News from the Nebraska Veterans Coalition 1 July 2020
About the Nebraska Veterans Coalition
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Nebraska Veterans Coalition Website
http://www.nebraskaveterans.org/
WHAT WE DO AND WHAT OUR GOALS ARE: UPDATE 11-1-2019The Nebraska
Veteran's Coalition is a non-partisan and/or a bi-partisan group. It was formed to bring awareness to
veterans about what is going on in the Nebraska Unicameral. To inform veterans of their elected
officials, and what the status legislation is pertaining to Veteran's benefits that are going through the
Nebraska Unicameral. See complete mission statement on our website
Army Ordered to Review National Guard Response to Protests
11 Jun 2020
Military.com | By Hope Hodge Seck
After more than 20,000 National Guard troops were called up to support law enforcement in 28 states and
the District of Columbia amid sometimes-violent protests, the secretary of defense is calling for a robust
review of how they carried out the mission.
The Pentagon announced Thursday night that Defense Secretary Mark Esper had ordered the Army to
complete an after-action review covering, among other things, the "training, equipping, organizing,
manning, deployment, and employment of National Guard forces."
https://tinyurl.com/y8j47yeb
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Senate passes bill to give millions more veterans free lifetime entry to national
parks
By NIKKI WENTLING | STARS AND STRIPESPublished: June 23, 2020
WASHINGTON — The Senate approved a bill Monday to grant all veterans with service-connected
disabilities free lifetime entry to America’s 419 national park sites.
The Wounded Veterans Recreation Act, which now goes to the House for consideration, amends the
current eligibility standards for national park passes. The bill would grant the passes to millions more
U.S. veterans.
Now, veterans must have a 100% permanent disability to receive free lifetime entry. If approved by the
House, the bill would grant a National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass to any veteran with a
disability rating through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
According to a recent report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 4.7 million veterans, or 25% of the total
veterans in the U.S., had a service-connected disability in 2019. About 2.09 million had a disability rating
of 60% or higher, the report shows. The report did not specify how many veterans were 100% disabled.
For years, veterans and experts have praised experiences in nature as therapy for those suffering from
symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
“Recreation in our national parks and public lands can be a valuable healing tool for veterans living with
physical and emotional wounds as a result of their service,” said Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont. “I’ll continue
fighting to make sure our legislation crosses the finish line in Congress.” Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Calif.,
introduced the bill in the House in November. "National parks can connect our veterans with nature and
increase their spiritual, mental and physical well-being,” Ruiz said at the time
.https://tinyurl.com/y7fclksp
Find Veteran-Friendly Jobs Search the largest free Veteran Job board to find jobs with veteran-friendly companies.
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vyehUDdYuZDhL9m8imc88PcWKrGvGNRE_yjDew
Van T Barfoot died... Remember the Guy who wouldn't take The flagpole Down on his Virginia Property awhile back?
You might Remember the news story several Months ago About a crotchety old man in Virginia
who Defied his local Homeowners Association, And refused to take down the Flag pole on His
property along with the large American flag He flew on it.
Now we learn Who that old man was.
On June 15, 1919, Van T. Barfoot was born in
Edinburg, Texas. That probably didn't make
News back Then.
But Twenty-five years later, on May 23, 1944, Near Carano, Italy , That same Van T. Barfoot,
Who had in 1940 enlisted in the U.S. Army, set
Out alone to Flank German machine gun
Positions From which gunfire was raining
Down on his Fellow soldiers.
His advance Took him through a minefield but
Having done So, he proceeded to single-handedly
Take out Three enemy machine gun positions,
Returning With 17 prisoners of war.
And if that Weren't enough for a day's work, he Later Took on and Destroyed three German tanks
Sent to Retake the machine gun positions.
That probably Didn't make much news either,
Given the Scope of the war, but it did earn
Van T. Barfoot, who retired as a Colonel after
Also serving In Korea and Vietnam, a well
Deserved Congressional Medal of Honor.
What did make News...Was his Neighborhood
Association's Quibble with how the 90-year-old
Veteran chose To fly the American flag outside
His suburban Virginia home. Seems the HOA rules Said it was OK to fly a flag on a house-mounted Bracket, but, For
decorum, items such as Barfoot's 21-foot Flagpole were "unsuitable".
