U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs CMV - News Update

Maui’s Sons and Daughters of the Nisei Veterans hold a free movie event every second Saturday. Enjoy free popcorn, snacks and beverages and watch this month’s special feature, Toyo’s Camera - Japanese American History during World War II, on Saturday, March 9, 2019, at 1:30 p.m. (doors open at 1 p.m.) at the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center’s Education Center. [From Maui Now]

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Maginia Sajise Morales. Maginia served from 1989-2004. [From VAntage Point]

We honor your service, Maginia!

VA has completely overhauled VA.gov – a new design with the features and function Veterans want. The site provides a modern digital experience with straightforward language and easy-to-use navigation. Users now have all their VA needs in one location. [From VAntage Point]

Lawmakers unanimously passed Bill 23-35, the measure that now limits military service preference points to initial employment. Vice Speaker Telena Nelson, who authored the bill, said the measure promotes a fair selection process within the government of Guam. [From The Guam Daily Post]

The Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) in partnership with the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), kicks off the 77th year commemoration of the Bataan Death March with the Freedom Trail March that runs from March 2 to 3, 2019. [From Manila Standard]

Retired Chief Master Sergeant Dorothy Holmes blazed many trails during her three decades in the Air Force. She was the first black woman to reach the Air Force’s highest enlisted rank. [From Air Force Times]

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Guadalupe Velasquez. Guadalupe served during the Vietnam War from 1969 to 1972. [From VAntage Point]

We honor his service.

American Veterans will soon be able to keep track of their health records in the iPhone’s Health app. According to USA Today, Apple and the Department of Veterans Affairs are partnering to have information from Veterans Health Administration hospitals connect to active military and Veterans phones. [From CBS 58]

The VA Home-Based Primary Care Program is managed by Kevin Hitosis and his team of specialists. They are doing such a wonderful job taking care of 50 to 60 of our Veterans, families and caregivers. [From Pacific Daily News]

Agencies work to bring video-based telehealth to patients wherever they may be — in their living room or on the front lines. [From Fed Tech Magazine]

In 2018 the Department of Veterans Affairs increased the use of TeleHealth medical visits by 19 percent, bringing the total to over 1 million. If you have an opportunity to use Telehealth, do. [From Outer Banks Sentinel]

Veterans awarded the Purple Heart medal for wounds in combat will receive top priority for their claims with the Veterans Affairs Department, VA Secretary Robert Wilkie announced Tuesday. Beginning in April, Veterans with the Purple Heart medal will be placed in the department’s top-priority category for disability benefit claims, along with Medal of Honor recipients and those with severe, service-related disabilities. [From USA Today]

When former Army Sgt. Joshua Echtinaw visits Washington, D.C., with the Purple Heart Veterans flight on May 24, he will be going to visit a friend. A native of Latvia, Sgt. 1st Class Mihail Golin spoke with a thick accent and had an offbeat sense of humor. [From Omaha World-Hearld]

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Julius W. Becton Jr. Julius served during World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam War. Julius was born in 1926 in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. [From VAntage Point]

Thank you for your service, Julius!

Moments before retired Air Force Lt. Col. Enoch Woodhouse Jr. addressed a group at Fort Bragg on Monday, he described an instance when he was kicked off a train in the 1940s because of the color of his skin. “That was one of the most embarrassing times in my life,” said Woodhouse, who is 92. [From Military Times]

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Air Forces Veteran and Tuskegee Airman Wilfred DeFour. Wilfred was born in Colon, Panama and immigrated to United States with his parents who were from Trinidad. [From VAntage Point]

We honor his service.

The Tuskegee Airmen created an enduring legacy that goes beyond their World War II aerial achievements. Known as the Red Tails because of the distinctive red paint on the tails of their fighter aircraft, these men lived by six guiding principles: Aim High, Believe in Yourself, Use Your Brain, Be Ready to Go, Never Quit and Expect to Win. Tuskegee Airman Frank Macon shares his memories. [From U.S. Department of Defense]

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Navy Veteran James Edward Blakely. James served during World War II. [From VAntage Point]

We honor your service, James!