Airmen suicides serve somber reminders

Airmen suicides serve somber reminders
by Chaplain Kathie
Wounded Times Blog
August 4, 2012

This article lists what has been proven to work but the reporter is way off base on the headline. This is more of a reminder that what they are doing does not work. If it did, suicides and attempted suicides would have gone down, not up. Hell, as a matter of fact, considering how long the DOD has been providing "help" even a couple of suicides a month is deplorable.

Airmen suicides serve somber reminders that help is available
Posted: Aug 03, 2012
By JD Wallace
TUCSON, AZ
Tucson News Now

Mental, physical, social, and spiritual health are the four fronts of mental health that aim to fight problems such as suicide in the Air Force and at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. After two suicides by airmen at D-M last month, members of its mental and spiritual health community remind airmen that they must come forward with their problems if they're going to receive the help that they need.

The past ten years have been particularly stressful with combat in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Multiple deployments have repeated the challenge of leaving and then returning to family life for many airmen. The base offers counseling for a variety of sources of stress, from financial to marital. From staying physically fit, to keeping mentally occupied, to staying socially active, and to staying spiritually involved, base professionals urge airmen keep themselves balanced. Spiritual involvement does not necessarily mean being religious but recognizing that something larger exists.
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It is because they do not know how to make all of these work! They do not understand the damage is done in the very start but using "resiliency" training with the purpose of getting them to train their brains to be mentally tough enough. For heaven's sake! When will they get it? When will they understand that telling them this translates into "you're mentally weak, didn't train right and that's why you have PTSD" so it's your fault. If your commander told you this I doubt you'd ever open your mouth to get help afterwards. You'd look at the buddies you were with and notice they seem fine while you're falling apart and think they are tougher than you are.

What do they think "mental" help means? If they think it means giving them drugs to numb the pain and more drugs to get them to pass out so they can sleep, that is part of the problem. If that is all they are getting with "mental health" treatment, then they are not addressing the cause of the symptoms. They are numbing them, not healing them.

What does staying physically fit mean? Working out in a gym and punching a bag or lifting weights? Gee now that will really calm someone down. It gets the adrenaline pumping! For the body, experts recommend what does work to calm down, which is vital when dealing with Combat PTSD. Take a walk with calm music in earphones to drown out any upsetting thoughts to re-teach your body to work without being stressed out. Yoga works to help you to breathe and relax just as mediation works.

Social? Well to them that could include drinking in a bar which also adds to the symptoms. You may be around other people but not in a good way. If you are hanging out with a bunch of friends that were not in the military, that can be a good thing but it can also be a bad thing. You won't feel as if you can talk to them about what's going on with you if they don't have a clue about where you were or what your deployment was like. If they don't they will give you crap for advice. If you're hanging out with others who were in combat but are as uninformed as you are about courage, what being mentally tough really is and what causes Combat PTSD, then you can also get crap for advice especially if they bought the same line that you didn't train your brain right.

If they do know the facts and have begun to heal, then great. They can help you get to where they are. If you are in group therapy, that's also a good thing as long as the people in the group are not allowed to just make claims not based on fact. Someone with knowledge has to lead the way. This is also important for the families to be able to talk to people, learn from them and be supported.

The spiritual aspect is also important but the wrong kind can do more harm than good. Soldiers have reported finding the courage to talk to a Chaplain for help and then walking away feeling worse because they were told they were going to hell if they did not convert to their faith. Yep. It is true. Some Chaplains have told reporters they see nothing wrong with this. After all, that is what their faith base is built on. What does work spiritually is getting them to stop feeling as if they're evil. Getting them to look at every part of what happened instead of the last horrible image in their mind and seeing how even in that kind of horror, love lived there as well. If they believe God turned His back on that place, those people and them, then how can they even begin to think of praying again? How can they be expected to reach out to someone they believe let it all happen? They can't. They have to see that while God allows the freewill of humans to do good things as well as bad things, when humans decide to do good even in the face of evil, God's love lived there.

