Wounded Warrior Project Urges the Senate to Support Crucial Family Caregiver Legislation

/PRNewswire/ -- As Veterans Day approaches, Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors, is urging Congress to pass crucial legislation that will assist the family caregivers of the most severely injured veterans.

The Family Caregiver Legislation that WWP has been strongly advocating for has been merged into a larger Veterans Health Care Bill. This larger bill is now referred to as Senate Bill 1963 (S.1963), the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2009.

"We must swiftly move past the notion that the Department of Veterans Affairs assists veterans but not their families," said Wounded Warrior Project Executive Director Steven Nardizzi. "Family caregivers of the most severely injured veterans continue to suffer emotionally and financially while caring for their loved ones. We're stretching these families to the breaking point and, without immediate assistance from VA, many of our brave, young warriors will be doomed to a lifetime in a nursing home. Every day that passes without a comprehensive family caregiver program for veterans is a day too long."

Over 34,000 members of our nation's armed forces have been wounded. Many of the physical wounds have healed but for some the journey does not end there. Typically, with catastrophic injuries, a parent or spouse is forced to leave the workforce to care for their loved one. In some instances, the veteran requires help with such basic needs as washing and showering, feeding, dressing, administering medications, and getting to physician and therapy appointments. Some who have suffered traumatic brain injury, often complicated by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, need near-constant supervision to ensure their safety. Further, these family caregivers need their own support like health coverage and mental health counseling to sustain their important efforts.

Wounded Warrior Project urges every concerned American to call and email their Senators asking that they support S. 1963. For more information and to take action, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org/S1963.

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Fayetteville DAR Honors Veterans on Veterans Day

The James Waldrop Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution placed a wreath at the Peachtree City Veterans Memorial on Veterans Day. Regent Betty Harrah of Fayetteville stated, "Today is November 11, 2008, Veterans Day, a day set aside to honor all the men and women who have served this country from the battlefields of the Revolutionary War to the battlefields of today. Often times we might forget what these soldiers have gone through to ensure the freedoms we have today. Where would we be without their sacrifices."

"They left their families, homes, jobs, farms to serve and protect our country," she continued. "Today marks the 90th anniversary of the Armistice that ended World War I, the 11th hour, 11th day, 11th month, 1918. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Armistice Day, November 11, 1919. It was changed to Veterans Day when President Dwight Eisenhower signed it into law on May 26, 1954 to honor all veterans. When we see someone who has served our country, not just on Veterans Day, but every day, be sure and say "Thank You". There is a quote: "If you can read, thank a teacher; if it is in English, thank a veteran". We love you, we respect you and we thank you."

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'The American Veterans and Servicemembers Survival Guide'

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Veterans for America is proud to release The American Veterans and Servicemembers Survival Guide one day before Veterans Day to better serve those who have served all of us. It is free and available for download here: http://www.veteransforamerica.org/survival-guide/survival-guide-download/

The new Survival Guide is a follow-up to the 1985 national bestseller, The Viet Vet Survival Guide. Just as the earlier book was a must-read for Vietnam veterans, the new book will prove an invaluable resource for the 1.7 million servicemembers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, the 24 million veterans of past conflicts, and the families of all our troops and veterans. Unlike the earlier guide, the new Survival Guide is free.

The new book is as much a roadmap as a reference manual, detailing the benefits, assistance and resources available as well as the step-by-step directions for navigating the bureaucracies that serve our troops and veterans. The new Survival Guide contains 28 chapters, including 17 for veterans and their families and 11 for active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members and reservists, and their families. From legal to health services, job assistance to women's issues, the new Survival Guide is designed to meet everyone's needs.

What you will find in the new Survival Guide includes:

--Chapter 3, "Service-Connected Compensation," (http://www.veteransforamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/3-Compensation.p df) which provides indispensable guidance for those suffering from PTSD and other psychological wounds and have questions or concerns about what they're owed by the military.

