RAOBULLETIN15 August 2015HTML EditionTHIS BULLETIN CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING ARTICLESPg Ati!"#Su$%#!t& 'O' & (06 == Commissary Policy Changes [02] --- (Cost-Plus-5% Possible Repeal0! == "o" 20#5 $u%get [02] ----------------------- (&'00( )ricare *hort+all0! == ,"-- +or 20#6 [#.] - (*tuc/ 0 Compensation 1 Retirement Re+orm## == "o" 2rau%3 4aste3 an% -buse ------- (Reporte% 0# thru #. -ug 20#5#2 == P546(7- [68] ---------------------------- (4477 9et Retrie:al ;++orts#8 == P546(7- Reco:eries ----------------- (Reporte% #50tension Cor% #2< == (ost Creati:e *tatues -------------------------- ()aipei3 )aiCan 0 Aippos#2< == (oments o+ B* Aistory ----------------------- (,IC Central Par/ #'80#2' == Par/ing -------------- (Re:enge )actic P5 against 7nconsi%erate Par/ers#2' == Aa:e Iou Aear%M ----------------------------------- (Ausban%s 1 4i:es ##80 == $rain )easer -nsCer ----------------------------------- ()ric/y OuestionsNot#Q1.The page number on which an article can be found is provided to the left of each articles title2= Numbers contained within brackets [ ] indicate the number of articles written on the subject.To obtain previous articles send a request to raoemosbcglobal.net.&ATTACHMENTS&= -ttachment - 9eteran Kegislation as o+ #. -ug 20#5-ttachment - (ost Popular D7 $ill Colleges 2I 20#.-ttachment - 5/lahoma 9et *tate $ene+its 1 "iscounts -ug 20#5-ttachment - (ilitary Aistory -nni:ersaries #6 thru 8# -ug-ttachment - Retiree -cti:ityR-ppreciation "ays (R-" *che%ule as o+ -ug #83 20#5TO REA' +nd,o 'OWNLOA' THE ABO)E ARTICLES- ATTACHMENTS- ORPAST BULLETINS On"in# REFER TO.-- httpQ66CCC=nhc-ul=com6rao=html (P"2 ;%ition C6-))-CA(;,)*-- httpQ66CCC=:eteransresources=org (P"2 1 A)(K ;%itions C6-))-CA(;,)*-- httpQ66+rabr2.5=org(P"2 1 A)(K ;%itions in 4or% +ormat-- httpQ66:eteranin+ormationlin/sasa=com6retiree-assistance-o++ice=html (A)(K ;%ition-- httpQ66thearmysecurityagency=com6retiree-assistance-o++ice=html (P"2 ;%ition C6-))-CA(;,)*-- httpQ66CCC=:eteransresources=org6rao-bulletin (past $ulletins-- httpQ66C##=Eetaboar%s=com6C2K,eCsChat6topic6#08 o+ Pre:ious -rticles as o+ !6#6#5Not#s. #= )he $ulletin is pro:i%e% as a Cebsite accesse% %ocument=)his Cas necessitate% by *P-(A-B* Cho allege% the $ulletinHs +ormer siEe an% large subscriber base Cere cho/ing the airCays inter+ering Cith other email userHs capability to use it=)hey %irecte% us to stop sen%ing the $ulletin in its entirety to in%i:i%ual subscribers an% to :ali%ate the subscriber base Cith the threat o+ remo:ing all our email capability i+ Ce %i%not= )his $ulletin a:ailability notice is being sent to the #'3'6# +ormer subscribers Cho ha:e :ali%ate% their.email a%%ee +or continue% receipt o+ the neCsletter= 7+ you recei:e this notice Cith a hea%er reSuesting you :ali%ate Chether or not you Cant to continue recei:ing notices it is because you are on a separate tentati:e mailing list an% your email a%%ee coul% be %roppe% at any time=2= -nyone Cho no longer Cants to recei:e the $ulletin can use the automatic TB,*B$*CR7$;U tab at the bottom o+ this message or sen% a message to raoemoNsbcglobal=net Cith the Cor% T";K;);U in the subLect line=7+ you Cant to continue to recei:e a:ailability notices an% are not on the permanent mailing list you nee% to return this message Cith the Cor% T?;;PU in the subLect line=8= $ulletin recipients Cith interest in the Philippines3 Chether or not they li:e there3 can reSuest to be a%%e%to the R-5Fs Philippine %irectory +or receipt o+ notices on Clar/ 2iel% *pace F-F3 B=*= ;mbassy (anila3 an%)R7C-R; in the RP=.= ,eC subscribers an% those Cho submit a change o+ a%%ress shoul% recei:e a message that :eri+ies theira%%ition or a%%ress change being entere% in the mailing list=7+ you %o not recei:e a message Cithin ! %aysit in%icates that either 7 ne:er recei:e% you reSuest3 7 ma%e an error in processing your reSuest3 or yourser:er Cill not alloC me to sen% to the email a%%ee you pro:i%e%= -nyone Cho cannot reach me by emailcan call ('5# 28 alphabetically listing o+ article an% attachment titles pre:iously publishe% in the $ulletin=)he 7n%e> is a:ailable at httpQ66CCC=nhc-ul=com6$ull*ent(aster7n%e>-#50#0#=p%+= $ear in min% that thearticles liste% on this in%e> Cere :ali% at the time they Cere Critten an% may ha:e since been up%ate% orbecome out%ate%=!=)he $ulletin is normally publishe% on the #st an% #5th o+ each month= -t least it has been o:er the last#< years Cith the one e>ception Chen 7 ina%:ertently bac/e% o:er my computer Cith the car= )o ai% incontinue% receipt o+ $ulletin a:ailability notices3 recommen% enter the email a%%eeraoemoNsbcglobal=netinto your a%%ress boo/= 7+ you %o not recei:e a $ulletin chec/ either httpQ66CCC=nhc-ul=com6rao=html (P"2;%ition3httpQ66CCC=:eteransresources=org(P"2 1 A)(K ;%itions3httpQ66:eteranin+ormationlin/sasa=com6retiree-assistance-o++ice=html (A)(K ;%ition3 or httpQ66+rabr2.5=org(P"2 1 A)(K ;%itions3 be+ore sen%ing me an email as/ing i+ one Cas publishe%= 7+ you can access the$ulletin at any o+ the a+orementione% sites it in%icates that something is pre:enting you +rom recei:ing myemail=;ither your ser:er consi%ers it to be spam or 7 ha:e somehoC incorrectly entere% or remo:e% youra%%ee +rom the mailing list= *en% me an email so 7 can :eri+y your entry on the :ali%ate% mailing list=7+ youare unable to access the $ulletin at any o+ these sites let me /noC= .0863 2P5 -P '65#!-#000)elQ ('5# 28imatelyin 20#53 an increase o+ o:er .0 percent= $ycomparison3 the cost per "5" ci:ilian employee increase% by Lust un%er 20 percent o:er the same perio%=*ince 20#23 hoCe:er3 the in+lation-a%Luste% cost per ser:ice member an% per ci:ilian has been remar/ablystatic= S2#!i7i! Co/2#ns+tion Issu#sP+0 R+is#( )he +ormula in e>isting laC Coul% lea% to a 2=8 percent pay raise in Ganuary 20#6= )he Aouse issilent on the issue3 in e++ect supporting the 2=8 percent pay raise= )he *enate supports the Presi%entHs bu%getreSuesto+a#=8percentpayraisean%alsoCoul%prohibitapayraise+orgeneral o++icers=)he*enateposition sa:es &!#! million in 2I 20#6 an% &.=< billion o:er +i:e years= Bnless Congress e>plicitly enactsthe 2=8 percent pay raise into laC3 the Presi%ent can Cai:e current laC an% implement the loCer pay raise= B+si! A""o>+n!#7o Housing($asic -lloCance+or Aousing ($-A isa ta>-+ree paymentthatser:icemembers recei:e to co:er the cost o+ their housing3 Chich is base% on the a:erage rental costs in particulargeographic areas= )he 2I 20#5 ,"-- re%uce% $-A +rom #00 percent to '' percent o+ the area a:eragerental cost= )he Presi%entHs bu%get propose% re%ucing $-A +rom '' percent to '5 percent o+ area a:eragerental cost= )he Aouse bill %oes not alloC +or this re%uction= )he *enate bill inclu%es the $-A re%uction3Chich sa:es &8 re:enue as ser:icemembers contribute to the )*P= AoCe:er3 once the retirement pro:isions are +ully implemente%3 the billCoul% sa:e appro>imately billion per year=)he *enate also re%uces ta> re:enue by =# billion %ue to)*P contributions= AoCe:er3 the *enate re%uces the %e+icit by ='6 billion in the +irst +i:e years an% a totalo+ &8=< billion o:er the +irst #0 years= )his is %ue primarily to the )R7C-R; pharmacy co-pays an% $-Are%uctions +or :eterans on the D7 $ill= AoCe:er3 %ue to the lump-sum pro:ision3 the C$5 belie:es that inthe%eca%ea+ter 20253 this bill Cill increase%e+icits byappro>imatelypayerresources3 an%(2pro:i%e astrongnational%e+ense3inclu%ingbycontinuingto attract toan%retain in military ser:ice highly Suali+ie%3 talente%3 an% e>perience% in%i:i%uals= -s it +inaliEes the 2I 20#6,"--3 Congress shoul% there+oreQ Fo!us on t1# /ost i/2ot+nt #7o/s( )he intro%uction o+ a blen%e%-bene+it retirement systemCill beo+ signi+icant :aluetothe:ast maLorityo+ ser:icemembersCho%onot recei:eanygo:ernment-sponsore%retirementbene+it to%ay=7t Cillalsopro%ucesigni+icant sa:ings3 ChichCill alloC "5" to +ocus on its primary tas/ o+ protecting -merica= Pot#!t /+i#d s#?i!# /#/$#s( (arrie% ser:ice members shoul% not be +inancially penaliEe%+or being marrie%= )his is un+air an% %iscourages those in uni+orm +rom committing to marriage= B# !"#+ +$out t1# !osts +nd $#n#7its o7 t1# "u/23su/ 2o2os+"( )he lump-sum bene+it is agoo% policy that gi:es ser:ice members more options an% pro%uces sa:ings +or "5"= AoCe:er3the lump-sum proposal also carries a signi+icant man%atory spen%ing cost= R#7o/ TRICARE #nti#"0( 7ncreasing pharmacy co-pays %oes not a%%ress the larger re+orms in)R7C-R;that nee%tobema%e= 7nstea%3 Congress shoul%mo:eser:icemembers an%their%epen%ents into the same commercial health insurance system that +e%eral employees use= [*ourceQthe Aeritage +oun%ation 0 Gustin )= Gohnson 0 -ugust !3 20#5 @@]VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV'o' F+ud- W+st#- +nd A$us# Y R#2ot#d 01 t1u 19 Aug 2015)en people X inclu%ing an employee o+ the military hospital at 2ort $enning Cho stole personal %ata o+sol%iers an% +amily members X Cere sentence% to ser:e a combine% 50 years in prison +or their role in ane>tensi:e stolen i%entity ta> re+un% +rau% scheme in Deorgia an% -labama= )he ta> +rau% ring +ile% morethan '3000 +alse in%i:i%ual +e%eral income ta> returns that claime% more than &2. million in ta> re+un%s= 7na%%itiontothemilitaryhospital3 theta>+rau%ringstolepersonal in+ormationo+:ictims+romse:eral-labama state agencies3 a Deorgia call center an% a Deorgia company= )he 7R* pai% out nearly millioninre+un%sonthose+rau%ulent claims3 accor%ingtoGustice"epartmento++icials= 5+the:ictims3 about#3500 Cere sol%iers an% +amily members Cho ha% portions o+ their i%entities stolen3 accor%ing to ChrisDrey3 spo/esman +or the -rmy Criminal 7n:estigation Comman%= *ome o+ those sol%iers Cere %eploye% to-+ghanistan %uring the time o+ the +rau%3 Chich occurre% betCeen Ganuary 20## an% "ecember 20#8= )a> re+un%s that Cere legitimately %ue to some sol%iers Cere %enie% Chen their personal %ata Cas stolenan% use% to get a +rau%ulent re+un%= -s/e% i+ those sol%iers Coul% recei:e their re+un%s3 an 7R* o++icial sai%that by laC3 the 7R* cannot %iscuss the situation o+ speci+ic ta>payers= $ut any ta>payer Cho +in%s himsel+or hersel+ the :ictim o+ i%entity the+t shoul% +ile the reSuire% paperCor/3 an% the 7R* Cill Cor/ Cith themtoma/ethemChole3 theo++icial sai%= ;ight o+the%e+en%antsCeresentence%! -BD3 a+tertheyha%plea%e% guilty earlier this year or last year to :arious charges3 an% Cere among ## people Cho participate%in