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Veterans
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- Written by: Department of Veterans Affairs
Continuing the transformation of the Department of Veterans Affairs into a 21st century organization, the president has proposed a $152.7 billion budget, a 10.2 percent increase over fiscal year 2013, that will support VA’s goals to expand access to health care and other benefits, eliminate the disability claims backlog, and end homelessness among veterans.
The budget includes $66.5 billion in discretionary spending, largely for health care, and $86.1 billion for mandatory programs – mostly disability compensation and pensions for veterans.
“This budget will have a positive impact on the lives of veterans, their families and survivors for generations to come,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “The president believes in veterans and their families and believes in providing them the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.”
The $66.5 billion total in discretionary spending includes approximately $3.1 billion in collections from health insurers and veteran copayments in addition to the $63.5 billion in discretionary funding announced last week.
“VA’s commitment to veterans spans generations,” Shinseki added. “From the men and women of ‘the greatest generation’ to the veterans who have returned from Iraq and those returning from Afghanistan, VA will make sure our benefits are useful and accessible.”
VA operates the largest integrated health care system in the country with nearly 9 million enrollees; the eighth largest life insurance program; monthly disability pay, pensions and survivors payments to more than 4 million people; education assistance to 1 million students; mortgage guarantees to 1.5 million homeowners; and the largest cemetery system in the nation.
Here are highlights from the president’s 2014 budget request for VA.
Health care
With a medical care budget of $54.6 billion, VA is positioned to provide care to 6.5 million veterans in the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1. The patient total includes 675,000 people whose military service began after Sept. 11, 2001.
Major spending categories within the health care budget are:
- $6.9 billion for mental health;
- $4.1 billion for health care for veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn;
- $2.5 billion for prosthetics;
- $601 million for spinal cord injuries;
- $246 million for traumatic brain injuries;
- $230 million for readjustment counseling; and
- $7.6 billion for long-term care.
Expanding access
The president’s proposed budget would ensure that care and other benefits are available to veterans when and where they need them. Among the programs that will expand access under the proposed budget are:
- $460 million in home telehealth funding, which helps patients monitor chronic health care problems through innovative uses of the telephone, a 4.4 percent increase over the current year;
- $422 million for women-specific medical care, an increase of nearly 14 percent over the present level;
- $799 million for the activation of new and enhanced health care facilities;
- $116 million for the construction of three new national cemeteries; and
- $8.8 million for “VetSuccess on Campus” at 84 facilities, a program that helps veterans transition to college life.
Eliminating claims backlog
The president’s proposed budget provides for full implementation of VA’s robust Transformation Plan – a series of people, process and technology initiatives – in FY14.
This plan will systematically reduce the backlog and reach Shinseki’s 2015 goal – to eliminate the claims backlog and process all claims within 125 days with 98 percent accuracy.
Major transformation initiatives in the budget proposal invest $291 million to bring leading-edge technology to the claims backlog, including:
- $136 million for Veterans Claims Intake Program (VCIP); and
- $155 million for the next generation of the electronic claims processing system Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS).
Eliminating veterans homelessness
A major strategic goal for the department is to end homelessness among veterans in 2015. The budget request targets $1.4 billion for programs to prevent or reduce homelessness, which includes:
- $300 million for Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) to promote housing stability;
- $278 million for the HUD-VASH program wherein VA provides case management services for at-risk veterans and their families and HUD provides permanent housing through its Housing Choice Voucher program; and
- $250 million in grant and per diem payments that support temporary housing provided by community-based organizations.
Veterans Job Corps
Too many veterans take off their uniforms only to join the ranks of the unemployed. In March, 2013, about 783,000 veterans were unemployed, a figure that includes 207,000 unemployed Post-9/11 veterans.
This budget proposes a Veterans Job Corps, focused on investing in veterans’ skills and experience, putting tens of thousands of veterans into civilian jobs. Budget features of this initiative include:
- $1 billion in mandatory funds to help unemployed veterans;
- A target of putting 20,000 veterans to work within the next five years in conservation, law enforcement and infrastructure jobs on public lands;
- Developing back-to-work programs for veterans with other federal agencies, including the departments of the Interior and Agriculture, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Army Corps of Engineers; and
- Supporting job-producing projects with contracts and grants with non-federal organizations, such as states, nonprofits and private businesses.
Other Services for veterans
Other features of the administration’s FY 2014 budget request for the department are:
- $250 million to administer the VA-run system of national cemeteries;
- $3.7 billion for information technology; and
- $1.2 billion in construction, cemetery grants and extended care grants.
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The Second (Indianhead) Division Association is searching for anyone who ever served in the Army's 2nd Infantry Division at any time.
For information about the national association and its annual reunion in Columbus, Georgia, from Sept. 17-21, contact secretary-treasurer, Bob Haynes, at
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – Pvt. Jason Michael Winford, 23, has graduated from the Army National Guard GED and Basic Training Program at Fort Benning, Georgia.
During his 16 weeks of training, Pvt. Winford earned his GED, studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, received training in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare, rifle marksmanship, military courtesy, military justice system, foot marches and field training exercises.
