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THIS PAGE DEDICATED TO MY COUSIN:......CW3 Sid Shown....U. S. Army (Retired),
Present: National Region Commander, Region IV
Past Commander: Dept. of Tn. Military Order of the Purple Heart
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I watched as the flag passed by the crowd,
I looked at him in his uniform so worn,
I thought, How many men like him
How many trucks did he see take a hit?
I wondered how many times did he hear the sounds
of Taps?
I thought of all of the young proud men,
I thought about the graveyard at the bottom of
the sea,
With these thoughts on my mind
I march for all veterans who have gone before,
No, Freedom is not free!!
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November 11 is Veterans Day. Remember the men
and women who have served our country. Send them a Veterans
Day card.
"Eve Of Destruction"
Berry McGuire
Please click your back button when finished listening
to music.
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Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War. They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. What kind of men were they? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured. Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags. Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward. Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton. At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson Jr, noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt. Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months. John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste, he found his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart. Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates. Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild-eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged: "For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor." They gave you and me a free and independent America. The history books never told you a lot about what happened in the Revolutionary War. We didn't fight just the British. We were British subjects at that time and we fought our own government! Some of us take these liberties so much for granted, but we shouldn't. So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid. Remember: Freedom is never free! I hope you will show your support by please sending this to as many people as you can. It's time we get the word out that patriotism is NOT a sin, and the Fourth of July has more to it than beer, picnics, and baseball games. . |
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A POEM The Ghost from Valley Forge . |
The White House releases many documents to
the public, including transcripts of the President's speeches and
press conferences, press briefings, policy
statements, fact sheets and announcements of nominations. The
documents concern many topics, such as the
economy, foreign policy, health care and education.
You can obtain documents according to types
of documents and topics of your choice.
"While Congress this year failed to enact a Medicare
prescription drug benefit, it did pass a law guaranteeing low-cost coverage
to one large group of older Americans: 1.4 million military retirees
and their dependents. . . . The drug coverage is part of a $60 billion
package that will give military retirees and their dependents virtually
free health care for life. Now--and until Oct. 1, 2001, when the
new law takes effect--retirees must leave the military's TriCare health
system at age 65 and rely on Medicare. They thus lose benefits not
available under Medicare (especially drug coverage) unless they personally
pay for costly supplemental medigap insurance. The new deal--already
unofficially called TriCare-For-Life by organizations such as the Retired
Officers Association (TROA), which lobbied hard for it--will act as secondary
insurance to Medicare, paying for medications as well as all other costs
Medicare doesn't cover, including the Part B deductible. 'It's the
best medigap policy you can buy--except it doesn't cost you any money,'
says
Col. Arcari of TROA. . . . The prescription
drug benefit offer three options for buying drugs: by mail order at $8
for each prescription of 90 days or less; from pharmacies in the military
network at a copay of 20 percent per prescription; ot from non net work
pharmacies at a 25 percent copay after a $150 deductible. . . . All
must be enrolled in Medicare Part B to participate in TriCare-For-Life.
. . . Prescription drug coverage starts April 1, 2001.. . . Military retirees
were 'ecstatic' as the health package passed Congress. . .
.Many had protested that being switched to Medicare at age 65 broke a promise
made on recruitment but
never specified in law that they would receive
health care for life. The legislation provoked criticism from some
commentators who believe that the generous prescription drug benefit--projected
to cost $198 million a year--should be extended to the whole Medicare population.
Others, though, see the military retirees' gain as an opportunity to promote
the drug coverage needs of other older Americans in future congressional
debates."
SPECIAL PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFITS FOR VETERANS
Did you know that one out of every four adult
Social Security beneficiaries has served in the military? We want
our veterans to
know about an important prescription drug benefit
available from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). A 30-day
supply of prescription medications costs only $2 through the VA (disabled
or low-income veterans can receive medications for free). To take
advantage of this benefit, a veteran must have been honorably discharged
from the military, must enroll with the VA, and must be seen by a VA doctor.
The VA may charge for a doctor visit, but your insurance may cover this
charge (disabled or low-income veterans can visit doctors for free).
