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An idea spawned at a VFW national convention allowed a Maryland Auxiliary to help blind students learn the history of the U.S. flag   For a classroom of young students in Maryland, school begins like every other day — by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Thanks to members of Auxiliary 8509 in Baltimore, these students got to feel these words recently — by reading them in Braille. A child explores a Braille version of the U.S. flag, such as those used by students at the Maryland School for the Blind in Nottingham near Baltimore. An instructor at the school said students “really enjoyed the tactile flags, and teachers wove it into their curriculum lessons.” They study at the Maryland School for the Blind (MSB) in Nottingham, Md., where Cynthia Palmer Davis, life member and president of the Department of Maryland Auxiliary, recently gifted a supply of “tactile,” or perceptible by touch, U.S. flags to school administrators and faculty. “The students really enjoyed the tactile flags, and teachers wove it into their curriculum lessons,” said Carol Seckington, principal of the Functional Academic and Autism Blind programs at the MSB. “They were excited and curious when the flags were distributed. The explanation about the colors of the flag and what the stars and stripes represented was interesting and helped students understand the representation of having the hands-on tactile representation.”  Davis said distributing the flags gave her a sense of pride. “I was excited to learn they have students starting as early as pre-kindergarten, and that these young people would have a tool to help them learn the Pledge of Allegiance,” she said. “Guilt is what I felt when a staff member told me that no one had ever approached their students to participate in our scholarships, but that feeling quickly gave way to joy. Because this opens new possibilities not only for the students, but the VFW and Auxiliary as well.” The tactile flags also led to sharing information about the VFW Auxiliary and VFW scholarship programs, such as the Auxiliary’s Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest and VFW’s Patriot’s Pen and the Voice of Democracy contests. By giving the flags, Auxiliary membership introduced them to the scholarship programs. “I was determined to make sure that the VFW and VFW Auxiliary extend educational opportunities to all youth populations,” Davis said, “and special-needs youth are included in that outreach. Now my heart is led to share all available resources with them.” Davis discovered the tactile flags at VFW’s 119th National Convention in Kansas City, Mo., last year. The Kansas Braille Transcription Institute (KBTI) in Wichita produces the flags. Randolph Christopher Cabral created the American Braille flag in honor of his late father, World War II veteran Jesus Sanchez “Chuy” Cabral. The elder Cabral lost his sight to glaucoma later in life. Randolph, who had taken an interest in Braille and services for the blind, founded the institute in Wichita the same year his father passed away. In his father’s memory and with the intention of aiding those who are blind or low-vision, Randolph hatched his idea of the Braille American flag. Today, this resource is made for portability and ease of distribution. Randolph and KBTI are hopeful for and interested in making it possible for all of America’s blind and deaf/blind children to learn the Pledge of Allegiance. In the upper Midwest, Lucetta Jasinski, a member of Auxiliary 2895 in Cudahy, Wis., distributed tactile flags to Vision Forward (formerly Badger Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired) in Milwaukee. Vision Forward provides a continuum of services from birth to adulthood to individuals with visual impairments. It focuses on helping them achieve important developmental, educational, personal and professional goals. Jasinski said giving the tactile flag to them was “near and dear” to her heart because she has family members who have lost their sight. To obtain tactile U.S. flags from KBTI, visit kbti.org or call 316.265.9692. Proceeds generated by these flags benefit blind and low-vision veterans and other blind/low-vision Americans.  This article is featured in the 2019 November/December issue of VFW magazine, and was written by Amanda Cook. Amanda is the editor-in-chief of the VFW Auxiliary Magazine.

