JOSEPH
JOHNSTON
Department
Commander
I am pleased to report to you that we will have another valuable member of the Cleveland NSO staff joining us next month, Mr. Doug Miles will be assigned to the Ohio contingent. There are not enough words to sing the praises of our NSO staff—I am certain that they have touched us all in a meaningful way during our DAV history. Leslie James and his staff in Cleveland continue to offer extraordinary services to veterans over the years. It is also with deep emotion that I report to you that our Cincinnati NSO Supervisor, Chuck Lambert is very seriously ill. Chuck, know that our prayers and thoughts are with you as you! I know that Chuck will appreciate your cards, letters and thoughts of support.
There is a new initiative regarding Advanced Funding for the VA submitted by nine of the largest national veterans organizations to the House and Senate. As a result, on 18 September, bipartisan bills were introduced to correct this deficiency. The new legislation, called the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform Act, would require Congress to approve health care funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) a year in advance of the beginning of its fiscal year. Please contact your members of Congress and ask that they support these measures as they move through the legislative processes.
Speaking of our members of Congress, during the past two visits to Washington during the DAV mid-winter conference our State DAV contingent has met with Senator George Voinovich. His conduct and reaction to our members in 2007 caused me to write him the attached letter. He did not bother to respond to this letter in 2007. When we again met with him in 2008, his conduct was basically the same as it had been in the previous year. I spoke with his staff members after the Senator had stormed out of the office and asked why the Senator had not responded to my 2007 letter and they indicated that a response would be forthcoming. I did receive a response from the Senator this Summer, but he was not apologetic, nor did he commit to support Veterans needs in Ohio. His continued abysmal of voting on key issues of interest to the DAV (8 favorable of 30 bills) reflect a voting record of only 26% in support of DAV issues and veterans needs. This record of key votes is available to all membership on the National DAV website at www.dav.org. I encourage you all to make your feelings known to Senator Voinovich regarding his lack of support to veterans issues.
As we move into this Fall season and the various District meetings begin, I would encourage each Unit and Chapter to attend your respective District meetings. Valuable information is being passed in those meetings that reflect DAV legislative and operational issues. And the camaraderie experienced in those meetings is well worth the one or two hours that you are giving up to attend. I am looking forward to seeing you all at the State Fall Conference in a few weeks. Hooah! and may God Bless you all!
Joe Johnston, State Commander
March 1, 2007
The Honorable George V. Voinovich
United States Senate
524 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-3504
Senator Voinovich:
I was a member of the Ohio DAV delegation, which met with you in your Washington office on 27 February 2007. I offer the following observations, both personal and professionally, regarding that meeting which were neither appropriate nor consistent with treatment that constituents might expect of their elected representative in the Senate. First of all, I am a lifelong Republican and support National Republican issues most of the time. I am a member of the Republican National Committee and regularly donate to the party. My political sentiments usually fall somewhere between Rush Limbaugh and Newt Ginrich. I am also a retired army officer and have been rated at 100% service connected disabled by the Veterans Administration and rated by the Army at 100% for Combat Related Special Compensation. I think it was necessary for me to establish these facts before relating the rest of my feelings to you.
In all my years dealing with members of Congress and their staffers, I have never observed before, a member of Congress, beating their desk with their fists and uttering profanity, while speaking to several of their constituents, who were simply attempting to relay their concerns regarding veterans issues and funding. All of us should hold these obligations to our veterans of paramount importance, regardless of political party affiliation. I am also aware of your long and distinguished career based fiscal conservativeness. However, the statements that you made that Veterans programs cannot be afforded by the Country without additional taxation is an inappropriate response. The benefits owed to the veterans of this Country are blood benefits—there would not be a United States without these heroic contributions. If the cost of necessary veterans benefits had the effect of doubling the National debt—they should be paid because a grateful Nation owes them to the warriors who perpetuated their manner of living by their own blood! I do not know of another occupation in this land, whereby the person may be called upon at any given time to give up their life based upon the orders of a superior. Even a policeman and fireman are not bound by such actions, if the result of their action could mean their life. In those instances, their actions are voluntary not mandatory like our military.
