Welcome to the Veteran’s Newsletter!

In today's edition:

• Kamala Harris’ record on veteran and military issues.

• Veterans in the Philippines are facing hardships because of the VA’s antiquated payment system.

• A bipartisan effort in the Senate is being organized to prevent a disruption in VA benefits.

• A recent VA study highlights the importance of COVID-19 vaccinations in preventing Long COVID.

• The tale of a World War I hero.

• And more…

News of the Week

📰 Top Veteran Stories

Presidential Candidate Kamala Harris’ Record on Veterans and Military Issues 

Veterans should care about the upcoming presidential election because the policies and initiatives supported by the next president will significantly impact their benefits and overall well-being. The shift in leadership from President Joe Biden to Vice President Kamala Harris could bring changes to the focus and execution of veterans' policies.

President Joe Biden's decision not to seek reelection and the rallying around Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee gives the party a candidate with a less high-profile record on military and veterans issues. As vice president, Harris supported Biden's primary initiatives for service members and veterans, including expanding benefits under the PACT Act and the 2021 military withdrawal from Afghanistan. However, her lead projects in the White House did not primarily focus on these areas.

Despite this, Harris has a relevant background from her time in the Senate and as California's attorney general. She has a track record of voting on military and veterans bills and took significant action against for-profit colleges targeting veterans, securing a $1.1 billion judgment against Corinthian Colleges. This history provides insight into how she might address veterans' issues as president.

Republican campaigning against her has mainly targeted her role in Biden's immigration policies rather than her record on military and veterans issues. Harris emphasizes her prosecutorial background in her campaign against former President Donald Trump, highlighting her efforts to combat fraudulent practices that harmed veterans.

Harris' tenure in the Senate saw mixed voting on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and support for the Mission Act, which expanded veterans' access to VA-funded care. Her 2019 presidential campaign included comprehensive plans to extend VA health care, improve military housing, support homeless veterans, and facilitate immigrant service members' path to citizenship.

Veterans in the Philippines Face Hardships Due to VA's Outdated Payment System 

Vietnam veterans Jim Esposito and Terrence Michalski, residing in the Philippines, endure significant financial burdens due to the VA's paper-based claims system, leading to delays and uncertainties in health care reimbursements. Esposito, who receives spinal treatments and pain medication, and Michalski, who frequently requires hospitalization, must pay thousands of dollars upfront for their medical care.

The VA plans to phase in an electronic payment system for its foreign medical program starting in late fiscal 2025, but veterans advocacy groups urge quicker action. Delays in reimbursements cause hardships for aging and disabled veterans, as many doctors and hospitals require upfront payments.

The VA's Foreign Medical Program, described as outdated and unreliable, sees most claims from countries like Panama, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, the Philippines, and Germany. Veterans advocates argue for adopting electronic payments to ease the burden on veterans living abroad.

The Government Accountability Office reported a 15% increase in disability claims for veterans living abroad from 2014 to 2019, with processing times varying by country. Veterans like Esposito and Michalski face long waits for reimbursement, with Esposito estimating only 25% of his $28,000 in spinal surgery costs have been covered by the VA.

The VA advises veterans like Esposito to move back to the U.S. for full coverage, but for many, including those with strong ties to their current homes, this is not a viable option.

📜 VBA Updates

Bipartisan Effort to Prevent Disruption in Veterans Benefits Amid Budget Shortfall

Veterans should be aware of a potential disruption in their benefits later this year due to a significant budget shortfall. A bipartisan group of senators has introduced a bill to address a nearly $3 billion shortfall in disability and education benefits that the VA expects to face by October.

The bill aims to prevent a disruption in benefits payments scheduled for Oct. 1, 2024, which could affect over 7 million veterans and survivors. This move comes as VA Secretary Denis McDonough responded to a House chairman's demand for more information on the budget shortfall, which includes $2.9 billion for disability and education benefits this fiscal year and $12 billion for medical care next fiscal year.

The shortfall is primarily due to an increase in disability claims driven by the PACT Act, which expanded VA eligibility and benefits to millions of veterans exposed to toxins during their service. Also, higher-than-expected usage of GI Bill benefits has contributed to the shortfall. Some lawmakers are frustrated with the VA for not anticipating these increases.

Seven senators from both parties, including leaders from the Senate Appropriations and Veterans Affairs Committees, sponsored the bill. They emphasize the importance of ensuring veterans receive the care and benefits they have earned.

The VA is working to address the shortfall, but with Congress set to leave for summer recess, time is running short to approve a fix before the Sep. 20 deadline. Lawmakers will need to act quickly when they return to avoid a disruption in veterans' benefits.

⚕️ Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Updates

VA Study Highlights the Critical Role of COVID-19 Vaccination in Preventing Long COVID

A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine by VA researchers Drs. Ziyad Al-Aly, Yan Xie, and Taeyoung Choi underscore the significant protective role COVID-19 vaccination plays in preventing Long COVID. The study, the largest of its kind, analyzed data from over 5 million veterans and revealed that vaccination significantly lowers the risk of developing Long COVID.

