Welcome to the Veteran’s Newsletter!

In today's edition:

• The VA is looking for emergency funding to address medical care shortfalls.

• The VA is delaying rule changes on specialty ambulance reimbursements for rural emergency services.

• American Corporate Partners is empowering Post-9/11 vets through entrepreneurship programs.

• The VA is expanding virtual reality technology to enhance vet healthcare.

• The story of an Operation Enduring Freedom hero.

• And more…

News of the Week

📰 Top Veteran Stories

VA Seeks $12 Billion in Emergency Funding to Address Medical Care Shortfall for Veterans

The VA is requesting an additional $12 billion in funding for medical services in an upcoming stopgap spending bill to keep up with the growing demand for care. VA officials warned that wait times, staffing levels, and outreach to veterans without the extra funding could suffer. The request stems from a shortfall caused by increased enrollment under the PACT Act, higher staffing costs, and rising costs for pharmacy, prosthetics, and community care.

Congress must pass a stopgap bill by the end of the month to avoid a government shutdown. While the White House supports including the additional funding in the bill, a draft proposal from House Republicans does not include the requested funds. The White House has threatened to veto the bill, and Democrats argue that the lack of funding would negatively affect veterans' access to care. Negotiations are ongoing as lawmakers work to resolve the issue before fiscal year 2025.

VA Delays Rule Changes on Specialty Ambulance Reimbursements to Protect Rural Emergency Services

The VA has postponed changes to specialty ambulance reimbursement policies until 2029, following concerns that the new rules could harm emergency services for veterans in rural areas. Initially set for implementation in February 2024, the changes would reduce payments to air ambulance firms, sparking opposition from industry officials and lawmakers.

Senators Jon Tester and Jerry Moran, who have advocated against the changes, praised the delay. They argued that reduced reimbursements could negatively impact life-saving services in rural communities. The delay allows more time to find a permanent solution while ensuring veterans retain access to critical emergency services.

📜 VBA Updates

ACP Ventures: Empowering Post-9/11 Veterans Through Entrepreneurship Mentorship

American Corporate Partners (ACP) connects post-9/11 Veterans with corporate professionals for mentorships, helping them secure meaningful employment and career advancements. Since 2010, over 34,000 Veterans have benefited from ACP.

ACP is launching ACP Ventures, an entrepreneurship program designed to guide Veterans in their business ventures. The program offers 1-on-1 year-long mentorships with industry experts, on-demand business planning and marketing resources, and a network of Veteran entrepreneurs and experts.

Mentorship topics include business planning, finances, marketing, operations, and recruitment. Eligible participants include active-duty service members, post-9/11 Veterans, and their spouses. Applications can be submitted online, and ACP will match participants with mentors shortly after applying.

Veterans who served before 9/11 can join ACP Village for similar resources and support.

⚕️ Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Updates

VA Expands Virtual Reality Technology to Enhance Veteran Health Care

The VA is leading the way in implementing virtual reality (VR) technology to support Veterans with chronic pain and mental and physical health issues. VR allows Veterans to experience new sights and sounds, improving their overall well-being. Liz Williams, an Innovation Specialist at Gulf Coast VA, has been working to integrate VR into Veteran health care, aiming to bring it directly into Veterans' homes for greater accessibility.

Over the past year and a half, Gulf Coast VA has provided over 200 VR headsets to Veterans, with plans to expand further. Despite challenges like connectivity and funding, involving Veterans in the process has helped overcome these barriers. VA has deployed over 3,500 VR headsets across 170 facilities nationwide, with over 10,000 Veteran experiences documented.

Veteran App of the Week

Together Strong

The Together Strong App is a mobile application developed by the VA to help individuals support Veterans and service members dealing with mental health challenges, including stress, depression, and suicidal thoughts. The app provides training on how to have supportive conversations, recognize warning signs, and guide Veterans toward professional help when needed.

Key features of the Together Strong App include:

• Conversation simulations to practice offering help in difficult situations.

• Resources for identifying signs of distress in Veterans or service members.

• Guidance on how to encourage individuals to seek mental health support.

It is designed to empower friends, family, and colleagues to intervene and offer meaningful assistance to those struggling with mental health issues, thereby promoting resilience and preventing crises.

