Sioux Falls VA Health Care System

News of Interest

St Cloud VA To Expand Mental Health Staff. Expansion Part Of Nationwide VA Initiative. In continuing coverage, the Alexandria (MN) Echo Press (7/17, 9K) noted that Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki "recently announced the department would add approximately 1,600 mental health clinicians as well as nearly 300 support staff to its existing workforce. VA estimates that 7 additional clinicians and 2 support personnel will be hired to support mental health operations at the St. Cloud VA." Dr. Sherrie Herendeen, Director of Mental Health at the St. Cloud VA, said, "We are strongly committed to meeting the mental health needs of our Veterans and have the processes in place to get them the care they need."
No Pot For PTSD, White House Says. Man Responsible For Petition Is A Veteran. The Military Times (7/18, Kime, 245K) reports, "An effort to persuade the Obama administration to legalize marijuana for sufferers of post-traumatic stress has met with a sound rejection from the White House. Responding to a petition signed by 8,258 people on the White House website, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy Gil Kerlikowske wrote last month that marijuana is not a 'benign drug' and does not meet standards of safe or effective medicine." The "Allow United States Disabled Military Veterans Access To Medical Marijuana To Treat Their PTSD" petition came from Veterans for Medical Cannabis Access Executive Director Mike Krawitz, who "said he launched the drive partially out of concern that veterans sometimes risk losing their Veterans Affairs Department medical coverage if they are found to smoke pot."
Save The VA Meets With BHHCS To Discuss The Group's Proposal. Save The VA Campaign Committee Member "Very Encouraged" By Meeting. The Hot Springs (SD) Star (7/17, Nettinga) noted, "With the first of what may prove to be several meetings now behind them, Rich Gross of the...Save the VA Campaign's Executive Committee said he was encouraged by the tenor" of meeting held in Rapid City last Thursday. After the meeting, Gross said, "I was very encouraged, both by the kinds of questions that we were being asked" about the committee's Save the VA proposal "and by the interest that everyone seemed to be showing in the proposal." Gross "said that in addition to representatives from the Save the VA group and the (VA) Black Hills Health Care System (BHHCS), Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN), director Janet Murphy and other VISN representatives were also in attendance." Gross "said that the day was spent sharing information on the Save the VA proposal and answering questions raised by BHHCS and VISN representatives."
Documentary Being Made About Save The VA Campaign. In a related story, the Hot Springs (SD) Star (7/17, Nachtigall) said an announcement by Veterans Affairs "last December to close the Hot Springs VA created a sense of unity within the community of Hot Springs, likely never seen before. Immediately following...VA's announced plan, hundreds of community members came together to form committees, organize rallies and begin work to create a counterproposal to ensure the Hot Springs VA would continue to serve veterans." The Stat added, "A key player in this united effort is 2007 Hot Springs High School graduate Justin Gausman, who is currently working on producing a full-length documentary about how his hometown has united to protect and save its 105-year-old VA Hospital."
Save The VA Campaign Gives Away Quilt To Raise Money. According to another related Hot Springs (SD) Star (7/17) story, the "Save the VA Campaign Fundraising committee held it drawings for quilts and afghans, during the Main Street Arts and Crafts Festival." Winning the "Star Quilt was Paul Nabholz, while Susan Carson was the winner of the Red, White and Blue Star Afghan. Carrie Bergen won the Granny Square Afghan."
Legislation On Lejeune Water Woes To Be Pushed Forward. DeMint Worried About Bill Leading To Fraud. In a story run by at least two publications, McClatchy (7/18, Ordonez) reports, "Thousands of sick Marine veterans and their families may be on the verge of taking a giant leap toward receiving health care for illnesses they suffered from decades of water contamination at Marines Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. Legislation that has languished for years was expected to be voted on in the full Senate this week under an across-the-aisle deal between the Democratic and Republican leaders of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee." However, US Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) "has blocked the bill, saying he worries about fraud."

Iraq War vet honored for 'extraordinary' serviceTo view the contents on www.argusleader.com, go to:
http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/201207040155/NEWS/307040031
VA And CU Med Center Staff To Get TB Exams. VA Hospital Is Located In Nebraska. In continuing coverage, the Omaha World-Herald (7/6, Buddenberg, 140K) reports, "Tuberculosis diagnosed about a month ago in a Creighton University medical student will mean tests this summer for hundreds of patients and staff at the VA Medical Center, where the student was in residency - and for a few dozen at Creighton University Medical Center, where the student did rounds, said officials at the two hospitals." The World-Herald adds, "Because TB doesn't show up in tests until several weeks after exposure, examinations won't start until August, said Dr. Marvin Bittner, epidemiologist at the VA Medical Center. 'We decided to cast a very broad net,' he said, which includes all staff and volunteers at the hospital and 151 veterans whose records indicated they had contact with the infected student between March and June." Similar coverage is provided in video posted to the KMTV-TV Omaha, NE (7/6) website.
VA Hospital To Test Hundreds For Tuberculosis. Medical Student Who Worked At Omaha VA Tested Positive For Disease. The KETV-TV Omaha, NE (7/5) website reports, "Hundreds of patients and hospital staff at Omaha VA Medical Center are expected to be tested for tuberculosis after a Creighton University medical student tested positive for the disease while working at the hospital." Staff "members were scheduling those tests starting in August. Officials said it takes that long for TB to develop to where a test can recognize it."
Staircase At VA Medical Center Features Patriotic Murals. Murals Aim To Encourage Use Of Stairs By Grand Island VA Employees. The Grand Island (NE) Independent (7/4, Reutter, 18K) said a "series of five murals" were unveiled Tuesday at the Veterans Affairs hospital in Grand island. The "Stairway to Health" murals are located "in the center stairwell" of the hospital's main building. The "long-term incentive for using the stairs is the murals, as well as the health benefits gained by inserting physical exercise into employees' workdays."
The Enemy Within. The Washington Post (7/5) editorializes, "An investigation by the Air Force into sexual misconduct at its basic-training operations has identified 31 women who have been victimized. Just as troubling is that only one of the women came forward to report the abuse, a startling fact that reflects the pervasive mistrust in the military's handling of sex crimes within its ranks." The Post notes that Defense Secretary Leon Panetta recently "announced a policy change that requires the disposition of serious sex crime cases to be addressed by senior officers," but the Post adds that if that policy "fails to produce real results, the Pentagon must not hesitate to make additional changes," perhaps "empowering military prosecutors to make the final decision on cases or providing a process for victims to appeal decisions not to prosecute."

When Fireworks Stir Memories Of War. VA Psychologist Says Fourth Of July Can Be A Problem For Some Vets With PTSD. The Vancouver (WA) Columbian (6/29, Vorenberg, 45K) noted, "For veterans...who have post-traumatic stress disorder, the Fourth of July can be a difficult holiday." The Columbian added, "While not all veterans with PTSD are disturbed by the noise and lights of fireworks, there are a large number who approach Independence Day with a sense of dread, said Amy Wagner, a clinical psychologist on the PTSD Clinical Team at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Portland. 'It's super common,' Wagner said."
VA To Test Brain-Injury Telemedicine Program. Pilot Program Will Last Five Years. In continuing coverage, Modern Healthcare (6/29, Robeznieks, Subscription Publication, 71K) says the US Veterans Affairs Department "will be launching a five-hospital pilot program to study how using telemedicine can improve care for military veterans with concussions or mild traumatic brain injury. Jacob Kean, a visiting assistant research professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, received a 5-year, $920,000 career development grant to build a system for improving long-distance care and assessing a veteran's ability to self-manage his or her condition." Modern Healthcare adds, "Earlier this month, the VA announced it had set a goal to conduct more than 200,000 'telemental health' consultations in fiscal 2012."
VA Says It Will Target LPCs When Hiring Additional Mental Health Employees. Stars And Stripes (6/28, Shane) notes that in 2006, Congress said VA can use licensed professional counselors (LPCs) and "licensed marriage therapists as mental health specialists." But critics say VA took too long to establish a "professional standards board to handle employment and promotion reviews" for LPCs. Dr. Bradley Karlin, VA's national mental health director for psychotherapy and psychogeriatics, has "insisted that the process was as speedy as possible while still being thorough." Karlin's agency says it will target LPCs when hiring additional mental health employees. Art Terrazas, spokesman for the American Counseling Association, said, "If they do, that would be a great step forward. But we'll have to see if they actually open up the hiring or not."
Supreme Court Overturns Stolen Valor Act. Three network news television broadcasts, along with the AP and numerous other large publications, said the Stolen Valor Act was overturned by the US Supreme Court on Thursday.  An AP (6/29) story run by at least 372 publications notes that on Thursday, the Supreme Court "voted 6-3 in favor of Xavier Alvarez, a former local elected official in California who falsely said he was a decorated war veteran and had pleaded guilty to violating the 2006 law, known as the Stolen Valor Act. The law, enacted when the US was at war in Afghanistan and Iraq, was aimed at people making phony claims of heroism in battle." The Supreme Court's "ruling, written by Justice Anthony Kennedy, ordered that the conviction be thrown out."
Bill Gives VA 10 Days To Announce Data Breaches. Bill Was Approved On Wednesday By House Subcommittee. The Military Times (6/28, Maze, 245K) reports, "The Veterans Affairs Department would have 10 days to notify veterans and the general public of data breaches that could lead to identity theft, under a bill passed Wednesday" by the "oversight and investigations subcommittee of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee." At present, VA "tries to notify veterans of a data breach within 10 days, but there is no legal requirement to do so, and no policy about making a public announcement." Notably, the "nation's largest veterans organization, the American Legion, supports the Veterans' Data Breach Timely Notification Act."
Subcommittee Also Approved Two Other Measures That Would Affect VA. CQ (6/28, Levin, Subscription Publication), which also covers this story, notes that on Wednesday, the aforementioned subcommittee also approved a measure "that would bar VA employees from receiving bonuses if they knowingly violate federal civil law" and one that "would provide guidelines for appointing a fiduciary in cases where beneficiaries of VA payments are deemed mentally incapable of handling their own finances." Lawmakers "expressed hope that all three measures would quickly make their way to the full committee."

 The KWWL-TV Cedar Rapids, IA (6/13, Manternach) website reports, that the "Iowa City VA Healthcare Systems is hiring for eleven" more mental health worker "positions in Iowa City. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs recently announced a national expansion of the Veteran Affairs workforce, adding 1,600 hundred mental clinicians and 300 support staff members nationwide."
The Minnesota Public Radio (6/13, Mador) website reports, "Two medical centers that serve the state's military veterans are expanding this summer." As part of a national VA "effort to help returning war veterans with mental health needs," the agency's hospital in Minneapolis plans to hire 24 new employees. The hospital's spokesman Ralph Heussner said, "Dealing with mental health stressors is a high priority for the VA so the VA Secretary is making sure that we are adequately resourced to deal with the mental health needs of returning service members." The website added that VA's hospital in St. Cloud "is adding five new mental health staffers."
The WJON-AM St. Coud, MN (6/13, Maurice) website, meanwhile, says the "St. Cloud VA estimates they'll be adding seven clinicians and two support staff."
To Rehabilitate Young Vets, Go Hunting. Program Run By Vets. On its website, NPR (6/13) posts audio of a Tuesday "All Things Considered" story noting, "Recreational rehabilitation programs have long been a favorite for helping disabled veterans acclimate after war, and the number of young and disabled vets returning who need those services is on the rise. Two brothers - with nearly 60 years of military service between them - are trying to help with a unique retreat that's free for young vets." The brothers' program, which takes places on the "LEEK Preserve - an acronym for the names of the founders' family members Lew, Elaine, Ed and Kate" -- gets vets "out of their hospital beds for a few days to hunt in rural Pennsylvania."
Twins Thank Veterans With Visit To VA Hospital. Baseball Team Reps Visited Minneapolis VA On Tuesday. The FOX Sports (6/13, Incmikoski) website reports, "Of all the events the Minnesota Twins" professional baseball team participates in "during Hope Week, Tuesday's was perhaps the highlight for manager Ron Gardenhire. The Twins skipper was joined by catcher Drew Butera, pitcher P.J. Walters, former Twins Kent Hrbek and Tim Laudner, and mascot T.C. Bear" at the Veterans Affairs hospital in Minneapolis. The "group spent time with military veterans, signing autographs and swapping stories." The KSTP-TV Minneapolis (6/12) website also took note of the VA hospital visit.
Respect True War Valor, Not Song-And-Dance Routines. A Minneapolis Star Tribune (6/13, 328K) op-ed by Staff Sgt. David Thul, who "has been a member of the Minnesota National Guard for 20 years."
VA's Delays Are Concern. In continuing coverage, an editorial in the Omaha World-Herald (6/13, 140K) says a "new Omaha VA medical center is supposed to open in 2018." The "estimated $560 million price tag already is under pressure, perhaps most notoriously by the addition of a $3 million security perimeter dubbed the 'Zombie Fence' by staffers of US Rep. Lee Terry." The World-Herald concludes, "The way the agency is handling construction of much-needed and long-overdue hospitals around the country is a poor commentary" on VA's commitment to caring for vets

Meditation Brings Peace To War Veterans. VA Studying TM's Effect On Vets With PTSD. The Minneapolis Star Tribune (5/16, Tillotson, 328K) reports, "Transcendental meditation, or TM for short, is hailed by its devotees as good for just about anything that ails you." The Department of Veterans Affairs has "invested $5 million in a dozen trial programs studying TM's effects on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including one at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. The VA hopes to recruit 30 vets for the trial beginning in about a month, said spokesman Ralph Heussner, noting that it should not be confused with Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, a different meditation program already offered."
VA Volunteers Needed. The KMA-AM Shenandoah, IA (5/15) website.
Minnesota Gets A Stadium But Leaves State Veterans Home Unfinished. The Spring Grove (MN) Herald (5/16, 1K).
SD Official Says Federal Law Provides New Benefits For Some Jobless Veterans. Roberts Is South Dakota's Labor Secretary. An AP (5/14) story carried by at least seven publications noted, "South Dakota Labor Secretary Pam Roberts says unemployed veterans may qualify for additional education, vocational rehabilitation and other benefits under a federal law passed last year. Roberts says the federal law expands education and training opportunities for veterans and provides tax credits to employers who hire veterans with service-connected disabilities." Roberts "also says veterans who previously completed a vocational rehabilitation program and have used the initial 26 weeks of unemployment benefits may qualify for an additional 12 months of vocational rehabilitation benefits."
Federal Workers' 2011 Salary Data Exposed Online. Reporter Uses Database To Find Shinseki's 2011 Earnings. The WUSA-TV Washington, DC (5/16) website says a new online database that "went public Tuesday" morning "opens the curtain on the personal payroll of over one million federal workers." Before the "system went online, 9NEWS Now's investigative reporter, Russ Ptacek, tested it by searching Veterans Affairs Secretary, Eric Shinseki. In a split second, the database returned his $199,700 earnings in 2011."
Database Shows VA Has Largest Federal Agency Bonus Pool. In a separate story, WUSA-TV Washington, DC (5/16, Ptacek) notes on its website that it "analyzed 1.3 million federal worker salaries and bonuses, finding the largest bonus pool, $67.9 million, at the largest employer, the Department of Veterans Affairs." But, says WUSA, "averaging $214 a person," VA "didn't even make our list's top five for average individual bonuses." In a statement, VA spokeswoman Josephine Schuda "said the agency uses bonuses to 'recruit, retain and reward positive performance.'" She added, "In the past year, we tightened oversight of retention and incentive awards." In explaining why the database shows VA has 99 of the top 100 highest paid US government workers in the country, Schuda said a small percentage of VA's doctors have higher salaries than VA doctors receive on average.
Senate Cuts Discretionary Funds For Veterans Affairs, Military Construction. Senate Appropriators Approve $3.28 Billion To Care For Returning Vets. In its "Defcon Hill" blog, The Hill (5/16, Munoz) reports, "Senate appropriators have opted to cut just under $500 million from the Pentagon's fiscal 2013 funding request for veterans affairs and military construction. Despite that cut, the $146.6 billion set aside by the Senate Appropriations military construction, veteran affairs, and related agencies subcommittee is still nearly $230 million more than what the department received for those accounts in fiscal '12, according to a subpanel statement released Tuesday." The Hill adds, "On the veterans affairs side," Senate appropriators agreed, among other things, to "finance the White House's $3.28 billion request for healthcare costs of veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq."
Government Executive (5/16, Palleschi) notes, "Senate appropriators will consider a military construction and veterans affairs spending bill Thursday that grants the Obama administration its requested funding levels for prior rounds of base closures." The fiscal 2013 Military-VA spending bill approved by the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Subcommittee on Tuesday "includes $54.5 billion in advanced appropriations for fiscal 2014 for veteran medical services."
CQ (5/16, Mulero, Subscription Publication) reports, "Funds for Arlington National Cemetery and mental health programs for veterans returning from Afghanistan would see significant increases in a spending bill a Senate panel approved easily on Tuesday. The Appropriations Military Construction-VA Subcommittee gave voice-vote approval to a $146.6 billion fiscal 2013 draft spending" bill. The "full committee is expected to consider it Thursday."

