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Ozaukee County Veterans Service Office |
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Veterans News And Views
Now, yet another generation of Americans has been called forward to defend our freedoms, and our way of life. At the time of this writing, they have done themselves proud, as the generations before them did.
I wonder what the founding fathers would think of our country today? I believe that they would be proud of how we have grown as a nation, despite our many differences. As the new year begins, let us take the time this year to enjoy the freedoms that we, and our forefathers fought so hard to preserve, and that this generation continues to defend. GOD BLESS AMERICA PROJECT SHAD The Department of Defense recently admitted that during the 1960’s they conducted “testing” on our own sailors, with “agents” that were to simulate biological and chemical attacks on ships. As with any testing that was conducted without the knowledge or consent of our troops, there are some serious questions regarding the safety of these substitute “agents” that were used. The Department of Veterans Affairs has asked that the DOD release ALL information related to these tests, so that the VA can properly study and determine if any of our fellow veterans have grounds for a compensation claim. DOD is SLOWLY releasing information about these tests. DOD has a section of their website setup to give more information. http://www.defenselink.mil/news Mark it on your calendars NOW! The annual American Legion Youth and Government Day will be held on Wednesday March 5, 2003.
We generally start the day at the County Administration Center (Old Courthouse) where the young people have the opportunity to sit with their County Supervisors during an actual session of the County Board. They then get a tour of some of the other offices here, before we take them to lunch. Following lunch, the young people are transported to the Justice
Center and given a tour of the County Jail, the Morgue, and then are
taken up to one of the Court Rooms for a mock trail. We can use all of the help that we can get. We generally ask other veterans to come and assist with keeping the groups of young people together, and moving on schedule. Usually, every High School in the county participates, so come join us, and we can get you hooked up with a group from your part of the county. ANNUAL SALUTE TO THE LEGISLATURE The annual salute to the legislature is scheduled for Wednesday, February 5, 2003. The event will be held in the same location as last year, that is the Monona Terrace Ballroom. The program begins at 4:00 P.M. with speeches by several dignitaries, usually including the governor, as well as several members of the Assembly and Senate.
Heavy hor-devours follows, with a cash bar. Here’s your chance to come out and talk face-to-face with your elected representatives, and make sure they understand your concerns. HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE !!! VA Medical Center Co-Payment Schedule The VA has instituted a schedule of co-payments. Currently, if you are subject to the co-pay, which is based on your family income and assets (you and your spouse). The schedule calls for a “sliding scale” based on the level of treatment received. For the normal doctor visit, you will pay $15.00, more advanced tests, and some specialty visits, the cost is $50.00.
If you haven’t signed up for the VA Healthcare System yet, it is still open to all veterans. Be advised, due to the large number of people enrolling, there will be a significant waiting period before you can start accessing the system.( up to 18 months at the time of this writing) For those of us who were around during the time of vaccination for smallpox, we didn’t even think about it twice. Now, it seems everyone has to question everything, so here is the latest information, to keep our friends and family properly informed.
