News from the Nebraska Veterans Coalition 1 July 2020

About the Nebraska Veterans Coalition

   

 Information addressed in newsletters and Twitter are linked to our Website.

You are also invited to our Facebook page with over 4,300 friends (Nebraska Veterans Coalition)

that contain many interesting topics.

Our twitter page @VetsCoalitionNE has our posts, and follows Nebraska Official State

Government, (Nebraska Departments of Labor, Economic Development, Veterans

Affairs),Omaha Chamber of Commerce, Nebraska Chambers of Commerce, Grow Nebraska ,

Nebraska Medal of Honor, Nebraska Tourism, Nebraska Business Development Center, Lincoln

Journal, MOAA, Navy Times, Army Times, USO, Military.com, Military Times, Stars and

Stripes, Institute for Career Advancement Needs, Nebraska Small Business Administration, and

those from other informative tweets.

The Nebraska Veterans Coalition (NVC) shall not have any liability for the accuracy of the information

contained in this Newsletter, or for the delays or omission therein. The NVC will not be liable for any

third-party claims or losses of any nature, including but not limited to direct, incidental, indirect, special,

punitive, or consequential damages. You are instructed to verify information located on this Newsletter

by third parties prior to its use. If any information located is found to be inaccurate, please contact us so

that the information can be updated.

Although all information is believed to be accurate, no information shall be warranted or guaranteed in

any way. All information should be verified before acting upon it and it is the user’s sole responsibility to

do so. The NVC reserves the right to remove or replace all information located on Newsletters found to

be inaccurate. All information or services provided are without warranty of any kind.

We never solicit funding or donations for the NVC, sell or provide information to third parties for

marketing. If you receive a solicitation for money notify us immediately by email.

To be removed from our email distribution, notify us via email and we will remove your name and

provide written verification that it was removed. Send suggestions to improve our communication

programs to nevetscoalition@outlook.com

Nebraska Veterans Coalition Website

http://www.nebraskaveterans.org/

  WHAT WE DO AND WHAT OUR GOALS ARE: UPDATE 11-1-2019The Nebraska

Veteran's Coalition is a non-partisan and/or a bi-partisan group. It was formed to bring awareness to

veterans about what is going on in the Nebraska Unicameral. To inform veterans of their elected

officials, and what the status legislation is pertaining to Veteran's benefits that are going through the

Nebraska Unicameral. See complete mission statement on our website

 

Army Ordered to Review National Guard Response to Protests

11 Jun 2020

Military.com | By Hope Hodge Seck

After more than 20,000 National Guard troops were called up to support law enforcement in 28 states and

the District of Columbia amid sometimes-violent protests, the secretary of defense is calling for a robust

review of how they carried out the mission.

The Pentagon announced Thursday night that Defense Secretary Mark Esper had ordered the Army to

complete an after-action review covering, among other things, the "training, equipping, organizing,

manning, deployment, and employment of National Guard forces."

https://tinyurl.com/y8j47yeb

As American Legion members

Buddy Check Event Toolkit

Free

Membership Publications

https://www.legion.org/sitesearch?s=buddy+check&fbclid=IwAR09XPSrnZzDMEm_iLGE33QoHF_PwrXpT

WzxshCpYUDWnhFR1oFbIJpeQbI

To download the Army Echoes newsletter:

1) Copy the link.

Current edition: https://soldierforlife.army.mil/Documents/echoes/latest.pdf

2) Do not copy the word "Caution-" if it's placed at the beginning of the

address.

3) When you see the security certificate warning appear, click on "ignore" to

proceed to the website. (The exact text varies from browser to browser.)

4) When prompted to accept or install the security certificate, click yes.

This will load the DoD website security certificate in your web browser, and

you will not see this warning message again.

5) Use your internet browser to save the edition to your computer or to print

it.

If you still have concerns, send the editor an email at ArmyEchoes@mail.mil.

Senate passes bill to give millions more veterans free lifetime entry to national

parks

By NIKKI WENTLING | STARS AND STRIPESPublished: June 23, 2020

WASHINGTON — The Senate approved a bill Monday to grant all veterans with service-connected

disabilities free lifetime entry to America’s 419 national park sites.

The Wounded Veterans Recreation Act, which now goes to the House for consideration, amends the

current eligibility standards for national park passes. The bill would grant the passes to millions more

U.S. veterans.

