Blunt, Bond Meet With Ozarks WWII Vets

Sen. Kit Bond and Congressman Roy Blunt met in Washington, D.C. Tuesday with dozens of World War II veterans taking part in the inaugural "Ozarks Honor Flight."

The Ozarks Honor Flight is part of a non-profit organization that flies World War II veterans – free of charge – to the Nation’s capital to visit the World War II Memorial.

Above: Former Springfield City Councilman Ralph Manley poses with Blunt.

Below: Ky3 Anchor Steve Grant, who is traveling with the Honor Flight, is seen with Sen. Kit Bond.

WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 5 REPORT HERE

More Coverage & Information about the Flight program HERE

Gov. Nixon to Headline Memorial Day Service

Governor Jay Nixon will be the headline speaker at Springfield's Memorial Day Service Monday.

The ceremony is slated to begin at 1 p.m. at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery on 5201 South Southwood. The Governor will be introduced by Adjutant General of the Missouri National Guard Brig. Gen. Stephen Danner.

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ALSO: Congressman Roy Blunt will be the keynote speaker at the Tales of World War II event in Neosho. He'll also be attending the Springfield service on Monday.

McCaskill: More Stimulus Money In The Mail

Seniors and some disabled veterans will soon see a check in the mail from the federal government as a result of the stimulus package, Sen. Claire McCaskill announced Monday.
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The one-time $250 check is designed to help put some more money in the pockets of seniors during the economic downturn.

McCaskill's office says the following groups will receive the check:

• Retirees and disabled individuals receiving Social Security
• Disabled veterans receiving benefits from the VA
• Railroad retirement beneficiaries

Payments have begun and will continue throughout May. Seniors don't need to do anything; checks will be sent to them automatically.

Without Any Dissent

A proposed constitutional amendment that would provide a property tax exemption for disabled POWs is likely on its way to the November 2010 ballot.

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Rep. Maria Chappelle-Nadal's proposal would exempt POWs who suffer from a total service-related disability from paying property taxes.

The House passed the House Joint Resolution 159-0, followed by a Senate shutout of 31-0.

"Disabled former prisoners of war have suffered and continue to suffer from the consequences of their confinement," said Chappelle-Nadal, D-University City. "This proposal is one small way for Missouri to recognize their sacrifices."

The proposed constitutional amendment will go on the November 2010 statewide ballot unless Governor Nixon sets an earlier date.

Carter: Obama Will Fully Fund VA

WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT HERE

Obama's National Veterans Director Phil Carter talks about why fully funding the Department of Veterans Affairs could help local veterans get access to quicker care. Carter also says the biggest point of contrast on veterans issues is the G.I. bill that John McCain opposed. "This is a bill that John McCain called too generous, but Barack Obama was an early supporter of." McCain has said he opposed that G.I. bill because he worried adding those extra benefits could lead to more military members getting out of the service sooner.

Senator John McCain spoke at the 87th Annual Convention of Disabled American Veterans this weekend in Las Vegas. During his address, McCain accused Senator Obama of trying to "legislate failure" in Iraq. He also pledged to improve the quality of veterans healthcare.

Obama Campaign Courts Vets in Springfield Roundtable

"We all speak very highly of Senator McCain and his war record, but the next sentence is, it's not about that."

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OBAMA'S NATIONAL VETERANS DIRECTOR PHIL CARTER MEETS WITH A DOZEN SPRINGFIELD VETS, MOST WHO ARE ALREADY SUPPORTING THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE

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Vets complain of numerous problems with the V-A healthcare system, from paperwork confusion to backlogs of claims, to travel times to hospitals. Carter points to the new G.I. bill as the biggest contrast: "This is a bill that John McCain called too generous, but Barack Obama was an early supporter of."

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MCCAIN CAMP RESPONDS, through State Representative Jason Brown and Joe Frank: "He has been a tireless advocate for our troops who are currently serving, as well as all the soldiers from different generations who have returned to civilian life. Unlike his opponent, John McCain does not need to make campaign stops overseas in an attempt to beef up his foreign policy credentials."

