Veterans & Military Families Monthly News-February 2014

Veterans & Military Families Monthly News
February 2014 Vol. 5 No. 1

The Man Aviation History Almost Forgot Charles E. Taylor
By: Bob Taylor From: Gene Simon Three men were involved in the invention and development of the first powered airplane -- that's right three. Everyone knows about the Wright brothers; but that third man was Charles E. "Charlie" Taylor, a quiet genius who loved cigars and the sound of machinery. Although he contributed in a major way to one of man's greatest achievements, his name was almost lost in aviation history and if it hadn't been for Charlie that first powered airplane would never have gotten off the ground. Charlie Taylor was born on a little farm in Cerro Gordo, IL, on May 24, 1868. As a boy, Charlie moved to Lincoln, NE, with his family. Charlie quit school at the age of 12 and went to work as an errand boy for the Nebraska State Journal. However, Charlie was mechanically inclined; so later, when he began working with machinery in the Journal's bindery, it came easy for him. When Charlie was in his twenties, he moved to Kearney, NE, where he went into the business of making metal house numbers. In 1892, Charlie met a young lady named Herietia Webbert, and married her two years later. In 1896, the Taylors moved to Dayton, OH, where Charlie worked for Stoddard Manufacture, which made farm equipment, and later bicycles. It was in Dayton that Charlie met the Wrights. Mrs. Taylor's uncle rented the building on West Third Street, next to the Wright brothers, for their bicycle business. This was a convenient connection, because, in 1898 when Charlie started his own machine shop, Orville and Wilbur Wright brought him special jobs, including a bicycle coaster brake, which they had invented but later dropped.
Charlie eventually sold his tool shop for a profit and went to work for the Dayton Electric Co. However, he didn't like his job; so he gladly accepted, when the Wright brothers asked him to work for them at $18.00 per week. This was a good decision for several reasons: the Wright brothers' shop was only six blocks from where Charlie lived, he could ride a bike home for lunch every day, he was making eight dollars a week more, and he liked the Wright brothers a lot. Charlie started to work for the Wright brothers on June 15, 1901, doing routine repairs on bicycles. This let the Wright brothers pursue their experiments with gliders, which included many trips to Kitty Hawk. After one of these trips, realizing that they needed more accurate technical data than was available, the brothers decided to build a small wind tunnel, one with delicate force balance. With this, they could measure the amount and direction of air pressures on level and curved surfaces operating at various angles, and improve their theories, based on their gliding experiences. Building the wind tunnel was the first job that Charlie Taylor did for the Wright brothers that had any connection with aeronautics. The wind tunnel was a rectangular box with a fan at one end driven by a natural gas engine. Charlie ground hacksaw blades and used them for balance in the tunnel. The Wright brothers did many experiments in their wind tunnel; and from this data they began to make their 1902 glider, with Charlie machining many of the parts. Continued...
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On August 13, 1902, the brothers shipped the glider to Kitty Hawk. They conducted several flights with the glider; and on October 31, 1902, the Wrights returned to Dayton to make plans for a powered airplane. Through their experiments, the Wrights were able to accurately predict the horsepower eight -- which was needed to produce and achieve powered flight. The next problem was where to get a light engine that would produce eight horsepower. The Wrights knew that a steam engine might suit their purpose, but a gasoline engine would be safer and more efficient. On December 3, 1902, the Wrights sent letters to almost a dozen automobile companies and gasoline engine manufacturers, asking if they could produce or modify an engine that would develop eight to nine brake horsepower, weigh no more than 180 pounds, and be free from vibration. Most companies replied that they were too busy to undertake building such a special engine. Falling back on their own mechanical experience, the Wright brothers decided to design and build their own engine. They estimated they could build a four-cylinder engine, with four inch stroke and four inch bore, weighing no more than 200 pounds, with accessories included. By their calculation, it would develop the horsepower necessary to power the glider in flight. Now the problem was who was going to build the engine; but it was easily solved. The brothers decided that they would give the task to Charlie, while they would build the airframe. Charlie was excited about this new challenge. From his knowledge of mechanics and design, he knew that the engine design was basic, straight forward, simple, and capable of being successful. Charlie had very limited knowledge about gasoline engines; but he used his craftsmanship, genius, enthusiasm, and efficiency to tackle the task. Continued...
