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"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive how the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation".................George Washington
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Published - Daily - Monday Thru Friday Editions - Edited Copy - May 1-31, 2008. A Valued Resource. Published Since 2000 @ www.veteranshour.com
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   T H E  W A R  I N  A F G H A N I S T A N

U.S. MARINES LAUGH DURING A LULL IN TAKING FIRE FROM INSURGENTS. - U.S. Marines laugh during a lull in taking fire from insurgents during a battle in Madrassa, Afghanistan, on April 30, 2008. The Marines are with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit assigned to International Security Assistance Force. DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Robert Piper, U.S. Marine Corps. (Released)

STAFF SGT. MARC GARNSEY DIRECTS A CARGO LADEN FORKLIFT. -  U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Marc Garnsey directs a cargo laden forklift towards a C-130J Hercules aircraft before a mission at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, on April 29, 2008. Garnsey is a load master assigned to the 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron and deployed from the 115th Airlift Squadron, Channel Island Air National Guard Station, California Air National Guard, Port Hueneme, Calif. DoD photo by Master Sgt. Andy Dunaway, U.S. Air Force. (Released)  

ARIZONA FORMATION - Four A-10 Thunderbolt IIs from the 355th Fighter Wing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., fly in formation over Arizona, April 29, 2008. The A-10s received in-flight refueling from a KC-135 Stratotanker from the Arizona Air National Guard's 161st Air Refueling Wing based in Phoenix. U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Alesia Goosic...

DENVER (May 3, 2008) Sailors from Navy Recruiting District (NRD) Denver parade the colors to start the Cinco de Mayo festival. The annual celebration ran concurrently with the 4th annual Denver Navy Week celebration. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michael Sheehan (Released)

A R O U N D  T H E  G L O B E

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia (May 07, 2008) Cmdr. Paul Lyons, commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63), takes part in the bread and salt ceremony, a traditional Russian welcoming ceremony, after arriving in Vladivostok, Russia for a scheduled port visit. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew R. White (Released)

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia (May 07, 2008) Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63) man the rails as they enter Vladivostok for a scheduled port visit. Stethem is one of seven Arleigh Burke-class destroyers assigned to Destroyer Squadron 15, which operates out of Yokosuka, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew R. White (Released)

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Kerry and Feinstein Demand Answers about VA
Reversal on Voter Registration Access for Veterans

PRESS RELEASE - MAY 8, 2008

New VA Directive appears to include blanket prohibition on voter registration drives.

Washington, DC – U.S. Senators John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) expressed concern today about a new directive by the Veterans Health Administration that appears to reverse an earlier proposal to provide greater voter registration access to veterans in the department’s care.

• On April 25, the Department of Veterans Affairs issued a directive that required all VA facilities develop comprehensive voter registration plans to assist veterans in voting. It also required the VA to publicly post voter registration information for veteran facility inpatients and required that VA facilities provide absentee voter applications if patients cannot leave the facility.
• Earlier this week, the Department of Veterans Affairs withdrew that directive, and issued a new directive that introduces a broad prohibition against organizations conducting voter registration drives at VA facilities.
• In response, the senators wrote a letter to Veterans Affairs Secretary James B. Peake, saying the new policy could discourage involvement from nonpartisan groups such as veterans service organizations and the League of Women Voters in helping veterans to vote.

“We believe that the earlier directive better addressed the need for a consistent voter registration policy for our veterans,” the senators wrote to Secretary Peake. “While the changes made in the new directive seem small, the impact is large. It appears to us that the Department took one step forward for our veterans and the right to vote by directing that assistance be provided with voter registration and with securing absentee ballots, but then took a large step back by prohibiting voter registration drives.”

The Senators requested clarification about why the new directive was issued, who retracted the initial policy directive and whether Secretary Peake sees the change as a complete bar on external, nonpartisan voter registration drives.

Background

The VA’s April 25 directive came in the wake of a letter exchange between Senators Feinstein and Kerry and Veterans Affairs Secretary James B. Peake over whether VA facilities should be designated as “voter registration agencies” within the definition of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. The Act requires states to offer voter registration opportunities at all offices that provide public assistance, services to the disabled and at all motor vehicle offices.

