1.      Shinseki To Appear At Clinic Naming Celebration. The Minneapolis Star Tribune (9/11, Brunswick) reports that Veterans Affairs Secretary Erik Shinseki will appear at the celebration of the official naming of the Max J. Beilke Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic. The Tribune adds that Shinseki is a personal friend of the Beilke, a 9/11 victim.

2.      New Veterans Affairs Office In Nebraska Holds A Ceremony. The Lincoln (NE) Journal Star (9/11, Pascale) reports that a new 50,000 square foot office that the VA said will "add about a hundred jobs...by the end of the year" had a ceremony celebrating its opening in Nebraska. The Journal Star adds that "about 300 people, including government officials, Veteran Affairs employees and numerous veterans, crammed into a meeting space for the ceremony."

3.      VA Approves $2.8 Million For Three Gulf War Illness Research Projects. The Wadena (MN) Pioneer Journal (9/11, Anderson) reports, "The Department of Veterans Affairs has approved $2.8 million to fund three new research projects that focus on testing or developing new treatments for illnesses affecting veterans who served in the Gulf War 1990-1991. The research incorporates recommendations of the department's Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses Task Force." The Pioneer Journal adds, "The studies are expected to take between two to five years to complete."

4.      New Report Says FLITE System Off-Track Due To Lack Of VA Manager Participation.  Federal Computer Week (9/10, Lipowicz) reports, "Managers at the Veterans Affairs Department didn't participate in key conference calls with a contractor -- submitting written comments instead -- that resulted in missed opportunities to keep a pilot project for the department's Financial and Logistics Integrated Technology Enterprises (FLITE) financial management IT system modernization on track, according to a new report." The Computer Week adds that Belinda Finn wrote in her report that "many development problems could have been better dealt with if VA employees and the contractor 'spent more time working side-by-side in a collaborative environment instead of in an environment that encouraged passing documents back and forth.'" The Computer Week also adds that "Overall, Finn concluded that the VA did not adequately monitor contractor performance, foster collaboration, provide staffing or ensure that necessary software was available while overseeing a pilot project in the 'FLITE' financial modernization program."

5.      Indiana Man Accused Of Masquerading As A Veteran To Scam Money. The AP (9/10) reports, "A man masquerading as a down-on-his-luck soldier needing travel funds scammed good Samaritans out of nearly $500 before police caught up with him, a prosecutor said Friday." The AP adds, "James Schuder, 43, of Indianapolis, faces seven misdemeanor counts each of deception and panhandling. He was being held on $14,000 bond Friday at the Johnson County Jail in Franklin, about 20 miles south of Indianapolis. Seven counts carry maximum penalties of a year in jail and $5,000 fines. The others have penalties of 60 days and $500 fines."

6.      Prudential Insurance Sued Over Veteran Life-Insurance Claims.  Bloomberg News (9/10, Rosenblatt) reports, "Prudential Insurance Co. of America was sued over claims it earns interest of more than 5.69 percent on veterans' life-insurance policies and pays beneficiaries only 1 percent." Bloomberg adds that the "insurer, a unit of Prudential Financial Inc. 'paid to beneficiaries on the accrued claims only one percent interest on the accrued monies as of the day of death or traumatic injury of the insured,' according to the lawsuit, filed today in federal court in Springfield, Massachusetts." Bloomberg also reports that the "suit seeks class action, or group, status. It was brought by Kevin and Joyce Lucey, the beneficiaries of a $250,000 life insurance policy for their son, Jeffrey Lucey, a former member of the armed forces who died in 2004, according to the suit."

7.      Malone Selected To Become A Guardian During Tennessee Valley Honor Flight. The Army News Service (9/11, Ford) reports that Sophia Malone, a "US Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command employee," "is among the 40 guardians selected out of 800 applicants to accompany World War II veterans on the final Tennessee Valley Honor Flight scheduled for Sept. 11." The Army News Service adds that she "will accompany retired Army Lt. Col. Ed Ottman, Navy Technical Sgt. 5 Gene Mahoney and Army veteran Leonard Brooks on their flight to visit the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C."

8.      First Clinic For Women Veterans Opens In Portland, Oregon.  The Oregonian (9/11, Sullivan) reports, "For the first time, Worthington and other women veterans can get checkups, cancer and osteoporosis screenings, gynecologic treatment (from infertility to six weeks postpartum) and talk about their mental health all in one new Center for Women's Health." The Oregonian adds that women "are the fastest-growing military population, with 21,245 female veterans in Oregon and southwest Washington."

9.      Former WWII Prisoner Of War Invited Back Into Japan.  KGTV-TV San Diego (9/10) reports on its website that Lester Tenney, "a local Army veteran who survived as a prisoner of war in Japan during World War II" is "heading back thanks to an invitation by the Japanese government." KGTV-TV adds that Lester, a La Costa resident, "survived the war in the Philippines, including the infamous Bataan Death March, and survived three years of slave labor in a Japanese coal mine" and since then has "helped organize a drive at La Costa Glen Retirement Community to send care packages to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan."

10.    Funeral Services For Navajo Code Talker Have Been Rescheduled. The AP (9/10) reports, "The memorial service for Allen Dale June originally was set for Monday in Page. Tribal officials say the funeral now will be on Wednesday morning and June still will be buried in his hometown of Kaibeto on the Navajo Nation."

