Army Reservists receive high honors
February 24th, 2008 @ 10:01pm
(KSL News)
We hear of suicide bombers, al Qaida, and insurgents in Iraq, but oftentimes we don't get a chance to hear first-hand what U.S. military men and women endure during their tours in Iraq. Today we got that chance.
With little fanfare, no parade, no pomp and circumstance, six men from an Ogden, Utah-based Army Reserve Unit today got the welcome home they deserved, with bronze stars and purple hearts. It was a recognition of extraordinary effort under unusual circumstances.
The members of C Company, as they were known, cleared explosives in one of the most dangerous parts of Iraq, the Al Anbar province. Six of its soldiers were killed. The company was attacked more than 50 times. Through it all, these men and women stuck together.
Sergeant Jordan Taylor, of the 744th Modular Augmentation Company, said, "In my mind, we're just lowly soldiers just doing our job." And in doing just his job, Sergeant Taylor was awarded three purple hearts.
Sergeant First Class Cory Chartier got the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts. On the outside of his uniform are the medals. But inside is the trauma of one year of war. "My left side is numb most of the time. I have a few issues with sleeping," he said.
Chartier's wife, Carie, says seeing her husband receive the ninth highest military honor, the Bronze Star, just reinforced what she already knew. "That's the kind of man he is. He just gives everything he can to his job and the soldiers. He makes sure they're taken care of," she said.
Those we spoke to echoed those words: military is family, and you take care of your family
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Liberty Tax Helps Disabled Veterans
Liberty Tax helps Disabled Veterans
From VA Watchdog.org
Liberty Tax Service Files Free Returns For Taxpayers Who Don't Meet Regular Filing RequirementS
If you are eligible for a payment, all you have to do is file a 2007 tax return. Liberty Tax Service is offering to prepare tax returns at no charge for select taxpayers who have no tax liability. Low income workers, or those who receive Social Security benefits or veterans' disability compensation, pension or survivors benefits received from the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2007 will be eligible to receive a payment of $300 ($600 on a joint return) if they had at least $3,000 of qualifying income.
Qualifying income includes Social Security benefits, certain Railroad Retirement benefits, certain veterans' benefits, and earned income, such as income from wages, salaries, tips and self-employment. While these people might not normally be required to file a tax return because they do not meet the filing requirement, they must file a 2007 return in order to receive a rebate."Liberty Tax Service wants to help people who do not normally have to file a return get the rebate they are entitled to receive. Many people who receive Social Security and veterans benefits are likely to overlook this opportunity to get the stimulus payment. Last year, over 30 million taxpayers missed the telephone excise tax credit that was due to them. We don't want that to occur with the tax stimulus package," states John Hewitt, CEO of Liberty Tax Service. "Liberty is known for our commitment to give back to the communities that support our company. This is just another way we can help out."Liberty Tax Service will be mounting a public awareness campaign to ensure that everyone entitled to a stimulus payment is alerted.
Anyone who has questions can e-mail taxrebates@libertytax.com for more information. Representatives from Liberty Tax Service are available to comment on this program as well.
About Liberty Tax ServiceLiberty Tax Service is the fastest growing retail tax preparation company in the industry's history. Founded in 1997 by CEO John T. Hewitt, a pioneer in the tax industry, Liberty Tax Service ( www.libertytax.com ) has prepared over 5,000,000 individual income tax returns and currently operates over 2,700 offices throughout the United States and Canada.Liberty Tax Service provides computerized income tax preparation, electronic filing, and refund loans. With an emphasis on customer service including audit assistance, a money back guarantee and free tax return checking, Liberty Tax Service is well known for its strong commitment to its client base.With 39 years of tax industry experience, Hewitt stands as the most experienced CEO in the tax preparation business, having also founded Jackson Hewitt Tax Service
(NYSE: JTX).
