Military Service Coalition-Austin Tx

Turning warriors into productive civilian leaders: Employment & Education, Dealing with Veteran's Administration, etc.

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Caruthers
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Military Service Coalition-Austin Tx

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MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE 4TH WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH 2010 FOR THE NEXT
SCHEDULED MSC MEETING 2:00PM @ CAMP MABRY, Building 8, AUSTIN, TX
MILITARY SERVICE COALITION - AUSTIN, TEXAS VOL. 10 NO. 1 February 2010
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of service
Chet Joins VA Secretary Shinseki to Announce 100 New Jobs at
Waco VA Regional Office
New Hires Start in March to Help Vets Receive Timely Earned Benefits
Read Waco Tribune Herald editorial here and story here
(Waco) –U.S. Representative Chet Edwards joined U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric
K. Shinseki and local officials in Waco Thursday to announce100 new jobs coming to the Waco VA
Regional Office to help veterans receive their earned benefits. Most of the new hires are veterans
themselves who better understand the issues facing their fellow veterans.
Chet said, “Secretary Shinseki and I are honored to announce that the Waco VA regional office will be
hiring an additional 100 VA employees to help our veterans receive their earned benefits more quickly.
Our veterans deserve this, and I am glad that the American Recovery Act funding is making it possible.
Even better is that most, if not all of these 100 new employees will be veterans and Secretary Shinseki
has made the decision to make these positions permanent, not temporary ones.
“This is a trifecta win. First, our veterans will receive more timely benefits. Second, they will be serviced
by fellow veterans who know first-hand the challenges our vets face. And, third, our community will
benefit from 100 new jobs, paying an average of over $38,000 a year, plus health care insurance.
“I can think of few things more appropriate than to use Recovery Act dollars to hire veterans to help
other veterans, including combat wounded vets.”
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki said, “Since becoming Chairman of the House Military
Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, Congressman Edwards has authorized
legislation that has increased VA health care and benefits by 60 percent. This funding has resulted in a
total increase of 8,300 claims processors, 145 community-based outpatient clinics, 70 Vet Centers, and
more than 47,000 additional Veterans Health Administration employees.” The 100 new employees at
the Waco VA Regional Office are scheduled to start work on March 1, 2010. The initial economic impact
on the community as a result of the new hiring includes nearly $4 million annually in salaries alone. With
the addition of the 100 employees, the Waco VA Regional Office now employs 803 employees,
an increase of 259 employees since Congressman Edwards became Chairman of the House Military
Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee in 2007. Today’s announcement
means that a total of 191 employees have been hired with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
funds. Continue on page 2
MSC Newsletter
Today’s announcement follows a visit by Secretary Shinseki last August with Congressman Edwards to announce that
a National Pharmacy Contact Center would open at the Waco VA hospital creating 224 new full and part-time jobs for
the local economy this year for total of 429 new jobs at the Waco VA hospital since Congressman Edwards became
Chairman in 2007.
[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[
Veterans and Peace Officers Memorial
The Executive Committee for the Veterans and Peace Officers Memorial is pleased to announce that the Travis
County Commissioners Court, on June 30, 2009, gave formal approval to the committee’s proposal for the erection of
the Veterans and Peace Officers Memorial as well as the accompanying plaques and refurbishing of the Woodmansee
Memorial. This memorial will be erected on the South side of the Travis County Heman Sweatt Courthouse adjacent to
the 1st Lt. Ronny L. Woodmansee Memorial at 1000 Guadalupe, Austin, Texas 78701. This memorial is designed to
honor those men and women that have made the ultimate sacrifice while in servicing during the War on Terrorism
2001, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation NEW DAWN and Peace Officers killed in
the line of duty.
Charity Golf Tournament: Date Change Registration deadline is March 15, 2010: A Golf Tournament benefitting the
Veterans and Peace Officers Memorial will be held on March 22, 2010 at the Shadow Glen Golf Course. Registration
includes lunch, drinks, green fee, cart and range balls. See attachment “Golf Tournament Flyer, March 22, 2010”.
More information is forthcoming.