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Charlie started building the engine in the winter of 1902-03. Without any formal drawings available, it was necessary for each part to be crudely sketched out by the Wrights or Charlie on a piece of paper. After a thorough discussion about it, Taylor would pin the drawing above his workbench and go to work to complete it. Using these sketches and specifications, he finished the engine in six weeks -- an amazing accomplishment. I want to describe in some detail how Charles Taylor made the engine; so you can appreciate the craftsman he was. The first problem that Charlie and the Wrights faced was the crankcase. The case had to be light and strong. Aluminum was still a rare metal in those days, and it was difficult to get a good sound casting. John Hoban, foreman of Buckeye Iron and Brass Foundry in Dayton, took on the job of making the crankcase, using the strongest aluminum he had. The cylinders, which were turned from fine-grain gray cast iron, had a bore of four inches. The top and bottom of the cylinders were threaded, so they could be threaded into the crankcase and a water jacket could be threaded on them. The next major task for Charlie was making the crankshaft. Being a mechanic most of my life, I would never even attempt taking on a project of making a crankshaft with the equipment that Charles Taylor had -- a drill press, a lathe (both run by a natural gas engine), and hand tools. Charlie secured a plate of high carbon tool steel that measured 1-5/8 inches thick, six inches wide, and 31 inches long. On the plate he traced an outline of the crankshaft and carefully, painstakingly drilled hundreds of holes along the outline of the crankshaft. This weakened the plate enough so he could knock the excess material away with a hammer and metal chisel. Once this was done, he had the rough cut crankshaft ready for the lathe and the finish cut. With the small natural gas engine chugging away at full power, driving the wide leather belts that turned the lathe, Charlie turned out a near perfect crankshaft, to the thousandth of an inch. The next part that Charlie worked on was a fly wheel from a solid block of cast iron. The connecting rods, intake valves, exhaust valves, pistons, valve guides, rocker arm, and numerous other parts that made up the complete engine were carefully thought out by Charlie and tailored to fit the operation of the engine. Charlie painstakingly assembled the engine part by part, fitting and refitting each piece, with the meticulous care of a jeweler making a watch. He scrutinized every detail. He assembled and disassembled the parts, time and time again, making sure of their operation, until all the parts were working in harmony. It took a lot of genius and ingenuity; and the engine was finally complete and assembled in February 1903. Mounted on a test stand, it ran well, producing eight horsepower at 670 rpm and 11 hp. at 1000 rpm.
Charles E. Taylor had successfully built the first aircraft engine. As a result of the engine producing 12 horsepower at full rpm, the Wright brothers were able to add another 150 pounds to the aircraft, which allowed them to strengthen the wings and framework. The engine, with its dull propeller drive, drove two counter rotating pusher propellers by means of chains. The Wright brothers designed and tested propellers in the wind tunnel and built several propellers that would be used for the first successful flight. Charlie also made all of the metal parts, such as all of the metal fittings where the wooden struts joined and spruce spars and Roebling truss wires were attached. On September 23, 1903, the Wright brothers left Dayton for Kitty Hawk to start preparation for man's first powered flight; and the Flyer followed on September 25. The Flyer was assembled and the engine was installed on November 2. To reduce the danger of the engine ever falling on the pilot in case of a wreck, it was placed on the lower wing to the right of center. When the engine was started, the vibration from the irregular firing caused failure of the prop shaft extensions. Charlie made new shafts out of solid steel which held up during the first flights. On December 17, 1903, in the mid morning, after a run of about 40 feet at a rate of approximately seven to eight mph, the first successful powered aircraft lifted off and flew 120 feet in 12 seconds; thus introducing a new era of transportation. Although the first flight wasn't publicized that much, Charlie and the Wright brothers were very excited. The Wright brothers decided to build another flying machine, but decided against going again to Kitty Hawk. They looked near Dayton for a level place for flying. After a few days of searching, the Wrights found a suitable ninety-acre pasture, often called "Huffman Prairie," which belonged to Torrence Huffman, a Dayton bank president. He allowed them to use it free -- provided they didn't run over his cows. Charlie and the Wrights built a hangar to house the airplane, and moved into the new facility on April 20, 1904. Charlie took care of the field and facility, while the Wrights were going around the country and the world. He was the first airport manager. In a 1948 interview Charlie said that he had "always wanted to learn to fly, but I never did. The Wrights refused to teach me and tried to discourage the idea. They said they needed me in the shop and to service their machines, and if I learned to fly I'd be gadding about the country and maybe become an exhibition pilot, and then they'd never see me again." How prophetic those last words were! Continued
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The Wrights were trying to sell the aircraft to the military and started to do demonstration flights at Ft Myer, VA, on September 3, 1908. Orville flew and Charlie kept the aircraft in good flying condition. On September 17, Charlie was slated to fly with Orville; but before the flight, larger propellers were installed to compensate for the heavier weight of the two men. At the last minute Charlie was replaced by Lieutenant Thomas Selfridge, a 20 year old West Point graduate from San Francisco. During the flight Orville heard a strange noise. He looked around, but didn't see anything. However, he decided to shut the engine down and land. Suddenly, there were two large thumps and the aircraft shook violently, as Orville tried to control aircraft to the ground. About 20 feet from the ground, the aircraft started to correct itself; but it was too late. The aircraft hit the ground, killing Lieutenant Selfridge and badly injuring Orville Wright. Lieutenant Thomas Selfridge became the first casualty in a powered aircraft. After the accident, Charlie investigated the crash scene and found that the new