The Veteran Newsletter 5/15

Welcome to the Veteran’s Newsletter!

In today's edition:

• The VA faces challenges recouping millions mistakenly given as a bonus to executives.

• The VA unveils a $4 million grant program for veterans and their spouses.

• The NCA adds options for commemorative plaques and urns.

• National Women’s Health Week highlights the unique needs of women veterans.  

• The story of a Medal of Honor recipient whose tale of sacrifice was lost for decades.

• And more…

News of the Week

📰 Top Veteran Stories

VA Faces Challenges Recouping $10.8 Million in Mistaken Bonus Payments to Executives

The VA mistakenly paid $10.8 million in bonuses to 182 senior executives last year, exceeding the previously acknowledged $9.7 million. These payments, meant to retain staff in critical positions under the PACT Act, face challenges in being recouped, according to a report from the department’s inspector general.

Bonuses ranged from $39,000 to over $100,000 and were awarded despite concerns from human resources. Failures in communication and leadership, particularly from Under Secretary for Health Dr. Shereef Elnahal and Under Secretary for Benefits Joshua Jacobs, were highlighted.

The PACT Act, designed to expand healthcare and benefits for veterans exposed to environmental hazards, authorized incentives for hard-to-fill positions. However, the majority of the $20 million in incentives went to central office executives without proper justification.

VA Secretary Denis McDonough only learned of the bonuses in September. He then announced plans to cancel the payments and recover the funds, though this will be difficult since much of the money has already been spent.

The inspector general made eight recommendations to improve oversight and prevent conflicts of interest. VA officials agreed and plan to revise policies on critical skills incentives. The VA is committed to ensuring future bonuses are awarded appropriately and responsibly.

VA Unveils $4 Million Grant Program for Veterans and Spouses

On Military Spouse Appreciation Day, the VA announced a new $4 million grant program to help veterans and their spouses find jobs after military service. The program, based on 2021 legislation, offers grants up to $500,000 to organizations providing employment resources like resume writing, interview training, and job placement services.

VA Under Secretary for Benefits Joshua Jacobs highlighted the program's goal to empower transitioning service members and their families for successful civilian careers.

The program aims to support the approximately 200,000 service members who transition out of the military annually. While specific numbers of beneficiaries were not disclosed, details on applying for the grants will be available in June.

Despite existing services, military and veteran spouse unemployment rates exceed 20%. Lawmakers are exploring additional measures to address this issue. Veteran employment rates are generally favorable, though younger veterans face more challenges securing jobs post-service.

📜 VBA Updates

NCA Adds Options for Commemorative Plaques and Urns

Starting June 10, families of deceased and cremated Veterans can apply for commemorative plaques or urns from the VA if they do not wish to inter their loved ones in a VA National Cemetery or receive a government-furnished headstone, marker, or medallion.

Commemorative urns hold the remains of a cremated Veteran, while plaques are meant to be displayed on a wall. Both items honor the Veteran's service. Families can request either a plaque or an urn, but not both.

Choosing a plaque or urn means the Veteran's remains cannot be interred in a VA National Cemetery, nor can the family receive a government-furnished headstone, marker, or medallion. This decision is final and irreversible.

Eligibility requires service in the Armed Forces on or after April 6, 1917, eligibility for a headstone or marker under 38 U.S.C. § 2306(d), and cremated remains with no portion interred.

For more information and applications, visit the VA website starting June 10. Additional details on VA burial and memorial benefits are available online, at VA national cemeteries, or by calling 1-800-827-1000. To arrange a burial at a VA national cemetery, call the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 1-800-535-1117. Veterans are also encouraged to apply for Pre-Need Eligibility to establish their eligibility for burial and memorial benefits in advance.

⚕️ VHA Updates

National Women's Health Week Highlights Unique Health Needs of Women Veterans

Women often play central roles in their families and communities, juggling multiple responsibilities while sometimes neglecting their own health. National Women’s Health Week, observed from May 12-18, encourages women and women Veterans to prioritize their physical and mental health.

VA serves over 800,000 women Veterans, one of the fastest-growing demographics. The number of women using VA health services has tripled since 2000.

Women Veterans should assess their well-being, including rest, stress management, medical concerns, and screenings for cervical and breast cancer. This week is an opportunity to refocus on self-care.

VA offers various services tailored to women Veterans:

• Women Veteran Program Managers at VA medical centers help navigate services.

• Women’s Health primary care providers offer general and gender-specific care.

• Patient Aligned Care Teams coordinate personalized health plans.

• Maternity care coordinators assist with pregnancy care.

• Women’s Mental Health Champions specialize in mental health for women Veterans.

• LGBTQ+ Veteran care coordinators help with LGBTQ+ specific health needs.

The VA prioritizes respectful and comprehensive care for women Veterans, covering all life stages from active service to menopause. Regular checkups, screenings, and healthy habits are crucial for preventing and managing conditions like high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes. Women Veterans can also receive screenings for toxic exposures, mental health support, and care for PTSD and Military Sexual Trauma.

Most Useful Mobile App of the Week

VA Health Chat 

The VA Health Chat app is a tool provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to give Veterans convenient access to healthcare services through their mobile devices. It allows Veterans to chat with VA healthcare team members in real-time for a variety of needs, including:

• Medical Advice: Get guidance on non-emergency health issues and receive answers to health-related questions.