11.    Clark County, Oregon, Starting Treatment-Focused Veterans Court In Fall.  The Oregonian (9/11, Njus) reports, "Clark County veterans charged with misdemeanors could soon have the option of pleading guilty in therapeutic court and undergoing treatment rather than serving jail time. The Oregonian adds that the "court, which starts operating this fall, would be the third of its kind in Washington" and is funded "through a $350,000 US Justice Department grant. The Oregonian also reports that this court "could serve 50 veterans over the next three years."

12.    Veterans Treatment Court To Be Created In Palm Beach County.  WPTV-TV West Palm Beach, FL (9/10) reports on its website, "A veteran's treatment court is being created in Palm Beach County." WPTV-TV adds that "Carla-Paula Dasilva is a V-A Social Work Supervisor and will be the V-A liaison during court hearings involving veterans." WPTV-TV also adds that "Any crime, from serious felonies to misdemeanors can fall into this court." However, for "some serious crimes, the V-A can only help with pre-release programs."

13.    VA Building Outpatient Clinic In Butler County, Pennsylvania. The Pittsburgh Business Times (9/10, Schooley) reports, "According to a VA solicitation document, the federal agency is beginning a process to choose a development team with a 15- to 30-acre property on which to build a 180,000-square-foot building that would house a healthcare clinic." The Business Times adds that the "clinic will offer preventive and routine primary care medical services for veterans, and it likely would serve as a hub for the VA Butler Healthcare's five outpatient clinics, according to VA spokesman David Virag." The Business Times also reports, that according to Virag, the "new building, which isn't expected to open before 2012, also will house offices and specialty care clinics, and it will replace an existing clinic on the Butler VA's campus, which the VA has outgrown."

14.    Canandaigua VA Medical Center To Get $15 Million Biomass System. The Rochester Business Journal (9/10, Stone) reports, "Under a $15 million contract, the Canandaigua VA Medical Center will be outfitted next year with the organization's first biomass steam-generation system to produce heat and power." The Business Journal adds that the "contract, between Department of Veterans Affairs and Maryland-based Lockheed Martin Corp. and Whiting-Turner Contracting Co., will reduce energy costs for the Canandaigua VA by generating onsite power through renewable resources."

15.    Agent Orange Victims' Exhibit Comes To Leo, Indiana. The Fort Wayne (IN) Journal-Gazette (9/11, Haynie) reports, "Through Sunday, high school students and members of the public can see the wall and a traveling quilt honoring the victims of Agent Orange. The exhibits are guarded and open 24 hours." The Journal-Gazette adds that "About 200 motorcycle riders escorted the wall to Leo on Tuesday, Lance said. During the opening ceremony Wednesday, students placed carnations underneath the names of the 118 local veterans who died in the war. A color guard from American Legion Past 409 also participated."

16.    Ex-Marine Who Wore Unearned Medals Barred From VA Hospital. The AP (9/10) reports, "Veterans Administration spokeswoman Cindy Butler told the North County Times on Thursday that David Weber's volunteer work had been terminated. The decision came after the American Combat Veterans of War complained that it was disrespectful to veterans to let Weber work at the hospital." The AP adds, "The 69-year-old former Marine staff sergeant was ordered to perform 240 hours of community service after pleading guilty in January to posing as a Marine general."

17.    Roseburg National Cemetery Appearance Gets Upgraded. The Roseburg (OR) News-Review (9/11, Bajandas) reports, "The federal government will carve out a 20-acre military cemetery from a golf course on the Roseburg Veterans Affairs Medical Center grounds and will also upgrade the appearance of the nearby Roseburg National Cemetery, according to the cemetery's director." The News-Review adds, "The existing 4.5-acre national cemetery, established in 1897, has run out of room for caskets and can only accommodate cremated remains, said Jerry Rainey, director of national cemeteries in Roseburg and Eagle Point. The National Cemetery Administration has been planning the addition for several years, and construction could begin this fall, he said."

18.    Families Organization Presents Its Top Award To VFW. The Macomb (MI) Daily (9/11, May) reports, "This year, the Families organization presented its top award to the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States for the VFW's commitment to" investigating cases in which veterans were missing and/or unaccounted for" and involvement in the work of the US-Russian Joint Commission on POW/MIA Affairs. The VFW also held meetings with foreign military, political and diplomatic officials in Washington, D.C., and in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, China and Russia. The VFW honors the military creed of never leaving a comrade behind.

19.    DVAF Is Giving Loans Of $10,000 To Disabled Vet Business Owners. The Orange County Register (9/11, Schelden) reports the DVAF "is giving loans of $10,000 or less to disabled vet business owners." The County Register adds, "Since March 24, the nonprofit has granted about six loans, said Director Mike Walker. Through a private endowment they have enough to secure grants and loans for about 50 more people, he said. Then the group will start looking for more grants and loans and donations from the community."

20.    Care Package Drive To Be Held In Michigan In Remembrance Of 9/11 Attacks. The Detroit Free Press (9/11) reports, "White Chapel Memorial Park Cemetery and Michigan Military Moms are working together to provide 'a little bit of home and comfort' to overseas military troops. The organizations will be conducting a drive to collect items for care packages that provide entertainment and hard-to-get snacks that troops might ordinarily find in their homes back in Michigan."

21.    Blue Star Mothers Collecting Items For Troops On September 11.  WYFF-TV Greenville, SC (9/10) reports on its website, "Blue Star mothers will be collecting items for the troops Sept. 11 at the Kmart on Wade Hampton Boulevard from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m." in order to make sure that "no active duty soldier or sailor goes without basic supplies like, soap, toothpaste, clean socks or even a little note of thanks." WYFF-TV adds that the group is doing this because they "fear that nine years after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, people have forgotten that thousands of men and women are still fighting