Veterans! Here’s your Top 10 Newsstories of the day compiled from the latest sources

We encourage you to browse our list so that you can take what you want and keep what you need

1.   Obama’s victory brings hope to supporters but questions on whether Washington can change.  America woke up Wednesday morning to a surprisingly decisive re-election victory for President Barack Obama, but also to the reality of a still-divided Congress, a still-fractured electorate and a country still anxious over serious fiscal and ideological battles ahead.
 
2.   What Obama’s re-election means for the military, veterans.  Even though Barack Obama has served as commander in chief for the last four years, his re-election Tuesday will mean significant changes for the military in coming months, especially in terms of defense spending.
 
3.   Researchers study colliding helmets in effort to reduce brain injuries.  Once cheered as the sound of a good hit, the loud crack heard on the gridiron when two football helmets collide is more often greeted these days by gasps, as fans recognize the potentially season-ending injuries such jarring impacts can cause.
 
4.   Veterans Day: A time of reflection for old warriors.  Evidently, some parts of a soldier’s experience never change. “If I could talk to a kid just going off to war,” said Frank Oliver, an 80-year-old veteran of the Korean War and a resident of Gig Harbor’s Peninsula Retirement Living, “I’d tell them, stay sober, watch out for those girls, and keep your nose clean.”

5.   Veterans and military job fair, fundraiser for homeless vets planned.  The Providence Journal  The fair is sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and its Rhode Island affiliate, the state Department of Labor and Training, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and others. Registration for employers and job seekers at the Hiring Our Heroes site.

6.   Haslam Recognizes 5 Veteran State Employees.  The Chattanoogan  Governor Bill Haslam and First Lady Crissy Haslam joined Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Many-Bears Grinder and Major General Terry “Max” Haston of the Tennessee Military Department on Wednesday to recognize five veteran …

7.   Local veteran Ness shares personal reflections for Veterans Day.  Spring Valley Tribune  The United States Department of Veterans Affairs states that Veterans Day “is largely intended to thank living veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that …

8.   Innovation At VA: App Offered To Hurricane Sandy Victims.  AOL Government  This is one in a series of articles about innovation at the Department of Veterans Affairs and part of a larger series on innovation at agencies across the federal government. A mobile app originally developed to aid veterans has been offered to mental …
 
9.   Manhattan VA Facility Remains Closed.  American Legion “In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, VA New York Harbor Healthcare System’s Manhattan facility remains closed.” But in order to “accommodate veterans’ needs, several phone numbers and programs have been developed to ensure the continuity of care for patients” who have been displaced by the closure. The website adds, “VA officials continue to assess the damage and no timeline for repairs have been established.”
 
10.  Civilian Population Should Have Access To Talking Prescription System.  Washington Times  “Sgt. Shaft” column says Veterans Affairs “mental health initiatives include two…public awareness campaigns designed to help veterans who seek mental health care assistance.” The Veterans Crisis Line and Make the Connection “campaigns have received 43 industry and association awards for communication and design excellence.” In commenting on the awards, VA Secretary Eric Shinseki said both campaigns “have been effective in helping us address two of our highest priorities – mental health care and suicide prevention.” An earlier item in the “Sgt. Shaft” column points out that VA and the “Department of Defense (DoD) are investing more than $100 million in research to improve diagnosis and treatment of mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).”

Have You Heard?

Caregiver Dad Says: “Stay Strong”

This is National Family Caregivers Month when VA salutes the brave family members and friends who are taking care of our Veterans. We are here to provide you with the support and services you need. Read the full story…