National Policy Review: Veterans, VA, and DoD

By National Executive Director Ken Greenberg

In this issue of The Jewish Veteran, I highlight key issues involving Congress, the VA, and the DoD. With changes in administration and Congress, many actions are now implemented by executive orders rather than legislation or congressional funding.

I reiterate that JWV is nonpartisan and works to advocate for all veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors. It also combats antisemitism and all forms of hatred wherever and whenever it occurs,

JWV MEMBERS CALL ACTION
Protecting the Services Provided to Veterans
Are you receiving benefits or health care services from the VA or DOD? Have you noticed delays or reductions in services? JWV wants to hear from you!!

JWV MEMBERS CALL ACTION
Protecting Veterans in the Federal Workforce
Are you a veteran affected by the federal government’s mass terminations or hiring freeze? Veterans make up almost one-third of the Federal workforce. This includes disabled veterans and those receiving benefits and services from VA and DOD.

National Commander Raises Concerns Over Hiring Freeze and Terminations
On February 26, JWV National Commander Gary Ginsburg testified at a Joint Hearing before the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees (HVAC and SVAC), expressing grave concern over the impact of the federal hiring freeze and probationary terminations on veterans’ services and employment.

“It is imperative that no veterans’ services or benefits are reduced or lost because of these personnel actions,” said JWV National Commander Gary Ginsburg. “Further, veterans, including disabled veterans, comprise more than one-third of the VA and DoD workforce, and these hardworking employees should not be at risk of losing their jobs.”

JWV is asking veterans and their families to share their experiences. If you or someone you know has been affected by the hiring freeze, termination, or a reduction or delay in receiving benefits or services, please contact NED@jwv.org.

JWV NED Greenberg is also working with other VSOs, including Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, The American Legion, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Military Officers Association of America and Vietnam Veterans of America demonstrating unity in seeking answers from VA and DOD officials and urging Congress to provide appropriate oversight.

JWV PRIORITY ISSUE
MAJOR RICHARD STAR ACT
Tell your Senators & Representatives to Support and Cosponsor
Since 1999, Congress has enacted legislation to progressively provide relief for the unfair offset between retired military pay and disability compensation. For example, in 2004, Congress implemented concurrent receipt for veterans who served over 20 years and had at least a 50 percent disability rating. However, Congress did not go far enough, and the Major Richard Star Act will rectify this by eliminating a subset of this population that can still not receive concurrent benefits.

Under current law, medically retired veterans with less than 20 years of service who are wounded in combat are offset their DoD retirement pay by their VA disability compensation. Many of these veterans had the full intention of serving for 20 or more years and gaining full retirement benefits, but through no fault of their own, were unable to due to their sacrifice in the line of duty. This group of retired veterans, also known as Chapter 61 retirees, are arguably the most at-risk because of their complex combat injuries and have earned and deserve these benefits.

JWV has long supported the Major Richard Star Act as it would repeal the unfair offset of DoD retirement benefits and VA disability compensation and provide full concurrent receipt for these Chapter 61 veterans with less than 20 years of service. This bill would provide approximately 45,000 retirees discharged due to combat-related injuries access to their DoD retirement pay. This legislation ensures that veterans are paid separately for their years of service from the Department of Defense and their entitled benefits at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

This legislation garnered significant bipartisan support in the last Congress with 326 cosponsors in the House and 74 cosponsors in the Senate.
Call your Senators and Representatives today on 202 224 3121. NOW is the time for Congress to provide these concurrent benefits to these deserving veterans. The Star Act remains a high priority for the VSO Community and is strongly supported by JWV and more than 30 VSOs.

ON THE HILL
Government Shutdown Avoided
JWV continued to monitor the negotiations between the House and Senate to fund the federal government as funding was set to expire on March 14, 2025.

On March 11, 2025, the House of Representatives passed the full-year continuing resolution (CR) by a vote of 217-213. The Senate took a cloture vote on the House-passed bill and passed it 62-38, securing the more than 60 needed votes. The final Senate passage came by a vote of 54-46 on March 14, 2025.

President Trump signed the measure on March 15, 2025, funding the government through the end of the fiscal year, September 30, 2025. The bill includes a slight increase in defense spending and approximately $13 billion in reductions to non-defense programs.

A key aspect of the CR is that it ensures a 4.5% pay increase for junior enlisted troops (E-1 to E-4). This will benefit approximately 600,000 active-duty servicemembers.

For veterans, the CR allocates an additional $41.1 billion to the VA to maintain and enhance healthcare services, improve benefits processing, and support essential programs. JWV remains concerned that CRs maintain prior-year funding levels and often cause delays or reductions in services.

PERSONNEL ACTIONS AT VA & DOD
Senate Confirms Stephen Feinberg as Deputy Secretary of Defense
The Senate voted on March 14, 2025, to confirm Stephen Feinberg, a billionaire investor, as the deputy secretary of defense. This appointment installs the top two civilian leaders in the Pentagon as the administration prepares to make drastic changes to the military.

Dr. Steven L. Lieberman Appointed VA Acting Under Secretary for Health in 2025
Steven L. Lieberman, MD, MBA, FACHE, FACP, was appointed Acting Under Secretary for Health on January 20, 2025.
In this role, he oversees a budget exceeding $87 billion and the care of 9 million Veterans. Prior to this, Dr. Lieberman served as Deputy Under Secretary for Health, providing executive oversight for all Veterans Health Administration policies and programs. He also played a key leadership role during the coronavirus pandemic, guiding clinical policies and programs as Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Health.

Darin Selnick Appointed Deputy Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Defense
JWV congratulates Past Department Commander (CA) on his appointment as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Defense. Selnick is Performing the Duties of Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. In this role, he serves as the principal staff assistant and advisor to the Secretary of Defense for force readiness, force management, health affairs, National Guard and Reserve component affairs, education and training, and military and civilian personnel requirements and management, including morale, welfare, recreation, and quality of life matters. Mr. Selnick leverages his extensive government and non-government experience advocating for veterans to position Service members for productive post-separation lives from the first day they put on a uniform.

Prior to his DOD appointment Selnick had a long career working on veterans’ issues by serving in various positions at VA, in the VSO community and the White House. Mr. Selnick is a retired Air Force officer who attained the rank of captain. As JWV Past Department Commander of CA, Selnick knows JWV and JWV knows him well. We look forward to working with Darin in supporting the military and veteran communities.

JWV National urges you to share your feedback with leadership on issues of concern. Your voice as members, patrons, and supporters matters. Be proactive and share your comments.

Volume 79. Number 1. 2025

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Update on the New Administration and 119th Congress

By National Executive Director Ken Greenberg

The November elections resulted in the American people electing Donald J. Trump as President, flipping the Senate to a Republican majority, and maintaining a Republican majority in the House of Representatives. Beginning on January 3, 2025, the 119th Congress Republicans will have a 53-47 majority in the Senate and a 220-215 majority in the House of Representatives.

President-elect Trump’s Nominees for Key Executive Branch Positions
The Trump Administration announced nominees for positions related to Israel, national security, and foreign policy, and the Secretary at the Department of Veterans Affairs; I provided JWV leadership with updates on those nominated to reflect changes in the Executive Branch and Congress. I am pleased to share this important information with the larger JWV, JWVA, and NMAJMH memberships. (The sources include The Hill Report, Stars and Stripes, and Miltary.com).

