News

The number of veterans in the country has been reducing at a terrible rate, not to mention the many other issues that affect the veterans like poverty, homelessness and lack of good health care. Daily more than 392 veterans die not to mention more than 22 of that number are from suicide cases. The blow figures are a little alarming: World War I (1917-1918)  U.S. service members: 4,734,991 Deaths: 116,516 (53,402 in battle) Wounded: 204,002 Last veteran: Frank Buckles, died in 2011 at age 110   World War II (1941-1945)  U.S. service members: 16,112,566 Deaths: 405,399 (291,557 in battle) Wounded: 670,846 Estimated living veterans: 620,000   Korean War (1950-1953)  U.S. service members: 5,720,000 Deaths: 54,246 (36,574 in theater) Wounded: 103,284 Estimated living veterans: 2,275,000   Vietnam War (1964-1975)  U.S. service members: 8,744,000 (estimated 3,403,000 deployed) Deaths: 90,220 (58,220 in theater) Wounded: 153,303 Estimated living veterans: 7,391,000   Desert Shield/Desert Storm (1990-1991)  U.S. service members: 2,322,000 (694,550 deployed) Deaths: 1,948 (383 in theater) Wounded: 467 Estimated living veterans: 2,244,583 (2009 estimate, may include veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan) There are several funeral homes that offer burial services to the veterans. The only challenge is that the number of veterans buried from the funeral homes is very low compared to the number of veterans who die each day. This can be attributed to lack of knowledge and also the many social economic challenges that veterans face when they join the rest of the community after their service in the military. All veterans have the legal right to be buried in a national cemetery, with a headstone made of marble or granite (regardless of the location of burial) and a flag. No charges will be incurred when opening or closing the grave, a vault or liner, or setting the marker in a national cemetery.  Thou the family will have to cater for the other expenses including transportation. Markers will be available. The inscription for the markers must have the name, branch of service, year of birth, year of death—this is the normal order, it can include an emblem of belief, rank, and any decorations earned. At an additional cost, extra items can be included like nicknames and terms of endearment, however they have to be approved by the VA. When a veteran passes on they are entitled to burial benefits. These benefits include: A gravesite in any of our 135 national cemeteries with available space Opening and closing of the grave Perpetual care A Government headstone or marker A burial flag A Presidential Memorial Certificate Some Veterans are entitled to get Burial Allowances. Cremated remains are buried or inurned in national cemeteries in the same manner and with the same honors as casketed remains. A United States flag is provided, during the burial at no cost. The flag is used to drape the casket and for a cremation it will accompany the urn of a deceased Veteran who had served honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces. This is done to honor all the memories of the Veteran’s military service to his or her country. For veterans who had dishonorably discharged the VA will furnish a burial flag for memorialization. So who is eligible to get a flag on their burial? A veteran who had served during any wartime A veteran who had passed on while on active duty after the 27th of May 1941. A veterans who had served in the military after the 31st of January 1955. Any Peacetime Veteran who had been discharged/ released before the 27th of June 1950, they must have served at least one enlistment or released due to a disability incurred in the line of duty. Specific people who had served in the Common Wealth organized military forces of the Philippines, while they were still in the service of the U. S. Military. Also they must have died on or after the 25th of April 1951. Specific previous members of the Selected Reserves. When the VA offers the flag for the burial of a veteran or a service member, the next of kin is given the flag by the department as a keeps take. This is after it has been used in the burial. When there is no next of kin then a close friend of the deceased will be given the flag but only if they make a request for it. Families of veterans can donate the flags (they are normally flown during patriotic holidays). The VA death benefit, has the following burial allowances that veterans and service members need to know about. Death while on active duty: VA caters for all expenses of the funeral: body preparation, casket, transportation to the place of disposition, interment (if in a national cemetery), and marker. The next of kin is entitled to receive a “death gratuity” of $100,000. Death caused by a service related injury: a burial allowance of $2000 will be offered to the veterans, this amount can cater for the funeral director’s expenses, the casket, and transportation to the cemetery. Veterans being buried in a VA cemetery may have their transportation costs catered for. For a non-national burial ground a sum of $300 will be offered as interment allowances, though most of the times it covers the opening and closing charges of the vault. A marble will be available for free. A non-service related death but at a VA health care facility: a sum of $722 will be offered toward the funeral & burial expenses. In case the burial will be taking place in non-VA cemetery, then the VA will offer and additional $722 to cater for the cost of the plot and interment. A non-service related