[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[
VA Survivors’ Call Center 1-800-749-8387
Surviving spouses are encouraged to contact the Survivors’ Call Center at the toll-free telephone number,
1-800-749-8387. Call center agents will assist surviving spouses in providing VA with the information needed to
determine their eligibility. If you are a surviving spouse of a veteran who was receiving VA benefits at the time of
death and believe you may be eligible for the month-of-death benefit. The Call Center is open Monday through Friday
from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm central standard time.
[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[
REMEMBER: Cell Phone Numbers Go Public this month.
REMINDER..... All cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive
sales calls. YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS.
To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone: 888-382-1222. It is the National DO NOT CALL list It
will only take a minute of your time... It blocks your number for five (5) years. You must call from the cell phone number
you want to have blocked. You cannot call from a different phone number. HELP OTHERS BY PASSING THIS ON... It
takes about 20 seconds. https://www.donotcall.gov/default.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[
Four Vietnam MIAs Identified:
The Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office recently posted the names of four servicemen previously listed as
missing-in-action from the Vietnam War. They are:
• Air Force Col. Elton L. Perrine, from New York, listed as missing in North Vietnam on May 22, 1967. His
remains were recovered in 2007 and identified in December 2009.
• Air Force Maj. Russell C. Goodman, Utah, missing in North Vietnam on Feb. 20, 1967. His remains were
recovered in 1993 and identified in September 2009.
• And Army Sgt. First Class Douglas J. Glover, New York, and Staff Sgt. Melvin C. Dye, Michigan, both of whom
were declared MIA in Laos on Feb. 19, 1968. Their remains were recovered in 2007 and identified in February
2009.
Since the end of the war in Vietnam in 1975, 863 Americans have been recovered, identified and returned to their
families for burial with full military honors; 1,720 remain missing.
MSC Newsletter February 2010 Page 2
Congratulation to the Department of Texas VFW
On Feb 19, 2010 Roy Grona, Department of Texas VFW State Adjutant/Quartermaster announced that the
Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) has awarded the Department of Texas VFW Foundation a Veterans
Assistance grant in the amount of 1 million dollars. The grant will soon allow the foundation to extend its
assistance to needy veterans and their families. QM Grona cited the hardwork of Department staff members
Dan West and Beth Creasey for their great work in preparing the 180 page grant request.
The purpose of the Texas VFW Foundation is to assist disabled and needy veterans and their families. We do this by
promoting programs that raise awareness and educate the public about the sacrifices made by America’s veterans
and the unique and special needs resulting from their service.
We help service personnel weather long deployments, provide relief in emergency financial situations, assist with
medical claims related to military service, facilitate employment assistance and job training, offer scholarships to
children of veterans and provide disaster relief funds and much more.
When the troops come home, the parades are over and the troops lay down their arms to re-enter society they risked
everything to protect, that is when they need your help the most. Yet all too often they are forgotten except for two
holidays out of the year.
You can make a difference by donating to the Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation. As someone who knows
the value of giving, you can be assured that your generous donation will meet vital needs and improve the lives of
thousands of Texas veterans and their families affected by the hardships of war.
Texas VFW Foundation (Click here for more information and printable brochure.) or visit us online at
http://www.texasvfw.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Say Goodbye To Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Effective Sept. 1, the war in Iraq will acquire a new official moniker: “Operation New Dawn.” Defense Secretary
Robert Gates announced the move Wednesday in a memo to Gen. David Petraeus, chief of U.S. Central Command
that was first reported by ABC News.
In the brief, one-paragraph memo, a copy of which also went to Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Gates
said the name change is designed to coincide with “the change of mission for U.S. forces in Iraq.”
“Aligning the name change with the change of mission sends a strong signal that Operation Iraqi Freedom has ended
and our forces are operating under a new mission,” Gates wrote. “It also presents opportunities to synchronize
strategic communication initiatives, reinforce our commitment to honor the Security Agreement, and recognize our
evolving relationship with the Government of Iraq.”
[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[
Immediate Action Required to Preserve Access to TRICARE
Tell Congress to Fix Reimbursement Rate
Without Congressional intervention, Medicare and TRICARE physician reimbursement payments will be slashed by
21.2 percent on March 1, 2010, a cut that inarguably will compromise access to care for military families whose
TRICARE coverage is based on Medicare rates.
