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Read Full Issue Now

JOURNAL
Terry Fator:
Keeping a Promise to
Veterans
Vol 1 2012
www.ncoausa.org
Sears Gets It
The Heroes at Home Wish Registry has raised over
$23 Million to improve the holidays for over 61,000 military
families.
We have helped rebuild 999 homes for our wounded heroes and
will complete number 1,000 in October.
We Currently Employ over 30,000 Veterans, including
many Reserve and National Guard members.
When our citizen soldiers are called to active duty we
match their pay for up to 60 months.
We get it and We care!
Contents
NCOA Online Journal Volume 1, 2012
NCOA Members Called to Action: ...................................................................2
Getting the Word Out About our Affinity Programs
2012 NCOA Convention: ..................................................................................4
Lee Greenwood to perform for Vanguard Award Recipients
An Open Letter from NCOA President H. Gene Overstreet..............................8
FEATURE STORY: Terry Fator, A True American Patriot...................................10
NCOA National Capital Office State Program Highlights ................................14
Legislative Updates from the NCOA National Capital Office .......................... 16
Sustaining U.S. Global Leadership: Priorities for 21st Century Defense .........18
NCOA Legislative Alert Program: Sign Up Today! ..........................................20
Department of Veterans Affairs Updates .........................................................22
New Law Change Increases Coverage for Veterans,
VA Deploying 20 New Mobile Vet Centers
NCOA at Veterans Day Observances in the Capital ........................................25
Military.com NCOA Career Expos: The 2012 Schedule .................................. 26
Did You Know? Facts About the U. S. Presidency...........................................29
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President: 12th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps H. Gene
Overstreet (Ret); Chairman of the Board: SgtMaj Paul W. Siverson, USMC (Ret); Executive Vice President and Treasurer: CSM
Tony R. Franklin, USA (Ret); Secretary: MSgt Robert L. Barnett,
USAF (Ret).
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
George Dolan, CSM USA (Ret), MSgt Vincent T. Johnson, Sr.,
USAF (Ret); SGM Joe Terry, USA (Ret).
International Chaplain
MSG Kent M. Tucker, USA (Ret)
NCOA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
SSgt Cliff “Scoop” Davis, USAF (Ret) execdir@ncoausa.org
SENIOR ADVISORS TO THE BOARD
SMA Raymond L.Chandler, USA; Sergeant Major of the Marine
Corps Michael P. Barrett, USMC; MCPON Rick D. West, USN;
CMSAF James A. Roy, USAF; MCPOCG Michael P. Leavitt,
USCG.
SPECIAL ADVISORS FOR RESERVE AND NATIONAL
GUARD AFFAIRS
CSM John Gipe, USARNG, Chairman; CSM Michael Shultz,
USAR; SgtMaj James Booker, USMCR; FORCM (AW) Chris
Wheeler, USNR; CMSgt Kathleen Buckner, USAFR; CSM Richard Burch, ARNG; CMSgt Christopher E. Muncy, ANG; and
MCPO Mark H. Allen, USCGR.
INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
The Non Commissioned Officers Association of the United States
of America is a fraternal, nonprofit organization with International Headquarters at 9330 Corporate Drive, Suite 701, Selma, TX
78154; (210) 653-6161.The NCOA Journal is published for the
information and enjoyment of Association members. Views and
opinions expressed are those of author or source of material and
do not necessarily reflect the opinions, views or endorsements of
NCOA or the Board of Directors. All materials in the NCOA Journal are protected by copyright. Editorial materials my be reproduced if the source is credited. National Capital Office: P.O. Box
427, Alexandria, VA 22313; (703) 549-0311.
International Auxiliary Executive Committee: Rose Lapajenko,
President, Ronda Smith, Vice President; Dianne Carnahan, Secretary; Alda Ashford, Treasurer. Board Members: Vicki Cope,
Gloria Martinez and Patricia Weaver.
Knights of the Square Table: Grand Knight, Sir Curt Schummacher, OE; Grand Knight Elect, Sir Marv Weaver, Sr., OE; Exchequer, Sir Ted Pilihos, OE; Scribe, Sir Bill Billings, Jr, OE.
EDITORIAL: The NCOA Journal Managing Editor: Jessica
Braud. Editorial contributions of articles and photos are welcome.
Send them via email to: jbraud@ ncoausa.org.
ADVERTISING: Advertisers: Contact J&S Publications at 8220
Hilton Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20882, E-mail - cathy.john@jspublications.com. Phone - (301) 482-0720, Fax - (310) 482-0726.
Unless clearly indicated as NCOA-sponsored, paid advertising in
the NCOA Journal is not endorsed by the NCOA. (02/12)
Volume 1 • 2012 NCOA JOURNAL • 1
NCOs Make Things Happen!
NCOA Members Called to Action
Dear NCOA members:
I have been amazed over the years
with stories of how NCOs make things
happen every day in their duties. We
are and have been the backbone of the
Armed Forces since day one. NCOA is
your Association and your Association
needs your help.
We have affinity partners that provide
you, our members, with great discounts
and services, but we need you to utilize these benefits and spread the word
to everyone you know about them and
how they too can use them.
American Airlines is one of NCOA’s
newest partners and, in addition to the
great support they have given us in the
past, for the last two years they have
awarded two round trip flights to each
one of our Vanguards! American Airlines also has an outstanding Veterans
Initiative that does great things for our
men and women in uniform.
So what can you do to “Make Things
Happen” with American Airlines and
NCOA? Actually it is very simple – on
the facing page are the details of the
American Airlines’ Business ExtrAA
program that will help the Association
earn free points that can be redeemed
for free flights. Our Business ExtrAA
number is 825549. As you can see on
the opposite page, it is as easy as spreading the word to every NCOA member
you know, telling them about the great
relationship American Airlines and
NCOA have! Then have the NCOA
member add NCOA’s Business ExtrAA
number (825549) on their reservation
when booking with American Airlines.
It costs the person flying nothing but a
few seconds to add NCOA’s number.
The flyer still reaps their rewards and
2 • Volume 1 • 2012 NCOA JOURNAL
NCOA also earns points.
Every day I see emails that people
forward to everyone in their address
book so I’m asking everyone to send
the following message out to all NCOA
members they know. “Please help
NCOA help our troops – add NCOA’s
Business ExtrAA account number
825549 when making an American
Airlines reservation and help NCOA
earn points to fly our heroes when
the need arises.” Let’s show American
Airlines how NCOA members “Make
Things Happen.”
NCOA Members Save
up to 32% with FedEx
Another outstanding benefit NCOA
members have that no other military
association has is our great FedEx discount. This is a program given to the
NCOA years ago by the FedEx founder
himself Fred Smith. I have my own account and every year come the holidays
I really appreciate the discounts I receive when sending packages to family
around the country. Do you know that
NCOA members spend nearly $50,000
shipping through FedEx each quarter?
Many of our members use this discount
for their own small businesses. NCOA
regularly verifies the NCOA memberships of the FedEx accounts in our
program. Please make sure that you
are using the same name and address
on your FedEx account that is on your
NCOA membership record.
So what can NCOA members do to
“Make Things Happen”? Spread the
word, send an email to a fellow Soldier, Marine, Sailor, Airman or Coast
Guardsman and let them know about
this great savings – talk the talk! Sim-
ply send an email to everyone in your
address book, “Did you know as an
NCOA member you can save up to
32 percent using FedEx – simply go
to our website: www.ncoausa.org and
click on the FedEx tile on the right
side of the page and start saving. You
can use this discount even for your
private business”! Let’s show FedEx
that NCOs “Make Things Happen”!
Save at SEARS
A great new partner with NCOA is
Sears. Sears does great things for the
military and they are a big supporter
of NCOA and our Career Expo program. Sears was generous and provided NCOA members the opportunity
to shop through the Sears Commercial
Market Place. I know I have already
saved more than $200 on one item myself and have heard from others who
have also saved large sums. Our members have the opportunity to save between 5-50% on everyday products and
your Association needs you to spread
the word to potential members. Simply send via email to everyone in your
email address book: “Did you know
that I as an NCOA member receive
special pricing through Sears Commercial Market Place and you too can
join NCOA and reap the same great
savings as I do. Simply go to: www.
ncoausa.org and click on the Sears
tile on the right side of our website to
learn more.” Once again please send
this to everyone in your address book
and have them forward it to everyone in
their address book and let’s show Sears
that NCOs “Make Things Happen”!
Cliff “Scoop” Davis
NCOA Executive Director
TRAVEL JUST BECAME
MORE REWARDING.
Points for our organization;
AAdvantage®miles for you!
Every time you travel on American Airlines, American Eagle® or
American Connection® carriers, NCOA will earn Business ExtrAA
points. At the same time, you will continue to earn your individual
AAdvantage miles – so everyone gets rewarded!