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ALSO: L.A. TIMES: McCain Can't Bet on Veterans

Developing for KY3 News @ 10 . . . airing tonight on Ozarks CW due to Olympic Coverage

ALSO: KY3 News @ 11:30 p.m. after Olympic Coverage

Obama Vet Director To Hold Springfield Roundtable

Barack Obama's National Veterans Director will visit Springfield Monday to hold a roundtable in Springfield on veterans issues.

Details on Iraq veteran Phil Carter's visit are still unclear, but his visit is designed to highlight Obama's record on veterans issues, including healthcare and a modernized G.I. Bill.

On Thursday, military veterans supporting Obama announced a statewide Veterans Steering Committee to reach out to to Missouri's nearly 600,000 veterans.

"Too many Missouri vets in rural and other communities currently lack access to such essential services," said Vince Gunter, a member of Obama's Missouri Vets team. "I've looked closely at Senator Obama’s record on issues like this; I know we can trust an Obama administration to provide veterans with the services they deserve and the benefits they have earned," he added.

U.S. Army veteran Jack Hembree of Springfield will also serve on Obama's veterans committee. Hembree served in Korea, Vietnam and Saudia Arabia, among other places. Hembree said he knew he wanted to support Obama when her heard him speak at the 2004 Democratic National Convention.

You can read more of Obama's plan for veterans HERE.

Colonel Jack Jackson is heading up John McCain's veterans outreach in Missouri. You read more on McCain's plan for veterans HERE.

Blunt: Gov't Should Educate Troops About Election

REPORT: JUST 17% OF OVERSEAS MILITARY VOTED IN '06

Congressman Roy Blunt has introduced a resolution that urges the Department of Defense take additional steps to make sure members of the military and their families have the necessary information to vote in the 2008 elections.

"The right to vote is one of the most vital and inalienable rights in our great nation. For our Armed Forces, however, carrying out that right is too often marred in bureaucratic hurdles and complications," Blunt said in a statement. “The fact that less than 17 percent of the 6 million citizens serving our nation overseas eligible to vote participated in the 2006 election demonstrates the overwhelming need to address this problem."

In 1986, Congress enacted the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act to ensure that members of the Armed Forces and their dependents are provided with the information, opportunity, and material they need to participate in Federal elections. Current law allows overseas voters to register for and request an absentee ballot using a standard Federal Post Card Application. The Federal Post Card application is intended to simplify the process of obtaining absentee ballots for voters outside of the United States during the election.

Despite laws that allow overseas voters to register and request absentee ballots, Blunt said that studies indicate there are still problems.

For example, the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) found in a September 2007 report that less than 17 percent of the 6 million citizens eligible under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act participated in the 2006 general election.

The EAC further found that of the 48,600 Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act ballots were not counted in the November 2006 elections, 70 percent were not counted due to incorrect or undeliverable addresses and that more than 10 percent of all uncounted military and overseas absentee ballots were rejected because they were received past the required deadline.

Blunt’s resolution would call on the Secretary of Defense to on a monthly basis beginning in July of 2008, provide all eligible members of the Armed Forces and their dependents with an electronic reminder of the voter registration and absentee ballot process in addition to an electronic or paper copy of the Federal Post Card Application, along with sufficient instruction on completing and returning the application to the appropriate election official. It would also call for reports from the Department of Defense to Congress on the progress in ensuring that all members of the Armed Forces and their dependents have the opportunity to vote.

Page in Springfield Tuesday

Democratic Lieutenant Governor candidate Sam Page will be in Springfield Tuesday speaking at the Senior Democrat's picnic.

He'll be speaking at Memorial Park in Springfield at 5 p.m. on the issue of veterans needs.

Page, a Creve Coeur state representative and medical doctor, will discuss the seriousness of Traumatic Brain Injury, a condition affecting more than 320,000 veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. The condition is often misdiagnosed as PTSD and mistreated, according to the Page campaign.


Page is expected to face Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder this November.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Honor Page

The Missouri Veterans of Foreign Wars awarded its "Legislator of the Year" award to Democratic Lieutenant Governor candidate Sam Page today.

Page is a 3-term state representative.

"I am honored by this award," Page said. " I thank the veterans not only for this award, but for their service to our country as well," he added.

The Missouri VFW also awarded the honor to Rep. David Day.

"This year two state representatives were invaluable in helping us advance our cause of improving veterans care," said Dewey Riehn, Legislative Chairman of the MO VFW. "Rep. Page was our leader in Jefferson City."