the ta> +rau% ring= )racy (itchell3 o+ Pheni> City3 -labama3 Cho Cor/e% at (artin -rmy CommunityAospital at 2ort $enning3 Cas sentence% to #8 years an% three months in prison3 three years o+ super:ise%release3 an% or%ere% to pay &82'32.2 X the amount authorities seiEe% +rom her resi%ence= *he an% ?eishaKanier3 o+ *eale3 -labama3 le%thei%entitythe+t ring3 Gusticeo++icials sai%inastatement= Kanier issche%ule% to be sentence% 2. -BD= )he sentences TshoC our unCa:ering commitment to aggressi:ely pursue cases o+ cyber crime an%protect themenan%Comenser:ingournation3Usai%"aniel-n%reCs3 %irectoro+the -rmyCriminal7n:estigation Comman%Hs Computer Crime 7n:estigati:e Bnit3 in a statement +rom the Gustice "epartment=T)hese%e+en%antsstolepersonali%entities+ormonetarygain3 an%theirsentencesshoul%resonateCith##Coul%-becriminalsthatCecan3 an%CeCill3 hol%themaccountable+ortheircrimes=U )he%e+en%antsobtaine% se:eral 7R* electronic +iling numbers in the names o+ sham ta> businesses3 o++icials sai%= )heythen applie% +or ban/ pro%ucts +rom :arious +inancial institutions in the names o+ those sham businesses3an% recei:e% blan/ chec/s +rom the +inancial institutions= )he 7R* issue% re+un%s in prepai% %ebit car%s orchec/s= 7n cases Chere the 7R* electronically %eposite% the re+un%s3 the %e+en%ants use% the chec/s theyH%recei:e% to get access to the money= 4hen the +inancial institutions stoppe% alloCing the %e+en%ants to use the chec/s3 (itchell an% her+amily members recruite% B=*= Postal *er:ice employees in their scheme3 accor%ing to Gustice o++icials= )heemployees speci+ie% a%%resses along their postal routes to ha:e the 7R* chec/s maile%3 then intercepte%thosechec/san%turne%themo:ertothe%e+en%ants+ora+ee= )he%e+en%antsalsoset upamoney-laun%ering operation3 recruiting a 4almart employee in Columbus to cash chec/s that Cere +rau%ulentlyissue% in the names o+ other in%i:i%uals= )o conceal the scheme +rom 4almart3 the %e+en%ants recruite%people to ta/e the re+un% chec/s to the 4almart employee to cash= )he #0 %e+en%ants Cho ha:e been sentence% so +ar ha:e been or%ere% to pay a total o+ nearly &! million=-t the sentencing o+ the eight %e+en%ants 2ri%ay3 a statement Cas pro:i%e% +rom the mother o+ a #'-year-ol% sol%ier Cho ha% his i%entity stolen Chile he Cas in training at 2ort $enning= *he Cas noti+ie% by an 7R*agent that her sonHs i%entity ha% been stolen= T-s 7 trie% my best to /eep compose% an% han%le all o+ thegruesome moun%s o+ paperCor/ to get this straightene% out Cith the 7R* [my son] Cas then %enie% his ta>re+un%3U the motherHs statement sai%= T)his create% a +inancial har%ship on [him]= 4e Cere too a+rai% to tell[him] Chile he Cas %eploye% because Ce %i% not Cant to Corry him an% Ce Cante% him to +ocus only ongetting home ali:e an% not ha:e to Corry about such an atrocious act by someone Cho %i% not e:en /noC[him=]U )he 7R* +irst i%enti+ie% suspicious acti:ity3 an% once -rmy personnel Cere i%enti+ie%3 7R* o++icialscontacte% the -rmy Criminal 7n:estigation Comman%3 Drey sai%= T4hen that occurre%3 special agents +romtheC7"HsComputerCrime7n:estigati:eBnitbeganaLointin:estigationCiththe7R*=UB=*=-ttorneyDeorge K= $ec/ Gr= o+ the (i%%le "istrict o+ -labama3 sai% Tno sentence is too strong +or those Cho prey onour +ighting men an% Comen= T4ar is hell on the home +ront3 too3 an% the +amily le+t behin% hol%ing thingstogether must be strongly protecte%=U[*ourceQ(iitary)imes 0 ?aren GoCers 0 -ugust ##3 20#5@@]VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVPOW,MIA U2d+t# 8@: WWII )#t R#ti#?+" E77ots7+ Keon Cooper an% ?o/ichi ,ishimura ha% run into each other %uring 4orl% 4ar 773 the result might ha:ebeen %ea%ly= 4hen they met in )o/yo in late Guly3 a Carm han%sha/e Cas +olloCe% by Car stories an% tal/o+ their e++orts to retrie:e the remains o+ +allen B=*= an% Gapanese sol%iers +rom remote Paci+ic battle sites=Cooper Cas a ,a:y lieutenant in comman% o+ a group o+ lan%ing cra+t calle% Aiggins boats launche% +romthe B** Aarry Kee3 a passenger ship that carrie% (arines to some o+ the toughest battles o+ the Paci+ic3inclu%ing the in:asion o+ ,eC Duinea= ,ishimura Cas a lance corporal in the 7mperial Gapanese -rmyHs*outh *eas "etachment an% participate% in the in:asion o+ Duam be+ore +ighting in ,eC Duinea= T7 Cas:ery mo:e% by a guy Cho Cas my mortal enemy at one time3U Cooper3 '53 sai% a+ter :isiting ,ishimura3also '53 at a )o/yo hospital= T7+ he an% 7 ha% met %uring the Car in ,eC Duinea3 one o+ us Coul% ha:e been/ille% or at least seriously hurt by the other=UCooper Cas in Gapan Cith Kos -ngles %ocumentary +ilmma/ers *te:e $arber an% (attheC Aausie= )hetrio are :isiting the sites o+ si> maLor battles that Cooper +ought in %uring 4orl% 4ar 77= )heyH:e been to)araCa an% the Philippines an% plan to :isit Duam3 7Co Gima3 ?CaLelein an% the Dilbert 7slan%s= 7n ,eCDuinea3 ,ishimura +ought on the ?o/o%a )rail Chere the Gapanese engage% in a series o+ %ea%ly s/irmishes#2Cith -ustralians in an e++ort to ta/e Port (oresby= *hot three times3 he Cas the lone sur:i:or in a 56-manplatoon that Cas Cipe% out in the $attle o+ $riga%e Aill3 accor%ing to the 200< boo/ T?o/o%a $one (anUby-ustralianLournalist Charles Aappell= (eanChile3 Cooper Caslan%ingDen= "ouglas(ac-rthurHs+orces on ,eC Duinea at Aollan%ia an% -itape in an e++ort to cut o++ supplies +or Gapanese troops= Ae hasnHtbeen bac/ since but plans to go there on his ne>t trip= AeHll be +olloCing in ,ishimuraHs +ootsteps= (oti:ate% by stories o+ Gapanese troops Cho re+use% tobelie:ethat theirnationha%surren%ere%an%sur:i:e%intheLungle+or%eca%es3 hespent eight yearssearching+ortheremainso+thoseChoCent missinginaction= ,ishimuraretrie:e%numeroussetso+remains earning him the nic/name T$one (an o+ ?o/o%a3U Cooper sai%= )he meeting betCeen the tCo ol%Carriors Cas emotional= T7 o++ere% my han% in +rien%ship3 respect an% a%miration +or a man Cho3 li/e me3Cante% to %o more to ha:e his country un%erstan% Chat these guys ha% %one3U Cooper sai%= Ae got intereste% in repatriating the remains o+ lost Car %ea% a+ter a 200! :isit to the site o+ his +irstbattle X )araCa= Ais goal at the time Cas to get trash cleare% +rom the beach Chere he lan%e% (arines in#'.83 but islan%ers tol% him about the gra:es o+ uni%enti+ie% (arines an% sailors3 he sai%= )hat +irst trip Caschronicle%by$arberan%AausieinTReturnto )araCaQ )heKeonCooper*tory3Ua200'%ocumentarynarrate%byactor;%Aarris= )he+ilmma/ersCent bac/in200+">#"" D= o+ Chicago[ an% *gt= Ei! M( Hon#0/+n o+-lame%a3 Cali+ornia3 ha:ebeenaccounte%+oran%Cill beburie%Cith+ull militaryhonors= Coo/Casburie% 5ct= #cessi:e bur%en in tra:eling to the closest 9- me%ical +acility base% on geographic challenges3 en:ironmental +actors3 or a me%ical con%ition= *ta++ at your local 9- me%ical +acility Cill Cor/ Cith you to %etermine i+ you are eligible +or any o+ these reasons= Iou resi%e in a *tate or a Bnite% *tates )erritory Cithout a +ull-ser:ice 9- me%ical +acility that pro:i%es hospital care3 emergency ser:ices an% surgical care3 an% resi%e more than 20 miles +rom such a 9- me%ical +acility= ,oteQ )his criterion applies to 9eterans resi%ing in -las/a3 AaCaii3 ,eC Aampshire3 Duam3 -merican *amoa3 CommonCealth o+ the ,orthern (ariana 7slan%s3 an% 2#the B=*= 9irgin 7slan%s= -lso note that some 9eterans in ,eC Aampshire resi%e Cithin 20 miles o+ 4hite Ri:er Gunction 9-(C= 2QW1+t do I do i7 I t1in; I +/ #"igi$"#GCall the Choice Program Call Center at as3 are sche%ule% to begin in Guly= $ut %uring a brie+ing Cith reporters 6 -BD39- o++icials Cere eager to %emonstrate progress on the prototype3 though it still has problems -- a pop-upin+ormation bo> lingers a+ter the user mo:es the cursor aCay3 +or instance=)he current :ersion o+ eA(P is rea%-only3 meaning clinicians can use it to :ieC patient recor%s +rom9-3 the"e+ense"epartment an%communityhealthpartnersthroughanelectronichealthin+ormatione>change=$ut itFs an impro:ement on 9-Fs current plat+orm -- the ComputeriEe% Patient Recor% *ystem --because it lets clinicians search beyon% +iles store% at their location3 ,eil ;:ans3 co-%irector o+ connecte%health atthe 9eterans Aealth -%ministration3sai%%uring the%emonstration=Currently3 a care pro:i%ermust use a remote-:ieCing application to access recor%s +rom other +acilities= - more integrate% systemcoul% help care pro:i%ers see Chich %rugs a patient has been prescribe% an% +ille% an% in Chich location=)his approach shoCs physicians a broa%er loo/ at possible %rug interactions among other ris/s3 sai% "a:i%4altman3 9-Fs senior a%:iser to the un%ersecretary +or health= 9- plans to gi:e all 9- +acilities access toeA(P by 20#!3 an% to phase out CPR*(ComputeriEe% Patient Recor% *ystemby 20203 4altman sai%=[*ourceQW,-B* 4ee/ly Bp%ate 0 -ugust !3 20#5 @@]VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVAg#nt O+ng# O;in+>+ U2d+t# 0AY G+nt#d )A Co/2#ns+tion C"+i/s*ince #''ic %e+oliant on the islan% betCeen#'6! an% #'6posure to -gent 5range on 5/inaCa3 but only ahan%+ul ha:e e:er been gi:en help by their go:ernment= 5ther :eterans Cho ha:e success+ully sue% +orcompensation inclu%e a +ormer marine statione% on the main islan% %uring the early #'60s an% a retire%army truc/ %ri:er e>pose% Chile %ri:ing the %e+oliant +rom 5/inaCaHs ports to ?a%ena -ir $ase betCeen#'65 an% #'66 (see Z9ets Cin payouts o:er -gent 5range use on 5/inaCa3 `eit Dist3 2eb= #.3 20#2H= )his latest Cin is belie:e% to be the +irst time a :eteran has been aCar%e% compensation since thePentagon issue% a 2'-page report in 2ebruary 20#8 %enying -gent 5range ha% been present on the islan%=)hat report3 Critten by +ormer B*-2 Col= -l:in Ioung3 came un%er +ire +rom e>perts +or +ailing to or%eren:ironmental tests or inter:ieCs Cith any :eterans alleging e>posure on 5/inaCa= 7n comments to )heGapan )imes regar%ing the latest 9- ruling3 "e+ense "epartment spo/esman (ar/ 4right rea++irme% thePentagonHs con+i%ence in the cre%ibility o+ IoungHs report= T)he research shoCe% that there are no source%ocuments that :ali%ate the claims that Aerbici%e 5range Cas shippe% to or through3 unloa%e%3 store%3 use%or burie% on 5/inaCa3U 4right sai% by email=2. -%%itionally3 Dene:ie:e $illia3 9- public a++airs specialist3 sai%3 T)his $9- %ecision Cas case-speci+ic3gi:ingthebene+it o+%oubt tothe:eteranclaimant3 an%hasnoimpact on"r=IoungHsreport=U$illiaapparently rule% out the possibility o+ the %ecision opening the +loo%gates to similar payouts by e>plainingthat suchrulings%onot set aprece%ent +or other cases= AoCe:er3 "on*chnei%er3 a+ormer military:eterinary technician Cho belie:es he Cas e>pose% to %e+oliants on 5/inaCa in #'6in3 lea%ingsomescientiststoassertthat theymayha:econtaine%military%e+oliants= )he results o+ tests on the remaining 6# barrels are e>pecte% to be ma%e public in mi%--pril=(eanChile3 last month3 ?a%ena -ir $ase o++icials ga:e the all-clear to tCo "e+ense "epartment schoolsa%Lacent tothe%umpsite+olloCingen:ironmentaltestsonthesur+acesoilo+theirgroun%s= [*ourceQGapan )imes 0 Gon (itchell 0 (arch 223 20#. @@]VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV)A T#"#1#+"t1 U2d+t# 0IY N#> M#di!