Thune, Noem To Tour Hot Springs VA, Seek Public Input. Tour, Information-Gathering Session Will Take Place Tomorrow. In continuing coverage, the Rapid City Journal (4/11, 26K) note that US Sen. John Thune and US Rep. Kristi Noem, who are both Republican lawmakers representing South Dakota, "will host a public one-hour information-gathering session Thursday regarding the VA Black Hills Health Care System, beginning at 11 a.m., at the Hot Springs American Legion." The two lawmakers "will tour the Hot Springs VA medical center and domiciliary that morning and will also have a short meeting with BHHCS director Steve DiStasio. They will then move to the Legion, where they will hear presentations from group leaders, highlighting the Save the VA Campaign's efforts to retain health care services for veterans at the longtime facility in Hot Springs."
The Mitchell (SD) Daily Republic (4/11, 12K) notes that US Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) will join Thune and Noem on Thursday. The Daily Republic story first appeared in the Hot Springs (SD) Star (4/10).
The KEVN-TV Rapid City, SD (4/11, Medina) website, which also covers this story, said the Hot Springs VA was "threatened late last year with a proposal to drastically reduce its workforce by 2016. The 'Save the VA Committee' has been working hard to prepare an alternative proposal which would better serve the Hot Springs community." KEVN quotes Hot Springs Mayor Don DeVries, who said, "I think what our purpose is on Thursday is to just give them a good update on how interested the community is and how involved the community is and how interested we are in the total package of veteran care." KEVN adds, "DeVries says all three of South Dakota's congressional delegates have expressed their support to maintain the Hot Springs VA hospital." KEVN (4/10, 9:06 p.m. MT) aired a similar report.

DC Delegation Coming To Hot Springs. Lawmakers Will Tour VA Hospital, Hear From Save The VA Campaign Leaders. The Hot Springs (SD) Star (4/10) reports, "All three South Dakota congressional representatives" – US Sens. Tim Johnson (D-SD) and John Thune (R-SD), as well as US Rep. Kristi Noem (R-SD) -- will "host a public one-hour VA information-gathering session, beginning at 11 a.m., at the Hot Springs American Legion, on Thursday, April 12." The lawmakers will "tour the VA Black Hills Health Care Medical Center and Domiciliary that morning and will also have a short meeting with BHHCS director Steve DiStasio. They will then move to the Legion, where they will hear presentations from group leaders, highlighting the Save the VA Campaign's efforts to retain health care services for veterans at the longtime facility in Hot Springs."
Homeless Veterans Need Our Help. Lawmaker Says He And Shinseki Are Working Together To Assist Homeless Vets. In an op-ed for Rapid City Journal (4/9, 26K), US Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) says he has "been working very closely with Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki" to assist homeless veterans. The "Obama administration has set an ambitious goal of ending veterans' homelessness by 2015. To support this effort, I have helped to allocate billions of dollars for proven programs that can help eliminate veterans' homelessness."
It's Official - VA Now A National Treasure. The Hot Springs (SD) Star (4/10, Nettinga).
A Mobile Center To Help Veterans. The WHBF-TV Quad Cities, IA (4/10, Michels) website.
Rethinking The Use Of Veterans Memorial Building. The KCRG-TV Cedar Rapids, IA (4/10, Smith) website.
Iraq Vet Making Remarkable Recovery, Say Doctors. The KARE-TV Minneapolis (4/10, Olstad) website.

VA Adding Staff, Opening New Clinics To Prepare For Returning Vets. Fox News' Fox Report Sunday (3/11, 7:49 p.m. ET) broadcast, "Because of the withdrawal in Iraq and scale back of forces in Afghanistan," VA has "increased staffing nationally by 24% and new post-deployment clinics are being opened." Dr. Richard Stark with VA was shown saying, "These are special clinics that are designed around the returning combat veteran, where the veteran is at the center of care." Fox added, "Now, the VA has been criticized in the past -- things like very long waiting lists just for people to be seen by a doctor or other medical professional. But the officials that we've talked to, assert that with this new staffing and these new clinics being opened, the service will dramatically improve, and it has to...with all of those people returning home."
The same report was aired by many Fox affiliates in various parts of the country, including KSWB-TV San Diego, CA (3/11, 10:18 p.m. PT), WGHP-TV Greensboro, NC (3/11, 10:13 p.m. ET), and KDFW-TV Dallas, TX (3/11, 9:05 p.m. CT).
Vets With PTSD More Likely To Get Opioid Painkillers. Study Examined VA Patients. In continuing coverage, the Boston Globe (3/12, Conaboy, 228K) reports, "Veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars who have post-traumatic stress disorder are far more likely than those without a mental illness to be prescribed opioid painkillers, a study by researchers affiliated with the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the University of California at San Francisco found." The study, published last week in the Journal of the American Medical Association, "focused on veterans in a Veterans Affairs health care system and may not be reflective of all veterans."
 VA Officials Tout Project. The Omaha World-Herald (3/12, Hansen, 140K) notes that on Monday, "Omaha city leaders and Rep. Lee Terry will cut the ribbon on a 26-bed apartment-style housing complex meant to offer veterans a temporary home and a range of services as they try to right their lives." The World-Herald adds, "The project also marks the latest local development in a national push to reduce the number of homeless veterans - an initiative that has gotten more than 50,000 vets into temporary or permanent housing in the past four years, say local Department of Veterans Affairs officials."
 An editorial in the Minneapolis Star Tribune (3/12, 328K).
What Is Congress Doing This Week? Senate Appropriations Subcommittees To Hear From Shinseki On Thursday. Near the end of its "2 Chambers" blog, the Washington Post (3/12, O'Keefe, 553K) reports that Secretary Shinseki, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, and "FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III are scheduled to testify Thursday before their respective Senate Appropriations subcommittees regarding their 2013 federal budget requests. Such hearings can generate headlines, so stay tuned," adds the Post.
 VA Offering Transitional Housing To Homeless Female Vets In South Dakota. According to the Butte County (SD) Post (3/12, Dailey, 1K), statistics "show a huge need for residential job training programs for homeless women military veterans – but statistics don't show how hard it is to get out the word. Marlene Marvin, who heads operations" for the Women of War (WOW) "project in Belle Fourche, said their signups are going much slower than expected when the Veterans Administration signed them up to help thousands of women veterans floating in an underground of harsh personal and financial problems." One of the "first women enrolled said the Belle Fourche program is needed because there's no place else for women veterans to have transitional housing as they prepare for the job market."
 Company: Hot Springs VA Is "Critical" To City's Economic Future. The Hot Springs (SD) Star (3/13) notes, "In response to challenges facing the community of Hot Springs directly related to the proposed closing or moving" of the VA medical center in Hot Springs "and other services, Golden West Telecommunications made a $5,000 donation last Friday at the Golden West offices in Hot Springs." The Star adds, "According to Golden West general manager Denny Law, the donation reflects the company's understanding of how critical the VA hospital is to the health of veterans and the economic future of Hot Springs."
 Trip Part Of Joining Forces Community Challenge. In its "Hot Dish Politics" blog, the Minneapolis Star Tribune (3/13, Diaz, 328K) reports that First Lady Michelle Obama will meet "with National Guard families and local community leaders who work with military families," during a visit to Minneapolis Friday. The trip "is part of her Joining Forces Community Challenge, an effort to recognize citizens and community groups that have demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of military families and veterans."
 USA Today (3/13, 1.78M) reports that Mrs. Obama "is doing the David Letterman talk show, CBS announced today. The first lady's topic: her Joining Forces initiative to help military families." Similar coverage appears in an AP (3/13) story run by at least 130 publications.
 The WJON-AM St. Cloud, MN (3/13, Voss) website.

VA Hospitals Turning To Telehealth Technology To Monitor ICU Patients. Move Part Of "Growing Trend Among US Hospitals." In continuing coverage, iHealthBeat (3/1) notes, "Hospitals run by the Department of Veterans Affairs are starting to use telehealth technology to better monitor patients in intensive care units, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports." The effort, according to iHealthBeat, is "part of growing trend among US hospitals to use cameras and monitoring technology to help guide ICU care." Robert Bonello, medical director of the tele-ICU project at Minneapolis' VA hospital, "said telehealth technology allows small hospitals to receive highly specialized expertise from health care providers working in the central hub."

• WW II Veteran gets his Bronze Star: http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012301110046
• Friday’s health fair – online copy. Did not see in hard copy: http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012301110077
• Coming Together event January 17: http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012301120013

http://search.argusleader.com/sp?aff=1100&skin=&keywords=Pearl%20Harbor – stories of five area Veterans with connections to Pearl Harbor

Also, with all the Outlook issues last week, I did not get this story sent about Tom Brokaw’s new book. It includes several pages, apparently, about an area Veteran’s experiences with VA.  http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011311300044

Casey Davidson, Navy Veteran, competed for the first-time in the annual National Veterans Wheelchair Games in August 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Read more    

Several recent stories on KELOland TV:
11/13/2011 - Spearfish Residents Plan Veterans Monument
11/12/2011 - Center For Active Generations Honors Veterans
11/11/2011 - Hovan Students Raise Money For Veterans
11/11/2011 - Military Alumni Service Members Decline
11/11/2011 - Veterans Reflect At Breakfast Tribute
11/11/2011 - Veterans Health Issues
11/11/2011 - Born On 11/11/11 A Century Ago
11/11/2011 - Veterans Day Program At Lincoln HS
11/11/2011 - Veteran Skypes From Kuwait With Students
11/11/2011 - People Reaching Out To Help Homeless Veterans
11/11/2011 - Veterans Memorial Dedicated In Fort Pierre
11/11/2011 - Friday Morning Business Brief
11/11/2011 - Shelter For Homeless Women Veterans Opens In SD
11/08/2011 - Veteran's Outreach Center Opens In Sioux Falls
11/07/2011 - Veterans Medical Center Hopes For $10M Renovation\

Volunteers of America have opened a center in Sioux Falls to help homeless veterans. http://www.keloland.com/NewsDetail6162.cfm?Id=123316

The Argus Leader today contained a story that might be of interest. http://www.argusleader.com/article/20111109/VOICES/311090019/Draftee-recalls-war-incredible-shock-?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Home|p Dave has also written another book called, A Draftee Goes to War. He did a book reading here when it first came out, and his story is also captured in the current display at the Old Court House museum about Vietnam.

Another complimentary letter to the editor. Mr. Kelly also received a note from the family.
http://www.argusleader.com/article/20111109/VOICES09/311090016/Thank-you-VA-care-my-husband

The Sioux Falls VA (Department of Veterans Affairs) Health Care System is teaming up with several area Veterans Service Organizations to host the second annual Veterans Information Fair & Community Open House on November 1, 2011. This event will be held at the Sioux Falls VA Medical Center at 2501 W. 22nd Street from 5:00 – 7:00 PM. Read more    

Two complimentary letters to the Editor of the Argus Leader were recently published:  
o http://www.argusleader.com/article/20111025/VOICES09/110250307/Letter-VA-hospital-delivers-great-care?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Voices|p 
o http://www.argusleader.com/article/20111023/VOICES09/110230319/Letter-VA-gave-great-care-my-husband

Where and When to Get your Flu Shots Flu Vaccinations – An Easy Way to Protect Health Press Release Read more    

Giving Veterans and their families a hand up and not a hand out is the goal of a Veterans Stand Down in Sioux Falls on September 23, 2011. This event is part of VA’s efforts to reach all Veterans and its commitment to ending homelessness by 2015. Read more    

Thanks to a grant from the South Dakota Veterans of Foreign Wars Dept. of SD Ladies Auxiliary, Jason Petersen, PhD, researcher at the Sioux Falls VA Medical Center, is able to continue his research related to skin cancer. Read more   

Senatorial salute to POWs Former prisoners of war received words of thanks Friday from a man who almost shared their fate in captivity. Former Sen. George McGovern, 89, saluted the South Dakota contingent of ex-POWs in a ceremony at the Royal Fork restaurant in Sioux Falls. Read more

Rosebud Sioux Tribe gets $7M for veterans cemetery The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded the Rosebud Sioux Tribe almost $7 million to build a veterans cemetery near Mission.Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki announced the award on Monday, saying it was the first grant for a veterans’ cemetery award to a Native American government by the VA. Read more

New vans help veterans get to appointments in style The DAV's Hospital Transportation Network provides free round-trip rides to all veterans from their homes to their VA medical appointments. Read more 

Lens showcases 'heart of Sioux Falls' Reiffenberger, 55, retired in July from a job with the Department of Veterans Affairs and considers himself a semi-professional photographer. Read more 

Good Morning –Here is a clipping from VA’s News Briefs I thought would be of interest.  Go to  Veterans Affairs News Briefing for complete list of clippings.  Note, you need to be logged in to view clippings. 

Braley Introduces Combat Veterans Back To Work Act. KWQC-TV Davenport, IA (8/25, 6:14 p.m. CT) broadcast that US Rep. Bruce Braley (D-IA) has "introduced the Combat Veterans Back to Work Act," which "gives tax breaks to businesses that hire veterans. It covers Iowa National Guard members as well as members of the regular Armed Services." Braley "says about 600 Iowa National Guard Members returning from Afghanistan are looking for work."

Conrad visits Williston CBOC – Williston Herald - U.S. Sen. Kent Conrad spoke to attendees during a meet and greet and tour of the Williston Community-Based Outpatient Clinic on Wednesday. Conrad toured the veterans health care clinic, which was constructed with federal funding that Conrad helped secure. "For far too many North Dakota veterans, the health care they were promised was very difficult to obtain. That's why I fought to establish community clinics across our state," Conrad said. "This clinic here in Williston is now ensuring that the men and women who served our nation have access to the vital care they need and deserve."

 
Two Years After Firing, Scocos Appointed Again As State Vets Secretary. Scocos Was Fired From Wisconsin VA Post In 2009. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (8/26, Stein, 202K) reports, "Nearly two years after John Scocos was fired as state veterans secretary," Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker "has reappointed him to his old job - a move that did not end a lawsuit the Iraq War veteran has filed against the state. Scocos, a Republican and US Army Reserve colonel, filed the lawsuit after he was fired in November 2009 - two months after he returned from his second tour in Iraq." Scocos was "terminated by the board of the state Department of Veterans Affairs, which was controlled by appointees of then Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle."

The Wisconsin State Journal (8/26, Barbour, 93K) notes that in a statement, Walker said, "I consulted with many veteran organizations throughout the state in choosing the next WDVA secretary. Throughout the process it was clear that John would be an outstanding secretary." An AP (8/26) story appearing in at least 13 publications reports that Walker "announced the appointment Thursday, saying Scocos' experience will be beneficial as the agency explores options to improve the solvency of the Veterans Trust Fund and begins operation of a new veteran's nursing home." Walker recently "signed a law that gives the governor the power to appoint the secretary. Previously, the choice was made by the Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs."

According to the fifth "Thursday State News Briefs" item for the Pierce (WI) County Herald (8/26, 4K), Walker "appointed Scocos over seven other finalists to replace Ken Black – who resigned a few months amid allegations that he discriminated against older white employees who sought promotions." When Scocos was fired in 2009, the Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs "cited excessive spending and mismanagement concerns. But Scocus's tenure was also marked by expansions of state veterans' benefits."

The Milwaukee Business Journal (8/26, Subscription Publication) reports that the "unfortunate removal" in 2009 of Scocos "'by the Board of Veterans Affairs was a very controversial subject among Wisconsin veterans and the veterans organizations,' read a written statement from the Veterans of Foreign Wars to Walker. 'We are strongly recommending (Scocos') appointment.'" Also taking note of Scocos' appointment were reports aired by WISN-TV Milwaukee, WI (8:25, 6:09 p.m. CT) and WKOW-TV Madison, WI (8/25, 6:04 p.m. CT). The story was also covered by the websites for WISC-TV Madison, WI (8/25), WUVM-FM Milwaukee, WI (8/25, Henzl), and WHBL-AM Sheboygan, WI (8/25). WISC-TV Madison, WI (8/25, 6:03 p.m. CT) also broadcast a report on Scocos' appointment.

The same story also appears in the Appleton (WI) Post-Crescent (8/26, Barbour, 43K) and the Sheboygan (WI) Press (8/26, Barbour, 16K).

VA Hospitals Score Well In Treating Heart Patients. Information Found In Medicare's "Hospital Compare" Database. The digital edition of the Army Times (8/22, Standifer, 101K) reports, "Veterans Affairs Department hospitals have better average performance than other US hospitals in Heart failure and heart attack mortality measures, but VA hospitals score notably worse in readmission rates." In addition, a "larger percentage of VA facilities are categorized as significantly worse than average compared with nationwide hospitals overall for more than half of the indicators measured. All 124 VA acute care facilities have been included in Medicare's 'Hospital Compare' database for the first time, allowing patients to see which hospitals have a high fatality rate for patients with pneumonia, heart failure and heart attacks compared with their non-VA peers."

Oldest Survivor Of Bataan Death March Dies At 105. Vet Died On Sunday. An AP (8/16) story run by at least 246 publications notes that on Sunday, 105-year-old veteran Albert Brown died at a nursing home in Illinois. Brown was "nearly 40 in 1942 when he endured the Bataan Death March, a harrowing 65-mile trek in which 78,000 prisoners of war were forced to walk from Bataan province near Manila to a Japanese POW camp." The Omaha World-Herald (8/16, Hendee, 148K) runs a similar story.

