Commanders Forum

Ken Ashworth
Senior Vice Commander
JWV Post 753

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On Memorial Day, I was at the Agudas Achim Cemetery on Austin Highway placing American flags at the gravesite of.
Jewish Veterans. As I made the rounds, many of the names were familiar to me, as I knew them when they were alive. .
Now they were gone, we were no longer able to laugh at instances which occurred during our service in the armed.
forces. Nor could we argue which branch was the best. I recalled the times that we argued what course of action was the.
best for the post to take. Yet, after the meetings, we were the best of friends realizing that each of us in our own way.
was expressing our feelings for the betterment of the post..
My thoughts brought up the fact that for over 350 years in America, Jews have given of themselves to protect and fight.
for our country. According to statistics released by Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America National.
Museum of American Jewish Military History booklet, over one million Jews have served in our military from colonial.
times to the present..
Jews have been in every major skirmish, battle, war, and expeditionary force action. In defending our country, many.
Jews have been wounded. Today, as in the past, our Jewish men and women are in the military fighting terrorism and.
tyranny. Jews have never shirked their responsibilities when serving in the military -- in war and in peace..
Upon finishing the job of placing the flags on the gravesites, I looked over the deserted and quiet cemetery. I thought I.
heard voices in unity say, "THANKS BUDDY FOR CARING.".


...THANK YOU...
To Luis Hernandez for sponsoring the postage for the July Post Newsletter.
To Emily Sparks and Ronnie Levy for sponsoring the July monthly breakfast.
 

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
In 2011, the cost of Life Membership will increase from $200 to $500. Dues can now be paid on a one year, two year, or three year basis.
One year will stay at $45. Two years will be $75. Three years will be $100.
 

 . . Welcome . . .
Post 753 welcomes Ralph Wilson as a transfer member to our post and his wife Arwen as a transfer patron. Arwen will serve as the assistant Chaplain for our post.
 

GOOD AND WELFARE
We wish a speedy recovery to Mack Goldberg and Angelica Lomas.
 

"Fly the American Flag"

DATES TO REMEMBER.


Thursday, July 22 – National Leadership Teleconference.
August 8 – 16, National Convention in Savannah, Georgia.
Thursday, August 26 – Business at the Post and Department Level Teleconference.
Teleconferences start at 7:00 p.m. Dial 1-866-266-3378 and then enter the JWV Code Number.
202 265 6280# (enter the full number, including the # sign).

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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
The San Antonio Jewish Coalition for Literacy is looking for volunteers to help children in their own schools on a weekly basis beginning September 2010. This is a non-profit educational and advocacy program of the San Antonio Jewish Federation that provides mentors and tutors through the school systems of San Antonio.

Volunteers choose the day and time they want to commit to working with the same student on a weekly basis for approximately one hour during regular school hours.

For more information or to volunteer, call Susan Rothman at 224-7544 or email at susanrothman@sbcglobal.net.
Luis Hernandez .

May God bless you with good health and much success throughout the year..


...Post753 Hosts Bingo...

The Post thanks Frank Aleman, Irwin Barath, and Herschel Sheiness for conducting Bingo and providing refreshments at Audie Murphy Veterans Administration Hospital on Tuesday, June 29.

The next time we will be hosting Bingo at Audie Murphy is Tuesday, August 31. Be prepared to perform a mitzvah by giving an hour of your time to bring joy to a veteran who could use some cheering up.
 

Veterans’ Needs.
We need your: books, magazines, videos, tapes, and cds.
These items help the needs of patients at Audie Murphy VA Hospital. Please bring your contribution to our next meeting. Thank you for your support in this worthwhile endeavor.
Submitted by
Leo Swidler



T A P S . . .
It is with a heavy heart and much sadness that we report the death of Past Post Commander Jack Rogal who passed away Saturday, July 3, 2010.

Jack was an easy going individual and even though his tenure as Post Commander has been over with for several years, he was a behind-the-scenes type of person. For the past two
years, due to illness, he removed himself from behind-the-scene and utilized his strength to fight the diseases which were ravaging his body.

May his soul rest in peace and comfort come to his family with the knowledge that he will be
missed by his fellow comrades.

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Post Judge Advocate and Historian Herschel L. Sheiness recently made an excellent presentation on the importance of veteran recognition and impressed the importance of JWV Post 753 and our contributions to the community. It is included in its entirety for your enjoyment. Please share it with family, friends, and especially fellow veterans..


Friday Evening Worship Service.
Temple Beth El, San Antonio, TX.
July 2, 2010.

I have been asked to address the topic “Why it is important to recognize veterans” but first, to lay the groundwork, a word about my military service. It began as a cadet at Texas A&M. Upon graduation, I accepted a commission as a 2Lt. in the Army. My mother later said she did not know if she should laugh or cry. You see, I was quite ill as a child and the pediatrician told my parents they would never have to worry about me passing a military physical. But this was in the mid-1960s; Vietnam was building and if you could hear thunder and see lightening you were in.

Two weeks after graduation, I signed in at Ft. Benning, GA, for the Infantry Officers Basic Course. I was not in the infantry, but the Army being the Army, everyone goes through infantry school. My branch of service was Combat
Intelligence. Combat Intelligence, as the name implies, is concerned with identifying and tracking the enemy in the combat theater.

Next, I attended several schools and after a tour in Panama, I went to Viet Nam. At that time, I was considering a military career and a tour in Viet Nam was a box that needed checking. In Viet Nam, I did double duty as the Four Corp and Can Tho Provence Intelligence Officer. Can Tho, also the name of the town where Four Corp Headquarters was located, is in the southern part of the country, on the Mekong River. When I arrived in September 1967, the only American military there were advisors to the South Vietnamese army. This changed with the Tet Offensive in January 1968. It was during the Tet Offensive that I was wounded. When asked how I was wounded, I typically answer, ‘I was looking when I should have been ducking.” Interestingly enough, about two months ago I fell and sustained a bad bruise. The X-ray showed no broken bones, but I discovered that I am still carrying a piece of shrapnel. By this time, for both the obvious and a few personal reasons, I had decided to change career fields. I ended my active duty service at three years, 11 months, and 19 days, one day more than my obligation..
Now it’s time for the commercial. I am a member of Post 753, Jewish War Veterans of the USA. However, the name is misleading. The organization is open to any veteran. It is not necessary to have served in a war zone. We meet at the JCC on the fourth Sunday for a bagel and lox breakfast followed by a business meeting. Some of our projects include:

 
1. A scholarship for a college student who has a connection to an active Post member..
2. Sponsor a dinner at the BAMC Wounded Warrior Center once a year..
3. Cataloguing the grave sites of Jewish veterans buried in local cemeteries, including the Jewish and non-sectarian cemeteries and Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery. .
4. Place an American flag on the gravesites of Jewish veterans in local civilian cemeteries on Memorial Day.
5. Request the Temple and two Synagogues publish the names of deceased veterans, who were their congregants, in their newsletters mailed out just before Memorial Day to remind all to stop their holiday activities at 3 p.m. on.
Memorial Day, just for a moment, to remember all veterans, living and deceased..
6. Three times a year we sponsor bingo and serve refreshments to the patients at Audie Murphy VA Hospital.
7. Post members donate used magazines and books that are given to Audie Murphy for patients to read and for placing in the waiting rooms..
8. We have adopted a deployed Marine unit in Afghanistan, and send them care packages.
9. On Christmas Day and Fourth of July, we pass out ice cream and cookies to patients and staff at Audie Murphy..
10. If needed, we are ready to assist local Jewish families of deployed military members wherever they may be stationed..
11. Every year, we purchase a new set of flags for the JCC to fly in front of that building. We are always looking for support. So if you are interested in joining, we welcome you. On-the-other-hand, if you.
would like to make a tax-exempt donation to support these activities, we would certainly welcome it.



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Friday Evening Worship Service (Continued from page 4.)

From Colonial time to the present, Jews have played an important role in the defense of the United States. For example, in 1654, Asher Levy, one of the original twenty-three Jewish settlers in New Amsterdam, demanded and
secured for himself and fellow Jews the right to stand guard at the stockade. In 1896, a group of Jewish Civil War veterans organized the Hebrew Union Veterans, later to become the Jewish War Veterans of the USA. The Hebrew Union Veterans was founded as a direct result of slander that Jews had not participated in the military during the War Between States.(1) Are you starting to see a common thread between these two situations? Something that Jewish service personnel have had to contend with all through this country’s military history, and for which they should receive special recognition from you, their Jewish brothers and sisters.

A study of Jewish participation in the military during World War II, when most Jews served, clearly shows that Jews served in the Armed Forces beyond their numerical proportion to the general population. They received more than 52,000 awards, including the Medal of Honor. Jews participated in the Korean conflict, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf War, and continue to serve in today's conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Despite the fact that thousands of Jews have died in combat for their country and thousands more have been wounded and been awarded combat medals, despite all of this, “it” appears to continue to thrive in the military.

The great unseen “issue” that Jews who served, and continue to serve, in the military all too often must contend with is, of course, anti-Semitism. Jews must still defend themselves against the charges of anti-Semites who continue to declare that Jews do not serve, or should not serve, in the U.S. Armed Forces. If you do a net search on anti-Semitism in the military, you could easily conclude that it is a very minor issue, or even worse, it is non-existent
because there is virtually nothing there. I found only three articles, and interestingly enough, all were within the last five years. One concerned bible study lessons posted on a post chaplain’s web site that pushed Christianity and
blamed Jews for acts of terrorism and other more common accusations. The second was about another Christian chaplain at another Army base who hung Nazi uniforms and swastikas on the wall of the officers’ club during an
interfaith prayer breakfast, at which a Jewish military member, a rabbi, was ordered to attend. The Army refused to comment on this “incident.”(2) Another more public situation occurred in 2005 that many of you may remember.
There was a major investigation of religious intolerance at the Air Force Academy when the results of a survey of the cadets included 55 complaints of student evangelical Christians wielding so much influence at the school that anti-Semitism and other forms of religious harassment had become widespread in the corps of cadets. The investigative report concluded that students, faculty, staff, and members of the chaplains' office frequently pressured cadets to attend chapel and receive religious instruction and that prayers were frequently conducted before official events. The report concluded with the Air Force saying "considerable efforts" have been made . . . to address issues of religious tolerance, including a new training program."(3)

It is bad enough having to face the problem of anti-Semitism from non-Jews in and out of the military, but what of the attitude of American Jews toward Jewish service personnel and veterans? Personally, I very clearly recall being
asked more than once by a Jewish friend or acquaintance, “What is a nice Jewish boy like you doing in the Army?” Another common observation was, “Well, if you just had to join, shouldn’t you be in the finance or quartermaster corps?

I submit to you that in today’s American Jewish culture, for a young Jewish man or woman to serve in the Armed Forces makes them a curiosity at best, a freak at worst. It shouldn’t. Who do you think serves in the Israeli Defense Force?

Interestingly enough, when I was still in ROTC, at summer training, I can still recall a cadet at a mandatory assembly telling a racial joke about African Americans. The next day he was gone. I wonder if the result would have been the same if the “joke” had been anti-Semitic.

(Continued on page 7.)

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Registration Opens for VA Forum on Women Veterans.
VA to Help Build Women Veterans Communities and Networks.
WASHINGTON (July 8, 2010) The Department of Veterans Affairs opened registration on July 8 for a women. Veterans forum that will address the quality of VA health care, the provision of benefits for women, and ways for VA to continue improving access to the care and benefits for women Veterans. “The VA forum will bring advocates for women Veterans together to learn about VA services and to share valuable information with each other,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “The forum will also give Veterans’ advocates the tools they need to help build women Veterans networks and communities throughout VA.”. Shinseki and VA department heads will attend the forum on July 28 at the Women’s Memorial in Arlington, Va. Because of anticipated demand, available seats will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis, and confirmed registrants.
will be notified by email once registration is filled. Registration—through the Center for Women Veterans by e-mail at 00W@va.gov -- closes when either all seats are filled or no later than July 16. The Forum will run from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., with morning presentations and an afternoon information marketplace in which participants are invited to move through the gallery and gather resources and materials provided by VA program offices, Veterans Service Organizations and advocacy organizations. There will also be an afternoon screening of the updated “Lioness” documentary film. VA’s women Veterans health conference held earlier in the month will help inform the Forum with the most up-to-date information available from VA’s health care system.
Presentations from the event will be made available online. Feedback about this event and announcements on future events will be available to Forum participants. For more information contact the Center for Women Veterans at (202) 461-6193 or by e-mail at 00W@va.gov. VA has undertaken major initiatives to transform the department to meet the unique health care needs of women. Veterans and provide the best quality care at every VA medical center. In addition, the agency is working to shorten the delays for claims processing, improve access to VA health services for minority and rural Veterans, end Veteran homelessness, and ease the transition back to civilian life..
There are about 1.8 million women Veterans among the nation’s total of 23 million living Veterans. VA estimates women Veterans will comprise 10.5 percent of the Veteran population by 2020..


. . . F Y I . . .

At our June meeting there was a discussion of an American flag presented at the funeral of a veteran.
The information is as follows:

The VA will provide a flag provided that the veteran served honorably and is entitled to one Normally, the funeral home has them, if not, bring a death certificate and military discharge to the Fort Sam cemetery and they will complete the necessary paperwork to issue one.

DOD provides military honors (honor guard at a funeral presenting an American flag). Families need to contact the specific branch for more information. Again, if needed contact Fort Sam cemetery to obtain the numbers to the different branches.

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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.
June 10, 2010.

