New Page 2

VA and Louisiana State University
Announce Site Selections for New Orleans Medical Center Projects

WASHINGTON (Nov. 25, 2008) - In a public event held today in New
Orleans, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the State of
Louisiana jointly announced the selection of adjacent downtown sites for
construction of their replacement medical center projects. The two
projects, called the Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the Louisiana
State University Academic Medical Center, restore greatly needed health
care capability lost in New Orleans during flooding after Hurricane
Katrina in late August 2005.

"Restoring a full capability medical center for our veterans in New
Orleans and southeastern Louisiana is one of the Secretary's highest
priorities," said Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Gordon H.
Mansfield. "Site selection is a key milestone in the project delivery
process."

"VA selected the downtown site because it offers the best solution for
our veterans, today and into the future," Mansfield added. "The site,
located within a robust medical district with affiliate health care
teaching universities, promotes long term operational synergy and
efficiency. The selected site aligns with the City of New Orleans and
State of Louisiana Hurricane Katrina recovery and redevelopment plans."

An agreement between VA and the City of New Orleans obligates the city
to acquire the land for the new facility, prepare the site for
construction and turn over the site to VA within one year.

"I understand this site selection creates near term impact on the
directly affected and surrounding neighborhoods," Mansfield continued.
"We have been working cooperatively with federal, state, city and
neighborhood partners to develop a robust package of treatment measures
to mitigate the negative impacts and invest in new local opportunities."

"Constructing this state-of-the-art medical complex near downtown New
Orleans follows through on the Administration's commitment to fully
support recovery efforts," he said.

The announcement follows a nearly one-year process of extensive study of
site alternatives, including analysis of the potential impacts on the
environment and historically significant structures.

"Today is of great significance for the City of New Orleans and for the
veterans of the Gulf Coast. The announcement by my colleagues at the
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs brings to closure a collaborative
and inclusive process involving Federal, state and local government, as
well as stakeholders who determined the location of the new veterans
hospital," said retired Maj. Gen. Douglas O'Dell, federal coordinator
for Gulf Coast rebuilding.

"The hospital is a key component of the city's vision of a revitalized
downtown area and a world class medical campus," O'Dell added.
"Further, this decision advances the goal President Bush and Secretary
Peake established of better access to quality health care for the needs
of current and future veterans,"

Dr. John Lombardi, LSU System President, said that building these
hospitals in close proximity to each other assures the future of top
quality health care, research, and medical education not only for the
New Orleans area but for the entire state for many years to come. "This
is a major milestone in constructing these joint academic medical
centers that are destined to be models of health care reform for the
nation in creating thousands of jobs while delivering cost-efficient
medical treatment and disease management," he said.

New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin, who hosted today's news conference where
the announcement was made, said, "The new VA hospital in downtown New
Orleans will provide needed medical care for veterans throughout the
region and will serve as a key economic driver for our future. Along
with the new LSU hospital, it will serve as the centerpiece of our
biomedical district, generating thousands of jobs and enabling our city
to compete with communities that are known for their medical services
and research."

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE LAUNCHES NATIONAL RESOURCE DIRECTORY FOR WOUNDED
WARRIORS, FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS

The Department of Defense today launched the National Resource
Directory, a collaborative effort between the departments of Defense,
Labor and Veterans Affairs.

The directory is a Web-based network of care coordinators, providers and
support partners with resources for wounded, ill and injured service
members, veterans, their families, families of the fallen and those who
support them.

?The directory is the visible demonstration of our national will and
commitment to make the journey from ?survive to thrive? a reality for
those who have given so much. As new links are added each day by
providers and partners, coverage from coast to coast will grow even
greater ensuring that no part of that journey will ever be made alone,?
said Lynda C. Davis, Ph.D., deputy under secretary of defense for
military community and family policy.

Located at http://www.nationalresourcedirectory.org, the directory
offers more than 10,000 medical and non-medical services and resources
to help service members and veterans achieve personal and professional
goals along their journey from recovery through rehabilitation to
community reintegration.