When they hear something stupid after a friend of their's was just blown up that God needed him home, or God only gives us what we can handle, then believe they will blame God instead of turning to Him for strength. Man killed their buddy and God opened His arms to take their buddy home again. It had nothing to do with being more worthy of living or less, anything as simple as it was just their time to die while time for others to live or any other crap answer people can think of in the moment, it requires thought based on knowledge of what God said and yes, what Christ actually said and not what some other human had to say they thought it all meant.

If they are not "religious" or Christian, then they can still understand what the Bible says regarding parts similar to the Sermon on the Mount. You do not have to preach at them in order to reach them. You need to talk to them so they understand another human cares about them even though they feel they are not worth caring about.

That if they still believe they need to be forgiven for something, knowing God forgives them is not the end of it. They have to be able to forgive themselves which is even harder than understanding God forgave them.

So far the DOD has been all too able to do what is easy and claim they are doing everything that experts say needs to be done but if they are doing it wrong, this is the result that will continue. Filling graves is not the outcome they had in mind but if no one is telling them what they are getting wrong, there will be even more suicides and grieving families asking "why" it happened.

We're so far behind on helping them heal that families are on the front lines but are the last to know the facts about what they can do to help or what they do wrong to make it worse. The answers are out there but if they are also turning to the wrong people for support, they are failed as well.

We owe it to them to get it right just as we owe it to the others it is too late for.

Stay informed by supporting this work.

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Ohio Community Action Helps a Struggling Veteran

Community Action Helps a Struggling Veteran
AUGUST 3, 2012

A veteran from the war in Iraq and Afghanistan (Gulf War-era II) was sentenced to attend the Fathers Matter program at the Community Action Commission of Erie, Huron and Richland Counties as part of an alternative sentence after violating his probation for his charge of failing to pay child support. During the sessions that provide parenting skills and encourage increased involvement with the participants' children, the program facilitator thought he might be able to offer additional help to this struggling veteran.

As a member of the Army, Program Facilitator Alex Norris observed behavior from the father that he thought showed signs of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He took the veteran to the Veterans Service Commission, located in the same building, to receive an assessment from the VA Post Traumatic Stress counselor. Because of Mr. Norris' advocacy for the veteran, within a week the man received an assessment and determined that he was in fact suffering from PTSD. After working with him for a period of time and encouraging him to get help with his emotional problems, he has been released from jail, and was able to gain employment and stable housing. He continues to attend the Fathers Matter classes and is learning other life skills.

The Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies (OACAA) has launched the Ohio Vocation, Education, Training & Services (Ohio VETS) program at six pilot Community Action Agencies in Ohio, including CACEHR, to aid veterans at 200 percent of the federal poverty level and below (i.e. $22,340 for a single person, $30,260 for a couple, $38,180 for a family of three, $46,100 for a family of four).

As the name indicates, the program will offer education and training to assist veterans in finding meaningful employment at a living wage, and provide them and their families with other supportive services to help them attain self-sufficiency.
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Last deed lives on as hero Jonathan Blunk laid to rest

Last deed lives on as hero Jonathan Blunk laid to rest
by Chaplain Kathie
Wounded Times Blog
August 4, 2012


The gunman did something in Colorado that will not be forgotten after he decided that others should die for what he wanted to do.

Jonathan Blunk will be remembered because he decided he would do something because others should live.

Keeping my promise to not give the mass murderer publicity, his evil act will not be forgotten but as with most, his name will be forgotten when the jail cell closes. This we know by others who came before him after the headlines contained their names.

The pain they left behind was replaced by memories of their victims. Do we really remember the names of the people that decided they should crash planes into the Twin Towers to kill as many people as possible or the other mass murderers killing people in the Pentagon or in the murderers killed in field in Shanksville Pennsylvania because heroes took action? We can look them up online and find their names but no one really wants to. Instead there are now three ships named for the places the murderers caused so much pain, USS Somerset, USS New York and USS Arlington will sail the seas bearing the memories of the victims and not the murderers.

As with most murderers, this report about Jonathan Blunk has the accused murderer mentioned far below his name. Pretty much the way it should be.

