PRESS LINKS

  AUGUST 2008
Aug. 5, 2008

DEFENSE LAUNCHES MENTAL HEALTH PORTAL FOR VETS [21]

Excerpt -- "The Defense Department's Military Health System launched on Aug. 5 a behavioral health Web portal that will allow service members to anonymously seek mental health treatments for maladies such as combat stress and post-traumatic stress disorder in what the agency called a "stigma free" environment. "
  JULY 2008
July 28, 2008

22,000 VETERANS FLOCK TO NEW SUICIDE HOTLINE, FEDS SAY [2]

Excerpt -- "According to a recent RAND Corp. study, roughly one in five soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan displays symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, putting them at a higher risk for suicide. Researchers at Portland State University found that male veterans are twice as likely to commit suicide than men who are not veterans."
July 6, 2008

LENDING A HAND TO HOMELESS VETERANS [2]

Excerpt -- "Eight veterans already have moved into their new quarters in the previously vacant apartment complex in the 7300 block of Fannin. Applications to fill up the 14 units still are being accepted."
  JUNE 2008
June 26, 2008

DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO OPEN FOUR NEWS OUTPATIENT CLINICS [16]

Excerpt -- "The Department of Veterans Affairs said Thursday it will open four new community-based outpatient clinics in southeast Texas before winter 2009. The clinics will be located in Katy, Lake Jackson, Richmond/Rosenberg and Tomball. They will provide primary care, phlebotomy, social work, nutrition, and mental health services for veterans."
June 10, 2008

VETERANS GET NEW SMILES FAST USING HIGH-TECH DENTISTRY [20]

Excerpt -- "The software, under the direction of the dentist, constructs the restoration on the digitized model and sends the information to a carving device which mills out the final crown for insertion. The process can be completed during a two-hour office visit saving up to two- to six-week waits and office visits required by conventional techniques ... More than 100 veterans have been treated with this technology, and many more are scheduled. "
June 8, 2008

D-DAY HELMET KEEPS MEMORY ALIVE [2]

Excerpt -- "The soldier has been gone since 2001, so there's no way to know how he would have responded to having his helmet liner - recently discovered on the shelf of a garden shed in France - mailed to him by an appreciative Frenchman.

"He probably would've just said something like, 'It didn't help me much then, and I guess it won't help me much now,'" the son said."
  MAY 2008
May 2008

HOUSTON NAMED ONE OF THE MOST MILITARY-FRIENDLY CITIES TO LIVE AND WORK [15]

Excerpt -- "Another area in Texas I like a lot for appreciation, stability and military "friendliness" is Houston, with an entire e-Government system just for veterans available at www.houstontx.gov/vetaffairs. Their goal is to offer incredible service to those who have done the same for our country."
  APRIL 2008
April 2008

AID FOR VETERANS WITH ASBESTOS-RELATED DISEASES [19]

Navy veterans who served in the 1940s through the 1960s may now be subject to illnesses as a result of their exposure to asbestos while onboard military ships.
April 16, 2008

HUD AND VA TO PROVIDE PERMANENT HOUSING FOR AN ESTIMATED 10,000 HOMELESS VETERANS [18]

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced a new $75-million program April 16 to provide rental housing for homeless veterans nationally, including 385 in the Houston area.
April 3, 2008

MOBILE LAW OFFICE HELPING VETS GET BENEFITS [17]

Project SALUTE cites the local attorneys' volunteer program as a model for the nation. It has already helped one Houston veteran get more than $92,000 in back pay.
April 1, 2008

VA RECEIVES $12.3M FOR FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS [16]

A federal grant will enable the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center to expand mental health services and enhance care at outpatient clinics.
  MARCH 2008
March 31, 2008

VIETNAM WALL GOES DIGITAL [15]

A new website can pinpoint a veterans' names on the Memorial wall and access biographical details of their military service.
March 31, 2008

A HEALTHIER HOMECOMING [2]

A March 31 Houston Chronicle editorial commended the City of Houston for hiring a full-time veterans' affairs director, and it praised the city and Harris County for taking other steps to ease the transition of veterans returning from combat. The Chronicle also called for more to be done locally to prepare for the anticipated increases in care needed for veterans with post-traumatic stress or brain injuries.
March 18, 2008

IRS ANNOUNCES REBATE PAYMENT CALCULATOR [15]

Eligible veterans who ordinarily would not have to file a 2008 tax return should submit one before April 15 so they can receive their federal economic stimulus payment. Here is the IRS schedule that shows when you can expect to receive your check of up to $600.
March 2008

PROGRAM CONNECTS WOUNDED VETERANS [15]

Enable America Provides the Wounded with VetConnect Program Job Opportunities
March 2008

HOUSING FOR FAMILIES OF WOUNDED WARRIORS [14]

A March 18 open house in San Antonio marks the beginning of the Operation Homefront Village to provide free, temporary housing to wounded veterans and their families. Here is the link to the Texas Chapter: www.operationhomefront.net/Chapter_root/chapter_index.asp?Chapter_ID=44 .
  FEBRUARY 2008
Feb. 27, 2008

