Military transition and veterans affairs news of the day for 2/19/14

Good news story of the day

Rohnert Park company finds all-American niche  (Press Democrat)  Strips of red, white and blue fabric lay draped on tables and piled in bins, making the North Bay Industries warehouse in Rohnert Park look like the set of “The Colbert Report” on Patriot Day.

Military Transition

Military Transition Support Project Aims To Better Connect San Diego Veterans With Resources  (KBPS.org) On Tuesday, several community stakeholders gathered on the campus of San Diego State University as part of the Military Transition Support Project, a project focused on helping military veterans transition back into civilian life.

‘One central table’ to help vets?  (U-T San Diego)  In San Diego, a region where 15,000 Marines and sailors are discharged from the military each year, there’s an ambitious new plan to help these troops figure out their next mission, which is civilian life.

Workshops Help Military Transition Back to Civilian Life  (Your4State.com)  More than 35 service men and women were at a workshop Tuesday with one thing in common. 

Vets’ transition conference on tap at George W. Bush Institute  (Military Times)  Former President George W. Bush will host a veterans’ summit in Texas on Wednesday focused on ways to provide assistance to separating service members and their families.

Iowa House committee approves bills that would ease veterans’ transition after their service  (TribTown.com)  An Iowa House panel approved legislation Monday that would help veterans transition into life after military service.

Bloomsburg University group offers hand to veterans  (TribLive.com)  Brian Bengier of Millville spent 10 months in Afghanistan in 2008, serving in the National Guard as an infantry soldier until a roadside bomb exploded 15 feet from the truck he was in, riddling his body with injuries.

New scholarship serves those who’ve served  (MenaFN.com)  Although government financial aid to military veterans covers the lion’s share of the cost of higher education, a new scholarship at Colorado State University will help close the gap between the GI Tuition Assistance Bill and the real cost of attending school.

Veterans

Will America forget its veterans?  (The Christian Science Monitor)  When the camera first panned to Michelle Obama sitting next to Sgt. 1st Class Cory Remsburg, a wounded warrior, during President Obama’s State of the Union message last month, my breath caught in my throat.

Soldiers to Summits, Wells Fargo Announce Mt. Whitney Expedition for Wounded Veterans; Now Accepting Applications, Nominations  (PR Newswire)  A climbing expedition designed to help wounded veterans overcome barriers in their lives was announced today by Soldiers to Summits (S2S) and Wells Fargo.

Ex-Marine’s suit over sexual assault case faces uphill battle  (McClatchyDC)  Ariana Klay says she was raped by two men, one of them a fellow Marine Corps officer, while serving at the famed Marine Barracks in Washington. She can be a compelling witness to her nightmare.

The University Of Texas At Arlington Receives $122,000 From Chase To Fund Education Programs For U.S. Military Veterans  (Business Wire)  As part of a $1 million investment nationwide, Chase announced today that it will provide a $122,000 grant to The University of Texas at Arlington to fund educational opportunities for military veterans.

Two doctors join veterans’ clinic  (GuamPDN.com)  Two new physicians have started treating veterans at the Guam Community-Based Outpatient Clinic.

Veterans Affairs

Veterans Affairs brings in new director for Central Illinois  (Commercial News)  Japhet Rivera has been appointed as the new director of the Veterans Affairs Illiana Health Care System.

Funding for Walla Walla veteran home on shaky ground  (Union-Bulletin)  A bill that would help bring an 80-bed veterans home to Walla Walla is getting another chance in the state House of Representatives.

VA terminates contract with ex-Merced County employee  (The Fresno Bee)  The Department of Veterans Affairs has terminated its contract with Anthony J. Thompson, a Merced County ex-employee who was arrested last week on suspicion of sexual bribery.

County officials working to bring veterans’ nursing home to Putnam  (Palatka Daily News)  Putnam County could be the site of a veterans’ nursing home if everything goes according to plan.

Cost for veterans’ tax break higher than expected  (Dayton Daily News)  A plan to exempt veterans from paying taxes on their retirement benefits is moving forward, even after its sponsor said it may cost the state more than double what she originally envisioned.

Report: Unsanitary conditions at Conn. VA hospital   (Army Times)  The Veterans Administrations’ Inspector General’s Office has cited the VA Connecticut Healthcare System hospital for an array of problems including unsanitary operating room conditions and high worker absenteeism.

Group hammers VA for veterans’ deaths  (Army Times)  The conservative advocacy group Concerned Veterans for America unveiled a new online campaign Tuesday that bluntly states: “American veterans are dying, it’s the VA’s fault.”

Benefits

Tricare for Life beneficiaries reminded of mail-order Rx requirement  (Army Times)  Tricare has begun notifying military retirees and family members who use Tricare for Life that they must start filling long-term prescriptions by mail or at a military treatment facility starting next month.

State wants to honor veterans by ensuring they receive their government benefits  (My Central Jersey) As many as 8,000 military veterans living in New Jersey may be entitled to valuable government benefits but are not taking advantage of them, according to state officials who are trying to raise awareness for veteran programs by visiting the Garden State’s shopping malls.

Rahall Meets with Seniors and Veterans in Bluefield  (National Journal)   In Bluefield on Tuesday, attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new mobile clinic for veterans and visiting seniors at the Bluefield Recreation Center, U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.) vowed to continue to vote to protect the benefits and services owed to seniors and veterans.

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Have a great day!