This year, with the assistance of good friends in and active with our committee, we wrote the DNC’s Veterans Candidate Platform. We have taken said platform and distributed it to our Congressional candidates: both incumbants and first time candidates. Our VMF platform is a key component of these races, and significantly, is now being used nationally. Nearly every race has a VMF “guru” advising its campaign. Again, this speaks volumes to all of your hardwork and dedication. Since our inception, we are, and continue to be, the example for all of the other states’ Democratic party offiliated VMFCs. I thank you for all that you do!

To help continue our stallwart work, please renew your membership here. If you are not yet an official member of the Veterans and Military Family Caucus, you too may click on the link to join. The membership fee is only $10/year, which mainly goes towards the upkeep of our website.

Thank you for your time! I look forward to our great work together.

Terron Sims
Chair, Veterans and Military Families Caucus
Democratic Party of Virginia

Connolly will present former Army First Lieutenant Ronald E. Markiewicz of Woodbridge with the two prestigious medals for gallantry in action and extraordinary achievement – authorized by the President of the United States – at a ceremony in Connolly’s Annandale office on Monday, July 19, at 2 pm. Markiewicz will be accompanied by family members at the ceremony in Connolly’s office.

Markiewicz was a first lieutenant in the Army’s 71st Aviation Company, 14th Aviation Battalion, 23rd Infantry Division.

“It is truly an honor for me to have the opportunity to present this Vietnam War hero with well-deserved and long-overdue recognition of his gallantry in action and devotion to duty,” Connolly said. “Too often, we have overlooked the heroism, contributions, and sacrifices made by the men and women who serviced our country during the Vietnam War.”

WHAT: Distinguished Flying Cross and Silver Star Presentation Ceremony for Vietnam Veteran Ronald E. Markiewicz, 39 years after his heroic acts

WHEN: Monday, July 19, 2pm

WHERE: Rep. Connolly’s Congressional District Office
4115 Annandale Rd, Suite 103, Annandale, VA 22003

Complete descriptions of the heroic acts of March 21 and March 24, 1971 in Vietnam and Laos that earned Markiewicz these prestigious military awards follow:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 9 July 1918 (amended by act of 25 July 1963), has awarded the SILVER STAR to

FIRST LIEUTENANT RONALD E. MARKIEWICZ
71ST AVIATION COMPANY, 14TH AVIATION BATTALION, 23D INFANTRY DIVISION

For Gallantry: in action on 21 March 1971, while serving as a UH-1 Pilot, 71st Aviation Company, 14th Aviation Battalion, 23d Infantry Division, in support of combat operations in Vietnam. On this date, First Lieutenant Markiewicz participated in a valiant attempt to resupply Vietnamese Marines in Laos that were under siege by the North Vietnamese Army. Despite intense anti-aircraft fire from several positions, he completed his landing approach, successfully offloading ammunition in exchange for four wounded Vietnamese Marines. During the takeoff, heavy machine gun fire ripped through the aircraft, piercing the fuel cells. Ignoring the enemy fire, First Lieutenant Markiewicz navigated the burning aircraft to a location below the landing zone to facilitate a safe rescue effort. Despite his own wounds and under machine gun fire, he carried a wounded Vietnamese Marine while directing his men to the rescue helicopter for evacuation. First Lieutenant Markiewicz’ gallantry in action and devotion to duty are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 2 July 1926, has awarded the DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS to

