VFW Action Corps Weekly
August 21, 2020
In This Issue:
1. Postal Delays May Impact Medication Shipments
2. The VFW Podcast Hits Airwaves Oct. 7
3. VA Partners with OnStar to Combat Veteran Suicide
4. Blood Donations Need Still Critical
5. DPAA Cancels Meeting
6. MIA Update
1. Postal Delays May Impact Medication Shipments: VA explained last week that approximately 90 percent of Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy (CMOP) packages are shipped to veterans by the USPS. CMOP has detected hot spots with delivery delays (Detroit, parts of New York and New Jersey) and proactively converted from USPS to United Parcel Service (UPS) 2nd Day Air for those areas until service levels can be returned to normal. The VFW is working with our supporters in the House and Senate to monitor this situation in order to ensure the health and well-being of our veterans remains paramount, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. The VFW Podcast Hits Airwaves Oct. 7: In an effort to provide our veterans, service members, and military families with current information on key veteran legislation, educational and financial assistance programs, national veterans services, critical initiatives from the VFW national commander-in-chief, and much more, the VFW is turning to the podcast world. We will chat with congressional leadership, Department of Veterans Affairs executives, Department of Defense senior officials, VFW leaders, and everyday veterans from around the globe about issues that matter most to you. Stay tuned as we prepare to launch the VFW Podcast the first Wednesday of October, November, and December. In 2021, the podcast will air two episodes each month, every first and third Wednesday.
3. VA Partners with OnStar to Combat Veteran Suicide: VA announced its new partnership with OnStar emergency services to improve access to suicide prevention resources for veterans. Veterans in crisis will be able to connect to VA’s Veterans Crisis Line by using the emergency services button in an OnStar-equipped vehicle or OnStar Guardian smartphone app. “The VA-OnStar partnership aims to promote suicide prevention and reduce deaths by suicide by providing additional resources to veterans,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “This partnership will help veterans access suicide prevention support services and assistance directly and immediately. More than 400 VA suicide prevention coordinators and their teams, located at every VA medical center, connect veterans with care and educate the community about suicide prevention programs and resources daily.” Read more.
4. Blood Donations Need Still Critical: The Red Cross strongly urges healthy, eligible individuals who are feeling well to give blood to help maintain a sufficient supply for those battling COVID-19, other infections, and trauma victims. Please schedule an appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor app, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, or calling 1.800.RED.CROSS (1.800.733.2767).
5. DPAA Cancels Meeting: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) has announced that the Family Member Update to be held September 12, 2020, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, has been canceled. If you have further questions, DPAA asks that you contact your service casualty officer. Learn more.
6. MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced two new identifications for service members who have been missing and unaccounted-for from WWII. Returning home for burial with full military honors are:
— Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Charles G. McMackin, 26, was assigned to the 68th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 8th Air Force. On Aug. 1, 1943, the B-24 Liberator aircraft on which McMackin was serving as a bombadier crashed as a result of enemy anti-aircraft fire during Operation TIDAL WAVE, the largest bombing mission against the oil fields and refineries at Ploiesti, north of Bucharest, Romania. Interment services are pending. Read about McMackin.
— Army Sgt. John E. Hurlburt, 26, was a member of the 105th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division. He was killed July 7, 1944, during a massive Japanese attack against the 105th on the island of Saipan. Interment services are pending. Read about Hurlburt.
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