Brigade Quartermasters, Ltd. - Field Gear

26 October 2010

Operation Homefront: Military Family Food, Fun & Falcons

On behalf of Operation Homefront Georgia, Feed the Children and the Atlanta Falcons we'd like to invite 400 military families E-1 through E-6 who reside near Atlanta and would benefit from receiving one box of non-perishable food, one box of cleaning/hygiene supplies and one box of Avon products to join us for our Food, Fun and Falcons event on November 2, 2010 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Brook Run Park in NE Atlanta.

We only have 400 slots available and everyone must be registered via the internet to receive items. We will call and confirm the first 400 registrants and give you a code you will bring with you and use to pick up your food and other items.

Bring the kids, it's election day and the kids are out of school - come meet the Atlanta Falcons Players, Cheerleaders and special mascot Freddie!

You must be present to pick up your items (one box of food will feed a family of four for approximately one week) and you must have pre-registered and received a code.

Unfortunately walk ups and non registered participants will not be served. If you know of someone who could benefit from receiving this special gift, forward this invite to them. If you have any questions you may call our office at 770-973-0014 and ask for Jennifer.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing our 400 families next Tuesday!

Register Now!

Sincerely,

Jennifer
Operation Homefront Georgia
georgia@operationhomefront.net
770-973-0014

Note: We rec'd the above via email and thought it was worth passing along to you. I would bet that the response on this will be overwhelming! - jmd

18 October 2010

Military Order of the Purple Heart Gives Hope to Atlanta’s Homeless Veterans

-(BUSINESS WIRE)--On Saturday, October 30, 2010, the Atlanta VA Medical Center will host a “Stand Down” for homeless veterans in the greater Atlanta metro area. Many of the activities for this event are made possible by the dedication and generosity of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation (MOPHSF).

“Military Order of the Purple Heart of the U.S.A. Inc.”

On 27 September 2010, the MOPHSF staged its 15th annual “Play it Again Pete” golf tournament at the Northwood Country Club to benefit the Metro Atlanta Homeless Veterans Program. Named in honor of Pete Wheeler, who for 61 years has been the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs for the State of Georgia, this year’s event raised $63,850 to assist the Atlanta VA Medical Center in the conduct of their homeless veteran program. For the past 10 years, the man behind the scenes in bringing this wonderful event to life has been James Randles, a Past National Commander of the MOPH and Board Director of the Service Foundation. Randles is a combat wounded veteran of the Vietnam War and a Decatur resident. Assisting in the planning and promotion has been Dr. Ken Heard, himself a physician at the Atlanta VA Medical Center.

According to Randles, “There are over 8,000 homeless veterans in the Atlanta area. The proceeds from this event will help many veterans who might not otherwise be able to help themselves, be able to re-establish themselves through the resources and support of many businesses, corporations, and individuals in the Atlanta.”

The organization now known as the "Military Order of the Purple Heart of the U.S.A. Inc.," (MOPH) was formed in 1932 for the protection and mutual interest of all combat wounded veterans and active duty men and women who have received the decoration. Chartered by the Congress, The MOPH is unique among Veteran Service Organizations in that all its members were wounded in combat. For this sacrifice, they were awarded the Purple Heart Medal. With grants from the MOPH Service Foundation, the MOPH and its Ladies Auxiliary promote Patriotism, Fraternalism, and the Preservation of America's military history. Most importantly, through veteran service, they provide comfort and assistance to all Veterans and their families, especially those requiring claims assistance with the VA, those who are homeless, and those requiring employment assistance. Through the VAVS program, MOPH volunteers selflessly provide assistance to hospitalized veterans at VA medical facilities and State Veterans Homes.


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14 October 2010

111th Congress Achieves Banner Year on Veterans Legislation

/PRNewswire/ -- Congress may be receiving low approval ratings from the general voting population, but The American Legion says lawmakers have done quite well on veterans issues this year.

"The 111th Congress may be remembered for banner legislation such as health-care reform, financial regulation and the recovery act," said Jimmie Foster, national commander of the Legion. "But, in our view, the real successes were the passage of bills that affected nearly every veteran in America."

Chief among the pieces of veteran-related legislation was the "Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009," which guarantees appropriations for VA health care one full year in advance.

Another significant milestone for the 111th Congress was the "Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2010." The bill included substantially increased VA funding for fiscal 2010 – the agency's first budget to exceed $100 billion.

More recently enacted laws affecting veterans include the "Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010," which created a pilot program of comprehensive assistance for family caregivers, and also addressed a number of issues important to women veterans and those residing in rural areas.

A bill signed in July provided $13.4 billion to compensate Vietnam veterans who have suffered ill effects from exposure to the toxic herbicide, Agent Orange.

Within the past month, bills have been passed that provide a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for veterans receiving VA benefits, and expand state veterans nursing-home care to include parents whose children have died on active duty.

The American Legion's legislative director, Tim Tetz, said that, although Congress is becoming increasingly partisan, "the bipartisan passage of so many veterans bills by the 111th Congress certainly demonstrates its commitment to honor the sacrifices of those who have served in uniform."

