Welcome to The Veterans Newsletter!

In today's edition:

• Bob Edwards, Vietnam veteran and former host of NPR’s “Morning Edition,” has passed away.

• We the Veterans has launched a campaign in partnership with the NFL to promote patriotism and recruit military families as volunteer poll workers for the 2024 presidential elections.

• Disabled veterans and military retirees will receive a 3.2% increase in their monthly VA compensation.

• The VA has proposed a rule to expand disability benefits for those exposed to Agent Orange. 

• The VA and Department of State are reopening the Virtual Student Federal Service Internship Program applications for the 2024-2025 academic year.

• The story of a young sailor who fought valiantly during World War II.

Featured Veteran Business: SAVE

Founded by Veteran Jeremy Wolfsteller, Saluting America's Veterans Enterprise (SAVE) strengthens businesses by advocating for veterans to enhance their attractiveness as potential employees, clients, and consumers. It drives enhanced employee productivity and elevates client and consumer appeal. Learn more about their work.

Links of the Week

📰 Veteran Stories

Bob Edwards Has Passed Away

Bob Edwards, a distinguished radio personality, first served in the military during the Vietnam War before transitioning to broadcasting. Joining NPR in 1974, he quickly became a household name as the host of "Morning Edition" from 1979 to 2004. Over his 25-year tenure, Edwards conducted more than 20,000 interviews, offering listeners diverse perspectives and shaping NPR's image with his calm, versatile style.

Despite his immense popularity, NPR's decision to remove him from "Morning Edition" in 2004 sparked widespread criticism and accusations of ageism. Edwards, undeterred, continued his broadcasting career, emphasizing the importance of public radio and its role in providing credible news and diverse perspectives.

Edwards received numerous accolades throughout his career, including a Peabody Award and induction into the Radio Hall of Fame. He remained dedicated to his craft until his passing in 2024, leaving behind a lasting legacy of journalistic excellence and commitment to public service through broadcasting (link).

We the Veterans Mobilizes Patriots for Democracy

We the Veterans, a nonprofit organization, has launched the "2024 Vet the Vote" campaign in partnership with the NFL during the Super Bowl week in Las Vegas. The campaign aims to promote positive patriotism and recruit military families as volunteer poll workers for the upcoming presidential election. We the Veterans seeks to replicate its success from the 2022 midterm elections by engaging more than 63,000 former service members and their families as election volunteers. 

They aim to recruit 100,000 veterans and family members as election workers for polling places in their communities. The organization actively engages Super Bowl fans and veterans, educating them about their role as voters and encouraging them to serve their communities by volunteering as poll workers. We the Veterans also offer information on voter registration, volunteering as poll workers, and checking voting registration status on their Vet the Vote website. This initiative emphasizes the importance of fair and free elections and promotes unity among voters regardless of political differences (link).

📜 Policy Updates

2024 COLA Increase for Disabled Veterans and Military Retirees

In 2024, disabled veterans and military retirees will receive a 3.2% increase in their monthly compensation benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs, following two years of record cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) surges. This adjustment, set annually by the Social Security Administration (SSA), affects various benefits, including VA disability compensation and survivor benefits. 

Veterans and their families will see the increased benefits reflected in their payments starting from January 1st. Although the increase is lower than previous years, it helps veterans keep up with rising prices and inflation. For example, a disabled veteran with a 10% VA rating can expect a $6 increase, while those rated at 100% without dependents will receive an additional $116 monthly (link).

Proposed VA Rule Change Broadens Disability Benefits for Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange

The VA has proposed a rule change that will make thousands of aging veterans who were stationed at U.S. bases where Agent Orange and other herbicides were tested, stored, or used between 1940 and 1970 eligible for disability benefits. This proposed change, announced in the Federal Register, expands benefits to veterans who developed certain cancers, heart conditions, and other illnesses linked to Agent Orange exposure. 

