Doug Karr

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

Sometimes, it’s difficult to grasp the fact that America’s remaining World War II veterans are all well into their 80s and climbing quickly into their 90s. Statistics show that we lose approximately 1,000 World War II veterans every day. They’re literally a dying breed, and before long, they will have vanished, taking with them the memories of the war that indeed shaped a generation.

Despite dissention about current military conflicts, most Americans view our World War II vets as special people and some have taken the opportunity to find ways to honor them, recognizing that most have little time left to enjoy being with family and friends, doing the things they love.

Tags: asbestos, D.C., Honor Flights, mesothelioma, Washington

The Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, along with the Secretary of Veterans’ Services Coleman Nee and Department of Public Health Commissioner John Auerbach were at the New England Center for Homeless Veterans in Boston today to announce an exciting initiative aimed at helping military veterans stop smoking and live a healthier lifestyle.

This is the second go-around for the initiative. In 2008, the state launched the first round, and reported that almost 4,000 veterans and their family members called the MA Smokers’ Helpline to receive free telephone support and stop-smoking aids like nicotine patches. The 2008 program ran for seven months, and was so successful that the state has decided to give it another go.

Tags: alcoholism, mesothelioma, smoking, veterans

Beginning on October 1^st, President Obama’s $3.73 trillion dollar budget for the 2012 fiscal year will kick in. One of the first things I wondered as a veteran was, how will this new budget impact veterans and members of the military? I decided to consult a great article put out by the NY Times and break it down by agency.

The Department of Defense (DoD) has been allotted $727 billion in spending money for 2012 – that’s an increase of almost 6%. The new budget calls forover $117 billion dollars just to address costs stemming from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, but that happens to be a decrease of about $43 billion from the 2011 budget. Note that, in 2012, the government plans on spending the least amount of money on international wars since 2006.

Tags: budget, department of defense, mesothelioma, military, VA, veterans, war

Now here’s an inspiring story! Army Specialist Caroline Barry has quite the impressive resume: she is a ten-time national boxing champion, a five-timeUnited States team captain, and has racked up the amateur awards too. At one time, Spec. Barry was ranked as high as fifth overall in the world, andhas received medals in six international tournaments, as well as having competed in world championships.

To add to the impressive factor, Spec. Barry is so consummate, that she has already retired.

Tags: asbestos, asbestos exposure, boxing, iraq war, mesothelioma, military, olympics, specialist caroline barry

Happy New Year - as 2011 begins, I look forward to another year of informing, educating and supporting the veteran community. Mesothelioma.com is nowthe Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance, and we're proud to offer folks even more information through the  Mesothelioma Community Resource Network, a place for those facing this cancer where they canlocate support resources. Please take the time to check it out, and if you’d like, Tweet us your feedback @veteransblog or @mesodotcom!

Veteran groups and military support organizations that wish to share our resource on their website can do so by visiting the Mesothelioma CommunityResource Network page, scroll down and copy and paste the code for our link. We appreciate the support!

Tags: mesothelioma, Tricare, veterans

Thursday, November 11, 2010 is Veterans Day. Last year, in my Veterans Day 2009 post, I gave you a brief background of the history of Veterans Day, and quoted the 2008 census to give folks a real idea of just how many veterans there really are living in the United States – because, interestingly enough, the average person really low-balls their guess! I talked about how vets are more likely than civilians to develop mesothelioma cancer, and shared a poem and a few quotes.

This year, I want to do something different.

Tags: mesothelioma, PTSD, veterans, veterans day

A mother from Mansfield, Massachusetts has finally won a two-year battle to be buried next to her only son, who was killed in Iraq.

Denise Anderson, mother of deceased Iraq veteran Corey Shea, worked tirelessly to see Congress pass the “Corey Shea Act” this month, after the VA informed her that she could not be buried next to her son in a national veteran’s cemetery. Before the act was passed, the right to be buried next to a veteran was reserved for spouses and children.

Tags: Corey Shea Act, mesothelioma, veteran

The American Veterans (AMEVETS) 2010 Symposium for 21^st Century Veterans was held from August 9-11^th in Louisville, Kentucky, and brought together over one hundred young war veterans to discuss a range of issues, including health benefits. 

Also on the agenda were discussions about health care and the transition from active duty back into civilian life. The symposium was sponsored by Health Net Federal Services. This year, it was held in tandem with the AMVETS 66^th National Convention, which is attended by veterans of all ages along with their children, spouses and even grandchildren.