Friends: Family has been told that slain Navy veteran tried to stop shooter in Colo. theater
By Associated Press
Published: August 3
Washington Post

RENO, Nev. — A Navy veteran who died after throwing himself in front of a friend during the Colorado movie theater shooting was remembered Friday for his fearlessness and optimism.

Some mourners at the funeral for 26-year-old Jonathan Blunk also said they’ve been told by officials that there are indications he may have tried to stand up to the heavily armed gunman and stop him during the July 20 attack in Aurora, Colo.

“Law enforcement is leaning toward he was trying to get the (suspect’s) gun to save people’s lives,” said Roland Lackey, an Air Force veteran who officiated the service. “He was a hero, and I salute him.”

FBI spokesman Dave Joly in Denver said Friday that a court gag-order prevented him from commenting on the case. Officials have not yet indicated publicly whether anyone inside the Aurora theater confronted suspected gunman James Holmes during the shooting spree that left 12 people dead and dozens wounded.

Among the 500 mourners who packed a mortuary in the Nevada city where Blunk was raised were his wife, Chantel; daughter, Hailey, 4; son, Maximus, 2; and dozens of service members.

Blunk, who served three tours in the Middle East from 2004 to 2009, was credited for saving his friend’s life when the heavily armed gunman burst into the midnight showing of the Batman film “The Dark Knight Rises.”

Kyle Dawson, his shipmate in the Navy, said authorities told Blunk’s widow that her husband also matched the description of a man who went after the suspect.
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First Marine flight to be commemorated in Marblehead

First Marine flight to be commemorated in Marblehead Aug. 3-4
Posted by Liam O'Kennedy
Boston.com
August 3, 2012

By Liam O'Kennedy, Globe Correspondent

Marine aviation's beginnings will be celebrated in Marblehead Aug. 3-4.

Local Marines and the Marine Corps Aviation Association will commemorate the centennial of the first Marine Corps' flight, taken from Marblehead Harbor by Alfred A. Cunningham in 1912, with two days of aircraft displays and flyovers, and a Saturday morning parade.

On Friday and Saturday, a fleet of Marine Humvees, helicopters, and planes from throughout the Corps' history will be on display at the Marblehead Village School, and their pilots will be on hand to answer questions. A collection of art showing the history of Marine Corps aviation also be on exhibit.
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Soldiers Share 'Wounded Warrior' Experience with Adaptive Sports

This is not "Wounded Warrior Project" it is Warrior Transition Unit and there is Warrior Transition Battalion

U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2) and the Air Force also has one at Air Force Wounded Warrior Do not get confused.

Soldiers Share 'Wounded Warrior' Experience with Adaptive Sports
Adaptive Sports Scramble lets soldiers support wounded warriors
August 2, 2012

WIESBADEN, Germany -- Members of the Warrior Transition Unit-Europe had no shortage of takers on an offer to play wheelchair basketball and seated volleyball with them at the Wiesbaden Fitness Center July 6.

"You are certainly an inspiration to me and for anyone who wears a uniform," said Col. David Carstens, commander of the U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden, at the kickoff of an Adaptive Sports Scramble and barbecue with members of the WTU-Europe. Carstens, along with several other Wiesbaden soldiers and civilians, joined in the games.

Among those who also joined in the game of wheelchair basketball was teenager Derek Williams, who participated in the event with his brothers Darren, 16, Daniel, 14 and David, 12, and their friend Andrew Murray, 16.

"I wanted to support wounded warriors," Williams said. "I wanted to experience not using my legs. It makes me appreciate my legs more."
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Combat PTSD harder on the spouse than most people know

Wife of alumnus veteran suffers with husband battling PTSD
Posted: Friday, August 3, 2012
By CHRISTY HUNTER
Summer Editor

Editor’s Note: Names have been changed to protect the identities of the persons in this story.

In 2007, Claire Scott filled a black envelope with the funeral arrangements she had made in case of her husband’s death.