+" T#!1no"og0 Pi"ots)he "epartment o+ 9eterans -++airs is running se:eral neC me%ical technology pilots3 inclu%ing systemsthat coul%let patients recei:ehealthcareCithout lea:ingtheir homes or neighborhoo%s3 9-"eputy*ecretary *loan Dibson tol% an au%ience in 4ashington on 8# GBK=4ith the rapi% %e:elopment o+ :irtualcare3 or teleme%icine3 TChat CeH:e seen is a trans+ormation +rom primarily an inpatient mo%el to primarilyan outpatient mo%el3W Dibson sai% %uring a con+erence hoste% by tech association -2C;-= 2or instance3 the9-Fs Center +or 7nno:ation is %e:eloping an app that Coul% let technicians a%Lust patientsF hearing ai%s :iaa $luetooth connection3 Dibson sai%= -nother %e:eloping tech proLect3 calle% the 5ne-9- Pharmacy3 Coul%let pharmacists anyChere access the 9-Fs health 7) system an% +ill a :eteranFs prescription= -ccor%ing toDibson3 nearly one-thir% o+ :eterans ha:e :olunteere% to participate in :irtual care %eli:ery3 up +rom about#< percent tCo years ago= 2or those patients Cho %onFt ha:e broa%ban% connections in their homes3 9- isbeginningtoissuemobile%e:ices3 tablets an%netboo/s Cithhigh-spee%connections3 Dibsona%%e%=W(orean%moreo+ourcareisgoingtobe%eli:ere%:irtually3Whesai%= [*ourceQ ,e>tDo:0 (ohanaRa:in%ranath 0 Guly 8#3 20#5@@]25)A '#2ut0 S#!#t+0 S"o+n Gi$son s2#+;sVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV)A Pi?+tiC+tionY S#!#t+0 M!'on+"d B"+sts Po"iti!+" Po2os+" 9eterans -++airs *ecretary $ob (c"onal% on 6 -BD reLecte% criticism +rom a political a%:ocacy groupthat he claims is calling +or pri:atiEing the %epartment= (c"onal% ma%e his comments %uring an inter:ieCat )he ,eCseum in 4ashington3 "=C=3 Chere Politico 4hite Aouse Correspon%ent (i/e -llen cite% Wa #0-page %ocument o+ 9- loC-lightsW gi:en to him by Concerne% 9eterans +or -merica3 an -rlington3 9irginia-base% base% organiEation that +a:ors mar/et-base% +e%eral policies= W2irst o+ all3 you ha:e to un%erstan% thepolitical natureo+ theConcerne%9eterans+or -merica3W(c"onal%sai%= W7F:emet Cith[C9-Chie+;>ecuti:e 5++icer] Peter Aegseth many times= 7 /noC the people that bac/ him politically3 Cho +un% hisorganiEation= 4e are not in +a:or o+ pri:atiEing the 9-=W )he secretary %i%nFt go into %etail3 though hisre+erence to those supporting the group li/ely re+ers to reports that it has largely been +un%e% by ?och$rothersF organiEations=Aegseth hit bac/ at (c"onal%Fs remar/s3 saying it Cas %isingenuous o+ him to a:oi% criticism o+ 9-health care by claiming the group is politically moti:ate%= Ae sai% the group Cants to gi:e :eterans a choicein using the pri:ate sector3 not pri:atiEe the 9-= W7t is %isappointing that *ecretary (c"onal% chose to onceagain blatantly mischaracteriEe C9-Fs bipartisan comprehensi:e 9-re+ormplan \ the 9eterans7n%epen%ence -ct3hesai% in an email=WAoCe:er3itis not totally surprisingconsi%eringthat *ecretary(c"onal%hasahistoryo+strugglingCiththetruth3Uhea%%e%3 re+erringto(c"onal%Fsstatement in2ebruary that he ser:e% Cith -rmy *pecial 2orces= )he secretary3 a 4est Point gra%uate3 ser:e% Cith theecuti:e *er:ice3 accountable +or poor per+ormance3 mismanagement an% especially the Cait-timesscan%al that roc/e% the %epartment last year= 4histlebloCers at the 9- (e%ical Center in Phoeni> re:eale%thathospitalsta++/eptasecret listo+:eteranssee/ingappointments=)hey%i%sotoconceal+romthe%epartment lea%ers Lust hoC many :eterans Cere Caiting +or health care appointments= 7n:estigators later+oun% that the practice Cas systemic across 9- an% also con+irme% that some :eterans %ie% be+ore gettinganappointment= *incethere:elations3 therehasbeenagroCing%eman%onCapitol Aill topunishorotherCise hol% accountable those Cho Cere in:ol:e% or Cho are mismanaging 9- operations= (c"onal%sai% that since he came on boar% about a year ago3 some #3.00 people ha:e been +ire% +rom the %epartment=$ut only a han%+ul o+ in%i:i%uals %irectly connecte% to the Cait-times scan%al ha:e been pushe% out an%someo+thoseCerealloCe%toretire= W-ccountabilityisalot morethanLust +iringpeople3Whesai%=W-ccountability is also the +act that Chen 7 came in 7 +oun% that %octor salaries Cere 20 percent beloCmar/et3 so Ce raise% the salaries=W[*ourceQ(ilitary=com 0 $ryant Gor%an a -ugust 63 20#5 @@]VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV)A C"+i/ Fi"ing U2d+t# 08Y 10-000 )#ts Fi"# Wong Fo/ in 1st Mont1-+terpromising:eteransCoul%notbea++ecte%byaneCpolicymeant tohastenthe%isabilityclaimsprocess3 at least #003000 claims Cill li/ely be %elaye% in the +irst year o+ a neC stan%ar%iEe%-+orm program=)hatHs #003000 claims that also ConHt be a%%e% to 9eterans -++airs Cor/loa% roster3 gi:ing a%Lu%icatorsmore time to a%%ress the bene+itsH claims bac/log3 :eterans ser:ice o++icers say= -n% thatHs #003000 :eteransCho Cill +ace yet another %elay in their health an% %isability bene+its= 7n the +irst month o+ a neC programostensibly %esigne% to process the claims +aster3 '3!00 :eterans sent in a letter to start their claims3 ratherthan a stan%ar%iEe% +orm3 Gerry (anar3 9eterans o+ 2oreign 4arsH "eputy "irector +or ,ational 9eterans*er:ice3 tol% $ergmann 1 (oore= - total o+ #003000 people submitte% neC bene+its claims3 he sai%= T)hatCor/sout toabout ##63000:eteransayear Choseclaimsare%elaye%3Uhesai%= T-n%it ma/es9-Hscaseloa% a lot lighter=U ;:en Corse3 9- %i%nHt sen% the proper +orm to any o+ those :eterans so they coul% Suic/ly start theprocess3 (anar sai%= 7nstea%3 :eterans recei:e%a one-page +ormletter e>plainingChere theycoul%%oCnloa% or Crite a letter to reSuest the one-page stan%ar%iEe% +orm= *ur:eys ha:e +oun% the maLority o+:eterans +iling neC claims %o not ha:e access to the 7nternet= T- lot o+ people Cho run into those e>tracouple o+ steps Cill say3 Z7Hll get bac/ to it ne>t Cee/3H an% then si> months laterbU (anar sai%= T)heyH:elostmonthso+processingan%bene+its=U$eginning(arch2.3 :eteransCerenolongeralloCe%to+ileTin+ormal claimsUXsimply put3 a letter reSuesting bene+its= 7n the past3 that letter meant :eterans Coul%recei:e bene+its going bac/ to the %ate o+ a letter3 email or phone call3 no matter hoC long it too/ 9- toprocess the actual claim= ,oC3 :eterans must +ile a stan%ar%iEe% +orm to recei:e bene+its= )hat may seem li/e a simple tas/3 but :eterans ha:e recei:e% little notice[ :eterans ser:ice o++icers Chohelp :eterans %i%nHt see the neC +orms until the month be+ore they became man%atory[ an% the +ormsXe:en the Tintent to +ileU +ormXare complicate%3 as/ing +or %etails about hoC much a :eteran thin/s he orshe shoul% be rate% +or each %isability= -n%3 this is something 9- e>pecte% to happen= 4hile o++icials tol%reporters that the percentage o+ :eterans Cho +ile in+ormal claims Cas in the TloC %ouble %igits3U Chen 9-propose%theruleonthe2e%eral Register3 theysai%hal+ o+ all claimsarein+ormalXor hun%re%so+thousan%s o+ claims= T4eHre tal/ing about thousan%s o+ :eterans losing bene+its because they %i%nHt %ot2!9-Hs7Hs3U(anarsai%=9eterans -++airshasnotrespon%e%torepeate%Sueriesma%eo:erthelastthreeCee/s= -s the rule Cas propose% on the 2e%eral Register3 58 in%i:i%uals an% organiEations proteste% the change3but 9- ignore% most o+ their concerns3 inclu%ing those o+ $ergmann 1 (oore= T)hey say the stan%ar%iEe%process ma/es it easier +or :eterans to +ile claims3 as Cell as +or 9- to process the claims3U sai% Dlenn$ergmann3 a partner at $ergmann 1 (oore= T$ut the +ormsXe:en the initial Zintent to +ileH +ormXare socomplicate%= 9eterans are not typically %octors or laCyers3 yet the +orms e>pect that le:el o+ /noCle%ge=U-t the 924Hs national con:ention in Pittsburgh last Cee/3 (anar tol% :eterans ser:ice o++icers that the924 an% "isable% -merican 9eterans Cere suing 9- o:er the matter= T)his har%ly e:er happens3U (anarsai%= T$ut 9- ma%e a critical misLu%gment in trying to ma/e their li:es easier=U *till3 he sai% 9- o++icialsmay ma/e some changes to a:oi% the laCsuit= )op 9- o++icials as/e% "-9 o++icials Chy they Cere suing9-3 (anar sai%= *ince then3 theyH:e tal/e% about possible solutions an% hoCto ha:e the laCsuitCith%raCn= T)hese changes are %raconian in nature3U (anar sai%= T)hey a++ect real :eterans3 an% in our:ieCpoint3 they canHt stan%=U[*ourceQ$ergmann 1 (oore 0 ?elly ?enne%y 0 Guly 803 20#5 @@]VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV)A I//uniC+tions U2d+t# 01 W1+t Adu"ts S1ou"d H+?#)here has been a lot o+ tal/ this year about the measles= )he maLority o+ cases in the current outbrea/ ha:eoccurre% in un:accinate% chil%ren an% young people= -lthough the measles-mumps-rubella (((R :accineis consi%ere% a chil%hoo% immuniEation3 a%ults shoul% %iscuss Cith their pro:i%er Chether immuniEation isnee%e%= 2or 9eterans born in the B=*= be+ore #'5!3 immunity is assume% because o+ the high pre:alence o+measles in that era= 9eterans Cho entere% the ser:ice a+ter #''< are li/ely to ha:e recei:e% tCo %oses o+((R= 9eterans Choarenot sure o+ theirimmuniEation historycanbe assesse% +orimmunityCith labtesting=7n particular3 Comen o+ chil%bearing age nee% to assure they are immune to pre:ent congenitalin+ection Cith these %iseases=*e:eral neC :accines are noC in use to protect ol%er a%ults an% those Cith un%erlying con%itions li/e%iabetes3 chronic lung %isease3 or compromise% immunity= )o guar% against the +lu3 get the :accine eachyear because +lu :irus can change +rom one year to the ne>t= - high-%ose +lu :accine is a:ailable +or thoseo:er 65togi:ebetter protection= 5l%er 9eteransan%thoseCithcertainme%ical con%itionsaremostsusceptible to pneumonia= )Co %i++erent pneumonia :accines are noC recommen%e% +or persons o:er 65an%younger patientsCithcompromise%immunesystemsQ aconLugatepneumococcal :accineplusapolysacchari%e :accine=)hese tCo :accines are gi:en in a set seSuence an% booster recommen%ations may%i++er +or each patient -as/ your pro:i%erc2or9eteransCith%iabetes3 immuniEation+orAepatitis$isrecommen%e%assoonas%iabetesis%iagnose%= Persons Cith %iabetes may be at ris/ +or Aepatitis $ in later li+e i+ lapses occur in in+ectioncontrol in %ialysis or communal li:ing settings= - :accine +or Aepatitis - is recommen%e% +or those Chotra:el to other countries or li:e in a B=*= community Cith high rates o+ Aepatitis -[ or Cho ha:e chronicli:er %isease such as Aepatitis C3 engage in male-to-male se>3 or inLect %rugs= Aepatitis $ :accine is also2ual partners orinLection %rug use= 9eterans born in the B=*= be+ore #' (:aricella= Iounger a%ultsmay not be immune= 9accination against chic/enpo> (:aricella is necessary +or those Cho ha:e not ha%this %isease an% ha:e not been :accinate%= 9eterans Cho are not sure o+ their chic/enpo> immunity can bechec/e% +or immunity Cith a bloo% test=-%ults are at a +ar greater ris/ o+ complications o+ chic/enpo>= =*hingles(herpes Eoster iscause% by the same:irusthatcauseschic/enpo>3Chich reacti:atesalong aner:e3 causing rash an% pain= People Cho are o:er the age o+ 60 may recei:e a single %ose o+ the shingles:accine= )his:accinecanre%ucetheris/o+shinglesan%associate%painby60%= Consult Cithyourphysician +irst=