Business ExtrAA Account Number: 825549
Please include this account number, as well as your AAdvantage
number, with every reservation on AmericanAirlines, American
Eagle® or AmericanConnection® carriers whether you book
online or through a travel agent. Points could add up quickly, and
our organization can choose when to redeem points and how to
distribute Business ExtrAA awards. Add the number to your
AAdvantage profile and it will populate automatically!
NCOA
Convention
2012
Las Vegas, Nevada
Country Sensation
Lee Greenwood to pay
tribute to NCOA
Vanguard Recipients at the
2012 NCOA National Convention
NCOA is proud to announce top recording Country artist
Lee Greenwood will sing his hit song “God
Bless the USA” to our Heroes at the NCOA
Vanguard Tribute on July 12, 2012.
“God Bless the USA” has been voted the
most recognizable patriotic song in
America, taking the top honor over “God
Bless America” and the “The Star Spangled
Banner.”
Some of Lee’s other hits include “It Turns
Me Inside Out,” “Ain’t No Trick,” “She’s
Lying,” “Hearts Aren’t Made to Break
(They’re Made to Love),” “You’ve Got a
Good Love Comin” and “Going, Going, Gone.”
So mark your calendars and start making arrangements to come and
share the experience with your fellow delegates from across the world.
NOMINATIONS AND RESOLUTIONS DUE
Board Nominations Due
Individuals wishing to nominate a person for positions to be filled on NCOA’s International
Board of Directors must submit nomination packets not later than May 18.
Elections will take place Wednesday, July 11, at the Association’s Annual Business Meeting
in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Nomination packages should contain a short biographical sketch that will be used in the
NCOA Journal, a head and shoulders photo and information about NCOA and community
involvement. Nomination packets, or requests for more information, should be addressed to
Tina Kish, NCOA, P.O. Box 33790, San Antonio, TX 78265 or via e-mail to tkish@ncoausa.
org.
Auxiliary Seeks Nominations
Anyone wishing to nominate a person for positions to be filled on the International Auxiliary
Board of Directors must submit their nomination packets to NCOA Headquarters not later
than May 18.
Elections will take place Wednesday, July 11, at the Auxiliary’s Annual Business Meeting in
Las Vegas, Nevada.
Auxiliary members wishing to nominate an individual, or receive additional information,
should contact Tina Kish, NCOA International Auxiliary Liaison, P.O. Box 33790, San Antonio, TX 78265 or via e-mail to tkish@ncoausa.org.
Association Resolutions Due
Chapters or individuals with resolutions to submit on subjects for consideration by the International Board of Directors and the general membership at the 2012 Annual Business Meeting
must submit proposed resolutions by May 18 to Richard Schneider at NCOA, P.O. Box 427,
Alexandria, VA 22313, or via e-mail to rschneider@ncoadc.org.
SAVE THE DATE!
The NCOA 2012 Annual Convention and Vanguard Tribute will be
held July 10 - 13, 2012 at the Fabulous Golden Nugget Hotel &
Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Room rates will remain at the low price of $42 per night plus tax.
2012
Las Vegas, Nevada
NCOA
Convention
NCOA ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING
The NCOA Annual Business Meeting will be held Wednesday, July 11, at 1:15 p.m. at the Golden Nugget
Hotel, 129 E. Fremont St., Las Vegas, Nevada. This is a controlled‑access meeting and membership cards
will be verified. All doors will be secured at 1:15 p.m. and latecomers will be denied entrance until all voting matters are accomplished. All Regular Division members are urged to attend.
If you are unable to attend the Annual Business Meeting, please be sure to complete and mail your proxy
ballot to NCOA Headquarters.
INTERNATIONAL AUXILIARY ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING
The NCOA Annual Business Meeting will be held Wednesday, July 11, at 1:15 p.m. at the Golden Nugget
Hotel, 129 E. Fremont St., Las Vegas, Nevada. This is a controlled‑access meeting and membership cards
will be verified. All doors will be secured at 1:15 p.m. and latecomers will be denied entrance until all voting
matters are accomplished. All Regular Division members are urged to attend.
If you are unable to attend the Annual Business Meeting, please be sure to complete and mail your proxy
ballot to NCOA Headquarters.
2012 Official NCOA Proxy Ballot
I, the undersigned member of the Non Commissioned Officers Association of the
U.S.A., do hereby appoint
or CSM George
Dolan, USA (Ret) (Official Proxy Committee) with full power of substitution to represent me and cast my vote at the 2012 Annual Membership Meeting to be held at the
Golden Nugget, 129 E. Fremont St., Las Vegas, Nevada 89101, for the purpose of electing directors and such business that may properly come before such a meeting or any
adjournment thereof.
Date
Member #
Exp. Date
Signature
NCOA Membership #
Ballots will be cast at 1:15 p.m.
July 11, 2012
Mail in a standard 91/2 x 4”
envelope to:
NCOA
Attn: Proxy
9330 Corporate Drive #701
Selma, TX 78154
Ballots MUST be Postmarked by
June 30
Print Full Name
2012 Official NCOA International Auxiliary Proxy Ballot
I, the undersigned member of the International Auxiliary of the Non Commissioned
Officers Association of the U.S.A., do hereby appoint
or
Vicki Cope and Gloria Martinez (Official Proxy Committee acting by majority
vote of, if one be present that one alone) with full power of substitution to represent me
and cast my vote at the 2012 Annual Membership Meeting to be held at the Golden
Nugget, 129 E. Fremont St., Las Vegas, Nevada 89101 for the purpose of electing
directors and such business that may properly come before such a meeting or any
adjournment thereof.
Date
Member #
Signature
Print Full Name
Exp. Date
NCOA Auxiliary Membership #
Ballots will be cast at 1:15 p.m.
July 11, 2012
Mail in a standard 91/2 x 4”
envelope to:
NCOA
Attn: Auxiliary Proxy
9330 Corporate Drive #701
Selma, TX 78154
Ballots MUST be Postmarked by
June 30
NCOA Benevolent Programs Donations Update
DONATIONS
Scholarship Fund
Julio Burgos, Sharon Donato, Michael Gavlak, Clarence
Harris, Joseph Humphrey, Arlene Lynch, Steven Parkins,
Jerry Peavy, Dick Pischel, Donald Poledor, Anthony Ryan,
Joseph Schroen, Gregory Simental and Aslan Soobzokov
Medical Fund
David Ardilla, Edna Gillespie, Benjamin Hower, Joseph
Humphrey, Jerry Peavy, Joseph Schroen and Aslan Soobzokov
Disaster Relief Fund
David Ardilla, Edna Gillespie, Clarence Harris, Joseph
Humphrey, Jerry Peavy, Joseph Schroen and Aslan Soobzokov
NCOA
Benjamin Brock, Joseph Humphrey, Lawrence Mertz, Joseph Schroen and James Verdejo
New Life Members
Layton Bassett, John Booth, Norm Dathe, Joseph Humphrey, William Keller, Mark K. Lanier, William Lenderman,
Edward Mucha, Donald Royce Jr, Fred Simbro, Robert
Vess, and Ernest Von Oepen
New Auxiliary Life Members
Sharon Donato, Arlene Lynch, Linda Lynch, Betty Moser,
Lori Rodowick, and Phyllis Wright
Disclosure of Federal Grants and Contracts: The Non
Commissioned Officers Association of the United States
of America (NCOA) does not currently receive, nor has the
Association ever received, any federal money for grants or
contracts. All of the Association’s activities and services
are accomplished completely free of any federal funding.
Laissez Les bon Temps Roulez –
(lay zay lay bon ton rool lay)
French for “Let the Good Times Roll”
Friends, live music, great
food and surprises will
abound at the NCOA
Opening Ice Breaker on
Tuesday, July 10, 2012.
We will be celebrating Mardi
Gras in the desert, so bring
your beads, masks, and coins
and join us as the good times
roll while we celebrate the
Joi de vivre (zhwa-duh-veev)
the “Joy of Living” in downtown Las Vegas.
An Open Letter from the President of NCOA
Dear NCOA member,
In today’s world, planning your finances is especially challenging. For most of us, doing so requires the support of an organization that provides a combination of quality products, solid value and uncompromising
service. USAA delivers all three. That is why I am honored to announce an exciting expansion of our longstanding relationship with USAA.
NCOA and USAA Bank are proud to announce the NCOA USAA Rewards TM World MasterCard®.
With a low variable APR, and a great rewards program, you’ll quickly see how different this credit card can
be. Even better, USAA Bank Contributes directly to NCOA programs with every new account opened and
each time you make an eligible purchase with the card.
NCOA’s Executive Director, Clifford “Scoop” Davis was the very first NCOA member to sign up for the
NCOA-endorsed USAA Credit Card. “Since my eligibility to join USAA a couple of years ago, I have been
very pleased with the savings I have received with some of their other products,” said Scoop Davis. “I wanted
to be the very first in line for our new credit card. Not only does USAA have the best customer service I have
ever experienced, they also truly care about supporting our great Association.”
