Welcome to The Veterans Newsletter!

Welcome to The Veterans Newsletter!

In today's edition:

• The Ghost Army is Awarded the Congressional Gold Medal

• A Patient at West Palm Beach VA Medical Center is Being Charged with the Murder of Another Veteran

• Disagreement over GOP Proposal to Modify Toxic Exposures Fund Could Stall Other Vet Funding Plans

• VA Shares Weekly Job Listings for Veterans - March 25, 2024

• HireMilitary helps connect vets with job opportunities

• And more…

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Links of the Week

📰 Veteran Stories

The Ghost Army: Masters of Deception in WWII are Awarded the Congressional Gold Medal

The Ghost Army, a clandestine unit employing deception and subterfuge during World War II, was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in a ceremony in Washington. Led by Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth, the event acknowledged the pivotal role played by this unit in altering the war's course. Surviving members, including Bernard Bluestein, John Christman, and Seymour Nussenbaum, attended the ceremony. Nussenbaum described their wartime activities as akin to "putting on a big production," involving impersonations, elaborate costumes, and artistic techniques. 

Senator Edward Markey praised their creativity and patriotism, highlighting their unconventional methods. House Speaker Mike Johnson estimated that their efforts saved between 15,000 to 30,000 lives. The Ghost Army's story, declassified in 1996, gained recognition due to the advocacy of family members and Rick Beyer, a filmmaker and author. Operation Viersen, one of their significant missions, successfully diverted German forces away from the Rhine River. Despite decades of secrecy, the valor and ingenuity of the Ghost Army are now rightfully celebrated, leaving a lasting legacy of heroism and sacrifice (link).

Murder Charge Filed Against Patient at West Palm Beach VA Medical Center

A patient at the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center, Christopher Schweikart, has been charged with first-degree murder after a fellow veteran was discovered strangled to death in a hospital bathroom. Schweikart confessed to the crime, stating that the victim startled him, leading to the fatal act. The victim, unidentified, was found with a Bible containing a handwritten inscription indicating a desire for death. Schweikart, who shared a room with the victim, mentioned the victim spoke about Vietnam. The VA expressed condolences and assured cooperation with the investigation. This incident follows previous legal issues at the medical center, including a lawsuit over a veteran's suicide and ongoing wrongful death litigation involving another veteran's suicide (link).

📜 Policy Updates

Disagreement over GOP Proposal to Modify Toxic Exposures Fund Could Stall Other Vet Funding Plans

The House GOP proposed to amend the Toxic Exposures Fund, established by the PACT Act to provide healthcare and benefits to service members exposed to toxins. Republicans argue that the current rules of the fund might inflate federal spending on unrelated veterans' bills, hindering legislative progress. However, Democrats and VA officials oppose the GOP's plan, fearing it could compromise veterans' health care guarantees. 

The proposed changes aim to limit fund usage, reclassify funding, impose caps until 2033, and demand a funding plan from the VA for subsequent years. While Republicans assert their proposal addresses a critical issue, Democrats argue it undermines the PACT Act. VA officials express concerns about reduced funding projections and potential limitations on adding illnesses to the presumptive list. Despite disagreements, there's openness to revising the bill to ensure veterans receive deserved benefits (link).

💡 Resources & Tips

VA Shares Weekly Job Listings for Veterans - March 25, 2024

This post contains a compilation of job listings for the week of March 25, 2024, sourced from various employers and employment websites. The jobs listed cover a range of locations and industries, including roles like Distribution System Operator in Birmingham, AL, Technical Success Engineer in Washington, DC, and CDL Truck Driver in Tulsa, OK. The post emphasizes the value of hiring veterans for their skills, leadership, and work ethic and encourages verification of job information with the respective organizations (link).

Benefits of The Week

• HireMilitary: HireMilitary is a platform dedicated to assisting military veterans in finding civilian employment opportunities. It serves as a job board where employers specifically seeking to hire veterans can post job listings, and veterans can search for job openings that match their skills and experiences. 

  Additionally, HireMilitary offers resources and support services tailored to veterans transitioning into the civilian workforce.

