EANGUS

&nbs= p;

= E= ANGUS

38TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

AUGUST 9-12, 2009

RAH-RAH-ROCHESTER

<= o:p>

Legislative Workshop & Awards Ceremony =

March 2-4, 2009 in Alexandria, Virginia

= EANGUS MINUTEMAN UPDATE

January 2= 9th, 2009

This is= an official publication of the Enlisted Association of the National Gu= ard of the United States. Feel free to forward and share this informati= on. EANGUS is non-partisan. We report the facts - you decide on your position.= <= o:p>

Quote of the Week-- <= /p>

"It's the Soldi= er on patrol...And out there among them lies the spirit of sacrifice t= hat goes above and beyond the call of duty. We can't teach this sacrifice, we can't predict it, but we can - and we must always - honor it."=

- Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff=

TO ALL RECIPIENTS OF THIS UPDATE: =

We are experie= ncing many kickbacks and undeliverable email addresses from these updates. We apologize in advance, but if you = want to continue to receive these updates, we respectfully ask you to sign up for it again. The steps are simple and wi= ll take less than 5 minutes of your time.

Go to our web site, click on LEGISLATIVE, and enter your email address in the Sign Up for Minuteman Updates box and hit GO. On the next scr= een, reenter your email address and hit SUBMIT. An email will be s= ent to your inbox.

When you open the em= ail, click on the link "Update Your Profile", and on the next screen check the box that says "Minuteman Update e-letter" and then hit SAVE PROFILE CHANGES and close the window. =

On March 2, we will = only use the Minuteman Update e-letter mail list to send out these updates. We will delete the General Interest list altogether. IF YOU DON'T WANT TO RECEIVE THESE UPDATES, DO NOTHING, AND THEY WILL STOP ON MARCH 2nd.

Thanks for your help! We hope you find these updates valuable enough to remai= n on our mailing list and make the changes outlined above.

Shinseki Confirmed As VA Secretary<= br>
Retired Army Gen. Eric Shinseki was confirmed January 20th to be the 7th Secretary of Veterans' Affairs in President Obama's Cabinet.

The Senate confirmed Shinseki by voice vote and without debate just hours after Obama was sworn in as the 44th president. The Senate al= so approved the Cabinet appointments for the energy, education, interi= or, agriculture and education departments and Obama's choice to head the White House Office of Management and Budget. No vote is requi= red on Obama's decision to keep Defense Secretary Robert Gates at the Pentagon.

Shinseki plans to develop a 2010 budget within his first 90 days th= at realizes the vision of President Obama to transform VA into an organization that is people-centric, results-driven and forward-looking.

Key issues on his agenda include smooth activation of an enhanced GI Bill education benefit that eligible Veterans can begin using next fall, streamlining the disability claims system, leveraging informa= tion technology to accelerate and modernize services, and opening VA's health care system to Veterans previously unable to enroll in it, w= hile facilitating access for returning Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans.

Shinseki, a former Army Chief of Staff, takes the reins of a 284,000-employee organization delivering health care and financial benefits to millions of Veterans and survivors under a $98 billion budget authorized this year through networks of regional benefits offices and health care facilities from coast to coast.

Born in 1942 on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, Shinseki graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., in 1965. He se= rved two combat tours and was wounded in action in Vietnam. He ser= ved with distinction in Europe, the Pacific and stateside, eventually becoming the Army's senior leader from June 1999 to June 2003.

Retired from military service in August 2003, Shinseki's military decorations include three Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts. =

Shinseki succeeds Dr. James B. Peake as Secretary of Veterans Affai= rs.

Stimulus Package Has Money for the Guard

&= nbsp;

On January 28, = the House passed H.R. 1, the "American Recovery and Reinvestment B= ill of 2009," an economic stimulus package meant to create jobs ar= ound the country.

The bill includes $1= 40 million for Army National Guard military construction and $70 milli= on for Air National Guard military construction. The bill also includes $302.7 million for Army National Guard facilities repairs = and $29.1 million for Air National Guard facilities repairs.

