Vet Jobs Veteran Eagles

[thedrifter]

Subject: July VetJobs Veteran Eagle

VetJobs Veteran Eagle
Issue 3:7 - Thursday, July 4, 2002
http://www.vetjobs.com

The Veteran Eagle is a newsletter for veterans, transitioning military,
their family members, and friends and supporters of VetJobs.

VetJobs is proudly sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
States.

Contents:
1. Message from the Top
2. Tips On Using VetJobs
3. Veterans Employment, Business Opportunity And Training (VEBOT) Program
4. VFW Upset 9th Circuit Court Declares Pledge Of Allegiance Unconstitutional
5. SGLI Cap May Quadruple
6. Air Force Plans Limited Demobilization
7. Coast Guard Extends Selected Reserve 30-Year Waivers
8. Veterans Excoriate Concurrent Receipt Veto Threat
9. National Guard and Reserve Activations
10. VetJobs Recommends - "Ordinary Heroes"
11. Significant Events this Month in Military History


1. Message from the Top

Happy Fourth of July!

As is normal on the Fourth of July, families throughout the country will
attend picnics, races and parades. There will be patriotic concerts and the
singing of Stars and Stripes Forever and the Battle Hymn of the Republic.
But unlike last year, our Fourth of July celebrations this year are during a
time of war against terrorism. Our celebrations will be influenced by the
fact that the freedoms we hold sacred and dear, the freedoms that have
brought millions of immigrants to our shores, have once again come under
attack.

I would encourage everyone to learn and understand the history of the Fourth
of July and what it really means to our country. While those who have served
their country in uniform instinctively understand why we need a military to
preserve our freedoms, the American citizenry at large does not universally
know these concepts or our history and the principles on which our country
was founded.

Since the downfall of the Soviet Union, ignorance seems to be the most
dangerous threat to the survival of the greatest democracy the world has
ever known. Thomas Jefferson said, "If a nation expects to be ignorant and
free, it expects what never was and never will be." The ruling by the 9th
Circuit Court in San Francisco last week (see article 4 below) seems to
prove Jefferson's sentiments. The judges seem to have forgotten that our
forefathers came to America for the Freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM
religion. In fact, since its inception, the United States Supreme Court
opens each session with the words "God save the United States and this
Honorable Court." That does not constitute the sanctioning of a religion.
But it does speak to the values of that were the foundation of the United
States.

The Fourth of July is not merely a day to picnic and watch fireworks
displays or a day off from work. It represents the start of the greatest
democracy the world has ever known. And knowledge of our history is what
will keep the fourth near and dear to the hearts of all Americans. As you
celebrate this Fourth of July, keep our history in mind and pray for our
military personnel defending our freedoms.

On another topic, VetJobs is proud to announce a strategic marketing
agreement with the National Association of Personnel Services (NAPS). The
2,000 member companies of NAPS are recruiting firms that will bring
thousands of jobs to the site and more opportunities for veterans and their
family members worldwide. We are pleased to be associated with NAPS.

Finally, July is a significant month in military history. Saturday, 27 July
is the anniversary of the end of the Korean War, frequently referred to at
the "Forgotten War". The 1950-53 conflict cost America 33,651 killed in
action and 103,284 wounded in action. More than 1.5 million American men and
women fought in Korea. Here at VetJobs, our prayers and thoughts go out to
the Korean War veterans and their extended families.

As always, if there is anything we at VetJobs can do for you, please do not
hesitate to call or email.

Please forward this newsletter to other veterans and their family members,
and employers who you would like to see recruiting on VetJobs!

And remember, Freedom Is Never Free - Support Our Armed Forces and Veterans

Best regards,

Ted Daywalt
CEO and President


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2. Tips On Using VetJobs

Human resource representatives and recruiters - the folks that advertise on
VetJobs and then hire you - are among the busiest people in corporate
America. They are diligent, hardworking and thorough employees who are
inundated every day with resumes, telephone calls and faxes - and that's
just dealing with the people responding to jobs they have posted. They are
also responsible for all the people who are employed by their company,
including everything from employee benefits to evaluations to adhering to
dozens of local, state and federal labor laws. What that means is they are
looking every day for top quality candidates they can count on, because
their hiring decisions directly impact their own evaluations. They just do
not have a lot of time to look at applications from candidates that are not
for jobs they are trying to fill in their companies.

That's where you come in. After posting your resume, spend time regularly
searching jobs for which you qualify and send your resume. But be sure that
you qualify for the position for which you are applying.