She had gathered the numbers of friends and relatives who she knew would need to be called. She had already gone to the funeral home, shopped for caskets and selected the service details she thought would be best.

She knew that if her newly-wed husband, Dan, a Purdue alumnus, did actually die serving in Iraq, these rational decisions would not come as easily. So she pinned the envelope to a board by the front door and told her best friend Chris he was in charge if anything happened. After that, there was nothing left to do but wait, and hope.

Flash forward six years and Dan has been home for five of them. They have OK jobs and three boxer dogs. Alumna Claire Scott, however, hasn’t done much else since then but waiting and hoping. This is because Dan’s body technically made it home all right – he was injured, though not severely – but his mind did not.
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Home Depot Foundation helps even more homeless veterans

The Home Depot Foundation Awards Swords to Plowshares $545,540 to Rehab Housing for Homeless Veterans
PRWeb

Grant Supports Unprecedented Permanent Supportive Housing Projects

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) August 02, 2012

Swords to Plowshares, a San Francisco-based veteran service agency, is one of many community-based organizations nationwide to receive a grant from The Home Depot Foundation to repair and rehab properties serving veterans and their families.

“We are thrilled to have the support of The Home Depot Foundation to help us provide safe, adequate and affordable housing to homeless veterans and their families,” said Michael Blecker, Executive Director of Swords to Plowshares and Vietnam veteran.

“Corporate donors like The Home Depot Foundation, who have given generously to support veterans and their families, enable us to fulfill our mission and bring the nation closer to our goal of eliminating veteran homelessness.”

The grant supports rehab costs for two unique and much-needed housing facilities in San Francisco. One housing site, which opened January 2012, provides affordable 2-bedroom apartments to twelve formerly homeless veteran families. The second housing site, which will be ready for occupancy in late October 2012, is an unprecedented collaboration between the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the City of San Francisco, Chinatown Community Development Corporation and Swords to Plowshares. The landmark building, currently under renovation, was donated by the City of San Francisco and will consist of 75 studio apartments for chronically homeless veterans with disabilities.
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Steve Kroft of “60 Minutes” to Deliver Keynote Speech to VVA

Steve Kroft of “60 Minutes” to Deliver Keynote Speech At Vietnam Veterans of America’s National Leadership Conference
(Washington, D.C.)- Steve Kroft, the award-winning journalist now in his 23rd season as a correspondent for CBS-TV’s “Sixty Minutes,” will deliver the Keynote Speech on Wednesday morning, August 8, at the Opening Ceremonies of Vietnam Veterans of America’s National Leadership Conference at the Omni Hotel in Irving, Texas. Hundreds of Vietnam veteran leaders will come together at the Conference to take part in seminars, meetings, and other activities, including the Saturday Awards Banquet.

The Opening Ceremonies, which will begin at 8:45 a. m., are open to the public.

“Few people know that Steve Kroft got his start in journalism after being drafted into the Army in 1967, and serving with the information office of the 25th Infantry Division in Vietnam, and then reporting for Stars and Stripes,” said VVA President John Rowan. “We’re very pleased that Steve will be joining his fellow Vietnam veterans in Texas to help us to kick off the Leadership Conference.”

The biennial VVA National Leadership Conference brings together Vietnam veteran leaders and veterans’ advocates from across the country. They will take part in three-and-a-half days of activities, including a wide selection of seminars. The subjects range from the elements of leadership--parliamentary procedures, the duties of the officers and board of directors, the management of chapters and state councils, and media outreach--to updates on veterans healthcare, successful membership recruitment and retention tools, and effective grassroots advocacy.
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Vietnam Veteran/Paramedic finally receiving Silver Star

Vietnam veteran from Rye Brook to get long-overdue Silver Star
Jul 31, 2012
Written by
Richard Liebson

RYE BROOK — Thomas Giorgi spent his career saving lives as a New York City paramedic, but it was the first one he ever tried to save, in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, that has finally earned him the Silver Star.

The 67-year-old Port Chester native got word last week from Rep. Nita Lowey’s office that he’d been approved for the nation’s third-highest award for military valor, which will be presented during a ceremony early in August.

