Top 10 Veterans Stories in Today’s News

From The VA

VA’s Open Government Plan

The Secretary Shinseki has released VA’s Open Government Plan. This plan outlines the Department’s path forward with regard to transparency, collaboration, and public participation. View the plan

Top Veterans Stories in Today’s News

1. VA emphasizes addressing mental health issues early Washington, DC – Close collaboration between Defense and Veterans Affairs department officials, plus proactive military screening policies are helping to identify and treat mental-health issues in returning combat veterans before they escalate into more serious, long-term problems, said the Veteran Affairs secretary. Secretary Eric K. Shinseki credited Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates’ leadership in addressing mental-health concerns early, before they spill over into the VA health care system.
2. Veterans torn on benefits Houston, Texas – Although some veterans are willing to share their stories, others walk across the UH campus unidentified and are treated like any other student. Engineering sophomore Anthony Martinez served two tours in Iraq as an U.S. Army infantrymen. His main roles were either as a radiotelephone operator or vehicle gunner. He enlisted on March 19, 2003, a day before U.S. troops were deployed to Iraq. Like many soldiers, he said there were pros and cons to serving his country.
3. Veterans’ group honors African Americans’ service Louisville, Kentucky – Tears were shed and heroes recognized when the National Association for Black Veterans honored military veterans Sunday at the UAW union hall on Fern Valley Road. The event was organized by Vietnam veteran Shedrick J. Jones Sr., Kentucky state commander for NABVETS, to give a formal, if delayed, welcome home to local African Americans who have served the country. Jones plans to make it an annual event.
4. Ohio Veterans Home gets $1 million award Sandusky, Ohio – The federal government has awarded $1 million to the Ohio Veterans Home for the tub room and nurse call system project, U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo, announced Friday. Funding came from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
5. Audit finds VA exam shortcomings Providence, Rhode Island – An audit recently released by the inspector general of the Department of Veterans Affairs found multiple shortcomings in VA efforts to provide timely exams for potentially service-connected disabilities. The audit findings included: The VA has not established procedures to identify the demand for medical exams and provide the resources for such exams.
6. Report Finds Gaps in Health Services for U.S. Veterans Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. government agencies need to do more to meet the physical and mental health needs of military personnel returning home from tours in Iraq or Afghanistan, contends a new report from the Institute of Medicine.
7. National Cemetery rededicated after renovation Alton, Illinois – The public gathered on Sunday for the rededication of the National Cemetery. Nearly 200 people, including veterans, elected officials, dignitaries and more, gathered around the impeccably lined marble monuments at 600 Pearl St. In recent months the cemetery has undergone renovations that include adding a new flag pole, improving landscaping, electrical work and repairing sidewalks. The War Department built the cemetery and the Works Progress Administration originally dedicated it on Nov. 11, 1941.
8. Illinois officials drop fee hike for veteran homes Quincy, Illinois – (AP) – State officials have dropped plans to increase monthly fees for residents at four veterans homes in Illinois. That’s according to letters from Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs director Dan Grant, which were delivered Saturday. The increase would have been about $400 a month. The letter says that Gov. Pat Quinn has directed the fee increase be postponed until further notice.
9. Holocaust Victims Remembered Locally and Worldwide on Yom Hashoah Weimar, Germany (AP) — Survivors of the Buchenwald concentration camp have been joined by U.S. veterans and German dignitaries at a ceremony marking the 65th anniversary of its liberation. The U.S. Army freed Buchenwald on April 11, 1945. Some 56,000 people died at the Nazi camp, including Jews, communists, Gypsies and others from across central Europe. Among those present Sunday was President Barack Obama’s great-uncle, Charles Payne, who assisted in the liberation of the nearby Ohrdruf labor camp — a subcamp of Buchenwald — as a soldier with the 89th Infantry Division. Obama visited Buchenwald last year.
10. 450 served by new VA clinic Bogalusa, Louisiana – The sky was blue, the sun was shining, and the American flag was flapping in a brisk breeze when a group of local military veterans, area dignitaries and veterans health care representatives gathered Friday to celebrate the grand opening and ribbon cutting for the Bogalusa Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic.
    The clinic first opened its doors on Feb. 1, 2010, and has already provided services for 450 veterans, said Retired Lt. Col. Jim Wheeler, vice president and director of veteran outreach for Valor Healthcare, which will run the clinic for the VA.