Blunt Salutes Vietnam Vets

"IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO SAY THANK YOU"

THE GOVERNOR HONORS 25 VETS WITH MEDALS

AT NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY, BLUNT DECRIES SCORN DIRECTED TOWARDS THOSE WHO SERVED IN NATION'S LONGEST WAR

"They were often met with jeers or at best ambivalence . . . The way these veterans were treated was indeed a national disgrace, that we should make sure never happens again."

WATCH MY KY3 NEWS @ 10 PIECE HERE

Hulshof Attends Memorial Day Service in Springfield

VISITS NATIONAL CEMETERY WITH REP. BLUNT

SHOWCASES SOARING RHETORIC, QUOTES REAGAN:

"For all of our differences, Ronald Reagan said, we are together today just as we were of old, as one nation under God, dedicated to the dream of freedom, that he has placed in every human heart." (Watch Full Clip Above)

Page Pushes Veterans Ballot Initiative

Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor Sam Page is urging the Missouri Senate to approve a joint resolution that would place a sales tax proposal on the November ballot aimed at helping veterans.

“Our veterans have served us well,” Rep. Page said. “We have nearly 1,000 veterans on a waiting list to receive care at our state’s veterans’ homes. Offering Missourians an opportunity to vote to improve the care of veterans is the least we can do," the Creve Coeur lawmaker added.

House Joint Resolution 71 reads as follows . . . "Upon voter approval, this proposed constitutional amendment authorizes a dedicated sales tax of one-eighth of 1% for funding veterans' homes, services, and programs. The tax becomes effective January 1, 2009, and terminates December 31, 2016,unless reauthorized by the voters."

Steelman Announces BIG program

State Treasurer Sarah Steelman rolled out a new program Monday aimed at helping save business owners and farmers on interest costs on their loans.

Under the BIG Missouri program, below-market rate deposits of state funds are placed into participating banks or financial institutions which would allow approved borrowers to receive the lowered interest rate. Steelman estimates that savings could range between 25 to 30%.

Business owners, farmers, soldiers and their spouses are eligible.

Steelman said that by utilizing the U.S. Small Business Administration’s new Patriot Express Pilot Loan Initiative along with BIG Missouri program, veterans can benefit even more. The Patriot Express Initiative is a loan guarantee program that allows eligible veterans and members of the military wanting to establish or expand a small business to apply for loans up to $500,000. Steelman said her office is working with the SBA to ensure collaboration on the two programs.

“The Patriot Express program can guarantee about 75% of a loan for our veterans, and the BIG Missouri program can then reduce the interest rate on that loan,” said Steelman. “This is big help for our veterans and active service members who so richly deserve it.”

To find out more about the BIG Missouri Program, click HERE.

Vets Complain of "Red Tape" to McCaskill

They've fought wars overseas, and now they're battling a bureaucracy back home.

Veterans packed an American Legion hall in Springfield today to voice their concerns about the VA system to Sen. Claire McCaskill.

It's part of McCaskill's statewide "listening tour."

You can watch my KY3 News @ 5 story HERE.

Bond Wants More Warnings for Gulf Veterans

Sen. Kit Bond (R-Missouri) has sent a letter to the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), urging the departments to do a better job of notifying and caring for Gulf War veterans who may have been exposed to dangerous sarin nerve gas in 1991.

Two new Defense and VA funded research studies show a "significant association" between Gulf War illnesses and nerve agent exposure in Khamisiyah, Iraq in 1991, when an Iraqi arms depot was destroyed. Over 100,000 U.S. troops were exposed to the toxic agents and since that time, troops who served in the Gulf War have reported various health problems, including chronic fatigue, memory problems and various neurological disorders, according to a Bond release.

Bond and other Senators are looking for increased research, better outreach, and more effective treatments for the thousands of ill Gulf War veterans. Bond said he was "stunned by statements by the Pentagon that they have not yet decided whether to inform veterans about the possibility of a link between exposure and brain damage."

Bond and his colleagues also expressed concern about the agencies' ability to treat and track these Gulf War veterans at a time when they are already overwhelmed by providing care for Iraq and Afghanistan vets.

As of today, the Senators have not received a response from either department.