The Pennsylvania VFW 28th District held its Voice of Democracy and Patriots Pen Banquet at Reynolds VFW Post 7599 on Saturday evening. There were over 150 in attendance. The theme for the Voice of Democracy was ” My Responsibility To America.” There were 945 students who applied with 69 going on to district judging. Over $18,000 was awarded. The Patriots Pen theme was “The America I Believe In.” There were 871 students that applied with 58 going on to district judging. Over $ 10,500 was awarded. A great time was had by all.
VA Secretary Nominated
Last Wednesday, President-elect Donald Trump announced that Dr. David Shulkin, VA’s current under secretary for health, has been nominated to be the next Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Dr. Shulkin has served as under secretary for 18 months and has been a leading force in VA’s health care reform. He will bring continuity to VA as it continues to improve its delivery of health care. After the announcement on Wednesday, VFW Commander-in-Chief Brian Duffy had this to say regarding the selection: “The VFW is proud to support the nomination of Dr. David Shulkin as the next Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and we are most appreciative of his willingness to continue serving veterans and making the VA better.”
Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water Vets Get Relief
The Obama administration has agreed to pay more than $2.2 billion over the next five years to the nearly 900,000 Marine Corps veterans and their families who were stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C., between Aug. 1, 1953, and Dec. 31, 1987, and who suffer with one of the following medical conditions: Adult leukemia, aplastic anemia, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and Parkinson’s disease. More information will follow.
POW/MIA Update
* Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Sidney A. Cook was a member of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. Cook’s unit was one of those tasked with securing the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll. Cook was killed on the first day of the battle, Nov. 20, 1943. Interment services are pending.
* Marine Corps Cpl. Walter G. Critchley was assigned to Company F, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division. On Nov. 20, 1943, Critchley’s unit landed on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll against fierce Japanese resistance. Critchley was killed on Nov. 20, 1943. Interment services are pending.
* Marine Corps Reserve 2nd Lt. Ernest Matthews was assigned to Headquarters Company, Headquarters Battalion, Division Special Troops, 2nd Marine Division. Interment services are pending.
* Marine Corps Pfc. James O. Whitehurst was assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. On Nov. 20, 1943, Whitehurst was killed on the first day of the battle. Interment services are pending.
* Marine Corps Pfc. Larry R. Roberts‘ unit landed on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll on Nov. 20, 1943. After five days of intense battle against the Japanese, Roberts was declared killed in action on Nov. 25, 1943. Interment services are pending.
* Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Charles E. Carlson was a P-47 pilot with the 62nd Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, Eighth Air Force. Carlson was shot down south of Bonn, Germany, during an air battle between American and German pilots on Dec. 23, 1944. Interment services are pending.
* Army Air Forces 1st Lt. William J. Gray was a member of the 391st Fighter Squadron, 366th Fighter Group. Gray was declared killed in action on April 16, 1945. Interment services are pending.
* Army Sgt. James W. Sharp was a member of Battery B, 57th Field Artillery Battalion, 31st Regimental Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division. H e was declared missing on Dec. 6, 1950. Interment services are pending.
* Marine Corps Reserve 1st Lt. William C. Ryan was an F-4B radar intercept officer with the Marine Fighter Attack Force 115, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Fleet Marine Force Pacific. While pulling out of a bombing pass over Savannakhet Province, Laos, Ryan’s aircraft was hit by enemy fire. Ryan failed to eject and was declared deceased as of May 11, 1969. Interment services are pending.
Till next week, praying for all service members.
– Charles Castelluccio