The Nation owes its’ very existence to these men and women. Your own ability to serve as a United States Senator was wrought by their sacrifices. Accordingly, when you stated to us that we are at War and funding is needed to support that War, we, of all people, understand those costs. We understand those costs better than you will ever hope to do so. So please do not lecture us on the cost of War—you are not qualified to do so!
Sir, in that brief meeting your conduct was derogatory to each of our service and sacrifice and you owe each of us a personal apology. I applaud your campaigns to bring fiscal acuity to the government, but there are many places to do so while maintaining veterans benefits at an appropriate level. Illegal immigrant expenditures alone would make up for ten times the shortfalls in veterans funding in a single year. Congressional
Earmarks each year, which could be classified as frivolous or questionable, would fully fund needed veterans programs, so there are plenty of places to find the money for these issues.
I offer the following other observations from my personal life which you should consider before you react to veterans funding issues. When I left my wife and three-month-old child behind to go to a short tour in a combat zone you were not there. When I returned 13 months later and the same Son did not know me as his father, you did not participate in my regaining his trust and position as a parent. When I Commanded three companies back-to-back over a four year period and spend nearly seven days a week with my troops, you were not there to shore up my marriage which nearly failed due to my commitment to my soldiers and my Country’s needs. When I stood freezing in the rain and snow or heat in hundreds of third world, and training situations and had worn the same clothes for a week in the field, you certainly did not share that experience with me!
When I broke an extremity on multiple parachute jumps over the years you were not with me. When my hearing was destroyed due to jet engine noise, major weapons discharge, or explosives detonations—you did not lose your hearing. When I lay heartsick with homesickness for my loved ones, remorseful for the death of my brethren and hurt from injuries, lack of cleanliness or just the lack of a good hot home cooked meal—you were not there to comfort me. I wrote a blank check made payable to the United State of America for an amount up to and including my very life. Every other veteran has written the same check.
You are now in a position to rectify not being there in those situations like those I have described above. Won’t you help us now that you can as our senior Senator from the great State of Ohio. I am pleading, praying and hoping that you will have a change of heart and dedicate a portion of your political life to us and the perpetuation of our needed benefits.
Very respectfully yours,
Joe Johnston
IMPORTANT
NUMBERS
Nat’l. Hdqrs., DAV (877) 426-2838
NSO Office, Cleveland (216)
522-3507
NSO Office, Cincinnati (513)
684-2676
Washington Office, DAV (202)
554-3501
Cincinnati HSC,
Sheila Clements (513) 475-6443
Dayton HSC, (937)
268-6511
Gene McCorkle Ext. 2962
Wade Park HSC, (216)
791-3800
Walter Dryja Ext.
3395
Chillicothe HSC (740)
773-1141
James Keller Ext. 7916
Columbus Clinic, (614)
257-5487
Michael
Hackworth
Brecksville HSC, (440)
526-3030
Don Branford Ext. 7353
Warren Clinic (330)
392-0311
Youngstown Clinic (330)
70-9200
Ext.
105
Veterans Administration 1-800-827-1000
DATES TO REMEMBER
October 5, 2008 6th District Meeting, Trumbull
County Chapter #11, Warren, Ohio at 2 p.m.
October 2-4, 2008 DAV Auxiliary Fall Conference,
Eastgate Holiday Inn, Cincinnati, Ohio.
October 10-12, 2008 DAV Department Fall Conference, The Crowne
Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.
October 19, 2008 7th District Meeting,
Alliance Chapter #50 at 2 p.m., Alliance, Ohio.
October 25, 2008 1st District Meeting,
Harold J. Hursh Chapter #131, lunch at 12 noon, meeting to begin at 1 p.m.,
Middletown, Ohio.
October 26, 2008 8th District Meeting,
Clint Kramer Chapter #12, Zanesville, Ohio, luncheon will be at 1 p.m. and the
meeting will begin at 2 p.m.
Oct. 31 – Nov. 1, 2008 Forget-Me-Not Drive, Putnam County Chapter
#77, Ottawa, Ohio.
November 1, 2008 2nd District Meeting, Dayton
VAMC, Building 305, lunch will begin at noon and meeting will begin at 1 p.m.,
Dayton.
November 7, 2008 Induction for the Veterans Hall of
Fame, Veterans Memorial, public reception at 2 p.m. and induction ceremony to
begin at 3 p.m.
November 11, 2008 Forget-Me-Not Drive, Hillsboro Chapter
#123, Community Market, Greenfield.
