Veterans & Military Families Monthly News-March 2013

Veterans & Military Families Monthly News
March 2013 Vol. 4 No. 3

Good afternoon and thank you for reading, this months edition of the newsletter. We appreciate your involvement and continued support. Remember, we have two online sources where you can read and offer comments on the current and previous editions of the newsletter. The newsletter is posted on Facebook through the group called Veterans and Military Families Monthly News. Check it out and join the group. Click here to go directly to the page. (Keep in mind, you need a Facebook account to join; however, the documents can be viewed through the docs link toward the bottom of the page even without an account.) The second source for the online version of the newsletter is the website www.scribd.com. This online source for the newsletter works in the same fashion as the Facebook page. Please let us know what you think, or if you have any questions about the online sources. For those of you who enjoy just receiving the email each month, we will continue to send it out. But we want to build the online presence as a way to reach out to more people. As always, thank you very much for reading. Our hope is to continue to expand the newsletter. For that, we need your input. So, again, if anyone has any suggestions for topics to cover or wants to write their own piece, we will gladly try to work it in. We hope you enjoy, and please share your feedback with us.
Thank you very much! In This Issue

Healthcare Services P.17-Michigan National Guard History Books P.18-National Gold Star Registry P.19-ESGR P.20-National Vets Museum P.24-Relay For Life P.26-COLA 2013 Updates P.29-Support American Vets P.31-Hire Heroes USA P.33-Legal Help For Veterans
P.3-Serving Those Who Served P.5-Michigan National Guard In World War II P.6-Upton: Bring Transports to Michigan P.7-Naval & Air Museum P.8-Lest We Forget Upcoming Events P.10-Vet Scam Info From BBB P.13-History of the Secret Service P.14-TRICARE Behavioral
And much more.
By: ALANNA DURKIN, Associated Press- February 6, 2013 LANSING, Mich. (AP) Michigan's secretary of state announced her support Wednesday for establishing special identification cards that would give the state's 670,000 military veterans discounts on stores and hotels and other benefits, part of the administration's larger effort to make the veterans more aware of resources available to them. Ruth Johnson said placing the specialized designation on driver's licenses and identification cards would make it easier on veterans, who currently must carry discharge papers to prove their service. It will allow the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and county veteran service officers better identify veterans and reach out to them about available services, she said. Aaron Jenkins, public information officer for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, said it would provide the department with more complete and up-to-date contact information for veterans. The veteran's identification plan was recently introduced in a bill by lawmakers and Johnson said her office will work with them to see that it is written into law. While Michigan has the nation's 11th highest population of veterans, the state ranks dead last in federal money spent per person on services provided through the U.S. Veterans Administration, including medical treatment and employment assistance. Garth Wootten, a Navy veteran and president of the Michigan Association of County Veterans' Counselors, said at the press conference veterans often don't seek services until they are in "crisis mode." He said these initiatives will help the state be "more proactive, rather than reactive." Continued...
Michigan Secretary of State Touts IDs for Veterans
Paid for by the Michigan Republican Party with Regulated Funds. Not authorized by any candidate or candidates committee. 520 Seymour Street, Lansing, MI 48933
Veteran Lloyd Kramer of Harbor Beach, Mich., who served in the Navy for 3 1/2 years during Vietnam, said that while it is "slowly happening" he is "impressed they are actually getting something done." The Secretary of State's Office also plans to partner with the new Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, which will begin operating March 20, the 10th anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq. Gov. Rick Snyder signed an executive order in January creating the new state agency within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The agency will work to connect individual veterans with government officials and help navigate bureaucracy. Johnson said 131 Secretary of State branch offices across the state will work with the new agency to get information about benefits "directly into the hands" of veterans. Michigan has also recently received VA accreditation to act on behalf of veterans, which will provide the Veterans Affairs Agency access to federal databases and the authority to oversee processing of individual cases. With the "thousands of veterans coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan" the outreach to the Secretary of State offices throughout the state will be "invaluable," said Jason Allen, senior deputy director for veterans affairs in Michigan's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Johnson also laid out plans to work with veteran groups to design a special license plate to raise money to fund veterans' programs in Michigan.
Some Useful Links

Air Force Times www.airforcetimes.com Navy Times www.navytimes.com Marine Corps Times www.marinecorpstimes.com Army Times www.armytimes.com Military Times www.militarytimes.com TRICARE www.tricare.mil American Legion www.legion.org Veterans of Foreign Wars www.vfw.org AMVETS www.amvets.org The DAV www.dav.org Department of Defense www.dod.gov Military/Veterans Report www.militray.com The Pentagon Channel www.pentagonchannel.mil Veterans Administration www.va.gov Military Order of the Purple Heart www.purpleheart.org
We would like to express our appreciation to all of the fighting men and women in the United States Military. Thank you for your service to this country.
Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.
If anyone has a site they would like to have added to this growing list please let us know! Contact us anytime at mhauser@migop.org Also check out the complete list of links that appear in this newsletter on the last page.
~Ronald Reagan
Thank you for your Support!

2
From: Tracy Nagy Secretary of State Ruth Johnson & advocates announce initiatives to assist veterans, including designation on licenses. Secretary of State Ruth Johnson and state veterans advocates announced several initiatives this month to assist the more than 650,000 military veterans who live in Michigan, including a proposal to put a special VETERAN designation on their driver's license or ID card to better link veterans with the services they've earned. "Michigan veterans have put their lives on the line to defend our freedoms," Johnson said. "In return, we must do more as a state to serve those who have served and ensure that when they enter civilian life, they have the resources available to succeed. Placing a veteran designation on driver's licenses and ID cards will help
Serving Those Who Served
connect veterans with the resources they deserve." The designation allows the Secretary of State's Office to partner with the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and veteran service organizations across the state to provide referral information to veterans so they better know what resources and services are available to them. Additional information also will be made available to veterans in the 131 Secretary of State offices throughout the state. "We appreciate the opportunity to partner with Secretary Johnson and the veteran services organizations," said Jason Allen, senior deputy director for veterans affairs for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. "The designation also allows veterans to take advantage of private-sector discounts." Johnson and DMVA leaders will work with lawmakers to have this change written into law. Under the proposal, veterans who want the designation would provide the Secretary of State's Office with proof of an honorable discharge. Continued
Johnson and Allen announced the proposal at a press conference at the state Capitol in Lansing. They were joined by representatives of the American Legion Department of Michigan; Sen. John Moolenaar, chairman of the Senate Veterans, Military and Homeland Security Committee; Rep. Jim Stamas, chairman of the House Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs; Garth Wootten, a Navy veteran and division manager for Oakland County Veterans' Services; and other lawmakers and veterans advocates. Another initiative announced today calls for the creation of a new fundraising license plate to benefit Michigan veterans, Johnson said. The department will work with the DMVA and service organizations to develop a design and determine which programs would receive revenue from sales of the plate.
"Leaving military service for civilian life can be a confusing, difficult process for some veterans," said Patrick Lafferty, the American Legion state adjutant. "We strongly support giving new veterans a better system for learning about and accessing the programs available to assist them. Their service to our nation has earned these services." Johnson also provided details of a new law that will allow recently returned military veterans with large truck driving experience to skip the skills test portion of Michigan's commercial driver license application process. Johnson said the waiver cuts red tape and will help move veterans into jobs more quickly when they return from service. Gov. Rick Snyder in his recent State of the State address noted that Michigan veterans rank last per capita in receiving federal dollars for veterans' benefits. Snyder signed an executive order, effective March 20, creating the Michigan Veteran Affairs Agency within the DMVA to serve as a centralized, coordinating unit in state government that will connect veterans to services and benefits.
From: www.michian.gov The Adjutant General, Brig. Gen. LeRoy Pearson, gave the following report to Governor Kelly on July 16, 1944: "All units of the Michigan National Guard inducted into federal service on October 15, 1940, February 24, 1941, and April 7, 1941, aggregating 527 officers, 8 Warrant Officers, and 7,673 enlisted men, continued in Federal service because of the war during this period. "There are no official reports as to exact location of these troops, such information being restricted by the War Department for security reasons. It is known from unofficial sources, however, that the 32nd Division, elements of which are composed of Michigan troops, has rendered outstanding service in action against the enemy."
Michigan National Guard in World War II
The Pacific Theater

Those "unofficial" sources quoted by Brig. Gen. Pearson were an understatement. Michigan units in the 32nd Division were indeed in the southwest Pacific theater. They were among the first American soldiers to meet the enemy in World War II and went on to establish the longest combat record of any American division in the war. The account of the division's incredible feats during the "Bloody Buna" campaign on New Guinea early in the war has become a military classic in the study of mountain/jungle warfare. Overseas for 40 months, the men fought continuously for more than a year-and-a-half. Members of the 32nd Division won six Congressional Medals of Honor. A Presidential Unit Citation for the entire Division confirmed its outstanding combat record.
6th of June 1944. The rest of the combat engineers from the Upper Peninsula went ashore on June 8th. Michigan's 254th was assigned the task of building and repairing bridges, thereby facilitating the link-up of the infantrymen landing on the beaches with the paratroopers who had jumped behind enemy lines in the early morning hours of June 6. Normandy was the first of five campaigns for the 254th, which went on to receive the Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism during the Battle of the Bulge. Even before the patroopers jumped into Normandy to commence the invasion, pilots of the Michigan National Guard's 107th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron were flying photographic missions in preparation for D-Day. Mobilized at Detroit October 15, 1940, as part of the 32nd "Red Arrow" Division, it took part in antisubmarine patrols along the U.S. Atlantic coast before deploying to England in August 1942. Flying the F-6A, the reconnaissance version of the P-51 Mustang, the 107th became the first operational photographic reconnaissance squadron in Northern Europe. The squadron's pilots flew 384 missions to perform the dangerous task of photographically mapping the French coast before D-Day. Miraculously, only one aircraft was shot down from December 1943 to June 1944. Lt. Donald E. Colton was killed in action in the vicinity of Roven, France, May 9, 1944. For its efforts during this period, the 107th received the Presidential Unit Citation. Assigned to support the First U.S. Army during the Normandy Campaign, the 107th became the first recon squadron to operate from French soil. the squadron flew an additional 1,800-plus missions after May, 1944 and participated in four campaigns following Normandy.
Returning Home
Under War Department policy, many of Michigan's National Guard units were detached from their former organizations and attached to other units. Such was the case for the 107th Observation Squadron, which entered service with the 32nd Division. The Squadron was later attached to the 67th Fighter Reconnaissance Group and performed outstanding service in the European Theater of Operations. In this way, Michigan units were committed to combat operations on a worldwide basis and participated with honor on every front.
Michigan Guard at D-Day

