Feds descend on VA hospital to create efficiencies through a national review of agency operations

Article Title: Feds descend on VA hospital

Article Excerpt: "information-seeking visit Monday by a three-person team from the agency’s Washington, D.C., headquarters ...In a March 15 memo reviewed by The Standard, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins laid out plans to create efficiencies through a national review of agency operations, led by teams like the one in San Francisco that aim to complete their work in around one month and “streamline policies, processes, procedures, and technology.” ..."

Reference Source: sfstandard.com

Compromised Military Service Members? | A dozen+ active duty military were patrons or security guards at Gang/Illegal Infested Nightclub

Article Title: Over 100 immigrants arrested in raid on underground Colorado nightclub where active-duty military members worked, feds say

Article Excerpt: "...DEA special agents announced their presence prior to entering the nightclub, the Rocky Mountain Field Division said on X. “200 people were inside – at least 114 in the US illegally. In addition, more than a dozen active duty military were patrons or security guards,” it said. ... “What was happening inside was significant drug trafficking, prostitution, crimes of violence,” Jonathan C. Pullen, the Special Agent in Charge at the DEA Rocky Mountain Division, said at a news conference Sunday morning. “We seized a number of guns in there.”

Over a dozen active-duty military members were also at the club during the raid, and federal officials said some were working at the illicit operation. “We had active-duty service members who were running security at the club and involved in some of these crimes,” Pullen said. "

Reference Source: www.cnn.com

Army Issues New Fitness Test with Key Changes | Men and women will be required to meet the same scoring standards for 21 combat military occupational specialties

Article Title: Army Issues New Fitness Test with Key Changes

Article Excerpt: "...The Army Fitness Test will be the “official physical fitness test of record,” replacing the Army Combat Fitness Test.

Upon implementation, men and women will be required to meet the same scoring standards for 21 combat military occupational specialties.

“For those 21 [military occupational specialties] they will all be graded on the male scale, so it will be sex neutral,” Command Sgt. Maj. JoAnn Naumann told Task & Purpose. “The passing score for most people will be a 300 with a minimum of 60 in every event. For those in those 21 specialties, the passing score will be 350 with a minimum of 60 in every event.”..."

Reference Source: www.ngaus.org

Download the VA Health and Benefits App

Article Title: Download the VA Health and Benefits App

Article Excerpt: "...With the VA Health and Benefits App, you can refill prescriptions, message your care team or check your VA benefits using your smartphone. ...Kick pharmacy runs to the curb; Gone are the days of waiting in line at the VA medical center’s pharmacy. Refilling medications through the VA with the Health and Benefits app is now as easy as ordering takeout. ...Claims and appeals status updates

Checking your claim status? Now, it’s instant.

The app gives real-time updates on claims and appeals, bringing you peace of mind with just a glance at your screen.

“The app lets you track your claim from your phone,” said Thomas Turman, Navy Veteran."

Reference Source: va.gov

VA Just Updated Disability Claim Rules, Get a VA Rating Without a C&P Exam

Article Title: VA Just Updated Disability Claim Rules, Get a VA Rating Without a C&P Exam

Article Excerpt: "...On March 10, 2025, the Department of Veterans Affairs introduced important changes to its M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, making the rules for disability compensation claims, especially regarding when Compensation and Pension (C&P) exams are needed.

...the VA may be able to make a decision without requiring a C&P exam...."

Reference Source: www.jetauj2023.com

Hundreds of Kansas Citians raise $60K to help house homeless veterans

Article Title: Hundreds of Kansas Citians raise $60K to help house homeless veterans

Article Excerpt: "...The St. Michael’s Veterans Center says that on Thursday, April 24, hundreds of community members and organizations came together to support local veterans at the 11th annual Celebration of Heroes. St. Michael’s is a nonprofit that provides affordable housing to veterans who may be homeless or disabled in the metro.

Organization leaders noted that more than $60,000 was raised during the event to support services for area veterans. An awards ceremony also honored six recipients for their efforts to enhance the quality of life for area vets. ..."