I encourage each and every NCOA member to take advantage of this great new addition to our relationship
with USAA. While taking advantage of great rates and service, know that you are also supporting your association at the same time. In fact, we already received feedback from a past Grand Knight.
“The NCOA USAA credit card was easily applied for over the phone with just a few financial questions,”
said Sir Richard L. Steinberg, 1SG USA (Ret). “Instant approval was impressive. I was even more excited
that I was able to get the card with the flag on it; the one I voted for during NCOA’s most recent Convention.
This has been a long time coming.”
Apply for the NCOA USAA Rewards World MasterCard Today!
Call 877-908-NCOA (6262) or apply online at www.usaa.com/ncoacc
Sincerely,
Gene Overstreet
12th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps (Ret)
President, NCOA
Credit card provided by USAA Savings Bank, Member FDIC
USAA is proud to be the
Exclusive Provider
of Financial Services for the
Non Commissioned Officers Association
Get the card that answers the call
for you and NCOA.
Sign up for the NCOA USAA Rewards™
World MasterCard® and take advantage of:
• No annual fee1
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• 0% introductory APR for 12 months on balance
ee
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• USAA Rewards points that you can redeem for your
choice of cash, merchandise or other exciting rewards2
In addition, USAA Bank will make a contribution to NCOA
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NCOA MEMBERS:
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Offer subject to approval. As of 12/1/2011, regular APRs on purchases, cash advances and balance transfers are 10.9% to 25.9%, depending on your credit history and other factors. APRs will vary with the market
based on the Prime Rate. There is a transaction fee of 3% on cash advances ($200 maximum on balance transfers and convenience checks) and 1% on foreign transactions. Rates and fees subject to change. Please
contact us for the most current information. If your credit history and other factors qualify you for a credit limit under $5,000, you will receive a USAA Platinum MasterCard with the same rates and fees. 2Rewards
points terminate if account is closed, delinquent or program ends. Earn 1 point for every $1 in credit card purchases. Other restrictions apply. USAA Rewards Program terms and conditions will be provided with
your card. Use of the term “member” or “membership” does not convey any legal, eligibility or ownership rights. Availability restrictions apply. Purchase of a bank product does not establish eligibility for, or
membership in, USAA property and casualty insurance companies. USAA Savings Bank, Member FDIC. NCOA receives financial support from USAA for this sponsorship. © 2012 USAA. 135632-0112
Terry Fator –
A True American Patriot
By Cliff “Scoop” Davis, NCOA Executive Director
“If I ever become rich and famous I will do
everything I can to make sure our military men
and women are never disrespected like they
are today,” a 12-year-old Terry Fator said to himself upon
Terry Fator interviewed by Scoop Davis,
NCOA Executive Director.
Fator and his best friend, Rick Singleton, were young boys living in Dallas,
TX and were always together. It was
Singleton’s dad, Jerry Singleton, a
Prisoner of War in Vietnam from 1965
to 1973, who himself had recently returned home but he also told stories of
Vietnam veterans returning to America who had been spat on in public,
cursed and accused of baby killing,
after simply serving their country and
putting their lives on the line.
“I remember seeing Rick’s father,
Jerry, tearing up as he reflected on
those stories after coming back home
to an ungrateful nation,” Fator said.
“I remember saying to myself how
hearing his childhood’s best friend tell nightmarish stories
about his dad who had recently returned from Vietnam!
wrong he had been treated and that
I wish I could have done something.
He went to war for our country – he
didn’t choose the war, he was just
serving our country and our country
turned on him and many other Vietnam veterans!”
Fator kept these images in his mind
for many years. They would resurface
many times during the years as he
performed for small town audiences
around the country trying to make it
big as an entertainer. Fator was in a
band, but his true love was ventriloquism – an art he began as a child. He
found not only that he was an accomplished ventriloquist – he could also
imitate many celebrity singers using
his art.
Enter “America’s Got Talent!”. Fator tried out in season two and amazed
the judges round after round! In fact,
Piers Morgan said, “Terry Fator is the
best ventriloquist I have ever seen.”
But then Simon Cowell took the accolades a step farther and declared Fator, “One of the best entertainers on
the planet!”
In the “America’s Got Talent” finale, Fator and his most famous partner “Winston” rocked the judges and
America by singing the Roy Orbison
hit – Crying. Fator won! He was instantly not only famous, but rich too.
(Below): Terry Fator takes a photo with a group of proud wounded warriors. (Photo courtesy www.donoghuephotograph.com)
Terry Fator takes a
photo with a group of
proud wounded warriors.
(Photo courtesy www.
donoghuephotography.
com)
He signed a record 10-year contract
with Mirage Hotel and Casino on the
famous Las Vegas Strip and now performs nightly in the “Terry Fator Theater” at the Mirage.
Remembering his childhood promise, Fator began a
mission to make good on his commitment to America’s military men
and women. His first course of action
was to honor veterans at each and every show! Then, he made a decision
to take the profits from his kiosk sales
at the Mirage and donate the monies
to military non-profit charities. Terry
contributes a significant portion of his
profits to military charities. To date,
he has donated more than a quarter of
a million dollars!
He travelled to Fort Hood, Texas and
held a special performance for the
soldiers and their families; last year
he held a special performance for
wounded warriors and also donated
the proceeds from the show to the local Las Vegas USO - $40,606.65!
On Veterans Day, Nov 2011, Terry
Fator was instrumental in helping promote the special Wounded Warrior
Tribute at the Mirage Hotel and Casino. The hotel provided 160 rooms for
the wounded warriors and their guests
for three nights. All of the wounded
warriors and their guests were treated
to Fator’s performance and a private
meet and greet reception after the
show. Terry and his wife Taylor made
sure they took time to meet each and
every wounded warrior.
Terry Fator signs a wounded warrior’s ticket
from the show. (Photo courtesy of Simone
Robertson)
Terry Fator and his wife Taylor pose for a photo
with soldiers at Fort Hood.
Terry Fator – A True American Patriot
Taylor Fator
is very
proud of her husband’s
dedication to America’s
troops. “It is important for Terry
and me to make sure that these heroes
know that they are the important ones
in the world - not us. Every American should take the time to thank a
military member for their service.
Their sacrifices have made it possible
for us to live in a free country and I
know Terry and I cannot thank them
enough.”
Today anyone with a military ID receives a 40 percent discount on tickets
for Terry Fator’s show “Ventriloquism
In Concert” at the Mirage, just another
way he provides to our Armed Forces.
Fator also has plans to do more shows
around the country and even possibly
a television variety show in the near
future.
One of Terry’s favorite statements is,
“What happened to the boy who suddenly got everything he ever wanted?”
“He lived happily ever after - Maybe
next time it’ll be you.”
If you are next, please fulfill your
silent childhood promises as Fator
has. Today our men and women return home to a grateful nation and Fator continues his pledge to make sure
Americans never forget the errors of
their ways to our Vietnam veterans
like Rick Singleton’s father, Jerry
Singleton.
On behalf of veterans everywhere –
we salute you , Terry!
Terry and his wife Taylor pose for a photo
with wounded warriors. (Photo courtesy
of www.donoghuephotography.com)
Terry Fator takes time out from his
show to go into the sold out showroom
to take a photo with the wounded
warriors. (Photo courtesy of www.
donoghuephotography.com)
Terry Fator and Winston entertain the
audience. (Photo courtesy of Simone
Robertson)
ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR NEXT MISSION?
Commissioning a new expeditionary warfare ship for the U.S. Navy. Designing the most accurate
targeting systems possible. Providing crucial communications support for military operations.
Achievements like these are the lifeblood of working with Northrop Grumman, and as a leader in
global security, we’re proud to employ thousands of our nation’s protectors who have made the
successful transition to civilian life. No one knows the value of what you can offer like we do, so if
you’re searching for a career as vast as your ambitions, now you know where to look. At Northrop
Grumman, you’ll help to develop the technologies that keep millions safe and test the limits of
what’s possible.
Achievement never ends.
To learn more about opportunities for transitioning military, please visit our website:
careers.northropgrumman.com/military
©2010 Northrop Grumman Corporation. Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. U.S. Citizenship is required for most positions.
NCOA National Capital Office
State Program Highlights
•
Fort Knox, KY - Retired Service Office
NCOA’s Ft. Knox, KY Veteran Service Officer Team consists of two Veteran Service Officers,
Clint and Mildred Meshew who provide counter service and manage claim processes through “walk
in” appointments of active duty personnel, veterans, their families and survivors. The Meshews
had an incredible year of volunteer work in which they personally served over 1,500 people who
sought their assistance. Their efforts on veteran compensation and pension claims accounted for
over $1,700,000 in claim benefits for those they served.
Mr. Meshew has also been recognized as the Fort Knox resident expert on Combat Related Special
Compensation (CRSC) and continues to provide effective counsel to countless veterans in the Fort
Knox metropolitan area on this benefit.