death, which occurs outside a VA health care facility, but the veteran was collecting his/her VA pension and/or disability benefits: the VA will offer a sum of $300 for funeral or the burial expenses. The other mortuary expenses will be catered by the family even though burial in a national cemetery will be free. An interment allowance of $300 applies only if the burial takes place in a non-national cemetery. Death outside a VA facility, and the veteran was not receiving any of his benefits: the only benefits entitled to this veteran are a lot in a national cemetery, any required vault, interment, a granite or marble marker, and flag are the only burial benefits. The family will cater for all the cost if the burial is taking place on non-national cemetery. There are also state and county benefits that are offered when a veteran dies. It’s good to make an inquiry at your local veterans’ office on the available state and county benefits. What about the spouses and the dependents? The spouse and dependents of a veteran who is eligible for an honorable burial and a marker in the national cemetery (even if he/she is not married there), will be entitled to enjoy all the benefits of a deceased spouse.  Burial rights from a prior marriage, can be claimed by a spouse who remarried a non-veteran. Spouses who are entitled to military pay and die at any military medical facility are entitled to military transport to the nearest national cemetery (no farthest that their last permanent address of residence). Adult children of veterans are also entitled to burial benefits, but only if the children are disabled and dependent. Those who are eligible for burial benefits from the VA department are: Divorced spouses Adult children Parents, siblings and others—even if they are dependents Those with a dishonorable discharge Those convicted of subversive activities or capital crimes. Burial taking Place at Sea. Burial involving scattering the remains of a veteran at sea is an option that is available to all the veterans and close dependents. The option is offered by the US Cost Guard and the Navy. A flag must be there and if it was supplied by the family, it will be returned to them, but if supplied by the Navy it will not be given to the family. The only challenge with the sea burial is that it’s done at the convenience of the military personnel and the family might not have a chance to witness the burial.

A doctorate student in Public Health at East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is seeking help from the veteran population. She has spent the past two years at the university examining childhood and adult sexual violence. Her research study is entitled, "Exploration of Rape Myths Among Former Military Personnel" and she is focusing on beliefs surrounding rape myths. She has nearly 17 years of active duty service, had deployed in support of OEF and OIF, and served initially as an enlisted Service Member and now as an officer. Many people are not aware that 1 in 6 males under the age of 18 years old has experienced sexual violence, and that 1 in 4 females experience sexual violence, and that every 98 seconds an American is sexually assaulted (DOJ, 2015; RAINN, 2016). Sexual violence has been shown to impact the long-term health of survivors in the military and in the civilian sector (CDC, 2016).  am hoping to gain your thoughts regarding current rape myths. The purpose of this project is to raise awareness, reduce This will be very helpful research and she is hoping to gain your thoughts regarding current rape myths. The purpose of this project is to raise awareness, reduce the stigma associated with sexual violence, dispel false rape myths by enhancing knowledge, and improve the health status of sexual violence survivors. This is a brief survey of former active duty Service Members/Veterans. The survey is short (less than 10 minutes), voluntary, anonymous, and approved by the ETSU Institutional Review Board. There are 20 Yes/No or Agree/Disagree questions regarding rape myths and gender attitudes. Honest and candid answers are critical to understanding current beliefs. Click on the following link to view the consent document and then please begin the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/rapemyths2017 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- If completing this survey raises any concerns for you, contact the Veteran's Crisis Line at 1 800.273.8255 and press 1, the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE to have a confidential chat, or communicate with another source that you feel comfortable speaking to. If I can answer any questions, please feel free to contact me at caldara@etsu.edu. Thank you for your time. Your help is greatly appreciated to better understand sexual violence and is instrumental in developing ways to assist current and future military Veterans. Please forward this message to any former military professionals you may know; I am trying to reach Veterans throughout America. Very Respectfully, Gabrielle Caldara,Author of the survey     References: Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2016). Sexual violence: Consequences. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention /sexualviolence/consequences.html Department of Justice (DOJ). (2015). National Crime Victimization Survey, 2010-2014. Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics.    Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN). (2016). Victims of sexual violence statistics. Retrieved from https://www.rainn.org/statistics/victims-sexual-violence.    