FIRST LIEUTENANT RONALD E. MARKIEWICZ
71ST AVIATION COMPANY, 14TH AVIATION BATTALION, 23D INFANTRY DIVISION

For EXTRAORDINARY ACHIEVEMENT: during aerial flight on 24 March 1971, while serving as a UH-1 Pilot, 71st Aviation Company, 14th Aviation Battalion, 23d Infantry Division, in support of combat operations in Vietnam. On this date, First Lieutenant Markiewicz attempted to extract downed helicopter crews from the border area between North and South Vietnam and Laos. Despite intense anti-aircraft fire from several positions, he began his rescue attempt by skillfully avoiding a deadly hail of gunfire. As the UH-1 approached the ground, heavy machine gun fire tore through the aircraft. Impacting enemy rounds riddled the cockpit, causing shards of metal and plexiglass to cut him in multiple places. Ignoring his wounds, First Lieutenant Markiewicz successfully landed the aircraft, enabling troops to recover the downed crews. Upon completion of the sortie, he obtained a replacement aircraft and continued with the mission. First Lieutenant Markiewicz’ devotion to duty is in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Please help the Virginia Beach Democratic Committee live our values at our Saturday, July 24th breakfast by providing support for homeless veterans through Vetshouse in Virginia Beach. Vetshouse provides housing, food, clothing, counseling and other assistance to homeless vets to help facilitate their return to gainful, independent, responsible and productive lifestyles. It is located right here in Virginia Beach.

Vetshouse Executive Director (and Veteran) Williard Smith will be our featured speaker. Cost of the all you can eat breakfast buffet (including tax and tip) is $10 for adults and $6 for kids under 12. $2 from every adult meal and $1 from every kids meal will be donated directly to Vetshouse.

The VBDC will also be collecting donations for Vetshouse of the following items:

• Non-perishable Foods (Canned foods, Cereals, Peanut Butter, Pasta, etc.)
• Household Consumables (Toilet Paper, Paper Towels, Dish Detergent, Laundry Detergent, Cleaning Products, Toothpaste, Soap)
• New or Very Gently Used Men’s Clothing
• Grocery Store, Department Store, or Gas Station Gift Cards

For additional information or to RSVP, please contact Virginia Beach Democratic Committee Public Service Committee Chair Lois Firestone at vbdcrsvp@gmail.com.

Connolly hailed the announcement by Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki that the VA will adopt a rule granting presumption of service connection to any veteran who served in a combat zone and has been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Connolly has been pushing for better treatment of PTSD among veterans since early 2009 when he co-sponsored the COMBAT PTSD Act (H.R. 952). The legislation would create a presumption of service connected disability for veterans diagnosed with PTSD.

“I applaud the decision by the VA to adopt the intent of this legislation as VA policy,” Connolly said. “Today’s news is long overdue for veterans, who have experienced PTSD, and their families. It is our duty to care for all who have answered the call to defend our nation, including those with wounds that may not leave physical scars, but are debilitating, nonetheless.”

Currently, less than half of the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans diagnosed with PTSD are receiving benefits from the VA. The rule change will also have a dramatic impact on many older Vietnam-era veterans, who are often diagnosed many years after their traumatic incident, which makes the service-related connection very difficult to establish.

Before this change in VA regulations, veterans who applied for disability benefits related to PTSD had to demonstrate to the VA that their illness was service related, essentially denying benefits to thousands of veterans unable to document their claims after their discharge from service. The new rule will make it easier for all veterans suffering from PTSD to receive VA health care and disability compensation, and many Vietnam veterans who were denied PTSD benefits in the past may now be eligible.
In a statement issued today, Thomas J. Tradewell Sr., the national commander of the 2.1 million-member Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. and its Auxiliaries, called the VA secretary’s decision to ease PTSD claims requirements a sea-change in the mindset of the VA.

Tradewell, a combat-wounded veteran, said it follows numerous other decisions that increased the list of presumptions for diseases associated with Agent Orange exposure; increased services and programs for women veterans, veterans who reside in rural areas as well as the homeless; and reduced the size of the claims form from 23 to 10 pages. Tradewell said even the VA’s outreach to patients possibly exposed to improperly sterilized equipment at a small number of its hospitals reflects the department’s proactive, veterans-first attitude.

“The VA is acknowledging that mental injuries can be just as debilitating as any physical wound, and to no longer require veterans to relive their nightmares in great detail is a very positive step forward for veterans of all generations,” Tradewell said.

The full text of the message follows:

Last weekend, on the Fourth of July, Michelle and I welcomed some of our extraordinary military men and women and their families to the White House.