Time is quickly running out for Congress to correct the problem; March 1 is only a few days away.
Contact your elected representatives in Washington immediately and urge them to fix the reimbursement rate issue.
Let them know you expect them to make this their number one priority. Please share this alert with family members,
friends and neighbors and ask them to send similar letters on your behalf.
MSC Newsletter February 2010 Page 3
Social Security Disability Benefits for Wounded Warriors
Military service members can receive expedited processing of disability claims from Social Security. Benefits
available through Social Security are different than those from the Department of Veterans Affairs and require a
separate application. The expedited process is used for military service members who become disabled while on active
military service on or after October 1, 2001, regardless of where the disability occurs. The following are answers to
questions most people ask about applying for disability benefits. Knowing the answers to these questions will help you
understand the process. http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10030.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; The expedited process is used for military service
members who become disabled while on active military service on or after October 1, 2001, regardless of where the
disability occurs. http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10131.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
SSA Publication No. 05-10131, October 2007, ICN 468766 [View .pdf] (En Español)
Returning Service Member OIF/OEF http://www.oefoif.va.gov/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; or Depart of Veterans Affairs
===========================================================================
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VACATIONS FOR VETERANS
http://www.vacationsforveterans.org/veterans.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Our mission is to enable veterans of the United States Armed Forces recently wounded in combat operations to
receive free lodgings donated by vacation homeowners.
If you are a veteran who has received the Purple Heart Medal in the Afghanistan or Iraq Campaigns, and wish to apply
for our program, please fill out the form below, and a member of our staff will contact you as soon as possible. From
all of us, thank you for your service.
FAQ What are the qualifications for eligibility?
As much as we appreciate all of the veterans who serve our country, as well as the veterans of our allies, constraints
on homes available, funds, and staff necessitate that we limit our program to include only veterans of the United
States Armed Services who are recipients of the Purple Heart Medal during the Afghanistan or Iraq
Campaigns. All veterans must be well enough to travel to qualify for the program, and if discharged, must have proof
of an Honorable Discharge.
What will my costs be?
The program provides veterans with free lodgings only. Veterans will be required to pay any refundable security
deposits required by the vacation homeowners. Transportation costs, meals, and incidental costs are paid for by the
individual veterans.
[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[
South Korea Invites US War Vets Back February 16, 2010
To mark the 60th anniversary of the Korean War, the South Korean government is inviting veterans who fought in
the war and some family members to visit the country. The 2010 Revisit Korea Program and Peace Corps for
Youth is the Asian nation's gesture to express gratitude and respect for the Americans who fought in the war from
June 1950 to October 1954.
In the veterans' honor, the Korean government will pay 50 percent of all airfare to Korea for the veteran and 30
percent for family members who attend. The program has scheduled two, five-night, six-day tours that begin with
participants flying into Seoul. The Peace Corps for Youth is open to grandchildren of veterans enrolled in college
and is intended to foster future collaborations among the 21 countries that formed the United Nations' coalition
that aided South Korea in its conflict with North Korea. Help with accommodations and meals, including an official
banquet, will also be offered.
The two tours, which will be conducted from April 26 to May 1, and again from June 5 to June 10, will include trips to
battlefields, cemeteries and cultural events. It is recommended that those wishing to attend begin the application
process, including attaining a passport, as soon as possible. More details and application can be obtained by calling
Sunny Lee at 714-501-1412, or at sjzion@gmail.com.
MSC Newsletter February 2010 Page 4
MSC Newsletter February 2010 Page 5
APPLY NOW
The Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV) offers cutting-edge training in entrepreneurship and small business post-9/11 military veterans disabled as a result of their service. The EBV opens the door to entrepreneurship and small business by developing competencies in accounting, human resources, marketing, advertising, financing, small business law, government planning.
The EBV program is offered through a national partnership of exceptional universities: the program at the Mays Business School University will be held on August 14-22, 2010 with the online program beginning approximately one month earlier. In addition the universities includes the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University, UCLA Anderson School of Management, Florida College of Business, the University of Connecticut School of Business, and the Krannert School of Management at Purdue University. world-class business schools will offer the EBV program on their campuses in 2010.