If you would like to find out more about this and other health benefits
through the VA, you can call, toll-free, 1-877-222-VETS
(1-877-222-8387). For information about
military service and Social Security, check out our fact sheet.
http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10017.html
To me, the American Flag represents hopes, dreams and memories . . . One hundred and forty years ago, when my ancestors
came from Ireland and
Over the years, America gave them the opportunities
they were seeking. They
My ancestors passed their love of the flag on
to their children, and today we
When I was little, I can remember being at a Fourth
of July party with my
Some mornings, when I say the pledge of allegience,
I think about what it
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Ladies Auxiliary Email
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The Purple Heart was established by General
George Washington, at
Newburgh, New York, on 7 August 1782
Air
Force vet receives Purple Heart after 56 years
Airman
receives Purple Heart after 53 years
Blindauer's
tribute to all Purple Heart recipients
CheckOut
The Purple Heart
Colorado
Purple Heart License Plates
Department of
Idaho's Purple Heart Home Page
Disabled American Veterans
E!
Online - Movie Facts - The Purple Heart (1944)
HB921
- PURPLE HEART LICENSE PLATE - Lawson, Maurice
Home Of The Elite
Purple Heart Parachute Team
LUCKY'S
PURPLE HEART
Military Clip Art,
Photo Archives and Images
Military
Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 717 VAMC - Military Order of the Pu
Military
Order Of The Purple Heart
Military
Web's Home Page
news
@marillo Globe-News: POW gets Purple Heart 50 years later 7/3/97
Purple
Heart
purple
heart
Purple Heart
Purple Heart
Purple
Heart
Purple
Heart Information
Purple
Heart comes years after Korea
Purple Heart Medal Registry
Form
Purple
Heart veterans honor slain border agents
The Purple Heart
"The Purple
Heart" Page
The
Purple Heart Award
The Purple Heart
Home Page
Purple Heart Links
Page - Combat Wounded Veterans
Purple
Heart recipient U.S. Army Spc. Martin Begosh is evacuated from Taszar,
Purple
Heart re-issued for wounded Vietnam vet
Purple
Heart Recipient License Plate - TxDOT
PURPLE
HEART (and what it is)
Recovering
soldier receives Purple Heart
Veteran Force of
America
VIC'S PURPLE HEART PAGE
Vietnam
vet receives Purple Heart
Ware, Murphy
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The U.S. Total Army Personnel Command Welcomes You to PERSCOM |
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Consolidates 20'000 government Web Sites--some 27 million web pages Into One.. |
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I PLEDGE MY DEVOTION
ALIVE OR DEAD – BRING THEM HOME |
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American Veterans Resource
Center
Artistic American
Veterans
DEPARTMENT of VETERANS
AFFAIRS Inspector General Home Page
Favorite
Links Page
Guidelines
for Psychiatrists Who Admit Patients to Hospitals
Guide to TRICARE
Prime Remote Controller
Gulf War Resource Center,
Inc.
House Comittee on Veterans Affairs
Korean
War Museum Viet Nam Topics Page
Local Veteran Speaks
Out On VA Hospitals
PATIENT RIGHTS
Report of the
Defense Science Board Task Force on Persian Gulf War Health Effects
USMC Semper
Fidelis
VA
Hospitals and Other Government Links
VA Hospitals
to Toe Bottom Line
VA
Hospitals under Scrutiny
VA MAZE
VVAW:
Where We Came From,-Who We Are,-Who Can Join
Veterans Alliance for competent Medical
Care
VETQUEST-A Veterans E-Mail Magazine
Vets Information
Guide
VFW POW/MIA
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If you are a military retiree using Tricare, you must be furnished with a copy of Jospeh Heller's "Catch 22." The answer to many questions is always the same; "Catahca 22." If you are using the 90 day RX plan, you must have a presciption that indicates medicine for 90 days X three. That will get you through for the year. For example if you take 4 nebs a day your presciption must read "Albuterol 0.083-120" times three. The MD must prescibe the amount, not you. If they can't fill it or it is late, "Catcha 22." Just hang in there, I am told it will get better. For those of you that are retired Military, and if you have Medicare part A&B, here is a website for "Tricare for Life" which takes effect October 1st of this year 2001. |
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Medical appeals should be: 1. to your doctor (arrange to have your non-VA doctor discuss the matter with your VA doctor) 2. ask to see a VA Patient Advocate. 3. Appeal to the Director of the particular VA facility 4. Appeal to the Department of Veterans Affairs This sequence is described in a Health Benefits Handbook. A sample of this document is at http://www.visn20.med.va.gov/handbook/handbook.htm#a35 There is a VHA Practice Guideline for managing
COPD outpatients, and the section on long-term
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VETRANS ADMINSTRATION SITES
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advisor to the Secretary for Veterans Affairs. |
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of Representatives Committee. |
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detailing the history of these burial grounds that can be found throughout the U.S. |
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BY STATE
SITES OF INTEREST
OTHER RELATED MILITARY LINKS
"The American Dollar Bill"
A lesson for our citizens in the United States of America as our country just selected our next President. Take out a one dollar bill and look at it. The one dollar bill you're looking at first came off the presses in 1957 in its present design. This so-called paper money is in fact a cotton and linen blend, with red and blue minute silk fibers running through it. It is actually material. We've all washed it without it falling apart. A special blend of ink is used, the contents we will never know. It is overprinted with symbols and then it is starched to make it water resistant and pressed to give it that nice crisp look.