VA Announces Change to Medication Copays for Some Veterans.
WASHINGTON - As previously announced on January 7, 2010, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) froze prescription copayment increases for six months. Veterans who generally have higher income and no service-connected disabilities - referred to as Priority Groups 7 and 8 Veterans - will now pay an additional $1 for each 30-day supply of outpatient medications. Taking effect July 1, the increase to $9 from $8 is the first change in VA’s medication copay since Jan. 1, 2006..
“Because of the harsh economic reality facing many Veterans, we delayed the change,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “We’re now ensuring the Veterans most in need of VA care are those least affected. Yet, even with this increase, VA medication copays are lower than much of the private sector.”
This change does not impact Veterans in Priority Groups 2 through 6 who will continue to pay $8 for each 30-day supply of medications for their non-service connected conditions unless otherwise exempted. These Veterans will also continue to have their out-of-pocket expenses for VA outpatient medications capped at $960 per calendar year.
Veterans who have an injury or illness connected with their military service resulting in a disability rated 50 percent or greater – who are known as Priority Group 1 Veterans -- are exempt from the copay.
VA generally sets its outpatient medication copay rate based upon a regulation that ties the rate to the Medical Consumer. Price Index for prescription drugs.
Veterans who have difficulty paying copayments for outpatient medications should discuss the matter with their local VA enrollment coordinator. Veterans may also contact VA at 1-877-222 VETS (8387) or visit VA’s health eligibility. Web site at <http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility> www.va.gov/healtheligibility 

Friday Evening Worship Service (Contiued from page 5.).
Hopefully, anti-Semitism, and its tolerance in the military, has declined in the years since the three incidents I mentioned took place. Hopefully! Truthfully, when I was on active duty, I never felt I was being discriminated against because of my religious beliefs. If it was there, it was very, very subtle, or maybe I was just very, very naive. For example, in Viet Nam a lieutenant, Jewish and a graduate of West Point, assigned to my unit was killed in action. Per custom in field units, the local chaplain was going to conduct an “all faiths” memorial service. I objected to the Operations Officer, who happened to be an African- American. That was that. But, to my surprise, two or three days later the rabbi from Headquarters in Saigon showed up. He said all he knew was he was told to report to Can Tho to conduct a memorial service for a Jewish soldier killed in action. I assure you I was very appreciative of my chain of command.
Let me conclude by asking you a question. Why are you here this evening? For whatever reason you are here, I submit that you are wrong on all counts. You are here, at your choice of place of worship, worshiping how and with whom you choose for whatever reason moves you because of the freedom of religion you are privileged to enjoy. And for that, my fellow congregants, you can thank a veteran, especially a Jewish veteran. 
 

Thank you..

Footnotes.
(1). JWV Website/Communications/Jewish Issues.
(2). Scienceblogs.com.
(3). Air Force Academy Religion Probe “Task Force To Investigate Reports Of Anti-Semitism” By Bootie Cosgrove-Mather, 3 May 2005.
(4). Thanks to my cousin, Helen Pomerantz, for suggesting the theme of this presentation..

Page 8

VA Launches Development of New Online Claims System.
Advances Transformation Toward a Paperless VA.
WASHINGTON Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced today plans to develop a fully automated, online system for handling Veterans’ disability compensation claims. More than a simple digitization of existing paper based claims, the new system is part of VA’s modernization of the end-to-end processing workflow. Automation will substantially reduce processing time and increase accuracy while simplifying the way that Veterans interact with the claims process.

“This new program accelerates our effort to eliminate the claims backlog through automation and modernization of our. systems,” said Secretary Shinseki. “It’s another step in transforming VA into a 21st Century department that better. serves our Veterans.”

“Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) has been advocating for substantial process change in adjudicating Veterans’ claims for many years,” said Rick Weidman, Executive Director for Policy and Government Affairs of VVA. “We’re very pleased to see that this Administration is taking on the problem of claims processing head on. This automated. program will make a big difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of Veterans.”

Veterans exposed to herbicides while serving in the Republic of Vietnam who today have B-cell leukemia (hairy-cell. leukemia), Parkinson’s disease, or ischemic heart disease are slated to be the first users of the automated system. The final regulation implementing the presumption of service connection for these three diseases is poised to become. effective later this year. While the first use of the new system will be limited to this pending subset of disabilities, usage will expand over time to include claims for other conditions.

 The new system will guide Veterans through automated, program-assisted menus to capture the information and medical. evidence that will drive faster claims decisions. In the initial configuration, VA estimates the new system may assist as. many as 100,000 Veterans.

As part of the implementation of the new claims system, VA has awarded a $9.1 million development contract to. Bethesda, Md.,-based IBM. The IBM team will work closely with VA developers and will implement the online.
application system by November, permitting Veterans easier and faster access to VA and more accurate and quick claims. processing for the initial set of qualifying conditions.. The new system, funded by the VA Innovation Initiative, represents one of several efforts VA has underway to transform. the department into a 21st Century organization. As a first step in integrating new technologies into claims processing, it. represents a significant step towards meeting VA’s goal to “break the back of the claims backlog” and provide all. Veterans with high quality decisions on their claims in no more than 125 days.

VA Celebrates 66th Anniversary of GI Bill.
More Than $3.6 Billion in Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits Issued.
WASHINGTON (June 23, 2009) – On the 66th anniversary of signing the GI Bill into law, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it has issued more than $3.6 billion in the bill’s newest manifestation, the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Benefit payments under the bill, implemented last year, have gone to more than 285,000 people and their educational institutions.
On June 22, 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, commonly known as the GI Bill of Rights..

(Continued on page 9.).

Page 9

Secretary Shinseki Breaks Ground for Replacement Medical Center in New Orleans.
Project to Bring 2,000 Construction Jobs.
NEW ORLEANS (June 25, 2010) Fulfilling President Obama’s commitment to rebuild New Orleans, Secretary of. Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki joined state and local officials for a ground-breaking ceremony for a new 1.5 million square-foot medical center for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
“This is a historic day for all of Louisiana,” Secretary Shinseki said “With this ground breaking, we begin rebuilding a. new legacy, a new chapter in the history of this proud city.”
VA’s new full-service medical center campus in New Orleans is at a site bounded by Canal Street, S. Galvez Street,. Tulane Avenue and S. Rocheblave Street.
“This facility will become a cornerstone in New Orleans’ medical research community, which will ensure the best care is. available for our Louisiana Veterans,” Shinseki added. “VA is proud to bring this state-of-the-art facility to New. Orleans.”
When opened in 2013, the facility will have 120 inpatient beds in addition to 60 transitional care beds that provide rehabilitation, hospice and palliative care and mental illness research. The hospital will accommodate a half-million.
outpatient visits annually. The new medical center will also be ideally suited to serve Veterans and the citizens of southern Louisiana in the case of an emergency. Once construction is complete, the new medical center will be able to operate independently for seven. days without resupply. All mission-critical services will be 20 feet above ground level, and the facility will have a heliport and boat dock for evacuations.
As part of VA’s preservation efforts, the Pan-American Life Insurance Company Building will be rehabilitated and integrated into the design of the new medical center. VA will also conduct a structural appraisal of the Dixie Brewery. VA is working with the city and state to ensure all other historically significant buildings are either preserved and moved. from the site or that architecturally significant pieces will be salvaged before any necessary demolition.


VA Celebrates 66th Anniversary of GI Bill (Continued from page 8.)
The Veterans Administration – as it was known at that time -- was responsible for carrying out the law's key provisions for education and training, loan guaranty for homes, farms or businesses, and unemployment pay.

Before the World War II, college and homeownership were, for the most part, unreachable dreams for the average American. Thanks to the GI Bill, millions who would have flooded the job market opted for education instead.
In the peak year of 1947, Veterans accounted for 49 percent of college admissions. By the time the original GI Bill. ended, July 25, 1956, 7.8 million of the 16 million World War II Veterans had participated in an education or training. program.
In 1984, former Mississippi congressman G. V. "Sonny" Montgomery revamped the GI Bill. The Montgomery GI Bill. assured that VA home loan guaranty and education programs continued to work for Veterans of the post-Vietnam era.
In 2009, GI Bill benefits were updated again. The new law gave Veterans with active duty service on, or after, Sept. 11. 2001, enhanced educational benefits to cover more expenses, provide a living allowance, money for books and the ability to transfer unused educational benefits to spouses or children.

For more information about the Post-9/11 GI Bill for Veterans, visit <http://www.gibill.va.gov/> http://www.gibill.va.gov/..

J W V of the U. S. A..
Post 753.
LAUREL HEIGHTS STATION.
P.O. BOX 12705.
San Antonio, Texas 78212-2705.

Postmaster
DATED
MATERIAL


JWV
Post 753 Newsletter


Post 753 Monthly Breakfast Meeting Sunday July 25, 2010 9:30 a.m.
Jewish Community Center
12500 NW Military Highway
The center is located at the corner of NW Military Highway and Wurzbach Parkway.

Post Newsletter articles an items of interest should be submitted to edito_post753@yahoo.com by the25th day of the month. Deadline for the August issue is July25.

 

Jewish War Veterans of the United States

Post 753

JUNE 2010

San Antonio, Texas
 

We’re all ready for the hot summer months and I want everyone to know that our Post is gearing up for summer with a number of fine programs. We will continue to strive to be involved within the San Antonio community, and as always, we are open to any new ideas about potential programs.

On May 16, we participated in the third annual Memorial Day Fund Raising event at the Wal-Mart on Bandera Road near Mainland. We had six volunteers: Frank Aleman, Ken
Ashworth, Irwin Barath, Luis Hernandez, Bert Naranjo, and me. The monies raised will be used for post sponsored programs. Hopefully, we will have more volunteers for the post’s Veterans Day Fund Raising at the Wal-Mart in order to have shifts and remain for a longer period of time. It was fun talking to all of the people and listening to stories about their or their family’s military service.

As in years past, on Memorial Day our Post again placed American flags on the graves of Jewish service members buried in San Antonio. On June 29, we will be hosting the quarterly bingo social at the Audie Murphy VA Hospital. We have some post members already signed up to help, but more volunteers would be greatly appreciated. Please contact me at 492-8736 for information about this important event. Then on the Fourth of July, we will be holding the annual Independence Day ice cream social at the Audie Murphy VA Hospital. The staff and patients really appreciate our presence and this event has been very successful for the Post. For more information you can contact me or Irwin Barath at 341-4502. Frank Aleman and Mel Blumberg are now co-chairs of the Audie Murphy VA Hospital committee.

The Annual Department Convention is scheduled for Friday to Sunday, June 4-6, in Dallas. I plan to attend the convention and have the specific information for the entire convention weekend. Anyone desiring this information can email me at Hoffoffice@aol.com.

Ellen Solomon was the recipient of our Louis Burke $500 post scholarship. She attended the May breakfast meeting and presented her winning essay on the topic “What Does a Jewish War Veteran Mean to Me.” Ellen is the daughter of post members Rosa Cavazos and David Solomon. Rosa and David are moving to Dallas and we wish them all the best
at their new location. Read the winning essay on page 4.

Please note that the life membership is being increased starting in 2011 from $200 to $500. Anyone interested in obtaining a life membership should contact me in order to avoid the substantial dues increase. I hope all our post members have had a chance to view the department website www.dtalojwv.net. We have now posted our current events for the Post on the website. Our members can check on the many events and programs that we are sponsoring. Any suggestions to improve our website are welcomed.

I look forward to seeing all of you at the June 27 breakfast meeting.
-


One of the most corrosive of human habits is that of tale-bearing. Its indulgence is among our most popular and. pervasive of sins, and one which can destroy so much of the integrity of an otherwise secure and sensitive community.. When our tale-bearing is true -- that is, when we spread stories which are in fact valid but which advance no value other.
than jealousy, revenge or titillation -- it is called gossip. When it is false, it is called slander.. In both cases, our behavior is unacceptable according to normative standards of Jewish morality. Our words and actions. should endeavor to sanctify the mundane and to avoid tearing the delicate fabric of human relationships. We humans are. frequently fragile, and we can hurt each other severely by cheap fascination and concomitant idle chatter.. Criticism is neither gossip nor slander. Though it can be strong and even destructive, it at least has the character of being. open. Constructive criticism is something we should welcome and seek to impart to others because we all make. mistakes and need to learn from them.. A good friend does not shrink from criticism, but few human connections can survive gossip. Let us always strive to. live by our highest standards and seek forgiveness for our avoiding faults..
The above article was taken and edited from an item written by Rabbi Clifford E. Librach from Moses Montrflore. Congregation in Bloomington, Illinois. The article was written in the Torah for Today, Volume II booklet published by. B'nai B'rith International..


Successful Fund Raiser . . .
On May 16, six members answered the call to help raise funds at our annual Memorial Day Fund Raising event. We met at the Wal-Mart on Bandera Road and raised $385. Special thanks go to Frank Aleman, Ken Ashworth, Irwin Barath, Luis Hernandez, Jeffrey Hoffman, and Bert Naranjo. Our next fund raising event will be on November 7. Just so everyone knows, we have both standing and sitting positions available. We need as many volunteers as possible.

...THANKYOU...
To Norton Shectman for sponsoring the postage for the June Post Newsletter. To Jeffrey Hoffman for sponsoring the June monthly breakfast.
 

GOOD AND WELFARE
We wish a speedy recovery to Jack Rogal and Angelica Lomas.

DATES TO REMEMBER.

Tuesday, June 8 - The Jewish Veteran and PR Teleconference.
Tuesday, June 29 , 6:45 p.m. - Bingo Social at Audie Murphy VA Hospital.
Tuesday, June 29 - Long Term Planning Teleconference.
Sunday, July 4, 1:30 p.m. - Ice Cream Social at Audie Murphy VA Hospital.
Wednesday, July 7 - Finance Board Teleconference.
Thursday, July 22 - National Leadership Teleconference.
Teleconferences start at 7:00 p.m. Dial 1-866-266-3378 and then enter the JWV Code Number 202 265 6280#. (enter the full number, including the # sign).




VAVS Meeting.

Frank Aleman, Irwin Barath, and Faye and Leo Swidler, Post 753 volunteer representatives to the Audie Murphy VA. Hospital, attended a quarterly meeting of the VAVS Committee. Some of the topics under discussion included: Growth. of the VA Hospital; additional parking spaces; new buildings; and shift of personnel to the newly created section in the. Rio Grande Valley. Also discussed were VAVS needs: Valet Wheelchair Ambassadors; Popcorn Team Volunteers;. Main Information Desk; clerical positions; hospitality cart teams; and Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery assistant. If. any of our members are interested in devoting a few hours weekly, please let any of the VAVS Committee members.
know of your interest.. Faye Swidler gave a presentation on Jewish War Veterans and especially Post 753. She detailed the many activities the. organization performs. After the presentation, the chief of the VAVS Committee came over to Faye and congratulated. her on the excellent presentation. Everyone was surprised at what the JWV and Post 753 do for the Veterans and the. community..

