Welcome to the Veteran’s Newsletter!

In today's edition:

• The VA has added three rarer cancers to its PACT Act presumptive illnesses list.

• Army mental health experts highlight gaps in mental health as the Lewiston mass shooting is investigated. 

• The Fisher House Foundation offers a home away from home for veterans. 

• The VA and USACE are working together to create an enhanced medical structure program. 

• The story of a WWII hero of the skies.

• And more…

News of the Week

📰 Top Veteran Stories

VA Adds Three Rare Cancers, Including Male Breast Cancer, to PACT Act Presumptive Illnesses List

The VA has added male breast cancer, urethral cancer, and cancer of the paraurethral glands to its list of presumptive illnesses linked to burn pit and environmental toxin exposure. This update, part of the PACT Act, enables affected veterans to expedite disability compensation and health care benefits. The VA's decision follows a review of scientific data and veterans' claims, targeting support for those who served in the Persian Gulf War and post-9/11 operations. 

Over 1 million PACT Act claims have been approved, with $5.7 billion awarded. Benefits for these newly recognized cancers will be backdated to August 10, 2022. VA Secretary Denis McDonough emphasized the VA's commitment to timely health care and benefits for toxic-exposed veterans and their families. 

This change simplifies access to benefits, as veterans no longer need to prove direct causation between their cancers and military service.

Army Health Expert Highlights Gaps in Mental Health Care for Reservists Amid Investigation of Lewiston Mass Shooting

Col. Mark Ochoa, an Army health expert, informed a panel that reservists face limitations in health care compared to full-time soldiers, leading to gaps in mental health care and communication. In New England, reservists often use private health care, which cannot share information with the Army, leaving commanders uninformed about soldiers' health. Only commanders can mandate treatment, and communication breakdowns and career concerns complicate the process.

The panel is investigating the October 2023 mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, by Army reservist Robert Card, who killed 18 people and injured 13 others. Card had shown growing paranoia and was hospitalized months before the shooting. Despite warnings, adequate intervention was lacking. The preliminary report criticized police for not correctly removing Card's weapons and highlighted the need to enforce the "yellow flag" law better.

Following the shooting, the state Legislature strengthened the "yellow flag" law and expanded mental health crisis funding. The commission's final report is due this summer. Experts stress that most people with mental illness are not violent, but access to firearms remains a significant concern.

📜 Veteran Benefits Administration (VBA) Updates

Fisher House Foundation: A Home Away from Home

Fisher House Foundation provides free lodging for military and Veteran families near hospitals. Each home has up to 21 suites, each offering private bedrooms, baths, and shared common areas. The Foundation is expanding to 100 homes, serving over 1,400 families nightly. Since its inception, it has saved families $610 million in lodging and transportation costs.

Support Programs:

• Hero Miles: Donates frequent flyer miles to bring families to injured service members.

• Hotels for Heroes: Provides free hotel stays using donated points.

• Grants and Scholarships: Awards of $27 million to 15,000 students from military families.

Impact:

• Daily capacity: 1,300 families.

• Families served: 500,000+.

• Lodging days: 12 million+.

• Hero Miles tickets: 70,000+ worth $105 million.

Staying at a Fisher House:

Families enjoy community and private spaces, with amenities like gourmet kitchens, laundry rooms, and private suites. Fisher Houses foster support and comfort for families during challenging times.

⚕️ Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Updates

VA and USACE Unite to Enhance National Medical Construction Program for 2024-25

Earlier this month, the VA and the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) held a summit in Frederick, MD, to discuss strategic priorities for 2024-25, focusing on enhancing the national medical construction program. The VA's major medical construction program currently oversees 30 healthcare facility projects in the U.S., valued at over $14 billion.

The summit aimed to reflect on progress made in 2023 and to ensure that Veterans remain the central focus of future efforts. The VA and USACE identified gaps in financial reporting and took steps to standardize these processes, enhance funding capabilities, and improve efficiency. The new economic policies will ensure accountability and repeatability in implementation.

Efforts will simplify customer invoicing and order fulfillment, and collaborative analytics will drive performance.

Dr. Michael Brennan, VA’s executive director of the Office of Construction and Facilities Management, and other leaders highlighted the importance of this collaborative effort in shaping the future of Veteran healthcare facilities.

Veteran App of the Week

Virtual Hope Box

The Virtual Hope Box is a smartphone application developed by the Department of Defense's National Center for Telehealth and Technology to help veterans and others cope with stress, depression, and anxiety. The app offers various tools and resources to support emotional regulation and improve overall mental well-being.

Key features include:

• Coping Tools

  • Distract Me: Engages users with activities such as puzzles, games, and inspirational quotes to divert attention from distressing thoughts.

  • Relax Me: Provides guided exercises for deep breathing, muscle relaxation, and other relaxation techniques.

  • Inspire Me: Offers a collection of uplifting quotes, images, and personal messages to boost mood and provide encouragement.