(Photo by MEREDITH TIBBETTS/STARS AND STRIPES) NOV 20, 2019 November 20   By Rose L. Thayer/Stars and Stripes   A Washington monument to honor Medal of Honor recipients was proposed Tuesday in legislation introduced by two Texas congressmen. The National Medal of Honor Monument Act, filed by Reps. Marc Veasey, a Democrat, and Ron Wright, a Republican, tasks the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation with the creation of a monument in Washington to honor the more than 3,500 recipients of the nation’s highest award for military service. The bill also recognizes Arlington, Texas, as the new home of the National Medal of Honor Museum, also under the management of the foundation. Last month, the north Texas city, located 20 miles west of downtown Dallas, was named as the home of the future museum by the Medal of Honor Museum Foundation. “We look forward to working with the bipartisan contingent of elected officials to make sure we are doing all that we can to honor the more than 3,500 Medal of Honor recipients and get this great piece of legislation passed," said Joe Daniels, CEO and president of the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation. The foundation has identified potential sites for a monument and is working with a bipartisan group of members in Congress to build the monument in an ideal location as quickly as possible, according to a spokesperson for the foundation. Information related to the rendering and cost of the monument is not yet available, but will use private and public donations. The measure has gained 18 cosponsors, 12 of which are from Texas. After introduction, it was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources, according to the lower chamber’s website. The full text of the bill is not yet available. “I am honored to introduce this legislation that will honor these brave men and women for risking their lives to protect our democracy,” Veasey said in a statement. “I am also proud to join my fellow North Texan, Congressman Wright, to ensure that the city of Arlington, Texas, will be the forever home of this new Medal of Honor Museum.” Wright expressed similar sentiments in a statement. These service members’ contributions “deserve to be memorialized with a monument,” he said. "These men and women went above and beyond the call of duty on the battlefield in order to preserve our values and way of life," Wright said. The Arlington museum is scheduled to open to the public in 2024 and will be located near two professional sports stadiums also located in the city. It will feature permanent, interactive experiences and rotating exhibitions and an education center. Members of The American Legion can receive 50 percent discounts on annual subscriptions to the Stars and Stripes digital platform of exclusive military news, topics of interest to veterans, special features, photos and other content, including the daily e-newspaper, job listings and history. American Legion members can subscribe for $19.99 a year by visiting legion.stripes.com and using the coupon code LEGIONSTRONG when filling out the online form.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently renewed a nationwide partnership with Y-USA that focuses on whole health to enhance services available that promote the health and well-being of Veterans, their families and caregivers. In the next phase of the partnership, renewed Oct. 1, VA and YMCA of the USA — the national entity that oversees YMCA facilities across the country — will share ideas and success stories to expand the program at the local level. “This partnership will bring together local YMCAs’ expertise in strengthening the community through healthy living and social responsibility with VA’s highest health care standards for Veterans,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “Partnerships provide opportunities for physical fitness, social integration and community service that address what Veterans are seeking.” VA, Vet Centers and local YMCAs are working together to increase awareness about YMCA programs — including community events, whole-health groups, Veterans benefits and services clinics, and youth activities — by creating a toolkit of best practices and resources for local YMCAs. The partners will also develop a pilot collaboration program between local YMCAs and Mobile Vet Centers and community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and mental health services. VA will support and encourage its local and national offices and medical facilities to enter into agreements with YMCAs to provide programming and services targeting the Veteran population. Y-USA will share information, resources and spaces such as meeting rooms with VA to facilitate Veteran outreach events and services outside of VA facilities. Y-USA will also work to integrate Veterans and their families into social, volunteer and mentorship programs. This partnership is coordinated through the Veterans Health Administration, (VHA) Office of Community Engagement (OCE), a trusted resource and a catalyst for collaboration at the national, state and community levels. Partnershipscoordinated by OCE support VHA’s commitment to delivering personalized, proactive, patient-driven health care.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced today that unions will be required to vacate or pay rent for the use of VA office space and equipment that they previously used for free.  