The Senate Appropriations Committee passed its portion of the stimul= us package on January 27. The Senate bill includes $150 mil= lion for Army National Guard military construction and $110 million for = Air National Guard military construction. The bill also includes $215.5 million for Army National Guard facilities repairs and $20.9 million for Air National Guard facilities repairs.

According to press reports, Congress plans to act on the stimulus legislation prior to= the scheduled Congressional recess in mid-February.

Psychological Health, Traumatic Brain Injury Outreach Center Opens

The Department of Defense announced the opening of a 24-hour outrea= ch center to provide information and referrals to military service members, veterans, their families and others with questions about psychological health and traumatic brain injury.

The new center, which is operated by the Defense Centers of Excelle= nce for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE), can be contacted around the clock, 365 days a year, by phone at (866) 966-= 1020 and by e-mail at resources@dcoeoutreach.org .

The center can address everything from routine requests for informa= tion about psychological health and traumatic brain injury, to questions about symptoms a caller is having, to helping callers find appropri= ate health care resources.

DCoE promotes resilience, recovery and reintegration of service mem= bers facing psychological health and traumatic brain injury issues, and works to advance research, education, diagnosis and treatment of th= ese conditions.

The DCoE outreach center is staffed by behavioral health consultants and nurses, most with master's degrees. In addition to answer= ing questions, staffers refer callers to contact centers in other parts= of the Department of Defense, other federal agencies, and outside organizations when appropriate. Other contact centers also re= fer callers to the DCoE outreach center.

The center serves members, leaders and healthcare providers of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, Reserve and all uniformed services, along with veterans of all the services. The families of service members and of veterans are also serv= ed by the new center.

More information is available at http://= www.dcoe.health.mil.

Can One Person Really Make A Difference? =

At Arlington National Cemetery, the sound of an Army band could be heard Friday (January = 23) as a young soldier was laid to rest. Specialist Joseph Hernandez, 2= 4, died two weeks ago, when a roadside bomb hit his vehicle in Afghanistan.

Arlington handles burials for soldiers like Hernandez every day - about 7,000 ceremon= ies every year. But his was different. The band - along with a co= lors team, an escort platoon and a horse-drawn caisson - are reserved for full-honors military funerals. And before now, Hernandez wouldn't h= ave qualified for one.

That's because Army specialist is a junior enlisted rank, not an officer. But late last year, the Army changed the rules to allow all soldiers killed in action to receive full military funeral honors, regardless of their rank. On Friday, Hernandez, of Hammond, Indiana, became the first to be buried under the new rules.

"This is the right thing to do," says Joe Davis, from the group Veterans of Foreign Wars. He supports the new policy, saying = it makes sense that any soldier killed by hostile fire in a war zone g= et full honors.

When asked why the policy wasn't changed sooner, he says, "We = don't think anybody ever asked the question! And that's the big thing. Sometimes it takes one person to get noticed on the right issue.&qu= ot;

On this issue, the right person turned out to be Sergeant First Cla= ss Robert Durbin.

Passing 'The Common Sense Test'

Durbin is currently deployed in Iraq. But he used to serve as a cas= ket squad leader at Arlington. He carried President Reagan's casket. And Durbin says he just got to wondering why only officers received full honors.

"Rank has nothing to do with honor," he says. "And my hypothetical example is that a second lieutenant can graduate offic= er candidate school. He could hypothetically die in a car accident and receive full honors at Arlington. Whereas an enlisted service member with 20 years in the Army could be killed in action over here or Afghanistan and receive a standard honors funeral. To me, that just doesn't pass the common sense test."

Durbin caused a stir last spring, when he convinced The Military Times to publish a letter about= the disparity in honors. Then he kept pushing, writing to the Army secretary and to congressmen and senators. Finally, last mont= h, the Army announced it was changing the policy - to create a "common standard" for all soldiers killed in action and buried at Arlington.

One person can make a difference!

[NPR: All Things Considered, January 23, 2009]

3D"Legislative Now that you've read that one person can make a difference, it's your turn. We've put = twelve n= ew legislative alerts (The CALL) on our web site under LEGISLATIVE, Th= e CALL to which you can respond. It's easy to use--go to the web pag= e, fill in your zip code in the Write To Congress box and hit GO. = ;

Or clic= k here to get there FAST!

