235 Years of Army Medicine

Big system:

This year marks the 235th anniversary of Army Medicine, beginning with the Continental Congress establishing a hospital department on July 27, 1775. This rudimentary medical support system, initially staffed by contract physicians holding no military rank, grew into today’s Army Medical Department.

via STAND-TO! – 235 Years of Army Medicine: Bringing Value… Inspiring Trust, August 24, 2010.

Brain Injury Funds Diverted and ???

This sucks – and it’s been going on for awhile.  What is really odd is that no one seems to ever get to the bottom of this kind of VA problem.  I wonder how much it has to do with the autonomy of the VISN directors?

A letter to Shinseki from Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., and Rep. Brad Miller, D-N.C., centers on allegations from a former VA physician who says he was forced out of the agency in retaliation for raising questions about money for brain injuries, the “signature injury” of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center reports 10 percent to 20 percent of troops with combat exposure there suffered concussions from roadside bombs.

via Lawmakers: Brain Injury Funds Diverted.

DoD Marrow Donor Program renewed

This is a great program – only takes a few minutes and we have a great kid at Fort Hood who was saved by it.  Now – we just need more people to sign up, especially all the non-white-bread types out there.  Unlike blood, marrow is matched by ethnicity and with all the cool combinations of people the Army makes, it can be tougher than normal to find a match.  Go to www.DoDMarrow.org to find out more about this program.

Lawmakers introduce bill reauthorizing bone marrow registry
Reps. Bill Young, R-Fla., and Doris Matsui, D-Calif., have introduced a bill that would reauthorize the national bone marrow registry. "The reauthorization will provide us with the opportunity to continue our efforts to increase the number of adult donors and umbilical cord blood units available through the National Program," National Marrow Donor Program CEO Jeffrey Chell said.  Hill, The/Healthwatch blog(8/10)

Unanswered questions about plans for military memorial

Got this message about a terrible fraud:

The Texas Attorney General is looking into documentation behind the United States Fallen Heroes Foundation.

What exactly is the United States Fallen Heroes Foundation?

Why does its founder use two names?

And is it a tax-exempt organization?

via Unanswered questions about plans for military memorial | Dallas – Fort Worth News | wfaa.com | Investigates.

Even military working dogs have their day

The most impressive aspect of the situation was the fact that Sgt. 1st Class Rudder was a labrador retriever trained as a specialized search dog, operating off of his leash up to 100 meters away from his handler, Staff Sgt. Rochan Turner. This dynamic duo has been working together for four-and-a-half years, placing them in countless situations similar to the one in Afghanistan.

via Digital Video & Imagery Distribution System.

VA Simplifies some forms

From the VFW newsletter (and this is good news, even if they have a way to go):

VA Removes Online Signature Requirements: The VA has removed the signature requirement for veterans who electronically submit an online 10-10EZ “Application for Health Benefits.”  The initiative will reduce the time it takes to evaluate online applications "by days, if not weeks," said VA Secretary Eric Shinseki.  Previously, veterans filling out online applications were required to print a copy, sign it, then mail it.  For additional information, go to www.va.gov/healtheligibility or call VA’s toll free number at 1-877-222-VETS (8387).  The online form is available at https://www.1010ez.med.va.gov/sec/vha/1010ez/.

Technorati Tags: Veterans,VFW,military

Blood Analyzers bring faster treatment in Iraq

The Maysan Provincial Reconstruction Team with support from Battery A, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, recently provided the Ministry of Health with six Beckman Coulter Auto Blood Analyzers.

via DVIDS – News – Blood Analyzers bring faster treatment in Maysan.

V thanks Donna

Two great Americans here:

Smith presented flags flown in Iraq

McGregor’s Donna Smith was honored recently when United States Army Captain Veronica Owens Jordan, 28, proudly presented her with two flags flown in Iraq.

Owens, who was a 2000 McGregor High School graduate, has served eight years in the Army in the 36th Sustainment

Brigade. She has served two tours of duty in Iraq, the first time for eight months and the second tour for 10 months. MGregor High School, I enrolled at New Mexico State University and joined the Army during my junior year,” Owens stated. “I was promoted to Captain in December.

I have served as a logistics officer and I plan to continue a career in the military in the National Guard.”

One of the plaques read: Let it be known that this Texas State Flag flew over the headquarters of the 36th Sustainment Brigade on COB Adder,Tallil, Iraq on Nov. 23, 2009 in honor of Donna Smith. In appreciation for your outstanding support to the troops of the 36th Sustainment Brigade, Task Force “Rawhide” during Operation Iraqi Freedom 09-11. It was signed by SM Elizabeth Shockley and Col. Sean A. Ryan. The second flag was fl own, also at Camp Adder four days later in honor of Donna Smith. Murphy McCardlel, Command Sergeant Major, and Marvin Johnson, LTC, LG Commanding signed this certificate.

Donna Smith and Army Captain Veronica Owens Jordan

Great, BLUNT Video here: Support Our Troops

“…support for the young men and women in uniform despite the mistakes of our politicians.” Dave Von Ebers:

VIDEO- Special BLUNT: Support Our Troops | The Political Carnival.

Veteran’s Friend

This is just a news release but the word should be spread about this great guy:

State Rep. Chris Turner Named Legislator of the Year by the Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars

First Freshman to Receive Prestigious Award

AUSTIN – Today State Representative Chris Turner was named “Legislator of the Year” by the Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).  With over 90,000 members and 403 posts across the state, the Texas VFW is the largest veterans organization in the state. The award was presented during the opening joint session of the annual VFW state convention.

According to the Texas VFW, Turner is the first freshman legislator to receive this award.

“Representative Chris Turner has been a staunch advocate for our state’s veterans and their families,” said Roy Grona, Texas VFW State Adjutant-Quartermaster. “Because of his work and leadership on veterans issues, more Texas veterans are getting the help they need and deserve.”

“I am incredibly honored and humbled by this recognition,” Turner said. “The Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars are the true heroes to the 1.7 million veterans in our state. I am proud of the work we did to pass the lottery scratch-off bill, which is benefitting countless veterans across the state of Texas.”

During the 81st Legislative Session, Representative Turner authored and passed several pieces of legislation benefitting veterans and their families. Most notably, Turner authored House Bill 1299, creating a scratch-off lottery ticket to benefit the Permanent Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA).  The FVA provides grants to aid veterans and their families in times of financial need and support PTSD counseling and other veterans’ services.  The lottery ticket was released on November 9, 2009 and has raised over $5.5 million for the FVA.

Turner, who was named “Freshman of the Year” by the bipartisan House Veterans Caucus and given the “Leadership Award” from the Texas Veterans Commission and “Legislator of the Year” by the Vietnam Veterans of America, Texas State Council, also passed legislation requiring institutions of higher education to designate a financial aid specialist to be trained on issues related to veterans’ programs, including the GI Bill and the Hazelwood Act.

He was also the House sponsor of legislation to allow state employees, who are members of military reserves or National Guard, to continue to accrue their sick and vacation leave time while they are on active military duty