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

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Women Airforce Service Pilots Veteran Mildred Darlene “Micky” Tuttle Axton, who served during World War II. Born in Coffeyville, Kansas in 1919, Veteran Mildred Darlene “Micky” Tuttle Axton first flew as a child in an airplane when local stunt pilots offered to take people for rides. [From VAntage Point]

We honor her service.

The first female leader of the U.S. Naval War College has officially assumed command of the school. The college said Rear Adm. Shoshana Chatfield became the 57th president Thursday. Chatfield, a helicopter pilot, previously led a military command in Guam. [From Navy Times]

Should a sore throat or a rash send a Veteran to the emergency department or an urgent care center? Sometimes it’s difficult to be sure. So, VA wants to make it easy by providing a clear-cut description of where to go for the health care Veterans need. [From VAntage Point]

Legionnaires Lori McMath Varner and Ashley Gorbulja-Maldonado will compete for Ms. Veteran America. Ms. Veteran America contestants must be a women either honorably discharged from or still serving in the U.S. military. [From The American Legion]

The military is no picnic when it comes to consuming food. Eating quickly and at strange hours is a way of life in the armed forces. For many women Veterans, these experiences can affect their eating habits, and relationship with food after their military service is over. [From VAntage Point]

About 30 people stood on the pavement of the Calvary Cemetery, looking toward the sky, waiting for World War II planes to fly overhead in honor of a woman who flew ones like them more than 75 years ago. When they had to wait a little longer than expected, Julie Stranburg piped up. [From Military.com]

A Marine brigadier general who was alleged to have “disparaged, bullied and humiliated subordinates, devalued women” while he ran the Corps’ legislative affairs has received administrative reprimand. Brig. Gen. Norm Cooling is currently the assistant deputy commandant of Plans, Policies and Operations, a post he took after he was fired from his job as legislative assistant to the commandant in February 2018. [From Marine Corps Times]

It’s okay. I’ve had a vasectomy. My flight instructor pants these words into my face as he shoves my Dress Blue Alpha skirt over my hips. [From The War Horse]

Five years ago, Military Sexual Trauma Coordinator Anne Eason began facilitating a 12-week Courage Group to women and male Veteran survivors of Military Sexual Trauma. The MST program has now offered the Courage Group program to over 250 men and women Veterans. [From VAntage Point]

By Veterans’ Day this November, former combat photographer Stacy Pearsall will have traveled to all 50 states, snapping stark black-and-white portraits of more than 7,500 military Veterans. Despite the care she takes composing each shot, correcting the lighting and cajoling her subjects to engage with the camera, the photos aren't the main thing. The main thing, for her, is the chance to connect with fellow Veterans. [From Task & Purpose]

Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Kimberly Young-McLear, who spent years reporting bullying and harassing behaviors by her superiors, and later faced retaliation for making those complaints, is finally speaking publicly about what happened to her. The 35-year-old said she chose now to speak out because she will be recognized, along with 50 others, by the National Whistleblowers Center on Tuesday, July 30, designated as National Whistleblower Appreciation Day. [From Stars and Stripes]

VA encourages you to talk to your primary care provider about cervical cancer testing because early detection can help save your life. Cervical cancer was once the number one cause of cancer-related death in women. [From VAntage Point]

A 7-year-old Ohio girl about to undergo chemotherapy to treat a brain tumor fulfilled her dream and “enlisted” in the Navy. Tabitha Nye, who has completed several surgeries in the past two years to treat the tumor, first became aware of it after struggling to see the white board in school. [From Military Times]

Two Marine colonels who have been married for 16 years both took command of two different North Carolina units on Friday, according to the Marine Corps. Col. Amy Ebitz took command of Headquarters and Support Battalion at Marine Corps Installations East, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, at 10 a.m. At 2 p.m. her husband, Col. Curtis Ebitz, resumed command down the road at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina. [From Marine Corps Times]