If you look on the front of the bill, you will see the United States Treasury Seal. On the top you will see the scales for the balance a balanced budget. In the center you have a carpenter's T-square, a tool used for an even cut. Underneath is the Key to the United States Treasury. That's all pretty easy to figure out, but what is on the back of that dollar bill is something we should all know.
If you turn the bill over, you will see two circles. Both circles, together, comprise the Great Seal of the United States. The First Continental Congress requested that Benjamin Franklin and a group of men come up with a Seal. It took them four years to accomplish this task and another two years to get it approved. If you look at the left hand circle, you will see a Pyramid. Notice the face is lighted and the western side is dark. This country was just beginning. We had not begun to explore the West or decided what we could do for Western Civilization. The Pyramid is uncapped, again signifying that we were not even close to being finished. Inside the capstone you have the all-seeing eye, and ancient symbol for divinity. It was Franklin's belief that one man couldn't do it alone, but a group of men, with the help of God, could do anything.
"IN GOD WE TRUST" is on this currency. The Latin above the pyramid, ANNUIT COEPTIS, means "God has favored our undertaking." The Latin below the pyramid, NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM, means "a new order has begun." At the base of the pyramid is the Roman Numeral for 1776.
If you look at the right-hand circle, and check
it carefully, you will learn that it is on every National Cemetery in the
United States.
It is also on the Parade of Flags Walkway at
the Bushnell, Florida National Cemetery and is the centerpiece of most
hero's monuments. Slightly modified, it is the seal of the President of
the United States and it is always visible whenever he speaks, yet no one
knows what the symbols mean. The Bald Eagle was selected as a symbol
for victory for two reasons: first, he is not afraid of a storm; he is
strong and he is smart enough to soar above it. Secondly, he wears
no material crown. We had just broken from the King of England.
Also, notice the shield is unsupported. This country can now stand
on its own. At the top of that shield you have a white bar signifying
congress, a unifying factor. We were coming together as one nation.
In the Eagle's beak you will read, "E PLURIBUS UNUM," meaning "one nation from many people." Above the Eagle you have thirteen stars representing the thirteen original colonies, and any clouds of misunderstanding rolling away. Again, we were coming together as one. Notice what the Eagle holds in his talons. He holds an olive branch and arrows. This country wants peace, but we will never be afraid to fight to preserve peace. The Eagle always wants to face the olive branch, but in time of war, his gaze turns toward the arrows.
They say that the number 13 is an unlucky number. This is almost a worldwide belief. You will usually never see a room numbered 13, or any hotels or motels with a 13th floor. But, think about this: 13 original colonies, 13 signers of the Declaration of Independence, 13 stripes on our flag, 13 steps on the Pyramid, 13 letters in the Latin above, 13 letters in "E PLURIBUS UNUM", 13 stars above the Eagle, 13 plumes of feathers on each span of the Eagle's wing, 13 bars on that shield, 13 leaves on the olive branch, 13 fruits, and if you look closely, 13 arrows. And for minorities: the 13th Amendment.
"Why don't we know this?" Your children don't know this and their history teachers don't know this. Too may veterans have given up too much to ever let the meaning fade. Many veterans remember coming home to an America that didn't care. Too many veterans never came home at all. Tell everyone what is on the back of the one dollar bill and what it stands for, because nobody else will!
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Last edited on 10-30-2001