1.      VA Encouraging Hiring Of Veterans.  Veterans Today Network (9/5, Allen) reported, "The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) workforce of more than 300,000 – including more than 90,000 who are Veterans – knows one of its objectives as it observes Labor Day is to help young Veterans find jobs." Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki "says VA partners with the Department of Labor and the Office of Personnel Management in helping implement the President's Federal Veterans Hiring Initiative." Shinseki said, "We also are focusing our efforts in encouraging employers to consider Veterans when they need workers with a strong work ethic, leadership and a drive for success."
     Labor Secretary Touts Support For Veterans Seeking Employment. In an op-ed in Stars And Stripes (9/6), Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis wrote, "Veterans are qualified, committed job candidates with transferable skills that are proven in real-world situations," adding, "I believe strongly that veterans deserve the chance to find good jobs and we work closely with the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to help them." Solis wrote, "We must work together to help our veterans overcome the challenges they face to finding a good job when they return to civilian life." She touted the Veterans' Employment & Training Service agency, the Transition Assistance Program, the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program, and the President's Council on Veterans Employment. Solis concluded, "Those who are returning should be welcomed back not only as heroes, but also as employees."

2.      Illinois Veterans Home To Get $2.4 Million In Improvements. The AP (9/6) reports that Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn announced that "a veterans' home in the Mississippi River city of Quincy will be getting state help with $2.4 million in improvements," including "replacing the site's deteriorated, 124-year-old chimney stack and ash-handling system, and the heating and air conditioning will be upgraded," as part of the Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program.

3.      South Carolina Legislator Calling For Resources For Returning Vets. The Myrtle Beach (SC) Sun News (9/6, Wenger, 41K) reported that South Carolina state Rep. Wendell Gilliard called for the state "to do better for the servicemen and women returning home from war." Prompted by "calls from veterans about trouble they've had making a transition back to civilian life and the lack of resources available to them," he is calling for "the House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee to immediately convene a panel of lawmakers and veterans' affairs officials to review the resources available to the military personnel and their families," especially on "whether the veterans' affairs medical centers are properly equipped to serve the men and women." Tonya C. Lobbestael, public affairs officer for the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, "said it provides veterans with access to more than 100 mental health experts" as well as "an outreach director in every community who help veterans learn about the benefits available to them and how to navigate the system."

4.      VA Medical Center Study Links PTSD, Dementia.  KPBS-FM San Diego (9/6, Fudge) reports that a study done by the VA Medical Center in Houston found that "veterans who suffer post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be more likely to develop dementia late in life." Researchers discovered "that veterans who suffered PTSD were twice as likely to have Alzheimer's disease or some other form of dementia." According to psychiatrist Salah Qureshi, with the Houston VA Center, "the study did not prove that PTSD causes dementia -- but further study could reach that conclusion."

5.      Veteran Seeking Mental Health Care Took Hostages At Georgia Military Hospital. The AP (9/6, Bynum) reports, "A former Army soldier seeking help for mental problems at" Winn Army Community Hospital on Fort Stewart, Georgia, "took three workers hostage at gunpoint Monday before authorities persuaded him to surrender." However, no one was hurt and "said the hostages were able to calm the gunman and keep him away from patients until he surrendered," according to military officials. "Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Phillips, a senior Fort Stewart commander, said the former soldier was seeking help for mental problems that were 'connected, I'm quite certain, to his past service.'"

6.      Number Of Veterans Suffering From Sleep Apnea Spikes. On its website, KVOA-TV Tucson (9/6) reported, "More veterans are suffering from sleepless nights and a double-digit spike in the number of vets being treated for" sleep apnea. "Experts are...concerned that exposure to dust and smoke during repeat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan are" contributing to the condition. Meanwhile, how to access VA benefits for the condition "is one of the most popular discussion topics on a sleep apnea support group website." Such treatments currently cost the VA about $500 million a year, but it "is expected to increase as more baby boomers seek care and as more Iraq and Afghanistan veterans retire."

7.      Northern Arizona University Opens Veterans Service Center. The AP (9/6) reports, "Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff opened a new service center last week for combat veterans and other military members who are returning or going to college for the first time." The Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success has "counseling for post-traumatic stress disorder, tips on how to get established off-base, and information on reuniting families and dealing with anger, injury, and depression." Retired Army Lt. Col. Andrew Griffin, who coordinates services at the center, "said he's working with NAU's Residence Life so veterans can room together in the dorms, and he is planning a class for new student veterans that helps them get acquainted with university life."