?The VA is extremely proud to be a partner in this innovative resource.
This combination of federal, state, and community-based resources will
serve as a tremendous asset for all service members, veterans, their
families and those who care for them. The community is essential to the
successful reintegration of our veterans, and these groups greatly
enhance the directory?s scope,? said Karen S. Guice, M.D., executive
director, federal recovery care coordination program at the Department
of Veterans Affairs.

?The National Resource Directory will prove to be a valuable tool for
wounded, ill, and injured service members and their families as they
wind their way through the maze of benefits and services available to
them in their transition to civilian life. The Department of Labor is
pleased to have the opportunity to work with our partners at DoD,? said
Charles S. Ciccolella, the assistant secretary of labor for the
veterans? employment and training service.

The National Resource Directory is organized into six major categories:
Benefits and Compensation; Education, Training and Employment; Family
and Caregiver Support; Health; Housing and Transportation; and Services
and Resources. It also provides helpful checklists, Frequently Asked
Questions, and connections to peer support groups. All information on
the Web site can be found through a general or state and local search
tool.

The National Resource Directory?s launch in November is a key feature of
Warrior Care Month.

VA Announces Expansion Of Disability Evaluation System Pilot
All Military Services Now Taking Part

WASHINGTON (Nov. 7, 2008) -- Wounded service members leaving the
military will have easier, quicker access to their veterans benefits due
to the expansion of a pilot program that will offer streamlined
disability evaluations that will reach 19 military installations,
representing all military departments.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today the expansion of
the Disability Evaluation System (DES) pilot which started in the
National Capitol Region in coordination with Departments of Defense
(DoD). The pilot is a test of a new process that eliminates
duplicative, time-consuming and often confusing elements of the two
current disability processes of the departments.

"Providing Service members going through the disability process with
comprehensive information about their benefits from both departments and
delivering their VA benefits as fast as possible is our goal. This
single evaluation will help us do just that," Tom Pamperin, deputy
director of VA's Compensation and Pension Service, said. "The program
expansion will allow wounded warriors a smoother and more efficient
transition to getting services from the VA."

The initial phase of the expansion started on Oct 1, with Fort Meade,
Md. and Fort Belvoir, Va. The remaining 17 installations will begin
upon completion of site preparations and personnel orientation and
training, during an 8-month period from November 2008 to May 2009.

"The decision to expand the pilot was based upon a favorable review that
focused on whether the pilot met its timeliness, effectiveness,
transparency, and customer and stakeholder satisfaction objectives,"
said Sam Retherford, director, officer and enlisted personnel
management, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and
Readiness. "This expansion extends beyond the national capital region,
so that more diverse data from other geographic areas can be evaluated,
prior to rendering a final decision on worldwide implementation."

The remaining installations to begin the program are: Army: Fort Carson,
Colo.; Fort Drum, N.Y.; Fort Stewart, Ga.; Fort Richardson, Alaska; Fort
Wainwright, Alaska; Brooke Army Medical Center, Texas; and Fort Polk,
La. Navy: Naval Medical Center (NMC) San Diego and Camp Pendleton,
Calif.; NMC Bremerton, Wash.; NMC Jacksonville, Fla.; and Camp Lejeune,
N.C. Air Force: Vance Air Force Base, Okla.; Nellis Air Force Base,
Nev.; MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.; Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska.;
and Travis Air Force Base, Calif.

In November 2007 VA and DoD implemented the pilot test for disability
cases originating at the three major military treatment facilities in
the national capitol region. To date, over 700 service members have
participated in the pilot over the last ten months.

The single disability examination pilot is focused on recommendations
from the reports of the Task Force on Returning Global War on Terrorism
Heroes, the Independent Review Group, the President's Commission on Care
for America's Returning Wounded Warriors (the Dole/Shalala Commission),
and the Commission on Veterans' Disability Benefits.

Greetings fellow AMVETS,

Finally!

We all know our close-knit veterans community has been longing for an easy way to connect with one another, to exchange information and expand our local and regional programs.

