Chapter 201 - March 2013 Newsletter

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VVA Chapter 201 - Newsletter
www.nichecom.com/vva

OBSERVATION POST March 2013

We meet on 2nd Sunday monthly (next on 4-14), at noon, held at Moose Lodge, 905 Kifer Rd, Sunnyvale, anyone is welcome. President: Bob Johnston, 408-847-5477, bobj201@yahoo.com Vice President: Chuck Barber, 650-969-2448, upchuckgs15@gmail.com Secretary: Dave Sanders, 408-370-0731, amddave@aol.com Treasurer: Barbara Johnston, 408-847-5477, bobbiej201@yahoo.com

Annual VVA 201 elections will be held at our April 14 meeting, please attend.

The Moving Wall (1/2 scale): www.themovingwall.org The Wall That Heals (1/2 scale): www.vvmf.org/twth The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall (3/5 scale): www.travelingwall.us Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall (3/4 scale): www.dignitymemorial.com/dm20/en_US/main ... _tour.page? American Veterans Traveling Tribute (4/5 scale): www.avtt.org Bringing Home The Wall: www.bringinghomethewall.com

Some walls will be in Calif, closest: AVTT at Bethel Church, San Jose, May 26-27.

Menlo Park VA is looking for veterans with PTSD that are interested in a smoking cessation program that may also improve your sleep: 650-493-5000 ext. 27378.

MFA SJSU student Thomas Sanders is looking for Vietnam Veterans to photograph for a project and potential book: info@tomsandersphoto.com

Humanitarian trips to Vietnam: www.vetswithamission.org A Soldier's Love Story-Vietnam (video): www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y3WuPZ6x8s

* Bingo every Thursday, 7-9pm, Palo Alto VA Auditorium, Building 101. Help is needed donating/serving refreshments to the hospitalized Vets. * Mar 30, noon-2pm, Sons of San Jose Vietnam War Memorial dedication, held on Santa Clara Street (between Delmas Ave. & Guadalupe Expy, near HP Pavilion). * Apr 2, 11:30am, Santa Clara County Tartan Day, 70 W. Hedding, San Jose. * Apr 3, 2:30pm, documentary High Ground and learn about career opportunities, Oracle Conference Center, 350 Oracle Pkwy. Redwood Shores, Vets, student Vets, public invited, free tickets only at: http://HighGroundOracle.Eventbrite.com * Apr 4, Job Fair, Embassy Suites, 901 E. Calaveras Blvd, Milpitas, Email resume to register: <3604-44-mh2006@apply.maxhire.net>, www.hirelive.com * Apr 6, 9am-4pm, VVA 201 Fundraiser: handout Clovers at Moffett Commissary. * Apr 11, 10am-1pm, Vet Job Fair, Legion Post 318, 1504 Minnesota Ave, San Jose. * Apr 13, 10am-4pm, (arrive early), Vet/Military/Family Resource Fair, held at Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, Fiesta Building, 344 Tully Rd, San Jose, more info contact: San Jose Vet Center, 408-993-0729, exhibitors sign up (no fee) by April 3 via Vet Center, free parking/food/prizes/entertainment. * Apr 19, 9am-2pm,VA/Congressional Town Hall meeting, War Memorial Vet Building, 401 Van Ness Ave, Rm 207, San Francisco, six VA reps to work with vets who have claims issues, register <richard.steffen@mail.house.gov>, 650-342-0300. * Apr 20, 6-11pm, Casino Night Fundraiser, South Bay Blue Star Moms, held at Elks Lodge, 444 W. Alma Ave, San Jose, sbbsmtickets@yahoo.com, 408-235-9835. * Apr 27, 5am, Wheelchair Salmon Fishing Derby, Monterey Bay Veterans, PO Box 481, Monterey, CA 93942, 831-901-0217, mbvinc@pacbell.net, www.mbv.org

If available, flyers for events are here: www.uvcscc.org/events.html

Newsletter: Mike Shaw, 408-246-2288, poka513@comcast.net, YouTube: poka513 Vet Service Office, 68 N. Winchester, Santa Clara, CA 95050, 408-553-6000 Vet Center, 278 N. Second, San Jose, CA 95112, 408-993-0729Week of March 25, 2013