Thank you Faye for presenting a picture of what JWV and Post 753 has done and is doing. Also, on behalf of JWV and.
Post 753, thank you and Leo for the many years of volunteer performance..



...THANKYOU...
During the year, the Post has several supporters. We would like to take time to thank Dixie Flag Company for donating 100 American flags. Post members place the flags at the grave sites of Jewish men and women who have served in the United States armed forces, in peace and in war. These small gestures on the part of certain merchants are appreciated and the Post salutes them for their efforts and generosity.
Ben Siegel.
6/11. Ronnie Levy. 6/17.


May God bless you with good health and much. success throughout the year..



MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
In 2011, the cost of Life Membership will increase from $200 to $500. Dues can now be paid on a one year, two year, or three year basis. One year will stay at $45.
Two years will be $75. Three years will be $100. "Fly the American Flag" Fourth of July


Veterans’ Needs. 2010

We need your: books, magazines, videos, tapes, and cds. These items help the needs of patients at Audie Murphy VA Hospital. Please bring your contribution to our next meeting.
Thank you for your support in this worthwhile endeavor.

Submitted by Leo Swidler




DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.


VA Research Offers Insight on Parkinson's Disease.

Collaborative Research on "Deep Brain Stimulation".

WASHINGTON -- Veterans and others with Parkinson's disease who undergo deep brain stimulation (DBS) may benefit. from research co-sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs and published recently in the prestigious New. England Journal of Medicine.. "VA is proud to partner with the National Institutes of Health on this research, the largest trial of its kind to date," said. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "This and other ground-breaking research on Parkinson's disease ensure. we provide the best care possible for Veterans with this common, debilitating disease.". VA cares for about 40,000 Veterans with Parkinson's disease. DBS is often recommended for people who no longer. respond well to medication alone.. The new report shows DBS is equally effective at either of two sites in the brain. Earlier results from the landmark study. appeared last year in the Journal of the American Medical Association, indicating that DBS overall is somewhat riskier. than carefully managed drug therapy but may hold significant benefits for appropriate patients.. In DBS, surgeons implant electrodes in the brain and run thin wires under the skin to a pacemaker-like device. Electrical. pulses from the battery-operated device jam the brain signals that cause motor symptoms such as stiffness and tremors. . Thousands of Americans have seen successful results from DBS, but questions have remained about which of two. stimulation site in the brain yields better outcomes.. The new analysis finds both sites roughly equal for patient outcomes relating to movement symptoms. There were. subtle differences between the sites in terms of cognitive skills and mood, but the clinical significance of the differences. is not clear.. Researchers will follow the study participants several more years to examine the relative benefits and risks of each DBS. approach.. The study was sponsored by VA's Cooperative Studies Program and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and. Stroke, part of the National Institutes of Health..


A Rabbinic Story

The grandson of Rabbi Yehezkel of Russia was drafted into the czar’s army. Rabbi Yehezkel’s son came to his father weeping and begged to have the young man released from his obligation. Rabbi Yehezkel said to him “my son I have studied in the court of the Tzaddik Rabbi Meir. Once we had dinner together and then it was announced “A Jewish soldier is passing through the town with his regiment and would like to receive a blessing.” Rabbi Meir invited him in and the soldier was blessed and then left.

After the soldier was blessed and left, Rabbi Meir said to me “know that when the Messiah comes, he will not come because or your merits or mine, but because of the merits of the Jewish soldiers.”


DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.
May 28, 2010 .


VA Honors Military Sacrifice on Memorial Day.
WASHINGTON – From parades to somber ceremonies and a moment of silence, Americans will recall the sacrifices of military.
personnel who paid the ultimate price for freedom on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31.. “Those fallen heroes we honor this Memorial Day answered their call to duty, and in so doing, they honored us,” said Secretary of. Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “We owe them our deep and profound gratitude. We must pass that sense of obligation to the. next generation.”. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will continue its annual tradition of hosting services at most of its national cemeteries and. many other facilities nationwide. The programs, which are the focus of Memorial Day events in many communities, honor the. service of deceased Veterans and military members who die on active duty.. President Obama will speak at VA’s Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Ill., near Chicago, on Monday. Vice President. Biden will lead the observance at Arlington National Cemetery, with VA Deputy Secretary W. Scott Gould in attendance.. For the dates and times of Memorial Day weekend programs at VA national cemeteries, visit www.cem.va.gov.. More than 100,000 people are expected to attend activities at VA's national cemeteries, with color guards, readings, bands and choir. performances. Events will honor about one million men and women who died in the military during wartime, including about. 655,000 battle deaths. . Some national cemetery observances are unique. .
At VA’s Great Lakes National Cemetery, near Dearborn, Mich., Memorial Day will begin when a horse-drawn caisson brings a flagdraped coffin holding the cremated remains of 17 Veterans long unclaimed by families or friends for burial with full military. honors. . Those Michigan Veterans fought in wars from World War II to Vietnam. Thanks to the Dearborn Allied War Veterans’ Council,. whose members worked for months to match identities with military records, the 17 Veterans’ remains are moving from shelves in. local funeral homes to their final rest in honored grounds. . On May 30, at Riverside, Calif., National Cemetery --VA’s busiest -- volunteers will read aloud the names of more than 5,500. people who were buried there since last year’s Memorial Day.. VA maintains approximately three million gravesites at its 131 national cemeteries and has the potential to provide six million graves. on more than 19,000 acres. In 2009, VA conducted more than 106,000 burials in its national cemeteries. The number of annual. interments is expected to increase for the next three years. This year’s budget for VA national cemetery operation and construction. is $417 million. . Information about Memorial Day, including its history, can be found at www.va.gov/opa/speceven/memday/.. VA is a cosponsor with the White House Commission on Remembrance of an annual Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m., local time,. nationwide on Memorial Day, a time to pause and reflect on the sacrifice of America’s fallen warriors and the freedoms that unite. Americans. Many institutions will announce a pause in their activities -- from sporting events to public facilities -- to call the nation. together in a bond of silence.. Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day when the tradition of decorating Civil War graves began in 1866. It still brings. loved ones to the graves of the deceased, often with flowers as grave decorations. To honor Veterans buried in national cemeteries,. VA staff and volunteers, typically place American flags -- either individual small ones on each grave, usually placed by volunteers,. or “avenues of flags” flanking both sides of the cemetery main entrance road. Often these flags are the burial flags donated by next. of kin of Veterans buried in the cemetery..



DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.


Shinseki Extols Value of Volunteerism.

Volunteers “Priceless” to VA, Country.

WASHINGTON (May 15, 2010) Random acts of kindness are nice, but Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. told graduates at the University of Maryland University College (UMUC) that the world needs more “people who are. regularly, habitually and deliberately kind.”. “We can no more put a value on kindness than we can put a price on heroism,” Shinseki told nearly 1,300 graduates. . “People who make caring for others a personal devotion, a part of their everyday lives, that’s what’s needed people who. are willing to serve the needs of others.”. At the Department of Veterans Affairs, Shinseki noted, about 140,00 volunteers help Veterans at VA’s hospitals, Vet. Centers and cemeteries. Conservatively, VA prices their time as worth $240 million, while the volunteers also. contribute more than $80 million yearly in gifts and donations.. “There are some things they do that we can’t put a price on. Not everything can be reduced to a dollar value,” Shinseki. added. “What’s the price of a Thank you? How about an hour of patience? What’s the going rate for dignity and respect. for a combat Veteran? Such values cannot be calculated.”. The VA Secretary noted that Veterans in the class of 2010 were the first to take advantage of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the. largest improvement in the traditional educational program since its inception in 1944.. “By time [the original GI Bill] ended in 1956, it had profoundly transformed America economically, educationally and. socially, catapulting our economy to the world’s largest and our nation to a global leader and a victor in the Cold War,”.
Shinseki said.. He saluted the UMUC staff for their programs tailored to the educational needs of the men and women on active duty. . About 60,000 of the school’s 100,000 students are military personnel. The school operates on 130 military installations,. including four in Iraq and four in Afghanistan.. “UMUC and the military have long shared a vital partnership in education,” said Shinseki, a retired Army four-star. general. “Wherever the Army went campaigning, UMUC went with us.”.


Information Resource . . .

VA's Plan for Open Government

Government should be transparent, allow for citizen participation, and encourage

collaboration among organizations. And that's what VA aims to accomplish through our new Open Government Plan. At our site, you can read the just-released plan and learn more
about the process.

Visit the VA web site at http://www.va.gov/ to get started!


DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.
June 3, 2010 .


VA Secretary Announces New Hotline for Homeless Veterans.


Responders at 1-877-4AID VET Help Veterans Find Food, Shelter and Assistance.


CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced today the establishment of a new. telephone hotline to provide emergency support and resources to homeless Veterans. He made the announcement as he. toured the facility at the VA medical center in Canandaigua.. “It is unacceptable for a single Veteran to spend the night on the streets of America,” said Shinseki. “The hotline of the. new National Call Center for Homeless Veterans will provide homeless Veterans with caring, timely assistance and.
coordinated access to VA and community services.” .

Family members, workers at community agencies and non-VA providers also may call the hotline at 1-877-4AID. VET to find out about the many programs and services available to assist homeless Veterans..

Well-trained expert responders will staff the hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They will join other responders. who staff VA’s Suicide Prevention Hotline at Canandaigua..

Responders are cross trained to handle calls at either call center. While a responder will know which type of call is. incoming, all Veteran callers will be receive a brief suicide screening. .

VA officials recognize that homeless Veterans are in need of food and shelter, clothing, financial assistance, and. treatment for medical conditions. Additionally, many require access to permanent housing, Veterans benefits and. vocational resources..

VA assistance is available for homeless Veterans who may have mental health issues, substance abuse, depression,. traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. The responders operating the new hotline will ensure Veterans. receive the help they need and deserve. .

The hotline, which began service on March 1, has received 1,846 calls. Call volume is expected to grow as awareness of. the service increases..

The National Call Center for Homeless Veterans is the latest in a series of initiatives to help homeless Veterans. Last. year, Shinseki launched a campaign to eliminate homelessness among Veterans within five years. Since then, the. number of Veterans homeless on a typical night has dropped 18 percent. .
 

“This reduction was achieved through VA’s commitment to end homelessness among Veterans through enhanced. collaboration with other federal, state, faith-based, Veteran service organizations and community partners,” Shinseki. said..

VA has approximately 4,000 agreements with community partners to help homeless Veterans. Last year, more than. 92,000 homeless Veterans were served by VA’s specialized homeless programs. This is an increase of 15 percent from. the previous year..

For more information on the call center, visit: http://www1.va.gov/HOMELESS/NationalCallCenter.asp.


DATE: May 26, 2010.

RE: SCN Memo: Terrorist Activity: Al-Qa’ida and Affiliates Continue to Target U.S..

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Intelligence & Analysis recently released an Intelligence Note. describing the evolution of the terrorist threat to United States . SCN has prepared the following to provide a key. summary and highlights of that Intelligence Note for the benefit of our security directors and facility managers..
Summary.
The United States faces a continued threat from a number of diversified “jihadist” groups. Of particular note and. concern, the number and pace of attempted attacks against the United States over the past nine months have surpassed. the number of attempts during any other prior one-year period. Information indicates that while many of these groups.
are aligned ideologically, they are not necessarily under the direction of al-Qa’ida in Pakistan . Al-Qa’ida in recent years. has moved away from a central management operation and now has several regional affiliates that carry the main. message. As we have seen from previous attempts, terrorist organizations such as al-Qa’ida, have a clear intent on.
inflicting damage. These groups have also moved away from their traditional targets, high profile, prominent political,. economic and infrastructure and are moving towards targeting such places that are more easily accessible and lightly. guarded..

“Target America ”.

In assessing recent events, it is evident that these groups intend to carry out attacks against the United States , even if the. attacks fail. It is likely that these groups intend to use failed attacks as a way to test our security measures and to. continually assess which areas are able to be targeted. We are increasingly seeing other groups such as al-Shabaab and.
other al-Qa’ida affiliates taking an interest in the United States as a legitimate target. The attempted attacks that have. taken place recently indicate the possibility that active terrorist organizations are targeting softer more accessible targets.. Tehrik e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the attempted attack in Times Square . Responsibility for.
the so-called Christmas Day bombing attempt of a Northwest Airlines flight has been claimed by al-Qa’ida in the. Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). These two events indicate that these two groups, previously focused on regional conflicts. and terror campaigns, a re now expanding their reach and looking to the United States as a target..

Radicalization & Recruitment of Americans.

These groups are beginning to place a large amount of emphasis on the use of radicalized Americans as operatives. The. use of Americans in attacks allows the terrorist organizations to gain larger amounts of information about U.S. security. policies and procedures. There has been an increase in the prevalence in the use of Americans in the planning stages of.
attacks as well as in positions of leadership in terrorist organizations. Those who hold positions of leadership are using. their position to publicly call on westerners to wage Jihad locally. It is possible that the recorded messages of Anwar AlAulaqi,an American-born radical living in Yemen , motivated many of those involved in the failed or thwarted plots.
during the past year. His recordings, which preach a violent interpretation of selected Islamic tenets, on 17 March, urged. all Muslims to wage Jihad against America . Use of westerners and specifically Americans in planning and execution of. attacks, further means that the organizations have to spend less money on training and travel, making detection more. difficult, which reduces the opportunities for discovery, placing more emphasis on the role of state and local authorities.. While DHS does not have information regarding the specific details, timing and intended targets, it is clear that al-Qa’ida. and its affiliates will continue to pursue attack plans against the United States against a wide range of targets..
“IF YOU SEE SOMETHING…SAY SOMETHING…”.

Secure Community Network (SCN) is a non-profit homeland security initiative of the Jewish Federations of North. America and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.. Secure Community Network. Your Trusted Partner for Communal Security. www.scnus.org.



J W V of the U. S. A..
Post 753.
LAUREL HEIGHTS STATION.
P.O. BOX 12705.
San Antonio, Texas 78212-2705.


Postmaster
DATED
MATERIAL



JWV Post 753 Newsletter



Post 753 Monthly Breakfast Meeting
Sunday
June 27, 2010 9:30 a.m.
Jewish Community Center
12500 NW Military Highway

The center is located at the corner of NW Military Highway and Wurzbach Parkway.


