Did You Know?           The National Resource Directory is a federal government website that connects wounded warriors, Servicemembers, Veterans, families and caregivers to thousands of services and programs at the national, state and local levels that support them during recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration. Visitors to the website can find information on topics such as post-traumatic stress disorder, military and Veterans' benefits, health care, educational opportunities, homeless assistance, employment and much more. Throughout the past few months, more than 60 new resources have been added to the NRD, bringing the total number of resources that can be accessed from the site to nearly 15,000. For more information, visit the National Resource Directory website at www.NRD.gov.                Wounded Warriors Expedite Airport Screening  Starting today (March 27, 2013) at airports nationwide, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will offer expedited screening to severely injured members of the U.S. Armed Forces. In addition to offering curb to gate service for our nation’s Wounded Warriors, these individuals will also be eligible to move through security checkpoints without having to remove shoes, light outerwear jackets or hats.                                 Christina Gardner, retired U.S. Army, and service dog, Mox recently flew from Portland, ME, to Washington, DC escorted by TSA Officer Michelle Pascale at DCA through the Wounded Warrior/Military Severely Injured Joint Support Program. The Program facilitates the movement of severely injured service members and veterans and can be reached via e-mail at MSIJSOC@dhs.gov or toll free at (888) 262-2396.               “In recognition of the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform, we have revised our screening requirements to allow expedited screening for this trusted group of citizens,” said John Halinski, TSA’s Deputy Administrator and 25-year U.S. Marine Corps veteran.                To be eligible for this service, a Wounded Warrior or traveling companion should email the Military Severely Injured Joint Services Operations Center, MSIJSOC@dhs.gov, or call 1-888-262-2396 with itinerary information for the traveling party. Traveling companions will receive standard screening.                          Gulf War Veterans Show Abnormalities               A new imaging study has found that Gulf War veterans have what appear to be unique structural changes in the wiring of their brains. This fits with the scientific consensus that Gulf War Syndrome (GWS) is a physical condition rather than a psychosomatic one and should be treated with painkilling drugs instead of counseling. The images indicate that in GWS, these nerve bundles break down and may have trouble forming connections, a phenomenon that has not been associated with any other illness. This suggests that the brain circuitry, rather than any specific brain area, is disrupted in people with the condition.                       Medicaid Expansion Will Benefit Veterans           A new analysis suggests that veterans stand to benefit substantially from President Obama's healthcare law, particularly in states that choose to expand their Medicaid programs. Researchers with the Urban Institute report that as many as 40 percent of uninsured U.S. veterans would be eligible for healthcare under the law's insurance exchanges or its expanded Medicaid program. There are currently about 1.3 million uninsured veterans, the report said, but fewer than half of those who would qualify under broader Medicaid eligibility live in states that will accept the expansion.            Veterans Crisis Command Center Veterans from North Carolina and other states took advantage of The American Legion's Veterans Crisis Command Center (VCCC) in Charlotte, N.C., during the Legion's 96th annual national convention. Over the course of three days, the center assisted 283 veterans and family members and helped award $300,885 in retroactive benefits – many of them for disabilities that were rated on the spot by Department of Veterans Affairs staff from the VA regional office in Winston-Salem, N.C.  For more information call 1-800-433-3318.       Emergency Funding   The Fox Valley Veterans Council, Inc. (FVVC) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, created as a non-profit in September, 2009. The FVVC is composed of area veteran service organizations and associate members who provide emergency funding for basic needs to area veterans, those still serving, their dependents and survivors. The FVVC also facilitates a central forum within the Fox Valley area to disseminate veteran information amongst veteran organizations, and support veteran activities for the common good and welfare of all veterans. Additionally, the organization supports the Outagamie County Veterans Memorial and presents the Outagamie County annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies.  Send email to:  info@foxvalleyveteranscouncil.org                             To learn more about your benefits see your nearest VSO.

What Every Veteran Should Carry                         No longer will you have to carry around your DD Form 214 as proof of your military service.  The Veteran ID Card will quickly establish you as a veteran, along with other essential benefits.  More... Veteran ID Card

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