Stars and Stripes Veterans News

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April 28, 2021

 

VA sees drop in demand for coronavirus vaccines The drop in demand, which is reflective of the rest of the U.S. population, has prompted the department to increase its communication to veterans about the importance of getting vaccinated. READ MORE

Lawmakers pursue ‘historic opportunity’ to help veterans suffering from toxic exposure The House and Senate are making coordinated efforts to help veterans suffering from illnesses believed to be caused by toxic exposure during overseas deployments. READ MORE

After a difficult year, veterans are looking forward to post-pandemic life Many people across the country lost their jobs, saw an increase of food insecurity or struggled with isolation during the pandemic. But the crisis has been agonizing for veterans, many already grappling with the long-term effects of PTSD, depression or other invisible wounds. READ MORE   Michael Collins, command module pilot on Apollo 11, dies at 90 While Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin took their giant leap for mankind in 1969, Michael Collins circled the moon alone, keeping the command module going and running through the 117-page list of contingencies he'd prepared in the event anything went awry. Collins died Monday of cancer, his family said. READ MORE   Court orders Army to review thousands of ‘bad paper’ discharges The U.S. District Court for Connecticut finalized the agreement Monday. It orders the Army Discharge Review Board to reconsider thousands of cases where upgrades were denied, despite evidence that veterans were struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury or military sexual trauma when they separated from the military. READ MORE

Mission accomplished: Army sergeant completes walk for fallen heroes' families U.S. Army Sgt. Ben Linkous completed his 26.2-mile walk through Beaver County on Saturday, raising money and awareness for Legacies Alive, a nonprofit that helps military families who have lost a loved one in the line of duty. READ MORE   A second chance for veterans gets a second chance at the Minnesota legislature The Veterans Restorative Justice Act would expand the veterans court program to the whole state, offering a second chance to veterans who qualify and who are willing to put in the work. READ MORE   Groups seek recognition at Native American museum veterans memorial A group that represents Public Health Service officers who have assisted during natural disasters, in overseas fights against Ebola and recently on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic is seeking recognition on a veterans memorial at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian, arguing its members were unfairly left out. READ MORE   Through struggles, two veterans find sanctuary Amorette Hight kept silent for 20 years. She was told to "forget" what happened to her that fall day in 1997. Life threw its own set of curveballs to her husband Joshua Hight, who in 1997 served in the medevac unit at Fort Riley, Kansas. Both suffer from post traumatic stress syndrome. READ MORE   Clayton Schenkelberg, reportedly the oldest Pearl Harbor survivor, dies at 103 Clayton Schenkelberg, who at age 103 was believed to be America’s oldest Pearl Harbor survivor, died April 14 at a senior care facility in San Diego. READ MORE   Organizers say Pentagon is jeopardizing Memorial Day motorcycle ride AMVETS, the national veterans group organizing the ride, said the Defense Department has ignored its application to use the Pentagon parking lot as a staging area. READ MORE

 

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