Now, veterans must have a 100% permanent disability to receive free lifetime entry. If approved by the

House, the bill would grant a National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass to any veteran with a

disability rating through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

According to a recent report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 4.7 million veterans, or 25% of the total

veterans in the U.S., had a service-connected disability in 2019. About 2.09 million had a disability rating

of 60% or higher, the report shows. The report did not specify how many veterans were 100% disabled.

For years, veterans and experts have praised experiences in nature as therapy for those suffering from

symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.

“Recreation in our national parks and public lands can be a valuable healing tool for veterans living with

physical and emotional wounds as a result of their service,” said Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont. “I’ll continue

fighting to make sure our legislation crosses the finish line in Congress.” Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Calif.,

introduced the bill in the House in November. "National parks can connect our veterans with nature and

increase their spiritual, mental and physical well-being,” Ruiz said at the time

.https://tinyurl.com/y7fclksp

Find Veteran-Friendly Jobs Search the largest free Veteran Job board to find jobs with veteran-friendly companies.

Find Upcoming Job Fairs

Learn Resume Best Practices

Brush Up On Interview Skills

https://www.military.com/veteran-jobs?fbclid=IwAR2TRak-xYJrUJy1wPgi-

vyehUDdYuZDhL9m8imc88PcWKrGvGNRE_yjDew

Van T Barfoot died... Remember the Guy who wouldn't take The flagpole Down on his Virginia Property awhile back?

You might Remember the news story several Months ago About a crotchety old man in Virginia

who Defied his local Homeowners Association, And refused to take down the Flag pole on His

property along with the large American flag He flew on it.

Now we learn Who that old man was.

On June 15, 1919, Van T. Barfoot was born in

Edinburg, Texas. That probably didn't make

News back Then.

But Twenty-five years later, on May 23, 1944, Near Carano, Italy , That same Van T. Barfoot,

Who had in 1940 enlisted in the U.S. Army, set

Out alone to Flank German machine gun

Positions From which gunfire was raining

Down on his Fellow soldiers.

His advance Took him through a minefield but

Having done So, he proceeded to single-handedly

Take out Three enemy machine gun positions,

Returning With 17 prisoners of war.

And if that Weren't enough for a day's work, he Later Took on and Destroyed three German tanks

Sent to Retake the machine gun positions.

That probably Didn't make much news either,

Given the Scope of the war, but it did earn

Van T. Barfoot, who retired as a Colonel after

Also serving In Korea and Vietnam, a well

Deserved Congressional Medal of Honor.

What did make News...Was his Neighborhood

Association's Quibble with how the 90-year-old

Veteran chose To fly the American flag outside

His suburban Virginia home. Seems the HOA rules Said it was OK to fly a flag on a house-mounted Bracket, but, For

decorum, items such as Barfoot's 21-foot Flagpole were "unsuitable".

Van Barfoot Had been denied a permit for

The pole, but Erected it anyway and was facing

Court action Unless he agreed to take it down.

Then the HOA story made national TV,

And the Neighborhood Association rethought

Its position And agreed to indulge this

Aging hero Who dwelt among them.

"In the Time I have left", he said to the

Associated Press, "I plan to continue

To fly the American flag without interference."

As Well he should.

And if any of his neighbors had taken a Notion to Contest him Further, they might have done well to Read his Medal

of Honor citation first. Seems it Indicates Mr Van Barfoot wasn't Particularly Good at Backing down.

WE ONLY LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE!

AND, BECAUSE OF OLD MEN

LIKE VAN BARFOOT --

In God We Trust

Providing Health Care for Veterans

The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care

at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying

complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.

