Today Marks the 238th Birthday of the United States Army. To celebrate this occasion, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno gives a special Army Birthday greeting to U.S. soldiers stationed around the globe.
Watch the video on YouTube
(Washington, D.C.)—Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) applauds the inclusion of S.871 in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2013. The provisions outlined in S.871—introduced by Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH)—provide Military Sexual Trauma victims with broad protective measures, legal counsel, and reporting requirements. Provisions of S.871 also provide access to Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARC) by members of the National Guard and Reserve, as well as revisions to the responsibility and authority of the Department of Defense's (DoD) Sexual Assault and Response Office (SAPRO).
Said Marsha Four, chair of the VVA Women Veterans Committee, "Vietnam Veterans of America has long been vocal on the issue of sexual assault in the military, providing testimony as early as 1992 during Hill hearings precipitated by the Tailhook scandal. We stand with the thousands upon thousands of victims who have suffered for decades. At last, the issue of sexual assault can no longer be swept away, and finally, the American public is learning of the immensity of this unacceptable and disturbing military 'secret.' "
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As reported June 6 by Russ Ptacek for the Asbury Park Press and WUSA9, a new federal payroll database shows $105 billion in federal wages, including $332 million in 2012 bonuses, with the government's biggest payouts going to workers who deal with natural disasters.
The searchable database shows individual payroll records for fiscal year 2012, including some bonuses, for about three out of four government workers. The figures, obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests to the Office of Personnel Management, indicate the federal government has trimmed its bonus program since 2011, but they don't reflect a full disclosure of government bonuses.
The Asbury Park Press estimates the numbers include about 73% of government workers, but excludes Department of Defense, CIA, FBI, Congress, The White House, and some security agencies. The Asbury Park Press analysis found agencies that handed out the most bonus money were the Veterans Health Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration, $27.9 million and $24 million, respectively.
To read the entire story: http://www.wusa9.com/news/article/262220/158/332-Million-In-Federal-Worker-Bonuses-And-Searchable-Individual-2012-Payroll-Records
In a June 7 article by Sean D. Hamill in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, when VA officials submitted regional director Michael Moreland's nomination for the prestigious Presidential Distinguished Rank Award sometime before March 26, 2012, they provided a glowing report. The four-page narrative of Mr. Moreland's nomination, obtained by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, praises him for his career administrative accomplishments; for saving money by starting an independent transplant program; and for helping VA administrators across the country cut costs.
However, that fiscal year, which ended in September 2011, includes the beginning of the outbreak of Legionnaires' disease at the Pittsburgh VA, which started in February 2011 and continued until November 2012. It killed at least five veterans and sickened another 17.
For complete story, http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/va-leader-praised-despite-outbreak-690695/
From the June 12 Diabetes Daily blog--WARNING: This article is going to get your blood boiling. A series of studies has shown that many popular brands of test strips are not meeting the FDA's minimum accuracy requirements. Many brands can't even get within 20% of your true blood sugars on a regular basis. It is time to demand independent testing of test strips to ensure that they meet accuracy requirements. On July 1, Medicare members may be forced to switch to some of the brands that doesn't meet accuracy standards. How many people will dose insulin off of an inaccurate number and end up in the hospital?
Continue reading: Can You Trust Your Test Strip's Accuracy?
On average, over 435 people die a day of lung cancer. Over 200 won’t – if we implement CT screening. The good news is the pieces are falling into place to start saving lives today.
Science has proven beyond a doubt that low dose CT screening for those at high risk for lung cancer will increase survival rates. In November 2011, the National Lung Screening Trial—the largest cancer screening trial ever conducted by the National Cancer Institute (NCI)—showed screening those at high risk with a low dose CT scan improves survival by 20 percent.
If you have any of the following are risk factors, you are considered at risk for lung cancer:
- You have an extensive smoking history;
- You are advanced in age;
- You have a family history;
- You have been exposed to Agent Orange or other known carcinogens.
Major medical associations have put together clinical guidelines to aid medical professionals in their efforts to set up responsible screening programs across the country.
In addition to clinical guidelines, Lung Cancer Alliance has developed a set of principles to link and guide best practices uniformly among community-based and academic medical centers. These principles are laid out in the National Framework of Excellence for Lung Cancer Screening and Continuum of Care. To date, over 75 medical centers are following these best practices. Some insurance companies are now covering lung cancer screening for their subscribers who are deemed at risk.
What is needed is government action. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has been evaluating available data but has yet to come out with a recommendation regarding lung cancer screening. The Lung Cancer Alliance is calling for an expedited review and for its highest level of recommendation.
Be mindful of your health. Learn about your risk for lung cancer. If you feel you could be at high risk, call your doctor or contact a screening center of excellence for help.
For more information: http://www.lungcanceralliance.org/
Proceeds benefit the Vietnam Veterans of America
Our United States Veterans were there when we needed them the most. Now they need your support. Please donate your car to the Vietnam Veterans of America. You get a tax deduction and your car donation will be helping those who have given us so much, our veterans. Vietnam Veterans of America is chartered by Congress and has been supporting our dedicated Veterans and their families for over 30 years.
The donation process is simple, fast and secure, and your car donation will help us to provide critical support services for our defenders of freedom in their time of need. Call toll free today at 1-800-Help-Vets or use our easy online donation form to schedule your free towing and join the thousands of other satisfied car donors who have already helped our veterans.
"Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another."
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Among Federal Agencies, VA and FAA Hand Out Most Workers' Bonus Money 
Diabetics: Can You Trust Your Test Strips?