Post Newsletterarticlesanditemsofinterestshouldbesubmittedtoeditor_post753@yahoo.com bythe25thdayofthemonth.DeadlinefortheJulyissueisJune25.

 

MAY 2010

I hope all of our post members have had a chance to view the department website www.dtalojwv.net. Please contact me with any suggestions to improve our website. We will try to keep current information posted on the website to also include information pertaining to upcoming events for our post. Please place on your calendars our ice cream social for the July 4th weekend at the Audie Murphy VA Hospital. Details will be coming.

Teleconferences start at 7:00 p.m. Dial 1-866-266-3378 and then enter the JWV Code Number 202 265 6280# (enter the full number, including the # sign).

Mike London/ Barry Mann – including Budget and Bingo

1. Allied Veterans Mission to Israel – presentation and vote on candidate

WASHINGTON (April 29, 2010) Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced today that military personnel insuring their families under the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) program, which is administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, will have reduced out-of-pocket expenses beginning July 1.

―VA hopes these reductions will allow more military personnel to obtain affordable life insurance coverage for their spouses, particularly in these difficult economic times,‖ said Shinseki. Without insurance protection, life after the loss of a spouse can be not only challenging emotionally, but can place a severe financial strain on a family.‖

WASHINGTON (April 16, 2010) The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will use up to $4.4 million in funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act program to repair and preserve historic monuments and memorials at VA-operated national cemeteries, soldiers’ lots and other facilities throughout the United States.

―The Recovery Act will help us preserve these historic memorials for future generations,‖ said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. ―In many cases, these irreplaceable historic structures will receive long overdue repairs while keeping skilled American artisans employed on projects important to our heritage.‖

The most costly preservation project is the National Soldiers’ Monument at Dayton National Cemetery in Ohio. The Soldiers’ Monument dominates the landscape from atop a mound at the center of the cemetery. The cornerstone was laid in 1873 and it was completed in 1877. This dramatic structure is composed of a 30-foot marble column on a granite base and topped with a soldier at parade rest.

The oldest monument among the 49 sites is Dade’s Pyramids at St. Augustine National Cemetery in Florida. The pyramids cover vaults that contain the remains of 1,468 soldiers who died during the Second Seminole War from 1835 to 1842. The three Dade’s Pyramids are each six feet tall and were constructed in 1842 of coquina stone. They were dedicated at a ceremony that marked the end of the Florida Indian Wars.

The funds will also be used to repair and conserve three monumental limestone entrance archways built around 1870 at national cemeteries in Nashville and Chattanooga, Tenn., and Marietta, Ga. VA will also use ARRA funds to conserve the soldiers’ obelisk monuments at cemeteries affiliated with the National Homes for Disabled Veteran Soldiers. Also scheduled for repairs are 11 monuments funded by states where large numbers of their troops were buried, five Confederate monuments, and a memorial to President Zachary Taylor located near his tomb in Louisville, Ky.

The Recovery Act, signed into law by President Obama on Feb. 17, 2009, is an unprecedented effort to jumpstart the American economy, create and save millions of jobs, and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. In addition to repairs to monuments and memorials, America’s national cemeteries will receive an estimated:

―This forum will continue our identification of how best to serve this growing population of Veterans through our quality health care, benefits for service-connected disabilities, mental health services, or supporting their community, said Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Eric K. Shinseki. We must constantly reevaluate and solicit input on our performance as measured against the needs of our women Veterans.‖ This forum will build on the momentum from 2008 quadrennial National Summit on Women’s Veterans’ Issues and expand the dialogue necessary to enhance VA’s benefits and services available to women Veterans. The one day forum will not only help VA learn more from women Veterans who depend on VA for care, but will also develop tool kits for strengthening women Veteran networks through work with local VA facilities.

Health care improvements include comprehensive primary care and specialized medical care at every VA medical center, enhanced mental health care specifically for women Veterans, staffing every VA medical center with a women Veterans program manager, a mini-residency on women’s health for primary care physicians, and a multi-faceted research program on women’s health.

The Department’s 2011 budget provides $217.6 million to meet the gender-specific health care needs of women Veterans, an increase of $18.6 million (or more than 9 percent) over the 2010 level. VA’s 2011 budget proposal will enable the establishment of a peer call center and social networking site for women combat Veterans. This call center would be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

There are about 1.8 million women Veterans among the nation’s total of 23 million living Veterans. VA estimates women Veterans will comprise 10.5 percent of the Veteran population by 2020.

VA Uses Recovery Act Money to Repair Historic Monuments (Continued from page 5.)

VA operates 131 national cemeteries in 39 states and Puerto Rico and 33 soldiers' lots and monument sites. More than three million Americans, including Veterans of every war and conflict — from the Revolutionary War to the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan — are buried in VA’s national cemeteries on more than 19,000 acres of land.

WASHINGTON (May 5, 2010) Veterans will find it easier and faster to apply for their health care benefits now that the Department of Veterans Affairs has updated its online Form 10-10EZ, ―Application for Health Benefits.‖

―VA is committed to tapping into the best that technology has to offer to ensure Veterans receive the benefits they have earned,‖ said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. ―We continue to look for new ways to improve access to care and benefits.‖

―Our hiring has put about approximately 2,300 people in jobs at these important local offices where staffs are working hard to process claims for eligible Veterans and their family members,‖ said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.

April 19, 2010 On Thursday, April 22, Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs W. Scott Gould, disability advocate Lee Woodruff and country music star and veteran of service in Iraq and Afghanistan Stephen Cochran lead a celebration of the 85 years of ―discovery, innovation and advancement‖ in the research program of the Department of Veterans Affairs. VA, which operates the nation’s largest integrated health care system, is also a long-time pioneer in medical research, playing key roles in the development of the cardiac pacemaker, CT scans and improvements in artificial limbs. VA was also involved in developing new treatments for tuberculosis, schizophrenia and high blood pressure. While many of VA’s innovations have wide-ranging usefulness, the core of VA’s research program is attuned to the unique needs of disabled Veterans. The Department’s researchers have conducted leading-edge research in prosthetics, spinal cord injury, vision loss and the blast injuries suffered by many service members in Iraq and Afghanistan.

_____________________________________________________________________

APRIL 2010
<P>
Jewish War Veterans of the United States
<P>
San Antonio, Texas
<P>
The Post April breakfast meeting will be on April 25. Unfortunately I will be out of town and not able to attend. Senior Vice Commander Ken Ashworth will run the meeting during my absence. I hope we have a very good turnout of members to support Ken in running the meeting.
<P>
On Monday, April 19, we will be ushering and serving as flag bearers for the Israeli Independence celebration and memorial service at the JCC. This is an important event for the entire Jewish community and it would be wonderful to provide good support by our post members. The memorial service will commence at 6:00 p.m. and they have asked the flag bearers to be present at 5:45. Anyone needing additional information please contact Frank Aleman at 222-1239 or Irwin Barath at 341-4502.
<P>
We still have not had any applications for our Louis Burke post scholarship. The $500 is awarded to a student either attending a college or university, or who will be attending a college or university in the fall. The JWV scholarship from the national organization is only awarded to a high school senior attending a college in the fall.
Please note that applications for our post scholarship will be accepted from post members, their children, grandchildren, or any other relation. If there are no other applications a post member can sponsor someone for this scholarship. If anyone needs a copy of the scholarship application they can contact Ken Ashworth, committee chairman or me.
<P>
The Allied Veterans Mission to Israel is back on for this year. It will be held October 7-17. Participants will join in the programs celebrating TZEVET’s (the Israeli Veterans Organization) fiftieth anniversary. This mission is a key component to the JWV’s support of Israel. We need to choose a candidate from our department for this mission. The requirements are that the candidate is a leader in a veterans organization or an official who has daily contact with veterans and has a large constituency to speak to and write for upon return from Israel. If anyone has a potential candidate, please contact Irwin Barath.

Our department website www.dtalojwv.net has information posted from all of the posts in the department. There is information about upcoming events for our post and our newsletter. Reading the information posted from the rest of our department gives some insight into how the other posts operate and the kind of programs they run.

I hope everyone has a happy Pesach. Looking forward to seeing all of you at the May meeting, and I know that Ken looks forward to seeing all of you at the April 25 meeting.
<P>

Commander: Jeffrey Hoffman (210) 492-4980

Sr. Vice Commander: Kenneth Ashworth (210) 647-0330

Jr. Vice Commander: Norton Shectman (210) 493-6660

Judge Advocate & Historian:Herschel Sheiness (210) 494-8768

Adjutant: Garland Scott (210) 834-0113

Quartermaster: Sam Fitell (210) 340-6905

Post Chaplain: Irwin Barath (210) 341-4502

Public Relations:Angelica Lomas (210) 497-8683


Life is short; don't delay; take advantage of the warmth and love which life offers; and to do so right away. Let's not take our loved ones or friends for granted. Our parents and friends grow older and well before we are prepared to admit it, are no longer with us. There is so much left unsaid, so much we wanted to share and express, but somehow never quite found the time or occasion to do so. Our sense of loss at times is so acute and painful because we could easily have shared our feelings if only we made the effort.

Life is wonderful. Let's be conscious of the fleeting movement of time and make the most of these blessings which we have been granted.

Excerpts for the above article were taken from an article written by Rabbi Jacob J Schacter and can be found in a booklet titled "Torah for Today," volume II, printed by B'nai B'rith International.

DATES TO REMEMBER

Thursday, April 8, Leadership Teleconference, Post Commanders

Monday, April 19, 5:45 p.m., Israeli Independence Day Celebration at the JCC

(we will be flag bearers for the memorial service)

Sunday, April 25, 9:30 a.m.. – Monthly Breakfast Meeting at the JCC

Tuesday, April 27 – Information Technology Teleconference

Wednesday, May 12 – VA Hospital Teleconference

Thursday, May 27 – The Jewish Veteran and PR Teleconference

Teleconferences start at 7:00 p.m. Dial 1-866-266-3378 and then enter the JWV Code Number 202 265 6280# (enter the full number, including the # sign).

Sol Schnitzer 4/01

Dr. Lewis Richman 4/06

Herschel Sheiness 4/10

Cody Eiling 4/29

May God bless you with good health and much success throughout the year THANK YOU TO :.To James Hufnall for sponsoring the postage for the April Post Newsletter. o Herschel Sheiness for sponsoring the April monthly breakfast.

Hello, Department of TALO leaders.

This is a report of the National Executive Committee meeting held in Washington, DC, March 3-7, 2010.
Attending were Mike London, Department Commander, and Andy Lavigne, Department National Executive
Committee Member. The meeting hotel was the Marriott Crystal City. Andy and I shared a room to conserve
costs.

On Wednesday and Thursday, we went to Capitol Hill and visited offices of the Representatives of the states
of Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. We targeted reps who were members of the House Veterans
Affairs Committee, Armed Services Committee, and Homeland Security Committee.

Andy and I worked together and presented to the military aides in each office the talking points that were
given to us by the JWV National leadership. Most of the aides knew what we were referring to. A few were
new in their offices and we gave special attention to informing them about veterans’ issues.

visited were:

Solomon Ortiz – D- TX

ac Thornberry-R-TX

Sylvestre Reyes-D-TX

John Sullivan-R-OK

Ciro Rodriguez-D-TX Vic Snyder-D-AR Mike Ross – AR,Lloyd Doggett-D-TX Charles Boustany-R-LA
Sheila Jackson Lee-D-TX lnrty Cuellar-D-TX Joe Barton-TX ,


I hope everyone has a happy Pesach. Looking forward to seeing all of you at the May meeting, and I know that Ken looks forward to seeing all of you at the April 25 meeting

gommander: Jeffrey Hoffman (210) 492-4980
Sr. Vice Commander: Kenneth Ashworth (210) 647-0330
Jr. Vice Commander: Norton Shectman (210) 493-6660
Judge Advocate & Historian:Herschel Sheiness (210) 494-8768
Adjutant: Garland Scott (210) 834-0113
Quartermaster: Sam Fitell (210) 340-6905
Post Chaplain: Irwin Barath (210) 341-4502
Public Relations:Angelica Lomas (210) 497-8683
Marion Berry-AR Mary Fallin-R-OK

Wednesday around 5 pm, JWV hosted a Congressional Reception in the Cannon Office Building with lots of
military and congressional guests and plenty of JWV members in attendance. JWV National Commander Ed
Robins presented the JWV Medal of Merit to the Honorable Timothy J. Walz of Minnesota in recognition of
his personal military service and his tremendous support of veterans’ funding as he serves on the
Congressional Veterans Affairs Committee.

On Thursday morning, with a full-house audience for the meeting of the Joint House and Senate Committee on
Veterans’ Affairs, JWV National Commander Ed Robins presented his statement of the views, requests, and
recommendations that JWV has found to be important this year. Commander Robins appeared to me to be the
most outstanding presenter at the event.

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, we had meetings, meetings, and more meetings that lasted until 10 and 11 at
night. Shabbat services were held on Friday night and Saturday morning. We also had a meeting on Friday at
the National Museum of American Jewish Military History.

Saturday afternoon was the National Executive Committee meeting in which various matters were presented,
considered, and voted upon. The Department of TALO put forth the matter of our new Tulsa Post 781.
Acceptance of the new post received a unanimous vote of approval.


Respectfully submitted by

Michael London, Dept Commander March 2Page 4 . . .THANK YOU . . .

The Post would like to thank Frank Aleman, Ken Ashworth, Irwin Barath , Melvin Blumberg,Sid Gold, Harold Levine, and Herschel Sheiness for volunteering at the post sponsored Bingo for patients at the CTRC section of the Audie Murphy Veterans Administration Hospital on Tuesday March 23.

From 7-8 p.m., the patients played Bingo and the winners were given coupon books to spend at the VA Hospital commissary. After bingo, coffee, punch, and cookies were served to the patients to enjoy.

Perea-Henze Sworn in to Lead VA’s Policy and Planning Office

WASHINGTON – Dr. Raul Perea-Henze was sworn in yesterday at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as the
Assistant Secretary for Policy and Planning, a key post in the department’s transformation to provide 21st century service
to our nation’s Veterans.

“Dr. Perea-Henze brings essential leadership, enthusiasm and initiative to transform VA,” Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Eric K. Shinseki said. “His leadership will support VA to make policy and strategy decisions based on the highest
quality analysis and information.”