--Chapter 11, "Employment, Self-Employment and the Small-Business Administration," (http://www.veteransforamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/11-Employment.pd f) covers the issues for those veterans looking to establish a business or get a job.

--Chapter 20, "Advice for Families and Caregivers of Wounded Servicemembers and Veterans," (http://www.veteransforamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/20-Caregivers.pd f) is a vital resource to family members and the wider community about how to better take care, and honor, our veterans and wounded troops. It deals with issues including how to advocate effectively on behalf of the injured and how to deal with hospitals, doctors, and medical staff. It also emphasizes how stressful the role of caregiver can be and the importance of dealing with the caregiver's own physical and emotional needs.

With far more women in the ranks than ever before, the new Survival Guide deals head-on with the problems of sexual discrimination, harassment and assault. The chapter for women in the military details how to report harassment and other problems. It also helps military families deal with the problems that occur with the deployment of one or both parents.

This is only a fraction of the information and resources inside The American Veterans and Servicemembers Survival Guide. The guide is available for download here: http://www.veteransforamerica.org/survival-guide/survival-guide-download/.

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U.S. Army Reserve Launches Employer Partnership with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Army Reserve launched a groundbreaking public-private partnership today with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., the world's largest public corporation. Wal-Mart signed the one-of-a-kind agreement during its Veterans Day event that honored military veterans past and present. The agreement allows both organizations to recruit, train and employ individuals interested in both serving the nation and pursuing a career in the retail industry.

The initiative provides Army Reserve Soldiers opportunities for employment with Wal-Mart after they successfully complete military occupational specialty training (MOS). The Army Reserve and Wal-Mart will work together to recruit, license and offer training reciprocity to qualified Soldier candidates. The agreement signed today commits Wal-Mart to interviewing and considering all qualified, participating Soldiers for employment upon completion of MOS training.

"I'm honored to officially begin an enduring partnership with a company of such impressive stature, the nation's largest private employer," said Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, Chief, Army Reserve, and Commanding General, U.S. Army Reserve Command. "Wal-Mart has been a great friend to the military, and I look forward to collaborating with our newest valued partner to achieve mutual goals to attract, develop and retain a quality workforce.

This innovative human capital strategy is good for Wal-Mart, good for the Army Reserve, good for our Soldiers and their Families, and good for America."

Newly enlisted Army Reserve Soldiers, Soldiers transitioning from the active Army to the Army Reserve and Soldiers with prior service are all eligible to participate.

"We are excited and honored to have U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers join our team," said Lee Scott, president and CEO of Wal-Mart. "Our company has a longstanding commitment to providing employment opportunities in the community. We have also long recognized those who serve in the military, and it is a privilege to assist the troops and their Families with this new initiative."

Wal-Mart's commitment to the military has been extraordinary over the years, employing thousands of Soldiers and donating millions of dollars. In addition to this new partnership, the company has engaged in many other military initiatives, including programs to help children deal with the stress of military life, pre-paid phone cards to deployed troops and morale-boosting boards in stores.

Under the Employer Partnership Initiative the Army Reserve is collaborating with business leaders to develop staffing solutions to meet America's industry demands, tackle the issue of workforce preparedness, and reinvigorate America's human talent to remain competitive in the global economy. The initiative will also help the Army Reserve continue to meet the operational demands of the ongoing Global War on Terrorism.

In addition, the initiative aims to establish a process whereby employers and the Army Reserve may secure and share the talents of trained professionals. Partners such as Wal-Mart will benefit from the employment of men and women with Army values, experience and proven leadership skills. Since its inception in April, more than 50 partnerships have been signed with various businesses around the country. In addition, more than 300 national, regional and local businesses are in various stages of formalizing a partnership with the Army Reserve.

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Fayette County WW II Veterans Say “Thanks” on Veterans Day

World War II veterans Calvin Graves (left center) and Gibbs Ramsey (right center) lead the student body in the Pledge of Allegiance along with Gail Sparrow and assistant principal Ron Plauche.

