I know this is short notice but the Vet Corps is doing a networking night tonight at Kane Hall, Room 220 (UW Seattle campus). Employers like Starbucks, Amazon, T-Mobile and more will be there and are interested in your military experience. The event goes from 4:00 – 7:30pm. For more info please visit the UW Careers site.
All posts by vfwpost2713
VA Struggles To Provide Vets With Mental Health Care
Over the past five years, the Department of Veterans Affairs says, the number of former service members seeking mental health services has climbed by a third. In response, the agency has boosted funding and tightened standards.
Now, any vet asking for help is supposed to be evaluated within 24 hours and start treatment within two weeks. The VA has claimed that happens in the vast majority of cases, but a new investigation by the agency’s inspector general says the VA statistics are skewed to make wait times appear shorter.
Read more or listen to the story at NPR.
Flag at Half Staff reminder
Governor Chris Gregoire has directed flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff Friday, April 20, 2012, in memory of U. S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal Ramon T. Kaipat, 22, of Tacoma, who died April 11 while conducting combat operations in Afghanistan.
Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business Friday.
Other government entities, citizens and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.
A funeral service will be on Saturday, April 21 at 1:00 pm. The location is pending.
Veterans Crisis Line
The Veterans Crisis Line connects Veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text. Veterans and their loved ones can call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1,chat online, or send a text message to 838255 to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. More about the Veterans Crisis Line
Dateline’s Ep focusing on “Hiring our Heroes”
Mountain to Sound Gear Swap
Deadline for Retroactive Stop Loss Pay now 10/21/12
The 2009 War Supplemental Appropriations Act established Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay (RSLSP), providing $500 for each month/partial month served in stop loss status. Service members, veterans, and beneficiaries of servicemembers whose service was involuntarily extended under Stop Loss between Sept. 11, 2001 and Sept. 30, 2009 are eligible for RSLSP.
To receive this benefit, those who served under stop loss must submit a claim for the special pay. Throughout the year, the services have been reaching out to servicemembers, veterans and their families through direct mail, veteran service organizations, and the media. But there is still money left to be claimed, and the deadline is approaching. The average benefit is $3,700.
For more information please visit the DOD website.
Pat’s Run
Pat’s Run is the signature fundraising event for the Pat Tillman Foundation. Held annually in April at Arizona State University’s Sun Devil Stadium, the event attracts more than 35,000 participants, volunteers and spectators from across the country. Together they Run, Walk and Honor Pat’s legacy while raising important funds to support the programs created to pay tribute to his commitment to leadership and service.
If you are unable to participate in the 8th Annual Pat’s Run in Tempe on Saturday, April 21, 2012, you can still Run, Walk and Honor. Proceeds from Pat’s Run directly support the Tillman Military Scholars program.
Through a partnership with the ASU Alumni Association, Pat’s Run Shadow Runs will be held in cities across the country on or near April 21.
Pat’s Run Shadow Runs are casual, fun runs held in community parks, schools and recreational areas. Register online and select the Shadow Run team representing the city you wish to participate in.
For those interested click for more information about the Pat Tillman Foundation.
Post Updates & Meeting 3/6
There have been a lot of changes recently at our Post. Commander Zuber has moved on to Philly with a new and exciting job and Senior Vice Ray Fairbanks will be taking over for him in the interim. Also Quartermaster/Hall Manger Steve Strand has passed on his duties as the Hall Manager to Adjutant Nick Sullivan.
The biggest changes come soon when next week, at the next Post Meeting, nominations begin for all Post leadership. All members who want to help shape the future of our post are welcome to come. We look forwarding to seeing as many of our members there as possible.
Regards,
Adjutant/Hall Manager
Nick Sullivan
‘Band of Brothers’ soldier dies at 90
BURLINGTON, Wash. — Lynn D. “Buck” Compton, a veteran whose World War II exploits were depicted in the HBO 
miniseries “Band of Brothers,” has died, his family said.
Compton died Saturday in Burlington, Wash., after having a heart attack last month, the family told the Los Angeles Times in a story Tuesday.
In January, nearly 200 guests, including actors from the miniseries, attended his 90th birthday party, the Skagit Valley Herald reported.
“To us he wasn’t really a war hero, he was just a hero, period,” Tracy Compton told the Herald.
Lynn Compton also is remembered for his legal career in California. He headed the team that prosecuted Sirhan B. Sirhan for the slaying of Robert F. Kennedy and was appointed to the 2nd District Court of Appeal in 1970 by Gov. Ronald Reagan. He retired from the bench in 1990.
Read more at MSNBC…
VFW Post 2713 | Farwell-Roosevelt 