The affects of fire is irreversible, and our citizens in the Southern and Central areas of California have lost most everything they possessed during the recent fires that raged over the mountains all the way to the pacific ocean. Luckily nearly everyone that was affected evacuated to safety - saving themselves, loved ones, pets, and in some cases, livestock. I can only imagine what their loss has done to them financially and emotionally. The insurance industry as a whole, should be embarrassed and ashamed for cancelling so many fire policies. California's government should never have let that happen!

With their largest investment burned to the ground, will any of affected families have the resources to rebuild?  "Brandon" has pledged something in the range of $15 million to pay all of the first responders who where fighting the walls of fire, putting themselves in peril! That's a start - but where do we as a nation go from here?

With 24 hour coverage of the wildfires in California, legacy media has totally forgotten about North Carolina. You may recall that North Carolina was severely impacted by Hurricane Helene during late September 2024, primarily in its western Appalachian region, causing at least 104 reported deaths and significant destruction of infrastructure and residential areas across several settlements. It struck the Blue Ridge mountains, wrecking havoc as it washed down roads, caused landslides and cut power service for millions. Damage in western North Carolina was also  widespread after the hurricane: towns were destroyed, water and fuel supply lines were disrupted and communication was down.

Over 200,000 people were impacted by Helene, and more than 100,000 homes were damaged or destroyed.

So when you hear the appeal to donate to California, don't forget about North Carolina - they are still struggling and could use more help.

In November 2024, VA’s National Cemetery Administration (NCA) officially opened Green Burial sections at the Pikes Peak National Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colorado; the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix, Arizona, and Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. The number of green burial sites at each cemetery are 152, 155 and 222, respectively.

Green burials are a way of caring for the dead with minimal environmental impact, which aids in the conservation of natural resources, reduction of carbon emissions, protection of worker health and the restoration and/or preservation of habitat.

Read the whole story at:
https://news.va.gov/136850/va-green-burials-three-national-cemeteries/?utm_source=middle&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=VetResources&utm_id=04DEC2024

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry, referred to as the “Burn Pit Registry” or “the registry”, is a critical tool that is advancing research through combining Veteran and service member data. The registry enables VA to identify and research health challenges of Veterans and service members who were exposed to airborne hazards and burn pits during their military service. Over time, the knowledge gained through this research will be used to fuel advancements in treatments, more precise predictive medicine, inform decisions related to presumptive conditions, and deliver targeted  proactive and preventative care.

For more information, click 0n the link below:
https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/burnpits/registry.asp

A Home Away from Home, Fisher House Foundation builds comfort homes where military and Veteran families can stay free of charge while a loved one is in the hospital. These homes are strategically located at military and VA medical centers around the world, ensuring that families can be close to their loved ones during challenging times. With up to 21 suites in each Fisher House, families enjoy private bedrooms, baths and shared common spaces like kitchens, laundry facilities, dining rooms and living rooms.

Fisher House Foundation recently announced it is on the road to 100 Fisher Houses that, when completed, will serve more than 1,400 military and Veteran families on a given night.

Since its inception, the Fisher House program has saved military and Veterans’ families an estimated $610 million in out-of-pocket costs for lodging and transportation. This significant financial relief allows families to focus on supporting their loved ones without the added burden of accommodation expenses.

Fisher House Foundation operates the Hero Miles program, which uses donated frequent flyer miles to bring family members to the bedside of injured service members. This initiative ensures that families can be together during critical recovery periods, regardless of the distance.

Similarly, the Hotels for Heroes program uses donated hotel points to provide family members with free stays at hotels near medical centers. This program ensures that families have a comfortable place to stay close to their loved ones without any financial strain.

Beyond housing, Fisher House Foundation manages the Fisher Service Award, a grant program that supports other charities and scholarship funds for military children, spouses, and children of fallen and disabled Veterans. To date, 15,000 students have received $27,000,000 in scholarship awards, furthering the Foundation’s commitment to supporting military families in various ways.

By the numbers

• Daily capacity: 1,300 families.
• Families served: More than 500,000 since inception.
• Number of lodging days offered: 12 million+.
• Scholarship awards: 15,000 students receiving $27,000,000.
• Hero Miles airline tickets provided: Over 70,000, worth nearly $105 million.
  
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If you or someone you love is receiving care at a VA or military medical center, check the list of current Fisher Houses to see if there is a location that can help. The criteria to stay are established locally by the hospital or installation command, so please contact the location with any questions. There is never a charge to stay at a Fisher House.

Watch this video to discover more about staying at a Fisher House.

Fisher Houses are designed to foster a sense of community while providing private respite for families. Families can prepare their favorite meals in the gourmet kitchen before enjoying a good night’s sleep in their private suite. The common areas, such as the dining room, family room and outdoor patio, offer spaces for families to connect and support each other.

Private suite amenities

• Beds accommodating family needs (multiple twins, full, rollaway crib, etc.).
• Private, wheelchair-accessible bathroom with ample counter space.
• Towels and high-quality bedding provided.
• Large closet with hangers.
• TV and internet access.

Common areas

• Dining room.
• Gourmet kitchen with a coffee maker, pots, pans, utensils, pantry compartments, and state-of-the-art refrigerators.
• Family room with large TV and seating.
• Living room with seating and a library.
• Laundry room with multiple washers and dryers.
• Outdoor patio.

Congress has begun work on the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and now would be a good time to remind your Representative and Senators that you oppose any new TRICARE fees or fee increases. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) testified before the Senate Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee (SASC-P) last year on reducing the Department of Defense compensation costs.

In its written testimony, CBO urged Congress to enact a new TRICARE for Life (TFL) annual enrollment fee of $575 for individual coverage or $1,150 for family coverage. TFL beneficiaries would also be required to pay the first $850 and 50 percent of the next $7,650 in cost annually. Currently, TFL beneficiaries do not pay an annual enrollment fee.

