VFW Action Corps Weekly
November 6, 2020
In This Issue:
1. Veterans Day Events
2. “Find A Veteran, Post A Tribute” Campaign Launched
3. Veterans Appreciation Day at Gettysburg
4. Veterans Day Discounts and Freebies
5. Walmart Reopens Five VA Telehealth Access Points
6. MIA Update
1. Veterans Day Events: This year virtual events will be held to commemorate Veterans Day. The Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service will produce a livestreamed event from the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 11, at 9 a.m. EST. The U.S. Army Military District of Washington will conduct a livestreamed Presidential Uniformed Services Full Honor Wreath-Laying Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. EST. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund will host a virtual commemoration in place of a ceremony at The Wall on Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. EST.
2. “Find A Veteran, Post A Tribute” Campaign Launched: The VA National Cemetery Administration has launched a “Find A Veteran, Post A Tribute” campaign to increase awareness of the Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM). VLM is a completely digital platform that allows family, friends, and others to post tributes to the individual pages of the more than 3.7 million veterans interred in VA’s national cemeteries. Members of the public are encouraged to join in memorializing the service and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans by posting a tribute and sharing veterans’ tribute pages to their social media accounts. Learn more.
3. Veterans Appreciation Day at Gettysburg: Gettysburg National Military Park and the Gettysburg Foundation have announced it will hold a special Veterans Appreciation Day on Nov. 12. Veterans can enjoy free admission to the Film, Cyclorama & Museum Experience at the Museum & Visitor Center. Guests have the unique opportunity to see the Gettysburg Cyclorama painting in a special “lights up” presentation and discussion. Read more.
4. Veterans Day Discounts and Freebies: As a display of gratitude and appreciation, community partners have joined together on Veterans Day to honor service members, veterans, and their families for their sacrifice and dedication to our nation. Participating Sport Clips locations will be offering free haircuts to active-duty U.S. service members and veterans on Nov. 11. Walgreens will be offering a 20% discount for military service members, veterans, and their families Nov. 11-15. Additional Veterans Day discounts.
5. Walmart Reopens Five VA Telehealth Access Points: VA has announced five Accessing Telehealth through Local Area Stations (ATLAS) sites in select Walmart stores have resumed clinical services for veterans in rural areas. VA suspended the operation of clinical services at all ATLAS sites in April to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The reopened ATLAS sites give veterans more options to receive care that does not require hands-on exams, such as primary care, nutrition, mental health counseling and social work. 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 World War II. Returning home for burial with full military honors are:
— Army Cpl. Paul W. Wilkins, 19, was a member of B Company, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on July 11, 1950, when his unit was fighting enemy forces near Choch’iwan, South Korea. He was never found, nor were any remains recovered that could be identified as Wilkins. The Army declared a presumptive finding of death for Wilkins on Dec. 31, 1953, and he was declared non-recoverable on Jan. 16, 1956. Interment services are pending. Read about Wilkins.
— Navy Coxswain Paul L. Boemer, 21, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Boemer. Interment services are pending. Read about Boemer.
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