Reference Source: www.kctv5.com

The Fall of Saigon: ‘I always relive it in my dreams’

Article Title: The Fall of Saigon: ‘I always relive it in my dreams’

Article Excerpt: "...Virginia Legionnaire Dick Cole shares insight into Operation Frequent Wind, including being on the last fixed-wing aircraft to leave Saigon on April 30. ..."

Reference Source: www.legion.org

Battle of Iwo Jima veterans share reflections 80 years later

Article Title: Battle of Iwo Jima veterans share reflections 80 years later

Article Excerpt: "...James Blane remembers being told that landing at Iwo Jima was going to be a quick and simple mission and a welcome relief to his unit, which had already done three amphibious assaults in the Pacific.

“‘Don’t worry about it. You’ll only be there about seven days..."

Reference Source: www.dav.org

San Jose family honors remains of WWII veteran returned home, identified through DNA after 80 years

Article Title: San Jose family honors remains of WWII veteran returned home, identified through DNA after 80 years

Article Excerpt: "...After more than 80 years, the remains of Lieutenant Robert McCollum are back home. On Thursday evening, his family saluted his arrival at the Mineta San Jose Airport.

Hundreds of people and the organization, Honoring Our Fallen, helped make this moment happen. ..."

Reference Source: abc7news.com

Coast Guard interdicts 19 aliens 23 miles west of Oceanside

Article Title: Coast Guard interdicts 19 aliens 23 miles west of Oceanside

Article Excerpt: "...SAN DIEGO — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter David Duren (WPC 1156) interdicted 19 aliens aboard a 25-foot cuddy cabin approximately 23 miles west of Oceanside, California, Tuesday.

At approximately 2:15 a.m., David Duren’s boarding team intercepted a cuddy cabin matching the description of a suspected human smuggling boat and discovered 18 adult males and one adult female all claiming Mexican nationality.

All passengers aboard the cuddy cabin stated they had not had food or water for two days and were medically evaluated. No major medical concerns were discovered..."

Reference Source: www.news.uscg.mil

More than two-thirds of reserve troops are overweight: Report

Article Title: More than two-thirds of reserve troops are overweight: Report

Article Excerpt: "...The study, which calls for new policies to ensure those troops’ health, comes one day after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared during a speech at the Army War College that all military personnel “need to be fit, not fat,” echoing his past demands for more rigorous personnel standards. ..."

Reference Source: www.marinecorpstimes.com

Fort McCoy commander suspended after Trump portrait flipped to wall

Article Title: Fort McCoy commander suspended after Trump portrait flipped to wall

Article Excerpt: "...The U.S. Army has suspended a Wisconsin training base’s first female commander after discovering portraits of President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had been flipped around to face a wall.

The Army has posted an undated statement on Fort McCoy’s website saying Col. Sheyla Baez Ramirez has been suspended as the base’s garrison commander. ..."

Reference Source: www.armytimes.com

Air Force lieutenant colonel will face trial for child sex crimes

Article Title: Air Force lieutenant colonel will face trial for child sex crimes

Article Excerpt: "...Lt. Col. Kevin DiFalco — an active-duty service member stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada — was arrested in 2022 by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and brought up on charges that included lewdness in the presence of a child and one charge of abuse or neglect. The Air Force ultimately opted ..."

Reference Source: www.navytimes.com

Class-Action Suit over Limits on Combat-Related Disability Pay Goes Before Supreme Court

Article Title: Class-Action Suit over Limits on Combat-Related Disability Pay Goes Before Supreme Court

Article Excerpt: "...The class-action suit, representing roughly 9,000 service members, challenges a rule that requires veterans to file compensation claims within six years of receiving a VA disability ratings decision, saying the Defense Department has wrongfully applied it to combat-related special compensation. ..."