------------------------- posted by Larry ScottFounder and EditorVA Watchdog dot Org
From VA Watchdog.org
Liberty Tax Service Files Free Returns For Taxpayers Who Don't Meet Regular Filing RequirementS
If you are eligible for a payment, all you have to do is file a 2007 tax return. Liberty Tax Service is offering to prepare tax returns at no charge for select taxpayers who have no tax liability. Low income workers, or those who receive Social Security benefits or veterans' disability compensation, pension or survivors benefits received from the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2007 will be eligible to receive a payment of $300 ($600 on a joint return) if they had at least $3,000 of qualifying income.
Qualifying income includes Social Security benefits, certain Railroad Retirement benefits, certain veterans' benefits, and earned income, such as income from wages, salaries, tips and self-employment. While these people might not normally be required to file a tax return because they do not meet the filing requirement, they must file a 2007 return in order to receive a rebate."Liberty Tax Service wants to help people who do not normally have to file a return get the rebate they are entitled to receive. Many people who receive Social Security and veterans benefits are likely to overlook this opportunity to get the stimulus payment. Last year, over 30 million taxpayers missed the telephone excise tax credit that was due to them. We don't want that to occur with the tax stimulus package," states John Hewitt, CEO of Liberty Tax Service. "Liberty is known for our commitment to give back to the communities that support our company. This is just another way we can help out."Liberty Tax Service will be mounting a public awareness campaign to ensure that everyone entitled to a stimulus payment is alerted.
Anyone who has questions can e-mail taxrebates@libertytax.com for more information. Representatives from Liberty Tax Service are available to comment on this program as well.
About Liberty Tax ServiceLiberty Tax Service is the fastest growing retail tax preparation company in the industry's history. Founded in 1997 by CEO John T. Hewitt, a pioneer in the tax industry, Liberty Tax Service ( www.libertytax.com ) has prepared over 5,000,000 individual income tax returns and currently operates over 2,700 offices throughout the United States and Canada.Liberty Tax Service provides computerized income tax preparation, electronic filing, and refund loans. With an emphasis on customer service including audit assistance, a money back guarantee and free tax return checking, Liberty Tax Service is well known for its strong commitment to its client base.With 39 years of tax industry experience, Hewitt stands as the most experienced CEO in the tax preparation business, having also founded Jackson Hewitt Tax Service
(NYSE: JTX).
------------------------- posted by Larry ScottFounder and EditorVA Watchdog dot Org
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Senate says Discriminating against Veterans should be Illegal
Senate says discriminating against veterans should be illegal
February 20th, 2008 @ 11:03am
KSL.com
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Employers would no longer be allowed to discriminate against military veterans under a bill the Senate has approved.
Veterans would be added to a list of protected groups in the state's nondiscrimination act under Senate Bill 166.
Discrimination on the basis of race, sex, national origin and religion is already illegal.
The bill is sponsored by Sen. Scott McCoy, a Democrat from Salt Lake City.
It passed in the Senate 27-0 and will now be heard in the House.
February 20th, 2008 @ 11:03am
KSL.com
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Employers would no longer be allowed to discriminate against military veterans under a bill the Senate has approved.
Veterans would be added to a list of protected groups in the state's nondiscrimination act under Senate Bill 166.
Discrimination on the basis of race, sex, national origin and religion is already illegal.
The bill is sponsored by Sen. Scott McCoy, a Democrat from Salt Lake City.
It passed in the Senate 27-0 and will now be heard in the House.
Monday, February 11, 2008
National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week
It's National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week
February 11th, 2008 @ 4:06pm
(KSL News) The public will have a chance to honor hospitalized veterans this week.
Salt Lake's VA Medical Center is inviting people to visit the hospital this week to pay tribute its patients who have given so much to protect the country.
"The National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans gives everyone a chance to let those who have given the nation so much know that they are not forgotten," said VA Medical Center Director James R. Floyd. "We want people of all ages to bring Valentine's Day cheer to our patients."