Chicago, Ill.: On November 4, 2017, Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care will release a new 116-page, comprehensive resource guide for veterans and their families at its 2017 Chicagoland Veterans Expo: Benefits and Opportunities for Veteran Families. The expo will be held at the Presence Resurrection Medical Center Marian Conference Center located at 7435 W. Talcott Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. A press conference announcing the guide’s release will take place during the expo at 11:00 a.m. The Guide to Home, Health and Honors: Benefits and Opportunities for Chicagoland Veteran Families is written in an easy-to-follow format for veteran families seeking information about federal, state and local services. According to the author, Katie Curran Kirby, “This guide provides crucial information, but is concise and easy to use. It goes beyond the usual Veterans Affairs benefits. It offers information on public and private services ranging from medical centers and home improvement to pensions, financial assistance, wishes granted and bereavement support.” The event’s presenting sponsor, Dignity Memorial, generously provided 4,000 copies of the guide book for distribution. A limited number of print copies will be given to veterans in attendance at the expo. The guide is also available for download at www.RainbowHospice.org/We_Honor_Veterans. Jesse Brown VA Medical Center will provide free flu shots and blood pressure screenings to veterans in attendance. Additionally, Veterans Affairs Service Officers will be on-site to help eligible veterans sign up for benefits. An expert from W.R.I.T.E. Resume Services will be also on-site to provide resume and job search consultations. Other exhibitors will include All Chicago; The American Legion, Department of Illinois; CapTel Outreach; Catholic Charities Supportive Services for Veteran Families; CM Ministry; Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital No Veteran Dies Alone and Hospice and Palliative Care Programs, and Hines VA Foster Home; Freedom Farm for Vets; Guardian Corps of America; Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs; Illinois Northern Tier We Honor Veterans; Inner Voice; Legal Assistance Foundation; Lutheran Church Charities Kare 9 Military Ministry; Military Outreach USA; Presence Home Care; Presence Resurrection Medical Center; Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care and Rainbow Grief & Loss Services; TLS Veterans; Veterans Assistance Commission of Will County, Veterans Consultants, Inc. and more. According to Susan Enright, Rainbow’s Interim President, “Honoring service to our country is an important component of our care for veterans. We hope that the information in our guide and at the expo will assist veteran families, and those caring for them, to locate appropriate services and more easily navigate the benefits process.” The Guide to Home, Health and Honors was published as part of Rainbow’s commitment to the We Honor Veterans Program, an initiative of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization with the Department of Veterans Affairs, which aims to ensure our nation’s veterans have quality care at the end of life. Rainbow is a Level Four We Honor Veterans Partner, the highest distinction within the program, which less than 13% of hospices nationwide have achieved. To learn more about Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care and its commitment to honoring veterans at the end of life, please visit www.RainbowHospice.org or call 847-685-9900. About Rainbow Hospice and Palliative CareRainbow Hospice and Palliative Care is a 501(c)(3) offering hospice and palliative care services, extensive bereavement support programs and community and professional education to nine counties in Illinois. Visit www.RainbowHospice.org to learn more. About Presence HealthPresence Health is the largest Catholic health system in Illinois, serving over 4 million people in 11 counties. With over 150 sites of compassionate care including 12 hospitals, over 17,000 associates and more than 4,000 medical professionals, Presence Health has annual revenue of $2.6 billion. ###

