The AP is reporting that the federal Supreme Court is taking up the issue of Stolen Valor today. We testified about this law for Nevada during this last legislative session, so it will be interesting to see what they decide.
http://www.lvrj.com/news/stolen-valor-act-gets-hearing-132035888.html
We are in the final week of the holiday season here in Nevada, and there is so much to be grateful for. Most of us have had a chance to relax with friends and family; gifts were given, and not just between family but also gifts of service to our community and our veterans and service members. As I’ve covered here in the last week or two, we’ve seen service members be able to return home from the front lines to be with their families, in person and in video. We’ve seen stories of local Nevadans taking it upon themselves to serve our troops, and also to serve our veterans through volunteer programs. We’ve offered congratulations, and we’ve celebrated the return to Nevada of a hero. We announced the Veterans Legislative Summit, which has received a wide response to date. We also announced the release of Battle Born: Nevada War Stories, through the office of the Lieutenant Governor on these pages. It has been selling well since the release, which is good: not only does it tell the stories of 35 Nevada veterans, but the proceeds also go to a great cause. It’s been a good close to a good year. Thanks for supporting our veterans.
The Nevada Veterans Services Commission and the Nevada Office of Veterans Services (NOVS) will be hosting the 4th Biennial Nevada Veterans Legislative Summit at John Ascuaga's Nugget in Sparks, on Saturday, January 8, 2011 from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. The purpose of this Summit is to bring together Nevada legislators, veterans, and veteran advocates to discuss proposed veterans-related legislation and prepare for the 2011 Legislative Session.
“This will be a great opportunity for Nevada veterans to meet State legislators, discuss the upcoming legislative session, and foster veterans advocacy throughout the State,” explains Caleb Cage, Executive Director of NOVS.
The program will provide: a briefing on the current state of affairs for Nevada veterans, the State Budget, and NOVS; the issues that will be addressed during the Session; a discussion on being an effective veterans advocate; the goals and strategies for the upcoming Legislative Session.
There is no cost to attend, but space is limited. Those wishing to attend are encouraged to register on the NOVS website, at www.veterans.nv.gov or by emailing their name, phone number, and organizational affiliation to marketingpro@veterans.nv.gov. A complimentary continental breakfast will be serviced from 7:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m.
The Summit is funded by donations to the Veterans Gift Account, which is supported by the Nevada Veterans License Plate Program. For more information, contact Bill DiBenedetto at (702) 533-7423, or by email at marketingpro@veterans.nv.gov.
Register here.
Last week, Carole Turner, the Deputy Director of the Nevada Office of Veterans Services, spoke to the hosts of The Forgotten Promise radio program. The Forgotten Promise show was created by veterans for veterans, and is geared toward educating our veterans about benefits, how to receive them, and various other issues impacting all veterans. The show is heard live on the Las Vegas area on KDWN (AM720). You can listen to it streaming here. If you know Carole, you know that her knowledge of veterans’ issues and policies is only matched by the heart she puts into her work. Both her knowledge and her dedication to the veterans of Nevada come through in this very insightful interview. Listen to the whole thing here and you’ll be sure to learn a lot. I know I did.
From a Federal VA Press Release:
DOD has extended the deadline for eligible Veterans and service members and their beneficiaries to apply for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay (RSLSP) to December 18. VA has worked with DOD for the past year to let Veterans know about this program to compensate military members whose service was involuntarily extended under Stop Loss between Sept. 11, 2001, and Sept. 30, 2009. Eligible members or their beneficiaries are required to submit a claim to their respective military service in order to receive the benefit of $500 for each full or partial month served in a Stop Loss status. When RSLSP began on Oct. 21, 2009, the services estimated 145,000 service members, veterans and beneficiaries were eligible. A majority of those eligible have separated from the military and DOD is asking VA’s help in notifying them of the program’s new deadline. To apply, or for more information on RSLSP, including submission requirements and service-specific links, Veterans should be directed to http://www.defense.gov/stoploss.