Patrick J. Kelly, became director this month at the Sioux Falls VA Health Care System. The main campus is on 22nd Street west of Spellerberg Park, a high spot with a tower visible from all over town. Read more 

The Sioux Falls Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System invites veterans of all eras, family, friends and the general public to its 10th Annual VA Show and Shine on July 20. Read more 

DAV VA Nurse of the Year Award
The recipient of this award could well be called the ― ”Lady with the Lamp”, a true Florence Nightingale for her efforts in making the South Dakota Honor Flight possible for many disabled WW II Veterans. Read more  

The Lit Med group made the big time with a great article in this month’s edition of the MED magazine, which some of you may receive. Here’s the link to the electronic version: http://www.midwestmedicaledition.com/current-MED-issue.html. The article is on pgs. 18-19. Thank you to all Lit Med participants for your dedication and frank discussions. I look forward to us getting together again this fall. - Shirley Redmond

Roundtable To Tackle New Challenges For Vets. VA Education Chief To Participate. The American Legion (7/14, Roberts) website reported, "Challenges old and new facing student veterans and their schools will be examined at a Veterans Education Roundtable on Aug. 25, during The American Legion's National Convention in Minneapolis." The "roundtable's panel will include Keith Wilson, director of Education Service for the Department of Veterans Affairs' Veterans Benefits Administration. Wilson has played a key role in implementing the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the law that makes education benefits available to today's young veterans."

U.S.S. South Dakota Battleship memorial reunion held last Saturday. For full story check out the Argus Leader link:
http://www.argusleader.com/article/20110703/VOICES/107030302/Battleship-veterans-numbers-declining-memories-alive

A VA Newsletter for Women Veterans
Recently, there has been some e-mail traffic about women in the military,     women Veterans being separate from male Veterans, and a feeling of discomfort with being seen as a woman Veteran.  “Are you a woman or a soldier first?” Read more 

Celebrating Asian Pacific Heritage Month
Charles Liu, Chinese ink painter, presented Eastern and Western Views of Life in Art and demonstrated Chinese ink painting during a lunch & learn May 12 at the Sioux Falls VA Medical Center. Read more    

Spending day with resilient POWs changes perspective
Wow! Spring came and went quickly, didn't it? Those few days last week were, as the kids would say, "awesome." Read more       

Thune Discusses Health Care With Wagner Officials
WAGNER — During Wednesday’s tour, U.S. Sen. John Thune saw that recent storms haven’t stopped construction on the new $4 million addition at Wagner Community Memorial Hospital (WCMH). BY RANDY DOCKENDORF Read more

Thune gets tour of health care 'mecca' in Wagner
Sen. John Thune spent three hours Wednesday listening and learning about health-care concerns and efforts to serve residents in and near this Charles Mix County community. Thune, R-S.D., toured the Wagner Community Based Outpatient Clinic, which provides health-care services for veterans. By: Tom Lawrence, The Daily Republic 

Spiritual Programs Help Patients with PTSD
A study conducted at the Minneapolis VA shows signs that victims of trauma and PTSD can be helped by programs that emphasize spirituality as part of recovery. See Minneapolis Star Tribune. 

Blood Pressure Study Drawing Interest
A report last week by Minneapolis VA researchers on redefining blood pressure “normal” continues to draw interest from the news media and medical organizations.  United Press International has distributed a story to its subscribers.  The American Council on Science and Health reports  “Even though it encompassed a large number of subjects and extracted data from a relatively reliable database, this study is worthy of being paid attention to but bears repeating before the last decade’s worth of studies is discarded.”

Vietnam in our words is open at the Old Courthouse Museum for the next several months. Several Vietnam Veterans you may know are featured in this exhibit, and you can hear them talk about their experiences through interactive displays. If you see these Veterans, please acknowledge their courage in sharing their personal stories. The museum is also still interviewing Veterans to record their histories. Please contact the museum at 367-4210 for more information.

On 27 February 2011, Frank Woodruff Buckles, who lied about his age to enlist in the Army in 1917 and became the last known U.S. Veteran of World War I, died at the age of 110. Burial with full military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery. A long-time resident of Charles Town, West Virginia, where he had a farm, he enlisted shortly after his 16th birthday and served in Frank and Germany. At the start of WWI, he was a civilian working with a steamship company in the Philippines when he was captured and imprisoned in a Japanese prisoner of war cap for over three years.

VA & Housing and Urban Development released the first report on homeless Veterans. According to HUD and VA’s assessment, nearly 76,000 Veterans were homeless on a given night in 2009 while roughly 136,000 Veterans spent at least one night in a shelter during that year. This assessment is based on an annual report that HUD provides to Congress and explores in greater depth the demographics of Veterans who are homeless, how the number of Veterans compares to others who are homeless, and how Veterans access and use the nation’s homeless response system. HUD’s report (http://www.hudhre.infro/documents/2009AHARVeteransReport.pdf examines the data in the department’s annual report to Congress in depth. You can read more about VA’s efforts to end homelessness among Veterans at http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=2050 

 From 7 February 2011 Argus Leader, another story about remembering a member of the 147th in Yankton - Richard Schild who was killed in Iraq in 2005. Cory Briest and Dan Wagner’s brother also served in this unit. http://www.argusleader.com/article/20110207/NEWS/102070307/1001/TV-spotlight-preserves-memory-S-D-soldiers-sacrifices

• Amputee Support Group: The first meeting of the amputee support group will be held February 23 at 2P in the auditorium. This group will be meeting monthly on the 4th Wednesday of each month, and all Veterans with amputations and/or their families are welcome. Questions, contact Marla Archibald in Physical Therapy at Ext.6536.

• The National Park Service will waive admission fees on 17 days in 2011 to encourage all Americans to visit a national park this year. The 2011 fee-free dates will be this weekend, January 15-17 (centered on the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday); National Park Week (April 16-24), the first day of summer (June 21), National Public Lands Day (September 24), and the weekend of Veterans Day (November 11-13). Several parks will also honor Dr. King by hosting volunteer projects – the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service – a day on, not a day off. Many park concessions will also offer discounts on fee-free days on food, lodging, tours, and souvenirs. For more information, go to http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm.

• National Geographic has allowed videos of the Vietnam War to be publicly available on YouTube. There are three segments of one hour each. Go to http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=National+Geographic+videos+about+Vietnam&aq=f They are called “Inside the Vietnam War.”

• Also, you can find a story about Mike Castle, a former Sioux Falls resident and Vietnam Veteran, at  http://www.whig.com/story/news/Video-Tribute-Sidebar-010911.

• Today’s Argus Leader featured Ray Brende, contracting officer. Ray recently retired  from the SD National Guard. You can read this story at: http://www.argusleader.com/article/20110106/COLUMNISTS0113/101060305/-1/VOICES

• Mark St. Pierre, author Of Uncommon Birth, the story of two South Dakota boys who went to Vietnam, was interviewed on SD Public Broadcasting yesterday. You can listen to his interview by clicking on this link: http://www.sdpb.org/tv/shows.aspx?MediaID=58827&Parmtype=RADIO&ParmAccessLevel=sdpb-all Some of you may remember him reading from his book here a few years ago. Mark is not a Veteran but did extensive research to write this nonfictional novel.

• Attention – New Mileage Rates in Fed Traveler effective January 1, 2011:
o POV new rate is $0.51, if no government owned vehicle is available
o POV new rate is $0.19, if government owned vehicle is available and traveler elects to use their personal vehicle

• When you see the January 2011 edition of the VFW Magazine, you’ll notice Chaun Brison, a VA team member, is featured in a story on page 30 titled, “Deadly Clandestine Encounter.” This is part of the story of Chaun’s squad at the beginning of the Gulf War. It is another reminder for those of us who are not Veterans to always remember what Veterans have gone through to protect our freedoms. Shaun is also a lifetime member of Sioux Falls VFW Post 628. There is a digital version of the magazine, but unfortunately, it makes my computer run really slow. http://digitaledition.qwinc.com/publication/?i=55687 

• Update on Cost of Living Adjustment for Veterans Compensation & Pension Benefits in 2011 – COLA tied to Social Security and Consumer Price Index: The Social Security Administration has announced that no cost-of-living adjustments will be made to Social Security benefits in 2011 because the consumer price index has not risen since 2008 when the last Social Security increase occurred. Like recipients of Social Security and other federal benefits, Veterans, their families and survivors will also not see a cost-of living adjustment in 2011 to their VA compensation and pension benefits. Under federal law, the cost-of-living adjustments to VA’s compensation and pension rates are the same percentage as for Social Security benefits.

o HEY VA from last week: VA will again celebrate the accomplishments of VA women Veteran employees with “Her Story 2011.” The goal of “Her Story” is to encourage VA offices and field facilities to actively acknowledge and honor the service of women Veterans. This campaign initiated by the Center for Women Veterans originally featured women Veteran employees in VA Central Office. The Center is now seeking stories from VA women Veteran employees throughout the VA system. If you are a woman VA employee and wish to have your story featured, please send a summary of your military experience and current VA position, along with two photos (one civilian and one military). You must also complete and send a signed consent form for use of your image. Email all materials to desiree.long@va.gov. Photo consent form at http://www1.VA.gov/WOMENVET/ConsentForUseOfPictureVoice.pdf 

• The bloodmobile returns here on January 18 during National Blood Donors Month The need for blood donors never ceases, and your donations are especially appreciated. Please call Sonia at Ext. 6815 or Shirley at Ext. 6889 to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins will be accommodated depending on the turnout.

• From the Vermillion newspaper about the Medical Foster Home Program: http://www.plaintalk.net/cms/news/story-205967.html 

• From the Argus Leader December 25 about Dr. Kumar from VA Black Hills Healthcare System: http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=201012250319

• A VA press release was issued December 15 about the 6th Annual Road to Recovery Conference this week at Disney World, where VA is providing on-site counseling and information about VA programs. The week-long event is sponsored by the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes and the American Legion. For more information about the Road to Recovery Conference, visit www.saluteheroes.org 

• The Federal Executive Board of Minnesota invites VA staff to a mid-career retirement training seminar on January 5 at Ft. Snelling. Cost is $80 per federal employee or $90 with spouse. Register online at http://www.minnesotafeb.org

• Argus Leader carried a front-page article that quoted Mike Fitzmaurice, Congressional Medal of Honor recipient and VA plumber and his co-worker, Jerry Grace. You can find this article at http://www.argusleader.com/article/20101117/NEWS/11170319/

• Sioux Falls Vet Center Executive Director To Discuss His PTSD. The Sioux Falls Argus Leader (11/17, 39K) reports, "The National Alliance on Mental Illness in Sioux Falls will meet. NAMI is an education and support organization for individuals with a mental illness and their families. Brian Wallin, executive director of the Sioux Falls Vet Center, will share his personal story of living with PTSD." http://www.argusleader.com/article/20101116/UPDATES/101116057/-1/NATION

• National Native American Heritage Month:
o The next local pow wow will be held Saturday, November 20, at the Multicultural Center. Dinner will be served at 5P with grand entry at 7:00P. The pow wow (wacipi) goes until 12M. The December pow wow will be December 18.
o Did you know you can find the dates for pow wows across the state at http://www.state.sd.us/oia/powwow.asp

Thune, Noem To Tour Hot Springs VA, Seek Public Input. Tour, Information-Gathering Session Will Take Place Tomorrow. In continuing coverage, the Rapid City Journal (4/11, 26K) note that US Sen. John Thune and US Rep. Kristi Noem, who are both Republican lawmakers representing South Dakota, "will host a public one-hour information-gathering session Thursday regarding the VA Black Hills Health Care System, beginning at 11 a.m., at the Hot Springs American Legion." The two lawmakers "will tour the Hot Springs VA medical center and domiciliary that morning and will also have a short meeting with BHHCS director Steve DiStasio. They will then move to the Legion, where they will hear presentations from group leaders, highlighting the Save the VA Campaign's efforts to retain health care services for veterans at the longtime facility in Hot Springs."
The Mitchell (SD) Daily Republic (4/11, 12K) notes that US Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) will join Thune and Noem on Thursday. The Daily Republic story first appeared in the Hot Springs (SD) Star (4/10).
The KEVN-TV Rapid City, SD (4/11, Medina) website, which also covers this story, said the Hot Springs VA was "threatened late last year with a proposal to drastically reduce its workforce by 2016. The 'Save the VA Committee' has been working hard to prepare an alternative proposal which would better serve the Hot Springs community." KEVN quotes Hot Springs Mayor Don DeVries, who said, "I think what our purpose is on Thursday is to just give them a good update on how interested the community is and how involved the community is and how interested we are in the total package of veteran care." KEVN adds, "DeVries says all three of South Dakota's congressional delegates have expressed their support to maintain the Hot Springs VA hospital." KEVN (4/10, 9:06 p.m. MT) aired a similar report.

DC Delegation Coming To Hot Springs. Lawmakers Will Tour VA Hospital, Hear From Save The VA Campaign Leaders. The Hot Springs (SD) Star (4/10) reports, "All three South Dakota congressional representatives" – US Sens. Tim Johnson (D-SD) and John Thune (R-SD), as well as US Rep. Kristi Noem (R-SD) -- will "host a public one-hour VA information-gathering session, beginning at 11 a.m., at the Hot Springs American Legion, on Thursday, April 12." The lawmakers will "tour the VA Black Hills Health Care Medical Center and Domiciliary that morning and will also have a short meeting with BHHCS director Steve DiStasio. They will then move to the Legion, where they will hear presentations from group leaders, highlighting the Save the VA Campaign's efforts to retain health care services for veterans at the longtime facility in Hot Springs."
Homeless Veterans Need Our Help. Lawmaker Says He And Shinseki Are Working Together To Assist Homeless Vets. In an op-ed for Rapid City Journal (4/9, 26K), US Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) says he has "been working very closely with Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki" to assist homeless veterans. The "Obama administration has set an ambitious goal of ending veterans' homelessness by 2015. To support this effort, I have helped to allocate billions of dollars for proven programs that can help eliminate veterans' homelessness."
It's Official - VA Now A National Treasure. The Hot Springs (SD) Star (4/10, Nettinga).
A Mobile Center To Help Veterans. The WHBF-TV Quad Cities, IA (4/10, Michels) website.
Rethinking The Use Of Veterans Memorial Building. The KCRG-TV Cedar Rapids, IA (4/10, Smith) website.
Iraq Vet Making Remarkable Recovery, Say Doctors. The KARE-TV Minneapolis (4/10, Olstad) website.

VA Adding Staff, Opening New Clinics To Prepare For Returning Vets. Fox News' Fox Report Sunday (3/11, 7:49 p.m. ET) broadcast, "Because of the withdrawal in Iraq and scale back of forces in Afghanistan," VA has "increased staffing nationally by 24% and new post-deployment clinics are being opened." Dr. Richard Stark with VA was shown saying, "These are special clinics that are designed around the returning combat veteran, where the veteran is at the center of care." Fox added, "Now, the VA has been criticized in the past -- things like very long waiting lists just for people to be seen by a doctor or other medical professional. But the officials that we've talked to, assert that with this new staffing and these new clinics being opened, the service will dramatically improve, and it has to...with all of those people returning home."
The same report was aired by many Fox affiliates in various parts of the country, including KSWB-TV San Diego, CA (3/11, 10:18 p.m. PT), WGHP-TV Greensboro, NC (3/11, 10:13 p.m. ET), and KDFW-TV Dallas, TX (3/11, 9:05 p.m. CT).
Vets With PTSD More Likely To Get Opioid Painkillers. Study Examined VA Patients. In continuing coverage, the Boston Globe (3/12, Conaboy, 228K) reports, "Veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars who have post-traumatic stress disorder are far more likely than those without a mental illness to be prescribed opioid painkillers, a study by researchers affiliated with the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the University of California at San Francisco found." The study, published last week in the Journal of the American Medical Association, "focused on veterans in a Veterans Affairs health care system and may not be reflective of all veterans."
 VA Officials Tout Project. The Omaha World-Herald (3/12, Hansen, 140K) notes that on Monday, "Omaha city leaders and Rep. Lee Terry will cut the ribbon on a 26-bed apartment-style housing complex meant to offer veterans a temporary home and a range of services as they try to right their lives." The World-Herald adds, "The project also marks the latest local development in a national push to reduce the number of homeless veterans - an initiative that has gotten more than 50,000 vets into temporary or permanent housing in the past four years, say local Department of Veterans Affairs officials."
 An editorial in the Minneapolis Star Tribune (3/12, 328K).
What Is Congress Doing This Week? Senate Appropriations Subcommittees To Hear From Shinseki On Thursday. Near the end of its "2 Chambers" blog, the Washington Post (3/12, O'Keefe, 553K) reports that Secretary Shinseki, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, and "FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III are scheduled to testify Thursday before their respective Senate Appropriations subcommittees regarding their 2013 federal budget requests. Such hearings can generate headlines, so stay tuned," adds the Post.
 VA Offering Transitional Housing To Homeless Female Vets In South Dakota. According to the Butte County (SD) Post (3/12, Dailey, 1K), statistics "show a huge need for residential job training programs for homeless women military veterans – but statistics don't show how hard it is to get out the word. Marlene Marvin, who heads operations" for the Women of War (WOW) "project in Belle Fourche, said their signups are going much slower than expected when the Veterans Administration signed them up to help thousands of women veterans floating in an underground of harsh personal and financial problems." One of the "first women enrolled said the Belle Fourche program is needed because there's no place else for women veterans to have transitional housing as they prepare for the job market."
 Company: Hot Springs VA Is "Critical" To City's Economic Future. The Hot Springs (SD) Star (3/13) notes, "In response to challenges facing the community of Hot Springs directly related to the proposed closing or moving" of the VA medical center in Hot Springs "and other services, Golden West Telecommunications made a $5,000 donation last Friday at the Golden West offices in Hot Springs." The Star adds, "According to Golden West general manager Denny Law, the donation reflects the company's understanding of how critical the VA hospital is to the health of veterans and the economic future of Hot Springs."
 Trip Part Of Joining Forces Community Challenge. In its "Hot Dish Politics" blog, the Minneapolis Star Tribune (3/13, Diaz, 328K) reports that First Lady Michelle Obama will meet "with National Guard families and local community leaders who work with military families," during a visit to Minneapolis Friday. The trip "is part of her Joining Forces Community Challenge, an effort to recognize citizens and community groups that have demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of military families and veterans."
 USA Today (3/13, 1.78M) reports that Mrs. Obama "is doing the David Letterman talk show, CBS announced today. The first lady's topic: her Joining Forces initiative to help military families." Similar coverage appears in an AP (3/13) story run by at least 130 publications.
 The WJON-AM St. Cloud, MN (3/13, Voss) website.

