1.      Ad Campaign Urges Vets To Use VA Benefits, Services. In continuing coverage, the American Forces Press Service (10/14, Miles) reports, "The Department of Veterans Affairs launched a campaign" earlier "this week to encourage veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan to take advantage of available VA benefits and services. VA broadcast the first in a series of advertisements Monday night in six major US markets as part of its National Veterans Awareness Campaign, VA Press Secretary Katie Roberts said." AFPS adds, "The new ad promotes one of VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki's top priorities: providing more veterans access to VA services, Roberts said."

2.      Local Board To Send VA Clinic Resolution To Shinseki. After noting that the "Jersey County Board is asking voters to approve an additional quarter-cent public safety sales tax increase" on November 2nd, the Alton (IL) Telegraph (10/14, Bott, 23K) reports, "In other...business," the board "adopted a resolution supporting the ongoing efforts" of US Rep. Phil Hare (D-IL) to "establish an outpatient clinic for veterans in South-Central Illinois." The Telegraph adds, "Copies of the resolution will be sent" to US Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki.

3.      VANWIHCS Proposing Veterans Village. The Des Moines-based Radio Iowa (10/14, Kelley) reports, "Hundreds of low-income and homeless veterans in western Iowa and eastern Nebraska would have a safe new place to live under" a Veterans Village proposal being developed by the Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System. Radio Iowa notes that Will Ackerman, a spokesman for the system, says the VA Secretary "has set a goal of ending homelessness amongst veterans in five years so this program is one of those steps to achieve that goal." Radio Iowa adds, "A community meeting" on the proposal, which still requires local approval, is "planned for Thursday at 6 PM at the Field Club."

4.      Georgia Governor Honors Veterans Cemetery Staff. The Milledgeville (GA) Union-Recorder (10/14, Jackson) says Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue has "recognized the Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery for team excellence in customer service as part of his annual selections of individuals and offices in 42 different state agencies who provide 'above and beyond' service." The cemetery operates "under the purview of the Georgia Department of Veterans Service."

5.      New Jersey Assembly Committee Passes Vets' Hospital Bill. The Northfield, New Jersey-based Shore News Today (10/14, Linehan) notes that state Sen. Jeff Van Drew's "bill to create a veterans' hospital task force cleared its latest hurdle recently, breezing through the state Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee on the road to a vote before the full legislative body." After noting that the bill "passed the full Senate last June," Shore News Today adds, "Past calls for a VA hospital in southern New Jersey have been rejected by federal officials who cite a lack of need in the region."

6.      Chief Technology Officer: VA Preparing To Launch Paperless Disability Claims System.  FierceGovernmentIT (10/13, Walker) reported, "The Veterans Affairs Department is preparing to launch within days a paperless service-related disability claims system, said VA Chief Technology Officer Peter Levin." After noting that Levin made his comments "while speaking Oct. 12" at Healthcare Innovation Day in Washington, DC, FierceGovernmentIT adds, "There are about one million backlogged service-related disability claims at the Veterans Affairs Department, but a paperless system could change that, he said."

7.      Officials Say VA Is Changing Its Culture.  FierceGovernmentIT (10/13, Walker) noted, "The Veterans Affairs Department is embracing a new attitude, with plans to better engage VA employees and better meet veterans' needs, according to several VA officials during an address" at Healthcare Innovation Day in Washington, DC, "on Oct. 12. 'VA is in need of change,' said Scott Gould, deputy secretary at the VA," who stressed that "changing the culture at VA" means going from "adversary to advocate." According to FierceGovernmentIT, Gould also pointed out that the VA Innovation Initiative is currently implementing employee suggestions.

8.      VFW-PAC Leaders Reject Call To Rescind Endorsements. The AP (10/14, Freking) reports, "Endorsements from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Political Action Committee," "have so enraged many VFW members that its elected leaders have asked the PAC to immediately rescind all endorsements for next month's election." On Wednesday, however, the "PAC's leaders flatly rejected the idea," saying in a statement on PAC's website that the "VFW-PAC will not abandon those in Congress that have supported issues of critical importance to our nation's security and veterans." Politico (10/14, Shiner, 25K) and the Washington Times (10/14, Lengell, 77K) publish similar stories.

9.      Official: VA Planning To Expand Use Of IT, Telecommunications.  Government Health IT (10/14, Mosquera) reports, "The Veterans Affairs Department plans to expand its use of information technology and telecommunications – including mobile and landline phones and video conferencing – to deliver health care to aging veterans and others who suffer from chronic conditions, according" to VA's chief consultant for telehealth services, Dr. Adam Darkins, who "spoke at an Oct. 12 conference on telehealth sponsored by West Wireless Health Institute, a medical mobile technology researcher."

