Vets in California, Welcome Home!

From Military.com:
The Department of Veterans Affairs, in cooperation with the State of California Employment Development Department and NASA is planning the first annual, "VA Welcome Home Event 2008". This is event is to welcome home local service members and veterans who have served in Iraq and/or Afghanistan and let them know about all the services and benefits available to them as they transition back to civilian life.

This special homecoming will take place on Saturday, May 10, 2008 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm at Chase Park, which is located on historic Moffett Field, CA.

For more information, call (888) 482-HERO (4376) or visit the VA website.

Wii and TVs

I love days like today because they remind me how much I love my job! The Coalition to Salute America's Heroes joined forces with other groups and were able to donate Wii's and flat screen TV's to the Micheal E. DeBakey Houston VA. These will be used to help wounded troops in rehab. Here are some pictures from today's event:





































Peace & Love,
Dan Vargas, Director Family Support Network

Vets to See Mileage Reimbursement Increase

Some good news from the VA for wounded troops today … they announced that "Over a million eligible veterans will see their mileage reimbursement more than double for travel to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities ... the 2008 appropriations act provided funding for VA to increase the beneficiary travel mileage reimbursement rate from 11 cents per mile to 28.5 cents per mile. The increase goes into effect on Feb. 1." Read the entire article here: http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,161138,00.html

Rehabilitation does not end when we are sent home from the hospitals. Many of us are in rehab for years and live miles away from VA facilities. This new funding will really ease the financial strain for many of us living in rural areas.

Hopefully many more of our families will take advantage of this new funding. We will keep you posted on any more developments.

For injured troops still in hospitals like Walter Reed or Brooke Army Medical Center: We understand how hard it is for families to visit and stay with you while you are recovering. Our Family Support Network provides plane tickets and gas cards and pays for hotel rooms for your family members to see you. If you need more information on this program, please call us at 914-432-5400.