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The FReeper Foxhole Profiles The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) - Mar. 16th, 2003
http://www.va.gov/vafhis.htm ^
Posted on 03/16/2003 12:00:48 AM PST by SAMWolf
U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues
Where Duty, Honor and Country are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.
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Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. We hope to provide an ongoing source of information about issues and problems that are specific to Veterans and resources that are available to Veterans and their families. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood and support.
To read previous Foxhole threads or to add the Foxhole to your sidebar, click on the books below.![](http://home.attbi.com/~samroz/foxhole/fxhole.gif)
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Resource Links For Veterans ![](http://www.patriotzone.net/vetres.jpg) Click on the pix
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Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
A Brief History
The United States has the most comprehensive system of assistance for veterans of any nation in the world. This benefits system traces its roots back to 1636, when the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony were at war with the Pequot Indians. The Pilgrims passed a law which stated that disabled soldiers would be supported by the colony.
The Continental Congress of 1776 encouraged enlistments during the Revolutionary War by providing pensions for soldiers who were disabled. Direct medical and hospital care given to veterans in the early days of the Republic was provided by the individual States and communities. In 1811, the first domiciliary and medical facility for veterans was authorized by the Federal Government. In the 19th century, the Nation's veterans assistance program was expanded to include benefits and pensions not only for veterans, but also their widows and dependents.
After the Civil War, many State veterans homes were established. Since domiciliary care was available at all State veterans homes, incidental medical and hospital treatment was provided for all injuries and diseases, whether or not of service origin. Indigent and disabled veterans of the Civil War, Indian Wars, Spanish-American War, and Mexican Border period as well as discharged regular members of the Armed Forces were cared for at these homes.
Congress established a new system of veterans benefits when the United States entered World War I in 1917. Included were programs for disability compensation, insurance for servicepersons and veterans, and vocational rehabilitation for the disabled. By the 1920s, the various benefits were administered by three different Federal agencies: the Veterans Bureau, the Bureau of Pensions of the Interior Department, and the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers.
The establishment of the Veterans Administration came in 1930 when Congress authorized the President to "consolidate and coordinate Government activities affecting war veterans." The three component agencies became bureaus within the Veterans Administration. Brigadier General Frank T. Hines, who directed the Veterans Bureau for seven years, was named as the first Administrator of Veterans Affairs, a job he held until 1945.
The VA health care system has grown from 54 hospitals in 1930, to include 171 medical centers; more than 350 outpatient, community, and outreach clinics; 126 nursing home care units; and 35 domiciliaries. VA health care facilities provide a broad spectrum of medical, surgical, and rehabilitative care. The responsibilities and benefits programs of the Veterans Administration grew enormously during the following six decades. World War II resulted in not only a vast increase in the veteran population, but also in large number of new benefits enacted by the Congress for veterans of the war. The World War II GI Bill, signed into law on June 22, 1944, is said to have had more impact on the American way of life than any law since the Homestead Act more than a century ago. Further educational assistance acts were passed for the benefit of veterans of the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam Era, Persian Gulf War, and the All-Volunteer Force.
In 1973, the Veterans Administration assumed another major responsibility when the National Cemetery System (except for Arlington National Cemetery) was transferred to the Veterans Administration from the Department of the Army. The Agency was charged with the operation of the National Cemetery System, including the marking of graves of all persons in national and State cemeteries (and the graves of veterans in private cemeteries, upon request) as well and administering the State Cemetery Grants Program.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) was established as a Cabinet-level position on March 15, 1989. President Bush hailed the creation of the new Department saying, "There is only one place for the veterans of America, in the Cabinet Room, at the table with the President of the United States of America."
![](http://www.va.gov/images2/dvaseal.gif)
Click on the Logo to visit the VA Home Page or on the Department Benefit Graphics for more info on a Benefit
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TOPICS: VetsCoR
KEYWORDS: cabinet; doingabadjob; freeperfoxhole; va; veterans; veteransaffairs
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To: SAMWolf
Your welcome buddy.
