Action Corps Weekly Hero 2021

VFW Action Corps Weekly

CARES Act Press Event VFW Washington DC Office

Press Conference on Care for Military Sexual Trauma Survivors: The VFW Washington Office hosted a press conference during which leading veteran organizations called on Congress to support S.1245/H.R. 2576Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support (SAVES) Act of 2025. This bipartisan, bicameral bill would take a multi-faceted approach to enhance access to health care and benefits for military sexual trauma survivors, improve communications with VA, and ease the burden of filing MST-related disability compensation claims. It would also ensure that all former National Guard and Reserve members receive MST-related care and counseling. Watch the press conference, which begins at the 4:58 mark.

VFW attends veterans roundtable June 2025

Senate Committee Roundtable on Stronger Transition Support: National Legislative Service Associate Director Joy Craig participated in a Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs roundtable on identifying gaps in supportive services for transitioning service members and evaluating the role of non-profits, employers, and community organizations. Craig stated that military-to-civilian transition remains a top priority for the VFW, which strongly supports the passage of the TAP Promotion Act and the establishment of a senior official in the Department of Defense to oversee all aspects of transition. Strong and seamless support before, during, and after separation is critical to ensure that every veteran has the tools and resources needed to thrive after service.

House Veteran Affairs Committee

VFW Provides Statement for House Subcommittee Hearing: VFW National Legislative Director Kristina Keenan provided a statement for the record for a House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity pending legislation hearing. The topics include improvements to property protections for activated service members, VA communications, transition assistance, education and employment benefits, and programs for homeless veterans. Regarding H.R. 3387, Enhancing the Transitioning Servicemember’s Experience (ETS) Act, Keenan wrote, “Improving transition programs is one of the VFW’s top priorities, and we see this proposal as directly supporting the intent of the current DOD and VA memorandum of understanding to enhance coordination between the two departments on these efforts.” Read the testimony or watch the hearing, which begins at the 18:26 mark.

Service dog golden retriever

VFW Statement on Pending Health Legislation: VFW National Legislative Associate Director Meggan Coleman submitted a statement for the record for a House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health hearing on pending legislation. Included in the bills being considered is H.R. 2605, Service Dogs Assisting Veterans (SAVES) Act, which would create a five-year pilot program for VA to provide grants to nonprofit organizations to furnish eligible veterans with service dogs and veterinary insurance. Coleman stated the VFW’s strong support of this legislation and explained, “Service dogs assist with various physical, auditory, and trauma-related disabilities. They help empower veterans to regain their independence, pride, and hope. While they are typically provided free of charge, the medical care involved can be costly. This legislation would enable more veterans to receive support animals with less of a financial burden.” Read the testimony, or watch the hearing, which begins at the 20:50 mark.

The POW/MIA flag flying in the breeze

MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced three identifications and four burial updates for service members who have been missing and unaccounted for from World War II and the Korean War.

 

Identifications:

-- World War II Army Pfc. Wilbert G. Linsenbardt

-- World War II Army Air Forces Sgt. Thomas G. Deitman

-- Korean War Army Pfc. Albert H. Faust

 

Updates:

-- Korean War Army Cpl. Anthony Konze, Georgia

-- World War II Sgt. Howard L. Hasselkus, Ohio

-- World War II Army Air Forces Tech. Sgt. Clarence E. Gibbs, South Carolina

-- World War II Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Milton L. Hymes, Georgia

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