Welcome to The Veterans Newsletter!

In today's edition:

• VA launches a new program to help veterans struggling to keep their homes.

• Former VA procurement officer sentenced to prison for a kickback scheme.

• A new study reveals deported veterans struggle to access VA benefits.

• The VA expands virtual healthcare for rural areas.

• VA highlights jobs of the week.

• The tragic tale of a Vietnam War hero.

Links of the Week

📰 Veteran Stories

VA Launches VASP Program to Help Struggling Veterans Keep Their Homes

The VA is introducing the Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase program (VASP) in May to assist veterans facing financial difficulties in retaining their homes. VASP serves as a last resort for veterans who have defaulted on their home loans and are ineligible for other VA assistance programs. Under VASP, the VA will purchase delinquent loans, becoming the primary loan servicer and offering borrowers a stable payment plan at a fixed rate. 

This initiative aims to support approximately 40,000 veterans at high risk of foreclosure. The VA has various assistance programs for veterans, including counseling and mortgage payment modifications. VASP, projected to financially benefit the government, underscores the VA's commitment to preventing veteran homelessness. Veterans facing mortgage payment challenges are encouraged to explore VA resources for assistance (link).

Former VA Procurement Officer Sentenced to Prison for Kickback Scheme

Thomas E. Duncan, a former procurement officer at Chicago's Jesse Brown Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for his involvement in a kickback scheme. Duncan admitted to receiving kickbacks from a medical supply company president in exchange for steering VA orders to the company. 

He took cash and checks from the company president and falsely approved purchases, knowing that many of the products would not be delivered to the VA. The scheme lasted from 2012 to 2019, and Duncan even created fake invoices to conceal his actions. Daniel Dingle, the company president involved in the scheme, has also pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing (link).

Study Reveals Deported Veterans Encounter Barriers to Accessing VA Benefits

A study conducted by the University of California-Berkeley School of Law highlights the significant obstacles deported veterans face in accessing veteran-centric services, including healthcare benefits from the VA. The report underscores deficiencies in pathways such as humanitarian parole and the VA Foreign Medical Program, which aim to provide deported veterans with access to VA programs. Despite legal promises ensuring veterans access to necessary benefits worldwide, many deported veterans struggle due to denied parole applications, prohibitive travel costs, and limitations in the Foreign Medical Program's coverage. 

The study advocates for policy changes, including more liberal humanitarian parole, expanded coverage in the Foreign Medical Program, and legislative action such as the Veteran Service Recognition Act. Moreover, it emphasizes the need for better tracking of deported veterans by government agencies and highlights recent initiatives, like the Immigrant Military Members and Veterans Initiative, to address these issues (link).

📜 Policy Updates

VA Expands Virtual Healthcare for Rural Veterans

Rural veterans, constituting nearly a quarter of the nation's veteran population, face distinct healthcare challenges such as longer travel times and limited access to specialists. In response, the VA's Office of Connected Care employs telehealth and virtual tools to expand healthcare access in rural communities. VA Video Connect enables secure video telehealth appointments, allowing veterans to consult with providers remotely via smartphones, tablets, or computers. Additionally, initiatives like Remote Patient Monitoring facilitate at-home vital sign tracking, and My HealtheVet offers an online portal for managing VA care. 

The VA App Store hosts various mobile apps, including Annie for reminders and the PTSD Coach for managing PTSD symptoms. Recognizing the digital divide, VA initiatives provide internet-connected tablets to veterans and establish ATLAS locations with internet access and technology for virtual appointments. In fiscal 2023, over 770,000 rural veterans engaged in 2.9 million telehealth episodes, highlighting the VA's commitment to deliver quality care anytime, anywhere while addressing the unique healthcare needs of rural veterans (link).

💡 Resources & Tips

A Helpful Toolkit for Managing Type 2 Diabetes

One in four Veterans grapple with Type 2 diabetes, a rate more than double that of other Americans. The condition, once termed adult-onset diabetes, is a complex metabolic disorder without a cure. Effective management involves lifestyle changes like weight loss, healthy eating, and exercise, while medication or insulin therapy may be necessary if these measures fall short. Veterans, often contending with service-related disabilities and mental health issues, face unique challenges in managing their diabetes. 

Dr. Avian Milton underscores the critical importance of proper blood sugar control for overall health and well-being. Despite misconceptions about control versus management, VA clinicians like Milton offer counseling and access to specialized services, emphasizing the proactive approach needed for long-term health and quality of life. Through education and support, Veterans can navigate their diabetic journey and mitigate the risks of complications, ensuring a better tomorrow (link).

Hiring Veterans: Jobs of the week for April 15, 2024

The VA's latest post features job listings for the week of April 15, 2024, sourced from reputable platforms like RallyPoint, VetJobs, and HireMilitary. The post emphasizes the value of hiring Veterans, highlighting their skills, discipline, leadership, and problem-solving abilities.

 Employers are encouraged to recognize these qualities, as Veterans bring a diverse perspective, adaptability, and a strong work ethic to the workplace, ultimately enriching company culture and fostering innovation. Readers are reminded to verify information with the respective organizations offering the job listings, as most listings close within 7-30 days after publishing (link).

Benefits of The Week

• Warrior Reunion Foundation: The Warrior Reunion Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to facilitating reunions and connections among veterans who served together. Their mission is to strengthen bonds, foster camaraderie, and support veterans by organizing and hosting reunions for military units, shipmates, squadrons, and other groups who shared common experiences during their service. 

