Richard holds a Doctorate of Education, a Master’s Degree in Management Information Systems, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts. Rich is a 23-year Army veteran who retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1990. He was awarded the Legion of Merit for his years of service. Additionally, he was awarded the Bronze Star for Heroism in ground combat, Presidential Unit Citation, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry while serving with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam. He is
Have you ever seen someone do something that you know is wrong and said nothing? Of course, we all have. Have you ever thought to yourself afterwards that by not speaking out you actually enabled them to continue doing what was wrong? I have. My father was an alcoholic. He worked two jobs all his life to keep my mother and two brothers fed, clothed and in a safe home. My Dad would drink half a bottle of Vodka in the evening. I did not say anything to my Dad. He died in his early sixties. I m... Read Full Story
BATTLING INSIDE THE BELTWAY: Federal Legislative UpdateVFW State Commander Tells Congress to Leave VA Health Care and TRICARE Alone-In a letter to the Florida delegation of the United States Congress, Department Commander Stephen Surface urged the Senators and members of the House of Representatives leave VA health care and TRICARE out of a national health care reform package. Surface wrote: “Military health benefits provide an essential offset to the extraordinary demands and sacrifices inhe... Read Full Story
Today, the House of Representatives passed legislation that provides guaranteed funding for health care programs within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The House approved a bill (H.R. 1016) by a 409-1 vote. H.R. 1016 would provide for two-year advance funding for certain Department of Veteran Affairs health care programs, prosthetics and Internet technologies. As a cosponsor of H.R. 1016, and a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I am very pleased that the Hous... Read Full Story
Federal Legislative Update: Bill to Ease PTSD Burden of Proof Goes to Committee-A bill designed to make it easier for veterans to receive benefits and immediate care for post-traumatic stress disorder moved to the House Veterans Affairs Committee on Wednesday and is expected to be voted on by the committee this month. This bill if it becomes law will, in essence, relax the requirement to prove a “combat stressor”. H.R. 952 would clarify that “combat with the enemy” is defined as duty in a co... Read Full Story
I have been writing this newsletter for over ten years on a monthly basis. As a result of my trip last week to Washington, DC, it is appropriate that I write a special edition which is really a follow-up to my earlier piece criticizing President Obama’s proposal to seek third party payment from private insurance veterans receiving treatment from VA for the service connected conditions.This issue came to a boil last Monday, when the leaders of the major veterans’ service organizations met with... Read Full Story
WASHINGTON, March 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The leader of the nation's largest veterans organization says he is "deeply disappointed and concerned" after a meeting with President Obama today to discuss a proposal to force private insurance companies to pay for the treatment of military veterans who have suffered service-connected disabilities and injuries. The Obama administration recently revealed a plan to require private insurance carriers to reimburse the Department of V... Read Full Story
The first meeting of the new South West Florida Blue Star Mothers is this Saturday - March 14th, 2009 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Please join us at this historic meeting!! This month we will sign our Charter and by becoming a Member this Saturday, you will have the opportunity to be a Charter Member! The meeting place is located at:Sarasota County Fire Station, Arlington Park, 2070 Waldemere, Sarasota, FL, 34237 Meeting from 2:00-4:00 p.m. with refreshmentsHere is the link to the National Associa... Read Full Story
Federal Legislative UpdateIs President Obama’s Proposed Budget Good News or Bad News Veterans?The Administration last week unveiled a preview of its budget for Fiscal Year 2010. The good news is that the Obama Administration is calling for a twenty-five million dollar increase in appropriations for the VA for the next five years. This outlay assumes enrolling approximately one half million non-disabled veterans in the VA health care system. However, the bad news is that disabled veterans w... Read Full Story
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Vern Buchanan (FL-13) has written to Veterans Administration (VA) Secretary Eric Shinseki urging him to work with Congress on legislation to improve health care for veterans by advance funding the VA budget.“The VA has only received one on-time budget in the past 12 years,” wrote Buchanan. “Unpredictable and inadequate funding of health care for our veterans is simply unacceptable. The solution is to advance fund the VA’s budget, requiring Congress to approve ... Read Full Story
To apply for membership please contact our Vice President Andy Hooker at andyhooker1@aol.com. Andy will e-mail you the Sarasota County Veterans Commission membership form. Read Full Story
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