Still awaiting President Obama's signature is the "Veterans Benefits Act of 2010." This omnibus legislation will clarify and, in some cases, expand certain benefits – including those related to homeless veterans, burial benefits, and adaptive automobile allowances for disabled veterans.

Foster laid out The American Legion's legislative agenda for next year during testimony before a joint House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing on Sept. 22. His list of priorities included a repeal of the disabled veterans tax, which penalizes military retirees by reducing their pension payments if they are receiving VA disability compensation.

The Legion also favors extending Post-9/11 GI Bill education funding to include vocational and distance-learning curricula, and providing benefits to more National Guard and reserve servicemembers.

Despite the work yet to be done, the Legion's national commander reiterated his praise for the 111th Congress. Reflecting upon his visit to Washington last month, Foster said, "I came to town to deliver my testimony on the needs of our nation's veterans. Before I left, Congress had passed half of our legislative agenda."

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06 October 2010

Shipping Out the Holidays to Military Heroes

/PRNewswire/ -- Ensuring care packages arrive in time for the holiday season is a priority for friends and family members of military personnel serving around the world. To help get packages on their way, the U.S. Postal Service offers a discount on its largest Priority Mail Flat Rate Box.

The recommended mailing date for the most economical postage to overseas military destinations, including Iraq and Afghanistan, is Nov. 12.

Mail sent to overseas military addresses is charged only domestic mail prices. The domestic mail price for the Priority Mail Large Flat Rate Box is $14.50, but for packages to APO/FPO addresses overseas the price is reduced to $12.50. Additional discounts are available for customers printing their Priority Mail postage labels online at Click-N-Ship.

Environmentally friendly Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes are available at no cost at any Post Office, or can be ordered online at shop.usps.com. Postage, labels and customs forms can be printed online anytime using Click-N-Ship.

The Postal Service continues to show support to those serving in the armed forces by offering free Military Care Kits, designed specifically for military families sending packages overseas. The mailing kits can be ordered by phone by calling 1-800-610-8734 and asking for the Military Care Kit. Each kit includes two "America Supports You" large Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes, four medium-sized Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes, six Priority Mail labels, one roll of Priority Mail tape and six customs forms with envelopes.

For online ordering of the large Priority Mail APO/FPO Flat Rate boxes featuring the "America Supports You" logo and information about mailing letters and packages to military destinations, go to Supporting Our Troops.

"Shipping holiday packages early helps ensure that they arrive in time for the holidays," said Pranab Shah, vice president and managing director, Global Business. "They are a great morale boost for those men and women serving their country in places far from home."

To ensure delivery of holiday cards and packages by Dec. 25 to military APO/FPO addresses overseas, the Postal Service recommends that mail for service members be sent no later than the mailing dates listed below. Mail addressed to military Post Offices overseas is subject to certain conditions or restrictions regarding content, preparation and handling. APO/FPO addresses generally require customs forms. To see an online table of updated APO and FPO addresses and mailing restrictions by individual APO/FPO ZIP Codes, click here, select "Pull-Out Information" and click on "Other Information."

MILITARY MAILING DEADLINES
Military Mail Addressed To
Express Mail Military Service (EMMS)1/
First-Class Mail Letters and Cards
Priority Mail
Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL) 2/
Space Available Mail (SAM)3/
Parcel Post
APO/FPO AE ZIPs 090-092
Dec-18
Dec-10
Dec-10
Dec-3
Nov-26
Nov-12
APO/FPO AE ZIP 093
N/A
Dec-4
Dec-4
Dec-1
Nov-20
Nov-12
APO/FPO AE ZIPs 094-098
Dec-18
Dec-10
Dec-10
Dec-3
Nov-26
Nov-12
APO/FPO AA ZIP 340
Dec-18
Dec-10
Dec-10
Dec-3
Nov-26
Nov-12
APO/FPO AP ZIPs 962-966
Dec-18
Dec-10
Dec-10
Dec-3
Nov-26
Nov-12



1/ EMMS is available to selected military post offices. Check with your local Post Office to determine if this service is available to an APO/FPO address.

2/ PAL is a service that provides air transportation for parcels on a space-available basis. It is available for Parcel Post items not exceeding 30 pounds in weight or 60 inches in length and girth combined. The applicable PAL fee must be paid in addition to the regular surface rate of postage for each addressed piece sent by PAL service.

3/ SAM parcels are paid at Parcel Post postage rate of postage with maximum weight and size limits of 15 pounds and 60 inches in length and girth combined. SAM parcels are first transported domestically by surface and then to overseas destinations by air on a space-available basis.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

A self-supporting government enterprise, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation, 150 million residences, businesses and Post Office Boxes. The Postal Service receives no direct support from taxpayers. With 36,000 retail locations and the most frequently visited website in the federal government, the Postal Service relies on the sale of postage, products and services to pay for operating expenses. Named the Most Trusted Government Agency five consecutive years and the sixth Most Trusted Business in the nation by the Ponemon Institute, the Postal Service has annual revenue of more than $68 billion and delivers nearly half the world's mail. If it were a private sector company, the U.S. Postal Service would rank 28th in the 2009 Fortune 500.

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