Highlight In a study of US veterans, researchers found a linear relationship between air pollution levels and risk of experiencing kidney function decline and of developing kidney disease or kidney failure. Air quality remains suboptimal in many parts of the United States and in multiple regions around the world. Newswise — Washington, DC (September 21, 2017) — Studies have shown that air pollution can have negative effects on cardiovascular health and life expectancy. Now new research indicates that it is also harmful to the kidneys. The study, which appears in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN), reveals that the effects on the kidneys are seen at low levels of particulate matter and increase linearly with rising levels of pollution. Information on the relationship between air pollution and kidney disease is very scarce. To investigate, a team led by Ziyad Al-Aly, MD (Director of Clinical Epidemiology at the VA Saint Louis Health Care System) linked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Veterans Affairs databases to examine information on 2,482,737 US veterans who were followed for a median of 8.5 years. Air pollution levels were also assessed using space-borne sensors from NASA satellites. The researchers found a linear relationship between air pollution levels and risk of experiencing kidney function decline and of developing kidney disease or kidney failure. The results suggest that each year in the United States, 44,793 new cases of CKD and 2438 new cases of kidney failure are attributed to particulate matter air pollution exceeding the EPA’s recommended limit of 12 μg/m3. “Even levels below the limit set by the EPA were harmful to the kidneys,” noted Dr. Al-Aly. “This suggests that there is no safe level of air pollution.” He noted that the burden is not evenly distributed geographically: the highest toll seems to be in southern California and in large swaths of the Midwest, the Northeast, and the South. Of course the findings have implications outside the United States and may help explain the substantial variation in the burden of kidney disease observed around the world.   Study co-authors include Benjamin Bowe, MPH, Yan Xie, MPH, Tingting Li, MD, Yan Yan, PhD, and Hong Xian, PhD. Disclosures: The authors reported no financial disclosures. The article, entitled “Particulate Matter Air Pollution and the Risk of Incident CKD and Progression to ESRD,” will appear online at http://jasn.asnjournals.org/ on September 21, 2017, doi: 10.1681/ASN.2017030253. The content of this article does not reflect the views or opinions of The American Society of Nephrology (ASN). Responsibility for the information and views expressed therein lies entirely with the author(s). ASN does not offer medical advice. All content in ASN publications is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects. This content should not be used during a medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health care provider if you have any questions about a medical condition, or before taking any drug, changing your diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment. Do not ignore or delay obtaining professional medical advice because of information accessed through ASN. Call 911 or your doctor for all medical emergencies. Since 1966, ASN has been leading the fight to prevent, treat, and cure kidney diseases throughout the world by educating health professionals and scientists, advancing research and innovation, communicating new knowledge, and advocating for the highest quality care for patients. ASN has nearly 17,000 members representing 112 countries. For more information, please visit www.asn-online.org or contact the society at 202-640-4660.

On Saturday, the 14th of October of this year, the local Veterans are among the selected for the scheduled participation on the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight. They two planes booked for the transportation of the local veterans are set for departure from Milwaukee at 7 am, and bound for Washington, D.C, Dulles Airport, then later return to Milwaukee by 8: 30 pm, where the Franklin and Arrowhead High school dance teams will give spirit for the homecoming parade. The Veterans will visit the World War II Memorial, Air Force Memorial, Korean War Memorial, and Vietnam War Memorial among many other sites while in Washington, D.C. The Local Veterans on the schedule for the trip are: From Eagle Ernest Kroeze, Korean War, U.S. Army Donald Ledrowski, Korean War, U.S. Army From Muskego: Richard Cuccio, Korean War, U.S. Army Allan Benton, Korean War, U.S. Marines, rifleman Bill Honeck, Korean War, U.S. Army, artillery Ray Kleppin Jr., Korean War, U.S. Army Eugene Vaught, Vietnam War, U.S. Air Force From New Berlin: Robert Leair, Korean War, U.S. Army Paul Ackerman, Korean War, U.S. Army Ted Rydzewski, Korean War, U.S. Army Bob Kensche, Vietnam War, U.S. Army Dick Gorsegner, Vietnam War, U.S. Marines From North Prairie: George Miner, Vietnam War, U.S. Navy From Waukesha: Bob Nettesheim, Korean War, U.S. Army Rodney Schultz, Korean War, U.S. Army