New Joint Services Education Transcript The Sailor Marine Corps American Council on Education Registry Transcript (SMART), the Army American Council on Education Registry Transcript System (AARTS) and the Coast Guard Institute (CGI) have been aligned to implement one collaborative transcript program called the Joint Services Transcript (JST). The JST is now the official transcript tool for Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Coast Guard personnel. Servicemembers can join upcoming webinar sessions on the new JST by (https://acenetevents.webex.com/) registering. For more information on the JST, contact Laurine Anderson, JST Program Manager at (850) 452-1001, Opt 3, Ext. 1097. For information about the Military Evaluations Program through ACE, contact Sandra Winborne at (850) 452-1111 Ext 3213. For information on DANTES, visit the (http://www.dantes.doded.mil/DANTES_Homepage.html) DANTES website. For more on military education benefits and programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/education) Military.com Education Center.

National Public Health Week Keeping your New Year's resolution? If not, your second chance is around the corner. Recommit to your healthy living goal or set a new one during National Public Health Week, April 1-7. Use these (http://www.publichealth.va.gov/national ... h-week.asp) small but helpful tips on the Department of Veterans Affairs website as inspiration. Visit VA's Public Health webpage at (http://www.publichealth.va.gov) www.publichealth.va.gov to learn more about other public health topics and VA services. For more fitness tips and workout programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/military-fitness/) Military.com Fitness Center.

VA Wait Times Still Too Long The American Legion testified recently at a congressional hearing that examined how long America's veterans have to wait for their scheduled appointments at Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities. Through its (http://www.legion.org/systemworthsaving) System Worth Saving (SWS) program, the Legion has been acutely aware of wait time problems for a decade. In its testimony, the Legion offered three specific recommendations to help alleviate lengthy wait-times for VA appointments: Devote a greater effort in filling all empty VA staff positions, improve information technology solutions, and develop a better plan for scheduling appointments outside traditional business hours. For complete guides on veteran benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.

Senate Holds Vet Mental Health Hearing The U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs recently examined the Department of Veterans Affairs' efforts to provide mental health counseling for veterans who are committing suicides at a rate of more than 8,000 a year. The Department of Veterans Affairs has made progress, but is short of its own goal set last year to hire 1,600 clinicians by June 30. As of March 13, the VA had hired 1,105 clinicians. Dr. Robert A. Petzel, the head of the Veterans Health Administration, said the VA would streamline its hiring process to meet the June 30 goal. A transcript and video of the hearing are available on the (http://veterans.senate.gov/hearings.cfm ... 223e94b394) U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs website along with the comprehensive (http://www.va.gov/opa/docs/Suicide-Data ... -final.pdf) report released earlier this year by VA on veterans who die by suicide. For complete guides on veteran benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.

Security Clearance Wanted in 2013 Top companies are actively hiring and paying top salaries to Veterans with Security Clearance in 2013. Make this your best year yet -- (http://content.military.com/newsletters ... rvr0325.nl) visit Military.com to see who's hiring, apply for jobs, get industry tips and more.

Military and Spouse Career Fair MOAA is sponsoring a free career fair in the Washington DC area on April 2, targeted specifically for servicemembers, veterans and their spouses. All ranks of active duty, retired, former, and reserve/National Guard service members and their spouses, as well as government employees, are encouraged to attend. For more details, see (http://jobsforveterans.military.com/176 ... hington-d/) this Veterans Job blog article. For more military job fairs around the country, visit () Military.com's Upcoming Job Fair schedule.

MyHealtheVet My HealtheVet is VA's online personal health record. It was designed for Veterans, active duty servicemembers, their dependents and caregivers. Learn more at VA's (https://www.myhealth.va.gov/index.html) My HealtheVet webpage.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Hiring Veterans Bristol-Myers Squibb is committed to hiring the extraordinary men and women who have acquired valuable skills and expertise in the selfless service of protecting our nation. Military and veteran candidates can be among the best providers of talent to support our mission -- helping doctors and patients fight disease. As a global BioPharma leader, we have career opportunities in many departments and geographies. And our own Veterans' Community Network can help you (http://www.military.com/jobs-in/employe ... RC=mrvr.nl) transition from your military specialty to a successful civilian career.