ASSETS & ANSWERS [2]

Handy information for veterans to know that they may be eligible for the federal payment even if they don't have to file an income tax return. (And the answer gives the contact info to find out more....)
Feb. 27, 2008

PAT RILEY AND HOMEAID LAUNCH NEW WOUNDED VETERANS PROGRAM TO ADDRESS EMPLOYABILITY FOR RETURNING HEROES [13]

A Wounded Veterans Program facility is planned for Houston, as part of a new project by HomeAid and the NBA's Pat Riley.
Feb. 25, 2008

VETS SUFFER AS DD214 ERRORS INCREASE [12]

Concerns are increasing over discharge document errors and the backlog for corrections.
Feb. 16, 2008

STIMULUS PAYMENTS: INSTRUCTIONS FOR LOW-INCOME WORKERS AND RECIPIENTS OF SOCIAL SECURITY AND CERTAIN VETERANS' BENEFITS [11]

Vets Eligible for Rebate Payments of Up to $600: Here is how to apply: 
February 2008

POSTAL SERVICE OFFERS FIRST-TIME MILITARY DISCOUNT [10]

Beginning March 4, the U.S. Postal Service will offer a discount for flat-rate boxes sent to overseas military personnel.
Feb. 7, 2008

TEXAS GETS $115 MILLION IN FUNDS FOR VA FACILITIES [2]

The federal Department of Veteran Affairs will receive $115 million for VA improvements in Texas.
Feb. 2, 2008

FOR AN INJURED VETERAN, OPTIMISM IS HALF THE BATTLE [2]

Dillon Cannon, a wounded Houston Iraq War veteran, credits optimism and keeping busy with the progress in his rehabilitation.  
  JANUARY 2008
Jan. 30, 2008

VETERAN'S GRAVE MYSTERY [9]

Elks Lodge members have a new mission: locating the gravesite of former WWII Army Sgt. Ralph Douglas Preston, who died in Houston in 1979. The lodge wants his tombstone, found recently near a Stafford gas station, returned to his burial place.
Jan. 29, 2008

STREET NAMED AFTER FALLEN SOLDIER [7]

The Houston suburb of Richmond renamed a street in honor of Iraq War casualty Forrest John Waterbury. His father plans to begin a website to help other families of fallen U.S. soldiers get streets named to honor them.
Jan. 28, 2008

FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM ON DUTY AND DEATH IN THE MILITARY [8]

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram calls for a change in the law requiring the government to try to collect on veteran-related debts from the families of military personnel killed in action.
Jan. 19, 2008

BACK FROM WAR, BUT NOT THE SAME [2]

Houston Veteran Finds Help in Struggle with PTSD ... Authorities estimate that 18 percent of returning Iraq War veterans and 11 percent of Afghanistan veterans will have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). A recent Houston Chronicle article focused on area college student Jay Velasquez, who returned to Houston with symptoms of PTSD from Iraq. He credits the Vets Journey Home program and Veteran Affairs Vet Center counseling with assisting him in coping with the disorder.
Jan. 18, 2008

NEWS ABOUT TEXAS COLLEGES [4]

If you are veteran who had legal permanent U.S. residency when you enlisted, you are eligible for free tuition at Texas public colleges and universities. A lawsuit over the issue prompted the state to change its stance and allow tuition waivers for these veterans.
Jan. 18, 2008

EDITORIAL: ARMY IS RESPONDING TO THE FIGHT AT HOME [5]

Let the new Warrior Transition Units help you with personalized care. The new program is available to assist you at military posts and VA medical facilities.
Jan. 12, 2008

LETTER: VALENTINES FOR HOSPITALIZED VETERANS [3]

Make a vow to include some very special people -- hospitalized veterans -- on this Valentine's Day. Here's how to send notes or even visit those in the VA Hospital, as part of the National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans week.  
Jan. 6, 2008

BECOMING BATTLE READY FOR CIVILIAN WORK FORCE [6]

The Department of Defense and employers are helping in the task of transitioning your skills from the military to the civilian work force. Job search preparation and help is available.
  2007
Oct. 30, 2007

CITY OF HOUSTON CREATES OFFICE OF VETERANS AFFAIRS [2]

Oct. 29, 2007

MAYOR BILL WHITE NAMES ARMY VETERAN TO HEAD NEW CITY OF HOUSTON OFFICE OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS [1]

[1] Office of Veterans Affairs
[2] Houston Chronicle
[3] Lufkin Daily News
[4] Austin American-Statesman
[5] San Antonio Express-News
[6] Seattle Times
[7] www.abc13.com
[8] Ft. Worth Star-Telegram
[9] www.khou.com
[10] USPS Postal News
[11] Internal Revenue Service
[12] Buffalo News
[13] www.primenewswire.com
[14] Operation Homefront Village
[15] www.military.com
[16] Houston Business Journal
[17] Stars and Stripes
[18] www.hud.gov
[19] www.mesotheliomaweb.org
[20] www.houston.va.gov
[21] www.govexec.com