The cohort study followed veterans who received VA health care between March 1, 2020, and Jan. 31, 2022, comparing 441,583 veterans with SARS-CoV-2 infections to 4,748,504 who did not. It highlighted that vaccinated veterans had a 44% lower risk of Long COVID during the delta variant peak and a 55% lower risk during the omicron va

riant peak compared to unvaccinated veterans. Additionally, the study showed a 34% decrease in Long COVID risk for vaccinated veterans over time, compared to a 26% decrease for unvaccinated veterans. The researchers concluded that 72% of the reduction in Long COVID incidence was attributable to vaccination. Long COVID, which can affect individuals regardless of the severity of their initial infection, includes symptoms such as fatigue, respiratory issues, neurological problems, digestive symptoms, and joint or muscle pain.

This study emphasizes the importance of COVID-19 vaccination in preventing infection and reducing the long-term health consequences associated with the virus. The VA provides the latest COVID-19 vaccines free of charge to all enrolled veterans and VA healthcare employees. The study's findings reinforce the message that vaccination is a crucial tool in protecting veterans and mitigating the impact of COVID-19.

Veteran App of the Week

Beyond MST

The Beyond MST app, developed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is a mobile application designed to support veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma (MST). It offers self-help tools, personalized wellness plans, and educational resources to help manage symptoms like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The app also includes mood tracking, journaling, and relaxation exercises to promote mental health.

Confidentiality is a key feature of the Beyond MST app, which allows veterans to access resources without sharing personal information. The app also provides crisis support information, including contact details for the Veterans Crisis Line. It is available for free on iOS and Android, making it widely accessible.

Overall, the Beyond MST app is part of the VA's broader efforts to provide comprehensive support for veterans affected by MST, offering a convenient and private way to access the necessary tools and resources for recovery and well-being.

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.

• 15% Off: Ray-Ban

• 10% Off: RTIC

• 25% Off: beam

Meme of the Week

Hero of the Week: Charles White Whittlesey

Charles White Whittlesey was born in Florence, WI, on Jan. 20, 1884. Growing up in a family that valued civic duty and military service, he developed a strong sense of responsibility and leadership. He graduated from Williams College in 1905 and Harvard Law School in 1908, starting a promising career as a lawyer in New York City before the outbreak of World War I.

Whittlesey enlisted in the U.S. Army on Aug. 8, 1917, quickly rising to the rank of Major due to his exemplary leadership skills. He was assigned to the 308th Infantry Regiment of the 77th Division. His most notable military achievement occurred during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive in Oct. 1918, when he led the "Lost Battalion."

From Oct. 2 to Oct. 7, 1918, Whittlesey and approximately 550 men were cut off behind enemy lines in the Argonne Forest, northeast of Binarville, France. The battalion advanced into a ravine without realizing they were surrounded by German forces. For five harrowing days, Whittlesey's men endured constant artillery and machine-gun fire with little food or water. Despite severe casualties, Whittlesey maintained his position and morale among his troops.

On Oct. 4, the Germans sent a blindfolded American prisoner with a message demanding the battalion's surrender. Whittlesey, recognizing the psychological impact of such a demand, famously refused by ignoring the message and continuing to resist. His leadership during these critical days was pivotal; he coordinated defensive positions, rationed supplies, and ensured that his men stayed focused and determined.​ 

The battalion's plight became desperate, with over half of the men either killed or wounded. The lack of supplies and the unrelenting enemy assaults tested their resolve. On Oct. 7, after multiple failed resupply attempts due to incorrect coordinates and heavy enemy fire, Allied forces finally broke through the German lines and rescued the survivors. Of the original 554 soldiers, only 194 were able to walk out unaided; 107 had been killed, 63 were missing, and 190 were wounded.

For his extraordinary bravery and leadership during this ordeal, Charles Whittlesey was awarded the Medal of Honor on Dec. 5, 1918. The citation highlighted his gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. His actions not only saved his men but also became a symbol of American resilience and courage during World War I.

After the war, Whittlesey returned to his law practice but struggled with the constant attention and the emotional toll of his wartime experiences. He became involved in veteran advocacy and worked tirelessly to support his fellow soldiers, attending numerous funerals and visiting hospitalized veterans. Despite his public image as a war hero, he found it difficult to cope with the memories of combat and the loss of his men.

Tragically, on Nov. 26, 1921, Whittlesey took his own life by jumping overboard from a ship bound for Havana, Cuba. His death shocked the nation and highlighted the enduring psychological toll of war. Whittlesey’s tragic end underscored the critical need to address veteran mental health, emphasizing that the impacts of war extend far beyond the battlefield. 

His legacy endures as a symbol of courage and sacrifice, and his leadership during the ordeal of the 'Lost Battalion' remains a powerful example of American heroism in World War I. His story continues to inspire efforts to ensure that veterans receive the mental health support they need. 

Veteran Business of the Week

Bravo Sierra

Bravo Sierra is a company founded to cater to the personal care needs of military personnel and active individuals. The brand offers high-performance grooming products designed for durability and effectiveness, including deodorants, body washes, hair care, skincare, and shaving essentials.

Bravo Sierra's mission is to provide clean, sustainable, and innovative personal care solutions that meet the rigorous demands of military life. Their products are made with clean ingredients and eco-friendly packaging and tested by active-duty military personnel to ensure top performance under extreme conditions.

Bravo Sierra emphasizes support for the military community, donating a portion of its proceeds to the Armed Services YMCA. Veteran-owned and committed to excellence, the company blends military standards of effectiveness and durability with modern, eco-friendly personal care solutions. This dedication to quality, sustainability, and community support has established Bravo Sierra as a respected name in personal care for those with active lifestyles.

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