Author Archives: Team VCS

Editorial Column: To Joe Biden, Time for Confession

Posted on October 1, 2008 by Team VCS

September 29, 2008 – Dear Senator Biden, I don’t have to remind you of the importance of this Thursday’s debate from a political perspective.  But as you prepare, I invite you to spare a few minutes to look at the … Continue reading →

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Oct 1, Legislative Update: Keeping the Promise, Accomplishments for Our Nation’s Veterans in the 110th Congress

Posted on October 1, 2008 by Team VCS

October 1, 2008 – When I became Chairman of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, the VA was strained to its breaking point by years of chronic underfunding and a “business as usual” attitude.  The Committee set out an aggressive agenda … Continue reading →

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Sep 30, VCS Weekly Update: VCS Research Using FOIA Prompts Congressional Investigation

Posted on September 30, 2008 by Team VCS

VCS Research Using FOIA Finds Enormous Discrepancies in Claims for Iraq and Afghanistan War Vetrans Dear VCS Members: This week’s update covers three important topics: problems with VA disability claims among Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans, a disturbing cluster of … Continue reading →

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Officers Learn to Help Veterans in Crisis

Posted on September 30, 2008 by Team VCS

September 29, 2008, Orlando, FL – Though aging vets from past wars present ongoing problems, Barbara Lewis, crisis intervention training commander for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, said deputies are facing the issue more now because of veterans home from … Continue reading →

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VA Plans National Distribution of Suicide Hotline PSA

Posted on September 30, 2008 by Team VCS

September 26, 2008 – On Tuesday, September 23, 2008, the House Veterans’ Affairs Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, led by Chairman Harry Mitchell (D-AZ), conducted a hearing to evaluate the progress made by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in utilizing … Continue reading →

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Editorial Column: Remember Iraq?

Posted on September 30, 2008 by Team VCS

September 30, 2008 – With Congress rejecting the $700 billion bailout package, the Dow falling 700 points and the U.S. economy on the edge of a cliff, no one is paying much attention to Iraq. Money talks, and incomprehensible and … Continue reading →

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Defense, Veterans Bills Head to White House

Posted on September 30, 2008 by Team VCS

September 30, 2008 – In a busy Saturday session, the Senate gave final approval to defense policy and funding bills for the new fiscal year and also sent two veterans’ bills to the White House for President Bush’s signature. Senate … Continue reading →

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Bush Signs Dec. 1 COLA Increase for Vets

Posted on September 29, 2008 by Team VCS

September 27, 2008 – While lawmakers continue to work on two omnibus veterans’ bills dealing with benefits and health care, at least one thing is now certain – disabled veterans and survivors receiving dependency and indemnity compensation will receive a … Continue reading →

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The Last Tour: A Decorated Marine’s War Within Ends in Murder-Suicide at Grand Canyon

Posted on September 29, 2008 by Team VCS

September 29, 2008 – When the Twiggs brothers got to the Grand Canyon, on May 12th, Willard called his girlfriend, a married woman in Louisiana, on Travis’s cell phone. She had to see the canyon someday, he said. “It will … Continue reading →

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Our Disabled Veterans Face Red Tape in Voting

Posted on September 29, 2008 by Team VCS

September 27, 2008 – With the presidential polls just over a month away, tens of thousands of U.S. war veterans are still wondering whether or not they will be able to vote for the candidate of their choice. About 100,000 … Continue reading →

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