Bring Our Heroes Home Alive Act of 2016

FYI

From: Coalition of Families of Korean and Cold War POW/MIAs [mailto:coalitionoffamilies@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2016 2:38 PM

Hello Everyone,

On Thursday, September 29^th, Senator Kelly Ayotte will introduce the Bring Our Heroes Home Alive Act of 2016. This is long awaited legislation to declassify documents relating to missing armed forces personnel from all conflicts. The Senator will be issuing a press release and would like to include brief statements of support from organizations involved in the accounting mission. 

Attached is a highlights page from the bill, as well as the proposed legislation itself. Please join us in support by sending comments to the Senator’s national security legislative aide, Ryan Clark: ryan_clark@ayotte.senate.gov   (Include the subject line: Bring Our Heroes Home Alive Act – 2016.)

There is too much information on missing men from all conflicts still waiting in classified documents, including intelligence reports and prisoner-of-war debriefs. Their classification status is maintained not because of critical information relating to the nation’s security but because there has never been a strong enough call to release them. This legislation will do that. 

We hope that your organization will be part of this national effort to bring new information to the fate of missing men from all conflicts and answers to their families.

Thank you.

Rick

Richard Downes, President

                 (Lt. Hal Downes, MIA)

Coalition of Families of Korean & Cold War POW/MIAs

Highlights from the bill:

Bring Our Heroes Home Alive Act 2016 (Highlights)

A BILL To provide for the creation of the Missing Armed Forces Personnel Records Collection at the National Archives, to require the expeditious public transmission to the Archivist and public disclosure of Missing Armed Forces Personnel records, and for other purposes. 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Bring Our Heroes Home Act of 2016’’. 

SEC. 2. FINDINGS, DECLARATIONS, AND PURPOSES. 

(a) FINDINGS AND DECLARATIONS.—Congress finds and declares the following: 

(1) A vast number of records relating to Missing Armed Forces Personnel have not been identified, located, or transferred to the National Archives for review and declassification. Only in the rarest cases is there any legitimate need for continued protection of records pertaining to Missing Armed Forces Personnel who have been missing for decades. 

 (2) There has been insufficient priority placed on identifying, locating, transferring, reviewing, or declassifying records relating to Missing Armed Forces Personnel. 

(3) Mandates for declassification set forth in multiple Executive Orders have been broadly written, loosely interpreted, and often ignored by Federal Government officials in possession and control of records related to Missing Armed Forces Personnel. 

(4) No individual or entity has been tasked with oversight of the identification, collection, review, and declassification of records related to Missing Armed Forces Personnel. 

(5) The interest, desire, workforce, and funding of Federal agencies to assemble, review, and declassify records relating to Missing Armed Forces Personnel have been lacking. 

(6) All records of the Federal Government relating to Missing Armed Forces Personnel should be preserved for historical and Governmental purposes. 

(7) All records of the Federal Government relating Missing Armed Forces Personnel should carry a presumption of immediate disclosure, and all such records should be disclosed under this Act to enable the fullest possible accounting for Missing Armed Forces Personnel. 

(8) Legislation is necessary to create an enforceable, independent, and accountable process for the public disclosure of records relating to Missing Armed Forces Personnel.

District 7 Fall Joint Conference

Post 72 is asking that anyone attending the District 7 & 8 Fall Conference in Alton on October 1st bring a canned good to the meeting for a Community Service Project.  For each item brought in a free raffle ticket will be entered into a drawing for a "Free" gift.

MY VA STORY

MY VA STORY

This week CVA launched a new website as a platform for veterans to share their experiences with Department of Veterans Affairs’ facilities nationwide. Since the launch on Monday, we have already received an outpouring of stories and experiences – nearly one hundred so far, and counting!

Over two years ago the news of manipulated waitlist times broke in Phoenix, leading to the exposure of scandal after scandal at the VA. Many stories have come to light since then, including multiple veterans deaths due to extended wait times, millions spent on lavish artwork, medical records being mailed to incorrect recipients, and facilities using dirty surgical tools, just to name a few. We seem to learn about a new failure on the part of the VA just about every week.

But there is more going on at the VA than we are learning from the news; your stories are showing us that. Check out just a few of stories veterans are telling us about their experience at VAs:

Valentin, Kansas: “In all the years I have been going to the VA…I don’t understand why they don’t read your files.” “Recently I called for medication which I need for diabetes and for my usual diabetic shoes. The answer for my shoes which I have been getting for about eight years was ‘we don’t think you qualify’.”

