The Veterans Newsletter (7/11)

Sen. Jim Inhofe Has Passed Away, Army Vet Charged with Murder, Free Legal Services for Homeless Vets

Author

Hagen McMenemy
July 11, 2024

Welcome to the Veteran’s Newsletter!

In today's edition:

  • Senator and long time military advocate Jim Inhofe passes away at 89.

  • the VA ends mandatory overtime for most claims processors.

  • Memphis Army vet charged with murder.

  • Free legal services for homeless vets.

  • A New VA telehealth model is revolutionizing PTSD and mental health treatment for vets.

  • The tale of a long unsung World War I hero.

  • And more…

News of the Week

📰 Top Veteran Stories

Sen. Jim Inhofe, a prominent conservative known for his strong defense spending support and denial of human culpability in climate, has died at 89 after a stroke. Inhofe, a key figure in Oklahoma politics for over six decades, stepped down from his Senate position in early 2023.

A staunch supporter of Oklahoma's military installations, veterans, and congressional earmarks, Inhofe was also known for his controversial views on climate change. He famously brought a snowball to the Senate floor to mock global warming. He was a strong supporter of President Donald Trump and chaired the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Inhofe played a significant role in securing federal funds for local projects and was instrumental in the cleanup of the Tar Creek Superfund site in Oklahoma. Despite his conservative stance, he voted to certify Joe Biden's 2020 presidential victory.

Inhofe's political career spanned from the state House to the U.S. Senate, where he served multiple terms. He was also an experienced pilot, surviving several aviation incidents. He is survived by his wife, Kay, three children, and several grandchildren.

The VA has ended a seven-year policy of mandatory overtime for claims processors, thanks to increased hiring and efficiency. Most staff will no longer need to work up to four extra hours weekly, though they can still volunteer for up to 20 hours. Exceptions include processors handling specific claims like radiation exposure, sexual assault, and Camp Lejeune water contamination.

The policy change comes after the VA's workforce grew by 33% in two years, processing nearly 2 million claims in fiscal 2023. The VA also saw a record number of claims following the 2022 PACT Act, with 1.65 million related to environmental exposure. Currently, there are over 970,000 pending claims.

Processing speed has improved, with claims processors handling 8,000 claims on 182 days in the past two years. The new policy aims to improve employee work-life balance, which is driven by feedback and not budget constraints. The VA will continue to assess and adjust as needed.

Karl P. Loucks, a U.S. Army veteran, faces a first-degree murder charge for fatally shooting Shaun Rhea, a homeless man, in Memphis. On May 31, Loucks pepper-sprayed Rhea, leading to a confrontation where Rhea threw an electric scooter at Loucks but missed. Loucks then retrieved an AR-style rifle from his apartment and shot Rhea, who was unarmed, in the back.

Testimonies from a security guard and a police investigator confirmed the events, and a judge ruled that there was enough evidence to present the case to a grand jury. Loucks, who claims self-defense, is also charged with aggravated assault for an earlier knife attack on another homeless man. His lawyer suggests PTSD influenced Loucks’ actions during his military service. Loucks remains held without bond.

📜 VBA Updates

For Veterans experiencing homelessness, legal issues can block access to stable housing. Barriers like revoked driver’s licenses and needed military discharge upgrades hinder benefits eligibility.

The VA's Legal Services for Homeless Veterans and Veterans At-Risk for Homelessness (LSV-H) grant program funds partners nationwide to offer free legal services to eligible Veterans. Services include housing issues, family law, income support, criminal defense, domestic violence protection, military discharge upgrades, healthcare access, and employment law.

Supported by the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, the LSV-H program awarded its first grants in 2023. In 2024, nearly $27 million went to 108 organizations, focusing on vulnerable groups such as women Veterans and those in rural or tribal areas. This initiative aims to end Veteran homelessness by removing legal obstacles to housing.

Sponsored by Hill & Ponton, Veteran Benefits Attorneys

In service of our nation, you gave everything you had. You sacrificed your comfort, your peace, and sometimes even your well-being. If the VA denied your rightful benefits, give the team at Hill & Ponton a call today to see how they can help you on your benefits journey.

Use the VA Disability Calculator on the Hill & Ponton website today to calculate your monthly compensation.

⚕️ Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Updates

The VA's TeleMental Health has revolutionized mental health treatment for Veterans with PTSD and other challenges by addressing barriers such as transportation, stigma, and scheduling conflicts. In 2023, 54% of VA outpatient mental health services were provided virtually.

TeleMental Health enables Veterans, especially those in rural areas, to receive care through virtual appointments, overcoming obstacles like long distances to VA facilities. It offers privacy and reduces the stigma associated with mental health treatment by allowing sessions to be conducted from home.

The program also adapts the traditional therapy model, offering more flexible, frequent, and shorter-duration sessions to fit Veterans' busy lives. Using the VA Video Connect platform, veterans can attend sessions from convenient locations, such as their parked car or home.

