VMF March 2023 Newsletter

Posted by Terese Sarno
February 25, 2023

Kaiserslautern-Saarland Region Chapter Communications Coordinator; DA Global Veterans and Military Families Caucus Steering Committee; Co-Chair, DA Germany Veterans and Military Families Caucus

Masthead

March 2023

VOL. 3, NO. 3

To view in PDF, click here

Lowering Costs of Families' Everyday Expenses

The Inflation Reduction Act is a historic legislative achievement that lowers costs for families, combats the climate crisis, reduces the deficit, and finally makes the largest corporations pay their fair share. For the first time, Medicare is able to negotiate the price of certain high-cost drugs, a month’s supply of insulin for seniors is capped at $35, Medicare beneficiaries pay $0 out of pocket for recommended adult vaccines, and seniors’ out of pocket expenses at the pharmacy will be capped at $2,000 a year. And thanks to the President’s actions, including a historic release from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, gas prices are down more than $1.60 from their summer 2022 peak.

“We are the only country that has emerged from every crisis stronger than when we entered it…That is what we are doing again.”

-President Joe Biden

President Biden's State of the Union Address

Editor’s Message —

Greetings! President Biden’s State of the Union message highlighted the incredible advances that our country has made even under adverse conditions. We are however still battling pressure on curriculum choices including library books. The First Amendment guarantees access to information and ideas in schools. The bans and legislative action being taken in some states are infringing on those constitutional rights.

NEA: DeSantis blocking AP African American Studies hurts all students

DeSantis pushes ban on diversity programs in state colleges

“Preparing students with more knowledge, not less, is essential for an America that prides itself in having a free marketplace of ideas. This is why it is outrageous to see DeSantis and some other elected officials working to substitute their personal political ideology for well-developed, educator-led curricula. Gov. DeSantis is neither an educator nor a historian…A full and honest curriculum facilitates the core goals of public education: promoting democracy by preparing children for citizenship and cultivating a workforce that can compete in the global marketplace.”

–Becky Pringle, National Education Association President

Roberto Clemente book removed from Florida public schools pending review over discrimination references

“Of the books removed from Duval County, Florida, more than 30 were by Latino authors and illustrators or centered Latino characters and narratives. Among these were ‘Celia Cruz, Queen of Salsa’ by Veronica Chambers and Julie Maren, ‘Sonia Sotomayor (Women Who Broke the Rules Series)’ by Kathleen Krull and Angela Dominguez, and Winter's Clemente book.”

What can we do? Contact our legislators. Protect our First Amendment rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

Charter schools have long been a problem in our country and they drain the funds that should be used for public schools. Taxpayer money should not fund what are essentially private schools nor should they be used to fund religious schools.

Urgent: Tell Your Legislators to Stop Funding the Charter School Programs (CSP). Charter school enrollment during 2021-2022 decreased by over 5,000 students yet the charter lobby is requesting up to a half billion dollars yearly.

What can we do? Contact our representatives today. It is time to defund the federal Charter School Programs and to support increased funding for our true public schools.

Let’s “finish the job”!

Terese Sarno
Editor

Please join our caucus to show your support for the U.S. military!

ADVOCACY

2023 VMF Caucus Priority: Repatriating Deported Veterans

2 US Army veterans deported to Mexico win US citizenship

The VA is ‘fighting like hell’ to get toxic exposure benefits to veterans, McDonough says

Air Force starts direct-hire program to help military spouses find jobs overseas

How Can Veterans Maximize Their Tax Benefits?

Women Veterans Anonymous VA Survey Center for Minority Veterans (CMV)

Young and hard-to-reach veterans need better VA contact to access benefits

Veteran uses VA Health Chat for quick and private health care

How you can help prevent human trafficking

Veterans: Apply for Your PACT Act Benefits Now

Decision wait times - Board of Veterans' Appeals

theSITREP: 5 Ways the PACT Act Helps Veterans

Lawyer explains 5 ways the PACT Act provides monthly compensation–Apply now!

Free online Bystander Intervention Training for Veterans

DoD Safe Helpline is the sole secure, confidential, and anonymous crisis support service specially designed for members of the Department of Defense community affected by sexual assault.

OCONUS Service members can call the Telephone Helpline for free from anywhere in the world by using Voice over IP (VoIP) technology from the Safe Helpline App.

App Store-Apple Apps on Google Play

Team RWB’s Patriotic Old Glory Relay stretching more than 4,000 miles begins April 1

The 2023 National Veterans Golden Age Games Event and Sport Schedule
Online registration opens March 2 at 2 p.m. ET.