Travis, Arizona: “I have two years of backed up medical bills the VA won’t pay.” “I try to use my ‘Choice Card’ and have all procedures done local since I am 90 miles from my VA hospital…My wife has to battle the Choice Program just to keep the paperwork going. Gaps in the paperwork being delayed which I end up in the emergency room being tapped and drained. Then the VA won’t pay for those ER visits because they delayed the paperwork.”

Jay, Pennsylvania: “VA employees not involved in my medical care began repeatedly and frequently accessing my medical records.” “I am both a severely disabled veteran and an employee of the VA. A few years ago I reported concerns of patient care and safety at the small VA hospital where I worked. In response, VA began calling my consults for care related to my service connected disability.”

Philip, Maine: “I have been in the VA system for nearly 20 years.” “Granted most of my healthcare is obtained locally from ‘civilian’ facilities because of the distance to my VA clinic, but I have never had a poor experience with the VA system to date. All positive and professional.”

Mike, California: “Medically retired in March 2016. Didn’t get in to see my VA doctor until September.” “[I’m] tired of getting asked what my disability is every time I walk into a clinic. Can’t see a VA mental therapist until November. Some respect and appreciation for my sacrifice, as opposed to attitude and condescension would be refreshing.”

A few of the stories are positive. But most stories pouring in detailing poor quality of care, retaliation, delays in wait times and benefits at VA facilities across the country.

What have your experiences been at your local VA? Tell us at MyVAStory.org. 

Post Meeting / Potluck - Tuesday Sep 26

Join us Tuesday September 27th for our Membership meeting. We will recede the Meeting (7pm) with a potluck meal starting at 6pm. Bring any dish and join us for some camaraderie. Bring a veteran with you......

NATIONAL VETERANS EMPLOYMENT & EDUCATION COMMISSION

NATIONAL VETERANS EMPLOYMENT & EDUCATION COMMISSION

TOPIC 1: ECONOMY

A leak has caused the closure of a crucial pipeline that carries gasoline to the eastern United States, a disruption that threatens to drive up prices and leave service stations without fuel to sell. A section of the Colonial Pipeline, which runs from Houston to New York, has been closed since September 9 after a spill of roughly 250,000 gallons was discovered in rural Shelby County, Alabama. The major pipeline, one pipe of which has been severed, provides gasoline for an estimated 50 million people on the East Coast each day, according to company estimates. The cause of the leak has yet to be determined, according to the company’s most recent statement.

The pipeline’s supervisor has said full services will not be restored until at least next week. The closure has set off an industry-wide scramble as suppliers seek alternative ways to transport gasoline to the East Coast. Prices have yet to move much. They are only up a penny or two in the last week in states such as Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee, according to AAA. But gas prices could spike by as much as 15 cents per gallon or more in those three states, as well as North Carolina and Virginia, in the next week according to GasBuddy.com.

Ships have already been dispatched to carry fuel from Texas to New York as part of the effort. There are also likely to be far more tanker trucks on the road carrying gasoline than normal. But pipelines are by far the cheapest way to move gasoline or oil, so any alternative will raise costs. And not every station will be able to get the gasoline it needs. The pipeline operator said that based on its current projections, parts of Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina will be the first markets to suffer potential supply disruptions.

The governors of Alabama and Georgia have already declared states of emergency. The Northeast markets such as New Jersey at the end of the pipeline are less likely to see an impact because they can get gas from other locations. Gas prices typically fall at this time of year. Thursday, September 15, was the day that stations in most of the country could start using the cheaper winter blend of gasoline rather than the summer blend, which is formulated to combat smog. It’s more than likely that people are going to be seeing a 5 to 10 cent a gallon increase at a time they’re normally seeing a 5 to 10 cent a gallon price drop.

Mansfield, Ohio, a fuel distributor, has warned its customers to take fuel savings measures and to place their orders early. The company said the supply of gasoline is currently very thin along the closed pipeline, and that it was trucking in supplies from the coast to meet demand. The company said it was treating the situation “with the same importance and urgency as a natural disaster.”

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[1] U.S. Department of Labor. Economic News Release: Employment Situation Summary, November 2015.

POW/MIA Recognition Day is Friday

POW/MIA Recognition Day is Friday

 SEP 14, 20160 COMMENTS 

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More than 83,000 U.S. servicemembers remain classified as either prisoners of war (POWs) or are missing in action (MIA); more than 73,000 of those unaccounted for are from World War II. 

