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The United States Library of Congress To Whom
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_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ National Resource Directory (NRD) Dear National Resource Directory Partner, www.nationalresourcedirectory.gov We are reaching out to let you know that your organization is listed as a resource on the National Resource Directory (NRD) (www.nationalresourcedirectory.gov). The NRD is a federal government Web site for wounded, ill and injured Service Members, Veterans, their families, and those who support them. This Web site, which is maintained by the Departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs, provides access to more than 11,000 services and resources at the national and state level to support the recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration of Service Members and Veterans into their communities. We would like your assistance in spreading the word about this valuable resource. Sent to "The Veterans Hour" from osd.mil
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ NEW - RESOURCE INFORMATION ADDED NYU Veteran’s Alliance In celebration of New York University’s commitment to the Yellow Ribbon Rule, we are pleased to announce the creation of the NYU Veteran’s Alliance. This affinity group is for current or former military service members within the campus community, as well as members of the greater community who share NYU experiences with them. This is a non-partisan network created to cultivate a respectful, responsive, and encouraging campus environment to support the unique experience and knowledge that veterans bring to NYU. Participation in this group will focus on assisting veterans to make a transition from military to campus life and to create meaningful connections within social and professional networks. Faculty, students, staff and friends of New York University are encouraged to join and support the veterans of our country’s Armed Forces. We encourage our members to help build our network, so please forward this to any one interested in joining the NYU Veterans Alliance. For more information, contact Lauren Carrescia at 212-992-7623 or alumni.veterans@nyu.edu
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The official teaser trailer for HBO’s miniseries THE PACIFIC is now available online. Go to http://www.hbo.com/events/pacific/index.html to preview and share the teaser trailer. THE PACIFIC: Executive produced by Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg and Gary Goetzman, the team behind the Emmy-winning 2001 HBO miniseries “Band of Brothers,” this epic ten-hour miniseries tracks the intertwined odysseys of three U.S. Marines – Robert Leckie (James Badge Dale), Eugene Sledge (Joe Mazzello) and John Basilone (Jon Seda) – across the vast canvas of the Pacific. The extraordinary experiences of these men and their fellow Marines take them from the first clash with the Japanese in the haunted jungles of Guadalcanal, through the impenetrable rain forests of Cape Gloucester, across the blasted coral strongholds of Peleliu, up the black sand terraces of Iwo Jima, through the killing fields of Okinawa, to the triumphant, yet uneasy, return home after V-J Day. Produced by HBO Miniseries in association with Playtone and DreamWorks Television, and scheduled to debut on HBO in early 2010.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ VA Recognizes Military Sacrifices on Memorial Day Special to American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, May 24, 2009 – From parades to somber ceremonies and a moment of silence, Americans will recall the sacrifices of military members who paid the ultimate price for freedom on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25. “From May 23 to May 30, commemorative events at VA national cemeteries will present a sacred responsibility for employees and volunteers to honor these greatest of American heroes,” Steve Muro, VA’s Acting Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs said. “Since the birth of Memorial Day in 1866, national cemeteries have been the most visible expression of our country’s gratitude for their service.” The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will continue
its annual tradition of hosting services at most of its national cemeteries and
many other facilities nationwide. The programs, which are the focus of Memorial
Day events in many communities, honor the service of deceased Veterans and
