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Current Headlines
Revamped Layaway Program Makes Shopping Easier at AAFES - Visit your local exchange and it soon becomes apparent that reports of layaway’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. In fact, Army & Air Force Exchange Service BXs and PXs are reintroducing and, in some cases, expanding layaway options. “Clothing, handbags and shoes are still eligible for 30-day layaway, but full payment on many other categories can be put off for up to 60 days when shopping the exchange,” said AAFES’ Chief Operating Officer Mike Howard.
Military shoppers whose Families’ holiday wish list included something that sparkles or shines were able to begin making arrangements as far out as Sept. as fine jewelry can be put on layaway for up to 120 days at AAFES. Delaying full payment might even be mom and dad’s secret weapon in keeping presents under wraps this year as toys can be put on layaway up until Christmas Eve.“Let the kids look in the attic, under the tree or even your car trunk,” said Howard. “Keeping the toys on layaway, and in the exchange’s back room, can really take a lot of stress out of the holidays.”
Any purchase of $25 or more is eligible for layaway at AAFES. A 15 percent deposit on the total purchase price is required to hold a product. Merchandise excluded from AAFES’ layaway program includes clearance merchandise, computers, peripherals, major appliances, furniture, mattresses, exercise equipment, electronics $299 and up as well as seasonal and outdoor living products.
Social Security Serves Veterans Day and Every Day, by Tom Clark Social Security Public Affairs Specialist - At Social Security, we honor our nation’s veterans not only on Veterans Day, but every day of the year. In fact, military service members receive expedited processing of their disability applications from Social Security. Under an agreement initiated by Social Security, the Department of Defense now transmits information to us that allows us to quickly identify military personnel injured in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
The expedited process is available for any military service member who becomes disabled during active duty on or after October 1, 2001, regardless of where the disability occurs. Depending on the situation, some family members of military personnel also may be able to receive benefits, including dependent children and spouses. If you, or someone you know, were wounded while on active duty in the military, find out more about what Social Security can do by visiting our website designed specifically for wounded warriors: www.socialsecurity.gov/woundedwarriors.. Read More.
New Bonds Forming Between Defense and Veterans Affairs - 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 recently at the second annual DoD "Breakthrough Convention" devoted to improving business practices in the nation's largest government agency. Read More.
AAFES and Sandberg & Sikorski by Firestone to Giveaway $9,900 in Shopping Sprees - The Army & Air Force Exchange Service and Sandberg & Sikorski by Firestone are getting into the holiday spirit as they try to stuff more than $3,000 into three lucky shopper’s stockings.
Now through Dec. 24, BXs and PXs around the world are accepting entries for the Sandberg & Sikorski by Firestone Sweepstakes. After Christmas Eve, three $3,300 shopping sprees will be awarded to one lucky AAFES shopper in the Continental United States, Pacific and Europe.
“You might have to take the day off if you win this prize,” AAFES’ Chief of Staff Col. Virgil Williams. “Because whether you’re looking for tires or diamond pendants, the exchange has it and with all of the tax-free savings available, spending $3,300 might take awhile.”
AAFES’ Sandberg & Sikorski by Firestone drawing will take place on or about Jan. 27, 2010. Authorized exchange shoppers can confirm their exchanges participation by calling the numbers listed on the store locator link at http://odin.aafes.com/bases/index.asp.
Created 2003-02-04 10:24:27 by install
Updated 2009-12-18 09:16:22 by naslife
Veterans Keep Us in Business
 by Willard Thomas
On November 11, most people will be taking care of business, but not the business they should be taking care of. Most people will consider November 11, just another sale with another big rebate on cars, drastic markdowns, and other marketing tricks that actually increase the overall cost. It won’t even be a national holiday.
A few, a very few, will participate in a parade or meeting, that even fewer will observe, but, all in all, it will include less than 1/10th of 1 percent of the population of this nation. Even fewer may hang a flag in front of their home or business or wear a flag lapel pin. A few schools will mention it, and even fewer will have an assembly. These few of the few know that what veterans have done, are doing and will do, is critical to our past, present and future.
However even these patriotic, almost sideline activities, are not the business that should be being taken care of.