Many veterans live at VA facilities and some, especially those who are disabled, find it difficult to travel off-campus for services including voter registration. However, a federal appeals court recently ruled that voter registration groups do not have the right to register veterans on the grounds of VA facilities.

In light of the court decision, Senators Feinstein and Kerry wrote a letter in March to Secretary Peake to find ways to ensure that all veterans have access to voter registration materials and identify the policies they have in place to support voter registration.

Following is the text of the letter by Senators Feinstein and Kerry:

May 6, 2008

The Honorable James B. Peake
Secretary
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue NW
Washington , DC 20420

Dear Secretary Peake:

On April 25, 2008, the Department of Veterans Affairs responded to our request for a consistent voter registration policy by issuing Directive 2008-23.  While we do not believe it went far enough, we commend the changes made by the Directive which provided that veterans would be required to receive voter information and assistance in registering and applying for an absentee ballot.  We were pleased that you took action to ensure that our nation’s veterans can easily register to vote and apply for an absentee ballot.

However, in the few days following the issuance of the first directive, the Department apparently withdrew it.  Without explaining the rationale for this change, the Department today released a new policy, Directive 2008-25.  While the new directive retains many positive provisions found in the earlier directive, it appears that a new and broad prohibition was included against third-party organizations conducting voter registration drives, even with the approval of the Department of Veterans Affairs.  This would have the impact of discouraging involvement from nonpartisan groups for civic support for veterans.

We request that some clarification be provided on why the new directive was issued, who specifically retracted the initial policy directive, and whether you consider this change a complete bar on external, nonpartisan voter registration drives.  The new directive references “Hatch Act requirements,” but the Office of Special Counsel has made clear that federal employees, even those who are considered to be in sensitive positions, may “assist in voter registration drives.”  It is also clear from numerous policy statements issued by the Office of Special Counsel that federal employees can participate in nonpartisan voter registration drives on federal property and on official time.  Moreover, the veterans the VA should support are not subject to any restrictions under the Hatch Act—because they are not federal employees. 

Directive 2008-25 further states that the policy changes are designed to “avoid disruptions to facility operations.”  We would appreciate knowing the type of disruptions the VA envisions might occur during voter registration drives by nonpartisan organizations, such as the League of Women Voters or veterans’ organizations, and why any potential disruption could not be addressed by less restrictive means.

We believe that the earlier directive better addressed the need for a consistent voter registration policy for our veterans.  While the changes made in the new directive seem small, the impact is large.  It appears to us that the Department took one step forward for veterans and the right to vote by directing that assistance be provided with voter registration and with securing absentee ballots, but then took a large step back by prohibiting voter registration drives. 

We hope to continue to work with your office to ensure that the VA has a strong and consistent policy to support voter registration for our veterans. 

Sincerely,

Dianne Feinstein                                                            John Kerry

U.S. Senator                                                                U.S. Senator

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SENATORS McCAIN, GRAHAM, AND BURR EXPRESS
CONCERN OVER BILL THAT COULD HARM REENLISTMENT RATES

PRESS RELEASE - MAY 8, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Richard Burr (R-NC) today commented on the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) analysis of S. 22, the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2007. In response to a request from Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH), the ranking Minority Member of the Senate Budget Committee, the CBO provided information about the cost of S. 22, including its impact on the retention of military personnel.

CBO estimates that enactment of S. 22 could lead to a decrease of 16% in reenlistment rates and increase the Department of Defense costs to maintain current levels of retention. “I believe we can and must do more to improve education benefits for our veterans and servicemembers,” said Senator McCain.  “Congress must enact legislation that will increase education benefits, aid in recruitment and, importantly, encourage continued service in the military.”

“As our armed forces fight a war on two fronts, we must do everything we can to maintain and encourage reenlistment” said McCain.  “Unfortunately, S. 22 could greatly harm retention rates in our All Volunteer Force.  I am hopeful that all of us who want to improve the GI Bill education benefits can join forces and that is why I stand ready to work with Senator Webb and others to pass meaningful legislation that works in the best interests of all servicemembers and veterans, including those that remain on duty. “Our nation faces many challenges when it comes to maintaining our all volunteer force.  There is no doubt our servicemembers have earned enhanced education benefits; however, these benefits should be balanced to reflect the service of our citizen soldiers and career forces,” said Senator Graham.