A physician with a master's degree in public health, Perea-Henze has worked in both the public and private sectors for
nearly 25 years.

VA's Office of Policy and Planning develops policy and conducts strategic planning for VA. It coordinates efforts
involving transformation, innovation and strategic management and also leads the department’s efforts on VA/DoD
collaboration. It also serves as VA's focal point for data and analysis, conducting program evaluations and surveys of
Veterans, and managing the availability of official data.

Perea-Henze’s nearly 25 years of experience in strategy and planning have included serving as a senior executive at
Merck and Co. and at Pfizer. He was deputy assistant secretary for administration at the Commerce Department, a
White House fellow and the chief of staff for the under secretary for international trade at the Commerce Department.

He also served as a management consultant, a senior official in New York City government and an adjunct professor of
health policy at New York University.

Perea-Henze graduated from the University of Chihuahua School of Medicine in Mexico. At Yale University, he earned
a master's degree in public health with a concentration in health policy and management.

Information Resource . . .

Announcing a New Way To Shop for All of Your JWV Supplies & Merchandise!

JWV Is Proud To Announce Our New Online Store!

Our new online store makes it easy and convenient to shop for all of your JWV supplies and merchandise.

Now you can order all of your JVW supplies at our secure site. Ordering is available 24/7, and your
merchandise will be shipped to you as soon as possible. In addition to a full selection of pins, poppies,
decals, grave markers and other JWV supplies, you will find a large selection of shirts, jackets, bags and
other wearables to proudly display the JWV logo. You will find a link to our new online store on the
homepage of the official JWV website, at http://www.jwv.orgwww.jwv.org.

We are proud that through this electronic hub, we can offer an even larger variety of merchandise than
ever before to include t-shirts, polos, jackets, pullovers, vests, caps, blankets, throws, towels, bags, and a
full selection of decals, pins, grave markers, and poppies. Enjoy the convenience of secure, online
shopping, and show your community that JWV is active throughout your area!

Now you can proudly show the JWV logo while enjoying the convenience of secure, online shopping.

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2010

Secretary Shinseki Announces $3.3 Million for New Orleans
Contract Will Prepare Site for New Facility

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki has announced the award of a $3.3 million contract by
the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for pre-construction services for VA’s new medical center in New Orleans.

“This contract brings VA’s health care system closer to the Veterans of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast,” said Secretary
Shinseki. “The contract is proof of VA’s commitment to Louisiana’s Veterans, to provide them with 21st century,
Veteran-centric care.”

This is the first of several contracts to provide a new state-of-the-art VA medical center consisting of an inpatient
hospital, outpatient clinic, diagnostic and treatment facility, rehabilitation facility, administrative space and research
laboratories.

The contract also calls for a 2,000-car parking garage, energy plant, utilities, road and lighting. The new VA medical
center will be located on Canal Street in the mid-city section of New Orleans.

Last year, VA spent nearly $1.5 billion in Louisiana on behalf of the state’s 312,000 Veterans. VA operates medical
centers in Alexandria and Shreveport, plus outpatient clinics and Vet Centers across the state and three national
cemeteries.
Page 6
V.V. Benefits
VA Targets $39 Million for Homeless Veterans
Women, Tribal Services Are Special Priorities

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs is allocating $39 million to fund about 2,200 new transitional
housing beds through grants to local providers.

“VA is committed to ending the cycle of homelessness among Veterans,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K.
Shinseki. “We will use every tool at our disposal – health care, education, jobs, safe housing – to ensure our Veterans are
restored to lives with dignity, purpose and safety.”

The $39 million in funding is broken into two categories. About $24 million in grants are available to renovate or
rehabilitate space to create about 1,000 transitional housing beds. The grants put a priority upon housing for homeless
women and housing on tribal lands.

A second group of grants, valued at about $15 million, is expected to fund about 1,200 new beds for homeless
providers who already have suitable transitional housing. The grants will provide per diems based upon the number of
homeless Veterans being served in transitional housing.

VA is the largest federal provider of direct assistance to the homeless, with 14,000 transitional beds in operation or
development. About 107,000 Veterans are homeless on a typical night. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki
has committed the department to ending homelessness among Veterans within five years.

For more information, visit VA’s Web page for the grant and per diem program at www.va.gov/homeless or contact
VA’s program office at 1-877-332-0334, or e-mail VA at homelessvets@va.gov.
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 21, 2010

Statement from VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki on Veterans Health Care and TRICARE

WASHINGTON - As Secretary of Veterans Affairs, I accepted the solemn responsibility to uphold our sacred trust with
our nation’s Veterans. Fears that Veterans health care and TRICARE will be undermined by the health reform
legislation are unfounded. I am confident that the legislation being voted on today will provide the protections afforded
our nation’s Veterans and the health care they have earned through their service. The President and I stand firm in our
commitment to those who serve and have served in our armed forces. We pledge to continue to provide the men and
women in uniform and our Veterans the high quality health care they have earned.

President Obama has strongly supported Veterans and their needs, specifically health care needs, on every major issue
for these past 14 months – advance appropriations, new GI Bill implementation, new Agent Orange presumptions for
three additional diseases, new Gulf War Illness presumptions for nine additional diseases, and a 16% budget increase in
2010 for the Department of Veterans Affairs, that is the largest in over 30 years, and which has been followed by a 2011
VA budget request that increases that record budget by an additional 7.6%.

To give our Veterans further assurance that health reform legislation will not affect their health care systems, the
Chairmen of five House committees, including Veterans Affairs Chairman Bob Filner and Armed Services Chairman Ike
Skelton, have just issued a joint letter reaffirming that the health reform legislation as written would protect those
receiving care through all TRICARE and Department of Veterans Affairs programs.
Page 7


Congressman Tim Walz Recipient of the JWV Medal of Merit/ The Jewish War Veterans of the USA (JWV) is proud to announce that Congressman Tim Walz (DFL-MN) is the
recipient of the 2010 JWV Medal of Merit, which was presented to him at the JWV's Annual Congressional Reception on Wednesday, Mar. 3, 2010.

Walz enlisted in the Army National Guard at the young age of 17, and retired 24 years later as Command Sergeant Major. Before retiring, Walz served overseas with his battalion in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Walz is the highest ranking enlisted soldier ever to serve in Congress.

In Congress he serves as a member of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, and he is a tireless fighter for the rights of all veterans.

He has fought in Congress for the new G.I. Bill; the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act, which allows Congress to approve funding for veterans' medical care a year in advance; and the Defense Authorization bill, which gives our troops a 3.4% pay raise, increases
military readiness, and supports military families by increasing funding for housing programs among other legislation.

He most recently introduced an amendment to the Intelligence Authorization Act that was passed by the House to ensure
that veterans who are experts in keeping our country safe are treated fairly in the security clearance process.

Rep. Walz, who has been an honored guest at the National Museum of American Jewish Military History, is a strong
supporter of the rights of all veterans. It is a privilege to honor him with the JWV Medal of Merit.


JEWISH WAR VETERANS OF THE U.S.A.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 19, 2010

JWV Supports Required Improvement of VA Benefits Claims Approval System

The Jewish War Veterans of the USA (JWV) wholeheartedly supports efforts to improve the operation of the VA benefit
claims approval system.

It is unconscionable that our veterans, who sustained injuries fighting for their country, have their claims rejected, often
after long and agonizing waits for adjudication.

The JWV is outraged that recent data in a case before the Supreme Court, Astrue vs. Ratliff, show that in between 50%
and 70% of the cases in which a veteran appeals the VA's claims decision, the VA's position has been shown to be not
just wrong, but unjustified.

The JWV commends Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA), who in a recent letter to VA Secretary Eric Shinseki urged the
VA to "undertake a serious effort to improve the operation of its benefit claims approval system. Until this problem is
tacked head on, thousands of veterans who were injured in service to their country will continue to face needless delays
and red tape to receive the benefits we owe them and millions of taxpayer dollars will continue to be at risk."

Our veterans have put their lives on the line to defend the United States against those who would destroy us. We owe
them the best that we can give back to them.
Page 8
School Desks
A lesson that should be taught in all schools . . . And colleges
Unknown Author, Internet Origin

Back in September of 2005, on the first day of school, Martha Cothren, a social studies school teacher at Robinson High School in
Little Rock, did something not to be forgotten. On the first day of school, with the permission of the school superintendent, the
principal, and the building supervisor, she removed all of the desks out of her classroom.

When the first period kids entered the room they discovered that there were no desks.

'Ms. Cothren, where're our desks?'

She replied, 'You can't have a desk until you tell me how you earn the right to sit at a desk.'

They thought, 'Well, maybe it's our grades.'

'No,' she said..

'Maybe it's our behavior.'

She told them, 'No, it's not even your behavior.'

And so, they came and went, the first period, second period, third period. Still no desks in the classroom.

By early afternoon, television news crews had started gathering in Ms.Cothren's classroom to report about this crazy teacher who had
taken all the desks out of her room.

The final period of the day came and as the puzzled students found seats on the floor of the deskless classroom, Martha Cothren said,
'Throughout the day no one has been able to tell me just what he/she has done to earn the right to sit at the desks that are ordinarily
found in this classroom. Now I am going to tell you.'

At this point, Martha Cothren went over to the door of her classroom and opened it.

Twenty-seven (27) U.S. Veterans, all in uniforms, walked into that classroom, each one carrying a school desk. The Vets began
placing the school desks in rows, and then they would walk over and stand alongside the wall. By the time the last soldier had set
the final desk in place, those kids started to understand, perhaps for the first time in their lives, just how the right to sit at those desks
had been earned.

Martha said, 'You didn't earn the right to sit at these desks. These heroes did it for you. They placed the desks here for you. Now,
it's up to you to sit in them. It is your responsibility to learn, to be good students, to be good citizens. They paid the price so that you
could have the freedom to get an education. Don't ever forget it.'

By the way, this is a true story.(False) Please consider passing this along so others won't forget that the freedoms we have in this great country were earned by U.S. Veterans.


Easy New Year’s Resolution
The perfect new year’s resolution, and one you can easily accomplish, is recruiting a new member to JWV Post 753 during the month of April.
Veterans’ Needs

We need your: books, magazines, videos, tapes, and cds. These items help the needs of patients at Audie Murphy VA Hospital. Please bring
your contribution to our next meeting. Thank you for your support in this worthwhile endeavor.

Over the last 12 months, 1,042 soldiers, Marines, sailors and Ai Force personnel have given their lives in the terrible duty that is
war. Thousands more have come home on stretchers, horribly
wounded and facing months or years in military hospitals.

This week, I'm turning my space over to a good friend and former
roommate, Army Lt Col. Robert Bateman, who recently
completed a year long tour of duty in Iraq and is now back at the
Pentagon.

Here's Lt. Col. Bateman's account of a little-known ceremony
that fills the halls of the Army corridor of the Pentagon with
cheers, applause and many tears every Friday morning. It first
appeared on May 17 on the Weblog of media critic and pundit
Eric Alterman at the Media Matters for America Website.

"It is 110 yards from the "E" ring to the "A" ring of the Pentagon.
This section of the Pentagon is newly renovated; the floors shine,
the hallway is broad, and the lighting is bright. At this instant the
entire length of the corridor is packed with officers, a few
sergeants and some civilians, all crammed tightly three and four
deep against the walls. There are thousands here.

This hallway, more than any other, is the ‘Army’ hallway. The
G3 offices line one side, G2 the other, G8 is around the corner...
All Army. Moderate conversations flow in a low buzz. Friends
who may not have seen each other for a few weeks, or a few
years, spot each other, cross the way and renew.

Everyone shifts to ensure an open path remains down the center.
The air conditioning system was not designed for this press of
bodies in this area.

The temperature is rising already. Nobody cares. 10:36 hours:
The clapping starts at the E-Ring. That is the outermost of the
five rings of the Pentagon and it is closest to the entrance to the
building. This clapping is low, sustained, hearty. It is applause
with a deep emotion behind it as it moves forward in a wave
down the length of the hallway.

A steady rolling wave of sound it is, moving at the pace of the
soldier in the wheelchair who marks the forward edge with his
presence. He is the first. He is missing the greater part of one leg,
and some of his wounds are still suppurating By his age I expect
that he is a private, or perhaps a private first class.

Captains, majors, lieutenant colonels and colonels meet his gaze
and nod as they applaud, soldier to soldier. Three years ago when
I described one of these events, those lining the hallways were
somewhat different. The applause a little wilder, perhaps in
private guilt for not having shared in the burden ... yet.

Now almost everyone lining the hallway is, like the man in the
wheelchair, also a combat veteran. This steadies the applause, but
I think deepens the sentiment. We have all been there now. The
soldier's chair is pushed by, I believe, a full colonel.

Behind him, and stretching the length from Rings E to A, come
more of his peers, each private, corporal, or sergeant assisted as
need be by a field grade officer.

11:00 hours: Twenty-four minutes of steady applause. My hands
hurt, and I laugh to myself at how stupid that sounds in my own
head. My hands hurt. Please! Shut up and clap. For twenty-four
minutes, soldier after soldier has come down this hallway - 20,
25, 30.. Fifty-three legs come with them, and perhaps only 52
hands or arms, but down this hall came 30 solid hearts.

They pass down this corridor of officers and applause, and then
meet for a private lunch, at which they are the guests of honor,
hosted by the generals. Some are wheeled along. Some insist
upon getting out of their chairs, to march as best they can with
their chin held up, down this hallway, through this most unique
audience. Some are catching handshakes and smiling like a
politician at a Fourth of July parade. More than a couple of them
seem amazed and are smiling shyly.

There are families with them as well: the 18-year-old war-bride
pushing her 19-year-old husband's wheelchair and not quite
understanding why her husband is so affected by this, the boy she
grew up with, now a man, who had never shed a tear is crying;
the older immigrant Latino parents who have, perhaps more than
their wounded mid-20s son, an appreciation for the emotion
given on their son's behalf. No man in that hallway, walking or
clapping, is ashamed by the silent tears on more than a few
cheeks. An Airborne Ranger wipes his eyes only to better see. A
couple of the officers in this crowd have themselves been a part
of this parade in the past.

These are our men, broken in body they may be, but they are our
brothers, and we welcome them home. This parade has gone on,
every single Friday, all year long, for more than four years.

Did you know that?
IT HAPPENS EVERY FRIDAY! Were you aware?

