VFW Action Corps Weekly – November 23, 2016

VFW Action Corps Weekly – November 23, 2016

In This Issue:

1. VFW Joins Give an Hour on SiriusXM Radio
2. Air Force Announces New Top Enlisted Advisor
3. Overseas Military Shipping Deadlines Near
4. MyVA311
5. MIA Update

1. VFW Joins Give an Hour on SiriusXM Radio: On Monday, VFW National Commander Brian Duffy joined with Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, and Give An Hour President Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen, to discuss the campaign to change how our nation perceives mental health care challenges faced by veterans, service members, and the nation as a whole. SiriusXM Radio hosted the event, entitled “Changing the Culture of Mental Health: It’s Time.” The hour-long discussion will air on Nov. 24 at 6 p.m. EST on SiriusXM channel 126. To hear an excerpt of the Chief’s comments, go to https://soundcloud.com/siriusxm-news-issues/brian-duffy-vfw-1.

2. Air Force Announces New Top Enlisted Advisor: Chief Master Sgt. Kaleth Wright has been selected to become the next chief master sergeant of the Air Force. He will succeed current CMSAF James Cody, who is retiring in February. Chief Wright is currently the senior enlisted advisor to U.S. Air Forces in Europe and U.S. Air Forces Africa. The 27-year Desert Storm veteran previously served as the command chief of the 3rd Air Force and 17th Expeditionary Air Force at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, the 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force-Afghanistan in Kabul, Afghanistan, and the 22nd Air Refueling Wing at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. Read more at https://www.airforcetimes.com/articles/meet-the-next-chief-master-sergeant-of-the-air-force?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Mil%20EBB%2011.17.16&utm_term=Editorial%20-%20Military%20-%20Early%20Bird%20Brief.

3. Overseas Military Shipping Deadlines Near: The Military Postal Service Agency is alerting everyone that holiday shipping deadlines to overseas areas are rapidly approaching. Check mailing deadlines on its website at http://hqdainet.army.mil/mpsa/index.htm.

4. MyVA311: Last week, VA launched 1-844-MyVA311 (1-844-698-2311) as a 24/7 one-stop information service platform for all VA services. Veterans, families and caregivers who call MyVA311 can be connected to disability, pension, health care eligibility, enrollment, and burial benefits, the veterans crisis line, the homeless veterans helpline and to a self-service locator to find the nearest VA facility.  This is an effort to ensure veterans no longer have to know what number to call for specific programs and services, instead, veterans can call MyVA311 and be connected to the correct call center. If you know what number you’re calling – keep calling it. None of the existing VA numbers will go away.

5. MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced the identification of remains of four Americans who had been missing in action from World War II and Korea. Returning home for burial with full military honors are:

— Army Pfc. Daniel Hunt, 18, of Columbiaville, Mich., will be buried Dec. 2 in Phoenix, Ariz. On Sept. 28, 1951, Hunt was a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, fighting in Korean border area often referred to as Heartbreak Ridge. Hunt was reported missing in action after a series of battles. Read more at http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/Article/1011148/soldier-missing-from-korean-war-accounted-for-hunt/.

— Army Cpl. Vernon D. Presswood, 19, will be buried Dec. 3 in his hometown of Pinckneyville, Ill. In late November 1950, Hendrickson was a member of Heavy Mortar Company, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, which was assembled into the 31st Regimental Combat Team and deployed east of the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea, when it was engaged by overwhelming numbers of Chinese forces. Presswood was reported missing in action as of Dec. 2, 1950. Read more at http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/Article/1011150/soldier-killed-in-korean-war-accounted-for-presswood/.

— Army Air Forces 1st Lt. Robert E. Moessner. On April 18, 1944, Moessner was the bombardier of a B-24 aircraft out of Kwelin, China, when it was shot down near Hong Kong. Of the 12 crewmembers aboard, only two would survive the crash landing in shallow water. Interment services are pending. Read more at http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/1010134/airman-missing-from-world-war-ii-identified-moessner/.

— Army Sgt. 1st Class Harold P. Haugland, of Gallatin, Mont. In late November 1950, Haugland was a member of Company D, 15th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion, 7th Infantry Division, which was assembled into the 31st Regimental Combat Team and deployed east of the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea, when it was engaged by overwhelming numbers of Chinese forces. Haugland was reported missing in action as of Dec. 2, 1950. Interment services are pending. Read more at http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/1008321/soldier-missing-from-korean-war-identified-haugland/.