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

According to the United States Constitution, the federal government is legally required to count all living persons in the country. However, the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community has historically been undercounted. [From Count Us In 2020]

Major Gen. Fernando Trinidad, commanding officer of the Army’s 9th Infantry Division (9ID) in Bicol, urged the people here on Monday to always remember war Veterans for their bravery and patriotism that motivated them to fight and liberate the Philippines from the hands of foreign invaders. The region’s highest Army officer gave the message during the commemoration of the 74th anniversary of the historic Albay Gulf Landing led by City Mayor Noel Rosal. [From Republic of the Philippines]

The Guam Procurement Technical Assistance Center is offering free public workshops in April. The workshops are from 9 to 10 a.m. in room 131 of the University of Guam, in the Jesus and Eugenia Leon Guerrero Business and Public Administration Building. [From Pacific Daily News]

Native Americans have served in the U.S. military in every major conflict since the Revolutionary War but are often overlooked, according to historians and tribal leaders. A memorial coming to Washington will honor the roughly 141,000 Veterans and 15,100 active duty service members who are Native Americans. [From Stars and Stripes]

When I ran the Army Ten-Miler last fall, I was humbled by how many people around me were running with memorial photos, dog tags, and buttons to recognize service members who had died. While I served more than two decades in the military as a psychiatrist and have studied military bereavement, I was still deeply touched to see so many people running beside me, working so hard to honor and recognize service members who died. [From VAntage Point]

For the first time, a state’s National Guard command staff is entirely female. The Maryland National Guard’s four top leaders are all women, and three are African American. [From Military Times]

A $15 million memorial honoring Native American and Alaskan Native military members and Veterans is set to open next year in Washington. The Washington Post reported Thursday that design details for the structure titled “Warriors’ Circle of Honor” are still being finalized, though the memorial has been in the works for years. [From Military Times]

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Navy Veteran Carolina Hernandez. Carolina served in active duty from 2005 to 2009. [From VAntage Point]

We honor your service, Carolina!

The Air Force announced Friday that it has selected 43 majors in the Nurse Corps for promotion to lieutenant colonel. The Air Force Personnel Center said it provided the names of those who were selected to their senior raters in advance, so their commanders could give them the good news. [From Air Force Times]

A South Korea-based soldier received a local award on Thursday for his heroics in preventing an aggressive dog from attacking a Korean girl and her grandmother. The mayor of Pyeongtaek City presented Spc. Jonathan Roman Rios with a plaque for his Feb. 19 actions, according to a 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade release. [From Army Times]

Army Veteran Richard Bean Sr. took his wartime secret to the grave, dying a hero without anyone knowing about it for decades. Now, Bean and four other long-deceased Alaska Natives are being hailed in their home state this month for their lifesaving efforts as servicemen. [From Military Times]

Anthony Juarez is an Intermediate Care Technician (ICT) with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Southern Nevada HealthCare System in Las Vegas. After delivering medical care in the military, Juarez transitioned to civilian life, but struggled to find a well-paying job. [From VAntage Point]

Today we recognize Medal of Honor recipient, Army Sgt. Candelario Garcia. Garcia was deployed to Vietnam December 8, 1968, as part of the 1st Infantry Division. [From VAntage Point]