23.    Decision-Makers To Discuss Gulf War's Impact.  The current edition of the Army Times (1/17, Tan, 104K) reports, "In an event, former President George H.W. Bush and key decision-makers from his administration will gather Jan. 20" at Texas A&M, where they will "mark the 20th anniversary of the Persian Gulf War." During the event, Bush will "honor service members who served in operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and he will lead a discussion about the decisions that led to the war." Organizers have "extended a special invitation for all Gulf War veterans to be at the event."

24.    Study Examines Ways VA Can Better Serve Female Vets. In continuing coverage, CNN Newsroom (1/11, 10:19 a.m. ET) broadcast that female veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan are "more likely than their brothers in arms to be diagnosed with mental health issues but they're less likely to get benefits for them. That's according to a new government study looking at ways the Department of Veterans Affairs can better serve the women who are serving us." CNN spoke about the report with Anuradha Bhagwati , the executive director of the Service Women's Action Network, who said she is worried that survivors of military sexual trauma are "underutilizing VA services and literally disappearing into the cracks."

25.    Group Has Greeted One Million Returning Service Members.  ABC World News (1/11, story 10, 2:00, Sawyer, 8.2M) reported, "For more than five years...a group of Americans has been welcoming home the troops to thank them for their service overseas. Well, today, a milestone: one million who served" have been greeted by the group. Yesterday, the group's "volunteer greeters, from Boy Scouts to veterans, were honored for their milestone, by the Army's top brass, Gen. George Casey."

26.    Returned AWOL Soldier Enters Treatment Program.  In continuing coverage, an AP (1/12, Hall) story run by at least 117 publications notes that Christina Hanks, the "wife of a formerly AWOL Fort Campbell soldier who was scheduled to deploy" to Afghanistan, "said her husband has entered" Cumberland Hall, a residential treatment program in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Spc. Jeff Hanks "went AWOL during his mid-tour leave from Afghanistan last year and turned himself in on Veterans Day. The 30-year-old soldier complained about the lack of treatment by the Army for his behavioral health issues he said stemmed from previous deployments and a concussion suffered in Afghanistan."

27.    Transgender Vets Want Military Access For Own.  An AP (1/12, Leff) story appearing in at least 122 publications reports, "The 'don't ask, don't tell' policy now heading toward history does not apply to transgender recruits, who are automatically disqualified as unfit for service. But the military's long-standing posture on gender-identity has not prevented transgender citizens" like Autumn Sandeen "from signing up before they come out, or from obtaining psychological counseling, hormones and routine health care through the

Department of Veterans Affairs once they return to civilian life." After noting that Sandeen is "not alone in hoping the US will one day join the seven other nations...that allow transgender troops," the AP says it spoke about VA care for transgender vets with agency spokeswoman Katie Roberts, who stated, "As all veterans served this nation with the same expectation of honor and excellence, VA strives to provide all veterans equitable treatment respecting their honor by providing medical services with excellence."  Gay Rights Group Asks Court To Keep "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Case Moving. A separate AP (1/11) story carried by at least 244 publications said a "gay rights group is asking a federal appeals court in California to keep considering if a trial judge properly struck down the US military's ban on gays serving openly in the military, even though Congress has agreed to repeal 'don't ask, don't tell.'" On Monday, attorneys for the Log Cabin Republicans "filed legal papers...arguing that because the ban has not yet been lifted and may not be for some time, the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals needs to maintain the schedule it set in the government's challenge to the lower court's ruling. The brief came in response to a Dec. 29...motion seeking to suspend the case for at least three months," a motion that came from the Justice Department, whose "lawyers say putting the appeal on hold would allow the Pentagon to focus on training troops and other tasks necessary for completing the repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell.'" A similar Reuters (1/11, Gorman) article was run by at least 80 publications.