Winford is the son of Kristin Reynolds of Lakeport; grandson of Al and Judie Reynolds of Lakeport; brother of Jennifer and Kari Winford of Lakeport; and uncle of Kyle Young of Lakeport. His family is very proud of his accomplishments.
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SACRAMENTO – Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. has proclaimed Women Veterans History Week in California, March 18-24, 2013, to honor their courage and sacrifice in defense of our nation.
“Currently, women make up 14 percent of the active duty U.S. Armed Forces and 18 percent of the Guard and Reserves. Women also make up 8 percent of the total U.S. veterans population and 10 percent of the veterans population in California,” said CalVet Secretary Peter J. Gravett. “Nationally and statewide, the women veteran population will continue to grow. Therefore, it is imperative that we remember to recognize and honor their service and contributions, as they often face unique challenges when transitioning out of the military and back into our communities.”
In honor of this week-long celebration, CalVet invites people to take a moment to reflect on the many positive contributions women have made to the history of our country and to the progress of our society. Women’s rights and equality benefit all of us, not just the female gender.
In honor of California’s Women’s Military History Week from March 18- 24, CalVet especially asks that Californians remember and honor the contributions women have made to our Armed Forces and in defense of this country.
Women have bravely served in every major U.S. conflict and have been Prisoners of War and Purple Heart recipients revealing their dedication, patriotism and courage.
They served in the American Revolution and in the U.S. Civil War, often dressed as men so that they would be allowed to fight.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – Suds-4-Soldiers, a car wash, will be held on Saturday, March 30, at Umpqua Bank, 805 11th St., Lakeport.
The event is “weather permitting” with an alternate date of April 6.
Cars will be washed and dried from 8 a.m. to noon, with a suggested donation of $7.
Proceeds benefit Operation Tango Mike in sending care packages to deployed troops.
Call 707-349-2838 for more information or e-mail
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KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Army Reserve Pvt. Elizabeth Potter has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.
Potter is the daughter of Tim Potter and Joane McKay, both of Kelseyville, and sister of Steven and Tonya Potter of Windsor, Calif.
She is a 2012 graduate of Windsor High School.
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Michael Wells, 54, of Sacramento, has been appointed undersecretary at the California Department of Veterans Affairs, according to Gov. Jerry Brown’s office.
Wells has served in multiple positions at the California Military Department since 1991, including deputy commander of the Youth and Community Programs Task Force, director of manpower and personnel, chief of logistics, legislative liaison to the director of governmental and international affairs, plans officer and chief of environmental programs.
He also has served as commander of the 223rd Infantry Regiment and Camp, San Luis Obispo since 2011.
Wells was chief of intelligence at the joint force headquarters of the California Military Department from 2009 to 2011 and chief of intelligence operations at NATO headquarters in Sarajevo from 2008 to 2009.
He served as assistant chief of intelligence for the 40th Infantry Division at the Joint Training Base in Los Alamitos from 2006 to 2008 and commander of the 250th Military Intelligence Battalion at Camp Victory from 2004 to 2006.
Wells served in the U.S. Naval Reserve from 1983 to 1991. He earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law and a Master of Science degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College.
This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $158,484. Wells is a Democrat.
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CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – Army Pvt. Michael J. Kalandros has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.
Kalandros is the son of Becky and Emmanual Kalandros of Clearlake Oaks, Calif.
He is a 2007 graduate of Clearlake Community School.
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
NICE, Calif. – The Sons of Italy and Operation Tango Mike hosted a pasta feast on Thursday, Feb. 21, to a standing-room-only crowd.
There was not one empty seat in the house when it was time for dinner to be served. Unfortunately, some supporters had to be turned away at the door.
Neither organization expected a response so great from the community that it would necessitate stopping admission.
Those who were fortunate to dine enjoyed a delicious homemade meal and a wide variety of desserts.
The Lakeport Lions supported the dinner dance by sponsoring twenty service members and veterans, paying for their dinners
Many prizes were awarded throughout the evening and dancers kicked up their heels to the High Notes, who donated their time and talents.
With the overwhelming success of the event, both organizations agree that partnering again is in the future. However, any indoor events will be presale and may even feature two seating times for dinner.
There is discussion of an outdoor event at the Sons of Italy lodge, which will allow for more seating and a different dining and dancing experience.
Both organizations are grateful for the support and truly regret not being able to admit all who wished to attend. Every effort was made, including borrowing extra chairs, but the building simply could not accommodate more attendance.
On Saturday, March 16, the Sons of Italy will host a dinner dance featuring the well-known band Twice and Good.
The Sons of Italy also hosts afternoon dining the first Sunday of each month at 1 p.m. and dinner dances on various Saturdays each month. Call 707-274-9952 for more information.
Operation Tango Mike hosts packing parties to prepare care packages for deployed troops on the third Thursday of each month at 6 p.m., Umpqua Bank, 805 11th St., Lakeport.
The March packing party will mark ten years since founder Ginny Craven began the local troop support effort.
The community is invited to attend and commemorate Lake County’s ongoing endeavors on behalf of America’s troops.
For more information you may call 707-349-2838 or e-mail