Today, Utah Rep. Jim Matheson paid a visit. He said, "I'll tell you what I think. It's important for all of us to remember our veterans, what they did for us before and kind of what they're dealing with now. Some of these folks still are dealing with medical problems from their service, and I don't think we can ever thank them enough."
Hospital officials encourage anyone to visit this week. Anyone interested can contact the medical center's voluntary service office at (801) 584-1241, extension 1.
February 11th, 2008 @ 4:06pm
(KSL News) The public will have a chance to honor hospitalized veterans this week.
Salt Lake's VA Medical Center is inviting people to visit the hospital this week to pay tribute its patients who have given so much to protect the country.
"The National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans gives everyone a chance to let those who have given the nation so much know that they are not forgotten," said VA Medical Center Director James R. Floyd. "We want people of all ages to bring Valentine's Day cheer to our patients."
Today, Utah Rep. Jim Matheson paid a visit. He said, "I'll tell you what I think. It's important for all of us to remember our veterans, what they did for us before and kind of what they're dealing with now. Some of these folks still are dealing with medical problems from their service, and I don't think we can ever thank them enough."
Hospital officials encourage anyone to visit this week. Anyone interested can contact the medical center's voluntary service office at (801) 584-1241, extension 1.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Man to spend night homeless after charity theft
Man to spend night homeless after charity theft
AP from MSNBC.com
updated 9:31 a.m. MT, Fri., Jan. 25, 2008
PAINESVILLE, Ohio - A judge on Thursday ordered a Salvation Army worker who stole a holiday kettle containing about $250 to spend the night homeless.
Nathen Smith, 28, was to spend the night anywhere but a house, said Municipal Judge Michael Cicconetti. Smith was fitted with a GPS device to track his moves.
"My initial reaction was, 'Wow.' But I don't think the sentence is too harsh," said Smith, who expected to spend Thursday night in a homeless shelter. "I can see the judge's point because what I did, I shouldn't have done. Now I've got to pay the consequences."
The Salvation Army uses kettle donations to help pay for food, clothing and shelter for the homeless.
Smith, who also received a three-day jail sentence, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of theft.
Smith worked as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army outside a Kmart store in nearby Eastlake on Dec. 17. Police arrested him at his mother's house after a co-worker reported that one of eight kettles was missing.
Smith was scheduled to return to court Friday to determine how much community service he must do to avoid paying a fine and costs for the tracking system.
Painesville is about 30 miles northeast of Cleveland.
AP from MSNBC.com
updated 9:31 a.m. MT, Fri., Jan. 25, 2008
PAINESVILLE, Ohio - A judge on Thursday ordered a Salvation Army worker who stole a holiday kettle containing about $250 to spend the night homeless.
Nathen Smith, 28, was to spend the night anywhere but a house, said Municipal Judge Michael Cicconetti. Smith was fitted with a GPS device to track his moves.
"My initial reaction was, 'Wow.' But I don't think the sentence is too harsh," said Smith, who expected to spend Thursday night in a homeless shelter. "I can see the judge's point because what I did, I shouldn't have done. Now I've got to pay the consequences."
The Salvation Army uses kettle donations to help pay for food, clothing and shelter for the homeless.
Smith, who also received a three-day jail sentence, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of theft.
Smith worked as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army outside a Kmart store in nearby Eastlake on Dec. 17. Police arrested him at his mother's house after a co-worker reported that one of eight kettles was missing.
Smith was scheduled to return to court Friday to determine how much community service he must do to avoid paying a fine and costs for the tracking system.
Painesville is about 30 miles northeast of Cleveland.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
19 Deaths at VA Traced to Substandard Care
19 deaths at VA traced to substandard care
Two federal reports find fault with 6 doctors at Ill. hospital
AP
updated 8:51 a.m. MT, Tues., Jan. 29, 2008
ST. LOUIS - Substandard care at a southern Illinois Veterans Affairs hospital may have contributed to 19 deaths over the past two years, a VA official said Monday as he apologized to affected families and pledged reform.