Reference Source: www.military.com

We Served Our Great Country, Now The Democrats Want to Destroy It

Article Title: Stephen Miller Slams Democrats for Criticizing Arrest of Judge for Allegedly Shielding Migrant

Article Excerpt: "...The statement from Miller comes as Democrats such as Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) have criticized the arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan, whom the FBI arrested on charges of obstructing the arrest of an illegal alien. Miller wrote: Democrats spent the last 8 years stripping Americans of due process to jail them for protected political activity; illegally spying on the Trump Campaign; manipulating and fabricating intelligence and then criminally leaking it for partisan gain; using the FBI and Intelligence apparatus to pursue political enemies; launching a coup against President Trump and his Administration; persecuting President Trump, his family, his aides and his supporters; censoring and deplatforming and blacklisting the opposition; removing opposition candidates from the ballot; maliciously fabricating false allegations to inflict outrageous financial punishments; raiding President Trump’s home and seizing his property; and weaponizing the entire legal system for the sole objective of incarcerating the Democrat Party’s chief political rival and seeking to illegally obstruct and rig the 2024 election.

Miller continued to highlight how Democrats “orchestrated and engineered a mass invasion of the United States by foreign cartels and enemy terrorists.” “And now these same Democrats howl with rage when the invasion is returned and those who criminally harbor the invaders and feloniously obstruct their removal are held accountable under law,” Miller continued. ..."

Reference Source: www.breitbart.com

Pentagon to Resume Providing Sex Change Treatments and Surgeries for Transgender Servicemembers and Their Dependents

Article Title: Pentagon to Resume Providing Sex Change Treatments and Surgeries for Transgender Servicemembers and Their Dependents

Article Excerpt: "...“Service members and all other covered beneficiaries 19 years of age or older may receive appropriate care for their diagnosis of [gender dysphoria], including mental health care and counseling and newly initiated or ongoing cross-sex hormone therapy,” the memo, signed by Stephen Ferrara, acting assistant secretary of Defense for health affairs, read.

“Service members may also receive voice therapy and appropriate surgical procedures,” the memo continued.

The return to Biden-era transgender policies comes after a judge struck down Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth..."

Reference Source: www.thegatewaypundit.com

NAS Jax flight line crew, several buildings evacuated after discovery of unexploded ordnance

Article Title: NAS Jax flight line crew, several buildings evacuated after discovery of unexploded ordnance

Article Excerpt: "...JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The discovery of an unexploded ordnance Thursday morning has forced the evacuation of crews at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, the base announced. Construction teams working on the NAS Jax flight line discovered the ordnance, a news release states. ...A Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal team from Naval Station Mayport are on site Thursday morning evaluating the situation."

Reference Source:

Army Veteran and Her Daughters Remains Found on Long Island Identified

Article Title: Remains of Alabama mom, child found near Gilgo Beach ID'd, though deaths may be unrelated to serial killings

Article Excerpt: "Police identified remains found on Long Island as those of Tanya Jackson, an Army veteran, and her daughter, Tatiana. ...A woman and toddler whose remains were discovered scattered along an oceanfront highway not far from the victims of Long Island’s infamous Gilgo Beach killings were identified Wednesday as an Army veteran from Alabama and her daughter.

Tanya Denise Jackson, 26, of Mobile... “I’m not saying it is Rex Heuermann and I’m not saying it’s not,” he added. ..."

Reference Source: www.rocketcitynow.com

Katy Perry slammed by disabled veteran’s family over Blue Origin space mission as mansion war heats up

Article Title: Katy Perry slammed by disabled veteran’s family over Blue Origin space mission as mansion war heats up

Article Excerpt: "... The Post spoke to Carl Westcott’s son, who added to the criticism.

The 85-year-old veteran, who is bedridden, has been locked in a legal war with the “Dark Horse” singer since selling her his $15 million mansion in 2020.

Their court date is set for August after she countersued him for damages — despite being declared the legal owner of the home in 2023.

“Katy Perry says she felt ‘super connected to love’ after her trip to space. I can’t help but wonder if her experience will make her more compassionate to elderly disabled veterans like my father...He attempted to back out of the sale, blaming his mental health and alleging he was on painkillers after surgery when they inked the deal. "

Reference Source: www.newsbreak.com

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa | Unprovoked assault on a 48-year-old disabled veteran

Article Title: CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa | Unprovoked assault on a 48-year-old disabled veteran

Article Excerpt: "...Police arrested 24-year-old Daniel Doyen on Monday in connection to the assault.

