I served with Danish troops in the 70's....they were allowed to keep long hair....DutchRush wrote:Could be, could be...
* Elfie: wish th?t were true here as well...that would really make matters easier..
That kinda rocked.
Veterans' Thread
Moderator: Priests of Syrinx
Whahahaha....ex?ctly Cygg, hahaha....that was the same here back then! hahaha...CygnusX1 wrote:I served with Danish troops in the 70's....they were allowed to keep long hair....DutchRush wrote:Could be, could be...
* Elfie: wish th?t were true here as well...that would really make matters easier..
That kinda rocked.
that wasn't ALL they were allowed to keepDutchRush wrote:Whahahaha....ex?ctly Cygg, hahaha....that was the same here back then! hahaha...CygnusX1 wrote:I served with Danish troops in the 70's....they were allowed to keep long hair....DutchRush wrote:Could be, could be...
* Elfie: wish th?t were true here as well...that would really make matters easier..
That kinda rocked.
Don't start none...won't be none.
LOLCongress Passes Comprehensive VA Bill
A comprehensive bill that will benefit millions of veterans was passed by the U.S. Senate on December 9th the last day of the 109th Congress.
The bill now goes to President Bush to be signed into law.
The new law (S. 3421) will allow the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to proceed with major construction projects across the country, improve mental health care access, enhance telehealth outreach, and increase assistance to address homelessness.
The bill will also enable VA will to create a pilot program that makes non-VA facilities - such as private nursing homes or community hospitals - eligible for state veterans' home per diem payments.
Fisher Houses Coming to Boston, Seattle
VA has approved a new Fisher House in Boston, which will provide safe, comfortable housing for families of veterans being treated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in Boston.
The new Fisher House will be built on the grounds of VA medical center in Boston.
A new Fisher House will also be built on the grounds of the VA medical center in Seattle.
Construction of both houses is scheduled to begin in 2007 along with a previously announced new Fisher House at the VA medical center in Richmond, Va.
Fisher Houses are built through public donations and contributions from the Fisher House Foundation.
VA assumes responsibility for operating costs of the finished homes.
A comprehensive bill that will benefit millions of veterans was passed by the U.S. Senate on December 9th the last day of the 109th Congress.
The bill now goes to President Bush to be signed into law.
The new law (S. 3421) will allow the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to proceed with major construction projects across the country, improve mental health care access, enhance telehealth outreach, and increase assistance to address homelessness.
The bill will also enable VA will to create a pilot program that makes non-VA facilities - such as private nursing homes or community hospitals - eligible for state veterans' home per diem payments.
Fisher Houses Coming to Boston, Seattle
VA has approved a new Fisher House in Boston, which will provide safe, comfortable housing for families of veterans being treated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in Boston.
The new Fisher House will be built on the grounds of VA medical center in Boston.
A new Fisher House will also be built on the grounds of the VA medical center in Seattle.
Construction of both houses is scheduled to begin in 2007 along with a previously announced new Fisher House at the VA medical center in Richmond, Va.
Fisher Houses are built through public donations and contributions from the Fisher House Foundation.
VA assumes responsibility for operating costs of the finished homes.
Don't start none...won't be none.
That Fisher House in Seattle could come in quite handy for people here on the peninsula who have loved ones receiving care at the VA there.
The way it stands now here on the peninsula: although we have a large number of verterans living here, we have no Veterans medical facilities nearby. The closest clinic is in Bremerton which is about 1.5 hours away from Port Angeles, a centrally located city on the peninsula, by car. They can only serve a small portion of our vets, and most travel to Tacoma (2.5 hour drive from P.A.) or Seattle (3 hour drive from P. A.) to get health care. Those who live in the far western part of the peninsula have another hour and a half to drive. I
take my mother and step-father, and there are other families who take their kin in, and some vets drive themselves as my parents used to do. Most of the vets take the van driven by the Disabled Veterans group, however. They have to sign up to get a place and hope hope hope their doctor isn't behind in schedule because the van will leave whether they have been able to see the doctor or not.
This is definitely an area where the VA system could do better. There is talk of getting some sattelite services set up here in Port Angeles but at this time it really only becomes a "priority" amongst the politicians about election time.
The way it stands now here on the peninsula: although we have a large number of verterans living here, we have no Veterans medical facilities nearby. The closest clinic is in Bremerton which is about 1.5 hours away from Port Angeles, a centrally located city on the peninsula, by car. They can only serve a small portion of our vets, and most travel to Tacoma (2.5 hour drive from P.A.) or Seattle (3 hour drive from P. A.) to get health care. Those who live in the far western part of the peninsula have another hour and a half to drive. I
take my mother and step-father, and there are other families who take their kin in, and some vets drive themselves as my parents used to do. Most of the vets take the van driven by the Disabled Veterans group, however. They have to sign up to get a place and hope hope hope their doctor isn't behind in schedule because the van will leave whether they have been able to see the doctor or not.