people who die on active duty. More than 100,000 people are expected to attend activities at VA's national cemeteries, with color guards, readings, bands and choir performances. The events will honor about one million men and women who died in wartime periods, including about 655,000 battle deaths. Some national cemetery observances are unique. At VA’s most active cemetery, in Riverside, Calif., volunteers have been reading aloud -- since Armed Forces Day, May 17 -- the names of more than 150,000 veterans buried there, and are expected to continue at least until the Memorial Day program. In one-hour shifts around the clock, 500 volunteers – two to four at a time -- alternate reading the names.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ "Thunder in the Desert" 2009: March 21 and 22
Luke's "Thunder in the Desert" 2009 Open House
is a two-day event at Luke Air Force Base and one of the most diverse air
shows in America. The U.S. Air Force's Aerial Demonstration Team, the
Thunderbirds, will bring their special brand of high-flying excitement to this
year's show as well as numerous other aircraft and ground displays, exhibits,
and attractions. More Info - Luke Air Force Base
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Policy Message: If you would like to post an item to the Bulletin Board, please send it via the e-mail below, source its origin, and tell us if you would like your name credited. All submissions are subject to verification and editing as to length and clarity. If possible we will include the item to appear for a period of time relevant to its nature or for any period of time left solely to our discretion. Send it today! The Veterans Hour - "Americas Leading Online Veterans Newspaper" webmaster@veteranshour.com
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Sept. 11, 2008, The Seventh Anniversary of The Terrorist Attack
NATIONAL FREEDOM WALK - Several thousand people have registered to walk in the 4th annual America Supports You Freedom Walk in the nation's capital, Sept. 7, 2008. The walk is a national tradition that calls on people to reflect on the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001, remember those who responded, honor our veterans past and present and renew our commitment to freedom and the values of our country. For more information or to sign up for the ASY Freedom Walk, please visit the ASY Web site. Defense Dept. graphic. WE WILL NEVER FORGET - Sept. 11, 2008, marks the seventh anniversary of the terrorist attack on the United States. Defenselink presents a look back at the attack on the Pentagon and talks with survivors, defense leaders and family members of those who died that day. Defense Dept. graphic.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ RED SOX FOUNDATION NATION COMMUNITY SERVICE DAY
TAKES PLACE AT (August 16, 2008) BROCKTON, MA – Just hours before taking the field at Fenway Park , members of the Boston Red Sox today teamed up with the Red Sox Foundation and volunteers from Covidien, the Massachusetts-based healthcare and medical products company, to thank local veterans for their service by repairing damaged and outdated recreation facilities at the Brockton branch of the Boston Veterans Administration Hospital . More than 100 Covidien employees joined forces with members of the Red Sox team and their families, including Mike Lowell; Tim and Stacey Wakefield; Jonathan and Ashley Papelbon; Justin and Meryl Masterson; Julio and Sulky Lugo; Jeff Bailey; Mike Timlin; Manager Terry Francona; and Kelli Pedroia, wife of Dustin Pedroia, for the second annual Red Sox “Foundation Nation Community Service Day” on Saturday. “I have enormous respect and the deepest gratitude for those who serve our nation,” Francona said. “The brave men and women who visit this VA hospital for rehabilitative and health services deserve the best treatment possible. And so the Red Sox are honored to team up with Covidien, the dedicated VA staff and all the volunteers who are working together to help improve the recreation facilities available to New England’s veterans.” Covidien sponsored the Community Service Day, which was organized by the Red Sox Foundation, the official team charity. Working alongside labor union members donating their skills and young adults from Youth Build, a nonprofit serving low-income youth, Covidien volunteers repaired the VA’s baseball field and resurfaced the crumbling blacktop used by local vets playing wheelchair softball. The volunteer group also expanded and