Welcome to The Veterans Newsletter!

In today's edition:

• Country music icon Toby Keith, known for his patriotic anthems, has passed away after battling stomach cancer. 

• The U.S. military is conducting a campaign of tactical strikes on Iran-funded groups.

• New Tricare contracts are set to commence on Jan. 1, 2025, promising enhanced flexibility, expanded access, and smoother specialty care.

• Military leaders are urging lawmakers to increase funding to fully cover troops’ housing allowances.

• The VA Video Connect App helps veterans enjoy remote telehealth appointments. 

• The tale of a young Vietnam War hero.

Featured Veteran Business: SAVE strengthens the bond between businesses and the veteran community.

Links of the Week

📰 Veteran Stories

Toby Keith, the country music icon known for patriotic anthems and boisterous barroom tunes, has passed away at age 62 after battling stomach cancer. Renowned for hits like "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue" and "I Love This Bar," Keith's powerful voice and straightforward lyrics made him a fixture in the country music scene. 

Despite controversies over political statements and feuds with other artists, Keith remained a stalwart supporter of the military, undertaking multiple USO tours and raising millions for charity throughout his career. His legacy extends beyond music, as he launched his own record label and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015, leaving an indelible mark on the country music industry (link).

The U.S. military is continuing its campaign of strikes across the Middle East, targeting Iran-funded groups that have regularly attacked U.S. troops and ships. The Pentagon is assessing the impact of the strikes, which hit over 100 targets, including in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. Despite ongoing attacks, the Pentagon clarifies that these actions do not signify a full-scale war against Iranian proxy groups (link).

📜 Policy Updates

New Tricare contracts are set to commence on Jan. 1, 2025, promising beneficiaries enhanced flexibility in provider networks, expanded telehealth access, quicker call response times, and smoother specialty care transfers during a permanent change of station moves, according to Defense officials. TriWest Healthcare Alliance will manage the Tricare West Region, serving nearly 2.8 million beneficiaries and expanding to include six states from the Tricare East Region. 

Humana will continue overseeing the Tricare East Region, covering over 5 million beneficiaries. These changes aim to enhance military readiness, healthcare delivery, and patient experience while controlling costs. Transition meetings with the new contractors have begun following a court ruling favoring TriWest Healthcare Alliance. Until the turnover, Health Net Federal Services and Humana will maintain management in their respective regions (link).

Top enlisted leaders of the U.S. military are urging lawmakers to increase funding for troops' housing allowances from 95% to 100%, emphasizing the financial relief it would provide. Amidst challenges in the real estate market, lawmakers are committed to addressing the strain on military families' budgets, recognizing the importance of supporting service members. Increasing the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) by 1% would cost taxpayers approximately $220 million, with a complete restoration to 100% amounting to an additional $1.1 billion in expenses for calendar year 2024. 

While service members living in privatized housing wouldn't directly benefit, the adjustment could alleviate financial burdens for those living off-base, particularly in areas with surging housing costs. The Defense Department has implemented temporary measures to mitigate rising housing costs. Still, improvements in calculating troops' housing allowances are needed, with ongoing reviews by the Department of Defense and recommendations from the Government Accountability Office (link).

💡 Resources & Tips

The VA Video Connect (VVC) app facilitates telehealth visits for caregivers of Veterans, enabling them to join appointments remotely. VVC is a secure videoconferencing platform allowing access to VA healthcare providers through live video on various devices. Caregivers often experience increased emotional and physical stress, and VVC aims to alleviate this burden by streamlining appointments and enhancing healthcare access, especially for those in rural areas. 

The app can be accessed via a provided link or downloaded from app stores. For assistance, users can contact the VA's Office of Connected Care Help Desk. VVC is part of the Caregiver Support Program (CSP), which supports Veterans' caregivers through education, resources, and services available at every VA facility. More information is accessible on CSP's website and through local CSP teams (link).

Benefits of The Week

• Veterans Healing Farm: Veterans Healing Farm is a non-profit organization based in Hendersonville, North Carolina, that focuses on utilizing sustainable agriculture and holistic health practices to support the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of veterans. The organization offers various programs and activities to empower veterans and their families to grow, heal, and thrive. 

  These programs include farming, gardening, therapeutic horticulture, educational workshops, community building, and service opportunities. Veterans Healing Farm aims to provide a nurturing environment where veterans can find healing, purpose, and a sense of belonging through agriculture and holistic wellness.

• Homes for Our Troops: Homes For Our Troops is a nonprofit organization based in Taunton, Massachusetts, that builds specially adapted custom homes for severely injured post-9/11 veterans. The organization's mission is to enable these veterans to regain independence and freedom by providing homes accommodating their unique needs.

  This is accomplished by constructing specially adapted homes designed to meet the needs of severely injured veterans, cost-free homes, and other supportive services nationwide. Homes For Our Troops aims to incorporate a veteran-centric design into all of their homes by working closely with each veteran and their family.