VA Hospitals Turning To Telehealth Technology To Monitor ICU Patients. Move Part Of "Growing Trend Among US Hospitals." In continuing coverage, iHealthBeat (3/1) notes, "Hospitals run by the Department of Veterans Affairs are starting to use telehealth technology to better monitor patients in intensive care units, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports." The effort, according to iHealthBeat, is "part of growing trend among US hospitals to use cameras and monitoring technology to help guide ICU care." Robert Bonello, medical director of the tele-ICU project at Minneapolis' VA hospital, "said telehealth technology allows small hospitals to receive highly specialized expertise from health care providers working in the central hub."

• WW II Veteran gets his Bronze Star: http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012301110046
• Friday’s health fair – online copy. Did not see in hard copy: http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012301110077
• Coming Together event January 17: http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012301120013

http://search.argusleader.com/sp?aff=1100&skin=&keywords=Pearl%20Harbor – stories of five area Veterans with connections to Pearl Harbor

Also, with all the Outlook issues last week, I did not get this story sent about Tom Brokaw’s new book. It includes several pages, apparently, about an area Veteran’s experiences with VA.  http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011311300044

Casey Davidson, Navy Veteran, competed for the first-time in the annual National Veterans Wheelchair Games in August 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Read more    

Several recent stories on KELOland TV:
11/13/2011 - Spearfish Residents Plan Veterans Monument
11/12/2011 - Center For Active Generations Honors Veterans
11/11/2011 - Hovan Students Raise Money For Veterans
11/11/2011 - Military Alumni Service Members Decline
11/11/2011 - Veterans Reflect At Breakfast Tribute
11/11/2011 - Veterans Health Issues
11/11/2011 - Born On 11/11/11 A Century Ago
11/11/2011 - Veterans Day Program At Lincoln HS
11/11/2011 - Veteran Skypes From Kuwait With Students
11/11/2011 - People Reaching Out To Help Homeless Veterans
11/11/2011 - Veterans Memorial Dedicated In Fort Pierre
11/11/2011 - Friday Morning Business Brief
11/11/2011 - Shelter For Homeless Women Veterans Opens In SD
11/08/2011 - Veteran's Outreach Center Opens In Sioux Falls
11/07/2011 - Veterans Medical Center Hopes For $10M Renovation\

Volunteers of America have opened a center in Sioux Falls to help homeless veterans. http://www.keloland.com/NewsDetail6162.cfm?Id=123316

The Argus Leader today contained a story that might be of interest. http://www.argusleader.com/article/20111109/VOICES/311090019/Draftee-recalls-war-incredible-shock-?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Home|p Dave has also written another book called, A Draftee Goes to War. He did a book reading here when it first came out, and his story is also captured in the current display at the Old Court House museum about Vietnam.

Another complimentary letter to the editor. Mr. Kelly also received a note from the family.
http://www.argusleader.com/article/20111109/VOICES09/311090016/Thank-you-VA-care-my-husband

The Sioux Falls VA (Department of Veterans Affairs) Health Care System is teaming up with several area Veterans Service Organizations to host the second annual Veterans Information Fair & Community Open House on November 1, 2011. This event will be held at the Sioux Falls VA Medical Center at 2501 W. 22nd Street from 5:00 – 7:00 PM. Read more    

Two complimentary letters to the Editor of the Argus Leader were recently published:  
o http://www.argusleader.com/article/20111025/VOICES09/110250307/Letter-VA-hospital-delivers-great-care?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Voices|p 
o http://www.argusleader.com/article/20111023/VOICES09/110230319/Letter-VA-gave-great-care-my-husband

Where and When to Get your Flu Shots Flu Vaccinations – An Easy Way to Protect Health Press Release Read more    

Giving Veterans and their families a hand up and not a hand out is the goal of a Veterans Stand Down in Sioux Falls on September 23, 2011. This event is part of VA’s efforts to reach all Veterans and its commitment to ending homelessness by 2015. Read more    

Thanks to a grant from the South Dakota Veterans of Foreign Wars Dept. of SD Ladies Auxiliary, Jason Petersen, PhD, researcher at the Sioux Falls VA Medical Center, is able to continue his research related to skin cancer. Read more   

Senatorial salute to POWs Former prisoners of war received words of thanks Friday from a man who almost shared their fate in captivity. Former Sen. George McGovern, 89, saluted the South Dakota contingent of ex-POWs in a ceremony at the Royal Fork restaurant in Sioux Falls. Read more

Rosebud Sioux Tribe gets $7M for veterans cemetery The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded the Rosebud Sioux Tribe almost $7 million to build a veterans cemetery near Mission.Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki announced the award on Monday, saying it was the first grant for a veterans’ cemetery award to a Native American government by the VA. Read more

New vans help veterans get to appointments in style The DAV's Hospital Transportation Network provides free round-trip rides to all veterans from their homes to their VA medical appointments. Read more 

Lens showcases 'heart of Sioux Falls' Reiffenberger, 55, retired in July from a job with the Department of Veterans Affairs and considers himself a semi-professional photographer. Read more 

Good Morning –Here is a clipping from VA’s News Briefs I thought would be of interest.  Go to  Veterans Affairs News Briefing for complete list of clippings.  Note, you need to be logged in to view clippings. 

Braley Introduces Combat Veterans Back To Work Act. KWQC-TV Davenport, IA (8/25, 6:14 p.m. CT) broadcast that US Rep. Bruce Braley (D-IA) has "introduced the Combat Veterans Back to Work Act," which "gives tax breaks to businesses that hire veterans. It covers Iowa National Guard members as well as members of the regular Armed Services." Braley "says about 600 Iowa National Guard Members returning from Afghanistan are looking for work."

Conrad visits Williston CBOC – Williston Herald - U.S. Sen. Kent Conrad spoke to attendees during a meet and greet and tour of the Williston Community-Based Outpatient Clinic on Wednesday. Conrad toured the veterans health care clinic, which was constructed with federal funding that Conrad helped secure. "For far too many North Dakota veterans, the health care they were promised was very difficult to obtain. That's why I fought to establish community clinics across our state," Conrad said. "This clinic here in Williston is now ensuring that the men and women who served our nation have access to the vital care they need and deserve."

 
Two Years After Firing, Scocos Appointed Again As State Vets Secretary. Scocos Was Fired From Wisconsin VA Post In 2009. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (8/26, Stein, 202K) reports, "Nearly two years after John Scocos was fired as state veterans secretary," Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker "has reappointed him to his old job - a move that did not end a lawsuit the Iraq War veteran has filed against the state. Scocos, a Republican and US Army Reserve colonel, filed the lawsuit after he was fired in November 2009 - two months after he returned from his second tour in Iraq." Scocos was "terminated by the board of the state Department of Veterans Affairs, which was controlled by appointees of then Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle."

The Wisconsin State Journal (8/26, Barbour, 93K) notes that in a statement, Walker said, "I consulted with many veteran organizations throughout the state in choosing the next WDVA secretary. Throughout the process it was clear that John would be an outstanding secretary." An AP (8/26) story appearing in at least 13 publications reports that Walker "announced the appointment Thursday, saying Scocos' experience will be beneficial as the agency explores options to improve the solvency of the Veterans Trust Fund and begins operation of a new veteran's nursing home." Walker recently "signed a law that gives the governor the power to appoint the secretary. Previously, the choice was made by the Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs."

According to the fifth "Thursday State News Briefs" item for the Pierce (WI) County Herald (8/26, 4K), Walker "appointed Scocos over seven other finalists to replace Ken Black – who resigned a few months amid allegations that he discriminated against older white employees who sought promotions." When Scocos was fired in 2009, the Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs "cited excessive spending and mismanagement concerns. But Scocus's tenure was also marked by expansions of state veterans' benefits."

The Milwaukee Business Journal (8/26, Subscription Publication) reports that the "unfortunate removal" in 2009 of Scocos "'by the Board of Veterans Affairs was a very controversial subject among Wisconsin veterans and the veterans organizations,' read a written statement from the Veterans of Foreign Wars to Walker. 'We are strongly recommending (Scocos') appointment.'" Also taking note of Scocos' appointment were reports aired by WISN-TV Milwaukee, WI (8:25, 6:09 p.m. CT) and WKOW-TV Madison, WI (8/25, 6:04 p.m. CT). The story was also covered by the websites for WISC-TV Madison, WI (8/25), WUVM-FM Milwaukee, WI (8/25, Henzl), and WHBL-AM Sheboygan, WI (8/25). WISC-TV Madison, WI (8/25, 6:03 p.m. CT) also broadcast a report on Scocos' appointment.

The same story also appears in the Appleton (WI) Post-Crescent (8/26, Barbour, 43K) and the Sheboygan (WI) Press (8/26, Barbour, 16K).

VA Hospitals Score Well In Treating Heart Patients. Information Found In Medicare's "Hospital Compare" Database. The digital edition of the Army Times (8/22, Standifer, 101K) reports, "Veterans Affairs Department hospitals have better average performance than other US hospitals in Heart failure and heart attack mortality measures, but VA hospitals score notably worse in readmission rates." In addition, a "larger percentage of VA facilities are categorized as significantly worse than average compared with nationwide hospitals overall for more than half of the indicators measured. All 124 VA acute care facilities have been included in Medicare's 'Hospital Compare' database for the first time, allowing patients to see which hospitals have a high fatality rate for patients with pneumonia, heart failure and heart attacks compared with their non-VA peers."

Oldest Survivor Of Bataan Death March Dies At 105. Vet Died On Sunday. An AP (8/16) story run by at least 246 publications notes that on Sunday, 105-year-old veteran Albert Brown died at a nursing home in Illinois. Brown was "nearly 40 in 1942 when he endured the Bataan Death March, a harrowing 65-mile trek in which 78,000 prisoners of war were forced to walk from Bataan province near Manila to a Japanese POW camp." The Omaha World-Herald (8/16, Hendee, 148K) runs a similar story.

Patrick J. Kelly, became director this month at the Sioux Falls VA Health Care System. The main campus is on 22nd Street west of Spellerberg Park, a high spot with a tower visible from all over town. Read more 

The Sioux Falls Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System invites veterans of all eras, family, friends and the general public to its 10th Annual VA Show and Shine on July 20. Read more 

DAV VA Nurse of the Year Award
The recipient of this award could well be called the ― ”Lady with the Lamp”, a true Florence Nightingale for her efforts in making the South Dakota Honor Flight possible for many disabled WW II Veterans. Read more  

The Lit Med group made the big time with a great article in this month’s edition of the MED magazine, which some of you may receive. Here’s the link to the electronic version: http://www.midwestmedicaledition.com/current-MED-issue.html. The article is on pgs. 18-19. Thank you to all Lit Med participants for your dedication and frank discussions. I look forward to us getting together again this fall. - Shirley Redmond

Roundtable To Tackle New Challenges For Vets. VA Education Chief To Participate. The American Legion (7/14, Roberts) website reported, "Challenges old and new facing student veterans and their schools will be examined at a Veterans Education Roundtable on Aug. 25, during The American Legion's National Convention in Minneapolis." The "roundtable's panel will include Keith Wilson, director of Education Service for the Department of Veterans Affairs' Veterans Benefits Administration. Wilson has played a key role in implementing the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the law that makes education benefits available to today's young veterans."

U.S.S. South Dakota Battleship memorial reunion held last Saturday. For full story check out the Argus Leader link:
http://www.argusleader.com/article/20110703/VOICES/107030302/Battleship-veterans-numbers-declining-memories-alive

A VA Newsletter for Women Veterans
Recently, there has been some e-mail traffic about women in the military,     women Veterans being separate from male Veterans, and a feeling of discomfort with being seen as a woman Veteran.  “Are you a woman or a soldier first?” Read more 

Celebrating Asian Pacific Heritage Month
Charles Liu, Chinese ink painter, presented Eastern and Western Views of Life in Art and demonstrated Chinese ink painting during a lunch & learn May 12 at the Sioux Falls VA Medical Center. Read more    

Spending day with resilient POWs changes perspective
Wow! Spring came and went quickly, didn't it? Those few days last week were, as the kids would say, "awesome." Read more       

Thune Discusses Health Care With Wagner Officials
WAGNER — During Wednesday’s tour, U.S. Sen. John Thune saw that recent storms haven’t stopped construction on the new $4 million addition at Wagner Community Memorial Hospital (WCMH). BY RANDY DOCKENDORF Read more

Thune gets tour of health care 'mecca' in Wagner
Sen. John Thune spent three hours Wednesday listening and learning about health-care concerns and efforts to serve residents in and near this Charles Mix County community. Thune, R-S.D., toured the Wagner Community Based Outpatient Clinic, which provides health-care services for veterans. By: Tom Lawrence, The Daily Republic 

Spiritual Programs Help Patients with PTSD
A study conducted at the Minneapolis VA shows signs that victims of trauma and PTSD can be helped by programs that emphasize spirituality as part of recovery. See Minneapolis Star Tribune. 

Blood Pressure Study Drawing Interest
A report last week by Minneapolis VA researchers on redefining blood pressure “normal” continues to draw interest from the news media and medical organizations.  United Press International has distributed a story to its subscribers.  The American Council on Science and Health reports  “Even though it encompassed a large number of subjects and extracted data from a relatively reliable database, this study is worthy of being paid attention to but bears repeating before the last decade’s worth of studies is discarded.”

Vietnam in our words is open at the Old Courthouse Museum for the next several months. Several Vietnam Veterans you may know are featured in this exhibit, and you can hear them talk about their experiences through interactive displays. If you see these Veterans, please acknowledge their courage in sharing their personal stories. The museum is also still interviewing Veterans to record their histories. Please contact the museum at 367-4210 for more information.

On 27 February 2011, Frank Woodruff Buckles, who lied about his age to enlist in the Army in 1917 and became the last known U.S. Veteran of World War I, died at the age of 110. Burial with full military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery. A long-time resident of Charles Town, West Virginia, where he had a farm, he enlisted shortly after his 16th birthday and served in Frank and Germany. At the start of WWI, he was a civilian working with a steamship company in the Philippines when he was captured and imprisoned in a Japanese prisoner of war cap for over three years.

VA & Housing and Urban Development released the first report on homeless Veterans. According to HUD and VA’s assessment, nearly 76,000 Veterans were homeless on a given night in 2009 while roughly 136,000 Veterans spent at least one night in a shelter during that year. This assessment is based on an annual report that HUD provides to Congress and explores in greater depth the demographics of Veterans who are homeless, how the number of Veterans compares to others who are homeless, and how Veterans access and use the nation’s homeless response system. HUD’s report (http://www.hudhre.infro/documents/2009AHARVeteransReport.pdf examines the data in the department’s annual report to Congress in depth. You can read more about VA’s efforts to end homelessness among Veterans at http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=2050 

 From 7 February 2011 Argus Leader, another story about remembering a member of the 147th in Yankton - Richard Schild who was killed in Iraq in 2005. Cory Briest and Dan Wagner’s brother also served in this unit. http://www.argusleader.com/article/20110207/NEWS/102070307/1001/TV-spotlight-preserves-memory-S-D-soldiers-sacrifices

• Amputee Support Group: The first meeting of the amputee support group will be held February 23 at 2P in the auditorium. This group will be meeting monthly on the 4th Wednesday of each month, and all Veterans with amputations and/or their families are welcome. Questions, contact Marla Archibald in Physical Therapy at Ext.6536.

• The National Park Service will waive admission fees on 17 days in 2011 to encourage all Americans to visit a national park this year. The 2011 fee-free dates will be this weekend, January 15-17 (centered on the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday); National Park Week (April 16-24), the first day of summer (June 21), National Public Lands Day (September 24), and the weekend of Veterans Day (November 11-13). Several parks will also honor Dr. King by hosting volunteer projects – the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service – a day on, not a day off. Many park concessions will also offer discounts on fee-free days on food, lodging, tours, and souvenirs. For more information, go to http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm.

