SCUTTLEBUT

Save Your Pull-Tabs

Carl Reese informed us that the Ronald McDonald House collects pull tabs from soda pop cans. Since we use drinks in aluminum cans at our meetings and outings, he suggested that we collect the pull tabs and donate them to Ronald McDonald House. We have created a collection jar that will be at all of our meetings and outings. Also, if you would, collect and save the tabs from the soda pop cans that you have at home. Just put them in a plastic bag and bring them to the next Post 630 event. According to some of the websites, the tabs are saved because they are pure aluminum; the cans are not.

VAMC News

MESSAGE FROM THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR HEALTH

May 30, 2023

VHA COVID-19 Masking Guidance

This message provides updated masking guidance for our medical facilities. This guidance has been thoughtfully developed over the past month by a multi-disciplinary team of clinical and operational subject matter experts and VA/VHA leadership.

In the coming weeks, we anticipate releasing an updated VHA COVID-19 Operational Plan that will create new baseline standards that reflect the current COVID-19 reality while simultaneously providing tools and flexibilities for our facilities to respond appropriately to potential future COVID-19 outbreaks.

This masking guidance is in line with the latest CDC guidance and based on the hard lessons we have learned over the last three years, while reflecting input from all levels of the organization.

Effective immediately, masking continues to be required for staff, Veterans, and visitors while in the high-risk areas listed below, including waiting areas:

Transplant units  
Dialysis  
Chemotherapy units  
ED & urgent care  
Open Bay Medical ICUs 
SCI and CLC (staff and visitors only)

Staff may remove masks in these high-risk areas only under the following circumstances:

they are not in a patient room;
they are not within six feet of a Veteran in a congregate area (e.g., shared meals in CLC); or
they are not within six feet of a patient in an open treatment area/room.

Masking also continues to be required:

for those with a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection or other viral respiratory infection;
for VA staff during clinical encounters when requested by a Veteran, caregiver or family member; or
where local leadership warrants continued masking is required.

Masking is no longer universally required in the following locations:

Acute inpatient medical/surgical units
Acute inpatient mental health units
Intensive care units with closed rooms
Clinical areas where aerosol generating procedures are performed
Laboratories collecting or handling specimens from known or suspected COVID-19 patients (e.g., areas where staff are manipulating cultures from known or suspected COVID-19 patients)
Congregate settings and bedded residential settings (e.g., blind rehab, residential mental health, homeless shelters)
Outpatient areas where a significant proportion of patients have high-risk for complication

In addition, Additional guidance will be included in VHA’s updated COVID-19 Testing Guidebook.

We have set the standard for COVID-19 care throughout the pandemic, and we will not stop now.

While COVID-19 is and will continue to be with us for the foreseeable future, the recent end of the Public Health Emergency marks a turning point. As an organization and a country, the experience we have gained, combined with the tools and treatments we have developed, have made us more prepared and more capable than ever before. COVID-19 tested us like no other disease in our lifetime, and your performance during the last three years has been nothing short of extraordinary. Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do to support Veterans.

Nicole Comer, US Air Force Veteran

Chief, Voluntary Service

Cincinnati VA Medical Center

3200 Vine Street

Cincinnati, OH 45220

Cell: 513.410.1783

Email: Nicole.Comer4@VA.Gov

Give Something to Those Who Gave.
Vet Tix * provides tickets to events which reduce stress, strengthen family bonds, build life-long memories and encourage service members and veterans to stay engaged with local communities and American life. We support our troops by honoring their service and providing positive family and life experiences, during and after their years of service to our country.

Vet Tix provides tickets to all branches of currently-serving Military and Veterans, including immediate family of troops KIA.

Vet Tix secures tickets to sporting events, concerts, performing arts, educational and family activities across the nation. VetTixers sign up online. We verify their service. VetTixers request tickets to events that interest them, then pay a small delivery fee to receive their free tickets.

* Vet Tix is a 95% Charity
(Independently audited past 12 years)

Go to the website

https://www.vettix.org

CHANGE TO PILL BOTTLE COLLECTION PROGRAM

EFFECTIVE MAY 2023

MATTHEW25MINISTRIES WILL ONLY BE COLLECTING PILL BOTTLES FOR SHIPMENT AND NOT FOR RECYCLING.