Friday, Sept. 16, is POW/MIA Recognition Day, a time when Americans are asked to pause and reflect on the sacrifices made by the military men and women who are imprisoned or unnacounted for as a result of their military service. It's also a time for Americans and businesses to fly their POW/MIA flags. 

Ceremonies throughout the nation also are held in observance of the day to honor those U.S. servicemembers who have yet to return home, and the families they've left behind without closure as to the fate of their loved ones.

The American Legion remains committed to achieving a full accounting of all U.S. servicemembers from all war eras who are either imprisoned or listed as missing in action. As part of this commitment, the Legion encourages a return of living POWs, repatriation of the remains of the fallen from war zones abroad, or a determination through convincing evidence that neither is possible. During its 2015 national convention in Baltimore, The American Legion reiterated its position on U.S. POWs and MIAs, calling for “the fullest possible accounting for all U.S. military personnel and designated civilian personnel missing and unaccounted for from our nation’s wars and conflicts.” 

This year, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Command is performing missions in 26 countries with 26 investigation teams and 57 recovery teams. Learn more about their recovery efforts here. 

The Legion has published its own suggested POW/MIA speech of remembrance to be recited, in the presence of the POW/MIA chair, at all Legion gatherings, meetings, banquets and services. The speech may be modified as needed and as is appropriate, and members should remove their caps during its recitation. American Legion family members are encouraged to share how they observe POW/MIA Recognition Day by sharing stories on www.legiontown.org. 

The Legion's POW/MIA Remembrance Service speech is as follows:

Those who have served, and those currently serving in the uniformed services of the United States, are ever mindful that the sweetness of enduring peace has always been tainted by the bitterness of personal sacrifice. We are compelled to never forget that while we enjoy our daily pleasures, there are others who have endured and may still be enduring the agonies of pain, deprivation and imprisonment.

Before we begin our activities, we pause to recognize our POWs and MIAs.

We call your attention to this small table which occupies a place of dignity and honor. It is set for one, symbolizing the fact that members of our armed forces are missing from our ranks. They are referred to as POWs and MIAs.

We call them comrades. They are unable to be with their loved ones and families, so we join together to pay humble tribute to them, and to bear witness to their continued absence.

The table is small, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner, alone against his or her suppressors.

The tablecloth is white, symbolic of the purity of their intentions to respond to their Country’s call to arms.

The single rose in the vase signifies the blood they may have shed in sacrifice to ensure the freedom of our beloved United States of America. This rose also reminds us of the family and friends of our missing comrades who keep faith, while awaiting their return.

The red ribbon on the vase represents an unyielding determination for a proper accounting of our comrades who are not among us.

A slice of lemon on the plate reminds us of their bitter fate.

The salt sprinkled on the plate reminds us of the countless fallen tears of families as they wait.

The glass is inverted, they cannot toast with us at this time.

The chair is empty. They are NOT here. The candle is reminiscent of the light of hope, which lives in our hearts to illuminate their way home, away from their captors, to the open arms of a grateful nation.

The American flag reminds us that many of them may never return - and have paid the supreme sacrifice to insure our freedom.

Let us pray to the Supreme Commander that all of our comrades will soon be back within our ranks.

Let us remember - and never forget their sacrifice.

May God forever watch over them and protect them and their families.

100 Nights of Rememebrance

Pic from the 2016 - 100 Nights of Remembrance - Looking good Dave!

Since 2007 to the present, members of 100 Nights of Remembrance sound taps at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen, NH and The Mount Calvary Cemetery in Manchester, NH every evening rain or shine at 7:00 PM from Memorial Day through September 11^th. After the 100 consecutive nights closing ceremonies, taps is then sounded once a week on Sunday afternoons at 1:00 PM Rain, shine or even snow until the opening ceremony each Memorial Day.  100 Nights of Remembrance is dedicated to honoring and paying the highest respect to those who have served in our Armed Forces and all our fallen heroes. The public is welcome to attend these solemn ceremonies.  “So We May Never Forget”   

Attending Ceremony - Steve Robinson, Charlie Chapin, Tim Poh, Rob Weeks, Dave Haskell, Abe Adian & Gill Mastera

Another pic thanks to Steve Robinson......

9 - 11 Remembrance Ceremony

Thank you Steve Woodcock for your work on this event. Well Done!

Let us not forget the 2,996 casualties of the September 11th attacks 2001!

a few more pics taken by Gary Montford

Memorial Hike

Steve Woodcock completes his annual Memorial Hike - Nice job Steve !

