Iraq Veterans Against the War Meet at Democratic National Convention

IVAW members in Denver on Wednesday where they led a march of ten thousand to the Democratic National Convention to deliver a message to Barack Obama calling on the Democratic nominee to endorse the three main goals of IVAW: Immediate withdrawal, full veterans benefits, and reparations for the Iraqi people.

Following a packed show at the Denver Coliseum where Rage Against the Machine and the Flobots encouraged the crowd to join IVAW's march, two squads of 25 IVAW members each formed up outside the venue and began marching to the Pepsi center. The squads were led by members in dress uniforms and combat uniforms, with thousands of supporters marching behind them in support.

When they arrived at the DNC, representatives of IVAW asked to meet with Barack Obama to present their message. After negotiations with the

The Route 9 Veterans Forum

NEW CABLE SHOW FOR VETERANS

The New Route 9 Veterans Forum (Live Call In) Cable TV Show is shown multiple times during a month.  Having begun on Wednesday evening June 27th, 2007 at 7:00 PM on Leicester Cable access, the show is now being distributed to over 40+ cable/community channels around the commonwealth.

The program focuses on informing veterans and their families of the "core issues" of health care, psychological needs, benefits claims, legislation, employment and training.  The Forum also showcases veteran organizations and their programs within the community(s).  The Forum looks to develop collaborative relationships with all military branches and returning troops so that all are aware of services available to them.  Additionally the Forum recognizes local service members serving in theater and/or returning home.

Why Dr. King's Speech is Still a Dream

By Robert L. Rosebrock

Today, we honor the 45th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his "I Have a Dream" speech that challenged our nation to live up to its creed that "all men are created equal."  His remarkable leadership began by challenging our government's discrimination and segregation laws on public transportation more than a half-century ago when Rosa Parks, an individual bus passenger, demanded equal opportunity in her commute to work and back home again.

Clearly, the major cause that started the Civil Rights Movement of the mid-1950's was the ongoing special privileges and preferential treatment granted to one class of individuals and the discrimination and segregation against another class of individuals on public buses, mainly in the South. Today, it is curiously engaging that we are experiencing rather similar civil rights violations against one class of individuals on our public freeways, mainly in the West.

So, is history repeating itself? Mark Twain once said, "The past does not repeat itself, but it rhymes."

1. Montana Facility Expands Teleconferencing Program.
2. Jacksonville National Cemetery To Be Dedicated Next Month.  
3. VA Discusses Pennsylvania Cemetery With Review Committee.  
4. Cracks On Tomb Of The Unknowns Spark Debate.  
5. New Clinic About To Open In Virginia.  
6. VA To Offer Urgent Care In New Orleans.  
7. Questions Raised About Veterans Center Investigation.  
8. Texas Resident Wins Medal In Her First Golden Age Games.  
9. Dedication Ceremony Held For Kentucky Veterans Cemetery.  
10. IPF Not On Agent Orange Disabilities List.

Sterling Medical Associates, Inc, Cincinnati, Ohio, was awarded on Aug. 25, 2008, a $11,326,360 firm fixed price contract.  The purpose of this contract is to obtain the personal and non – personal services of traumatic brain injury health providers for the military treatment facilities located throughout Germany and Vicenza, Italy.  Work will be performed in Landstuhl, Germany with an estimated completion date of Sept 18, 2013.  Ten bids were solicited and five were received. US Army Medical Command Europe Regional Contracting Office, Landstuhl – Kirchberg, Germany, is the contracting activity (W911F4F-08-C-0020).
 
Inglett and Stubbs, International, Smyrna, Ga., was awarded on Aug 26, 2008, a $8,900,000 firm fixed price contract. This award is for electrical inspection and repair services.  Work will be performed in Combined Operation Joint Area, Iraq, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 26, 2009.  One bid was solicited and one bid was received.  USA Engineer District, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity
(W912BU-08-C-0039).
 
B.L. Harbert International, Birmingham, Ala., was awarded on Aug 26, 2008, a $23,660,000 indefinite delivery indefinite quantity (IDIQ) (MATOC), firm fixed price contract.  This project is required by the Army's Military Construction Transformation initiatives and will provide single solider housing is similar to apartment type housing in the private sector, room shall include but not limited to private sleeping areas, walk-in closets, shared bathroom and kitchenette. Contractors will compete for the contract capacity of $225,000.00 for the IDIQ MATOC contracts.  Work will be performed in Fort Campbell, Ky., with an estimated completion date of Aug 26, 2013.  Bids solicited phase two, six offers and bid received phase two, six offers received.  US Army Engineer District, Fort Worth, Texas, is the contracting activity (W9126G-08-D-0041).

