Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Veterans Report 5/23/06

U.S. veterans' data theft may cost $500 million
WASHINGTON, May 25 (Reuters) - The head of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs faced angry lawmakers on Thursday and described how the theft of a device the size of an iPod containing personal data on 26.5 million veterans may cost taxpayers as much as $500 million. Reuters

VA Urges Caution After Theft of Data.
Veterans Affairs officials have announced the theft of personal information on up to 26.5 million veterans. However, VA Secretary R. James Nicholson stressed there's no indication the information is being used for purposes of fraud. Although the compromised data includes names, Social Security numbers and birthdates of veterans separating from the military since 1975, it doesn't include health or financial records. Military.com will keep you apprised of any further developments. For more information, read the full article at Military.com.
The department is providing more information through the http://www.firstgov.gov/ Web site and call centers that can be reached at (800) 333-4636. The call centers, which will be active today, will be able to handle more than 250,000 calls a day.
VA Volunteers Mark 60th Anniversary
In April 1946, former General of the Army Omar Bradley, then head of the Veterans Administration, convened a meeting of veterans groups and welfare organizations to establish a national plan for volunteer assistance at VA facilities. Today, the office that was created to oversee the volunteers assisting at the agency's facilities now has about 140,000 volunteers on its rolls, with 94,000 contributing more than 13 million hours last year. Volunteers assist hospital staff. They work in nursing homes, hospital wards, clinics, recreational activities, end-of-life care and many other programs. They also work in national cemeteries and benefits offices. For more information on volunteering for the VA, visit the VA Voluntary Service website. If you live near a VA Medical Center give it try you'll like it. I did.
Mannheim Steamroller Joins VFW Project
From now through July 31, American Gramaphone and Mannheim Steamroller will feature a special offer to Veterans of Foreign Wars members and supporters during the Memorial Day and Fourth of July holiday season. "American Spirit," the CD from Mannheim Steamroller that celebrates the splendor of the United States and features new recordings of patriotic songs, will be on sale at Mannheim's website or by calling 1-800-446-6860 (M-F 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. central time) for a special price of $9.98 plus shipping and handling cost ($4.50). A portion of the purchase price will be donated to the VFW Foundation for the VFW's Military Assistance Program and Veterans Service Program.

1 comment:

Poison Pero said...

That's a lot of names........I wonder if mine's on there?

I guess with a 1/26,500,000 chance they might pick me out.