$ooster %oses o+ tetanus-%iptheria ()% are nee%e% at #0-year inter:als= 7n place o+ the )% booster3people age #'-6. an% those 65 an% ol%er Cho are in contact Cith in+ants shoul% get a one-time %ose o+tetanus-%iptheria-pertussis ()%ap to also protect against Chooping cough= 2inally3 /eep in min% that many9eterans an% other -mericans tra:el abroa% an% are li/ely e>pose% to %iseases common in those countries=7+ you ha:e Suestions about Chich :accines you nee%3 please tal/ to your 9- health care pro:i%er=[*ourceQ,eC (e>ico 9- Aealth Care *ystem 0 *usan ?ellie3 (="=3 Aospital ;pi%emiologist 0 Guly 2'3 20#5 @@]VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV)A I//uniC+tions U2d+t# 02 N+tion+" I//uniC+tion A>+#n#ss Mont1-ugust is ,ational 7mmuniEation -Careness (onth3 an% 9- Cants to in+orm 9eterans an% raise aCarenessonhoC:accinesprotect yourhealthan%thehealtho+your+amilyan%communityc7mmuniEationsor:accines are me%ical preparations gi:en to in%i:i%uals to help impro:e the bo%yHs resistance to a particular%isease= Detting:accines Cill pre:ent outbrea/s o+ manytypes o+ %iseases an%canalsosa:eli:es=Recommen%ations +or getting immuniEations or :accines %epen% on your age3 gen%er3 health status3 an%+amily history=$eloC are some o+ the most common illnesses that can be pre:ente% by getting :accinate%=)o learn more +rom the 9eterans Aealth Kibrary about an in+ection an% :accine associate% Cith it clic/ onthe +olloCing lin/sQ ^ *hingles ^ 7n+luenEa ^ Aepatitis - ^Aepatitis $ ^Chic/enpo> ^ (easles3 mumps3 rubella ^ )etanus3 %iphtheria ^Auman papilloma:irus (AP9 ^ *treptococcus pneumococcal pneumonia ^ Pertussis (Chooping coughA 7#> 7+!ts +$out ?+!!in#s. 9accines eliminate% smallpo> an% polio in the B=*= 9accines are one o+ the sa+est me%ical inter:entions Ce ha:e= People 6 months an% ol%er shoul% recei:e a +lu shot e:ery year= People age 65 or ol%er nee% a one-time shot to help pre:ent pneumonia= 5nce you get a :accine it also protects others aroun% you +rom getting that %isease= -ll a%ults nee% a booster shot e:ery #0 years to protect against tetanus an% %iphtheria= (easles an% other %iseases ha:e been signi+icantly re%uce% in the B=*= because o+ 9accines=2' $y getting e%ucate% on the right :accines +or you an% your +amily3 e:eryone can ta/e pre:enti:e measures to li:e healthier li:es= *tay in+orme% an% tal/ to your health care team to see Chich :accines are best +or youc $eloC are some a%%itional resources that can help you learn more about the :accinations that are a:ailable= 7mmuniEation -ction Coalition 9accinations +or -%ults \ )ip *heet(P"2 9-Hs 9accines an% 7mmuniEation page 9-Hs ,ational Center +or Aealth Promotion an% "isease Pre:ention 9accine recommen%ations by the -%:isory Committee +or 7mmuniEation Practices (-C7P[*5BRC;Q9- ,eCs Release 0 -ugust 3 -riEona 9- Aealth Care *ystem an% any other 9- me%ical +acility=W $ut P5D5 re+use% tocomply3suggestinginalettertothe9- inspectorgeneralFso++icethat %oingsoCoul%un%erminetheorganiEationan%itssources3 someo+Chomsuggeste%they+eare%retaliation= W)hepeoplecomingtoP5D5 ha:e a share% interest in our in:estigati:e reporting an% e++orts to e>pose an% reme%y the +ailures atthe 9-= )hat share% interest inclu%es alloCing those sources to ma/e %isclosures to P5D5 Cithout +ear o+being i%enti+ie% an% possibly retaliate% against3W "anielle $rian3 the groupFs e>ecuti:e %irector3 an% *cott-mey3 the groupFs general counsel3 sai% in the letter= Aalli%ay sai% in this Cee/Fs letter to P5D5 that because the organiEation %i%nFt turn o:er %ocuments bythe Gune #83 20#.3 %ate in the subpoena3 it ha% e>pire%= W$ecause that return %ate has lapse% an% Ce %i% notelect to press the "epartment o+ Gustice +or Lu%icial en+orcement the subpoena is moot3W she sai%= )he 9-57D %ecision to subpoena the Catch%og group raise% eyebroCs among laCma/ers= 7n a hearing late lastmonth3 ?ir/tol%Aalli%aythat Wit Coul%seemthatyouCoul%Cant toretaliateagainst all o+P5D5FsChistlebloCers=W )he 9- o++icial suggeste% %uring the hearing that there ha% been Wsome communicationerrorsW surroun%ing the %eman% +or P5D5Fs in+ormation but ac/noCle%ge% Wthat P5D5 coul% ha:e thatperception= 7 %o not thin/ that Cas the perception o+ the 7D=W -s/e% by ?ir/ Chat her response Coul% be i+ he as/e% her to Cith%raC the subpoena3 Aalli%ay sai% thatWat this point 7 Coul% hope that there is no in+ormation at P5D5 that Coul% ha:e resulte% in patient harmthat Ce Coul%nFt ha:e /noCn about to go ta/e a loo/ at=W ?ir/ Suic/ly too/ cre%it on #2 -BD +or the%ecision= W)he 57DHs %ecision Cas the %irect result o+ a hearing *enator ?ir/ === hel% on systemic corruptionin the 9- an% abuse o+ :eterans at many -merican 9- hospitals3W his o++ice sai% in a release= ?ir/ is up +orreelection in 20#6 an% is one o+ the "emocratsFtop targets= Ae is +acing a challenge +rom Rep= )ammy"uc/Corth ("-7K3 Cho3 li/e ?ir/3 is also a :eteran= Aalli%ay a%%e% in her letter to P5D5 that she ha%as/e% her sta++ to Cor/ Cith the group to get Wrele:ant %e-i%enti+ie% in+ormationW on the appro>imately )A )#t T+ining Pog+/s < No !ost5n 5 -BD 9- launche% tCo neC no-cost training programs3 -ccelerate% Kearning Programs (-KPs an%9- KearningAubs3 tohelptransitioning*er:icemembersan%9eterans+romall eraslearns/ills3 earncre%entials an% a%:ance in ci:ilian careers +olloCing separation +rom ser:ice= -KPs an% Kearning Aubs arepart o+9-Hs9eterans;conomicCommunities7nitiati:e(9;C73 promotinge%ucationan%employmentopportunities +or 9eterans through integrate% netCor/s o+ support in 50 cities(CCC=blogs=:a=go:69-ntage6200#56:a-launches-campaign-increase-:eterans-economic-potential=9- launche%the9;C7programinresponsetoPresi%ent5bamaHs -ugust20#.challengetohelp9eterans an% +amilies integrate Cith their communities an% +in% meaning+ul Lobs that can lea% to economicsuccess= Bn%er 9- *ecretary $ob (c"onal%Hs (y9- trans+ormation3 9;C7 is noC in place in cities acrossthe Bnite% *tates= T(y message to transitioning *er:icemembers is simpleQ Plan early an% stay engage%3because transition is the mission3U sai% (c"onal%= T)hese tCo neC resources pro:i%e no-cost opportunities+orourtransitioning*er:icemembersan%9eteranstolearnneCs/illsan%earncre%entials3 Chichcanincrease their competiti:eness %uring their transition=U88 -KPs o++er transitioning *er:icemembers an% 9eterans the opportunity to buil% on their Corl%-classtraining an% technical s/ills gaine% through their military ser:ice3 an% earn certi+ications in high-%eman%+iel%s= 9- is piloting -KPs this summer Cith se:en courses +ocusing on buil%ing s/ills an% certi+icationsnee%e%toa%:anceinhigh-%eman%careers inin+ormationtechnology(7)3 as part o+ thePresi%entHs)echAire initiati:e (httpsQ66CCC=Chitehouse=go:6issues6technology6techhire = ;ach -KP course is o++ere%atnocost an%inclu%es+reere+erralan%supportser:ices=)he+irst -KP cohortinclu%esse:encoursesco:ering a range o+ 7)-relate% topics3 inclu%ingQ Co%ing6Programming $oot Camps[ pertise=)ransitioning *er:icemembers an% 9eterans +rom any era are in:ite% to apply to their choice o+ courses=-pplications Cill be accepte% starting -ugust #!3 20#5 \ seats in the pilot cohort are limite%[ applicants areencourage%toapplyearly= -KPs %onot in:ol:euseo+ thePost-'6##D7 $ill= *tu%entsareabletoparticipate in these programs Chile also pursuing other programs o+ stu%y using Post-'6## D7 $ill bene+its=9isit the -KP Cebsite to learn more about each program an% apply= 9- is also launching Kearning Aubs in2! cities across the country this year in partnership Cith the -merican Re% Cross3 )he (ission Continuesan% Coursera3 an online e%ucation plat+orm= )ransitioning *er:icemembers an% 9eterans can ta/e a%:antage o+ both online an% in-person stu%y= ;achCee/3 online course mo%ules Cill be complete% outsi%e the classroom Chile class sessions3 le% by KearningAub+acilitators3 pro:i%eopportunitiesto%iscusscoursematerialsCithpeers3 hear+romsubLect mattere>perts3 an% netCor/= Bpon completion o+ the program3 *er:icemembers an% 9eterans may elect to recei:eone +ree :eri+ie% certi+icate issue% by Coursera= 2or more in+ormation about the 9;C7 or to learn moreabout 9- -KPsan%KearningAubs3 contact9eteran;mployment=:bacoN:a=go:= [*ourceQ 9-,eCsRelease 0 9-ntage Point 0 -ugust 53 20#5 @@]VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVNPRC 16I@ R#!ods Fi#Y W1+t 0ou C+n 'o To H#"2 R#!o?# '+t+Shorty after mdnght, on |uy 12, 1973, a re was reported at the NPRC's mtarypersonne records budngat 9700PageBouevardnSt. Lous, MO. Freghtersarrved on the scene ony 4 mnutes and 20 seconds after the rst aarm sounded andenteredthebudng. WWI, WWII, andKoreanWar Veterans eswerestoredncardboard boxes stacked on stee sheves nng the sxth and top oor of a arge,rectanguarfedera budng. Theywerepackedsotghtywthnthethousandsofboxes that, when the re erupted, t burned so ntense, so qucky, so out of contro, ttook the respondng 43 re departments more than two days to smother. Durng theongordea, reghtersfacedsevereprobemsduetonsumcentwaterpressure.Exacerbatng the stuaton, one of the department's pumper trucks broke down after40hoursof contnuousoperaton. Numeroustmes, therethreatenedtospreaddown to the other oors; but reghters were successfu n hatng ts advance.8.