28.    Patients Laud Tucson's VA Hospital.  The Tucson-based Arizona Daily Star (1/11, Alaimo) reports, "Tucson's veterans hospital is reputed to be one of the best in the country, and a new survey shows a large majority of local inpatients are content with the care they receive there. Nearly three-quarters of those admitted to the Tucson VA Medical Center give the facility top marks for medical care -- a 9 or 10 out of 10, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs' latest annual quality and safety report." Results "were based on surveys VA headquarters mailed to patients in 2009."

29.    VA Renames St. Cloud Medical Center.  The St. Cloud (MN) Times (1/11) says the St. Cloud Veterans Affairs Medical Center is "now the St. Cloud VA Health Care System, effective immediately. One of the major changes made" by VA "over the past decade has been the evolution from hospital-based systems to outpatient-focused systems. The name ...reflects the overall integration and expansion of medical services, according to a news release from the center."

30.    Mpls. VA Center Offering Free Legal Clinic For Veterans.  Minnesota Public Radio (1/11, Mador) notes that on Thursday, veterans will be able to "get help at a free legal clinic," to be held at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The clinic is "open to all military veterans and attorneys and advocates with expertise in child support, family law, employment and social security will be on hand. Nathaniel Saltz from the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans said veterans can get help with legal questions and filling out legal forms."

31.    Stand Down Helps More Homeless Vets.  According to the Decatur (IL) Herald & Review (1/10, Churchill), a "Veterans Stand Down held in conjunction with the eighth annual Box City homelessness awareness event helped 26 homeless military veterans Nov. 19 in the parking lot of Grace United Methodist Church." After noting that the event was held in Decatur, the Herald & Review said 18 of the vets attending the event "were bused to Decatur by the Veterans Administration Illiana Health Care System home in Danville."

32.    More Rock River Valley Agencies Coming To Aid Of Veterans.  According to the Rockford (IL) Register-Star (1/10, Westphal, 48K), Rock River Valley agencies "have turned their eyes toward helping veterans in the past year," which is "exactly what" the Federal government "wants them to do." The US Department of Veterans Affairs is "relying on community-based resources, especially health care organizations, more each year, even as it continues to expand government services for veterans. Veterans Affairs spent $4.4 billion in the past year purchasing private health care to supplement the services it provides, said Gary Baker, chief business officer for the VA Veterans Health Administration."

33.    31st National Veterans Wheelchair Games Coming To Pittsburgh.  In continuing coverage, the WTAE-TV Pittsburgh, PA (1/10) website noted that on Monday, a company called Highmark "announced that they are donating $100,000 to the 31st National Veterans Wheelchair Games coming to Pittsburgh in August. With the slogan, 'Where Heroes Become Legends,' the games are the largest annual wheelchair sports event in the world." Bill Lawson, "national president of Paralyzed Veterans of America, and Michael Moreland, Greater Pittsburgh Area Veterans Integrated Service Network director," were there to hear Highmark make its announcement. WPXI-TV (1/10) broadcast that Highmark is a "Pittsburgh-based insurer." The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (1/11, Ramirez) also covers this story.

34.    Vets Find Help That Many Don't Know Is Available.  The KJRH-TV Tulsa, OK (1/10) website said veteran Dean Howell is a "perfect candidate for a little known Veterans Administration program, which provides financial assistance to veterans in times of hardship. 'It makes me feel good,' says Dean," who received help applying for the program from volunteers at the American Legion in Tulsa. KJRH added, "To qualify for the VA assistance a veteran must have served for at least three months during wartime, must have been an Oklahoma resident for at least the past year, and must have been impacted by some type of medical emergency or natural disaster."

35.    Checotah, Okla. Man Pleads Guilty To Theft Of Education Benefits From Veterans Affairs Dept.  An AP (1/12) story carried by at least 17 publications reports, "The US attorney's office at Tulsa says a 36-year-old Checotah man has entered a guilty plea to a charge of theft or embezzlement of public money that accused him of fraudulently obtaining $45,000 in education benefits" from the US Veterans Affairs Department. A news release "from the federal prosecutor's office Tuesday said Shane Miller had entered his plea before US Magistrate Judge Steven P. Shreder at Muskogee. Miller was indicted on the charge in December, along with Daniel Rosson, an employee of the VA Department."