• Michigan - NCOA Veteran Service Officers Recognized
NATCO is pleased to recognize our NCOA Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) Accredited
Veteran Service Officers at the John D. Dingle VA Medical Center, in Detroit MI. DVA reported
formally that the NCOA Team supported over 1,700 veterans, their families, and survivors during
FY2011. During that same period, 160 veteran compensation, pension, and insurance claims were
finalized and awards of benefits in excess of $3,128,000 were provided as a result of this team’s
efforts. Their achievement is spectacular when you consider that each is a volunteer, fulfilling a
schedule service requirement to ensure that their “special veteran service office is manned four days
a week from 0800 to 1500 hours!
We honor and congratulate the Service Officer Team and Staff Members: Sir Nick Lapajenko,
Sir George Dolan, Sir Isaac Williams, Sir Mike Francis, Mr. Lamar Richardson, Ms Mary Mullally,
Ms. Charlene Myers, Mr. Richard Castle, Mr. Troy Cholak, and Ms. Valerie Maczko. On behalf of
NCOA “WE SALUTE YOU!”
• Commonwealth of Virginia
NCOA Life Member Matt Dailey is the designated representative of NCOA to the Virginia Veterans Joint Legislative Council (JLC). Matt was formally appointed by Governor Bob McDonnell
to the JLC. Matt reports that on January 20, 2012 the Virginia General Assembly commenced with
the introduction of a significant number of Military and Veterans Bills/Budget Bills. Members of
the JLC met in the Commonwealths Capitol at which Governor McDonnell, Delegates, and Senators briefed the JLC on legislation sponsored on behalf of members of the Uniformed Services,
VA National Guard, their families, and survivors. Some of the Legislation introduced pertaining to
military and veterans included:
HB130 -
Establish an individual income tax subtraction for retirement compensation received for service as a member of the Armed Forces of the US or the VA National Guard. The Subtraction will begin with the 2012 taxable year.
HB131
Establish an income tax credit beginning with the 2012 taxable year for veterans with a service-connected disability.
-
HJ 51 - Study options to accept military training and experience as requirements for
licensure, etc.
HB1121 - Establishes a VA Dept of veteran service ratio of one claim agent for every
23,000 veterans (an increase from 12.5%).
HB573 -
Would require flags to be flown at half mast for one day to honor members of the Armed Forces, a police officer, or a fire fighter who is a resident of Virginia and killed in the line of duty.
There were also a number of other items pertaining to military or veterans’ status being detailed
on driver’s licenses; other distinctive automobile license plates; special hunting and fishing discount rates; and budget appropriations. Remember, the introduction of these legislative and budget
submissions must be worked through committees with all other state legislation being introduced.
Some considerations will be approved, modified, or not be favorably considered in the course of debate and budget consideration. Complete lists of these bills are available on the internet at http://lis.
virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?121+men+BIL# providing the opportunity to enter a bill number
and view content and current status.
• Washington State
During a discussion with Washington State Representative Timm Ormsby NCOA State Legislative Director J.F. (Gunny) Goffinet noted to Representative Ormsby the absence of POW/MIA flags
from Washington State buildings. The flag is authorized to be flown in honor of the Korean War
Armistice and on all federal/state holidays that recognize the Armed Forces.
As a direct result Representative Ormsby introduced legislation at the House Committee on State
Government & Tribal Affairs first meeting of 2012. In fact, Representative Ormsby was called upon
to present the legislation as the first order of business of the Committee. He credited the proposal
to the NCOA Lilac City Chapter located in Veradale, WA and quoted NCOA Life Member Gunny
Goffinet, USMC Retired, on the significance of the absence of the nationally recognized POW/MIA
Flag on a holiday honoring Armed Forces Personnel during the Korean War - “a war in which there
remains today 7,967 of our unaccounted for Comrades in Arms.”
NATCO had the privilege of watching the introduction of Rep. Ormsby’s legislation video which
was streamed via the internet. While the legislative proposal will be debated in committees before
final action is taken in the Assembled House of Representatives, it is good to note that the voice of
the Lilac City Chapter of NCOA has been heard representing “WE THE PEOPLE.”
NATCO salutes all NCOA volunteers
for your outstanding work
throughout the year!
National Capital Office
Legislative Update
National Defense Authorization Act FY2012
NCOA is pleased that the FY2012 National Defense Act (NDAA) has finally
passed and was signed by The President
as Public Law 112-81 on December 31,
2011. The President’s signing followed
strong debates in both the House and
Senate on many issues of particular interest to our Association. The House
had passed H.R. 1540, its version of the
NDAA on May 26, and sent it to the
Senate where it was received on June 6,
2011. The Senate’s version of NDAA
(S.1867) was not completed until December 1, 2011.
The NCOA National Capital Office
issued a Legislative Alert to our grassroots supporters urging action on a
number of Senate Amendments scheduled for review during the 30 hour Cloture Period where final actions were debated regarding possibly including over
150 Senate Amendments to NDAA.
During the Cloture Debate the Chair
ruled many of the proposed Senate
Amendments were non-germane and
the amendments were excluded from
consideration for NDAA. NCOA had
specifically urged the following actions
in our legislative alert:
• Support of Senator Bill Nelson’s (FL)
SA1209 - Eliminate the Widow’s Tax
by repealing reductions of military survivor annuities by receipt of VA entitlement to Dependency Indemnification
Compensation (DIC). This Amendment was approved in the Senate version of NDAA. The provision was not
approved during the Senate and House
Conference Committee to reconcile
provisions of the two bills and was not
included in the final reconciled NDAA
signed into law.
• Support of Senator Mark Pryor’s
(AR) SA1152 - Will recognize the service of certain persons in the Reserve
Components of the Armed Forces by
honoring them with the status of Veteran under the law. Ruled non-germane
by the Chair during Senate debate.
• Support of Senator Bill Nelson’s (FL)
SA1255- Will require epidemiological
study on the health of military personnel exposed to burn pit emissions at
Joint Base Balad. Ruled non-germane
by the Chair during debate on S1867.
• Support of Senator Carl Levin (MI)Levin proposed a Senate Amendment
to establish an early retirement program to facilitate the anticipated military force reductions. Approved in
both the versions on NDAA, by the
following Conference Committee and
authorized in the NDAA 2012, Public
Law 112-81.
• And to OPPOSE Senator John McCain’s (AZ) proposed SA1230 to modify the annual adjustment fees for TRICARE PRIME Beneficiaries. Change
in the indexing for military healthcare
fees, which could have become cost
exorbitant, dramatically increasing the
fees for military families. Senator McCain withdrew his Amendment before
debate.
NCOA is most appreciative of our citizen supporters, members of the NCOA
E-List and others who respond to Legislative Alerts issued by the NCOA
National Capital Office. Their dedication and commitment is evident as
they respond to alerts and contact their
elected officials in support of issues
determined in the best interest of all
uniformed personnel, veterans, family
members, and survivors. Each email is
important because you join the countless citizens whose voices are heard as
one of those described in the United
States Constitution as “We the People.”
You share your perspective with your
elected official(s) not only on issues of
importance to this Nation but with the
fact that you are a VOTER! Thank you
for being a member of the NCOA EList Team.
If you are not currently a member of
the E-List Team, you may sign up 24/7
at:www.capwiz.com/ncoausa/mlm/
verify/.
Please consider asking your extended
family, neighbors, and friends to “Enlist” in our effort. The day is coming
when our Representatives will have to
ensure that the Budget Battle is not
heaped on the backs of those who have
sacrificed greatly for America. We
MUST be heard – your support is essential in this internal budget battle.
Selected Elements of the “finally”
signed into Law NDAA FY2012
Military Pay and Compensation:
• Authorizes $142 Billion for military personnel, including cost of
pay, allowances, bonuses, death
benefits, and permanent change of
station moves.
• Authorizes a 1.6% across the
board pay raise for all members of
the uniformed services, consistent
with the President’s request.
•
Reauthorizes over 30 types of
bonuses and special pays aimed at
encouraging enlistment, reenlistment, and continued service by
active-duty and reserve component
military personnel. Does not extend
authority to pay the Army referral
bonus or the health professions referral bonus.
•
Requires hostile fire and imminent
danger pay be prorated according to the
number of days spent in a qualifying
area rather than be paid on a monthly
basis.
• Authorizes the payment of the death •
gratuity benefit for members who die in
their personal residences between periods of drill on an inactive-duty training
drill weekend.
• Makes the mandatory high-deployment allowance permissive.
• Consolidates and reforms the existing statutory authorizations related to
travel and transportation allowances
for members of the uniformed services,
their dependents, other family members, and other authorized travelers of
the Department of Defense.
• Requires the Secretary of Defense to
provide a report on basic allowance for
housing for National Guard members
transitioning between full-time National Guard duty under Title 32, United
States Code, and active duty under Title
10, United States Code.
