The Senate passed VFW-supported S. 2102, Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas Supporting Expanded Review for Veterans In Combat Environments (SERVICE) Act of 2021, and S. 2533, Making Advances in Mammography and Medical Options (MAMMO) for Veterans Act. The SERVICE Act would require VA to provide mammography screenings to veterans who served in known toxic exposure locations. The MAMMO Act would require VA to carry out a mammography telescreening pilot program, upgrade VA mammography suites to 3-D digital screening, and develop a breast imaging strategic plan for veterans.
Virtual Town Hall Meeting
Veterans, caregivers, and family members are invited to attend a Virtual town hall on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, from 1-2 p.m. Meet with members from the Erie VA and executive leadership. Veterans will have an opportunity for questions and answers immediately following the updates. Join via phone (audio only) by calling (872) 701-0185. Use phone conference ID number: 148 806 66#.
Veteran Clinical Call Center
All Pennsylvania Veterans enrolled in the VA can call a VISN 4 Clinical Call Center with 24/7/365 availability. Veterans can call the center and talk with a nurse 24 hours a day if they have an urgent medical or mental health question. For a VISN 4 triage nurse, call (833) 835-3874. For the Erie VA Medical Center, call (814) 868-8661 and press option 3.
National Vietnam War Veterans Day
Tuesday, March 29, is National Vietnam War Veterans Day. This is a day to recognize and remember the more than 8.7 million men and women who served during the Vietnam era, the 3.4 million who served in theater, the 58,000 who paid the ultimate price, and the 1,584 who remain missing and unaccounted for. In our nation where less than one percent of the population currently wears the uniform and less than seven percent has ever worn the uniform, this day is a great opportunity to say, “Thank you for your service.”
POW/MIA Update
Navy Fireman 2nd Class Hal J. Allison, 21, of Paducah, Kentucky, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. He will be buried in his hometown on April 8, 2022.
Navy Coxswain Paul L. Boemer, 21, of St. Louis, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. He will be buried in his hometown on May 3, 2022.
Army Cpl. Donald L. Menken, 21, of Whitesburg, Kentucky, was assigned to Company K, 3rd Battalion,15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action after being wounded on June 10, 1953, while his unit was guarding Outpost Harry in South Korea. He will be buried in Ermine, Kentucky, on May 14, 2022.
Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Eugene P. Shauvin, 25, of Spokane, Washington, was assigned to the 95th Troop Carrier Squadron, 440th Troop Carrier Group. On Sep. 17, 1944, the C-47 Skytrain aircraft he was piloting was shot down over Belgium. He will be buried in his hometown in July 2022.
Navy Water Tender 1st Class Milo E. Phillips, 26, of Pierce, Colorado, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. He will be buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) in Honolulu on Aug. 4, 2022.
Army Pvt. Pearl F. Barrow, 36, of Wichita, Kansas, was assigned to Company F, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. He was reported killed in action on Nov. 20, 1944, when his unit was engaged in battle with German forces. Barrow will be buried in his hometown on a date yet to be determined.
Till next week, praying for all service members.
– Charles Castelluccio
