The Veteran's Newsletter 11/26

Author

Hagen McMenemy
November 26, 2024

Welcome to the Veteran’s Newsletter!

We're bringing you this week's edition a bit early so you can relax and enjoy Thanksgiving with your loved ones.

In today's edition:

  • The VA requests $6.6 billion in additional funding for 2025 as budget debates heat up.

  • President-Elect Donald Trump nominates former Rep. Doug Collins as Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

  • The FDA greenlights clinical trials on using cannabis to treat veterans with PTSD.

  • MVCN highlights National Family Caregivers Month.

  • The SHRIMPS protocol is revolutionizing surgical handoffs, improving patient outcomes.

  • The incredible story of an Afghanistan war hero.

  • And more…

News of the Week

📰 Top Veteran Stories

Veterans Affairs leaders have revised their supplemental funding request for fiscal year 2025 to $6.6 billion, significantly lower than the initial $12 billion proposal. The updated request reflects adjustments based on revised cost projections for staffing, equipment, and benefits delivery. If Congress does not approve the funding by December, VA Under Secretary for Health Dr. Shereef Elnahal warns of potential staffing and equipment challenges in the new year.

Congress previously authorized $150 billion in advance appropriations for VA operations, ensuring continuity despite budget delays. However, lawmakers remain critical of the VA's initial estimates, which overstated funding needs by up to $18 billion. The new request includes $2.5 billion in carryover funds and allocates nearly $3 billion for staffing and $600 million for delayed equipment upgrades.

Record-high healthcare usage and benefits approvals, driven by expanded eligibility rules, have increased demand for VA services. In fiscal 2024, the VA recorded 127.5 million healthcare appointments and enrolled 796,000 new veterans in its programs, marking significant growth over previous years.

Lawmakers face a Dec. 20 deadline to pass a federal budget, with many funding decisions likely postponed until after the next administration takes office. VA leaders are prepared to defend their revised request and emphasize the importance of timely funding to sustain critical services for veterans.

Former Georgia Congressman Doug Collins has been nominated as Secretary of Veterans Affairs. A veteran of the Iraq War and a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force Reserve Command, Collins brings military and legislative experience to the role.

President-Elect Donald Trump announced the nomination and praised Collins for his commitment to servicemembers and their families. "Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need," Trump said in a statement.

Collins served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2013 to 2021 and was prominent during Trump's first impeachment proceedings. In recent years, Collins sought but did not secure a Senate appointment or win a Senate race in Georgia.

The nomination is part of a series of appointments by Trump, including other key figures from his impeachment defense team. Former Rep. Lee Zeldin was tapped for the Environmental Protection Agency, former Rep. John Ratcliffe for CIA director, and Rep. Elise Stefanik as the proposed U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

Collins' nomination for Veterans Affairs aligns with Trump's focus on appointing individuals with direct military and public service backgrounds to crucial administrative positions.

The FDA has authorized the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) to conduct a five-week clinical trial evaluating smoked cannabis as a treatment for veterans with moderate to severe PTSD. The study, involving 320 veterans, will use a double-blind format with participants receiving either active cannabis or a placebo. Veterans must have prior cannabis experience and will report their symptoms using a mobile app.

Former Marine Corporal Hether Zeckser, an advocate for cannabis research, shared her support, crediting marijuana for alleviating her own PTSD symptoms. MAPS’ director of cannabis research, Allison Coker, emphasized the study's potential to provide critical data for medical professionals.

Participants will undergo training in cannabis inhalation before using their doses at home. Funded by the Michigan Veteran Marijuana Research Grant Program, the trials will be held in Michigan, Arizona, and Florida. The FDA continues to support research into cannabis’ therapeutic potential to ensure safe, effective treatments.