This is definitely an area where the VA system could do better. There is talk of getting some sattelite services set up here in Port Angeles but at this time it really only becomes a "priority" amongst the politicians about election time.
Onward and Upward!
From the "Here We Go Again" Department:
Public and Intergovernmental Affairs
VA Update on Missing Hard Drive in Birmingham, Ala.
February 10, 2007
Investigation Yielding Additional Information
WASHINGTON -- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today issued an update on the information potentially contained on a missing government-owned, portable hard drive used by a VA employee at a Department facility in Birmingham, Ala.
?Our investigation into this incident continues, but I believe it is important to provide the public additional details as quickly as we can,? said Jim Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. ?I am concerned and will remain so until we have notified those potentially affected and get to the bottom of what happened.
?VA will continue working around the clock to determine every possible detail we can,? Nicholson said.
VA and VA?s Office of Inspector General have learned that data files the employee was working with may have included sensitive VA-related information on approximately 535,000 individuals. The investigation has also determined that information on approximately 1.3 million non-VA physicians ? both living and deceased ? could have been stored on the missing hard drive. It is believed though, that most of the physician information is readily available to the public. Some of the files, however, may contain sensitive information.
VA continues to examine data on the employee?s work computer. The employee has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. VA has no information the data has been misused.
The non-VA physician data is used by VA to enhance the quality of care for veterans by analyzing and comparing information about the health care received from VA and non-VA providers.
Next week, VA will begin making notifications to individuals whose sensitive information may have been on the hard drive. VA is also making arrangements to provide one year of free credit monitoring to those whose information proves compromised.
?VA is unwavering in our resolve to bolster our data security measures,? Nicholson added. ?We remain focused on doing everything that can be done to protect the personal information with which we are entrusted.?
On January 22, the employee, who works at the Birmingham (Ala.) VA Medical Center, reported the external hard drive was missing. On January 23, VA?s IG was notified. The OIG opened a criminal investigation, sent special agents to the medical center, and notified the FBI. VA?s Office of Information & Technology in Washington, D.C. also dispatched an incident response team to investigate.
The OIG seized the employee?s work computer and began analyzing its contents. This analysis continues and VA IT staff has been providing technical support.
In addition to the ongoing criminal investigation, the OIG initiated an administrative investigation to determine how such an incident could occur.
Public and Intergovernmental Affairs
VA Update on Missing Hard Drive in Birmingham, Ala.
February 10, 2007
Investigation Yielding Additional Information
WASHINGTON -- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today issued an update on the information potentially contained on a missing government-owned, portable hard drive used by a VA employee at a Department facility in Birmingham, Ala.
?Our investigation into this incident continues, but I believe it is important to provide the public additional details as quickly as we can,? said Jim Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. ?I am concerned and will remain so until we have notified those potentially affected and get to the bottom of what happened.
?VA will continue working around the clock to determine every possible detail we can,? Nicholson said.
VA and VA?s Office of Inspector General have learned that data files the employee was working with may have included sensitive VA-related information on approximately 535,000 individuals. The investigation has also determined that information on approximately 1.3 million non-VA physicians ? both living and deceased ? could have been stored on the missing hard drive. It is believed though, that most of the physician information is readily available to the public. Some of the files, however, may contain sensitive information.
VA continues to examine data on the employee?s work computer. The employee has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. VA has no information the data has been misused.
The non-VA physician data is used by VA to enhance the quality of care for veterans by analyzing and comparing information about the health care received from VA and non-VA providers.
Next week, VA will begin making notifications to individuals whose sensitive information may have been on the hard drive. VA is also making arrangements to provide one year of free credit monitoring to those whose information proves compromised.
?VA is unwavering in our resolve to bolster our data security measures,? Nicholson added. ?We remain focused on doing everything that can be done to protect the personal information with which we are entrusted.?
On January 22, the employee, who works at the Birmingham (Ala.) VA Medical Center, reported the external hard drive was missing. On January 23, VA?s IG was notified. The OIG opened a criminal investigation, sent special agents to the medical center, and notified the FBI. VA?s Office of Information & Technology in Washington, D.C. also dispatched an incident response team to investigate.
The OIG seized the employee?s work computer and began analyzing its contents. This analysis continues and VA IT staff has been providing technical support.
In addition to the ongoing criminal investigation, the OIG initiated an administrative investigation to determine how such an incident could occur.
Don't start none...won't be none.
You Would Never Have Guessed
Captain Kangaroo passed away on January 23, 2004
at age 76.
(DOB: 6/27/27 ) His death reminded me of the following story:
Some people have been a bit offended that the
actor Lee Marvin is buried in a grave alongside
3- and 4-star generals at Arlington National Cemetery.
His grave marker gives his name, rank (PVT) and branch
of service (USMC). Nothing else.
Here's a guy who was only a movie star who served
his time, so:
Why the heck does he rate burial with these guys?
