All veterans and their families are invited to attend the Crawford VA Clinic open house on Wednesday, 2 to 4 p.m., to learn about a variety of VA healthcare programs and services.
Stop by the clinic, at 16954 Conneaut Lake Road in Meadville, and speak with various experts, including a women veterans program manager, Telehealth representatives, Crawford VA Clinic staff, behavior health staff, caregiver support and more.
Veterans who have never enrolled in VA health care are encouraged to bring their DD 214 or DD 215 discharge paper to speak with eligibility representatives to see if they are eligible for VA care.
Help prevent TRICARE fee increases
Congress recently increased TRICARE costs for future military retirees and their families.
Current military retirees and their family members are generally exempt from these cost increases, but a proposal included in the Senate’s version of the National Defense Authorization Act for 2019 (NDAA) would remove this exemption. This proposal would result in substantially higher TRICARE enrollment fees for current military retirees.
The VFW needs your help in defeating this harmful proposal, which would require military retirees to pay more for their earned health care. Get in touch with your congressional representative and tell them no TRICARE fee increases.
Deference Defense Health Agency transitions
Beginning Oct. 1, the Defense Health Agency will assume responsibility for the administration and management of health care at all military treatment facilities operating under DOD.
This consolidation aims to provide a more integrated, efficient and effective system of readiness to better support the lethality of the force by eliminating many of the redundancies that have historically plagued the military health system (MHS).
The transition hopes to significantly increase our nation’s ability to provide world class medical support to war fighters, their dependents and our military retirees.
POW/MIA update
Army Cpl. Thomas W. Reagan, 18, a Korean War veteran from Lebanon, Indiana, whose identification was previously announced, was buried July 6 in Pensacola, Florida.
Army Sgt. 1st Class Elmore B. Goodwin, 25, a Korean War veteran from Norfolk, Virginia, whose identification was previously announced, was buried July 9 in Arlington National Cemetery.
Army Sgt. John W. Hall, 23, a Korean War veteran from Jennings, Louisiana, whose identification was previously announced, was buried July 6 in Houston.
Army Air Forces Sgt. Charles H. Daman, 21, a WWII veteran from De Smet, Idaho, whose identification was previously announced, will be buried July 11 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
Army Air Forces Sgt. Charles H. Daman, 21, a WWII veteran from De Smet, Idaho, whose identification was previously announced, will be buried July 11 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. John H. Canty, 22, a WWII veteran from Winsted, Connecticut, whose identification was previously announced, was buried July 10 in Arlington National Cemetery.
Army Pvt. Kenneth D. Farris, 19, a WWII veteran from Dodson, Texas, whose identification was previously announced, was buried July 9 in Dallas.
Army Air Forces 1st Lt. William W. Shank, 24, a WWII veteran from Harrisonburg, Virginia, whose identification was previously announced, will be buried July 14 in his hometown. Shank was a P-38 pilot assigned to the 338th Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group.
Navy Seaman 1st Class Joseph M. Johnson, 22, a WWII veteran from Rushford, Minnesota, whose identification was previously announced, was buried July 7 in his hometown. Johnson was stationed aboard the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor.
Navy Seaman 1st Class Leon Arickx, 22, a WWII veteran from Mitchell, Iowa, whose identification was previously announced, was buried July 7.
Marine Corps Pfc. Roger Gonzales, a Korean War veteran, was a member of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. Interment services are pending.
Army Pvt. Donald E. Brown was a member of Company A, 745th Tank Battalion, fighting in support of the 1st Infantry Division in the European Theater in World War II. Interment services are pending.
Army Pvt. Donald E. Brown was a member of Company A, 745th Tank Battalion, fighting in support of the 1st Infantry Division in the European Theater in World War II. Interment services are pending.
Navy Fireman 1st Class Raymond R. Camery, a WWII veteran, was stationed aboard the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Interment services are pending.
Until next week, praying for all service members.
– Charles Castelluccio