Bill Sattler, Korean War, U.S. Navy Tom Rapp, Korean War, U.S. Army Gayle Smith, Korean War, U.S. Air Force Spencer Smith, Vietnam War, U.S. Army David Harris Jr., Vietnam War, U.S. Army From Menomonee Falls: Jerome Foshey, Korean War, U.S. Marines Melvin Barenz, Korean War, U.S. Marines Francis Berndt, Korean War, U.S. Air Force From Sussex: Al Wenzel, World War II, U.S. Air Force From Brown Deer: Claud Stewart, Korean War, U.S. Army Donald Terhorst, Vietnam War, U.S. Army From Shorewood: George Kuhagen, Korean War, U.S. Marines From Mequon: John Finco, Korean War, U.S. Army, platoon sergeant From Grafton: Thomas Keagy, Korean War, U.S. Navy From Port Washington: Louis Bertoni, Korean War, U.S. Air Force, radio mechanic From Thiensville: John Harrello, Korean War, U.S. Army From Cedarburg: James Bourgeois, Korean War, U.S. Army Patrick MacGillis, Vietnam War, U.S. Army, lieutenant colonel From Dousman: Robert Mund, Korean War, U.S. Navy Robert Walters, Korean War, U.S. Army Kenneth Ludwigsen, Korean War, U.S. Army Paul Rossmiller, World War II, U.S. Army From Hartland: Brian O'Connor, Vietnam War, U.S. Army From Nashotah: Michael Penneau, Vietnam War, U.S. Navy From North Prairie: George Miner, Vietnam War, U.S. Navy From Oconomowoc: Sidney Earsley, Korean War, U.S. Marines Robert Haley, Korean War, U.S. Air Force Dell Grosser, Vietnam War, U.S. Navy From Pewaukee: Harry Knight, Korean War, U.S. Air Force, B47 crew chief Joe Meylor, Korean War, U.S. Army Florence "Jo" Helgeson, Korean War, U.S. Army Mike Sloan, Korean War, U.S. Army From Brookfield: Jerry Zebrick, Korean War, U.S. Army Hugh Koehler, Korean War, U.S. Air Force Alexander Bizefski, Korean War, U.S. Army John "Jack" Miller, World War II, U.S. Army Air Corps, radio operator and gliders From Wauwatosa: John Mathie, Korean War, U.S. Air Force Paul Gaus, Korean War, U.S. Marines Alois Adamczak, Korean War, U.S. Army Charlie Wakefield, Vietnam War, U.S. Air Force From Franklin: Edward Konopka, Vietnam War, U.S. Navy Norman Graham, Korean War, U.S. Army Paul Boucher, Korean War, U.S. Army Herbert Jarosz, Korean War, U.S. Army Lawrence Kipfer, Korean War, U.S. Army From Greendale: James Arend, Korean War, U.S. Army, special services From Greenfield: Joe Pavletich, Korean War, U.S. Navy Paul Hugo, Vietnam War, U.S. Army Michael Fedran, Vietnam War, U.S. Army From West Allis: Leo Kartheiser, Korean War, U.S. Army Ronald Eagon, Korean War, U.S. Air Force Gary Lutz, Vietnam War, U.S. Army Jerry Buchkowski, Vietnam War, U.S. Army Andy Crowbridge, Vietnam War, U.S. Army From Oak Creek: Dennis Brost, Vietnam War, U.S. Army From St. Francis: Don Tomas of St. Francis, Korean War, U.S. Army  

Fred Wellman stalked the cluster of small buildings in the last few years while using online satellite photos, and his main fear of what could have befallen the Iraqis he established friendship with here during the US- led invasion in 2003. Wellman, as an Army major, was responsible for making media appearances to tout the US successes in and around Jaddalah Ismail, the dusty village, to help it to turn into an early symbol of hope in the US work to rebuild Iraq and to win its people over. Fred Wellman got more afraid for the fate of the village after more than a decade of getting no feedback. He was wondering if it remained a struggling seedbed for hopes and the many dreams or had it turned into becoming a graveyard instead when he’s helped to secure Jaddalah and the neighboring airfield fell to the Islamic State in 2003 as it swept across Syria and Iraq in 2014.  With him watching the signs of the village disappearing from overhead imagery, he had to be anxious and angry. He lost hope and publicly complained on war’s horrors. Just as that of his fellow service members, his wartime experiences and doings were linked to his working where he had mostly ventured and exposed, in Iraqi villages and most often he was armed with nothing less than a sidearm to have conversations on locals’ concerns and needs over tea or lunch that was shared with the company of leaders. Fred Wellman said that the real story of Iraq was not necessarily about guys kicking down doors, but guys like him just sitting down and dining on sheep. His post- war experiences, though, has been simply of him watching, most often at helpless distance, and their shared accomplishments and hopes having turned into ruin and agony. On July 2016, he posted on Facebook that they had visited an approximate of 40 villages in the area during the 2003 and 2004 period and made constructions of roads and built clinics and schools but he really doubted if anything was left.  

