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Old 09-15-2017, 12:33 PM
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Arrow VFW Action Corps Weekly September 15, 2017

VFW Action Corps Weekly - September 15, 2017
RE: https://www.vfw.org/actioncorpsweekly

(Note: You can go on site to connect with other links for more specifics)

In This Issue:
1. VFW Fall Legislative Conference Presses Priorities
2. VFW Testifies at House Pending Legislation Hearing
3. How the Equifax Breach Puts You at Risk
4. Remembering 9/11
5. National POW/MIA Recognition Day
6. Reserve Forces Policy Board
7. Natural Disaster Resources
8. VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship Application Process Open

1. VFW Fall Legislative Conference Presses Priorities: Nearly 100 VFW and Auxiliary members, primarily from the VFW’s National Legislative Committee, were in the nation’s capital this week to talk with lawmakers about VFW priorities. With sequestration continuing to strangle the budget and blocking needed funding for the military and the Department of Veterans Affairs, the discussion revolved around the impact of this law and the need to repeal it. VFW members also urged their members of Congress to oppose harmful increases to TRICARE cost shares, which seek to balance the budget on the backs of military retirees. Our push for those needed changes continues and all VFW members and supporters are encouraged to contact their members of Congress and urge support for the VFW’s legislative priorities. Read the talking points discussed with Congress and find contact information for your Senators and Representative.



2. VFW Testifies at House Pending Legislation Hearing: The House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a hearing this week to discuss six VFW-supported bills. VFW National Legislative Service Deputy Director John Towles offered the VFW’s support for H.R.3122, the Veterans Care Financial Protection Act of 2017, which would protect veterans receiving Aid & Attendance benefits from dishonest and predatory business practices; and H.R. 3705, the Veterans Fair Debt Notice Act of 2017, which would require the use of certified mail and plain language in certain debt collection activities. Additionally, Towles gave testimony supporting H.R.1721, which would direct the secretary of Veterans Affairs to designate at least one city in the United States each year as an "American World War II City"; H.R.1900, the National Veterans Memorial and Museum Act, which would designate the Veterans Memorial and Museum currently being constructed in Columbus, Ohio, as the National Veterans Memorial and Museum; and two bills that would correct memorial and head marker inconsistencies for eligible spouses and dependent children of veterans whose remains are unavailable, and for those who wish to be buried in cemeteries owned by Native American and Alaska Native tribal organizations. View the hearing or read the testimony. The hearing video begins at the 21:16 mark.



3. How the Equifax Breach Puts You at Risk: In light of last week’s disclosure by credit reporting agency Equifax, where 143 million Americans had their sensitive personal information exposed, there are rising concerns that service members, veterans and their families will be disproportionately affected. Recent analysis by the Consumer Federation of America states that as a result of multiple Permanent Change of Station moves and deployments, service members, veterans and their family members are already twice as likely to have their personal financial information stolen. This recent breach only makes matters worse. While there is no immediate means for recourse, the VFW recommends verifying if your information was compromised by going to the Equifax Cybersecurity Incident. In the event that it has, you will be given the option to enroll for free in TrustedID, which is Equifax’s credit monitoring service, for a period of one year. For our active duty members, federal law provides you the right to place what is called an “Active Duty” alert on your credit report. This alert ensures that lenders must take additional steps to verify your identity prior to opening any new accounts. In order to sign up for the alert, you must register with each credit reporting agency separately –– Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Finally, it is worth noting that there has been a surge of scam artists posing as Equifax employees and calling people to verify their information. If you receive a call like this, do not reveal any of your information. Instead, take note of the phone number, the time, and the name of the individual and report it to the Federal Trade Commission.



4. Remembering 9/11: VFW Posts across the nation gathered on Monday to remember when our nation was viciously attacked 16 years ago. At the Pentagon, President Trump addressed more than 300 family members of the 184 Americans who died either inside the building or aboard hijacked American Airlines Flight 77. “Today, our entire nation grieves with you and with every family of those 2,977 innocent souls who were murdered by terrorists 16 years ago,” he said, adding that the living, breathing soul of America wept with grief for every life taken on that day. The terrorists who attacked the United States thought they could incite fear and weaken the spirit of the nation, he noted, “But America cannot be intimidated, and those who try will soon join the long list of vanquished enemies who dared to test our mettle.” Read more here.



5. National POW/MIA Recognition Day: The VFW joined in ceremonies at the Pentagon today to honor our nation’s former prisoners of war, and to remember nearly 83,000 other Americans who remain missing and unaccounted-for going back to World War II, as well as their families. The nation sets aside the third Friday in September to recognize and remember former POWs and our MIAs, but for nearly 700 military and civilian men and women assigned to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, every day is another opportunity to recover, identify and return a fallen American home to a loving family that still waits. Learn more about DPAA.



6. Reserve Forces Policy Board: On Wednesday, the VFW participated in the annual meeting of the Reserve Forces Policy Board (RFPB), which was established to assess and make recommendations to the secretary of defense on policies pertaining to the reserve components. This meeting focused on duty status reform, army sustainable readiness, and enlisted personnel concerns, as presented by the senior enlisted advisor from each service. Read more about RFPB.


7. Natural Disaster Resources: Back-to-back Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, along with western wildfires, have caused massive destruction to life and property, as well as disrupted health and medical services to veterans, service members and their families. Both the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs have published information and guidance on impacts to services and resources for those in the affected areas.



For TRICARE beneficiaries:

https://tricare.mil/Resources/Disast...ngtonWildFires
https://tricare.mil/Resources/Disast...toRico_FL_Irma
https://tricare.mil/Resources/Disast...7_Texas_Harvey

For information on VA hospitals, clinics, centers, pharmacies and regional offices:
http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/hurricane-irma/
http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/hurricane-harvey/



8. VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship Application Process Open: The application process for the 2018 class of legislative fellows is open. The program, which is in its fourth year, is for VFW members who attend school on a campus with an approved SVA chapter. Ten student-veterans are selected for the semester-long program. Focusing on real policy issues faced by veterans, the military and their families, the capstone of the program is participation in the 2018 VFW’s Legislative Conference. Learn more about the program or apply.
__________________
Boats

O Almighty Lord God, who neither slumberest nor sleepest; Protect and assist, we beseech thee, all those who at home or abroad, by land, by sea, or in the air, are serving this country, that they, being armed with thy defence, may be preserved evermore in all perils; and being filled with wisdom and girded with strength, may do their duty to thy honour and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"IN GOD WE TRUST"
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