Headstrong Project

Steve Robinson sent me this article and I wanted to share it with you all. Please take the time to watch the videos. This sounds like a great non-profit to support. thanks Steve

https://youtu.be/1ECCP7YmW1A

I caught the CBS version of this segment tonight during the news where they profiled an individual veteran.

http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/veterans-opening-up-to-fight-ptsd/

Very interesting...a good watch.

Steve Robinson - Post Adjutant
The American Legion
North Conway Post- 95

Chapter 95 ALR Assistant Director
 207 615 2317
 alpost95nh@gmail.com

Ceremonies to mart 15th anniversary of 9/11

Post Everlasting - Daniel William Dineen

Daniel William Dineen 
(August 26, 1929 - September 7, 2016) 

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Silver Lake-Daniel William Dineen, 87 of Village Rd., Silver Lake died Sept. 7, 2016 at Memorial Hospital in North Conway, NH.

Born August 26, 1929 in Winchester, MA son of the late Daniel and Pauline E. (Gaudette) Dineen he moved to New Hampshire in 1971 from Billerica, MA living in Effingham, Tamworth and for the last 4 years Silver Lake.

During the Korean Conflict he served his country with the United States Air Force.

Daniel worked for many years for Pepsi Cola of Conway retiring in 1990 and for the past 7 years he worked at White Lake State Park. He attended the Madison Baptist Church. He enjoyed his bowling, all sports especially baseball (Red Sox), and all of the children coming to visit him. He was known as Poppa, Bumpa & Dad. We will all miss him greatly.

Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Millie (Judkins) Dineen of Silver Lake, son Daniel Dineen and wife Debbie of Silver Lake, daughter Ann Marie Smith and husband Ron of Greene, ME, stepson Melvin Fenderson of Lebanon, ME, step daughter Mary Drew of Effingham, 2 brothers John Dineen and wife Joan of Wilmington, MA, David Dineen and wife Joan of Reading, MA, sister Pauline Maliziola of Buzzards Bay, MA.

His legacy continues with 11 grandchildren: Daniel Dineen IV and wife Annamaria, Megan Dineen, Holy Roberts and husband Brad, Michelle Grenier, Laura Grenier, Joseph Grenier and wife Jess, Brian Drew, Allison Drew, Stephen Fenderson, Heather Zwearcan, Paije Fenderson and 9 great grandchildren: Isabelle Dineen, and Daniel V (due March 2017) Trek and Tanner Roberts, Natalie Grenier, and Wyatt (due November 2017), Madeline Leighton, Shawn and Ryan Zwearcan, and Sarah and Nathan Carrie.

A Celebration of His Life will be Sunday, September 11th, 2:00PM at the Madison Baptist Church, 53 Conway Rd., Madison, NH. Reception following. Graveside service will be at a future date.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Madison Baptist Church.

The Baker-Gagne Funeral Home and Cremation Service of West Ossipee is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Print Obituary

http://www.baker-gagnefuneralhomes.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=3881807&fh_id=12957

U.S. Flag at half-staff notification

Flag at half-staff 

In accordance with Public Law 107-89, the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation (per the requirements of Flag Code section 7(m)) for the United States Flag to be displayed at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Patriot Day, Sunday, September 11.

The proclamation is posted on the White House website, it can be read by clicking here.

100 Nights of Remembrance

Through their courage and sacrifice we remain free.     100 Nights of Remembrance   Since 2007 to the present, members of 100 Nights of Remembrance sound taps at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen, NH and The Mount Calvary Cemetery in Manchester, NH every evening rain or shine at 7:00 PM from Memorial Day through September 11th. After the 100 consecutive nights closing ceremonies, taps is then sounded once a week on Sunday afternoons at 1:00 PM Rain, shine or even snow until the opening ceremony each Memorial Day.  100 Nights of Remembrance is dedicated to honoring and paying the highest respect to those who have served in our Armed Forces and all our fallen heroes. The public is welcome to attend these solemn ceremonies.  “So We May Never Forget”    Learn how you can help     100 Nights  2016 Closing Ceremony Announcement 100 Nights of Remembrance Closing Ceremony will held September 11th at 6:00 PM at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen New Hampshire. All are welcome to attend this Ceremony     100 Nights of Remembrance Closing Ceremony for the Mount Calvary Chapter will be held   September 10th At the Mount Calvary Cemetery, Manchester New Hampshire   .

