VFW National Legislative Deputy Director Kristina Keenan testified at a hearing on pending legislation before the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity. Among the proposals was the expansion of eligibility for the VA Home Loan Guaranty program to members of the National Guard and Reserves who have performed active duty for training, and the addition of co-op housing units to this program. Keenan also expressed support for key provisions of proposed legislation to improve service member transition. She stated, “The VFW strongly supports the provisions that would improve the transition to VA, including requiring accredited claims representatives be included in the Transition Assistance Program. This would enable service members to have a point of contact to begin their pre-separation claim. We also support the bill’s inclusion of pre-enrollment in VA medical care during transition. This would provide veterans with their earned benefits the day they leave the military.”
VFW Testimony on VA Notice Letters
VFW National Veterans Service Director Michael Figlioli testified at a hearing of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs on the need for simplifying VA’s disability claims and appeals letters. In his written testimony, Figlioli explained that like the Veterans Benefits Administration, the Board of Veterans’ Appeals also has its challenges with decision notices and explanations that can be too long and unclear. “Letters received by appellants are redundant in nature, generic in scope, and missing critical information specific to the appeal,” he wrote. In his conclusion, he offered, “The VFW is always willing to lend our assistance in making the claims process more seamless and accessible for all veterans, family members and survivors. We are committed to working with VA across all departments and business lines to continue to develop notifications with a commonsense approach.
National Vietnam Veterans Day
Friday, March 29, is National Vietnam Veterans Day. Over 3 million served during the war. Twenty-five percent of those who served in Vietnam were drafted, the remaining were volunteers. There were over 58,200 casualties from the war. As of March 1, 2024, 1,577 Americans are listed as missing in action and unaccounted for. On Jan. 27, 1973, the Paris Peace Accord was signed. On Feb. 12,1973, the first of 591 U.S. military and civilians POWs were released and flown home. Pennsylvania had 3,147 casualties. 1968 was the year of most casualties, 16,889. The youngest causality was 15. The oldest was 62.
POW/MIA Update
Army Air Forces Tech. Sgt. Paul F. Eshelman, Jr., 21, of Pittsburgh, was assigned to the 344th Bombardment Squadron, 98th Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force. He was killed in action on Aug. 1, 1943. He will be buried in Allison Park, Pennsylvania, on a date to be determined.
Army Sgt. Richard G. Hammond, 24, of Northwood, New Hampshire, was assigned to Company A, 601st Tank Destroyer Battalion. He went missing in action on Feb. 17, 1943. He will be buried in his hometown on May 27, 2024.
Pvt. Harold O. Poulter, 23, of Charleston, Illinois, was assigned to Company G, 2nd Battalion, 318th Infantry Regiment. He was reported killed in action on Feb. 8, 1945. He will be buried in Lerna, Illinois, on June 4, 2024.
Navy Seaman 2nd Class Michael Malek, 17, of Chicago, Illinois, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island. He will be buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl), Honolulu, Hawaii, on June 6, 2024.
Army Air Force 1st Lt. Richard J. Kasten, 24, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, was assigned to the 68th Bombardment Squadron. He was killed in action on Jan. 21, 1944. He will be buried in Battle Creek, Michigan, on a date to be determined.
Army Air Force 2nd Lt. Robert L. E. Porter, 23, of Chicago, Illinois, was assigned to the 703rd Bombardment Squadron, 8th Air Force. He was killed in action on Feb. 24, 1944. He will be buried in Elmwood, Illinois, on a date to be determined.
Army Cpl. Julius G. Wolfe, 20, of Liberal, Missouri, was assigned to Company B, 149th Engineer Combat Battalion. He was killed in action en route to Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944. He will be buried in his hometown on a date to be determined.
Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Jackson M. Barbour, 19, of Memphis, Tennessee, was assigned to the 401st Eighth Air Force. He went missing in action on Dec. 20, 1942. He will be buried in his hometown on a date to be determined.
Army Pfc. Noah C. Reeves, 26, of Moulton, Alabama, was assigned to Company F, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 8th Infantry Division. He was reported killed in action on Dec. 6, 1944. He will be buried on a date and location yet to be determined.
Army Corporal Ray K. Lilly, 18, of Matoaka, West Virginia, was a member of L Company, 3rd Battalion. He died while a prisoner of war in January or February 1951. He will be buried in Princeton, West Virginia, on a date to be determined.
Till next week, praying for all service members.
– Charles Castelluccio