According to the President-elect’s team and media reports, the emerging team suggests the Trump administration, backed by a GOP-controlled Congress, will continue to be a strong supporter of Israel. The team includes several strong personalities who may disagree on various policy aspects, even if they all share strong support for Israel.

Here’s a look at who are the key players.

Doug Collins for Secretary of Veteran Affairs
President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Doug Collins, 58, an Air Force Reserve chaplain and former Georgia congressman, as the next Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Collins is a colonel in the Air Force Reserve. According to media reports, he deployed to Balad Air Base in Iraq in 2008 with the 94th Airlift Wing, based in Dobbins, GA. His most recent duty station was Robins Air Force Base, GA, where he served as an individual mobile augmentee to the command chaplain, according to the service.

On the social media platform X, Collins said he was “honored to accept the nomination and that veterans deserve ‘the best care and support.’ We’ll fight tirelessly to streamline and cut regulations in the VA, root out corruption, and ensure every veteran receives the benefits they’ve earned,” Collins wrote. “Together, we’ll make the VA work for those who fought for us. Time to deliver for our veterans and give them the world-class care they deserve.”

Collins served in Congress from 2013 to 2021 and never served on the House Veterans Affairs Committee. He made a name for himself as a reliably conservative lawmaker with high marks from conservative advocacy groups. While in Congress, Collins voted in favor of major veterans bills on the House floor, including the 2014 Choice Act, the 2018 Mission Act, and the 2017 VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act. A vocal proponent of gun rights, he also voted in support of a bill that wouldn’t become law until after he left Congress that made it easier for some veterans to access guns.

Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) will be the Chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee next year and will lead Collins’ confirmation process, congratulated Collins in a social media post and said he has “a strong understanding of the policies that impact veterans.”

President Trump nominated a candidate who has demonstrated his dedication to public service and a willingness to support veterans and their families,” Moran wrote. “I look forward to Congressman Collins’ testimony before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.”

Sen. Marco Rubio for Secretary of State and Rep. Mike Waltz for National Security Advisor
Trump’s picks of Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) for Secretary of State and Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL) as his National Security Adviser put two experienced foreign policy and national security strategists in Trump’s orbit. Both have staked out hard-line positions on supporting Israel in its defense against Iran and Iranian-backed proxies, like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis in Yemen.

In 2020, Waltz supported then-President Trump’s peace plan for the Middle East, which gave Palestinians limited autonomy among disconnected territory in the West Bank and gave Netanyahu the green light to de facto annexations of Israeli settlements. It is unclear how much of Trump’s 2020 peace plan he’ll try to employ in a second administration.

Rubio has previously joined forces with Democrats to raise concerns about entering into nuclear cooperation with Saudi Arabia. His experience on Capitol Hill could help Trump devise a workable plan to carry out the president’s vision. Rubio’s position requires Senate confirmation, while Waltz’s does not. Rubio is not expected to have a hard time getting confirmed.

Rep. Elise Stefanik for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
Trump’s nomination of Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations signals a ringing endorsement for the congresswoman to take her combative and confrontational public persona to the microphones at the U.N. She stands a strong chance of confirmation in a Republican-controlled Senate, especially because Democrats have also expressed frustrations with the United Nations.

The previous Trump administration ended support for the U.N. body providing aid for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA; pulled the U.S. out of the Human Rights Council; and initiated a withdrawal from the World Health Organization. Israeli officials and its mission to the U.N. welcomed Stefanik’s nomination, which requires Senate confirmation.

Mike Huckabee for U.S. Ambassador to Israel
Trump nominated former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) as ambassador to Israel, a position that requires Senate confirmation. Huckabee is familiar to lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and the Netanyahu government. He’s a Christian evangelist who has led paid tours to Israel and supports religious and Jewish claims to the West Bank, rejected Palestinian claims to territory, and offered support for Israeli annexation.

If confirmed, Huckabee would likely shift U.S. policy to recognize Israeli settlements considered illegal under international law. He’d also likely seek to deepen those ties with public visits to these communities or establish business, education, or research partnerships with settlements, like policies carried out during the first Trump administration.

Steve Witkoff for Special Envoy to the Middle East
Steve Witkoff has been appointed as Special Envoy for the Middle East. Witkoff is a businessman, real estate developer, and close personal friend of the president-elect. It’s not clear what responsibilities Witkoff will have, but his greatest asset is viewed as his direct line to the president. “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE and make us all proud,” Trump said announcing his appointment.

Volume 78. Number 4. 2024

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JWV Headquarters Update: Advocacy, Congress, and VA Issues

By National Executive Director Ken Greenberg

A lot has happened since the last issue of the Jewish Veteran, and JWV continues to be at the forefront of combating antisemitism and advocating for the benefits and services of all veterans, service members, and their families.

Antisemitism
As the only Jewish Veterans Service Organization, JWV holds a unique responsibility to stand against antisemitism in all its forms. Leadership has been and continues to be vocal in condemning antisemitic incidents across the country, with National Commander Lischinsky, National Vice Commander Ginsberg, and I participating in roundtables and collaborating with other Jewish organizations because we know that there’s strength in numbers. As antisemitism continues to rise, JWV calls on all Americans to stay vigilant, educate themselves, and spread awareness in their communities.

JWV has carried our combating antisemitism message to Congressional leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Schumer, Republican Leader McConnell, Speaker Johnson, and Democratic Leader Jeffries, as well as to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees. Speaker Johnson and Leader Jeffries both stated publicly that there is no place for antisemitism, hatred, and bigotry in the United States.

At VA, we continue to hold the Secretary and Deputy Secretary accountable for their commitment to updating the Department’s ethics and sensitivity training to specifically address antisemitism. Senior officials provide updates on the progress they are making with the contractor.

The Antisemitism Session at the Convention featured Rabbi Diana Fersko, Author of the book We Need to Talk About Antisemitism, and CAM Advisor Aryeh Lightstone, who served as the US point person in completing the Abraham Accords. JWV partnerships are a resource in helping to educate Americans. Education is the key to reducing antisemitic actions and incidents in America and around the world. Every JWV supporter should know our ongoing summaries on Page 16 of this publication.

JWV’s Statement on the Medal of Honor and Presidential Medal of Freedom
The Jewish War Veterans of the USA wishes to address recent discussions in the news about the Medal of Honor and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. “The Medal of Honor is our nation’s highest military award, recognizing extraordinary acts of valor, bravery, and heroism in combat during military service,” said JWV National Commander Colonel Barry Lischinsky (Retired).
Colonel Lischinsky added, “It is essential that we honor the true significance of this Medal. All recipients, including the 18 Jewish Medal of Honor awardees, demonstrated remarkable courage and made profound sacrifices beyond the call of duty, often making the ultimate sacrifice.”

While the Presidential Medal of Freedom is a prestigious civilian honor for major contributions to our country or global affairs, it is important to remember that it differs significantly from military awards. Comparing civilian achievements to the sacrifices made by our military and veterans does not reflect the true nature of these honors.

We believe it is crucial for everyone to understand the differences between these two awards. We should all strive to respect the sacrifices of our veterans and uphold the integrity of our national honors. August 21, 2024

Congress, Legislation, and VA

Government Shutdown Averted Congress Passes and President Signs Funding to December 20, 2024

On September 26, the President signed a continuing resolution after the House approved the measure by a vote of 341-82, and the Senate passed the bill by a vote of 78-18.