Tags: 9/11, AMVETS, asbestos cancer, mesothelioma, veteran health, veterans

The Dept. of Veteran Affairs has released additional information for veterans with Gulf War Illness, in honor of the 20^th anniversary of the Gulf War. For those vets who served but do not yet receive the Gulf War Review newsletter [download it here], here’s some important information:

Almost 700,000 men and women participated in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm between 1990 and 1991, during the Gulf War. Since their return, a quarter of these vets have developed illnesses believed to be related to toxic exposures sustained during the Gulf War conflict. The VA calls these diseases “Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses.”

Tags: Afghanistan, asbestos exposure in Iraq, chromium, Gulf War, Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses, mesothelioma, VA

Veterans being treated with medical marijuana no longer need to worry about being cut from veteran benefit plans. The change comes from a departmental directive from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs stating that veterans prescribed medical marijuana in the 14 states where the practice is legal may not lose eligibility for VA health plans.

The new policy does outline several limitations. VA physicians may not prescribe the drug to be used in VA facilities, and the Veterans Association will not pay for the marijuana.

Tags: medical marijuana, mesothelioma, VA, veterans

If you haven’t already checked out our popular Twitter account, head on over to Twitter.com/veteransblog and follow us! We have 711 of the best following us for daily updates, including news, quotes and more of interest to the veteran and military community. We’re also on Facebook, so if you’re into social media become a fan of our Facebook page – we post links and other information there as well.

Today I rediscovered one of the coolest military support charities while browsing my Twitter updates – Bunkers in Baghdad (bunkerstweets on Twitter) is a non-for-profit charity based out of Buffalo, NY that collects both used and new golf equipment – shoes, golf balls, clubs, etc. – and sends them over to our men and women protecting our freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan. They have shipped over an impressive 1,000,000 golf balls and over 35,000 clubs in less than two years!

Tags: mesothelioma, Bunkers in Baghdad, military, non for profit, veteran

A friend of the veterans’ blog wanted me to share this important information with veterans in the Houston County area of Minnesota.

Rob Gross, Director of Houston County Veteran Services, says that a large number of vets are eligible to receive hearing aids and eye glasses through a VA medical center. Those eligible must meet at least one of the following requirements:

Tags: mesothelioma, VA, veterans

To serve your country is one of the most honorable things you can do in your life; but to continue that service and dedication as a veteran an advocate for fellow soldiers goes above and beyond.

The late Jack Perry Harrison of Woodstock, Georgia not only fought for his country but he fought for his fellow soldiers long after his time in the military. Perry was known state wide for his volunteer, dedicating his time to veterans and their families. Full military burial was given Monday to the Vietnam veteran at the Georgia National Cemetery in Sutallee. The service was officiated by the Rev. Claude Smithmier.

Tags: mesothelioma

A recent study performed by The Gallup Organization has shown that active members of the military are happier and healthier overall than other members of the American workforce. However, military veterans were shown to suffer much worse than a civilian retiree.

The study focused on veterans of all ages and revealed that in terms of emotional and physical health, work environment and access to basic necessities, war veterans were drowning.

Tags: Justin Youse, mesothelioma, PTSD, VA Affairs, veterans

More than eight years after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf coast, Veterans Affairs has begun construction of an $800 million complex in New Orleans.

VA secretary Eric Shinseki addressed state officials, VA executives and veterans from every war since World War II Friday, promising that the new complex will prove to be worth the wait. Shinseki then broke ground with a ceremonial shovel.

Tags: hurricane katrina, mesothelioma, VA affairs

This upcoming weekend marks the 234^th celebration of our nation’s independence. July 4^th is more than just anniversary; it is a chance for Americans to reflect and rejoice in the freedom that makes our country so distinct.

The history behind July 4^th stems from the signing of the Declaration of Independence. On July 4, 1776 the Continental Congress, a group of men chosen from the 13 colonies, gathered in Philadelphia and signed the document that led to America becoming one of the greatest nations in the world.

Tags: independence day, mesothelioma, veterans

Golf courses around the country will be offering a simple way to support veterans and their families September 3-6 this year. The event is titled Patriot Golf Day and will help provide scholarships to the families of military personnel.

On Labor Day weekend, golf courses participating in the event will add $1 to their greens fees. The money that is raised will go to the families of deceased or disabled military members.

Tags: Major Dan Rooney, mesothelioma, Patriot Golf Day, veterans

iCAD and the Defense Supply Center announced last week that they will supply more than 400 federal healthcare facilities with CAD mammography systems. VA centers and Department of Defense hospitals will be among the facilities receiving the updated technology.

The need for new technology comes with the increase in the number of women serving in the armed forces. In 2009 the Veteran’s Administration reported that there were 1.8 million female veterans. The CAD technology that will be added to the medical facilities is part of the Women’s Comprehensive Healthcare Implementation Plan. The plan is designed to provide complete primary health care for all female veterans.

Tags: breast cancer, iCAD, Ken Ferry, mesothelioma, VA affairs, women veterans