Veterans' Legislation Passed in Congress

Received via e-mail from DAV National Legislative Director

Last week, on October 10, 2011, the House of Representatives passed five veterans bills, H.R. 2074, H.R. 2349, H.R. 2302, H.R. 1025 and H.R. 2433.

H.R. 2433, the Veterans Opportunity to Work Act of 2011, introduced by House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Jeff Miller (FL), offers college training to unemployed veterans. The legislation allows 100,000 unemployed veterans ages 35 through 60 to apply for benefits from the Department of Labor (DOL). Eligible veterans could choose to enhance their skills with up to a year of training for high-demand career fields. It provides an opportunity for unemployed veterans aged 35 to 60 to gain new skills by offering them a temporary education and training benefit. The program would allow these veterans to enroll in courses at community colleges and technical training schools. Education payments would only be payable to veterans enrolled in education or training courses that lead to an associate degree, certificate, or similar qualification, in a high demand occupation as determined by the Secretary of Labor.

To qualify for the retraining assistance, veterans must be unemployed; at least 35, but not more than 60 years of age; discharged from active duty service under honorable conditions; and ineligible to receive any other educational assistance from VA.

Approval of this legislation also makes participation in the Transition Assistance Program mandatory for most military service members. It would mandate that the DOL's licensure and certification demonstration project to identify and to eliminate barriers between military training and civilian licensure or credentialing for military occupational specialties. Enactment of the legislation would require DOL, in concert with state workforce agencies, to implement new performances measures to evaluate the priority of services provided to eligible veterans and mandates that Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program Specialists and Local Veterans' Employment Representatives' sole duty will be to assist eligible veterans in finding suitable employment.

DAV is pleased to support this bill as it makes important improvements to support veterans transitioning to civilian life, especially those who return with disabilities from their service and provides greater opportunities for training for unemployed veterans allowing them to improve skills, potentially leading to employment.

H.R. 2074, the Veterans Sexual Assault Prevention and Health Care Enhancement Act, introduced by Representative Ann Marie Buerkle (NY), is a comprehensive measure that requires the VA to report and track sexual assaults at its medical facilities and train employees on security issues relating to such assaults. The bill also includes provisions that authorize increased flexibility in establishing payment rates for nursing home care provided by veterans state nursing homes; improve rehabilitative services for veterans for veterans with traumatic brain injury; and clarify the use of service dogs on VA property. DAV supports these provisions in H.R 2074, under DAV Resolution Nos. 193, 184, 190, and 212 respectively.

H.R. 2349, the Veterans' Benefits Act of 2011, introduced by House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Chairman Jon Runyan (NJ), requires the VA to carry out a pilot program to assess the skills and training provided to claims processors at the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). The bill also authorizes VBA to use electronic communication to provide notice to claimants and limits its duty to assist claimants in obtaining private medical records under certain circumstances. The bill also reinstates criminal penalties for anyone charging or attempting to charge veterans unauthorized fees for the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of a claim prior to a notice of disagreement being filed with the Department of Veterans Affairs. DAV does not have a resolution regarding this particular bill; however, we are not opposed to passage of the bill.

H.R. 2302, introduced by Representative Marlin A. Stutzman (IN), directs the VA secretary to notify Congress at least 180 days before a conference sponsored by the Department that are at least three days in length, attended by 20 or more individuals and have an estimated cost of at least $5,000.00. The Committee, in its oversight role, wished to monitor such expenses more closely given the growing deficit, and scarce discretionary funding resources. DAV does not have a position on this bill as we have no applicable resolution.

H.R. 1025, introduced by Representative Timothy Walz (MN), provides honorary veteran status to individuals who served at least 20 years in the reserves, are younger than 60 and were never called to active duty. DAV has no resolution on this matter, but expressed our concern that, if passed, it may lead to misunderstandings by the public about those veterans who earned the designation of veteran and their subsequent benefits as compared to "honorary veterans." The DAV advised the Committee that if they did choose to move forward with this legislation then it should clearly specify that "honorary veterans" would not be entitled to the same benefits provided to those who served on active duty.

Now that these bills have been approved by the House, they go to the Senate, where they may be considered along with other legislation that the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee has approved.

The Senate passed S. 894, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2011, introduced by Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Patty Murray (WA), which would direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in the rates of veterans disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children.

On October 18, 2011, it was announced that there would be a 3.6 percent COLA for Social Security recipients next year. The Senate immediately and unanimously passed S. 894 to apply this same COLA increase to veterans' disability compensation payments. Earlier this year, the House approved companion legislation, H.R. 1407. Once the COLA legislation is sent to the President and signed into law, it will provide a much-needed increase for the 3.2 million disabled veterans who receive monthly disability compensation payments as a result of injuries or illnesses suffered in service to the nation.

The House and Senate must now decide which bill will be sent to the President before a COLA can become effective for veterans and their dependents and survivors.

A Fighting Chance Trailer

A Fighting Chance: Trailer 1 from PoetZero on Vimeo.

Check out the trialer above.  From the Fighting Chance website, "We are happy to announce that proceeds of A Fighting Chance are going to directly help the wounded warriors returning from Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world. We want to thank our partners at the USO and ESPN for all of your help, and of course, we want to thank the many men and women who have served and sacrificed to defend our freedom."

Resources for Veterans

This spreadsheet (shared via Google Docs) offers a comprehensive breakdown of websites and resources available to veterans and their families.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AlSK8PJPL2oMdF8tR0lPWGFzem9FTEJEVTVEUjhBWUE&hl=en_US

North Carolina Outward Bound offering tuition free courses for military veterans!