Mornings at the Pentagon
By JOSEPH L. GALLOWAY
McClatchy Newspapers
J W V of the U. S. A.
Post 753
LAUREL HEIGHTS STATION
P.O. BOX 12705
San Antonio, Texas 78212-2705
JWV Post 753 Newsletter
Postmaster
DATED MATERIAL
Post 753 Monthly Breakfast Meeting
Sunday
April 25, 2010
9:30 a.m.
Jewish Community Center
12500 NW Military Highway
The center is located at the corner of NW Military Highway and Wurzbach Parkway.
Post Newsletter articles and items of interest should be
submitted to editor_post753@yahoo.com by the 25th day of the
month. Deadline for the May issue is April 25.

POST 753

 NEWSLETTER

San Antonio, Texas

2010 Post Officers

Commander:       Jeffrey Hoffman        (210) 492-4980

Sr. Vice Commander:       Kenneth Ashworth        (210) 647-0330

Jr. Vice Commander:       Norton Shectman        (210) 493-6660

Judge Advocate & Historian:       Herschel Sheiness  (210) 494-8768

Adjutant: Garland Scott (210) 834-0113

Quartermaster: Sam Fitell (210) 340-6905

Post Chaplain: Irwin Barath (210) 341-4502

Public Relations: Angelica Lomas (210) 497-8683

On January 23, our officers for 2010 were installed at a dinner held at the Kendrick Club on Randolph AFB.  Greg Gonzalez provided the entertainment and everyone had a wonderful time.  Our Department Commander, Mike London, joined us and installed the officers.  Randolph AFB was chosen in an effort to try a different venue.  We will welcome any suggestions for the 2011 Installation Dinner next year.

To recap 2009, we had a very successful year with a number of different programs.  At Audie Murphy VA Hospital, we hosted ice cream socials on Independence Day and Christmas Day.  We also hosted bingo at the Audie Murphy VA Hospital on the fifth Tuesday of a month which equals four times for the year.  At BAMC, we hosted a dinner for injured servicemen and their families.  We sent care packages to servicemembers stationed in Afghanistan; ushered at the Israeli Independence celebration at the JCC; and manned an information booth at the Sukkah and Salza program at the JCC, to mention just a few of the other programs that we sponsor.  The plan is to continue with all of these programs and add new ones as time and manpower allow.  Anyone who has any ideas for other programs can reach me at hoffoffice@aol.com or by phone.  The best way to help plan programs for 2010 is to attend meetings and bring forth your ideas.  Every proposal is considered and if possible implemented by our post.

We are again sponsoring the annual Louis Burke scholarship.  Please note that applications will be accepted from post members, their children, grandchildren, or any other relation.  If anyone needs a copy of the scholarship application they can contact Ken Ashworth, committee chairman, or me.  There are three other scholarships available from the Jewish War Veterans on a national basis, and the applications can be downloaded directly from our national website, www.JWV.org.

We also have a department website www.dtalojwv.net.  The website contains not only information on our post, but every post in the department.  We publish our newsletter on the website as well as other important information.  A representative will be appointed at the February meeting to post information for our post on the department website.  Any information to be posted on the website must first be submitted to me or the appointed representative.  This policy has been set by the department at the Midwinter Executive Meeting.

We are attempting to grow as a post by adding new members.  With the addition of more members we can add to the programs that we sponsor.  This is an important endeavor for all of our members.  Please try to speak to your friends, colleagues, coworkers, relatives, neighbors, etc. who are Jewish Veterans.  Inform them of our post and the important programs that we do on a regular basis to support our fellow veterans.  Anyone who has been on active duty or in the reserves is eligible for membership. 

Looking forward to seeing everyone on Sunday, February 28, at our next monthly breakfast meeting.

. . . CHAPLAIN'S CORNER . . .

Caring about others is an important part of life.  Hillel has stated, "Do not separate yourself from the community."  This refers not only to a physical separation, or a removal of any type of support, but to abandonment of support as well.

To be part of this or any other organization, it requires becoming part of that organization.  Be aware and sensitive to the other members of the organization, their presence, their aspirations, their sensitivities, and their needs.  It means understanding what people are saying and why they are saying it so that you can respond to them with intelligence and insight.  It means being aware of others as you are of yourself, to react to their feelings and needs as you do to your own.

Many organizations, and even communities, have become infected with an outlook which is totally alien to the teaching of Hillel and the social philosophy of our Tradition.  In an environment which advocates self-understanding and self-fulfillment above all else, we are rapidly becoming unable or unwilling to care about, and respond to other members of our community or organization.  The desire to care for the needs of others is rapidly becoming a lost art in our society.

A community or organization structured on the basis of what each individual can gain from it, without any consideration of what each person must share with it, is a community or organization which may become warring factions.  Barriers are overcome and problems are solved by common effort and resolve, not by divisive means.

Items for this column were taken from an article written by Rabbi Elliot Marrus of Amherst New York who wrote "Caring About Others."  This column is not directed at any particular person or organization, but from observation it is intended to alert us of what is happening in today’s world in our relationship with others.

DATES TO REMEMBER

Thursday, February 18, NEC Teleconference

Sunday, February 28, 9:30 a.m., Monthly Breakfast Meeting at the JCC

Wednesday, March 24, Museum Teleconference

Teleconferences start at 7:00 p.m.  Dial 1-866-266-3378 and then enter the JWV Code Number 202 265 6280# (enter the full number, including the # sign).

. . .THANK YOU . . .

To Mel Blumberg for sponsoring the postage for the February Post Newsletter and the February monthly breakfast.

January Midwinter Department Convention

On January 8-10 the Department Executive Committee Meeting was held in Ft. Worth.  It was attended by Post Commander Jeffrey Hoffman.  Many different topics were discussed including the following:

* Membership – Discussed was the difficulty not only in recruiting new members but also retaining the existing members of the organization.  It was noted that Life Membership will increase to $500 from $200 in the summer of 2010.  Also, first year membership after separation from active duty is at no charge to the member.

* Allied Veterans Mission – a committee was set to research a candidate for the next mission.  It is possible that the mission will be held earlier due to the cancellation of the previous mission.  Past Post Commander Irwin Barath will be on the committee.

* National Convention will be held in Savannah, Georgia, August 8 – 16, 2010.

* NEC (National Executive Committee) – anyone can attend, but only the NEC representative and Department Commander have the right to vote.  There is a Capitol Hill Day where we present the issues important to the Jewish War Veterans to our Representatives in Washington.

* Scholarships – Post Commander Jeffrey Hoffman will be in charge of the scholarship committee for the department.

* Communications – Place post meetings and important information on the Department website, www.dtalojwv.net.  Only the post commander or appointed member can post information on the website without prior approval.

* Department Constitution – Amendments were proposed to the Department Constitution and will be voted on at the Annual Department Convention.

* Nomination Committee was set for Department officers.

* Installation Reports and Financial Reports need to be submitted to National.

* Annual Department Convention will be held in Dallas on June 4 – 6, 2010.

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS

Robert Rogal                  2/05

David Cohen                  2/13

Rosa Cavazos                 2/17

Leonard Friedson          2/23

Nathan Ubogy                2/23

Mel Blumberg                2/28

Post Members in Afghanistan

Post 753 has two members in Afghanistan at this time.  Joel Rosen is currently stationed in Afghanistan on active duty; and Steve Kohn is in Afghanistan as a civilian contractor.  We wish them both safety in the hostile environment present in Afghanistan and a safe, speedy return to us in San Antonio.

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 24, 2010

VA Secretary Shinseki Helps Veterans

At VA Medical Center Homeless Stand Down

       WASHINGTON – At the VA Medical Center in Washington, D.C., (DCVAMC), Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki joined hundreds of volunteers in support of homeless Veterans in our Nation’s capital. 

“I am personally committed to ending homelessness among Veterans within the next five years,” said Secretary Shinseki. “No one who has served this Nation as Veterans have should ever be living on the streets.”

Secretary Shinseki, along with 600 other volunteers – many of them VA employees – attended the Winterhaven Homeless Veterans Stand Down, an event which brings VA services and 80 community agencies together to provide a full day of support for homeless Veterans. More than 400 Veterans attended the Stand Down seeking health care, employment, education and housing services in a welcoming and safe environment.  

“Stand downs like this one, held across the country, provide the one-stop assistance homeless Veterans need,” said Shinseki. “They can access a wide variety of medical and community services in one location and they are served by staff and volunteers who understand their needs and have the resources at hand to help them immediately.” Veterans received medical screenings including flu shots, cholesterol, Hepatitis C, HIV, prostate and general physical exams. Consultative services offered include ophthalmology, podiatry, infectious diseases, oral health and women’s health.  Psycho-social referrals for Veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and substance abuse were also offered.

Employment support was provided through the DC, MD and VA, Department of Labor Employment Offices, VA Vocational Rehabilitation Services, and the DC Coalition for the Homeless.  Staff from the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and Veterans Service Organizations (VSO) assisted with VA benefits claims.   Veterans also enjoyed a generous hot meal, haircuts, comfort kits and plenty of warm clothing.

One of the highlights of this year’s event was a “Lease-up” station supported by the medical center, Housing and Urban Development and the DC Department of Housing.  At this station, Veterans with subsidized housing vouchers and those seeking vouchers were screened for immediate placement in available rental units.

Annual Installation Dinner

On January 23, 2010, our annual installation dinner was held at the Kendrick Club on Randolph AFB.  Our Department Commander, Mike London, attended the dinner and installed officers for the year 2010.  Entertainment was provided by singer Greg Gonzalez.  He sang a number of patriotic and Jewish songs and invited everyone to join in the singing.  It was very enjoyable and all those attending had a great time singing with him.  The food and service were very good and it was done in a comfortable, personal type of atmosphere.

Easy New Year’s Resolution

The perfect new year’s resolution, and one you can easily accomplish, is recruiting a new member to JWV Post 753 during the month of February. 

Secretary Shinseki Announces $53 Million for Cape Coral, Fla., Facility

Contract Will Build New Outpatient Clinic

WASHINGTON (Jan. 15, 2010)  Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced the award of a $53 million contract to a Florida firm to construct a new clinic in Cape Coral.  The new building will replace a Fort Myers facility and expand diagnostic and treatment capacity for southwest Florida’s Veterans.

“Providing 21st century care to Veterans requires constant investment,” said Secretary Shinseki. “This new facility will ensure Florida’s Veterans receive the top-notch care they have earned through their military service.”

The contract from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awards more than $53.1 million to Kraft Construction Company Inc. of Naples to construct a 220,000-square-foot building.  The multi-story structure will provide a surgery and outpatient support center to meet increased demand for diagnostic procedures, ambulatory surgery and specialty care.  The contractor has two years to complete the work.

Last year, VA spent more than $6.3 billion in Florida on behalf of the state’s 1.7 million Veterans.  VA operates seven major medical centers in the state, more than 35 outpatient clinics, 12 Vet Centers and seven national cemeteries.

Information Resource . . .

Texas Veterans Commission

Our Mission
The Texas Veterans Commission is committed to provide superior service through agency programs of claims assistance, employment services and education that will significantly improve the quality of life of Texas veterans and their families.

Our Philosophy
The Texas Veterans Commission is the advocate for Texas veterans, their families and their survivors. The Commission takes great pride in providing quality service. The fundamental ingredient to quality is a dedicated, professional, well trained and well paid work force, provided at the State, Local Workforce Development Areas, and the county levels. This work force and the service it provides must be readily available to the population it serves. The services must be tailored to the needs of veterans and their families. To this end, the Texas Veterans Commission must take the lead in coordinating efforts of service providers, sharing of resources, providing innovative and effective training, and developing a partnership with other levels of government to achieve the highest quality of service in assisting the veterans, their families, and their survivors.

Commissioners
The policymaking and citizen representation for the public interest for the agency is a function of the five-member commission. The members appoint the Executive Director, set the agency's mission, participate in the agency's planning process and give final approval to the strategic plan. (Click below for biographies)

Karen S. Rankin (Brigadier General, Air Force, Retired) -- Chair

T.P. O'Mahoney -- Vice Chairman

Eliseo "Al" Cantu, Jr. (Major, Army, Retired) -- Secretary

John B. McKinney (Lieutenant Colonel, Army, Retired) -- Member

(Editor’s note:  The TVC website is http://www.tvc.state.tx.us/Home.html)

New Year’s Resolutions from My HealtheVet

#1: Improve Yourself: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers Veterans, active duty Service members, their dependents and caregivers the gift of My HealtheVet, <http://www.myhealth.va.govwww.myhealth.va.gov, VA´s award-winning online Personal Health Record. Access is easy and convenient anywhere the Internet is available. With My HealtheVet, users access trusted and secure VA health information to better manage their health care and facts about other VA benefits and services. My HealtheVet helps Veterans partner with their health care teams and provides them opportunities and tools to make informed decisions. Simply follow the directions to <https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/anonymous.portal?_nfpb=true&_nfto=false&_pageLabel=registrationHomeregister today.

#2: Improve Your Access: If you are already a My HealtheVet user and a VA patient, get an upgraded account! An upgraded account allows Veterans enrolled at a VA health care facility access to advanced features of My HealtheVet and links their Personal Health Record with information from their VA electronic health record. To access advanced features, Veterans must complete a one–time process called <https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/anonymous.portal?_nfpb=true&_nfto=false&_pageLabel=spotlightArchive&contentPage=ipa/ipa_instructions-anonymous.htmlIn–Person Authentication or “IPA”. This includes making a visit to their VA facility to verify their identity in person. After completing the IPA, VA patients can use My HealtheVet to:

*  Refill VA prescriptions by name, not just by the prescription number

*     Access a blended view of their VA and non-VA medications

*     Receive VA Wellness Reminders

*     Access new features as they become available

#3: Improve Your Online Activity with VA: Expected in 2010, VA patients that have completed the IPA process will view their VA appointments, VA lab test results, and VA list of allergies. They also may communicate electronically with their health care teams through “Secure Messaging” as this feature becomes available at their VA facility. So <https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/anonymous.portal?_nfpb=true&_nfto=false&_pageLabel=registrationHomeregister today on My Healthe<https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/anonymous.portal?_nfpb=true&_nfto=false&_pageLabel=registrationHomeVet, complete <https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/anonymous.portal?_nfpb=true&_nfto=false&_pageLabel=spotlightArchive&contentPage=ipa/ipa_instructions-anonymous.htmlIn-Person Authentication, and make your 2010 a healthy, happy and active year with your VA.   After all, it´s quick, easy and it´s for you!