The hospital in Marion, Ill., initially drew scrutiny over deaths connected to a single surgeon, but two federal reports found fault with five other doctors.
The hospital undertook many surgeries that its staffing or lack of proper surgical expertise made it ill-equipped to handle, and hospital administrators were too slow to respond once problems surfaced, said Dr. Michael Kussman, U.S. veterans affairs undersecretary for health.
"I can't tell you how angry we all are and how frustrated we all are. Nothing angers me more than when we don't do the right thing," Kussman told reporters during a conference call after releasing findings of the VA's investigation and summarizing a separate inspector general's probe.
Still, Kussman insisted, "what happened in Marion is an exception to what otherwise is a truly quality health-care system" across the VA.
The VA will help affected families file administrative claims under the VA's disability compensation program, he said. Families also could sue.
The VA investigation found that at least nine deaths between October 2006 and March last year were "directly attributable" to substandard care at the Marion hospital, which serves veterans from southern Illinois, southwestern Indiana and western Kentucky.
Kussman declined to identify those cases by patient or doctor, though Rep. Jerry Costello, an Illinois Democrat, said those nine deaths were linked to two surgeons he did not name.
Of an additional 34 cases the VA investigated, 10 patients who died received questionable care that complicated their health, Kussman said. Investigators could not determine whether the care actually caused the deaths.
Inpatient surgeries have not been performed at the facility since problems first became public last August. They will remain suspended indefinitely, Kussman said.
In pledging reforms, Kussman said the VA has launched an administrative investigatory board to review care problems and matters raised by employee groups.
The VA last September also installed interim administrators to replace the Marion VA's director, chief of staff, chief of surgery and an anesthesiologist, moving them to other positions or placing them on leave, Kussman said. The anesthesiologist has since quit, Kussman said.
"The previous leadership will not return" to their former jobs, he said.
The VA's investigation cited by Kussman covered a two-year span, the VA said.
The inspector general's office blamed three deaths on substandard care at the Marion site, but that review covered only the past fiscal year, which ended in October, the VA said. That report was not immediately available Monday.
Telephone calls on Monday seeking comment from the Marion VA were directed to spokespeople with the agency's Washington headquarters.
Neither Kussman nor the VA investigation's 41 pages of findings named surgeons involved in the deaths, though Kussman acknowledged that much of the criticism has focused on Dr. Jose Veizaga-Mendez.
Veizaga-Mendez — identified in Monday's report as "Surgeon A" — resigned from the hospital Aug. 13, three days after a patient from Kentucky bled to death after gallbladder surgery. All inpatient surgeries stopped a short time later.
Sen. Dick Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, has said Veizaga-Mendez is linked to 10 patients' deaths at the Marion facility, about 120 miles southeast of St. Louis. Kussman declined to discuss that claim Monday, saying he didn't want to influence additional internal investigations of six of the site's surgeons he said had "at least one episode of substandard care."
Veizaga-Mendez and another surgeon no longer practice at the Marion VA. The remaining four surgeons remain on staff but are "only doing minor cases at this time," Kussman said.
"We don't think the physicians killed the patients," he said. "We think the physicians were trying to care for the patients and did so in an inadequate way."
Costello and fellow Rep. John Shimkus, a Republican from Collinsville, Ill., called Monday's findings "shocking." Durbin said the reports "confirm what many of us in Illinois feared" — that the Marion VA's medical care was substandard and that protocol for protecting patients was ignored.
"As the inspectors who reviewed the Marion hospital put it, the quality of care at Marion was 'horrible,'" Durbin said.
Veizaga-Mendez's whereabouts are unclear. He has no listed telephone number and has been unreachable for comment.
The Marion VA hired Veizaga-Mendez in January 2006 after he practiced in Massachusetts, where he was under investigation for substandard care in 2004 and 2005. The claims include allegations that he botched seven cases, two ending in deaths.