Members of the Michigan National Guard's 254th Combat Engineer Battalion and 107th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron played a vital role in the Normandy Campaign. One platoon of the 254th went ashore with the first wave at Omaha Beach on D-Day, the
U.S Rep Fred Upton has asked that the Michigan Air National Guard base in Battle Creek become the new home of C-27J (pictured) or C-130 transport aircraft.
By: SCOTT AIKEN - H-P Staff Writer. From: Gene Simon BATTLE CREEK - U.S. Rep. Fred Upton has asked that the Michigan Air National Guard base in Battle Creek become the new home of a unit of C-27J or C-130 transport aircraft. The St. Joseph Republican said in a letter to Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley that the base has "continually modernized its assets and has nearly everything needed to host the mission, including three runways, one of them 10,000 feet long. The base, at W.K. Kellogg Airport, has a strategic location, Upton said, at a time when there are few active duty Air Force installations in the upper Midwest. "It is well-placed to deliver goods and personnel anywhere in the country on short notice," he said. The airport is not in Upton's 6th District, though he represents two townships in Calhoun County. Gov. Rick Snyder has also requested Battle Creek as a base for the aircraft. The Air Force is expected to decide soon where it will base C-27J or C-130 aircraft
Upton: Bring transports to Mich.
as required by the National Defense Authorization Act for the current fiscal year. The act requires the retention of 32 aircraft in addition to the number included in the force structure proposal presented by the Air Force to Congress in November. If the Air National Guard base at Battle Creek is chosen, the aircraft would become part of the 110th Airlift Wing. The unit traces its history back more than 60 years, during which it has flown seven types of aircraft and gone through six major reorganizations. Its members saw service in Iraq and Afghanistan as the 110th Fighter Wing, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Until 2005 the 110th flew the A-10 Thunderbolt II, dubbed the Warthog, a twinengine jet aircraft designed to provide close air support for ground troops. Base realignment took away the A-10s and the wing was supposed to get the C-27J Spartan, the newest cargo aircraft in the Air Force inventory. But those aircraft have not been received. Capable of carrying up to 68 troops, or 46 paratroopers, the C-27J's missions include direct support of Army units, homeland security, disaster response and medical evacuation. The 110th also has a cyber defense mission, and flies the C-21 Cougar, the military version of the Lear Jet, to transport passengers and cargo. The four-engine turboprop C-130 Hercules has been a mainstay in the Air Force for more than half a century. Capt. Craig Warn, public information officer for the 110th Airlift Wing, said the unit has more than 900 members who travel to the base from around the region. If Battle Creek is chosen, he said, the unit would likely get eight aircraft. "It would be a great opportunity for our community," he said. "It would be huge for us." In his letter to the Air Force secretary, Upton said the Battle Creek base and its personnel have prepared for the expected arrival of the C-27Js, but are also "more than capable" of accepting a C-130 mission instead. Michigan Air National Guard units are considered to be reserve components of the Air Force. In addition to federal reserve obligations, the Michigan ANG are state militia units that may be activated by order of the governor to preserve the peace or public safety. State missions include disaster relief, search and rescue and civil defense.
From: Don Alsbro
Naval & Air Museum Pensacola
From: http://www.jpac.pacom.mil The mission of the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) is to achieve the fullest possible accounting of all Americans missing as a result of the nation's past conflicts. The highest priority of the organization is the return of any living Americans that remain prisoners of war. To date, the U.S. Government has not found any evidence that there are still American POWs in captivity from past U.S. conflicts. JPAC is located on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. The command was activated on Oct. 1, 2003, created from the merger of the 30-year-old U.S. Army Central Identification Laboratory, Hawaii, and the 11-year-old Joint Task Force - Full Accounting. Commanded by a flag officer, JPAC is manned by approximately 400 handpicked Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Department of the Navy civilians. The laboratory portion of JPAC, referred to as the Central Identification Laboratory (CIL), is the largest forensic anthropology laboratory in the world. JPAC also maintains three permanent overseas detachments to assist with command and control, logistics and in-country support during investigation and recovery operations. They are Detachment One located in Bangkok, Thailand, Detachment Two in Hanoi, Vietnam and Detachment Three in Vientiane, Laos. JPAC has a fourth detachment, Detachment Four, located at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, responsible for recovery team personnel when they are not deployed.
To View the rest of the pictures please click here

7
From: Don Alsbro Lest We Forget will present its sixth tribute to veterans, May 17-19, 2013 at the Southwest Regional Airport. This event will have many of the features of the past events with some new additions. While we will not have the WWII beach landings we will have more WWII battles at the airport, there will be a Vietnam re-enactment featuring Huey helicopters, VN vehicles and the 25th Infantry "Wolfhounds" and there will be tributes to the Korean veterans. The project officer for this event will be Bill Womer, a member of Lest We Forget. Bill is a retired SGT MAJ from the MI National Guard and retired social studies teacher from St Joseph HS. Bill will be assisted by members of Lest We Forget heading the various committees with support from the community. The event will be co-sponsored by Fairmount Minerals, Lakeland Regional Hospital, Meijer's and Johnson Rauhoff. In addition to these sponsors Lest We Forget couldn't function without the support of grants from the Upton Foundation, the Schalon Foundation and various service clubs. To put on this re-enactment over $60,000 must be raised. There is no charge for the events at the airport and donations are gratefully accepted. For several weeks prior to the event both sides of the road leading to the airport will be lined with flags thru the cooperation of the BH/SJ Exchange Club and Michigan Works Bridge Academy. Meals will be provided throughout the event. There will be WWII and VN re-enactments and a tribute to the Korean soldiers. Friday 1. 1-3 pm at Tiscornia Beach there will be several landing craft that will be giving rides to the public. The rides will be $10 each with WWII veterans and children 17 and under riding for free. 2. 4:30-7:00 there will be a military vehicle, motorcycle and classic car parade thru Benton Harbor and St Joseph with a 30 min stop at the Berrien County Courthouse. This will be a repeat of the vehicle parade last year which was highly successful. 3. 7:30-9:30 there will be a reception and presentations by the Medal of Honor guests and other distinguished guests at the Airport Hangar
LEST WE FORGET PRESENTS WWII AND VIETNAM RE-ENACTMENT AND KOREAN TRIBUTE
Saturday 1. Two WWII re-enactments: one at 11 am and the other at 3 pm. 2. A Vietnam re-enactment complete with 2 Huey helicopters (Med-evac and assault), troops, and military vehicles at 1 pm. During the event there will be a Vietnam compound set up. 3. Flame throwing demonstrations will be conducted both Saturday and Sunday. The flame throwing demonstration will be performed by Larry MacLean of Rochester Hills, MI 4. Parachute drops by the Mad Dog Parachute team from South Carolina at 10 and 2 pm 5. Demonstration by Johnny Mayo, VN dog handler and his trained dogs. Johnny is from South Carolina 6. Presentations by Medal of Honor and other distinguished guests at 4-6 pm in the Hangar 7. Korean Tribute (TBD) 6-8 pm 8. Hangar Dance from 8-10:30 pm. This dance will be a repeat of last year with the Moonlighters led by Paul Friday providing the music. Last year this was enjoyed by the re-enactors and the public. 9. WWII fashion show during intermission of the dance 10. In the hangar will be The Master Modeler Jerry Lindquist with his display of military dioramas and military history, Weldon and Lorraine House with their display of the history of the USO, sale of LWF merchandise and a display of WWII fashions by Kathy Pendergrass of Decatur 11. In the field will be the 20th Century at War Museum from Holland, MI. This is an interactive display of military field equipment featuring vehicles, signal and other military equipment. There will also be military maircraft from WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Two Vietnam Huey's (medevac and assault chopper) from Kokomo IN will be providing rides to members, plus a Korean Bell helicopter and other aircraft. Sunday 1. Church service at 9 am 2. Presentations by Medal of Honor and other distinguished guests from 10-12 3. WWII Re-enactment at 1 pm 4. Flame throwing, parachute drops will be conducted during the day The above schedule is flexible and subject to change. For questions please call Don Alsbro at 269-9217176, dealsbro@comcast.net or go to the web site: www.lestweforgetusa.org.
8
Special Thanks To Lest WE Forget For Their Support!

