Brothers die in Texas explosion as volunteer firefighters

A town copes with lives lost in Texas blast
By Todd Sperry and Ashley Fantz
CNN

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
A business that distributed fertilizer exploded in West, Texas, on Wednesday, killing 14
Volunteer firefighters were brothers who did everything together, family says
Some West students whose schools were damaged are taking classes in Waco

West, Texas (CNN) -- Since they were little boys growing up West, Texas, brothers Doug and Robert Snokhous did everything together. They fixed cars, went hunting, golfed and barbecued together. It just made sense that they would both become volunteer firefighters, and that they were side by side last Wednesday when they rushed to a fire at the West Fertilizer Co.

The brothers were among 14 people who died after the fire led to a massive explosion at the distributor. The blast decimated not only the company's building but ravaged practically the entire north side of the small farming community.

The nine first-responders from West who died battling the blaze represented nearly one-third of the town's volunteer firefighting and EMT force. The fire destroyed three fire trucks and an ambulance. Firefighters and trucks from neighboring communities now fill the void at the West firehouse.

Among the others who rushed to the fire and lost their lives: Kenneth "Luckey" Harris Jr., a 52-year-old Dallas firefighter who lives in West, and two friends of first responders whose identities have not been confirmed by authorities.
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Pilot Program to Cut Red Tape for Veterans' Disability Claims

VA Launches Pilot Program to Cut Red Tape for Veterans' Disability Claims
KWTX Channel 10 (Texas)

Jun 14, 2008
June 13, 2008 - The Texas Veterans Commission will assist the Department of Veterans Affairs Waco Regional Office in a pilot program aimed at faster processing of disability claims, the state Veterans Commission announced Friday.

The Waco VA Regional Office and the TVC was selected for the pilot program because “they are well known for working together with exceptional effectiveness,” the TVC said in a press release Friday.

Veterans counselors from TVC will use their unique understanding of VA claims processes to assist veterans in more quickly obtaining the evidence needed to support their claims,” said Acting Under Secretary for Benefits Patrick W. Dunne.

“Put simply, faster receipt of the evidence will result in more timely decisions for veterans.”

The program will help the agency decrease the wait for needed payments and medical services.

Officials will provide more people to process the paperwork, plus commission counselors will help veterans more quickly obtain evidence for claims.

The VA says it takes about six months for the agency to determine disability payments, on average, and the lag can get longer if a veteran appeals to get a larger amount.
go here for more
http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/ArticleID/10390