VFW Action Corps Weekly

VFW Supports VHA Restructuring Efforts: VA plans to reorganize the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to improve care for veterans by reducing bureaucracy, clarifying roles and empowering local medical center leaders. Guided by recommendations from the VA Inspector General and Government Accountability Office, the reorganization will streamline management while keeping staffing levels and services unchanged. VHA Central Office will focus on policy and oversight, regional networks will support implementation, and local facilities will have greater decision-making authority. These changes will roll out over the next 18–24 months to help VA focus more on better care delivery and less on bureaucracy. Read more.

New VFW Story Banking Initiative: The VFW has launched VFW Voices of Service – Stories in Action, a new national initiative to collect veteran and family experiences that inform and strengthen our legislative advocacy. We will be gathering stories on a wide range of issues, including VA health care access; toxic exposures; concurrent receipt and the Major Richard Star Act; VA benefits and disability claims; education, employment and transition; mental health and suicide prevention; food insecurity; caregiver and survivor benefits; and other challenges facing the veteran and military community. Submissions will help us to identify patterns, gaps and real-world impacts that shape legislative priorities, congressional engagement, testimony, education and grassroots advocacy throughout the year. Every experience adds to the overall picture. Share your story and help turn your personal experience into advocacy action.

VFW Urges Awarding of Purple Hearts: VFW National Commander Carol Whitmore sent a letter to the White House urging President Trump to award Purple Hearts to the West Virginia National Guard troops involved in the recent Washington D.C., shooting, which left one dead and one critically wounded. “Spc. Beckstrom and Staff Sgt. Wolfe answered their nation’s call and wore the same uniform as every American who has been called away from their families to stand a post, whether at home or abroad,” said Whitmore. “If this investigation confirms terroristic intent, recognizing them under the Purple Heart is not just a matter of law, it is a matter of honor.” Read the letter.

VFW Leaders and Members Engage Crowds at Army Navy Game Tailgates: Together with VFW National Commander Carol Whitmore and Junior Vice Commander Glenn Umberger, VFW Washington Office staff and members from the Departments of Rhode Island and Maryland shared in camaraderie building and community outreach across two tailgate events. As a fixture at the Travis Manion Foundation’s tailgate, VFW leadership and staff engaged key leaders and supporters in the military and veteran spaces while members from VFW Rhode Island Post 152 organized and held their Mother of All Tailgates event to raise funds for Homes For Our Troops. VFW members from the Department of Maryland assisted heavily with outreach at both tailgates, enabling VFW’s messages of service, advocacy and camaraderie to reach new audiences.

MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced one burial update for a service member who has been missing and unaccounted for from the Korean War.

Update:

-- Korean War Army Pfc. William T. Farrell, To be determined

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As always, we want to hear your advocacy stories. To share your stories or photos with us, simply email them directly to vfwac@vfw.org.

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