They meet the first Wednesday of everything month and 10am. For more information Click Here. I would also like to thank Mr. Kenneth Mckeown for the great photos.-Matthew X. Hauser
From: RAO Bulletin February 2013 (Lt. James EMO Tichacek, USN (Ret) Associate Director, Retiree Assistance Office, U.S. Embassy Warden & IRS VITA Baguio City RPPSC 517 Box RCB, FPO AP 96517 Tel: (951) 238 -1246 in U.S. or Cell: 0915-361-3503 in the Philippines. Email: raoemo@sbcglobal.net AL/AMVETS/DAV/FRA/ NAUS/NCOA/MOAA/USDR/VFW/VVA/CG33/DD890/ AD37 member) The Better Business Bureau investigates thousands of scams every year, and this past year launched two websites to help consumers figure out which offers are real and which ones are possibly frauds: BBB Smart Investing ( http://www.bbb.org/smartinvesting ), developed in partnership with the FINRA Investor Education Foundation, informs consumers about investment fraud, Ponzi schemes and risky investments, and helps them assess their risk, check out brokers, and avoid getting taken. BBB Scam Stopper ( http://www.bbb.org/ scamstopper ), developed in partnership with Western Union, educates consumers about the major types of scams and provides information on how to avoid them and how to report them. The annual Top Ten Scams list is culled from a variety of sources. BBB gathers information on scams from consumers, some of whom have been victims of scams; from federal agencies; and from other reliable information sources. Its hard to say which are the biggest scams, as far as the number of people affected or the amount of money stolen, because many go unreported or under-reported, said Carrie A. Hurt, President and CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureaus. Some of these scams have been around as long as BBB 100 years and some take advantage of brand new technologies. Our list is made up of the ones that seemed the most audacious, the most egregious. They hurt a lot of people, and it seems that scams are only getting more prevalent even as consumers are getting savvier. Here are BBBs Top Ten Scams of 2012: Overpayment/Fake Check Scam: Car Ads The online ad says something like Get Paid Just for Driving Around a prominent company is offering $400+ per week if youll drive around with their logo all over your car. They send a check to you, which you are supposed to deposit in your account and then wire part of the payment to the graphic designer who will customize the ad for your vehicle. Whoops! A week later, the check bounces, the graphic designer is nowhere to be found, and you are out the money you wired. The Internet Complaint Center ( http://www.ic3.gov ) says they saw this one a lot in 2012.
Scam-BBB
Emergency Scam: Grandparents Scam - The Grandparents Scam has been around a while, but its still so prevalent we need to mention it again: grandchild/ niece/nephew/friend is traveling abroad and calls/texts/ emails to say he or she has been mugged/arrested/hurt and needs money right away (and please dont tell mom and dad!). Plus the FBI says that, thanks to social media, its getting easier and easier for scammers to tell a more plausible story because they can use real facts from the supposed victims life (Remember that great camera I got for Christmas? Im in France to visit my old college roommate.). Easy rule of thumb before you wire money in an emergency, check with the supposed victim or their family members to make sure they really are traveling. Odds are they are safe at home. Employment Scam: Mystery Shopping - If you love to shop, working as a secret shopper may sound like an ideal way to supplement your income. But scammers have figured that out, too, and many job offers are nothing more than a variation on the Overpayment/Fake Check Scam (above). Sometimes they even tell you that evaluating the wire service company is part of the job, which is why you need to send back part of the money. The Mystery Shopping Providers Association says its not the practice of their members to pre-pay shoppers, but if you have your heart set on this type of job, you can find a legitimate gig through their website at .http://www.mysteryshop.org. Advance Fee/Prepayment Scam: Nonexistent Loans - Loan scams continued to fester in 2012. It seems for every legitimate lender out there, there is a scammer waiting to prey on people in desperate situations. Most of the scams advertise online and promise things like no credit check or easy repayment terms. Then the hook: you have to make the first payment upfront, you have to buy an insurance policy, or there is some other kind of fee that you have to pay first to secure the loan. This year, we heard a new, aggressive twist on loan scams: consumers who were threatened with lawsuits and law enforcement action if they didnt pay back loans they said they had never even taken out in the first place. Some got calls at their workplace, even to relatives. The embarrassment of being thought of as a delinquent caused some victims to pay even when they knew they didnt owe the money. Phishing Scam: President Obama Will Pay Your Utility Bills - Of all the politically-related scams, this one seemed to be the most prevalent. At the peak of summer with utility costs soaring, consumers got emails, letters and even door-to-door solicitations about a new government program to pay your utility bills. Hey, the president wants to get re-elected, right? Maybe hes just trying to win votes. Victims registered with an officiallooking website and provided everything scammers needed for identity theft purposes, including bank account information.
10
Sweepstakes/Lottery Scam: Jamaican Phone Lottery - This is an old one that flared up again this year. We consider it flattering (in a weird way) that BBB is such a trusted brand that we star in so many scams! In this one, the calls come from Jamaica (area code 876) but the person claims to represent BBB (or FBI, or other trusted group). Great news: youve won a terrific prize (typical haul: $2 million and Mercedes Benz) but you have to pay a fee in order to collect your winnings. There are lots of variations on this; sometimes its a government grant. Best just to hang up and then file a phone fraud report with the appropriate government agency (see below). Identity Theft Scam: Fake Facebook Tweets Two top social media sites were exploited in one of this years top scams. You get a Direct Message from a friend on Twitter with something about a video of you on Facebook (ROFL they was taping you or What RU doing in this FB vid? are typical tweets). In a panic, you click on the link to see what the embarrassing video could possibly be, and you get an error message that says you need to update Flash or other video player. But the file isnt a new version of Flash; its a virus or malware that can steal confidential information from your computer or smart phone. Twitter recommends reporting such spam, resetting your password and revoking connections to third -party applications. Home Improvement Scam: Sandy Storm Chasers - BBB spends a lot of time investigating and reporting on home improvement scams, but this year we saw an unusual amount of storm chaser activity following Super Storm Sandy. Tree removal, roofing, general home repairs some were legitimate contractors who came from other areas for the volume of work available; others were unlicensed, uninsured and ill-prepared for the work; while some were even out-andout scam artists who took the money and never did the work. In an emergency, its tempting to skip reference checking, but thats never a good idea. BBB has tens of thousands of Accredited Businesses in the home contracting field who are committed to upholding our mission of trust. Next time you need home repairs, find a contractor at www.bbb.org/search.
Sales/Rental Scam: Real Stars, Fake Goods - Sports memorabilia and phony tickets always make the list of top counterfeit goods. From the Super Bowl to the World Series, counterfeiters manage to have their hands in your pocket all year long. With the London Olympics added to the mix, it appears that 2012 was a good year for sports fakes. Some scammers were selling cheap knock-offs in front of stadiums. Others set up websites that just stole your money and never had any goods to begin with. Counterfeit goods are not only a rip-off for you because the merchandise is usually shoddy, but they are also a ripoff for the teams, athletes, designers and artists who create, license and sell the real thing. Buy directly from team stores and websites, or from legitimate retailers. Youll pay a little more, but it will be the real deal. Remember, if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Scam of the Year: Newtown Charity Scams Within hours of the horrific shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, social media pages dedicated to the child victims began cropping upand some of them were scams asking for money. The FBI has already arrested one woman for posing as the aunt of one of the children killed, and state and federal agencies are investigating other possible fraudulent and misleading solicitations. In response to these reports, BBB Wise Giving Alliance offered tips for donors to understand how and when to best support those dealing with such a tragic crisis. Although the number of people defrauded and the total dollars stolen is most likely low, the cynicism and sheer audacity of these scams merits our selecting it as the Top Scam of 2012. For more information on these and other scams, go to BBB Scamstopper http://www.bbb.org/scamstopper. If interested, you can sign up for BBB Scam Alerts and learn about new scams as soon as they do. To search for a business in the U.S. or Canada, or to find your local BBB, go to http://www.BBB.org. For information on charities, go to http://www.Give.org. For information on U.S. government services, go to: http://www.USA.gov. For information on Canadian government services, go to Service Canada http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca. .[Source: BBB article 9 Jan 2013 ++]
11
12
13
TRICARE behavioral health care services are available for you and your family This fact sheet is not all-inclusive. For additional information, please visit www.tricare.mil. January 2013. From: www.tricare.mil TRICARE behavioral health care services are available for you and your family during times of stress, depression, grief, and anxiety. This fact sheet provides information to help you access the care you need. Visit www.tricare.mil/ mentalhealth or contact your regional contractor for more information. COVERED OUTPATIENT SERVICES Referrals and authorizations may apply for certain outpatient services. Active duty service members (ADSMs) should always seek nonemergency behavioral health care at military treatment facilities (MTFs), when available. If services are not available, ADSMs must obtain referrals from their MTFs or service points of contact (SPOCs) before receiving civilian care. All other TRICARE beneficiaries (non-ADSMs) do not need referrals or prior authorization for the first eight outpatient behavioral health care visits per fiscal year (FY) (October 1September 30) to a network provider for a medically diagnosed and covered condition. Prior authorization from your regional contractor is required beginning with the ninth outpatient behavioral health care visit per FY. Referrals are not required. Care access and rules vary by beneficiary type, location, and TRICARE program option. Refer to the Getting Care section of this fact sheet for details. Psychotherapy Psychotherapy is discussion-based behavioral health therapy. Outpatient and inpatient psychotherapy are covered when medically or psychologically necessary to treat a behavioral health disorder. Outpatient psychotherapy is
TRICARE Behavioral HealthCare Services
covered up to two sessions per week provided two therapy sessions of the same type do not occur on the same day in any combination of individual, family, group, or collateral sessions. The following types of therapy sessions are covered: Individual psychotherapy: Therapy may be used for adults and children to ease emotional issues, reverse or change troubling behavior, and encourage personality growth and development. Sessions are covered up to 60 minutes; crisis sessions may extend up to 120 minutes. Note: For a patient whose primary diagnosis is a substance use disorder, outpatient psychotherapy is only covered when provided by a TRICARE authorized substance use disorder rehabilitation facility (SUDRF). Individual psychotherapy is also covered for patients with mentaldisorder diagnoses that coexist with alcohol or other drugabuse disorders. Refer to the Substance Use Disorders section of this fact sheet for more information. Family or conjoint psychotherapy: Therapy designed to treat the entire family. Regular sessions are covered up to 90 minutes; crisis sessions may extend up to 180 minutes. Group psychotherapy: Therapy in which multiple patients are treated together as a group. Sessions are covered up to 90 minutes. Continued
From: www.michiganpva.org MPVA is celebrating its 50th year of service in Michigan. It is a chapter of the national Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), operating according to the standards and practices established by the PVA. MPVA is, however, a separate 501(c)(3) charitable organization. The Michigan programs, services, education, and outreach conducted here are made possible by local volunteers, partners, sponsors, and donors. The mission of Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America is to enhance the lives of veterans with spinal cord injury or disease as well as all citizens with disabilities, by advocating for civil rights, assuring quality health care, supporting continued research and education, and encouraging independence and healthy living through various health, sports and recreational programs. MPVA shall continue striving to remain at the forefront of both veterans benefits services and disability rights, while working toward a better quality of life for all American citizens.
The MPVA Mission
14
Collateral visits: Collateral visits are not therapy sessions. These visits are used to gather information and to implement treatment goals. Collateral visits are counted as individual psychotherapy sessions and can last up to 60 minutes. Beneficiaries have the option of combining collateral visits with other individual or group psychotherapy visits. Psychoanalysis Psychoanalysis differs from psychotherapy and requires prior authorization. After prior authorization is obtained, treatment must be given by approved providers. Psychological Testing Psychological testing and assessment are covered only when provided in conjunction with psychotherapy. Testing is limited to six hours per FY. Any testing beyond six hours requires a review for medical necessity. Medication Management If you take prescription medications for a behavioral health condition, you must be under the care of a provider who is authorized to prescribe those drugs. Your provider will manage the dosage and duration of your prescriptions. Telemental Health Program The Telemental Health program is available to all U.S. TRICARE beneficiaries. At Telemental Healthparticipating TRICARE facilities, beneficiaries can use secure audio-visual conferencing to connect with off-site TRICARE network providers. Charges, limitations, and referral and authorization requirements apply. For more information about Telemental Health, visit www.tricare.mil/mentalhealth or contact your regional contractor. COVERED INPATIENT SERVICES Availability, care access, and referral and authorization requirements for inpatient services may vary by beneficiary type, location, and TRICARE program option. Refer to the Getting Care section of this fact sheet for details. Prior authorization is required for all nonemergency inpatient behavioral health care services. Psychiatric emergencies do not require prior authorization, but authorization is
required for continued stay. Admissions resulting from psychiatric emergencies should be reported to your regional contractor within 24 hours of admission or the next business day, and must be reported within 72 hours of an admission. Authorization for continued stay is coordinated between the inpatient unit and the regional contractor. Note: ADSMs who receive care at MTFs do not require prior authorization. Acute Inpatient Psychiatric Care A patient may be referred to acute inpatient psychiatric care if the health care provider believes the patient has a behavioral health disorder that threatens the patients physical well-being or the well-being of others, to the extent that medical and psychiatric care is needed on a 24-hour-a-day basis for safety and stabilization. Benefit limits are as follows: Patients 19 and older are limited to 30 days per FY or in any single admission. Patients 18 and younger are limited to 45 days per FY or in any single admission. Limitations may be waived if determined to be medically or psychologically necessary. Psychiatric Partial Hospitalization Program A psychiatric partial hospitalization program (PHP) is recommended when a behavioral health provider believes it is necessary to stabilize a critical behavioral health disorder that does not require 24-hour-a-day care in an inpatient psychiatric setting, or to transition from an inpatient program to an outpatient program. A PHP is a treatment setting that provides medical therapeutic services at least three hours per day, five days per week. Treatment may include day, evening, night, and weekend programs. TRICARE provides up to 60 days of coverage per FY (fullor half-day program) in a TRICAREauthorized program for behavioral health disorders. PHP treatment for a diagnosis of a substance use disorder is limited to the rehabilitation treatment maximum outlined in the Substance Use Disorders section of this fact sheet. PHP care does not count toward the 30- or 45-day limit for acute inpatient psychiatric care.
Steaming Live for those who serve check it out.

