Veterans Report

Military Spouse Appreciation Day May 9th

Week of May 05, 2008
The Senate recently passed S. 1315, the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007, by a vote of 96 - 1. The act includes provisions to: (1) establish a new program of insurance for service-connected disabled veterans; (2) expand eligibility for retroactive benefits from traumatic injury protection coverage under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance; (3) increase the maximum amount of Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance that a service-connected disabled veteran may purchase; (4) provide individuals with severe burn injuries specially adapted housing benefits; and (5) extend the monthly educational assistance allowance for apprenticeship or other on-the-job training to two years. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives. How do you feel about this bill? Let your public officials know how you feel!

Military Spouse Appreciation Day May 9th
Since 1984, the Armed Forces have set aside a special day to acknowledge the significant contributions of our spouses. This year, Friday, May 9, 2008, has been designated Military Spouse Appreciation Day. The life of a military family is one of unique challenges. Spouses continue to meet these challenges with grace and strength. Take time to thank your spouse for a job well-done.

Military Report

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Retiree SBP Accounts Being Reviewed
Deal of the Week: 15% Off Flag Cases, Medals, Ribbons & More
More Proposed GI Bill Changes
American Legion Launches Apple Purchase Program for Members
Servicemembers Save with Offers from ASMBA
Uncle Sam Pays for College
Featured Job: Security Force Officer
More Money for Army Captains
Space "A" Travel for Dependents Expanded
20,000 Dollar Critical Skills Bonus
Army Issues Combat Handbooks
Autism Campaign Launched
British Open Tickets Available
Combat Units Eligible for Streamer
Commissaries Offer Guard, Reserve Sales
USAFE 'Extreme Summer' Contest
'Grill Sergeants' Hits San Diego
TRICARE Offers Parenthood Guide
Children's Book Series Available
Free SAT-ACT Prep Software
Navy Museum Gets Rare Civil War Artifact
PBS Series 'Americans At War' Now Online
New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal
Vacations for Vets Program
Branson Women Veterans Week
Army Online Evaluations on Track
Naval Officers Association Conference
Commemorative Military Certificates
Army MWR Summer Sweepstakes
AF Family Life Consultant Program

Military Report

Sell Your Stuff
Reach thousands of buyers in the military community through our network of local sites. Post a free ad through Military.com Classifieds today. Sell your car or home, get rid of furniture and more. ...More

Limbaugh, Schlussel

2007 - The US Supreme Court upholds the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act in a 5-4 decision.

Mainstream Media Oblivious to Relevancy of Many Obama-gates
By: David Limbaugh
The dirty little secret about Barack Obama's indictment of flyover country is that he said what liberals, including Hillary Clinton, believe. Sufficient proof of this can be found in the liberal outrage at Wednesday night's Democratic presidential debate, where Obama was pressed both by the moderators and Clinton to explain Bitter-gate, Wright-gate, Ayers-gate and Flag pin-gate.
Consider the uncannily similar reactions of columnists Tom Shales and Stephen Silver.
Shales expressed indignation that ABC News moderators Charlie Gibson and George Stephanopoulos would dare ask Obama to justify his insulting remarks about small-town Americans and his relationships with certain anti-American people.
Shale's fumed, "For the first 52 minutes … Gibson and Stephanopoulos dwelled entirely on specious and gossipy trivia that already has been hashed and rehashed, in the hope of getting the candidates to claw at one another over disputes that are no longer news. Some were barely news to begin with."
Shales was particularly perturbed that Stephanopoulos "came up with such tired tripe as a charge that Obama once associated with a nutty bomb-throwing anarchist."
Continue reading "Mainstream Media Oblivious to Relevancy of Many Obama-gates"
Source,
Paging Dr. Jenny McCarthy: More Bimbo Science
By Debbie Schlussel
Last year, I told you about self-anointed medical "expert," Jenny McCarthy.
Yup, the same Jenny McCarthy who has a medical degree from the Hugh Hefner School of Advanced Silicone Medicine and Porn Sciences. And don't forget her valuable medical expertise gleaned from her days hosting MTV's "Singled Out" and her current scientific gig "dating" (euphemism) Jim Carrey.
Because her son is autistic, she looked for something to blame it on, and . . . voila, "child vaccines cause autism." At least, that's her theory and that held by a growing group of alarmists with the same medical "expertise" as McCarthy. And it's frightening parents from giving their kids necessary vaccines against diseases that are now making a comeback because of Jenny's Bimbo Science. McCarthy and her ilk have succeeded in persuading otherwise responsible parents to retreat back to the Stone Age when it comes to their children's health and available preventative medical treatments. Who knew that taking off your pants for the world (that's how McCarthy reached the D-list) would cause modern pediatric medicine to regress decades?
It's like a scene from the movie, "Idiocracy."
Continue reading "Paging Dr. Jenny McCarthy: More Bimbo Science" Source
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Military Report