Well, here it is.
Let me introduce each of you to the latest AMVETS partner in veterans' service.
It's MyVetwork (<http://www.MyVetWork.com), the new online community created by one of our own, John R. Campbell, a Marine veteran of Vietnam and an AMVETS member.

Designed specifically with veterans and their families in mind, MyVetwork is free. It’s the first-ever community of military personnel and those who care about them that we can help shape as it grows. We can have a voice in building this community that celebrates and serves veterans not just on Veterans Day, but the other 364 days of the year too.
MyVetwork facilitates our exchanging information with others who share our experience, connections that can run the gamut—from lighthearted and entertaining, to deep and meaningful exchange--bringing our veterans' community together in ways simply not possible before.
And we can use MyVetwork to find—and contribute—new information about the veterans' community, including the important and meaningful work of veterans' service organizations like AMVETS.

Using cutting edge social networking technology, MyVetwork allows us to create our own online groups, relevant to our specific interests and individual skill sets. It can be used for both social and professional networking, a service not available within the veterans' community until now. And for those interested in mentoring younger veterans, MyVetwork facilitates that, too.

MyVetwork is open to all military—active duty, retired, and veterans—our families, and others who care about us. It caters to veterans of all generations, whether you've stormed the beaches of Iwo Jima, patrolled the jungles of Vietnam, or kicked in doors in Fallujah.

The MyVetwork team has asked us to help populate the community—the more of us who sign on, the more valuable our exchange will be. John Campbell and his team are issuing this invitation to coincide with Veterans Day, November 11.
I encourage each of you to log onto <http://www.myvetwork.com now, browse the site, create your own profile (takes 3 mins), and check out the AMVETS group we've created. Once you've come to understand why AMVETS members should take advantage of this remarkable tool, I encourage you to share it with AMVETS throughout your departments and create a subgroup for your own department or other special interest group.
Let’s accept MyVetwork’s invitation and make sure that AMVETS takes advantage of this opportunity to
revolutionize the way we serve our veterans and stay connected to one another.
AMVETS is excited to be working with MyVetwork, and we hope you will join us.
And tell your friends. And family. http://www.myvetwork.com

New Law Authorizes Veterans' Salutes during National Anthem

WASHINGTON (Oct. 30, 2008) -- Veterans and active-duty military not in
uniform can now render the military-style hand salute during the playing
of the national anthem, thanks to changes in federal law that took
effect this month.

"The military salute is a unique gesture of respect that marks those who
have served in our nation's armed forces," said Secretary of Veterans
Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. "This provision allows the application of
that honor in all events involving our nation's flag."

The new provision improves upon a little known change in federal law
last year that authorized veterans to render the military-style hand
salute during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag, but it did
not address salutes during the national anthem. Last year's provision
also applied to members of the armed forces while not in uniform.

Traditionally, members of the nation's veterans service organizations
have rendered the hand-salute during the national anthem and at events
involving the national flag while wearing their organization's official
head-gear.

The most recent change, authorizing hand-salutes during the national
anthem by veterans and out-of-uniform military personnel, was sponsored
by Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, an Army veteran. It was included in the
Defense Authorization Act of 2009, which President Bush signed on Oct.
14.

The earlier provision authorizing hand-salutes for veterans and
out-of-uniform military personnel during the raising, lowering or
passing of the flag, was contained in the National Defense Authorization
Act of 2008, which took effect Jan. 28, 2008.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 22, 2008