propellers, which they put on before the flight, had delaminated. Charlie reported his findings to Orville, who was in the hospital recovering from his injuries. Charlie was therefore the first person to investigate a fatal powered-flight accident. Charles Taylor continued to work with the Wright brothers until 1911. At this time an adventurer and pilot, Calbraith Perry Rodgers, wanted to make the first continental flight across the United States. He purchased an aircraft from the Wright brothers, together with enough parts to build two more aircraft. Orville realized that the aircraft would not last more than 1,000 miles without proper maintainenance; so he lent Charlie to Rodgers, knowing that he would be the only one that could keep the plane flying successfully for that extended distance. Charlie sent his family ahead to California and got on the three car train that was to accompany the flight. One car of the train was a repair car, in which the aircraft
parts would be stored and the aircraft repaired. It took Cal Rodgers 49 days to cross the United States. Three days, ten hours of that was actual flying time. His longest single flight was 133 miles. He had 16 crashes; and the aircraft was repaired so many times that at journey's end only the vertical rudder, the engine drip pan, and a single strut of the original plane remained -- a tribute to the skill Charlie demonstrated in keeping the aircraft flying. This was the last of Charlie's big adventures. He returned to Dayton and worked for the Wright-Martin Company until 1920. He eventually moved to California and lost touch with Orville Wright, but things turned bad for Charlie. The Depression hit and Charlie's machine shop failed. He lost his life's savings in a real estate venture and his wife died. Charlie Taylor's contribution to aviation was forgotten until 1937 when Henry Ford was reconstructing the old Wright bicycle shop in Dearborn, MI. Detectives found Charlie working at North American Aviation in Los Angeles for 37 cents an hour. None of his co-workers realized he had built the first aircraft engine. Charlie worked for Ford until 1941, when he returned to California and worked 60 hours a week in a defense factory. However in 1945, Charlie suffered a heart attack and was never able to work again. In November 1955, a reporter discovered Charlie in Los Angles General Hospital's charity ward -- he was almost destitute. His income was his Social Security and an $800 a year annuity fund, belatedly established by Orville Wright before his death in 1948. The aviation industry immediately started a campaign to raise funds for Charlie. He was moved to a private sanitarium, where he died a few months later on January 30, 1956, at the age of 88. Having no close relatives, Charles E. Taylor was buried in the Portal of Folded Wings Mausoleum, dedicated to aviation pioneers, located in Valhalla Memorial Park, Los Angeles.
Thank you for reading, this months edition of the newsletter. We appreciate your involvement and continued support. Remember, you can view and download this and all past editions of the Veterans & Military Families Monthly News through www.scribd.com. 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. 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. -Matthew X. Hauser
Tuesday, January 7, 2014 From: www.vfw.org Help veterans with a meaningful tribute. When caring patriots want to honor the service of a loved one, they know a gift to the VFW is a lasting and meaningful way to do it. Now the VFW is offering another way for supporters to recognize the sacrifice of their heroes with VFW Tribute Pages. The new Tribute Pages allow contributors to honor both the fallen and service members currently serving. John E. Hamilton, Adjutant General, likes the flexibility and thinks VFW members and supporters will as well. Theres no one-size-fits-all solution for our members and supporters and the new Tribute Pages platform respects
THE VFW INTRODUCES TRIBUTE PAGES TO HONOR YOUR HERO
that, he said. Whether you want to set up a memorial page to collect gifts or honor the service of a loved one still serving, the pages can be used in many creative ways. The new VFW Tribute Pages can be customized with a photo or video, stories and personal information about the hero being honored. They also provide helpful tools that allow users to share the page and invite friends and family to pay tribute and help veterans of all generations by making a gift that support the VFWs programs. So many people are looking for ways to show their appreciation for the remarkable men and women who defend our country, Hamilton said. As the nations largest combat veterans organization, its our responsibility to be at the forefront of those efforts. These new VFW Tribute Pages are one more way were helping lead the way and pay tribute to all who have served. That means a four-star officer retiring with 40 years of experience would receive a pension of $237,144, according to the Pentagon. Base pay for active-duty top officers is $181,501, according to Navy Lt. Cmdr. Nate Christensen, a Pentagon spokesman. Housing and other allowances can boost their compensation an additional third. Last month's budget deal reduces cost-of-living adjustments, COLAs, by 1 percentage point a year until retirees reach age 62. At 62, the full COLA will return and pensions will bounce back to their full value. The plan is estimated to save $6 billion. Currently, after 20 years of service, regardless of age, a military retiree qualifies for a pension amounting to 50 percent of final pay with an additional 2.5 percentage points for each year of service beyond 20. Continued...