3. Veterans Employment, Business Opportunity And Training (VEBOT) Program

The White House has asked Congress to authorize a new, comprehensive
employment program for veterans that would consolidate federal job-search
efforts for former service members within the Department of Veterans
Affairs. "Employment is the only major program in the continuum of service
for which VA does not have responsibility," said VA Secretary Anthony J.
Principi. "Just as education, home loans, insurance and health care for
veterans are entrusted to VA, so should employment." If approved by
Congress, the new program, called the Veterans Employment, Business
Opportunity and Training (VEBOT) program, would begin in 2003. Highlights: a
system for state governors or public or private organizations to receive
grants to provide employment programs for veterans; transfer to the VA of
the current functions of the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans
Employment and Training; and a shift of the transition assistance program
and the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Project from the Labor Department to
the VA.


4. VFW Upset 9th Circuit Court Declares Pledge Of Allegiance Unconstitutional

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, the nation's premier
veterans' group and patriotic organization, are seething over the 9th U.S.
Circuit Court of Appeals ruling declaring the nation's Pledge of Allegiance
unconstitutional, as are other veteran service organizations. The ruling,
which affects children in public schools in nine Western states, said the
pledge can not be recited in public schools because the phrase "under God"
endorses religion. School children have been reciting the Pledge since 1892.
Congress officially endorsed the Pledge of Allegiance in 1942. In 1954
President Dwight D. Eisenhower amended the Pledge by adding the words "under
God." "The Pledge of Allegiance has long been the bulwark of American pride
and patriotism," said VFW Commander-in-Chief James N. Goldsmith of Lapeer,
Michigan. "It is an unconscionable act by our court system, especially when
patriotism is renewing the spirit of our nation. In no uncertain terms will
the 2.7 million members of the VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary tolerate this
total disregard for the patriotic values our Pledge symbolizes. We fully
condemn the actions of the 9th court and will dedicate all our resources to
fighting this decision."

continued......................

[thedrifter]

5. SGLI Cap May Quadruple

The House Veterans Affairs Committee is considering a bill by Rep. Luis
Gutierrez, D-IL, that would kick the current cap on the Servicemembers'
Group Life Insurance program from $250,000 to $1 million. Under the bill,
service members would be offered increments of $500,000, 750,000, or $1
million at a monthly cost of about 8 cents per $1,000 in coverage. This
would raise the maximum monthly rates from $20 for $250,000 in coverage to
$80 for the $1 million death benefit. To prevent a surge of signups for top
coverage just before combat deployments, implementation would start with a
30-day window, after which restrictions would be imposed.


6. Air Force Plans Limited Demobilization

Air Force officials announced June 17 that a planned demobilization of
reserve component forces would be limited in scope, affecting only selected
groups of members. Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper said officials are
formulating a plan to determine the right mix of active-duty, Reserve and
Guard forces. The Air Force is evaluating mission needs to determine which
specialties can be demobilized as soon as possible, he said. "At the same
time, we are evaluating where, when, and how to shift from a crisis response
mode -- with heavy reliance on mobilized Guard and
Reserve -- to our 'new steady state,' which would utilize volunteer
guardsmen and reservists to help meet our mission taskings." Most of those
activated will remain for the duration of their activation orders, said
Michael L. Dominguez, assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower
and reserve affairs.


7. Coast Guard Extends Selected Reserve 30-Year Waivers

According to ALCOAST 266/02, Selected Reserve Personnel, Enlisted and Chief
Warrant Officers only, who currently have more than 30 years of service or
will attain 30 years of service during fiscal '03, are authorized a "blanket
waiver" to remain in the Selected Reserve. The action,
which will expire Sept. 30, 2003, or sooner if deemed necessary by the Coast
Guard, extends a waiver period originally scheduled to end Sept. 30, 2002.
It does not apply to members age 60 and over. For information, contact the
Coast Guard Personnel Command, Reserve Personnel
Management Division at 1-800-842-8740, ext. 7-0544, or visit
http://www.uscg.mil/reserve/msg02/coast266-02.htm.