Further, VA employees who serve as union representatives are now expected to spend at least 75 percent of their paid time performing VA business or necessary training in most circumstances. The changes are part of VA’s implementation of the following three important Executive Orders: Developing efficient, effective, and cost-reducing approaches to federal sector collective bargaining (13836) Ensuring transparency, accountability, and efficiency in taxpayer funded union time use (13837) Promoting accountability and streamlining removal procedures consistent with merit systems principles (13839) The Executive Orders generally end the practice of offering free or discounted use of government property to labor organizations. VA will provide union leaders with rental costs for all union-occupied spaces by Dec. 13, and unions have until Jan. 10, 2020, to notify VA of their intent to either vacate or rent each VA space currently occupied. If there is no notice of intent to rent received, VA will consider the lack of notice an intent to vacate. Unless a notice of intent to rent is received, unions have until Jan. 31, 2020, to: Remove from all VA controlled space any property belonging to the union, its officers, representatives or other affiliates. Return any government furnished equipment provided to the union, its officers, representatives or other affiliates for the purpose of conducting non-VA business. Prohibiting the free or discounted use of government property for union business will either result in new revenue for the government or more office space to benefit Veterans. At the Salem VA Medical Center alone, AFGE National VA Council President Alma Lee and other union officials are occupying more than 7,500 square feet of space, which they will now need to vacate or rent under the Executive Orders. The Executive Orders also seek to limit taxpayer-funded union time, redirecting man hours from union business back to direct services and medical care. In FY 2016, VA employees spent more than a million duty hours on taxpayer-funded union time at a cost of more than $49 million. The Executive Orders generally require union representatives and employees to request and receive written approval prior to the use of taxpayer-funded union time.  Further, the Executive Orders require all VA employees to spend at least 75 percent of their paid time performing VA business or necessary training, unless otherwise authorized by law (e.g., 5 U.S.C. §§ 7131(a) and (c)), regulation, or an exception in the Executive Order. Finally, as part of the Executive Orders, VA will not:  Reimburse employees for expenses incurred performing non-agency business, unless required by law or regulation. Approve taxpayer-funded union time for lobbying activities, as conducting lobbying activities while on paid time is prohibited for all Department employees. Approve taxpayer-funded union time for preparing or pursuing grievances, including arbitration, on behalf of bargaining unit employees, except where such use is otherwise authorized by law or regulation, or Executive Order. “Common sense dictates that VA employees’ main focus should be providing Veterans the best possible care, benefits and customer service. At the same time, unions using VA facilities should have to pay their fair share,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “These Executive Orders will help ensure that’s the case.”

(Photo by Steven B. Brooks)   By Steven B. Brooks NOV 12, 2019   The Legionnaires from American Legion Post 18 in Weehawken, N.J., have managed to more than double the post’s membership in two years, thanks in part to focusing on community involvement. That involvement, along with following the Legion’s long-time mantra of “veterans helping veterans”, was at the forefront of the post’s Veterans Day mission. Yes, post members attended three Veterans Day ceremonies in the area – including one it co-conducted with Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1923 – that morning. But in the afternoon, Post 18 members made visits to fellow post members who haven’t been involved in recent post activities. One such member was World War II veteran Ernie Troisi, a 91-year-old widower in nearby Union City. Post 18 Commander Chris Page, First Vice Commander Troy Robert Mack and member Craig Vogel – all post-9/11 veterans – walked more than a mile to visit Troisi in the home the veteran has lived in since birth. The goal was to perform a “buddy check” on their fellow members, as well as pass out membership cards. “They love being identified as Legionnaires,” said Page, who was active duty in the Army from 1992-1999 and currently is a sergeant first class in the Army Reserves. “And that’s what (non-commissioned officers) do in the service. You’re supposed to check up on your troops. We’re charged … with the health and welfare of our troops. What we like to do is check up on our members and make sure they’re OK. We also check in on their families as well. It goes back to helping out with the community.” The Legion contingent was joined by members of Pin-Ups on Tour, whose members recreate the magic of the Hollywood Canteen that operated during the 1940s as a club offering dancing and entertainment for servicemembers who were normally on their way to an overseas deployment. Troisi, whose wife passed away in the past year, shared photos he had of he and his wife, their family and Troisi’s younger years, when he was a gymnast and a track athlete. Page asked Troisi if there was anything he needed; Post 18 will help collect Troisi’s wife’s clothes that the veteran wants to donate to someone, as well as seeing that his disabled doorbell is working. “I really appreciate it,” Troisi said of the visit. “Thank you so much for coming by.” Mack, who served in the Army from 2004-2009 and now is the director of Human Services for Weehawken, said conducting the buddy checks is “literally just the right thing to do. Lord knows we would love to do this more often and more frequently. But certainly today is a day you call on your buddy and make sure that your buddy’s doing OK.”