updated the hospital’s formerly cramped weight room, rehabbed the indoor swimming pool area and made up care packages for hundreds of troops now serving in Iraq and Afghanistan . Covidien’s Director of Civic Affairs, Teresa Hacunda, said, “We jumped at the opportunity to thank our veterans by working on this project with the Red Sox Foundation and others. Making these much-needed repairs will have a significant positive impact on patient care and rehabilitation, which are key goals of our philanthropic efforts. Covidien employees are honored to give back to those who have given so much for us.” Staff members of the Red Sox Foundation spent months preparing for this Community Service Day, working with members of Local 17 of the Sheet Metalworkers, Painters Union Local 53, and other Building Tradesmen, all of whom donated their skills and materials to the project. Licensed electricians from Sullivan McLaughlin Company donated their skills, while landscaping work was overseen by Walpole-based Campus Care. New lockers for the veterans were donated by Northern Corp of Southborough. Senator John Kerry also provided support by linking organizers with local labor and veterans groups. In addition, Red Sox Front Office members joined in Saturday’s “extreme makeover” at the Brockton VA campus. “The men and women who serve our country work together as a team, caring for and backing up one another as they protect us,” said Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner. “And we know it takes teamwork to make good things happen in our community, too. The Red Sox are honored to work with the dedicated volunteers from Covidien, local unions, the talented young people at Youth Build and other supporters of this project as one small way we can say thank you to the veterans in our region.” “The wounded warriors served by the dedicated staff at this VA Hospital deserve more than our thanks -- they deserve great facilities to help their recovery,” said Papelbon, who attended with his wife, Ashley, and members of his extended family. “My wife and I are proud we could be here to help out a little and salute our veterans and all of the great volunteers who made this project possible.” Added fellow Red Sox Pitcher Timlin: “The good work everyone has done today is just the start of improvements needed at many of our nation’s veterans service programs. We hope the Red Sox Foundation’s outreach will help inspire other groups and companies to join hands and take on more projects in support of veterans across New England and beyond.” Due to Covidien’s strong support of wellness in the community, the volunteer day was “sold out,” with over 100 Covidien volunteers choosing to spend a lovely summer Saturday pulling weeds, painting, hauling out debris and assembling new equipment at the VA Hospital. Given the long wait list of volunteers interested in the project, Red Sox Foundation Executive Director Meg Vaillancourt worked with officials at the VA ‘s Brockton Campus to come up with a “Wish List” of items needed and projects that other companies and groups could take on. The “Brockton VA Wish List” will be posted on the team charity’s website at www.redsoxfoundation.org
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The HBO Documentary Film Series Continues With The Recruiter, Premiering TONIGHT at 9 PM ET/PT Click here for the promo of tonight’s premiere of THE RECRUITER: http://www.dailymotion.com/hboclips/video/x68spy_the-recruiter-promo_shortfilms The Recruiter offers a glimpse of the human drama surrounding recruits’ decisions to enlist through its remarkable central character: the charismatic Sergeant First Class Clay Usie, one of the most successful Army recruiters working in America . Working in his town of Houma , LA with the belief that every American should serve their country, Sgt Usie is committed to recruiting new soldiers and has his eyes on Lauren, Matt, Bobby and Chris: four teenagers with different reasons and rationales for joining the army. The Recruiter follows the recruits during their last semesters of high school as Sgt. Usie prepares them for boot camp and guides them as they say good bye to their loved ones, girlfriends and (in one case) a wife—before heading off to basic training where they will hopefully make a successful transition from civilians to soldiers. Don’t miss The Recruiter as four teenagers embark on the journey of army enlistment and training when the documentary premieres Monday July 28th at 9 PM ET/PT exclusively on HBO.