there is no cure. None of our current antiviral medications is effective. Smallpox can spread from person to person and through infected blankets, linens, and clothing. Experts consider it a likely weapon of choice for use in a bioterrorist attack. Symptoms don't start until about 12 days after exposure to the virus. At first, it's like the flu -- causing an under-the-weather feeling of fever, nausea, vomiting, headache, and backache. Then, severe abdominal pain and disorientation can set in, as small, round sores erupt all over the skin. About 30% of people who become infected will die, and survivors can be left with permanent scars. Of course, vaccination can prevent smallpox infection. But the World Health Organization's worldwide vaccination campaign, begun in 1967, came to an end in 1980 when the disease was officially declared "eradicated." Here in the U.S., where smallpox was stamped out even earlier, childhood vaccination ceased in 1972. There are only two official repositories of smallpox virus in the world: the CDC in Atlanta and the Russian State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology in Koltsovo, Novosibirsk. Those supplies are used for scientific research and vaccine development. These two sources, however, are not the only stashes of the deadly virus. The same year that worldwide vaccination ceased, the Soviet government began growing and stockpiling large quantities of smallpox virus, specially adapted for use in bombs and missiles. Even before Sept. 11th, interest was rising in how prepared we are to face a bio-terrorism attack. And now that the "unthinkable" has happened, bolstering our smallpox vaccine supply has become a priority. There are currently about 50 million vaccine doses worldwide -- with 5 million to 7 million here in the U.S. Experts say that even with an all-out manufacturing effort, it would take at least three years before there was sufficient supply to prevent an epidemic. Since this article was written, the CDC and NIH have learned that a diluted form of the vaccine is just as effective. There are now enough doses available for every American who may desire one. The vaccines we all got earlier in life are only good for 3-5 years from the time we received them. The vaccine will not be available to the general public until 2004. Even then, you should consult your doctor before you get vaccinated. Remains of Crew in Navy Plane Crash ID'd HONOLULU Dec. 20 —
The OP-2E Neptune crashed into the cloud-covered face of Phou Louang Mountain on Jan. 11, 1968, according to officials at Honolulu-based Joint Task Force-Full Accounting. The crew was on a mission to drop sensors along the jungle floor to detect enemy troop movements and conversations. Excavations began in 1996 after the crash site was located near the mile-high mountain summit, and the work was completed last February, the officials said. Since 1973, the remains of 750 American service members formerly listed as missing or unaccounted for in Southeast Asia have been identified. There are currently 1,891 Americans still missing or unaccounted for.
Who’s Defending America ??? There was a very good article that appeared in the Sunday edition of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel “letters to the Editor Section”. If you are a Legionnaire, you most likely saw a reference to this article in the latest Badger Legionnaire Newspaper. My wife found the article quite moving, and cut it out, to make sure that I read it! It has special meaning to all of us, as veterans, but REALLY hit home with my wife. (For those of you who do not know, my son is currently in ROTC, and will graduate next spring, with a 4 year commitment to active duty.)
It was really heartening to see that that “mindset” can be altered through exposure to the reality that one’s own son or daughter might be so motivated as to serve in the military. Much as some of our fellow Americans did what they could to “duck” the draft during the Vietnam War, you can see that same sort of elitism in this article. I have always advocated for some sort of national service for ALL Americans, here is yet another example of why I think our youth , and their parents could benefit from this sort of requirement. SEE YOU AROUND THE COUNTY !!! Ken |
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As
the new year begins, we find ourselves involved in the war on
Terrorism, potentially ready for war with Iraq, and have the North
Koreans rattling their sabers. As veterans, we all hoped that the
conflicts we were involved in would be the last, and that our
children and grandchildren could come to know a different world than
the one we faced. 
These
are different times from the ones that we faced in our youth. More
confusing in many ways. We have an all volunteer force, have had
since the late 70’s. Yet these remarkable young men and women have
come forward, just as we did, to do what is needed. This is where I
think we differ from so many other countries. Americans have always
been willing to do whatever was necessary to defend not only our
country, but also any other freedom loving peoples. It is what sets
us apart from the rest of the world. We have our faults, we have our
foibles, we periodically do things that we are not proud of, yet we
as a people endure.
This annual event
is a great opportunity to show a select group of High School
students the functioning of our County’s Government.
The
co-pay on medications is set at $7.00 for a 30 day supply of each
medication. 
Smallpox is a
highly contagious virus that can be spread from person to person and
infects 30% of the people who are exposed to it. Once infected, 
The remains of all
nine crew members aboard a U.S. Navy patrol plane that crashed in
Laos during the Vietnam War have been identified, the Central
Identification Laboratory, Hawaii, announced Thursday.
I think the
article speaks volumes about the “mindset” of some of our fellow
Americans. In some ways, it’s REALLY sad to see.