 “It's in our own national interest to retain the best, brightest, and most experienced in our armed forces.  The Graham-Burr-McCain bill enhances education benefits for all veterans and provides revolutionary incentives for servicemembers who wish to stay in the military.  Under our transferability provision, these members can transfer their benefits to their spouse and children.  This option recognizes the sacrifices made by both the military family as well as the service member, and this provision has been well-received by service members and their families,” said Graham. 

“Significant improvements in education benefits for our military personnel are long overdue,” said Senator Burr.  “Education benefits should aid recruitment and retention efforts and help servicemembers pursue successful careers after they leave the military.  The Graham-Burr-McCain bill is a simple and fair plan that would allow more personnel to transfer their unused benefits to spouses and children, encouraging career service and helping military families reach their educational goals.”

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MORE DATA ON VETERAN SUICIDES DISCLOSED

Akaka Urges Consideration of Veterans’ Mental Health Bill

AKAKA INTRODUCES BILL TO STRENGTHEN
VA MEDICAL PERSONNEL RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION

May 2, 2008 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - Yesterday U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, introduced S. 2969, the proposed Veterans' Medical Personnel Recruitment and Retention Act of 2008, to address staffing issues in VA.  The legislation would give VA additional tools to attract and retain health care providers as VA faces a wave of retirements.

"VA cannot provide quality health care if it cannot recruit and retain a qualified health care workforce.  This legislation will help VA to compete for the best health care providers in the Nation," said Akaka.  "I am confident that with the solutions proposed by this legislation, VA will have the staff to provide top quality health care to veterans." Press Release

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U.S. Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.)

PRESS RELEASE - MAY 5, 2008

SENATOR MCCAIN STATEMENT ON THE DEADLY CYCLONE IN BURMA

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) today released the following statement regarding the aftermath of the deadly cyclone that struck Burma over the weekend:  “As news reports emerge of ever greater disaster following this weekend’s devastating cyclone in Burma, Cindy and I offer our deepest condolences to the tens of thousands who have been affected. The Burmese people have long struggled for freedom under a corrupt and repressive regime. Now they add to their burdens the consequences of this terrible natural disaster.

“The United States should respond by providing humanitarian assistance to the Burmese people. The U.S. Embassy in Rangoon, which has already announced an emergency contribution, has made a step in the right direction. Yet as the numbers of those killed and rendered homeless by the cyclone continue to increase, the need will be deep and dire. America should respond as befits a great and generous country, one that has stood beside the people of Burma – and against those who wish to oppress them – for decades.

“We must also press the Burmese junta to allow international relief organizations to have unfettered access to those affected and to lift its restrictions on humanitarian organizations operating there. Continuing these restrictions will cost lives. At the same time, the international community should press the Government of Burma – so quick to dispatch thousands of security forces to crush democracy protests – to finally redirect its efforts toward helping its own beleaguered people.”

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AKAKA INTRODUCES BILL TO
HELP VETERANS REFINANCE HOMES

Legislation would significantly increase the refinancing guaranty for veterans, cut equity requirement in half

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, introduced legislation to improve veterans' ability to refinance their mortgages.  

"In light of today's housing and home loan crises, the further refinancing options in this bill will help more veterans make ends meet and escape foreclosures," said Akaka.

The current maximum VA guaranty for all loans in excess of $144,000, except regular refinance loans, is equal to 25 percent of the Freddie Mac conforming loan limit for a single family home, adjusted for the year involved.  Presently this is $104,250 ($156,375 for Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and U.S. Virgin Islands).  This means lenders making loans covered by a VA guaranty up to $417,000 ($625,500 in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and U.S. Virgin Islands) will receive at least a 25 percent guaranty.