Another window will = open and you can choose the alert you for which you wish to respond. Use the preloaded letter or edit it or delete it and write one of your own. Then fill in your personal information and send it on its way. Takes less than 5 minutes= .

While you are on that site, respond to all of our alerts--since your personal info is alr= eady loaded, it then takes mere seconds to send each additional alert.

When each one of us = gets involved, our goals can be achieved. We can't do it with= out you. So hit the web and make a difference!

CBO Publishes Options for Health Cost Cuts<= span style=3D'font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:black'> =

In December, the Congressional Budget Office published a 226-page report that suggests some military retirees and veterans could face= higher out-of-pocket costs if the new Obama administration uses the report= to reform federal health care. Budget options are put out by = the CBO every two years regardless of administration. They are not legislative proposals, and they are not new administration goals.

The report presented 115 options, with four of the options focused = on veteran's health care and three focused on military health care. We read the report and have a point paper concerning the repo= rt on our web site, www.eangus.org, under the Legislative tab, Point Papers.

Here are some options that would touch a few of our members:

TRICARE for Retirees Not Medicare Eligible - The report recommends f= ees, co-payments and deductibles be raised for retirees under 62 to rest= ore the relative costs paid when TRICARE began in 1995. TRICARE Prime enrollment would be raised from $230 to $550 a year for individuals; families would pay $1100 versus $460 today. Co-pays for doctor visi= ts would climb from $12 to $28 and users of TRICARE Standard and TRICA= RE Extra would pay an annual deductible of $350 for an individual and = $700 for families. Congress has not supported such increases for the past three years, and we fully expect them to do the same for this year.=

TRICARE-For-Life Fees - = The military's supplement to Medicare could see higher user costs if the report options were to be adopted by Congress. Beneficiaries would = pay the first $525 of yearly medical costs plus one half of the next $4= 725 of costs charged to Medicare. So the extra out-of-pocket cost for T= FL users would be up to $2887.50 a year. This amount would be indexed = to rise with Medicare costs. But CBO said it also could discourage some patients from seeking preventive care or proper management of chron= ic conditions which may negatively affect some patients' health.<= /o:p>

EANGUS will continue to be vigilant and lobby against any increases= in fees, co-payments or deductibles. We believe very strongly th= at the premiums have already been paid in sacrificial service to our g= reat nation, serving in organizations that less than one percent of the population are willing to do.

Military OneSource Career Coach<= br>
This program is offered through Military OneSource at no cost to yo= u. A few sessions with a professional coach can assist you in exploring = and planning your career direction and employment goals. The program can all take place in the comfort of your own surroundings at times most convenient for you. All you need is a computer and telephone. =

Go to: http://= www.readyminds.com/mosc.html.

Microsoft Offers Office 2007 Military Appreciation Version

Buy now for $49.99 a= nd save up to 87%.

For a limited time, get Office Standard 2007-Military Appreciation Edition for just $49.99. That's up to $349 off! This special = is available from January 1, 2009 to June 30, 2009 through the military exchanges.

You've got projects. Lots of projects. Get them done better and eas= ier with Microsoft® Office Standard 2007-Military Appreciation Edit= ion. Office Standard 2007 has a redesigned interface, enhanced tools, an= d a help system that's really helpful. So you can organize your househo= ld finances, help your kids make great school presentations, and keep everyone connected. It's just one way we can say thanks.

The Military Appreciation Edition of Office 2007 includes Word, Exc= el, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

For more info, click= here.

The Internet Makes Money for EANGUS

&= nbsp;

What if the EAN= GUS "We Care For America" Foundation earned a penny every time you searched the Internet? Or how about if a percentage of every purchase you made online went to support our cause? Well, now= it can!

GoodSearch.com is a = new Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising reven= ue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Use= it just as you would any search engine, get quality search results from Yahoo, and watch the donations add up!

GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates up to 37 percent of each purchase to your favorite cause! Hundreds of great stores including Amazon, Target, Gap, Best Buy, eBay, Macy's and Ba= rnes & Noble have teamed up with GoodShop and every time you place an order, you'll be supporting your favorite cause.

