Doug Karr

In a plot that seems more fitting in a movie thriller, the United States Marshals caught up to the fugitive after a cross-country chase, accused of siphoning millions of dollars in donations from a phony United States Navy Veterans charity.

Though the accused con artist is not giving up his real name, “Bobby Thompson” is accused of raising $100 million in donations from his bogus Navy veteran charity, U.S. Navy Veterans Association. According to the Associated Press, “[l]ittle, if any, of the money collected by the charity was use to benefit veterans.”

Tags: Navy, US Navy Veteran Scam, US Navy Veterans, Veterans

Besides the staggering number of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with psychological trauma stemming from their wartime experience, one of the biggest news stories about veterans continues to be the incredibly high unemployment rate.

Unfortunately, the rate of unemployment among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans is higher than the national average and is the leading cause for the rampant homelessness – among other economic issues – in this population.

Tags: Afghanistan, Hiring Our Heroes, Iraq, Veterans

For some Americans, this may have been a long time in the making, but recently Maine demonstrated how valuable their veterans are to their state by mandating the establishment of a specialized court for veterans.

This court is entirely different than what we all may think of “traditional” courts. In fact, these courts offer veterans a second chance after committing a crime.

Tags: Afghanistan, Iraq, Veteran Health, Veteran Treatment Courts, Veterans

Since March is Women's History Month it is important to take some time to honor the courage, contributions and memories of women in the military.

From the birth of our nation, women have fought alongside men, often without public recognition or inclusion in history books.

Days before President Barack Obama and the First Lady host a White House dinner in honor of Iraq War veterans, top veterans' organization officials are instead calling for a more public celebrations.

According to Paul Rieckhoff, Founder of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the White House dinner is “a wonderful gesture from the First Family and an incredible honor for the few invited to attend.”

Tags: Afghanistan, IAVA, Iraq, President Barack Obama, VA, veteran health

President Barack Obama's Federal Budget proposal pleases 4 of the nation's largest veterans organizations, even as these organizations agree there is a lot more room to improve.

American Veterans (AMVETS), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) and Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) push the Obama Administration and Congress to extend the proposed Federal budget to $68 billion for Veterans Health Care and Benefits.

Tags: AMVETS, Barack Obama, budget, veteran health, veterans, VFW

It is everyone's favorite time of year: tax time. In an effort to relieve some of the stress associated with April 15, we've put together some useful and timely information for employers of veterans and active duty service members. Some of the following information is new for this tax season.

Employers of Veterans

As of today, the IRS published additional information for employers who have hired veterans in 2011. There is a tax credit available for such employers. Depending on the business structure, the credit is worth up to $9,600 per veteran employee (for-profit businesses) and $6,240 per veteran employee (non-profit organizations and other tax-exempt businesses).

Tags: tax season, veteran health, veterans

The Disabled Veterans National Foundation (DVNF) offers grants to qualified veterans to help defer costs associated with mortgages, rents and utilities. These individual, “emergency” grants offer assistance up to $1,000 for veterans who are struggling to make the ends meet, especially during the winter season when heating, gas and electric bills are at the highest.

According to the DVNF, the overriding concern is not necessarily paying monthly bills, but preventing homelessness. Since DVNF's inception, combating homelessness among veterans is the organization's top priorities.

As the Iowa Caucuses come to a close, the question remaining for many American veterans is that why are not there more Presidential candidates veterans of the Armed Forces?

Only two of the sixteen top contenders for the Oval Office have military experience – Representative Ron Paul and Texas Governor Rick Perry. Rep. Paul served in the United States Air Force as a Flight Surgeon in the 1960s. Governor Perry also served in the US Air Force, flying C-130s and was honorably discharged as a Captain in 1977.

In a report released at the closing of the year, the Department of Veterans Affairs assesses their progress to end homelessness among veterans by 2015. The big question is, how far have we come?

Sadly, there are more homeless veterans today than at any time before, even after every recent conflict. The rise in homelessness is often attributed to the current state of the United State's economy.

Not only are civilian Americans struggling to stay employed or find meaningful work, the rate of unemployment and underemployment in the veteran population is nearly 3 times that of average citizens. Furthermore, there are more veterans at or below the poverty level than ever before.

