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TREA WASHINGTON UPDATE March 21, 2008
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TREA Washington Update for March 21, 2008
Happy Easter to you all
Congress is out of session until March 31, but Washington has still been very busy. At the Supreme Court they heard the first argument in over 70 years over whether the Constitutional right to bear arms is an individual right. (A decision is expected in June). Wednesday was the 5th anniversary of the beginning of the War in Iraq, so we had protests at several places across the city (the protests were small, in total less than 1,000 people). And both here, and in Florida and Michigan, people were fighting over whether or not they should have a do-over Democratic Party primary. (No final word yet, but it looks like no)
1) VA Opening 14 New Outpatient Clinics This Year
3) 9th Bomb Squadron Makes First Supersonic Flight With Synthetic Fuel
4) VA Announces Deployment of Mobile Pharmacies
5) VA Announces Enlargement of Dental Care Eligibility For Recently Discharged Veterans
6) Red, White and Blue Rolls Over Berkeley
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Click here for a Printable Version of this Update
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1) VA Opening 14 New Outpatient Clinics This Year-VA Secretary Dr. James B. Peake announced this week that the VA will be opening an additional 14 Outpatient Healthcare Clinics this year. This will mean that the VA will be opening 64 new clinics this year. Already the VA has the largest integrated healthcare system in the world with 143 hospitals and over 700 clinics. The new clinics will be up and running this year. They will be located in the following states and counties:
· Arkansas – Phillips County
· Illinois – Coles County
· Indiana – Scott County
· Kentucky – Carroll County, Christian County and Graves County
· Oklahoma – Stillwater
· Tennessee – Bolivar, Campbell County, Dyer County, Roane County, Sevier County and Warren County
· Washington – Lewis County
The VA has not yet decided on the exact locations in each county. More on that later.
2) Veterans Invited To Attend the 17th International Franchise Exposition in Washington DC-April 11-13-If you are thinking of starting up a new business this may be a perfect opportunity for you. The VA’s office VetBiz is inviting all interested members of the active duty, guard and reserve, all veterans and retirees to attend for free the 3 day International Franchise Exposition being held at Washington’s Walter E. Washington Convention Center. All you need to do is register by March 28 (a week from today) There will be seminars and over 300 exhibitors. At the bottom of this Update there is a full description of the program or go to IFEinfo.com for more information.
3) 9th Bomb Squadron Makes First Supersonic Flight With Synthetic Fuel-On Wednesday, a 9th Bomb Squadron’s B-1B was the first plane to fly at supersonic speeds with a synthetic fuel. The fuel is 50% petroleum (JP-8) and 50% synthetic fuel (made from gasified coal). “The goal is to have every aircraft using synthetic fuel blends by 2011," said Maj. Don Rhymer, assigned to the Air Force Alternative Fuels Certification Office. "By 2016 we hope at least 50 percent of this fuel will be produced domestically." More than 50% of DoD’s petroleum consumption is jet fuel. It is estimated that the Air Force uses 3 billion gallons of oil a year. (And 90% of the fuel used by the entire federal government is that used by DoD.) DoD hopes that synthetic fuel will both save DoD money and will reduce our dependence on foreign oil. DoD estimates that for every $10 increase in a barrel of oil DoD fuel costs rise $600,000,000. The Air Force estimates that this fuel would save them between $30-$50 a barrel. The mission commander Captain Rick Fourier was happy with the results: "There was no noticeable difference flying with this fuel. I would have no problem flying an aircraft using this fuel in peacetime or combat. It's great to be part of an Air Force initiative that is also helping the environment. Using a fuel that is cheaper and cleaner ... what could be better?"
4) VA Announces Deployment Of Mobile Pharmacies-The Department of Veterans Affairs announced that they will be deploying 4 mobile pharmacies to send to disaster areas and communities around the country. The Pharmacies will be housed in 40 foot trailers that are designed to withstand a Category 3 hurricane. They will be able to dispense drugs or through the mail. It has been decided that 3 of the pharmacies will be based in Dallas, Texas, Murfreesboro, Tennessee and Charleston, South Carolina. The 4th location has not yet been decided.
