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Veterans
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WASHINGTON, DC – President Barack Obama has announced his intent to nominate L. Tammy Duckworth, director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, to be the assistant secretary of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
"Effective communications with Veterans and VA's stakeholders is key to improving our services and ensuring Veterans receive the benefits they deserve," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "Tammy Duckworth brings significant talent, leadership and personal experience
to this important work."
As assistant secretary, Duckworth will direct VA's public affairs, internal communications and intergovernmental relations. She also will oversee programs for homeless veterans, consumer affairs and special rehabilitative events.
Duckworth was appointed director of the state veterans office in Illinois in 2006. In previous testimony before Congress, she expressed her commitment to veterans and the need for transformation of the
Department.
“The VA system faces new challenges as a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,” she said.
She also noted, “The patient profile is changing. More wounded soldiers are surviving very serious injuries.”
She is serving as a major in the Illinois National Guard and was previously deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom where, as a captain, she was assistant operations officer for a 500-soldier aviation task force.
She also served as a logistics officer and company commander. As a helicopter pilot flying combat missions in 2004, she suffered grave injuries when her helicopter was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade, losing both legs and partial use of one arm.
Her previous managerial experience includes coordinating the Center for Nursing Research at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, and working for Rotary International's Asia-Pacific region from 2002 to 2004.
Duckworth earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Hawaii and a master's degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Born in Thailand, she is the daughter of a US Marine who fought in Vietnam. She is married to Iraq war Veteran and National Guard officer,
Major Bryan Bowlsbey.
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Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 951 will discuss preparations when the group meets for its monthly potluck dinner and general meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 10.
The potluck will start at 6 p.m., with the meeting to follow at 7 p.m.
VVA 951 meets at Saint Mary Immaculate Parish Hall, 801 N. Main St., Lakeport.
All Vietnam-era veterans, veterans of all eras, their families and friends, and members of the general public are all cordially welcome.
For more information e-mail
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The course is designed to train students in the skills and knowledge needed to perform recovery operations using the M88A1/A2 tracked recovery vehicle.
The course includes field and classroom training in the proper use of tools, equipment, technical data and applicable references needed to determine recovery methods, locate recovery sites, operate tactical communications equipment and maintain recovery vehicle armament systems.
Students learn to drive, maintain, and perform preventive maintenance on recovery vehicles, and receives operating instructions in recovery vehicle component equipment, auxiliary power units, and use of proper recovery safety procedures when rigging, recovering and towing tracked vehicles.
He is the son of Paul E. Pier of Clearlake Oaks, and Kara Bartram of Bagdad, Ariz.
The private is a 2007 graduate of the Konocti Adult School, Lower Lake.
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WASHINGTON, DC – Following nearly four years of research and development, Veterans and Military Families for Program (VMFP) has introduced a 21st Century Savings Bond Program to fund initiatives that serve America’s returning heroes and their families to the House Veterans Affairs Committee in Washington, DC.
VMFP President Matt Cary met with the House Veterans Affairs Committee to recommend the savings bond program while seeking support for a much-needed comprehensive national Veterans and Military Families Policy which will prioritize, implement and propose new proactive approaches to administer, legislate, and address the areas of outreach and advocacy, physical and mental health care, educational advancement, career opportunities, housing assistance, and eradication of homelessness for veterans, those serving, and their families.
These initiatives would be funded, in large part, by the proposed Veteran and Military Family Savings Bond program.
VMFP introduced the National Veteran and Military Family Savings Bond Program to supplement the necessary traditional funding for the needs of veterans and their families. Administered by the Department of the Treasury through the Treasury Direct program, the Senate Finance Committee will provide oversight of the program, VMFP recommends.
The bonds will be marketed to private investors and individuals, will yield an interest rate not less than 5 percent, and will be offered in denominations from $50 to $10,000.
“Although less than 10 percent of Americans are touched directly by a loved one serving in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the responsibility for returning veterans’ care needs to be shared by all Americans,” said Cary. “Americans need to recognize that when we send troops to war to protect our homeland, they return as veterans. And as we fund the war, we need to fund their care when they come home. In purchasing these bonds, citizens can respond to that unspoken commitment and assume a degree of personal responsibility for returning veterans and their families who have given so much, while at the same time earning tax-free income at the bond’s maturity.”