8.      Veteran Heads Employment Program At ICE. The Imperial Valley (CA) News (9/5) reported that Wayne "Mike" Nelson, a veteran paralyzed from the waist down, is the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) veterans employment program manager and coordinator for the Operation Warfighter program. Under his leadership, "ICE has brought 40 veterans on board from October 2009 through August 2010 and is leading the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the program."

9.      Cheyenne VA Branch Hosts Welcome Home Celebration. The Windsor (CO) Beacon (9/5, Miranda, 7K) reports that 400 people "attended the Welcome Home celebration hosted by the Veterans Affairs Cheyenne branch" on Saturday. Andrew Ruben, public affairs officer for the Veterans Affairs medical center in Cheyenne, said that "the daylong event was a celebration for men and women who served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom." Additionally, "about a dozen veteran service organizations were on-hand to offer assistance to veterans, including a mobile clinic and the Larimer County Veterans Services."

10.    Senior Citizens To Get High-Dose Flu Vaccine In One VA Region. The Omaha World-Herald (9/5, Ruggles, 156K) reported, "Patients 65 and older in Veterans Affairs clinics throughout Nebraska and western Iowa" will received a high-dose flue vaccine. Although it costs twice as much as a normal vaccine, Dr. Marvin Bittner, acting chief of infectious diseases for the VA's Nebraska-Western Iowa region, "said the higher cost will prove more than worth it because the high-dose vaccine should prevent numerous hospitalizations." Dr. Rick Martinello, the senior medical adviser for the Veterans Health Administration, "said this area's VA region is the only one he knows of where the high-dose vaccine will automatically go to senior citizens," but added that the patient and his physician will determine if senior citizens get it in other regions. Martinello added, "I personally am enthusiastic about it" but "he's awaiting more information before universally recommending it for older patients."

11.    Wiregrass VA Outpatient Clinic Opens. The Enterprise (AL) Ledger (9/5, Mann, 10K) reported that the Wiregrass Community-based Outpatient Clinic's grand opening was held Friday. VA Southeast Network Deputy Director Mark Anderson said it "is part of a fulfillment of a promise that the VA makes to veterans" to "provide medical care for our veterans that is second to none." Similarly, Rep. Bobby Bright said that the clinic's opening "is absolutely the delivery on a promise made to Veterans of the Wiregrass Region to expand services." Veterans Health Care System Director Glen Struchtemeyer said that the clinic "represents the continued momentum of increased collaboration between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense."

12.    Wisconsin VA Hospital To Hold Open House. The Tomah (WI) Journal (9/6, Rundio, 4K) reported, "The Tomah Veterans Administration Hospital will conduct an open house Saturday, Sept. 11," to display "the results of $15 million worth of construction projects completed since mid-2009." Tomah VA Director Jerry Molnar said, "We're having this open house to showcase these projects, how they will positively impact the care we will provide to our veterans and to thank the community for their support over the last 63 years."

13.    West Virginia VA Center Reaches Out At Air Show. The Martinsburg (WV) Journal (9/6, Marshall, 17K) reported that the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Martinsburg partnered with the Thunder Over the Blue Ridge Open House & Air Show as part of the VA Center's 2010 Welcome Home American Heroes Celebration to "spread the word to retired and active duty military personnel of the benefits they may be entitled." It was "a perfect opportunity for the VA Medical Center to reach out to a large a group of potentially eligible veterans and military personnel." Thirty booths, "each representing a different facet of the VA Medical Center's programs and services," were at the West Virginia Air National Guard's 167th Airlift Wing base

14.    Opening Of Miramar National Cemetery Delayed. The San Diego Union-Tribune (9/6, Steele, 264K) reports, "The opening of the Miramar National Cemetery, much anticipated by veterans because it will allow military casket burials in the county for the first time in 44 years, has been delayed" due to "challenges by some construction bidders," and casket burials won't begin until February. Still, it "will open for burial of ashes in November." Meanwhile, at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in Point Loma, "the National Cemetery Administration will spend roughly $20 million" to add more columbarium walls, creating "27,000 niches for interment of ashes, virtually guaranteeing the iconic site will have openings for another decade."