Last Wednesday the Congress experienced mixed reactions after it was made known that the federal funds offered to veterans (those taking fight training classes) will be cut. This was after a report was released saying that the schools are taking advantage of that to charge large amounts of cash in tuition fees and take advantage of the GI Bill. Speaking to the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs subcommittee, the Representatives from the Department of Veterans Affairs, American Legion and Student Veterans of America said that it was a great concern that large amount of money was being charged to students by the flight schools. This applied to veterans who were using the GI Bill to cater for their education. The VA quoted one example where a student was charged more than $534,000 in the fiscal year of 2014. John Kamin, who is a representative of the American Legion said that it would be best to pass a legislation that will lower how generous the GI Bill is to veterans, especially those attending flight program sessions. In 2015 the Los Angeles Times first reported in of some companies avoiding the expense limit set by the VA on the private schools. Instead, they work as contractors for various flight training programs offered at the public universities.  The law makers were considering dealing with the loophole by drafting a proposal that was discussed last Wednesday. The draft will in turn input a spending cap on all the flight schools. Last year the number of veteran students enrolled in flight schools was 1700 and it cost a total of $48.5 million. Will Hubbard, vice president of Student Veterans of America, also supported the to be drafted proposal, saying that veterans should not be hindered from pursuing careers in aviation but still that should not affect the sustainability of the GI Bill. Matthew Zuccaro, president of Helicopter Association International, also said that his organization was in support of regulating the expenses on the GI Bill so as to avoid any form of abuse by flight programs. Though he asked the VA and Congress to consider other options and not the spending caps as it “unfairly impact the ability of veterans” who want to go for aviation related careers. Last year the House passed a legislation that addressed the spending of the GI Bill on flight programs, however, the initiative did not pass the senate. Rep. Beto O’Rourke, D-Texas, and Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., called for fast action last Wednesday to pass the bill again.  

Last Friday 5 Congress Members flew to Tijuana, Mexico, and met with the many U.S. veterans who had been deported. The veterans are unable to access their federal benefits despite some suffering from mental illness of physical disabilities. The congress members were members of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. The team planned to return back to DC and suggest to the Department of Veterans Affairs on ways in which the veterans can access the disability compensation, health care and other services.  The delegation was led by Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif. The other congress members who went with Takano, were Reps. Lou Correa, D-Calif., Kathleen Rice, D-N.Y., Norma Torres, D-Calif., and Gregorio Sablan, I-Northern Mariana Islands. The team met with the former service members of the Deported Veterans Support House, which was founded by 82nd Airborne veteran Hector Barajas-Varela. Barajas Varela was also discharged honorably and deported in the year 2009 after he was found guilty. For many years Barajas-Varela has been advocating for the deportation reversals of the many U.S. veterans. However, when the delegation visited he decided to take a different approach, he accepted that indeed they may never return to America and so he opted to advocate for the situation in Mexico to be improved. Most of the veterans age from 50 to 70 years old and some from addiction, depression, military-related ailments and other issues, including high blood pressure, diabetes and hepatitis C. The delegations has been summarizing recommendations that it will present to the House committee and the VA.  Takano said that some of the things they would like the deported veterans to access are good healthcare, technology, telehealth and assistance in filling out their claims for VA benefits. Veterans have had to wait for months in order to get an appointment in the city of Mexico or Guadalajara which happens to be 2,000 miles away. Tiffany Haverly, who is the communications director for Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tenn., chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, commented that the committee currently doesn’t have any plans of taking up laws that are related to the benefits that the deported veterans are to access.  Takano commented that the VA indeed has the authority to make amendments and changes that will benefit the deported veterans, he said he’s planning to visit VA Secretary David Shulkin.

