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Veterans
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- Written by: Editor
"One of my top priorities is to meet the needs of women veterans," said Secretary Shinseki. "Our veterans have earned the very best care. VA realizes that women veterans require specialized programs, and this study will help VA provide high-quality care for women veterans of the Vietnam era."
The study, which begins in November and lasts more than four years, will contact approximately 10,000 women in a mailed survey, telephone interview and a review of their medical records.
As women Vietnam veterans approach their mid-60s, it is important to understand the impact of wartime deployment on health and mental outcomes nearly 40 years later.
The study will assess the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental and physical health conditions for women Vietnam veterans, and explore the relationship between PTSD and other conditions.
VA will study women Vietnam veterans who may have had direct exposure to traumatic events, and for the first time, study those who served in facilities near Vietnam. These women may have had similar, but less direct exposures.
Both women veterans who receive their health care from VA and those who receive health care from other providers will be contacted to determine the prevalence of a variety of health conditions.
About 250,000 women veterans served in the military during the Vietnam War and about 7,000 were in or near Vietnam. Those who were in Vietnam, those who served elsewhere in Southeast Asia and those who served in the United States are potential study participants.
The study represents to date the most comprehensive examination of a group of women Vietnam veterans, and will be used to shape future research on women veterans in future wars. Such an understanding will lay the groundwork for planning and providing appropriate services for
women veterans, as well as for the aging veteran population today.
Women veterans are one of the fastest growing segments of the veteran population. There are approximately 1.8 million women veterans among the nation's total of 23 million living veterans.
Women comprise 7.8 percent of the total veteran population and nearly 5.5 percent of all veterans who use VA health care services. VA estimates women veterans will constitute 10.5 percent of the veteran population by 2020 and 9.5 percent of all VA patients.
In recent years, VA has undertaken a number of initiatives to create or enhance services for women veterans, including the implementation of comprehensive primary care throughout the nation, staffing every VA medical center with a women Veterans program manager, supporting a multifaceted research program on women's health, improving communication and outreach to women veterans, and continuing the operation of organizations like the Center for Women Veterans and the Women Veterans
Health Strategic Healthcare Group.
The study, to be managed by VA's Cooperative Studies Program, is projected to cost $5.6 million.
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- Written by: Editor
Doors open at 5 p.m.; dinner is served at 6 p.m.
The requested donation is $7 per person.
The American Legion post is located at Second and Gaddy Lane in Kelseyville.
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- Written by: Department of Veterans Affairs
"The dedication of VA's loan professionals, the support of our partners in the mortgage industry and most importantly, the hard work and sacrifice of our veterans have made this possible," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "VA is making good on its promise to help veterans buy homes, and Veterans are achieving their dreams."
Currently, about 1.3 million active home loans were obtained using VA's Home Loan Guaranty Program.
The program makes home ownership more affordable for veterans, active-duty members, and some surviving spouses by protecting lenders from loss if the borrower fails to repay the loan.
More than 90 percent of VA-guaranteed loans are made without a down payment.
Despite this, VA has the lowest serious delinquency rate in the industry, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.
Furthermore, VA's percentage of loans in foreclosure is the lowest of all measured loan types-lower even than prime loans, which require high credit scores and a 20 percent down payment by the borrower.
Much of the program's strength stems from the efforts of VA employees and loan servicers nationwide, whose primary mission is to help veterans stay in their homes, avoid foreclosure and protect their credit lines from the consequences of a foreclosure, Shinseki said.
Depending on the situation, VA's loan specialists can intervene on a veteran's behalf to help pursue home-retention options such as repayment plans, loan modifications and forbearance.
Additionally, under certain circumstances, VA can refund a loan, which involves purchasing the loan from the mortgage company and modifying the terms so the veteran can afford the new mortgage payment.
Since 1944, when home-loan guarantees were offered under the original GI Bill, through the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, VA has guaranteed more than 18.7 million home loans worth $1.04 trillion.
To obtain more information about the VA Home Loan Guaranty Program, Veterans can call VA at 1-877-827-3702.
Information can also be obtained at www.homeloans.va.gov .
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- Written by: Genevieve Snow
MOAA's meeting/luncheon is scheduled for 12 p.m. at Zino's Restaurant on Soda Bay Road.
According to the chapter's commander, Navy Captain Dan Christensen, members will be exchanging gifts at the luncheon.
Other chapter officers are Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Linda Morrison, adjutant; and Army Colonel Dave Hulme, vice commander.
MOAA meets every other month and membership is open to all commissioned officers, active duty, retirees or those who served.
MOAA membership includes a number of support programs for former officers as well as social and community service opportunities.
For further information, contact Capt. Christensen at 707-263-3297.
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- Written by: Editor
It will take place at the High Street Café in Lakeport at 9 a.m.
The menu will be pay as you go.
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
KELSEYVILLE – Employees of the Kelseyville Fire Protection District invite the community to help them support our troops.
The Kelseyville Fire Station has become the newest “drop zone” and is hosting a barrel for donations to Operation Tango Mike.
During a discussion about an upcoming gift exchange, the spirit of giving and the holidays, the employees decided they wanted to support Operation Tango Mike and our troops far from home this Christmas.
In fact, one employee asked that in lieu of a gift, the person drawing her name should donate to the local troop support effort.
Chief Mike Stone said he and his crew are proud to host the donation barrel and hope people will be generous this holiday season.
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“By hearing directly from veterans and their family members, we gain valuable information to help us serve them better. We hope those who receive the survey will respond to it," Secretary Shinseki said.
In addition to assessing awareness levels, the National Survey of Veterans will collect important health care, benefits, employment, and demographic information that VA will use to inform policy decisions and improve benefits.
Recognizing a broader client base than just veterans, this is the first time VA has included others, such as veteran family members, in its survey population.
VA is mailing out survey "screeners" to more than 130,000 households to identify potential survey participants. The screener asks if anyone in the household is a member of one of the identified survey groups – veterans, family members and survivors, active duty, Guard or Reserve members. Eligible survey participants then may be requested to participate in a full-length survey.
Participants will be able to select a preferred survey method: through U.S. mail, telephone or a password-protected Internet address. VA expects approximately 10,000 veterans to complete the full-length survey.
This is the sixth VA National Survey of Veterans since 1978. The information collected will help VA in its efforts to design and conduct outreach to veterans.
In addition, it will provide a clearer picture of the veteran population's characteristics to help evaluate existing programs and policies and measure their impact.
The data collection is expected to be finished by the end of February and the final report released by December 2010.
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This meeting will be the fifth holiday meeting in the history of the chapter.
The potluck dinner begins at 6 p.m. and the general meeting will follow at 7 p.m.
Topics of discussion will include Christmas projects and future chapter events.
Chapter 951 meets at St. Mary Immaculate Church Parish Hall, located at 801 N. Main St. Lakeport.
All veterans and their families and friends are welcome.
Information and a video memorial of the "Moving Wall" in Lakeport can be found at the Chapter 951 web site, www.vva951.org .
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SAN ANTONIO – Air Force Airman Thomas J. Sheffer graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Sheffer is a 2007 graduate of Middleton High School.
He is the son of Julie Sheffer of Middleton.