Last week, the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs voted 87-7 to confirm, Denis R. McDonough for the position of Secretary of Veterans Affairs. “The VFW believes today’s confirmation of Mr. McDonough will allow the Department of Veterans Affairs to leverage his years of government leadership experience to rebuild trust and confidence in quality VA care throughout the veteran community, especially during these uncertain times,” said VFW National Commander Hal Roesch. “The VFW looks forward to working closely with Mr. McDonough to ensure the VA can continue its aggressive fight against COVID-19, and to improve the delivery of care and benefits to our nation’s heroes.”
House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees Announced
Both the House and the Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs have announced all their committee members. The Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs will be chaired by Sen. Jon Tester, D-MT, with Sen. Jerry Moran, R-KS, as the ranking member. The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs will be chaired by Rep. Mark Takano, D-CA, with Rep. Mike Bost, R-IL) as the ranking member. The VFW looks forward to working with all the committee members on the important issues facing service members, veterans, and their families.
VA COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout
This week, VA, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, and Phillips held a webinar focused on how veterans and caregivers can access the COVID-19 vaccine. VA offers COVID-19 testing and vaccinations for caregivers participating in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. The panel discussed how eligible veterans and their caregivers can receive their COVID-19 vaccinations at any VA facility and should be immunized at the same time. Veterans who never used their VA benefits can contact their local VA office for information regarding the vaccinations and VA’s distribution plan. Veterans and caregivers can sign up for updates and express their interest in receiving a vaccine, which will help VA with their vaccine supply.
POW/MIA Update
Pennsylvania service member remains return home:
Army Cpl. Paul W. Wilkins, 19, of Bellwood, Pennsylvania, was a member of B Company, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on July 11, 1950, when his unit was fighting enemy forces near Choch’iwan, South Korea. He was never found, nor were any remains recovered that could be identified as Wilkins. The Army declared a presumptive finding of death for Wilkins on Dec. 31, 1953, and he was declared nonrecoverable on Jan. 16, 1956. Wilkins will be buried in his hometown. The date is yet to be determined.
Navy Fireman 1st Class James W. Davenport, Jr., 21, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Interment services are pending.
Navy Ship’s Cook 3rd Class Robert Goodwin, 20, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Interment services are pending.
Navy Seaman 2nd Class David Clark, Jr., 18, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Interment services are pending.
Navy Boilermaker 1st Class William E. Blanchard, 24, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Interment services are pending.
Navy Seaman 1st Class Wallace G. Mitchell, 20, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Interment services are pending.
Till next week praying for all.
– Charles Castelluccio
