The VFW Pennsylvania 28th District will be having their quarterly district meeting March 10. It will be held at Hickory VFW Post 6166. The post is located at 5550 E. State St. in Hermitage. The separate meeting for Post and Auxiliary members will start at 2 p.m. The 28th District covers the counties of Erie, Mercer and Crawford. Members in good standings are encouraged to attend.
VA 2030 A Vision for the Future
On Wednesday, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs held its first hearing of this Congress to address the future of VA. The name of the hearing was “VA 2030: A Vision for the Future of VA” because Chairman Takano is seeking to look ahead to make improvements within VA over the next decade. At the hearing, VA Secretary Wilkie spoke about the improvements VA has made since his tenure began and how proud he is of his workforce. The topics discussed at the hearing included homelessness, Blue Water Navy veterans, VA infrastructure, women veterans, and many others. The VFW applauds Chairman Takano and Ranking Member Roe for looking for innovative ways to continue to improve VA and seek to avoid future pitfalls.
Congressional Hearing on Access to VA for Women Veterans
The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies held a hearing Thursday regarding women veterans’ access to VA. Those who testified included Chief Consultant VA Women’s Health Services Dr. Patricia Hayes and VA National Mental Health Director for Family Services, Women’s Mental Health and Military Sexual Trauma Dr. Susan McCutcheon. VA focused on the rapid increase of 500,000 women who use VA and how it is enhancing its services. VA has worked to expand gender-specific training, advocacy and program managers, and increased access in rural communities. VA stated the top problem it repeatedly encounters is the ability to maintain providers with gender-specific expertise. Further details were given on gender-specific primary care, gynecology, maternity care, infertility and adoption reimbursement services, mental health services, military sexual trauma services, and child care. VA also discussed efforts to expand the Women Veteran Call Center and mammogram sites, and to improve their quality of care while eliminating barriers. Dr. Hayes concluded her testimony with, “VA continues to make significant strides in enhancing the language, practice, and culture of the department to be more inclusive of women veterans. These gains would not have been possible without consistent congressional commitment in the form of both attention and financial resources.
POW/MIA Update
Navy Reserve Journalist 3rd Class Raul A. Guerra was a passenger on board an E-1B Tracer, en route from Chu Lai Air Base to the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany, on Oct. 8, 1967. Interment services are pending.
Army Cpl. Benjamin W. Scott was a member of Company M, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. In July 1950, his unit was engaged in combat actions against the North Korean forces in the vicinity of Choch’iwon, South Korea. Interment services are pending.
Army Capt. Rufus J. Hyman was an infantry officer with Company A, 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. Interment services are pending.
Army Pfc. James C. Williams was a member of Medical Company, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, when he was killed in action near Taejon, South Korea, on July 20, 1950. Interment services are pending.
Army Cpl. Stephen P. Nemec was a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. In late 1950, his unit was engaged in heavy fighting against the Chinese People’s Volunteer Forces at Turtle Head’s Bend. Interment services are pending.
Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Carl M. Shaffer was a member of the 38th Bombardment Squadron, 30th Bombardment Group, stationed at Hawkins Field, Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands, when the B-24J bomber aircraft he was aboard crashed into Tarawa lagoon shortly after takeoff. Interment services are pending.
Army Air Forces 1st Lt. Burleigh E. Curtis was a member of the 377th Fighter Squadron, 362nd Fighter Group. Interment services are pending.
Navy Reserve Seaman 2nd Class Ira N. Slaton was stationed aboard the USS Colorado, which was moored approximately 3,200 yards from the shore of Tinian Island, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Interment services are pending.
Army Pfc. Clifford M. Mills was a member of the 319th Glider Field Artillery Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division, which participated in Operation Market Garden, the invasion of the German-occupied Netherlands. Interment services are pending.
Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Walter B. Stone was a pilot in the 350th Fighter Squadron, 353rd Fighter Group, VIII U.S. Fighter Command. On Oct. 22, 1943, Stone was killed when his P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft crashed in northern France during a bomber escort mission. Interment services are pending.
Navy Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Archie T. Miles was stationed aboard the 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.
Navy Seaman 2nd Class David B. Edmonston was stationed aboard the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Interment services are pending.
Till next week, praying for all service members.
– Charles Castelluccio