The rule extends eligibility to veterans stationed at specified U.S. locations and Canadian Forces Gagetown in New Brunswick, Canada, and Kumbla, India. It also expands the timeline of military service for troops exposed to herbicides in various locations during the 1960s and 1970s. This proposed rule builds upon previous efforts to improve access to disability benefits for veterans exposed to toxins during their military service (link).

💡 Resources & Tips

VSFS Internship Program Reopens for 2024-2025 Academic Year

The VA and Department of State are reopening the Virtual Student Federal Service (VSFS) Internship Program applications for the 2024-2025 academic year. This opportunity is for U.S. citizens who are passionate about serving veterans and gaining digital communications experience. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in accredited degree programs, ranging from undergraduate to doctoral levels. 

The VA's Digital Media Engagement team manages social media and VA News, offering writing, research, design positions, and more. Applications are open until February 2024, with internships from September 2024 to May 2025. Apply on the VSFS information page to contribute to meaningful projects supporting veterans (link).

Benefits of The Week

• Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America: The IAVA is a non-profit, non-partisan organization founded in 2004 by former US Army 1st Lieutenant Paul Rieckhoff. Its mission is to support and advocate for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars as well as their families. 

  IAVA addresses the distinct needs and obstacles encountered by veterans who served in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, including healthcare, employment, education, and mental health concerns. The organization ensures that veterans and their families receive the necessary care and support from the government and society. Through conducting research and advocating for federal policy changes, IAVA aims to enhance the well-being of veterans. Additionally, it provides community-building opportunities via events, social networks, and peer support programs.

• Give an Hour: Give an Hour is a non-profit organization established in 2005 that offers free mental health services to military personnel, veterans, and their families. Despite the significant impact of mental health on the well-being of veterans and their families, it is often overlooked. Acknowledging and addressing this issue is paramount for improving their quality of life.

  The organization leverages the expertise of mental health professionals nationwide who volunteer their time to support service members and their families. These professionals encompass psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, and others. Give an Hour facilitates therapy sessions through various mediums, such as in-person meetings, phone calls, or telehealth platforms. It addresses a broad spectrum of mental health concerns prevalent among military members and their families, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and relationship difficulties.

• Brooks Running- 25% Off for Military: Brooks Running is renowned for its top-notch athletic footwear and sports apparel, prioritizing performance, comfort, and durability. This makes its products an excellent choice for veterans who lead active lifestyles or prioritize reliable, comfortable footwear.

  Brooks Running has supported veterans' causes through initiatives that raise awareness for veterans' organizations. Additionally, the company offers a Community Heroes discount, providing military members and veterans with a 25% discount on its products. This combination of quality products and support for veterans makes Brooks Running a compelling option for those who have served in the military.

The Best of The Week

• The Team Never Quit: Hosted by former Navy SEALs Marcus Luttrell and David Rutherford, this popular podcast features conversations with guests, including professional athletes, entrepreneurs, authors, and other influential figures—the episodes center around themes such as resilience, perseverance, overcoming adversity, and achieving success.

  Listeners are treated to uplifting and motivating stories, often drawn from the experiences of the hosts and their guests. These stories demonstrate the possibilities individuals can accomplish and inspire them to never give up on their dreams.

• Masters of the Air: This Apple TV+ series has been in the making for years but saw heavy delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it was recently released to critical acclaim. Based on the book Masters of the Air: America's Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany by Donald L. Miller, it focuses on the actions of the 100th Bomb Group, a B-17 heavy bomber unit during World War II, specifically following Gale “Buck” Cleven and John “Bucky” Egan.

  The first four episodes are currently available to stream on Apple TV+, with another five to be added weekly on Fridays through the middle of March.

Meme of the Week

Hero of the Week: Calvin Graham

Calvin Graham was born on April 3, 1930, in Canton, TX. He grew up in a challenging environment, with his parents divorcing at a young age. He was raised primarily by his mother and faced financial hardship, often working odd jobs to support the family before he was even ten. 

When he turned 11, after his mother had remarried, he fled home due to ongoing issues with his stepfather. With the outbreak of World War II and the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, Graham saw an opportunity to escape his troubled home life for good while also helping protect his homeland.