For subject matter experts for speaking engagements, please contact:

Stacie M. Rivera, MPH

Communications Strategist

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

VHA Office of Health Information

Ph: 202–552–9254

stacie.rivera@va.gov

VA Wins National Award for Safe Medication Practices

WASHINGTON  The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has won top national honors from the independent Institute for Safe Medication Practices for its excellence in preventing medication errors.

“As one of the first health care organizations to develop and test bar code technology for medication administration, VA takes pride in its safety standards,” Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki said.  “This honor confirms that the department is delivering excellence in health care to our nation’s Veterans.”

Called the “Cheers Awards,” it honors individuals, organizations, companies and government agencies that set a high standard for keeping patients safe and improving the process of using medication.

For more than a decade, VA’s health care system has given hospital patients a bar code wristband.  The bar code contains the patient’s unique identifier information.  Nurses scan the wristband and the patient’s electronic health record displays the patient’s medical information.  Then the nurse scans a corresponding code on a drug package before giving the medication to the patient.  This ensures the right medications go to hospital patients at the right time, in the right dose.

What began as a stroke of genius on the part of a VA nurse watching a rental-car employee scan a bar code has become a widely used means of reducing medication errors in public and private hospitals.  This year marks VA’s milestone of 10 years scanning bar codes on patient wristbands and drug packages to ensure safe and effective treatment.

“Administering medications with verification from bar-coding technology has proven to be a major step to ensure the safety of our hospitalized patients,” Shinseki said.  “It’s one example of VA’s leading edge in electronic medical records.”

VA’s bar code program has received similar recognition from the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society and the American Society of Health Systems Pharmacists, as well as a Federal Technology Leadership Award.

In August 1999, VA first deployed bar code software throughout its medical centers to detect potential errors at the point where medications are given to patients.  Since then, VA has administered more than 1.3 billion doses of medication through this automated system.

Veterans’ Needs

We need your:  books, magazines, videos, tapes, and cds.  These items help the needs of patients at Audie Murphy VA Hospital.  Please bring your contribution to our next meeting.  Thank you for your support in this worthwhile endeavor.

Submitted by Leo Swidler

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 7, 2010

VA Statement about 2010 Benefits and Programs

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) wants to inform Veterans and other beneficiaries of the following changes that will take effect in 2010:

· VA will Freeze Increase in Prescription Copayments: Any increase in Veterans out-of-pocket payments for pharmaceuticals will be delayed until June 30, 2010. This means the department will delay a scheduled $1 increase – to $9 – in the copayments facing Veterans for each 30-day supply of medicine for the treatment of conditions not related to military service.  During this period, VA will also keep $960 as the maximum, annual out-of-pocket payments for pharmaceuticals for non-service-related conditions. The $960 cap will not apply to Veterans in priority groups seven and eight. The yearly maximum out-of-pocket payment was scheduled to increase to $1,080.  There are no copayments associated with the treatment of conditions related to military service.

· VA will Distribute Insurance Dividends: Approximately 900,000 Veterans are in line to share $286.4 million in annual insurance dividends during 2010. VA operates one of the nation’s largest life insurance programs, providing more than $1 Trillion in coverage to seven million servicemembers, Veterans, and family members. These payments will be made to insurance policy holders on the anniversary date of their policies.  Payments will be sent automatically through different payment plans and the amounts will vary based on the age of the Veteran, the type of insurance, and the length of time the policy has been in place. Consistent with private mutual insurance company practice, the VA is returning a portion of premium payments back to policyholders because the agency had strong financial results.

Veterans who have questions about their policies may contact the VA insurance toll-free number at 1-800-669-8477 send an email to VAinsurance@va.gov.  They may also visit the Internet at www.insurance.va.gov.

· No Adjustment in COLA for Disability Compensation + Pension Benefits:

As a result of negative inflation and the consumer price index going down over the past year the Social Security Administration has announced there will be no COLA this year for Social Security recipients. Under federal law VA’s COLAs cannot exceed the Social Security COLAs.  Therefore, VA is barred from making a COLA increase for recipients of its benefits. 

VA provides compensation and pension benefits to over 3.8 million Veterans and other beneficiaries.  Presently, the basic monthly rate of compensation paid to Veterans ranges from $123 to $2,673. Annual income limits for disability pension begin at $11,830 for a Veteran without dependents and increase for Veterans who have dependents, who are housebound, or who need regular aid and attendance.  

Veterans who have questions about their benefits may contact the VA’s financial benefits toll-free number at 1-800-827-1000 or go to www.vba.va.gov/VBA.

The Stranger

Unknown Author, Unknown Origin

This is interesting and not the ending I had expected!!!!

     A few years after I was born, my Dad met a stranger who was new to our small Texas town.  From the beginning, Dad was fascinated with this enchanting newcomer and soon invited him to live with our family.  The stranger was quickly accepted and was around from then on.

As I grew up, I never questioned his place in my family.  In my young mind, he had a special niche.  My parents were complementary instructors:  Mom taught me good from evil, and Dad taught me to obey.  But the stranger . . . he was our storyteller.  He would keep us spellbound for hours on end with adventures, mysteries and comedies.

If I wanted to know anything about politics, history or science, he always knew the answers about the past, understood the present and even seemed able to predict the future!  He took my family to the first major league ball game.  He made me laugh, and he made me cry.  The stranger never stopped talking, but Dad didn't seem to mind.  Sometimes, Mom would get up quietly while the rest of us were shushing each other to listen to what he had to say, and she would go to the kitchen for peace and quiet.  (I wonder now if she ever prayed for the stranger to leave.)

Dad ruled our household with certain moral convictions, but the stranger never felt obligated to honor them.  Profanity, for example, was not allowed in our home . . . not from us, our friends or any visitors.  Our long-time visitor, however, got away with four-letter words that burned my ears and made my dad squirm and my mother blush.  My Dad didn't permit the liberal use of alcohol.  But the stranger encouraged us to try it on a regular basis.  He made cigarettes look cool, cigars manly, and pipes distinguished.  He talked freely (much too freely!) about sex.  His comments were sometimes blatant, sometimes suggestive, and generally embarrassing.  I now know that my early concepts about relationships were influenced strongly by the stranger.  Time after time, he opposed the values of my parents, yet he was seldom rebuked . . . and NEVER asked to leave.

More than fifty years have passed since the stranger moved in with our family.  He has blended right in and is not nearly as fascinating as he was at first.  Still, if you could walk into my parents' den today, you would still find him sitting over in his corner, waiting for someone to listen to him talk and watch him draw his pictures.  His name? . . . We just call him 'TV.'  He has a wife now . . . we call her 'Computer.'

(Note: This should be required reading for every household in America !) 

Post 753 Monthly Breakfast Meeting

Sunday

February 28, 2010

9:30 a.m.

Jewish Community Center

12500 NW Military Highway

The center is located at the corner of NW Military Highway and Wurzbach Parkway.

Post Newsletter articles and items of interest should be submitted to editor_post753@yahoo.com by the 25th day of the month.  Deadline for the March issue is February 25.

________________________________________________________________

NOVEMBER 2009

Jewish War Veterans of the United States San Antonio, Texas

2009 Post Officers

Commander: Jeffrey Hoffman (210) 492-4980

Sr. Vice Commander: Kenneth Ashworth (210) 647-0330

Jr. Vice Commander: Norton Shectman (210) 493-6660

Judge Advocate & Historian: Herschel Sheiness (210) 494-8768

Adjutant: Garland Scott (210) 834-0113

Quartermaster: Sam Fitell (210) 340-6905

Post Chaplain: Irwin Barath (210) 341-4502

Public Relations: Angelica Lomas (210) 497-8683

I want to wish all of our post members a very happy and safe Thanksgiving weekend and hope that you and your families enjoy the holiday. The nominating committee has met and presented the post with their list of the following potential officers for the 2010 year.

Commander – Jeffrey Hoffman,

Senior Vice Commander – Ken Ashworth,

Junior Vice Commander – Norton Shectman,

and

Judge Advocate – Herschel Sheiness.

There will be a second reading of the nominations at our November meeting. We will take any nominations from the floor and vote at the December meeting. Currently, we have planned our installation dinner for Saturday, January 23rd and are researching the different venues for the dinner. The information will be printed in the December newsletter and we will appoint a phone committee to contact all of the post members for this event.

On Sunday, October 4th, our post was represented at the Jewish Community Center for the Sukkah and Salsa Fiesta 2009. The program was very successful and we were the only Jewish organization that had an information booth at the event. This program enabled us to be visible in the community, pass out information about the Jewish War Veterans, and have the opportunity to obtain potential new members for our post. Our post received a thank you letter for the care packages that we sent to the deployed unit in Afghanistan. In December, we will be sending another care package, but this time to a Marine detachment in Afghanistan. On Veterans Day, November 11th, Golden Corral and Applebee’s restaurants will be offering free meals to veterans. Bring your veteran ID card or some other proof of being a veteran to obtain the free meal.

Our semi-annual ice cream social at Audie Murphy VA Hospital is scheduled for December 25th. We provide this service to all of the veterans who are at the hospital and the nursing staff as well. The veterans really appreciate our presence and it is especially valuable to those individuals who do not have anyone to visit them. Anyone interested in helping with this event can call me at 492-4980 or email me at hoffoffice@aol.com. On December 29, we will again be hosting bingo at the Audie Murphy VA Hospital. We certainly could use more volunteers to help with this important event. We host bingo every fifth Tuesday of the month, which is about four times per year.

I look forward to seeing all of our members on November 22 at the next monthly breakfast meeting.

Page 2

May God bless you with good health and much success throughout the year.

. . . CHAPLAIN'S CORNER . . .

Someone once asked me, "What is compassion as practiced by the Jewish faith? My answer was rather vague and not exactly to the point. However, later on as I thought more of my answer, I felt that what I stated was the right thing to say.

Compassion can be classified in many ways, such as the pain a father feels when his child hurts himself while playing with a friend or by themselves; the pang a mother knows when her child is not invited to the party which they had set their heart on; the concern a lover has for the least concern of his beloved; the anguish which touches a person when their friend bares their troubles to them; the tears a child sheds for the limp foot of their dog or broken arm of a girl’s doll; the sigh a judge heaves when they pronounce a strong sentence; the care a doctor exerts toward a patient in pain; the dull tug at the heart of a soldier when he or she sees the destruction which was done to the land; the help a businessman extends towards a failing competitor; the forgiveness a person grants towards one who has hurt him (especially during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur).

The more one thinks about it, the whole situation is the eternal mercy of the Lord toward the folly and misery of man.

I have read many books and articles in relation to compassion, but the Supplemental Readings Transliterations booklet used by Congregation Agudas Achim during the high holidays presented to me a better picture to answer

DATES TO REMEMBER

Thursday November 19 - Housing, Homeless, and Women in the Military Teleconference

Wednesday December 2 - Allied Veterans Teleconference

Thursday December 17 - Leadership Teleconference

Friday December 25, 1:30 p.m. - Ice Cream Social at Audie Murphy VA Hospital

Tuesday December 29, 6:30 p.m. - Bingo Social at Audie Murphy VA Hospital

Teleconferences start at 7:00 p.m. Dial 1-866-266-3378 and then enter the JWV Code Number 202 265 6280# (enter the full number, including the # sign).

Gerald Phillips November 3

Steven Kohn November 3

Ilene Rubin November 21

. . .THANK YOU . . .

To Steve Reimer for sponsoring the postage for the November Post Newsletter.

To Jeffrey Hoffman for sponsoring the November monthly breakfast.

Page 3

. . . SHALOM . . .

Post 753 welcomes our newest member James Hufnall to our ranks.

Mr. Hufnall was born September 15, 1922 in Waco, Texas. When James was 13 years old, his family moved to Houston. At the ripe old age of 18, James joined the Army in October 1940. Since James’ first love was horses, he was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division at Ft. Clark in Bracketville, Texas.

World War II interfered with his riding career and he was shipped to Australia for amphibious training in preparation for General Douglas McArthur's return to the Philippines.

From Australia, he went to Buna, New Guinea, where there were 4,000 Japanese Imperial Marines preparing to invade Australia. Although small in number, the Australians and Americans stormed the island at night time and fought many bloody battles during the ensuing days and nights, thus saving Australia from being invaded. James took part in these bloody battles emerging from a teenager to manhood in a short period of time.

Next stop was the Philippines. Part of the unit landed at Leyte where they fought not only the Japanese, but Filipinos who were sympathizers. From Leyte, James and his American group moved to Luzon in an attempt to free the many Americans being held in the Prisoner of War Camps.

From Leyte, Mr. Hufnall was part of a 100 man team charged with a "run and dash flying column," some 66 to 100 miles from the landing site at Manila. The mission was a success and Mr. Hufnall and his American comrades spent the remainder of the war helping liberate the Philippine islands from the Japanese.

Welcome aboard James Hufnall.

. . . MAZAL TOV . . .

Post 753 extends a hearty mazal tov to Arthur Lefton who celebrated his

90th birthday on October 9. May God grant you many more years of good

health, much success, and happiness. Arthur's name erroneously appeared in

the September post newsletter birthday listing. Please excuse the error.

Mazal tov to Mrs. Faye Swidler who celebrated her birthday October 24.

2010 Officer Nominations:

Jeffrey Hoffman - Commander

Kenneth Ashworth - Senior Vice Commander

Norton Shectman - Junior Vice Commander

Herschel Sheiness - Judge Advocate

Voting will be at the December meeting. The Installation Dinner will be Saturday, January 23.

Veterans’ Needs

We need your : books, magazines, videos, tapes, and cds. These items help the needs of patients at Audie Murphy VA Houspital. Please bring your contribution to our next meeting. Thank you for your support in this worthwhile endeavor.

Page 4

JEWISH WAR VETERANS OF THE U.S.A.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

10/22/2009

JWV Demands Punishment for All Who Spy against the United States

Stewart D. Nozette is the latest in the list of Americans with access to classified information who have been suspected of spying for allies of the United States. Since Mr. Nozette has been charged, but not yet convicted, he is entitled to the presumption of innocence due to all under the American criminal justice system.