However, only $36,000 of a VA home loan guaranty can be used when the loan is being used to refinance a home loan, meaning that VA will not provide backing for a refinance loan in excess of $144,000.  Additionally, present law limits regular refinance loans to 90 percent of the reasonable value of the dwelling, meaning that veterans without at least 10 percent equity cannot refinance their existing loan into a VA guaranteed home loan. 

Chairman Akaka's bill would address these two issues as follows:

• Increase the refinance cap: under Akaka's bill, the maximum guaranty for refinance loans would move to the same level as conventional loans - a 25 percent limit for a single family home.  This would nearly triple the current standard cap, and make the cap four-and-a-half times higher for Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
• Cut the equity requirement in half: the bill would also reduce the 10 percent equity requirement to 5 percent, enabling VA to provide regular refinance loans for up to 95 percent of the reasonable value of the dwelling.  

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Senators Kerry and Feinstein Commend Apparent Change in Department of Veterans’ Affairs Policy in Providing Access to Voter Registration for Veterans

PRESS RELEASE - MAY 1, 2008

 VA Directive requires that VA facilities create voter registration plans and provide information to assist veterans in voting  

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today called a directive handed down by the Veterans Health Administration a major step forward in providing voter registration access to veterans in the department’s care. "I am hopeful that this apparent reversal will be one large step forward in the fight to protect the right of America 's veterans to vote,” Senator Kerry said. “We will continue to monitor this situation motivated by one and only one principle: those who fight for democracy overseas shouldn't have to fight for democracy here at home."

“The VA Directive seems to be a dramatic turnaround in granting veterans the access to voter registration that they rightfully deserve,” Senator Feinstein said. “This directive would require that all VA facilities develop comprehensive voter registration plans to assist veterans in voting. Given the sacrifices that these men and women have made, providing easy access to voter registration services is the very least we can do.”

 The directive stops short of designating VA facilities as voter registration agencies. However, the directive requires that VA facilities create comprehensive voter registration plans to assist veterans in registering to vote. It also requires the VA to publicly post voter registration information for veteran facility inpatients and requires that the VA facilities provide absentee voter applications if patients cannot leave the facility.

The directive comes in the wake of a letter exchange between Senators Feinstein and Kerry and Veterans Affairs Secretary James B. Peake over whether VA facilities should be designated as “voter registration agencies” within the definition of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. The Act requires states to offer voter registration opportunities at all offices that provide public assistance, services to the disabled and at all motor vehicle offices.

Many veterans live at VA facilities and some, especially those who are disabled, find it difficult to travel off-campus for services including voter registration. However, a federal appeals court recently ruled that voter registration groups do not have the right to register veterans on the grounds of VA facilities. In light of the court decision, Senators Feinstein and Kerry wrote a letter last month to Secretary Peake to find ways to ensure that all veterans have access to voter registration materials and identify the policies they have in place to support voter registration.

Secretary Peake recently wrote back to Senators Feinstein and Kerry, denying their request to designate VA facilities as voter registration agencies. “The VA has a long and proud history of providing services to veterans -- helping them to lead successful and productive lives. Providing them with the opportunity to become more involved in our democracy is an appropriate role for the VA,” Senator Feinstein said. “It is my hope to the VA’s implementation of this directive will be in time for the 2008 election.”

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H U M A N I T A R I A N

U.S. ARMY 2ND LT. FRANCES LAMB INTERACTS WITH LOCAL CHILDREN. -  U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Frances Lamb interacts with local children as fellow soldiers continue the construction of a new school in La Paz, Honduras, on May 2, 2008. The project is part of Beyond the Horizons, a joint training exercise between the United States and Honduras to foster goodwill and improve relations between the two nations. DoD photo by 1st Lt. Ryan Hanna, U.S. Army. (Released)

Staff Sgt. Sara Digennaro applies waterproofing to a fence as part of a volunteer effort supporting Operation Homefront April 30 in Cibolo, Texas. Volunteers from the Top 3 Association from Air Force Personnel Center from Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, helped craft a gate to provide better access between the front and back yards for Tech. Sgt. Israel Del Toro, an Airman recovering from wounds sustained during a roadside bombing in Afghanistan. Sergeant Digennaro is a personnelist at AFPC. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Kat Bailey)  

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