The CR extends the fiscal year funding for all 12 annual spending bills, including the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense, through December 20, 2024. The House has passed five of 12 spending bills on party-line votes, while the Senate has advanced 11 of 12 spending bills out of committee with bipartisan support. The CR will allow the federal government to continue operating at 2024 levels while Congress completes its work on the 12 annual spending bills.

Several expiring authorities, including the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program and the National Flood Insurance Program, would be extended through December 20. Congress frequently enacts stopgap measures to avoid a government shutdown when they fail to complete work on the 12 spending appropriations bills in time. The House and Senate recessed and are expected to return to Capitol Hill on November 12, 2024.

JWV Commends Congress for Swift Action on $3B VBA Supplemental; President Signs into Law

The Senate unanimously passed a $3 billion supplemental funding bill by a voice vote on September 19, and the President signed the bill into Law on September 20. The funding allows the Department of Veterans Affairs to pay veterans’ benefits through the end of the fiscal year.

JWV National Commander Gary Ginsburg “thanked the Congress and the President for the funding so that no veterans were at risk of receiving benefits.”
JWV continues to monitor congressional action on the $12B funding issue concerning the Veterans Health Administration and plans to keep you informed as the status changes.

VA Delays Emergency Air Transportation Regulation Until 2029

The Department of Veterans Affairs issued an update on the Emergency Air Transportation Regulation, which was set to expire in February 2025. During the last three years, JWV has been a leader in speaking out against the regulation, which puts more than 2.7 million veterans at risk of losing emergency air transportation services. JWV is pleased that VA’s recent regulatory action delayed the effective date to February 2029.

JWV Signs Letter for Inclusion of Star Act in NDAA

The Jewish War Veterans of the USA were among 33 VSOs/MSOs that signed a letter to Chairman Reed and Ranking Member Wicker of the Armed Services Committee urging them to accept Senator Crapo’s amendment that would include the Major Richard Star Act in the Senate version of the NDAA. The NDAA vote will occur when Congress returns after the elections on November 12.

PACT Act

This August marks the two-year anniversary of the PACT Act, and JWV was at the forefront of pushing for its passage. Our current focus is on holding the VA accountable for its implementation and ensuring that every veteran, service member, and their family receive the benefits earned. Two years later, more than 1.1 million toxic-exposed veterans and survivors are receiving PACT Act-related benefits. In addition, more than 156,000 veterans have enrolled in VA health care under a PACT Act enrollment authority. VA has also screened more than 5.6 million for toxic exposure-related health conditions under the PACT Act.

Toxic-Exposed Veterans Report Released

JWV participated in a ‘Lunch and Learn’ event on September 18, hosted by DAV (Disabled American Veterans) and MOAA (Military Officers Association of America), unveiling their new report, ‘Ending the Wait for Toxic-Exposed Veterans: A post-PACT Act blueprint for reforming the VA presumptive process.’ JWV commends DAV and MOAA for preparing and producing the report.
The report presents findings and recommendations to address shortcomings and provide timely recommendations for veterans affected by toxic exposures. JWV joined more than 20 VSOs to hear from experts in the toxic exposure field. The full report is available on the website: www.endingthewait.org.

JWV continues to engage with Congressional staff on high-profile issues, including mental health, women’s health, caregivers, electronic health records, concurrent receipt, and changes to eligibility at Arlington National Cemetery.

Personnel Update: In June, we said goodbye to our long-time Director of Operations (DOO), Greg Byrne. We welcomed in July Zenon Kelly, a 23-year Army veteran, as our new DOO. Zenon’s dedication to serving veterans and service members is one of the key reasons he joined JWV. You can reach him at DOO@jwv.org. In August, Dillion Edelson joined the staff as a Staff Assistant/Development to work on processing items, and Hannah Glick arrived as the Staff Assistant to work with the DOO on all administrative taskings. You can reach them at dedelson@jwv.org and hglick@jwv.org.

L’ Shana Tovah, May 5785, be a sweet and rewarding year for all.

Volume 78. Number 3. 2024

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Highlights from JWV’s Recent Legislative and Community Work

By National Executive Director Ken Greenberg

JWV had a busy three months in our advocacy and outreach efforts on the Hill, with VA, the White House, and the Embassy of Israel. I am pleased to highlight several activities below.

Legislation, Congress, and VA
JWV Priority Call to Action
Support a Senate Floor Amendment Vote for Our Combat Injured

Please support efforts to include the text of the Major Richard Star Act (S. 344) as an amendment to the Senate version of FY2025 NDAA via a floor vote in the coming weeks. With more than two-thirds of Congress backing this crucial legislation, there is a clear bipartisan desire to aid our heroes who have made immense sacrifices for our nation. JWV is asking you to help overcome procedural hurdles which have blocked this long-sought legislation in recent years despite its importance and overwhelming support on Capitol Hill.

Combat-injured (and often seriously disabled) veterans are subject to a decrement where their retirement pay is reduced for every dollar of disability compensation received. Retired pay is for completed years of service paid by DoD, while disability compensation is for injury paid by the VA.

These two benefits, established by Congress for entirely different reasons, are nonetheless subject to a statutory offset. To reduce earned retirement pay because of a combat disability is not the place to achieve savings in the DoD personnel account.

Call your Senators today 202 224 3121 and urge them to stop saving money on the back of our combat-injured veterans.

Leader Jeffries Hosts VSO Leaders at Roundtable
NED Ken Greenberg and National Service Officer Raiana Berman participated in the VSO Spring Roundtable hosted by Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and HVAC Ranking Member Mark Takano. Discussion topics included education benefits, home loan services, and homeless veterans. NED Greenberg highlighted the issue of antisemitism and the importance countering of all hatred and bigotry towards veterans on college campuses.

VA Adds Presumptions of Service-Connection for Three New Cancers
JWV applauds the VA’s actions to add service-connected cancers. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is including three new cancer types in the list of presumed service-connected disabilities due to military environmental exposure under the PACT Act.

Through a sub-regulatory policy letter published to the Federal Register on June 14, the following three cancer types have been included in the list of presumptive diseases:
Male breast cancer.
Urethral cancer.
Cancer of the paraurethral glands.

This policy establishes presumptions of service-connection for eligible Gulf War and post-9/11 Veterans who deployed to Afghanistan, Somalia, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Uzbekistan, and the entire Southwest Asia theater of operations, which includes Iraq. Presumptive service-connection means VA automatically assumes service-connection for the disease and provides benefits to eligible Veterans who have submitted claims with evidence of a diagnosis.

Any veteran who currently has or previously had one of the listed cancers at any time during military service or after separation may be entitled to disability compensation benefits dated back to August 10, 2022, when the PACT Act was signed into law. VA will review all claims from impacted veterans and survivors who previously filed and were denied for these three conditions on or after August 10, 2022, to determine if benefits can now be granted. Veterans enrolled in VA health care can obtain cancer screening and treatment at VA.

Veterans and survivors can apply or learn more about the PACT Act by visiting VA.gov/PACT or by calling 1-800-MYVA411. There is no charge to file a claim with VA. JWV members are encouraged to contact Raiana Berman for assistance with applying.

