Programs
Government Affairs Committee Update July/August 2021
July 15, 2021
BY PETE PETERSON, CHAIR VVA congratulates VA Secretary Denis McDonough for his decision to immediately implement provisions of the William M. Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (P.L. 116-283) by adding bladder…
Women Veterans Committee Update July/August 2021
July 15, 2021
BY KATE O’HARE-PALMER, CHAIR Women Veterans Day was observed on June 12. The date was chosen to mark the anniversary of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act. Signed into law by President Harry S. Truman…
Veterans Incarcerated and in the Justice System Committee Update July/August 2021
July 15, 2021
BY DOMINICK YEZZO, CHAIR As the committee continues to investigate the origins of the policy that denies service-connected-disabled incarcerated veterans full VA compensation pension, we have decided to propose a policy change. We believe that…
Veterans Health Care July/August 2021
July 15, 2021
BY CHUCK BYERS, CHAIR These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it…
PTSD/Substance Abuse Committee Update July/August 2021
July 15, 2021
BY THOMAS C. HALL, PH.D., CHAIR During a national critical shortage of mental health professionals in which demand is surging, many Vet Center counselors have been sidelined. This decision was made despite the fact that…
POW/MIA Affairs Committee Update July/August 2021
July 15, 2021
BY GRANT COATES, CHAIR According to the Defense Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Accounting Agency, as of June 8 there were 1,584 still missing from the Vietnam War. There have been no U.S. personnel accounted…
Minority Affairs Committee Update July/August 2021
July 15, 2021
BY GUMERSINDO GOMEZ, CHAIR I am indebted to the delegates at the 2019 VVA National Convention who supported MA-15, the Korean American Vietnam War Veterans resolution. It showed your support for the Minority Affairs Committee.…
Agent Orange & Dioxin Committee Update July/August 2021
July 15, 2021
BY MAYNARD KADERLIK, CHAIR Since my last column, some things have been moving along. The AO Committee had a Zoom meeting April 8 and discussed important issues for veterans and their children. We came up…
Government Affairs Committee Update May/June 2021
June 28, 2021
BY PETE PETERSON, CHAIR Enacting a law is only part of the legislative process: After the President signs a bill into law, the Executive Branch departments and agencies must implement it. VVA works with Congress…
Veterans Health Care May/June 2021
June 28, 2021
BY CHUCK BYERS, CHAIR The Veterans Health Care Committee has submitted changes and revisions to our proposed resolutions to the Resolutions Committee for the National Convention in Greensboro, N.C. We look forward to meeting face…