To: ImpBill
Get one of the veteran organizations on your side, they can cut through some of the red tape. I haven't dealt with the VA since the late 80's when I was very active with AmVets.
42
posted on
03/16/2003 6:41:25 PM PST
by
SAMWolf
(I have a dog I trained to kill on command. The command I used is, "Is he friendly?")
To: SAMWolf
As I'm sure you know; I'm not a vet, but a partner to one for 15+ years.
I agree - hook up with a service oranization, if you belong to one. If you don't - hook up with a County Service Officer (CSO; found in all counties within all states - I think)
Best, JLO
43
posted on
03/16/2003 8:04:27 PM PST
by
JLO
To: SAMWolf
On another forum a vet in Riverside, CA is having trouble getting treatment for cancer.
I had advised talking to the congressman's constituent services person, and friends have done that.
Another vet on the forum with cancer advised the cancer society and provided contact numbers.
I have sent along your recommendation of the AmVets.
Incidentally, History Channel now covering SAS Bravo Two Zero raid. Talk about bureaucratic snafus--they gave the team the wrong radio frequency and when it came time for helicopter extraction did not even launch.
Some people needing to be hung out of high windows by their socks.
Won't be long now for Saddam and Kofi Annan to be bunk mates in the dustbin of history.
And the world will be a better place.
44
posted on
03/16/2003 10:17:20 PM PST
by
PhilDragoo
(Hitlery: das Butch von Buchenvald)
To: PhilDragoo
Won't be long now for Saddam and Kofi Annan to be bunk mates in the dustbin of history.
And the world will be a better place. Amen to that Phildragoo, Amen to that.
45
posted on
03/16/2003 11:13:57 PM PST
by
SAMWolf
(I have a dog I trained to kill on command. The command I used is, "Is he friendly?")
To: SAMWolf
To: AntiJen
BTTT!!!!!!
47
posted on
03/17/2003 3:07:06 AM PST
by
E.G.C.
To: AntiJen
I forgot to mention that I am so proud that I catered a party that Vice President Cheney attended (he was not VP at the time).
Jackson Hole and Jackson Lake were both named for trapper David E. Jackson, while the Tetons received their name from French Canadian trappers. During the fur trade days this was a busy place. Once the trappers were gone, however, the Hole was isolated and lonely up into the twentieth century. Indians used it as a summer camping ground, and in the 1860's a lone Englishman named Richard Leigh settled in the Jackson Hole area with his Shoshone wife Jenny. He scraped out a living trapping on the western side of the Tetons, and supplemented his income by working as a guideJackson.......
To: AntiJen
Oops sorry I posted that to the wrong thread, didn't mean to intrude. : )
To: WestCoastGal
To all...
Please help the Marine just featured on fox news who was denied citizenship by the INS but is being allowed to fight in Iraq. He is a Sgt. Pres. Bush could sign an executive order. This should be done before this young man is called into battle.
To: bluecollarman
It was just on... Marine was born in Vietnam, evidently got in some minor trouble as a youngster. Obviously not serious enough to keep him from joining the Marines or attaining the rank of Sgt.
INS SAYS HIS CHARACTER IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO BE A CITIZEN!
How Crazy is that? He loves the Marines and hoped someone would see the news cast and help.
To: AntiJen
The usual bunch of peacnik losers.
52
posted on
03/17/2003 5:37:54 PM PST
by
Ukiapah Heep
(Shoes for Industry!)
To: SAMWolf; ImpBill
Also, check out
http://www.hadit.com for lots of good info.
Forgot to say that the first time. Sorry - I don't do a very good, clickable link here. JLO
53
posted on
03/17/2003 6:08:08 PM PST
by
JLO
To: JLO
Thanks for the Link JLO
54
posted on
03/17/2003 7:21:31 PM PST
by
SAMWolf
(Don't get in a spitting contest with us, France. We can kick your ass easier than we saved it -twice)
To: AntiJen
REMOVE
55
posted on
03/20/2003 4:01:26 AM PST
by
estpeter
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