Yom Ha’Zikaron (Memorial Day) Event at the Israel Embassy
NED Ken Greenberg, Museum Board Member Janet Greenberg, and Department of Maryland Commander Scott Schlesinger represented the Jewish War Veterans of the USA at Israel’s Official Memorial Day Ceremony on Sunday, May 12, 2024. The event was hosted by the Embassy of Israel and featured heartfelt remarks from Ambassador Michael Herzog, Defense and Armed Forces Attache Major General Hidai Zilberman, other Embassy officials as well as survivors of the fallen soldiers and victims of terror.

The hallway and walls contained individual photos and tributes of the fallen starting from 1948 to the present. Several musical interludes were included in the program as was Hatikvah, the Israeli National Anthem. The program concluded with several memorial wreaths being placed to honor those lost.

The tributes spoke of and highlighted the valor and sacrifice of Israel Defense Forces, first responders and others in defending Israel and its citizens. They served Israel, gave the ultimate sacrifice and are the heroes memorialized now and forever. May their memory be a blessing for all.

NED Greenberg Attends Israel’s 76th Anniversary
Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Herzog hosted and provides keynote remarks at a gala event on May 23, 2024, to celebrate Israel’s 76th Independence Day. NED Greenberg and Museum Board Member Janet Greenberg represented JWV at the celebration. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Rep. Pete Aguilar, Chair of the House Democratic Caucus also spoke of the U.S.’ strong support for Israel. This year’s reception marking the founding of Israel in 1948 was considered a solidarity event out of respect for the more than 120 hostages still being held captive by Hamas.

JWV Provides Remarks at Combat Antisemitism Movement Virgina Summit
NED Ken Greenberg spoke at the Combat Antisemitism Movement’s (CAM) Virginia Summit to Combat Antisemitism. Under the banner of “Joining Forces for a Hate-Free Community,” the Summit convened leading decisionmakers and activists from across the Commonwealth and served as a platform to address common challenges and share best practices in the collective effort against antisemitism.

Greenberg and Museum Board member Janet Greenberg provided information on JWV’s efforts to combat antisemitism and shared information on the National Museum of American Jewish Military History and JWV. Networking included connecting with IDF members, lawmakers, and other Jewish community leaders.

JWV extends a special thanks to CAM CEO Sasha Roytman-Dratwa and his team for an excellent conference. We look forward to future collaborations!

JWV Joins White Oak Collaborative (WOC)
After being an Associate Member of WOC for one year, JWV applied for, and was accepted as, a full member in May. WOC is a coalition of organizations seeking to address the challenges faced by military-and Veteran-connected communities through data-driven, cross-sector partnerships among its members for direct service and/or policy-level solutions- while applying a whole-of-family lens. JWV looks forward to contributing to this new partnership by bringing a voice for our Jewish veteran and military communities.

As we head into summer and the 4th of July, activities in Congress are expected to slow, especially with the upcoming Presidential and Congressional campaigns heating up. HQ’s staff wants to hear about issues that are important to you. We rely on your views and input, so don’t be silent. Let JWV help by using our contacts to work for you. Best Ken

Volume 78. Number 2. 2024

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Advocacy Highlights

By National Executive Director Ken Greenberg

The first three months of 2024 have been extremely busy for JWV especially in the advocacy arena with Congress, the Executive Branch, and the White House. This issue of the Jewish Veteran contains individual entries on events with the Second Gentlemen, Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs, JWV’s 128th Anniversary Celebrations on March 15 in New York City, and JWV’s Congressional Testimony presented by NC Barry Lischinsky. While our efforts highlighted legislative and policy priorities, I want to focus on JWV’s actions to combat antisemitism, hatred and bigotry and reemphasize that JWV will continue to stand against them wherever and whenever they occur.

As incidents of antisemitism, hatred and bigotry continue to rise, the JWV mission becomes even more important and must be kept at the forefront of our actions. I am going to borrow from National Commander Barry Lischinsky’s testimony to the Joint House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees on March 13, 2024. The special focus entry was the first subject discussed to underscore its importance and to be sure that our members, patrons, donors and all Americans understand JWV’s core mission of countering antisemitism, bigotry and hatred. Below is the excerpt from the testimony.

Special Focus on Hatred, Bigotry, and Antisemitism
As the only Jewish VSO, JWV opposes all forms of hatred, discrimination and bigotry but is especially outspoken on antisemitism. JWV officials participate in roundtables and express JWV’s strong position against antisemitism by calling out University officials and Amazon officials on events and merchandise. JWV is also proud of our advocacy for William Shemin and Tibor Rubin to receive the Medal of Honor after they originally faced antisemitism and were denied nominations.

The world changed on the morning of October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists attacked Israel and its citizens by launching a heinous, unprovoked, and vicious surprise attack on Israel, killing over 1,200 innocent civilians, and wounding many more Israeli civilian men, women, and children. In my statement published after sundown October 7, 2023, “JWV condemns the assault against Israel and emphasizes that terrorist actions anywhere are never justified. JWV supports Israel, offers condolences to all who lost loved ones, offers prayers for the wounded and all who have been kidnapped by Hamas.”

JWV stands with Israel, its military, and its citizens and calls on our members and all Americans to join us in condemning this terrorist attack. The remaining hostages must be immediately released and reconstituted with their families.

JWV urges Senators and U.S. Representatives to stand with Israel and in support of humanitarian and military funding. JWV is leading this effort to demonstrate solidarity and unity from the larger veteran and military community in the United States. We are proud to have led the effort of securing the signatures of 26 veterans service organizations and military service organizations representing millions of current and former uniformed service members, veterans, and their families to stand against terrorism and with our brothers and sisters in the Israeli Defense Forces. The November 3, 2023, letter is included as part of our official written statement (Attachment A).

As instances of antisemitism continue to rise across the country, JWV asks all Americans to be vigilant, learn, and educate our fellow citizens. JWV is doing its part by coalition building with organizations like Foundation to Combat Antisemitism (# ) and Combating Antisemitism Movement across the Nation. We are partnering with StandWithUs to address antisemitism at colleges and universities.

JWV also supports the National Strategy for Countering Antisemitism and its four pillars: 1) Increasing awareness and understanding of antisemitism, including the threat to America, and broaden appreciation of Jewish American Heritage; 2) Improving safety and security for Jewish communities; 3) Reversing the normalization of antisemitism and counter antisemitic discrimination; and 4) Building cross-community solidarity and collective action to counter hate.

We commend House Veteran Affairs Committee Members Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Juan Ciscomani for their work in addressing hate and bigotry. In December 2023, the bipartisan Commission to Study Acts of Antisemitism in the United States Act was introduced to address the rise in antisemitic violence and attacks on our Jewish communities. JWV urges you to cosponsor this important bipartisan legislation.

Descriptions of JWV actions are highlighted in the two-page summary of our efforts and are included in our official written statement (Attachment B). JWV asks all Americans, including Senators and Representatives to be vigilant, learn, and educate our fellow citizens.

JWV asks House Veterans Affairs Committee (HVAC) and Senate Veterans Affairs Committee (SVAC) members to join with us in combating hatred, bigotry, and antisemitism targeted at veterans and military service members. JWV stands ready to be a resource for you and your staffs in helping to educate Americans. We feel that education is the key to reducing antisemitic actions and incidents in America and around the world.