  The foundation helps veterans reconnect with their fellow servicemen and women, offering resources, guidance, and assistance in planning and organizing reunions. The Warrior Reunion Foundation aims to honor veterans' service, promote healing, and create lasting memories through these gatherings.

• Costa - 15% Off: Costa is a brand recognized for its dedication to crafting high-quality sunglasses suitable for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers alike. Their products are synonymous with durability, clarity, and style, offering superior eye protection in various environments, from fishing expeditions to everyday activities under the sun. In addition to their commitment to producing top-notch eyewear, Costa has shown support for veterans through various initiatives and partnerships to honor their service.

  For veterans, sunglasses are not just accessories but essential gear that provide protection and enhance visual clarity during outdoor activities. Whether enjoying a day on the water or exploring the great outdoors, quality sunglasses can significantly improve comfort and performance. Veterans can now avail themselves of a generous military discount at Costa, allowing them to enjoy top-of-the-line sunglasses at a more accessible price point while continuing to pursue their passions under the sun.

The Best of The Week

• Team RWB App: The Team RWB app is a mobile tool crafted by Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB), a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing the lives of American veterans. This app acts as a hub where veterans, active duty service members, and their supporters can connect, join events, and access resources for both physical and social activities.

  With the app, users can locate nearby chapters and events, track their fitness progress, and engage with a supportive community focused on building camaraderie and overall well-being. In essence, the Team RWB app aims to promote fitness, social interaction, and a sense of belonging among its members.

• Sandboxx: The Sandboxx app transforms how recruits experience receiving mail, bringing a fresh, modern twist to staying connected during military service. Gone are the days of waiting for snail mail—Sandboxx lets users effortlessly send letters, photos, and packages to recruits, bridging the gap between loved ones no matter the distance. What makes Sandboxx special is its knack for recreating that warm, nostalgic feeling of receiving a heartfelt letter, but with all the convenience of modern technology.

  But Sandboxx isn't just about sending messages—it's a one-stop hub for recruits gearing up for basic training. With handy guides and packing lists at their fingertips, recruiters can now offer recruits invaluable support as they prepare for their new chapter in the military. With over 10 million letters already delivered to recruits in training, Sandboxx is rewriting the playbook on how military families stay connected, and there are millions more heartfelt messages on the horizon.

Meme of the Week

Hero of the Week: Dwight H. Johnson

Dwight Hal Johnson was born on May 7, 1947, to a poor family in the Corktown neighborhood of Detroit, MI. Although he never knew his father, he and his brother were close to his mother, who raised both of them. He was known in the neighborhood as a sweet boy who did not enjoy fighting. 

Johnson's reserved demeanor faced its greatest test when he turned 18. Drafted into the United States Army, he was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 69th Armor, 4th Infantry Division, where he trained as a tank driver.

On January 15, 1968, during the Tet Offensive, Johnson and his squad were patrolling in the Quang Ngai province when their tank was struck by enemy fire and disabled. As North Vietnamese forces advanced, Johnson quickly exited the burning tank. Armed initially with only a .45 caliber pistol, he joined his platoon in a counter-assault, engaging the enemy at close range.

After depleting his pistol ammunition, Johnson grabbed a submachine gun from the tank. Although facing intense enemy fire, he continued to fight, firing until the gun overheated and failed. Undeterred, he then picked up rifles from fallen enemies to continue the defense.

As the battle intensified, Johnson ran out of ammunition and resorted to hand-to-hand combat, at one point using the butt of his submachine gun to kill an enemy soldier. With no remaining ammunition, he moved to his platoon sergeant’s tank to rescue a wounded crewmember, whom he carried to safety in an armored personnel carrier.

Returning to battle, Johnson manned the machine gun on the same tank until it jammed. Undaunted, he retrieved another .45 pistol and fought his way back to his own tank, where he took control of the .50 caliber machine gun. Despite his tank being immobilized and under constant enemy fire, Johnson continued to fight valiantly until the battle subsided.

The quiet boy who once shied away from confrontation had transformed into a seasoned soldier, exhibiting extraordinary courage and bravery. Time and again, he put his own life on the line to protect his comrades, proving his commitment and valor under the most dire circumstances.

After returning from Vietnam, Dwight H. Johnson found the transition to civilian life challenging. He struggled to secure steady employment and faced mounting debts. However, his circumstances significantly changed when President Lyndon B. Johnson awarded him the Medal of Honor. His citation praised his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty," acknowledging his extraordinary bravery and commitment under extreme conditions.

Following this honor, Johnson rejoined the Army as a recruiter, a role he initially found fulfilling. However, he soon began to struggle with PTSD, which led to frequent absences from work and worsened his financial difficulties. His battles with depression and PTSD persisted.

Tragically, on April 29, 1971, Johnson's struggles culminated in a fatal incident. Entering a grocery store near his home, he revealed a revolver and demanded money from the cashier. The store owner, hearing the commotion from the back, responded by firing his own revolver. Johnson retaliated, firing seven shots, but sustained fatal injuries in the exchange and was pronounced dead shortly after.

Johnson's death under such dire circumstances underscores the complex issues many veterans face upon returning from combat. His story is a poignant reminder of the need for comprehensive support for veterans as they reintegrate into civilian life. Despite his post-war challenges, Johnson's actions in Vietnam saved the lives of many comrades, and his bravery during combat was nothing short of heroic.

Dwight H. Johnson is buried at Arlington National Cemetery; his story is a lasting lesson on the sacrifices made by soldiers and the enduring impacts of war.

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 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!

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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,

Chad Hill

Founder,

The Veteran's Newsletter