Fallujah Vet 1st Living Medal of Honor Recipient, Iraq War
by Hope Hodge Seck, Military. com June 7, 2019
A former Army staff sergeant who took on enemy fighters at close range, first with an M249 light machine gun and then with a knife, will be the first living veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom to receive the Medal of Honor, Military.com has learned.
David S. Bellavia, 43, of Batavia, New York, will have his Silver Star upgraded to the highest military award for valor in a June 25 ceremony at the White House, a source close to Bellavia confirmed to Military.com. The news of the award was first posted at the American Legion's Burn Pit blog Thursday and then confirmed by Army Times. The White House is expected to announce the award next week.
Bellavia's Silver Star citation, for heroism on Nov. 10, 2004, in Fallujah, Iraq, reads like the script of an action movie. An Infantryman with Company A, Task Force 2-2, 1st Infantry Division, Bellavia was ordered with his platoon to clear a 12-building block in which "jihadists" were taking shelter in order to fire on American troops, according to the citation. You can read more about Army Staff Sergeant Bellavia's actions by going to www.Military.com, June 9th, 2019 edition.
ICE is Deporting Our Vets before checking their Service
June 9, 2019, by Richard Sisk, Military.com
From 2013 to 2018, ICE failed to follow its own policies requiring agents to consider a veteran's military record before beginning the process of removal from the country, according to the report. Time in service, awards and deployments are all among factors that are supposed to be weighed when making a deportment decision.
The policies also call for deportation cases that might involve veterans to be referred to higher headquarters for a decision. Those policies also were not followed, the report states.
Officials at the Department of Homeland Security, the parent agency of ICE, said they didn't consider the veteran and non-veteran status in removal proceedings and were unaware of policies to the contrary.The Government Accountability Office has a recommendation for Immigration and Customs Enforcement: Check to see whether the people it picks up are military veterans before kicking them out of the country.
"We recommended that ICE collect and maintain data on veterans" in accordance with long-established rules at the agency to avoid deporting individuals who may be eligible to stay, the 40-page GAO report states.
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"Through its policies, ICE has established that these noncitizen veterans warrant special consideration in the event that they become subject to immigration enforcement and removal from the United States," GAO officials wrote. "However, because ICE did not consistently adhere to these policies, some veterans who were removed may not have received the level of review and approval that ICE has determined is appropriate for cases involving veterans."
In addition, ICE "does not know exactly how many veterans have been placed in removal proceedings or removed," the report states.
Staff Sergeant Aaron Butler
The Inaugural SSG Aaron Butler Memorial Purple Heart Run, Sat August 17, 2019, Eagle, ID US 83616
MORE THAN A RACE: This is more than a race, it is a celebration of all US servicemembers who have given their lives or parts of themselves physically in combat operations around the globe. The after party promises to be epic. We will have local beer, music, food, local coffee, and lots to do for kids. All race proceeds will go to the Idaho Department and Chief Joseph Chapter 509 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (a 501C3 nonprofit). This event was created by local Purple Heart recipients, and there will be an opportunity for all participants and supporters to meet and learn from those men and women who have been wounded in combat. The race courses will be lined with pictures and stories about Purple Heart Recipients who gave their lives in the Global War on Terror (since 9/11/2001). Bring out your families, let your children meet and absorb the words of Gold Star families (who have lost loved ones in combat), Vietnam War Purple Heart Recipients, and Purple Heart Recipients from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. They are among us every day, this in a unique opportunity for all of us to see and hear from local community members who have given more than most for our Nation.
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CONTACT:
Race Director: Dan Nelson – director.purpleheartrun@gmail.com
Dan is a former US Army Special Forces Officer (Green Beret), and a member of the Chief Joseph Chapter 509 Military Order of the Purple Heart
Welcome! A few topics of interest:
"Should We Keep the Promises Made?"
Our Chairman / Founder Ronald Verini , writes 2 articles a month which are published in a regional newspaper. You can read these articles here on our Webpage just by clicking on the heading 'Veterans Articles'. This Article will be published June 23 2019.
ALSO, be sure to check-out our "Gallery of Veterans Stories" listed under 'More' on our header bar.
What is the White House VA Hotline? 1-855-948-2311
The hotline’s pilot began under direction of the Veterans Experience Office on June 1, 2017, and entered phase two on October 15, 2017.
White House VA Hotline: 1-855-948-2311.
Calls are answered by a live agent 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The hotline is staffed by more than 60 agents who have had extensive training on VA programs and services. Most of these agents are a Veteran, military family member, caregiver or a survivor.
The White House VA Hotline conducts immediate warm hand offs for at-crisis risk Veterans needing the services of the Veterans Crisis Line.
Trends identified by the hotline will be used to rapidly respond to systemic inefficiencies and empower VA employees to resolve Veteran concerns quickly.
VA Will Now Let You Go to Civilian Urgent Care Doctors
Related content:
- How to Use VA's New Urgent Care Benefit
- Disabled Veterans Can Now Fly Space-A
- Got a sore throat or a sprained ankle and don't want to go to a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital? Got sick at 8:00 on a Friday night and don’t want to wait until Monday to see a VA doctor? A new VA program may be for you.
As of June 6, 2019, the VA offers medical care to eligible veterans at selected civilian urgent care facilities nationwide.
May 29, 2019, by Jim Absher, Military.com
VA Puts Emphasis on Suicide Prevention
VeteransCrisisLine.net
1-800-273-8255 press 1
A 'confidential, free resource
even if you're not registered with VA
or not enrolled in VA health care.
ALSO, check-out our directory of "RESOURCES" which you can get to by clicking on our "PROGRAMS/RESOURCES/BOD" section on the Header Bar.
Special Section to 'Commemorate 9/11'
We have added this '9/11 Special' to the top of our "SHOP" Page. Just click on the Red Action Button just below here and it will take you right to the section.
We also have here posted an 'Awareness Story' on AGENT ORANGE from the VA.
Thanks for visiting our VAOI Webpage!
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We really appreciate your interest too, in 'Who we are and What we do'. If you have any questions or suggestions or would like to 'volunteer' or 'donate', well please contact us with an email, a phone call, or just drop on into the office. The 'Red' contact button below will give you our contact info. Thanks
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Our Mission
Is to provide a voice, for Veterans and Active Duty personnel of the Armed Forces of the United States of America and their dependents. To support, Honor, Recognize and Advocate for their needs as members of our Communities, States and Country
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We support 'Our Mission' through Donations and an All Volunteer Staff. Pictured here to the right is a young High School Senior whose Senior Project was to raise money for our Veteran Advocates of Ore-Ida programs, which he did by completing an engine swap in a Ford Taurus and thus raised $2,666.75. He is pictured with our Chairman and a few of our Veteran Volunteers.
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