When the smoke setted and the nteror temperature cooed, the budngs stahfound that up to 18 monVeterans personne recordshad been reduced tosmoderng pes and puddes of ash. Whe mons of records were destroyed, somesurvvedbut remanbadydamaged. Therewasnomotve, nosuspect, andfewcues. The person(s) responsbe for destroyng 80 percent of Army personne recordsfor soders dscharged between 1 Nov 1912 to 1 |an 1960 and 75 percent of the ArForcerecords of Armendschargedbetween25Sep1947to1|an1964(wthsurnames begnnng wth Hubbard and runnng through the end of the aphabet) hasnever been found.The NPRC records re s 42-year od news, yet even today t contnues to mpactthe ves of our most sacred Veterans and ther dependents and survvors. How doesan Army Ar Forces bombarder from our Greatest Generaton appy for VA heathcareand benets wthout records of hs servce? What can be done for the ducary of anArmy Nurse Corps Veteran ookng for records to pece together hs grandmothersegacy? How does NPRC stah dea wth the thousands of records requests from thstme perod t eds each year? In the days foowng the re, NPRC used expermentatreatments to recover about 6.5 mon burned and water-damaged records. Today, thas a preservaton program, spt between two teams (1 & 2), reconstructng whatwasrecovered. Thshasprovedhepfu andhopefuforthemany"treasurehunt"storesthat occasonaysurfacenmedaproes. But, what about thosewhoserecords were not recovered? You can hep VA hep NPRC reconstruct the damaged record. There s a speccrequest form atwww.archves.gov/st-ous/mtary-personne/na-13055-nfo-2-reconstruct-medca-data.pdfwhch you must out that gves VA the authorty toask NPRC to reconstruct that e. Ths request provdes nformaton that aows theNPRCtosearchfor other types of documents, suchas ndvdua staterecords,MutpeNamePayVouchersfromtheAd|utantGenerasOmce, SeectveServceSystem regstraton records, pay records from the Government Accountng Omce, aswe as medca records from mtary hosptas (current Army st; current Ar Forcest), unt records andmornngreports, andentranceandseparatonx-rays andorganzatona records, that woudassst youwthyour VAheathcareaccess or85compensatoncam, or for vauabe researchonyour famymembers servcehstory.When t comes to VA compensaton, however, maybe you dont have tme to paydetectve. Itscrtca, ntherequestyousendtoVA, thatyouprovdeasmuchnformaton as you can, ncudng the unts you were assgned to, as we as the nameof the company, battaon, regment, squadron, group, and/or wng. VA w accept, asaternate sources for records,statements from servce medcapersonne, certed"buddy"statementsoramdavts, accdent and pocereports, Empoyment-reatedexamnaton reports, etters wrtten durng servce, photographs taken durng servce,pharmacy prescrpton records, nsurance-reated examnaton reports, medcaevdencefromcvan/prvatehosptas, cncs, andphyscans that treatedyoudurng servce or shorty after separaton, and photocopes of any servce treatmentrecords that you may have n your possesson.It is important to note that, although these details can signifcantly help,VA does not rely only on service treatment records when deciding claimsfor cases that are related to the 1973 fre. Whe ths can appear dauntng, there s hep avaabe; VA encourages you towork wthan accredtedrepresentatve or agentf you need assstance. Gotohttp://www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accredtaton/ndex.asptoverfyaccredtaton.Youcanaso request an attorney, cams agent, or Veteran Servce Organzatonrepresentatve onne. Go tohttps://www.ebenets.va.gov/ebenets/about/feature?feature=request-vso-representatve for assstance n ocatng one. The ramcatons of ths tragedy have been ongstandng and we documented,and t coudnt have happened to a more heroc group of Veterans at a worse tme-when those es were needed most. Archaeoogsts two centures from now are notgongtomagcaydgupmcrochedupcates that werenever created. Thoserecords are ost to tme. Wth NPRCs assstance, VA s commtted to ensurng that noegbe but ahected Veteran goes wthout the benets and servces (or nformaton)to whch he and she have earned.In 2012, NPRC reocated to a new budng housng60 mon records (from the Spansh-Amercan War to about the year 2000) n 1.8monboxes"nacmate-controedwarehousewthaconstant temperatureofabout 35 degrees and wth a reatve humdty that never dps beow 40 percent."|Source:VAntage Pont Bog | |ason Davs | August 10, 2015 ++|VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVT1# '+i"0 S1o> : Don St#>+t ?s( )A"uring his #6-plus-year run at the %es/ o+ W)he "aily *hoC3W Gon *teCart tra++ic/e% in the same military-theme% segments as many o+ his tele:ision brethrenQ Ae %i% pushups +or charity3 he Cent on a B*5 tourCith a magician an% a note% mailman3 an% he === %i% more pushups +or charity= )ests o+ upper-bo%y strengthasi%e3 one o+ *teCartFs uniSue3 lasting contributions to military matters may be his +reSuent3 +rustration-+ille% sal:os at the 9eterans -++airs "epartment= AeFs cran/e% out se:eral W"aily *hoCW segments o:er theyearsthatha:eha:ehelpe%spotlight9- problems+orabroa%erau%ienceXane++ort thatFsnotgoneunappreciate%= 86+% don,t think there,s a person in the media who,s done more to elevate veterans, issues" and to push forpolic& change"+ said -aul .eickhoff" head of %raq and (fghanistan /eterans of (merica" which presented#tewart with the 0112 %(/( 3ivilian #ervice (ward. +There,s a lot of kind of empt& clapping going on" butactuall& understanding the nuance of polic& ... things that matter" 4on #tewart,s been in a league of hisown. (nd % guess the best e5ample % would give is the [/(] backlog.+*teCartFs 9- co:erage toppe% the 7R* an% other entries in a :ieCerFs choice poll3 selecte% as the shoCFsW+a:orite +e%eral ta/e%oCnW as part o+ a career-in-re:ieC special= 7t also ma%e Rolling *toneFs list o+ thehostFs top targets= W)he least Ce can %o is /eep the promises Ce ma%e to the in%i:i%uals Cho ha:e gi:en somuch3 an%7Cill continuetobeanannoyancetothepeopleCho%onot %othat3W*teCart sai%a+teraccepting the 7-9- honor= )he co:erage e:en earne% its oCn recurring propQ - super-siEe% sCear LarQ )hat -pril 20#. rant (httpQ66the%ailyshoC=cc=com6:i%eos6ha0alm6a-bureaucracy-o+-%unces---:eterans-a++airs-+--/-ups reacte% to reports o+ mismanagement at a Phoeni> 9- +acility that inclu%e% #3!00 :eteranssigning up +or appointments an% ne:er appearing on the o++icial Cait list= 7t Cas +ar +rom the only time the9- ma%e hea%lines %uring *teCartFs tenureQ -200' clip (httpQ66the%ailyshoC=cc=com6:i%eos6mnr!/>6that-can-t-be-right---:eterans--health-insurancetoo/ the 5bama a%ministration to tas/ +or its proposal to bill pri:ate insurers +or 9-care= *teCart suggests some alternate %e+ense-relate% +un%raising metho%s to co:er the costs3 suchas sponsorship rights to the (e%al o+ Aonor= 7n the a+termath o+ the Come%y Central co:erage3Riec/ho++ sai%3 WCe got in:ite% into the 4hite Aouse= === 4e /neC that it Cas hurting them to gethit on Gon *teCartWQ - *ep 20#8 clip (httpQ66the%ailyshoC=cc=com6:i%eos6ynh.e%6ignoring-pri:ate-ryan a%%ressing thee:er-present 9- bac/log an% %isease outbrea/s at 9- +acilities in Pittsburgh an% $u++alo3 in Chich*teCart as/s the Suestion nobo%y else Coul% as/Q 7s the 9- being run by W$rea/ing $a%W characterGesse Pin/man3 W%ri:ing aroun% to 9- hospitals an% throCing money out the Cin%oCMW - nearly eight-minute shoC-opening segment +rom Gune 20#. that traces 9-Fs problems bac/ tothe )ruman a%ministration3 rips its tremelytrouble%Ubythe+in%ings= $era3 Choisame%ical %octor3 calle%onthe9-toimplementcorrecti:e actions nationCi%e= T7 /noCthat e:erysecon% counts inan emergency3U $era %eclare%=*acramento-base% attorney G=R= Par/er3 Cho is representing (ayoHs three chil%ren in a +e%eral laCsuit +ile%last month3 sai% in an inter:ieC that the report Tis per+orming a really important ser:iceU by she%%ing lighton Chat happene%= 7n their o++icial response3 9- o++icials say they ha:e %e:elope% Ta :ery robust process toensure systems are in place to correct all o+ the +in%ingsU i%enti+ie% in the report= ,eC policies ha:e beenput in place an% a%%itional training has been pro:i%e%3 o++icials say= )he patient Cristban%s ha:e also beenre%esigne%= )ara Ric/s3 spo/esComan +or the 9-Hs ,orthern Cali+ornia Aealth Care *ystem3 a%%e% in astatement 80 GBK that the agency TCelcomes more opportunities to +urther e:aluate our proce%ures an%i%enti+y areas +or impro:ement=U T4e are %eeply %e%icate% to the health an% sa+ety o+ our patients an% Cillcontinue to ta/e sCi+t an% correcti:e actions to a%%ress the i%enti+ie% items in the 57D report3U Ric/s a%%e%=8-Cee/ span %uring summer 20#8= )he inspector general as/e%regional 9- o++icials Cho o:ersee the +acility to in:estigate= )he complainant3 Cho is not name% in thein:estigation report3 recounte% the mass resignations an% sai% pro:i%ers Cere treate% in an Tabusi:e an%.0%isrespect+ul manner by management=U )he complainant +urther allege% that :eteran care Cas Leopar%iEe%3an% +acility management %i% not respon% a%eSuately to Chat Cas happening= )he regional 9- in:estigatorsconclu%e% that :eteran care Cas not compromise%3 but they %i% con+irm that Te>cessi:e Cor/loa%sU le% tomass %epartures o+ health care pro:i%ers an% that pro:i%ers Cere treate% in a T%isrespect+ul mannerU bysenior management= )he in:estigators %ismisse% claims +rom +acility lea%ership that complaints came +rom a Tsmall group o+%isgruntle(% employees3U an%pointe%toemployee satis+actionsur:eys in20#8that shoCe%higher%iscontent among *t=Clou% employees than the national 9- a:erage=)he report sai% +acilitymanagersCere trying to correct the problems Cith an aggressi:e recruiting push3 attempts to better retain sta++ Cith amentoring program +or neC hires an% sloCer orientation3 an% ple%ges that +acility "irector $arry 7= $ahlan% Chie+ o+ *ta++ "r= *usan (= (ar/stromCoul% meet regularly Cith pro:i%ers to impro:ecommunication= $ut a year later3 a separate inspector general report issue% in Ganuary 20#5 sai% employeesatis+action at the *t= Clou% 9- remaine% loC in 20#.3 ran/ing among the 25 loCest-scoring 9- +acilitiesout o+ #2< across the country= -n% ,ygaar%3 the -2D; union representati:e Cho has tra:ele% to *t= Clou% to represent 9- employees3sai% senior managers ha:e %one little to impro:e the Cor/ en:ironment= T)hey continue to lose %octors3U,ygaar% sai%= *he sai% employees still are scare% to report problems +or +ear o+ retaliation +rommanagement= 9enable conten%s the %ata in the Ganuary 20#5 report Cas out%ate% an% sai% the most recent%ata shoCs employee satis+action has impro:e% the +acilityHs ran/ to among the 50 loCest +acilities in thecountry= Aesai%impro:ementsin%icate%Tanincreaseinthepro:i%ersH belie+ that theycanbringupproblems=U Ae sai% recruiting an% retention challenges +ace% by the +acility mirror those o+ the health care in%ustryas a Chole3 Chich is +acing pro:i%er shortages= -n% he sai% +in%ing people to Cor/ at a +acility in rural(innesota can be T:ery challenging=U ,e:ertheless3 he sai%3 the +acility hire% eight %octors an% #. mi%-le:el pro:i%ers in 20#.= T)he *t= Clou% 9- Aealth Care *ystem is +ocuse% on pro:i%ing high Suality healthcare in a timely manner an% %eli:ering it Cith a positi:e e>perience3U he sai%= T4hen Ce +all short o+ thesegoals3 Ce ta/e steps to correct %e+iciencies=U [*ourceQB*- )o%ay 0 "ono:an *lac/ 0 -ugust pecte% to lastabout three Cee/s= 2armerFs case is in +ront o+ B=*= "istrict Gu%ge *ara Kioi in -/ron= Re+er tohttpsQ66s8=amaEonaCs=com6s8=%ocumentclou%=org6%ocuments62208'.66mar/-+armer-in%ictment=p%++or acopy o+ the in%ictment= (ontague3 the +ormer hea% o+ the Cle:elan% an% "ayton 9- me%ical centers3 plea%e% guilty in 2ebruaryto 6. corruption-relate% charges= Ae Cas sche%ule% to be sentence% in *eptember but he entere% into a neCagreement to cooperate Cith +e%eral prosecutors in Chich he Coul% testi+y against 2armer= )he cooperationmeans (ontague3 6.3 coul% spen% as little as . #62 years in +e%eral prison= (ontague an% 2armer are tCo o+morethan60electe%o++icials3 publicemployeesan%contractorscon:icte%asaresult o+acorruption.