Veizaga-Mendez was permanently barred from practicing medicine in Massachusetts last November — a disciplinary move that also requires him to resign other state medical licenses he may hold and withdraw pending license applications. He has also made payouts in two Massachusetts malpractice lawsuits.
Two federal reports find fault with 6 doctors at Ill. hospital
AP
updated 8:51 a.m. MT, Tues., Jan. 29, 2008
ST. LOUIS - Substandard care at a southern Illinois Veterans Affairs hospital may have contributed to 19 deaths over the past two years, a VA official said Monday as he apologized to affected families and pledged reform.
The hospital in Marion, Ill., initially drew scrutiny over deaths connected to a single surgeon, but two federal reports found fault with five other doctors.
The hospital undertook many surgeries that its staffing or lack of proper surgical expertise made it ill-equipped to handle, and hospital administrators were too slow to respond once problems surfaced, said Dr. Michael Kussman, U.S. veterans affairs undersecretary for health.
"I can't tell you how angry we all are and how frustrated we all are. Nothing angers me more than when we don't do the right thing," Kussman told reporters during a conference call after releasing findings of the VA's investigation and summarizing a separate inspector general's probe.
Still, Kussman insisted, "what happened in Marion is an exception to what otherwise is a truly quality health-care system" across the VA.
The VA will help affected families file administrative claims under the VA's disability compensation program, he said. Families also could sue.
The VA investigation found that at least nine deaths between October 2006 and March last year were "directly attributable" to substandard care at the Marion hospital, which serves veterans from southern Illinois, southwestern Indiana and western Kentucky.
Kussman declined to identify those cases by patient or doctor, though Rep. Jerry Costello, an Illinois Democrat, said those nine deaths were linked to two surgeons he did not name.
Of an additional 34 cases the VA investigated, 10 patients who died received questionable care that complicated their health, Kussman said. Investigators could not determine whether the care actually caused the deaths.
Inpatient surgeries have not been performed at the facility since problems first became public last August. They will remain suspended indefinitely, Kussman said.
In pledging reforms, Kussman said the VA has launched an administrative investigatory board to review care problems and matters raised by employee groups.
The VA last September also installed interim administrators to replace the Marion VA's director, chief of staff, chief of surgery and an anesthesiologist, moving them to other positions or placing them on leave, Kussman said. The anesthesiologist has since quit, Kussman said.
"The previous leadership will not return" to their former jobs, he said.
The VA's investigation cited by Kussman covered a two-year span, the VA said.
The inspector general's office blamed three deaths on substandard care at the Marion site, but that review covered only the past fiscal year, which ended in October, the VA said. That report was not immediately available Monday.
Telephone calls on Monday seeking comment from the Marion VA were directed to spokespeople with the agency's Washington headquarters.
Neither Kussman nor the VA investigation's 41 pages of findings named surgeons involved in the deaths, though Kussman acknowledged that much of the criticism has focused on Dr. Jose Veizaga-Mendez.
Veizaga-Mendez — identified in Monday's report as "Surgeon A" — resigned from the hospital Aug. 13, three days after a patient from Kentucky bled to death after gallbladder surgery. All inpatient surgeries stopped a short time later.
Sen. Dick Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, has said Veizaga-Mendez is linked to 10 patients' deaths at the Marion facility, about 120 miles southeast of St. Louis. Kussman declined to discuss that claim Monday, saying he didn't want to influence additional internal investigations of six of the site's surgeons he said had "at least one episode of substandard care."
Veizaga-Mendez and another surgeon no longer practice at the Marion VA. The remaining four surgeons remain on staff but are "only doing minor cases at this time," Kussman said.
"We don't think the physicians killed the patients," he said. "We think the physicians were trying to care for the patients and did so in an inadequate way."
Costello and fellow Rep. John Shimkus, a Republican from Collinsville, Ill., called Monday's findings "shocking." Durbin said the reports "confirm what many of us in Illinois feared" — that the Marion VA's medical care was substandard and that protocol for protecting patients was ignored.