VA To Deploy Mobile Counseling Centers across America

50 Motor Coaches to Bring Services Closer to Veterans

WASHINGTON – The first of a fleet of 50 new mobile counseling centers
for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Vet Center program was put into
service today with the remainder scheduled to be activated over the next
three months.
“Our widespread distribution of this fleet from coast to coast marks a new
chapter in VA's innovation to reach rural and underserved veterans
with high-quality readjustment counseling,” said Secretary of Veterans
Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. Each vehicle will be assigned to one of VA's existing Vet Centers, enabling the center to improve access to counseling by bringing services closer to veterans. The 38-foot motor coaches, which have spaces for confidential counseling, will carry Vet Center counselors and outreach workers to events and activities to reach veterans in broad geographic areas, supplementing VA's 232 current Vet Centers, which are scheduled to increase to 271 facilities by the end of 2009. Vet Centers, operated by VA's Readjustment Counseling Service, provide non-medical readjustment counseling in easily accessible, consumer-oriented facilities, addressing the social and economic dimensions of post-war needs. This includes psychological counseling for traumatic military-related experiences and family counseling when needed for the veteran’s readjustment. The team leader at each Vet Center will develop an outreach plan for use of the vehicle within that region, not being limited to the traditional catchment area of a particular Vet Center. These vehicles will be used to provide outreach and direct readjustment counseling at active-duty, reserve and National Guard activities, including post-deployment health reassessments for returning combat service members. The vehicles will also be used to visit events typically staffed by local Vet Center staff, including homeless "stand downs," veteran community events, county fairs, and unit reunions at sites ranging from Native American reservations to colleges. While most of their use will be in Vet Centers' delivery of readjustment counseling services, the local manager may arrange with VA hospitals or clinics in the region to provide occasional support for health promotion activities such as health screenings. The normal counseling layout can be converted to support emergency medical missions, such as hurricanes and other natural disasters The 50 vehicles are being manufactured for VA by Farber Specialty Vehicles of Columbus, Ohio.

VA Announces "In House" Option to Implement IT Aspects of New GI Bill

WASHINGTON (Oct. 10, 2008) -- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
announced today that it will rely upon its own workforce to set up the
information technology programs needed to implement the educational
benefits of the new Post-9/11 GI Bill.

The Department's announcement came after VA officials did not receive
enough proposals from qualified private-sector contractors to create an
information technology program that implements the new benefit. At no
time did VA consider contracting out responsibility for actually
administering this educational assistance.

"Many private contractors were apparently reluctant to offer proposals
because of external misconceptions as to the scope of the work involved.
While it is unfortunate that we will not have the technical expertise
from the private sector available to assist us in developing the
information technology solution, the VA can and will deliver the
benefits program on time," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James
B. Peake.

"The Post-9/11 GI Bill is unusually complex, with payments being
tailored to tuition costs and going to both students and educational
institutions," said Patrick W. Dunne, the Under Secretary for Benefits.
"Some benefits are determined by a school's zip code, and others by
in-state rates for tuition."

Dunne said the Department would have been remiss if it had failed to
assess the ability of the private sector to assist VA to set up the
technology aspects of the program's implementation.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill will provide educational assistance to veterans,
military members, reservists and National Guard members who have served
since Sept. 11, 2001. By law, the new benefits are scheduled to start
on Aug. 1, 2009.

“We owe Gold Star Families a debt we can never repay - and enabling them to honor the memory of their sons and daughters, husbands and wives, mothers and fathers is the least we can do,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “When you see a Gold Star License Plate on the road, remember to think about those who have given their lives to defend our way of life, and keep their families and loved ones in your prayers.”

Allowing the state to honor Gold Star Families without placing a burden on California taxpayers, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Motor Vehicles will fund the start up costs of the Gold Star Family License Plates using private donations. Additionally, as a token of the state’s appreciation for their sacrifice, SB 1455 provides a special waiver of some fees for Gold Star Families obtaining the plate.

The Governor also recently signed additional pieces of legislation benefitting veterans and their families including:

SB 1401 by Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) requires the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Military Department to develop plans to reach out to Guard members or veterans returning to California from combat and assist them in obtaining a screening for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury.

AB 3083 by the Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs requires the Department of Health Care Services, in conjunction with the Department of Mental Health, to seek all available federal funding for mental health services for veterans. The bill also extends mental health services provided by the Adult and Older Adult Mental Health System of Care Act to include veterans, and requires counties to provide mental health services to veterans to the extent such services are available to other adults.