At the age of 12, he forged his mother’s signature on his enlistment paperwork and joined the United States Navy after lying about his age. He was trained at the Naval Training Center in San Diego, CA, before being assigned to the USS South Dakota, a large battleship where he was a loader for a 40mm anti-aircraft gun.

Although he was still a child, he was recognized as a diligent worker and a valuable team player, often exceeding expectations. He notably served in the Battle of Guadalcanal, enduring the relentless onslaught of Japanese fire aboard the USS South Dakota. 

During the battle, he helped operate one of the anti-aircraft guns. While under fire from Japanese aircraft, he was thrown three flights of stairs by a mighty explosion, sustaining serious injuries from shrapnel and severe burns.

Despite his injuries, he continued to assist his fellow sailors, helping to rescue many, loading rounds into anti-air guns, and refusing to abandon his post. His bravery and dedication earned him the respect of his fellow crew members. 

For his actions and injuries sustained during the battle, he was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. However, his service did not continue for long, as almost a year after the Battle of Guadalcanal, his mother learned of his actions and informed the Navy of his actual age.

Instead of being discharged, he was thrown in the brig for nearly three months. He was fortunately released after his sister threatened to expose his imprisonment to the media, although his medals and accommodations were stripped from him, and he was dishonorably discharged.

This meant that he could not receive disability benefits for the injuries he incurred while fighting bravely during the Battle of Guadalcanal. Graham also found it challenging to reacclimate to the average life of an American youth–battling alcoholism and financial difficulties. He chose to get married and fathered a child at 14 while working as a welder in a Houston shipyard.

By age 17, he had already divorced his wife and decided to return to military service, the only true home he had ever known, and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. However, his service was yet again shortly lived as he broke his back after falling from a pier.

Graham was again discharged and had to fight for both medical benefits and a clean service record. In 1978, after his story gained attention and efforts were made to recognize his service and sacrifice, he was finally given an honorable discharge by then-President Jimmy Carter, and all his medals, sans the Purple Heart, were reinstated. He was also awarded $337 in back pay.

In 1988, then-President Ronald Reagan signed legislation that granted Graham full disability benefits, increased his back pay to $4,917, and allocated $18,000 for past medical bills incurred due to his injuries. Unfortunately, the $18,000 was contingent on receipts for the medical services, and many of the doctors who had treated him had already passed, and medical records were lost. He only received $2,100 to cover his former medical expenses. 

In 1992, Graham passed away from heart failure in his home in Fort Worth, TX. Two years later, his Purple Heart was reinstated and presented to his widow at a special ceremony given in his honor. He was also posthumously awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.

Though much of Graham’s tale is tragic, his story brought attention to the plight of other underage enlistees during wartime. Additionally, it serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by young men and women in the US Military and the ongoing struggle many veterans encounter in accessing benefits after retirement.

While he was a child during his time in the Navy, Graham fought bravely to defend the lives of his fellow soldiers and his country. As we honor the sacrifices of veterans like Graham, it is imperative that we continue to advocate for their well-being and ensure they receive the support and benefits they deserve as they transition back to civilian life. Their dedication and sacrifice are a testament to the enduring spirit of service that defines the armed forces and inspires us all.

Thank You For Your Service!

Not every servicemember 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 chosen to defend these liberties, symbolizing a collective commitment to the nation's well-being.

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

Top Resources For Veterans

1. Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)

   • Overview: An organization that offers various services to veterans, including assistance with benefits claims, scholarships, and community service opportunities.

   • Website: VFW

2. K9s for Warriors

   • Overview: This organization is committed to supplying highly-trained service dogs, primarily rescues, to military veterans dealing with PTSD, TBIs, or other service-related traumas, effectively saving two lives in the process.

   • Website: K9s for Warriors

3. Hire Heroes USA

   • Overview: An organization dedicated to helping veterans find employment through personalized job search training and assistance.

   • Website: Hire Heroes USA

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Until Next Time!

Stay tuned for next week's edition, where we'll discuss more top stories and the latest policy updates!

The Veteran's Newsletter