Eligibility
Applications are accepted from veterans who meet the following criteria: 1) a ‘service-connected disability’ as designated by the Veterans or Department of Defense, 2) military service after September 2001, and 3) a passion for entrepreneurship.
Cost & Logistics
This program is entirely without cost to the veteran, including travel, lodging, meals, and all program costs.
Application Procedures
Successful candidates for admission will demonstrate a strong interest in entrepreneurship, high motivation for owning and managing high likelihood of successful completion of this intense training program. For specific application requirements, visit whitman.syr.edu/Contact Information Ellie O'Neill E-mail: ebvinfo@syr.edu
EBV Program Coordinator, Whitman School of Management
721 University Avenue, Suite 415 Syracuse, NY 13244-2450, Phone: 315-443-6007
[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[
The Travis County Sheriff's Office (TCSO) is very excited to be working again with the Wounded
Warrior Project (WWP) Soldier Lone Star Ride.
We are happy to share with you that the WWP Soldier Ride will be in Austin on March 25, 2010. Please
join us in showing your support for the Soldier Ride!
WWP is a non-profit organization devoted to helping wounded warriors by raising public awareness and
offering programs to rehabilitate and reintegrate injured service members from the wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan. All participants with a disability or missing a limb or limbs are provided the adaptive
equipment customized to their individual needs.
As shared by WWP, the “Soldier Ride is a series of cross country rehabilitative bike rides geared specifically
towards helping today’s wounded warriors get back in the saddle, both figuratively and literally. Designed
as a program to heal both the physical and mental wounds of war, for many of the combat – wounded
veterans, the Soldier Ride serves as a first and important step in their return to an active lifestyle. Soldier
Ride is not about politics; it is not about the war. This program is solely about the men and women who
serve or have served in the United States Armed Forces.”
The March 25th ride will launch from the south side of the Capitol, with a kick-off ceremony at 9:30 a.m. If
you are unable to join the launch ceremony, roadside public support during the 22-mile ride would be greatly
appreciated, the ride will begin at 10:00 a.m. The Soldier Ride is not a parade, but a rehabilitative bike ride.
https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/c ... w/633/964/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Kelly Page, Director of Community Outreach
Travis County Sheriff's Office (512) 854-4392~ office (512) 854-4719~ fax
SBP & DIC for All Widows Who Marry After Age 57
NAUS member Patricia A. Sharp notified us this week that the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense informed her
by letter that DoD would NOT appeal the decision against it in the Sharp v. United States court case.
As you know, NAUS members Patricia Sharp and Margaret Haverkamp along with Iva Dean Rogers sued DoD over
the Department application of an offset of their Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) by the amount of Dependency Indemnity
Compensation (DIC) they receive after they remarried after age 57.
Public Law (PL) 108-183 took effect in January 2004. It was enacted in part to eliminate the practice of offsetting
[deducting] Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) payments from Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) payments.
This law applied only to survivors who remarried after the age of 57.
The Federal Appeals Court agreed with the widows that the “intent” of Congress was to fully restore both pays and that
the DoD action was unlawful and ordered DoD to cease this practice and refund any improper offsets.
In the notification letter, DoD wrote, “The Department will comply with the Court’s decision without further appeal. In
addition to the named plaintiffs, the Department will treat all similarly situated surviving spouses the same as the Sharp
plaintiffs.” To see the full letter and the guidance for implementation of the policy click here to see it on the NAUS
website. NAUS Note: We applaud the DoD decision to stop the fight against remarried widows and the payment of
SBP and DIC due. NAUS commends the Department for its announced active search for other widows/survivors
affected by this appropriate decision. It is too early to tell, but this action may help to induce the elimination of the
current SBP/DIC offset for all survivors.
Army veteran Robin Dehaven saves people trapped in burning Austin IRS building
By The Survivors Club Staff February 19, 2010
Robin Dehaven was driving to work on Thursday morning when he witnessed the plane piloted by Joseph Andrew
Stack slam into an IRS building in Austin, Texas, setting it on fire in an apparent act of suicide.