"As the inspectors who reviewed the Marion hospital put it, the quality of care at Marion was 'horrible,'" Durbin said.
Veizaga-Mendez's whereabouts are unclear. He has no listed telephone number and has been unreachable for comment.
The Marion VA hired Veizaga-Mendez in January 2006 after he practiced in Massachusetts, where he was under investigation for substandard care in 2004 and 2005. The claims include allegations that he botched seven cases, two ending in deaths.
Veizaga-Mendez was permanently barred from practicing medicine in Massachusetts last November — a disciplinary move that also requires him to resign other state medical licenses he may hold and withdraw pending license applications. He has also made payouts in two Massachusetts malpractice lawsuits.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Miss Utah not your Stereotypical Pageant Contestant
Miss Utah not your stereotypical pageant contestant
January 24th, 2008 @ 10:10pm
Bruce Lindsay reporting
Utah's contestant in The Miss America pageant this year is shattering pageant stereotypes. Jill Stevens is a sergeant in the National Guard who served as a medic in Afghanistan. In advance of next week's pageant, we spoke with "G.I. Jill."
In combat boots or in high heels, Jill Stevens hasn't been one to pass up a challenge. "It's been a lot of walking in high heels, and my feet, I feel like they are bruised (laughs). It's a whole new training."
Training to become the next Miss America isn't easy, but Jill says she's enjoyed preparing for the pageant this week in Las Vegas. "It's been great, a lot of rehearsals, a lot of jokes and just laughing around, hanging out with the girls. It's been a lot fun," she says.
Before the contestants could make it on stage, they had to prove they could break away from the "traditional pageant look." The cablecast "Miss America: Reality Check" seriously updates the image of Miss America.
Stevens says, "I really think Miss America should be relatable and really represent the diversity of American women. And I think she should be well spoken, out there, talented -- all what we're portraying in this competition."
The Miss America Organization has announced a new national platform, supporting the Children's Miracle Network. Miss America 2008 will become the goodwill ambassador for this children's cause as well as an ambassador for her personal platform.
Stevens says her platform is emergency preparedness. "Because emergencies are common to everyone, they happen everywhere; but we do not all have to be casualties, and the difference is preparing."
Stevens is prepared and reporting for duty at The Miss America Pageant, Saturday night. It will air on TLC.
January 24th, 2008 @ 10:10pm
Bruce Lindsay reporting
Utah's contestant in The Miss America pageant this year is shattering pageant stereotypes. Jill Stevens is a sergeant in the National Guard who served as a medic in Afghanistan. In advance of next week's pageant, we spoke with "G.I. Jill."
In combat boots or in high heels, Jill Stevens hasn't been one to pass up a challenge. "It's been a lot of walking in high heels, and my feet, I feel like they are bruised (laughs). It's a whole new training."
Training to become the next Miss America isn't easy, but Jill says she's enjoyed preparing for the pageant this week in Las Vegas. "It's been great, a lot of rehearsals, a lot of jokes and just laughing around, hanging out with the girls. It's been a lot fun," she says.
Before the contestants could make it on stage, they had to prove they could break away from the "traditional pageant look." The cablecast "Miss America: Reality Check" seriously updates the image of Miss America.
Stevens says, "I really think Miss America should be relatable and really represent the diversity of American women. And I think she should be well spoken, out there, talented -- all what we're portraying in this competition."
The Miss America Organization has announced a new national platform, supporting the Children's Miracle Network. Miss America 2008 will become the goodwill ambassador for this children's cause as well as an ambassador for her personal platform.
Stevens says her platform is emergency preparedness. "Because emergencies are common to everyone, they happen everywhere; but we do not all have to be casualties, and the difference is preparing."
Stevens is prepared and reporting for duty at The Miss America Pageant, Saturday night. It will air on TLC.
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