AB 2171 by Assemblymember Paul Cook (R-Yucca Valley) which begins the process towards the construction of the Purple Heart Memorial in State Capitol Park in Sacramento.

SB 1353 by Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod (D-Montclair) authorizes a state employee who is a member of the National Guard or Reserves to receive specified compensation benefits for four additional years, if ordered to serve on and after September 11, 2001, as a result of the War on Terrorism.

SB 1534 by Senator Jim Battin (R-La Quinta) authorizes uniformed public safety personnel in California to wear decorations or medals authorized by the Military and Veterans Code, the U.S. Armed Forces, the National Guard or the Military Reserve or Naval Militia on and around Veterans Day and Memorial Day.

AB 190 by Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D- Los Angeles ) authorizes, after local approval, veterans whose vehicles display one number of military special-recognition license plates to park in metered parking spaces without charge.

AB 2049 by Assemblymember Lori Saldaña (D-San Diego) requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to convene a task force to review and make recommendations regarding the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children and to report to the Legislature by January 1, 2009.

SB 1675 by Senator Dave Cox (R-Fair Oaks) provides the California Department of Veterans Affairs with the discretion to structure the terms and conditions of any authorized debt issuance.

AB 3065 by the Committee on Veterans Affairs enables veterans who have retired from active military service, were honorably discharged from active duty with a service-connected disability or honorably discharged from active duty to apply for state civil service promotional examinations.

SB 1495 by Senator Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) allows a taxpayer to retain the disabled veteran’s property tax exemption in the case of a partial loss of the taxpayer's home due to a misfortune or calamity, and a full or partial loss due to a major disaster for which the governor has declared a state of emergency.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the availability of $40 million in job training funds aimed at helping workers gain new skills and keep California businesses competitive during the current economic downturn. The funds are available through the Labor and Workforce Development Agency (LWDA).

“We are making these job training funds available during a difficult time in our economy,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “This funding will allow thousands of California workers to receive training to help them keep their jobs or find new employment – and we are happy to be extending additional assistance to our men and women in the armed forces.”

The Employment Training Job Panel is expected to approve $28.7 million in funding on October 17. These funds will help 101 businesses and training programs prepare 20,000 workers for quality jobs in expanding industries such as health care, green technology and biotechnology.

Additionally, the Employment Development Department (EDD) will be soliciting proposals for $12 million in job training services for California veterans, with focus placed on using Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funding to train veterans who have recently returned from Iraq and Afghanistan. Proposals for WIA-funded programs serving veterans are due to the EDD no later than October 24, with job training starting in December.

“These job training funds will help workers and businesses stay competitive during a challenging economy,” said Labor and Workforce Development Agency Secretary Victoria Bradshaw. “The investment in California’s workforce will also foster innovation and help grow the green economy.”

Employment Training Panel (ETP) and Workforce Investment Act funding are leading resources for the Governor’s focus on job training and economic development and diversification.

This year, the Governor has taken a number of actions to stimulate California’s economy including, but not limited to:

Additional Job Training and Other Funding

· Directed $10.5 million to train workers displaced by the housing downturn.

· Awarded more than $6 million in grants to help more than 1,500 newly discharged veterans as they return to the civilian workforce.

· Awarded $5.6 million to help displaced mortgage and banking workers find new jobs.

· Awarded more than $2.7 million to registered nurse training programs to help boost the health care workforce in underserved areas.

· Directed $2.5 million in job training grants directed to regions of California hardest hit by economic downturn.

· Urged Congressional leaders to extend unemployment insurance benefits for those who have lost their jobs in the economic downturn.

Strategic Growth Plan/Infrastructure Investment

· $12,729,404 in Proposition 1B funding has been allocated since November 2006. .

· $1,132,222 in Proposition 1C funding has been allocated since November 2006.

· $4,606,169 in Proposition 1D funding has been allocated since November 2006.

· $1,229,387 in Proposition 1E funding has been allocated since November 2006.