A former military man who served in Iraq twice, Dehaven told CNN he immediately drove towards the burning building,
where trapped people were screaming for help. With the help of other witnesses, he took a ladder off his truck and put
it up to a window of a smoke-filled area, allowing five people to escape.
He told the news provider that upon seeing the flames, "my first thought [was] maybe I can help, because I'm more
used to dealing with traumatic situations like that." "I have a clear head and a calm head to try to help those people,
and luckily I did," he added. Thursday's incident where a man intentionally flew a plane into a building was the first
such attack since September 11, 2001, when Islamic terrorists destroyed New York's Twin Towers killing nearly 3,000
people.
[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[
WE CARE FOR VETERANS PROGRAM: Homewatch CareGivers is offering up to 20 hours of free in-home care to
a disabled or injured U.S. military veteran in honor of their service and sacrifice through the We Care for Veterans
Program. They feel the best way to pitch in and show their support is by providing their services to those who have
sacrificed so much for our nation. If eligible sign up at 1-800-777-9770 or contact your area location to apply. You can
find a list of nationwide locations by entering your zip code at http://www.homewatchcaregivers.com/Blog.aspx#" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; .
Applicants must be signed up for the We Care for Veterans promotion by November 30th.
Homewatch CareGivers gives back to the community through its Veterans Outreach Program, which provides
guidance and education about the Aid and Attendance Benefit to veterans as well as surviving spouses. Homewatch
CareGivers make every effort to put potential claimants together with service offices from groups like Legion and
Purple Heart who will represent the claimant before the VA for no charge. Contact your area location for more
information. [Source: http://www.homewatchcaregivers.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; 21 Oct 09
[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[
Effective immediately, VA's Education Call Center is now open Monday through Friday from 7:00am
to 5:00pm Central Time. Please contact us at 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) with any inquiries.
Since inception of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, VA has issued nearly $1.9 billion in education benefit payments and opened
the door to higher education for 209,490 individuals. As of February 12, VA received spring semester Post-9/11 GI Bill
enrollments from approximately 180,000 student veterans and already paid nearly 90 percent of them. All Post-9/11 GI
Bill participants whose spring enrollments were received by January 18 have been paid.
MSC Newsletter February 2010 Page 6
YOUR LEGISTLATIVE &
GOVERNMENT CONTACTS
as of 1-2010
VA Benefits and Health Care Information
New Websites TexVet and the 2-1-1 Texas……………………………………... http://www.texvet.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Veterans Health Care ENROLLMENT …………………….. http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Federal Benefits for Veterans Health Care ……………………….. www1.va.gov/opa/IS1/1.asp
Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents 2009 Ed…………………………………………..
http://www1.va.gov/opa/vadocs/current_benefits.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
VA Compensation, Pension Benefits & Rate Tables….………..……. http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
VA benefits online Application……………….............................. https://vabenefits.vba.va.gov" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Health benefits and Services...........…..………………………...………. http://www.va.gov/vbs/health/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
My HealtheVet account, order medications.………. http://www.health-evet.va.gov/getaccount.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Burial and Memorial Benefits……………………………..……………………....www.cem.va.gov/
Education Benefits and Services…………………………………………….…. http://www.gibill.va.gov/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims……………………….…. http://www.vetapp.uscourts.gov/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
VA Survivor Benefits …………………………………...… http://www.vba.va.gov/survivors/index.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Herbicides Used Outside of Vietnam PDF format access through Email version
VETERANS RESOURCES
Click here for contact information for your Senators:
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_i ... rs_cfm.cfm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
County Veterans Service Office (State Wide) or call the Texas Veterans Commission to
locate a CSO near you: http://www.tvc.state.tx.us/County-Service-Officers.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Texas Veterans Commission http://www.tvc.state.tx.us" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; 1-800-252-VETS (8387)
Texas Veterans Land Board http://www.texasveterans.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; 1-800-252-VETS (8387)
Texas Women Veterans http://www.texaswomenveterans.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Travis County Veterans Service Office
http://www.co.travis.tx.us/veterans_ser ... efault.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Military Family Tax Relief Act
Among its provisions are tax breaks related to military personnel.