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By: Tom Vanden Brook USA Today From: Gene Simon WASHINGTON Top military brass will keep their specially boosted pensions despite the December budget deal that trimmed pension rates for other military retirees, Pentagon officials said Tuesday. In 2007, Congress passed a Pentagon-sponsored proposal that boosted retirement benefits for three and four-star admirals and generals, allowing them to make more in retirement than they did on active duty. The Pentagon had requested the change in 2003 to help retain senior officers as the military was fighting wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and wanted to entice officers to remain on active duty.
Military Brass Immune to Pension Rate Cuts
But the deal does not affect the 2007 enhancement for top pension, which has allowed pension rates for those officers to spike. Figures for 2011 show that a four-star officer retiring with 38 years' experience received a yearly pension of about $219,600, a jump of $84,000, or 63 percent beyond what was previously allowed. A three-star officer with 35 years' experience would get about $169,200 a year, up about $39,000, or 30 percent. Before the law was changed, the typical pension for a retired four-star officer was $134,400. A few officers top 40 years of service in part because the years spent at military academies is counted toward their pension. In 2011, the Pentagon noted that the highest pension, $272,892, was paid to a retired four-star officer with 43 years of service.
Since 2011, however, Pentagon officials have acknowledged that the military is top heavy with brass and senior officials. Then-Defense secretary Robert Gates announced a plan to eliminate positions for 102 generals and admirals. Since then 70 have been cut, others will leave when their combat assignments end and some jobs have been re-assigned to lower ranks, according to the Pentagon. Reasons for keeping pensions high for top brass is diminishing, said Loren Thompson, a military analyst at the Lexington Institute, and a defense industry consultant. "Elevating pension benefits to retain generals in wartime might make sense, but the next time we go to war most of the senior officers in the force today will be retired," Thompson said. a period of time determined by the VA and was eligible for disability compensation at the time of death To qualify, the veteran must have been eligible for VA disability pay at time of death and continuously rated totally disabled for: 10 or more years prior to death, or 5 or more year from date of discharge, or 1 or more years prior to death after 9/30/99 for POWs VA home loan benefits are still generally for surviving military spouses who have not remarried. So, why are VA loans such a great deal for surviving spouses? Its possible to get these government-backed mortgages with no down payment up to $417,000. And surviving spouses never pay the VA funding fee. This can save spouses more than $4,000 on a $200,000 loan. Other VA loans benefits include: $0 Down Option on Purchases up to $417,000 100% Loan to Value on Refinances May Be Possible No Monthly Mortgage Insurance Premiums Low Interest Rates that are Nationally Competitive No Penalties for Early Payoff or Principal Reduction VA Streamline Refinancing (for surviving spouses with or without VA loan benefits) Surviving spouses who may not have been eligible in the past may now qualify with new eligibility requirements. If you have questions about this topic, post them at http://valoan.military.com/6102/tip-of-the-weeksurviving-spouses-reconsider-va-loans/or, get in touch with an approved lender of your choice. If you have no preference Military.com suggests using https:// www.directvaloans.com. [Source: Military.com's VA Loan Blog http://valoan.military.com/?ESRC=dod.nl | Aug 2013]
From: RAO Bulletin January 2014 (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) Surviving spouses have many decisions to make that they were not confronted with prior to becoming a widow/ er. One of these is whether or not to stay in their present home or to sell it and move elsewhere. Moving might be prudent is they are alone and need to downsize their residence to minimize expense or to be closer to their adult children, grandchildren, or other relatives. Depending on the status of their deceased spouse at the time of his/her death, they may be eligible to consider VA loans thanks to extended eligibility. Surviving spouses make the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. VA home loan benefits are just one way to say Thank YOU! With a zero-down VA loan of their own it might be cheaper to make monthly payments vice pay rent. Military widows and widowers may be eligible for VA home loan benefits if their spouse died:
VA Loans Update Surviving Spouse Eligibility
As a result of serving in the military, or Of a service-connected disability, or Of any cause, was continuously rated totally disabled for
From: RAO Bulletin January 2014 (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) Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., chairman of the House Budget Committee, appear to be in sync in defending the controversial cap that Congress has imposed on cost-of-living adjustments for working age military retirees starting in January 2016. They should be, Ryan is suggesting, because the idea for the COLA cap came to him from the Department of Defense. And the budget deal he struck will help to ease automatic defense spending cuts from sequestration that military leaders said were decimating force readiness. Hagel and Ryan also agree, however, that it was a mistake for Ryan and his negotiating partner, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, not to have shielded more than 100,000 servicemembers retired on medical disability from the planned COLA caps. Therefore, even as Congress forwarded the Bipartisan Budget Act on to President Obama to be signed into law, Ryan said he and Murray will work to amend it so it excludes those medically retired and their survivors from the COLA caps well before they are to take effect. Ryan wrote this in a guest editorial in the USA Today. At a Pentagon press conference, Hagel embraced the Ryan-Murray budget deal after it passed both the House and Senate by comfortable margins. Defense leaders, he said, are prepared to engage the Congress in achieving compensation reform. But any changes to costof-living adjustments should not apply to medically disabled retirees. These retirees need to be exempted from the changes in the budget agreement. The vast majority of retirees are non-disabled, but the COLA cap provision in the Bipartisan Budget Act makes no distinction. Unless the law is amended, COLAs for all military retirees under age 62 will be capped after 2015 at one percentage point below annual inflation as measured by the governments Consumer Price Index or CPI. At age 62, full COLAs would be restored and annuities reset to levels retirees would have seen at that age had full COLAs been in effect since retirement. Impacted retirees, however, would never get back money lost annually before 62 under the CPIminus-one-percent formula.