If anyone has any other sites or link they find to be a good source please let us know we will gladly work it in. Please contact us anytime at mhauser@migop.org.
15
Residential Treatment Center Care Residential treatment centers (RTCs) provide extended care for children and adolescents who have behavioral health disorders requiring treatment in a therapeutic environment 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Residential treatment may be required for children and adolescents who are stabilized enough to not require acute inpatient hospitalization, but do require a structured, therapeutic, residential setting to stabilize their condition so they can function at home and in an outpatient setting in the future. TRICARE covers up to 150 days per FY in a TRICAREauthorized RTC and may cover more if the care is medically or psychologically necessary. RTC care always requires referral and prior authorization, is not covered in emergencies, and admission primarily for substance use is not authorized. Care does not count toward the 30- or 45-day limit for acute inpatient psychiatric care. TRICARE provides RTC care until reaching age 21; however, some RTCs do not accept individuals older than age 17. SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS Substance use disorders include the abuse of or dependence on drugs or alcohol. Services are only covered by TRICAREauthorized institutional providers an authorized hospital or an organized treatment program in an authorized freestanding or hospital-based SUDRF. Treatment includes detoxification, rehabilitation, and outpatient individual, group, and family therapy. TRICARE covers three substance use disorder rehabilitation treatments in a lifetime and one per benefit period. A benefit period begins with the first date of the covered treatment and ends 365 days later. Inpatient Detoxification TRICARE covers emergency and inpatient hospital services for the treatment of the acute phases of substance use withdrawal (detoxification) when the patients condition requires the personnel and facilities of a hospital or SUDRF. Up to seven days per episode are covered in a TRICARE-authorized, diagnosis-related group-exempt facility. Inpatient detoxification care counts toward the 30- or 45-day limit for acute inpatient psychiatric care, but not toward the 21-day rehabilitation limit. Rehabilitation Rehabilitation of a substance use disorder may occur in an inpatient (residential) or partial hospitalization setting. TRICARE covers 21 days of rehabilitation per benefit period in a TRICARE-authorized facility, whether in an inpatient or partial hospitalization facility or a combination of both. Limitations may be waived if determined to be medically or psychologically necessary. Days for rehabilitation count toward the 30- or 45-day
limit for acute inpatient psychiatric care. Outpatient Substance Use Care Outpatient substance use care must be provided in an individual, family, or group setting by an approved SUDRF (freestanding or hospital-based). Benefit limits are as follows: Individual or group therapy: Up to 60 visits per benefit period (only within the SUDRF) Family therapy: Up to 15 visits per benefit period Limitations may be waived if determined to be medically or psychologically necessary. EXCLUSIONS The following behavioral health care services are not covered under TRICARE. This list is not all-inclusive. Aversion therapy (including electric shock and the use of chemicals for alcoholism, except for disulfiram, which is covered for the treatment of alcoholism) Behavioral health care services and supplies related solely to obesity and/or weight reduction Biofeedback for psychosomatic conditions Counseling services that are not medically necessary in the treatment of a diagnosed medical condition (e.g., educational counseling, vocational counseling, and counseling for socioeconomic purposes, stress management, lifestyle modifications) Custodial nursing care Educational programs Experimental procedures Marathon therapy Megavitamin or orthomolecular therapy Psychological testing and assessment as part of an assessment for academic placement (This exclusion encompasses all psychological testing related to educational programs, issues, or deficiencies; or testing to determine whether a beneficiary has a learning disability if the primary or sole basis for the testing is to assess for a learning disability.) Psychosurgery (Surgery for the relief of movement disorders and surgery to interrupt the transmission of pain along sensory pathways are not considered psychosurgery.) Services and supplies that are not medically or psychologically necessary for the diagnosis and treatment of a covered condition Sexual dysfunction therapy Supplies related to stop smoking regimens Therapy for developmental or learning disorders such as dyslexia, developmental mathematics disorders, developmental language disorders, and developmental articulation disorders. CONTINUED...
16
GETTING CARE Emergency Care In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. If you need emergency care overseas, go to the nearest emergency care facility or call the Medical Assistance number for the region where you are located. Referrals and prior authorizations are not required for emergency care. ADSMs who are admitted for emergency care should work with the facility to obtain a continuedstay authorization from their MTF primary care managers (PCMs), Military Medical Support Office SPOCs, or TRICARE Overseas Program (TOP) Regional Call Centers within 2472 hours of admission. When nonADSMs are admitted for emergency care, their PCMs, regional contractors, or TOP Regional Call Centers should be notified within 2472 hours of an admission. If an emergency care admission occurs while traveling overseas, beneficiaries should contact their PCMs or TOP Regional Call Centers before leaving the facility, or within 24 hours or on the next business day. Nonemergency Care For nonemergency care, your PCM or primary care provider can provide an initial assessment and possibly
treatment, and can refer you to an appropriate behavioral health care provider, if necessary. ADSMs should always seek nonemergency behavioral health care at MTFs first. ADSMs must always obtain MTF PCM referrals before receiving civilian care. TRICARE Prime beneficiaries should seek care from TRICARE network providers. If you seek nonemergency care from a non-network provider without a referral from your PCM, your care will be covered at higher out-of-pocket costs under the point-ofservice (POS) option. Continued...
MICHIGAN AIR NATIONAL GUARD HISTORY BOOKS