They were just like the thousands of active duty personnel and veterans I’ve met across this country and around the globe. Proud. Strong. Determined. Men and women with the courage to answer their country’s call, and the character to serve the United States of America.

Because of that service; because of the honor and heroism of our troops around the world; our people are safer, our nation is more secure, and we are poised to end our combat mission in Iraq by the end of August, completing a drawdown of more than 90,000 troops since last January.

Still, we are a nation at war. For the better part of a decade, our men and women in uniform have endured tour after tour in distant and dangerous places. Many have risked their lives. Many have given their lives. And as a grateful nation, humbled by their service, we can never honor these American heroes or their families enough.

Just as we have a solemn responsibility to train and equip our troops before we send them into harm’s way, we have a solemn responsibility to provide our veterans and wounded warriors with the care and benefits they’ve earned when they come home.

That is our sacred trust with all who serve – and it doesn’t end when their tour of duty does.

To keep that trust, we’re building a 21st century VA, increasing its budget, and ensuring the steady stream of funding it needs to support medical care for our veterans.

To help our veterans and their families pursue a college education, we’re funding and implementing the post-9/11 GI Bill.

To deliver better care in more places, we’re expanding and increasing VA health care, building new wounded warrior facilities, and adapting care to better meet the needs of female veterans.

To stand with those who sacrifice, we’ve dedicated new support for wounded warriors and the caregivers who put their lives on hold for a loved one’s long recovery.

And to do right by our vets, we’re working to prevent and end veteran homelessness – because in the United States of America, no one who served in our uniform should sleep on our streets.

We also know that for many of today’s troops and their families, the war doesn’t end when they come home.

Too many suffer from the signature injuries of today’s wars: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury. And too few receive the screening and treatment they need.

Now, in past wars, this wasn’t something America always talked about. And as a result, our troops and their families often felt stigmatized or embarrassed when it came to seeking help.

Today, we’ve made it clear up and down the chain of command that folks should seek help if they need it. In fact, we’ve expanded mental health counseling and services for our vets.

But for years, many veterans with PTSD who have tried to seek benefits – veterans of today’s wars and earlier wars – have often found themselves stymied. They’ve been required to produce evidence proving that a specific event caused their PTSD. And that practice has kept the vast majority of those with PTSD who served in non-combat roles, but who still waged war, from getting the care they need.

Well, I don’t think our troops on the battlefield should have to take notes to keep for a claims application. And I’ve met enough veterans to know that you don’t have to engage in a firefight to endure the trauma of war.

So we’re changing the way things are done.

On Monday, the Department of Veterans Affairs, led by Secretary Eric Shinseki, will begin making it easier for a veteran with PTSD to get the benefits he or she needs.

This is a long-overdue step that will help veterans not just of the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars, but generations of their brave predecessors who proudly served and sacrificed in all our wars.

It’s a step that proves America will always be here for our veterans, just as they’ve been there for us. We won’t let them down. We take care of our own. And as long as I’m Commander-in-Chief, that’s what we’re going to keep doing. Thank you. …more

RICHMOND – Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell today highlighted legislation taking effect July 1st that recognizes his commitment to make Virginia the most Veteran friendly state in America. Included in this is legislation establishing a Veterans Skills Database, fee waivers for Veterans seeking small business permits, protecting the right to display the American flag at their home, and designating the Honor and Remember Flag as the Commonwealth’s emblem of service and sacrifice.

Speaking about the legislation becoming law on July 1st, Governor McDonnell remarked, “Virginia is home to more than 830,000 veterans and almost 200,000 Virginians are serving in the military around the world. Our state government must continue to do more to better serve those who have voluntarily protected America for generations past and present. During the 2010 legislative session we passed 24 pieces of legislation to make Virginia the most veteran-friendly state in America. I have tasked Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Services Paul Galanti to develop a Veterans Bill of Rights to identify the needs of veterans and their families so we can make sure those needs are met. I have also asked the Virginia Employment Commission, in cooperation with the Department of Veterans Services and the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, to establish a Veterans Skills Database to help market and promote workforce skills to veterans. We passed legislation protecting a Virginian’s right to fly the American flag on his or her property. Further, we have designated the Honor and Remember Flag as the Commonwealth’s emblem of service and sacrifice by the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces, who have given their lives in the line of duty. The community of veterans and active duty soldiers who call Virginia home deserve our support and recognition to ensure their success in the Commonwealth.”