• OGIO - 15% Off for Military and Up to 3.0% Cash Back: OGIO is a renowned brand for its innovative and high-quality sports and outdoor gear. Initially specializing in golf bags, OGIO now offers a diverse range of products, including backpacks, travel bags, duffel bags, and accessories for activities like hiking, biking, and travel. Known for their durability, functionality, and stylish designs, OGIO products are favored by athletes, adventurers, and veterans.

  OGIO also supports veterans through initiatives such as hiring programs, partnerships with veterans organizations, and charitable donations.

The Best of The Week

• Duke Cannon Supply Co.: Duke Cannon Supply Co. is a men's grooming brand recognized for its commitment to producing top-quality grooming essentials. Their product line includes soaps, body washes, shaving creams, beard care products, and skincare items. With a rugged and masculine aesthetic, Duke Cannon is known for using premium ingredients and supporting veterans. Their products are notable for their generous sizes and distinctive scents. Moreover, the company actively contributes to military and veteran organizations, allocating a portion of its sales to support these causes.

  I'm a fan of Duke Cannon bar soaps myself. Not only do they smell fantastic, but they also don't leave my skin feeling excessively dry after washing. Plus, the bars last a long time, typically around 7-9 weeks, when used with wash cloths, in my experience, which is impressive considering they're priced at less than $10. Right now, I’m really enjoying Midnight Swim, while Pine Tar has been a long-time favorite of mine. I highly recommend Duke Cannon’s soaps!

• The Veterans Channel: The Veterans Channel is a private online platform that provides entertainment, news, and information specifically curated for military members, veterans, first responders, and their families. The website offers a variety of video content, including documentaries, interviews, and original programming, as well as resources on health, finance, and benefits for veterans.

Meme of the Week

Hero of the Week: Leigh Ann Hester

Sergeant Leigh Ann Hester was born in Bowling Green, KY, on Jan. 12, 1982. Bowling Green is a small town and its size helped her grow up with a strong sense of community and a deep appreciation for service and patriotism.

From a young age, Hester displayed admirable qualities such as determination, resilience, and a desire to help her community. She also always dreamed of serving in the military and looked up to anybody in a uniform, especially women. 

After graduating high school, she pursued her passion for serving others by enlisting in the US Army National Guard in 2001 at the age of 19. Her decision to enlist reflected her commitment to duty, honor, and country and her desire to contribute to something greater than herself.

She underwent training as a military police officer and found was noted as a team player. In 2004, her unit, the 617th Military Police Company, was deployed to Iraq to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. As an MP, she provided security, maintained order, and conducted counterinsurgency operations in hostile environments.

On March 20, 2005, while her squad was conducting an escort mission of a 30-truck convoy near Salman Pak, Iraq, they were ambushed by about 50 insurgents with AK-47s, RPKs, and RPGs. Her squad acted quickly and evaded to the side of the road, flanking the insurgents and cutting off their escape route.

Despite facing overwhelming odds, Hester and her team boldly maneuvered through the dangerous kill zone and flanked the enemy combatants from behind. Despite intense enemy fire, Hester and her squad leader launched a courageous assault on a trench line, using grenades to clear two trenches.

The intense battle raged for approximately 25 minutes, during which Hester fearlessly engaged the enemy, personally eliminating three combatants. Her courageous actions played a crucial role in repelling the sudden ambush, enabling her fellow soldiers to achieve victory with minimal casualties.

Hester was honored with the Silver Star, the third-highest military decoration, for her courageous actions on that day. She made history as the first woman to receive the award for direct combat since World War II, a testament to her extraordinary bravery in the face of enemy fire.

Following her return from Iraq, Hester remained dedicated to service, transitioning to serve with the Tennessee National Guard. In 2009, she briefly paused her military career to work as a police officer in Nashville, TN, yet her commitment to duty called her back to the military in late 2010.

Deploying once again, this time to Afghanistan, she demonstrated her unwavering dedication and leadership, earning a promotion to the rank of sergeant first class. In 2017, amidst the devastation of Hurricane Maria, she was activated to aid in the Virgin Islands, exemplifying her readiness to assist in times of crisis.

Today, Hester continues her admirable service in the National Guard, embodying the values of duty, honor, and selflessness that define her remarkable military career. Her enduring commitment to serving her country and supporting needy communities inspires all who know her story.

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