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Greetings!
Welcome
to the third installment of The American Legion Department of Florida's online
Weekly Update.
In
this weeks update we are discussing a wounded Iraq combat veteran getting a home makeover, the Tampa Athena Project that provides transitional housing for female veterans, the VA's new advertising campaign, Graduate Schools possible through your 9/11 GI Bill, and National News from Capitol Hill.
Our goal with this publication is to keep you informed on current events.
Each week we'll bring you updated information on current issues facing our
Veterans and military, our interests on Capitol Hill, and other important topics.
Please visit our website to see how you can be an integral part of the Nation's
Largest Veterans' Organization - The American Legion.
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Wounded Iraq Combat Veteran Gets Home Makeover
The "Orlando Sentinel" (3/7, Palm, 222K) reports,
"The house on Enclave Drive in South Orlando looks just like any other
suburban home, but hundreds of people gathered Saturday to begin the process of
making it special. The five-bedroom, three bathroom house is being renovated
for William Castillo, a U.S. Army veteran who was severely injured and lost a
leg in 2007 in Iraq." A project of the New York-based Building Homes For
Heroes a New York-based group that raises money to renovate homes that are
donated, mortgage-free to wounded veterans, the project was aided by
contributions from foundations begun by a local restaurant chain and a country
club. The group, which has thus far rebuilt seven homes nationwide, hopes to
finish one or two Florida homes each year.
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Tampa's Athena Project Provides Transitional Housing For Female Veterans
The "Tampa Tribune" (3/7, Morelli, 196K) reports on
the Athena Project, a program offered through Tampa Crossroads with financial
assistance from the VA, that provides transitional housing for 10 previously
homeless female military veterans. The current residence lacks room for
children, but a facility planned to open in a year or so would meet that need.
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On the Hill for Week of March 8, 2010
The Senate continues consideration
of a bill to extend expired tax provisions as well as other programs,
including unemployment
insurance, flood insurance and COBRA health care subsidies.
Senators are scheduled to vote on amendments Tuesday. The House reconvenes Tuesday to
consider a number of minor commemorative resolutions. Later in the week, the
chamber takes up measures to encourage debt relief for Haiti, to
expedite tax breaks for earthquake relief in Chile, and to set a timeline
for withdrawing U.S. troops from Afghanistan. The House is also expected to vote
to impeach Judge G. Thomas Porteous Jr.
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VA Begins Advertising Campaign
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced a two-month, nationwide advertising campaign to assist student veterans and service members applying for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. You might have already heard some of the radio ads urging veterans to learn about their education benefits. VA has also developed a hip pocket guide and checklist with helpful tips to assist veterans and service members in the application process. Information about the Post-9/11 GI Bill, as well as VA's other educational benefit programs, is available at VA's website, or by calling 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551).
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Graduate School Possible with Post 9/11 GI Bill
A provision included in the Post-9/11 GI Bill covers graduate-level education. The Yellow Ribbon GI Enhancement Program allows Post-9/11 GI Bill-eligible service members to attend a participating private, graduate or out-of state-university without having to pay the difference not covered by the bill. Participating schools voluntarily enter into an agreement with VA to fund tuition expenses that exceed the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition. The Yellow Ribbon program falls under the same guidelines as the Post-9/11 GI Bill. For more information about the Yellow Ribbon G.I. Enhancement Program, visit the VA Yellow Ribbon Program webpage.
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