THEREFORE THEY NEED TO FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES BELOW.

If you wish to prepare bottles for shipment rather than recycling, please adhere to the following guidelines:

Bottles included in shipments of medical supplies must have an all plastic lid.
Sort bottles by color and type.
Remove labels, leaving no glue or residue.
Wash bottles in very hot water and dish soap.
Rinse and dry thoroughly.
Replace lids on clean, dried bottles.
Place clean, recapped bottles in large ziplock bags marked “Clean Bottles.” These will be blended with medical supplies.

BRING THE PREPARED BOTTLES TO EACH MEETING AND PLACE THEM IN THE BIN IN THE FOYER.

Any questions: please see Pat B

Thanks

How to help the Coast Guard

By Vincent J. “Jim” Troiola, National Commander

MAY 31, 2023

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Dear American Legion Family Members and Friends,

During my travels, I’ve had the pleasure to meet face-to-face with men and women currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. These are not customary meet-and-greets with a simple exchange of pleasantries.

I have been to sit and engage with them, learn about their commitment to serving our nation, and understand the issues they and their families face. Those conversations help shape The American Legion’s policy, drive our advocacy messages, and embolden our organization to support today’s servicemembers and their families.

While meeting members of the Coast Guard in Oregon, I was reminded how critical it was for The American Legion to raise more than $1 million for Coasties during the record-setting 2019 government shutdown. The Coast Guard is under the Department of Homeland Security, not the Department of Defense, so it is the only military branch that is not funded during shutdowns.

That meant some junior members faced financial distress while continuing to serve their nation. Krystyna Duffy, now a boatswain's mate at the Coast Guard station in Coos Bay, Ore., told me how her crew in San Francisco kept their commitment.

“The beauty of the Coast Guard — even without pay — is that a lot of us joined to serve,” she said. “Each day was a challenge, knowing that members weren’t getting paid but we made the best of it. We still answered the call and supported the call.”

That is admirable for sure. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

That’s why The American Legion supports legislation that would ensure Coast Guard members receive their pay during a government shutdown. Rep. Hillary Scholten, D-Mich., has introduced HR 2693, the Pay Our Coast Guard Parity Act of 2023.

You can support our Coast Guard members by contacting your member of Congress today to call for passage of the Pay Our Coast Guard Parity Act. (Additionally, visit the Legion’s Grassroots Action Center to stay informed on current issues and access tools to communicate directly with lawmakers.)

Thank you for what you do every day to improve the lives of our fellow veterans, servicemembers and their families.

Vincent J. “Jim” Troiola

National Commander

The American Legion

Military Discounts for Veterans and Their Families

Go to this link for a list

https://www.aarp.org/home-family/voices/veterans/info-2019/military-families-discounts-deals.html

April 2023

Let’s get active, improve our fitness, and support our disabled veterans and military families in need.

Dear past participants of 100 Miles for Hope,

First, I want to thank you for your participation during previous 100 Miles for Hope campaigns. Thanks to your support, we have raised more than $525,000 for the Veterans & Children Foundation (V&CF).

Those funds have helped our 3,000 accredited service officers stay updated on VA benefits and processes. That allows them to better serve disabled veterans who simply want to be able to access the benefits they earned through their service. Additionally, the V&CF provides grants for military families with minor children at home. Through no fault of their own, these families are facing financial distress. The grants help by covering utility bills, rental payments or other expenses.

This year, I am asking for your support to help more disabled veterans and families in need. That’s why I’ve set this year’s goal for 100 Miles for Hope at $450,000.

(Learn more and sign up today.)

And that is also why I am sharing this with you first. We have opened up registration today to previous participants first. (This also gives you a head start on achieving the goals for this year, including monthly incentives!)

To get started, visit Emblem Sales and register. The registration fee this year is $30. You will receive a commemorative shirt, certificate of accomplishment to download upon completion and the gratitude of our veterans and military families who need our support.

I am so proud of this year’s improvements to what was already an outstanding program. Please visit the 100 Miles for Hope web page for all the details on tracking miles, how to fundraise and much more.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get my walking in for today.

Thank you once again for your support of this very important program that demonstrates how The American Legion is …

Veterans Strengthening America.

Paul E. Dillard
National Commander
The American Legion