“I started to cry when they told me, it was so overwhelming,” he said. “I felt it would never happen. It’s just lifted me up so much.”

Giorgi, a 1963 graduate of Port Chester High School, was making good money as an X-ray technician, driving a Corvette and playing drums in a local rock ’n’roll band when he was drafted in August 1965.

Less than a year later, on July 3, 1966, Pfc. Giorgi and 17 other members of his squad from the Army’s 25th Infantry Division were on a patrol near the Cambodian border when they came across a deserted enemy base camp. Already hot, sticky and wet from the monsoon rains, the squad was made more uneasy by the eerie silence.
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What is in the new Veterans Bill?

UPDATE

President Obama signs bill

The Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012
Issues: Veterans
H.R.1627

“We are dealing with veterans, not procedures—with their problems, not ours.” —General Omar Bradley, First Administrator of the Veterans Administration

The Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 (H.R. 1627) is a comprehensive, bipartisan, bicameral legislative package to provide for the needs of veterans, their families, and survivors through improved healthcare, housing, education, and memorial services. Designed to meet the challenges veterans face today, H.R. 1627 also expands the accountability and transparency of the Department of Veterans Affairs, ensuring VA is responsible to those it serves—America’s veterans.

Relevant Documents

Joint Explanatory Statement

CBO Scoring (Mandatory)

CBO Scoring (Discretionary)

Press Statement

Title 1: Healthcare

Camp Lejeune Veterans and Families

Between 1957-1987, some Marines and their families stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina were exposed to contaminated well water. Veterans and their families who fall ill (or are ill) due to this contamination will be eligible to receive healthcare through VA, for certain medical conditions. For family members, VA will be considered as the “payer of last resort.” (Section 102, S. 277, Sen. Richard Burr)

Rural Veterans

To provide better access to VA services for rural veterans, under the bill, VA would waive co-payments for veterans utilizing tele-health care. VA would also evaluate the feasibility of providing reimbursements for travel for veterans wishing to receive care at their nearest Vet Center. Additionally, VA will establish rural health resource centers to better understand the challenges of veterans living in rural regions. (Sections 103, 104, 110, S. 914, Sen. Mark Begich)

Elderly Veterans

To better care for elderly and severely service-disabled veterans, VA shall enter into contracts with State veteran homes (in all 50 states) to provide nursing home care. (Section 105, H.R. 2074, S. 914, Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle, Sen. Mark Begich)

Preventing Sexual Assault

In 2011, GAO found rampant, unreported sexual assaults occurring at VA facilities, including at mental health care facilities. GAO determined that VA did not have sufficient tracking and reporting protocols in place to ensure assaults were investigated and that veterans and VA employees were protected in such cases. Under the bill, new protections will be mandated to prevent these acts from going unreported and unpunished in the future. (Section 106, H.R. 2074, Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle)

Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is one of the signature wounds of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. An estimated 250,000 veterans have experienced a TBI in the past decade. Those veterans will now have access to expanded individualized rehabilitation and reintegration services to increase their independence and quality of life. (Section 107, H.R. 2074, S. 914, Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle, Sen. Mark Begich)

Improved Access

Veterans do not always visit the same VA facility. Therefore, VA would be required to implement tele-consultation capabilities at its facilities in order to better coordinate health care for veterans. Tele-consultation also aims to increase training for medical residents within VA’s healthcare system. In addition, to date, service dogs assisting veterans visiting VA facilities have been banned on VA properties. Under H.R. 1627, that ban would be lifted. (Sections 108, 109, H.R. 2074, S. 914, Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle, Sen. Mark Begich)

Collections

Funding for many of VA’s programs depend on VA’s ability to collect fees from providers. Therefore, VA shall establish a system to improve its ability to identify billable claims and make appropriate collections for medical care, as well as extend its authority to collect (through September 30, 2013) copayments from veterans in hospice or nursing home care. VA’s authority to recover costs for certain healthcare and services provided to veterans through a third party also will be extended under H.R. 1627. (Sections 111, 112, 113, S. 914, Sen. Mark Begich)