The world has enjoyed the talents and fame brought by celebrities and many have grown to be very rich. It has been a well-known trend among celebrities for them to give back to the society. Below is a list of the 10 celebrities who have spared their precious time to devote their influence, gratitude and talents to the service members of our country United States.   Jon Stewart   Known for frequently putting the politicians on a comical hot seat, the host of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show has over the years shown massive support towards the U.S. military. Stewart teamed up with his staff and initiated an internship program at The Daily Show. The internship helps veterans start a career in the media and television business and lasts for 5-weeks: entailing weekly evening class. The program organizes a career fair that so far has helped veterans get jobs in the very industry. Steward has encouraged other media cooperation to embrace the same internship so as to help more veterans. Apart from that he went for a comedy tour of the bases that are in Afghanistan. Steward also paid a visit to the wounded soldiers who were in hospitals.   Gary Sinise This Emmy Award and Golden Globe winner, and also a nominee in the Academy Award is known for his famous roles in the TV series CSI: NY, Forest Gump, Truman. Sinise has also appeared and acted on many other television and film stories in his acting career. However, he is more known for his acts and commitment towards the US military. Sinise has been advocating for service members for more than 30 years. He even has a band known as Lt. Dan Band, which performs around 50 shows annually in charities, fundraisings and military bases to get funds to support soldiers, wounded soldiers, veterans and the Gold Star families and veterans. He is also the current spokesperson for the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial Foundation and Disabled American Veterans. He started a foundation in 2011 known as the Gary Sinise Foundation and came up with other additional programs that partner with other organizations like the Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment (R.I.S.E.), Relief + Resiliency Outreach, Serving Heroes and Invincible Spirit Festival.   Carrie Underwood Underwood is a country music sensational superstar and has won many awards. She has performed around the world for many US military service members. She has been to Iraq and Kuwait on a tour with the USO, and performed at military bases during the special Concert for Valor which happened on the Veterans Day 2016. Her song “See You Again,” is a special song to one military family, after the father who was deployed died before him and his family could attend the show. Underwood visited the family after hearing the tragic story. She has also performed at the ACM Presents: An All-Star Salute to the Troops and it was during that performance that she debuted her song “Keep Us Safe,” The song was co-written as a tribute and gratitude to the service members for their work.     Bradley Cooper   Cooper received an Oscar nomination after playing the role of the late Navy SEAL, Chris Kyle in the famous biographical war film, “American Sniper.” During an interview with PEOPLE Magazine, Cooper described the role as “life-changing” and that it gave him a chance to actually learn about the many struggles that military families go through. When promoting the film Cooper partnered with Chris Kyle’s widow Taya and hosted several screening sessions of the film in a number of veterans’ hospitals. He also got an invite to give a talk at The National Geographic Society as part of the panel for Got Your 6. This is a group that is dedicated to using entertainment to portray the lives of veterans accurately.   Mark Wahlberg   During the 10th annual Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) Courage Awards & Benefit Dinner (May 2015), Wahlberg was honored and awarded the James Gandolfini Award. The award gave honors to the late actor’s impeccable character in service to the military service members and their families. Wahlberg received the recognition for his committed support to the WWP during his entire career in TV commercials, creating awareness for the WWP and also the difficulties faced by the wounded warriors. Wahlberg is also remembered for being a very vocal supporter of the issues affecting veterans when he was promoting his movie “Lone Survivor”, in the movie he played the role of a Navy SEAL.   Kellie Pickler Pickler the very first person to ever receive the Operation Troop Aid Chris Kyle Patriot Award, American Idol top six finalist and country music rock star. Has impressed many by being a great supporter of the US military. The young star still in her early twenties has taken part in eight USO musical tours and is a frequent face in events organized by the USO and Wounded Warrior Project.  