VFW National Commander Tim Borland participated in commemoration events in and around Washington, D.C., during Memorial Day weekend. On Sunday, Borland visited USAA’s Poppy Wall of Honor on the National Mall where he engaged with veterans and other visitors. The display pays tribute to the 645,000 members of the American armed forces since World War I who died while in service. He also visited the Humana exhibit at Thunder Alley to watch the Rolling to Remember motorcycle demonstration. The annual event brings awareness to the mental health crisis among veterans and to the full accounting of America’s POWs/MIAs. On Monday, Borland attended a breakfast at the White House for special guests including Gold Star Families. He then joined President Biden for a wreath laying ceremony and special program at Arlington National Cemetery. Borland concluded the day by laying a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial where a ceremony was held to honor the fallen.
Mental Health Care Services During Transition
The Military Health System’s in Transition program aids service members, veterans, and retirees — regardless of component, time served, or discharge category — to establish or transfer mental health care during times of transition. This program is a free service that is not time limited. It is staffed with qualified coaches familiar with military culture who stand ready to assist individuals to connect with the care they need.
VA Venango CBOC Now Ppen
The new VA Venango CBOC is now open. The CBOC is located at 464 Allegheny Blvd. in Franklin, next to Home Depot. The phone number is (866) 962-3260, option 2. A grand opening is in the works. It replaced the old CBOC in Reno.
POW/MIA Update
Army Pvt. Robert R. Gruwell, 20, of Los Angeles, California, was assigned to Company G, 3rd Battalion, 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team. On Aug. 15, 1944, he went missing during Operation Dragoon, and was later declared killed in action on May 15, 1945. He will be buried in Riverside, California, on June 8, 2023.
Army Pfc. Billy A. DeBord, 18, of Miamisburg, Ohio, was a member of F Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, Eighth U.S. Army. He was reported missing in action on July 25, 1950. The Army issued a presumptive finding of death on Dec. 31, 1953. He will be buried in his hometown on Nov. 11, 2023.
Army Pfc. Leonard E. Adams, 25, of Dana, Indiana, was assigned to Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division. He was killed on Jan. 20, 1945, near Reipertswiller, France. He will be buried in Radcliff, Kentucky, on a date yet to be determined.
Till next week, praying for all service members.
– Charles Castelluccio