• National Geographic has allowed videos of the Vietnam War to be publicly available on YouTube. There are three segments of one hour each. Go to http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=National+Geographic+videos+about+Vietnam&aq=f They are called “Inside the Vietnam War.”

• Also, you can find a story about Mike Castle, a former Sioux Falls resident and Vietnam Veteran, at  http://www.whig.com/story/news/Video-Tribute-Sidebar-010911.

• Today’s Argus Leader featured Ray Brende, contracting officer. Ray recently retired  from the SD National Guard. You can read this story at: http://www.argusleader.com/article/20110106/COLUMNISTS0113/101060305/-1/VOICES

• Mark St. Pierre, author Of Uncommon Birth, the story of two South Dakota boys who went to Vietnam, was interviewed on SD Public Broadcasting yesterday. You can listen to his interview by clicking on this link: http://www.sdpb.org/tv/shows.aspx?MediaID=58827&Parmtype=RADIO&ParmAccessLevel=sdpb-all Some of you may remember him reading from his book here a few years ago. Mark is not a Veteran but did extensive research to write this nonfictional novel.

• Attention – New Mileage Rates in Fed Traveler effective January 1, 2011:
o POV new rate is $0.51, if no government owned vehicle is available
o POV new rate is $0.19, if government owned vehicle is available and traveler elects to use their personal vehicle

• When you see the January 2011 edition of the VFW Magazine, you’ll notice Chaun Brison, a VA team member, is featured in a story on page 30 titled, “Deadly Clandestine Encounter.” This is part of the story of Chaun’s squad at the beginning of the Gulf War. It is another reminder for those of us who are not Veterans to always remember what Veterans have gone through to protect our freedoms. Shaun is also a lifetime member of Sioux Falls VFW Post 628. There is a digital version of the magazine, but unfortunately, it makes my computer run really slow. http://digitaledition.qwinc.com/publication/?i=55687 

• Update on Cost of Living Adjustment for Veterans Compensation & Pension Benefits in 2011 – COLA tied to Social Security and Consumer Price Index: The Social Security Administration has announced that no cost-of-living adjustments will be made to Social Security benefits in 2011 because the consumer price index has not risen since 2008 when the last Social Security increase occurred. Like recipients of Social Security and other federal benefits, Veterans, their families and survivors will also not see a cost-of living adjustment in 2011 to their VA compensation and pension benefits. Under federal law, the cost-of-living adjustments to VA’s compensation and pension rates are the same percentage as for Social Security benefits.

o HEY VA from last week: VA will again celebrate the accomplishments of VA women Veteran employees with “Her Story 2011.” The goal of “Her Story” is to encourage VA offices and field facilities to actively acknowledge and honor the service of women Veterans. This campaign initiated by the Center for Women Veterans originally featured women Veteran employees in VA Central Office. The Center is now seeking stories from VA women Veteran employees throughout the VA system. If you are a woman VA employee and wish to have your story featured, please send a summary of your military experience and current VA position, along with two photos (one civilian and one military). You must also complete and send a signed consent form for use of your image. Email all materials to desiree.long@va.gov. Photo consent form at http://www1.VA.gov/WOMENVET/ConsentForUseOfPictureVoice.pdf 

• The bloodmobile returns here on January 18 during National Blood Donors Month The need for blood donors never ceases, and your donations are especially appreciated. Please call Sonia at Ext. 6815 or Shirley at Ext. 6889 to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins will be accommodated depending on the turnout.

• From the Vermillion newspaper about the Medical Foster Home Program: http://www.plaintalk.net/cms/news/story-205967.html 

• From the Argus Leader December 25 about Dr. Kumar from VA Black Hills Healthcare System: http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=201012250319

• A VA press release was issued December 15 about the 6th Annual Road to Recovery Conference this week at Disney World, where VA is providing on-site counseling and information about VA programs. The week-long event is sponsored by the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes and the American Legion. For more information about the Road to Recovery Conference, visit www.saluteheroes.org 

• The Federal Executive Board of Minnesota invites VA staff to a mid-career retirement training seminar on January 5 at Ft. Snelling. Cost is $80 per federal employee or $90 with spouse. Register online at http://www.minnesotafeb.org

• Argus Leader carried a front-page article that quoted Mike Fitzmaurice, Congressional Medal of Honor recipient and VA plumber and his co-worker, Jerry Grace. You can find this article at http://www.argusleader.com/article/20101117/NEWS/11170319/

• Sioux Falls Vet Center Executive Director To Discuss His PTSD. The Sioux Falls Argus Leader (11/17, 39K) reports, "The National Alliance on Mental Illness in Sioux Falls will meet. NAMI is an education and support organization for individuals with a mental illness and their families. Brian Wallin, executive director of the Sioux Falls Vet Center, will share his personal story of living with PTSD." http://www.argusleader.com/article/20101116/UPDATES/101116057/-1/NATION

• National Native American Heritage Month:
o The next local pow wow will be held Saturday, November 20, at the Multicultural Center. Dinner will be served at 5P with grand entry at 7:00P. The pow wow (wacipi) goes until 12M. The December pow wow will be December 18.
o Did you know you can find the dates for pow wows across the state at http://www.state.sd.us/oia/powwow.asp

 The KWWL-TV Cedar Rapids, IA (6/13, Manternach) website reports, that the "Iowa City VA Healthcare Systems is hiring for eleven" more mental health worker "positions in Iowa City. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs recently announced a national expansion of the Veteran Affairs workforce, adding 1,600 hundred mental clinicians and 300 support staff members nationwide."
The Minnesota Public Radio (6/13, Mador) website reports, "Two medical centers that serve the state's military veterans are expanding this summer." As part of a national VA "effort to help returning war veterans with mental health needs," the agency's hospital in Minneapolis plans to hire 24 new employees. The hospital's spokesman Ralph Heussner said, "Dealing with mental health stressors is a high priority for the VA so the VA Secretary is making sure that we are adequately resourced to deal with the mental health needs of returning service members." The website added that VA's hospital in St. Cloud "is adding five new mental health staffers."
The WJON-AM St. Coud, MN (6/13, Maurice) website, meanwhile, says the "St. Cloud VA estimates they'll be adding seven clinicians and two support staff."
To Rehabilitate Young Vets, Go Hunting. Program Run By Vets. On its website, NPR (6/13) posts audio of a Tuesday "All Things Considered" story noting, "Recreational rehabilitation programs have long been a favorite for helping disabled veterans acclimate after war, and the number of young and disabled vets returning who need those services is on the rise. Two brothers - with nearly 60 years of military service between them - are trying to help with a unique retreat that's free for young vets." The brothers' program, which takes places on the "LEEK Preserve - an acronym for the names of the founders' family members Lew, Elaine, Ed and Kate" -- gets vets "out of their hospital beds for a few days to hunt in rural Pennsylvania."
Twins Thank Veterans With Visit To VA Hospital. Baseball Team Reps Visited Minneapolis VA On Tuesday. The FOX Sports (6/13, Incmikoski) website reports, "Of all the events the Minnesota Twins" professional baseball team participates in "during Hope Week, Tuesday's was perhaps the highlight for manager Ron Gardenhire. The Twins skipper was joined by catcher Drew Butera, pitcher P.J. Walters, former Twins Kent Hrbek and Tim Laudner, and mascot T.C. Bear" at the Veterans Affairs hospital in Minneapolis. The "group spent time with military veterans, signing autographs and swapping stories." The KSTP-TV Minneapolis (6/12) website also took note of the VA hospital visit.
Respect True War Valor, Not Song-And-Dance Routines. A Minneapolis Star Tribune (6/13, 328K) op-ed by Staff Sgt. David Thul, who "has been a member of the Minnesota National Guard for 20 years."
VA's Delays Are Concern. In continuing coverage, an editorial in the Omaha World-Herald (6/13, 140K) says a "new Omaha VA medical center is supposed to open in 2018." The "estimated $560 million price tag already is under pressure, perhaps most notoriously by the addition of a $3 million security perimeter dubbed the 'Zombie Fence' by staffers of US Rep. Lee Terry." The World-Herald concludes, "The way the agency is handling construction of much-needed and long-overdue hospitals around the country is a poor commentary" on VA's commitment to caring for vets

Meditation Brings Peace To War Veterans. VA Studying TM's Effect On Vets With PTSD. The Minneapolis Star Tribune (5/16, Tillotson, 328K) reports, "Transcendental meditation, or TM for short, is hailed by its devotees as good for just about anything that ails you." The Department of Veterans Affairs has "invested $5 million in a dozen trial programs studying TM's effects on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including one at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. The VA hopes to recruit 30 vets for the trial beginning in about a month, said spokesman Ralph Heussner, noting that it should not be confused with Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, a different meditation program already offered."
VA Volunteers Needed. The KMA-AM Shenandoah, IA (5/15) website.
Minnesota Gets A Stadium But Leaves State Veterans Home Unfinished. The Spring Grove (MN) Herald (5/16, 1K).
SD Official Says Federal Law Provides New Benefits For Some Jobless Veterans. Roberts Is South Dakota's Labor Secretary. An AP (5/14) story carried by at least seven publications noted, "South Dakota Labor Secretary Pam Roberts says unemployed veterans may qualify for additional education, vocational rehabilitation and other benefits under a federal law passed last year. Roberts says the federal law expands education and training opportunities for veterans and provides tax credits to employers who hire veterans with service-connected disabilities." Roberts "also says veterans who previously completed a vocational rehabilitation program and have used the initial 26 weeks of unemployment benefits may qualify for an additional 12 months of vocational rehabilitation benefits."
Federal Workers' 2011 Salary Data Exposed Online. Reporter Uses Database To Find Shinseki's 2011 Earnings. The WUSA-TV Washington, DC (5/16) website says a new online database that "went public Tuesday" morning "opens the curtain on the personal payroll of over one million federal workers." Before the "system went online, 9NEWS Now's investigative reporter, Russ Ptacek, tested it by searching Veterans Affairs Secretary, Eric Shinseki. In a split second, the database returned his $199,700 earnings in 2011."
Database Shows VA Has Largest Federal Agency Bonus Pool. In a separate story, WUSA-TV Washington, DC (5/16, Ptacek) notes on its website that it "analyzed 1.3 million federal worker salaries and bonuses, finding the largest bonus pool, $67.9 million, at the largest employer, the Department of Veterans Affairs." But, says WUSA, "averaging $214 a person," VA "didn't even make our list's top five for average individual bonuses." In a statement, VA spokeswoman Josephine Schuda "said the agency uses bonuses to 'recruit, retain and reward positive performance.'" She added, "In the past year, we tightened oversight of retention and incentive awards." In explaining why the database shows VA has 99 of the top 100 highest paid US government workers in the country, Schuda said a small percentage of VA's doctors have higher salaries than VA doctors receive on average.
Senate Cuts Discretionary Funds For Veterans Affairs, Military Construction. Senate Appropriators Approve $3.28 Billion To Care For Returning Vets. In its "Defcon Hill" blog, The Hill (5/16, Munoz) reports, "Senate appropriators have opted to cut just under $500 million from the Pentagon's fiscal 2013 funding request for veterans affairs and military construction. Despite that cut, the $146.6 billion set aside by the Senate Appropriations military construction, veteran affairs, and related agencies subcommittee is still nearly $230 million more than what the department received for those accounts in fiscal '12, according to a subpanel statement released Tuesday." The Hill adds, "On the veterans affairs side," Senate appropriators agreed, among other things, to "finance the White House's $3.28 billion request for healthcare costs of veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq."
Government Executive (5/16, Palleschi) notes, "Senate appropriators will consider a military construction and veterans affairs spending bill Thursday that grants the Obama administration its requested funding levels for prior rounds of base closures." The fiscal 2013 Military-VA spending bill approved by the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Subcommittee on Tuesday "includes $54.5 billion in advanced appropriations for fiscal 2014 for veteran medical services."
CQ (5/16, Mulero, Subscription Publication) reports, "Funds for Arlington National Cemetery and mental health programs for veterans returning from Afghanistan would see significant increases in a spending bill a Senate panel approved easily on Tuesday. The Appropriations Military Construction-VA Subcommittee gave voice-vote approval to a $146.6 billion fiscal 2013 draft spending" bill. The "full committee is expected to consider it Thursday."

Thune, Noem To Tour Hot Springs VA, Seek Public Input. Tour, Information-Gathering Session Will Take Place Tomorrow. In continuing coverage, the Rapid City Journal (4/11, 26K) note that US Sen. John Thune and US Rep. Kristi Noem, who are both Republican lawmakers representing South Dakota, "will host a public one-hour information-gathering session Thursday regarding the VA Black Hills Health Care System, beginning at 11 a.m., at the Hot Springs American Legion." The two lawmakers "will tour the Hot Springs VA medical center and domiciliary that morning and will also have a short meeting with BHHCS director Steve DiStasio. They will then move to the Legion, where they will hear presentations from group leaders, highlighting the Save the VA Campaign's efforts to retain health care services for veterans at the longtime facility in Hot Springs."
The Mitchell (SD) Daily Republic (4/11, 12K) notes that US Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) will join Thune and Noem on Thursday. The Daily Republic story first appeared in the Hot Springs (SD) Star (4/10).
The KEVN-TV Rapid City, SD (4/11, Medina) website, which also covers this story, said the Hot Springs VA was "threatened late last year with a proposal to drastically reduce its workforce by 2016. The 'Save the VA Committee' has been working hard to prepare an alternative proposal which would better serve the Hot Springs community." KEVN quotes Hot Springs Mayor Don DeVries, who said, "I think what our purpose is on Thursday is to just give them a good update on how interested the community is and how involved the community is and how interested we are in the total package of veteran care." KEVN adds, "DeVries says all three of South Dakota's congressional delegates have expressed their support to maintain the Hot Springs VA hospital." KEVN (4/10, 9:06 p.m. MT) aired a similar report.

DC Delegation Coming To Hot Springs. Lawmakers Will Tour VA Hospital, Hear From Save The VA Campaign Leaders. The Hot Springs (SD) Star (4/10) reports, "All three South Dakota congressional representatives" – US Sens. Tim Johnson (D-SD) and John Thune (R-SD), as well as US Rep. Kristi Noem (R-SD) -- will "host a public one-hour VA information-gathering session, beginning at 11 a.m., at the Hot Springs American Legion, on Thursday, April 12." The lawmakers will "tour the VA Black Hills Health Care Medical Center and Domiciliary that morning and will also have a short meeting with BHHCS director Steve DiStasio. They will then move to the Legion, where they will hear presentations from group leaders, highlighting the Save the VA Campaign's efforts to retain health care services for veterans at the longtime facility in Hot Springs."
Homeless Veterans Need Our Help. Lawmaker Says He And Shinseki Are Working Together To Assist Homeless Vets. In an op-ed for Rapid City Journal (4/9, 26K), US Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) says he has "been working very closely with Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki" to assist homeless veterans. The "Obama administration has set an ambitious goal of ending veterans' homelessness by 2015. To support this effort, I have helped to allocate billions of dollars for proven programs that can help eliminate veterans' homelessness."
It's Official - VA Now A National Treasure. The Hot Springs (SD) Star (4/10, Nettinga).
A Mobile Center To Help Veterans. The WHBF-TV Quad Cities, IA (4/10, Michels) website.
Rethinking The Use Of Veterans Memorial Building. The KCRG-TV Cedar Rapids, IA (4/10, Smith) website.
Iraq Vet Making Remarkable Recovery, Say Doctors. The KARE-TV Minneapolis (4/10, Olstad) website.