VIDEO MESSAGES FOR VETERANS FROM VHA EXECUTIVE IN CHARGE DR. RICHARD STONE

VA is here for you during the COVID-19 crisis, even if you are not yet enrolled »

https://youtu.be/rfrqCshoKbc

Coronavirus Resources For information about COVID-19 and VA health care:

ACCESS AND QUALITY DATA Wait times, satisfaction scores, and quality comparisons for VA health

care facilities. Visit tool online at Access to Care »

AFFORDABLE CARE ACT Find out how the new health care law affects Veterans’ health care at

VA. Read about the Affordable Care Act »

Sign in to Manage Your Health Care

PharmacyRefill your VA prescriptions, track delivery, view a list of your VA medications and other

details.Read More

AppointmentsKeep track of your upcoming VA medical appointments and get email

reminders.Read More

MessagesCommunicate securely online with your VA health care team and other VA staff about

non-emergency information or questions.Read More

Health RecordsView, print, or download a copy of your VA medical record information, or enter

your own health information.Read More

Resources

Benefits

Veterans Health Library

Community

Mental Health Library

Community

Mental Health

Healthy Living

Health Living Assessment

https://tinyurl.com/yaja3y4h

PTSD: National Center for PTSD

We are the world's leading research and educational center of excellence on PTSD and

traumatic stress.

PTSD is a mental health problem that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-

threatening event, like combat, a natural disaster, a car accident, or sexual assault. It's normal to have

upsetting memories, feel on edge, or have trouble sleeping after this type of event. If symptoms last more

than a few months, it may be PTSD. The good news is that there are effective treatments.

Understand PTSD

Learn about symptoms, types of trauma, common reactions, and related problems.

Treatment Options

Read about talk therapies & medications proven to help people with PTSD.

Get Help Now

Find out about care near you and self-help resources for managing symptoms.

For Family & Friends

Help your loved ones with PTSD and find the support you need for yourself.

https://www.ptsd.va.gov/

Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs

VA rolls out simplified travel reimbursement system for Veterans, beneficiaries

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is rolling out a new system in July for

Veterans and eligible beneficiaries to submit and track transportation reimbursement claims using VA’s

secure web-based portal cAccess VA.are

June 29, 2020, 10:02:00 AM

Printable Version

Need Viewer Software?

https://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=5478&fbclid=IwAR25KYdXL9MNLtSN-q3TxR-

S2ucoRyUZ3QNrl7QwL5Ou31WMue1Z7IAiX_E

V-22 Osprey Fires Gatling-Style Machine Gun

27 Apr 2020 | Posted by Military.com

U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 conduct defensive weapon system training,

Apr. 23, 2020. The DWS is remotely operated and incorporates a gunner station, targeting sensor and the

GAU-17 minigun. Designed to provide suppressive defensive fire, proficiency with this weapon system

increases the readiness for the Marines of VMM-268. (U.S. Marine Corps video)

https://www.military.com/video/v-22-osprey-fires-gatling-style-machine-

gun?fbclid=IwAR3kH8Fx50fssw0HZHAn5t69Ryo8f9z2T4sw3g3VWQHCWQuUcSvJQD_kfzQ

Summary: H.R.5717 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)All

Information (Except Text)

Listen to this page There is one summary for H.R.5717. Bill summaries are authored by CRS.

Shown Here: Introduced in House (01/30/2020)

Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety Act of 2020

This bill makes various changes to the federal framework governing the sale, transfer, and possession of firearms and ammunition. Among other things, the bill does the following:

• generally requires individuals to obtain a license to purchase, acquire, or possess a firearm or ammunition;

• raises the minimum age—from 18 years to 21 years—to purchase firearms and ammunition;

• establishes new background check requirements for firearm transfers between private parties;

• requires law enforcement agencies to be notified following a firearms-related background check that results in a denial;

• creates a statutory process for a family or household member to petition a court for an extreme risk protection order to remove firearms from an individual who poses a risk of committing violence;

• restricts the import, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of semiautomatic assault weapons and large capacity ammunition feeding devices;

• restricts the manufacture, sale, transfer, purchase, or receipt of ghost guns (i.e., guns without serial numbers);

• makes trafficking in firearms a stand-alone criminal offense;

• requires federally licensed gun dealers to submit and annually certify compliance with a security plan to detect and deter firearm theft;

• removes limitations on the civil liability of gun manufacturers;

• allows the Consumer Product Safety Commission to issue safety standards for firearms and firearm components;

• establishes a community violence intervention grant program; and

• promotes research on firearms safety and gun violence prevention.