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Agent Orange Equity Act Press Conference, Wednesday, July 23 FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE Washington, D.C. – Bob Filner, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, will hold a press conference on Wednesday, July 23 at NOON on the Cannon Terrace to announce the introduction of the Agent Orange Equity Act. The bill restores equity to all Vietnam veterans that were exposed to Agent Orange. Who: What: When: Where: "We owe it to our veterans to fulfill the promises made to them as a result of their service," said Chairman Filner (D-CA). "If, as a result of service, a veteran was exposed to Agent Orange and it has resulted in failing health, this country has a moral obligation to care for each veteran the way we promised we would. And as a country at war, we must prove that we will be there for all of our veterans, no matter when they serve. The courts have turned their backs on our veterans, but I believe this Congress will not allow our veterans to be cheated of their earned benefits." The Agent Orange Equity Act of 2008 would clarify the laws related to VA benefits provided to Vietnam War veterans suffering from the ravages of Agent Orange exposure. In order to try to gain a better military vantage point, Agent Orange, which we now know is a highly toxic cocktail of herbicide agents, was widely sprayed for defoliation and crop destruction purposes all over the Vietnam War Battlefield, as well as nearby nations. It was also stored on U.S. vessels and used for vegetation clearing purposes around U.S. bases, landing zones and lines of communication. Currently, VA requires Vietnam veterans to prove "foot on land" in order to qualify for the presumptions of service-connection for herbicide-exposure related illnesses afforded under current law. This issue has been the subject of much litigation and on May 8, 2008, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals upheld VA’s overly narrow interpretation. Congress clearly did not intend to exclude these veterans from compensation based on arbitrary geographic line drawing by VA. The Agent Orange Equity Act of 2008 is intended to clarify the law so that every service member awarded the Vietnam Service medal, or who otherwise deployed to land, sea or air, in the Republic of Vietnam is fully covered by the comprehensive Agent Orange laws Congress passed in 1991. If enacted, this bill will make it easier for VA to process Vietnam War veterans’ claims for service-connected conditions that scientists have conclusively linked to toxic exposures during the Vietnam War and that are identified in current law. With this legislation, Congress will leave no doubt that the "Blue Water Navy" and all combat veterans of Vietnam are intended to be covered and compensated; thus ensuring that these veterans will receive the disability benefits they earned and deserve for exposure to Agent Orange.
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The HBO Documentary Film Series Continues With With no end in sight for the War in Iraq and with deaths and serious injuries continuing to mount among soldiers, Army enlistment is at an all-time low. The death toll keeps rising and recruiters have found their jobs getting increasingly difficult trying to maintain troop levels in Iraq and Afghanistan . The Recruiter offers a glimpse of the human drama surrounding recruits’ decisions to enlist through its remarkable central character: the charismatic Sergeant First Class Clay Usie, one of the most successful Army recruiters working in America . Working in his town of Houma , LA with the belief that every American should serve their country, Sgt Usie is committed to recruiting new soldiers and has his eyes on Lauren, Matt, Bobby and Chris: four teenagers with different reasons and rationales for joining the army. The Recruiter follows the recruits during their last semesters of high school as Sgt. Usie prepares them for boot camp and guides them as they say good bye to their loved ones, girlfriends and (in one case) a wife—before heading off to basic training where they will hopefully make a successful transition from civilians to soldiers. Don’t miss The Recruiter as four teenagers embark on the journey of army enlistment and training when the documentary premieres Monday July 28th at 9 PM ET/PT exclusively on HBO.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ A Layman's Guide to Managing Fear Stanley Popovich's groundbreaking new book can help you finally discover relief from debilitating fear. The author's 15 years of extensive research exposes the underlying nature of fear and provides you with a wealth of successful techniques to manage fear in your everyday life. Access - www.managingfear.com
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____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ HBO AND CORPORATE
PARTNERS TEAM UP TO SEND DONATIONS AND In honor of the Marines of Generation Kill, and all of our troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan, HBO and its partners are sending care packages overseas containing the items troops most frequently request. The troops have determined the items—YOU determine how many are sent. Donations can be placed at no cost to you by going to www.genkilltroopdrive.com and following three quick steps. The donation drive starts NOW and will continue through the finale of the Generation Kill miniseries on August 24th. All donations will be shipped overseas this fall. Spread the word—every click counts!