15.    VA Working With Metro Homelessness Commission To Help Homeless Nashville Vets. The Tennessean (9/7, Young, 135K) reports that the Vulnerable Veterans will provided "help finding housing, counseling and government benefits" to homeless veterans in Nashville. "The Metro Homelessness Commission and the US Department of Veterans Affairs are working together to identify which ones can be considered the most vulnerable." Clifton Harris of the Metro Homelessness Commission, said, "This program is designed to go into the places the VA does not normally go into." Violet Cox-Wingo, chief of social work for the VA health-care office, said that housing vouchers valued at $80,000, funded by federal dollars, contributed by the Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare Systems to the project "are similar to those given for Section 8 housing."

16.    VA Seeking Land For Two Cemeteries In Florida. The AP (9/6) reports, "The Florida Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking land to develop two national cemeteries, one in Tallahassee and the other in central Fla." The St. Petersburg (FL) Times (9/7) reports, "A news release said Sunday the department was looking for interested landowners to sell or donate at least 200 acres of 'contiguous and developable' land." The website of WKMG-TV (9/6) also covers this story.
     At least six local television segments covered this story. An example: WTSP-TV Tampa (9/6, 11:07 p.m. EDT) broadcast, "The Florida Department of Veterans Affairs is looking for land to develop to national cemeteries, one in Tallahassee and one in central Florida. A statement from the Department says they are looking for interested landowners to sell or donate at least 200 acres of land. Existing cemeteries are in Pensacola and Jacksonville."

17.    Widow Awarded Compensation For Veteran's Death Due To Chemical Exposure. The Salem (OR) News (9/6, O'Dowd) reports, "A Marine veteran's widow was awarded compensation for the death of her husband from progressive small lymphocytic lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) caused by exposure to burnings at four landfills on former Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California." While "a July 2008 rating decision issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in Waco, Texas denied entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Marine's death," the VA Board of Veterans' Appeal ruled in favor of the veteran.

18.    Veterans Stripped Of Dignity Thrown Out On Street. A column on Veterans Today Network (9/5) by Terry Richards.

19.    Providence Veteran In S. Korea To Mark War Anniversary. The Providence Journal (9/7, Grimaldi, 110K).

20.    Man In S. Korea For War Memorial Ceremonies. The AP (9/6).

21.    The Last Reunion. The Chicago Sun-Times (9/6, Roeder, 256K).

22.    Honor Flight Makes Reinbeck WWII Vets' Spirits Soar. The Waterloo and Cedar Falls (IA) Courier (9/7, Kinney, 40K).

23.    Tulsan To See WWII Memorial Thanks To Honor Flights. The Tulsa World (9/5, Gmallo, 108K).

24.    Illinois Man Waits Decades For Brother's Proper Burial. The Carmi (IL) Times (9/6, Toner).

25.    Entombed In Tarawa: Mission Could Bring Home Remains Of WWII Marine. The Santa Fe New Mexican (9/6, Evans, 24K).

26.    Corbett High Dedicates New Stadium For Fallen Alum. The website of KGW-TV Portland, Oregon, (9/6, Cook).

27.    POW/MIA Bench Dedication. The website of KIMT-TV Mason City, Iowa, (9/6, Reading).

28.    Soldier's Name Removed From Memorial. The Amarillo (TX) Globe News (9/6, Young).

29.    Secondary PTSD. The website of KFDA-TV Amarillo, Texas, (9/6).

30.    Commissioner Organizing DVD Drive For Veterans. The Oakland (MI) Press (9/6, Zaniewski).

31.    Retired Air Force Nurses Gather In Maine, Remember When. The Portland (ME) Press Herald (9/7, Quimby, 59K).

32.    UCO Hosts Forum To Support Veterans. The Oklahoman (9/7, Hill, 156K).

33.    Labor Day Golf Tournament Benefits Wounded Vets. The website of WMBF-TV (9/6, Lambert).

34.    Soldier's Circle Honors Iraq, Afghanistan Dead. The Sunbury (PA) Daily Item (9/6, 25K).

35.    Norwalk Pilot Helps Veterans. The Norwalk (CT) Hour (9/7, Evans, 14K).

36.    Fall Health Fair To Be Held Saturday, Oct. 2. The Prescott (AZ) Daily Courier (9/7, 16K).

37.    Local Veteran To Attend Infantry's Last Reunion. The Parkersburg (WV) News and Sentinel (9/7, Dunlap).

38.    'Hero Flight' Brought Wounded Soldier Home To Yonkers To See Family. The Westchester (NY) Journal News (9/7, Cohen).