President Barack Obama leads a toast to Iraq veterans being honored during "A Nation's Gratitude Dinner," hosted by President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Mark Fayloga.
President Barack Obama hosted 200 guests at a state dinner last month at the White House to honor military personnel returning from Iraq.
However, this was not the honor that many wanted. Many Veterans groups feel that if a football team gets a parade for winning the Super Bowl, why can’t the military get a parade for fighting for their country.
“After eight years of war, this dinner is a welcome step toward recognizing the true sacrifices made by this newest generation of veterans – but it’s only a start. One meal isn’t nearly enough to extend the entire nation’s gratitude. Across the country, millions of Americans want to join the President and First Lady in thanking Iraq Veterans and their families,” Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Executive Director Paul Reickhoff said in a statement.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg explained that the city will not be throwing a parade for the newest generation of Veterans any time soon. He told a New York radio station that Pentagon officials “think a parade would be premature while we still have so many troops in harm’s way around the world.”
Despite the Pentagon’s reservations, communities around the nation are holding their own welcome home celebrations for Veterans of the Iraq War. In January, St. Louis became the first American city to host a parade. City officials in Houston recently announced the city will host its own parade on April 7.
Volunteers place wreaths on graves at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. The VA recently settled a lawsuit over the use of religious terminology during funeral services at the cemetery.: Photo by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Over the summer, Veterans groups in Houston, Texas, accused the Department of Veterans Affairs of interfering with ceremonies at the Houston VA cemetery – specifically by prohibiting religious speech on cemetery grounds during services.
The concerned Veterans groups filed a lawsuit against VA. Recently, the parties agreed to a settlement. While the parties have filed a consent decree outlining their resolution, it still awaits judicial approval. The agreement was reached through mediation by former Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Tom Phillips. The parties are not commenting on the agreement until a judge signs off on it.
According to the consent decree, VA agreed, among other provisions, to:
- Not ban, regulate, or otherwise interfere with prayer or other religious speech during services, unless there is an objection by the family.
- Allow any religious or secular services requested by the families, as long as they comply with VA security, safety, and other regulations.
- Not condition a speaker’s participation in a ceremony or event at the cemetery on the requirement that no religious speech or prayer is made.
- Not ban religious speech or words, including “God” and “Jesus” from condolence cards sent by cemetery volunteers.
- Restore the legacy Bible, white cross, and Star of David to an open shelf at the side of the chapel for use by families if desired.
- Pay the plaintiffs $215,000 in attorneys’ fees and expenses.
One issue not addressed in the agreement – the status of the cemetery director, Arleen Ocasio. Many had urged VA to terminate her, but her employment status in not discussed in the agreement. VA has not given any indication whether she will remain the cemetery’s director or not.
Today a joint initiative between the The Home Depot Foundation and Habitat for Humanity was announced to provide funding to remodel and renovate homes owned by Veterans. The program is called Repair Corps and is expected to provide volunteer assistance from both organizations, as well as $1.5 million in funding for the project.
The two organizations hope to assist nearly 100 Veterans and their families through the program.
“We are committed to ensuring that every Veteran has a safe place to call home,” Home Depot Foundation President Kelly Caffarelli said in a statement. “Habitat for Humanity has its finger on the pulse of the needs of homeowners in communities nationwide, and we know that through our joint Repair Corps program, we’ll be able to identify and help Veterans whose homes are in critical need of repair.”
The program will be similar to the system Habitat for Humanity uses for the new homes it builds – the participating Veteran will repay a zero-interest home loan. That money will then go into a fund that will be used to assist other families.
Some of the programs that will be receiving assistance from the joint venture include Habitat for Humanity Los Angeles’ “Homes for Heroes” program and Habitat for Humanity Houston’s “Home Assistance Program for Veterans.”
Repair Corps is part of The Home Depot Foundation’s “Celebration of Service,” which seeks to honor the service of the nation’s Veterans.
- Free flu shots are available to Texas Veterans.: Photo by Flickr user El Alvi
Veterans in Texas can visit the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston as well as its outpatient clinics in Beaumont, Conroe, Galveston, Lufkin, Richmond and Texas City to receive their free flu shot.
The vaccinations are available Monday through Friday from 8am to 4pm.
Veterans can receive the vaccination at the following locations:
In Houston, patients should report to their Primary Care Clinic:
Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, 2002
Holcombe Blvd. Houston, TX 77030
At the outpatient clinics, go to the front desk and a health care
provider will administer flu shots:
Beaumont VA Outpatient Clinic, 3420 Veterans Circle, Beaumont, TX 77707
Conroe VA Outpatient Clinic, 800 Riverwood Ct, Ste 100, Conroe, TX 77304
Galveston VA Outpatient Clinic, 3828 Avenue N, Galveston, TX 77550
Charles Wilson VA Outpatient Clinic, Lufkin – Please call 936-671-4300 for scheduled flu shot clinics.
Richmond VA Outpatient Clinic, 22001 Southwest Freeway, Suite 200, Richmond, TX 77469
Texas City VA Outpatient Clinic, 9300 Emmett F. Lowry Expressway, Suite 206, Texas City, TX 77591
Opening Oct. 11:
Lake Jackson Outpatient Clinic, 208 South Oak Drive, Suites 700 and 800, Lake Jackson, TX 77566
