Veterans bulletin [Dec. 2008]

Sonny Perdue Governor

Georgia Department of Veterans Service
Veterans Bulletin

HUGE SUCCESS!

Pete Wheeler Commissioner

Supermarket of Veterans Benefits: Columbus
Georgia Veterans ... guardians of liberty December 2008
IN this issue: Obama nominates shinkseki to head va

Georgia Department of Veterans Service
Veterans Bulletin December 2008
Cover Story
Supermarket of Veterans Benefits Pages 3-9
Obama Nominates Shinseki To Head VA Page 10
Top VA Headlines Page 11

Georgia Department of Veterans Service Floyd Veterans Memorial Building E-970 Atlanta, Georgia 30334-4800 (404) 656-2300 gavetsvc@vs.state.ga.us www.sdvs.georgia.gov

Georgia Veterans Bulletin
The Georgia Veterans Bulletin is published quarterly by the Georgia
Department of Veterans Service, Public Information Division, Floyd
Veterans Memorial Building, Room E-970, Atlanta, GA 30334-4800.

Pat Phillips

Chairman, Veterans Service Board

Pete Wheeler

Commissioner

Tom Cook

Assistant Commissioner, Claims and Field Operations

Len Glass

Assistant Commissioner, Administrative Service

Heldon (Bill) Jung

Director, Education & Training

Brian Zeringue

Public Information Manager

Jon Suggs

Editor, Veterans Bulletin

Georgia Veterans...guardians of liberty

A Note To Our Readers:
Welcome to the digital edition of the Georgia Veterans Bulletin. If you are already familiar with our publication, you will find the same valuable information that has always been in these pages, accompanied by a few additions and enhancements.
By bringing the Bulletin to you online, the Georgia Department of Veterans Service is saving valuable budget dollars, a necessary choice given our state's current fiscal status.
But this is more than a mere cost-saving change. There are many advantages to digital publication, and we aim to make use of much this medium has to offer.
Most notably, this marks a move from a quarterly to monthly publication schedule. We intend to bring you more news, more often.
Remember, every hypertext link in this document is clickable. Wherever you see a website address, such as www.va.gov, you can click on the link and be taken to that site.
We would like to encourage you to subscribe to our news feed via RSS. You may do so here: http://sdvs.georgia.gov/rss/sdvs_ press_releases.xml. Whenever a new Bulletin is published, whenever the Department issues any news release, you will be among the first to know.
As always, thank you for your service to our country and do not hesitate to call upon us.


Georgia Veterans...guardians of liberty



On Nov. 18, at the Columbus Consolidated Government Center, Georgia Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Pete Wheeler, leaders of the local veterans organizations and auxiliaries, and representatives of participating agencies met with Columbus Mayor Jim Wetherington for the signing of a proclamation designating Thursday, December 4, 2008, as "Supermarket of Veterans Benefits Day," in Columbus.
(Photos by Jon Suggs/SDVS)

Georgia Veterans...guardians of liberty



A HUGE SUCCESS

COLUMBUS With more than 4,600 veterans and their families taking part, Georgia Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Pete Wheeler termed the 2008 Supermarket of Veterans Benefits a huge success, "the most successful in recent years."
The one-day program took place at the Columbus Civic Center and provided a one-stop shopping service for veterans and their families to gather information regarding federal and state benefits to which they might be entitled.
"We are extremely happy that we were able to assist so many veterans and their dependents today," said Commissioner Wheeler. "This program is extremely helpful for the veterans because so many different government agencies are assembled at a single location and claims are filed on the spot."
Approximately 2,240 claims and transactions were processed during this day long event.
"Many of these claimants will be receiving benefits for the first time, and some of them had no idea that they were eligible for anything," Wheeler pointed out.
The event, the 43rd since its inception in 1966, is sponsored annually by the Georgia Department of Veterans Service in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and some 40 state, federal, and local agencies directly or indirectly involved with veterans affairs. This was the fifth Supermarket held in Columbus.
Georgia Veterans...guardians of liberty

Commissioner Wheeler shakes hands with Dale Hester,

director of the Columbus Civic Center, who donated the

space for the Supermarket.

(Photos by Jon Suggs/SDVS)

"This is an excellent example of team effort and cooperation when so many different government agencies can be assembled at the same time in one location to allow a veteran to file a claim right on the spot," commented Commissioner Wheeler. "Over the years about 160,000 veterans have been helped at this event."
Since the Georgia Department of Veterans Service originated this program in Columbus in 1966, it has been conducted in other cities (Albany, Athens, Augusta, Brunswick, Dalton, Gainesville, Griffin, Macon, Rome, Savannah, Valdosta, and Waycross) across the state.



