The registration period for the Reading of The Names has been extended. You now have until Friday, Aug. 25, 2017, to register to be a part of the monumental event in honor of the 58,318 names that are inscribed on The Wall. This is an event that happens once every five years and is a special way to commemorate The Wall’s 35th Anniversary this year. If you are already registered your time slot will be confirmed on Sept. 1. The registration link and all of the details about Reading of The Names can be found at www.vvmf.org. The Reading of The Names will begin with the opening ceremony at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7, and the reading will begin at 4 p.m. that day and continue until midnight. Volunteers will read from 5 a.m. to midnight for the following three days, Nov. 8-10. One reading slot is 30 names and read over 2 minutes.
Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization
Last week, the House passed the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017 during a pro forma legislative session. It will now be sent to the president for his signature. This bill would create three separate paths for veterans to choose from when seeking redress from a decision by the Veterans Benefits Administration on their claims for VA benefits. The measure allows certain veterans already going through the appeals process to opt in to the new system and gives the VA secretary the authority to test facets of the new system prior to full implementation. The bill also requires VA to provide a comprehensive plan for both implementing the new system and processing the existing appeals. Currently, over a half million veterans are awaiting a response to their existing appeals.
Arlington National Cemetery
Every cemetery has a lifespan and the hallowed ground that is Arlington National Cemetery is no exception. Based on current projections, Arlington will run out of burial space in about 25 years, unless changes are made to restrict eligibility, expand the geographical footprint of the cemetery or some combination of both. Via Public Law 114-58, Congress directed the secretary of the Army to examine ways to extend the life expectancy of the cemetery well into the future. The report released earlier this year identified a number of options ranging from continuing the status quo to restricting interments to Medal of Honor recipients only. The Army has not yet taken a position regarding the recommendations. Instead, the Army is opening a national dialogue to help ensure all military personnel and veterans are aware of the challenges facing Arlington National Cemetery.
Flu Shots Start Tuesday
Beginning Aug. 15, all VA-enrolled veterans can begin receiving annual flu shots at their local Walgreens or Duane Reade pharmacies. While this immunization program is limited to just VA patients, Walgreens can provide flu shots to most VFW members and their families through other coverage programs, such as TRICARE, Medicare and most insurances.
POW/MIA Update
Army Cpl. Sgt. Stafford L. Morris, 24, of Allentown, Pa., was buried Aug. 5 in Atlanta. It would be later learned that Morris had been captured but died in captivity on Jan. 21, 1951.
Navy Fireman 1st Class Lawrence H. Fecho, 20, of Willow City, N.D., whose remains were identified earlier, was buried Aug. 13 in Bottineau, N.D.
Navy Radioman 2nd Class Walter H. Backman, 22, of Walton, N.D., was stationed aboard the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Interment services are pending.
Navy Radioman 2nd Class Quentin J Gifford, 22, of Mankato, Minn., was stationed aboard the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Interment services are pending.
Army Cpl. Roy J. Hopper was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment. He was reported killed in action on July 31, 1950. Interment services are pending.
Army Sgt. 1st Class Alfred G. Bensinger, of Oklahoma, was a member of Company D, 2nd Engineer Combat Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division. Interment services are pending.
Army Pfc. Walter C. Hackenberg, of Beavertown, Pa., was a member of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, when Chinese and North Korean forces attacked his unit west of Chorw’on, South Korea, in April 1951. He was declared missing in action as of April 25, 1951. Interment services are pending.
Till next week, praying for all service members.
– Charles Castelluccio