• Requires the Surgeons General of the
Army, Navy, and Air Force to report to
Congress on their staffing needs and
to provide recommendations on additional recruiting incentives needed to
encourage experienced healthcare professionals to join the active or reserve
components.
• Requires the Comptroller General to
study and report on the Department’s
space-available travel program, including a review of the cost and capacity
of the system, a discussion of logistical and management issues, and an assessment of the effect on the cost and
capacity of the program if the program
were extended to un-remarried widows
of active and reserve component members, and expanded for gray area retirees to include overseas travel.
Military Personnel:
•
Making the Chief of the National
Guard Bureau a member of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff, and providing a Vice
Chief of Staff in the leadership of the
Bureau.
Creating a statutory framework for
the management, administration and
oversight of Arlington National Cemetery.
• Making necessary changes to the
Uniform Code of Military Justice in
matters related to rape and sexual assault, while retaining the prohibition on
sodomy.
• Providing legal counsel for sexual assault victims and ensuring requests for
transfer by said victims are considered
by their commander within 72 hours.
• Authorizing $45 million to help local
educational agencies heavily impacted
by military dependents, base closures
and military unit realignments.
• Authorizing mental health assessments for the reserve components during unit training.
• Enabling the federal reserves, such
as the Army Reserve and Air Force Reserve, to provide assistance to states
during natural and manmade disasters,
and providing authority for Governors
and designated National Guard officers
to exercise control over federal military
forces in such disasters.
• Authorizing new authorities such as
a voluntary separation incentive and
temporary early retirement to help
minimize involuntary separations in
any future manpower reductions the
services might undertake.
Health Care:
• Authorizes $31.8 billion for the Defense Health Program.
• Does not prohibit pharmacy copayment changes.
• Does not prohibit TRICARE PRIME
enrollment fee increases in FY2012
and limits annual increases of the fee
to the amount equal to the percentage
increase in retired pay beginning on
October 1, 2012.
provide person-to-person mental health
assessments for each service member
who is deployed in support of a contingency operation at specified times before and after the deployment.
• Authorizes the Secretary of Defense
to provide members of the reserve
components performing inactive duty
training during scheduled unit training
assemblies’ access to mental health assessments with a licensed mental health
professional.
to provide food and beverages at no
cost to certain members and dependents not receiving inpatient care in
military medical treatment facilities
and who are unable to purchase food
and beverages because of the care they
are receiving or because they are providing care to an infant.
• Clarifies that the 180-day period
of eligibility for TRICARE under the
Transition Assistance Management
Program for reserve component members who are extended on active duty
after service in support of a contingency operation begins when the member
is separated from active duty at the end
of the extended active duty.
to provide an active-duty service member with a severe injury or illness with
rehabilitative equipment.
• Prohibits Medicare eligible military retirees from enrolling in the Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
after September 30, 2012.
• Requires the Secretary of Defense
to prescribe improved regulations for
commander and supervisor referrals
for mental health evaluations of service
members.
Legislative Update
Health Care (Continued)
•
Extends the time limit for submittal
of TRICARE claims for care provided
outside the United States from 1 to 5
years.
• Requires that, in determining whether TRICARE network providers are
subcontractors for the purposes of the
Federal Acquisition Regulations or any
other law, a TRICARE support contract
which includes a requirement to establish, manage, or maintain a network
of providers shall not be considered to
be a contract for the performance of
healthcare services or supplies.
• Prohibits the Secretary from proceeding with restricting of the military
healthcare system until GAO assesses a
report by the Secretary of Defense on
options developed and considered for
governance of the military health system.
• Limits funds for the future electronic
health records program until the Secretary of Defense submits a report to
Congress on this program.
Authorizes the Secretary of Defense
to enter into partnerships to enable coordinated rapid clinical evaluation and
application of evidence-based treatment strategies for wounded service
members, with emphasis on musculoskeletal injuries.
submit a report to Congress assessing
the benefits of neuroimaging research
to identify and improve the diagnosis
of post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Requires the Secretary of Defense
to submit a report to Congress on the
management of concussion and mild
traumatic brain injury in the deployment setting in accordance with DOD
policy.
review and report on women-specific
health services and treatment for service members.
report to Congress on the contracting
•
activities of the military departments
with respect to providing healthcare
professional services to service members, dependents, and retirees.
to pay travel expenses for commandsponsored dependents of service members assigned to remote overseas areas
to travel to the United States to receive
obstetrical anesthesia services for
childbirth under certain circumstances.
Armed Forces Retirement Home:
•
Authorizes $67.7 million to be appropriated for the Armed Forces Retirement Home.
• Amends the Armed Forces Retirement Act of 1991 to implement recommendations of the Department of
Defense Inspector General report that
found duplication of assessment and
inspection mandates as related to the
Local Boards of Trustees, the Senior
Medical Advisor, the DOD Inspector
General, and the civilian accreditation
agencies.
Sustaining U.S. Global Leadership:
Priorities for 21st Century Defense
President Barack Obama, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of
the Joint Chiefs of Staff and its members were at the Pentagon on January 3,
2012 to publicly release the document
Sustaining U.S. Global Leadership:
Priorities for 21st Century Defense.
Below remarks are extractions from the
document:
“…As Commander in Chief, I am determined that we meet the challenges of
this moment responsibly and that we
emerge even stronger in a manner that
preserves American global leadership,
maintains our military superiority and
keeps faith with our troops, military
families, and veterans.”
“… As we end today’s
wars and reshape our
Armed Forces, we will
ensure that our
military is agile,
flexible, and ready for the
full range on
contingencies.”
-- President Barack Obama
“… As we end today’s wars and reshape
our Armed Forces, we will ensure that
our military is agile, flexible, and ready
for the full range on contingencies.”
“…Most importantly, we will keep
faith with our troops, military families and veterans who have borne the
burden of a decade of war and who
make our military the best in the world.
Though we must make hard fiscal
choices, we will continue to prioritize
efforts that focus on wounded warriors,
mental health and families. And as our
newest veterans rejoin civilian life, we
continue to have a moral obligation as
a government and as a Nation to give
our veterans the care, benefits, and job
opportunities they deserve.”
Emphasized in the document and at
the press conference by the President
were the following points:
(Continued)
Sustaining U.S. Global Leadership: Priorities for 21st Century Defense
• The strategic guidance was formed in
for NCOA were questions regarding
how the reductions would impact military personnel, veterans and their families. Answers to those questions were
deferred with the indication that the
information would be “In The Details”
of the Administration’s upcoming
FY2013 Budget Appropriation for the
Department of Defense which should
be provided to Congress in mid-Febru-
benefits will be in future jeopardy. The
Association recognizes that the Nation
concert with leadership in the DOD.
has major problems with its economy,
America is at a moment of transition
the national deficit, unemployment,
for military forces.
immigration and healthcare reform.
• The Nation recognizes the extraordiProblems that must be solved!
nary sacrifices of our men and women
NCOA believes that the forthcoming
in uniform.
budget
reductions to the Department
• The Nation has ended the war in Iraq
of Defense are out of proportion to the
and start of the transition out of Afprogram requirements to ensure milighanistan.
• We MUST put America’s NCOA believes that the forthcoming budget tary readiness to meet future
contingencies. The Associafiscal house in order at
reductions
to
the
Department
of
Defense
tion also recognizes that sighome and renew economic
nificant changes in personnel
are
out
of
proportion
to
the
program
strength.
• The Budget Control Act requirements to ensure military readiness compensation and benefits will
start uniformed personnel and
of 2011 mandates reducto meet future contingencies.
their family members questions in federal spending,
tioning their ability to remain
including defense.
• Invest in resources for military forces ary. House and Senate Congressional in the military. The existing retirement
that are agile, flexible and ready for all Committees holding program jurisdic- and health care programs for military
tion for budget items will review the members and their families are major
contingencies.
The Secretary of Defense and the Budget Request and provide committee career incentives of the All-VolunChairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff recommendations to their Chamber’s teer Force. NCOA further recognizes
changes to existing military retiree proadded further comments on the strate- Budget Office by late April 2012.
NCOA recognizes that the “Devil is grams such as TRICARE that will also
gic guidance and implications for the
always
in the details” in fiscal appro- impact the career continuation deciDepartment of Defense. The assembled press corps questioned the mili- priations! The Association, while not sions of those who serve, but will deter
tary strategy and the further projected formally aware of the future budget those now in high schools and colleges
cuts of $450 billion in the budget for recommendations, deems the entire from considering military service as a
the Department of Defense. At issue range of personnel compensation and future career option.
NCOA Legislative Alert Program: Sign up Today!
The NCOA National Capital Office again asks everyone
to recruit family members, extended family, neighbors
and friends to sign up as a part of the NCOA Legislative
Alert Program. NCOA
Our commitment is asks our members and citithat we work issues zen supporters to contact
their elected officials on
that are important and matters of legislative imtimed for the biggest portance to all uniformed
members, veterans, family
legislative bang!
members, and survivors.