Thousands of veterans filed into the Columbus Civic Center, where they found information from more than 40 agencies set up at 86 tables.
(Photos by Jon Suggs/SDVS)

Georgia Veterans...guardians of liberty



Veterans Service Organizations, including the American Legion, VFW, DAV, AMVETS, NABVETS, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart, participated in the Supermarket of Veterans Benefits.
(Photos by Jon Suggs/SDVS)

Georgia Veterans...guardians of liberty



Georgia Veterans...guardians of liberty



Georgia Veterans...guardians of liberty



Obama Taps Shinseki As Next VA Chief

By Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service Dec. 8, 2008
WASHINGTON Presidentelect Barack Obama has selected retired Army Chief of Staff Gen. Eric K. Shinseki as his nominee to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
"As we seek a new national security strategy that uses all elements of American power, we must also remember those who run the greatest risks and make the greatest sacrifices to implement that strategy the men and women who wear the uniform of the United States of America," the president-elect said in announcing his choice yesterday.
Obama echoed the words of Abraham Lincoln when he said the nation has a sacred trust to serve those who have borne the cost of battle.
"We must show them and their families the same devotion that they have shown this country," he said.
If confirmed by the Senate, Shinseki will succeed retired Army Lt. Gen. (Dr.) James B. Peake in leading the second-largest federal department, with 240,000 employees. Some 23.4 million veterans are alive today, and the department is their point of contact for compensation and pensions, medical care, education and training, home loans and other benefits. Last year, the VA had a budget of $93.4 billion.
The government must do everything it can to help those veterans who suffer "from the signature injuries of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury," Obama said in Chicago.
Obama also promised to help those who leave the service find work.
The United States needs to modernize the VA, cut red tape there and eliminate shortfalls, the presidentelect said.
"That is the kind of VA that will serve our veterans as well as

they have served us," he said. "And there is no one more distinguished, more determined, or more qualified to build this VA than the leader I am announcing as our next secretary of veterans affairs General Eric Shinseki.
"No one will ever doubt that this former Army chief of staff has the courage to stand up for our troops and our veterans," he continued. "No one will ever question whether he will fight hard enough to make sure they have the support they need."
Shinseki retired as chief of staff in 2003 after a four-year term. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., and served two combat tours in Vietnam as a young officer. He lost part of his foot in Vietnam, was awarded three Bronze Star awards and two Purple Hearts.
Shinseki said today's veterans "are a part of an unbroken line of heroes that stretches back to the American Revolution." Still, there are veterans worried about keeping their health care or homes, he said.
"Veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, in particular, are confronting serious, severe wounds some seen, some unseen making it difficult for them to get on with their lives in this struggling economy," he said. "They deserve a smooth, error-free, no-fail, benefitsassured transition into our ranks as veterans, and that is our responsibility, not theirs.
"A word to my fellow veterans: If confirmed, I will work each and every day to ensure that we are serving you as well as you have served us," Shinseki continued. "We will pursue a 21st-century VA that serves your needs. We will open ... new doors of opportunity so you can find a good job, support your families when you return to civilian life. And ... we will always honor the sacrifices of those who have worn the uniform, and their loved ones."

(Photo and information from U.S. Army)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
Two combat tours with the 9th and 25th Infantry Divisions in the Republic of Vietnam as an Artillery Forward Observer and as Commander of Troop A, 3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry.
Taught at the United States Military Academy's Department of English.
From March 1994 to July 1995, commanded the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas.
In July 1996, promoted to Lieutenant General, became Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans, United States Army.
In June 1997, appointed to the rank of General before assuming duties as the Commanding General, United States Army Europe; Commander, Allied Land Forces Central Europe; and Commander, NATO Stabilization Force in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Assumed duties as 34th Chief of Staff, United States Army on 22 June 1999.
AWARDS AND CITATIONS:
Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Clusters), Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Purple Heart (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Meritorious Service Medal (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal, Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge, Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge, and the Army Staff Identification Badge.
Read full biography at http://www.army.mil/ asianpacificsoldiers/ShinsekiProfile.html

Georgia Veterans...guardians of liberty

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VA News Of Interest To GA Veterans
VA Urges Vets to Sign-up for Direct Deposits Every month, 730,000 veterans or survivors look for their compensation, pension checks or
educational assistance payments in their mailboxes. Nearly all receive them, but theft and mail delays cause problems for some veterans, which can be prevented by direct deposits. (12/15/08) http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1628

VA Announces Changes to Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance The Department of Veterans Affairs announced some severely injured military personnel
and veterans will be eligible for improvements to the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection Program, known as TSGLI. (12/8/08) http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1625

Statement on Nomination of Retired Gen. Eric Shinseki By VA Secretary Dr. James B. Peake "I worked for General Shinseki when he was Army Chief of Staff and am proud to count him
as a friend. He is a soldier who has dedicated his life to serving this nation. He knows service men and women, he knows large organizations, and he knows Washington." (12/7/08) http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1622

VA Opening 31 New Outpatient Clinics (Blairsville Among New Sites) Veterans will have easier access to world-class health care under a Department of Veterans
Affairs plan to open 31 new outpatient clinics in 16 states. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake announced that VA will establish new clinics in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Vermont. (12/4/08) http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1621

VA Sends Latest Gulf War Illness Report to IOM for Review The Department of Veterans Affairs has sent the October 2008 report from the VA Research
Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses to the National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine (IOM) for review and recommendations. (12/1/08) http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1620

Secretary Peake Announces Travel Reimbursement Increases for Eligible Veterans The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced today that eligible veterans will see an
increase in the mileage reimbursement they receive for travel to VA facilities for medical care. (11/17/08) http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1617

VA Expands Protections for Veterans with Missing Paperwork The Department of Veterans Affairs today announced special procedures for processing
claims from veterans, family members, and survivors whose applications for financial benefits from VA may have been mishandled by VA personnel. (11/17/08) http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1618

Georgia Veterans...guardians of liberty

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