971. Interment services are pending.
Till next week, praying for all service members.
– Charles Castelluccio