Students at JC Booth Middle School in Peachtree City have worked hard to help some very special veterans. On Veterans Day, some of those who benefitted from their generosity came to the school to say thanks.

Collectively, the student body has raised over $1,400 for Honor Flight Fayette, a nonprofit organization that flies World War II veterans, at no cost, to see their memorial in Washington, DC. The organization is able to provide the free one-day trips through monetary donations that are used to cover the travel costs.

The Booth students have raised enough money to send five veterans to the memorial. Calvin Graves was one of the first veterans sponsored by the school and was part of the inaugural flight on May 14, 2008.

“I was honored to do what I did for my country and I was proud of my service but I have never been more honored than when 70 of us old guys went to see the WW II memorial. Thank you,” Graves said to the nearly 1,000 students who had packed into the gym to see and hear from the veterans they had helped.

Joining Graves was Gibbs Ramsey, the grandfather of the school’s reading teacher, Courtney Bremer. Gibbs, another veteran sponsored by the school, is going on the Honor Flight scheduled for November 12, the day after Veterans Day. He served in the US Navy during the war and said that he had only one regret.

“We had a great time. I enjoyed every minute of it. My only regret is that I didn’t stay in the Navy,” he said.

Former Fayette County teacher Gail Sparrow, who has been instrumental in heading up Honor Flight Fayette, was also in attendance to thank the students for supporting a cause that is near and dear to her heart.

“Your generosity has sponsored five veterans so that they could go and see their memorial. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you do for these veterans,” Sparrow said.

Honor Flight Fayette accepts donations from individuals and groups throughout the year. To learn more about the program, visit www.honorflightfayette.com.

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A Veterans Day Message From VA Secretary Dr. James B. Peake

PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Ninety years ago today, the guns fell silent in Europe. World War I - the "war to end all wars" - was over. Almost five million Americans served during that first modern, mechanized war. Our last living link with them, 107-year-old Army veteran Frank Buckles, observes this Veterans Day at his farm in West Virginia.

It is important, on Veterans Day, for all Americans to reflect on the service and sacrifice of our veterans, from Mr. Buckles to the men and women who recently fought for us in Iraq and Afghanistan. Their bravery, their resourcefulness, and their patriotism mark them as our nation's finest citizens.

Since 2001, the President and Congress have provided the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with a 98 percent increase in funding, and with the guidance and support to enable VA to honor America's debt to the men and women whose patriotic service and sacrifice have kept our nation free and prosperous; to provide them with medical and financial help when they need it most; and to build and maintain beautiful national cemeteries to perpetuate their memory and their accomplishments.

During this Administration, VA has met the challenge of a new generation of veterans: those tempered by war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and those who have defended America's interests elsewhere while their comrades served in combat.

The Benefits Delivery at Discharge program serves these separating service members at 154 locations, assisting them to file for VA disability benefits. To further help these men and women, a new insurance benefit is in place to assist them with the costs of living with traumatic injury; life insurance coverage has increased by $100,000; and the time it takes to process requests for education benefits has been reduced from 50 days to less than 20.

One hundred Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have been hired to reach out to their fellow veterans throughout the nation and tell them about the benefits and services VA offers. Federal Recovery Coordinators are on board, actively engaged in helping severely injured veterans and their families navigate our system for health care and financial benefits. Our Vet Centers now provide bereavement counseling to families of those who have given their lives in the war against terror, and we've provided health care to nearly 350,000 new veterans -- about 40 percent of all separated war veterans.

Our program to screen all veterans coming to us who served in Iraq and Afghanistan for possible traumatic brain injury is giving us great insight into how best to serve these men and women. Those who screen positive are referred for a comprehensive medical evaluation to confirm the diagnosis, and are quickly and appropriately treated. For those with very severe injuries like brain injury, amputations, visual impairment and burns, we've established Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers in Richmond, Va., Tampa, Fla., Minneapolis, and Palo Alto, Calif., to provide the very finest, state-of-the-art care. They are examples of great cooperation across the continuum of care with the Department of Defense.