VA Adding Staff, Opening New Clinics To Prepare For Returning Vets. Fox News' Fox Report Sunday (3/11, 7:49 p.m. ET) broadcast, "Because of the withdrawal in Iraq and scale back of forces in Afghanistan," VA has "increased staffing nationally by 24% and new post-deployment clinics are being opened." Dr. Richard Stark with VA was shown saying, "These are special clinics that are designed around the returning combat veteran, where the veteran is at the center of care." Fox added, "Now, the VA has been criticized in the past -- things like very long waiting lists just for people to be seen by a doctor or other medical professional. But the officials that we've talked to, assert that with this new staffing and these new clinics being opened, the service will dramatically improve, and it has to...with all of those people returning home."
The same report was aired by many Fox affiliates in various parts of the country, including KSWB-TV San Diego, CA (3/11, 10:18 p.m. PT), WGHP-TV Greensboro, NC (3/11, 10:13 p.m. ET), and KDFW-TV Dallas, TX (3/11, 9:05 p.m. CT).
Vets With PTSD More Likely To Get Opioid Painkillers. Study Examined VA Patients. In continuing coverage, the Boston Globe (3/12, Conaboy, 228K) reports, "Veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars who have post-traumatic stress disorder are far more likely than those without a mental illness to be prescribed opioid painkillers, a study by researchers affiliated with the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the University of California at San Francisco found." The study, published last week in the Journal of the American Medical Association, "focused on veterans in a Veterans Affairs health care system and may not be reflective of all veterans."
 VA Officials Tout Project. The Omaha World-Herald (3/12, Hansen, 140K) notes that on Monday, "Omaha city leaders and Rep. Lee Terry will cut the ribbon on a 26-bed apartment-style housing complex meant to offer veterans a temporary home and a range of services as they try to right their lives." The World-Herald adds, "The project also marks the latest local development in a national push to reduce the number of homeless veterans - an initiative that has gotten more than 50,000 vets into temporary or permanent housing in the past four years, say local Department of Veterans Affairs officials."
 An editorial in the Minneapolis Star Tribune (3/12, 328K).
What Is Congress Doing This Week? Senate Appropriations Subcommittees To Hear From Shinseki On Thursday. Near the end of its "2 Chambers" blog, the Washington Post (3/12, O'Keefe, 553K) reports that Secretary Shinseki, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, and "FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III are scheduled to testify Thursday before their respective Senate Appropriations subcommittees regarding their 2013 federal budget requests. Such hearings can generate headlines, so stay tuned," adds the Post.
 VA Offering Transitional Housing To Homeless Female Vets In South Dakota. According to the Butte County (SD) Post (3/12, Dailey, 1K), statistics "show a huge need for residential job training programs for homeless women military veterans – but statistics don't show how hard it is to get out the word. Marlene Marvin, who heads operations" for the Women of War (WOW) "project in Belle Fourche, said their signups are going much slower than expected when the Veterans Administration signed them up to help thousands of women veterans floating in an underground of harsh personal and financial problems." One of the "first women enrolled said the Belle Fourche program is needed because there's no place else for women veterans to have transitional housing as they prepare for the job market."
 Company: Hot Springs VA Is "Critical" To City's Economic Future. The Hot Springs (SD) Star (3/13) notes, "In response to challenges facing the community of Hot Springs directly related to the proposed closing or moving" of the VA medical center in Hot Springs "and other services, Golden West Telecommunications made a $5,000 donation last Friday at the Golden West offices in Hot Springs." The Star adds, "According to Golden West general manager Denny Law, the donation reflects the company's understanding of how critical the VA hospital is to the health of veterans and the economic future of Hot Springs."
 Trip Part Of Joining Forces Community Challenge. In its "Hot Dish Politics" blog, the Minneapolis Star Tribune (3/13, Diaz, 328K) reports that First Lady Michelle Obama will meet "with National Guard families and local community leaders who work with military families," during a visit to Minneapolis Friday. The trip "is part of her Joining Forces Community Challenge, an effort to recognize citizens and community groups that have demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of military families and veterans."
 USA Today (3/13, 1.78M) reports that Mrs. Obama "is doing the David Letterman talk show, CBS announced today. The first lady's topic: her Joining Forces initiative to help military families." Similar coverage appears in an AP (3/13) story run by at least 130 publications.
 The WJON-AM St. Cloud, MN (3/13, Voss) website.

VA Hospitals Turning To Telehealth Technology To Monitor ICU Patients. Move Part Of "Growing Trend Among US Hospitals." In continuing coverage, iHealthBeat (3/1) notes, "Hospitals run by the Department of Veterans Affairs are starting to use telehealth technology to better monitor patients in intensive care units, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports." The effort, according to iHealthBeat, is "part of growing trend among US hospitals to use cameras and monitoring technology to help guide ICU care." Robert Bonello, medical director of the tele-ICU project at Minneapolis' VA hospital, "said telehealth technology allows small hospitals to receive highly specialized expertise from health care providers working in the central hub."

• WW II Veteran gets his Bronze Star: http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012301110046
• Friday’s health fair – online copy. Did not see in hard copy: http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012301110077
• Coming Together event January 17: http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012301120013

http://search.argusleader.com/sp?aff=1100&skin=&keywords=Pearl%20Harbor – stories of five area Veterans with connections to Pearl Harbor

Also, with all the Outlook issues last week, I did not get this story sent about Tom Brokaw’s new book. It includes several pages, apparently, about an area Veteran’s experiences with VA.  http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011311300044

Casey Davidson, Navy Veteran, competed for the first-time in the annual National Veterans Wheelchair Games in August 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Read more    

Several recent stories on KELOland TV:
11/13/2011 - Spearfish Residents Plan Veterans Monument
11/12/2011 - Center For Active Generations Honors Veterans
11/11/2011 - Hovan Students Raise Money For Veterans
11/11/2011 - Military Alumni Service Members Decline
11/11/2011 - Veterans Reflect At Breakfast Tribute
11/11/2011 - Veterans Health Issues
11/11/2011 - Born On 11/11/11 A Century Ago
11/11/2011 - Veterans Day Program At Lincoln HS
11/11/2011 - Veteran Skypes From Kuwait With Students
11/11/2011 - People Reaching Out To Help Homeless Veterans
11/11/2011 - Veterans Memorial Dedicated In Fort Pierre
11/11/2011 - Friday Morning Business Brief
11/11/2011 - Shelter For Homeless Women Veterans Opens In SD
11/08/2011 - Veteran's Outreach Center Opens In Sioux Falls
11/07/2011 - Veterans Medical Center Hopes For $10M Renovation\

Volunteers of America have opened a center in Sioux Falls to help homeless veterans. http://www.keloland.com/NewsDetail6162.cfm?Id=123316

The Argus Leader today contained a story that might be of interest. http://www.argusleader.com/article/20111109/VOICES/311090019/Draftee-recalls-war-incredible-shock-?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Home|p Dave has also written another book called, A Draftee Goes to War. He did a book reading here when it first came out, and his story is also captured in the current display at the Old Court House museum about Vietnam.

Another complimentary letter to the editor. Mr. Kelly also received a note from the family.
http://www.argusleader.com/article/20111109/VOICES09/311090016/Thank-you-VA-care-my-husband

The Sioux Falls VA (Department of Veterans Affairs) Health Care System is teaming up with several area Veterans Service Organizations to host the second annual Veterans Information Fair & Community Open House on November 1, 2011. This event will be held at the Sioux Falls VA Medical Center at 2501 W. 22nd Street from 5:00 – 7:00 PM. Read more    

Two complimentary letters to the Editor of the Argus Leader were recently published:  
o http://www.argusleader.com/article/20111025/VOICES09/110250307/Letter-VA-hospital-delivers-great-care?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Voices|p 
o http://www.argusleader.com/article/20111023/VOICES09/110230319/Letter-VA-gave-great-care-my-husband

Where and When to Get your Flu Shots Flu Vaccinations – An Easy Way to Protect Health Press Release Read more    

Giving Veterans and their families a hand up and not a hand out is the goal of a Veterans Stand Down in Sioux Falls on September 23, 2011. This event is part of VA’s efforts to reach all Veterans and its commitment to ending homelessness by 2015. Read more    

Thanks to a grant from the South Dakota Veterans of Foreign Wars Dept. of SD Ladies Auxiliary, Jason Petersen, PhD, researcher at the Sioux Falls VA Medical Center, is able to continue his research related to skin cancer. Read more   

Senatorial salute to POWs Former prisoners of war received words of thanks Friday from a man who almost shared their fate in captivity. Former Sen. George McGovern, 89, saluted the South Dakota contingent of ex-POWs in a ceremony at the Royal Fork restaurant in Sioux Falls. Read more

Rosebud Sioux Tribe gets $7M for veterans cemetery The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded the Rosebud Sioux Tribe almost $7 million to build a veterans cemetery near Mission.Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki announced the award on Monday, saying it was the first grant for a veterans’ cemetery award to a Native American government by the VA. Read more

New vans help veterans get to appointments in style The DAV's Hospital Transportation Network provides free round-trip rides to all veterans from their homes to their VA medical appointments. Read more 

Lens showcases 'heart of Sioux Falls' Reiffenberger, 55, retired in July from a job with the Department of Veterans Affairs and considers himself a semi-professional photographer. Read more 

Good Morning –Here is a clipping from VA’s News Briefs I thought would be of interest.  Go to  Veterans Affairs News Briefing for complete list of clippings.  Note, you need to be logged in to view clippings. 

Braley Introduces Combat Veterans Back To Work Act. KWQC-TV Davenport, IA (8/25, 6:14 p.m. CT) broadcast that US Rep. Bruce Braley (D-IA) has "introduced the Combat Veterans Back to Work Act," which "gives tax breaks to businesses that hire veterans. It covers Iowa National Guard members as well as members of the regular Armed Services." Braley "says about 600 Iowa National Guard Members returning from Afghanistan are looking for work."

Conrad visits Williston CBOC – Williston Herald - U.S. Sen. Kent Conrad spoke to attendees during a meet and greet and tour of the Williston Community-Based Outpatient Clinic on Wednesday. Conrad toured the veterans health care clinic, which was constructed with federal funding that Conrad helped secure. "For far too many North Dakota veterans, the health care they were promised was very difficult to obtain. That's why I fought to establish community clinics across our state," Conrad said. "This clinic here in Williston is now ensuring that the men and women who served our nation have access to the vital care they need and deserve."

 
Two Years After Firing, Scocos Appointed Again As State Vets Secretary. Scocos Was Fired From Wisconsin VA Post In 2009. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (8/26, Stein, 202K) reports, "Nearly two years after John Scocos was fired as state veterans secretary," Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker "has reappointed him to his old job - a move that did not end a lawsuit the Iraq War veteran has filed against the state. Scocos, a Republican and US Army Reserve colonel, filed the lawsuit after he was fired in November 2009 - two months after he returned from his second tour in Iraq." Scocos was "terminated by the board of the state Department of Veterans Affairs, which was controlled by appointees of then Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle."

The Wisconsin State Journal (8/26, Barbour, 93K) notes that in a statement, Walker said, "I consulted with many veteran organizations throughout the state in choosing the next WDVA secretary. Throughout the process it was clear that John would be an outstanding secretary." An AP (8/26) story appearing in at least 13 publications reports that Walker "announced the appointment Thursday, saying Scocos' experience will be beneficial as the agency explores options to improve the solvency of the Veterans Trust Fund and begins operation of a new veteran's nursing home." Walker recently "signed a law that gives the governor the power to appoint the secretary. Previously, the choice was made by the Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs."

According to the fifth "Thursday State News Briefs" item for the Pierce (WI) County Herald (8/26, 4K), Walker "appointed Scocos over seven other finalists to replace Ken Black – who resigned a few months amid allegations that he discriminated against older white employees who sought promotions." When Scocos was fired in 2009, the Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs "cited excessive spending and mismanagement concerns. But Scocus's tenure was also marked by expansions of state veterans' benefits."

The Milwaukee Business Journal (8/26, Subscription Publication) reports that the "unfortunate removal" in 2009 of Scocos "'by the Board of Veterans Affairs was a very controversial subject among Wisconsin veterans and the veterans organizations,' read a written statement from the Veterans of Foreign Wars to Walker. 'We are strongly recommending (Scocos') appointment.'" Also taking note of Scocos' appointment were reports aired by WISN-TV Milwaukee, WI (8:25, 6:09 p.m. CT) and WKOW-TV Madison, WI (8/25, 6:04 p.m. CT). The story was also covered by the websites for WISC-TV Madison, WI (8/25), WUVM-FM Milwaukee, WI (8/25, Henzl), and WHBL-AM Sheboygan, WI (8/25). WISC-TV Madison, WI (8/25, 6:03 p.m. CT) also broadcast a report on Scocos' appointment.

The same story also appears in the Appleton (WI) Post-Crescent (8/26, Barbour, 43K) and the Sheboygan (WI) Press (8/26, Barbour, 16K).

VA Hospitals Score Well In Treating Heart Patients. Information Found In Medicare's "Hospital Compare" Database. The digital edition of the Army Times (8/22, Standifer, 101K) reports, "Veterans Affairs Department hospitals have better average performance than other US hospitals in Heart failure and heart attack mortality measures, but VA hospitals score notably worse in readmission rates." In addition, a "larger percentage of VA facilities are categorized as significantly worse than average compared with nationwide hospitals overall for more than half of the indicators measured. All 124 VA acute care facilities have been included in Medicare's 'Hospital Compare' database for the first time, allowing patients to see which hospitals have a high fatality rate for patients with pneumonia, heart failure and heart attacks compared with their non-VA peers."

Oldest Survivor Of Bataan Death March Dies At 105. Vet Died On Sunday. An AP (8/16) story run by at least 246 publications notes that on Sunday, 105-year-old veteran Albert Brown died at a nursing home in Illinois. Brown was "nearly 40 in 1942 when he endured the Bataan Death March, a harrowing 65-mile trek in which 78,000 prisoners of war were forced to walk from Bataan province near Manila to a Japanese POW camp." The Omaha World-Herald (8/16, Hendee, 148K) runs a similar story.

Patrick J. Kelly, became director this month at the Sioux Falls VA Health Care System. The main campus is on 22nd Street west of Spellerberg Park, a high spot with a tower visible from all over town. Read more 

The Sioux Falls Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System invites veterans of all eras, family, friends and the general public to its 10th Annual VA Show and Shine on July 20. Read more 

DAV VA Nurse of the Year Award
The recipient of this award could well be called the ― ”Lady with the Lamp”, a true Florence Nightingale for her efforts in making the South Dakota Honor Flight possible for many disabled WW II Veterans. Read more  

The Lit Med group made the big time with a great article in this month’s edition of the MED magazine, which some of you may receive. Here’s the link to the electronic version: http://www.midwestmedicaledition.com/current-MED-issue.html. The article is on pgs. 18-19. Thank you to all Lit Med participants for your dedication and frank discussions. I look forward to us getting together again this fall. - Shirley Redmond

Roundtable To Tackle New Challenges For Vets. VA Education Chief To Participate. The American Legion (7/14, Roberts) website reported, "Challenges old and new facing student veterans and their schools will be examined at a Veterans Education Roundtable on Aug. 25, during The American Legion's National Convention in Minneapolis." The "roundtable's panel will include Keith Wilson, director of Education Service for the Department of Veterans Affairs' Veterans Benefits Administration. Wilson has played a key role in implementing the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the law that makes education benefits available to today's young veterans."

U.S.S. South Dakota Battleship memorial reunion held last Saturday. For full story check out the Argus Leader link:
http://www.argusleader.com/article/20110703/VOICES/107030302/Battleship-veterans-numbers-declining-memories-alive

A VA Newsletter for Women Veterans
Recently, there has been some e-mail traffic about women in the military,     women Veterans being separate from male Veterans, and a feeling of discomfort with being seen as a woman Veteran.  “Are you a woman or a soldier first?” Read more 

Celebrating Asian Pacific Heritage Month
Charles Liu, Chinese ink painter, presented Eastern and Western Views of Life in Art and demonstrated Chinese ink painting during a lunch & learn May 12 at the Sioux Falls VA Medical Center. Read more    

Spending day with resilient POWs changes perspective
Wow! Spring came and went quickly, didn't it? Those few days last week were, as the kids would say, "awesome." Read more       

Thune Discusses Health Care With Wagner Officials
WAGNER — During Wednesday’s tour, U.S. Sen. John Thune saw that recent storms haven’t stopped construction on the new $4 million addition at Wagner Community Memorial Hospital (WCMH). BY RANDY DOCKENDORF Read more

Thune gets tour of health care 'mecca' in Wagner
Sen. John Thune spent three hours Wednesday listening and learning about health-care concerns and efforts to serve residents in and near this Charles Mix County community. Thune, R-S.D., toured the Wagner Community Based Outpatient Clinic, which provides health-care services for veterans. By: Tom Lawrence, The Daily Republic 

Spiritual Programs Help Patients with PTSD
A study conducted at the Minneapolis VA shows signs that victims of trauma and PTSD can be helped by programs that emphasize spirituality as part of recovery. See Minneapolis Star Tribune. 

Blood Pressure Study Drawing Interest
A report last week by Minneapolis VA researchers on redefining blood pressure “normal” continues to draw interest from the news media and medical organizations.  United Press International has distributed a story to its subscribers.  The American Council on Science and Health reports  “Even though it encompassed a large number of subjects and extracted data from a relatively reliable database, this study is worthy of being paid attention to but bears repeating before the last decade’s worth of studies is discarded.”

Vietnam in our words is open at the Old Courthouse Museum for the next several months. Several Vietnam Veterans you may know are featured in this exhibit, and you can hear them talk about their experiences through interactive displays. If you see these Veterans, please acknowledge their courage in sharing their personal stories. The museum is also still interviewing Veterans to record their histories. Please contact the museum at 367-4210 for more information.

On 27 February 2011, Frank Woodruff Buckles, who lied about his age to enlist in the Army in 1917 and became the last known U.S. Veteran of World War I, died at the age of 110. Burial with full military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery. A long-time resident of Charles Town, West Virginia, where he had a farm, he enlisted shortly after his 16th birthday and served in Frank and Germany. At the start of WWI, he was a civilian working with a steamship company in the Philippines when he was captured and imprisoned in a Japanese prisoner of war cap for over three years.

VA & Housing and Urban Development released the first report on homeless Veterans. According to HUD and VA’s assessment, nearly 76,000 Veterans were homeless on a given night in 2009 while roughly 136,000 Veterans spent at least one night in a shelter during that year. This assessment is based on an annual report that HUD provides to Congress and explores in greater depth the demographics of Veterans who are homeless, how the number of Veterans compares to others who are homeless, and how Veterans access and use the nation’s homeless response system. HUD’s report (http://www.hudhre.infro/documents/2009AHARVeteransReport.pdf examines the data in the department’s annual report to Congress in depth. You can read more about VA’s efforts to end homelessness among Veterans at http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=2050 

 From 7 February 2011 Argus Leader, another story about remembering a member of the 147th in Yankton - Richard Schild who was killed in Iraq in 2005. Cory Briest and Dan Wagner’s brother also served in this unit. http://www.argusleader.com/article/20110207/NEWS/102070307/1001/TV-spotlight-preserves-memory-S-D-soldiers-sacrifices

• Amputee Support Group: The first meeting of the amputee support group will be held February 23 at 2P in the auditorium. This group will be meeting monthly on the 4th Wednesday of each month, and all Veterans with amputations and/or their families are welcome. Questions, contact Marla Archibald in Physical Therapy at Ext.6536.