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.

• 20% Off: Devil-Dog Dungarees

• 20% Off: TRX

• 25% Off: Blueair

Meme of the Week

Hero of the Week: William D. Swenson

William D. Swenson was born in Seattle, WA, on Nov. 2, 1978. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, Swenson developed a strong sense of duty, which led him to pursue a military career. After attending Seattle University, he joined the U.S. Army in 2002, where his leadership abilities quickly became evident.

Swenson's service in the U.S. Army included multiple deployments to Afghanistan, where he worked as an embedded advisor to the Afghan National Border Police. His primary mission involved helping Afghan forces with security operations while improving local stability. By 2009, Swenson was a captain serving with Task Force Phoenix, Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan, in Kunar Province. This deployment would be the most defining moment of his military career.

On Sept. 8, 2009, Swenson and his team were leading a mission to meet with local village elders in the Ganjgal Valley, Kunar Province, Afghanistan. As they moved through the valley, more than 60 well-armed Taliban insurgents ambushed the team, launching a coordinated assault with rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), mortars, and machine gun fire. 

The ambush left Swenson’s team, including Afghan soldiers and U.S. Marines, surrounded and under heavy enemy fire from multiple directions.

Swenson immediately began organizing a defense and called in artillery and aviation support to suppress the enemy. With his team pinned down, he engaged in combat, returning fire while maintaining command over his forces. When he saw his fellow soldiers wounded and trapped under fire, he took extraordinary steps to save them. 

Swenson ran through a hail of bullets to recover the injured, including his team member, Sgt. First Class Kenneth Westbrook, who had been critically wounded. Swenson, along with other members of the team, dragged Westbrook to safety while continuing to fight off Taliban fighters.

In one instance, Swenson was recorded on video helping to evacuate Westbrook. The footage captured a poignant moment where Swenson kissed his comrade on the forehead before resuming combat to retrieve more wounded soldiers. Swenson also coordinated the evacuation of additional injured troops and assisted in recovering the fallen, ensuring that no one was left behind in the battle zone.

Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, Swenson's leadership and bravery enabled his unit to hold the line and save many lives. At one point during the battle, Swenson and a fellow soldier used grenades to repel insurgents who had demanded their surrender, choosing to fight back rather than give in. 

After hours of intense fighting, Swenson continued to lead rescue efforts and coordinate airstrikes, which finally forced the enemy to retreat.

For his gallantry and extraordinary heroism, Swenson was nominated for the Medal of Honor. However, due to a bureaucratic error, his nomination was delayed for nearly four years. It was finally approved in 2013, largely due to advocacy by his fellow soldiers and Marines, including Dakota Meyer, another Medal of Honor recipient from the same battle.

On Oct. 15, 2013, then-President Barack Obama presented William D. Swenson with the Medal of Honor, recognizing his incredible courage and selflessness during the Battle of Ganjgal. 

Swenson became the first U.S. Army officer to receive the Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan. His bravery saved numerous lives and exemplified the highest standards of combat leadership.

After receiving the Medal of Honor, Swenson remained dedicated to public service, taking on various roles related to veterans' affairs and leadership. He continues to advocate for the well-being of soldiers and veterans, ensuring that their sacrifices are honored and remembered.

William D. Swenson's heroism and leadership at the Battle of Ganjgal have left a lasting legacy, and his actions remain an enduring example of the courage and commitment of America’s service members.

Businesses That Support Veterans

Code of Support Foundation

Code of Support Foundation (COSF) is a nonprofit organization that provides personalized assistance to service members, veterans, and their families who struggle to access the support and services they need. COSF aims to bridge the gap between available resources and the veterans who need them by offering direct, hands-on case coordination. 

This service connects veterans to healthcare, housing, employment, and mental health support. One of the foundation's key initiatives is PATRIOTlink. This online directory offers free access to a wide range of vetted resources, helping veterans find the right services for their needs. 

Additionally, COSF provides critical financial assistance for veterans in crisis, covering essentials such as rent, utilities, and transportation. By taking a comprehensive, personalized approach, the foundation ensures that veterans and their families receive the tailored care and support they deserve.

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