While caring for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans has been among VA's most important priorities, we continue to provide the full spectrum of care and benefits to our veterans of other eras. Since 2001, we've reduced our average number of days required to completely process a claim from a high of 233 days in 2002 to 162 days today and have reduced the number of disability claims pending from 432,000 in 2002 to 384,500 through a combination of process improvements, increased staffing and improved training. We've placed particular emphasis on adjudicating claims for veterans aged 70 or older. Our home loan guaranty limit has increased from $203,000 to as much as $729,750, providing a better opportunity for veterans who want to own a home. The programs to deal with the issue of veteran homelessness have measurably paid off, reducing the number of homeless veterans by nearly 40 percent from 2001 to 2007.

The number of veterans enrolled in VA health care has increased from 4.8 million to 7.8 million in the past eight years. Their care is provided by the Veterans Health Administration, an organization that excels in the provision of high quality health care, that has set benchmarks in patient satisfaction in the American Customer Satisfaction Index for seven consecutive years; that has substantially cut waiting times and improved access to care throughout the nation; and that has set, and met, a standard of 24 hours for initial assessment and a 14-day standard for comprehensive assessment of new mental health patients, thanks to more than 4,100 mental health professionals hired in the last five years.

VA leads the nation in the development and use of electronic health records, receiving the coveted "Innovations Award" from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government in 2006. We've laid the groundwork for sharing electronic records with the Department of Defense, launched a web-based application to allow patients and their families to interact with VA physicians over the Internet, and worked hard to set the "gold standard" for health information security to protect the vital personal information veterans entrust to us.

Addressing readjustment needs and rural access, we have announced plans to place at least one Vet Center in every county in which there are 50,000 or more veterans. We are also purchasing fifty "mobile Vet Centers" -- vans which will travel to rural areas throughout the nation to bring Vet Center services to veterans in rural and highly rural areas; we're also in the process of expanding our community-based outpatient clinics to a total of 782, an increase of 100 in five years.

Our National Shrine Program has uplifted the beauty of our cemeteries, and by the end of 2009 six new national cemeteries will have opened for burials, adding to the six cemeteries we have already opened since 2001.

I am proud of this great record of accomplishment, prouder still of the approximately 270,000 men and women of VA who daily fulfill President Lincoln's promise to care for veterans and their families; and proudest to have had the opportunity to serve men and women like Frank Buckles, whose dedicated service to our nation in all its wars has enabled generations of Americans to live their lives in freedom.


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Honoring America’s Veterans In The National Parks

Americans have always answered their country’s call to duty and fought no matter what the cause or reason for the war. The events of these wars and the people that fought and died for this country are valued by all Americans as links to our common heritage and our growth as a nation. Many of the places where they fought are today commemorated in areas managed by the National Park Service.

All military personnel, past and present, and their families will receive free admittance to any of the country’s 391 National Park Service sites on Tuesday, November 11th, in honor of Veteran’s Day. The fee waiver applies to entrance fees only. Normally, 147 National Park Service sites charge entrance fees ranging from $3 to $25. Some parks might also waive other fees on an individual basis. Veteran’s Day and National Public Lands Day in September are the only two days when entrance fees are waived nationwide. The administrative fee waiver of entrance and/or standard amenity fees is applied annually on Veterans Day at public recreation lands managed by Interior’s National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation and Agriculture’s U.S. Forest Service.

“I invite everyone to visit our many national parks that preserve and commemorate the sacrifices and achievements of the men and women who have fought in America’s wars,” said Director Bomar. “On Veteran’s Day, and every day, what better way to learn about the hallowed places preserved in the National Park System and to honor the sacrifices of our veterans, than by visiting a national park.”

The National Park Service has the honor of preserving many battlefields, military parks, and historic sites that commemorate and honor the service of American veterans. The ideals and freedoms they fought for are remembered throughout the National Park System in areas as diverse as King’s Mountain National Military Park in South Carolina, Fort McHenry National Monument in Maryland, Appomattox Court House National Historical Park in Virginia, Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania, USS Arizona Memorial in Hawaii, Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site in Texas and Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument in Montana. National parks preserve and commemorate these sites of historical significance in the on-going growth of this nation as part of its core mission to preserve important cultural resources.