Well, following is the amazing answer:
I always liked Lee Marvin, but didn't know the
extent of his Marine Corps experiences.
In a time when many Hollywood stars served their
country in the armed forces (often in rear echelon
posts - where they were carefully protected - only to
be trotted out to perform for the cameras in war bond
promotions), Lee Marvin was a genuine hero.
He won the Navy Cross at Iwo Jima.
There is only one higher Naval award:
The Medal Of Honor.
If that is a surprising comment on the true
character of Lee Marvin, he credits his
Sergeant with an even GREATER show of bravery.
Dialog from "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson":
His guest was Lee Marvin. Johnny said, "Lee, I'll
bet a lot of people are unaware that you were a
Marine in the initial landing at Iwo Jima...
and that during the course of that action you
earned the Navy Cross and were severely wounded."
"Yeah, yeah... I got shot square in the bottom and
they gave me the Navy Cross for securing a hot spot
about halfway up Suribachi."
"The bad thing about getting shot up on a mountain -
is guys getting' shot hauling you down."
"But Johnny, at Iwo I served under the bravest man
I ever knew... We both got the Cross the same day,
but what he did for his Cross made mine
look cheap in comparison. That dumb guy actually
stood up on Red Beach and directed his troops to
move forward and get the hell off the beach."
"Bullets flying by, with mortar rounds landing everywhere -
and he stood there as the main target of gunfire -
so that he could get his men to safety."
"He did this on more than one occasion because his
men's safety was more important than his own life."
"That Sergeant and I have been lifelong friends."
"When they brought me off Suribachi, we passed the
Sergeant - and he lit a smoke and passed it to me - as
I lay on my belly on the litter and said:
"Where'd they get you Lee?" "Well Bob... if you
make it home before me, tell Mom to sell the outhouse!"
"Johnny" Lee said:
"I'm not lying, Sergeant Keeshan was the bravest
man I ever knew."
The Sergeant's name is Bob Keeshan.
You and the world know him as Captain Kangaroo.
Semper Fi Devil Dog. *renders hand salute*
Captain Kangaroo passed away on January 23, 2004
at age 76.
(DOB: 6/27/27 ) His death reminded me of the following story:
Some people have been a bit offended that the
actor Lee Marvin is buried in a grave alongside
3- and 4-star generals at Arlington National Cemetery.
His grave marker gives his name, rank (PVT) and branch
of service (USMC). Nothing else.
Here's a guy who was only a movie star who served
his time, so:
Why the heck does he rate burial with these guys?
Well, following is the amazing answer:
I always liked Lee Marvin, but didn't know the
extent of his Marine Corps experiences.
In a time when many Hollywood stars served their
country in the armed forces (often in rear echelon
posts - where they were carefully protected - only to
be trotted out to perform for the cameras in war bond
promotions), Lee Marvin was a genuine hero.
He won the Navy Cross at Iwo Jima.
There is only one higher Naval award:
The Medal Of Honor.
If that is a surprising comment on the true
character of Lee Marvin, he credits his
Sergeant with an even GREATER show of bravery.
Dialog from "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson":
His guest was Lee Marvin. Johnny said, "Lee, I'll
bet a lot of people are unaware that you were a
Marine in the initial landing at Iwo Jima...
and that during the course of that action you
earned the Navy Cross and were severely wounded."
"Yeah, yeah... I got shot square in the bottom and
they gave me the Navy Cross for securing a hot spot
about halfway up Suribachi."
"The bad thing about getting shot up on a mountain -
is guys getting' shot hauling you down."
"But Johnny, at Iwo I served under the bravest man
I ever knew... We both got the Cross the same day,
but what he did for his Cross made mine
look cheap in comparison. That dumb guy actually
stood up on Red Beach and directed his troops to
move forward and get the hell off the beach."
"Bullets flying by, with mortar rounds landing everywhere -
and he stood there as the main target of gunfire -
so that he could get his men to safety."
"He did this on more than one occasion because his
men's safety was more important than his own life."
"That Sergeant and I have been lifelong friends."
"When they brought me off Suribachi, we passed the
Sergeant - and he lit a smoke and passed it to me - as
I lay on my belly on the litter and said:
"Where'd they get you Lee?" "Well Bob... if you
make it home before me, tell Mom to sell the outhouse!"
"Johnny" Lee said:
"I'm not lying, Sergeant Keeshan was the bravest
man I ever knew."
The Sergeant's name is Bob Keeshan.
You and the world know him as Captain Kangaroo.
Semper Fi Devil Dog. *renders hand salute*
Don't start none...won't be none.
Thank you for your service to our country Zep.zepboy wrote:Hmmmmm, humbles me to think I even think I served for the same country with such great men.
It is sad that we don't see more of that kind of character nowadays. It's also sad that we allow ourselves to forget the acts of such selfless men.
Humbling, isn't it?
Don't start none...won't be none.