• Prescription Refills: Request prescription renewals and ask questions about medications.

• Appointment Scheduling: Schedule, reschedule, or cancel appointments with VA healthcare providers.

• General Information: Obtain information about VA services, benefits, and health resources.

The app is designed to enhance accessibility and streamline the process for Veterans seeking medical assistance, making it easier for them to manage their healthcare needs from anywhere. The VA Health Chat app is available for download on both iOS and Android devices.

Meme of the Week

Hero of the Week: Leslie H. Sabo Jr.

Leslie H. Sabo Jr. was born in Kufstein, Austria, on Feb. 22, 1948, to an upper-class Hungarian family. His early life was shaped by the scars of World War II, as his brother had been killed at the age of one by bombings.

His family also lost their fortune in the war, and after realizing that the Soviet Union would control Hungary, the Sabos decided to emigrate permanently. In 1950, when Leslie was just two years old, the family relocated to the United States, seeking a new beginning​.

His father, who had worked as a lawyer before emigrating, decided to pursue engineering and moved the family to Youngstown, OH, and eventually landed the family in Ellwood City, PN. From an early age, Sabo’s father would instill a sense of patriotism, thankful for the new opportunities that the United States had provided their family. Sabo was known by his friends and family as a kind-hearted and easygoing boy.

Sabo was drafted into the United States Army in April 1969 and sent to Ft. Benning, GA, for his basic training. In Jan. 1970, Sabo and his unit were deployed to Vietnam to fight in the Vietnam War. 

The early days of his deployment were marked by infrequent contact with North Vietnamese troops, typically small hit-and-run attacks. That was until May 5 of that year, when his platoon was sent on a series of interdiction missions against the Ho Chi Minh Trail, backed by air support. 

During this operation, Sabo and his platoon endured days of constant, heavy fire from North Vietnamese forces. On May 10, while being directed to Cambodia to disrupt enemy forces, Sabo's platoon was ambushed by a significantly larger enemy force that had been tipped off about the US presence.

Positioned at the end of the column, Sabo made efforts to prevent the North Vietnamese from surrounding and overrunning his platoon. During the battle, a platoon member was shot and lay wounded in the open. When a North Vietnamese soldier threw a grenade at the injured soldier, Sabo noticed and ran out from cover, draping himself over his wounded comrade just before the grenade exploded​.

After shielding the already wounded soldier and sustaining wounds of his own, Sabo attacked the North Vietnamese troops who had thrown the grenade from a nearby trench, killing two of them with his own grenade.

He then helped his comrade to the safety of the nearby trees before returning to the rest of the platoon to distribute ammunition. This included searching and stripping the bodies of wounded and fallen comrades, as their supplies were running low. 

As night began to fall, the North Vietnamese shifted their focus from Sabo’s platoon to the helicopters evacuating the wounded. During this moment, another platoon broke through the enemy lines, providing much-needed backup as additional medical helicopters arrived.

Sabo once again engaged the enemy, providing crucial cover fire to allow the safe evacuation of his comrades despite suffering several severe wounds. Determined to protect his fellow soldiers, he crawled toward the enemy's position with a grenade. Upon reaching close proximity, he pulled the pin and threw the grenade, successfully destroying the enemy bunker and ending the skirmish.

Tragically, the explosion that silenced the enemy also claimed Sabo’s life. His heroic actions saved many lives, but the circumstances of his death remained unclear to his family for decades due to lost records.

In 1999, Vietnam War veteran Alton Mabb discovered the documentation of Sabo’s bravery at the National Archives in College Park, MD. He published the findings and wrote to a Florida congresswoman, advocating for Sabo to be awarded the Medal of Honor.

In 2012, Sabo was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor by then-President Barack Obama. His family received the medal during a White House ceremony 42 years after his heroic actions in Vietnam.

Though it took many years, Sabo’s sacrifice was finally recognized. His story stands as a testament to the courage and selflessness displayed by many soldiers, whose acts of bravery often go unacknowledged.​

Veteran Business of the Week

RECON Rings 

Recon Rings are special rings designed for military personnel, veterans, and their families. These rings are a meaningful way to honor and represent the service and sacrifice of those in the armed forces. Here's what makes Recon Rings special:

• Commemoration: These rings celebrate military service and achievements, often featuring emblems, insignia, or symbols from specific branches, units, or missions.

• Recognition: Recon Rings recognize and honor the dedication and bravery of service members, and they can be awarded for specific accomplishments or milestones.

• Remembrance: They serve as a tribute to fallen comrades or significant events in military history, helping keep memories alive.

• Personalization: You can personalize these rings with engravings of names, dates, or special messages, making them a unique memento for service members and their families.

Recon Rings come in various materials, like metals or silicone, and can be worn daily or during special occasions and ceremonies. They are a heartfelt symbol of pride, honor, and connection within the military community.

Search for Military Deals

ID.me shop

Hundreds of online shops are offering discounts to military veterans and their families. They also have a nice Google Chrome extension that helps you spot whether you should be using an ID.me account to get a deal on whatever you might be shopping for online.

We highly recommend getting this extension if you’re a frequent online shopper.

Thank You For Your Service!

Not every service member 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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