Thunderclap for Veterans

Dear Post Officer, It’s an honor and a pleasure to serve as your new American Legion National Commander. As an organization, we have many priorities, but today I am writing to enlist your support for the highest priority for our future:  MEMBERSHIP. Every American Legion post faces membership challenges, but we must connect with veterans on a level that we all share – a desire to serve. Whether it is as a community volunteer, at church or with a little league team – service is at the core of every veteran. For many of our veterans, it’s a challenge to find a place that provides the same sense of accomplishment or mission fulfillment that they had while wearing the uniform. That place can be The American Legion. Specifically, it can be your post. So today, I am asking you to take a pledge and encourage all the members in your post to join you in recruiting one new member. If each of us does this, we could double the size of The American Legion. By Sept. 16th – the date The American Legion received its federal charter nearly a century ago – signify your pledge by becoming a part of my Thunderclap. What’s Thunderclap? Thunderclap is a tool that allows thousands of people to share the same message at exactly the same time. People sign up on the Thunderclap website and give permission to share a single message on Facebook and Twitter at a specified time. Ours is located here: #JointheForce Thunderclap Website If you and enough others support our Thunderclap, we will reach thousands of people and let everyone know that a ‘Legion’ of veterans working together is a force to be reckoned with! Our voice is strong, but it can be stronger. We are making an impact, but we can always do more. The only way we can make major differences for individuals, communities, our states and nation is to work together. Please use social media to spread the word. We want all veterans to use the hashtag #JointheForce and make our American Legion bigger, stronger and better able to achieve our mission! Sincerely, Charlie Schmidt National Commander

National Commander requests us to TAKE ACTION

Reform VA's Broken Disability Benefits Appeals Process

Take Action!

Legion Commander Calls on Congress to Act Now

(August 29, 2016)  As the legislative days of the 114th Congress dwindle, there is still vital legislation for lawmakers to address. At the top of the list is legislation to address VA's benefits appeals process.
The American Legion is deeply concerned about the broken appeals process. Currently, the Legion holds power of attorney on about 750,000 veterans claimants. The Legion spends more than $2 million a year on veterans claims, appeals processing and assistance. Our membership should take great pride in the Legion's high success rate for assisting veterans with their claims and appeals.
But the Legion's charge goes well beyond assisting individual veterans. We have an obligation to ensure that the institutions and systems that serve veterans are working as intended. And when they are not, we step up to help fix them.
When the claims backlog grew to tremendous levels several years back, the Legion worked with Congress and VA to address it so that VA disability benefits and services would be provided in a timely and efficient manner. That effort resulted in a reduction in backlogged claims by almost 90 percent. For veterans, that means better and faster claims decisions.
But as VA has become more efficient in claims processing, the number of veterans seeking appeals has risen proportionally. That has revealed the unworkability of a process that too often churns claims rather than providing timely appeals decisions for veterans. Unquestionably, the appeals process is time-consuming and frustrating for vets.
This year, The American Legion, along with other major veterans service organizations, state and county service officers, veterans advocate attorneys and others worked with senior VA officials from the Veterans Benefits Administration and the Board of Veterans Appeals to design the framework of legislation to simplify and expedite the appeals process.
The result was the VA Appeals Modernization Act of 2016. The legislation would provide veterans with a simple, fair and transparent appeals process in which the vast majority would receive a final appeals decision within one year of filing an appeal. We are proud of this legislation. Now we need your help to get it signed into law.
A call to action
National Commander Dale Barnett recently wrote:
"As my year as American Legion national commander draws to a close, I am reaching out to you for assistance. Most U.S. senators and representatives will be on recess in their home districts to meet with constituents now through Labor Day. This is a great opportunity for you to visit your elected officials' local offices and advise them of yours and the Legion's concerns on this important matter. Let your elected officials know that VA’s benefits appeals process needs to be reformed now. The status quo isn’t acceptable. The American Legion strongly urges congressional action on appeals modernization when lawmakers return to Washington in September."
Help your fellow veterans by joining the call now to modernize VA's appeals process.
(If received by email, scroll up and click the Take Action link, otherwise see below and send a prepared message to Congress. Also, Like this on Facebook.)

Post Everlasting - Bernard Francis "Jerry" Littlefield

On Sep 2, 2016, Bernard Francis "Jerry" Littlefield was laid to rest at the New Hampshire State Veterans cemetery in Boscawen with US Navy Honors. 

Jerry, a Post 95 member, passed on Aug 16, 2016.