Category: News

Service Officer Update (May 2024)

By Joseph Mesa

In 2023, several critical issues concerning veterans have come to the forefront. Some of the key areas:

Disability and Retirement Pay:
1. Last year, Congress passed a significant benefits expansion for veterans affected by toxic exposure injuries during their service.
2. However, the focus this year is on ensuring that veterans who suffered injuries while on duty receive all the compensation they deserve.
3. The issue revolves around concurrent receipt and the Major Richard Star Act.
4. Currently, veterans with a disability rating of at least 50% receive both their full military retirement pay and disability benefits. But those with a disability rating below 50% face dollar-for-dollar offsets, resulting in reduced payments.
5. The Major Richard Star Act aims to allow combat-wounded veterans medically discharged before serving 20 years to receive both retirement and disability pay, without any offsets.

Mental Health Crisis:
1. Veterans experience high rates of mental health conditions, including PTSD, depression, and substance use.
2. Suicides among veterans increased significantly from 2006 to 2020.
3. Innovative treatment strategies are urgently needed, and addressing mental and metabolic health simultaneously may lead to better outcomes.

VA Workforce Challenges:
1. The Department of Veterans Affairs faces a flood of new cases due to the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act(PACT Act).
2. Claims processors are strained, leading to workforce challenges and impacting veterans’ access to services.

Finally, all veterans, including those exposed to toxins and hazards during military service, are now eligible for VA health care. Veterans who are exposed to toxins or hazards during training or active duty in the United States are also eligible. Eligible Veterans can enroll directly in VA health care without needing to apply for VA benefits.

Surgeon Update

By Robert Lehman, M.D.

I wanted to let all the veteran members know of a long-term research program you can get involved with.  This is called All of Us, which involves a number of Medical Centers and universities, but for our purposes it is also partnered with the VA.  The goal is to develop a database of information on 1 million people that then can be anonymously accessed by researchers trying to correlate all sorts of genetic and other medical conditions. Your medical information will go into the database, but not your name or any identifying data.

The basic foundation of this is determining your DNA genome.  Whether your DNA might signal an increased (or decreased) risk of some current or future condition is unknown; that is the reason for the database.  I just heard of this program at a Legion meeting last week, completed the online registration, and had my blood drawn on the 26th, so I don’t have any first-hand knowledge of how long the results take to be sent out or even what those results will look like.  But it seems like an easy way to learn about my DNA for free.   Actually, it is even better than free as they give you a $25 gift card to your choice of Amazon or a few others.

To learn more, you can go to veterans.joinallofus.org.  You can then do the multiple modules to register into the program, including playing some “games” that check your reflexes, etc.  Or, after just registering a little bit, you can complete the rest of the process when seen at the VA hospital on Columbia.  Whether you do the full online registration or just partial, you can contact them directly at 206 277-1210 to complete the process.  I should warn you that it took me maybe 30 minutes to do all the online registrations modules, but it would take a lot longer if you waited to do it at the VA itself.  There is a last option after completing the online registration, and that is to have a sputum test sent to you to submit instead of going down for a blood draw.  I went for the blood as I knew it would give more information, but still the sputum is an option if you don’t have transportation down to the VA.

If you don’t have access to the online information, just call them at 206 277-1210 and they can answer your questions as well as send more information out to you if you wish.

Fundraiser a huge success!

We’re still basking in the glow of our VFW Post 3063 fundraiser dinner and online auction’s incredible success. The outpouring of support from each and every one of you has left us feeling both grateful and inspired.

From the mouthwatering delights and cherished moments at our dinner to the spirited bidding and excitement in our live and online auctions, your involvement has made a significant difference in our mission.

But our gratitude doesn’t end there. It extends to our exceptional volunteers, who include post and auxiliary members, families, friends, and the ever-inspiring Girl Scouts. Your time and selflessness have propelled our cause to new heights.

Together, we continue to fulfill our promise of fostering camaraderie, serving our veterans, the military, and our communities, and advocating for all veterans.

Thank you for being a vital part of our community and for your unwavering commitment to our shared mission. With your support, we can truly make a difference.

Commander’s Corner (October 2023)

By Alyson Teeter

Fall is here so that means we’re in the midst of Post 3063’s fundraising season. As the Seelig family knows, planning and executing a fundraising event is no easy feat. Please show up and support your fellow veterans on Oct. 21! It only takes 15 seconds to RSVP here so do it now. (So far we have less than 15.)

Here are a few events coming up this week:
Oct. 3 at 5:30 p.m. – Deployment care package assembly with the Fremont Rotary at the post
Oct. 4 at 3:30 p.m. – Public comment about the Memorial Stadium Memorial Wall landmark status; contact me for details.
Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. – Monthly Business Meeting

Another big item on our radar is the VFW’s Youth Essay Program. We have the high school level Voice of Democracy contest, middle school level Patriot’s Pen contest, and the VFW WA Department-sponsored elementary school level Youth Essay contest. Encourage your family, neighbors and friends to participate and submit their essays to the post by Oct. 31.

Looking ahead to next month, we’re in the early stages of planning a Veterans Day event at the post. If you want to help with the planning, let me know at [email protected].

Five and Five Discussion Group

Comrade David Tyner, a veteran new to VFW Post 3063, felt a deep concern for the loneliness that plagues many veterans. He devised a solution: the “Five and Five” discussion group. It launched Sept. 21 and provided a safe haven for veterans to share their military experiences without fear of judgment. Thank you to everyone who participated! Stay tuned for future Five and Five discussion group opportunities.