The VFW is mourning the passing of retired former Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, retired U.S. Army Gen. Colin L. Powell, who was also a life member of the VFW Department of Maryland. “On behalf of the entire 1.5 million-member VFW family, our deepest condolences go out to the entire Powell family, and we salute this extraordinary man whose life of selfless service is a stalwart example for all of us.”
VFW Urges Navy to Honor Hero
VFW National Commander Matthew “Fritz” Mihelcic sent a letter urging Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro to name the newest commissioned surface ship the “USS Telesforo Trinidad” after a sailor who earned the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions on Jan. 21, 1915. Fireman Second Class Telesforo de la Crux Trinidad is the only Filipino in the U.S. Navy to have received this award. “The high honor of naming United States Navy ships is the prerogative of the Secretary of the Navy,” Mihelcic wrote, “and there is no ship in the United States Naval fleet with a name that recognizes the Asian Pacific Islanders legacy and their unique alliance forged in war and peace.”
House Holds Hearing on Pending Legislation
The House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a hearing on pending legislation focused on survivor benefits, VA disability claims for military sexual trauma, and fiduciary program improvements. Included in the discussion was H.R. 3402, the Caring for Survivors Act of 2021. This bill concerns a VFW priority issue and would increase the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) to 55%, making it the same as what other federal survivor programs offer.
Veterans’ Oral Health Survey
Veterans’ oral health is chronically underserved. Preventive dental care can significantly impact a veteran’s overall health and quality of life, including job security. The VFW is collaborating with CareQuest Institute for Oral Health on a survey to gain an understanding of the barriers and challenges veterans face concerning their dental care. This survey can be completed by all veterans and service members. You do not need to be enrolled in VA or TRICARE Health Programs.
POW/MIA Update: Veterans from Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York Identified
Army Staff Sgt. William R. Linder, 30, Piedmont, South Carolina, was assigned to Company E, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on Nov. 16, 1944, after his unit was part of the Hürtgen Forest offensive, near Hürtgen, Germany. He will be buried Oct. 29, 2021, in Anderson, South Carolina.
Army Pvt. Emmet W. Schwartz, 24, of Dover, Ohio, was assigned to Company F, 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment, 8th Infantry Division. He was reported killed in action on Dec. 27, 1944. He will be buried Nov. 18, 2021, in New Philadelphia, Ohio.
Navy Fireman 1st Class James O. McDonald, 25, of Levelland, Texas, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. He will be buried Jan. 19, 2022, at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu.
Navy Seaman 1st Class Walter C. Stein, 20, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. He will be buried on March 23, 2022, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Army Cpl. Robert C. Agard, Jr., 19, of Buffalo, New York, was assigned to 2nd Platoon, 24th Reconnaissance Company, 24th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on July 19, 1950. Following the war, his remains could not be identified. He will be buried May 30, 2022, in Elmira, New York.
Navy Mess Attendant 1st Class Octavius Mabine, 21, of Portsmouth, Virginia, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. He will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. The date has yet to be determined.
Navy Ship’s Cook 1st Class Rodger C. Butts, 47, of Portsmouth, Virginia, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. He will be buried in Newton, Pennsylvania. The date has yet to be determined.
Navy Fireman 2nd Class Edward E. Casinger, 21, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Interment services are pending.
Navy Fireman 1st Class Hal J. Allison, 21, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Interment services are pending.
Army Sgt. Howard R. Belden, 19, was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on Dec. 1, 1950, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces near the Chosin Reservoir. Interment services are pending.
Till next week, praying for all service members.
– Charles Castelluccio
