Breaking News - Announcements

WBIR - SERVICE and SACRIFICE VIDEOS

July 26, 2010

The officers, warrant officers, noncommissioned officers, and Soldiers of the 844th Engineer Battalion request the honor of your presence at the

844th Engineer Battalion
Welcome Home Warrior Citizen Ceremony

Honoring
844th Soldiers who served in the country of Iraq from May 2009 through April 2010, as well as Family Members and Employers for their steadfast support of our Warriors.

Please join us on Saturday, the twenty-first of August at 11 o’clock in the morning, at Bearden Middle School Auditorium located at 1000 Francis Road, Knoxville, TN 37909.

RSVP to
Staff Sergeant Michael Graves 865-558-5064
or
Email: michael.r.graves@usar.army.mil


 
 

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 12, 2010

VA Simplifies Access to Health Care and Benefits for Veterans with PTSD

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced a critical step forward in providing an easier process for Veterans seeking health care and disability compensation for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), with the publication of a final regulation in the Federal Register.
“This nation has a solemn obligation to the men and women who have honorably served this country and suffer from the often devastating emotional wounds of war,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.  “This final regulation goes a long way to ensure that Veterans receive the benefits and services they need.”
By publishing a final regulation in the Federal Register to simplify the process for a Veteran to claim service connection for PTSD, VA reduces the evidence needed if the trauma claimed by a Veteran is related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity and is consistent with the places, types, and circumstances of the Veteran’s service. 
This science-based regulation relies on evidence that concluded that a Veteran’s deployment to a war zone is linked to an increased risk of PTSD.
Under the new rule, VA would not require corroboration of a stressor related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity if a VA doctor confirms that the stressful experience recalled by a Veteran adequately supports a diagnosis of PTSD and the Veteran's symptoms are related to the claimed stressor.
Previously, claims adjudicators were required to corroborate that a non-combat Veteran actually experienced a stressor related to hostile military activity.  This final rule simplifies the development that is required for these cases.
VA expects this rulemaking to decrease the time it takes VA to decide access to care and claims falling under the revised criteria.  More than 400,000 Veterans currently receiving compensation benefits are service connected for PTSD.  Combined with VA’s shorter claims form, VA’s new streamlined, science-based regulation allows for faster and more accurate decisions that also expedite access to medical care and other benefits for Veterans.
PTSD is a medically recognized anxiety disorder that can develop from seeing or experiencing an event that involves actual or threatened death or serious injury to which a person responds with intense fear, helplessness or horror, and is not uncommon among war Veterans. 
Disability compensation is a tax-free benefit paid to a Veteran for disabilities that are a result of -- or made worse by -- injuries or diseases associated with active service. 
For additional information, go to www.va.gov or call VA’s toll free benefits number at 1-800-827-1000.
#  #  #

May 18, 2010

Dear ETMAC Members and Friends of ETMAC,
This morning, Prestige Cleaners was recognized as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Community Excellence Award winner at a breakfast event, which was part of the America's Small Business Summit held in Washington D.C.  Eddie Mannis, founder and president of Prestige Cleaners accepted the award.
Mr. Mannis is also the Chairman and Founder of HonorAir Knoxville, the organization that flies WWII veterans, at no charge, to the WWII memorial in Washington DC.  He is also a huge supporter of ETMAC.
The Community Excellence Award highlights a small business that demonstrates excellence in the eyes of its community, customers, and employees. Prestige received the award based on the number of online votes received.  Thank you to all of you from ETMAC that voted for Eddie and Prestige Cleaners!  Your votes certainly helped him win this award that he is so deserving of. 
Regards,
Patrice Collins
Economic Development Assistant
Admin Support for ETMAC
Knoxville Chamber
17 Market Square, #201
Knoxville, TN  37902
865-637-4550
pcollins@knoxvillechamber.com
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2010

New Scholarship for the Children of Fallen Service Members
Benefit Honors Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry
WASHINGTON – The children of military personnel who died in the line of duty since Sept. 11, 2001 can apply for an educational scholarship similar to the new Post-9/11 GI Bill.  Benefits are retroactive to Aug. 1, 2009.
The scholarship, which is administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, are named after Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry, 28, a Texas native who died in Iraq in 2006 while disarming an explosive.  He was survived by three young children.
“The Fry scholarship represents this nation’s solemn commitment to care for children whose mothers and fathers paid the ultimate price for our country,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. 
VA begins accepting applications for the Fry scholarship on May 1, 2010.  For more information or assistance applying, call toll-free 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551), or visit the VA GI Bill Website at www.gibill.va.gov.
VA estimates nearly 1,500 children will receive benefits under the Fry scholarship program in 2010.  Recipients generally have 15 years to use their benefits, beginning on their 18th birthdays.
Eligible children attending institutions of higher learning may receive payments to cover their tuition and fees up to the highest amounts charged to public, in-state students at undergraduate institutions in each state.  A monthly housing allowance and stipend for books and supplies are also paid under this program. 
VA will begin paying benefits under the Fry scholarships on Aug. 1, 2010.  Eligible participants may receive benefits retroactively to August 1, 2009, the same day the Post-9/11 GI Bill took effect. 
Eligible children may be married.  Recipients are entitled to 36 months of benefits at the 100 percent level.  
- More -
 
Fry Scholarship – 2/2/2/2


When dependents also serve in the military, the reserves or are Veterans in their own right, eligible for education benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill for Active Duty, the Montgomery GI Bill for Selected Reserves or the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP), then they would relinquish their eligibility under those programs to receive benefits under a Fry scholarship.

#   #   #