The Department of Defense is expanding commissary, military exchange, and morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) retail privileges on U.S. military installations as specified in the Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act of 2018, included in the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019. Starting Jan. 1, 2020, access will expand to include all veterans with service-connected disabilities, veterans who are Purple Heart recipients, veterans who are former prisoners of war, and individuals approved and designated as the primary family caregivers of eligible veterans under the Department of Veterans Affairs Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. While this expansion will extend eligibility to over 4.1 million new patrons, the Department expects little to no impact on current patrons in most locations. There may be some impact in areas with a high cost of living, but the Department is preparing to accommodate all new patrons. "These new privileges recognize the service and sacrifice of these veterans and those that care for them," A.T. Johnston, deputy assistant secretary of defense for Military Community and Family Policy, said. "If you or someone you know might be eligible for these privileges, share the message," Johnston said. "Please help us ensure these veterans and caregivers receive the privileges they've been granted." New patrons eligible solely under this authority should be aware that the law requires the Defense Department charge them a small user fee to offset the increased expense incurred by the Department of the Treasury for processing commercial credit or debit cards used for purchases at commissary stores. The Department of Defense is finalizing the details for these new privileges with the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Homeland Security and the Treasury. Information will be announced soon regarding installation access and the authentication process for these privileges. To learn more about the commissary, military exchange and MWR expansion, visit https://download.militaryonesource.mil/12038/MOS/Factsheets/expanding-access-fact-sheet.pdf

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) was named a finalist Oct. 30, for the 9th Annual U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Hiring Our Heroes awards and is a contender for the Military Spouse Employment and Mentoring Award. The Hiring Our Heroes initiative launched in March 2011 is a nationwide effort to connect Veterans, transitioning service members and military spouses with meaningful employment opportunities. In July, the Board and Hiring Our Heroes partnered to promote best practices for the hiring and retaining of military spouses throughout the federal government. “Military spouse employment in the federal government is important not just because of the unique qualities military spouses possess,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “It supports the whole health of the military family.” The Board joined the Department of Defense’s Military Spouse Employment Partnership in October 2018 and plans to identify additional best practices for hiring military spouses through a Board military spouse working group. The award winners will be announced Nov. 13.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Center for Women Veterans (Center)  commemorated 25 years of providing dedicated advocacy for America’s women Veterans Nov. 7, at VA headquarters in Washington, D.C. Established by Congress in November 1994, the Center monitors VA’s administration of benefits and services to women Veterans to ensure they receive equal access to VA programs. “The Center serves an important role in how VA addresses the evolving needs of women Veterans — from identifying ways that VA can enhance its benefits and services — to creating initiatives that demonstrate the stellar contributions of women Veterans,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “The Center has also shown great commitment honoring the legacy of the women who serve.”  The commemorative opening remarks came from the secretary, there was acknowledgement of the Center’s accomplishments and recognition of special guests including: Retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Irene Trowell-Harris, the center’s longest serving former director; Retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 5, Phyllis Wilson, current president of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation; author and women Veterans rights advocate, Erin Miller; and Elizabeth Estabrooks, Oregon Women Veterans coordinator and pioneer of the “I Am Not Invisible”campaign.  Center accomplishments: Operationalizing and managing VA’s Women Veterans Program (WVP), comprised of representatives from VA’s administrations and staff offices, to enhance the delivery of VA benefits and services. Establishing public and non-profit partnerships, to improve understanding of VA’s benefits, services and processes. Creating national initiatives to promote cultural transformation in VA and the public, and to encourage women Veterans to self-identify as Veterans.  Providing support to VA’s Advisory Committee on Women Veterans, which was created to advise the VA’s secretary on the needs of women Veterans. Visit the Center for Women Veterans’ initiatives and the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans for more information.