VA Loan Foreclosure? Call a Regional Loan Center Many eligible borrowers obtain VA loans without fully realizing the tremendous support system they have at their fingertips. Nine VA (http://www.military.com/money/va-loans/ ... RC=mrvr.nl) Regional Loan Centers (RLCs) throughout the country serve the general VA home loan benefits mission to assist veterans, active duty military members and surviving spouses to buy and keep homes in appreciation of their dedicated service to our country.

Deal of the Week: Military Discount Up to 50% off lifestyle, outdoor & tactical gear. Shop premium brands on GovX.com at prices not available to the public. (https://www.govx.com/milcom?gxweba=mili ... arcstrong3) Shop over 10,000 products!

VA Loan Limits for 2013 The maximum guaranty amount of a VA loan is typically $417,000, but you may qualify for much more depending on the county where you live. VA has announced new loan limits for 2013 for certain counties, with some limits as high as over $1 million. These limits apply to all loans closed January 1, 2013 and afterwards. For the full chart of every county and contact information for regional VA loan centers, (http://www.military.com/money/va-loans/ ... RC=mrvr.nl) see this updated Military.com article. (https://secure.military.com/leads/VALoa ... rvr0325.nl) Next Steps: Interest rates are at all time lows. Find lenders ready to help you use your VA loan.

Hiring Our Heroes Events The US Chamber of Commerce will hold dozens of hiring fairs for Veterans this year. For more information and a list of local hiring evenings, read VA's (http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/9009/ve ... ugh-april/) VAntage Point Blog. For listings of other military job fairs around the country, visit () Military.com's Upcoming Job Fair schedule.

Free Alterations for Wounded Soldiers In an effort to support and assist severely wounded, ill and injured Soldiers, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service is offering free alterations and modifications for this select group at all 79 Army Military Clothing stores around the world. This Army-led initiative ensures all wounded Soldiers receive free alterations and modifications on all issued uniforms in accordance with the Wounded Warrior Clothing Support Program to include the Army Service, Combat and Improved Physical Fitness uniforms as well as undergarments. Eligible Soldiers must present an approved Army Form 3078 along with the prescribed modifications by the physical or occupational therapist to receive free services. For more military family support resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Family Center.

The Legion to Feature HAM Radio Exhibit The fourth-floor library at The American Legion National Headquarters in Indianapolis is hosting an exhibit of items from its archives that demonstrate the organization's long interest in, and association with, amateur radio. The exhibit includes articles from The American Legion Magazine, old radio equipment, booklets and fliers, and more. The Legion has been promoting the usage of amateur radio among its members and others since the 1930s. The American Legion Amateur Radio Club (TALARC) was created in 2011. Currently, membership is over 1,000 and local chapters are springing up across the country. The exhibit will be on display at least through the NEC Spring Meetings in May. Learn more about TALARC: (http://www.legion.org/hamradio) www.legion.org/hamradio.

National Resource Directory for Vets The National Resource Directory ( (http://www.nrd.gov/) www.NRD.gov) is a federal government website that connects wounded warriors, Servicemembers, Veterans, families and caregivers to thousands of services and programs at the national, state and local levels that support them during recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration. Visitors to the website can find information on topics such as post-traumatic stress disorder, military and Veterans' benefits, health care, educational opportunities, homeless assistance, employment and much more. Throughout the past few months, more than 60 new resources have been added to the NRD, bringing the total number of resources that can be accessed from the site to nearly 15,000. For more information, visit the National Resource Directory website at (http://www.NRD.gov) www.NRD.gov.

Naval Museum Opens Exhibit The Naval History and Heritage Command's National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Fla. has opened a new exhibit featuring the path women have taken from their support of naval aviation as "yeomanettes" to pilots on the front lines. The centerpiece of the new exhibit, "From Typewriters to Strike Fighters," is a video wall on which appear historic images and footage of women in naval service and excerpts of interviews conducted by museum staff members. The exhibit is unique in the museum in that it will be constantly evolving. As more interviews are conducted, they will be edited and added to the video presentation, telling new stories of women in naval aviation. For more information, visit the National Naval Aviation Museum website at (http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/) www.navalaviationmuseum.org or call Hill Goodspeed at 850-452-3604 x 3135. For more on military history, visit the (http://www.military.com/history) Military.com History Center.