DoD Benefit Cuts Update-Vets Retired On Medical Disability
The Congressional Budget Office estimates savings to the Department of Defense of $6.3 billion over the first decade the COLA cap is in effect. The impact on individuals will vary based on rate of inflation. For example, if an enlisted member in pay grade E-7 retirees at age 40 with an initial annuity of $23,000, and if cost of living climbs an average of three percent a year, then by age 62 the COLA capped of two percent would cut $83,000 off the total value of E-7 retired pay. However, if inflation averages two percent a year, the loss by age 62 falls to $72,000. An officer who retirees as an O-5 at age 42, with an initial annuity of $43,000, stands to lose more than $124,000 by age 62 with a CPI-minus-1 COLA, assuming average inflation of three percent. If inflation, however, averages two percent, the COLA cap would dampen retired pay for that officer by $109,000 by age 62. Military Officers Association of America, which prepared these estimates, also produced numbers showing the effect of the COLA cap on some few members forced to retire early on medical disability. An E-6 who retires at age 32, after 12 years of service, due to injury or illness would lose more than $45,000 in retired pay by age 62 if inflation were to average three percent. An O-3 officer medically retired at 34 after 12 years would lose more than $63,000 in retired pay by age 62. The Senate followed the House by a week in approving the budget deal, as a dozen Republicans joined every Senate Democrat in voting for the bill despite a rising chorus of criticism from military retirees, careerists nearing retirement and by military association and veterans groups. The intensity of the political heat encouraged a number of lawmakers to introduce bills immediately that would replace the COLA cut with cost-cutting alternatives their constituents might find more palatable. For instance, Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced legislation to replace the COLA cap with language that would block companies from using foreign tax havens to avoid U.S. taxes. That idea isnt popular with Republicans who oppose any kind of tax increase. Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA) instead wants to replace the COLA cuts with a bill to tighten the Refundable Child Tax Credit program so illegal immigrants cant abuse it and receive fraudulent payments. Fitzpatrick cited recent findings from the Treasury Departments inspector general of billions of dollar being paid improperly to undocumented workers. Continued...
The budget deal Ryan and Murray struck softens the effect of budget sequestration by $63 billion across 2014 and 2015, with half of it bringing budget relief to the Department of Defense. It shelves about one third of across-the-board defense spending cuts expected those years from the sequestration mechanism adopted in the 2011 Budget Control Act. Hagel said the deal restores some predictability to defense spending near term but DOD still faces very difficult budget decisions. With defense budgets still capped $70 billion below requested levels for 2014 and 2015, Hagel said, DOD still must make deep cuts to overhead and infrastructure costs, tough choices on force structure and reform military compensation. Even as Murray moved to distance herself from the COLA cap provision in the deal she negotiated, Ryan defended it. He called current retirement benefits generous and said most retirees to be impacted by the COLA caps will be working in second careers anyway. He also echoed warnings from Hagel and the Joint Chiefs about the perils of rising personnel costs. For me, there's simply no choice between responsible reforms of military compensation and making what our military leadership has called disproportionate cuts to military readiness and modernization, Ryan explained. Every time we kick the can down the road, we put our troops' combat readiness at risk. [Source: Stars & Stripes | Tom Philpott | 26 Dec 2-13 ++]
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
Since the first TRICARE Service Center opened in the mid 1990s, TRICARE has seen a shift in how you get information. With todays technology, anything you can do at a TRICARE Service Center can be done online or over the phone. Consequently, walk-in service ends at TRICARE Service Centers in the U.S. by April 1, 2014. Because our overseas areas are unique, walk-in service at TRICARE Service Centers in all overseas areas will continue. This change does not affect any TRICARE benefits or health care services. For more detailed information and updates go to www.tricare.mil/TSC or call their Regional Office NORTH: 1-866-307-9749 SOUTH: 1-800-554-2397 WEST: 1-800-558-1746 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.
Walk-in Service at TRICARE Service Centers to end by April 1, 2014
~Ronald Reagan Paid for by the Michigan Republican Party with Regulated Funds. Not authorized by any candidate or candidates committee. 520 Seymour Street, Lansing, MI 48933
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A story over 100 Years in the making.