#in:estigation by the B=*= -ttorneyHs 5++ice= -mong those con:icte% is +ormer county Commissioner Gimmy"imora3 Cho is ser:ing a 2plaining%oEens o+ emails sent to himsel+3 2armer an% others an% Chat in+ormation he pro:i%e% to 2armer= 4henconsulting +or Cannon"esign3 (ontague sai%3 he almost e>clusi:ely %ealt Cith 2armer an% that the +irmpai%him&23500amonthbetCeen20#0-#2+orone%ayo+Cor/=)he%ocumentspertaine%tome%ical+acility proLects the 9- ha% in the pipeline3 he sai%= )hey shoCe% Chat proLects Cere li/ely to be inclu%e%in an upcoming +e%eral bu%get3 though that in+ormation is only suppose% to be release% in 2ebruary o+ eachyear=(ontague sai% he obtaine% in+ormation about proLects in 7llinois3 ?entuc/y an% Cali+ornia an% passe%them on to 2armer an% his other clients= Ae sai% that he belie:e% 2armer /neC the +iles he passe% on Cerenot +or %issemination an% that 2armer ne:er tol% him to only %eli:er +iles that are publicly a:ailable= Aistestimony is e>pecte% to continue on 4e%nes%ay= [*ourceQ ,ortheast 5hio (e%ia Droup 0 ;ric Aeisig 0-ugust 20#5 @@]&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& )ARO C"#?#"+nd OH : C"+i/s < B+!;"og 'o>n 3 A22#+"s U25n the ##th +loor o+ the 2e%eral $uil%ing on ;ast ,inth *treet at Ka/esi%e -:enue are ran/s o+ ol% +ilingcabinets stan% in seemingly en%less roCs=,early all o+ those cabinets are empty an% aCait recycling= 5ncethey Cere stu++e% Cith the paper +iles o+ claims ma%e by 5hio :eterans Cith the Cle:elan% Regional $ene+it5++ice o+ the "epartment o+ 9eterans -++airs (9-= ,oC3 '' percent o+ those claims +or %isabilities relate%to military ser:ice are computeriEe%3 ma/ing access an% trans+erring the in+ormation Suic/er an% easier= 7tis a plus +or :eterans an% a paperless :ictory +or the o++ice -- one o+ se:eral gains cite% recently by its%irector3 -nthony (ilons *r=3 an% sta++ members Cho recently re:ieCe% a scorecar%3 o+ sorts3 o+ their Cor/%uring the complete% +iscal year=Ton0 Mi"ons- di#!to o7 t1# )AJs C"#?#"+nd R#gion+" B#n#7it O77i!#.2)hereCerese:eralhits3 an%somemissestotal/about3 inclu%ingareport bythe9-Fs5++iceo+7nspector Deneral that +oun% shortcomings in the Cay the o++ice han%le% three types o+ %isability claims=-%%itionally3*en= *herro%$roCnraise%concernsabout theo++iceinaletterto9-*ecretaryRobert(c"onal%= Aenote%theo++icehasthe+ourth-highestnumbero+compensationappealspen%inginthenation3 an% its a:erage 58!-%ay Cait +or a claims a%Lustments is #!. %ays longer than the norm= - more%etaile% loo/ at the 9- scorecar% an% some o+ (ilonsF comments +olloC= Pog#ss to '+t#. Aan%le% an all-time high o+ 823#o;#d on o n##ding #so"ution. )here are #83200 appeals pen%ing an% 253000 claim-a%Lustment cases Caiting= )he numbers arehigh because o+ the attention pai% to neCly +ile% claims= *ta++ers ha:e Cor/e% a man%atory 20 hours a month o:ertime +or the last three years3 an% that isstill not enough to catch up= W)he problem is Ce Lust %onFt ha:e enough people to %o e:erything3Wthe %irector sai%= *ome 25 percent o+ the o++iceFs Cor/loa% is cases shi+te% to Cle:elan% +rom at least +i:e otherregional o++ices outsi%e 5hio= )o%% 4eber3 the assistant %irector sai%3 W)he reason CeFre Cor/ingother peopleFs cases is because CeFre e++icient3 an% Ce ha:e a high-Suality Cor/ +orce=W )hecase-shu++lingcoul%getCorseChenaneCnationalCor/allocationsystemisa%opte%in,o:ember= 5hio cases still Coul% get priority= Recommen%ations +or more training3 monitoring an% other correcti:e measures are beingimplemente% to a%%ress the 7nspector DeneralFs report that cite% inaccurate an% incorrectprocessing o+ claim areas that resulte% in improper payments= (ilons sai% *en= $roCnFs concerns must be a%%resse%= Ae hopes to Sua%ruple the siEe o+ the teamhan%ling a%Lustment claims3 an% %ouble the siEe o+ the appeals team= A!tions und# !onsid#+tion. )he o++ice inten%s to ramp up a campaign %emonstrating to :eterans that an appeal o+ a %enie%claimmaynotbethebestcourseo+action=- reSuest+orreconsi%erationorsimplypro:i%ingmissing in+ormation may be the Cay to go= )heclaim-appealstopicCill bea%%resse%inaserieso+9--pro%uce%instructional :i%eosonIou)ube3e>plaining to :eterans in laymanFs terms hoC to +ile claims Cith the best chance +orappro:al= )heo++ice mayput moreo+ itssta++ in 9- me%icalcenters across the stateto assist:ets Cithclaims an% bene+it problems= *atellite outpatient clinics Coul% be eSuippe% Cith telecon+erenceeSuipment so :ets can %eal %irectly Cith claims Cor/ers at the regional o++ice= *umming it upQW7tFs been a hec/ o+ a +irst year3 but it loo/s to be success+ul3W sai% (ilons3 nearing his+irst anni:ersary as %irector= W4eFre %oing some goo% stu++ nationally3 as Cell= W)he message Ce Cant topass on to :eterans is that Ce care= 7tFs not as a%:ersarial as people Cill try to ma/e it out to be= Part o+ ourcore :alues is a%:ocacy= )hatFs Chat Ce %o +or a li:ing=W [*ourceQ )he Plain "ealer 0 $rian -lbrecht3 0-ugust imately &.03000 +rom the 9- o:er the course o+ an estimate% three year perio%=*CartE Cas arreste% this morning a+ter being in%icte% by a +e%eral gran% Lury the %ay be+ore=)he chargingstatute pro:i%es a sentence o+ no greater than #0 years in prison3 three years o+ super:ise% release an% a +ineo+ &2503000=-ctual sentences +or +e%eral crimes are typically less than the ma>imum penalties=*entencesare impose% by a +e%eral %istrict court Lu%ge base% on the B=*= *entencing Dui%elines an% other statutory+actors= Bnite% *tates -ttorney Carmen (= 5rtiE an% Ge++rey Aughes3 *pecial -gent in Charge o+ the B=*="epartment o+ 9eterans -++airs3 5++ice o+ 7nspector Deneral3 ,ortheast 2iel% 5++ice3 ma%e theannouncement to%ay=)he case is being prosecute% by -ssistant B=*= -ttorney *uEanne *ulli:an Gacobus o+5rtiEHs(aLor CrimesBnit= )he%etailscontaine%inthein%ictment areallegations= )he%e+en%ant ispresume% tobe innocentunlessan% until pro:en guilty beyon% a reasonable %oubtinthecourt o+laC=[*ourceQ"oG B=*= -ttorneyHs 5++ice "istrict o+ (assachusetts 0 ,eC Release 0 Guly 2.3 20#5 @@]& )#ts &

A"ington N+tion+" C#/#t#0 U2d+t# 5@: EE2+nsion S!+"# B+!;-ne>pansiono+ -rlington,ational Cemeterycoul%bescale%bac/becausethecountyan%stateo+9irginiaCant tobuil%abus+acility3 accor%ingto*en= Gohn(cCain= (cCainsent aletter to-rmy*ecretaryGohn(cAughon4e%nes%aycallingthe possibilityTshame+ulU an%urgingthe ser:ice toma>imiEe the number o+ plots in the proLect= )he national cemetery coul% reach capacity Cithin a %eca%ean% is encouraging cremations an% en+orcing strict burial regulations to sa:e space= $ut the ,a:y -nne>+acility that once o:erloo/e% the Pentagon has been %emolishe% an% o++ers an opportunity +or an a%%itional!3600 internment sites= T7t Coul% be shame+ul to ha:e to tell the +amily o+ a +allen -merican hero that thereis no space a:ailable at -rlington ,ational Cemetery3 because rather than e>pan% its groun%s3 -rlingtonCountyan%the9irginia"epartment o+ )ransportation%eci%e%tobuil%a bus maintenance +acility3U(cCain Crote in a copy o+ the letter to (cAugh share% Cith me%ia= he county an% state Cant to realignColumbiaPi/e3astate highCay3 ina Cay that lea:esspace +orthebusing+acility3 heCrote=-rlingtonCounty an% the 9irginia "epartment o+ )ransportation %i% not return calls +or comment= T-s you procee%Cith %iscussions on this matter b 7 encourage you to pursue a solution that ma>imiEes property +or thecemetery an% restricts incompatible use3 an% to use Chate:er tools a:ailable to you to ensure this outcome3U(cCain tol% (cAugh=[*ourceQ*tars 1 *tripes 0 )ra:is G= )ritten 0 -ugust #83 20#5 @@]VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV)#t Un#/2"o0/#nt U2d+t# 0@: R#/+ins B#"o> I P#!#nt..)he unemployment rate +or the latest generation o+ :eterans mo:e% upCar% by more than a point in Guly3yet it still remaine% beloC ! percent3 go:ernment %ata shoCs= (eanChile3 the B=*= tac/e% on 2#53000 LobsinGulytopostano:erallunemployment rateo+5=8percent3 i%entical totheratecharte%thepre:iousmonth3accor%ing tothe $ureauo+ Kabor *tatistics=GulyFs6=!percent unemployment rate +orpost-'6##:eterans appears to be a big Lump +rom GuneFs 5=. percent= $ut such :olatility is common +or the statistic3Chich is base% on a :ery small sample siEe= *tatisticians suggest +ocusing more on long-term tren%s thanany one monthFs numbers X those long-term tren%s ha:e been unambiguously positi:e +or the countryFsneCest :ets=7n 20#0 an% 20##3 nearly e:ery monthFs unemployment rate Cas in %ouble-%igits +or post-'6## :ets= RatessloCly starte% %ropping in 20#23 an% that %ecrease has stea%ily continue%3 reaching %ramatic le:els thisyear= 7n e:ery month other than Ganuary3 the unemployment rate has hel% beloC ! percent X +igures thatCoul%ha:ebeenhar%toimagine+or most o+ themeasureFs history= 2or :eterans o+ all generations3unemployment Casat .=!percent inGuly3aslight uptic/+romtheGunerateo+.=.percent= [*ourceQ(ilitary)imes 0 Deorge -ltman 0 -ugust !3 20#5 @@]VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV)#t Do$s U2d+t# 1A0: Mi"it+0 Fi#nd"0 E/2"o0#s)he +olloCing list o+ military +rien%ly employers is base% on employers that regularly participate in (ilitary 5++icers -ssociation o+ -merica ((5--career +airs an% pro+essional %e:elopment e:entsQ!-;le:en 2ranchising-%:ance% Concepts an% )echnologies7nternational KKC-lion *cience an% )echnology Corp=-maEon-R;9- 7nc=-rmy an% -ir 2orce ;>change *er:ice$an/ o+ -mericaC-C7 7nternational 7nc=C-K7$R;Capital Port+olio (anagement 7nc=CA2( AillClearanceGobsCruise Planners"ell"epartment o+ 9eterans -++airs69-+or9ets"epartment o+ Aomelan% *ecurity)ransportation *ecurity -%ministration;%Car% "= Gones an% Co= K=P=;(C5R Do:ernment *er:ices;mporia *tate Bni:ersity;>+e%eral=com2e%eral "eposit 7nsurance Corp=27,R-2irst Comman% 2inancial *er:icesD;7C5AagerstoCn ((%= Community College)he Aenry (= Gac/son 2oun%ation +orthe -%:ancement o+ (ilitary (e%icineAome)eam 7nspection *er:iceAoneyCell )echnology *olutions 7nc=.5Aumana7nstitute +or "e+ense -nalysesGP(organ Chase 1 Co=?och 7n%ustriesK-"5 7nternational 7nstituteKa Ouinta 7nns 1 *uitesKei%osK(7Koc/hee% (artin Corp=(an)ech 7nternational Corp=(arriott(arsh 1 (cKennan Cos=(arstel-"ay KKC(ichael $a/er 7nternational,ational 7nstitute o+ *tan%ar%s an% )echnology,ational Kanguage *er:ice Corps,ational *ecurity -gency,;* -ssociates KKC,5R(- Droup,orthrop Drumman Corp=Peace CorpsPentagon 2e%eral Cre%it BnionPostal ConnectionsPrince DeorgeHs 5ne-*top Career CenterPrince 4illiam County Police "epartmentPro+essional *olutions KKCPru%ential Pen2e% RealtyPublic *er:ice ;nterprise DroupOuantech *er:ices 7nc=*cha+er Corp=*tate 2arm)e>as )ech Bni:ersity)ri%ent DroupB=*= -gency +or 7nternational"e:elopmentB=*= "epartment o+ ;nergyB=*= ;Sual ;mployment 5pportunityCommissionB=*= ,uclear Regulatory CommissionB=*= 5++ice o+ Personnel (anagementB=*= Patent an% )ra%emar/ 5++iceBni:ersity o+ Phoeni>B*--B*C (arshall *chool o+ $usiness9eterans Crisis Kine9olt 7n+ormation *ciences 7nc=4el/in -ssociates Kt%=4estat4estern (ichigan Bni:ersity47, Aome 7nspection`ei%ers ;nterprises[*ourceQ (5-- )ransition Dui%e 0 (ay 20#5 @@]VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV.6GI Bi"" Co""#g#s: Most Po2u"+ F*2019DroCth in the number o+ Post-'6## D7 $ill stu%ents continues unabate%= )he un%ispute% champ o+ the Post-'6## D7 $ill mar/etQ Bni:ersity o+ Phoeni>= )he +or-pro+it behemoth enrolle% some .'3000 stu%ents usingthe bene+it in +iscal 20#.3 accor%ing to 9- %ata= )hatFs more than tCice as many as the entire Cali+orniaCommunity Colleges system3 Chich came in secon%= Phoeni> also ra/e% in more than &8.. million +romthose stu%entsFD7$illbene+its3anumber nearly ashigh asthemoney ta/enin bythesecon%-3thir%-3+ourth- an% +i+th- most popular institutions combine%= ,os= . an% 5 on that list3 also +or-pro+itconglomerates3 each too/ in nine +iguresF Corth o+ D7 $ill money as Cell= Recent reports ha:e Suestione% the Bni:ersity o+ Phoeni>Fs mar/eting practices= 7n response3 CapitolAillFs +oremost +or-pro+it critic3 *en= "ic/ "urbin ("-7K has calle% +or an in:estigation= W)he Bni:ersity o+Phoeni>isa+or-pro+it companythat ma/esmucho+itsmoneyo++o+ser:icemembersan%:eterans3inclu%ing =2 billion in D7 $ill bene+its alone since 200'3W he Crote in a letter to "e+ense *ecretary -shCarter= W7n return3 the company o++ers %egrees o+ Suestionable :alue3 beloC-a:erage gra%uation rates3 an% astu%ent loan%e+aultratealmost +ortypercent higherthanthenational a:erage=WDarlan%4illiams3 theschoolFs :ice presi%ent o+ military relations3 sai% the school ma/es signi+icant e++orts to ser:e its militaryan% :eteran stu%ents Cell= -s part o+ that e++ort3 Phoeni> has a ser:ice Suality Catch%og %i:ision that listensto 8003000 tape% calls per Cee/ to ensure that stu%ents are gi:en accurate an% help+ul in+ormation3 he sai%=W4e ta/e it seriously3W 4illiams sai%= W7tFs the right thing to %o=W *till3 the %i++erences in cost can be star/= -mong the 50 most popular Post-'6## D7 $ill schools3 publiccolleges an% uni:ersities enrolle% slightly more stu%ents than +or-pro+its= Iet the +or-pro+its on the list too/in more than tCice as much money as the public schools= - notable e>ceptionQ 2or-pro+it -merican (ilitaryBni:ersity too/ in less Post-'6## D7 $ill money per stu%ent than many public schools3 let alone its +elloC+or-pro+its= 7na%%itiontoitsplaceasatop )- %estination3 theBni:ersity*ystemo+(arylan%3 than/slargely to B(BC3 Cas the thir% most popular uni:ersity +or Post-'6## D7 $ill users= 7n +iscal 20#.3 thesystem increase% its number o+ Post-'6## D7 $ill stu%ents by ! percent o:er 20#8 X yet simultaneouslyloCere% its inta/e o+ Post-'6## D7 $ill %ollars by 5=2 percent= - (ilitary )imes analysis o+ the top 50 colleges using %ata +rom the 9eterans -++airs "epartment +or+iscal 20#. is a:ailable in the attachment to this $ulletin title%3 TMost Po2u"+ GI Bi"" !o""#g#s. Fis!