Stars and Stripes Veterans News

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May 25, 2022 | View in browser

 

VA launches $20M challenge to help reduce veteran suicides Officials for the Department of Veteran Affairs on Wednesday announced a $20 million challenge that invites the public to find ways to reduce the veteran suicide rate. Read more >

VA to host public Memorial Day ceremonies at national cemeteries for first time since pandemic began The Department of Veterans Affairs will host public ceremonies throughout the United States for the first time in two years since the coronavirus pandemic began. Read more >

Merrill’s Marauder and three-time recipient of Combat Infantry Badge dies at age 99 Gilbert Howland, who commanded a machine gun unit with the famed Merrill’s Marauders in Burma during World War II and went on to earn Combat Infantry Badges in Korea and Vietnam, died Thursday in Hamilton, N.J. He was 99. Read more >   Veterans with PTSD given chance to train service dogs in program at 4 US locations The free, once-weekly training program will last eight weeks and be conducted at veterans centers in Anchorage, Alaska; Palo Alto; Calif.; San Antonio, Texas; and West Palm Beach, Fla. Read more >   Florida bodybuilder pulling a $245,000 scam told the VA he could lift only 10 pounds Vanity, in the form of online photos, prevented a Port St. Lucie, Fla., man from getting away with taking $245,286 in Veterans Administration disability benefits by claiming, among other things, combat experience and arm and leg weakness that prevented him from lifting weights since 2010. Read more >

New bill would let departing service members take clearances with them The “Security Clearance Portability for Departing Servicemembers“ Act, sponsors say, would provide a “bridge” from military work to civilian employment in the national security realm. Read more >   Officials tell family of Marine veteran imprisoned in Russia to 'make more noise' to help secure release During a recent a phone call with U.S. Marine veteran Paul Whelan's family, U.S. Department of State officials told them to "make more noise" or "be a squeakier wheel" in order to draw more attention to his case and help to secure his release. Read more >   Bill aiming to help veterans who survived sexual assault unanimously passes House The bill aims to streamline the flow of basic information from the Veterans Benefits Administrations and the Veterans Health Administration. It also requires the Department of Veterans Affairs provide information about counseling and care on the Veterans Crisis Line as well as additional resources for survivors. Read more >   US asks Lebanese general for help freeing Marine veteran Austin Tice in Syria Biden administration officials have asked a Lebanese general for help securing the freedom of Austin Tice, a journalist and U.S. Marine Corps veteran missing in Syria since 2012. Read more >   Retired Navy officer changed his career path to forge new ones for veterans Hernán Luis y Prado and his wife Rachel Luis y Prado started VetPowered, a San Diego manufacturing business, and a nonprofit called Workshops For Warriors, which educates veterans for careers in advanced manufacturing. Read more >   Remains of Missouri Navy sailor who died at Pearl Harbor returned home after 81 years Seaman 1st Class Wilbur F. Newton died Dec. 7, 1941, in the attack on Pearl Harbor while stationed aboard the USS Oklahoma. Read more >

 

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