Sponsor: Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank," Jr. [D-GA-4] (Introduced 01/30/2020)

Committees: House - Judiciary; Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

Latest Action: House - 03/10/2020 Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. (All Actions)

Tracker: This bill has the status Introduced Here are the steps for Status of Legislation:

1. Introduced 2. Passed House 3. Passed Senate 4. To President 5. Became Law

Call or write your U.S. Congressional Representative to express your opinion

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/5717

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Women Veterans (CWV) News Update

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs sent this bulletin at 06/30/2020 09:01 AM EDT

06/28/2020 #VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran Marian Elcano 06/28/2020 11:31 AM EDT

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Marian Rebecca Sebring Elcano, who served as a nurse in

France, Belgium and Germany during World War II. Marian Rebecca Sebring Elcano’s family served in

the military since the Revolutionary War. [From VAntage Point] We honor your service, Marian!

Live Whole Health: Self-care episode #33 – The Guest House 06/26/2020 04:01 PM EDT

When’s the last time you read or listened to a poem? Many of us gave up poetry in middle school after we

memorized and recited that a poem for English class. But, you don’t have to be a poet or a dreamer to

enjoy how the written word transports us to a more peaceful place. [From VAntage Point]

Veteran Of The Day Army Veteran Sabra Lynn Campbell 06/26/2020 11:30 AM EDT

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Sabra Lynn Campbell, who served as an automated

logistics specialist from 1997-2014. During the time Sabra Lynn Campbell served in the Army, she was

responsible for processing orders as well as ordering, maintaining, and tracking classified and non-

classified high priority parts necessary for her units. [From VAntage Point] We honor your service,

Sabra!

VA Researchers Who Served: Dr. Molly Klote 06/25/2020 09:00 AM EDT Dr. Mary (Molly)

Klote, an Army Veteran, is the director of the Office of Research Protections, Policy, and Education in

VA’s Office of Research and Development. Previously, as an active-duty Army colonel with 30 years of

service, she oversaw all human research policy, education, and compliance for the Army through the

office of the Army surgeon general. [From VAntage Point]

Live Whole Health self-care episode #32 – Scheduling Pleasant Activities 06/24/2020 04:01 PM EDT

Anticipating a pleasant experience can increase our overall enjoyment of an activity. In the chronic pain

classes I taught at VA, we discussed the importance of scheduling activities we enjoy. There are several

easons why scheduling time to do things you enjoy is important, and one of these is what happens to our

bodies when we look forward to something. [From VAntage Point]

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVA/bulletins/293516e

Pentagon to Retirees: Plan Now for Tricare Select Enrollment Fees in 2021

24 Jun 2020

Military.com | By Patricia Kime

"Working age" military retirees -- those under age 65 -- who use Tricare Select for their health care will

start paying enrollment fees beginning next year, Defense Department officials announced Tuesday.

For the first time since the creation of Tricare Standard, now known as Tricare Select, retired

beneficiaries who joined the military before 2018 will pay a monthly fee for their health care: $12.50 for

an individual or $25 for a family

The enrollment fees do not apply to active-duty family members on Tricare Select or Medicare- eligible

retirees on Tricare For Life. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1001038876574340/permalink/3524244537587082/

Hello from the Nebraska Veterans Coalition.

If you are from Nebraska and are a veteran or a supporter of veterans, your support is needed to improve

Nebraska’s efforts to attract and retain veterans !!.. . We have been advocating for veterans with the

Governor, the Legislature and city/county leaders since 2014. We are urging the Legislature to make

additional efforts to attract and retain veterans in Nebraska.. If you are not registered to vote, please make

that a priority. We also provide considerable information to veterans on a wide variety of topics as well as

guide them toward agencies that can help them. We do not ask for, solicit or accept funding/donations for

our efforts.

If you are not already a member of our group of over 4.300 friends, please check us out on Facebook

(Nebraska Veterans Coalition) and ‘Friend’ us.. We also send emails to over 2,000 addresses, some of

whom forward them to additional addressees. We have created a web site,

www.NebraskaVeterans.org. You can read many of our informational postings there.

You can email us at nevetscoalition@outlook.com. to be placed on our email distribution list. . Please

forward this invitation to your friends who are from Nebraska, are veterans or support veterans

We would be pleased to respond to any questions you may have.

Check us out !!.. you will be pleased.

Respectfully submitted,

Ronald J. Dupell, CMSgt, USAF (Retired), Elkhorn, NE.

Dean Kenkel, CW5, US Army (Retired) Omaha, NE

John Stewart, CMSgt, USAF (Retired), Kearney, NE