The Erie VA will be holding an open house 3-5 p.m. Thursday, April 25. Veterans, their families, and community members are invited to attend the open house. You will be able to take a tour of the facility and meet with VA health program representatives from a variety of programs including: Eligibility & Enrollment, Patient Experience Office, Caregiver Support, Nutrition Clinics, Telehealth Services, My Healthy Vet, Behavioral Health, Women Veterans Health, Whole Health, Hospice & Palliative Care, Transition & Care Management, Visual Impairment Services, Prosthetics, Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record, and more. For more information, call (814) 868-8661, or www.erie.va.gov.
VFW Hosts Roundtable on Elimination of Widow Tax
On Tuesday, the VFW hosted veterans service organizations, survivor organizations, and congressional staff to discuss the demeaning Survivor Benefits Plan (SBP) and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) offset. The roundtable focused on joining forces to secure passage of S.622, the Military Widows Tax Elimination Act, or H.R. 533, the Military Surviving Spouse Act, which would eliminate the SBP/DIC offset. The group discussed raising awareness of the offset and encouraging members of Congress to co-sponsor the bills. Join the effort by contacting your members of Congress and asking them to co-sponsor S. 622 or H.R. 553.
Trump Picks Navy’s Next CNO, VCNO
The president has selected Adm. Bill Moran to replace retiring Adm. John Richardson as the Navy’s 32nd chief of naval operations and Vice Adm. Bob Burke for promotion to full admiral and assignment as the Navy’s new vice chief of naval operations.
Retired General is New US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia
The Senate last week overwhelmingly confirmed retired Army Gen. John Abizaid as the new U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia. Abizaid, who commanded U.S. Central Command from 2003 to 2007, was also the recipient of the VFW Armed Forces Award at the 108th VFW National Convention in Kansas City, Mo., in 2007. The 34-year Army veteran served in Grenada, the Persian Gulf, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq.
POW/MIA Update
Army Cpl. Carlos E. Ferguson, 20, of Dawson, W.Va., will be buried May 18 in nearby Grassy Meadows. Ferguson, whose identification was announced in February, was a member of Company L, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, engaged against North Korean and Chinese forces near Kangye, South Korea.
Navy Seaman 2nd Class Richard J. Thomson, 19, of League City, Texas, was stationed aboard the battleship USS Oklahoma when it sustained multiple torpedo hits and capsized as it was moored off Ford Island in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Dec. 7, 1941. Interment services are pending.
Navy Seaman 1st Class Ernest R. West, 22, of Runnells, Iowa, was stationed aboard the battleship USS Oklahoma. Interment services are pending.
Army Pfc. Raymond H. Middlekauff, of Baltimore, Md., was assigned to Company F, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division in late 1944. Interment services are pending.
Army Capt. Rufus J. Hyman, 23, of Memphis, Tenn., was an infantry officer with Company A, 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was declared missing in action on July 30, 1950. Interment services are pending.
Till next week, praying for all service members.
– Charles Castelluccio
