Semper Fidelis is branded on your heart, but demonstrated by your actions!!

Semper Fidelis
is not just a motto.....Oorah!!

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

President Bush Proclaims 'National Veterans Awareness Week'




By John J. Kruzel American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31, 2007 - President Bush is urging Americans to recognize veterans' valor and sacrifice through ceremonies and prayers during "National Veterans Awareness Week" next month.
From Veterans Day on Nov. 11 through Nov. 17, the president encourages Americans to remember the brave men and women who have served as members of the U.S. armed forces, according to a proclamation released by the White House today. "Throughout our history, America has been protected by patriots who cherished liberty and made great sacrifices to advance the cause of freedom," Bush said. "On Veterans Day, we honor these extraordinary Americans for their service and sacrifice, and we pay tribute to the legacy of freedom and peace that they have given our great nation." In times of war and of peace, servicemembers have shouldered great responsibility and lived up to the highest standards of duty and honor to defend their fellow citizens and the country they love, Bush said. "Our veterans held fast against determined and ruthless enemies and helped save the world from tyranny and terror," he said. "They ensured that America remained what our founders meant her to be: a light to the nations, spreading the good news of human freedom to the darkest corners of the earth." Like the heroes before them, Bush said, today a new generation of men and women are fighting for freedom around the globe. "Their determination, courage, and sacrifice are laying the foundation for a more secure and peaceful world," the president added. Bush said Veterans Day is dedicated to the extraordinary Americans who protected our freedom in years past and to those who protect it today. They represent the very best of our nation, he said. "Every soldier, sailor, airman, Marine, and Coast Guardsman has earned the lasting gratitude of the American people, and their service and sacrifice will be remembered forever," Bush said. "In the words of Abraham Lincoln, 'Let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle.'" The president called upon federal, state and local officials to display the American flag and support and participate in patriotic activities in their communities. Bush also invited civic and fraternal organizations, places of worship, schools, businesses, unions, and the media to support this national observance with commemorative expressions and programs.


Monday, October 29, 2007

New Joint Disability Process for Military and VA


Ref: ArmyTimes By William H. McMichael - Staff writerPosted : Sunday Oct 21, 2007 10:57:37 EDT

The DoD will soon unveil a new, streamlined disability evaluationsystem that, in tandem with the Department of Veterans Affairs, willreplace the current cumbersome process with a single exam and singledisability rating. Veterans medically retired from service will be ableto apply for, and get, VA benefits immediately. Overall, the timespent in the system, from the point a service member is found unfit forduty until he or she begins receiving VA disability payments, will becut "by about half," said Bill Carr, undersecretary of defense formilitary personnel policy. The plan is the Pentagon's best effort tomake some fixes to the system immediately, without having to seekcongressional approval. A broader, longer-range plan unveiled by theWhite House Oct. 16, based on recent recommendations from a blue-ribboncommission, will require congressional approval and will take longer toimplement. The Pentagon's interim plan will be phased in with a pilotprogram to be launched in late Nov at three military hospitals: WalterReed Army Medical Center in Washington, ; National Naval Medical Centerin Bethesda, and Malcolm Grove Medical Center at Andrews Air ForceBase.

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Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Ben Stein's "Real Stars" - Buy the book - support the troops!

video

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

US Postal Service offers "Military Kit" for overseas shipping


The USPS has a "Military Kit" available for shipping items overseas. The FREE kit contains 6 flat rate boxes in two different sizes plus the all the customs forms, shipping labels , tape and envelopes needed. Up to 3 Military Kits (24 boxes) may be ordered at one time. You can not order these kits online, you must call the USPS Supply Office at: 1-800-610-8734
Select the option for ordering items
Hours of operation 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM EST Monday thru Friday; 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM EST Saturday
Allow 7 - 10 working days for shipping to your home address.

Sunday, October 14, 2007

RAO Bulletin Update ~ 15 October 2007


THIS BULLETIN CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING ARTICLES
VA Physician Quals ---- (Hiring system validity questioned)
Marine Reserve Bonus ----------------------------- (Expanded)
Overseas Holiday Mailing 2007 -------------- (mailing dates)
VA Obesity Initiative [02] ------------ (Epidemic of diabetes)
VA Flu Shots --------------------------------- (2007/08 Season)
VA Health Care Funding [11] --------------- (IL referendum)
West Virginia Vet Cemetery ------------ (Funded by Lottery)
VA Polytrauma Rehab Centers ------------ (Not up to speed)
VA Clinic Indianapolis IN ---------------------- (Fund source)
VA VistA [01 ----------------- (Outage cripples patient care)
Check/Money Order Scams --------- (Consumers easy prey)
Funeral Honors [03] --------------- (Customs and Traditions)
Arlington National Cemetery [01] -------- (Good thru 2060)
VA Facility Expansion [10] -------------- (Chicago VA-DoD)
MA DPL Data Breach ------------- (450,000 SSN’s released)
SBP Basics [02] -------------------------- (Good or Bad deal?)
Tricare Reserve Select [08] -------- (Continuation coverage)
CT Vets Wartime Service Medal ------ (270K Vets Eligible)
VA CWT & IT ------------------------ (Change in Tax Status)
VDBC [22] ------------------------- (25% Disability Pay Hike)
VDBC [23] ------------------------ (Action delayed until 2008)
Medicare Rates 2008 --------------------- ($2.90 Increase/mo)
NDAA 2008 [09] ------------------------- (Senate Bill Passed)
VA Polytrauma Care [01] -------------- (5th PRC Announced)
Medicare Part D [16] ---------- (Closing the Doughnut Hole)
Canadian Nat Mil Cemetery --------- (Available to U.S. Vets)
Military Related Job Fairs [01] -------------- (15 thru 31 Oct)
Veteran Legislation Status 30 SEP 07 ---- (Where We Stand)



For details on these topics click on the title above.

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