• The National Park Service will waive admission fees on 17 days in 2011 to encourage all Americans to visit a national park this year. The 2011 fee-free dates will be this weekend, January 15-17 (centered on the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday); National Park Week (April 16-24), the first day of summer (June 21), National Public Lands Day (September 24), and the weekend of Veterans Day (November 11-13). Several parks will also honor Dr. King by hosting volunteer projects – the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service – a day on, not a day off. Many park concessions will also offer discounts on fee-free days on food, lodging, tours, and souvenirs. For more information, go to http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm.

• National Geographic has allowed videos of the Vietnam War to be publicly available on YouTube. There are three segments of one hour each. Go to http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=National+Geographic+videos+about+Vietnam&aq=f They are called “Inside the Vietnam War.”

• Also, you can find a story about Mike Castle, a former Sioux Falls resident and Vietnam Veteran, at  http://www.whig.com/story/news/Video-Tribute-Sidebar-010911.

• Today’s Argus Leader featured Ray Brende, contracting officer. Ray recently retired  from the SD National Guard. You can read this story at: http://www.argusleader.com/article/20110106/COLUMNISTS0113/101060305/-1/VOICES

• Mark St. Pierre, author Of Uncommon Birth, the story of two South Dakota boys who went to Vietnam, was interviewed on SD Public Broadcasting yesterday. You can listen to his interview by clicking on this link: http://www.sdpb.org/tv/shows.aspx?MediaID=58827&Parmtype=RADIO&ParmAccessLevel=sdpb-all Some of you may remember him reading from his book here a few years ago. Mark is not a Veteran but did extensive research to write this nonfictional novel.

• Attention – New Mileage Rates in Fed Traveler effective January 1, 2011:
o POV new rate is $0.51, if no government owned vehicle is available
o POV new rate is $0.19, if government owned vehicle is available and traveler elects to use their personal vehicle

• When you see the January 2011 edition of the VFW Magazine, you’ll notice Chaun Brison, a VA team member, is featured in a story on page 30 titled, “Deadly Clandestine Encounter.” This is part of the story of Chaun’s squad at the beginning of the Gulf War. It is another reminder for those of us who are not Veterans to always remember what Veterans have gone through to protect our freedoms. Shaun is also a lifetime member of Sioux Falls VFW Post 628. There is a digital version of the magazine, but unfortunately, it makes my computer run really slow. http://digitaledition.qwinc.com/publication/?i=55687 

• Update on Cost of Living Adjustment for Veterans Compensation & Pension Benefits in 2011 – COLA tied to Social Security and Consumer Price Index: The Social Security Administration has announced that no cost-of-living adjustments will be made to Social Security benefits in 2011 because the consumer price index has not risen since 2008 when the last Social Security increase occurred. Like recipients of Social Security and other federal benefits, Veterans, their families and survivors will also not see a cost-of living adjustment in 2011 to their VA compensation and pension benefits. Under federal law, the cost-of-living adjustments to VA’s compensation and pension rates are the same percentage as for Social Security benefits.

o HEY VA from last week: VA will again celebrate the accomplishments of VA women Veteran employees with “Her Story 2011.” The goal of “Her Story” is to encourage VA offices and field facilities to actively acknowledge and honor the service of women Veterans. This campaign initiated by the Center for Women Veterans originally featured women Veteran employees in VA Central Office. The Center is now seeking stories from VA women Veteran employees throughout the VA system. If you are a woman VA employee and wish to have your story featured, please send a summary of your military experience and current VA position, along with two photos (one civilian and one military). You must also complete and send a signed consent form for use of your image. Email all materials to desiree.long@va.gov. Photo consent form at http://www1.VA.gov/WOMENVET/ConsentForUseOfPictureVoice.pdf 

• The bloodmobile returns here on January 18 during National Blood Donors Month The need for blood donors never ceases, and your donations are especially appreciated. Please call Sonia at Ext. 6815 or Shirley at Ext. 6889 to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins will be accommodated depending on the turnout.

• From the Vermillion newspaper about the Medical Foster Home Program: http://www.plaintalk.net/cms/news/story-205967.html 

• From the Argus Leader December 25 about Dr. Kumar from VA Black Hills Healthcare System: http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=201012250319

• A VA press release was issued December 15 about the 6th Annual Road to Recovery Conference this week at Disney World, where VA is providing on-site counseling and information about VA programs. The week-long event is sponsored by the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes and the American Legion. For more information about the Road to Recovery Conference, visit www.saluteheroes.org 

• The Federal Executive Board of Minnesota invites VA staff to a mid-career retirement training seminar on January 5 at Ft. Snelling. Cost is $80 per federal employee or $90 with spouse. Register online at http://www.minnesotafeb.org

• Argus Leader carried a front-page article that quoted Mike Fitzmaurice, Congressional Medal of Honor recipient and VA plumber and his co-worker, Jerry Grace. You can find this article at http://www.argusleader.com/article/20101117/NEWS/11170319/

• Sioux Falls Vet Center Executive Director To Discuss His PTSD. The Sioux Falls Argus Leader (11/17, 39K) reports, "The National Alliance on Mental Illness in Sioux Falls will meet. NAMI is an education and support organization for individuals with a mental illness and their families. Brian Wallin, executive director of the Sioux Falls Vet Center, will share his personal story of living with PTSD." http://www.argusleader.com/article/20101116/UPDATES/101116057/-1/NATION

• National Native American Heritage Month:
o The next local pow wow will be held Saturday, November 20, at the Multicultural Center. Dinner will be served at 5P with grand entry at 7:00P. The pow wow (wacipi) goes until 12M. The December pow wow will be December 18.
o Did you know you can find the dates for pow wows across the state at http://www.state.sd.us/oia/powwow.asp

Thune, Noem To Tour Hot Springs VA, Seek Public Input. Tour, Information-Gathering Session Will Take Place Tomorrow. In continuing coverage, the Rapid City Journal (4/11, 26K) note that US Sen. John Thune and US Rep. Kristi Noem, who are both Republican lawmakers representing South Dakota, "will host a public one-hour information-gathering session Thursday regarding the VA Black Hills Health Care System, beginning at 11 a.m., at the Hot Springs American Legion." The two lawmakers "will tour the Hot Springs VA medical center and domiciliary that morning and will also have a short meeting with BHHCS director Steve DiStasio. They will then move to the Legion, where they will hear presentations from group leaders, highlighting the Save the VA Campaign's efforts to retain health care services for veterans at the longtime facility in Hot Springs."
The Mitchell (SD) Daily Republic (4/11, 12K) notes that US Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) will join Thune and Noem on Thursday. The Daily Republic story first appeared in the Hot Springs (SD) Star (4/10).
The KEVN-TV Rapid City, SD (4/11, Medina) website, which also covers this story, said the Hot Springs VA was "threatened late last year with a proposal to drastically reduce its workforce by 2016. The 'Save the VA Committee' has been working hard to prepare an alternative proposal which would better serve the Hot Springs community." KEVN quotes Hot Springs Mayor Don DeVries, who said, "I think what our purpose is on Thursday is to just give them a good update on how interested the community is and how involved the community is and how interested we are in the total package of veteran care." KEVN adds, "DeVries says all three of South Dakota's congressional delegates have expressed their support to maintain the Hot Springs VA hospital." KEVN (4/10, 9:06 p.m. MT) aired a similar report.

DC Delegation Coming To Hot Springs. Lawmakers Will Tour VA Hospital, Hear From Save The VA Campaign Leaders. The Hot Springs (SD) Star (4/10) reports, "All three South Dakota congressional representatives" – US Sens. Tim Johnson (D-SD) and John Thune (R-SD), as well as US Rep. Kristi Noem (R-SD) -- will "host a public one-hour VA information-gathering session, beginning at 11 a.m., at the Hot Springs American Legion, on Thursday, April 12." The lawmakers will "tour the VA Black Hills Health Care Medical Center and Domiciliary that morning and will also have a short meeting with BHHCS director Steve DiStasio. They will then move to the Legion, where they will hear presentations from group leaders, highlighting the Save the VA Campaign's efforts to retain health care services for veterans at the longtime facility in Hot Springs."
Homeless Veterans Need Our Help. Lawmaker Says He And Shinseki Are Working Together To Assist Homeless Vets. In an op-ed for Rapid City Journal (4/9, 26K), US Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) says he has "been working very closely with Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki" to assist homeless veterans. The "Obama administration has set an ambitious goal of ending veterans' homelessness by 2015. To support this effort, I have helped to allocate billions of dollars for proven programs that can help eliminate veterans' homelessness."
It's Official - VA Now A National Treasure. The Hot Springs (SD) Star (4/10, Nettinga).
A Mobile Center To Help Veterans. The WHBF-TV Quad Cities, IA (4/10, Michels) website.
Rethinking The Use Of Veterans Memorial Building. The KCRG-TV Cedar Rapids, IA (4/10, Smith) website.
Iraq Vet Making Remarkable Recovery, Say Doctors. The KARE-TV Minneapolis (4/10, Olstad) website.

VA Adding Staff, Opening New Clinics To Prepare For Returning Vets. Fox News' Fox Report Sunday (3/11, 7:49 p.m. ET) broadcast, "Because of the withdrawal in Iraq and scale back of forces in Afghanistan," VA has "increased staffing nationally by 24% and new post-deployment clinics are being opened." Dr. Richard Stark with VA was shown saying, "These are special clinics that are designed around the returning combat veteran, where the veteran is at the center of care." Fox added, "Now, the VA has been criticized in the past -- things like very long waiting lists just for people to be seen by a doctor or other medical professional. But the officials that we've talked to, assert that with this new staffing and these new clinics being opened, the service will dramatically improve, and it has to...with all of those people returning home."
The same report was aired by many Fox affiliates in various parts of the country, including KSWB-TV San Diego, CA (3/11, 10:18 p.m. PT), WGHP-TV Greensboro, NC (3/11, 10:13 p.m. ET), and KDFW-TV Dallas, TX (3/11, 9:05 p.m. CT).
Vets With PTSD More Likely To Get Opioid Painkillers. Study Examined VA Patients. In continuing coverage, the Boston Globe (3/12, Conaboy, 228K) reports, "Veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars who have post-traumatic stress disorder are far more likely than those without a mental illness to be prescribed opioid painkillers, a study by researchers affiliated with the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the University of California at San Francisco found." The study, published last week in the Journal of the American Medical Association, "focused on veterans in a Veterans Affairs health care system and may not be reflective of all veterans."
 VA Officials Tout Project. The Omaha World-Herald (3/12, Hansen, 140K) notes that on Monday, "Omaha city leaders and Rep. Lee Terry will cut the ribbon on a 26-bed apartment-style housing complex meant to offer veterans a temporary home and a range of services as they try to right their lives." The World-Herald adds, "The project also marks the latest local development in a national push to reduce the number of homeless veterans - an initiative that has gotten more than 50,000 vets into temporary or permanent housing in the past four years, say local Department of Veterans Affairs officials."
 An editorial in the Minneapolis Star Tribune (3/12, 328K).
What Is Congress Doing This Week? Senate Appropriations Subcommittees To Hear From Shinseki On Thursday. Near the end of its "2 Chambers" blog, the Washington Post (3/12, O'Keefe, 553K) reports that Secretary Shinseki, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, and "FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III are scheduled to testify Thursday before their respective Senate Appropriations subcommittees regarding their 2013 federal budget requests. Such hearings can generate headlines, so stay tuned," adds the Post.
 VA Offering Transitional Housing To Homeless Female Vets In South Dakota. According to the Butte County (SD) Post (3/12, Dailey, 1K), statistics "show a huge need for residential job training programs for homeless women military veterans – but statistics don't show how hard it is to get out the word. Marlene Marvin, who heads operations" for the Women of War (WOW) "project in Belle Fourche, said their signups are going much slower than expected when the Veterans Administration signed them up to help thousands of women veterans floating in an underground of harsh personal and financial problems." One of the "first women enrolled said the Belle Fourche program is needed because there's no place else for women veterans to have transitional housing as they prepare for the job market."
 Company: Hot Springs VA Is "Critical" To City's Economic Future. The Hot Springs (SD) Star (3/13) notes, "In response to challenges facing the community of Hot Springs directly related to the proposed closing or moving" of the VA medical center in Hot Springs "and other services, Golden West Telecommunications made a $5,000 donation last Friday at the Golden West offices in Hot Springs." The Star adds, "According to Golden West general manager Denny Law, the donation reflects the company's understanding of how critical the VA hospital is to the health of veterans and the economic future of Hot Springs."
 Trip Part Of Joining Forces Community Challenge. In its "Hot Dish Politics" blog, the Minneapolis Star Tribune (3/13, Diaz, 328K) reports that First Lady Michelle Obama will meet "with National Guard families and local community leaders who work with military families," during a visit to Minneapolis Friday. The trip "is part of her Joining Forces Community Challenge, an effort to recognize citizens and community groups that have demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of military families and veterans."
 USA Today (3/13, 1.78M) reports that Mrs. Obama "is doing the David Letterman talk show, CBS announced today. The first lady's topic: her Joining Forces initiative to help military families." Similar coverage appears in an AP (3/13) story run by at least 130 publications.
 The WJON-AM St. Cloud, MN (3/13, Voss) website.

VA Hospitals Turning To Telehealth Technology To Monitor ICU Patients. Move Part Of "Growing Trend Among US Hospitals." In continuing coverage, iHealthBeat (3/1) notes, "Hospitals run by the Department of Veterans Affairs are starting to use telehealth technology to better monitor patients in intensive care units, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports." The effort, according to iHealthBeat, is "part of growing trend among US hospitals to use cameras and monitoring technology to help guide ICU care." Robert Bonello, medical director of the tele-ICU project at Minneapolis' VA hospital, "said telehealth technology allows small hospitals to receive highly specialized expertise from health care providers working in the central hub."

• WW II Veteran gets his Bronze Star: http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012301110046
• Friday’s health fair – online copy. Did not see in hard copy: http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012301110077
• Coming Together event January 17: http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012301120013

http://search.argusleader.com/sp?aff=1100&skin=&keywords=Pearl%20Harbor – stories of five area Veterans with connections to Pearl Harbor

Also, with all the Outlook issues last week, I did not get this story sent about Tom Brokaw’s new book. It includes several pages, apparently, about an area Veteran’s experiences with VA.  http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011311300044

Casey Davidson, Navy Veteran, competed for the first-time in the annual National Veterans Wheelchair Games in August 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Read more    

Several recent stories on KELOland TV:
11/13/2011 - Spearfish Residents Plan Veterans Monument
11/12/2011 - Center For Active Generations Honors Veterans
11/11/2011 - Hovan Students Raise Money For Veterans
11/11/2011 - Military Alumni Service Members Decline
11/11/2011 - Veterans Reflect At Breakfast Tribute
11/11/2011 - Veterans Health Issues
11/11/2011 - Born On 11/11/11 A Century Ago
11/11/2011 - Veterans Day Program At Lincoln HS
11/11/2011 - Veteran Skypes From Kuwait With Students
11/11/2011 - People Reaching Out To Help Homeless Veterans
11/11/2011 - Veterans Memorial Dedicated In Fort Pierre
11/11/2011 - Friday Morning Business Brief
11/11/2011 - Shelter For Homeless Women Veterans Opens In SD
11/08/2011 - Veteran's Outreach Center Opens In Sioux Falls
11/07/2011 - Veterans Medical Center Hopes For $10M Renovation\

Volunteers of America have opened a center in Sioux Falls to help homeless veterans. http://www.keloland.com/NewsDetail6162.cfm?Id=123316

The Argus Leader today contained a story that might be of interest. http://www.argusleader.com/article/20111109/VOICES/311090019/Draftee-recalls-war-incredible-shock-?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Home|p Dave has also written another book called, A Draftee Goes to War. He did a book reading here when it first came out, and his story is also captured in the current display at the Old Court House museum about Vietnam.

