Approximately 70 million Americans will see a 5.9% increase in their Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments in 2022.

Welcome the two newest members to our Post. Roland Fahie and John (Jack) Latrielle

Based on a proposed amendment to the Manual of Procedure Sections 418 and 518, the Post Inspections will now fall under the control of the Department Inspector.

I would Like to extend my thanks to the members who pushed us over the 100% goal for Membership.

The legislation is largely based on 2016 recommendations by a congressionally appointed commission, which included a proposal to allow veterans themselves to choose their private-sector care to alleviate wait times.

Veterans can now access all their VA benefits and services through one website, VA.gov. All the functions previously found on eBenefits are now available on the new website, however, eBenefits will remain functional until March 31, 2022. According to VA, the site usability and security has been improved, especially with the addition of two-factor authentication. Veterans are encouraged to log on and explore the new site.

VFW District 5 held it's elections during the 1 May 2021 Convention ZOOM Meeting. The officers will serve from 1 July 2021 until 30 June 2022.

The Post held it's elections during the April Monthly Meeting at the Bangkok Hospital. The officers will serve from 1 July 2021 until 30 June 2022.

The Army's vaccine candidate uses a new technology involving a Spike Ferritin Nanoparticle, or SpFN, that researchers hope can be adapted to protect against any coronavirus, including those that cause the common cold or deadly diseases such as COVID-19, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, MERS.

Military family advocates are worried that some beneficiaries dropped from the Defense Department's Tricare Select health program in January won't know they don't have health coverage until they go see a doctor. These beneficiaries -- working-age military retirees and their family members who were enrolled in the Tricare Select health program last year -- failed to set up payment plans for enrollment fees introduced Jan. 1, leaving them without access to comprehensive health care coverage under Tricare.

March is Women's History Month and the perfect time to recognize women veterans who have played an important role in our nation's history. Not only did they set the stage for future generations who wanted to serve their country, like me, but proved that women could be as resilient and inspiring as men in times of conflict.

In 1915, Black Americans from the special Army unit famously known as the “Buffalo Soldiers” literally carved their way into Hawaii’s history. “Not a lot of people know that the Buffalo Soldiers were some of the first individuals to lay some of the first infrastructure for what was to become the national park,” said Summer Roper Todd, an archaeologist with Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Both the House and the Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs have announced all their committee members.

On January 13, 2021, Representative Gus Bilirakis (FL) introduced H.R. 303, the Retired Pay Restoration Act.

Form 1040-SR is a version of the 1040 tax return that was created specifically for use by senior citizens.

Curious about your second round stimulus check?

"As of February 2021, participants will no longer need to use their GI Bill to cover MSSA program costs," Chris Cortez, Microsoft's vice president of military affairs, wrote on LinkedIn. "And the training will be accessible through online delivery to all eligible U.S. military service members and veterans nationwide across time zones -- even if they are living outside the country."

On December 23, the President vetoed the William M. Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021. The House of Representatives and Senate overrode the veto prior to the end of the 116th Congress and thus, the legislation will become law.

Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, marks the 30th anniversary of Operation Desert Storm

On Tuesday, the President signed H.R. 7105, Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 into law. This legislation includes several VFW-supported bills that were pending in the 116th Congress:

On December 16, 2020, the United States House of Representatives passed the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act (H.R. 7105).

VA announced a new phone number to access all VA services. 1.800.MyVA411 (1.800.698.2411) is available 24 hours-a-day, 365 days-a-year.

The VFW Action Corps is what gives the VFW its strength in advocating for our nation’s heroes.

More than likely, you are familiar with the POW/MIA military flag. It shows the silhouette of a soldier above the words ‘You Are Not Forgotten’. The flag owners’ have members in the military that have either been taken as a prisoner of war or who are missing in action.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the annual mailing of reporting forms SSA-7162 and SSA-7161 has been suspended.

The Senate passed the final version of the NDAA which included the Agent Orange presumptive conditions, already passed by the House, which now heads to the president for signature.

Working hand-in-hand with the VFW’s National Legislative Service -- whose office is in eye-shot of the Capitol dome in Washington.