Military Loans for Homebuyers
Getting a VA home loan is easier than most people think.
Reserve and Guard Programs
Find out how you can play a critical role in the defense of our country.
Military Education Benefits and Post-9/11 GI Bill http://www.gibill.va.gov/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Find out about the various education benefits you've earned.
Veteran Health Benefits & Services
VA benefits for veterans: comprehensive health care plan for needed care,
Prescription Refills 1-800-244-2912
Military Compensation & Pensions
This program evaluates disability resulting from military service.
Veteran Burial Benefits Veteran benefits available for national and private
cemeteries. And the VA Burial Benefits http://www.cem.va.gov/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Locating Buried Veterans New site as of 11-09 http://m.va.gov/gravelocator/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Veterans Burial benefits available for national and private cemeteries, location
assistance provided by the VA for family and friends.
Service Members Civil Relief Act (SCRA)
Active duty umbrella of protection until you leave the military.
MSC Newsletter February 2010 Page 7
U.S. Senators
517 Hart Senate Office Bldg (SOB)
Washington, DC 20510 Phone
John Cornyn Austin, TX 512-469-6034
Washington, DC Fax 202-228-2856 202-224-2934
Kay Bailey Hutchison 512-916-5834
284 Russell, Washington, DC
Fax 202-224-0776 202-224-5922
U.S. House of Representatives
Cannon House
Washington, DC 20515
Michael McCaul (Dist 10) 512-473-2357
Ron Paul (Dist 14) 202-225-2831
Lamar Smith (Dist 21) 512-306-0439
Lloyd Doggett (Dist 25) 512-916-5921
Chet Edwards (Dist 17)
John R. Carter (Dist 31)
254-752-9600
512-246-1600
Governor and Lt Governor
Capitol Station, Austin, TX 78711
Rick Perry Fax 463-1849 463-2000
David Dewhurst 463-0001
Texas State Senator
Kirk Watson (D-14)
Box 12068 Capitol Station
Austin, 78711 463-0114
Senate Committee on Vet
Affairs
& Military Institutions
Leticia Van de Putte (D-26) 463-2211
Defense Affairs &
State Federal Relations
Rep. Frank Corte, Jr. (R-122) 512-463-1393
State House of Representatives
Box 2910, Capitol Station
Austin, TX 78768
Donna Howard (D-48) 463-0631
Patrick Rose (D-45) 463-0647
Valinda Bolton (D-47) 463-0652
Mark Strama (D-50) 463-0821
Elliot Naishtat (D-49) 463-0668
Dawnna Dukes (D-46) 463-0506
Eddie Rodriguez (D-51) 463-0674
Mike Krusee (R-52) 463-0670
Austin City Council
PO Box 1088, Austin, TX 78767
Mayor, Lee Leffingwell 974-2250
Bill Spelman Pl 5 974-2256
Chris Riley Pl 1 974-2260
Mike Martinez, Pl 2 (P/T) 9 7 4 -2264
Randi Shade, Pl 3 974-2255
Laura Morrison, Pl 4 974-2258
Sheryl Cole, Pl 6 974-2266
Travis County
Commissioner’s Court
PO Box 1748, Austin, TX 78767
Judge Sam Biscoe 854-9555
Pct 1 Ron Davis 854-9111
Pct 2 Sarah Eckhardt 854-9222
Pct 3 Karen Huber 854-9333
Pct 4 Margaret Gomez 854-9444
Veterans Service Office
Olie L. Pope, Jr.
100 N. IH 35, Austin, TX 78701
854-9340
Reminder: The Military Service Coalition Board of Directors for 2010 encourages all MSC member organizations listed (below), to support
the MSC organization with a $50 to $100 donation. This 2010 membership donation will help support this organization’s concerns for Veterans
issues and the MSC Newsletter.