Van Barfoot Had been denied a permit for
The pole, but Erected it anyway and was facing
Court action Unless he agreed to take it down.
Then the HOA story made national TV,
And the Neighborhood Association rethought
Its position And agreed to indulge this
Aging hero Who dwelt among them.
"In the Time I have left", he said to the
Associated Press, "I plan to continue
To fly the American flag without interference."
As Well he should.
And if any of his neighbors had taken a Notion to Contest him Further, they might have done well to Read his Medal
of Honor citation first. Seems it Indicates Mr Van Barfoot wasn't Particularly Good at Backing down.
WE ONLY LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE!
AND, BECAUSE OF OLD MEN
LIKE VAN BARFOOT --
In God We Trust
Providing Health Care for Veterans
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care
at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying
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PTSD: National Center for PTSD
We are the world's leading research and educational center of excellence on PTSD and
traumatic stress.
PTSD is a mental health problem that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-
threatening event, like combat, a natural disaster, a car accident, or sexual assault. It's normal to have
upsetting memories, feel on edge, or have trouble sleeping after this type of event. If symptoms last more
than a few months, it may be PTSD. The good news is that there are effective treatments.
Understand PTSD
Learn about symptoms, types of trauma, common reactions, and related problems.
Treatment Options
Read about talk therapies & medications proven to help people with PTSD.
Get Help Now
Find out about care near you and self-help resources for managing symptoms.
For Family & Friends
Help your loved ones with PTSD and find the support you need for yourself.
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/
Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs
VA rolls out simplified travel reimbursement system for Veterans, beneficiaries
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is rolling out a new system in July for
Veterans and eligible beneficiaries to submit and track transportation reimbursement claims using VA’s
secure web-based portal cAccess VA.are
June 29, 2020, 10:02:00 AM
Printable Version
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https://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=5478&fbclid=IwAR25KYdXL9MNLtSN-q3TxR-
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V-22 Osprey Fires Gatling-Style Machine Gun
27 Apr 2020 | Posted by Military.com
U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 conduct defensive weapon system training,
Apr. 23, 2020. The DWS is remotely operated and incorporates a gunner station, targeting sensor and the
GAU-17 minigun. Designed to provide suppressive defensive fire, proficiency with this weapon system
increases the readiness for the Marines of VMM-268. (U.S. Marine Corps video)
https://www.military.com/video/v-22-osprey-fires-gatling-style-machine-
gun?fbclid=IwAR3kH8Fx50fssw0HZHAn5t69Ryo8f9z2T4sw3g3VWQHCWQuUcSvJQD_kfzQ
Summary: H.R.5717 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)All
Information (Except Text)
Listen to this page There is one summary for H.R.5717. Bill summaries are authored by CRS.
Shown Here: Introduced in House (01/30/2020)
Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety Act of 2020
This bill makes various changes to the federal framework governing the sale, transfer, and possession of firearms and ammunition. Among other things, the bill does the following:
• generally requires individuals to obtain a license to purchase, acquire, or possess a firearm or ammunition;
• raises the minimum age—from 18 years to 21 years—to purchase firearms and ammunition;
• establishes new background check requirements for firearm transfers between private parties;
• requires law enforcement agencies to be notified following a firearms-related background check that results in a denial;
• creates a statutory process for a family or household member to petition a court for an extreme risk protection order to remove firearms from an individual who poses a risk of committing violence;
• restricts the import, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of semiautomatic assault weapons and large capacity ammunition feeding devices;
• restricts the manufacture, sale, transfer, purchase, or receipt of ghost guns (i.e., guns without serial numbers);
• makes trafficking in firearms a stand-alone criminal offense;
• requires federally licensed gun dealers to submit and annually certify compliance with a security plan to detect and deter firearm theft;
• removes limitations on the civil liability of gun manufacturers;
• allows the Consumer Product Safety Commission to issue safety standards for firearms and firearm components;
• establishes a community violence intervention grant program; and
• promotes research on firearms safety and gun violence prevention.