Title 2: Housing

Adaptive Housing

Due to the influx of wounded warriors, VA’s program for specially adapted housing requires it be temporarily expanded. Provisions include eligibility for specially adapted housing assistance grants for veterans with lower limb loss, as well as veterans with vision impairment (by law). The legislation also revises current law to exclude the temporary residence adaptation grant from counting towards the total grant, and improves assistance support, annually adjusted, for disabled veterans living in a family member’s home (extended through December 31, 2022). (Sections 201, 202, 203, 204, S. 914, Sen. Mark Begich)

VA Home Loan Guarantee Program

Under H.R. 1627, as amended, surviving spouses will be eligible for VA home loan guarantees for a period of ten years past the death of the servicemember/veteran/POW (disability rating thresholds apply). Furthermore, a veteran would be able to count a dependent child, serving in the Armed Forces, to satisfy VA occupancy requirements under the home loan program. Also, VA’s adjustable rate mortgage loan guarantee program shall be made permanent (ARM), as will VA’s hybrid adjustable rate mortgage loan guarantee (HARM). The fee for VA’s Home Loan program will be waived for disabled servicemembers transitioning to veteran status under the legislation. (Sections 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, H.R. 2433, S. 914, Rep. Jeff Miller, Sen. Mark Begich)

Enhanced-Use Leases

Renews VA’s enhanced-use lease authority (expired December 2011), with increased oversight of the program and limits leases to programs serving homeless veterans only. (Section 210)

Title 3: Homeless

Housing

Too many veterans are falling into homelessness due to today’s economy. This legislation authorizes grant funds for new construction of transitional housing for those veterans, as well as matches funds from private and public sources for such housing, with annual reports from VA due to Congress. The bill would also extend fully funded programs aiding homeless veterans, including homeless veterans’ reintegration programs and support services for very low-income veteran families, among others. (Section 301, 305, S. 914, Sen. Mark Begich)

Care

Many homeless veterans also require specialized care. The legislation instructs VA to provide treatment and rehabilitation services to those veterans, but who are not considered seriously mentally ill. Additionally, male homeless veterans with minor dependents would be classified as special needs veterans to receive grants and per diem payments for services. The legislation also authorizes grant recipients to provide services to the dependent if a veteran is receiving services from the grant organization. Furthermore, the bill would increase case management and coordination of care for homeless veterans through local and state agencies, tribal organizations, and/or nonprofits as a means to better assist homeless veterans through housing programs. (Sections 302, 303, 304, S. 914 Sen. Mark Begich)

Title 4: Education

Survivors and Dependents

Under H.R. 1627, survivors and dependents would be allowed to use up to 81 months of VA educational assistance. (Section 401, S. 914, Sen. Mark Begich)

Accountability

The legislation also instructs DoD and VA to provide annual reports to Congress (through 2021) on GI Bill programs, specifically how the programs affect recruiting and retention in the military services. (Section 402, H.R. 2433, Rep. Jeff Miller)

Title 5: Benefits

Streamlining the Disability Claims Process

Over the past 3 years, the VA disability claims backlog has grown exponentially, with more than 900,000 claims now awaiting decisions, 50 percent of which have been pending more than 125 days. Despite repeated promises from VA to break the backlog, it continues to grow. Therefore, when a claim is sent for review to the Board of Veterans’ Appeal, the agency of original jurisdiction will waive review of new evidence presented to the board (unless specifically requested). Furthermore, veterans needing assistance with claims, may now assign a signatory on their behalf to sign and file the claim (i.e., those under the age of 18, mentally incompetent, or physically disabled). VA also must provide veterans the option of how to receive claims-related communications, for instance, via electronic communications. Through this legislation, claims processors also must make every attempt to assist veterans in obtaining relevant records, including private medical records (up to two attempts). (Sections 501, 502, 504, 505, H.R. 2433, H.R. 2349, H.R. 1484, S. 914, Rep. Jeff Miller, Rep. Jon Runyan, Rep. Bob Filner, Sen. Mark Begich)