A story that needs to be told. Especially as we approach the 100th Anniversary of the start of the First World War in 2014. Stay tuned in 2014 for more details! We cannot wait to see the film once finished!
Veterans Radio is dedicated to all of the men and women who have served or are currently serving in the armed forces of the United States of America. Our mission is to provide all veterans with a voice, to give them a forum where they are able to discuss their issuesand tell their stories. You can listen to the show on: WDEO (990-AM Ann Arbor/Detroit), WMAX (1440-AM, Saginaw), WDEO-FM (99.5 FM, Naples FL), KAGY (1510-AM Port Sulfur/New Orleans LA), KIXW (960-AM, Apple Valley CA) and KMRC (1430AM Morgan City, LA). Or, listen to our Webcast and archives at: www.veteransradio.net.
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
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
Photo: The Late Frank Buckles during his 2008 visit to the Washington D.C. World War I Monument.
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From: RAO Bulletin November 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 members Its official. The 2014 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for military retired pay, SBP annuities, Social Security checks, and VA disability and survivor benefits will be 1.5%, effective December 1, 2013. It will first appear in the January checks, which will be paid on December 31. For the month, the CPI increased to 230.537. The COLA baseline for next year is 230.327. The 1.5% 2014 COLA will be the fourth-lowest COLA since the turn of the century trailing only the zero-COLA years of 2009-10 and the 1.4% of 2002. But there are two categories of military retirees who wont receive a 1.5% COLA Some servicemembers who retired during calendar year 2013 will receive a somewhat smaller, partial COLA for this year only, because they werent in retired status for the full year. Their partial COLAs generally reflect the amount of inflation experienced in the calendar quarters since they retired. Jan.-Mar. retirees will receive 1.5%; Apr.-Jun. retirees, 0.9%; and Jul.-Sept. retirees 0.4%. Those who retire after Oct. 1, 2013, will see no COLA this year. All members who retired during 2013 will receive full-year COLAs in future years. REDUX Retirees: Servicemembers who entered service on or after Aug. 1, 1986 and who elected to accept a $30,000 career retention bonus at the 15-years-of-service point agreed to accept reduced retired pay and COLAs as a trade-off for the bonus. REDUX retirees COLAs are depressed 1% below the normal COLA rate, so theyll see a 0.5% COLA this year.
COLA 2014 Update-Final COLA Announced
New Nonprofit in Michigan to Help Veterans, Soldiers and Families