The court documents confirm Doyen is accused of attacking Andrew Holling randomly, punching him several times and returning after the initial attack to hit Holling several more times with his own cane.

TV9 spoke to Holling after the incident. Holling said when he tried to take a picture of his attacker, identified by police as Doyen, he returned, taking his cane and hitting him about 15 to 20 more times. ..."

Reference Source: www.kcrg.com

Property Tax Breaks Disabled Veterans Are Eligible For in Each State

Article Title: Property Tax Breaks Disabled Veterans Are Eligible For in Each State

Article Excerpt: "... Owning a home comes with financial responsibilities, but every state offers property tax exemptions to help disabled veterans save money.

This type of homeowner money move can reduce your home’s taxable value, significantly lowering your annual property tax bill. The specifics vary by state, but most programs require a service-connected disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Some states provide full exemptions, while others offer reduced savings based on disability percentage or income level. Here’s a breakdown of the property tax relief options available in every state. ...Alabama: Veterans with a 100% disability rating or who are over the age of 65 are fully exempt from property taxes on their primary residence.
Alaska: Qualifying veterans with a 50% or higher disability rating receive an exemption up to the first $150,000 of their home’s assessed value."

Reference Source: financebuzz.com

Atlanta VA Doctor Sentenced for Sexually Assaulting a Female Veteran Patient

Article Title: Atlanta VA Doctor Sentenced for Sexually Assaulting a Female Veteran Patient

Article Excerpt: "...ATLANTA - Rajesh Motibhai Patel has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for violating his patient’s constitutional right to bodily integrity while acting under color of law and for the offense of abusive sexual contact.

“Patel used his position of trust as a VA physician to sexually assault his female veteran patient who had honorably served our country..."

Reference Source: www.justice.gov

Massachusetts | VA hospital doctor arrested on child pornography charges

Article Title: VA hospital doctor arrested on child pornography charges

Article Excerpt: "...A doctor at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in Bedford was arrested Wednesday and charged with possessing and receiving child pornography, prosecutors said.

Sven Knudsen Ljaamo, 70, of Billerica..."

Reference Source: www.boston.com

Secretary Doug Collins outlines a plan for 'streamlining' care at Veterans Affairs

Article Title: Secretary Doug Collins outlines a plan for 'streamlining' care at Veterans Affairs

Article Excerpt: "Collins said. "The biggest difference you're going to see is a streamlining and really a focus on making sure that everything we do in the VA is efficiently serviced toward that veteran process."...The VA has canceled DEI related contracts, canceled nearly 600 "non-mission critical or duplicative contracts," and sought to place probationary employees on leave. ...And right now, frankly, we're not getting that result. So we've got a lot of people — we've got doctors, nurses and others who are not in the clinics, helping patients. We've got a middle layer of bureaucracy that keeps our system slowed down. So we're looking at all of that right now," Collins said. ..."

Reference Source: www.scrippsnews.com

Task Force to Eradicate Christian Hate At V.A. Faces Radical Democrat Anger

Article Title: Officials launch task force to root out ‘anti-Christian bias’ in VA

Article Excerpt: "... VA Secretary Doug Collins said that a new department task force will “review all instances of anti-Christian bias” throughout VA operations. That includes “adverse responses to requests for religious exemption” and “any observations of mistreatment for not participating in events or activities inconsistent with Christian views.”..."

Reference Source: www.militarytimes.com

Army suspends commander after Trump, Vance, Hegseth vanish from command board

Article Title: Army suspends commander after Trump, Vance, Hegseth vanish from command board

Article Excerpt: "Army said suspension 'not related to misconduct' but that the matter is under review...The commander of Fort McCoy was relieved of duty after the U.S. Army base failed to install photos of President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on a wall displaying their chain of command.