November 17, 2008 Golden Coral Military Appreciation Night
November 21-22, 2008 Forget-Me-Not, Youngstown Chapter #2,
Wal-Mart, Austintown, Ohio.
February 22-25, 2009 DAV Mid-Winter Conference, Crystal Gateway
Marriott, Arlington, VA
April 18, 2009 Testimonial Dinner Commander
Joseph Johnston, Holiday Inn Eastgate, Cincinnati, Ohio
June 25-28, 2009 DAV Department Convention,
The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.
August 22-25, 2009 DAV National Convention, Sheraton Hotel
Denver, Denver, Colorado
Sept. 24 – 26, 2009 DAV Auxiliary Fall Conference, Drawbridge
Inn, Fort Mitchell, Kentucky.
October 9-11, 2009 DAV Department Fall Conference, The
Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.
Feb. 28 – Mar. 3, 2010 DAV Mid-Winter Conference, Crystal Gateway
Marriott, Arlington, VA
June 24-27, 2010 DAV Department Convention,
The Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.
July 31 – Aug. 3, 2010 DAV National Convention, Hyatt Regency
Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
October 8-10, 2010 DAV Department Fall Conference, The
Crowne Plaza, Dublin, Ohio.
GROUNDBREAKING OF CARES
BEDTOWER
DAV members and special guests helping Cleveland VAMC
Director, Bill Montague, with the groundbreaking of the new CARES bed tower at
Cleveland VAMC.
Retirees now salute
flag
The National Defense
Authorization Act (Public Law 110-181) changed Sect. 9, Title 4, U.S. Code,
which covers “Conduct during hoisting, lowering or passing of the flag.”
Rewording of the U.S.
Code reads as follows, “During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or
when the flag is passing in a parade or in review, all persons present in
uniform should render the military salute.
Members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present buy not in
uniform may render the military salute. All others persons present should face
the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, if
applicable, remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at their
left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Citizens of other countries
present should stand at attention. All
such conduct toward the flag in a moving column should be rendered at the
moment the flag passes.”
VA Reaches out to Suicidal Vets
Suicide is the
eleventh most frequent cause of death in the U.S.: Someone dies from suicide
every 16 minutes. Together, Vet Centers and VA Medical Centers are ready to
reach out and help veterans at risk for suicide. Seek professional help. Call
the toll-free National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), and
indicate you are a veteran. You will be immediately connected to VA suicide
prevention and mental health professionals.
On the other hand,
contact your local VA Medical
Center or Vet Center
today. For more information, visit VA's Suicide Prevention Awareness webpage and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline's Veterans Hotline
webpage.
Free Home Care for Veterans
Homewatch CareGivers,
the largest franchise provider of in-home care, is offering up to 20 hours of
free in-home care to disabled U.S. military veterans of any conflict through
its "We Care for Veterans" program.
Servicemembers can
sign up for "We Care for Veterans" now through November30, 2008 by
visiting the Homewatch CareGivers website or calling
toll-free 1-800-777-9770. The program is available to one veteran per location and is
issued on a first-come, first-served basis.
Studies Focus On Alcohol
Several new studies
confirm that drinking problems are greater among returning combat veterans. The
Aug. 13, 2008 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association
focuses on three studies that suggest that certain mental health issues such as
alcohol-related problems and post-traumatic stress disorder are more common
after exposure to combat.
However, the studies
also found that suicide rates were not higher among returning combat veterans.
An abstract of the article is available on the Journal of the American
Medical Association website.
Do
you remember the USO?
To support troops
participating in Operations Enduring
Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, USO centers opened in Afghanistan,
Iraq, Kuwait and Qatar. USO centers
number more than 130 around the world. Recently, the USO opened the Rocky
Mountain USO Center at Denver International Airport, a third
center in Kuwait and its first center in Iraq at Balad Air Base.
The USO provides a
variety of programs and services, including orientation programs, family
events, travel assistance, free Internet and e-mail access, and recreation
services. A new program called "USO in a Box," delivers program
materials ranging from DVD players and videos to musical instruments to remote
forward operating bases in Afghanistan and Iraq. U.S. military personnel and their families’
visit USO centers more than five million times each year.
A nonprofit, charitable organization, the USO receives donations
from private citizens, foundations, organizations
and corporations.
