The Defense Department recently announced expanded commissary, military service exchange and MWR access Jan. 1 and established a standard for physical access to military installations. Below are the top 10 questions Veterans have asked the Defense Department about the expanded access. For more information on expanded access, call Military One Source at 1-800-342-9647.
On your next vacation to Hawaii, if you are looking for a unique and nostalgic stay, take a look at the Kileaua Military Camp on the Big Island of Hawaii. Only for military and veterans (you do not have to be retired). Just show proof of service, which can be “VETERAN” on your driver’s license, a DD214, VA card, or military ID. That’s it.
The camp is ON the volcano in the National Volcano Park, so it is quite neat. The website for information and reservations is: http://kilaueamilitarycamp.com/. The base is reminiscint of way-back-when, including the chow hall, and worthy of an overnight stay if you will be in Hawaii.
USMC SUPPORT GROUP OF WASHINGTON |
The Support Group staff has just been made aware of the following event that may be of interest to some members. The UW Bothel Rotaract Club (affiliated with the Rotary Club) is hosting a Veteran's Appreciation Dinner on Monday November 11 from 6-8 PM on the 75th floor of the Columbia Tower in downtown Seattle. Specific information can be found at the following website: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ This is a free event, but they are asking for donations of unopened toys for the Toys for Tots program.
The Support Group Staff |
Website: www.wamarines.org Mailing Address: 3006 Northrup Way, Ste. 301, Bellevue, WA 98004-1445 email: staff@wamarines.org |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 25, 2019
VA realigns police operations to promote oversight and standardization
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) approved plans recently to realign the structure of its police force.
The move follows several months of comprehensive analysis of the department’s law enforcement procedures and serves as a critical step forward in implementing the recommendations made by the Office of Inspector General and Government Accountability Office.
“The realignment will be the most extensive since the creation of the police force and will fundamentally change standardization and oversight across the enterprise,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “This highlights my commitment to the high standards of professionalism and transparency across the department.”
The changes will include:
The district and regional law enforcement directors will be department assets placed in the field for greater accountability and oversight of the police program. These changes reaffirm that safety and security are paramount to the Department. VA will continually implement solutions that assure a safe environment for Veterans, staff, and visitors.
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Nextgov, Oct. 23: How VA Gets Innovators to Focus on Veterans’ Challenges
Hackathons—and the meaningful strategic partnerships they can spark—help the Veterans Affairs Department turn innovation that only seems imaginable into reality, a VA official said Tuesday. At the Veteran Health Administration’s second annual Innovation Experience event in Washington, Suzanne Shirley, an entrepreneur-in-residence through the VHA’s Innovation Ecosystem, highlighted some of the impacts the solution-centered hacks have inspired over the last year.
KRGV (ABC-5, Video) (Weslaco, Texas), Oct. 23: VA Now Using Video Games to Help Rehabilitate Veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs is now using video games to help rehabilitate veterans. The VA partnered with Microsoft back in May. Microsoft donated more than 170 controllers specifically designed for people with limited mobility, giving disabled veterans a way to play again and help them cope with life after service.
Muskogee Phoenix (Muskogee, Okla.), Oct. 23: Veterans can enroll in VA’s Million Veteran Program online
Veterans can now join the Million Veteran Program online (MVP) as part of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) effort to improve the lives of veterans through health care research and innovation. More than 775,000 veterans have already joined MVP, a national, voluntary, research initiative that helps VA study how genes affect the health of Veterans.
KPAC (NPR-90.1, Audio) (San Antonio, Texas), Oct. 22: As Veterans' Cemeteries Run Out Of Space, The VA Is Providing An Alternative To Burials
For the first time in decades, veterans and local military families have access to a final resting place alongside fellow servicemembers in the city of Los Angeles. The Los Angeles National Cemetery, closed to new burials since 1978, is once again accepting applications for interment, as the Department of Veterans Affairs pursues new options for veterans cemeteries that have run out of real estate for gravesites.
