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Presidential Panel Recommendations Dangerous to Morale and Readiness
LANHAM, Md. Nov. 12, 2010This week a presidential panel tasked to reduce the national deficit released numerous proposals that AMVETS believes would negatively impact troop morale and readiness during a time of war. The most drastic of these proposals is to freeze military base pay and cost-of-living allowances at 2011 levels for three years. AMVETS strongly opposes the idea of freezing military compensation, particularly during a time of war. Full Story

On Veterans Day, we pay tribute to the millions of American veterans who throughout our great history placed their lives on the line for liberty.

In the years since our nation was born, veterans have given selfless service to their country in times of war and peace. At every critical stage in Americas history, these men and women stepped up when they were needed, and their efforts to preserve the freedom we know have made an impact at home and abroad. Full Message

AMVETS SAYS PUNDITS WRONG ON SLASHING MILITARY BENEFITS
On Monday, CNBC interviewed two defense analysts asking "What if?" the military raised health care premiums and privatized military pensions during these lean economic times. For years AMVETS and its partners on the Military Coalition, or TMC, have opposed TRICARE increases and the privatization of pensionsa sentiment echoed by Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) this morning. AMVETS believes these proposed changes would be a slap in the face to America's military retirees. Now more than ever military men and women deserve the best health care available, including those who have made a career of defending our nation. Full Story

AMVETS REMEMBERS PAST NATIONAL COMMANDER JOE RAMSEY
LANHAM, Md., Oct. 22, 2010Joe F. Ramsey, Jr., Esquire, 86, a resident of Annapolis for 37 years and past national commander of AMVETS, died Monday, Oct. 18, 2010 at Anne Arundel Medical Center.
Mr. Ramsey was born June 17, 1924 in Waco, Texas. He grew up in the harsh conditions of West Texas, living in drought-stricken towns of Comstock and Big Lake. It was those formative years of bleak life that made him complaint free and gave him his hard-work ethic he exhibited his entire life.

His family later moved to Houston where he graduated from San Jacinto Senor High School in June 1942. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served in WWII from 1943-1946. He was a medic and saw service in the Pacific on Iwo Jima, Guam, Saipan, and Tinian. Full Story

AMVETS National Commander Joe Ramsey at AMVETS National Headquarters in Washington, D.C., after taking office in 1971.

Benefits will increase; but will not double in 2011
Over the last few weeks, a chain e-mail started to circulate in military and veterans' circles, purporting that this year's increases in compensation for service-connected disabled veterans would nearly double. However, the e-mail is a hoax. Recently, Congress did pass legislation, now Public Law 111-247, that will increase COLA rates for 2011 keeping with the standard percentage increases in Social Security benefits. Full Story

Yesterday, Congress passed a deadline extension to special stop loss payments for service members held beyond their military obligation between Sept. 11, 2001 and Sept. 30 2009. Now all claims for special stop loss pay must be received by the individual service no later than Dec. 3, 2010.

The benefits offers $500 a month for every month of involuntary extension and the Pentagon believes the average benefit to eligible service members is close to $3,500. If you believe you are eligible for this benefit, apply today. If you know a veteran who may be eligible, spread the word. Full Story

MISSOURI AMVETS AND VFW JOIN ST. LOUIS CARDINALS TO HONOR WWII POWs
WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2010Recently AMVETS National Commander Jerry Hotop joined the AMVETS Department of Missouri, Missouri VFW, and the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium in St. Louis to honor local World War II former prisoners of war. The event, which took place on National POW/MIA Recognition Day, helped to raise funds for Missouri's museum to honor Americas prisoners of war and those who are missing in action.
The event, which was put together by the Missouri AMVETS commission to honor Americas POW/MIA, brought together 10 former WWII-era prisoners of war and their loved ones, who were honored on the field prior to the game.
Nearly 500 members and supporters of the local AMVETS and VFW came out for the game and the Cardinals flew the POW/MIA flag for the first time at Busch Stadium, which opened in 2006. Full Story

St. Louis Cardinals mascot Fredbird and outfielder Nick Stavinoha shake hands with former POW Red Dillon and Cmdr. Hotop after the ceremonial first pitch on National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Photo by Ryan Gallucci.

AMVETS ANNOUNCES MOBILE APP FOR iPHONE, iPOD TOUCH AND BLACKBERRY
LOUISVILLE, Ky., Aug. 9, 2010AMVETS, one of the nations leading veterans organizations, and FraternalSoft, Inc., an innovator in mobile software, announced AMVETS Mobile for the iPhone, iPod Touch and Blackberry platforms today at the 66th annual AMVETS National Convention. AMVETS Mobile is the first mobile communications tool for of its kind for Americas veterans. Full Story