· Announced eight new Enterprise Zones to boost California’s economy

Housing/Foreclosure Related Actions

· Announced an agreement with major loan servicers to streamline the loan modification process for subprime borrowers living in their homes.

· Launched the Community Stabilization Home Loan Program designed to help first-time homebuyers purchase homes in communities hardest hit by foreclosure crisis and announced the availability of $200 million in loans available at no coast to taxpayers.

· Announced more than $72 million in Federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds to provide assistance to first-time homebuyers and reduce the number of bank owned homes.

· Announced $8 million grant to expand counseling services to homeowners at risk of foreclosure.

Signs Legislation Extending Mental Health Services and Assisting Veterans in

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced he has signed SB 1401 by Senator Joe Simitian (D- Palo Alto) and AB 3083 by the Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs; measures that will extend mental health services to veterans and assist veterans in getting screened for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury. The Governor also announced he has signed six additional bills that will benefit California veterans, military personnel and their families.

“I know I speak for all Californians when I say the state has tremendous respect for its veterans and the sacrifices they have made for our freedom – and the bills I have signed demonstrate California’s commitment to our veterans, active duty personnel and the families who support them,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “These measures recognize that current veterans returning from a combat zone should be screened for Post Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injuries as soon as they get home, and that they should have access to timely and appropriate mental health services whether through the VA or the County mental health system.”

SB 1401 by Senator Joe Simitian (D- Palo Alto) requires the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Military Department to develop plans to reach out to Guard members or veterans returning to California from combat and assist them in obtaining a screening for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury.

AB 3083 by the Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs requires the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), in conjunction with the Department of Mental Health (DMH), to seek all available federal funding for mental health services for veterans. The bill also extends mental health services provided by the Adult and Older Adult Mental Health System of Care Act to include veterans, and requires counties to provide mental health services to veterans to the extent such services are available to other adults. The bill defines a serious mental disorder or illness (SMI) to include bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and requires DMH to include services for veterans within target population service standards.

Governor Schwarzenegger also announced today that he has signed the following veterans-related legislation:

AB 190 by Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) authorizes, after local approval, veterans whose vehicles display one number of military special-recognition license plates to park in metered parking spaces without charge.

Yesterday, Governor Schwarzenegger announced he has signed AB 2171 by Assemblymember Paul Cook (R-Yucca Valley) which begins the process towards the construction of the Purple Heart Memorial in State Capitol Park in Sacramento.

Last week the Governor announced the signing of SB 1455 by Senator Dave Cogdill (R-Modesto), which authorizes the creation of the Gold Star Family License Plate and allows a family member of a member of the U.S. Armed Forces killed on active duty to apply for the plate containing a gold star and the words “Gold Star Family.” As a token of the state's appreciation for their sacrifice, the bill provides a special waiver of some fees for Gold Star Families.

VA Announces Nine National Sponsors for New Sports Clinic
Peake: New Event Milestone for Disabled Veterans

WASHINGTON (Sept. 29, 2008) - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
announced today nine sponsors are supporting VA's newest rehabilitative
event for injured veterans, the National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic.

"VA is fortunate to have such gracious sponsors to bring this new event
to our nation's disabled veterans," said Dr. James B. Peake, Secretary
of Veterans Affairs. "For many injured veterans, this sports clinic
will provide their first exposure to recreational sports after being
injured."

The top-level sponsors are Help Hospitalized Veterans, Veterans Canteen
Service, American Optometric Association, Booz Allen Hamilton,
Challenged America, Marchon, TriWest Healthcare Alliance, Cisco,
Invacare and Top End.

The event is open to 100 recently injured veterans who have spinal cord
injuries, traumatic brain injuries, certain neurological conditions,
amputations, other mobility impairments, or post-traumatic stress
disorder.

The National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic began Sept. 28 and runs
through Oct. 3 at several venues in the San Diego area. Events include
sailing, cycling, surfing, kayaking and track and field events.

The sports clinic is the fifth national rehabilitation event offered by
VA to promote the healing of body, mind and spirit. VA's other
rehabilitation events are the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports
Clinic, the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, the National Veterans
Golden Age Games and the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival.