• Self-Help Tools

  • Coping Cards: Allows users to create and store personalized coping strategies and reminders for when they are feeling distressed.

  • Remind Me: Users can set reminders for important activities and positive behaviors, promoting routine and self-care.

• Positive Activity Planning

  • Activity Planner: Helps users plan and schedule enjoyable activities to improve mood and motivation.

• Personalized Content

  • Users can customize their Virtual Hope Box with personal photos, music, and videos that provide comfort and positive reinforcement.

Military Deals of the Week

*We do not explicitly endorse any of these companies as we have not personally purchased from many of them. We are simply sharing online deals that we have found for your convenience.

• 10% Off: Bodybuilding.com

• 10% Off: Apple

• $25 Membership Offer: BJ’s Wholesale Club

Meme of the Week

Hero of the Week: James H. "Jimmy" Doolittle

James H. "Jimmy" Doolittle was born on Dec. 14, 1896, in Alameda, CA. His early years were marked by a significant move to Nome, AK, when he was three years old, where his father worked as a carpenter and prospector.

Growing up in a rough mining town, Doolittle developed resilience and a pioneering spirit. When he was eight, his family returned to California, where he attended public schools in Los Angeles. He graduated from Manual Arts High School and then attended Los Angeles Junior College before studying mining engineering at the University of California, Berkeley.

Doolittle's passion for aviation began after attending the 1910 International Air Meet in Los Angeles. This fascination led him to enlist as a flying cadet in the Army Signal Corps Reserve on October 6, 1917. Although World War I ended before he saw combat, he served as a flight instructor and test pilot, in which he honed his skills and deepened his aviation knowledge.

During the interwar period, Doolittle made a name for himself as an aviator. In 1922, he completed the first cross-country flight in under 24 hours, flying from Pablo Beach, Florida, to San Diego, California, with only one refueling stop.

This achievement earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross. He continued his education and earned a doctorate in aeronautical engineering from MIT in 1925, becoming one of the first Americans to receive this degree. He was instrumental in pioneering instrument flying, which allowed pilots to fly safely in poor visibility.

Doolittle's most notable achievement came during World War II, with the Doolittle Raid on April 18, 1942. This daring mission was the first air raid by the United States to strike the Japanese home islands, specifically Tokyo and other cities. The raid was planned as a response to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, aimed at boosting American morale and demonstrating Japan's vulnerability to American air attacks.

In planning the raid, Doolittle and his team modified 16 B-25 Mitchell bombers to carry extra fuel and reduce weight for the long flight. The bombers were loaded onto the aircraft carrier USS Hornet, which sailed within striking distance of Japan.

On April 18, 1942, the bombers took off from the Hornet, 650 miles from Japan, after the task force was spotted by a Japanese patrol boat. Despite being launched earlier than planned, the bombers successfully reached their targets and dropped bombs on military and industrial sites in Tokyo, Yokohama, Yokosuka, Nagoya, and Kobe.

After completing their missions, the crews faced the challenge of reaching safety in China. Due to fuel shortages, most planes crash-landed, or the crews bailed out. Of the 80 crew members, three were killed in action, eight were captured by the Japanese (three of whom were later executed), and Chinese civilians and soldiers aided the rest to evade capture.

The raid caused minimal physical damage but had significant psychological effects, boosting American morale and causing the Japanese to doubt their defensive capabilities. The raid prompted Japan to hasten plans to expand its defensive perimeter, leading to the Battle of Midway, a turning point in the Pacific War.

Then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt awarded Doolittle the Medal of Honor for his leadership and bravery. He continued to serve in several high-ranking positions throughout the war, including commanding the 12th Air Force in North Africa, the 15th Air Force in the Mediterranean, and the 8th Air Force in Europe. His leadership in these roles was critical to the success of Allied air operations.

After the war, Doolittle remained active in the aviation community, contributing to military and civilian aerospace advancements. He retired as a lieutenant general in 1959, having made lasting impacts on aviation and military strategy.

Doolittle passed away on Sep. 27, 1993, leaving behind a legacy of bravery and dedication to his country. His life story is a testament to the transformative power of leadership in times of crisis.

Veteran Business of the Week

Zero Foxtrot

Zero Foxtrot is a veteran-owned lifestyle and apparel brand founded by former Marine Nick Koumalatsos. It honors the warrior culture and military community with products like clothing, accessories, and home decor, featuring designs that celebrate military history and values. The brand supports veterans and active-duty personnel by donating a portion of its profits to related causes.

In addition to its merchandise, Zero Foxtrot builds a strong community among veterans and military enthusiasts through social media, events, and collaborations with other veteran-owned businesses. They also produce content highlighting significant military history and heroic individuals, keeping the warrior spirit alive through quality products and meaningful storytelling.

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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Until Next Time!

Stay tuned for next week’s edition, where we’ll cover more stories and policy updates and find tools & deals for the veteran community.

Thanks,

The Veterans Newsletter