Eligibility for Toxic Exposure Benefits Expands for Veterans Effective March 5, 2024
JWV applauds VA for expanding toxic exposure benefits to additional veterans on March 5 to include veterans who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Global War on Terror, or any other combat zone after 9/11 will be eligible to enroll directly in VA health care without first applying for VA benefits. Additionally, Veterans who never deployed but were exposed to toxins or hazards while training or on active duty in the United States will also be eligible to enroll. Millions of additional veterans will have access to VA health care. JWV urges all veterans to take advantage and enroll now based on this new eligibility.

Chairman of the Board of Veterans’ Appeals Visits JWV and NMAJMH
In February, the Chairman of the Board of Veterans’ Appeals Jaime Areizaga-Soto and his VSO liaison Adi Thampi visited JWV. The Chairman discussed the status of veterans’ appeals and met with NED Ken Greenberg and other members of the JWV team to discuss his background, and JWV’s work on combating antisemitism. Following the meeting, Chairman Areizaga-Soto and Thampi took a tour of NMAJMH escorted by NMAJMH Docent and JWV Member Sheldon Goldberg. JWV appreciates the Chairman’s leadership at the board and the opportunity to show him JWV operations.

Ghost Army Receives Congressional Gold Medal
NED Greenberg represented JWV at the Ghost Army Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony on March 21, 2024. Hosted by Speaker Mike Johnson, with remarks from Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the Ghost Army story and mission from World War II was told. Their mission was kept secret for decades, but Congress’ highest civilian honor the Congressional Gold Medal was awarded at a ceremony in Washington, DC.

The Ghost Army included about 1,100 soldiers in the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, which carried out about 20 battlefield deceptions in France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and Germany, and around 200 soldiers in the 3133rd Signal Company Special, which carried out two deceptions in Italy. Using inflatable tanks, trucks, and planes, combined with sound effects, radio trickery, costume uniforms and acting, the American military units helped outwit the enemy. Three of the seven known surviving members attended the ceremony at the U.S. Capitol: Bernard Bluestein, 100, Seymour Nussenbaum, 100, both Jewish and John Christman, 99. For more information see the Ghost Army Legacy Project at https://ghostarmy.org/.

I and HQ staff look forward to hearing from you on issues of concern. Chag Pesach samech!

Volume 78. Number 1. 2024

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Current Issues before Congress and the Executive Branch

By National Executive Director Ken Greenberg

I bring you greetings from JWV headquarters. I am pleased to share information on current issues before Congress and the Executive Branch. Please write to me at kgreenberg@jwv.org with feedback or concerns. I hope all JWV members and their families have a joyous holiday season.

Election Results Bring Changes to 118th Congress in January 2023
All indications are that the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee (SVAC) will continue with Senator Jon Tester of Montana as the Chairman and Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas as Ranking Member. In the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), Chairman Jack Reed of Rhode Island will retain his position and Roger Wicker of Mississippi is expected to become the Ranking Member. The previous ranking member, Senator James Inhofe of Oklahoma, has retired.

In the House of Representatives, Rep. Mike Bost of Illinois is expected to become the Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee (HVAC) and Rep. Mark Takano of California is expected to become the Ranking Member. For the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), Rep. Mike Rogers of Alabama is expected to be named Chairman and Rep. Adam Smith of Washington is expected to be named Ranking Member. Both HVAC and HASC leadership will be swapping their positions from the current Congress.
JWV has an excellent working relationship with all four committees as well as their respective staffs. We will continue to keep you posted as any updates occur.

NED Greenberg Participates in Antisemitism Roundtable
On November 17, 2022, JWV National Executive Director Ken Greenberg represented JWV at a roundtable on antisemitism sponsored by The Friedlander Group.  In his remarks, Greenberg stated JWV’s strong position in fighting antisemitism and cited examples of JWV having a Nazi lithograph removed from the walls of a USAF base in Texas and calling for the resignation of a German official for comments about British Major General Orde Wingate. Greenberg also noted that JWV’s advocacy for William Shemin and Tibor Rubin led to each receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor.  Six members of Congress also spoke at the event.  Attendees included representatives from Jewish community organizations and at least 12 embassies.

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023
JWV worked hard and collaborated with many VSOs as Congress moved the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2023 forward. The NDAA contains many provisions of importance to veterans, retirees, servicemembers, and their families including pay raises, housing, TRICARE, childcare, and commissary access.  On December 6, the House and Senate Armed Services committee leadership announced a bipartisan, bicameral agreement. It will be voted on shortly.

JWV Supported H.R. 3304, AUTO for Veterans Act Advances
JWV joined 15 other organizations to urge SVAC to seek expeditious passage of H.R. 3304, the AUTO for Veterans Act.
The House recently passed H.R. 3304. This important legislation had bipartisan support and would allow the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to immediately provide an additional automobile allowance to eligible veterans if 25 years have elapsed since they received their first automobile grant. Over time, the period would shorten to 10 years. The bill would also change the definition of medical services to include certain vehicle modifications like van lifts, which are offered through VA’s Automobile Adaptive Equipment program.

VA only allows eligible veterans to receive a single grant currently worth $22,355.72 to help them purchase a new or used vehicle. Unfortunately, the average useful life of a modified vehicle is about 11.5 years, and it can cost anywhere between $40,000-$60,000 to replace it.

Thanks to advances in science and modern medicine, these veterans are living longer and more independently. Now more than ever, access to an adapted vehicle is essential to the mobility and health of catastrophically disabled veterans by increasing access to VA medical care and improving access to employment, especially for veterans living in rural areas with little or no public transportation. JWV calls on SVAC to move the bill to the floor and for the full Senate to act swiftly and pass the legislation.

VA Plans to cut Emergency Medical Air Transportation Reimbursement Rates – Putting Veterans at Risk
In a letter to VA Secretary Denis McDonough, JWV and the National Military Veterans Alliance (NMVA) expressed deep concern with the Proposed Rule (RIN 2900-AP89, Change in Rates VA Pays for Special Modes of Transportation) that cuts the VA reimbursement rate for emergency air medical services to below the costs of the services themselves. If it is published without changes, it would put more than 2.7 million rural veterans in our country who are enrolled in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), and 4.8 million rural veterans overall, at risk of losing life-saving emergency air transportation.

These emergency air services are ordered by physicians and first responders, when they believe providing health care within the golden hour after a stroke, heart attack, or other life-threatening situation could be the difference between life or death for a veteran. This proposed rule would cut VA’s reimbursement rate to less than 50% of operational costs, which will cause emergency air medical bases around the country to shut their doors, halting services to veterans.

In January 2022, the No Surprises Act went into effect, requiring air medical companies to submit two years of cost data to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). VA must delay the consideration of any change to its reimbursement rate until HHS publishes that cost data report. JWV and NMVA are requesting that VA immediately stop moving the final rule forward and await the HHS report on the air medical company data.

JWV calls on DOD and HASC and SASC Leadership to Address TRICARE Pharmacy Cuts
JWV, along with NMVA, expressed concern about the recent announcement that nearly 15,000 local and independent pharmacies have chosen not to continue participating in the TRICARE pharmacy program. A letter sent to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin calls on the Department of Defense to immediately reverse the changes to the TRICARE program which led to the mass exodus of these pharmacies, and if the Department of Defense is unable or unwilling to do so, it calls for Congress to adopt a legislative solution in the FY 2023 National Defense Authorization Act. The letter was also addressed to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the HASC and SASC.