We the People must be prepared to inform our elected officials on legislative issues
that impact all who serve, have served, families, and survivors.
NCOA’s commitment to its E-List grassroots participants is: You will have email letters immediately ready
to send, electronic letters which you may edit or change
and may also be sent to others. Lastly, our commitment
is that we work issues that are important and timed for the
biggest legislative bang! NCOA will not flood you with
a legislative alert of the week. You are welcome to pick
any of the Association’s supported legislative issues for
writing your own email online to your elected officials.
We welcome you to join the NCOA E-List Legislative
Advocacy Team at:
www.capwiz.com/ncoausa/mlm/verify/”
Be an Advocacy Team Recruiter !
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Department of Veterans Affairs Updates
VA Announces Changes to
Emergency Care Payment Policy
WASHINGTON, January 12, 2012
– The Department of Veterans Affairs
announced a change in regulations regarding payments for emergency care
provided to eligible veterans in non-VA
facilities. The new regulation extends
VA’s authority to pay for emergency
care provided to eligible veterans at
non-VA facilities until the veterans can
be safely transferred to a VA medical
facility. “This provision helps ensure
eligible veterans continue to get the
emergency care they need when VA
facilities are not available,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.
More than 100,000 veterans are estimated to be affected by the new rules,
at an approximate cost of $44 million
annually.
VA operates 121 emergency departments across the country, which pro-
vide resuscitative therapy and stabilization in life-threatening situations. The
facilities operate 24 hours a day, seven
days a week. VA also has 46 urgent
care units that provide immediate medical or psychiatric attention to patients
without scheduled appointments.
For more information about emergency care in non-VA facilities, visit www.
nonvacare.va.gov.
New Law Change Increases
Insurance Coverage for Veterans
WASHINGTON, January 10, 2012 – Some veterans cov- their coverage to $275,000. On their next five-year anniered under the Veterans Group Life Insurance program versary, they can increase the coverage to $300,000, and
(VGLI) now have the opportunity to increase their cover- so forth. The additional coverage can be issued regardage to the current maximum coverage under the Service- less of the veteran’s health. To be eligible to purchase
this additional coverage, the veteran must:
members’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) program.
Under the Veterans’ Benefits Act of 2010, enacted on • Have active VGLI coverage,
Oct. 13, 2010, Veterans can increase their coverage by • Have less than the current legislated maximum cover$25,000 at each five-year anniversary date of their policy age of $400,000,
to the current legislated maximum SGLI coverage, pres- • Request the additional coverage during the 120-day period prior to each five-year anniversary date, and
ently $400,000.
• Be less than 60 years of age on the
“Currently, 70 percent of the vetfive-year anniversary date of his or
erans covered under VGLI are under
The VGLI program allows
age 60, have less than $400,000 of newly discharged veterans to her coverage.
Eligible Veterans are notified of this
coverage, and will greatly benefit
convert the SGLI coverage they opportunity a week before the start
from this law change,” said Allison
A. Hickey, Department of Veterans had while in the service to a of the 120-day period prior to their
anniversary date, and twice more beAffairs Under Secretary for Benefits.
civilian program
fore the actual anniversary date.
The VGLI program allows newly
To date, approximately 21 percent
discharged veterans to convert the
SGLI coverage they had while in the service to a civilian of eligible veterans have taken advantage of this opporprogram. Before enactment of this law, veterans could tunity, resulting in nearly $113 million of new coverage
not have more VGLI than the amount of SGLI they had at being issued.
For more information about VA’s Insurance Program or
the time of separation from service. For example, those
who got out of the service prior to Sept. 1, 2005, when other VA benefits, go to www.va.gov or call 1-800-827the maximum SGLI coverage was $250,000, were lim- 1000. Veterans are also encouraged to visit VA’s web
ited to $250,000 in VGLI coverage. Now on their first portal eBenefits - Insurance.
five-year anniversary, these veterans can elect to increase
VA Deploying 20 New Mobile Vet Centers
COLUMBUS, OH, January 24, 2012 The Department of Veterans Affairs today deployed 20 additional Mobile Vet
Centers from the production facility of
Farber Specialty Vehicles to increase
access to readjustment counseling services for veterans and their families
in rural and underserved communities
across the country.
“Mobile Vet Centers allow VA to bring
the many services our Vet Centers offer veterans to all communities, wherever they are needed,” said VA Under
Secretary for Health Robert A. Petzel.
“VA is committed to expanding access
to VA health care and benefits for veterans and their families, and these 20
new vehicles demonstrate that continued commitment.”
In an event attended by Petzel, U.S.
Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio, representatives of the Ohio congressional
delegation, and veterans’ service organizations, VA launched the 20 new
vehicles to their destinations ranging
across the continental United States,
Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
These customized vehicles which are
equipped with confidential counseling
space and a state of the art communication package travel to communities
to extend VA’s reach to veterans, servicemembers and their families, especially those living in rural or remote
communities. The vehicles also serve
as part of the VA emergency response
program.
The 20 new, American-made vehicles
will expand the existing fleet of 50
Mobile Vet Centers already in service
providing outreach and counseling services. The 50 Mobile Vet Centers were
also manufactured by Farber Specialty
Vehicles. In fiscal year 2011, Mobile
Vet Centers participated in more than
3,600 federal, state and locally sponsored veteran related events. The VA
contract for the 20 Mobile Vet Centers
totals $3.1 million.
During the announcement event, Petzel also announced that Farber Specialty Vehicles recently won a competitive
bid to produce 230 emergency shuttle
vehicles for VA over the next five years.
The shuttles will provide routine transportation for veteran patients in and
around various metro areas during normal operations, but convert to mobile
clinics that will facilitate the evacuation of patients and their care teams
during disasters and emergencies. The
VA contract for the 230 emergency
shuttles totals $53.5 million.
VA has 300 Vet Centers serving communities across the country, offering
individual and group counseling for
veterans and their families, family
counseling for military related issues,
bereavement counseling for families
who experience an active duty death,
military sexual trauma counseling and
referral, outreach and education, substance abuse assessment and referral,
employment assessment and referral,
VA benefits explanation and referral,
and screening and referral for medical
issues including traumatic brain injury
and depression.
More than 190,000 veterans and families made over 1.3 million visits to VA
Vet Centers in fiscal year 2011. To find
out more about Vet Center services or
find a Vet Center in your area, go to
www.vetcenter.va.gov .
The 20 new mobile Vet Centers will be
based at Birmingham, AL; San Diego,
CA; Atlanta, GA; Western Oahu, HI;
Cedar Rapids, IA; Evanston, IL; Indianapolis, IN; Baltimore, MD; Pontiac,
MI; and Kansas City, MO.
Also, Jackson, MS; Greensboro, NC;
Lakewood, NJ; Reno, NV; Stark County, OH; Lawton, OK; Ponce, Puerto
Rico; Nashville, TN; Washington
County, UT; and Green Bay, WI.
VA-HUD: Homelessness Among Veterans Declines 12% in 2011
WASHINGTON, December 13, 2011 – The Departments
of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development
today announced that a new national report shows that
homelessness among veterans has been reduced by nearly
12 percent between January 2010 and January 2011. The
12 percent decline keeps the Obama Administration on
track to meet the goal of ending veteran homelessness in
2015.
“This new report is good news for the tens of thousands
of Veterans we have helped find a home. Our progress in
the fight against homelessness has been significant, but our
work is not complete until no veteran has to sleep on the
street,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.
“We have been successful in achieving this milestone due
to strong leadership from the President and hard work by
countless community organizations and our federal, state,
and local partners who are committed to helping veterans
and their families get back on their feet.”
(Continued)
Homelessness Among Veterans Declines
(Continued)
HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan added, “We’re absolutely
headed in the right direction as we work to end homelessness amongst those who have served our nation. This significant decline tells us that the Obama Administration is
on the right path, working together across agencies to target Federal resources to produce a sharp and measureable
reduction in veteran homelessness. As we put forth in the
first Federal plan to prevent and end homelessness, there’s
plenty of work ahead to reach our goal, but these numbers
validate the work done by both HUD and VA to reach our
nation’s homeless veterans and get them into permanent
housing.”
According to the 2011 supplement to the Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) released today, 67,495
veterans were homeless in the United States on a single
night in January 2011- a significant reduction from last
year’s single night count of 76,329.
Since 2009, working with over 4,000 community agencies, VA and HUD have successfully housed a total of
33,597 veterans in permanent, supportive housing with
dedicated case managers and access to high-quality VA
health care. The complete 2011 Annual Homeless Assessment Report will be available in 2012.
VA also announced it will make $100 million in grants
available to community agencies across the country to prevent nearly 42,000 veterans and their families from falling
into homelessness or to quickly return them to stable housing. The funds are offered for fiscal year 2012 through VA’s
Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program,
a homeless-prevention and rapid re-housing program.