The Michigan Air National Guard Historical Association created a three volume set of history books covering the periods 1926-1996. A fourth volume covering the years 1996 to 2006 is in production and should be available soon. Volume 1 covers the period 1926 to 1976-Cost: $1.00 Volume 2 covers the period 1976 to 1986-Cost: $4.00 Volume 3 covers the period 1986 to 1996-Cost: $1.00 Volume 4 covers the period 1996 to 2010-Cost: $6:00 Full color $35.00 If you wish to purchase one or more of these volumes or are interested in more information, please contact MAGHA at Phone: 586-239-6768, Fax: 586-239-6646, Email: 127.wg.selfridgeairmuseum@ang.af.mil
MANGBANG
From: Eugene (Gene) A. Simon- Command Chief Master Sergeant USAF (Retired) & Matthew X. Hauser As you may have seen in past editions of the newsletter, MANGBANG has been one of our sources. We are thankful for the source and so we just wanted to pass the information along for MANGBANG in case anyone is interested in joining the Michigan Air National Guard Historical Association. You can contact Lou Nigro if you are interested. We think it is a worthwhile investment-it supports the history of the Michigan Air National Guard and his monthly publications are very informative. For those who want to view it on our website (www.selfridgeairmuseum.org, http://www.selfridgeairmuseum.org ), Lt Col Lou Nigro, MI ANG (Ret) Executive Director, Selfridge Military Air Museum Email: louis.nigro@ang.af.mil
17
POS does not apply to the first eight behavioral health outpatient visits per FY to a network provider for a medically diagnosed and covered condition, emergency care, or if you have other health insurance. TRICARE Standard beneficiaries may see any TRICARE-authorized provider, but will minim. Non-ADSMs do not need referrals or prior authorization for the first eight outpatient behavioral health care visits per FY to a network provider for a medically diagnosed and covered condition. However, a physician referral and supervision is always required to see pastoral counselors and may be required to see mental health counselors. Contact your regional contractor to find out if a mental health counselor requires physician referral and supervision before getting services. You must obtain prior authorization from your regional contractor beginning with the ninth outpatient behavioral
health care visit per FY. Nonemergency inpatient admissions, PHPs, and other services always require prior authorization. Contact your regional contractor for prior authorization requirements. To coordinate referrals and authorizations overseas, TOP Prime beneficiaries should contact their PCMs or MTFs. TOP Prime Remote beneficiaries should contact their TOP Regional Call Centers. COSTS ADSMs have no costs for behavioral health care received from or authorized by the Military Health System. NonADSMs can minimize costs by seeking care at MTFs, when available, or from TRICARE network providers. TRICARE Prime active duty family members may obtain nonemergency care from TRICARE-authorized, nonnetwork providers without referrals, but POS fees apply. For more information and specific cost details, visit www.tricare.mil/costs. How the Registry Began The National Gold Star Family Registry is a project of Military Families United, a not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) charitable organization whose mission is to Honor the Fallen, Support Those Who Fight, and Serve Their Families. Through various events held for Gold Star Family members, Military Families United recognized a need for families to be able to share the stories of their Heroes with the world. In the beginning, families attending these events wrote their stories in a notebook to share with other Gold Star families, this concept eventually took the form of the virtual memorial. First launched in 2010, the Registry has been continually upgraded with the latest in technology and resources. This 21st Century memorial ensures that anyone anywhere can honor and remember the Heroes who have laid down their lives in defense of freedom. Whether they gave their life in Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Korea, WWII, or another conflict, the Registry is a place to ensure their memory will live on. About Military Families United Military Families United is a not-for-profit 501(c) (3) charitable organization whose mission is to Honor the Fallen, Support Those Who Fight, and Serve Their Families. We are a national coalition of Gold Star and Blue Star families, veterans, and patriotic Americans who share a deep appreciation for our men and women in uniform and support them in their mission to keep America safe. Founded in 2005 to provide an avenue for military families to remind the nation of the importance of supporting our military and the mission they have been given , the organization expanded to provide charitable programs offering families direct support. Through a portfolio of unique services, events, and advocacy programs, the organization seeks to ensure that future generations of Americans will never forget the sacrifices of our courageous military.
18
From: Wendy Lynn Day (www.goldstarfamilyregistry.com) The National Gold Star Family Registry is the first comprehensive database of the United States fallen Heroes and their families ever developed. The Registry not only affords family members the opportunity to publicly remember their loved one, but serves as a historical log of our Nations true Heroes. By providing educational resources and personal accounts, the Registry ensures that future generations may know who these brave Americans werenot only how they died, but, more importantly, how they lived. The information in the Registry is compiled from a number of different public sources including the Department of Defense and the National Archives. Adhering to Department of Defense guidelines for families who receive the Gold Star Pin, the Registry only includes the names of Heroes who have given their lives on the battlefield. From the Vietnam Wall in Washington, DC, to the countless war memorials on courthouse lawns, the United States is peppered with stone monuments honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. These treasures are powerful, but access is limited by geography, and names inscribed in stone dont tell the Heroes full story. The National Gold Star Family Registry serves as a 21st Century monument, utilizing the latest in internet technology to memorialize those same men and women in a whole new way.
National Gold Star Registry
A Note From: Lest We Forget Speakers Bureau

This notice from LWF is to inform the reader of the development of a Lest We Forget Speakers Bureau. Since our organization has conducted three yearlong courses at Lake Michigan College, we have many topics and many qualified speakers to present information from WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, and our involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have developed formats for school children of all ages, and for veterans organization. Whatever the event we will gladly produce the correct format We would be glad to present any topic of interest to any group. As coordinator, I will be glad to help with the choices of presentations and help with planning. Gary C. Lulenski Coordinator Speakers Bureau 269-428-3442 Garykaye2@comcast.net
From: www.esgr.mil ESGR, a Department of Defense agency, was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee's military commitment. ESGR is supported by a network of more than 4,800 volunteers in 54 committees located across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam-CNMI, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Volunteers, hailing from small business and industry, government, education and prior military service bring a vast wealth of experience to assist in serving employers, service members and their families. Together with Headquarters ESGR staff and a small cadre of support staff for each State Committee, volunteers work to promote and enhance employer support for military service in the Guard and Reserve. ESGR has served our country for 40 years, developing and promoting a culture in which all American employers support and value the military service of their employees serving in the Guard and Reserve. These citizen warriors could not defend and protect us at home and abroad without the continued promise of meaningful civilian employment for themselves and their families. ESGR has continued to adapt to meet the needs of our Reserve Component members, their families and Americas employers by joining forces with a network of other national, state and local government and professional trade organizations as together, We All Serve!
What is ESGR
From: The USO In 2012, we're calling on the brave men and women of our armed forces to make some incredible sacrifices in Afghanistan, Iraq, and remote locations around the world. That means you and I need to make an extra effort to show our support. One of the best ways to let our troops know that you've got their back is by supporting the work of the USO. Step Up and Lead -- support our troops by signing up to be part of the USO today.
STEP UP AND LEAD
Click the Michigan Flag to access the ESGR Michigan Page
19
From: Gene Simon The National Veterans Art Museum, formerly the National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum, located at 4041 N. Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago's six corners neighborhood, is dedicated to displaying and studying art produced by veterans from the Vietnam War and other wars and conflicts. Originally a traveling exhibition, while in Chicago it was viewed by Mayor Richard M. Daley, who was so taken by the power of the art that he immediately insisted that the city provide a permanent home for it. The entrance hall has 58,226 dog tags hanging from the ceiling, representing the US soldiers who died in Vietnam. It and the other exhibits have been described as deeply moving. When visitors first enter the National Vietnam Veterans Art museum, they will hear a sound like wind chimes coming from above them and their attention will be drawn upward 24 feet to the ceiling of the two-story high atrium. Dog tags of the more than 58,000 service men and women who died in the Vietnam War hang from the ceiling of the National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum in Chicago on Veterans Day, November 11, 2010. The 10-by-40-foot sculpture, entitled Above & Beyond, was designed by Ned Broderick and Richard Steinbock. The tens of thousands of metal dog tags are suspended 24 feet in the air, 1 inch apart, from fine lines that allow them to move and chime with shifting air currents. Museum employees using a kiosk and laser pointer help visitors locate the exact dog tag with the imprinted name of their lost friend or relative.
National Veterans Art Museum
20
On July 4th 2012 Mr. Franklin Smith passed away. In December of 2011 I received a letter with a story attached. Since then I have been working on obtaining a copy of his full story. Don Alsbro the President of Lest We Forget SW MI provided me with the document. Mr. Smith wrote over 50 pages in his account of World War II. Over the next few months we will publish the whole story. I thank Lest We Forget for their support with this project.Matthew X. Hauser
World War II Memories From Captain Franklin H. Smith-Part VI