Under current practices, Express Scripts acts as a pharmacy benefit manager for the TRICARE program while serving as a mail-order and specialty pharmacy itself. This poses a conflict of interest that must be reconciled to ensure TRICARE is compliant with federal procurement law and provides for additional competition in the marketplace to drive down costs and expand options for beneficiaries. The sudden and wrongful network reduction goes far beyond simply reducing access to care for TRICARE beneficiaries.
For those beneficiaries, it eliminates the crucial role local pharmacists play in protecting beneficiaries’ health, especially those requiring multiple medications where contraindications are always a concern.

JWV and NMVA opposes any decisions made solely to ensure cost savings over the quality-of-care beneficiaries are receiving. Such an approach to taking care of service members and their families will harm beneficiaries in the short term and readiness down range.

JWV Joins New Coalition to Reduce VA Surgical Wait Times
JWV has joined Veterans Need Care Now, a grassroots coalition committed to reducing surgical wait times in VA facilities. The coalition is calling on the VA to take urgent action to reduce wait times for veterans requiring anesthesia and pain management services by expanding access to the Department’s 1,000 Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs).

Six years after news reports and court documents first showed veterans were experiencing significant wait times accessing surgeries and other healthcare in the VHA, a national survey conducted by Veterans Need Care Now has found that more than 23% of veteran households still report delays in securing VA health appointments and surgical procedures. Of these delays, 13% were viewed as major problems for veterans and their families.

The coalition’s survey found broad and strong public support for VA to give veterans direct access to the care and services of CRNAs. An overwhelming 88% support this change, extending across party, age, gender, race, and all other key demographics. Among veteran households, 88% are strongly in favor of the proposal. To learn more about the coalition and email your lawmakers and the VA about the proposal, visit
VeteransNeedCareNow.org.

Coalition Building Continues – JWV Added to White Oak Collaborative (WOC)
JWV was recently approved as an observer member of The White Oak Collaborative (WOC). The Collaborative seeks to address the challenges faced by military and veteran-connected communities through data-driven, cross-sector partnerships among its members. Efforts include direct service and/or policy-level solutions, while applying a whole-of-family lens. The steering committee wrote, “We believe that Jewish War Veterans will add a great deal of value to the overall Collaborative, and we look forward to welcoming your organization into the wonderful work we are doing together.”

WOC is a cross-sector coalition of organizations committed to supporting service members, veterans, wounded warriors, caregivers, survivors, and their families. Blue Star Families is the convening authority and secretariat for the collaborative, with more than 200 members representing military and Veteran support organizations, other nonprofits, and private, philanthropic, government, and community sectors. The work of the White Oak Collaborative is non-partisan.

Volume 76. Number 4. 2022

 

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Congressional, Executive Branch, and White House Updates

By Ken Greenberg, National Executive Director

JWV advocacy and outreach to Capitol Hill, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Department of Defense, and other VSOs continued to be robust during the last few months. JWV has been at the forefront with House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees as staff were engaged on high profile issues including, Electronic Health Records, Toxic Exposure and the PACT Act, Concurrent Receipt (Richard Star Act), Caregivers, and ANC new eligibility rules which will be published shortly. JWV continues to encourage members to contact their Senators and Congressman on these important issues. Updates can be found on JWV’s posts on Facebook and Twitter, as well as in JWV’s weekly e-newsletter. JWV’s strong work with The Military Coalition, and the TEAM and NMVA coalitions continues to improve our relations with VSOs as we successfully negotiate program changes and legislative improvements. JWV continues to hold VA accountable on previous legislation including the MISSION Act requirements (Caregivers, AIR Commission), the Deborah Sampson Act, and Suicide Prevention and mental health.

JWV joins the National Coalition of Homeless Veterans
JWV recently joined the National Coalition of Homeless Veterans (NCHV) and helped sponsor its annual meeting June 1-3, 2022. NC Paley was interviewed and JWV will be featured in an upcoming NCHV newsletter. NCHV is one of the most important organizations in fighting veterans’ homelessness, as it brings together all of the resources of VA, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and other government agencies.

Honoring our PACT ACT Major Win for JWV and Veterans on Toxic Exposure
On June 16, the Senate passed the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022, by a vote of 84-14. This is the largest bill in American history to address service members’ exposure to burn pits and other toxic substances. The bill is estimated to cost $278.5 billion over 10 years.

The bill will provide expanded access to health care and disability benefits for veterans harmed by certain toxic exposures, whether in the jungles of Vietnam or the mountains of Afghanistan. It will also let the Department of Veterans Affairs move more quickly and comprehensively in the future to determine if illnesses are related to military service, and it will offer critical support to survivors who were harmed by exposures, including from water contamination at Camp LeJeune. Importantly, the bill includes the tools and resources to ensure that the VA can effectively implement it.

JWV is proud to be a leader in supporting veterans as this legislation makes good to care for veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors. JWV applauds Chairman Tester and Ranking Member Moran for their hard work to pass the PACT Act. The House is expected to swiftly pass the Senate version so that it can be sent to the President for signature.
The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022 will:

  • Expand VA health care eligibility to Post-9/11 combat veterans, which includes more than 3.5 million toxic-exposed veterans;
  • Create a framework for the establishment of future presumptions of service connection related to toxic exposure;
  • Add 23 burn pit and toxic exposure-related conditions to VA’s list of service presumptions, including hypertension;
  • Expand presumptions related to Agent Orange exposure;
    • Includes Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Guam, American Samoa, and Johnston Atoll as locations for Agent Orange exposure;
  • Strengthen federal research on toxic exposure;
  • Improve VA’s resources and training for toxic-exposed veterans; and
  • Set VA and veterans up for success by investing in:
    • VA claims processing;
    • VA’s workforce;
    • VA health care facilities.

Call to Action Time is Now – Richard Star Act (Concurrent Receipt)
JWV continues to participate in the work of the Richard Star Act Working Group. We need your help to get this legislation passed. As of June 17, we have 58 cosponsors in the Senate and 243 cosponsors in the House. Please contact National Programs and Public Relations Director Cara Rinkoff at (202) 265-6285 or crinkoff@jwv.org if you are interested in writing a letter/calling your member of Congress to ask them to become of a sponsor of the Richard Star Act.

JWV’s Hard Work Pays Off – VA Suspends Caregiver Reassessments on June 9, 2022
Veterans Affairs officials will suspend all annual reassessments of families in their caregiver stipend program, citing continued work into revising rules and policies associated with the benefit.

The move comes after months of controversy over the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, which provides monthly financial support to about 33,000 veterans in need of full-time at-home care. JWV was one of nine VSOs to participate in three days of roundtable discussions with Veterans Health Administration, General Counsel and Congressional Affairs staff, that also included a presentation by Deputy Secretary Donald Remy.

VA officials also repeated their promise not to discharge or reduce stipends for any families based on earlier reassessments. Currently the program is open only to veterans who served after 2001 or before 1976, but it is scheduled to expand it to all veterans on October 1, 2022. In preparation for that, officials last year began a review of all existing post-9/11 veteran participants to ensure they still qualified for the stipend under amended rules.

