On Thursday, VFW Washington Office Executive Director B.J. Lawrence stood in solidarity with the Veteran Service Organization community as U.S. President Donald J. Trump signed the National POW/MIA Flag Act into law. The law requires the POW/MIA flag to be displayed whenever the American flag is displayed at prominent federal properties. “This is a historic victory for every man and woman who courageously defended this nation and remain unaccounted for,” said VFW National Commander William “Doc” Schmitz. The presidential signing and the daily display of the POW/MIA flag at all prominent federal properties now serves as a daily reminder that these heroes, and their families, are forever etched in our DNA.”
Legislation Introduced to Help Veterans Exposed to Burn Pits
Representative Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.) introduced VFW-supported H.R. 4574, the Veterans’ Right to Breathe Act. Rep. Ruiz introduced this bipartisan bill with Reps. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) and Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.). This important legislation would establish a presumption of service connection for veterans who were exposed to burn pits for nine pulmonary diseases including asthma, pneumonia, and chronic bronchitis. “For years the VFW has been calling for the connection of research and presumptive illnesses surrounding open air burn pits,” said National Legislative Service Deputy Director Pat Murray. “The Veterans’ Right to Breathe Act is a great step in making sure veterans affected by toxins from burn pits are finally provided the care and benefits they deserve.” The VFW thanks all co-sponsors for their efforts to improve benefits and health care for veterans exposed to burn pits.
TRICARE Open Season
TRICARE Open Season will run from today to Dec. 9, 2019. It is important to note that new retirees have only one year to enroll for TRICARE Prime. If they forget to enroll in TRICARE Prime, individuals are no longer going to be automatically enrolled into TRICARE Select and will have to wait for the next Open Season enrollment period. Individuals already enrolled can change their TRICARE coverage.
POW/MIA Update
Marine Corps Cpl. Thomas H. Cooper, 22, of Omaha, Nebraska, was a member of Company A, 2nd Amphibious Tractor Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands. Cooper died on the first day of battle, Nov. 20, 1943. Interment services are pending.
Army Pfc. Horace H. Middleton, 20, of Northumberland, Pennsylvania, was a member of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), also known as Merrill’s Marauders, as an infantryman in the China-Burma-India Theater. Interment services are pending.
Army Pfc. Harold K. Knight, 20, of Erie, Pennsylvania, was a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 31st Infantry Regiment, 31st Regimental Combat Team. His unit was engaged in intense fighting with the Chinese People’s Volunteer Forces, near the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea, from Nov. 27-Dec. 1, 1950. Witness accounts noted that Knight was killed in action Nov. 25, 1950. Knight is tentatively scheduled to be buried in the spring or summer of 2020 in Pennsylvania.
U.S. Army 1st Lt. George S. Crisp, 24, of Alba, Texas, was killed during the Korean War. Crisp was a member of Company L, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. His unit was engaged in intense fighting with the Chinese People’s Volunteer Forces at Sinhung-ri, near the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. The U.S. Army declared Crisp deceased as of Dec. 12, 1950. Crisp will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. The date has yet to be determined.
U.S. Army Cpl. Earl W. Duncan, 23, of McAdenville, North Carolina, was killed during the Korean War. Duncan was a member of Company D, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, 31st Regimental Combat Team. He was reported missing in action on Dec. 2, 1950, in the vicinity of the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea. Duncan will be buried Nov. 30, 2019, in Gastonia, North Carolina.
Marine Corps Pfc. Harry C. Morrissey, 27, of Everett, Massachusetts, was a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. Morrissey will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. The date has yet to be determined.
Army Sgt. Walter H. Tobin, Jr., 22, of Glen Lake, Michigan, was a member of Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, 31st Regimental Combat Team. He was reported missing in action on Dec. 2, 1950. Tobin will be buried Nov. 14, 2019, in Glen Arbor, Michigan.
Till next week, praying for all service members.
– Charles Castelluccio