+"2019U=Bse+ul in+ormation +or anyone consi%ering using their D7 $ill bene+it=7t in%icates the +olloCingQ Ran/ing (both pre:ious an% current *chool or system Aea%Suarters or main campus *ector (public3 pri:ate3 or non-pro+it Ke:el (2-year or less3 .-year3 or "octorial D7 $ill recipients (number2or %ata on )uition -i% colleges re+er to httpQ66ec=militarytimes=com6charts6military620#56most-popular-ta-colleges httpQ66ec=militarytimes=com6charts6military620#56top-ten-)--by-ser:ice httpQ66ec=militarytimes=com6charts6military620#56tuition-assistance-%ecrease httpQ66ec=militarytimes=com6charts6military620#56metho%ology[*ourceQ(ilitary)imes 0 Deorge -ltman 0 Guly #63 20#5 @@]VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV)#t C#/+ins U2d+t# @0: 21 Int#n#d in Ut+1Ns )#t M#/oi+" C#/#t#0- group o+ 2# Btah :eterans Cill recei:e a +ull military ser:ice an% +uneral a+ter going +or nearly 20 yearsCithout a +inal resting place= )he (issing in -merica ProLect is honoring the :eterans Chose remains ha:e.!beenunclaime%inareamortuaries=)he# -BDser:iceCassche%ule%tobehel%attheBtah 9eterans(emorial Cemetery in $lu++%ale= ;le:en o+ the :eterans are +rom 4eber County an% the other #0 are +rom*alt Ka/e County= )Co :eterans Cho ha:e been in the care o+ +amily Cill also be inclu%e% in the ser:ice=5ne sol%ier has been in the care o+ a mortuary +or #< years= )he (issing in -merica ProLect has interre%23..# :eterans across the country since it began= Ce%ar City resi%ent Roger Dra:es o:ersees the proLect in7%aho3 ,e:a%a3 4yoming an% (ontana= W)o put it in the simplest terms3 Ce tra:el all o:er the country3going to +uneral homes3 crematoriums an% coronerFs o++ices searching out unclaime% cremate% remains3WDra:es sai%= W)hen Ce +in% out i+ they Cere :eterans3 an% i+ they Cere honorably %ischarge%3 Ce honorthem(Cithamilitary+uneral=W )hegrouphasestimate%theremainso+betCeen2003000an%8003000:eterans are still unclaime% nationCi%e= W)here is a lot o+ Cor/ to be %one3W Dra:es sai%= W$ut CeFre notLumping in trying to recruit armies o+ :olunteers3 because it has to be %one right=W[*ourceQBtah *tan%ar%;>aminer 0 Guly 8#3 20#5 @@]VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV'#s#t Sto/ M#/oi+" U2d+t# 02: *#+s A>+0 7o/ B#!o/ing R#+"it04ith the 25th anni:ersary o+ start o+ 5perations "esert *hiel% an% "esert *torm on *un%ay3 a memorial%e%icate% to those Cho ser:e% in the Car still remains years aCay +rom becoming a reality= T5peration"esert *torm6"esert *hiel% is the largest -merican Car o+ the 20th century Cithout a memorial3U sai% *cott*tump3 C;5 o+ )he ,ational "esert *torm (emorial 2oun%ation an% a (arine :eteran Cho ser:e% in theCar=T7Casoneo+theluc/yones= $uttherearealmost.00peopleCho%i%nHtcomebac/=UCongressappro:e%in"ecember20#.thecreationo+ thememorial on+e%eral lan%in4ashington3 "=C== )he+oun%ation hire% a +un%raising +irm a +eC months ago to help reach the &25 million goal thatHs nee%e% tobuil%thememorial3 ChichCill not use+e%eral +un%s= Constructioncannot beginuntil +un%raisingiscomplete%=4hilethemonument Cill bebuilt in4ashington3 thespeci+iclocationisyet tobe%eci%e%= )hepreliminary %esign o+ the monument loo/s li/e a hoo/3 Chich symboliEes Tthe strategy employe% in #''#to sCing aroun% the le+t +lan/ o+ the 7raSi army3U accor%ing to the +oun%ationHs Cebsite= AoCe:er3 the +inal%esign an% location Cill reSuire the appro:al o+ the ,ational Par/ *er:ice= 2or %eca%es3 Dul+ 4ar :eteranslonge%+oramemorialtoremembertheirsacri+ices[nearly.00coalitiontroopsXinclu%ing2'.B=*=ser:ice members X %ie%3 an% hun%re%s more Cere Coun%e%3 accor%ing to the +oun%ation an% the "e+ense"epartment=7n -ugust #''03 7raSin:a%e%itssmallerneighbor?uCait3 anactionthat Casune>pecte%bytheinternational community= 7n response3 an -merican-le% coalition launche% an operation compose% o+ nearly!003000 troops3 .!03000 o+ Chom Cere +rom the Bnite% *tates= )Co years be+ore in:a%ing ?uCait3 7raSen%e% its eight-year Car Cith 7ran3 lea:ing it Cith a huge %ebt= $y controlling ?uCait3 7raS Coul% ha:esigni+icantly increase% its share o+ the Corl%Hs oil reser:es= )he coalition %ro:e the 7raSi army3 then the+ourth-largest in the Corl%3 out o+ ?uCait in 2ebruary #''# in Lust #00 hours a+ter a +i:e-month buil% up= T)he Dul+ 4ar loo/s to%ay li/e something o+ an anomalyQ short an% sharp3 Cith a clear start an% +inish[+ocuse%onresistinge>ternalaggression3 notnation-buil%ing[an%+ought onbattle+iel%sCithcombine%arms3 not in cities by special +orces an% irregulars3U Crote Richar% Aaass in the 4all *treet Gournal= Aaassis the presi%ent o+ the Council on 2oreign Relations an% Cas a special assistant to Presi%ent Deorge A=4=$ush= *tump %escribe% "esert *torm as Wa turning pointW +or -merican society= -+ter the 9ietnam 4ar3 hesai%3 the country largely +aile% its :eterans3 treating them poorly upon their return to the B=*= $y contrast3those returning +rom the (i%%le ;ast Cere gi:en a heroesF Celcome= T5ur citiEens belie:e% [in themsel:es]again3W he a%%e%= W)hey realiEe% hoC they respect the military=W[*ourceQ(e%ill ,eCs *er:ice 0 eiaolan)ang an% -mina 7smail 0 -ug 083 20#5 @@].hibit o+ items le+t at )he 4all to be ma%e a:ailable online3 an%is representati:e o+ the .003000items le+t since )he 4all Cas %e%icate%in#'imately .3000 \ 63000 items Cill be on public %isplay3 selecte% Cith curatorial support +rom 99(2= W)his is a collection o+ the people3 by the people3 an% noC a:ailable +or the people to honor the ser:iceo+ all 9ietnam :eterans an% remember the sacri+ice o+ those Cho ga:e all3W sai% Gim ?notts3 presi%ent an%chie+ e>ecuti:e o++icer o+ 99(2= W)hese items tell an important story about the 9ietnam 4ar an% era=(a/ing these items a:ailable to the public is an important step toCar% buil%ing the ;%ucation Center at )he4all= 7/noCCebsite:isitorsCillbeaCe%an%mo:e%astheylearnabouttheseitems3 an%theyCillun%erstan% hoC magni+icent it Cill be to see .3000-63000 actual items on %isplay once the ;%ucation Centeris +un%e% an% built=WW*ince the 9ietnam 9eterans (emorial opene% more than 80 years ago3 +amily3 +rien%s an% lo:e% oneso+ the more than 5# M#/oi+" U2d+t# 09: S#n( Bo$ 'o"# C1+/2ioning E77ot (ost*atur%aymornings3 +ormersenator+rom?ansas$ob"olegreets+elloC:eteransatthesouthernentrance o+ the ,ational 4orl% 4ar 77 (emorial3 sha/ing han%s an% posing +or photos Cith a stea%y streamo+ :isitors= $etCeen as/ing the :ets Chere theyHre +rom3 Chere they ser:e% an% hoC ol% they are (T7Hm '83Uboaste% $ill Ao:esta%t= T7Hm going to be '2 on 28 GBK3U "ole replie%3 the +ormer presi%ential can%i%ateCas lobbying +or support o+ the beleaguere% ,ational ;isenhoCer (emorial= 4hen tour buses carrying:eterans +rom *an -ntonio an% -ustin pulle% to the curb3 :olunteers helpe% the el%erly men an% Comeninto Cheelchairs an% pushe% them into the (emorial= -s the :ets passe%3 young uni+orme% sol%iers3 touristspushing strollers an% :olunteers stoo% in the rain to cheer an% applau%= (any calle% out3 T)han/ you +oryour ser:ice=U Fo/# s#n+to +nd WWII ?#t Bo$ 'o"# Lig1tM- >1o s#?#d und# Eis#n1o>#- g##ts ?#t#+ns +nd touists +tt1# N+tion+" WWII M#/oi+" to t0 +nd +is# +>+#n#ss 7o + 2ossi$"# Eis#n1o># M#/oi+"( -t the center Cas "ole3 Cho Cor/e% the croC% li/e a can%i%ate on a campaign trail= "ole le% the e++ortto raise more than !0 million +or the pri:ately +un%e% 4477 memorial that opene% in 200.= ,oC hismissionistoget amemorial built +or"Cight "= ;isenhoCer="oleser:e%un%er7/ein7taly3 an%heconsi%ers ;isenhoCer3 a +elloC ?ansan3 Tone o+ the great -mericans=U 7tHs a :ieC3 he belie:es3 share% bymany 4477 :ets= T7tHs been #6 years= 4eH:e got to get it built3U he tol% Aarol% *hoc/ley3 '03 about thestalle%memorial tothe4477 general an%8.thpresi%ent= TAeCas our hero3Uhesai%to"elbert-rmstrong3 s 150A11: N#> H+/2s1i# )#t#+ns Mus#u/ < F+ud-Lu%gehas stoppe%ane++ort tobuil%a:eterans museumin,eCAampshire3 sayingits organiEercircum:ente%thelaCinhissi>-yeare++ortan%appearstoha:emisle%:eteransintopartingCiththeirmoney an% military arti+acts= ,eC Aampshire -ttorney Deneral Goseph 2oster announce% an inLunctionCasobtaine%against theorganiEationan%itspresi%ent3 Aenry)=Pratte= 7t barsthem+romcollecting%onations= T)his inLunction comes a+ter se:eral years o+ e++orts to bring the organiEation into complianceCiththelaC3U2ostersai%inastatement= T)he%e+en%antscommitte%numerous:iolationso+statutesconcerning the solicitation o+ %onations an% the composition o+ the boar% o+ %irectors= T7n this case3 it isallege% that the %e+en%ants maintaine% a Cebsite3 CCC=:eteransmuseumo+nh=com3that sought %onations tobuil% a museumacross +romthe,eC Aampshire 9eterans Cemetery3 onlan% they %i%notoCn3+oranorganiEation that ha% not obtaine% ta> e>empt status= )he complaint also claims that Pratte +ile% a +alsereport claiming that the organiEation +iel%e% a +ull boar% o+ %irectors=)he or%er3 announce% ## -BD3en%s the 9eterans (useum o+ ,eC Aampshire=7t also or%ers organiEerAenry Pratte o+ (anchester to pay a penalty an% to a :eteran Cho ga:e money= Pratte alsois barre% +or #0 years +rom in:ol:ement Cith any ,eC Aampshire charitable organiEation= ;arlier this year3a Lu%ge grante% 2osterFs reSuest +or a temporary inLunction an% or%ere% Pratte to %etail all +un%s collecte%an% spent on behal+ o+ the museum since 200'= )he state says Pratte allege%ly Cas see/ing %onations +oryears Cithout registering the charity= - phone number coul% not be +oun% +or Pratte=[*ourceQ-P 0 -ugust##3 20#5 @@] VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV)#t#+n N#>s 150A12: Con?i!t#d Es2ion+g# )#t Cu#nt St+tusCon:icte% national security lea/er Chelsea (anning coul% be place% in solitary con+inement in%e+initely+or allege%ly :iolating prison rules by ha:ing a copy o+ 9anity 2air Cith Caitlyn Genner on the co:er an% ane>pire% tube o+ toothpaste3 among other things3 her laCyer sai% #2 -BD= )he +ormer intelligence analyst3+ormerly /noCn as $ra%ley (anning3 Cas con:icte% in 20#8 o+ espionage an% other o++enses +or sen%ingmore than !003000 classi+ie% %ocuments Chile Cor/ing in 7raS= *he is ser:ing a 85-year sentence at themilitary prison at 2ort Kea:enCorth3 +or lea/ing reams o+ Car logs3 %iplomatic cables an% battle+iel% :i%eoto the anti-secrecy Cebsite 4i/iKea/s in 20#0=5.C1#"s#+ M+nning- 7o/#"0 ;no>n +s A/0 P?t( B+d"#0 M+nning- +s s1# "#+?