Col. Sheyla Baez Ramirez was suspended..."Regarding the Ft. McCoy Chain of Command wall controversy…. WE FIXED IT! Also, an investigation has begun to figure out exactly what happened," the department’s rapid response account posted on X. "

Reference Source: www.foxnews.com

Car found parked in hangar of sunken WWII ship, baffling historians. See photos

Article Title: Car found parked in hangar of sunken WWII ship, baffling historians. See photos

Article Excerpt: "...Defying all logic, a vehicle has been found parked in the hangar of the USS Yorktown, which was famously sunk in the Pacific by a Japanese submarine during World War II. The baffling discovery was made Saturday, April 19, when NOAA..."

Reference Source: www.miamiherald.com

Presidential Message on the 250th Anniversary of Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride, 2025

Article Title: Presidential Message on the 250th Anniversary of Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride, 2025

Article Excerpt: "...On the evening of April 18, 1775, two lanterns were illuminated from the tower of The Old North Church in Boston to alert the colonists that British forces were advancing across the Charles River. With the alert signal in place, Paul Revere, a silversmith dedicated to the cause of independence, mounted a borrowed horse and embarked on a midnight journey that became a defining moment in American history.

The dangerous mission was threefold. First, sound the alarm for colonists in farms and villages throughout the Massachusetts countryside. On the way, stop in Lexington to inform the leaders of the colonial resistance, Samuel Adams and John Hancock, that the British were coming to arrest them. Finally, prevent the seizure of military provisions and munitions stored a few miles west in the town of Concord.

Disregarding personal peril or consequence, Paul Revere rode with urgency..."

Reference Source: www.whitehouse.gov

Are you prepared? They are! | 180,000 rounds of ammo found in vehicle during traffic stop

Article Title: 2 aliens on nonimmigrant visa charged after 180,000 rounds of ammo found in vehicle during traffic stop, deputies say

Article Excerpt: "...The men arrested were identified as 41-year-old Caesar Ramon Martinez Solis and 24-year-old Humberto Ivan Amador Gavira of Mexico.

Both have been charged with unlawful possession of ammunition by an alien admitted under a nonimmigrant visa, officials said.

Authorities said the case is part of Operation Take Back America. ..."

Reference Source: www.waff.com

Iran parades missiles through the streets in a show of force as nuclear ...

Article Title: Iran parades missiles through the streets in a show of force as nuclear ...

Article Excerpt: "...The New York Times reported that Trump waved off plans by Israel to strike Iranian nuclear sites in favor of renegotiating a deal.

“I think that Iran has a chance to have a great country and to live happily without death — and I’d like to see that, that’s my first option,” Trump told reporters..."

Reference Source: www.nbcnews.com

Trump Plan | More Tax Payer Money for Illegals as Disabled Vets and Social Security Pensioners Struggle

Article Title: Trump Develops Plan to Pay Illegal Migrants to Self-Deport Then Return Them Legally

Article Excerpt: "The idea of paying illegal immigrants to leave...We’re doing a self-deportation [program], and we’re going to make it comfortable for people, and we’re going to work with those people to come back into our country legally — the good ones,” Trump told the Spanish-language division of Fox News. ..."

Reference Source: www.breitbart.com

Trump blocked Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear sites, favoring useless diplomacy

Article Title: Trump blocked Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear sites, favoring diplomacy

Article Excerpt: "US President Donald Trump blocked a planned Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear sites in favor of negotiating a deal with Iran to limit its nuclear program...Trump's decision came after discussions on whether to provide support to the Jewish state or follow a diplomatic course..."

Reference Source: www.jpost.com

China's Infiltration of U.S. Politics and Financial Influence Over State Politicians | Boston Democratic Mayor Michelle Wu’s 2021 campaign received...

Article Title: Anti-Trump ‘Resistance’ Leader’s Campaign Bankrolled By Dem Power Broker Tied To Chinese Intel Agency

Article Excerpt: "Boston Democratic Mayor Michelle Wu’s 2021 campaign received...Gary Yu, the founder of Boston International Media Consulting, helped raise over $300,000 for Wu with the help of a Chinese civic association he leads. However, Yu — whose Chinese name is Yu Guoliang — is listed as an official by an agency of a Chinese Communist Party (CCP) influence and intelligence service..."