10.    Duckworth Pays Tribute To USF Veterans. According to the University Of South Florida News (10/13, Chachere), when "L. Tammy Duckworth was shot down in the Black Hawk helicopter she was piloting over Iraq in 2004," a University of South Florida (USF) "ROTC and College of Nursing graduate – Army Lt. Col. Tony Peverini – was among those who pulled her from the wreckage and helped treat her massive injuries. Tuesday, Duckworth – now the US Department of Veterans Affairs Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs – paid tribute to what she called the culture of nurturing and support that has allowed injured veterans to create new lives for themselves at USF." Duckworth made her comments while appearing "as the keynote speaker at Accessibull, USF's celebration of people with different abilities."

11.    Long-Term Care Facilities To Be Built At Danville VA Hospital. According to the AP (10/14), the US Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in Danville, Illinois, is "getting new facilities to house veterans receiving long-term care who would otherwise go to nursing homes." The department "says two buildings are being constructed at a cost of $4 million in which up to 10 veterans can live at a time. The homes are expected to be finished by 2011 and four more are expected to be built in 2012."
     The Danville (IL) Commercial News (10/13, Wicoff, 12K) said "community living centers...are places for people to enjoy life, not to wait for death. That's the idea behind a new venture called the Green House Project, which is going up at the Veterans Affairs Illiana Health Care System." On Tuesday, more "than 250 people gathered Tuesday to hear speakers and watch officials break ground for two buildings that will provide a home-like atmosphere for veterans needing to live in a skilled-care setting."

12.    Remodeled Building Will House New Vet Center. In continuing coverage, the WEAU-TV Eau Claire, WI (10/13) website reported, "Veterans in Western Wisconsin will soon have more resources available to help them at no cost," because "La Crosse County Veterans Service Officer Jim Gausmann says part of the Spencer Building on Copeland Avenue in La Crosse is being remodeled to house a new vet center." After noting that Gausmann "says the center's main focus is to counsel veterans who are trying to readjust to civilian life," WEAU added, "The center will open in January."

13.    Agent Orange Benefits To Be Discussed At Town Hall Meeting. The Claremore (OK) Daily Progress (10/14) says the US Department of Veterans Affairs "Muskogee Regional Office, in conjunction with the Rogers County Blue Star Mothers, located in Claremore, Okla., will host a Town Hall meeting for area veterans at 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 22," at the Sterling House of Claremore. The Daily Progress notes that Sam Jarvis, director of the Muskogee VA Regional Office said his office "will have subject matter experts at the...meeting to answer questions about benefits related" to Agent Orange exposure "for those who served in Vietnam."

14.    Groundbreaking To Be Held Today For VA-Funded Cemetery. The WCHS-AM Charleston, WV (10/13) said a "groundbreaking will be held in Institute Thursday morning for the Donnel Kinnard Memorial State Veteran's Cemetery," which will be the "first state veteran's cemetery in West Virginia. A grant of $14.1 from the US Veterans Administration will pay" for the "entire project." It is the "largest grant ever awarded by the VA for a state cemetery."

15.    VA Clinic in Florida An "Impressive Sight." The Ocala (FL) Star-Banner (10/14, Green) reports, "The new Villages VA Outpatient Clinic is an impressive sight. Occupying almost 100,000 square feet on a 9.5 acre parcel off County Road 42 in The Villages, it looks more like a country club than" a Veterans Affairs medical facility that "promises to bring a new level of convenience and health care to approximately 90,000 veterans in Marion, Lake and Sumter counties."

16.    New VA Clinic Dedicated. The Lake County (CA) Record-Bee (10/14, Rockenstein) reports, "A milestone was reached Wednesday with the dedication of the new" Clearlake Veterans Affairs Clinic "on Lakeshore Drive. Gratitude accentuated the event with appreciation endlessly extended to those who worked so diligently on the project as well as to those men and women who so selflessly earned the right to access VA services."

17.    Atlanta VAMC To Host Strand Down Event. The Jonesboro, Georgia-based Clayton News Daily (10/14, Jackson) reports, "Help is on the way for metro Atlanta's estimated 2,000 homeless and disadvantaged veterans, according to officials with the Department of Veterans Affairs." The Daily adds, "The Atlanta VA Medical Center plans to host its annual 'Stand Down' event, which provides free employment and counseling assistance to homeless and disadvantaged veterans, said Greg Kendall, the hospital's public affairs officer." According to the Daily, the event is "set to take place on Oct. 30, from 7:30 a.m., until 3:30 p.m.," at the Atlanta VAMC.

18.    Utilities To Be Disconnected In New Orleans VA Hospital Footprint. The New Orleans Times-Picayune (10/14, Barrow, 158K) reports, "State contractors will begin next week to dismantle utilities infrastructure in the footprint of the planned US Department of Veterans Affairs medical complex, state officials said Wednesday. All electricity, gas, water, sewerage and telephone service will be cut off completely by Oct. 28, according to the state." According to the Times-Picayune, any residents in the affected are "who remain in their homes after the cutoff date will be provided temporary utilities service upon request as state contractors continue land acquisition in preparation for giving the federal government the entire footprint by a Nov. 30 deadline."