For over 20 years, Outward Bound has run wilderness expeditions specifically designed for war veterans. Outward Bound draws on the healing benefit of team work, challenge, friendship and the natural world, teamwork and challenge to help with transitions back into civilian life.

Now, through generous funding, this tremendous opportunity for adventure, challenge and self-discovery is available TUITION FREE to Veterans.

These programs are designed to be fun, fast and challenging. They are suited for those in good physical condition and are opportunities for Veterans to:

·         Take a break from their busy lives to challenge themselves in new ways,

·         Develop skills that will assist in re-adjusting to civilian life,

·         Candidly discuss obstacles faced by Veterans following wartime service,

·         Re-experience their strengths and find new ways to contribute to society,

·         Enjoy a unique and inspiring adventure surrounded by fellow Veterans in the beauty of the country for which they have fought. 

 

Visit the Veterans Web site for course options:  http://www.ncobs.org/veterans

GI Bill Updates

Student veterans studying online to get GI Bill housing stipend next month

By LEO SHANE III

Published: September 28, 2011

WASHINGTON — Student veterans attending online classes under the post-9/11 GI Bill will start receiving housing stipend checks next month for the first time, part of another slate of changes to the education benefit.

Late last year, Congress approved numerous reforms to the 2-year-old education benefit, including changes in the amount paid to students attending private schools and fixes to how certain National Guard members receive tuition money. Most of the changes went into effect Aug. 1, but a handful of less heralded but significant updates will take effect Oct. 1.  Among them are new rules regarding the housing stipend for online students. In the past, only veterans attending brick-and-mortar schools received a payout, worth about $1,300 a month.

Now, full-time online students will receive a housing stipend of $673.50 a month, half the national average of what traditional students receive. VA officials said those payouts will start automatically for students who qualify, and the first checks will arrive in mid-October.

The department estimates that 22,000 students will qualify for the new housing stipends. It is not available for active-duty troops attending classes, because they already receive basic assistance for housing from the Defense Department.

But, for the first time, the changes do allow for those servicemembers to begin receiving the program’s books and equipment stipend, which pays up to $1,000 each year. And VA officials said they expect about 40,000 more veterans to take advantage of new rules allowing the post-9/11 GI Bill to be used for non-college degree programs like apprenticeship training, correspondence courses and vocational rehab. Those programs were covered under other VA education benefits in the past, but the new changes will provide more money and housing stipends to those individuals.

Air National Guard “Band of the South” Performs in Pack Square Park

For Immediate Release:  May 27, 2011

Contact: Ruth Planey, Pack Square Park Conservancy

828-252-2300    rplaney@packsquarepark.org

Air National Guard “Band of the South” Performs in Pack Square Park

Asheville, NC - Enjoy an evening of patriotic songs, toe tapping marching tunes and some good old rock'n'roll when the Air National Guard “Band of the South” performs in Asheville’s Pack Square Park on Friday, June 10th at 7 P.  The “Band of the South” is the official musical performing arm of the Georgia Air National Guard.  The concert is brought to you by Pack Square Park Conservancy and is free and open to the public - rain or shine.  Bring a picnic or dine on burgers and dogs grilled by the chefs of American Legion Post 526 while you listen to songs that salute America’s varied musical traditions. 

Thanks to an anonymous donor and the help of the sponsors - the Mountain Xpress, Earth Fare, Classic Event Rental and Able Rent-A-Jon, Pack Square Park Conservancy is able to bring concerts like this and other diverse entertainment and programs to the Pack Square Park for the enjoyment of the entire community.

All members of the band are traditional guardsmen, serving one weekend a month, two weeks during the year and at other times when called to duty.  The band strives to musically exemplify the Air Force values of excellence, integrity, and service above self.  Under the direction of Captain Alan B. McConnell, the Band of the South averages fifty performances a year, and performs regularly throughout its primary area of responsibility (Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and the Carolinas) as “Goodwill Ambassadors” for the Georgia Air National Guard.

Throughout the years, the band’s reputation has led to requests to perform all over America, the Azores Islands, Norway, and the Dominican Republic. The band has played for many notable figures, including President Harry S. Truman and the president of Tanzania, 4-star generals, and has serenaded dignitaries from mayors and congressmen, to governors and presidents.

In addition to the concert band, the Air National Guard “Band of the South” contains several ensemble groups, including a ceremonial band, Eagles’ Flight jazz ensemble, a rock/pop ensemble known as Sound Barrier, and more.  Choosing the best music to showcase their instruments and voices, each group zeros in on a facet of America’s musical heritage.

For more information about the concert please call Pack Square Park Conservancy at 828-252-2300.  To learn more about Pack Square Park Conservancy please visit www.packsquarepark.org.

For photos visit the band’s website:  http://www.bandofthesouth.ang.af.mil/photos/media_view.asp?id=450747.

Memorial Day 2011

ASHEVILLE - The City of Asheville Mayor’s Committee for Veterans Affairs, in conjunction with Buncombe County, will host the annual Memorial Day ceremony at the Roger McGuire Green in the Pack Square Park (in front of City Hall) at 3 p.m. on May 30.

The event highlights will include the Presentation of Colors by the Buncombe County Honor Guard, Recognitions of Service by Buncombe County Vice-Chairman Bill Stanley and Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy, musical performances by Rockell and Taylor Whiteside and Betty Jackson, the official gifting of the WNC Veteran’s Memorial to the City of Asheville and Buncombe County, and a 21-Gun Salute by Asheville Police Department Honor Guard.  The program is expected to last approximately one hour and will be emceed by Matt Mittan of News Radio 570 AM.

The public is invited. For more information on the event, please contact Philip Kleisler at 828-232-4541 or email at pkleisler@ashevillenc.gov.