Author: amvetsne

KEARNEY – The Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs (NDVA) has set January 16, 2019, as the date for the transition to the state-of-the-art Central Nebraska Veterans’ Home (CNVH) in Kearney. After an inspection by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Licensure Unit division on December 17th, the facility will be ready for occupancy. The move itself will then take place after the holiday season.

“This is a massive project that has been years in the making,” said NDVA Director John Hilgert. “It’s exciting to see the finish line and know we’ll be crossing it with no doubt the facility is exactly what our veterans deserve.”

Members’ families will help with the transition, as well as volunteers who have been training as “moving buddies.” They will ensure members’ rooms are prepared for their arrival and help members move their belongings into the facility.

“We want to make the move-in a special day for our members,” said Facility Administrator Alex Willford. “They’re excited to have this as their new home, and our team and volunteers are working to make sure they feel welcomed when they arrive.”

The CNVH is a 338,000-square-foot facility that is comprised of ten buildings on 67 acres. The main building—Juliet—is home to administration offices, a chapel, library, ceramics area, woodshop, Foxhole Lounge, guest rooms for traveling visitors, pharmacy, medical clinic, dental suite, and more. Connected to Juliet are two hubs, Golf and Hotel, which house physical, occupational, and speech therapy areas and a restorative kitchen. The therapy area will be one of the few in the country with an anti-gravity treadmill.

The hubs branch off to the facility’s six neighborhoods—Alpha, Bravo, Charlie Delta, Echo, and Foxtrot. Each neighborhood has three homes, which include communal living spaces, a kitchen, and 12-15 member rooms. The homes offer various levels of care, including domiciliary, palliative, memory support, and skilled care.

Dear Veterans on Nebraska’s Second Congressional District,

Please join me at a forum for veterans and active-duty military personnel to discuss the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, military readiness and the National Defense Authorization Act. My staff will also be in attendance to assist with any veteran-related issues.

WHAT:           Rep. Don Bacon will be hosting a veteran’s forum open to all veterans and active-duty military personnel.

WHEN:           Saturday, October 27, 2018                                                                                       

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

WHERE:         Omaha VFW Post #2503

8904 Military Road

Omaha, NE 

I look forward to seeing you there!

Don Bacon

Member of Congress

Brigadier General, USAF (retired)

Assist Homeless Veterans on STAND DOWN DAY Friday, November 16, 2018

Omaha, NE: Volunteers and gift donors are encouraged to assist the Veterans Administration – Omaha “Stand Down,” on Friday, November 16, 2018. It is being held at the UNO Campus in the Milo Bail Student Center, 6001 Dodge St., Omaha.  A Stand Down is typically a 1-3 day event providing supplies and services to homeless veterans. These donated items include food, hygiene supplies, and winter clothing, Additional services available include health screenings and VA Social Security benefits counseling. Veterans can also receive referrals to other assistance such as health care, housing solutions, employment, substance use treatment and mental health counseling.

VOLUNTEERS: Help is needed for handing out items in 2 hour shifts. American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) volunteers may schedule by contacting Leatrice Doolan, ALA District 8 President, [email protected] Other Questions may be directed to Kerry Miller Loos, (402)-599-0083, [email protected]. The alternate contact is Sara Meints, (402) 669-0364, [email protected].

SUPPLIES: by November 12th, donated items are needed for Stand Down. Contact phone number (402) 763-6209 or email [ [email protected] ] to arrange for donation pick up or delivery.

Hygiene items to be donated include soap, shampoo, conditioner, combs/brushes, razors, lotion, lip balm, sunglasses, nail files/clippers, and first aid/bandaids.

Clothing is needed for 90-100 men (sizes Medium – 3X), and for 9 – 12 women: (sizes Large-3X). All socks have been donated by the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) Herman Unit. Other suggestions include underwear, sweaters/sweatshirts, and jeans, Outerwear needed are coats, stocking hats, gloves, scarves, and boots. Sleeping gear are also essentials: blankets, inflatable pillows or mats.

Food items should be easy to use(open by tabs or tearing, to eat out of).

FUNDING: Please send all cash donations to, Sally Johnson, ALA District 8, 17511 “O” Street, Omaha, NE, 68135. Make checks payable to “District 8 ALA” and be sure to insert on the memo line “Stand Down Donation.

” Stand Downs are collaborative events, coordinated between local VA Medical Centers, other government agencies, and community-based homeless service providers.

BACON ENSURES AMERICA KEEPS ITS PROMISES TO VETERANS

WASHINGTON, D.C.— In a strong show of support for our nation’s veterans, Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02) voted on September 13 in favor of the Department of Veterans Affairs appropriations bill. This historic bill includes $86.5 billion in discretionary funding, an increase of $5 billion above the 2018 fiscal year. It was passed by the House and Senate and is awaiting the President’s signature.

“Since I started in Congress and dating back to my years in the United States Air Force, taking care of our veterans has been one of my top priorities. Our servicemen and women, who dedicated their lives to the security of our nation, deserve the full range of benefits and care they were promised. This VA appropriations bill keeps us on the right track to fulfilling our promise to our veterans,” said Rep. Bacon. “Congress has made great strides to enact legislation that provides more options and greater care for our veterans. I look forward to continuing this effort.”

Included in this bill was funding for programs and services that provide critical help to our nation’s veterans. This bill included the following:

·         Funds VA medical care at $72.3 billion – providing for 7 million patients to be treated in the 2019 fiscal year, including:

               o   $8.6 billion for mental health care services

               o   $206 million for suicide prevention outreach

               o   $400 million for opioid abuse prevention

               o   $270 million for rural veterans’ health initiatives

·         A $1.75 billion increase over the advance funding already provided for ongoing care, including existing programs and MISSION Act programs like community care, caregivers, and other medical services (such as improved access to organ transplants)

·         Ensures funding $1.1 billion to modernize the VA’s electronic health record system to provide seamless care to veterans as they transition from military service

 ·         Speeds up claim processing for more than 450 thousand veterans who are waiting for the compensation they deserve.