Serving Eastern New Mexico and West Texas
Courtesy illustration Architect renderings of the planned New Mexico Veterans Museum, which will be one of several veteran-oriented facilities on the museum’s campus which will be located in Las Cruces. Liliana Castillo The designers of the New Mexico Veterans Museum are holding a meeting to gain input from Clovis and Portales area veterans at the […]
Under Democratic control the last four years, the House voted to pump tens of billions of additional dollars into the Department of Veterans Affairs for improved benefits and health care. The new Republican chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee says it’s time to learn where a lot of those dollars went and to provide […]
Veterans using the Post-9/11 GI bill will see their monthly living stipends stopped between fall and winter semesters, starting next year, and only full time students will continue to draw stipends at the 100 percent rate. Those two cost-saving changes, plus a new $17,500 nationwide cap on Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits for students attending private […]
Cannon Connections: Liliana Castillo Cannon spouse Michelle Patterson, 29, stuffs a small stocking with candy canes for the Single Airmen’s Dinner with her 11-month old son Devawn in her arms during the meeting. Liliana Castillo At first glance, the Cannon Spouses Club gave veterans in nursing homes crossword puzzles and toiletries for the holidays. But […]
CNJ staff photo: Liliana Castillo Marshall seventh grader Angela Pastirchak adds antlers to her reindeer Wednesday during art class. Suzan Lundy’s art classes made Christmas decorations for veterans at the Veterans Clinic. Liliana Castillo Marshall Middle School students are using art to honor veterans during the holidays. Marshall art teacher Suzan Lundy’s art classes made […]
Freedom New Mexico The Veterans Admin-istration will hold a series of public meetings announ-cing discontinuation of contract care at nine VA clinics in northern New Mexico. Nine access point clinics in Embudo, Chama, Coyote, Penasco, Ribera, Roy, Springer, Truchas and Wagon Mound will be closed as of March 31 under the plan. The VA plans […]
Some of us, when we see a proposal to raise VA health care fees for a category of veteran in a report on ways to curb federal budget deficits, jump to the conclusion that veteran benefits are under fresh attack. Bernard Rostker, former under secretary of defense for personnel and now a senior fellow at […]
Clyde Davis Before really getting into this column, I need to make a disclaimer. Either by typographical or some other error, I left readers of this column last week with the impression that my Facebook Veterans’ Day posting was not favorably received. The line should have read “many comments were positive.” Okay. Wonderful things to […]
CNJ staff photo: Liliana Castillo Glenn Eagle trailed a long line of motorcycles on his four-wheeler displaying a full size American flag during the Veterans Day parade Saturday. Liliana Castillo The rumble of nearly 200 motorcycles kicked off the Veterans Day parade Saturday on Main Street. Parade organizer John Montano said the parade included 26 […]
There’s something about a man in uniform; there’s an undeniable, strength and responsibility of donning the gear of the armed forces. It isn’t simply about an attraction to a certain type of person, there is a lot of implied valor whether you see a no striper or a highly decorated zebra-arm. There is a great […]
CNJ staff photo: Liliana Castillo Yucca Principal Mitzi Estes thanks veteran Burdette Theophilus for attending the event Thursday morning. Liliana Castillo Hands leaped into the air one after another, the students eager to ask Lt. Col. Jeff Hinrichs the next question Thursday morning. He was visiting their class as part of the Veterans Day ceremony […]
CNJ staff photo: Tony Bullocks A monument to honor veterans past and present will be dedicated today at Steed-Todd Funeral home. Alisa Boswell Several events are happening in Clovis and Portales this week to honor veterans. Today at Eastern New Mexico University, students and faculty will be donating supplies, letters and thank you cards with […]
Tom Philpott Many Vietnam veterans with ischemic heart disease, Parkinson’s disease or B-cell leukemia expected VA compensation for their illnesses to begin soon after a 60-day congressional review period ended Oct. 30. Though the first batch of payments did go out mid-week, the relatively small number — about 1,300 claims worth $8 million — reinforced […]
Cannon Connections photo: Liliana Castillo Yucca teacher Ann Sharp said the brag board will be located near the school’s Wall of Fame, where students’ achievements are displayed. Yucca Junior High School wants to brag about their students. The public relations committee at Yucca, one of two junior high schools in Clovis, were amid planning for […]
Anthony Principi, former secretary of veterans affairs, warned last week that disabled veterans and their families will suffer if Americans “lose faith in the integrity” of VA disability compensation system. Thankfully, for hundreds of thousands of Vietnam veterans in line to be compensated for three additional diseases linked Agent Orange exposure, few senators seemed ready […]
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tom Udall, D-N.M., today released a 30-second video PSA urging active duty service members, veterans, and beneficiaries of service members who were involuntarily extended between September 11, 2001 and September 30, 2009, to apply for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay.
American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON — Department of Veterans Affairs officials are launching a multi-year initiative called Veterans Relationship Management, or VRM, that will greatly improve veterans’ access to health care and benefits information. “VRM will transform veterans’ interactions with VA by using innovative 21st century technologies,” said VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki. “Veterans will […]
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tom Udall, D-N.M., is urging active duty service members, veterans, and beneficiaries of service members who were involuntarily extended between September 11, 2001 and September 30, 2009, to apply for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay. Under the 2009 War Supplemental Appropriations Act, compensation is available to service members of every military […]
By Tom Philpott: Military Update The Department of Veterans Affairs published its final regulation Aug. 31 for compensating Vietnam veterans with ischemic heart disease, Parkinson’s disease or B-cell leukemia, or their surviving spouses. Veterans diagnosed with these diseases only will have to show they stepped foot in Vietnam sometime from Jan. 9, 1962 through May […]
By Tom Philpott: Military Update Disabled veterans were thrilled in 2007 when the Veterans Disability Benefits Commission asked Congress to enact an immediate “quality of life” increase to disability payments from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The special increase, said VDBC commissioners, should be across the board, benefiting all veterans with service-connected health conditions, and […]