Commissioner of Veterans Services Paul Galanti also noted, “We are working hard to implement the most affected policies to ensure our veterans and active duty soldiers have the tools they need to be successful at home and continue to choose Virginia as their place of retirement. The 24 pieces of legislation going into law on Thursday will better equip us with the tools needed to provide Virginia’s veterans with the services they need.”

See new law details available here.

The First Lady is asking 100 percent of Americans to support the brave men and women in uniform and their families back home. Here are some things you can do in your community to get started:

• Stay informed about the activities and concerns of military families in your community and across the nation;
• Take time out to get to know and express appreciation to military families;
• Help ensure military families have the opportunity to share their stories and voice their concerns in your community;
• Help ensure the places where you work, worship, and participate in community life connect their activities to addressing military families’ unique challenges; and
• Identify opportunities in your communities to tap into the unique skills, experience and commitment to service our military families display each day.

Today, the First Family will host more than 1,200 military heroes and their families for a Fourth of July celebration at the White House. Tune in for the Second Annual “Salute to the Military” USO Concert, featuring The Killers, Brandi Carlile, Cedric “The Entertainer,” and “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band. The evening wraps up with a viewing of the fireworks on the National Mall. You can watch the whole thing live on WhiteHouse.gov/live starting at 7 PM EDT. Happy Independence Day!  …more

This marks the third time in seven months that Connolly has voted for the so-called “doc fix” to reverse the automatic cuts in doctor payments. The first two House-passed bills died in the Senate, including legislation that would have permanently eliminated the threat of cuts in Medicare and TRICARE reimbursement rates.

The Senate bill passed by the House is effective through November 30, 2010 and also includes a 2.2 percent increase in doctor payments. The legislation is fully paid for and does not add to the federal deficit. The bill passed the House 417-1 and now goes to the President for his signature.

“I supported this short-term ‘doc fix’ for Medicare and TRICARE because it was the only option we could get from the Senate at this time, but I am going to continue to fight to permanently end this problem,” Connolly said. “We must provide peace of mind to our seniors, veterans and their families, and guarantee they have access to the care they need.”

Bryan Lentz (PA-07)

Manan Trivedi (PA-06)

Mike Oliverio (WV-01)

Rob Miller (SC-02)

Tommy Sowers (MO-08)

“What’s remarkable about that statement is the utter hypocrisy of it,” stated David Mills, Executive Director of the Democratic Party of Virginia.  “For the Attorney General to decide to become a 1st Amendment champion now is worse than disingenuous – it’s selective justice.  True freedom is predicated on a uniform application of the law toward all citizens.  Attorney General Cuccinelli sees nothing wrong with a hypocritical and grossly subjective application of the law, and that practice constitutes a greater risk to our freedom than any single court case.”

In a statement issued late yesterday, House Minority Leader Ward Armstrong said “It’s a bit disingenuous for the Attorney General to claim that he is the protector of free speech when he is currently seeking to quell the free speech of a Professor at the University of Virginia,” said Armstrong.

“I’m a big proponent of the First Amendment right of free speech, but there are some forms of speech that are regulated. You can’t shout fire in a crowded theater. These veterans and their families have rights too. Our fallen servicemen and women have the right to a funeral that is treated with the respect and honor they deserve.”

The Attorney General has missed an important opportunity to stand up for Virginia’s military families, according to the DPVA’s Veterans and Military Families Caucus.

“Families of the fallen have the right to peacefully and respectfully say goodbye to their loved ones.  The Attorney General should have put his support behind these families, just as 48 other Attorneys General did around the nation.  Now Virginia’s military families have more support from Attorneys General in other states — then they do from their own,” said Joseph Harmon, chair of the DPVA Veterans and Military Families Caucus. …more