Challenge, adventure awaits Veterans at 2023 VA Summer Sports Clinic
June 4-9, 2023, San Diego – Registration is now open. www.summersportsclinic.va.gov

Registration for Veterans Wheelchair Games until April 2.
VA and PVA to host Wheelchair Games July 4-9, 2023,Portland, OR

2023 NATIONAL VETERANS DAY POSTER CONTEST
Submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. (EDT) on April 1, 2023

THE BIDEN-HARRIS RECORD

“When President Biden and Vice President Harris took office, our country faced unprecedented crises - a raging pandemic, economic crisis, climate crisis, and racial injustice. The President and Vice President ran for office on the promise to move quickly to tackle these crises head-on and deliver results for working families. That’s what the Biden-Harris Administration has done.”

The Biden-⁠Harris Administration Immediate Priorities

New Standards and Major Progress for a Made-in-America National Network of Electric Vehicle Chargers

Executive Order on Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through The Federal Government

Opinion | What Biden 2024 Has That Biden 2020 Didn’t

How did Gen Z vote in the midterms? A new poll breaks it down

MARCH

National Ethics Awareness Month

Celebrate National Ethics Awareness Month

March 1 – Registration for Veterans Wheelchair Games open until April 2.

March 2 – The 2023 National Veterans Golden Age Games registration opens

March 2 – Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)100th Birthday Celebration

March 3 – Navy Reserve Birthday

March 3 – Mindfulness Meditation 11:00 am to 12 noon ET offered via telephone:1-404-397-1596 or 1-833-558-0712 (Toll Free) Access code: 433 794 55

March 4 – National Hug a G.I. Day

March 5 – Seabee Birthday

March 11 –VMF Caucus Steering Committee 7:00 am EST link

March 12 – U.S. Daylight Saving Time Begins

March 13 – National K9 Veterans Day Meet Belle, VA police dog extraordinaire

March 14 – National Virtual Career Fair For Veterans Virtual 11 am CT

March 15 – American Legion Birthday 2023 - 103rd Birthday

March 16 – Corporate Gray Virtual Military-Friendly Job Fair Virtual 11 am ET

March 18 – National Supreme Sacrifice Day

March 21 – Rosie The Riveter Day

March 25 – National Medal of Honor Day

March 29 – National Vietnam War Veterans Day

Upcoming DA Activities

WHAT’S CONGRESS UP TO?

Senator Warren Asks Answer After DoD-Affiliated Civilians and Contractors in Japan Lose Access to Health Care at U.S. Naval Hospital

Pentagon execs say ‘solutions’ are needed for DOD civilian health care in Japan

More than 10 Japanese hospitals declined to admit DOD civilian

DOD civilian health care tour in Japan ends with raucous meeting on Okinawa

Ranking Member Takano Announces Vice Ranking Member and Subcommittee Assignments and Ranking Members for the 118th Congress

High turnover on House Veterans’ Affairs Committee again this session

Democrats create the Dads Caucus in the House

Veterans and Family Information Act (2021; 117th Congress H.R. 2093)

VETERANS’ ISSUES

Health:

Historic Expansion of Benefits for Toxic Exposed Veterans

Toxic Exposure Update–Calling all Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and Post-9/11 eras! You may be eligible for new VA health care and benefits.

File for disability compensation with VA Form 21-526EZ

VA Health and Benefits App: One-Stop Shop for Veterans

#Live Whole Health #153: Relaxation and balance

#Live Whole Health #154" Aspirations instead of resolutions

Live Whole Health #155: Making time to enjoy life

Live Whole Health #156: Go with the flow

Live Whole Health #157: The gift of your body

Don’t skip a beat on your heart health

Old Glory Relay — Team Red, White & Blue April 1 - May 20, 2023
“The Old Glory Relay is a national movement showcasing the strength, grit, and commitment of American veterans in support of their well-being. Over 50 days, supporters will unite to walk, ruck, run, push, and cycle a single American flag more than 4,000 miles from Seattle, WA to Atlanta, GA in the 2023 Old Glory Relay.

Rooted in an epic display of patriotism, the Old Glory Relay epitomizes what Team RWB is all about — showing our nation’s veterans that their best days are ahead through a strong focus on health and wellness.”

Education:

Looking for an undergraduate or graduate degree program outside the United States? Many U.S. based universities have campuses abroad. If you are interested in using GI Bill benefits, contact them to see if they have a U.S. bank account for GI Bill payments.

180+ Tuition-free Universities in Germany taught in English

Top 15 American Universities with International Campuses

Top U.S. Colleges With Branches Overseas

Top American Universities Overseas

Veterans use military skills to land technology jobs through NPower-free virtual training

Prepare for college this summer at a Warrior-Scholar Project academic boot camp

VA red tape cuts off GI bill benefits to US military veterans at foreign schools

Readout of Forum with HBCU Student Veterans and Cadets

Veteran Recognition:

Veterans History Project

108-year-old original Montford Point Marine honored for his service

Veteran Zaneta Adams shares heartfelt stories in support of Million Veteran program

2023 Sports4Vets Throwdown Awards Show

VA’s got talent

For Vietnam Veterans: Share Your Legacy!

Are You A Vietnam Veteran? The Vietnam War Commemoration Committee needs your help to produce a video montage to be shown during Welcome Home! Photo submissions needed!