She has been to Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan to entertain service members, and even decided to send Valentine’s Day care packages to the female service members at one point. Despite getting the award, Pickler is very humble.  The award, was initially known as the Operation Troop Aid Patriot Award, and was started in honor of the late sniper and Navy SEAL Chris Kyle.   KISS and Def Leppard The founders of Heroes Tour. The two are legendary rock groups. During their three month 2014 tour a dollar from each ticket was distributed among several military organizations like the Hire a Hero and USO. During the tour they also gave jobs to two veterans who acted as roadies as part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Capital One’s Hiring 500,000 Heroes campaign.   Wayne Newton An active participant in USO activities, this Las Vegas entertainer and singer is currently the Celebrity Chairman of the USO. Newton has dedicated all his life to advocating for US military performing for the troops and going for many USO trips outside the United States. As the current chairman, he has been encouraging more celebrities to join the USO. Newton has gathered several awards for his tremendous work in the military: “The USO Spirit of Home Award,” The Secretary of the Navy Public Service Award,” The Air Force Scroll of Appreciation,” “The AMVET’s Silver Helmet Award in the Americanism Category,” and he was also named in an honor in the “Honorary Green Beret” back in 1999 at an event in Fort Bragg.   Kathy Griffin Famous for her comedy. Griffin is also an Emmy award winner.  Her father was a World War II veteran and supported the United States military for a very long time. Griffin has been present in many USO tours. In 2010 she hosted the VH1 Divas Salute the Troops from the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar based in San Diego, CA.  She is also known for her free backstage tickets to veterans to attend her shows. She received an honor in 2013 for her contact support to the veterans during the 5th Annual Heroes Celebration.   Trace Adkins Adkins also joins the list of country music stars who have given constant support to the US military. Adkins comes from a very patriotic family, even though none of his family members have ever served in the military. He was lucky to grow up in a military focused community and so far has been giving back to the community by visiting the wounded soldiers in hospitals. He has been on 10 tours organized by the USO and also visits families of fallen soldiers. He has taken part in several charity concerts that are military focused. Some of the major concerts he has taken part in are the Cause for Applause: Salute the Troops concert at the Grand Ole Opry on May 19. He has even used his music to honor the service members, in his songs “’Til the Last Shots Fired” and “Arlington.”  

From the affected many, Hawn Taylor is an example of persons who can testify to the strain and struggles that Alzheimer’s can impact to a family and the community at large. It started with her grandmother contracting the disease in the early 1980s. Then her grandfather was the next victim a few months later. Her life situation became more saddening and worse when her mother and father were diagnosed with the same. By the time Taylor was twenty one of age, she was not only the only child to the parents, but also the only grandchild. Diagnosis of both her parents and grandparents from the deadly form of Dementia gave Taylor a forceful caregiving commitment to the folks for an approximate of the next thirty five years. From an interview with Taylor, she said that she understands what it takes to give intense caregiving needs and when as she watches her dear mother slip away, not even able to recognize her and unable to take care of her most basic needs, she got the motivation to do more. She had to do something to help the whole veteran community. Her experience with the family gave her the motivation to help come up with Veterans Against Alzherimer’s, which the official launching took place on Tuesday, 3rd October this year. The formed group has partnered with the Department of Veterans Affairs and Veterans of Foreign Wars and aims at increasing the funds allocated for the Alzheimer’s research, give and boost the support that the volunteered caregivers provide and even enroll more veterans from the community that are diagnosed of the illness into the VA. Taylor’s decision to take part in the creation and concentrate on Veterans, the group disproportionately at risk for dementia, was really personal. Her grandfather, John Gavin was the States Army colonel and a West Point graduate. Her father on the other side is a retired lieutenant colonel and Vietnam War veteran to the States Army. The father’s name is Bernard Landau. This veteran focused group is a new creation of Us Against Alzheimer’s and is lobbying to multiply research for a cure for the illness. A cofounder of the group, George Vradenburg gave a description to the group as ‘small, feisty and fearless.’