Voting Registration Assistance. Local chapters of the non-partisan League of Women Voters will assist veterans and other interested individuals with voter registration at VA Puget Sound on two occasions: Tuesday, September 30th, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Canteen Building at the American Lake VA Medical Center; Thursday, October 2nd, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. near the elevator bay in Building 1 at the Seattle VA Medical Center. VA Puget Sound patients will continue to be able to request one-to-one voting assistance from a trained volunteer by phoning the Voluntary Service office (at American Lake, extension 71054; at Seattle, extension 62195). Everyone wishing to vote in the upcoming November elections is reminded that the registration deadline is this Saturday, October 4th.

Suicide Prevention Is Everyone’s Business : Suicide Prevention Is Everyone’s Business – that’s the message the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is sending to veterans, their family members and friends, and the general public as part of its nationwide campaign to prevent suicides among veterans.

Dr. Stephen Hunt recognized at National Primary Care Conference: Stephen Hunt, MD, Director of the VA Puget Sound Deployment Health Clinic, was just awarded the VA Primary Care Trailblazer Award for Outstanding Primary Care Leadership.

VA Announces On-Line Claims Applications: VA Announces On-Line Claims Applications WASHINGTON (July 16, 2008) - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today that on-line applications are now accepted from veterans, survivors and other claimants filing initial applications for disability compensation, pension, education, and vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits without the additional requirement to submit a signed paper copy of the application.

President Bush has signed into law the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008.: President Bush has signed into law the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. Click on the title of this posting for the fact sheet on the new benefits.

Permanent site secured for NW Washington VA clinic : VA Puget Sound Health Care System is proud to announce that it has secured a permanent site for its community based outpatient clinic in Mount Vernon. The clinic will open for business in late spring early summer of 2009. Please read the press release for more information by clicking on the title of this post.

Speaker Pelosi visits VA Puget Sound: On June 13, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi visited the Seattle division of VA Puget Sound Health Care System. Speaker Pelosi visited VA Puget Sound at the invitation of Congressman Jim McDermott who accompanied her during the visit along with Congressmen Norm Dicks and Jay Inslee. Speaker Pelosi and the congressmen first attended a briefing with VA Puget Sound and VISN 20 leadership. The briefing included presentations on Polytrauma care, rehabilitation care services and deployment health. Next, she toured several clinics and met with patients in the Center for Polytrauma Care and Spinal Cord Injury unit. Her visit ended with a press conference covering her visit. Speaker Pelosi and the members of our Delegation shared that they were very impressed and pleased with the great work done at VA Puget Sound. They were personally moved by the interactions with the patients. Click on the link above for a picture of VA Puget Sound Director Stan Johnson leads the delegation of Congressman McDermott, Speaker Pelosi, Congressman Dicks and VISN 20 Director Dennis M. Lewis.

VA to assist veterans facing home foreclosures: Many home owners have found it difficult recently to pay their mortgages, but quick intervention by loan counselors at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has actually reduced the number of veterans defaulting on their home loans.

America Recognizes Military Sacrifices on Memorial Day Veterans Urged to Wear Medals with Pride: WASHINGTON (May 23, 2008) - From concerts to somber ceremonies and a moment of silence, Americans from coast to coast will recall the sacrifices of military members who paid the ultimate price for freedom on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26. Read the full article here.

Memorial Day 2008 Proclamation: President George W. Bush makes a proclamation regarding Memorial Day 2008. Read the full message here.

VA Puget Sound Deputy Director becomes Acting Director at Walla Walla: VA Puget Sound Health Care System Deputy Director DeAnn Dietrich will become Acting Director at Walla Walla VA Medical Center starting June 2. Please click on the press release for more information.

National Volunteer Week: April 27 to May 3 is National Volunteer Week. Please read VA Secretary Peake's message of appreciation to VA volunteers here.

Secretary Peake named one of "50 Most Powerful Physician Executives".: Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary James Peake, M.D. was named #9 on the list of the "50 Most Powerful Physician Executives" by Modern Healthcare magazine. Read the article here.

VA One Of Only Three Agencies To Meet 2006 Veterans Goals: Federal Computer Week reported, "Homeland Security Department officials hope a new...contract" set aside for service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses will help them reach the one small-business goal the agency failed to reach in fiscal 2006. FCW added that according to the Small Business Administration's Small Business Procurement Score Card, the Veterans Affairs Department, SBA and the State Department were the only three of 24 agencies that met their veterans goal in 2006.