8. Veterans Excoriate Concurrent Receipt Veto Threat

A threat to veto the fiscal 2003 National Defense Authorization Act if it
authorizes concurrent receipt of military retirement pay and VA disability
compensation has enraged leaders of many veterans' organizations. Examples:

Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander-in-Chief James N. Goldsmith: "This threat
is a callous and irrational assault against rectifying a longstanding
injustice endured by those in uniform who have devoted their lives to
protecting the nation. No other category of federal employees, to include
Congress and the executive branch, is required to relinquish a portion of
their earned retirement pay simply because they are also receiving VA
disability compensation. It is inconceivable to us that the president would
perpetuate such an injustice for the sake of achieving a balanced budget."

Disabled American Veterans: "It is unconscionable that President Bush
appears to care so little about retired members of the armed forces who were
disabled as a result of their service to our nation," said DAV commander
George H. Steese, Jr. "We must put an end to this long-standing
injustice against some of America's most deserving disabled veterans."


9. National Guard and Reserve Activations

As of July 3, the Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force each announce decreases
of reservists on active duty in support of the partial mobilization. The
Army reports no change. Total number currently on active duty in support of
the partial mobilization for the Army National Guard and Army Reserve is
34,478; Naval Reserve, 8,244; Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve,
36,770; Marine Corps Reserve, 3,903; and the Coast Guard Reserve 1,485. This
brings the total Reserve and National Guard on active duty to 84,880
including both units and individual augmentees. A cumulative roster of all
National Guard and Reserve who are currently on active duty can be found at
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jul2002/d20020703ngr.pdf


10. VetJobs Recommends - "Ordinary Heroes"

"Ordinary Heroes", by Tom Casalini (photographer) and Timothy Wallis.
Published by Sweat Pea Press, 10-1/2 North Main Street, Zionsville, IN 46077.

"Ordinary Heroes" is truly living history at its finest. This photographic
book is a tribute to the living Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. The
book reflects on how the recipients exercised freedom, faith, duty and the
heroic possibilities of the everyday human spirit. Pictures of each of the
living Medal of Honor recipients are accompanied by a brief commentary on
them. Their citations are catalogued at the end of the book. For anyone who
has ever been in the military or interested in American and military
history, this book is an absolute must read. Book is available at
www.shopsimon.com or your local bookstore. Call 800.755.3706 for autographed
copies.


11. Significant Events this Month in Military History

1775 - George Washington took command of the Continental Army at Cambridge,
outside of Boston, Massachusetts. (American Revolutionary War).
1814 - American force led by GEN Jacob Brown defeated British force led by
GEN Phineas Riall at Chippewa River, just north of British Fort Erie (near
Niagara Falls NY). A gray-uniformed Brigade led by young American BG
Winfield Scott drove the British back. Scott's men wore gray because Army
contractors had run out of blue cloth. To this day, West Point cadets wear
gray to commemorate this victory (War of 1812).
1863 - Confederate forces under GEN Robert E. Lee, defeated after three days
of fighting at the battle of Gettysburg, PA, began their withdrawal to the
South (American Civil War).
1898 - American naval victory over the Spanish at Santiago, Cuba
(Spanish-American War).
1900 - A combined force made up principally of Japanese Army troops, but
including American and other European contingents, seized Tientsin (80 miles
southeast of Beijing) from rebellious Chinese Boxers (Boxer Rebellion).
1907 - Founding of the Aeronautical Division of the US Army Signal Office;
the forerunner of the US Army Air Force and later the U.S. Air Force
1915 - U.S. Marines landed in Haiti following the assassination of the
Haitian president Vilbrun Guillaume. The Marines remained as occupation
forces for nine years.
1918 - Beginning of the Second Battle of the Marne, in Northern France,
between German forces on one side and French, American, British, and Italian
troops on the other, which ended on 4 August (World War I).
1943 - The U.S. Army's Fourth Division, part of General Omar Bradley's II
Corps, captured San Stefano in Sicily (World War II).
1943 - The U.S. 7th Army, under GEN George S. Patton, Jr. was among Allied
forces invading Sicily (World War II).
1944 - The island of Saipan in the Marianas (Western Pacific) fell to U.S.
troops following their defeat of Japanese defenders (World War II). Napalm
was used for the first time during the American invasion of Tinian in the
Marianas.
1950 - General of the Army Douglas MacArthur was named commander of all UN
forces in Korea (Korean Conflict).
1953 - The Korean War ended.

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VetJobs.com, Inc.
P. O. Box 71445
Marietta, GA 30007-1445
o 770.Vet.Jobs (877.838.5627)
o 770.993.5117
f 770.993.2875
http://www.vetjobs.com
http://www.vfw.org

Sempers,

Roger