5) VA Announces Enlargement Of Dental Care Eligibility For Recently Discharged Veterans-The VA has been providing dental care for veterans with a service connected dental disability; for 100% disabled or IU former POWs; or veterans participating in VA vocational rehabilitation program. As of January 28, 2008, another group of veterans: “recently discharged veterans with a service-connected non-compensable dental condition or disability who served on active duty 90 days or more and who apply for VA dental care within 180 days of separation from active duty, may receive one time treatment for dental conditions if the dental condition is shown to have existed at the time of discharge or release and the veteran’s certificate of discharge does not indicate that the veteran received necessary dental care within a 90-day period prior to discharge or release. This includes veterans who reentered active military, naval, or air service within 90 days after the date of a prior discharge and; veterans whose disqualifying discharge or release has been corrected by competent authority.” For more information go to the VA’s fact sheet at: http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility/Library/pubs/Dental/Dental.pdf
6) Red, White and Blue Rolls Over Berkeley - “Eagles Up” Leads Effort to Show Support for ‘Lightning Rod’ Marine Office - Berkeley, CA - Grassroots group ‘Eagles Up’ (www.EaglesUp.us) will muster this Saturday in Berkeley to pushback against the anti-American antics of the City of Berkeley and its anti-military minions, while showing overwhelming support for U.S. Marines.
Hundreds of patriots on motorcycles are expected to roar into town from around the western United States, while other supports will come to Berkeley to stand with the bikers at the Marine Recruiting Center on Shattuck Avenue.
Melanie Morgan, popular radio personality and chairwoman of ‘Move America Forward” (MAF) (www.MoveAmericaForward.org) and Catherine Moy, MAF’s executive director, will address the crowd assembled Saturday to show support for the Marine Corps office that protesters have attacked. Move America Forward is the nation’s largest pro-troop organization and has been on the frontlines against the anti-war crowds harassing our Marines in Berkeley.
“We encourage all American patriots to stand with Eagles Up and the Marines,” Morgan said. “I hope to see Move America Forward’s supporters at the muster to show our love and support for our troops.”
Eagles Up led a march last week in the nation’s Capitol to counter demonstrations planned by antiwar groups.
‘Code Pink’ has protested at the Marines office since October, when MAF first staged a counter-protest. On January 29, the Berkeley City Council gave Code Pink a free regular event permit, sound permit and reserved parking for their protests. The City Council also called the Marines “uninvited” and “intruders” and has refused to apologize for the slander.
The mayor has expressed a willingness to extend similar rights to other organizations, but only for recurring protests of the Marine office. Move America Forward’s request for similar rights to protest the city council were denied, and Eagles Up is paying for the permits for Saturday’s events.
Many patriotic motorcycle groups are expected to attend and stage formal rides to and from the event, which will feature speakers at noon.
This program is FREE for all military personnel. Active Duty, Guard, Reserves, Veterans and Retirees.
To receive FREE admission to the exhibit hall and seminars, simply register by March 28, 2008.
The hottest franchise concepts are at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, April 11-13. The International Franchise Expo features over 300 franchise companies at every investment level. Full time and part time opportunities. Take the guesswork out. Franchising is a proven, successful method of owning your own business. There has never been a better time to invest in yourself. The time to connect with the right franchise and take charge of your future is now.
To honor those men and women who have served in the U.S. military, the Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative, known as “VetFran,” was developed to help them transition to civilian life. VetFran is a effort designed to encourage franchise ownership by offering financial incentives to honorably discharged veterans. To date, more than 1,000 franchises have been acquired by veterans using financial incentives provided by VetFran participating companies. Over 50 companies exhibiting at the IFE belong to VetFran.
You’ll meet with representatives from just about every type of business. Sample food, products and services from hundreds of franchises.
Be sure to attend the FREE specialty seminar, “Franchising 101 for Veterans”, on Saturday, April 12th at 3:30pm – 5:00pm.
To receive FREE admission to the exhibit hall and seminars, simply register by March 28, 2008.
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Go to IFEinfo.com to learn more about the 2008 IFE in Washington, DC
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