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Greetings!
Welcome
to the fifth installment of The American Legion Department of Florida's online
Weekly Update.
In
this week's update we are discussing The American Legion finishing first in the Pepsi Cola Refresh Everything Project, The Defense Secretary's new rule on Homosexual Troops, a new comprehensive study on Vietnam-era women veterans, a new head injury evaluation policy, the DFAS urging retirees to update their myPay accounts, as well as The American Legion's ongoing commitment to ensuring that veterans and their families are protected.
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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The American Legion's Operation Comfort Warriors finishes first, winning $250K in Pepsi Cola's Refresh Everything Project
American Legion National Press Release
WASHINGTON
(March 22, 2010)
The people voted and the troops won. PepsiCo has officially announced that The American Legion's Operation Comfort Warriors will be awarded a $250,000 grant from the soft drink giant after finishing first in voting during February's Refresh Everything Project.
Internet voters were able to choose which of 729 competing charities would receive grants of $5,000, $25,000, $50,000 or $250,000. The top three finishers in the $250,000 category are receiving the grants.
"There are so many people to thank, I don't know where to begin," said American Legion National Commander Clarence E. Hill. "First, I want to thank Pepsi and its charitable Global Giving Foundation. Then I want to thank The American Legion members, American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion members and Legion Riders who supported us by spreading the word and voting. In fact, I want to thank everybody who voted for Operation Comfort Warriors. This was truly a national grassroots effort. Most of all, I want to thank our troops, who go into harm's way for us every day. It is their sacrifice that makes it possible for us to enjoy the freedoms we all share."
Read More >>>
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Defense Secretary Changes Rules on Homosexual Troops
NAUS Weekly Release
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates issued revisions Thursday to the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy regarding homosexual conduct in the military. In basic, the Secretary eased the ban on open homosexuality by modifying what constitutes "credible information" and "reliable persons" reports. Under the new rules, which take effect immediately, an investigation would no longer begin on the basis of a third party, anonymous complaint. Information would now have to be provided under oath and commanders are urged to discourage hearsay reports on suspected homosexual activity. In addition, the initiation of a fact-finding inquiry or separation proceeding is raised to a general or flag officer in the service member's chain of command. Read More >>> |
New Comprehensive Study on Vietnam-era Women Veterans
VA&R Bulletin
On November 18th, 2009 the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that they will be initiating a comprehensive study on Vietnam-era women veterans. The study will assess women veterans who may have had direct or indirect exposure to trauma. From the assessment, researchers are hoping to answer how many women developed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or depression after their service. In addition, they would like to determine how many are still coping with those conditions and are those conditions prevalent among those who served. Read More >>> |
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The American Legion: "We are 100 percent committed to ensuring that veterans and their families are protected"
American Legion National Press Release
 WASHINGTON
(March 22, 2010)
"I have been assured personally by the President, Secretary of Defense, VA Secretary, Speaker of the House, Majority Leaders, and numerous other Senators and Representatives - as has National Commander David Rehbein before me - that nothing in the national health care reform legislation will change current DoD and VA health care eligibility or practices," said The American Legion National Commander Clarence E. Hill concerning the outcome of the health care vote on Sunday.
"As late as 9 pm last evening, I was on the telephone with House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and we spoke candidly about The American Legion's concerns. Based on that conversation, the transcripts of hearings, assurances from the President and Secretary themselves, I am 100 percent confident that Congress will act responsibly as regards the nation's veterans and their families," Hill said.
Read More >>>
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New Head Injury Evaluation Policy
NAUS Weekly Release
Defense Department officials expect to launch a new policy in the coming months that will make head-injury evaluations mandatory for all service members who may have concussions. Under the new policy, every service member exposed to such an incident will be required to seek attention. Troops will be required to rest and will be excluded from their unit's mission cycle for at least 24 hours. Line medics and Navy corpsmen can give the evaluation on the spot in about 10 to 15 minutes without troops having to be transported to a field hospital. For more information on traumatic brain injury, visit the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury website and the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center website.
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DFAS Urges Retirees to Update myPay Accounts
NAUS Weekly Release
If you have not updated your profile since the myPay security system was upgraded in November, accessing your pay records quickly may be difficult. Mypay users are encouraged to establish new login credentials, including personalized login IDs and passwords as soon as possible. With income tax deadlines looming, it is even more important to ensure you have access to your records. Avoid the last minute stress of missing tax documents by enrolling in myPay. With myPay you can log-on and access copies of your 1099R quickly and without the hold up of waiting for it to arrive via snail mail. Visit the DFAS website to establish your new login credentials, including personalized login IDs and passwords. Step-by-step instructions in both text and video are available at the myPay site and the DFAS website. |
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Need A Lift: The American Legion's premier college financial aid resource
The American Legion's nationally respected college financial aid resource covers topics such as:
- The student financial aid process
- Scholarship, grant, & loan opportunities
- Profiles of 4-year colleges & universities
- Web site listings
- Federal & state sources of financial aid
- Calculating your financial need
- Career information
- And more!
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