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    <title>Veterans Forum</title>
    <category>Veterans Forum</category>
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    <description>Latest local news from The Durango Herald.</description>
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        <link>https://tj.durangoherald.com/veterans-day-pays-tribute-to-all-who-serve/</link>
        <title>Veterans Day pays tribute to all who serve</title>
        <description>The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, an Armistice was signed ending hostilities of World War I, The Great War, the war to end all wars, in which 16 million combatants and civilians lost...</description>
        <pubDate>Tue, 28 Oct 2014 19:30:32 -0600</pubDate>
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        <content:encoded><![CDATA[The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, an Armistice was signed ending hostilities of World War I, The Great War, the war to end all wars, in which 16 million combatants and civilians lost their lives. Some 70 million military personnel participated in one of the greatest wars known to man. The Treaty of Versailles with Germany was signed on 28 June, 1919; The U.S. Senate did not ratify the treaty. A formal ending of the United States participation in the war was not signed until July 2, 1921, by President Warren G. Harding. "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations." (President Woodrow Wilson proclaiming the first Armistice Day on Nov. 11, 1919). Even though The U.S. would not end their involvement until Warren G. Harding's presidency. Often Veterans Day is confused with Memorial Day. Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans, whereas Memorial Day celebrates all those who died while serving in the Armed Forces of the U.S. World War II veteran Raymond Weeks, of Birmingham, Ala., who is known as The Father of Veterans Day, led the first national celebration in 1947. Armistice Day had been celebrated for those that had died during World War I, but Weeks wanted a celebration that included all veterans. In 1982, President Ronald Reagan awarded Weeks the Presidential Citizen Medal. Weeks led the Veterans Day celebration in Birmingham until his death in 1985. On June 1, 1954, Congress amended the act,and it has been known as Veterans Day since. Salute. Robert Valencia is a retired Army Sergeant First Class, member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and the American Legion. He can be reached at 560-1891. Listen to Veterans Forum the last Friday of the month at 8:30am on KSJD Radio FM 90.5/91.5. Veterans Day eventsBreakfast: At 7 a.m., a tribute to veterans and breakfast will be held at the American Legion, Ute Mountain Post 75 in Cortez. Questions about American Legion functions can be directed to post commander Marvin Hermanns at 970-739-4537. Dolores: At 9 a.m. the Dolores High School will perform its sixth Annual Veterans Day program at the Dolores Auxiliary Gym, 100 N. Sixth St., Dolores. All veterans are encouraged to arrive by 8 a.m. to register in the Dolores Band Hall. Veterans will be formally escorted into the program. Information contact Beverly Hall at 970-882-7288 ext. 2310. Lunch: The Elks Club of Cortez, 2100 N. Dolores Road, will hold its annual veterans lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. All veterans, active-duty personnel and spouse are invited to attend. Information: Dennis Wojciechowski at 970-882-2614. Parade: The Annual Veterans Day Parade sponsored by the American Legion post will start at 1 p.m. The parade route will travel east along Montezuma Avenue to Harrison Street and end at the American Legion Post. Line up at the county annex parking lot on the west end of Montezuma Avenue. Information: commander Marvin Hermanns. After the parade, the Mesa Elementary Howlers will perform a tribute to veterans at the American Legion Post. The public is invited to attend. Dedication: At 2 p.m., dedication ceremonies will be held by Disabled American Veterans Chapter 44, Cortez, for the opening of the Veterans Outreach Center, on the southwest corner of South Market and First Street. The Veterans Outreach Center will provide assistance for veterans and their families. Information: Darla Sanders at 970-560-2793. Freedom Flower: The American Legion Ute Mountain Post 75 will distribute its Freedom Flower leading up to Veterans Day. The donations from these Freedom Flowers are used by the American Legion to assist needy veterans and their families. The Montezuma County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5231 will distribute Buddy Poppies on Saturday, Nov. 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at City Market and Wal-mart. The donations from the Buddy Poppies are used to assist needy veterans and their families. The donations from these programs help veterans in our community. Please support this effort. Marines birthday: Preceding Veterans Day on Nov. 10, is the Marine Corps Birthday. The U.S. Marines celebrate these two days together. To all the Marines, Happy Birthday. To all Veterans, Happy Veterans Day.]]></content:encoded>
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        <link>https://tj.durangoherald.com/we-need-more-than-lip-service-about-care-at-va-clinics/</link>
        <title>We need more than lip service about care at VA clinics</title>
        <description>Every month, I receive publications from the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and the American Legion. Lately, articles have focused on troubles at the Department of Veterans Affairs. The funding problems have existed for years, and the new...</description>
        <pubDate>Mon, 29 Sep 2014 21:38:53 -0600</pubDate>
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        <content:encoded><![CDATA[Every month, I receive publications from the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and the American Legion. Lately, articles have focused on troubles at the Department of Veterans Affairs. The funding problems have existed for years, and the new law is a temporary fix. If our legislators were forced to use the VA health system, we would surely receive much better funding. The thought of privatizing veterans’ health care in some cases may be a good idea until the bill is not paid. The VA already often fails to pay its bills on time, and a service performed outside the VA is sometimes 60 to 90 days late. About $16 billion has been appropriated for health service outside the VA system when a veteran lives more than 40 miles away from a VA hospital. Treatment will have to be OK’d through the VA Hospital financial department, know to veterans as Fee Basis. In all cases, the consultation for a specialist is submitted by a veteran’s primary care provider to the local VA hospital. Southwestern Colorado, from Pagosa Springs to Cortez, is in the Albuquerque VA region. This “new program” is for continued funding for these services in the private sector. The way I understand the 40-mile rule is: If the veteran can’t be treated in a timely fashion then, if approved, he or she will be consulted to a VA vendor in the veteran’s area. For instance, an eye issue is done by a contract vendor in Farmington, sleep studies are done in Farmington; mammograms are done in Farmington, and colonoscopies done in Durango. The basic problem is timely payment to the vendor. In many cases, a veteran receives the bill if it is not paid in 30 days with the usual “payment due upon receipt.” After ninety days a letter from a collection agency arrives, and the veteran has to write a letter to the Fee Base office for an approved payment, which they previously approved from her primary care provider. Many of our veterans are faced with a late payment or no payment from the VA Region Hospital Fee Base office. And what private health care provider, or “vendor,” wants to wait 90 days for payment? The vendor is forced to accept VA pricing, and what physician wants to wait for a predetermined payment? In the end, the veteran gets the shaft. I attended Tipton’s local town hall meeting this month. I was not selected to ask a question, one of which was about timely payments. A few veteran questions came up, but I’m not sure they were really answered. I believe that everyone should have been able to ask their congressman questions that may be of interest to all in attendance. I listened and waited patiently for my ticket to be drawn so that I could pick from a list of questions. Those that did get called were allowed to ask one question – what a crock! I gave my list of questions to Tipton’s representative with my name, e-mail and phone number. I have yet to hear from him. I left the meeting with the same impression I had before about Tipton. He was not shy about telling everyone about what he has done for Colorado, but I was taken back when he said that veterans need to stick together and keep pushing to get things resolved. I thought that we elected him to voice constituents’ concerns. The legislator should respond to these interests, not merely provide lip service. Robert Valencia is a retired Army Sergeant First Class, member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and the American Legion. He can be reached at 970-560-1891. Listen to Veterans Forum the last Friday of the month at 8:30am on KSJD radio FM 90.5/91.5]]></content:encoded>
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