Created by a Veteran for Veterans, Soldiers and their Families
Metamora, MI, August 1, 2013: Suits for Soldiers is a new nonprofit in Michigan, but available nationwide. We are looking to help Veterans, Soldiers and their families with a variety of services and as we grow, increase the services that we provide. The initial services we will be offering are: clothing for interviews and jobs, mentoring, resume writing and review, interview assistance, local job connections, education counseling, VA education benefits help and connecting Veterans with realtors and mortgage professionals who are familiar with working with Veterans. Our goal by the end of the year is to have a place with computer access where those who need our services can come and get clothing, improve their resumes and apply for jobs, get face to face mentoring from local business professionals, take classes and get training that will improve skill sets to get them ready for gainful employment. There are many programs currently out there that offer similar services, but at times are overwhelmed by the number in need of help. Suits for Soldiers would like to be another option for Veterans, Soldiers and their families. There can never be enough resources for the men and women who have served our country. Without these heroes who have sacrificed their families and themselves, we would not be able to be as free as we are today. Suits for Soldiers is asking for the help of those in the television, print and social media to spread the word of our organization, so that we can grow and not only help in Michigan, but reach out to more states and those who are in need of help. Each Veteran we help touches the lives of so many!!! Below are the ways in which you can find Suits for Soldiers on the web: www.suitsforsoldiers.org www.facebook.com/suitsforsoldiers Twitter: @suitsforsoldier Thank you, Scott Fader Suits for Soldiers
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From: Gene Simon Interesting. True about the sand bucket. Every takeoff in a F84 (lead sled) was a thrill. We used to tell about the red "panic" button that was used to dump the sand. On any given day, on any given runway the "sled" would use it all, period. There's a million, plus or minus, Thud yarns. Built by Republic originally as a high-speed, low-level penetrator for the nuke mission, the bastard sat countless hours of alert all over the world in places you never heard of. But Vietnam is what gave it a full grown personality. That son-of-a-bitch would go like a scalded-ass ape. We had driven the Alpha Day Strike Force into downtown Hanoi one beautiful, bright sunshiny forenoon and were beating feet back out along MiG Ridge for the water. The idea was to get as close as we could as fast as we could to the Navy rescue choppers, just in case. We had our flight of four Phantoms spread nicely in fluid-four (patrol formation) with the speedometer reading something in excess of nine miles a minute. Looking back over my left shoulder I see this lizard-colored machine creeping up from seven oclock. I yell over the UHF, "BOGEY!! LEFT SEVEN O'CLOCK!! CLOSING!!" Five seconds later, I key the mike again. "Disregard. It's a Thud. . ." This lonely bastard is all by himself, smoking along with the throttle locked high and tight in the far northwest corner of the cockpit. They say the Thud will do 800 knots on the deck. This guy drives right past us and leaves us behind in the North Vietnam smog. The Thud was among the first to fire in anger in Southeast Asia. The squadrons based at Kadena Air Base on Okinawa started out down there on a TDY (temporary duty) basis. That's how Robbie Risner and a bunch of other guys became very high tenure POWs. By 1965, the gallant Thunderchiefs were falling like flies to Nguyen's guns, missiles and MiGs. Especially the guns, so Robbie told me. One Interesting. True about the sand bucket. Every takeoff in a F84 (lead sled) was a thrill. We used to tell about the red "panic" button that was used to dump the sand. On any given day, on any given runway the "sled" would use it all, period. The Thud had some very unusual characteristics. It was big and heavy, and equipped, they say, with a sandsniffer like its daddy, the F-84. Story goes, there was a small bag of sand mounted in the nose-wheel well with a string attached which ran back to the cockpit. On takeoff roll, particularly on a hot day with a heavy bomb load, the pilot locked his eyeballs to the nose of the airplane and when the far end of the runway disappeared from view, he
105 The Thud
yanked the string. This dumped the sand in the wheel well onto the runway under the screaming nose wheel. The airplane, thinking it had used up the last bit of asphalt, finally struggled into the air. The Thud was known for some of the longest takeoff rolls in history. Somebody once said that if you built a runway all the way around the world, Republic would build an airplane that would use every inch of it to take off. When the machine was still just a boy, it had one horribly disconcerting habit. Sometimes, while drilling around on the tamest of missions it would calmly, and without notice, simply blow itself to bits. They tell stories of North Vietnamese fighter pilots who became aces early in the war by following F-105s around, waiting for them to blow up. That is how the Thunderchief became known as the Thud. As I approached the end of flight school, the Air Force stopped handing out F-105s to brown-bar lieutenants because they were too young to die. Instead they gave them to hornybacked old field grade farts who would sell their souls to the Devil for the chance to get back into a fighter cockpit, even if it meant going to Vietnam in a Thud. There was this one super-annuated field-grader who had the highly instructive experience of getting his ass shot down on the very first sortie of a 100-mission tour. The Jolly Green picked him up and lugged him back to Takhli where he was met by the wing commander and some other staff dignitaries. When asked how he felt, he observed sagely, "I don't know if I can stand another 99 of these. . . I once had a Thud driver tell me their best antiMig tactic was to simply pull up alongside the Mig and blow up. Thuds and Thud jocks will be forever in a class all their own.
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BENTON HARBOR - Southwestern Michigan's Lest We Forget organization is sponsoring the tour "WWII and The Western Front," commonly referred to as the "Band of Brothers Tour." The tour, to take place in summer of 2014, will give you a tangible connection to the most crucial moments of World War II. You will stand where the soldiers fought, see where the leaders met, and walk where the civilians lived. The tour will range from Churchill's Cabinet War Rooms in London, to the D-Day beaches of Normandy, to the battlefields at Bastogne and the historic sites such as Checkpoint Charlie, Brandenburg Gate and the Wall in Berlin. For a very nominal fee the tour can be extended three days to Nuremburg, Munich and Salzburg where you will see the Dachau concentration camp, Hitler's Eagle Nest at Berchtesgaden and much more. You will truly experience first-hand the war that changed the world forever! This historic tour is produced by Education First Educational Tours (EF) of Cambridge MA, the international leader in educational tours for group travel. EF has been in existence for over 50 years and has over 400 offices and schools in over 50 countries around the globe.
Lest We Forget Sponsors International WWII Tour
Make history come alive for you and your grandchildren. Showing them where you or a member of your family served during WWII will provide a sense of history, reality and a greater understanding of your military experience. We will have a full-time EF tour director accompany our group and at each of the stops there will be expert, licensed local guides. Tour includes eight overnight stays (11 on the extended tour) in hotels and one night ferry accommodation--crossing the English Channel. You will travel from July 14th to 24th, 2014 (or through the 27th if you take the 3-day extension). An introductory meeting is scheduled for Aug 21st, 2013 at 7 pm at Lake Michigan College's Benton Harbor campus in the Blue Lecture Hall. Be certain to attend to learn more about this impressive itinerary which takes you from England to France, Belgium and Germany. The cost for this 11 day tour is $3,810 for students under 20 and $4,205 for adults. With the three day extension the cost is $4,295 and $4,690. To view this tour online, go to www.eftours.com/1449819 . For questions call Don Alsbro at 269-921-7176 or dealsbro@comcast.net.