Another complimentary letter to the editor. Mr. Kelly also received a note from the family.
http://www.argusleader.com/article/20111109/VOICES09/311090016/Thank-you-VA-care-my-husband

The Sioux Falls VA (Department of Veterans Affairs) Health Care System is teaming up with several area Veterans Service Organizations to host the second annual Veterans Information Fair & Community Open House on November 1, 2011. This event will be held at the Sioux Falls VA Medical Center at 2501 W. 22nd Street from 5:00 – 7:00 PM. Read more    

Two complimentary letters to the Editor of the Argus Leader were recently published:  
o http://www.argusleader.com/article/20111025/VOICES09/110250307/Letter-VA-hospital-delivers-great-care?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Voices|p 
o http://www.argusleader.com/article/20111023/VOICES09/110230319/Letter-VA-gave-great-care-my-husband

Where and When to Get your Flu Shots Flu Vaccinations – An Easy Way to Protect Health Press Release Read more    

Giving Veterans and their families a hand up and not a hand out is the goal of a Veterans Stand Down in Sioux Falls on September 23, 2011. This event is part of VA’s efforts to reach all Veterans and its commitment to ending homelessness by 2015. Read more    

Thanks to a grant from the South Dakota Veterans of Foreign Wars Dept. of SD Ladies Auxiliary, Jason Petersen, PhD, researcher at the Sioux Falls VA Medical Center, is able to continue his research related to skin cancer. Read more   

Senatorial salute to POWs Former prisoners of war received words of thanks Friday from a man who almost shared their fate in captivity. Former Sen. George McGovern, 89, saluted the South Dakota contingent of ex-POWs in a ceremony at the Royal Fork restaurant in Sioux Falls. Read more

Rosebud Sioux Tribe gets $7M for veterans cemetery The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded the Rosebud Sioux Tribe almost $7 million to build a veterans cemetery near Mission.Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki announced the award on Monday, saying it was the first grant for a veterans’ cemetery award to a Native American government by the VA. Read more

New vans help veterans get to appointments in style The DAV's Hospital Transportation Network provides free round-trip rides to all veterans from their homes to their VA medical appointments. Read more 

Lens showcases 'heart of Sioux Falls' Reiffenberger, 55, retired in July from a job with the Department of Veterans Affairs and considers himself a semi-professional photographer. Read more 

Good Morning –Here is a clipping from VA’s News Briefs I thought would be of interest.  Go to  Veterans Affairs News Briefing for complete list of clippings.  Note, you need to be logged in to view clippings. 

Braley Introduces Combat Veterans Back To Work Act. KWQC-TV Davenport, IA (8/25, 6:14 p.m. CT) broadcast that US Rep. Bruce Braley (D-IA) has "introduced the Combat Veterans Back to Work Act," which "gives tax breaks to businesses that hire veterans. It covers Iowa National Guard members as well as members of the regular Armed Services." Braley "says about 600 Iowa National Guard Members returning from Afghanistan are looking for work."

Conrad visits Williston CBOC – Williston Herald - U.S. Sen. Kent Conrad spoke to attendees during a meet and greet and tour of the Williston Community-Based Outpatient Clinic on Wednesday. Conrad toured the veterans health care clinic, which was constructed with federal funding that Conrad helped secure. "For far too many North Dakota veterans, the health care they were promised was very difficult to obtain. That's why I fought to establish community clinics across our state," Conrad said. "This clinic here in Williston is now ensuring that the men and women who served our nation have access to the vital care they need and deserve."

 
Two Years After Firing, Scocos Appointed Again As State Vets Secretary. Scocos Was Fired From Wisconsin VA Post In 2009. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (8/26, Stein, 202K) reports, "Nearly two years after John Scocos was fired as state veterans secretary," Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker "has reappointed him to his old job - a move that did not end a lawsuit the Iraq War veteran has filed against the state. Scocos, a Republican and US Army Reserve colonel, filed the lawsuit after he was fired in November 2009 - two months after he returned from his second tour in Iraq." Scocos was "terminated by the board of the state Department of Veterans Affairs, which was controlled by appointees of then Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle."

The Wisconsin State Journal (8/26, Barbour, 93K) notes that in a statement, Walker said, "I consulted with many veteran organizations throughout the state in choosing the next WDVA secretary. Throughout the process it was clear that John would be an outstanding secretary." An AP (8/26) story appearing in at least 13 publications reports that Walker "announced the appointment Thursday, saying Scocos' experience will be beneficial as the agency explores options to improve the solvency of the Veterans Trust Fund and begins operation of a new veteran's nursing home." Walker recently "signed a law that gives the governor the power to appoint the secretary. Previously, the choice was made by the Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs."

According to the fifth "Thursday State News Briefs" item for the Pierce (WI) County Herald (8/26, 4K), Walker "appointed Scocos over seven other finalists to replace Ken Black – who resigned a few months amid allegations that he discriminated against older white employees who sought promotions." When Scocos was fired in 2009, the Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs "cited excessive spending and mismanagement concerns. But Scocus's tenure was also marked by expansions of state veterans' benefits."

The Milwaukee Business Journal (8/26, Subscription Publication) reports that the "unfortunate removal" in 2009 of Scocos "'by the Board of Veterans Affairs was a very controversial subject among Wisconsin veterans and the veterans organizations,' read a written statement from the Veterans of Foreign Wars to Walker. 'We are strongly recommending (Scocos') appointment.'" Also taking note of Scocos' appointment were reports aired by WISN-TV Milwaukee, WI (8:25, 6:09 p.m. CT) and WKOW-TV Madison, WI (8/25, 6:04 p.m. CT). The story was also covered by the websites for WISC-TV Madison, WI (8/25), WUVM-FM Milwaukee, WI (8/25, Henzl), and WHBL-AM Sheboygan, WI (8/25). WISC-TV Madison, WI (8/25, 6:03 p.m. CT) also broadcast a report on Scocos' appointment.

The same story also appears in the Appleton (WI) Post-Crescent (8/26, Barbour, 43K) and the Sheboygan (WI) Press (8/26, Barbour, 16K).

VA Hospitals Score Well In Treating Heart Patients. Information Found In Medicare's "Hospital Compare" Database. The digital edition of the Army Times (8/22, Standifer, 101K) reports, "Veterans Affairs Department hospitals have better average performance than other US hospitals in Heart failure and heart attack mortality measures, but VA hospitals score notably worse in readmission rates." In addition, a "larger percentage of VA facilities are categorized as significantly worse than average compared with nationwide hospitals overall for more than half of the indicators measured. All 124 VA acute care facilities have been included in Medicare's 'Hospital Compare' database for the first time, allowing patients to see which hospitals have a high fatality rate for patients with pneumonia, heart failure and heart attacks compared with their non-VA peers."

Oldest Survivor Of Bataan Death March Dies At 105. Vet Died On Sunday. An AP (8/16) story run by at least 246 publications notes that on Sunday, 105-year-old veteran Albert Brown died at a nursing home in Illinois. Brown was "nearly 40 in 1942 when he endured the Bataan Death March, a harrowing 65-mile trek in which 78,000 prisoners of war were forced to walk from Bataan province near Manila to a Japanese POW camp." The Omaha World-Herald (8/16, Hendee, 148K) runs a similar story.

Patrick J. Kelly, became director this month at the Sioux Falls VA Health Care System. The main campus is on 22nd Street west of Spellerberg Park, a high spot with a tower visible from all over town. Read more 

The Sioux Falls Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System invites veterans of all eras, family, friends and the general public to its 10th Annual VA Show and Shine on July 20. Read more 

DAV VA Nurse of the Year Award
The recipient of this award could well be called the ― ”Lady with the Lamp”, a true Florence Nightingale for her efforts in making the South Dakota Honor Flight possible for many disabled WW II Veterans. Read more  

The Lit Med group made the big time with a great article in this month’s edition of the MED magazine, which some of you may receive. Here’s the link to the electronic version: http://www.midwestmedicaledition.com/current-MED-issue.html. The article is on pgs. 18-19. Thank you to all Lit Med participants for your dedication and frank discussions. I look forward to us getting together again this fall. - Shirley Redmond

Roundtable To Tackle New Challenges For Vets. VA Education Chief To Participate. The American Legion (7/14, Roberts) website reported, "Challenges old and new facing student veterans and their schools will be examined at a Veterans Education Roundtable on Aug. 25, during The American Legion's National Convention in Minneapolis." The "roundtable's panel will include Keith Wilson, director of Education Service for the Department of Veterans Affairs' Veterans Benefits Administration. Wilson has played a key role in implementing the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the law that makes education benefits available to today's young veterans."

U.S.S. South Dakota Battleship memorial reunion held last Saturday. For full story check out the Argus Leader link:
http://www.argusleader.com/article/20110703/VOICES/107030302/Battleship-veterans-numbers-declining-memories-alive

A VA Newsletter for Women Veterans
Recently, there has been some e-mail traffic about women in the military,     women Veterans being separate from male Veterans, and a feeling of discomfort with being seen as a woman Veteran.  “Are you a woman or a soldier first?” Read more 

Celebrating Asian Pacific Heritage Month
Charles Liu, Chinese ink painter, presented Eastern and Western Views of Life in Art and demonstrated Chinese ink painting during a lunch & learn May 12 at the Sioux Falls VA Medical Center. Read more    

Spending day with resilient POWs changes perspective
Wow! Spring came and went quickly, didn't it? Those few days last week were, as the kids would say, "awesome." Read more       

Thune Discusses Health Care With Wagner Officials
WAGNER — During Wednesday’s tour, U.S. Sen. John Thune saw that recent storms haven’t stopped construction on the new $4 million addition at Wagner Community Memorial Hospital (WCMH). BY RANDY DOCKENDORF Read more

Thune gets tour of health care 'mecca' in Wagner
Sen. John Thune spent three hours Wednesday listening and learning about health-care concerns and efforts to serve residents in and near this Charles Mix County community. Thune, R-S.D., toured the Wagner Community Based Outpatient Clinic, which provides health-care services for veterans. By: Tom Lawrence, The Daily Republic 

Spiritual Programs Help Patients with PTSD
A study conducted at the Minneapolis VA shows signs that victims of trauma and PTSD can be helped by programs that emphasize spirituality as part of recovery. See Minneapolis Star Tribune. 

Blood Pressure Study Drawing Interest
A report last week by Minneapolis VA researchers on redefining blood pressure “normal” continues to draw interest from the news media and medical organizations.  United Press International has distributed a story to its subscribers.  The American Council on Science and Health reports  “Even though it encompassed a large number of subjects and extracted data from a relatively reliable database, this study is worthy of being paid attention to but bears repeating before the last decade’s worth of studies is discarded.”

Vietnam in our words is open at the Old Courthouse Museum for the next several months. Several Vietnam Veterans you may know are featured in this exhibit, and you can hear them talk about their experiences through interactive displays. If you see these Veterans, please acknowledge their courage in sharing their personal stories. The museum is also still interviewing Veterans to record their histories. Please contact the museum at 367-4210 for more information.

On 27 February 2011, Frank Woodruff Buckles, who lied about his age to enlist in the Army in 1917 and became the last known U.S. Veteran of World War I, died at the age of 110. Burial with full military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery. A long-time resident of Charles Town, West Virginia, where he had a farm, he enlisted shortly after his 16th birthday and served in Frank and Germany. At the start of WWI, he was a civilian working with a steamship company in the Philippines when he was captured and imprisoned in a Japanese prisoner of war cap for over three years.

VA & Housing and Urban Development released the first report on homeless Veterans. According to HUD and VA’s assessment, nearly 76,000 Veterans were homeless on a given night in 2009 while roughly 136,000 Veterans spent at least one night in a shelter during that year. This assessment is based on an annual report that HUD provides to Congress and explores in greater depth the demographics of Veterans who are homeless, how the number of Veterans compares to others who are homeless, and how Veterans access and use the nation’s homeless response system. HUD’s report (http://www.hudhre.infro/documents/2009AHARVeteransReport.pdf examines the data in the department’s annual report to Congress in depth. You can read more about VA’s efforts to end homelessness among Veterans at http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=2050 

 From 7 February 2011 Argus Leader, another story about remembering a member of the 147th in Yankton - Richard Schild who was killed in Iraq in 2005. Cory Briest and Dan Wagner’s brother also served in this unit. http://www.argusleader.com/article/20110207/NEWS/102070307/1001/TV-spotlight-preserves-memory-S-D-soldiers-sacrifices

• Amputee Support Group: The first meeting of the amputee support group will be held February 23 at 2P in the auditorium. This group will be meeting monthly on the 4th Wednesday of each month, and all Veterans with amputations and/or their families are welcome. Questions, contact Marla Archibald in Physical Therapy at Ext.6536.

• The National Park Service will waive admission fees on 17 days in 2011 to encourage all Americans to visit a national park this year. The 2011 fee-free dates will be this weekend, January 15-17 (centered on the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday); National Park Week (April 16-24), the first day of summer (June 21), National Public Lands Day (September 24), and the weekend of Veterans Day (November 11-13). Several parks will also honor Dr. King by hosting volunteer projects – the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service – a day on, not a day off. Many park concessions will also offer discounts on fee-free days on food, lodging, tours, and souvenirs. For more information, go to http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm.

• National Geographic has allowed videos of the Vietnam War to be publicly available on YouTube. There are three segments of one hour each. Go to http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=National+Geographic+videos+about+Vietnam&aq=f They are called “Inside the Vietnam War.”

• Also, you can find a story about Mike Castle, a former Sioux Falls resident and Vietnam Veteran, at  http://www.whig.com/story/news/Video-Tribute-Sidebar-010911.

• Today’s Argus Leader featured Ray Brende, contracting officer. Ray recently retired  from the SD National Guard. You can read this story at: http://www.argusleader.com/article/20110106/COLUMNISTS0113/101060305/-1/VOICES

• Mark St. Pierre, author Of Uncommon Birth, the story of two South Dakota boys who went to Vietnam, was interviewed on SD Public Broadcasting yesterday. You can listen to his interview by clicking on this link: http://www.sdpb.org/tv/shows.aspx?MediaID=58827&Parmtype=RADIO&ParmAccessLevel=sdpb-all Some of you may remember him reading from his book here a few years ago. Mark is not a Veteran but did extensive research to write this nonfictional novel.

• Attention – New Mileage Rates in Fed Traveler effective January 1, 2011:
o POV new rate is $0.51, if no government owned vehicle is available
o POV new rate is $0.19, if government owned vehicle is available and traveler elects to use their personal vehicle

• When you see the January 2011 edition of the VFW Magazine, you’ll notice Chaun Brison, a VA team member, is featured in a story on page 30 titled, “Deadly Clandestine Encounter.” This is part of the story of Chaun’s squad at the beginning of the Gulf War. It is another reminder for those of us who are not Veterans to always remember what Veterans have gone through to protect our freedoms. Shaun is also a lifetime member of Sioux Falls VFW Post 628. There is a digital version of the magazine, but unfortunately, it makes my computer run really slow. http://digitaledition.qwinc.com/publication/?i=55687 

• Update on Cost of Living Adjustment for Veterans Compensation & Pension Benefits in 2011 – COLA tied to Social Security and Consumer Price Index: The Social Security Administration has announced that no cost-of-living adjustments will be made to Social Security benefits in 2011 because the consumer price index has not risen since 2008 when the last Social Security increase occurred. Like recipients of Social Security and other federal benefits, Veterans, their families and survivors will also not see a cost-of living adjustment in 2011 to their VA compensation and pension benefits. Under federal law, the cost-of-living adjustments to VA’s compensation and pension rates are the same percentage as for Social Security benefits.

o HEY VA from last week: VA will again celebrate the accomplishments of VA women Veteran employees with “Her Story 2011.” The goal of “Her Story” is to encourage VA offices and field facilities to actively acknowledge and honor the service of women Veterans. This campaign initiated by the Center for Women Veterans originally featured women Veteran employees in VA Central Office. The Center is now seeking stories from VA women Veteran employees throughout the VA system. If you are a woman VA employee and wish to have your story featured, please send a summary of your military experience and current VA position, along with two photos (one civilian and one military). You must also complete and send a signed consent form for use of your image. Email all materials to desiree.long@va.gov. Photo consent form at http://www1.VA.gov/WOMENVET/ConsentForUseOfPictureVoice.pdf 

• The bloodmobile returns here on January 18 during National Blood Donors Month The need for blood donors never ceases, and your donations are especially appreciated. Please call Sonia at Ext. 6815 or Shirley at Ext. 6889 to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins will be accommodated depending on the turnout.

• From the Vermillion newspaper about the Medical Foster Home Program: http://www.plaintalk.net/cms/news/story-205967.html 

• From the Argus Leader December 25 about Dr. Kumar from VA Black Hills Healthcare System: http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=201012250319

• A VA press release was issued December 15 about the 6th Annual Road to Recovery Conference this week at Disney World, where VA is providing on-site counseling and information about VA programs. The week-long event is sponsored by the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes and the American Legion. For more information about the Road to Recovery Conference, visit www.saluteheroes.org 

• The Federal Executive Board of Minnesota invites VA staff to a mid-career retirement training seminar on January 5 at Ft. Snelling. Cost is $80 per federal employee or $90 with spouse. Register online at http://www.minnesotafeb.org

• Argus Leader carried a front-page article that quoted Mike Fitzmaurice, Congressional Medal of Honor recipient and VA plumber and his co-worker, Jerry Grace. You can find this article at http://www.argusleader.com/article/20101117/NEWS/11170319/

• Sioux Falls Vet Center Executive Director To Discuss His PTSD. The Sioux Falls Argus Leader (11/17, 39K) reports, "The National Alliance on Mental Illness in Sioux Falls will meet. NAMI is an education and support organization for individuals with a mental illness and their families. Brian Wallin, executive director of the Sioux Falls Vet Center, will share his personal story of living with PTSD." http://www.argusleader.com/article/20101116/UPDATES/101116057/-1/NATION

• National Native American Heritage Month:
o The next local pow wow will be held Saturday, November 20, at the Multicultural Center. Dinner will be served at 5P with grand entry at 7:00P. The pow wow (wacipi) goes until 12M. The December pow wow will be December 18.
o Did you know you can find the dates for pow wows across the state at http://www.state.sd.us/oia/powwow.asp