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New Policies, Women's History Month Event

Farmingdale Observer - 2/28/2018

House Holds Hearing on VA Budget Proposal: Recently, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs examined President Trump's budget proposal for VA. Totaling $198.6 billion, the budget includes a 5 percent increase in mandatory spending and an 8 percent increase in discretionary spending. Nearly 7,000 additional employees would be added-most being health professionals-while a little more than 600 would be added to work on reducing the appeals backlog. Major priorities for the budget include mental health care that would receive $468 million more than the fiscal year 2018 budget, the new electronic health record system that would be interoperable with the military's record and construction. The VFW joined its Independent Budget partners (Disabled American Veterans and Paralyzed Veterans of America) to express support for the increased funding for VA health care, IT and construction. However, the proposal also include a VFW-opposed plan to implement reductions to monthly compensation known as "COLA round downs." The VFW will continue to monitor the budget process to ensure Congress properly funds the benefits and services veterans have earned.

Hill Vets Recognize VFW Members: Congratulations to VFW

Executive Director Bob Wallace and VFW National Legislative Service Director Carlos Fuentes for being named to the Hill Vets top 100 list of most influential people in Washington. Hill Vets is a bipartisan, nonprofit group of veterans and supporters dedicated to highlighting the value veterans bring to policy decisions and to policymakers. Wallace is being honored for a lifetime of advocacy for veterans, service members, and their families. Fuentes is being recognized for helping to create and enhance good veterans legislation. Both will be honored at a March 29 gala alongside many other VFW members who are in the Top 100, to include White House Chief of Staff Gen. John Kelly, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, Sen. John McCain, and Rep. Brad Wenstrup, Don Bacon, Mike Coffman, Adam Kinzinger and many more.

DOD releases New Retention

Policy: The Department of Defense (DOD) released a new policy memo on retention of non-deployable service members. The policy comes as DOD reports that approximately 286,000 service members are medically non-deployable at any one time. The new policy requires that military members who have been non-deployable for 12 continuous months be processed for separation via administrative procedures or referred into the Disability Evaluation System. Members who have been recently determined to be non-deployable and are anticipated to remain so for more than 12 months can also be immediately referred for separation processing. The interim policy guidance, effective immediately, applies to all service members, with the exception of pregnant and postpartum service members, regardless of the reason they are non-deployable. Implementation of the policy will be open to interpretation by the military services, and questions remain on how this policy will be applied to wounded warriors, sole survivors, immune-compromised individuals and others. The VFW has sent a letter to Secretary Mattis expressing some of our concerns with implementation of the policy.

VA to Host Women Veteran Athletes for Women's History Month: VA will display the stories of 10 women veteran athletes through the month of March as part of their celebration and recognition of Women's History Month. "The women Veteran Athletes Initiative will highlight the strength, diversity and resilience of women who served our country," said VA Secretary David Shulkin. "With this effort, our goal is to increase awareness of women veterans, both in VA and in the public, and to encourage women veterans to choose VA to support their health and wellness goals." The 10 athletes selected represent every branch of service, and their stories of serving their country and then healing from disabilities, injuries and struggles with transition will be on display at multiple locations.

Veterans, Active Duty Personnel and Civilians: Three of our women veterans have moved out of town and our Post 516 is looking for more women veterans to join us, to complete our diversity and welcome you. Call our membership Chairman Bob Fullam for more information at 516-694-5539. Farmingdale St. Patricks' Parade will be held on Sunday, March 11, at 1 p.m. on Main Street. The Chamber of Commerce will march along with others. For a fun day come and march or be a spectator. We are also looking for veterans of all wars.