As it was mentioned in last weeks Veterans’ Corner, there is help with issues, complaints, problems or complements that may arise at the Erie VA or CBOC’s. You can have the issue handled there, or at your convince, by calling (814) 868-8661 and ask the operator to transfer you to a Service Level Patient Advocate. Take a picture of this number with your cell phone and you will always have it on you.
Do Not Give Out Your Social Security Number
Veterans that are enrolled into the VA Health Care system can use another number on your VA Card, instead of your Social Security Number. It is called Member ID. It is usually on the left side of the front of the card, under the American Flag, or on the back. If do not have the Member ID on your card, when you are at the Erie VA, go to Eligibility to get a new card with your Member ID number on it.
National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission Discusses GWOT Memorial
On Tuesday, VFW National Legislative Service Associate Director Matt Doyle attended a meeting to discuss the placement of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Memorial. At the meeting, the National Capitol Memorial Advisory Commission (NCMAC) discussed VFW-supported H.R. 5046, the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act. This important legislation would authorize the GWOT Memorial to be placed within the Reserve, an area in Washington, D.C., that encompasses the National Mall and the Tidal Basin. Under the Commemorative Works Act, only Congress may authorize the placement of a memorial within the Reserve. The NCMAC considered whether the GWOT Memorial should be placed at any of the sites specified in the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act and the potential impact of placing additional monuments and memorials within the Reserve.
House VA Committee Examines Community Care Provider Networks
On Wednesday, a joint hearing of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittees on Health and Oversight and Investigations held a hearing on the status of Community Care Network program provider networks. Attention was paid to the backlog of claims. About 2.5 million claims out of 3.8 million are older than 30 days but VA testified that this will be remedied by the end of the fiscal year in September.
POW/MIA Update
U.S. Army Pfc. James W. White, 21, was a member of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), also known as Merrill’s Marauders. After taking the airfield in Myitkyina, Burma, from the Japanese on May 17, 1944, White’s battalion was tasked with holding the airfield and taking part in the siege of Myitkyina. Interment services are pending.
U.S. Army Pvt. James J. Cansler, 21, was assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 8th Infantry Division. His unit was engaged in battle with German forces near Vossenack, Germany, in the Hürtgen Forest, when he was reported as missing in action. Interment services are pending.
U.S. Navy Chief Fire Controlman Daniel F. Harris, 40, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941. Interment services are pending.
U.S. Navy Seaman 1st Class Edward Wasielewski, 21, of Detroit, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941. Interment for Wasielewski will be Feb. 21, 2020, in San Diego.
U.S. Navy Fire Controlman 1st Class Robert L. Corn, 24, of Baker City, Oregon, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Corn will be buried May 1, 2020, in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Marine Corps Reserve Pfc. Raymond Warren, 21, of Silverdale, Kansas, was a member of Company K, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands. Warren will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. The date has yet to be determined.
U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Thomas H. Cooper, 22, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, was a member of Company A, 2nd Amphibious Tractor Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands. Cooper will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. The date has yet to be determined.
Till next week, praying for all service members.
– Charles Castelluccio