In March, in response to complaints from JWV and families about the process, VA leadership acknowledged that roughly 90% of families who underwent the reviews were scheduled to be booted from the program based on decisions by administrators. That would have dropped almost half of all current families from the program.

VA Secretary Denis McDonough responded by suspending plans to remove any families from the program and promising to develop new eligibility criteria that is more flexible and less punitive for families.

The stipends — awarded to veterans with service-connected injuries that limit their ability to live independently — vary based on where veterans live, but generally hover around $3,000 a month for the most severely wounded individuals and $1,800 for others in need of around-the-clock care.
Advocates have said that losing the stipend could force infirm veterans and their families into financial distress, since many spouses and parents cannot work full-time and care for their loved ones.

McDonough’s announcement in March was met with praise from families, but the reassessments continued in the following weeks, causing confusion among families about whether the promise not to process out participants was still in effect.

In addition, several groups reported families had received notices that they could still be kicked out of the program in coming months. VA’s announcement ends those reviews.

VA officials said caregiver support staff will continue to initiate reassessments for veterans and family caregivers for some purposes, such as when they request to be considered for an increase in stipend levels or if there is evidence of an increased need for personal care services.
And staff will continue to conduct wellness visits to ensure that veterans are receiving the care needed to address their medical needs.
In a statement to program participants, officials wrote that they are “listening to concerns and working diligently to address them as we continue to ensure veterans and their caregivers get the support they need and deserve.”

JWV Strongly Supports Congressional Action Ordering VA to Report Performance of Troubled Electronic Health Records System to Congress
Under new legislation, the VA will need to provide regular reports to Congress on the performance of the Electronic Health Medical Records (EHMR) a. Are you a JWV member in Washington State or Columbus, Ohio that is impacted by VA’s issues in deploying the new records system? We want to hear from you. Please contact us with any feedback you may have.

JWV Commends VA Launch of $20 Million Mission Daybreak Grants to Reduce Veteran Suicide
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has launched Mission Daybreak, a $20 million challenge to reduce veteran suicides. VA calls on innovators to develop suicide prevention solutions that meet the diverse needs of veterans. Mission Daybreak is part of VA’s 10-year strategy to prevent veteran suicide through a comprehensive, public health approach.

Eligible solvers — including veterans, researchers, technologists, advocates, clinicians, and health innovators — should submit detailed concept papers that address one or more of the challenge focus areas by 4:59 p.m. EDT on July 8, 2022. Multidisciplinary panels of reviewers and judges will assess submissions according to Phase one evaluation criteria. Judges will recommend 30 finalists to each receive $250,000 and advance to Phase two, where they will join an eight-week virtual accelerator. An additional 10 teams will each receive a Promise Award of $100,000.

JWV Completes Audit
I am pleased to report that Clifton, Larsen and Allen LLP completed the audit for JWV, the Foundation, and the National Museum of American Jewish Military History for the period ending June 30, 2021. National also filed all 990 forms due to the IRS before the May 16, 2022, deadline. Copies are available by request, by sending an email to jlasher@jwv.org.

Anniversary Dinner and NED Retirement
I enjoyed working with many of you on the 125th Anniversary Dinner which also honored the retirement of former National Executive Director Herb Rosenbleeth on May 5. Congratulations to Herb on his 31 years of service to JWV. On a personal note, thank you for your 20 plus years of friendship, leadership in TMC and in the VSO community. I will do my best to carry on your advocacy and legacy of support for veterans and service members.

I am also pleased to report that the JWV office renovation began in April. Special thanks to Director of Operations Greg Byrne, Melody Jackson, and Janet Greenberg for all their hard work in coordinating new carpet, ceiling tiles, and furniture to renovate the fourth-floor office space. It looks outstanding!

As NED I want to hear about the issues you care about. Are you having difficulty getting VA or DoD to address your benefits or health care concerns? Don’t be silent. Let JWV help by using our contacts to work for you. I am just an email away – so write to me at kgreenberg@jwv.org.

Volume 76. Number 2. 2022

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JWV’s 2021 Legislative Priorities

By Larry Jasper, National Editor and Cara Rinkoff, Managing Editor

At JWV’s National Convention in New Orleans last month, the Resolutions Committee approved 12 resolutions which will inform our organization’s legislative priorities moving forward. One of the resolutions called on Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to reinstate the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services. Since he did that on August 14th, we have removed that from our resolutions, leaving just 11 you should talk to your members of Congress about.

The Department of Defense has ordered a review of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) concerning extremist activities. JWV supports both the review and possible amendments to the UCMJ as appropriate to address extremism in the military.

JWV wants to immediately stop the deportation of veterans and servicemembers who committed or were found guilty of drug offenses that numerous jurisdictions have already decriminalized. Also, veterans who committed these acts due to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or other issues related to their military service should be pardoned and given a path to citizenship. Immigration judges should also be required to consider an individual’s honorable military service when they are deciding whether to issue a deportation order.

Congress should immediately pass the Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act (S. 437 and H.R. 2436). This would require the VA to give benefits to all veterans who were in locations where they may have been exposed to toxic substances unless the department can prove they were not. The burden of proof would be on the Department of Veterans Affairs instead of the veteran.

JWV is asking the Secretary of Defense to pay members of the reserve component of an armed force a special bonus or incentive pay in the same monthly amount as what is paid to a member in the regular component of the armed forces performing comparable work requiring comparable skills. Congress should pass the National Guard and Reserve Incentive Pay Parity Act (S.1859 and H.R. 3626).

Our organization wants to make sure non-veteran members of the National Guard and National Reserve have the option of being interred in VA cemeteries without cost and to extend their families the same rights and privileges extended to families of other veterans.

JWV is calling on both the House and Senate to pass the Brandon Act (S. 2088 and H.R. 3942). The goal of the Brandon Act is to expand the current law regulating how service members are referred for mental health evaluations to make sure service members can self-report mental health issues in a confidential manner. This would help service members avoid the stigma associated with seeking mental health services.

The Department of Veterans Affairs should be required to provide reproductive counseling to female veterans to address issues arising from difficulty conceiving and/or the loss of a pregnancy due to their service in uniform.

Another resolution indicates that we support efforts by the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation to have Congress allow the creation of such a memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Congress should therefore pass the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act (S. 535 and H.R. 1115).

Congress should resist any changes to the formula which calculates Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA) which could mean that over time retired pay for former military service members would not keep pace with rising prices, causing quality-of-life issues for veterans.

JWV supports the passage of the ‘Six Triple Eight’ Congressional Gold Medal Act (S.321 and H.R. 1012). The African American women who served in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion in Europe during World War II deserve to receive the Congressional Gold Medal for their work setting up a system to handle mail for deceased servicemembers and also clearing a three-year backlog of mail.

Our organization also calls for the removal of cannabis from the list of controlled substances in the case of medical usage.

For assistance with writing letters to your members of Congress about any of these issues, or about how to talk with them in person, you can contact Membership Director Harrison Heller at hheller@jwv.org or Programs and Public Relations Director Cara Rinkoff at crinkoff@jwv.org.

The committee also approved a resolution opposing all forms of extremist behavior within our organization’s membership. It states that JWV reaffirms that “our members must not actively advocate supremacist, extremist, antisemitic, or criminal gang doctrine, ideology, or causes, including those that advance, encourage, or advocate illegal discrimination based on race, creed, color, sex, religion, ethnicity, or national origin or those that advance, encourage, or advocate the use of force, violence, or criminal activity or otherwise advance efforts to deprive individuals of their civil rights.”