Reference Source: dailycaller.com

Navy fires leaders of Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron 4

Article Title: Navy fires leaders of Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron 4

Article Excerpt: "...Cmdr. Brett Robblee and Command Master Chief Felix Phillips were relieved...The release did not provide additional details on the dismissals. The Navy uses the “loss of confidence” phrase as a blanket statement when relieving senior leadership."

Reference Source: www.navytimes.com

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Navy Sec. Phelan | US Must Invest in Military Again

Article Title: Navy Sec. Phelan | US Must Invest in Military Again

Article Excerpt: "...we have underinvested in the military and in our capabilities, and the bill for that is now coming due," Phelan said in the interview, airing Friday on Higbie's "Frontline" program. "We have to deal with that, and that means we have to be more efficient with how we spend, but we also need to keep the money to keep maintaining the capability."..."

Reference Source: www.newsmax.com

Commander of Pituffik Space Base Fired for Email Criticizing Vice President JD Vance After Greenland Visit

Article Title: Space Force Base Commander Fired for Email Criticizing Vice President JD Vance After Greenland Visit
Snippet of Article: "...Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday fired the commander of a Space Force base in Greenland hours after a report that she had sent an email to the entire base criticizing Vice President JD Vance after his visit there last month.

The Space Force said in a statement that Space Force Colonel Susannah Meyers, commander of Pituffik Space Base, was removed from her command by Colonel Kenneth Klock, commander of Space Base Delta 1, for “loss of confidence in her ability to lead.”

“Commanders are expected to adhere to the highest standards of conduct, especially as it relates to remaining nonpartisan in the performance of their duties,” the statement said, adding, “Colonel Shawn Lee has assumed command.”..."

Source: www.breitbart.com

[tag] Political Activities by Military Personnel, DoD Directive 1344.10 [Guidance for Military Personnel] Per longstanding DoD policy active duty personnel may not engage in partisan political activitie, [/tag]

VA unveils next 13 sites for electronic health record rollout

Article Title: VA unveils next 13 sites for electronic health record rollout

Article Excerpt: "...The sites were chosen after VA Secretary Doug Collins earlier this month announced plans to accelerate deployment of the Oracle Millennium system, currently in operation at six of VA’s 170-plus medical locations. Regional and local leaders, as well as officials from Oracle, helped select the next deployment targets.

In a statement Monday, Collins said the faster rollout will give veterans “a modern medical record system that will result in improvements to care, coordination and convenience.”..."

Reference Source: www.federaltimes.com

April 2025 Veterans Strategic Hiring Event (Clovis, California)

Article Title: April 2025 Veterans Strategic Hiring Event

Article Excerpt: "Location: Clovis Veterans Memorial District, 808 4th Street Clovis, CA 93612. ...About this event

Event lasts 8 hours

Upon registration Veteran Jobseekers must send their resume to the email provided below.
All Veteran Jobseekers must attend the dress rehearsal.
The event details are as follows:
Dress rehearsal will consist of an event walk through, expectations, accommodations, and other vital event information.
Dress Rehearsal: April 15th, 2025, starting at 0800.
Hiring Event: April 22nd, 2024, starting at 0800.
Location: Clovis Veterans Memorial District, 808 4th Street, Clovis, CA, 93619.
Registration information, event details, and testimonials from..."

Reference Source: www.eventbrite.com

As Leftist Work to Take America Down, China Quietly Expands Its 'Patriotism'

Article Title: China deploys army veterans in Tibetan schools

Article Excerpt: "System aims to ready Tibetan children for future military service, claimed authorities ...experts called this an escalation in Beijing’s assimilation policies aimed at erasing Tibetan identity, Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported on April 1.

“It’s no longer just about China swapping out Tibetan language in textbooks for Mandarin,” a source who refused to be named, fearing government reprisals, said.

“Now, they are sending military personnel and Chinese Communist Party cadres to schools across Tibet,” the source added.

State-run TV shows have broadcast footage showing Tibetan students marching in fatigues, raising the red Chinese flag, and standing in formation while responding to commands from the “patriotic” instructors. ..."

Reference Source: Union of Catholic Asian News