Overall, VA’s TeleMental Health provides convenient, confidential, and tailored mental health support, helping Veterans access and maintain the care they need for PTSD and other mental health issues. For more information, Veterans can contact their VA care team or visit the VA Telehealth Services page.

Veteran App of the Week

The LifeArmor app is a comprehensive, free resource designed to help service members, veterans, and their families manage common challenges. Created by the National Center for Telehealth & Technology (T2), it provides information, tools, and assessments to address various issues, including PTSD, depression, anger, sleep problems, and relationship difficulties.

LifeArmor grants access to features such as:

  • Educational Resources: Provides information about 17 different topics related to mental health and well-being.

  • Self-Assessment Tools: Offers anonymous self-assessments to help users understand their symptoms and severity.

  • Interactive Tools: This section includes exercises, guides, and tips for managing and coping with stressors and mental health issues.

  • Tracking Progress: Allows users to track their progress and changes in symptoms over time.

  • Privacy and Confidentiality: Ensures that all user interactions are private and confidential.

The LifeArmor app aims to offer accessible, practical support for mental health and wellness, particularly tailored to the unique needs of military personnel and their families. It is available for download on both iOS and Android devices.

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.

Meme of the Week

Hero of the Week: Henry Johnson

Henry Johnson was born on July 15, 1892, in Winston-Salem, NC. Little is known about his early life, but he later moved to Albany, NY, where he worked as a porter at Albany Union Station.

Johnson first gained recognition for his heroism during his service with the 369th Infantry Regiment, known as the Harlem Hellfighters, in World War I. Enlisting in 1917, Johnson was part of an African American unit that fought under French command due to the US Army's segregation policies.

Johnson's most notable act of bravery occurred on the night of May 15, 1918, in the Argonne Forest. While on sentry duty with fellow soldier Needham Roberts, they were attacked by a German raiding party. Severely outnumbered and wounded, Johnson fought off the attackers with his rifle, a bolo knife, and bare hands. This courageous act prevented the Germans from breaching the French line and saved his comrade's life, earning Johnson the Croix de Guerre with a gold palm from the French government.

Following this incident, Johnson continued to serve with distinction. Despite his severe injuries, he remained dedicated to his duty and displayed unwavering courage. However, his heroics went largely unrecognized by the U.S. military during his lifetime.

After the war, Johnson faced numerous challenges. He struggled with his health and injuries and found it difficult to secure stable employment. Despite his sacrifices, he lived in relative obscurity and passed away on July 1, 1929, without receiving the recognition he deserved.

Johnson's heroism and sacrifice were eventually acknowledged posthumously. In 1996, he was awarded the Purple Heart, followed by the Distinguished Service Cross in 2003. In 2015, then-President Barack Obama posthumously awarded him the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military decoration.

Henry Johnson's story is a testament to the courage and resilience of those who served in World War I, particularly African American soldiers who faced discrimination and adversity. His legacy continues to inspire and remind us of the profound impact of individual bravery and dedication in the pursuit of freedom.

Veteran Business of the Week

Victory Coffees is a veteran-owned coffee company founded by former Navy SEAL Cade Courtley. The company offers a subscription-based service that delivers high-quality, organically grown, and fairly traded coffee blends to your doorstep. Their product range includes whole bean, ground, and single-cup pod options, with popular blends like Light, Medium, Dark Roast, and Admiral Espresso. 

The mission behind Victory Coffees is to share the comfort and normalcy that a good cup of coffee provided Courtley and his teammates during challenging times in the military, fostering a sense of patriotism and giving back to the veteran community.

Gaining significant attention after appearing on "Shark Tank," Victory Coffees has continued to grow, focusing on excellent customer service and maintaining a strong connection with the veteran community. Customers select their preferred type of coffee and specify their daily consumption, with freshly roasted coffee shipped monthly. 

The company emphasizes flexibility in its subscription plans, allowing adjustments or cancellations as needed, ensuring customers always have a fresh supply of coffee​.

Brand New DD214?

Military Times published a great guide to transitioning from the military to civilian life. It’s a good primer for those who are starting the transition, even if it was sponsored by Navy Federal Credit Union. It’s still decent in our book.

Hill & Ponton’s resource for applying for VA benefits. This page walks you through the basic steps of applying, what forms you need to fill out, and what the process looks like.

If you read through the guide from Hill & Ponton and decide that you need assistance with filing a claim, the VA has a search tool to find a Veteran Service Organization in your area.

HireHeroesUSA is one of the many veteran job boards we found online. It seems to offer a good mix of job types available around the country.

Corporate Gray helps military veterans transition to civilian careers by organizing job fairs, providing a job board for veterans and employers, and offering career resources such as resume writing and interview preparation guides. They also publish "The Military-to-Civilian Transition Guide" and support employers in hiring veterans.

You might be sweating slightly if you’re looking to buy a house in this market. Luckily, the VA has a resource that can help you understand the VA home loan program and give you an advantage when putting in that offer.

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