By: The Late Cpt. Franklin H. Smith
MAINE RIVER
On the afternoon of August 8th, the 3rd battalion was advancing towards the Maine River and I could see some Germans that were firing at them. I wanted to bring artillery fire on the Germans. The remainder of the battalion was about a mile north of my location. I was able to direct artillery fire on the Germans and give them some help from my particular position. That night L Company made a crossing on the river around 10:30 p.m. They crossed the bridge that was built for a narrow gauge railway. L Company went across the bridge and they were in a firefight with the Germans that night. After L and K went across, two battalions of the 10th infantry went across the bridge and proceeded on beyond the positions of L and K. On August 8, 1992, the French dedicated the bridge to the 5th Division. My wife and I attended the ceremony along with a number of others from the 5th Division. A funny thing happened on the morning of August 9th. My men had stopped a French woman who was riding a bicycle toward Bouchemaine. I went over to talk to her and tell her that she couldnt ride down the road to Bouchemaine because there were forces down the road and she might get shot. I was using one of my soldiers, who could speak French, to talk to her. She was very agitated and she said she had a child down in that town and she wanted to go to
the child. I could see that as agitated as she was, it would take about five soldiers to hold her. I had to figure out what we could do. I told her to get off her bicycle and walk slowly in the middle of the road and we wouldnt fire and I felt the Germans probably wouldnt fire. We watched as this woman slowly walked down the road and after she got a long way down the road she got back on her bicycle and rode through and on down into the town without a shot being fired. The total casualties that I had in this encounter numbered thirty including both dead and wounded. Private Ukasick was killed there. He would have given his life for me and his death was a great loss to me. On the afternoon of August 9th, Major Birdsong called me on the radio. He told me to withdraw from our position and come to Pruniers to the rear battalion command post for further orders. We arrived at the rear command post that was staffed by Major John Acuff. He told me that I was to cross to the other side and report to Major Birdsong. He told me that they were short of ammunition on the other side and asked if we could carry some machine gun and mortar ammunition. I secured some K rations for all the men and issued them three boxes for the next day and they put them in their shirts. We also picked up mortar and machine gun ammunition. Each man carried two boxes of machine ammunition or two mortar shells in addition to five bandoleers of rifle ammunition. Around 5:00 p.m. we left the area of Pruiniers and followed the narrow gauge railroad tracks around the bank to arrive at the river. When we arrived at the rivers edge, at the beginning of the bridge, an engineer officer was there and he asked me where we were going. He told me that the bridge was under fire and he didnt think we could cross it. I knew we had to get across, so I thought that I had better not talk to him anymore and get my men even more fearful. I hollered to my company to go so we ran out on the bridge and the Germans started firing. I was out quite a way in front of the company and my rations fell from my shirt. I turned around and ran back to pick up the box of K rations and saw the men coming at me. I didnt want them to stop so I left the rations and ran toward the other side. When I came off on the other side, I realized we were on a steep embankment with bricks going down each side. For a minute I didnt know what to do for if we kept on running we would be like ducks in a pond so I decided to run down on the right side and of course my men followed me. Some tumbled, some fell, but we got through it pretty well. I did lose Lieutenant Smith who was my 4th platoon leader.
21
He was hit and was wounded. That was one of our casualties at that crossing. A couple of light tanks followed us across and when they got across, they didnt know where to go. I had to run up and signal them to keep on going until they could get down to an area where the tanks could get off. A couple of antitank guns with vehicles pulling them came across. The first one made it but as the second one cleared the end of the bridge the Germans had apparently pulled a big gun into position, fired and hit the vehicle. There was a big explosion and a fire started. This ended anyone else coming across. L and K Company had been fighting the Germans since the crossing on August 8th. They both had a number of casualties and both of them had lost some of their lieutenants. I remember that Lieutenant Hardee was killed after he had crossed the river and Lieutenant Keller was killed at the bridge area. I reported to Major Birdsong who was back in the wooded area. We unloaded the machine gun and mortar ammunition that we had been carrying. Major Birdsong told me to take my company back beyond his command post and more or less be a rear guard for that night. I was to report to his command post early in the morning around 5:00 am for further orders. I knew that I was going to attack through L or K Company in the morning. When I went forward to meet with the Major, I instructed Lieutenant Lowery, my Executive Officer, to bring the company forward to a certain line that I had pointed out. I told him to have the 1st platoon on the left, the 2nd platoon on the right and the 3rd platoon in reserve. That was going to be my attack formation. I knew that Lieutenant Lowery was very competent and would do exactly what I had instructed him to do. I reported to the command post and the Major began giving the attack order. E Company of our 2nd Battalion had been attached to the 3rd Battalion. The plan was for I company and E Company to attack through L and K and hit the line of departure at 6:00 a.m. Prior to that, the artillery would fire on the village that we were going to be attacking. The company commander of E Company had his company on the rear also, so I asked him whether he had his company moving to get into position. When he said that he did not I told him that he had better send a
runner back and tell his Executive Officer to move the company up. I told him that he wouldnt be able to get his company ready to attach at 6:00 a.m. unless they were moving up. Major Birdsong continued with his order and a short time thereafter I asked Lieutenant Brown, who was commanding E Company if he had sent word back to move his company up and he replied that he had not. I told him that he should so he would be ready. I was concerned because I did not want to attack with a right open flank. My left flank was going to be on the river. I wanted to be sure that when the attack jumped off, E Company would jump off with us at the same time. I had no more than said that when Lieutenant Brown fainted. I thought, what a predicament this is the company commander has fainted and he is supposed to be attacking on my right. I moved up at the line of departure and was ready to attack at 6:00 a.m. The artillery was firing on the village, E Company was nowhere to be found. I called Major Birdsong on the radio and told him that E Company had not moved up so we delayed the attack for about a half-hour until they moved into position. Even then I did not see the company commander. I went over to look for him and could not find him. I talked to one of the sergeants in charge of the left side of their company. I company jumped off at 6:00 a.m. and began firing at the Germans who were firing at us. They had 20mm antiaircraft guns that they were using like machine guns. There was a wall near the village that was going to block our advance. We had two light tanks attached to us so I talked to the tank commander and told him that I wanted him to move the tanks down to a certain area and then open up and knock a hole in the wall that we could run through. The platoon leader got wounded in the leg by a shell and I told him that he would have to go back to the aid station. He told me who was in charge of his tanks so I contacted the sergeant and told him what I wanted done. He jumped up on the back of the tank and as he swung through the turret, a German machine gun opened up and bullets hit the tank. I ducked but I could see that the sergeant had fallen from the turret. I ran around to the front of the tank and the driver told me that the sergeant had been hit.
22
I thought about getting up in the tank but knew that the Germans would shoot me too. I told the driver to pull down the road until he got behind a house and I would direct him from the front. When the tank got behind a house I jumped up on top of the tank, reached down into the turret and pulled the sergeant up. The machine gun burst had broken his arm. He had a compound fracture and his arm was dangling. The sergeant told me that Private Jones would now be in charge of the tanks. This private had never expected to be in charge of the tanks and was frightened of the whole situation. I told him what I wanted the tanks to do and how to support us. That private got the tanks into position and put that hole through the wall. I ran to the left side to check on the 1st platoon but I couldnt find their leader. I went forward along the left side and came up alongside one of my men. He pointed out a gun emplacement with a 20mm gun manned by four or five Germans. They were about ten yards from us and couldnt see us because there was a little bend in the road and we were pressing ourselves against the bank. I called up one of the soldiers who had a rifle grenade and asked him if he could hit them with the first shot. He said that he could. I told him that if he missed they would turn that gun around and blow the bank and us right out of here. He fired and had a direct and then started firing his rifle and that was the end of the gun crew. I didnt even walk up there to look because I knew they had all been killed. Right after that, back behind me, one of my replacement soldiers was peeking up over the bank through a small hedge. He asked me if we had a gun up here and I answered that I didnt think so. I asked one of my veteran soldiers to climb up and verify what the other soldier had seen and he called back that there was a house and another gun crew in the corner of the house. I climbed up the bank and peeked through the hedge and sure enough there was another gun crew waiting to see what they could shoot. I thought that maybe I could give these guys a break and give them a chance to surrender. Even if they opened up they were not going to be able to hit us because we were down below the bank. I hollered out in German: Commen sie herasu du schein hund du mit hans hoch, and they jumped up immediate and threw their hands up. I called: Mach schnell and they came running. I exposed myself a little bit so they could see where I was and they came over and I had them jump down the bank. One of them could speak a little English and I asked him if he was a Nazi. Nein, Nazi, he said and indicated that if he had been a Nazi, he would not
have surrendered. They were pretty well beat because we had been pressing them very hard. I told a couple of the soldiers to take them back to the rear where they would be interrogated. I went around checking on the platoon on the right side of my company and they were having problems advancing. They were under fire and I had to jack them up a bit. I told them that they had forgotten about fire and movement, they needed to get going. We got the light machine gun to cover and moved forward. I kicked over a fence and got them fired up and they got into the attack once again. I then started looking for E Company and they had not even left the line of departure. The E Company sergeant said that he didnt know what to do and he had not been able to find the company commander. I told him that I would be the one to give the orders, to go up there and start firing on the Germans. I told him not to stay at the line of departure to get moving with the whole platoon and keep going until we get in that village. They started moving off and getting into the firefight. I had no idea whether they continued or not, but I had all I could do working with I company to make sure they kept going. My 2nd platoon had reached the wall that I spoke of before. The tank had knocked a hole in the wall as I requested. I got up along the wall and told a soldier carrying a Browning automatic rifle that I was going to go through and when I did I wanted the rest of them to come through behind me. I took his automatic rifle and started firing the gun before I jumped through the wall. As I jumped through the wall I was spraying the shots around and the men came through behind me. I heard voices in a basement and my men wanted to fire rifle grenades through the window. I thought that there could be women and children down there so we had better hold up. I had a young private who was a replacement with me who could speak German. We got behind a tree very close to the house and he hollered in German to come out and that we would not shoot. Nothing happened so I called up Private Casteran, who could speak French and told him to tell whoever was in the basement to come on out, that we would not hurt them, we were Americans, they would be safe. Castern gave them all of this in French and shortly thereafter a little old man jumped out with a white flag tied to the end of a pole that he was waving. He jumped back into the basement and I knew they were not German soldiers but civilians. It turned out that there were some old people, young women and children who were hiding. I am not sure if that was true of some of the other houses in the village.
23
We got to a certain point and then I got an order from Major Birdsong to stop my advance because he wanted to change the line of attack. He wanted to replace E Company with L company on my right flank and we were to continue the attack around 5:00 p.m. with I company still on the left and K Company in reserve. I dont know what he did with E Company. It is possible that they returned to their own battalion. 5:00 came and we jumped off and immediately ran into German resistance again. I was out on the road and there was a deep cut that went down in back of the village. Firing was going on and pretty soon out came some of my men. One of my very best sergeants, his name was Baker, had been wounded. He had been shot right through from front to back. I had brought him along from the time he was a private and he had moved up to be platoon sergeant. He was one of the most valuable men we had in the company and he was a very loyal soldier to me. I laid him down on the road on his stomach and I was afraid he was going into shock so I started talking to him and I told him that he was going to be all right. I had sent another soldier back to bring one of my companys jeeps forward so I could move Baker out as fast as possible. I noticed that he was bleeding from his mouth and I knew that he was badly injured. I wanted to get him to an aide station as soon as possible. When I was talking to him he wiped his hand across his mouth and of course he had blood on it and he said to me, What the hell is this? Water? I told him that it was blood but he would be all right. The jeep driver who I had great confidence is, was a veteran driver who I called Smitty. He got him to the aide station and Baker did live. He lost a lung but he lived quite a long life. I read in a Chicago paper that died in 1995. Our quickness in getting him out paid off. To Be Continued...
Good afternoon,
Relay For Life
Michigan Republican Party Facebook Page