• Samsung Mobile - Up to 30% Off for Military: Samsung phones are renowned for their advanced technology, sleek design, and user-friendly interface, making them a top choice for consumers worldwide. Offering a wide range of models, from budget-friendly options to high-end flagships, Samsung provides robust performance, vibrant displays, advanced cameras, and long-lasting battery life.

  For veterans, Samsung phones offer accessibility features like customizable settings and voice commands, assisting those with disabilities or mobility challenges. Samsung's commitment to innovation ensures their devices remain at the forefront, keeping users connected, informed, and empowered daily.

The Best of The Week

• Military Archive: Military Archive is an independent YouTube channel that provides educational content regarding the armed forces and military technology. It publishes videos that give an inside look at contemporary, historical, and up-and-coming technology used by the U.S. military and videos showing the use of specific weapons and vehicles.

  It publishes content nearly monthly and is a must-follow for anyone interested in the technology that drives our country’s defenses. 

• Garand Thumb: Garand Thumb, a prominent figure in the firearms community on YouTube, is widely known for his informative and entertaining content. Beyond covering firearms, gear reviews, and shooting techniques, he often spices up his videos with skits and comedic commentary, adding a unique flair to his presentations.

  While Garand Thumb's real identity remains undisclosed, his engaging style and comedic touch have garnered him a significant following. His channel is a valuable resource for firearm enthusiasts and those interested in tactical gear, offering a blend of education and entertainment.

Meme of the Week

Hero of the Week: PFC Garfield M. Langhorn

Garfield M. Langhorn was born in Cumberland, VA, on Sep. 10, 1948. He was raised in a rural farming community and attended Luther P. High School. He was referred to as a quiet, pleasant, and respectful young man known for his kindness and willingness to help others. He was also a devout Christian and a good student who enjoyed running cross-country. 

While living in Riverhead, NY, in 1967, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, driven by a sense of duty and desire to serve his country. He attended basic training and was assigned to the 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry, 1st Aviation Brigade.

Shortly after becoming engaged to his childhood sweetheart, his military career would lead him to the frontlines of the Vietnam War in late 1968, where he served as a Private First Class and a radio operator. 

On Jan. 15, 1969, only two months into his tour in Vietnam, his platoon was deployed into a landing zone and tasked with a search and rescue mission to retrieve two helicopter pilots who had been shot down by enemy fire. 

Navigating through dense jungle, they hacked their way to the wreckage while Langhorn coordinated with command-and-control aircraft overhead.

Unfortunately, his platoon was too late, and they found the two pilots had already perished from their injuries. As they attempted to recover their bodies, Langhorn’s platoon was ambushed by Vietnamese forces that were hiding in nearby camouflaged bunkers.

As they quickly became surrounded by enemy forces, Langhorn radioed for help from nearby gunships, which began to place heavy fire on the enemy. He then lay between the platoon leader and another soldier, operating the radio and maintaining communication with the gunships while also providing cover fire for wounded soldiers.

Initially, this strategy proved effective, holding back enemy forces. However, air support dwindled as night fell, and Vietnamese troops capitalized on the opportunity to advance. Amidst the advance, an enemy grenade landed near Langhorn and a group of platoon members. 

Witnesses recounted Langhorn's immediate and selfless response. Without hesitation, he threw himself over the grenade, absorbing its full impact. His brave act saved the lives of the nearby platoon members, who would likely have perished otherwise. Despite the challenging circumstances, Langhorn's platoon repelled enemy fire long enough to execute a strategic retreat.

Tragically, Langhorn succumbed to his injuries and passed away at age 20. However, his selfless actions saved the lives of many of his fellow soldiers and ensured that they could fight to live another day and return to their families. 

Then-President Richard M. Nixon posthumously awarded him the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary bravery and sacrifice on April 7, 1070. His mother, father, and sisters attended the White House ceremony. 

He was buried in his hometown at Riverhead Cemetary, which has been proud to carry on his legacy over the following decades. In 1993, a bronze bust of Langhorn was erected at the Riverhead’s town hall. He was also later acknowledged by having the town’s post office named after him. The Riverhead community has also honored Langhorn by naming an annual school essay contest for sixth graders after him. Participants are tasked with answering the question: "How can I emulate and honor PFC Langhorn in my everyday life?"

Outside of his local honors and the Medal of Honor, he gained national recognition by being inducted into the Army Aviation Hall of Fame in 1998.

Langhorn's journey from humble beginnings to answering the call of duty to protect his homeland exemplifies the ideal character of a U.S. soldier. He fought courageously to safeguard the lives of those around him, even when it meant making the ultimate sacrifice.

His life is a testament to bravery, selflessness, and an unwavering devotion to duty. He was a true hero in every sense of the word.

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