#s + /i"it+0 !out Dun# 8- 2012+t Ft( M#+d#- MdAer attorney3 ,ancy Aollan%er3 sai% an #< -BD hearing is set at the 2ort Kea:enCorth prison +or thetransgen%er -rmy pri:ate= )he hearing be+ore a three-person panel is close%3 although (anning has as/e%that it be public= W)his is li/e prison %isciplinary in+ractions in a ci:ilian prison an% there Cill be a hearing3but +ran/lyit loo/stomeli/eharassment3WAollan%ersai%= )hemilitaryha%noimme%iatecomment4e%nes%ay= )heprisoncharges inclu%epossessiono+ prohibite%propertyinthe+ormo+ boo/s an%magaEines Chile un%er a%ministrati:e segregation[ me%icine misuse o:er the toothpaste[ %isor%erly con%uct+or sCeeping+oo%ontothe+loor[ an%%isrespect= -ll relatetoallege%con%uct onGuly2an%'= )hema>imum penalty (anning coul% +ace is in%e+inite solitary con+inement= W7t is not uncommon in prisons to ha:e charges that to the rest o+ us seem to be absur%3W Aollan%er sai%=WPrisons are :ery controlle% en:ironments an% they try to /eep them :ery controlle% an% sometimes in thatcontrol they really go too +ar an% 7 thin/ that this is going too +ar=W Aollan%er is particularly trouble% by the+act that (anningFs rea%ing material Cas ta/en aCay +rom her3 inclu%ing a no:el about transgen%er issues3theboo/WAac/er3 Aoa>er3 4histlebloCer3 *pyX)he(any2aceso+ -nonymous3Wtheboo/W7am(alala3W an issue o+ Cosmopolitan magaEine containing an inter:ieC Cith (anning an% the B=*= *enatereport on C7- torture= W)here is certainly no security ris/3 an% that coul% impinge on her +ree speech rightsan% attempt to silence her3W she sai%=[*ourceQ)he -ssociate% Press 0 Ro>ana Aegeman 0 -ugust #23 20#5@@]VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV)#t#+n N#>s 150A1@WWII )#t B"u7od S/it1 '#ni#d B#n#7its9eteran $lu+or% W$u%%yW *mith3'23 has been %enie% bene+its an% tol% to pay his oCn me%ical bills=Ae hasa picture o+ himsel+ Catching AitlerHs $ergho+ house burn3 an autographe% picture he recei:e% +rom ?ingKeopol% o+ $elgium an% he appears in pictures in 4orl% 4ar 77 history boo/s3 yet '2-year ol% $lu+or%T$u%%yU *mith o+ 2loy% County has been %enie% bene+its +rom the 9eterans -%ministration because hecanHt pro:e he ser:e% %uring 4orl% 4ar 77= *mith came Cith Aouse *pea/er Dreg *tumbo an% testi+ie%be+ore the 7nterim Goint Committee 5n 9eterans3 (ilitary -++airs an% Public Protection about a problem+acing many :eterans= 55 - #'!8 +ire in the ,ational Personnel Recor%s in *t= Kouis %estroye% appro>imately #6-#< millionmilitary personnel +iles that a++ecte% -rmy :eterans %ischarge% +rom ,o:= #3 #'#2to Gan= #3 #'60 an% -ir2orce :eterans %ischarge% +rom *ept= 253 #'.! to Gan= #3 #'6.= -ccor%ing to the ,ational -rchi:e at *t=Kouis3 no %uplicates Cere e:er ma%e= *mith tol% laCma/ers his company ser:e% in the #06th Cal:ary as theright +lan/ in PattonHs -rmy +rom 2rance to -ustria3 has seen 26! %ays o+ combat3 remembers the beacheso+ ,orman%y but has been re% +lagge% by the "epartment o+ 9eterans -++airs in the Auntington 4=9a=3 9-Aospital because it has no recor% o+ his military ser:ice= *tumbo sai% *mith still ser:es as an ;() an% ne:er tol% him about the e>perience= Ae learne% about it+rom ban/ employee3 )ina (ills in (artin3 Cho ha% helpe% *mith o:er the years Cith his account an%+oun% a copy o+ his -rmy %ischarge papers= T7H:e /noCn $u%%y *mith literally all o+ my li+e= ,ot only has$u%%y *mith ser:e% his country Cell3 he has certainly ser:e% his community Cell since he returne% +romthe Car3U *tumbo sai%= T4e recently learne% about his plight Cith the 9eterans -++airs= )here Cas an issueabout Chether he ha% actually ser:e%=U *tumbo sai% he thought *mith shoul% tell his story to she% light onthe problems o+ +e%eral bureaucracy Cith other aging :eterans= *ince contacting ?entuc/y "epartment o+9eterans -++airs Commissioner Aeather 2rench Aenry3 *tumbo sai% ?"9- personnel thin/ they can gethim on the right path= *mith tol% )he *tate Gournal he has pai% on me%ical bills +or more than .0 years= 2rom a '3000hospital bill a+ter an aneurysm Cith a &8.3000 helicopter ri%e +or a me%ical emergency3 *mith sai% he hasbeen paying them a little at a time= T7 go to the 9- in Prestonsburg an% sit +or hal+ an hour3 7 get up to thehelp %es/ an% the la%y tol% me she canHt help because 7 ha% been re% +lagge% in Auntington3U *mith sai%= T7ha% to go to AaEar% an% they too/ one o+ my toes o++ (+rom an in+ection an% they charge% me &223000=)hey o++ere% that 7 coul% pay that at &25 a month an% 7 counte% up it ta/es #! an% hal+ years to pay that o++an% 7Hm right noC '2 years ol% so 7 %onHt /noC i+ 7 can get you pai% o++ or not=U*en= Gulian Carroll o++ere%that members o+ the Deneral -ssembly Coul% gla%ly sign letters in%i:i%ually on *mithHs behal+ saying thathe ser:e% honorably an% the +e%eral go:ernment oCes him= [*ourceQ 2ran/+ort ?I *tate Gournal 0 $ra%$oCman 0 -ugust #83 20#5 @@]VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVWWII WA)ES U2d+t# 01: Hi"d+ N#>so/Ns Sto0-t Lust 28 years ol%3 Ail%a ,eCsom Cas outrage% Chen Pearl Aarbor Cas bombe% by the Gapanese an% +eltobligate% to contribute to the Car e++orts= -ll military branches Cere loo/ing +or recruiters at the time but,eCsomHs chance came in Guly#'.2 Chen the ,a:y+orme% the 4omen -ccepte% +or 9olunteer;mergency*er:ice3or 4-9;*= )he 4-9;* alloCe% Suali+ie% Comen to ta/estatesi%e Lobs3,eCsom56e>plaine%3 +reeing men +or sea %uty= T7 Loine% because o+ Pearl Aarbor3U she sai%3 Cith tears in her eyes= T7CasnHt in any %anger but 7 Cas Cilling to ris/ my li+e= -n% so many (other Comen Cere rea%y=UHi"d+ N#>so/# s#?#d +s + WA)E in WWII 2or +our Cee/s3 4-9;* in%uctees stu%ie% na:al history3 tra%itions3 marching in +ormation an% trainingin a%ministrati:e proce%ures be+ore choosing their particular specialty= -n% ,eCsom /neC e>actly ChatsheCante%to%o= 4iththe,a:y%esperatelynee%ingmoresailorsan%4-9;*3 Recruiter*pecialist8,eCsomtra:ele%eachmonthXo+tentimesaloneXthroughouttheDul+Coast3 e>plainingtoyoungComen an% their parents Chy the 4-9;* Cere so important= )he recruiter 4-9;* inter:ieCe%3 teste% an%assiste%applicantsinobtainingparental consent signatures3 birthcerti+icatesan%letterso+re+erences=T*ometimes CeH% get a postcar% sent to the recruiting station +rom a girl Cho Cante% to Loin an% (she ga:eher a%%ress3U she sai%= T7tH% be3 maybe3 Cay out in the country in Kouisiana or -labama3 2lori%a= -n% CeH%ha:e to get %irections3 an% theyH% say3 ZIou canHt miss it=H $ut Ce alCays misse% itcU 4omen ha% to be at least 20 years ol% to Loin the 4-9;* yet many times Chen the recruiters got to theirhomes3 theyCereun%eragean%nee%e%parentalconsent= *otherecruitersCoul%ha:etocon:incetheparents= (ostCere#00percentonboar%3 ,eCsomsai%3 butoccasionally3thereCoul%beparentsCho%i%nHt Cant to gi:e consent because their %aughters ha% li:e% such shelters li:es3 some ne:er ha:ing le+ttheir hometoCns= $ut this only ma%e ,eCsom +ight har%er to ma/e them un%erstan% the bigger picture= 7na%%ition to spea/ing Cith Comen an% their parents3 the recruiter 4-9;* presente% ra%io broa%casts3 CroteneCspaperarticlesan%ga:espeechesinane++ort togroCtheorganiEation= T;:erymetho%Cecoul%%e:ise Cas use% to bring in more recruits3U ,eCsom sai%= $ut recruiter 4-9;*H %uties o+ten Cent beyon%Lust recruiting= T7tHsamaEing=== hoCmanyun%erCeight girlsthereCere3U,eCsomsai%= T7rememberbuying bananas an% helping them get to a certain Ceight=U -+ter being in the 4-9;* +or nearly tCo an% hal+ years3 the announcement that Gapan surren%ere%began a Chole neC phase in the organiEation= 5ut-processing Cas the priority an% ,eCsom still ha% a +eCmonthsH ser:ice le+t= -t a recruiting station in Aouston3 ,eCsom an% others Cere e>cite% to hear the neCs=T4e Cere thrille%3 Ce Cere Loy+ul3U ,eCsom sai%= T4e Cere loo/ing +orCar% to getting bac/ home3 gettingmarrie%3 all that goo% stu++3 li/e going bac/ to college=U )he best part o+ being in the 4-9;* +or ,eCsomCas the close-/nit3 +amily-type relationships she +orme% Cith other 4-9;*3 Cho she re+erre% to as hersisters3 as Cell as bon%s Cith her superiors= T7Hm gla% 7 Loine%3 an% honore%3U she sai%= T4e Cere treate%li/e la%ies=U [*ourceQPensacola ,eCs *er:ice 0 (ar/etta "a:is 0 -ugust #03 20#5 @@] VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV5!OBIT < D+/#s M( 'oo1+n < WWII 20 Du" 2005Gimmy "oohan Cas born in $ritish Columbia3 Cana%a in #'20= "espite his portrayal o+ a *cottish engineerin the *tar )re/ +ranchise3 "oohan Cas actually o+ 7rish %escent= [Ae ha% an uncanny +acility +or accents=]Ae atten%e% technical school in 5ntario (his +amily ha% mo:e%3 Chere he e>celle% in science an% math=-tthe beginning o+ the *econ% 4orl% 4ar3 "oohan Loine% the Royal Cana%ian -rtillery= Ae Cascommissione% a lieutenant in the #8th 2iel% -rtillery Regiment o+ the 8r% Cana%ian 7n+antry "i:ision= AeCas sent to ;nglan% in #'.0 +or training= Ais +irst combat Cas the in:asion o+ ,orman%y at Guno $each on "-"ay= *hooting tCo snipers3 "oohanle% his men to higher groun% through a +iel% o+ anti-tan/ mines3 Chere they too/ %e+ensi:e positions +or thenight= Crossing betCeen comman% posts at ##Q80 that night3 "oohan Cas hit by si> roun%s +ire% +rom a$ren gun by a ner:ous Cana%ian sentryQ +our in his leg3 one in the chest3 an% one through his right mi%%le+inger= )he bullet to his chest Cas stoppe% by a sil:er cigarette case gi:en to him by his brother= Ais rightmi%%le +inger ha% to be amputate%3 something he Coul% conceal %uring his career as an actor="oohan gra%uate% +rom -ir 5bser:ation Pilot Course .0 Cith ## other Cana%ian artillery o++icers an%+leC )aylorcra+t -uster (ar/ 9 aircra+t +or 666 (-5P *Sua%ron3 RC-2 as a Royal Cana%ian -rtilleryo++icer in support o+ #st -rmyDroup Royal Cana%ian -rtillery= -ll three Cana%ian (-5P RC-2*Sua%rons Ceremanne%by-rtillery5++icer-pilots an%accompanie%bynon-commissione%RC-an%RC-2 personnel ser:ing as obser:ers= -lthough he Cas ne:er actually a member o+ the Royal Cana%ian -ir2orce3 "oohan Cas once labelle% the WcraEiest pilot in the Cana%ian -ir 2orceW= 7n the late spring o+ #'.53on *alisbury Plain north o+ R-2 -n%o:er3 he slalome% a plane betCeen mountainsi%e telegraph poles Wtopro:e it coul% be %oneWXearning himsel+ a serious repriman%= D+/#s 'oo1+n L+s Lt( C/d( S!ottM do>ning 1is 7+?oit# $#?#+g# on S2+!# St+tion BIStar Trek: The Original Series- S#+son 2- E2isod# 15- KT1# Tou$"# >it1 Ti$$"#sK

-+ter the Car3 "oohan got in:ol:e% in ra%io an% tele:ision Cor/= *tar )re/ Cas probably the pinnacle o+his 58-year acting career= 2olloCing his success Cith *tar )re/3 he supplemente% his income an% shoCe%continue%support+orhis+ansbyma/ingnumerouspublicappearances=-saresulto+hisportrayalo+*cotty3 "oohan inspire% many +ans to pursue careers in engineering an% other technical +iel%s= Ae recei:e%an honorary %egree in engineering3 an% Cas honore% Cith a star on the AollyCoo% 4al/ o+ 2ame in 200.="espite his poor health3 "oohan atten%e% the ceremony3 his +inal public appearance= "oohan su++ere% +romPar/insonFs %isease3 %iabetes mellitus3 an% pulmonary +ibrosis in later li+e= 7n 200. he Cas %iagnose% Cith-lEheimerFs %isease=5n Guly 20320053at 5Q80 inthe morning3 "oohan%ie%athishomein Re%mon%34ashington= Ais ashes3 f ounce (! grams3 Cere sche%ule% the +olloCing +all +or a memorial +light to space Cith #00others3 inclu%ingProLect (ercuryastronaut Dor%onCooper=Kaunchonthe*paceKo+t eKroc/et Cas%elaye% to -pril 2ygen mas/s= T4hen you get malaria3 you naturallyget sic/3U he sai%= T4hen 7 got sic/3 7 :omite% in my o>ygen mas/3 an% it cut o++ my o>ygen= )he ne>tthing 7 /neC3 7 Cas going aroun% in circles=U )he plane Cas out o+ control= Payne passe% out= T4hen 7 cameto3 7 Cas at about ico3,orth "a/ota3 Rho%e 7slan%3 Btah3 9ermont an% 9irginiaXpro:i%e no e>emption= T7tHs a no-brainer3U sai% Rep= $ob "ettmer= )he Republican chairman o+ the Aouse 9eterans -++airsCommittee in (innesota is +ighting +or ta>-e>empt military pensions= T(ost o+ them [retire% military :ets]are in their .0s= )hey are going to buy homes3 they are going to buy :ehicles an% buy groceries= )hey bringeconomic :alue to your state= )he s/ills they ha:e learne% through 20-pl