It’s sort of like going to a football game and thinking that the cheerleaders are what is important and yelling with them and not seeing what is going on on the field. The business that we should be taking care of on November 11th is actually taking care of veterans. That’s the name of the day or of the game. It may have started out as Armistice Day, but even then, the real purpose was to recognize veterans and their special needs. It is the day for taking care of those veterans who are still alive as opposed to Memorial Day, which is to remember those no longer with us.
Price of Ignoring is Destruction
The price of ignoring what living veterans need, so that they can be prosperous and functioning members of a society, is the eventual destruction of that society. It is ironic that societies that grow great from the success and sacrifice of their men and women standing guard and defending it’s values, always fall because they do not take care of those men and women during and after their service. It usually takes a couple of centuries or so, but it will happen. We are in our second century.
I have been studying military history for over 60 years now since my first exposure during World War II. I have studied the rise and fall of western societies from the Sumerians 7,500 years ago through the Hebrews, the Macedonians, the Romans, the Vikings, the Europeans and the Americans up to the present time. In all instances the rise and fall of that society followed a similar trajectory. Read More.
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Perot to be Guest of Honor at Marine Ball
 by Sgt. Lisa Rosborough
This year the "Rangers" of Marine Air Refueler Squadron 234 (VMGR-234) aboard NAS Fort Worth JRB will hold a celebration of the 234th Marine Corps Birthday Ball on Nov. 14 at the Worthington Renaissance Hotel in downtown Fort Worth. The Guest of Honor will be Texas billionaire businessman, H. Ross Perot, Sr.
This year VMGR-234 is holding our very own Ball to celebrate a special anniversary and homecoming for all former VMGR Marines. The sun is rapidly setting on the Marine Corps "Legacy" KC-130 era and with it the special bonds between officers and enlisted that are unique to our crew concept and maintenance community. As this is the 234th anniversary of the founding of the Marine Corps and because VMGR-234 will be the very last "Legacy" KC-130 squadron in the Marine Corps, the CO wanted to mark the occasion with our own "Legacy" KC-130 Ball and welcome home all former squadron members and Legacy KC-130 alumni to be recognized to celebrate our unique bonds with one another.
A limited number of tickets are available to retirees, veterans, and other civilians at $75.00 *bleep*tails start at 6 pm and the ceremony will begin at 7 pm. If interested in attending, please contact Gunnery Sgt. Michael Packer at 817-782-2905.
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Fewer Medal of Honor Recipients Leads to Questions
Eight years of war in Afghanistan and Iraq. About 4,000 members of the U.S. military killed in action. More than 34,000 wounded. Just six considered worthy of America's highest military award for battlefield valor.
For some veterans and members of Congress, that last number doesn't add up.
They question how so few Medals of Honor — all awarded posthumously — could be bestowed for wars of such magnitude and duration.
Pentagon officials say the nature of war has changed. Laser-guided missiles destroy enemy positions without putting soldiers in harm's way. Insurgents deploy roadside bombs rather than engage in firefights they're certain to lose.
Those explanations don't tell the whole story, said Rep. Duncan Hunter, R- Calif., a first-term lawmaker who served combat tours as a Marine in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has sponsored legislation that directs the defense secretary to review current trends in awarding the Medal of Honor to determine what's behind the low count. Read More.
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| Click above to view pdf file our special Texas Veterans Education Section.It contains information about the Texas Veterans Commission, The Post 9-11 GI Bill, the Texas 2-1-1 Partnership, and more. |
Created 2003-02-04 10:24:27 by install
Updated 2009-12-18 09:16:22 by naslife
Military Museum & Memorial Locations
To look for a military museum or memorial in the area where you live in or an area where you may be traveling to refer to the following:
• At http://www.military.com/Resources/ResourceSubmittedFileView file=museums_museum_guide.htm can be found a guide to assist you in locating a military-themed museum, monument or memorial. Where available, a web link, an address, and phone and fax numbers have been provided. The site allows you to select a search by theme (i.e WWII, Civil War, etc.) in state order or by state in alphabetical order.
• At http://usmilitary.about.com/od/museums/Military_Museums.htm can be found a list of online museums.