📜 VBA Updates

Each November, National Family Caregivers Month honors the dedication of family caregivers. The American Red Cross Military and Veteran Caregiver Network (MVCN) supports those caring for service members and veterans by offering peer-based programs, including an online support community, mentor programs, and support groups. These resources provide a safe space for caregivers to connect, share experiences, and find guidance.

The MVCN also provides tools like the Hero Care Resource Directory, covering health, legal, and financial support, and a Caregiver Calendar with events and webinars to help caregivers navigate their roles confidently. By fostering community and combating isolation, the MVCN empowers caregivers to build skills, maintain hope, and enhance their well-being alongside the heroes they support.

Sponsored by Hill & Ponton, Veteran Benefits Attorneys

In service of our nation, you gave everything you had. You sacrificed your comfort, your peace, and sometimes even your well-being. If the VA denied your rightful benefits, give the team at Hill & Ponton a call today to see how they can help you on your benefits journey.

Use the VA Disability Calculator on the Hill & Ponton website today to calculate your monthly compensation.

⚕️ Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Updates

Gulf Coast VA and Lexington VA collaborated on the SHRIMPS project to enhance surgical scrub personnel handoffs during breaks and ensure patient safety. Initiated by Dr. Andrew Harris after a critical communication lapse during surgery, the protocol standardizes key handoff details, covering instruments, sponges, medications, specimens, implants, out-of-sight items, and procedure progress.

After successful implementation at Lexington, VA, the project was adopted by Gulf Coast VA through the 2024 Diffusion of Excellence Shark Tank Competition. Early challenges saw limited adherence, but by the end of the project, 100% compliance was achieved. Surgical staff praised the protocol for creating smooth, thorough transitions that ensure all team members are informed and aligned.

The SHRIMPS project exemplifies innovation and collaboration in healthcare, offering a model for improving practices, ensuring patient safety, and inspiring better outcomes for veterans and beyond.

Veteran App of the Week

The Annie App for Veterans is a VA text messaging service designed to help veterans actively manage their health care. It sends automated messages that include medication reminders, stress reduction tips, appointment preparation instructions, and more. Additionally, Annie can deliver broadcast messages from your VA medical center on topics of interest.

Veterans can interact with Annie via text messages or through an online platform. The online version allows users to view message history and access charts and tables of their health measurements over time.

To start using Annie, veterans need to register online and can then subscribe to various health protocols tailored to their needs. Veterans can contact the Health Resource Center at 877-470-5947 for registration or questions about Annie.

Military Deals of the Week

*We do not explicitly endorse any of these companies as we have not personally purchased from many of them. We are simply sharing online deals that we have found for your convenience.

Meme of the Week

Hero of the Week: Edward C. Byers Jr.

Edward C. Byers Jr., born Aug. 4, 1979, in Toledo, OH, and raised in Grand Rapids, grew up with a strong sense of patriotism and responsibility. The son of a World War II Navy veteran, Byers was deeply inspired by his father’s service and the values of commitment and sacrifice it embodied.

His upbringing in a tight-knit, supportive community and involvement in the Boy Scouts of America helped shape his character and instilled a passion for service in him. Byers graduated from Otsego High School in Tontogany, OH, in 1997, displaying leadership qualities that would later define his extraordinary military career.

In September 1998, Byers answered the call to serve his country by enlisting in the U.S. Navy. Initially trained as a hospital corpsman, he was deeply dedicated to helping others. This dedication propelled him toward the rigorous training required to become a Navy SEAL, one of the most elite and challenging roles in the military.

Byers completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training and the demanding Special Operations Combat Medic Course, which equipped him with critical skills to save lives under extreme conditions. His commitment to excellence and relentless drive earned him a place among the most elite warriors in the U.S. military.

On Dec. 8, 2012, during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, Byers undertook a mission that would cement his legacy as a hero. The operation aimed to rescue Dr. Dilip Joseph, an American aid worker held hostage by the Taliban. The mission was difficult; the enemy was well-armed, and the conditions required precision and extraordinary courage.