VA Mobile Health Care Clinics Reach Rural Veterans
Service Coming to 24 Counties in Six States

WASHINGTON - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is rolling out four new mobile health clinics outfitted to bring primary care and mental health services closer to veterans in 24 predominately rural counties, where patients must travel long distances to visit their nearest VA medical center or outpatient clinic.

“VA is committed to providing primary care and mental health care for veterans in rural areas,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. “Health care should be based upon the needs of patients, not their ability to travel to a clinic or medical center.”

The pilot project is called Rural Mobile Health Care Clinics.  It features a recreational-type vehicle equipped to be a rolling primary care and mental health clinic.

1. Study Will Analyze Needs Of VA Hospital In Nebraska. 
2. VA May Avoid '09 Budget Delays.  
3. Federal IT Spending Fails To Keep Pace With Inflation.  
4. Digital Hospitals Remain An Elusive Goal For VA, DoD.  
5. Dallas VAMC Praised For Improving Care Provided To Mentally Ill Patients.  
6. Fargo VAMC, University To Collaborate On Rural Health Care Project.  
7. VA Co-Sponsoring Stand Down Event In New York.  
8. Internet Series To Tell Disabled Vet's Story.  
9. Arizona Vets Win 49 Medals At Wheelchair Games.  
10. Hayden VAMC Using "Brain Boosters" To Help Injured Vets.

Veterans Offered Jobs at Leading Utility Company

PacifiCorp reaches out to Employ U.S. Veterans

by Marcy Bulstrom

PacifiCorp is one of the West’s leading utilities, serving more than 1.6 million customers in six western states. PacifiCorp was formed in 1984, when its electric utility, natural resource development and telecommunications businesses grew into full-fledged enterprises. In 1989, it merged with Utah Power & Light, and continued doing business as Pacific Power and Utah Power. The company was acquired by MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company in 2006.

Today, PacifiCorp consists of three business units, aggregating up to PacifiCorp: PacifiCorp Energy, containing the electric generation, commercial and energy trading functions, and the coal-mining operations of the company, is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah; Pacific Power, which delivers electricity to customers in Oregon, Washington and California, is headquartered in Portland, Ore.; and Rocky Mountain Power, which delivers electricity to customers in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho, is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. PacifiCorp is headquartered in Portland, Ore.

With headquarters in Portland, Oregon and a total number of employees currently at 6,458, PacifiCorp requires the very best employees to keep it at the leading edge of it's industry.  To add quality personnel, they have partnered with HireVeterans.com to reach out and hire America's best, our U.S. Veterans.

1. Peake: VA Reaching Out To Vets Suffering From Brain Injuries, Stress.  
2. Peake Apologizes To Veteran's Family.  
3. VA Weighing Options For Hospital In Nebraska.  
4. Team From Boise VAMC Wins 28 Medals At Golden Age Games.  
5. VA "Super Clinic" Opens In Florida.  
6. Vermont To Host One Of Three Rural Health Resource Centers.  
7. Fargo VAMC To Work With University On Improving Rural Vets' Health Care.  
8. Groups Criticize VA Plan For GI Bill Benefits Processing.  
9. Stokes VAMC To Host Welcome Home Celebration.  
10. Veterans Creating Artwork To Salute Soldiers In Iraq, Afghanistan. 

by Amanda Scott

Friday Barack spoke at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) National Convention in Orlando Florida earlier this week. The audience, comprised of veterans from every state, was a healthy mix of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents.
 
The VFW of the United States is the nation's oldest major veterans' organization and boasts a membership exceeding 1.6 million men and women.  The VFW's mission is to "Honor the Dead by Helping the Living" through veterans' service and community service program and by advocating for strong national security policies and defense forces.
 
Barack emphasized that one thing has to change in this country -- the idea that people are somehow not allowed to disagree on issues without their patriotism being challenged.  He noted that while the veterans in audience may have differing political views, they all served and fought together, bound by their love for their country.