By logging onto the “Honor America’s Veterans at Battlefields and Military Park Preserved in the National Park System” website, found at "More Information" below, people can learn of the many special places managed by the National Park Service. In addition to a list of national park sites, the web site includes information and web links to books and documents related to the theme of battlefields and military parks.

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Golden Corral Restaurants Salute America's Heroes

On Monday, November 17, from 5 to 9pm, all 485 Golden Corral restaurants across America will offer any person who has served in the United States Military a free "thank you" dinner buffet and beverage (no identification is required).

This is the eighth year Golden Corral restaurants have honored Service members. In addition to the dinner, now until November 17th, Golden Corral's guest may send a personal greeting to America's military personnel on active duty overseas by filling out a postcard available at all Golden Corral restaurants. The postcards will be delivered to the troops prior to the holidays.

Golden Corral has locations convenient to Fayette County in Newnan, Jonesboro and Stockbridge.

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The Home Depot Pays Tribute to Military Personnel by Offering a 10 Percent Veteran's Day Weekend Discount

PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Home Depot(R), the world's largest home improvement retailer, today announced that the Company is offering all active duty personnel, reservists, retired military, veterans and their families a 10 percent discount off their purchases in honor of Veteran's Day. The offer is valid on purchases of up to $2,000 for a maximum of $200 between November 6 and November 12, 2008, at The Home Depot stores, The Home Depot Design Center locations, Yardbirds and EXPO Design Center(R) locations.

"Veteran's Day honors the heroic individuals who have served our nation and have made tremendous sacrifices to protect our freedoms," said Frank Blake, chairman and CEO. "We are proud to show our appreciation with the Veteran's Day discount as it is a simple, yet meaningful, gesture to say thank you to these men and women who have protected and continue to protect our nation."

To qualify, individuals must present proof of military service when checking out and discounts will be taken at the register.

The discount offer extends the Company's overall commitment to supporting the military community. In March 2007, The Home Depot donated $1 million to the United Service Organizations (USO(R)) for the construction of new USO centers and the ongoing maintenance and capital upkeep of existing facilities. In 2006, The Home Depot was recognized as the Disabled American Veterans Largest Employer of the Year, and with The President's National Hire Veterans Committee Chairman's Award.

Other examples of The Home Depot's commitment to the U.S. military include the launch of Project Homefront in 2003, through which The Home Depot donated $1 million and 1 million volunteer hours to help military families with home repairs while their loved ones were deployed. In July 2004, a $1 million donation in tools and supplies was made to support U.S. troops in the rebuilding effort in Iraq.

In September 2004, The Home Depot joined forces with the U.S. departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs to launch Operation Career Front(SM), an unprecedented program designed to provide career opportunities for America's military personnel interested in transferring their unique skills, knowledge and abilities into a successful second career. That year the Company was honored with the No. 1 ranking in G.I. Jobs magazine's Top 10 Employers for Military Personnel and in 2005 received the No. 4 ranking. From 2003 to 2007, The Home Depot has hired more than 60,000 former military personnel.

Since the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, The Home Depot has had as many as 1,800 of its associates called to active duty. Beyond making sure these associates have a meaningful job when they return home, The Home Depot equalizes pay between associates' military salary and their potential salary at The Home Depot. Health benefits also are extended to all deployed associates and members of their families.

In 2005, The Home Depot received several commendations for the Company's military programs, including a Distinguished Service Award from the Military Officers Association of America(R) (MOAA(R)); a USO Patriot Award from the United Service Organizations (USO(R)) Council of Georgia; a Most Distinguished American Award from the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation; a Most Supportive Employer Award for The Home Depot Canada from the Canadian Forces Liaison Council; and a commendation for support of active duty, national guard and reserve military personnel through the Project Homefront initiative from The American Legion(R).

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