Military Service Coalition
C/O Travis County Veterans Service Office
P.O. Box 1748
Austin, Texas 78767
PRSRT STD
U.S. Postage
PAID
Austin, TX
PERMIT NO. 272
You are encouraged to copy, distribute and or disseminate this edition of the MSC Newsletter
The MSC Newsletter is published monthly by the
Military Service Coalition & the Travis County Veterans Service Office
100 North Interregional, Suite 2400
Austin, Texas 78767 (office 512-854-9340)
Olie L. Pope, Jr. – Editor, mailto:olie.pope@co.travis.tx.us,
All correspondence intended for the newsletter should be forwarded by mail to the
Travis County Veterans Service Office at the MSC address noted above.
The MSC consists of representatives from each of the following
organizations: Air Force Association, American GI Forum,
American Legion Posts 76 – 83 – 326, Austin Community Eagles,
Austin Navy League, Austin Retired Officers Association,
Bergstrom/Austin Community Council, Capitol City EX-POW’s,
Catholic War Veterans, China-Burma-India Veterans Assoc., Jewish
War Veterans, Disabled Am. Veterans, DAV – Chapter 4, 173, & 219,
Lone Star Special Forces Assn., Fleet Reserve Association &
Auxiliary, Military Affairs Council of Austin Chamber of Commerce,
Military Order of the Purple Heart, Military Order of World Wars,
National Sojourner, Assn of the United States Army, National Assn
for Uniformed Services, Austin/Navy/Marine Retired Activity Office,
Non-Commissioned Officers Assn., National Guard Assn Of Texas,
Pearl Harbor Survivors Assn. Of Austin, Paralyzed Veterans Assn.,
Reserve Officers Assn., Austin Retired Chiefs Society, Retired
Officer’s Wives Club, Texas Assn. Of Vietnam Veterans, Austin
Military Officers Assoc. of America (AMOAA), Texas Retired
Officers Assn., Texas State Guard Assn., Texas Veterans
Foundation, The Lonestar Group, Veterans For Change, Veterans
of Foreign Wars District 28, VFW Travis County Council, Veterans
of Foreign Wars Travis County Council Honor Guard, Veterans of
Foreign Wars and Ladies Auxiliaries of Posts 1309 2010 2527 3377
4009 4475 4476 5254 6115 6525 6795 8200 8313 856 8587 8787 8906
8925 9078 10427, Volture Locale 175, 303rd Bomber Group Ass’n,
Special Ops Team Texas, Tejanos in Action, BPOE #201 of Austin,
and the Vietnamese American of Austin Texas, Vietnam Veterans
of America, Texas Women Veterans, Austin Texas Chapter, Marine
Executive Association, Blinded Veterans of Central Texas .
Military Service Coalition Board of Directors 2010
Elected Members
Bob Larson – President (512) 451-5016
oldtimer.austin@gmail.com
Vacant – First Vice President
William K. Brown – Past President (Deceased June 28, 2009)
Olie L. Pope, Jr. – Vice President Veterans Affairs
olie.pope@co.travis.tx.us
100 North IH 35, Suite 2400, Austin 78736 (W) (512) 854-9340
John Scarpino – Vice President Retiree Affairs
betcal@flash.net (512) 312-5213
John A. Miterko – Vice President Legislative Affairs
(Cell) (512) 796-2140 paladin_jam@yahoo.com
Senior Advisors; Bruce Conover, (President Emeritus)
cbconover@sbcglobal.net (H) (512) 282-1844 and
Don Hobart hobartdb@msn.com (H) (512) 282-0761
Katherine Higgins – Dependents and Survivors’ Advisor
Christina (Tina) Schroer – Treasurer (512) 689-9819
cschroer1@austin.rr.com
Brian Colfack - Public Relations Officer (512) 286-3316
bcolfack@sbcglobal.net
Appointed Members 2009
Beverly Gainer – Secretary
beverly.gainer@co.travis.tx.us (W) (512) 854-9340
Transition Assistance Advisor; Reserve & National Guard Affairs
Eva Carwile Eva.Carwile@tx.ngb.army.mil (512) 963-2390 and
Jacinda Johnson - jacinda.johnson@us.army.mil (512) 782-1201
"When injustice becomes Law, resistance becomes duty"

Thomas Jefferson

Gold is the money of kings; silver is the money of gentlemen; barter is the money of peasants; but debt is the money of slaves.”
- Norm Franz
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