From: Carrie Miller Our Home Transitional provides various types of assistance to homeless single female veterans (i.e. job training and placement, educational training, home placement assistance, and mental and physical healthcare) through other local and national organizations in efforts to help them transition to self-sufficiency in civilian society. These programs will be offered by Our Home Transitional, along with our partnering organizations, such as the VA, VetBiz Central, Land Bank, SV MAP, Workforce Development Veterans Division, LearnKey Veterans Division, VetQuest, Cars4Vets, National Education Alliance, MI Talent bank and many more! Our Home Transitional will deliver a unique family style environment not offered by any other
About Our Home Transitional of Genesee County
housing placements in our area. We can also create an opportunity to revitalize and beautify the City of Flint by utilizing homes that are empty, acquire and then rehab them for permanent placement of our clients. To learn more about our Board of Directors, please visit our Board of Directors page. To learn more about volunteers working with Our Home Transitional, visit our Volunteer page.
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The 70th Anniversary of D-Day in 2014 is fast approaching and the Lakeshore Lancers band of Stevensville Michigan has been invited by the D-Day 70th Anniversary Commemoration and American Musical Salute Committee to join as an official representative of Michigan in Normandy France in June of 2014. Our kids will join the American Liberation Victory Parade that will step off on the actual anniversary day, June 6, 2014 in the French village of Sainte-Mere-Eglise, the first village to be liberated by American troops. A 3-time State Champion, the band already represented the State of Michigan in 2004 at the inauguration of the World War II memorial in Washington DC. At the time, our students honored each living World War II Veteran of Michigan by wearing an epaulette that was eventually mailed back to them with a card to thank them for their service and provide them with a token of appreciation and gratitude.
With an invitation of such historical significance, we feel our mission should be meant for this generation to remember forever the meaning of D-Day and those Michigan citizens who made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our freedom as well as the significant role the State of Michigan played in this war effort. In particular, we are planning on honoring each of the 419 soldiers of Michigan resting at the Normandy American Cemetery by pouring a little bit sand from Michigan on their grave as a symbol of our remembrance of their sacrifice. The Michigan sand will be collected from high schools of Michigan as an educational program and in return, we will bring back sand from Omaha Beach that will be presented back to each participating school as a token of appreciation and a symbol of remembrance. In addition, we plan for our marching students to wear a ribbon in honor of each of the last living WWII veterans of Michigan that will eventually be mailed back to them as a mark of our gratitude. Finally, our students will research the history of leading companies of Michigan during World War II and build boards that illustrate the amazing contribution of our State to the war efforts. To accomplish this extraordinary invasion, the allied forces relied on American manufacturing companies to produce military equipment such as the Sherman Tank, bombers like the B-24, gliders such as the Waco CG-4A, amphibious vehicles like the DUCW, and military transport vehicles like the GMC CCKW350, the Dodge WC, or the iconic Jeep. Continued... 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.
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What do all these have in common? They were all manufactured by leading companies from Michigan. In fact, the whole State of Michigan and its business leaders threw themselves in support of the war effort like no other as the backbone of what was once called the arsenal for democracy. One can argue that never in the history of Michigan, has our State had such a leading impact on the world as during World War II. Our band is quite large for a high school of less than 1000 students. As a matter of fact, our band has never travelled overseas. Most band parents simply do not have the means to pay for such a large expense. For this event, we started a comprehensive fundraising program. We are reaching out to numerous leaders of Michigan to gather support:: from local businesses, corporate leaders, private donors, foundations, the French American
Chamber of Commerce of Detroit, The Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the Michigan Department of Education, as well as our State and Congressional representatives. The response is consistent and overwhelmingly supportive as everyone shows their patriotic support and desire to ensure that such a project gets accomplished. As we live in these difficult economic and political times, wouldnt it be extraordinary if we could celebrate in 2014 our glorious past while looking forward to a bright future that we owe to all those who served? I think you will agree that we owe it to the past generations, to the fallen, to our last surviving veterans, and to the future generations. For more information and for contribution interest, a website will be available soon: come visit us at www.ddaymichigan.com!
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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
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.
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
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.
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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 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
Need a Ride
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
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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.
20
About the Brain Injury Association of Michigan (BIAMI):
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.
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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.
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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
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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,
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.
~Ronald Reagan
Lt. Col. Hank Fuhs & Matthew X. Hauser

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Veterans &amp; Military Families Monthly News-February 2014

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Veterans & Military Families Monthly News

February 2014 Vol. 5 No. 1

Some Useful Links

Thank you for your Support!

THE VFW INTRODUCES TRIBUTE PAGES TO HONOR YOUR HERO

Military Brass Immune to Pension Rate Cuts

VA Loans Update Surviving Spouse Eligibility

DoD Benefit Cuts Update-Vets Retired On Medical Disability

A Note From: Lest We Forget Speakers Bureau

Walk-in Service at TRICARE Service Centers to end by April 1, 2014

A story over 100 Years in the making.

The World War I Memorial Foundation

COLA 2014 Update-Final COLA Announced

New Nonprofit in Michigan to Help Veterans, Soldiers and Families

105 The Thud

Lest We Forget Sponsors International WWII Tour

About Our Home Transitional of Genesee County

The MPVA Mission

How the Registry Began

National Gold Star Registry

About Military Families United

MICHIGAN AIR NATIONAL GUARD HISTORY BOOKS

Legal Help for Veterans

Brain Injury Association of Michigan

About the Brain Injury Association of Michigan (BIAMI):

Military and Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security

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

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Veterans & Military Families Monthly News-February 2014

Veterans & Military Families Monthly News-February 2014