“No One Does More for Veterans” was more than just a slogan at last week’s 48th annual meeting of the National League of POW/MIA Families in Arlington, Va. The VFW was consistently lauded by both league and government officials for the unwavering support we bring to the Full Accounting Mission at home and abroad. In his remarks after being presented with the League’s Top Distinguished Service Award, VFW Adjutant General Bob Wallace repeated the VFW’s real and sincere commitment to MIA family members everywhere. He also promised that the VFW will continue to help the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency succeed by pushing the humanitarian aspect of the full accounting mission directly to foreign governments who may still have information pertaining to the fates of many of the nearly 83,000 missing Americans going back to World War II. National POW/MIA Recognition Day this year is Sept. 16.
VFW Testifies on the President’s Budget
Last Thursday, VFW National Legislative Director Carlos Fuentes testified at the House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee hearing on VA’s budget request. Fuentes continued the VFW’s strong opposition to a provision in President Trump’s budget proposal to cut up to $22,000 from the annual compensation of severely disabled veterans who receive Individual Unemployability. He also offered the VFW’s support for VA’s focus on improving access to care for veterans, women veterans and veteran homelessness and reducing veteran suicides. Members of the subcommittee were concerned that VA has started to reduce the use of the Veterans Choice Program due to budget shortfalls, which may force veterans to wait longer for their care. Subcommittee members also discussed the amount of vacancies at VA medical facilities and VA’s ability to fill them.
Online Exchange Shopping Eligibility to Expand
Beginning Veterans Day 2017, almost 13 million honorably discharged veterans will be permitted to shop online at all four military exchanges, but you have to first register with VetVerify.org, which will use Defense Manpower Data Center records to verify eligibility. On Veterans Day, eligible veterans will be able to shop online by logging on to the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, Navy Exchange, Marine Corps Exchange and Coast Guard Exchange websites at, respectively, shopmyexchange.com, mynavyexchange.com, mymcx.com and shopcgx.com. Military exchange shopping is tax-free, plus your patronage helps to return more than $300 million annually to support on-base morale, welfare and recreation programs.
POW/MIA Update
Army Pvt. Gene J. Appleby, 30, of Columbus, Ohio, was buried June 22 in Coshocton, Ohio. Appleby was a member of Company A, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment.
Army Cpl. Billie J. Jimerson, 19, of Kerens, Texas, was buried June 23 in Portland, Ore.
Navy Seaman 1st Class George A. Coke, 18, of Arlington, Texas, was buried June 24 in his hometown.
Navy Gunner’s Mate 1st Class Arthur C. Neuenschwander, 33, of Fessenden, N.D., was buried June 24 in his hometown.
Army Cpl. Leslie R. Sutton, 24, of Rochelle, Ga., was buried June 24 in his hometown. Sutton was assigned to Battery C, 99th Field Artillery Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division. Sutton was reported missing in action on Nov. 2, 1950.
Machinist’s Mate 1st Class Earl R. Melton, 24, of Lakewood, N.J., will be buried June 28, in Arlington National Cemetery, near Washington, D.C.
Army Air Forces Pvt. Harold S. Hirschi, 29, of Oklahoma City, will be buried June 28, in Andersonville, Ga. Hirschi was captured and transferred to Cabanatuan POW camp. He was admitted to the camp hospital for illness, where he died on Nov. 19, 1942.
Air Force Col. Patrick H. Wood, 36, of Kansas City, Mo., will be buried June 28 in Arlington National Cemetery. Wood was declared missing in action.
Marine Corps Pfc. Ray James was assigned to Company F, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. James was killed on the first day of the battle. Interment services are pending.
Marine Corps Pvt. Archie W. Newell was assigned to Company C, 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division. Newell was killed on the first day of the battle. Interment services are pending.
Marine Corps Pfc. George B. Murray was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. Murray was killed on the first day of the battle. Interment services are pending.
Army Staff Sgt. Gerald L. Jacobsen was a member of the 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division. Jacobsen was declared deceased as of July 16, 1945. Interment services are pending.
Army Air Forces 1st Lt. George W. Betchley was a member of the 429th Bombardment Squadron, 2nd Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force. Interment services are pending.
Army Pfc. Albert E. Atkins was a member of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team. Interment services are pending.
Till next week, praying for all service members.
– Charles Castelluccio