For more information about the National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic,
visit the event's Web site at www.summersportsclinic.va.gov.

Recent VA News Releases

Injured Veterans Attend New Rehabilitative Sports Clinic in San Diego

WASHINGTON (Sept. 26, 2008) - More than 50 recently injured veterans
from around the country are coming to San Diego to experience the
thrills of adaptive surfing, sailing, track and field, kayaking and
cycling at the first National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic, a
rehabilitative sports experience sponsored by the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) and hosted by the VA San Diego Healthcare System.

"The adaptive sports offered at this clinic will provide these veterans
a unique environment for self development," said Secretary of Veterans
Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. "For many of these veterans, this event
will provide their first exposure to recreational sports and other
activities after being injured."

The National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic takes place Sept. 28 through
Oct. 3 with opening ceremonies at Sea World. Other events will be held
at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Kellogg Park in La
Jolla Shores, the Embarcadero Marina Park, the Mission Bay Yacht Club
and the San Diego Marriott Hotel. Admission is free for the public.

Recreational sports can be an important part of therapy for many
disabilities. VA is a recognized leader in rehabilitation, with
therapeutic programs available at VA health care facilities across the
nation. Programs like the Summer Sports Clinic have helped many
veterans with injuries to heal and gain confidence to pursue their
ambitions.

The event is open to newly injured veterans who have spinal cord
injuries, traumatic brain injuries, certain neurological conditions,
amputations, other mobility impairments, or post-traumatic stress
disorder.

The Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), enacted in 1974, requires covered federal government contractors and subcontractors to take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment specified categories of veterans protected by the Act and prohibits discrimination against such veterans. In addition, VEVRAA requires contractors and subcontractors to list all their employment openings (with a few exceptions for top executives and very short term jobs) with the local employment service office, where “covered” qualified veterans receive priority in referral to such openings from the employment service.

According to a revealing statistic, more than 30 percent of Americans beset with mesothelioma (a rapacious cancer that attacks the internal lining of the lungs, abdomen, and heart) were exposed to asbestos during military service.

Out of the hundreds of occupations exposed to asbestos, veterans account for 30% of all mesothelioma cancer patients. Due to common military practices, veterans who served between 1940 and 1970 have a great risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses. Additionally, Navy personnel and workers employed in shipyards from the 1930s through the 1970s hold a greater risk of developing asbestos cancers caused by asbestos exposure.

Veterans with asbestos-related illnesses find themselves in a unique and troubling situation, as they virtually have no avenue to seek compensation through the current government system. Ailing veterans are prohibited by law to seek compensation from the U.S. government through the court system. For more information on mesothelioma treatments or how you can get free assistance with filing for asbestos-related VA Benefits please see the resources as the Mesothelioma Cancer Center.

Among the lesser known ailments facing veterans today is the threat of health complications as a result of asbestos exposure. The threat posed by asbestos exposure is a real one for veterans and they should be aware of the possibility, as well as some possible exposure points.

The great majority of asbestos exposures affect naval veterans. Naval ships and shipyards were notorious for their use of asbestos and today many veterans are paying the price. Asbestos was used to insulate and prevent temperature transfer in many parts of vessel construction, but especially around boilers and piping. Those who frequently worked among these fixtures could be at risk of a harmful level of asbestos exposure.

Veterans who worked among our military’s industrial complex may also be at risk. Many military structures and installations were built to withstand fire and heat, a property for which asbestos products were especially adept. Those who worked around these fixtures prior to 1980, or worked extensively on older fixtures more recently, could also be at risk of a possibly harmful exposure.

Asbestos was banned in the late 1970’s because a clear connection between asbestos exposure and respiratory health complications became impossible to ignore any longer. Asbestos exposure has been known to cause respiratory disease, including the cancer, mesothelioma. For more information about asbestos exposure, mesothelioma, or mesothelioma treatment, please visit our website at maacenter.org.