VFW Action Corps Weekly - June 21, 2021
 

VFW Action Corps Weekly - June 21, 2021
Re: https://www.vfw.org/advocacy/grassro...n-corps-weekly

1. Comprehensive Toxic Exposure Bill Introduced in House:

On Thursday, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs introduced comprehensive legislation on toxic exposure, the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021 or the Honoring our PACT Act. “The number one legislative goal for the VFW is comprehensive toxic exposure reform for all veterans, in the past, present, and future,” said VFW National Commander Hal Roesch. “The Honoring our PACT Act accomplishes that goal, and the VFW emphatically supports this bill. Toxic exposures affect veterans from every generation, and the time to act for legislation is now!” The VFW also supports the Senate’s comprehensive bill, the Comprehensive and Overdue Support for Troops of War Act of 2021 or the COST of War Act. Take Action and contact your senators and representatives and urge them to support these important pieces of legislation!

2. VFW Testifies on VA Budget:

This week, VFW National Legislative Director Patrick Murray testified before the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs on behalf of the VFW and with our The Independent Budget partners, DAV (Disabled American Veterans) and the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA). The hearing focused on President Biden’s budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs. “While VA has received increased funding levels, a persistent lack of regular oversight and IT development continues to negatively impact access for an increasing number of veterans,” said Murray. Additional hearing witnesses also called for robust oversight of critical education and employment programs within VA. Watch the hearing, which begins at the 15:20 mark.

3. VFW Thanks VHA Acting Under Secretary:

VFW National Commander Hal Roesch would like to publicly thank Dr. Richard Stone for the outstanding job he has done leading the Veterans Health Administration as Acting Under Secretary for Health. For the past three years, Dr. Stone has dedicated himself to upholding our nation’s commitment to providing an exemplary level of care for more than 9 million of America’s veterans. We thank Dr. Stone for his leadership in these unprecedented times, we wish him all the best in his future endeavors and look forward to fostering a close relationship with his successor, working to provide veterans the care they deserve.

4. Philips Recalls Specific Sleep and Respiratory Care Devices:

Last week, Philips released a recall notification for several of their BiLevel PAP and CPAP devices, such as DreamStation. Potential health risks such as headaches, nausea, and cancer have been identified with the polyester-based polyurethane foam that reduces the machines’ noise. Philips recommends that patients using BiLevel PAP and CPAP devices discontinue use and consult their physicians. Patients using life-sustaining mechanical ventilator devices should not discontinue use without consulting their physicians.

5. Take the White Ribbon Pledge:

White Ribbon VA is a national call to pledge to eliminate sexual harassment, sexual assault, and domestic violence across VA. Everyone regardless of their gender can participate. This awareness campaign is inspired by the White Ribbon organization, which is the largest movement of men and boys working to end violence against women and girls, and to promote gender equity and healthy relationships. White Ribbon USA and the National Association of Social Workers are partnering with VA to promote White Ribbon VA under the Stand Up to Stop Harassment Now Campaign.

6. MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced five burial updates and six new identifications for service members who have been missing and unaccounted-for from World War II. Returning home for burial with full military honors are:

01. Navy Fireman 1st Class Wesley J. Brown, 25, of Helena, Montana, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Brown. He will be buried on Aug. 28, 2021, in Smithland, Iowa. Read about Brown.

03. Navy Seaman 2nd Class Raymond D. Boynton, 19, of Grandville, Michigan, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Boynton. He will be buried on Sept. 8, 2021, at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Read about Boynton.

03. Navy Seaman 2nd Class Russell O. Ufford, 17, of Kansas City, Missouri, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Ufford. He will be buried on July 16, 2021, in Salisbury, North Carolina. Read about Ufford.

04. Navy Patternmaker 1st Class Stanislaw F. Drwall, 25, of Thomas, West Virginia, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Drwall. He will be buried on Aug. 5, 2021, in his hometown. Read about Drwall.

05. Navy Seaman 2nd Class Floyd D. Helton, 18, of Somerset, Kentucky, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Helton. He will be buried July 31, 2021, in Burnside, Kentucky. Read about Helton.

06. Navy Fireman 1st Class Malcom J. Barber, 22, Navy Fireman 1st Class Leroy K. Barber, 21, and Navy Fireman 2nd Class Randolph H. Barber, 19, of New London, Wisconsin, were assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including the Barber brothers. Interment services are pending. Read about the Barber brothers.

07. Navy Seaman 1st Class Warren C. Gillette, 21, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Gillette. Interment services are pending. Read about Gillette.

08. Navy Chief Water Tender Claude White, 40, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including White. Interment services are pending. Read about White.

09. Navy Seaman 1st Class Russell C. Roach, 22, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Roach. Interment services are pending. Read about Roach.

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Personal note: Welcome Home Men - You're families will now have closure - May you Rest In Peace - and Thank You all for your service to our Country
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Boats - VFW Post - 6448 (Dyer, IN) Life Member