Deal of the Week: Best Damn Military Discount
ctive duty and Reserves of the U.S. Military can save up to thousands on select 2008/2009 GM vehicles. Visit gmmilitarydiscount.com to learn more

Army Goes Phishing, E-mail Style

More than 10,000 Soldiers, civilians and Family members with military e-mail addresses received an e-mail promising free tickets to area theme parks, with a link to a website that appeared to belong to the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command (FMWRC). The "phishing" expedition was developed by the Army Computer Emergency Response Team (ACERT) in a Global Computer Network Defense exercise to test the defensive posture of the Army LandWarNet and the response of all parties involved including the FMWRC. ACERT officials sent a follow-up e-mail to the recipients describing the exercise and apologizing for any inconvenience or false hopes raised by the e-mail. Anyone with questions or comments in the conduct of the exercise should contact the ACERT at 703-706-1113.

Veterans Report

New Website for Vietnam Era Veterans
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) launched a new website to honor Vietnam era veterans. The VFW's new Vietnam Veterans website at is an extension of VFW's "Honor a Vet" campaign and offers Vietnam era veterans an opportunity to their share their experiences, connect with other Vietnam veterans and receive help in applying for government benefits and entitlements, as well as updates on related veterans' issues.

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Women Marines Association Convention
The 25th Biennial Women Marines Association Convention and Professional Development Conference will be held Aug. 28- Sept. 3, 2008 at the Westin Galleria Hotel in Houston, Texas. Online registration is available at the Women Marines Association website. Hotel reservations can be made by calling (713) 960-8100 or online.

Movie Portrays Islam as Violent and Bloodthirsty

The long-awaited and controversial movie Fitna, which graphically portrays Islam as a religion seeking to dominate the world and slaughter non-believers, finally debuted on the internet on Thursday night.

Within two hours of the film's release on Britain's LiveLeak.com video site, close to two million people had seen it. More than half of them were from Holland, home to the film's producer, Dutch politician Geert Wilders.

The screening of the movie had been in doubt after the world's largest website name registrar, Network Solutions, decided to block the movie's home site. The decision to censor the film bolstered concerns that the extent of the fear of Islamic violence has even affected WWW content.

War and Forgiveness

The veterans of World War II are now at that age where they are dying ever more frequently, and their deaths should be an occasion to remember their achievement and sacrifice. Take the heroism and remarkable forgiveness of Jacob DeShazer, a bombardier on the famous Doolittle raid over Japan of April 18, 1942.


The Doolittle bombing raid was close to a suicide mission, a one-way trip to bring the war to the Japanese homeland for the first time. Coming not long after Pearl Harbor and before the Pacific island victories to come, the raid was a huge boost to domestic morale. Corporal DeShazer was one of five crewmen on Bat Out of Hell, a B-25 aircraft that took off from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet, dropped incendiary bombs over Nagoya, and then flew on to Japanese-occupied China, where the crew was forced to bail out.

DeShazer was taken prisoner, and was starved, beaten and tortured by his Japanese captors. For 34 of his 40 months in captivity, he was kept in solitary confinement. His pilot (Lieutenant William Farrow) and engineer-gunner (Sergeant Harold Spatz) were killed by firing squad. But DeShazer survived the war, was liberated after V-J Day in August 1945, and went on to get a degree in Biblical literature from Seattle Pacific College (now Seattle Pacific University). In 1948, he returned as a Christian missionary to the country that had nearly killed him, and he would continue his ministry in Japan for 30 years.

DeShazer died on March 15 at his home in Salem, Oregon, at age 95. It is one of life's safer bets that he is resting in peace.
War and Forgiveness

Military / Veterans Report

Operation Never Forgotten
A troop-support group in a small southern Michigan town is working to raise public awareness and appreciation for troops and their families. "Operation Never Forgotten" bridges the gap between our military and civilian worlds by creating nonpartisan national awareness advertising for our troops, veterans and their families. The organization has rolled out more than 500 billboards across America on highways and in airports from Times Square to Los Angeles. The billboards display an unmistakable military theme with phrases encouraging viewers to remember and support the military and their families and the sacrifices they make. For more information, visit the Operation Never Forgotten website.