“The problems that lead to homelessness begin long before Veterans and their families are on the streets,” said
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “By putting
more resources into prevention services for those at risk of
becoming homeless, we will continue to help more Veterans and their families turn their lives around.”
Last year, VA provided $60 million through the SSVF
program to community providers, which will affect nearly
22,000 people through 85 non-profit community agencies
in 40 states and the District of Columbia. The program
provides community organizations with funding for counseling, training, education assistance, direct time-limited
financial assistance, transportation, child care, rent, utilities, and other services aimed at preventing homelessness
or providing homes for participating veterans and family
members.
Resources and Information:
The Department of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD)
HUD maintains a Community Planning & Development nationwide directory of local resources to assist in
the planning and delivery of community based Continuum of Care Services for veterans who are homeless.
Four categories of services are available at the community level to address the readjustment and/or integration needs of homeless veterans.
The services are divided into Federal,
State, Veteran Service Organizations
and Advocacy Organizations. When
working together, the resources form
the foundation of a comprehensive
and coordinated Continuum of Care
program for veterans.
NCOA encourages all readers to review the unique resources available
through HUD that can be beneficial to
not only America’s homeless veterans
but all citizens.
Citizens have a variety of issues that
can be facilitated through community connections. Included are unique
housing needs, access to extensive resources from disaster recovery, emergency shelter, foreclosure and housing energy issues.
Check out the links provided to these
resources at www.comcon.org/programs/programs.html.
January 2012 HUD press releases
show more than $105 Million in fed-
eral grants awarded since the beginning of 2012 for community development and support of citizens. See
the press releases at: http://portal.
hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/press/
press_releases_media_advisories”.
The Grants were available to revitalize communities, provide training
for housing counselors and develop
neighborhood planning.
We the People in these difficult financial times should look at such
programs made available by federal
agencies to our states and question
our local officials on the community’s
ability to serve the unique community
needs of veterans and all citizens.
NCOA President at the White House
WASHINGTON – NCOA President Gene Overstreet
and President Barack Obama exchange greetings at the
White House on Veterans Day, November 11, 2011. Overstreet attended the National Observance of Veterans Day
at Arlington National Cemetery at which President Obama
commented, “This generation
of service members -– this
9/11 Generation -– has borne
the burden of our security during a hard decade of sacrifice.
Our servicemen and women
make up less than 1 percent of
Americans, but also more than
1 million military spouses and
2 million children and millions
more parents and relatives --
all of whom have shared the strains of deployment and
sacrificed on behalf of the country that we love.”
“Only 27 years old on average, these young men and
women have shattered the false myth of their generation’s
apathy, for they came of age in an era when so many institutions failed to live up to
their responsibilities. But they
chose to serve a cause greater
than their selves. They saw
their country threatened. But
they signed up to confront that
threat. They felt some tug, they
answered some call, and they
said, Let’s go. And they’ve
earned their place among the
greatest of generations.”
Royal Hospital Chelsea Pensioners
Participate in Veterans Day Observance
The NCOA National Defense Foundation sponsors the
Armed Forces Retirement Home exchange program with
the Royal Hospital Chelsea, London, England. Among
special activities during their visit is the opportunity to attend the National Observance of Veterans Day at Arlington
National Cemetery. The NCOA National Capital Office
arranged for the visitors to present a Wreath at the Tomb
of the Unknowns. Pictured (l to r) Chelsea Pensioner Michael Dows, Alfred Mason wearing an NCOA World War
II Medallion, Lt Col Rupert Lucas the RHC Escort titled
“Captain of Invalids,” Chelsea Pensioners Tom Metcalf,
and Malcolm Smart.
- Another Fresh New Year is Here
By Shelley Conklin
Sales & Marketing Manager, for NCOA Career Expos
“Another fresh new year is here... Another year to live! To banish worry,
doubt, and fear, to love and laugh and
give!” - William Arthur Ward
It’s a brand new year and Military.
com & NCOA Career Expos are ready
to kick-off a calendar year of 46 events
that are more ambitious and comprehensive than ever! The schedule starts
in Cocoa Beach, FL at Patrick AFB on
January 31, followed by Jacksonville,
FL on February 1. Based on feedback from companies that appreciate
the quality of our program and want
to help us continue to build and improve, we have added new locations
like Camp Lejeune, NC Oklahoma
City, OK, and Beale AFB/Yuba City,
CA. The events stretch from coastto-coast, reach all five branches of
the U.S. Military, and provide access
to job seekers with leadership ability,
amazing work ethic, and an incredible
assortment of skill sets.
Our Mission continues as we support and assist transitioning military servicemembers, veterans, and
military spouses in their search for
meaningful civilian employment and
education opportunities. The Expos
include employers from all industries:
Northrop Grumman/Vinnell Arabia,
USAA, Sears, Amazon, Prudential,
MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Lockheed
Martin, U.S. Customs and Border
Protection, First Command Financial,
Chesapeake Energy, AAR Aircraft
Service, NextEra Energy, Gulfstream
Aerospace (just to name a few)
NCOA and our partner, Military.
com, look forward to bringing our
troops together with recruiters who
have available job prospects which
can give them their chance at a new
career. Education is also a very important part of preparing to search
for new employment. The Expos are
working with a number of quality
schools that can help those who have
served reach their goals, including:
University of Phoenix, Grand Canyon
University, Strayer University, Georgia College of Construction, The Art
Institutes and Limestone College, and
more.
As NCOA presses on in its efforts
to help our brothers and sisters in
arms make a new start, the Association also continues to support fundraising efforts for causes that directly
affect veterans, including wounded
warriors, retirees, and their families
through the Career Expos.
Some highlights for 2012 include:
• February 16, Ft. Walton Beach,
FL - Benefitting the Bob Hope Air
Force Enlisted Village, a retirement
home for the widows of enlisted Air
Force servicemembers.
• May 24, Chicago, IL – Benefitting
Heroes at Home, an organization created by Sears Holdings to provide necessary repairs or adaptations to homes
of military families facing hardships.
• October 4, Dallas/Fort Worth, TX
– Benefitting Snowball Express,
Christmas Holiday events that provide hope and new memories to the
children of military fallen heroes who
have died while on active duty since
9/11.
Of course, none of this can happen
without the support of NCOA’s chapters worldwide. Their assistance in
spreading the word about events in
their area and referrals of businesses
to our program are a vital part of making the Expos a success for both the
job seekers and these charitable organizations. Keep up the good work and
best wishes to everyone for a happy,
healthy and prosperous New Year!
Military.com NCOA Career Expo Schedule for 2012
January
Tuesday, January 31
Patrick AFB, FL
International Palms Resort &
Conference Center
1300 N Atlantic Ave
Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
February
Wednesday, February 1
Jacksonville, FL
Embassy Suites JacksonvilleBaymeadows
9300 Baymeadows Road
Jacksonville, FL 32256
Tuesday, February 7
Camp Pendleton, CA
South Mesa Club
202850 San Jacinto Rd
Camp Pendleton, CA 92055
Thursday, February 9
Phoenix, AZ
Grand Canyon University Arena
3300 W. Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ 85017
Tuesday, February 14
Panama City, FL
Edgewater Beach Resort
11212 Front Beach Rd
Panama City, FL 32407
Thursday, February 16
Fort Walton Beach, FL
Air Force Enlisted Village
92 Sunset Lane
Shalimar, FL 32579
February
Tuesday, February 28
New Orleans, LA
Doubletree Hotel
New Orleans Airport
2150 Veterans Memorial Blvd
Kenner, LA 70062
March
Thursday, March 1
Gulfport, MS
Courtyard by Marriott at Gulfport
Beachfront
1600 E Beach Blvd
Gulfport, MS 39501
Tuesday, March 13
Fort Benning, GA
Fort Benning Conference Center
Morrison Ave, Building 128
Fort Benning, GA 31905
Thursday, March 15
Warner Robins, GA
Courtyard by Marriott Warner Robins
589 Carl Vinson Parkway
Warner Robins, GA 31088
Thursday, March 29
Norfolk, VA
Hilton Norfolk Airport
1500 North Military Highway
Norfolk, VA 23502
April
Thursday, April 5
Woodbridge, VA
Harbour View
13200 Marina Way
Woodbridge, VA 22191
Tuesday, April 17
Fort Hood, TX
Club Hood Bldg. 57644
24th St. & Wainwright Dr.