As Byers and his SEAL team approached the compound, an enemy sentry spotted them, triggering a firefight. Despite the immediate danger, Byers moved forward with unwavering determination. Once inside the compound, Byers placed himself in the line of fire, neutralizing threats and clearing the way for his team to secure Dr. Joseph.

In a display of selflessness, Byers used his own body to shield the hostage, ensuring his safety while exposing himself to enemy fire. His actions not only secured the rescue but saved the lives of his team members and the hostage.

Edward Byers was awarded the Medal of Honor on Feb. 29, 2016, becoming the sixth Navy SEAL to receive the nation’s highest military decoration for his extraordinary heroism during the mission. The award recognized his unparalleled bravery, composure under fire, and selflessness in risking his life to protect others. The ceremony highlighted his actions and the sacrifices the entire special operations community made.

After retiring from active duty, Byers continued his life of service, using his platform to advocate for veterans and their families. He has participated in numerous speaking engagements, sharing his experiences to inspire others and illuminate military personnel's challenges. Byers also supports organizations dedicated to helping veterans transition to civilian life, ensuring his legacy extends beyond the battlefield.

Edward C. Byers Jr.’s life is a testament to the values of courage, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication to others. From his humble beginnings in Ohio to his extraordinary service as a Navy SEAL, Byers exemplifies the highest ideals of the U.S. military.

His heroic actions during the 2012 rescue mission saved lives and set a standard to inspire future generations. In his life after service, Byers continues to embody the ethos of selflessness and service, making a lasting impact on his community and the nation.

Businesses That Support Veterans

CreatiVets, founded in 2013, helps veterans heal through art and music, providing creative outlets for those coping with PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and other invisible wounds of war. Through programs like songwriting workshops and visual art instruction, veterans partner with institutions such as the School of the Art Institute of Chicago to process emotions, share stories, and regain a sense of purpose.

The organization’s impact goes beyond workshops, as many participants experience improved mental health and resilience. Veterans collaborate with professional artists to create works that raise awareness about their challenges, showcased through exhibitions and streaming platforms. CreatiVets empowers veterans to find healing and connection while fostering community understanding.

Brand New DD214?

Military Times published a great guide to transitioning from the military to civilian life. It’s a good primer for those who are starting the transition, even if it was sponsored by Navy Federal Credit Union. It’s still decent in our book.

Hill & Ponton’s resource for applying for VA benefits. This page walks you through the basic steps of applying, what forms you need to fill out, and what the process looks like.

If you read through the guide from Hill & Ponton and decide that you need assistance with filing a claim, the VA has a search tool to find a Veteran Service Organization in your area.

HireHeroesUSA is one of the many veteran job boards we found online. It seems to offer a good mix of job types available around the country.

Corporate Gray helps military veterans transition to civilian careers by organizing job fairs, providing a job board for veterans and employers, and offering career resources such as resume writing and interview preparation guides. They also publish "The Military-to-Civilian Transition Guide" and support employers in hiring veterans.

You might be sweating slightly if you’re looking to buy a house in this market. Luckily, the VA has a resource that can help you understand the VA home loan program and give you an advantage when putting in that offer.

Thank You For Your Service!

Not every service member may receive the Medal of Honor or garner widespread recognition, but that doesn't diminish the invaluable contributions each one has made to the sanctity and security of our great nation. 

The saying "freedom isn't free" holds profound truth–it resonates because every individual in the United States relies on the dedication of its military to safeguard the freedoms they enjoy. Each veteran has consciously defended these liberties, symbolizing a collective commitment to the nation's well-being. 

Whether you fought on the front lines or provided crucial support behind the scenes, thank you!

Weekly Satisfaction Poll

What did you think of this week's newsletter?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Until Next Time!

Stay tuned for next week’s edition, where we’ll cover more stories and policy updates and find tools & deals for the veteran community.

Thanks,

The Veterans Newsletter