Find ways to support and honor U.S. military servicemembers and veterans who protect our security and freedom. Visit the Military.com Support our Troops webpage.

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Free Magazines for Servicemembers
Subscriptions for Service Members pairs overseas active duty service members with subscription donations to bring your favorite magazines to you at no cost. Create your free wishlist of magazines here.

Military Report

A St. Pat's Thank-you to Son's Platoon
When you have brought five children into this world, adopted four more and nurtured some 50 foster kids, opening your heart to another 25 boys is no problem - especially when they formed the circle of brothers who were with Lance Cpl. Walter "Gator" O'Haire at the moment of his death in al Anbar province a year ago.

Maureen O'Haire has invited her son's platoon up to Boston to march in Sunday's St. Patrick's Day parade. "This is my way of saying `Thank You' not only for what they did for my son," this Rockland woman explained, "but what these amazing kids do for all of us, each and every day.

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Navy Missile Successful as Spy Satellite Is Shot Down (With Video)

Veterans Report

A GI Bill Benefit Overview
The Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30) was created to help veterans of active duty military service pay for their education and training.

Your GI Bill can be used to pay for many different programs including the following:

- College, Business Technical or Vocational Courses
- Distance Learning including Correspondence Courses
- Certification Tests
- Apprenticeship/Job Training (Veterans and Reserve Only)
- Flight Training

The GI Bill is currently worth up to $39,636. This amount is based on the 2007-2008 monthly full-time student payment rate of $1101 multiplied by the 36-month limit. This "payment rate" automatically increases on October first each year. You get the annual increase no matter when you became eligible or begin using it.
View the complete user's guide.

Move America Forward / Berkeley City Council

2 Arrested at Marine Recruiting OfficeBERKELEY, Calif. - Two people were arrested after they encircled police during a protest of the U.S. Marine recruiting center the night of Feb. 22, a police spokeswoman said.

A group called The World Can't Wait -- These people obviously don't know the president has term limits Drive Out the Bush Regime was demonstrating at the downtown center to protest military recruiting in Berkeley.

The issue has been in the limelight since the City Council last month called the recruiters "uninvited and unwelcome intruders."

Move America Forward Fights Berkeley Council


Michelle Obama’s comment that, for the first time in her adult life she feels proud of America, helps crystallize who Barack Hussein Obama is. It is difficult to imagine that Michelle Obama would publicly twice make such a statement suggesting disdain for America unless she felt it comported with her husband’s views. She must really be proud of the Berkeley Council.
The Real Barack Hussein Obama

Military / Veterans Report

5 Must Know GI Bill Facts
The GI Bill is a benefit you earned. Here are 5 must know facts that will help you better understanding how it works.

1) You have 10 years to use your benefits. Once you have separated from the service you have 10 years to use it - or loose it.

2) The GI Bill is not Federal Financial Aid. College and University financial aid departments do not consider the MGIB financial aid because it is normally paid directly to you, not the school. This also means that you are eligible for student loans, scholarships, and Pell Grants along with the GI Bill.

3) You can stop and start using the MGIB as needed. Unfortunately, many people believe that once you apply for benefits you have to remain enrolled in school to get the full benefit. Thankfully that's not true.

4) A "month" of benefits doesn't always mean a month. The GI Bill benefit provides 36 months of education benefits. The term "months" can often be confusing. The "36 months" of benefits does not mean you have only 36 months to use it, nor does it mean you must use it all in one 36 month period. Learn more about the way payments are broken down here.

5) The GI Bill pays according to the number of credits you take. The GI Bill payment rates are based on several factors, the biggest being your credit load. For example a fulltime student will get up to $1075 a month while a half-time student will only get half that amount.

Don't let your benefit expire. Take the first step and request free information from schools that match your education needs and schedule.

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Secretary Vows to Reduce Wait Times
Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary James Peake pledged to reduce the time it takes veterans to receive medical care and disability claims payments. At a recent hearing of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, the Secretary said he would work to reduce wait times for VA medical care from about 180 days to 145 days by 2009. According to Peake, VA will hire 3,100 new employees by 2009 and will work to gain greater online access to Pentagon medical information, which will allow staff to process claims faster and move toward an electronic claims filing system.
I wonder if these new employees will be able to communicate in English?
At least enough to understand what they say.

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Navy Awards Zumwalt Class Destroyers

The Navy has exercised contract modifications for the construction of the dual lead ships of the Zumwalt class to General Dynamics Bath Iron Works and Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding. DDG 1000 and DDG 1001 are the lead ships of a class of next-generation multi-mission surface combatants...More
How the Zumwalt Class Destroyer Works