However, in the status update, the VA claims success in its five-year project of eradicating homelessness. Today, the VA says that they are well on their way to achieve the insurmountable goal.

In its achievements, the VA has:

Unlike wars and military conflicts in the past, the end of the Iraq War is marked without any American celebration. Even as recent at the formal end of the first Gulf War, official and unofficial parades, celebrations and ceremonies dotted American cities and towns, where people congratulated the returning troops and veterans.

That is not the case for the Iraq War, so it seems.

Tags: Iraq War, President Bush, President Obama, Returning troops, veterans.

According to a story released by CNN on December 13, there are more cases of women diagnosed with and suffering from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) than at any other time of our nation’s military history.

The reason for this sharp increase is simple: there are more women in combat today than ever before.

Tags: Department of Veteran Affairs, ptsd, veteran health, women

On December 7, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy bombed the naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Moreover, as then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt said in the aftermath of the attack, December 7 is “a date which will live in infamy

This Wednesday marks the 70^th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attacks.

The United States Committee on Veterans Affairs is launching an investigation into the Department of Veterans Affairs in regards to claims of inadequate staffing, long lines for mental health care and whether VA employees work to reach numbers rather than focusing on providing necessary mental health care.

U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the committee, charged George J. Opfer, Inspector General of the VA, to take a considered and serious look into the allegations brought forth before the panel.

Tags: Department of Veteran Affairs, mental health, PTSD, veteran health

Now’s the time to start planning for sending gifts to your husband, wife, son or daughter that’s serving overseas. With only a handful of days left before the shipping deadline, getting great ideas for gifts may be difficult, especially if you’re like the rest of us, juggling holiday events, wrapping other presents and attending festive functions.

To help you on your way to gift-giving greatness, here are a handful of ideas for that special someone. Holidays are meant for family, and sending the right gift will make your stationed loved one even brighter.

Tags: holidays, overseas military, veterans

This is a fantastic time of year: parties, presents, friends and celebrations. Whether we’re all ready or not, the holiday season is officially in full swing. However, one of the biggest issues with the holidays is that many of us are caught up in the festivities rather than taking the time to remember and acknowledge what the season is all about: spending time with our loved ones and being grateful for another year.

Connections, bonds and a sense of belonging are what all of us crave, and those without, get the full weight of their absence. According to the Huffington Post, even the best of us are affected by loneliness during the holidays.

Tags: Goodwill, USAgain, veteran affairs, veteran health

In an ongoing effort to provide all veterans, from the World Wars through our continuing efforts in Afghanistan, and their families much needed support and resources, the Department of Veterans Affairs launched a new website.

“Make the Connection” is a website devoted to the unique needs of veterans.

Tags: american legion, veteran health, wounded warrior project

Regardless of how you look at it, the sheer volume of veterans from the time of the Vietnam Conflict through current war efforts abroad who are homeless is tragic, devastating and entirely unnecessary. According to 100,000 Homes Campaign – an organization dedicated to providing homes to the homeless– there are nearly 76,000 homeless veterans today.

Homelessness among veterans is a solvable problem. Fortunately, there are many advocates, friends and communities of supporters that are continuously fighting this epidemic, simply because they understand that homelessness isn’t an endgame for veterans.

Tags: mesothelioma, veteran health, veteran homelessness, veterans

On Veterans Day, its critical for all of us to remember, celebrate and honor the service of the men and women in arms today and, of course, our veterans.

One of the best ways to celebrate Veterans Day is to continuously advocate for better healthcare and treatment for our veterans and our active duty service members. We need to provide them with the same care that they showed us in protecting our rights, country and beliefs. President Obama summed up this thought in his annual Presidential Proclamation for Veterans Day by reminding everyone “to keep the promises we have made to all who have answered our country's call.”

Tags: asbestos, mesothelioma, veteran health, veterans day

History of Veterans Day

In 1926, seven years after President Woodrow Wilson declared November 11, 1919 as the country’s first Armistice Day, signaling the end of World War I, the United States Congress asked current President Calvin Coolidge to honor November 11 with proper celebrations.

In the late 1930s, there was a strong campaign to turn November 11 Armistice Day into a National Holiday honoring all veterans, not just those who served in World War I.