If Mr. Nozette is convicted of spying, however, he will join the ranks of others, such as Jonathan Pollard and Aldrich Ames, who have already been convicted of similar charges. The Jewish War Veterans of the USA (JWV) stands firmly for the punishment of those who put the interests of any other country, including Israel or any of our so-called Allies, above the interests of their own country, the United States of America.

As the JWV said before:

The government of the United States must be protected at all times. The loyalty of United States citizens must be to our own country. There can be no room for any other allegiance.

JWV members have fought, and in many cases, died to defend the United States from those who would do it harm.

The allegiance of all Americans must be to their own country above all others.

The JWV is a firm supporter of the State of Israel, but its interests will never come before those of our own country.

VA Outreach

HOUSTON, TX (October 19, 2009) One of the least talked about aspects of the VA is their

mission for outreach. For those veterans living in rural areas, VA staff will visit veterans in

their homes. Also, veterans who are medically confined to their homes or those veterans who have transportation difficulties, VA staff will take the initiative to visit those veterans away from VA facilities.

Veterans should contact their local Vet Center to have VA staff visit them at their home. Vet

Center staff will provide psychological services for veterans and their family members during normal VA business hours. Vet Center staff will travel up to 150 miles one way to visit a veteran.

Vet Center Team Leaders are the key to getting appointments. Under special circumstances, some veterans may want to contact Readjustment Counseling Services (RCS) Regional Managers to make arrangements for visits. Bereavement cases are top priority for the VA, and such instances typically require bereavement counselors to visit with veterans or veterans’ family in their homes.

All veterans will need their DD Form 214 to verify eligibility.

Page 5

Max Stool Honored by the State of Texas

On May 19, 2009, Max Stool was honored by the State of Texas with the introduction of HR 2038. The bill was co-sponsored by Representatives Pete Gallego and Mark Shelton. The resolution was introduced by Representative Gallego, Del Rio, who has known Max for over twenty years. Dr. Shelton, Ft. Worth, has been friends with the Stool family for many years. Among other accomplishments cited in the Resolution, Max was Val Verde (Del Rio) County chair of the Democratic Party for three years. Two years ago Max’s wife, Libbie, was honored with a similar resolution.

The Resolution reads as follows:

WHEREAS, Max Stool of San Antonio has distinguished himself through his dedicated and enthusiastic service to his community, state, and nation; and WHEREAS, The son of Dave and Esther Stool, Max Stool was born on September 11, 1922, in Del Rio, just two years after his parents had emigrated from the Ukraine through Ellis Island; as a youth, he worked part-time in his father's clothing business, the Star Store, which was located on the city's Main Street; he graduated in 1940 from Del Rio High School and went on to attend The University of Texas at Austin; and WHEREAS, Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Mr. Stool was inspired to enlist in the army at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, and he subsequently trained in aircraft maintenance at Oklahoma A&M University; he served as a member of the Army Air Corps and participated in six campaigns, including Normandy, northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, Central Europe, and Air Offensive Europe, before being honorably discharged on October 2, 1945; he was awarded the European Theater of Operations Campaign Medal with six bronze stars; and WHEREAS, Mr. Stool completed his bachelor's degree at UT-Austin in 1947 and married the former Libbie Polsky in August of that same year; the couple lived in Austin while Mr. Stool earned his law degree, and then settled in Del Rio, where together they raised three children, Ethan, Elizabeth, and Ben, and where Mr. Stool returned to work at the Star Store; except for a stint as an attorney with the Internal Revenue Service at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, he helped operate the family business, which he eventually took over, until his retirement in 2001; and WHEREAS, Devoted to his hometown, Mr. Stool shared his time and talents with such organizations as the local Girl Scouts council, the Del Rio Chamber of Commerce, the Del Rio Council for the Arts, and Val Verde Friends of the Arts, and he was active in the Rotary Club for 50 years; moreover, he held public office as a board member of the Del Rio Independent School District from 1961 to 1965 and later served as chair of the Val Verde County Democratic Party; along the way, he volunteered in numerous United Fund campaigns and served as the area liaison for the chaplain's office at Laughlin Air Force Base; and WHEREAS, Mr. Stool's public engagement further extends to his membership in the Texas Jewish Historical Society and the Texas Jewish War Veterans; dedicated to his faith and heritage, he has twice traveled to Israel, and he celebrated a second bar mitzvah in November 2007 at the age of 85; and WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan is known for his natural curiosity, his ability to make and keep friends, and his razor- sharp memory; he takes great pleasure in traveling, corresponding with others, and spending time with his family, which has grown to include six grandchildren; a resident of San Antonio since 2003, he has shared his experience as a soldier during World War II with local high school students; and WHEREAS, In all of his endeavors, Max Stool has demonstrated a commitment to his fellow citizens, and it is indeed a pleasure to honor him for his long and accomplished life; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas Legislature hereby honor Max Stool for his outstanding contributions to his community, state, and nation and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success and happiness; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mr. Stool as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.

Page 6

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 16, 2009

VA Deputy Highlights Bond between Defense and Veterans Affairs

Gould Addresses Senior Pentagon Leadership

WASHINGTON – An innovative, far-sighted partnership between the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

and the Department of Defense (DoD) will improve the health care system for Veterans and dramatically change the way health care is delivered to all Americans, according to Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs W. Scott Gould.

“The future will see VA and DoD working even closer together,” said Gould, “as we fulfill the President’s requirement for a single Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record that will support Veterans from their day of induction to their day of interment.”

Gould spoke Oct. 15 at the second annual DoD “Breakthrough Convention” devoted to improving business practices in the nation’s largest government agency.

Noting that VA’s budget requirements are substantially affected by DoD’s strategic decisions and operations, he reassured the audience that the President’s proposed 2010 budget for VA addresses the issue and builds on increases Congress added to the Department’s budget in the last two years.

VA’s 2010 budget request for $113 billion would fund increased education benefits for post-9/11 Veterans, health care for some Veterans who were previously ineligible, more mental health and cognitive-injury services -- especially in rural areas -- and upgraded technology for data transmission and records.

Gould said the long-term solution for correcting procedural delays that affect Veterans is to redesign business processes and improve information technology. VA’s new strategic plan, he said, is focused on Veterans, with whom VA has an ongoing – sometimes, life-long – relationship.

Employees have a natural desire to achieve client satisfaction, but their ability to act on the desire can be diminished by poor systems, policies or lack of training, Gould said. VA’s second-ranking executive credited Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki with providing the leadership to create an organizational culture of performance on behalf of Veterans.

Certificate of Appreciation

A certificate of appreciation was sent from the Texas Capitol Vietnam Monument listing the names of the following post members:

Ken Ashworth Steve Kohn Mike Roth

Melvin Blumberg Bert Naranjo Garland Scott

Luis Hernandez Steve Reimer Mike Sohn

for their contributions to the Vietnam Monument, which will honor Vietnam Veterans. The certificate was sent to Mike Roth, spokes person for the group. Post 753 graciously accepts the certificate with the above mentioned names as a token of appreciation of those post members who wanted to honor their buddies who fought in the Viet Nam War.

Page 7

Secretary Shinseki Announces New Gravesite Locator

For National Cemeteries and Veterans Buried in Private Cemeteries

WASHINGTON (Oct. 16, 2009) Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced today that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has made the gravesites of more than 6.7 million Veterans easier to locate using handheld devices with Internet capability, such as “smart phones.”

“This innovative program continues VA’s commitment to use the latest technology to provide Veterans and their families with information they need,” said Secretary Shinseki. “It will simplify and enhance the experience of many who visit our national cemeteries.”

The latest improvement builds upon a service begun in 2004, when VA introduced an online nationwide gravesite locator, linked to its electronic burial records, that helps people find the cemetery in which their loved one is buried.

The grave locations of Veterans and eligible family members buried in national cemeteries, or whose graves are marked with a government headstone, can already be found with desktop computers and at national cemetery kiosks.

The original gravesite locator -- http://gravelocator.cem.va.gov -- online since April 2004, continues to help Veterans' families and others find the cemeteries where relatives, ancestors or friends are buried. The new Web site http://m.va.gov/gravelocator -- is enhanced for viewing and browsing on “smart phone” devices.

Users enter a name to search and click “Locate” to find where the loved one is buried. Users can limit the search to a specific cemetery if that information is known. The Web site will provide the name of the cemetery and a grave location, offer a link to a Google map and driving directions to the cemetery and, if the deceased is buried in a national cemetery or state Veterans cemetery, provide a link to a cemetery map to help find the section where the grave is located.

In addition to the more than 6.7 million records now available, VA continues to add approximately 1,000 new records to the database each day.

In 2005, VA added to its database of national cemetery burial records the locations of 1.9 million veterans whose graves were marked with a government headstone since 1997. These are mostly private cemeteries. Burial records with cemetery maps available are for burials in VA national cemeteries, state Veterans cemeteries and Arlington National Cemetery if the burials occurred since 1999.

Veterans with a discharge issued under conditions other than dishonorable, their spouses and eligible dependent children can be buried in a VA national cemetery. Other burial benefits available for all eligible Veterans, regardless of whether they are buried in a national cemetery or a private cemetery, include a burial flag, a Presidential Memorial Certificate and a government headstone or marker. Families of eligible decedents may also order a memorial headstone or marker when remains are not available for interment.

In the midst of the largest expansion since the Civil War, VA operates 130 national cemeteries in 39 states and Puerto Rico and 33 soldiers' lots and monument sites. More than three million Americans, including Veterans of every war and conflict, are buried in VA’s national cemeteries on more than 18,000 acres of land.

Information on VA burial benefits can be obtained from national cemetery offices, from the Internet at www.cem.va.gov or by calling VA regional offices toll-free at (800) 827-1000.

Page 8

VA Extends “Agent Orange” Benefits to More Veterans Parkinson’s Disease, Two Other Illnesses Recognized

WASHINGTON (Oct. 13, 2009) Relying on an independent study by the Institute of Medicine, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki decided to establish a service-connection for Vietnam Veterans with three specific illnesses based on the latest evidence of an association with the herbicides referred to Agent Orange.

The illnesses affected by the recent decision are B cell leukemias, such as hairy cell leukemia; Parkinson’s disease; and ischemic heart disease.

Used in Vietnam to defoliate trees and remove concealment for the enemy, Agent Orange left a legacy of suffering and disability that continues to the present. Between January 1965 and April 1970, an estimated 2.6 million military personnel who served in Vietnam were potentially exposed to sprayed Agent Orange.

In practical terms, Veterans who served in Vietnam during the war and who have a “presumed” illness don’t have to prove an association between their illnesses and their military service. This “presumption” simplifies and speeds up the application process for benefits.

The Secretary’s decision brings to 15 the number of presumed illnesses recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“We must do better reviews of illnesses that may be connected to service, and we will,” Shinseki added. “Veterans who endure health problems deserve timely decisions based on solid evidence.”

Other illnesses previously recognized under VA’s “presumption” rule as being caused by exposure to herbicides during the Vietnam War are:

Acute and Subacute Transient Peripheral Neuropathy

AL Amyloidosis

Chloracne

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2)

Hodgkin’s Disease

Multiple Myeloma

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Porphyria Cutanea Tarda

Prostate Cancer

Respiratory Cancers, and

Soft Tissue Sarcoma (other than Osteosarcoma, Chondrosarcoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma, or Mesothelioma)

Additional information about Agent Orange and VA’s services and programs for Veterans exposed to the chemical are available at www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange.

Page 9

VA Seeks Temporary Contractor to Help Process Education Claims

WASHINGTON (Oct. 28, 2009) On Oct. 21, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issued a solicitation for temporary contractor support to assist in processing the increased volume of education claims received since implementing the new Post-9/11 GI Bill.

“This contract will assist VA in delivering education benefits to our Veterans as quickly as possible,” said Under Secretary for Benefits Patrick W. Dunne. “Veterans are depending on VA to provide the benefits they earned through their service to our nation. We will do everything in our power to minimize delays for our Veteran students.”

The Post-9/11 GI Bill, which went into effect on August 1, 2009, has generated an unprecedented number of new applications. When combined with the standard high volume of school enrollment claims in August and September (normally, the busiest months for education claims), the number of claims has exceeded anticipated levels.

The contractor will provide its own work site and personnel to perform claims processing tasks. Contract staff will validate enrollment information provided by schools and provide recommendations on claim status to VA personnel, who will finalize claims decisions and generate payments (if applicable).

All work will be reviewed and authorized by VA personnel. VA will provide training on security and claims processing procedures. The contract personnel will assist in handling the least complex cases, which allows for rapid implementation of this initiative.

Information about the Post-9/11 GI Bill, as well as VA’s other educational benefit programs, is available at VA’s Web site, www.gibill.va.gov, or by calling 1-888-GIBILL-1 (or 1-888-442-4

. . .THANK YOU . . .

A short time ago, Mike Sohn, a member of our post came up the idea of adopting a unit stationed in Iraq. As it happened, Frank Toback, son of post member Morrie Toback was deployed to Iraq and the post decided to adopt his unit. Here is a letter received from Frank Toback:

"28 September 2009 To the membership of Jewish War Veterans Post 753:

Thank you for the care packages . The snacks and hygiene items are distributed to the soldiers. Being war veterans, you well know the value of home support while on deployment. It is reassuring to know we are in your thoughts.

Sincerely,

SSG Toback

211 Regional Support Group Iraq"

The above is only a small portion of the support given to our veterans by the Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A and San Antonio Post #753. This is only one reason why every Jewish veteran living in the San Antonio area should become a member of Post 753. Help this post continue the support of veterans and their families.

J W V of the U. S. A.

Post 753

LAUREL HEIGHTS STATION

P.O. BOX 12705

San Antonio, Texas 78212-2705

JWV Post 753 Newsletter

Postmaster

DATED MATERIAL

Post 753 Monthly Breakfast Meeting

Sunday

November 22, 2009

9:30 a.m.

Jewish Community Center

12500 NW Military Highway

The center is located at the corner of NW Military Highway and Wurzbach Parkway.

Post Newsletter articles and items of interest should be

submitted to editor_post753@yahoo.com by the 25th day of the

month. Deadline for the December 2009 issue is November 25