You can find details on all of these resolutions at www.jwv.org.

Volume 75. Number 3. 2021

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Congressman, Colonel Sam Johnson, USAF (Ret).

By Herb Rosenbleeth
National Executive Director

One of my all-time heroes, Rep. Sam Johnson, passed away a few months ago (not related to the COVID-19 pandemic). I will always remember Colonel Johnson as a heroic Air Force pilot during Korea, a courageous prisoner of war during Vietnam, and for his statement, “I proudly stand with Israel.” For sure, one of my heroes!

Johnson served 14 terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, from 1991-2019. When he retired last year, Rep. Johnson was the oldest member of Congress and had served nearly 28 years. As a member of Congress, Johnson always showed strong support for the military.

Johnson was born in San Antonio, a proud Texan from the beginning. He graduated from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, where he had joined in the Air Force ROTC. After graduating in 1951, he soon became involved in the fighting in Korea. During the Korean War, Johnson was a superb fighter pilot who flew 62 combat missions. Later, he joined the elite Air Force Thunderbirds aerobatic team. Only the very best pilots become one of the Thunderbirds.

In Vietnam, on April 16, 1966, Johnson was on his 25th mission over North Vietnam when his F-4 Phantom fighter-bomber was shot down. Badly injured, he was taken to the Hanoi Hoa Lo, called the Hanoi Hilton by U.S. prisoners. For more than seven years, he remained in prison under sub-human conditions, including 42 months in solitary confinement. It took two years before his wife and family found out he was still alive. During that time and to this day, I participate in events and activities of the National League of Families on behalf of JWV. When participating, I often think of PNC Mike Berman, who is JWV’s representative at the Vietnam Wall and one of our strongest advocates for the prisoners and the missing.

I first learned of Johnson and Navy pilots Everett Alvarez, George Day, Jeremiah Denton, and others through my involvement for JWV with the National League of Families and its phenomenal Executive Director Ann Mills Griffiths. Those men were all heroes before, during, and after their captivity.
During the last 18 months of his captivity, Johnson shared a cell with John McCain, a Navy pilot shot down in 1967. When Johnson and the other POWs were released on February 12, 1973, he weighed only 120 pounds. His right hand was permanently disabled, and he walked with a limp for the rest of his life. During his outstanding military career, Colonel Johnson’s military decorations included two Silver Stars, two awards of the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal, and two Purple Hearts.

After retiring from the Air Force in 1979, Johnson settled in Plano, Texas, where he was elected to the state legislature in 1984. In 1991, he won his seat in the U.S. Congress. He served as a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee. He helped pass the Military Tax Relief Act of 2003, which reduced taxes and increased death benefits for the families of our military personnel. He gained political and moral authority from his experiences as a combat veteran of two wars and as a long-time prisoner subjected to extremely brutal treatment.
I dedicate this column to Congressman, Colonel Sam Johnson, USAF(Ret).

Volume 74. Number 4. 2020

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The Gulf War

By Herb Rosenbleeth

This summer marks 30 years since the beginning of the Gulf War, which began as Operation Desert Shield and was soon followed by Operation Desert Storm, the combat part of the conflict.

On August 2, 1990, Iraqi forces invaded and occupied Kuwait, an act which the United Nations Security Council condemned. President George H. W. Bush and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher deployed forces to Saudi Arabia and urged other countries to do so as well. The goal of the Gulf War was to prevent Saddam Hussein from completely capturing Kuwait and to throw Iraqi forces out of the area of Kuwait which they were occupying.

Desert Storm, the name given to the combat operation, began on January 17, 1991, with an exceptionally powerful aerial and naval bombardment. There was great fear of what dangers U.S. and coalition forces might encounter. The Washington Post published a big editorial on the potential casualties we would face if Saddam Hussein used chemical weapons against our ground forces. Many also believed that Iraqi forces were solidly dug in and that it could be a lengthy, hard fought battle to dislodge them.

Thankfully, the ground assault did not take long. The U.S.-led coalition quickly liberated Kuwait and advanced into Iraq. Saddam Hussein’s forces were defeated and a ceasefire was declared only 100 hours after the ground campaign started. Aerial and ground combat were confined to Iraq, Kuwait, and to some areas on the border with Saudi Arabia. Iraq launched Scud missiles against certain military targets in Saudi Arabia and against Israel.

The Scud missiles targeting Israel resulted in the death of 74 Israelis and approximately 230 Israelis were injured. Most of these were indirect casualties, such as heart attacks. In response to the threat of Scud attacks against Israel, the U.S. sent a Patriot missile air defense artillery battalion to Israel along with two batteries of MIM Patriot missiles to protect civilians. One of the most damaging attacks caused by a Scud missile occurred in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, when a Scud missile hit the barracks of the 14th Quartermaster Detachment, a reserve unit from Pennsylvania. The attack killed 28 soldiers and wounded more than 100 others.

While U.S. casualties from the fighting turned out to be extremely low, many returning soldiers reported a phenomenon known as Gulf War illness. This is a very important issue to this day, generally covered in various legislative proposals targeting burn pits.

I would like to give a shout out to those members of JWV whom I know were part of in the Gulf War victory.
Rochel Hayman is JWV’s Gulf War Committee Chairperson. During the Gulf War Hayman served in the Air Force as a broadcaster with the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) in Dahran, Saudi Arabia. She recently completed her term as the Commander of the JWV Department of the Southwest.

Jeff Sacks served as a reservist who was activated for Desert Shield. Sacks was the Company Commander of the 822nd Military Police Company throughout Desert Storm. The 822nd guarded Iraqi prisoners of war. Sacks recently served as the JWV Department Commander of Illinois. Retired Major Sacks is also active at the national level of the Jewish War Veterans.

Chaplain Jacob Goldstein was mobilized with the New York State National Guard. The U.S. Army assigned Goldstein to the Patriot Battery in Israel. Goldstein became the senior Jewish Chaplain in the U.S. Army and completed his service career as a full Colonel.

Cliff Crystal was an Army reservist from the Washington, D.C. area. He used to come by the museum and JWV headquarters regularly. Cliff was mobilized for the Gulf War. When he returned he was very sick and he died soon thereafter. In retrospect, he may well have been a casualty of the burn pits.

Steve Robertson served on the legislative staff of the American Legion when he was mobilized. His unit was the 276th Military Police Company of the Washington, D.C. National Guard. Robertson says that in Passover of 1991, Jewish personnel in the gulf area were given the opportunity to participate in Passover services and a Seder on a ship. Robertson says approximately 450 attended. The program lasted for three days. Robertson had an outstanding career as an advocate for veterans and eventually became the Staff Director of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs.

Nelson Mellitz served with the Defense Logistics Agency as a Command Service Contracting Officer during the Gulf War. He is an outstanding JWV leader who has recently been the Department Commander of New Jersey. Retired Colonel Mellitz currently serves as JWV’s National Quartermaster.
The Jewish War Veterans of the USA is very proud of those of you who helped win the Gulf War! We are eager to see your participation in JWV and your number of members continue to grow, and we look for our Gulf War veterans to move into positions of leadership in JWV.

Volume 74. Number 2. 2020

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