UVLC Minutes –Wednesday, November 3, 2010
• Call to order – 09:30
• Invocation – Jerry Kyser
• Pledge of Allegiance –
• Greetings: Recognition of Visitors and Guests – CTF Members recognized.
• Announcements1. State Agencies and MN Veteran Assistance Organizations: (1-888-546-5838 Veterans linkage Line)
2. MN Dept of Veteran Affairs – Commissioner Gil Acevedo -Legislative audit discussed, bldg 9 under construction, adult day care is opening in March and working on Medicare and medicadefunding. (five yr look back) MN has a 1 day look back.
Reggie Worlds- Higher education program sunset 2012 June, Looking at National Legislation for assistance. Claims office is very busy do to the CVSOs doing great work.
Ann Long – Thursday Nov 11th Veterans Ceremony at Inver Grove Heights Armory.
MN Military Affairs – COL Eric Ahlness is at Ripley -Jerry had info. New Commander will be at next the next meeting for introduction of new CG for the guard. A study that was done on returning soldiers. Working group meet following will follow.
MN Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV)- Kathy Vitalis Events legal clinic this Friday at MPLS VA Stand down in Duluth Bemidji Mankato will be 9th of Nov, Rochester 2011 January or February. Renal grant was approved by dept of Labor. Working on helping funding of MACV projects around MACV faciliter. Open house 3 December at Bldg 47 Mpls VA. Duluth veteran housing is opening in December. Donations needed from all sources such as corporations churches. Donation made from St Mary’s for $1,000.00.
MAG – Jerry Kyser- Brochure handed out, the next meeting will be the 18th. Legislator from both sides will be invited to attend. The purpose is to introduce ourselves to the new Legislators and inform them of issues that we would like to work with them on.
Honor Flight –Jerry Kyser- 30 April 2011 and 8 October 2011, will be for twin cities, Other Honor Flights are May 14th Duluth.
2. Federal Agencies
VA Regional Office – . PAO Regional office is not going to move during reconstruction. Moving from floor to floor. Miss information for pay increase for disable veterans. Post 911 Gi Bill ( vets to sign up will receive $450/credit). Agent Orange presumptions 2200 on file will be cleared in the next month or so.
VISN 23 – VISN 23 Kathleen Harrison – Gave handout from office. HBO documentary(WarTorn) will air a program on PTSD issues of Veterans. My HealtheVet is a site to get more information. Homeless Veterans hot line number 1-877-424-3838. VISN 23 1-888-868-0479 Flu & Education line.
Mpls VA Medical Center – Mike Rosecrans, Leg. Liaison- Nov 8th CBOC is opening ground breaking ceremony in Ramsey. Care giver day Nov19th 1-4pm at VA Medical Center.
Tom Fjerstand Spoke about the PVA’s donation to Mpls VA to build a ramp to the gazebo for the VA. Talked on health care for PVA Veterans and the work done for all disabled Americans.($150,000 donated to VA by PVA) St Cloud VA Medical Center – Rose Blesener, Admn Office Nov 7th St. Cloud Vet Parade. 1:00 pm with social at Apollo HS. Nov 18th OEF/IOF program at SCVA outreach event to be held at the St. Cloud Public Library at 1800. The geo thermal program completed has been completed and bldg 51 is using the system. The wind generator base is in with the tower to be installed in November. Flu shots are being given.
Ft Snelling Cemetery –– Jim Schweizer – Assistant Director is in DC to help with Arlington. New assistant introduced. Currently preparing for winter sites. The 150 member Memorial Squad. George Wise, one of the founders, was awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal. Irrigation system to be upgraded beginning this spring.
OCT Current FYTD Total to Date Interments By Service
Total Interments 423 423 192,530 Army 105 CG 1
Caskets 162 162 151,361 Navy 67 MM 1
Cremations 203 203 38797 AF 22
Columbarium 58 58 2272 USMC 14
WWII 123, Korea 51, VN 60, PG 2, Peace time 16 and Dep 171
Vets Employment & Training Service [VETS] – Jodie Bean Current cases down as employers are doing the right thing. Pilot programs outreach to Chamber of Commerce in towns. Working on training programs beginning. Pilot program between Job Corp and VETS.
Base Camp Hope- Diane Kenny- Hand our given out. New program for helping to Heal; Spiritually, Mentally, Creatively, and Physically.
3. Federal Congressional Senators and Representatives
Senator Amy Klobuchar – No One
Senator Al Franken – Nicole Gave handout. Senator is concerned that proper help is given to all returning Veterans. Letter given to secretary Gates about senators concerns over returning to civilian life is made easier as well as using the VA. Cases about claims are welcome and the staff want to help. Academy interviews will be November 20th. Looking to have about 160 candidates.
7th District Representative – Collin Peterson- Al Loehr- Concern over a reorganization of Veterans Affair Committee. New ideas and new approaches will be coming forward. It is our job to meet the new challenges and make sure that the trend to meet the benefits for our veterans continues.
1st District Representative –Tim Walz – Shawn Schloesser – No Show
2nd District Representative – John Kline – Chaz Johnson- Rep Kline will chair Education & Health Committee and will be on the Veteran’s committee. Legislators are looking for your information. Case work is always on going and low due to VA programs working well.
3rd District Representative –Erik Paulsen – John-Paul Yates- No Show
4th District Representative- Betty McCollum- Connie Haddeland- At Accademy night there were 14 different High Schools represented. 1 December willo be call back for interviews. Changes to post 911 Bill Benefits for National Guard and Reserves HR5593. IAVA (Iraqi and Afghanistan /Veterans of America) Walls & McCullom on list of top Veterans Legislators.
5th District Representative Ellison –No Show
6th District Representative- Michele Bachmann – Nicole Severson Attended the installation ceremony for General Nash. Working on Veteran’s issues as always. There are 25 candidates for Academy interview on Saturday.
8th District Representative Oberstar- No Show Announcements: Help for flood victims available from TREA. Go to TREA.ORG for more information. Notebook to contain handouts will be available at future meetings.
Meeting in Recess for 10 minutes Business Meeting – Old Business –Treasures report given,
The next check will be the last going to VA from the Fund set up for them. From Jewish War Veterans for the Emergence Fund. New Business: Nominations for elections at December meeting. Nominees are 1st Vice Jerry Kyser and Secretary
Dean Ashman.
Discussion held on the appointees under new governor. Discussion held on possibility of new Veteran’s commissioner. Keep informed of who your newly elected Legislators are.
Employment benefits for returning veterans were discussed.
Adjournment/ Next Meeting 9:3