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Vietnam Veterans of America Disputes California Court Finding That Stolen Valor Act is Unconstitutional
“The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit has struck down a federal law making it a crime to falsely claim a military honor or decoration, and this is a most regrettable decision,” said John Rowan, national president of Vietnam Veterans of America. “We trust that this case will be reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court. We hope that the court will agree with those legal experts who hold that the Constitution of the United States does not protect egregious false statements of fact.”
In a 2-1 ruling on August 17, the appeals court found the Stolen Valor Act—a 2006 federal law that prohibits falsely claiming to have won a military decoration, making it a crime to lie about receiving the Medal of Honor and other military decoration--unconstitutional, throwing out the conviction of Xavier Alvarez, an elected member of a California water district board, who, on several occasions, falsely claimed to be a recipient of the Medal of Honor.
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VVA to Simpson: Don’t Target Benefits Veterans Have Earned
“Former Senator Alan Simpson seems to have jumped from the verbal frying pan into the fire with his latest comments on government excess, this time targeting how ‘the veterans who saved this country are now, in a way, not helping us to save the country in this fiscal mess,’” said John Rowan, National President of Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA).
Simpson, the Republican co-chair of the President’s Deficit Commission, who at one time chaired the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, complained in an interview that veterans receiving disability payments for illnesses associated with their exposure to Agent Orange during their service in the Vietnam War run “contrary to efforts to control federal spending.”
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Vietnam Veterans of America Applauds Publication of the Final Rules on Agent orange new presumptive diseases
(Washington, D.C.)—“Vietnam Veterans of America welcomes the long-anticipated final rules governing the addition of three new diseases to the list of diseases presumptively service connected for exposure to Agent Orange. Under these new rules, published today in the Federal Register by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), veterans who served in Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, are presumed exposed to Agent Orange for Parkinson’s disease, B-Cell leukemias, and ischemic heart disease (IHD),” said VVA National President John Rowan.
The effective date of the rules, which appear http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-21556.pdf, is August 31, 2010. However, VA cannot start paying benefits under the rules, as the Congressional Review Act (CRA) requires a 60-day wait. “It is anticipated that the VA will start paying on the back claims on or after October 31, 2010, and unless Congress acts to deny implementation of the rules, Agent Orange-exposed veterans suffering from any of these diseases will get the help they need and have earned,” noted Rowan.
[click here to read press release]
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Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is launching a comprehensive study of women Veterans who served in the military during the Vietnam War to explore the effects of their military service upon their mental and physical health.
“One of my top priorities is to meet the needs of women Veterans,” said Secretary Shinseki. “Our Veterans have earned the very best care. VA realizes that women Veterans require specialized programs, and this study will help VA provide high-quality care for women Veterans of the Vietnam era.”
The study, which begins in November and lasts more than four years, will contact approximately 10,000 women in a mailed survey, telephone interview and a review of their medical records.
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Over the years one of VVA members and a former Chairman of the Agent Orange Committee put together a database of studies related to “Agent Orange/Dioxin” exposures and their impact. George Claxton wants to share this information with his fellow veterans. We are grateful for George’s hard work and dedication in working on these important issues.
In order to make this information available to veterans, the Agent Orange/Dioxin and Other Toxic Substances Committee has converted the information into a PDF file as well as an excel spreadsheet, and as a Microsoft works spread sheet.
[ Get more information ]
Were you unable to get to the Confernce in Orlando? Did you go to a seminar, but have misplaced your notes? Do you want to share your seminar experience with other VVA members or friends?
Here's a link to all available handouts.
Jim Grissom
January 22, 1953-July 19, 2010
It is with deepest regrets that we announce the loss of Jim Grissom, President, Veterans Support Foundation. Jim suffered a heart attack and passed away on Monday July 19, 2010, at his home in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. VVA and VSF join Jim’s wife, Nancy, is sharing the loss of a true veterans’ advocate and a good friend.
Jim was raised in Southern California. He volunteered for service in the Army and was sent to Vietnam in October 1971. He was an infantryman with the 101st Airborne Division, 1/327th, and subsequently with the 1st Cavalry Division, 2/5th. He completed his two-year tour with the Big Red One in Ft. Riley, Kansas.
In 1996, Jim joined Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 686, in Moses Lake, WA. In 1997, he became active at the state level, serving as Membership Chair. In 1998, Jim was elected Washington State Council Vice President. In 1999 he served as the Washington State Council President, and in 2000, was re-elected to the same position. In 2001, he was elected as VVA’s Region 8 Director. In 2003, Jim was elected as the National Secretary, Vietnam Veterans of America.
In 2003, Jim was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Veterans Support Foundation (then known as Vietnam Veterans Assistance Fund). He was reappointed to the VSF Board in 2005, and in 2010, was elected president of the Veterans Support Foundation.
Jim dedicated his life to helping veterans. His contributions and genuine outgoing manner and warmth of character will be missed by everyone who knew him.
At this time, final arrangements are pending. Any messages of condolence may be sent to his wife Nancy at macgrizz@me.com
John A. Miterko, President, Veterans Support Foundation
John Rowan, President, Vietnam Veterans of America
veterans sought for ptsd research
A psychology graduate student at Purdue University is looking for Vietnam, Persian Gulf and OIF/OEF veterans to participate in a doctoral study, which will examine veterans’ help-seeking attitudes related to PTSD and suicide that will be used to develop model interventions for decreasing stigma. If you are interested in participating, please contact Azi Ghaffari at aghaffar@purdue.edu
NOTE: this study’s I.R.B. documentation has been filed and reviewed by VVA’s I.R.B. research officer and judged to be in compliance with all applicable human subjects research guidelines.
Proceeds benefit the Vietnam Veterans of America
Our United States Veterans were there when we needed them the most. Now they need your support. Please donate your car to the Vietnam Veterans of America. You get a tax deduction and your car donation will be helping those who have given us so much, our veterans. Vietnam Veterans of America is chartered by Congress and has been supporting our dedicated Veterans and their families for over 30 years.
The donation process is simple, fast and secure, and your car donation will help us to provide critical support services for our defenders of freedom in their time of need. Call toll free today at 1-800-Help-Vets or use our easy online donation form to schedule your free towing and join the thousands of other satisfied car donors who have already helped our veterans.
"Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another."
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 Click on the cover image to read the VVA Self-Help Guide to Service-Connected Disability Compensation for Exposure to Agent Orange
An email hoax, “States From One State,” has been circulating the Internet for more than a year. Unfortunately, someone has taken his/her personal initiative to attach the Vietnam Veterans of America logo to this flyer after it had been in circulation. The content of this email has nothing to do with Vietnam Veterans of America. We regret this egregious misuse of our logo and appreciate your efforts in setting the record straight.
For information on the LA Times response to this email hoax, please see the linked article.
An email hoax concerning Target stores and VVA has been circulating for a number of years. Please click here for more information. Thanks so much for your assistance in dispelling these email hoaxes. |