‘Our VFW members, and their families, continue to answer the call in this very important effort to bring closure to those who lost loved ones during the Vietnam War’      WASHINGTON – The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States provided six artifacts and personal effects to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency today as part of its promise to help advance the noble POW/MIA missions.“Our VFW members, and their families, continue to answer the call in this very important effort to bring closure to those who lost loved ones during the Vietnam War,” said B.J. Lawrence, executive director, VFW Washington Office.During July’s 120th VFW National Convention in Orlando, Fla., Lawrence, the former VFW national commander, asked Vietnam veterans to search through their closets and footlockers for documents that might help Vietnam to determine the fate of an estimated 300,000 missing Vietnamese, and personal effects that might help bring comfort to their families.U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. (ret.) Kelly McKeague, DPAA director, was overwhelmed by the show of support from our veterans, their families, and the American people. “This is a two-pronged effect,” said McKeague. “Not only is there potential to find answers that families have sought for many years but it also advances our relationship with Vietnam. We have found over the last 20 years Vietnam has increasingly been interested in the recovery of their war dead. Every time we give them an actionable item, it just raises the level of their appreciation, and more importantly, their regard for our cooperation with them.”VFW senior leaders have traveled back to Vietnam every year since 1991 to help U.S. government efforts to account for missing and unaccounted-for servicemen and civilians. According to DPAA, missing and unaccounted-for servicemen and civilians total 1,353 Americans (825 in Vietnam, 287 in Laos, 46 in Cambodia, and 195 in the South China Sea). “It is vital that we return any known artifacts, documents, and personal items back to the Vietnamese government, who have continued to foster a good relationship with the United States as we diligently search for our missing servicemen,” said Lawrence. “This display of diplomacy will only help in our efforts to reach our true goal and promise to our families affected by the Vietnam War – and that’s to achieve the fullest possible accounting of those Americans missing from the Vietnam War.”Vietnam veterans and their families interested in providing items to DPAA, can mail their memorabilia to:VFW Washington OfficeAttention: Public Affairs200 Maryland Avenue, NEWashington, D.C. 20002Items collected by the VFW Washington Office will be turned over to DPAA.

The Air Force's new Remote Combat Effects Campaign Medal is intended to recognize drone pilots and other airmen who make contributions to combat from a remote location.  SAHARA FALES/U.S. AIR FORCE   By JENNIFER H. SVAN | STARS AND STRIPES A new Air Force campaign medal will recognize drone operators and other airmen who directly supported a combat operation from a remote location. The Remote Combat Effects Campaign medal is part of an effort to better recognize the combat contributions of airmen who are not deployed, the Air Force said in a statement announcing the award’s criteria Monday. Former Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson established the decoration earlier this year. Airmen serving in the following career fields are eligible for the award: remotely piloted aircraft; cyber; space or intelligence; surveillance and reconnaissance. Airmen from other career fields may be considered for the medal on a case-by-case basis, service officials said. To be eligible, an airman’s contributions must have occurred on or after Sept. 11, 2001, while assigned or attached to a unit directly in support of a Pentagon combat operation, the criteria states. An airman must have “personally provided” hands-on employment of a weapon system that has a direct and immediate effect on combat operations, the Air Force said. The airman also cannot have been physically exposed to hostile actions or at risk of exposure to hostile action, though that could qualify them for other awards. Qualifying combat operations involve several in the Middle East and elsewhere in Asia: Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn, Nomad Shadow, Freedom’s Sentinel, Inherent Resolve, Odyssey Lightning and Pacific Eagle – Philippines. The Pentagon for years has grappled with how to recognize the contributions of service members who influence a military operation thousands of miles away from the front lines. Drone pilots have played a central role in U.S. efforts targeting extremists, often putting in long hours. The Air Force has struggled to retain drone pilots, with some developing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, studies have shown. A Pentagon effort in 2013 to recognize “extraordinary actions” of drone pilots and other off-site troops performing noteworthy deeds far away from the battlefield was scrapped due to criticism. Veterans groups objected because the medal would have outranked some awards for troops serving in harm’s way, such as the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star with Valor. The new medal is worn lower — above the Air and Space Campaign Medal and below the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. In 2016, the Pentagon approved a new distinguishing device that can be affixed to previously awarded medals, including one for engaging an enemy through remote actions. svan.jennifer@stripes.comTwitter: @stripesktown