Along with building the newsletters Facebook page, which can be found by the link above, the Michigan Republican Party is building their page. If you would like join, please click here.
I am a committee member on the American Cancer Society's Dearborn Relay for Life team. On April 27th and 28th, my friends and I will be walking for 24 hours to support the American Cancer Society's efforts to find cures for cancer. This effort means a lot to me since my Father was a cancer survivor for eight years until his fight came to an end in 2008. Please help me to fight this horrific disease by donating to the American Cancer Society's Dearborn Relay for Life. Please follow the link below and enter the information over our secure network. https:// secure.acsevents.org/site/Donation2? idb=1611989909&df_id=1010546&1010546.donation=f orm1&FR_ID=50205&PROXY_ID=26407729&PROX Y_TYPE=20 We are also looking for companies or individuals who would like to support us by becoming a sponsor. Sponsorships begin at 250.00, and are a way to make your presence known on the internet and on the day of the event. If you are interested in sponsorships with the American Cancer Society, or for the Dearborn Relay for Life, please send me an e-mail back with your contact information and I will be happy to speak with you about opportunities to help. Thank you for your time, and your dedication to this worthwhile cause. Sincerely, Lt. Col. Rob Seeley
24
Dear Honored US Veterans and Your Families, My name is Dr. Jack Grenan and I am a psychologist and hypnotherapist who helps Veterans their families and anyone else who asks for help. I will be writing a column is this newsletter and I will be answering questions sent to me at jackgrenan@netscape.net. I have counseled many veterans with PTSD and I encourage any veteran who may have a question to email me. As far as PTSD any Veterans out there who thinks that you may have PTSD probably does and should speak to someone. Anyone who served their country is a hero for sacrificing time away from home and family to serve our Country and your fellow servicemen and women! I look forward to communicating with you every month! God Bless our Veterans, troops currently serving, their families and GOD BLESS AMERICA! Sincerely, Dr. Jack Grenan
Please Support and listen to Frontlines of Fredom Military Talk Radio Hosted by Lt. Col. Denny Gillem. You can hear it every Saturday at 1p.m. on 1260 AM the Pledge (Zeeland, MI), or by visiting the website at www.frontlinesoffreedom.com. Or on Facebook by clicking here. Thank you for your Support!
From: www.wwimemorial.org In March 2008, Frank Buckles, the last surviving American veteran of World War I, visited the District of Columbia War Memorial, on the National Mall in Washington DC. He observed that this peaceful, secluded memorial, dedicated in 1931 as a memorial to the 499 residents of the District of Columbia who gave their lives in that war, sits neglected and in extreme disrepair, and that there is no national memorial to World War I. Mr. Buckles issued a call for the restoration and re-dedication of the D.C. memorial as a National and District of Columbia World War I Memorial. The World War I Memorial Foundation was formed to make Frank Buckles dream a reality. The mission of the Foundation is to advocate and raise funds for the re-dedication of the DC War Memorial as a national World War I memorial, dedicated to all those Americans who served in the Great War. In 2014 the world will mark the centennial of World War I. Nearly 5 million Americans served during the war, and 116,516 Americans died in defense of democracy overseas. Americas support of its allies in World War I marked the first time in this nations history that American soldiers went abroad to defend foreign soil against aggression -- and it marked the true beginning of the American century. Yet while the later conflicts of the 20th century World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War -rightfully have national memorials on the National Mall, there is no such memorial to the Great War, even though more Americans gave their lives in World War I than in Korea or Vietnam. The D.C. memorial, which is already located adjacent to those other memorials, is the most fitting site for a national World War I memorial.
The World War I Memorial Foundation
~Ronald Reagan
Photo: The Late Frank Buckles during his 2008 visit to the Washington D.C. World War I Monument.
25
From: RAO Bulletin November 2012 (Lt. James EMO Tichacek, USN (Ret) Associate Director Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for nearly 62 million Americans will increase 1.7 percent in 2013, the Social Security Administration announced 16 OCT. The 1.7 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits that more than 56 million Social Security beneficiaries receive in January 2013. Increased payments to more than 8 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 31, 2012. Some other changes that take effect in January of each year are based on the increase in average wages. Based on that increase, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will increase to $113,700 from $110,100. Of the estimated 163 million workers who will pay Social Security taxes in 2013, nearly 10 million will pay higher taxes as a result of the increase in the taxable maximum. Information about Medicare changes for 2013, when announced, will be available at http://www.Medicare.gov. For some beneficiaries, their Social Security increase may be partially or completely offset by increases in Medicare premiums. The Social Security Act provides for how the COLA is calculated at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ cola. [Source: SSA Fact Sheet http:// www.socialsecurity.gov/pressoffice/factsheets/ colafacts2013.htm ++]
COLA 2013 Update
A Note From Lt. Col. Hank Fuhs

We need your help to grow the Newsletter
We are currently looking for any contact information of individuals or groups that you think would either be interested in receiving our newsletter or interested in writing articles. If you know of anyone please let us know. For it is through your involvement we are able to reach more and more people each month. Thank you very much! We hope you enjoy.
Three ways to help:

1. Email us the contact information at mhauser@migop.org 2. By mail at: 520 Seymour Lansing, MI 48933 3. Or simply forward the newsletter along to a friend. Thank you for your Continued Support -Hank Fuhs
Form: www.dav.org Because so many sick and disabled veterans lack transportation to and from VA medical facilities for needed treatment, the DAV operates a nationwide Transportation Network to meet this need. Through the Transportation Network, DAV volunteers drive sick and disabled veterans to and from VA medical facilities for treatment. The Transportation Network is a clear example of veterans helping veterans. The DAV stepped in to meet a substantial
Need a Ride
community need when the federal government terminated its program that helped many veterans pay for transportation to VA medical facilities. The DAV has 189 Hospital Service Coordinators around the country who coordinate the transportation needs for disabled veterans. Use the DAV Hospital Service Coordinator Directory to contact your nearest HSC for information or assistance. Please remember that the DAV Transportation Network is staffed by volunteers; therefore, it is unable to cover every community. We hope we can help you. Locate your nearest VA Medical Center
26
Lake Michigan College Winter Semester offers The Civil War class
From: Victoria Dunlop, Public Information Officer 269-468-5679, vicki@birdbite.com BENTON HARBOR, MI Let it be said this isnt your ordinary history class! The community education course will be facilitated by two Vietnam veterans and a local attorney: Don Alsbro, LMC professor and President of Lest We Forget; and Gary Lulenski, Civil War enthusiast; plus Mike Dumke, an expert in the Civil War era. The class is structured around Ken Burns award-winning Civil War documentary and most sessions will feature a 60 to 90 minute presentation from this series. In addition, Lest We Forget has purchased The American Civil War from Great Courses - a 24-hour course taught by Professor Gary Gallagher. Preceding each class, a segment will be shown from 5:306:45pm. If you are interested in a deeper understanding of the Civil War, you will want to attend these optional showings. The class itself will be held Tuesdays from 7-9 pm, January 15 to April 30 on the Napier Avenue Campus, Benton Harbor, in the Blue Lecture Hall (Room
D-112). Most sessions will also feature guest speakers who are recognized as authorities on the Civil War. For example, Abraham Lincoln will make several appearances, Bob Myers will speak on the hardships of the soldier, authors will discuss various Michigan units in the Civil War, and the roles of Generals Custer, Chamberlain and Upton will be discussed by their descendants. Class topics include a prelude to the war, Berrien County casualties and heroes, ancestors of class members, Michigan units in battle, medical treatment, Civil War flags, and letters from a Niles soldier. Amid the significant events to be covered are entertaining elements added by course planners to bring history alive. These include a Civil War Movie Marathon featuring films in their entirety at the Maud Preston Palenske Library in St. Joseph on March 2 and the Heritage Centers Civil War extravaganza featuring their exhibit, a public speaker and a Civil War re-enactor musician demonstrating music of the era. You are invited to bring Civil War memorabilia you may possess to this April 13 event. Admission is free for Civil War class students but the public will pay an admission to each of these events. The cost for the entire Civil War course is merely $39. There should be no problem determining which side you are onbe on the winning side and register for The Civil War, CRN: 60413. Visit www.lakemichigancollege.edu/ce where you can download and fax in your registration today. Or call 800-252-1562 ext. 7502 beginning January 2.
Short video from www.tricare.mil that explains some back ground information
View this video to get a better understanding of what TRICARE is. Or Click Here.
27
From: www.va.gov The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is committed to informing the Veteran community about VA health benefits and services. Currently, VA is producing personalized Veteran Health Benefits Handbooks for Veterans who are enrolled in VA health care. The new handbooks are tailored specificfor each Veteran and provides detailed information about the VA health services the Veteran may be eligible to receive. The Veteran Health Benefit Handbook provides answers to common questions such as contact information for the Veteran's local facility, instructions on how to schedule appointments, guidelines for communicating treatment needs and an explanation of the Veteran's responsibilities, such as co-pays, if applicable. Veterans enrolled in VA healthcare will receive their personalized handbooks via mail as part of a national rollout campaign starting in February 2012 based on Priority Group, beginning with Priority Group 1 and ending with Priority Group 8. In the near future, VA will develop an online version of the handbook for Veterans to access via MyHealtheVet. This will allow Veterans to access their up-to-date health benefit information anywhere, anytime. Click the link below for additional information about the Veterans Health Benefits Handbook or call VA at 1 877-222-VETS (8387).
Veterans Health Benefits Handbook
By: Dale Hemphill-Designer, Spirit of America Flag (dhemp31628@aol.com)
Spirit of the American Flag
The Spirit of America Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 2001 by a naval veteran realizing the need for historical recognition of American's heroes and the sacrifices they made for our country. The "Spirit of America" insignia shown above was designed to recognize our men and women of the military forces and the battles they fought. As the Spirit of America Foundation continues its mission to promote patriotism and the appreciation of our veterans, it has expanded its reach to help veterans in need in today's tough economy. FORGOTTEN HEROES USA, LTD, supports the missions of the Spirit of America Foundation by offering patriotic products honoring Americas hardships in history dating back to the Revolutionary War to present day Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. With each purchase, a percentage is donated to the Spirit of America Foundation. If you would like to help our cause by making a purchase or donation please know that your generosity will reach many others in their time of need. Please review our web site for more information. If you have any questions or comments please contact us via the "Contact Us" page. Thank you! Video: The Raising of the Spirit of America flag. At the American war cemetery in Margraten in The Netherlands on Sunday the 3rd of July 2011. Made by: RALPH84 Click Here to view the video.
28
For more information please visit www.supportamericanvets.org and www.grassrootsationteam.org. More details coming soon.
The Grassroots Action Team was created in order to advocate for Veterans and others about issues concerning mental health parity and physical health. We will be doing this first and foremost by educating people and making sure they are aware of the issues. Then we will make sure our leaders in Washington and at the State level are aware of the issues and vote in favor of our Veterans. We will keep the pressure on to make sure programs that are already in place as well as any new programs helping veterans are in fact implemented. If you would like to make a donation or have ideas and/or suggestions for us please write to our President, Hank Fuhs, Lt. Col., United States Air Force/ANG/USAF Reserves (ret.) at 3848 Leonard St. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 or email him athankfuhs@gmail.com or info@grassrootsactionteam.org.
29
30
For the link to the interview with Rep. Ray Franz please Click Here
Rep. Ray Franz talks about the new Veterans program "Hire Heroes" that can be found online at - http://www.hireheroesusa.org/
A Little Information about Hire Heroes

From: www.hireheroesusa.org Mission: Hire Heroes USA (Hire Heroes) is dedicated to creating job opportunities for US military veterans and their spouses through personalized employment training and corporate engagement. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, Hire Heroes services are provided at no cost to the veteran. Creating the Opportunity. Headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia, Hire Heroes USA has built a national reputation of excellence for its success at helping unemployed veterans find jobs currently at the rate of one veteran confirmed hired every business day. Our team is comprised of military veterans many with combat experience in Iraq and Afghanistan and business veterans. That mix of military and civilian experience has proven essential to effectively training veterans in the skills of self-marketing and then networking them into good jobs with great companies. The hallmark of the program is a personal approach where each veteran receives dedicated assistance from a highlytrained staff member in order to help them overcome barriers to employment. To become part of this program, click on the tab above that best suits your interest.
31
Two Great Sources for Veterans/Military Legislative Updates in Washington D.C. Simply click the images to view the site.
Military and Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security