FOX News, Oct. 20: Vietnam Marine veteran in New Mexico hospice care reunites with beloved dog one last time
A New Mexico veteran who served with the Marines in Vietnam said a final goodbye last week to the beloved dog he had to put up for adoption when he entered hospice care. John Vincent was reunited with Patch, a 5-year-old Yorkie, for one last time Thursday at the Hospice Center at the Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center in Albuquerque, according to reports.
Military Times, Oct. 21: More questions answered as installations get ready for the potential 3 million extra shoppers
A little more than two months before a new shopping benefit takes effect for about 3 million newly eligible shoppers, defense officials have tested and rolled out the system that will allow these shoppers through the gates.
Patient Engagement HIT (Danvers, Mass.), Oct. 21: VA Expands Care Access, Suicide Prevention to National Guard
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS) have partnered to expand patient access to mental healthcare and suicide prevention education materials, according to an agency press release.
Chicago Crusader (Chicago, Ill.), Oct. 21: The VA’s radical redesigning of its healthcare delivery system
The Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, is leading the mission to reform healthcare by moving from traditional, disease-focused care to the Whole Health Systems (WHS) model. The WHS model asks veterans to place their visions of well-being at the center of their care.
Military Times, Oct. 18: Community partners and support key to veteran suicide prevention
As the leaders of the Veterans Health Administration and the President’s Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide (PREVENTS) Task Force, we fear the oft-repeated, “one suicide is too many” will one day lose its impact.
In support of Suicide Prevention Month, VA and AMVETS teamed up for a #BeThere Facebook Live event to discuss how to recognize the need for mental health care and where to go to find help.
Dr. Matthew Miller, Acting Director of VA’s Suicide Prevention Program, joined Jan Brown, AMVETS National Commander, and Cherissa Jackson, Chief Medical Executive of AMVETS. Each provided information on a range of resources and services available to service members, Veterans and their family members.
Dr. Miller, an Air Force Veteran himself, began by emphasized the strength of America’s Veterans. “Part of being strong, part of being resilient is knowing when to bring in assistance or help,” he said. “We all learned that in the military and it’s applying those same principals to this.”
VA resources range from online information to inpatient and outpatient counseling programs. Go to the Resource Locator to find local resources such as Suicide Prevention Coordinators, Crisis Centers and Vet Centers. All three panelists stressed the importance of community Vet Centers, which offer counseling to combat Veterans–both honorably and dishonorably discharged. It also offers counseling to service members and their family members.
Ms. Brown encouraged Veterans to connect with other Veterans whether at a Veteran Service Organization or VA location.
“I love the peer to peer groups that VA has started,” she said. “I think they are probably one of the best things that VA has done in years in the mental health area.”
The panelists shared their personal experiences. Ms. Jackson raised the concern that there is a stigma surrounding mental health care particularly where Veterans don’t want to be perceived as being weak.
“You sharing your story is a significant step for others who may be watching and saying – I can relate.” Dr. Miller replied. “The first thing we can do I think as Veterans is open the door for conversation.
“So reach out, connect, create an invitation to talk,” he said. “It’s okay to mention the word suicide. A lot of people think, well am I going to give them the idea if I ask directly, or if I open the conversation? What we find especially with Veterans is they find it helpful. They feel a sense of relief that someone is bringing it up and there’s an opportunity to talk about it.”
Ms. Jackson agreed that simply reaching out and showing you care is important, saying, “All we have to do is just be there for our Veterans, and we don’t need to have all the answers.”
Showing your support can be as simple as sending a message by email, text or calling someone. Your words could be exactly what a service member or Veteran in crisis needs to hear.
For service members, Veterans and their families who are in crisis, they are encouraged to call the Veterans Crisis Line (1-800-273-8255 and press 1 or text 838255).
S.A.V.E., which stands for Signs, Ask, Validate, Encourage and Expedite, offers simple steps anyone – whether a treatment provider, clinician, friend or family member – can take when talking with Veterans at risk for suicide. The training, provided in collaboration with PsychArmor Institute, is a free online training course that teaches you how to identify Veterans at risk for suicide and how to help them. The free training video can be viewed at: https://psycharmor.org/courses/s-a-v-e/.
VA representatives responded to questions following the conversation and directed Veterans to www.va.gov to learn more about VA benefits, and how to apply.