Further, CBO recommends increasing retirees' TRICARE Prime annual enrollment fee from the current $352 for the individual and $704 for the family to $650 and $1,300, respectively. TRICARE Select beneficiaries would pay an annual enrollment fee of $485 for individual coverage and $970 for a family.

Although no legislation has been introduced, Fleet Reserve Association members are urged to use the Action Center to tell their legislators to oppose these CBO proposals at:
https://www.votervoice.net/FRA/Campaigns/100158/Respond

From Senator Rick Scott, (R) Florida:

"Dear Fellow Floridian,

I took my third trip to visit Israel as your U.S. senator and sixth since I was elected as your governor in 2011. I met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and delivered an important message: my commitment to supporting Israel and protecting the valuable relationship Florida and America have with the Jewish State will never falter. We will see this through until Hamas is destroyed and all hostages, which includes Americans, that have now spent over 170 days in Hamas captivity are home.

Israel changed on October 7, 2023, when Iran-backed Hamas terrorists attacked and killed thousands of innocent people – but I made clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu and members of his administration that I stand firmly with them in making sure this day will not mark the end of the Jewish State. I reiterated this commitment when I spoke to family members of individuals taken hostage and IDF Soldiers who have seen and fought terrorism firsthand. They’re scarred by the unimaginable horrors of Iran-backed Hamas terrorists beheading babies, raping young women, murdering their loved ones and capturing their children to be held hostage. 

I saw the devastation Israel faces with my own eyes in Kibbutz Kfar Aza. The joyous community I visited years ago is now destroyed and reeling from the aftermath of October 7, with so many of its residents missing or dead. I also visited the site of the massacre at the Supernova Music Festival. It was difficult to walk through that place and see the hundreds of memorials to innocent young people that were ambushed and brutally murdered by Hamas. My visit to Israel has only reinforced the undeniable fact that the United States and Israel have a common security interest in destroying Hamas and getting hostages back home TODAY. President Biden and Democrats in Washington have abandoned Israel at the United Nations and on the world stage. I urge them to reverse course and I will not be silent until I see Biden’s administration stand strongly with our ally.

As we mark Holy Week, I visited the Western Wall and I left a prayer for every hostage taken on October 7 to be freed today and returned home. As you and your family gather for Easter, I ask that you join me in also praying for every hostage and their loved ones. War is terrible, but Israel cannot rest until Hamas is destroyed and the hostages, including Americans, are home. I know that God is with the Israeli people and will deliver victory to his people and the Jewish State."

ost-traumatic stress disorder symptoms may start within one month of a traumatic event, but sometimes symptoms may not appear until years after the event. These symptoms cause significant problems in social or work situations and relationships. They can also interfere with your ability to go about your normal daily tasks.

PTSD symptoms are generally grouped into four types: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions. Symptoms can vary over time or vary from person to person.

Symptoms of intrusive memories may include:

• Recurrent, unwanted distressing memories of the traumatic event
• Reliving the traumatic event as if it were happening again (flashbacks)
• Upsetting dreams or nightmares about the traumatic event
• Severe emotional distress or physical reactions to something that reminds you of the traumatic event
• Symptoms of avoidance may include:
• Trying to avoid thinking or talking about the traumatic event
• Avoiding places, activities, or people that remind you of the traumatic event
• Symptoms of negative changes in thinking and mood may include:
• Negative thoughts about yourself, other people, or the world
• Hopelessness about the future
• Memory problems, including not remembering important aspects of the traumatic event
• Difficulty maintaining close relationships
• Feeling detached from family and friends
• Lack of interest in activities you once enjoyed
• Difficulty experiencing positive emotions
• Feeling emotionally numb
• Symptoms of changes in physical and emotional reactions (also called arousal symptoms) may include:
• Being easily startled or frightened
• Always being on guard for danger
• Self-destructive behavior, such as drinking too much or driving too fast
• Trouble sleeping
• Trouble concentrating
• Irritability, angry outbursts, or aggressive behavior
• Overwhelming guilt or shame

 
According to the Pew Research Center, 96% of Veterans who have served, post-9/11, are proud of their service; however, nearly half say that readjusting to civilian life was difficult, most often citing family issues. About one in six Veterans were wounded in combat and slightly more than half experienced emotional trauma or distress while serving. Tragically, even with the positive, supportive culture we have, 84% of post-9/11 veterans feel like the public just doesn’t understand the sacrifices made by them or their families. This touches on one truly hidden wound of war.

     3 phone numbers to remember:

• 211      non-emergency phone #
• 988    suicide hotline, then press 1
• 911     emergency phone #

“When angry, count to four; when very angry, swear.” — Mark Twain
 
“To close your eyes will not ease another’s pain.” – Chinese Proverb
 
Chaplain Chip Hanson

In one of the largest-ever expansions of Veteran health care, all Veterans exposed to toxins and other hazards during military service—at home or abroad—are now eligible for VA health care.

The VA is now expanding health care eligibility to millions of Veterans, including all Veterans who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan or any other combat zone after 9/11, years earlier than called for by the PACT Act. These Veterans will be eligible to enroll directly in VA health care without first applying for VA benefits.

Additionally, Veterans who never deployed but were exposed to toxins or hazards while training or on active duty in the United States will also be eligible to enroll.

This expansion of VA health care eliminates the phased-in approach called for by the PACT Act, meaning that millions of Veterans are becoming eligible for VA health care up to eight years earlier than written into law.

VA encourages all eligible Veterans to visit the Pact Act website or VA.gov/PACT, or call 1-800-MYVA411 to learn more and apply for VA health care, beginning March 5.