The Veterans Newsletter (2/27)

New Study Links TBIs to Risk of Brain Cancer, USS John L. Canley Honors MOH Recipient, VA Addresses Inequity

Author

Hagen McMenemy
February 27, 2024

Welcome to The Veterans Newsletter!

In today's edition

đź“° Veteran Stories

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association's open network suggests that veterans of the Global War on Terror who have experienced moderate-to-severe or penetrating traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are at a significantly increased risk of developing brain cancer. 

Researchers from the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences found a 90% increased risk for brain cancer in cases of moderate or severe TBI and a threefold risk in cases of penetrating TBI. The study, which examined the medical records of nearly 2 million veterans from 2004 to 2019, highlights the importance of further research and screening protocols to identify those at risk and improve outcomes for affected individuals (link).

USS John L. Canley Commissioned in Honor of Medal of Honor Recipient

The Navy commissioned the USS John L. Canley (ESB 6), the newest Expeditionary Sea Base ship, on Feb. 17 in Coronado, CA. The ceremony featured addresses from Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro and others. Canley, a hero who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Hue City and was previously one of our recent heroes of the week, passed away last year at 84. 

Built at the General Dynamic NASSCO shipyard, Canley is the Navy's fourth expeditionary staging base, joining USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB-3), USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB-4), and USS Miguel Keith (ESB-5). The ship is equipped to support various military missions and has a dedicated space for up to 250 embarked personnel. Canley's actions during the Battle of Hue exemplify courage and leadership, earning his fellow Marines' respect and admiration (link).

đź“ś Policy Updates

DOD Unveils Plan to Upgrade Troop Housing and Support

The DOD has unveiled its Resilient and Healthy Defense Communities Strategy, aiming to address substandard living conditions for troops by modernizing housing and support spaces. Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks emphasized the importance of meeting troops' well-being needs as a national security imperative. With over 667,000 aging assets and a maintenance backlog of $134 billion, the DoD acknowledges the situation's urgency. 

The strategy prioritizes "livability" standards focusing on health, safety, functionality, and reliability, including air and water quality improvements, lighting, and sound insulation. The plan also explores innovative solutions like modular construction and digital communications infrastructure. Despite ongoing challenges such as mold and maintenance issues, the DoD's proposal aims to enhance the quality of life for service members and attract recruits by implementing regular inspections and metrics to ensure progress (link).

VA Unveils Equity Action Plan to Address Disparities in Veteran Care and Benefits

The Department of Veterans Affairs has unveiled its 2024 Agency Equity Action Plan to ensure equitable care and benefits for all veterans. They've released a study showing disparities in grant rates for mental health disability compensation, particularly among Black veterans. The VA plans to improve outreach and support for Black veterans filing claims. This initiative aligns with the Biden-Harris Administration's equity agenda.

Notable achievements include expanded care for women veterans, partnerships with organizations like the NAACP for Black veterans, and removing barriers for LGBTQ+ and American Indian/Alaska Native veterans. The VA is also working to increase service delivery to veterans with Other Than Honorable discharges and ensure equity in benefits through the Equity Assurance Office and Plan within the Veterans Benefits Administration (link).

đź’ˇ Resources & Tips

Valuable Resources for Veterans Transitioning to Civilian Employment

This page provided by Military.com offers valuable resources for veterans seeking employment opportunities in the civilian world. It provides access to the largest free veteran jobs board, where veterans can find positions with military-friendly companies across various industries. The platform allows veterans to search for jobs based on keywords, location, and industry, catering to their specific skills and experiences. 

The page also offers job-hunting resources, including guidance on starting a job search, crafting resumes highlighting military experience, and refining interview skills. Veterans can also explore opportunities to network at local job fairs and receive assistance in resume writing and interview preparation. Overall, this page serves as a comprehensive guide to help veterans leverage their military skills and experiences in finding fulfilling civilian careers (link).

Benefits of The Week

  • VetsinTech: VetsinTech is a non-profit organization committed to assisting veterans in transitioning to and establishing careers in the technology industry. Through a range of programs, including training sessions, mentorship initiatives, networking events, and job placement assistance, VetsinTech endeavors to equip veterans with the essential skills and connections vital for success in tech-related fields. 

    By acting as a bridge between the military and the tech industry, VetsinTech facilitates veterans' seamless integration into the technology sector. Furthermore, the organization collaborates with prominent tech companies and organizations to provide veterans with career advancement and growth opportunities.

  • Sunglass Hut - 15% Off for Military: Sunglass Hut is a retail chain specializing in sunglasses and eyewear accessories. With a diverse assortment of styles from renowned brands like Oakley and Ray-Ban, customers can access high-quality sunglasses suitable for a wide range of activities and occasions, whether outdoor adventures or everyday wear. 

    Additionally, Sunglass Hut offers a generous 15% military discount, enabling veterans to enjoy savings on their purchases while indulging in the premium eyewear selection available at Sunglass Hut stores.

