VFW Briefs DPAA on Recent SE Asia Site Visit

VFW Junior Vice Commander Tim Peters and staff from the VFW Washington Office visited with Kelly McKeague, director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), to provide a briefing on Peters’ recent visit to recovery sites in Thailand and Vietnam. The VFW has long-standing resolutions in support of DPAA’s mission to provide the fullest possible accounting of our nation’s missing, which is why VFW leaders routinely visit with the DPAA Detachments overseas to see firsthand how American service members, partner organizations, and local nations work to bring missing American service members home. Peters also took the opportunity to explore ways in which the VFW could provide further coordinated support to DPAA’s mission in the coming years.

Battle Buddy: Your connection to Veteran resources

VETLIFE (https://www.vetlifetoday.org/) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Veterans and their families by providing access to essential resources, benefits and community connections. Founded by Veterans who understand the challenges of transitioning to civilian life, VETLIFE works to bridge the gap between service members and the support systems designed to help them thrive. Battle Buddy is a central coordinating hub that puts all essential services at your fingertips. It provides a wealth of resources, including information about VA benefits, financial assistance, job placement, housing programs, mental health support and more. Instead of searching endlessly for answers, Veterans can find trusted, vetted resources in one easy-to-use platform.

Get the Facts on Toxic Exposure Screenings

The VA has conducted toxic exposure screenings for millions of veterans since the passage of the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-168). However, myths persist regarding the law’s purpose and scope, such as only older veterans are eligible for screening. To rebut common misconceptions, VA provides myth- or-fact clarification, as well as links to additional information resources.

59th DPA Convention and 56th DPA Grand Scratch

Department of Pacific Areas Convention (June 2025) Event Timing: 18 - 21 June 2025 (22 June Travel Day) Event Address: Novotel Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand Contact Email: Convention@vfwpacific.org

VA Secretary Addresses Veterans Benefits Rumors

VA Secretary Doug Collins released a video from his office recently addressing misinformation circulating about Veterans’ benefits and VA health care. In a direct and candid message, Collins refuted several rumors he described as “whoppers.” This video is available on VA News along with other timely videos from our administration.

The Dole Act: H.R. 8371

The Dole Act is named in honor of former Senator Elizabeth Dole, a long-time advocate for veterans and their caregivers. Senator Dole’s work highlighted the challenges faced by caregivers of veterans, emphasizing the need for better support systems. The legislation builds on her legacy, addressing some of the most pressing issues veterans face today, including the expansion of caregiver benefits and initiatives to combat homelessness, improve accessibility of VA health care, and increase mental health resources.

GWOT Memorial-Honor-Heal-Empower-Unite

It is important that the memorial be a place to honor the 1 percent of Americans who have served since the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is proud to continue its support of building a memorial in the nation’s capital dedicated to the Global War on Terror. Michael “Rod” Rodriguez, an Army Special Forces retiree, is the President and CEO of the Global War on Terror Memorial Foundation. Comrade Rodriguez, is a life member of the VFW Department of North Carolina.

VA Mobile App

More than two million users have downloaded the VA Health and Benefits mobile app. This tool empowers veterans to access their health care and benefits information from anywhere on their mobile devices. Features include the ability to manage health care appointments, view the status of benefits claims and appeals, read benefit decision letters, refill and track prescriptions, and locate VA facilities. It also provides quick and direct access to the VA Crisis Line for immediate care. VA plans to add health care appointment scheduling to the app this year.

State Tax Info for Military Members and Retirees

Did you know that many states do not charge income tax on active duty or retired military pay? Many others tax only a portion of these pays. To see what type of tax breaks your state offers for military members, retirees and survivors, check out our list.

VFW 2024 Goals

The VFW has released its 2024 Priority Goals, highlighting the top veterans' issues it plans to tackle in the new year.

Top 10 Veterans Resources

Veterans Health Library

The VA is committed to reducing Veteran suicide. If you're a Veteran in crisis or know a Veteran who is, support is available to you. The VA offers a network of support for all Veterans and their families and friends.

VFW Day of Service

The VFW strives to bring attention to the commitment and continued service of America’s veterans. U.S. veterans are 1.5 times more likely to work in public service or charitable organizations, volunteer 25 percent more hours per year and give 17 percent more in dollar donations. The VFW has seen this data come to life in the everyday actions of its more than 1 million members.

Suicide Prevention

The Department of Defense (DOD) released its Annual Report on Suicide in the Military Calendar Year 2022. In total, 492 service members across components lost their lives to suicide in 2022, which is a decrease from 2021. In addition, a total of 168 family members died by suicide in 2021, which is the most recent year data is available.

Get Your DD214 and Other Service Records

Are you looking for your service records or those of a family member? Here's how you can get them fast and easy.

PACT Act Exposed to Toxins Compensation

Visit PACTActInfo.org: The VFW-championed PACT Act added more than twenty presumptive conditions for burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxins, extending VA benefits and compensation to toxic-exposed veterans and their surviving families more than ever before. Who does the PACT Act affect? How do I know if I qualify? How do I join to help the fight? The VFW has developed a quick and easy questionnaire to determine potential eligibility under the PACT Act. Visit PACTActInfo.org to learn more about PACT Act eligibility and to be connected with a VFW Service Officer for assistance with your VA claim.