Committee Members
Jim Stamas (R) Committee Chair, 98th District Ray Franz (R) Majority Vice-Chair, 101st District Gail Haines (R) 43rd District Kenneth Kurtz (R) 58th District Tom Hooker (R) 77th District Dale Zorn (R) 56th District Joseph Graves (R) 51st District Harvey Santana (D) Minority Vice-Chair, 9th District George Darany (D) 15th District Dian Slavens (D) 21st District Brian Banks (D) 1st District Henry Yanez (D) 25th District Phil Cavanagh (D) 10th District Ben Cook, Committee Clerk 517-373-2002
Rep. Jim Stamas Committee Chair Welcome to the Military and Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security Committee. The committee's regularly scheduled meeting time is Wednesday at 9:00am in room 308 of the House Office Building in Lansing. I welcome citizens to contact me or other committee members regarding bills or proposals our committee is addressing. Individuals needing special accommodations to participate in a committee meeting may contact my office to request the necessary assistance.
32
Legal Help for Veterans

From: James G. Fausone Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC is a law firm located in Northville, Michigan. We have a national practice representing veterans on veterans disability claims. This representation occurs at the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, the Board of Veterans Appeals and regional offices. We have helped veterans collect over $10,000,000 in retro and future benefits. Over the last decade, LHFV has become a trusted name in the legal community for providing legal services to veterans and lecturing at law schools, bar associations and community events. Members of the Legal Help for Veterans practice group are former service members who bring not only legal expertise but an understanding of service and duty. The members of the group have medical and administrative backgrounds as well as finely honed legal skills developed over twenty years of practice and experience. We have represented thousands of veterans and currently have over 650 active clients. For more information about the organization and about legal help for veterans and for contact information www.legalhelpforveterans.com and found on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Our telephone number is 800.693.4800. Our blog discusses current issues facing veterans and the VA. Typically our clients are enlisted men and women who served post Korea. The Vietnam vet is still the one with the most common problems. These include Agent Orange related disabilities, PTSD, psychiatric or orthopedic injuries. Other vets often have hearing loss, military sexual trauma or tinnitus. We are now seeing Iraq and Afghanistan vets with TBI. Many vets do not even begin the disability claim process until many years after service. The trigger may be unemployability and the need for benefits. With a million claim back log at VA, it is a slow and confusing process and many people need professional help establishing the proper diagnosis and service connection. That is what Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC has been doing for clients for years. We would like to express our appreciation to all of the fighting men and women in the United States Military. Thank you for your service to this country.
From: Rick Briggs, Major, USAF (Ret) The Brain Injury Association of Michigan (BIAMI) Veterans Program utilizes numerous types of outdoor activities to gather Veterans and currently serving military personnel together for a little R&R. These special events are almost always free for the troops depending totally on the kind donations of sponsors and donors. In addition to being a great way to say Thank you for their service, these activities serve as the mechanism to get the troops to open up a little if they are having post-deployment issues. Frequently we find that in the comfortable confines with others who have been there, done that they tend to be more receptive to learn about Invisible Wounds says Rick Briggs the Program Manager, both PTSD and TBI are treatable if they seek the proper help. To find out more about these activities, or to donate to their Veterans Program, please make out checks to BIAMI Veterans Program and send them to 7305 Grand River Suite #100, Brighton, MI 48114 or contact Rick Briggs at veterans@biami.org or call him (810) 2295880 or visit www.biami.org.
Brain Injury Association of Michigan
BIAMI is celebrating its 30th Anniversary as it continues to strive to provide persons with a brain injury and their families, healthcare professionals, and the general public with the resources necessary to enhance brain injury awareness, education, prevention, and support. BIAMI is also fields the first and only dedicated Veterans Program staff within the Brain Injury Association of America.
33
About the Brain Injury Association of Michigan (BIAMI):
Newsletter Links From Articles For March

Page 1 Newsletters Facebook www.facebook.com Newsletters Scribd www.scribd.com Michigan Secretary of State Office www.michigan.gov/sos Page 5 State of Michigan www.michigan.gov Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Michigan www.michigan.gov Page 7 Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command www.jpac.mil Page 8 LEST WE FORGET SW MI www.lestweforgetusa.org Page 10 Better Business Bureau www.bbb.org Page 12 Home Front www.va.gov/homeless Page 13 Mount Clemens Public Library www.mtclib.org Page 14 TRICARE www.tricare.mil MI Paralyzed Veterans of America www.michiganpva.org Page 15 Pentagon Channel www.pentagonchannel.mil Page 17 Michigan Air National Guard www.selfridgeairmuseum.org Page 18 TRICARE www.tricare.mil National Gold Star Registry www.goldstarfamilyregistry.com Page 19 ESGR www.esgr.mil The USO www.uso.org Page 24 MIGOP Facebook www.facebook.com Page 25 TRICARE www.tricare.mil Front Lines of Freedom www.frontlinesoffreedom.com World War I Memorial www.wwimemorial.org Page 26 DAV www.dav.gov Page 27 Lake Michigan College www.lakemichigancollege.edu TRICARE www.tricare.mil Page 28 VA Benefits www.benefits.va.gov eBenefits www.ebenefits.va.gov Spirit of the American Flag www.forgottonheroesusa.com Page 29 Support American Vets www.supportamericanvets.org Grassroots Action Team www.grassrootsactionteam.org Page 30 Team Pascarella www.teampascarella.com Page 31 Hire Heroes USA www.hireheroesusa.org
Page 31 U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs www.veterans.senate.gov U.S House Committee of Veterans Affairs www.veterans.house.gov Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Michigan www.michigan.gov Military and Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security Committee www.house.mi.gov Page 33 Legal Help for Veterans www.legalhelpforveterans.com Brain Injury Association of Michigan www.biami.org LEST WE FORGET SW MI www.lestweforgetusa.org Also check out the Some Useful Links Section on Page 2. Thank you for your Support!
34
Stand Up For Veterans-They Stood Up For US

-The DAV
American Legion Post is in looking for current military members to send care packages to. Please contact Robert Goulet if you know of any military member who might like something. Please see News From American Legion Post 341 below for more information. Thank you very much!
CoordinatorMatthew X. Hauser
Staff & Contributors

Vicki Dunlop Mark Eddy Keith Famie James G. Fausone Rep. Ray Franz Sean M. Furr Denny Gillem Robert Goulet Dr. Jack Grenan John Haggard Larry Harr Dan Heckman
In Memory of Gary Lillie

Louis Nigro Roger Rosenberg Sid Rubin Eugene (Gene) A. Simon Phil Smith Sherry Swann Tim Pascarella Bob Tidmore Rep. Fred Upton Maureen VanHooser Publisher-Hank Fuhs
ContributorsDon Alsbro Rick Briggs Helen Budd Sen. Patrick Colbeck Sam Cottle Rep. Kurt Damrow Matt Davis David Duenow
Dale Hemphill John Hess Norma Housey Sec. of State Ruth Johnson James Julian Adrian Keogh Adele Krovsky Bill Langbehn Merridy Lewis Gary C. Lulenski Claude McManus Chad Miles
News From American Legion Post 341

American Legion Post 341 is seeking the names of troops that are deployed to a combat zone so that we can send them large package of goodies and that their names and address should be sent to the address below. Also post 341 is always seeking new members please contact Robert at the same address if interested. American Legion Post 341 Sr. Vice Commander Robert P. Goulet 6130 Nicholas West Bloomfield, MI rgoulet264@aol.com
Thank you for your service to our country. It is truly the men and women like you who make this nation great, and we must never forget that. Thank you to everyone for all the help you have given us with the newsletter. We have been able to reach more people because of your help. Compared to when we first started, the amount of input and ideas we receive has increased greatly. For that we are very thankful. If you have anything you would like to share, any questions, or have an article idea, please let me know. You may contact us anytime at mhauser@migop.org. Sincerely, Matthew X. Hauser and Lt. Col Hank Fuhs
In Closing
Lest We Forget-A Clip from Hank Fuhs Lt. Col., USAF, Ret, ANG (Just Click the Link Below)
I Fought For You
35
Hope you enjoyed the Newsletter!

Please let us know what you thought. Contact Matthew X. Hauser at mhauser@migop.org
We need your help to grow the Newsletter
We are looking for any contact information of individuals or groups that you think would either be interested in receiving our newsletter or interested in writing articles. If you know of anyone please let us know.
Sincerely,
~Ronald Reagan
Lt. Col. Hank Fuhs & Matthew X. Hauser

36

Veterans &amp; Military Families Monthly News-March 2013

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Veterans &amp; Military Families Monthly News-March 2013

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Veterans & Military Families Monthly News

March 2013 Vol. 4 No. 3

Thank you very much! In This Issue

And much more.

Michigan Secretary of State Touts IDs for Veterans

Some Useful Links

Thank you for your Support!

Serving Those Who Served

Michigan National Guard in World War II

The Pacific Theater

Michigan Guard at D-Day

Upton: Bring transports to Mich.

From: Don Alsbro

Naval & Air Museum Pensacola

To View the rest of the pictures please click here

Special Thanks To Lest WE Forget For Their Support!

TRICARE Behavioral HealthCare Services

The MPVA Mission

Steaming Live for those who serve check it out.

MICHIGAN AIR NATIONAL GUARD HISTORY BOOKS

National Gold Star Registry

A Note From: Lest We Forget Speakers Bureau

STEP UP AND LEAD

Click the Michigan Flag to access the ESGR Michigan Page

National Veterans Art Museum

World War II Memories From Captain Franklin H. Smith-Part VI

Relay For Life

Michigan Republican Party Facebook Page

The World War I Memorial Foundation

COLA 2013 Update

A Note From Lt. Col. Hank Fuhs

Three ways to help:

Veterans Health Benefits Handbook

By: Dale Hemphill-Designer, Spirit of America Flag (dhemp31628@aol.com)

Spirit of the American Flag

A Little Information about Hire Heroes

Military and Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security

Legal Help for Veterans

Brain Injury Association of Michigan

About the Brain Injury Association of Michigan (BIAMI):

Newsletter Links From Articles For March

Stand Up For Veterans-They Stood Up For US

Staff & Contributors

In Memory of Gary Lillie

News From American Legion Post 341

Hope you enjoyed the Newsletter!

Lt. Col. Hank Fuhs & Matthew X. Hauser

You might also like

Veterans & Military Families Monthly News-March 2013

Veterans & Military Families Monthly News-March 2013