Sponsor: Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank," Jr. [D-GA-4] (Introduced 01/30/2020)
Committees: House - Judiciary; Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means
Latest Action: House - 03/10/2020 Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. (All Actions)
Tracker: This bill has the status Introduced Here are the steps for Status of Legislation:
1. Introduced 2. Passed House 3. Passed Senate 4. To President 5. Became Law
Call or write your U.S. Congressional Representative to express your opinion
https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/5717
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Women Veterans (CWV) News Update
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs sent this bulletin at 06/30/2020 09:01 AM EDT
06/28/2020 #VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran Marian Elcano 06/28/2020 11:31 AM EDT
Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Marian Rebecca Sebring Elcano, who served as a nurse in
France, Belgium and Germany during World War II. Marian Rebecca Sebring Elcano’s family served in
the military since the Revolutionary War. [From VAntage Point] We honor your service, Marian!
Live Whole Health: Self-care episode #33 – The Guest House 06/26/2020 04:01 PM EDT
When’s the last time you read or listened to a poem? Many of us gave up poetry in middle school after we
memorized and recited that a poem for English class. But, you don’t have to be a poet or a dreamer to
enjoy how the written word transports us to a more peaceful place. [From VAntage Point]
Veteran Of The Day Army Veteran Sabra Lynn Campbell 06/26/2020 11:30 AM EDT
Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Sabra Lynn Campbell, who served as an automated
logistics specialist from 1997-2014. During the time Sabra Lynn Campbell served in the Army, she was
responsible for processing orders as well as ordering, maintaining, and tracking classified and non-
classified high priority parts necessary for her units. [From VAntage Point] We honor your service,
Sabra!
VA Researchers Who Served: Dr. Molly Klote 06/25/2020 09:00 AM EDT Dr. Mary (Molly)
Klote, an Army Veteran, is the director of the Office of Research Protections, Policy, and Education in
VA’s Office of Research and Development. Previously, as an active-duty Army colonel with 30 years of
service, she oversaw all human research policy, education, and compliance for the Army through the
office of the Army surgeon general. [From VAntage Point]
Live Whole Health self-care episode #32 – Scheduling Pleasant Activities 06/24/2020 04:01 PM EDT
Anticipating a pleasant experience can increase our overall enjoyment of an activity. In the chronic pain
classes I taught at VA, we discussed the importance of scheduling activities we enjoy. There are several
easons why scheduling time to do things you enjoy is important, and one of these is what happens to our
bodies when we look forward to something. [From VAntage Point]
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVA/bulletins/293516e
Pentagon to Retirees: Plan Now for Tricare Select Enrollment Fees in 2021
24 Jun 2020
Military.com | By Patricia Kime
"Working age" military retirees -- those under age 65 -- who use Tricare Select for their health care will
start paying enrollment fees beginning next year, Defense Department officials announced Tuesday.
For the first time since the creation of Tricare Standard, now known as Tricare Select, retired
beneficiaries who joined the military before 2018 will pay a monthly fee for their health care: $12.50 for
an individual or $25 for a family
The enrollment fees do not apply to active-duty family members on Tricare Select or Medicare- eligible
retirees on Tricare For Life. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1001038876574340/permalink/3524244537587082/
Hello from the Nebraska Veterans Coalition.
If you are from Nebraska and are a veteran or a supporter of veterans, your support is needed to improve
Nebraska’s efforts to attract and retain veterans !!.. . We have been advocating for veterans with the
Governor, the Legislature and city/county leaders since 2014. We are urging the Legislature to make
additional efforts to attract and retain veterans in Nebraska.. If you are not registered to vote, please make
that a priority. We also provide considerable information to veterans on a wide variety of topics as well as
guide them toward agencies that can help them. We do not ask for, solicit or accept funding/donations for
our efforts.
If you are not already a member of our group of over 4.300 friends, please check us out on Facebook
(Nebraska Veterans Coalition) and ‘Friend’ us.. We also send emails to over 2,000 addresses, some of
whom forward them to additional addressees. We have created a web site,
www.NebraskaVeterans.org. You can read many of our informational postings there.
You can email us at [email protected]. to be placed on our email distribution list. . Please
forward this invitation to your friends who are from Nebraska, are veterans or support veterans
We would be pleased to respond to any questions you may have.
Check us out !!.. you will be pleased.
Respectfully submitted,
Ronald J. Dupell, CMSgt, USAF (Retired), Elkhorn, NE.
Dean Kenkel, CW5, US Army (Retired) Omaha, NE
John Stewart, CMSgt, USAF (Retired), Kearney, NE