AOH Veterans Report (July-August 2022)
National:
The Department of Veterans Affairs has established a website explaining the details of the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics, or PACT, Act, and encourages veterans to file claims and apply for health care coverage.
The bill, expected to be signed into law Monday by President Joe Biden in a Rose Garden ceremony at the White House, provides health care and disability benefits for certain deployment-related diseases and conditions.
The PACT Act was approved by the Senate late Tuesday in an 86-11 vote, the culmination of a monthslong congressional effort to bring the legislation across the proverbial finish line. In his State of the Union Address in January, Biden vowed to help veterans with exposure-related illnesses, calling it a “sacred obligation.”
Following Senate approval of the bill, Biden released a statement saying passage was a “decisive and bipartisan win for America’s veterans.”
“For the millions of veterans who may have been exposed to harmful toxins, this bill means quicker access to health care services and other benefits,” Biden said. “This could be the difference between life and death for many suffering from toxic-related illnesses.”
Terri Tanielian, special assistant to the president for veterans affairs, said Wednesday that the bill includes provisions and resources for the VA to process claims more quickly, including an automated system that will expedite claims filed for certain conditions.
State: Governor Youngkin veterans retirement proposal approved. Beginning in 2022, veterans 55 years of age and older can deduct up to $10,000 of military retirement income and other military benefits. The deduction is increased to $20,000 for 2023, $30,000 for 2024, and $40,000 for 2025 and thereafter.
History and Patriotism-Irish in the Military
Beginning this month, I will highlight two Division veterans monthly. This observance is to those who have served our nation. In the spirit of jointness I will try to get veterans from two different services each month.
The first veteran is a leader. He retired as a Senior Chief Sonarman (in submarines): STSCS (SS), after 20 years in the nuclear submarine force during the Cold War: 1975 – 1995. He served aboard the following submarines:
1. USS Sturgeon SSN 637
2. USS Greenling SSN 614
3. USS Houston SSN 713
4. USS Key West SSN 722
5. USS Albany SSN 753
Service: Sonar A-School training was at FLEETASWTRACENPAC San Diego in 1976 and from there received orders to USS Sturgeon SSN 637. After Sturgeon he went back to San Diego for advance sonar training followed by orders to USS Greenling SSN 614. He was Leading Sonar Chief towards the end of tour on Greenling, Leading Sonar Chief and Weapons Department LCPO on Houston, Leading LCPO on board Key West and Albany. After Albany he served as the COMSUBDEVRON TWELVE Sonar Chief and responsible for 6 of 7 submarine sonar readiness within the DEVRON. His duties over the years also included participating in several Tactical Readiness Evaluations, Pre-Overseas Movement build ups and a ton of training. His last tour of duty was the Lead Sonar Instructor and NAVSUBSCOL Groton Ct. as well as Department LCPO. He also served a training tour at FLEETASWTRACENPAC San Diego and earned a Master Training Specialist designation.
When in San Diego he participated in multiple SOCAL training operations as well as a WESTPAC. While on the East Coast and mostly in Groton Ct. he participated in several Mid-Atlantic and Caribbean training operations as well as a Mediterranean and South American deployments.
His career quote: “It was a fun twenty years. Perhaps the best years of my life where along with my wife I gained many life-long friends who I still stay in contact.”
Can you guess who is Navy sea dog is? (Post at end: Our current Division President Pat Sullivan, USN Retired.)
Our second veteran is an Army veteran. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, beginning service during the Cold War, serving multiply tours overseas in Germany, Korea, the Middle East and Balkans along with tours in a number of posts across the United States. He attended Branch Basic and Career Courses; Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth KS, including the two-year course; the National War College and was selected for command up to Brigade level. His service included time on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon, detailed assignments to Department of State and the Executive Office of the President.
His career quote: “It is all about service and the soldiers and their families, executing the mission and taking care of them. When it becomes about you, it is time to move on and retire.”
Can you guess who this Cavalry trooper is? (Post at end: Our current Division Standing Committee and Veterans Chair, Doug Morrison, US Army Retired)