Connecting veterans and their families to benefits they have earned. If you know any Veteran Service Organizations or veterans and their families in SW Washington that have questions about claiming benefits they have earned? Share this event, and connect with local resources.
THE PURPOSE OF THE MARINE CORPS LEAGUE
To preserve the traditions, promote the interest and perpetuate the history of the United States Marine Corps; to band together those who are now serving in the United States Marine Corps, eligible FMF Corpsmen and those who have been honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps, together in fellowship, that they may effectively promote the ideals of American freedom and democracy; to help fit its members for the duties of citizenship and to encourage them to serve ably as citizens as they have served our nation under arms; to hold sacred the memory and history of the men and women who have given their lives to the Nation; to foster love for the principles which they have supported by blood and valor since the founding of the Republic; to aid voluntarily and to render assistance to all Marines, FMF Corpsmen and FMF Navy Chaplains, uniformed and civilian, as well as their widows and orphans; to create a bond of comradeship between those in the service and those who have returned to civilian life; to perpetuate the history of the United States Marine Corps and by fitting acts to observe the anniversaries of historical occasions of peculiar interest to Marines.
Detachment Commandant:
Directs MCL activities within the community, presides at all Detachment meetings, serves as adviser to all committees of the Detachment, and is in direct charge of all functions of the Detachment. After being sworn into office by the Department Commandant (or any authorized Officer) may administer the oath of membership to new members.
Nominations to date: Rick Flath
Detachment Senior Vice Commandant:
Renders assistance to the Detachment Commandant, and during the absence or illness of the Commandant, perform the duties of that office; assist all committees, and, with their assistance, initiate and implement such dynamic programs as will increase the effectiveness of the League and their Detachment.
Nominations to date: none
Detachment Junior Vice Commandant:
Creates and distributes such membership incentives and programs as will engender enthusiastic response resulting in membership growth. In the absence or illness of the Detachment Commandant and the Senior Vice Commandant, will be responsible for performing the duties of the Detachment Commandant.
Nominations to date: none
Detachment Judge Advocate:
Interpret the Detachment bylaws, advise, construe, counsel and render opinions on questions of law and procedure to the Detachment Commandant during meetings. In the event there are no Detachment Bylaws the Department and National Bylaws will be used in lieu of Detachment Bylaws. Make decisions on the local level in disputes or if unable to do so, refer the problem to the next higher echelon of the League, i.e. Department or National. NOTE: There is no investigative or punitive authority at the Detachment level.
Nominations to date: Paul Burton
By WDVA Director, Alfie Alvarado-Ramos
We are truly honored to announce that 1,000 employers have hired more than 4,300 veterans as of this September through the YesVets Initiative. We know that hiring veterans is a great way to tap an already skilled talent pool and to retain a diverse labor force in our state.
The YesVets Hiring Initiative is a partnership between the Employment Security Department, chambers of commerce, Washington Department of Veterans Affairs and Washington State Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). This veteran hiring campaign was created to recognize and thank employers who choose to say, “YES” to hiring veterans in Washington State.
After an employer hires a veteran, they are presented with a YesVets window decal and vehicle bumper sticker to display at their business to demonstrate support for America’s veterans. The window decal includes a year sticker to let their customers know how many years they have participated by hiring veterans. Businesses may receive a new decal each year as long as they have hired a veteran in that current year.
Typically, employers receive their decals at a local chamber of commerce meeting or at their place of business. They are then featured on social media with the #YesVets hashtag and are invited to an annual YesVets Employer Recognition Event.
To our Veteran Service Organizations and other non-profit partners, you are eligible to participate in YesVets too! Any employer can sign up and once you hire a veteran, you’ll receive the same recognition as any other business.
I commend the work of our partners in the YesVets Initiative, Employment Security Department, Chambers of Commerce and Washington State Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), for all of their hard work in growing this important campaign that is helping to employ thousands of veterans. Washington State continues to urge businesses to say “yes” to the state’s veterans when filling open positions.
Interested employers can learn more and sign up before or after hiring a veteran at www.YesVets.org.
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