19.    Groundbreaking For VA "Super Clinic" Postponed. The Wilmington (NC) Star News (10/14, Sebens, McGrath) reports, "Columbus Day was supposed to be the mark of another celebration, but on Monday the groundbreaking of the Wilmington veterans 'super clinic' was once again postponed." The US Department of Veterans Affairs "has had to postpone several groundbreaking events for the 100,000-square-foot clinic that was supposed to start this summer." The "project was set for groundbreaking Monday, but issues still plaguing the developer set it back again."

20.    Plans For New VA Clinic In Minnesota On Hold. In continuing coverage, the Minneapolis Star Tribune (10/14, Levy, 319K) says a "proposed veterans clinic for the northwestern suburbs" is again on hold. On Wednesday, "Ramsey developer Jim Deal...received an e-mail" from the Department of Veterans Affairs "telling him not to proceed with plans before next Tuesday." According to the Star Tribune, VA was "supposed to post its decision" to award clinic developing rights to Deal and "allow a five-day grace period before Deal could begin construction, but that posting was never done."

21.    Amid Expansion Plans, Residents Concerned About Parking At San Francisco VAMC. According to the San Francisco (CA) Examiner (10/14, Kelkar), officials at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center are "weighing expansion plans, but must confront concerns from residents about parking." The Examiner says VA is "holding a public meeting for comments at 6 p.m. Oct. 26 in its auditorium."

22.    Charles George VAMC Offering Free Flu Shots To Veterans. The Asheville (NC) Citizen-Times (10/14, 38K) says the Charles George Veterans Affairs Medical Center is "offering free flu shots to eligible veterans at the medical center in Oteen and at the Community-based clinics in Franklin and Rutherfordton. Shots are being given 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday until Nov. 5" at the VA hospital. Flu shots will "also be given out at 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Oct. 20 and 25 at The Franklin Clinic, 647 Wayah St. in Franklin and 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Oct. 21 and 26 at The Rutherford County Clinic, 374 Charlotte Rd., in Rutherfordton."

23.    Omaha VAMC Kicks Off Seasonal Flu Vaccination Campaign. According to the Woodbine (IA) Twiner (10/14, 1K), the Omaha VA Medical Center "seasonal flu vaccination campaign kicked off Tuesday. The theme for this year's campaign is 'Infection: Don't Pass It On.'" Veterans "must be enrolled in the VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System to be eligible to receive the flu vaccination."

24.    Fayetteville VAMC's Rural Health Team To Help Area Vets Enroll. The Wilmington (NC) Star News (10/14, Eckenrode) says representatives of the Fayetteville Veterans Affairs Medical Center will "visit Bolivia on Oct. 19 so that area veterans can enroll in the VA health care system, receive health screenings and health information and find out about services available to them through the Veterans Health Administration." The hospital's "rural health team will be at the Brunswick County Cooperative Extension Building Training/Conference Room 10 a.m.-2 p.m."

25.    Thirty Norwood VAMC Patients Participate In Cooking Event. The Augusta (GA) Chronicle (10/14, Dicks) notes that 30 patients from rehabilitation units at the Charlie Norwood Veterans Affairs Medical Center participated in a "Cooking with Soldiers activity" on October 7th. The Chronicle adds, "It was organized by the Junior League of Augusta as a Done in a Day project, which is where members go out into the community and complete projects in one day, said Kari Baker, public relations chairwoman for the organization. 'We love going out into the community and making a difference,' she said."

26.    County Commission Donates Money To Fisher House. The Port Clinton (OH) News Herald (10/14, 4K) reports, "The Ottawa County Veterans Service Commission donated $1,000 to the Fisher House being built at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton. A Fisher House is 'a home away from home' for families of patients receiving medical care" at Veterans Affairs and "major military" hospitals. By "law, there is no charge for any family to stay" at a VA-operated Fisher House.

27.    Local Biotech Company Offers $10,000 Prize To Help Vets. The KPBS-FM San Diego, CA (10/13, Pico) website said the West Wireless Health Institute is "offering a $10,000 prize for the best wireless application for veterans with health problems." The prize came about because the "Department of Veterans Affairs created the Innovation Initiative, to encourage inventors to create wireless devices that will give veterans easier access to care."

28.    Muncie B&B Owner Offers Veterans A Free Getaway. The AP (10/14).

29.    A Place To Pay Respects. The Haddonfield, New Jersey-based Medford Sun (10/14, George).

30.    Upper Nazareth Man Receives Purple Heart. The Lehigh Valley (PA) Express Times (10/14, Nauroth, 45K).

31.    Obituary: David H. McNerney, 79, Received Medal Of Honor In Vietnam. The Washington Post (10/14, Shapiro, 605K).