The Best of The Week

  • The Spear: This podcast, produced by the Modern War Institute at West Point, offers a deep dive into military veterans' and experts' diverse experiences and perspectives. Each episode features insightful interviews that explore various topics related to military service, national security, and the broader implications of defense policy. From combat experiences to leadership insights, the podcast provides a platform for veterans to share their stories, lessons learned, and insights gained from their time in service.

    Additionally, it delves into current events, policy debates, and strategic challenges facing the military, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of modern warfare and national defense. With a mix of personal narratives and expert analysis, the podcast is a valuable resource for anyone interested in military affairs, veterans' experiences, and national security issues. 

  • The War Horse: The War Horse is an award-winning non-profit news newsroom dedicated to reporting on the impact of military service on veterans, their families, and communities. It provides in-depth journalism, personal narratives, and analysis on a wide range of topics such as PTSD, suicide prevention, and more.

    Ultimately, The War Horse aims to educate the public on the military and shed light on the issues faced by its members through its news and seminars. The team believes that the everyday lives of veterans, military families, and soldiers deserve to be acknowledged. 

Meme of the Week

Hero of the Week: Sergeant Rafael Peralta

Sergeant Rafael Peralta was born on April 7, 1969, in Mexico City, Mexico, before immigrating to the US with his family as a young child. He was raised in San Diego, CA, and grew up with an intense patriotism for his new home and how it welcomed his family.

From an early age, he harbored a strong desire to serve his adopted country from an early age. Described as compassionate, dedicated, and hardworking, he exhibited leadership qualities, regularly showing concern for others and assisting those in need.

Inspired by his Marine brother's example, Peralta enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 2000, although he could only do so after receiving his green card. His decision was fueled by a profound dedication to defending the country and upholding cherished values. Notably, he enlisted on the very day he received his green card, embarking on a journey of selfless service that ultimately culminated in heroic actions on the battlefield.

In 2004, he was deployed to Iraq to support Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he served as a scout leader. On Nov. 15, 2004, he became heavily engaged in a conflict during the second Battle of Fallujah, also known as Operation al Fajr. He had assisted his squad with house clearing, although he was not required to enter them. 

After clearing three houses, his squad reached a fourth house, where they came under heavy enemy fire from multiple insurgents after opening the door to a back room. While attempting to avoid enemy fire, he was wounded and fell to the floor. As the insurgents fled the building, they threw a grenade that fell near his fellow Marines.

The Marines in the room with Peralta tried to escape the room in time, but they could not. Despite sustaining wounds, Peralta remained conscious. Without hesitation, he pulled the grenade under his body, absorbing the impact of the blast and preventing shrapnel from spreading throughout the room.

Regrettably, Peralta died instantly, but he was able to save the lives of his fellow Marines trapped in the room with him. 

Although he selflessly sacrificed his life to save his comrades, Sergeant Rafael Peralta was not immediately recognized for his heroic actions. However, on September 17, 2008, his family received the news that he would be posthumously awarded the Navy Cross, thanks to the advocacy of Lieutenant General Richard F. Natonski, commander of the First Marine Division. 

Despite efforts by the Marine Corps to nominate him for the Medal of Honor, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates rejected the recommendation. Gates cited the unanimous decision of a panel that determined Peralta's actions did not meet the strict criteria for the Medal of Honor, which requires actions performed "without any possibility of error or doubt.”, expressing that they believe Peralta was already deceased before the grenade exploded.

Following this announcement, numerous requests for reconsideration flooded in, with congressional delegations from various states urging a presidential review of Gates's decision. In 2012, Navy officials conducted another review of the evidence surrounding Peralta's case, which included analyzing evidence such as multiple videos and a pathology report provided by California Representative Duncan D. Hunter.

They subsequently presented their findings to the DOD in a bid to upgrade Peralta's Navy Cross to the Medal of Honor. However, then-Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta expressed reluctance to overturn his predecessor's decision.

After Chuck Hagel replaced Panetta as Secretary of Defense, some hoped he would be receptive to evidence that reinforced the narrative that Peralta sacrificed himself on that fateful day. However, in Feb. 2014, he announced that the nomination would not be reconsidered. 

In February 2017, Hunter renewed his efforts to have Peralta's award upgraded to the Medal of Honor. Peralta has still not been awarded the Medal of Honor for his sacrifice.

Peralta's story embodies true heroism and service to our great country. Reflecting his deep patriotism, Peralta's parents shared that he adorned his bedroom walls with just three items: a copy of the US Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and his boot camp graduation certificate. 

Additionally, before deploying to Fallujah, he wrote a heartfelt letter to his younger brother, encouraging him to take pride in Peralta and being an American.

If you want to support the efforts to upgrade Peralta’s award to the Medal of Honor, you can help by raising awareness about his story and the circumstances around his heroic actions. Reach out to local representatives, senators, and veterans’ organizations to express support for Peralta’s nomination. You can also use social media to share his story and write letters to the DOD and the President urging them to reconsider Peralta’s case.

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!

Cheers,

The Veteran's Newsletter