Fort Hood, TX 76544
May
Tuesday, May 1
Cherry Hill, NJ/Philadelphia, PA
Holiday Inn
2175 Marlton Pike
Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
Tuesday, March 20
Boston, MA
IBEW Local 103
256 Freeport St
Dorchester, MA 02122
Thursday, May 3
Baltimore, MD
Four Points by Sheraton
BWI Airport Hotel
7032 Elm Rd
Baltimore, MD 21240
Wednesday, March 21
Fort Hamilton/Brooklyn, NY
USAG Fort Hamilton
Sports & Fitness Center
402 McArthur Road
Brooklyn, NY 11252
Tuesday, May 15
Fort Bragg/Fayetteville, NC
Officers Club Bldg 1-4930
Armistead and Totten St
Fort Bragg, NC 28310
Thursday, March 22
West Point, NY
The Thayer Hotel
674 Thayer Road
West Point, NY 10996
Tuesday, March 27
Newport News, VA
Omni Newport News Hotel
1000 Omni Blvd
Newport News, VA 23606
Wednesday, May 16
Camp Lejeune, NC
Marston Pavillion
Bldg. 730 Seth Williams Blvd.
Camp Lejeune, NC 28547
Tuesday, May 22
Colorado Springs, CO
Double Tree Hotel Colorado Springs,
World Arena
1775 E Cheyenne Mountain Blvd
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
Thursday, May 24
Chicago, IL
5333 Prairie Stone Parkway
Hoffman Estates, IL 60192
June
Tuesday, June 5
San Antonio, TX
Norris Conference Center
4522 Fredericksburg Rd
San Antonio, TX 78201
Thursday, June 7
Houston, TX
Houston Marriott N at Greenspoint
255 N Sam Houston Pkwy E
Houston, TX 77060
Tuesday, June 12
Wright Patterson AFB, OH
Hope Hotel & Conference Center
Bldg 823, Area A
Wright Patterson AFB, OH 45433
July
Tuesday, July 10
Las Vegas, NV
Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino
129 E Fremont St
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Tuesday, July 17
Camp Pendleton, CA
South Mesa Club
202850 San Jacinto Rd
Camp Pendleton, CA 92055
Thursday, July 19
Fort Huachuca, AZ
Windemere Hotel &
Conference Center
2047 South Highway 92
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
Tuesday, July 31
Beale AFB/Yuba City, CA
Bonanza Inn Magnuson Grand Hotel
1001 Clark Ave
Yuba City, CA 95991
(Continued)
Military.com NCOA Career Expo Schedule for 2012
August
Thursday, August 2
San Francisco/Alameda Point, CA
USS Hornet Museum
707 West Hornet Ave
Alameda, CA 94501
Tuesday, August 14
Newport News, VA
Omni Newport News Hotel
1000 Omni Blvd
Newport News, VA 23606
Thursday, August 16
Norfolk, VA
Hilton Norfolk Airport
1500 North Military Highway
Norfolk, VA 23502
Tuesday, August 28
Fort Lee, VA
The Lee Club
Bldg. 9009, 1100 Lee Avenue
Fort Lee, VA 23801
September
Wednesday, September 5
Fort Hamilton/Brooklyn, NY
USAG Fort Hamilton
Sports & Fitness Center
402 McArthur Road
Brooklyn, NY 11252
Thursday, September 6
West Point, NY
The Thayer Hotel
674 Thayer Road
West Point, NY 10996
Tuesday, September 11
Patrick AFB, FL
International Palms Resort &
Conference Center
1300 N Atlantic Ave
Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
Wednesday, September 12
Tampa, FL
Wyndham Tampa Westshore
700 N Westshore Blvd
Tampa, FL 33609
Wednesday, October 10
Fort Bragg/Fayetteville, NC
Officers Club Bldg 1-4930
Armistead and Totten St
Fort Bragg, NC 28310
Thursday, October 11
Camp Lejeune, NC
Marston Pavillion
Bldg 730 Seth Williams Blvd.
Camp Lejeune, NC 28547
Thursday, October 18
Huntsville, AL
Four Points by Sheraton
Huntsville Airport
1000 Glenn Hearn Blvd
Huntsville, AL 35824
Tuesday, September 18
Fort Hood, TX
Club Hood Bldg. 5764
24th St. & Wainwright Dr.
Fort Hood, TX 76544
November
Tuesday, November 6
Houston, TX
Houston Marriott N at Greenspoint
255 N Sam Houston Pkwy E
Houston, TX 77060
October
Tuesday, October 2
Midwest City, OK
Reed Conference Center
5750 Will Rodgers Road
Midwest City, OK 73110
Thursday, October 4
Dallas/Fort Worth
Marriott Hotel & Golf Club
at Champions Circle
3300 Championship Parkway
Honoring the
Service and
Sacrifices of
America’s
Veterans
Fort Worth, TX 76177
Thursday, November 8
San Antonio, TX
4522 Fredericksburg Rd
San Antonio, TX 78201
The NCOA
National
Defense
Foundation
HHHHHHHH
Did you Know?
A Few Facts about our Previous Presidents
February 20th marks the day
in which Americans pay tribute
to our Presidents who served
this great Nation. Thousands
of Americans will also head
to the polls on November 12,
2012 to elect the President of
the United States.
In honor of these two occasions we thought it would be
interesting to take a look at
some of the known and little
know facts of some of our previous Presidents.
George Washington never lived in the
White House. President Washington lived
in Philadelphia, PA
while the White House
was being built. John Quincy Adams, the 2nd President
was the first President to reside
in the White House.
The following eight Presidents were born British subjects:
George Washington, John Adams,
Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson and
William Harrison.
President Ulysses S. Grant received a speeding ticket and a
$20.00 fine for riding his horse
too fast down the street.
President James Buchanan was
the only bachelor to serve as Presi-
dent. His niece Harriet Lane served
as Hostess in the White House.
President James Garfield could
simultaneously write in Latin with
one hand and in Greek with the other hand.
President Benjamin Harrison was
the first President to attend a baseball game; Cincinnati Reds v Washington Senators on June 6, 1982.
Franklin D. Roosevelt is the only
President to serve four terms. In
1951 the 22nd
Amendment
was
ratified,
limiting
the
presidential
office to two
terms.
Theodore
Roosevelt was
the youngest man at the age of 42
to become President. He succeeded
President McKinley after McKinley’s death in 1901. John F. Kennedy was the youngest man elected
President at the age of 43.
Ronald Reagan was the oldest
President and the first President to
nominate a woman (Sandra Day
O’Connor) to the Supreme Court
Gerald R. Ford is the only Vice
President/President that was not
elected into each office. He became
Vice President after the resignation
of Spiro T. Agnew and became President after the resignation of Richard M. Nixon.
The following eight Presidents
died while in office.
• William Henry Harrison –April
4, 1841 died of pneumonia after being in office for only a month.
• Zachary Taylor- July 9, 1850
died of cholera after eating tainted
cherries and milk.
• Abraham Lincoln-April
15, 1865 died a few hours after being shot by an assassin.
• James Garfield – September 19, 1881 died of blood poisoning two months after being shot by
an assassin.
• President William McKinley –
September 14, 1901 died eight days
after being shot by an assassin.
• Warren G Harding August 2,
1945 died of a cerebral hemorrhage.
• John F. Kennedy November 22,
1963 died after being shot by an assassin.
John F. Kennedy
and William H.
Taft are the only
Presidents buried
in Arlington National Cemetery.
USAA is proud to be the
Exclusive Provider
of Financial Services for the
Non Commissioned Officers Association
Only one kind of auto insurance
is earned once, but may be
handed down from generation
to generation.
At USAA, our commitment to serve the financial needs of our military members,
veterans who have honorably served and their eligible family members is without
equal. It’s why we save members $450 a year on average* when they switch to
USAA Auto Insurance.
Begin your legacy. Get a quote.
usaa.com/ncoa | 877-908-NCOA (6262)
USAA means United Services Automobile Association and its insurance, banking, investment and other companies.
*Average Annual Savings based on countrywide survey of new customers from 10/1/2010 to 9/30/2011, who reported their prior insurers’ premiums when they switched to USAA. Savings
do not apply in MA. Use of the term “member” does not convey any legal, ownership or eligibility rights for property and casualty insurance products. Ownership rights are limited to eligible policyholders of
United Services Automobile Association. The term “honorably served” applies to officers and enlisted personnel who served on active duty, in the Selected Reserve or National Guard and have a discharge type of
“Honorable.” Eligibility may change based on factors such as marital status, rank or military status. Contact us to update your records. Adult children of USAA members are eligible to purchase auto or property
insurance if their eligible parent purchases USAA auto or property insurance. Property and casualty insurance products are available to current and former military members and their former dependents who
meet certain membership eligibility criteria. To find out if you are eligible, contact USAA. Underwriting restrictions apply. Automobile insurance provided by United Services Automobile Association, USAA
Casualty Insurance Company, USAA General Indemnity Company, Garrison Property and Casualty Insurance Company, USAA County Mutual Insurance Company, San Antonio, TX, and is available only to persons
eligible for P&C group membership. Each company has sole financial responsibility for its own products. NCOA receives financial support from USAA for this sponsorship. © 2012 USAA. 135440-0112

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