by Ron Seman
Several articles published in the current issue of the VFW Magazine are worthy of mention.
In an article in the WashingtonWire (news from VFW's Washington Office) written by senior editor Tim Dyhouse, the author discusses how the Navy will oversee the GI Bill computer software. The Navy's Charleston, S.C.-based Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command will supervise the work of a private contractor that will provide the computer programs.
"The deal probably makes sense, even if it is adding another layer of bureaucracy," a congressional aide told the Military Times. "[The Navy Command] has a lot more experience dealing with vendors supplying this kind of project than [Veteran's Affairs]."
New GI Bill benefits go into effect Aug. 1, 2009. The VA processes these claims for 500,000 veterans.
According to its magazine, the VFW believes that VA might have to temporarily double the number of claims processors to manage the manual workload. This is in addition to overseeing the benefits for veterans attending school under older versions of the GI Bill until the new electronic system is in place.
On another subject, the VFW WashingtonWire talks about a list of 13 "urgent issues" that proclaims defense as the No. 1 concern for President Obama's administration.
Veteran-related topics were also prominent on the list, according to a report released in November from the Government Accountability Office.
The five relevant issues are:
* Iraq and Afghanistan
* Protecting the homeland
* Defense spending
* Caring for troops
* Rebuilding military readiness
The GAO has compiled reports on all 13 issues to help new appointees in every agency "zero in on the challenges of that particular agency and to help identify areas with the potential to save the nation billions of dollars," said acting Comptroller General Gene Dodaro.
The reports are online at www.gao.gov/transition_2009.
NEW VA SECRETARY: Retired Army Gen. Eric K. Shinseki took the oath of office Jan. 21 as the Nation's seventh Secretary of Veterans Affairs, assuming the VA leadership after confirmation by the Senate, the VA announced in a press release.
"The overriding challenge I am addressing from my first day in office is to make the Department of Veterans Affairs a 21st century organization focused on the Nation's Veterans as its clients," Shinseki stated.
Shinseki said he plans to develop a 2010 budget within his first 90 days that transforms the VA into an organization that is people-centric, results-driven and forward-looking.
Shinseki, a former Army chief of staff, takes the reins of a 284,000-employee organization delivering health care and financial benefits to millions of Veterans and survivors under a $98 billion budget authorized this year.
PLAV'S "EVENING IN WARSAW": Members of the Polish Legion of American Veterans and Auxiliaries will host their 48th annual Evening in Warsaw at the Birchwood Banquet & Party Center, 7540 Northfield Road (one block north of Alexander Road), on Saturday, April 4. Doors open at 4 p.m., with dinner served at 5:30 p.m. Ralph Szubski, "The Accordion Man," will play ethnic and American music for dancing from 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $30 per person. For reservations, call Dick Boll, 440-885-5925, or Audrey Newlin, 440-516-1224. The fundraiser will benefit veterans at the Wade Park and Brecksville VA Hospitals, and our troops.
DISCHARGE PAPERS: Information about discharge papers, DD214, is available from the National Personnel Records Center, 9700 Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63132-5295, or on the web at www.vetrecs.archives.gov.
OHIO VETERANS HOME: The state of Ohio provides a safe, healthful home environment for all eligible Ohio veterans under the authority of Chapter 5907, Ohio Revised Code. The home is open to all honorably discharged veterans who have been Ohio residents for at least five years. For details, call 1-800-572-7934.
REMEMBER our men and women serving America in Iraq, Afghanistan and at other assignments around the world.
Take the time to write a letter, send a package of goodies and tell them you support the important work they are doing on behalf of free people everywhere. Say a daily prayer for them and their families. God Bless America and our valiant sons and daughters in the Armed Forces of the United States.