National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, 2008 : America is blessed to have brave men and women willing to step forward to defend our freedoms and keep us safe. The members of the United States Armed Forces have proudly held fast against determined and ruthless enemies, protected our citizens from harm, and freed millions from oppression. On National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, we pay tribute to the courageous and selfless individuals who were taken captive while serving the cause of peace and securing liberty across the globe.

Veterans tell stories in patchwork of memories: A recent story in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer highlighted the hand-made quilts made by patients in Evaluation and Brief Treatment PTSD Unit at the Seattle division. To read the story, click here for a pdf or text version of the article.

Free Valet Parking for Patients at the Seattle Division: VA Puget Sound is pleased to offer our patients free Valet Parking at the Seattle Division. The Valet Parking is located in the North Parking Lot by the flagpole. Please enter VA Puget Sound from South Columbian Way entrance, and then follow the blue and white signs to the valet booth near the flag pole. This service is designed for patients ONLY, and is available Monday through Friday excluding holidays, from 8:00am to 4:00pm. As a reminder, no tipping is allowed.

More Education Benefits Coming to Reservists, Guardsmen: Changes Affect Those with Multiple Tours Some members of the National Guard and the Reserves who serve on active duty will see a significant increase in their educational benefits, thanks to improvements announced today by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). “Reservists and National Guardsmen who serve multiple tours on active duty may get an increase in their educational benefits, in keeping with the value of their service to our nation,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. Under new provisions, members who accumulate three years on active duty, regardless of breaks in service, may be eligible for the maximum payment under the Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP). Previously, reservists and guardsmen had to serve two continuous years on active duty to receive the highest payment. The new eligibility rules are retroactive to October, 1, 2007. The top payment under REAP is currently $880.80 per month. The new law, part of the National Defense Authorization Act, also expands the period of eligibility for certain Guard and Reserve members who complete their service obligation before separation from the selected reserve. Members meeting these criteria may be eligible to use REAP benefits for a period of ten years following discharge. Benefits typically end upon separation for members who do not complete their full, obligated service. For more information on changes to VA’s GI Bill benefits, go to www.GIBILL.va.gov or contact VA directly at 1-888-GIBILL1 (or 1-888-442-4551).

Combat Veterans Eligibility for VA Health Care Benefits has been Extended!: Under previous eligibility rules, combat veterans who served in a theater of combat operations after November 11, 1998 were eligible to be enrolled in Priority Group 6 and receive cost-free health care for two years after discharge for conditions potentially related to combat service. The law has changed to extend eligibility for VA health care for eligible combat veterans! On January 28, 2008, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) became law. This new law extends health care eligibility for combat veterans as follows: · Currently enrolled veterans and new enrollees who were discharged from active duty on or after January 28, 2003 are eligible for the enhanced benefits, for 5 years post discharge. · Veterans discharged from active duty before January 28, 2003, who apply for enrollment on or after January 28, 2008, are eligible for the enhanced benefit until January 27, 2011. To learn more about health benefits for combat veterans, visit our Combat Veteran Fact Sheet at Combat Veteran Fact Sheet

American Lake Division Gym: Did your New Years Resolution include losing weight and being more active? Start the New Year out right and visit the American Lake Division VA gym! Hours of operation: 8 am to 8 pm, Monday – Friday 9 am to 2 pm, Saturday and Sunday. Come workout in the weight room on the 18 station Hydracise Circuit Fitness System elliptical, treadmill, and/or stair stepper machines. Lift weights or punch the bag. Join in and learn to play pickleball or full court basketball. Try the new total body workout on the Bosu trainer or Fitballs. Bring your own video or DVD and workout in the space available for you. The VA Gym had at the American Lake division a record 18,000 plus visits from patients and employees in the year of 2007. Can we reach 25,000 in 08?????

Closed Road - American Lake Division: Due to construction of Building 199, two streets will be closed temporarily for the installation of underground utilities. Starting immediately, the one-way road between the Laundry (Building 143) and the Maintenance Shops (Buildings 19 and 20) will be closed. This road will be closed off and on for the next several months. Traffic can use the streets on the far side of the Laundry. Starting next week, weather dependant, Engle Way will be closed between Buildings 18 and T-98 and between Buildings 16 and 17. All traffic that needs access to the rear of Buildings 2, 71, and 3, including delivery vehicles, can use Custis Road. Traffic to the parking lot behind Building 18 can use the street on the far side of the Laundry. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Tracy Brown at (253) 222-9797.