Expedited PACT Claims for Terminal Vets

A announced it began processing PACT Act benefits claims for eligible terminally ill veterans as of Dec.12. While PACT Act claims for all other veterans will begin on Jan. 1, 2023, VA was able to expedite processing for terminally ill veterans to ensure these veterans receive their earned benefits on the earliest possible date.

Consulate News

IMPORTANT NOTARY UPDATE! As of March 1, 2023, we are no longer offering Residency verification to apply for a Thai driver’s license or buy/sell a vehicle in Thailand. In Bangkok, please contact the Thai Immigration Bureau’s Chaeng Wattana Office (Counter B, 1st Floor) or the nearest regional immigration office in other provinces to obtain a certificate of residence from Thai Immigration Bureau. For more information, please refer to our Fact Sheet (PDF 181KB). https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/notaries-public/ IMPORTANT PASSPORT UPDATE! Customers are required to mail adult passport renewal applications (Form DS-82) to U.S. Embassy Bangkok. There are no appointments available to renew adult passports at U.S. Consulate General Chiang Mai. Customers who appear at U.S. Consulate General Chiang Mai requesting adult passport renewal (Form DS-82) will be required to mail their passport application to U.S. Embassy Bangkok. From April 10th 2023, the U.S. Mission in Thailand will no longer provide a linkage letter with newly issued passports. You may present the cancelled and current passport to the Thai Immigration Bureau or the nearest regional immigration office in other provinces to have your Thai visa transferred to your new passport.

U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Thailand

American Citizen Services (ACS) for U.S. Mission Thailand. We provide a range of services and information. All non-emergency consular services, including passport applications, notarizations and reports of birth abroad, require an appointment. We will not accept walk-ins. This assists us in providing prompt and efficient consular services to American Citizens residing in and visiting Thailand. We provide American Citizen Services at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok and the U.S. Consulate General in Chiang Mai.

Chiang Mai Immigration's new service point

Chiang Mai Immigration's new service point in Central Festival shopping mall Open from Monday - Friday 09.00-12.00, 13.00-17.00 Services offered are: 1. Short-term visa extension for tourist visa 2. Visa for teachers / instructors / students (private/government) that are already registered in the system 3. Family visa 4. Re-instatement of Thai nationality for a person whose father/mother is a Thai national 5. Transporting a current visa from an old passport to a new one 6. Requesting permission to re-enter the Kingdom 7. 90 days reporting

10 TRICARE Health Care Terms You Should Know

Have you recently come across a health care term and weren’t quite sure what it meant? It’s OK. Health care coverage is full of terms you may not know. To help you better understand your TRICARE benefit, here’s a list of commonly used health care terms and definitions.

VFW Unmet Needs Program

We understand the challenges veterans, service members and military families can face and believe that experiencing financial difficulties should not be one of them. That's the premise behind the VFW's Unmet Needs program. Unmet Needs is there to help America's military families who have run into unexpected financial difficulties as a result of deployment or other military-related activity or injury. The program provides financial aid grants of up to $1,500 to assist with basic life needs in the form of a grant - not a loan - so no repayment is required. To further ease the burden, we pay the creditor directly. The needs of our veterans, service members and their families should never go unmet. Let us offer you a hand up when you need it! For additional information, and to see if you or someone you know qualifies for a grant through the Unmet Needs program, please review the Unmet Needs eligibility criteria.

VFW National Home

VFW National Home for Children: The National Home was founded in 1925 as a place where the families left behind by war could remain together. Today’s families face different challenges, and the National Home has evolved over decades to meet those needs. The community is open to the families of active duty military personnel, veterans, and relatives of VFW and VFW Auxiliary members. Families can be one or both parents with one or more children.

TRICARE Overseas Program Application

Finding the health care resources you need can be difficult, especially if you’re living or traveling overseas. That’s why International SOS Government Services, Inc., the TRICARE Overseas Program (TOP) contractor, created MyCare Overseas. This is a new self-service tool for those enrolled in TOP Prime, TOP Prime Remote, or TOP Select. And it helps you get all of the information you need from one place.

All American / All State Post

2009 All American Post * 2010 All State Post * 2016 All State Post * 2019 All State Post * 2020 All American Post * 2021 All American Post * 2022 All American Post * 2023 All American Post *

Join or Upgrade Your Membership

Provide a dues stipend to individuals to join our Post. ($30, maximum of 6 individuals) Provide a stipend to members wishing to upgrade to LIFE or LEGACY. ($100, maximum of 4 members) Contact Our Quartermaster, quartermaster12074@gmail.com.

STILL SERVING

IN COMMUNITIES ALL OVER THE WORLD, IN EVERY WAY IMAGINABLE, VETERANS ARE STILL SERVING. All Members are encouraged to become involved with our Post's Community Outreach, Ceremonies and Events. Families are always welcomed to become involved.

POW-MIA

The POW/MIA flag is displayed at selected federal facilities on six designated days: Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, National POW/MIA Recognition Day and Veterans Day. National POW/MIA Recognition Day was established in 1979. There is an annual Presidential proclamation commemorating the third Friday in September as National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

Request for Sponsors

Would you like your business to be viewed every day by 100s of potential customers across Thailand? If so, help support our Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Post 12074 website. Donate $100 (or ฿3,000), and we will post your logo on our homepage for one year. When your potential customers click on your logo, they are directed to a dedicated page on our website that you control. You control the message on your dedicated page. You can post news relevant to your business and create links to your homepage, Facebook page, or other links to promote your business.