As of April 2008, some schools across the United
States are donating money to the United Services Organization as a school program.
REMINDER TO
CHAPTERS
Just a friendly reminder from Department Headquarters that Chapter Financial Reports were due on September 30, 2008. If you have not already submitted your Financial Report, please contact Department Headquarters and we will gladly assist you in the process. If you need additional forms, please contact Headquarters and we will gladly mail the forms to you.
NOTES
FROM YOUR STATE ADJUTANT
Thought for October: Today is the day you put off until tomorrow things you were supposed to do yesterday. For more information on VA benefits, go to VA’s website at: www.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000.
For those of you who may be considering the purchase of a new car, truck or van, I would respectfully request that you seriously consider Ford Motor Company. As many of you know, Ford’s partnership with the DAV began in 1922 when Henry Ford organized a cross-country caravan of 50 Model T Fords to take Disabled American Veterans to their Convention in San Francisco. The rest is now history! Ford has continued this relationship every year by donating cash as well as new Ford Vans to the DAV Transportation Network. More recently, at our National Convention in August, Ford gave DAV seven (7) new vans along with a $25,000 donation to the DAV’s Jesse Brown Youth Memorial Scholarship Program. In addition to these generous donations, Ford also allows discounts to any DAV Member for the purchase of any of their vehicles. This discount is known as the “X Program” and, all you need to receive your discount is to show your DAV Membership Card.
GOLDEN CORRAL – Again this year all Veterans and Active Duty Military will receive a free dinner buffet and beverage on “Military Appreciation Monday” between 5 and 9 PM on November 17, 2008. In addition to the free meals that each Golden Corral location serves to our veterans, some Golden Corral team members have developed creative events surrounding Military Appreciation Monday. The extent to which each Golden Corral location supports veterans is up to the owner/management team at that particular restaurant. We must remember that we are guests at their restaurant and that we benefit greatly from their generosity and the kindness of their other guests. We must be flexible and respect their wishes at all times.
In addition to providing a free dinner for each veteran, Golden Corral is again graciously providing an opportunity to locate DAV Contribution Canisters in each restaurant so patrons may make donations. These canisters are furnished by DAV National Headquarters and will be available for contributions approximately two weeks prior to November 17th (Military Appreciation Monday). IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THIS RELATIONSHIP WITH GOLDEN CORRAL IS STRICTLY A DAV FUNCTION –NO OTHER VETERAN ORGANIZATION IS ALLOWED TO SOLICIT OR ACCEPT DONATIONS!! ADDITIONALLY, DAV CHAPTERS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO CONDUCT ANY FUND RAISING AS A PART OF THIS EVENT OTHER THAN ACCEPTING DONATIONS IN THE DAV PROVIDED CONTRIBUTION CANISTERS!!! Should anyone have questions on this contact DAV Department Headquarters in Columbus.
The following is a list of State Agencies with toll free phone numbers. This is not all-inclusive as it only contains those State Agencies with toll free numbers.
Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles 1-800-589-8247
Ohio Court of Claims 1-800-824-8263
Ohio Dept of Development
(Heating & Energy Assistance)1-800-282-0880
Ohio Dept of Education 1-877-644-6338
Ohio Environment Protection
Agency (EPA) 1-800-282-9378
Ohio Dept of Health
(Family Health Concerns) 1-800-755-4769
Ohio Dept of Insurance
(Consumer Hotline) 1-800-686-1526
Ohio Dept of Jobs & Family
Services 1-877-852-0010
Ohio Dept of Mental Health 1-877-275-6364
Ohio Military Reserve 1-866-428-6817
Ohio Dept of Natural
Resources (Wildlife) 1-800-WILDLIFE
Ohio State Highway Patrol 1-877-7 PATROL
Public Utilities Commission 1-800-686-7826
Ohio Treasurer of State 1-800-648-7827
Ohio Unemployment
Compensation 1-866-833-8272
Ohio Dept of Veterans
Service 1-877-644-6838
Ohio Bureau of Workers’
Compensation 1-800-644-6292
For more information, please visit: www.ohio.gov
And, as always, keep our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan in your thoughts and your prayers as they fight, like we have fought, to keep America free. Never shall we forget that FREEDOM IS NOT FREE!