Compensation

Veterans filing compensation benefits are inundated with paperwork. Therefore, H.R. 1627 would allow veterans to file jointly for Social Security and Indemnity compensation. Furthermore, claims for certain disability ratings may be retroactively paid when claims are fully completed when submitted to VA; surviving spouses could receive benefits from VA in the month of death, as well as accrued benefits; and couples who both receive disability compensation will receive increased pensions (for those who qualify). In addition, the legislation protects pension benefits for veterans, surviving spouses, and dependents from insurance claims, court awards, settlements, theft, or casualty loss. (Sections 503, 506, 507, 508, 509, S. 914, Sen. Mark Begich)

Title 6: Memorial, Burial, and Cemeteries

Honoring the Fallen

While ensuring the freedom to protest, but protecting the rights and the honor of the families of the fallen, those wishing to protest military funerals, or at national cemeteries, shall be subject to restrictions, and if violated, protesters shall be punished by criminal or civil action. In addition, servicemembers who die on active-duty shall now be eligible for Presidential Memorial Certificates to honor their service to the Nation. (Sections 601, 603, S. 914, Sen. Mark Begich)

Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery is the nation’s most hallowed ground. Space at Arlington is expected to run out in the mid-2050s. Therefore, reservations for more than one gravesite will no longer be permitted, nor will reservations be honored until time of death, except under extraordinary circumstances. Furthermore, decisions regarding organizations wishing to place monuments honoring the service of a group or individual at Arlington National Cemetery will now be administered by the Secretary of the Army, with Congress retaining the right to overrule the decision within 60 days of notification. (Sections 602, 604, H.R. 1627, S. 914, Rep. Jeff Miller, Sen. Mark Begich)

Title 7: Other

Natural Disasters

Natural disasters can strike anytime, anywhere. Veterans in specially adapted housing, receiving subsistence allowances, utilizing independent living services or VA home loans, or in receipt of VA-paid transportation, and which are hindered or destroyed by a natural disaster, shall continue to receive assistance from VA under this legislation. (Section 701, S. 914, Sen. Mark Begich)

Expiring Laws

Under H.R. 1627, VA’s authority to guaranty timely payment of principal and interest on pools of mortgage loans will be extended, as will VA’s authority to collect loan fees and adjustments of maximum home loan guaranty amounts. (Section 702, H.R. 2433, Rep. Jeff Miller)

Oversight and Transparency

As the second largest federal agency, VA needs to maintain transparency in its operations to veterans and the public. Therefore, under this legislation, VA shall review and revise its skills and competency thresholds for Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) employees to ensure claims for compensation and pensions are not affected by poor performing employees, and that appropriate personnel actions are enforced. Furthermore, VA will be required to submit quarterly reports on VA conferences to Congress. (Sections 703, 707, H.R. 2349, H.R. 2302, Rep. Jon Runyan, Rep. Marlin Stutzman)

Fees

VA must protect its federal funding from unnecessary costs. Therefore, VA will only provide reimbursement for ambulance services to and from VA facilities under H.R. 1627. Furthermore, “attributable income” for veterans’ reporting to VA shall be clarified to mean the most recent year information is available. (Sections 704, 705)

Veterans’ Employment

Under the legislation, the Department of Labor will be required to publish data for government contractors, indicating their record of hiring veterans. Additionally, VA will establish a “VetStar” program to recognize companies that have made significant contributions to veteran employment. (Sections 708, 709, H.R. 2302, H.R. 802, Rep. Marlin Stutzman, Rep. Bob Filner)

SCRA

In the past two years, thousands of servicemembers and their families have been evicted from their homes or foreclosed upon due to errant banking practices. Therefore, under SCRA (the Servicemembers’ Civil Relief Act), the period of time that banks will be prohibited from foreclosure/eviction of servicemembers due to late payments will be extended from 9 to 12 months after military service. (Section 710, H.R. 1263, S. 914, Rep. Bob Filner, Sen. Mark Begich)