Venango Community Based Outpatient Clinic, located at 464 Allegheny Blvd. in Franklin, will have an open house for veterans on Wednesday, April 17, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. All veterans and their families are invited to attend the Venango VA Clinic Open House to learn about a variety of VA health care programs and services. Stop by and speak with VA health care experts on-site. Meet with, Venango VA Clinic staff, Women Veterans Program manager, Telehealth representative, Behavior Health staff, Eligibility representatives, Caregiver support and more. Veterans who have never enrolled in the VA health care are encouraged to bring their DD214 service discharge papers to speak with an eligibility representative on-site to see if they are eligible for VA care.
VA Ordered to Lift Hold on Blue Water Navy Appeals
VA was recently ordered to lift its hold on Blue Water Navy appeals as a result of the recent Procopio v. Wilkie court decision. The VFW-supported Procopio decision clarified that Blue Water Navy Vietnam War veterans are eligible to receive presumptive disability compensation benefits for health conditions associated with exposure to Agent Orange. After the decision was issued on Jan. 29, 2019, VA requested a stay, which places a hold on Blue Water Navy claims and appeals while the agency deliberated whether to appeal the decision. VA’s request to stay Blue Water Navy claims was denied and VA is now forced to start taking action on appeals. This means veterans affected by the Procopio decision may see activity on their appeals in the near future. The VFW urges Blue Water Navy veterans who receive notice of action on their claims to contact a VFW-accredited service officer at www.vfw.org/NVS. The Department of Justice still has until April 29, 2019, to formally appeal. Moreover, the Procopio decision still leaves certain questions unanswered for Blue Water Navy veterans and others exposed to Agent Orange. This is why the VFW continues to urge for the swift passage of H.R. 299, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019. Urge your members of Congress to cosponsor and support passage of H.R. 299.
First Female Fighter Pilot Nominated for Second Star
Last Tuesday, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein announced that Brig. Gen. Jeannie Leavitt was among the 23 general officers nominated for promotion to Major General. Despite finishing among the best in her flight training class in 1992, Brig. Gen. Leavitt was prohibited from flying fighters and bombers. However, in 1993, she became the first female F-15 pilot after the DOD opened combat pilot positions to women. Since then, she has logged more than 3,000 flight hours, including more than 300 combat hours between Iraq and Afghanistan. Brig. Gen. Leavitt was also the first female to command the 57th Wing at the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center, Nellis Air Force Base, and currently serves as the Air Force Recruiting Service Commander at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas.
POW/MIA Update
Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Vincent J. Rogers, Jr., was a radio operator for the 38th Bombardment Squadron, (Heavy), 30th Bombardment Group, stationed at Hawkins Field, Helen Island, Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands. On Jan. 21, 1944, he was onboard a B-24J bomber that crashed shortly after takeoff. Interment services are pending.
Till next week, praying for all service members.
– Charles Castelluccio