• At http://www.penfed.org/usawoa/woheritage/foundation_heritage_museum.htm can be found a list of Foundations, Heritage, History & Military Museum Links
Created 2003-02-04 10:24:27 by install
Updated 2009-12-18 09:16:22 by naslife
USS New York Built with 24 Tons of Scrap Steel From World Trade Center
 The USS New York was built with 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center. The USS New York is the fifth in a new class of warship - designed for missions that include special operations against terrorists.
It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines to be delivered ashore by helicopters and assault craft.
Steel from the World Trade Center was melted down in a foundry in Amite, LA to cast the ship's bow section. When it was poured into the molds on Sept 9, 2003, 'those big rough steelworkers treated it with total reverence,' recalled Navy Capt. Kevin Wensing, who was there. 'It was a spiritual moment for everybody there.'
Junior Chavers, foundry operations manager, said that when the trade center steel first arrived, he touched it with his hand and the 'hair on my neck stood up.' 'It had a big meaning to it for all of us,' he said. 'They knocked us down. They can't keep us down. We're going to be back.'
The ship's motto? 'Never Forget'
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2009 Cost of Living Adjustment for Retired Military
Each year military retirement pay is adjusted to meet the increased cost of living. This Cost-of-Living-Adjustment (COLA) varies from year to year based on the previous year's Consumer Price Index (CPI).
2009 Update: The 2009 military retired pay cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will be 5.8%, nearly 2% higher than the 3.9% 2009 Military Pay Raise. This increase, which goes into effect on December 1, 2008, also applies to SBP annuities, Social Security checks, and VA disability and survivor benefits. Retirees will see the increase in their January, 2009 checks.
Note: This annual Cost-of-Living-Adjustment is NOT in anyway related to the annual military pay raise for active duty and reserve servicemembers. In fact, this years COLA increase is larger than the 2009 military pay raise of 3.9%. All retirees who retired before January 1, 2008 will receive the 5.8 percent Cost-of-Living-Adjustment.
Retirees who first became a member of the uniformed services before Sept. 8, 1980 and retired on or after January 1, 2008 will receive the 5.0 percent Cost-of-Living-Adjustment.
Retirees who first became a member of the uniformed services on or after Sept. 8, 1980, and retired in 2008 will receive a Partial COLA on a prorated basis as follows:
• Jan. 1, 2008, and March 31, 2008, will receive 5.0%
• April 1 - June 30, 2008 will receive 3.8%
• July 1 - Sept. 30, 2008 will receive 1.2%
• Those who retired after Oct. 1, 2008, will see no COLA this year.
Retirees who first entered the military after Sept. 8, 1980 and retired before Jan. 1, 2008 will also receive the 5.8 percent COLA. Retirees who first became members of the uniformed services on or after Aug. 1, 1986 and elected to receive a Career Status Bonus at 15 years, and retired on or before Jan. 1, 2008, will receive an increase of only 4.8 percent.
Created 2003-02-04 10:24:27 by install
Updated 2009-12-18 09:16:22 by naslife
Created 2003-02-04 10:24:27 by install
Updated 2009-12-18 09:16:22 by naslife
Iraq House Raid by U.S. Soldiers Now Require Search Warrant
U.S. Soldiers preparing for raids study maps, examine photos of wanted men and check their weapons. Starting next month, they'll have to go see a judge. For nearly six years, American troops have been free under a U.N. mandate to search any home and detain anyone deemed a security risk.
All that changes, when the mandate expires and a U.S.-Iraqi security agreement takes effect. From then on, troops must obtain Iraqi warrants for searches and arrests - and U.S. officers say the requirement is one of the biggest headaches in complying with the new rules.
"It takes away the option of saying, 'hey, this guy just came into town and we want him and we want him now,'" said Capt. Tom Smith, a company commander on his second tour in Iraq. "For some of us who were here before, it feels a bit slow."
The rule would not affect troops under fire or facing an imminent threat, such as a suspected suicide bomber, although evidence and witnesses would be needed to support any action. Read More.
Created 2003-02-04 10:24:27 by install
Updated 2009-12-18 09:16:22 by naslife
Created 2003-02-04 10:24:27 by install
Updated 2009-12-18 09:16:22 by naslife
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