“This is why I joined VMFP in the first place!” said Maura Satchell, a national director of the organization whose two sons have served multiple deployments in Iraq (one currently serving). “From the start I knew our organization was different in that part of its mission is to create the political will – and the means – to support our veterans and military families. This policy and bond program does exactly that!”
“In creating a national policy such as this,” Cary concluded, “America can be confident that the nation’s sacred promise to its veterans and their families will be fulfilled, and in a manner that is fiscally responsible.”
VMFP’s comprehensive policy also recommends establishing strong partnerships with traditional Congressionally-chartered Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) and other veteran and military family advocacy groups to educate the media and general public and to seek their involvement in implementing this comprehensive national policy for our veterans and their families.
Veterans and Military Families for Progress is a 501(c)(4) not-for-profit, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. It is made up of members from across the country, and from across the breadth of rank and military services who served, are serving, or are members of families of those who have heeded the call to serve their country in the U.S. Military. Visit them online at www.vmfp.org.
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LAKE COUNTY – The Military Funeral Honors Team of Lake County is recruiting.
The primary function of the Honors Team is to provide military honors at the funerals of Lake County Veterans.
Since 2001 the team has provided honors at the funerals of more than 550 local veterans.
Those interested in participating must be a veteran, discharged under honorable conditions and retired.
For more information contact Rich Feiro at 279-2299.
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- Written by: Ginny Craven
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Gould is currently vice president for public sector strategy at IBM Global Business Services and a former intelligence officer in the naval reserve. He has public service experience at both the departments of Commerce and Treasury.
“Scott and I share a reverence for those who have served in uniform,” said Shinseki. “He is fully committed to fulfilling President Obama's vision and my goals for transforming the Department of Veterans Affairs into a 21st century organization, and he understands the fundamentals that will drive that transformation: Veteran-centric, results-oriented and forward looking.”
Shinseki added that Gould possesses a unique and wide-ranging set of skills in information technologies, acquisition, budget, human resources and leading the modernization of large, complex organizations.
"Scott's expertise in these areas, as well as his broad experience in the public sector, the private sector and the military, will prove invaluable for better serving our veterans," Shinseki said.
Gould worked in the public sector as the chief financial officer and assistant secretary for administration at the Commerce Department and deputy assistant secretary for finance and management at the Treasury Department from 1994 to 1999.
As a White House Fellow, he worked at the Export-Import Bank of the United States and in the Office of the White House chief of staff.
Prior to his job at IBM, he was chief executive officer of The O'Gara Co., a strategic advisory and investment services firm, and chief operating officer of Exolve, a technology services company.
As a naval reservist, Gould served at sea aboard the guided missile destroyer Richard E. Byrd and as assistant professor of naval science at Rochester University. He was recalled to active duty for both Operation Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom as a naval intelligence reservist.
During President Obama's campaign and after his election, Gould was co-chair of the National Veterans Policy Team, Obama for America, and co-chair of the Veterans Agency Review Team for the Presidential Transition Team.
A fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration, Gould is a former member of the National Security Agency's Technical Advisory Group and the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Board of Overseers.
He has been awarded the Department of Commerce Medal, the Treasury Medal and the Navy Meritorious Service Medal and is coauthor of “The People Factor: Strengthening America by Investing in the Public Service.” He holds a bachelor of arts degree from Cornell University and a masters in business administration and a doctorate in education from the University of Rochester.
Gould is married to Michèle A. Flournoy, and they have three children: Alec, Victoria and Aidan.
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During the nine weeks of training, the soldier received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, core values and traditions.
Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experiencing use of various weapons and weapons defenses available to the infantry crewman.
He is the son of Becky Flaherty of Clearlake.
Melton graduated in 2008 from W.C. Carle High School in Lower Lake.
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During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, core values, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations.
In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate in applied science degree relating through the Community College of the Air Force.
She is the daughter of Natasha and Les Hoskins of Middletown, and granddaughter of Melody Wiener of Forestville.
Tobin is a 2001 graduate of Middletown High School.
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