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ FROM THE CREATORS OF A NEW
MINISERIES CHRONICLING THE NEW FACE OF AMERICAN WAR: Based on Evan Wright’s acclaimed 2004 non-fiction book of the same name, Generation Kill is a seven-part miniseries that focuses on the first 40 days of the Iraq war, a.k.a. “Operation Iraqi Freedom,” through the eyes and actions of a group of elite U.S. First Recon Marines. While offering vivid and unvarnished portraits of the actual Marines who rode alongside Wright (an embedded journalist working for Rolling Stone magazine) for two months starting in March 2003, Generation Kill provides a gritty, uncompromising account of the collective forces that guided these highly-trained Marines across a barren landscape, and against an unknowable enemy, in a military initiative designed to liberate the Iraqi populace from Saddam Hussein. Bringing a candid, highly realistic look at the details of modern warfare and the men who wage it, the miniseries depicts the War in Iraq with an immediacy, humor and humanity never before depicted on film. In between scenes of intense combat, from Marines in under-protected Humvees blasting through hostile cities, the soldiers’ raw and frequently hilarious dialogue is infused with an abundance of cultural references – from gossipy rumors of J-Lo’s death, to disparaging retorts to schoolchildrens’ letters of support, to on-the-road choral renditions of pop anthems like “Tainted Love” and “Loving You” (complete with falsettos). People are already talking about this highly anticipated miniseries. You can check out a review on Ain’t It Cool News: http://www.aintitcool.com/node/36983 Click here to view the trailer on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mS9_wtekt8c Don’t miss this intelligent, humorous and highly-entertaining miniseries when Generation Kill launches on Sunday, July 13th at 9 P.M. ET/PT—only on HBO!
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WASHINGTON – The 28th National Veterans Wheelchair Games, scheduled to take place July 25–29 in Omaha, Neb., will attract more than 500 veterans with disabilities. It has become the largest annual wheelchair sports competition in the world. Veterans from conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq will again join their fellow veterans in 17 competitive events being offered in Omaha. (5/12/08)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ MPR News’ Midday to
present Web features to include a live conversation during the program, three audio slide shows and uncensored audio footage WHAT: Minnesota Public Radio News’ Midday, hosted by Gary Eichten, presents a special one-hour documentary broadcast of The Vietnam Tapes, a collection of audio letters recorded by a soldier in combat, his family in Willmar and his friends in 1970. WHEN: Friday, July 4, 2008, noon to 1 p.m. WHERE: MPR’s News & Information stations statewide, including 91.1 FM KNOW in the Twin Cities ( St. Paul , Minn. ) June 26, 2008—MPR News’ Midday will present a special one-hour broadcast of rare audio letters between a soldier and his family and friends while serving in Vietnam in 1970 at noon on Friday, July 4, 2008. Midday will air a riveting collection of audio cassettes, including three recorded in the field by Sergeant Dan Kleven, three from his buddies back in Willmar and at Mankato State University—which was shutting down early after the Kent State killings—and five tapes recorded by Kleven's family on their dairy farm in Willmar, Minn. The tapes offer an intimate view of one man's experience on the front lines in Vietnam and real-time reactions from family and friends back home during this turbulent time in American history. Midday host Gary Eichten interviewed Kleven at his home in Willmar to hear his reflections on the experience and how it changed him, weaving together material from these insightful archival tapes. MPR News also scanned a collection of highlights from Kleven’s Vietnam photo albums and will display them on the Web site, www.mpr.org. Web features, which can be found at www.mpr.org, will include: · An uncensored, hour-long version of the documentary · Three audio slide shows: The Life of a Grunt in Combat , Vietnam Through a Soldier's Lens, A View From the Home Front · An audio overview from the producer’s perspective An open online discussion where individuals can share their reactions, images or personal stories will be featured during and after the broadcast. This discussion can be found on MPR's hosted groups on Gather.com, linked from MPR’s Web site. Listeners are invited to submit their collections of audio letters for a larger upcoming documentary project by American RadioWorks, the documentary unit of Minnesota Public Radio’s parent organization, American Public Media. MORE INFORMATION, PHOTOGRAPHS AND INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. Minnesota Public Radio® operates a 37-station radio network serving virtually all of Minnesota and parts of surrounding states and produces programming for radio, Internet and face-to-face audiences. Programs produced by Minnesota Public Radio’s parent company, American Public Media,™ reach more than 15 million listeners nationwide each week. Of those, nearly 800,000 listen regionally, in Minnesota and surrounding states. A complete list of stations, programs and additional services can be obtained at www.mpr.org.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS: "I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, and our flag still waves proudly from the walls. I shall never surrender nor retreat". William Barrett Travis, The Alamo, 24 February 1836
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