Military Kids Can Gain Free Money for College

I owe my college degree to the military.

I had more than 100 credits under my belt when I dropped out of college in my junior year. I was in love, got married and started working full-time. I attempted to take a class here and there, but it was a struggle with bills to pay and a house to run.Complete story

TRICARE Extends OTC Medication Project

FALLS CHURCH, Va. - TRICARE's over-the-counter medication demonstration project has been extended by one year. The program allows TRICARE beneficiaries to substitute over-the-counter (OTC) versions of certain prescription drugs.Complete story

Veterans Day Message from Senator Herb Kohl

In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson observed the first Armistice Day, which would later become Veterans’ Day, by reflecting “with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory.” Ninety years later, Americans everywhere continue to honor the service and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans on November 11, the anniversary of the end of World War I.

One tradition I have been proud to participate in is the Honor Flight program. Honor Flight brings World War II veterans to Washington free of charge to visit their war memorial for the first time. Last year, this program helped over 11,000 veterans visit the memorial that was constructed in their honor. I have been proud to personally support this effort, and honored to meet Wisconsin veterans during their visit to the World War II memorial. To learn more about Honor Flight, please visit their website at: Link

While meeting Wisconsin veterans on an Honor Flight, I was deeply troubled to meet a man who had not received the awards he deserved because his service records were destroyed in a fire. He was wounded at the battle of Zigzag Pass in the Philippines, but the Army rejected his two previous Purple Heart applications because of the missing records. After working with the Army, enough information was found in reconstructed records to allow me to present the veteran with his long overdue medals, including the Purple Heart and Bronze Star, on September 11, 2009.

Preserving the memories of the men and women who defended our country is more important than ever. In 2000, Congress created the Veterans History Project to collect interviews with veterans, as well as wartime letters and photographs. The Library of Congress saves these valuable memories for future generations, and Americans everywhere can submit material to the collection and join this effort.

To participate in the Veterans History Project, I encourage you to visit their website at Link. Visitors can search the project’s collection and read about the experiences of our country in wartime. You can also download a field kit to submit your own interviews or materials to the collection.

Veterans Day gives us an opportunity to honor those who defended our freedom – but we must also remember the tragedy of war. Armistice Day became Veterans Day in 1954, after World War II and the Korean War ended the hope that World War I would be the “war to end all wars.” President Eisenhower’s proclamation called on Americans to “solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly…and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain.”

Harley-Davidson Honoring U.S. Military in November

Special contest for active and retired military personnel

Harley-Davidson has declared November to be "Military Appreciation Month" to honor the service of active and retired U.S. military personnel. Military personnel can enter the contest by visiting Link

Harley-Davidson has also created a series of 14 electronic postcards featuring motorcycles and Miller for people to send to members of the military. The postcards, also available at Link feature Miller dressed in uniforms of all five branches of the U.S. military in the style of World War II-era posters.

The Harley-Davidson Museum will also offer free admission to all military personnel and their families Nov. 7-11 for "Salute to Military" weekend. The St. John's Northwestern Military Academy and the Disabled American Veterans Mobile Services Office unit are scheduled for a special performance

Military to Open Virtual High School

Defense Department schools, in particular, have made an effort to stay at the forefront of the technology movement. They've offered distance learning to their students for years and now are putting the finishing touches on a new virtual high school. Complete story

Shinseki Announces Veterans' Stories Posted on VA's Web Page

Shinseki announced the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will join with the Library of Congress to host a "Veterans History Countdown" on the VA Web site - VA Web Site - featuring the oral histories of Veterans from every state and U.S. territory. Complete story

Veterans Eat Free at Applebee's

Military veterans and active-duty servicemembers will be able to eat for free at any Applebee's across the U.S. on Veterans Day, Wed., Nov. 11, 2009. There will be six entrees from the menu to choose from. Guests will be asked to show one or more of the following as proof of service: a U.S. Uniform Services Identification Card, U.S. Uniform Services Retired Identification Card, Current Leave and Earnings Statement, Veterans Organization Card, a photograph in uniform, or wearing a uniform in person. For more information about Veterans Day at Applebee's, visit the Applebee's website at Link. A complete listing of all Applebee's locations is available at Location

WDVA Primary Mortgage Loan Funds Depletion

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China to Militarize Space 'for Peace'

China will develop an air force with integrated capabilities for both offensive and defensive operations in space as well as in air, the commander of China's air force says.Complete story

Retiree Cola Buried In Oil; Widows' SBP Win Upheld

It was higher oil prices last year that led to the largest annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to federal entitlements since 1982. Good thing, too. Complete story

VA Seeks Temporary Contractor to Help Process Education Claims

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issued a solicitation for temporary contractor support to assist in processing the increased volume of education claims received since implementing the new Post-9/11 GI Bill.Complete story

Residency Benefits Extended to Military Spouses

WASHINGTON - Congress on Monday sent President Barack Obama a bill that allows military spouses to claim residency in the same state as their wives or husbands. Under current law, servicemembers can choose to keep their original residency as they relocate.Complete story

DWD Assistance for Dislocated Workers

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development has an internet tool for Wisconsin workers who are facing the difficult challenges of finding new/additional employment, learning new skills for currently available opportunities, locating financial assistance, or learning to cope emotionally with job-loss. This web site provides vital and useful information on programs to help workers and employers when staff reductions, business closings and mass layoffs occur. Assistance is available to all unemployed workers and additional help may be available to "dislocated workers." You may be a "dislocated worker" if you have been laid off, received a notice of termination or layoff, or were self-employed and are now unemployed due to economic conditions or natural disaster. To find this website, go to: Link

Veterans Affairs Secretary Unveils Plan to End Veterans' Homelessness

Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki on Tuesday unveiled a plan to end veterans' homelessness in five years, saying that without action the improvements of recent years could be lost because of the bad economy.Complete story

Lost U.S. Savings Bonds Search Utility

The federal government is facing a lawsuit over billions in unclaimed bonds that date back to the patriotic fundraising efforts of World War II, leading to a showdown between states who say they should be given the money and a Treasury Department that claims ownership. World War II sparked an unprecedented bond buying campaign, spurred on by one of the largest advertising campaigns ever seen...a drive wrapped in dutiful pleas from celebrities, politicians and cartoon characters alike………….

Conmplete story

NDAA 2010 Update

On 28 OCT the President signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which authorizes $550.2 billion for FY 2010 Department of Defense programs, and $130 billion to support overseas military operations. Some highlights include:

The complete Conference Report of what Congress passed and signed into law can be found at Link

TRICARE Announces H1N1 Immunization Policy

Immunizations against the H1N1 virus will soon be available, and people are eager to take precautions. Tricare Prime, Standard and Extra beneficiaries can get their shots from network and non-network providers without paying a deductible or making a co-payment. Complete story

Widows Win SBP Lawsuit

On October 22, the Defense Department announced it will not appeal the August 2009 ruling of the U.S. Court of Appeals in the case of three widows who sued the government to keep both their VA survivor benefits and their military Survivor Benefit Plan annuities. At issue is a 2004 law that restored DIC payments to veterans' surviving spouses who remarry after their 57th birthday. Before the law change, survivors lost DIC upon remarriage at any age. Complete story can be found here.