Just go to www.goodsearch.com and be sure to enter EANGUS We C= are For America Foundation as the charity you want to support. And be s= ure to spread the word! You can easily load the GoodSearch Bar to = your Web browser.

We need your help so we can continue to help our National Guard soldiers and Airmen. It cost nothing but a click on your comp= uter to use the GoodSearch.com search engine.

Book your travel where it makes a difference! Vi= sit the EANGUS travel site at www.= eangustravel.org. You'll get great travel prices and help EANGUS raise money at the same time.

EANGUS Travel Advant= age Deal of the Week--follow this link:

<= /span>

Travel = deal of the Week

= EANGUS Merchandise

This is the official website to order your custom EANGUS apparel. www.com= panycasuals.com/eangus<= o:p>

<= o:p>

For further information, call AdPro Graphics 208-938-0660.<= o:p>

<= o:p>

For a full line of other products visit our site: www.com= panycasuals.com/adpro<= o:p>

&nbs= p;

= E= ANGUS

38TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

AUGUST 9-12, 2009

RAH-RAH-ROCHESTER

<= o:p>

Legislative Workshop & Awards Ceremony =

March 2-4, 2009 in Alexandria, Virginia

REGISTRATION & INFORMATION

= EANGUS MINUTEMAN UPDATE

January 1= 5th, 2009

Quote of the Week--

"What's really important about us in the military is that we stay neutral and rema= in apolitical. We work for whoever the president is. All of us in the military will do that faithfully to support President [George W.] B= ush until the 20th of January, and we'll do the same thing for President-elect Obama once he gets into the position."

- Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen=

Obama Picks Political Veterans for Pentagon Posts= <= br>
President-elect Barack Obama nominated three seasoned executives to= top Defense Department posts.

Obama nominated William Lynn, former Pentagon comptroller under Clinton, to serve as deputy Defense secretary, the Pentagon's No. 2 post. Additionally, Obama nominated Robert Hale to become Defense comptroller, Michèle Flournoy for under secretary of Defense= for policy, and Jeh Charles Johnson as the department's general counsel= .

In a statement, Obama said: "They share with me the utmost res= pect for our brave men and women in uniform, and will work day and night= to support our troops, strengthen our military, and advance our capaci= ty to carry out 21st century missions."

With current Defense Secretary Robert Gates staying in place, Lynn = will be the highest-ranking Defense official to face confirmation by the Senate. Each of the nominees will have confirmation hearings before= the Senate Armed Services Committee. No hearing dates have been announc= ed yet.

The Obama transition team formally announced the moves last Thursda= y; however, Lynn's name had been circulating on Capitol Hill earlier t= hat week. Lynn, most recently a vice president for governmental affairs with Raytheon Co., was a former defense staffer to Sen. Edward Kenn= edy (D-MA), a senior member of the Armed Services Committee.

As for other nominees, Hale currently is head of the American Socie= ty of Military Comptrollers and served from 1994 to 2007 as Air Force comptroller; Flournoy founded and has led the Center for a New Amer= ican Security in recent years and held several Defense policy posts in t= he 1990s; and Johnson, now a private litigator, previously served as a federal prosecutor and Air Force general counsel.=

National Guard = ;to Support Inauguration

More than 10,000 National Guardsmen and women will support the 56th Presidential Inauguration, the Guard's largest contribution to an inauguration in its 372-year history.

"The National Guard will help to ensure a safe and secure environment for all attendees," said Manny Pacheco, spokespers= on for the National Guard Bureau. "National Guard members are a f= orce multiplier to a variety of federal and state agencies and military = task forces."

National Guard members from several different states and the Distri= ct of Columbia are working for Joint Task Force-District of Columbia. "The number of National Guard members that will be used is lar= ger than we've ever had in history," said Brig. Gen. Barbaranette Bolden, commander, Joint Task Force-District of Columbia.

National Guard members from several different states and the Distri= ct of Columbia are working for Joint Task Force-District of Columbia. Citizen-Soldiers and -Airmen are providing communications, transpor= t, traffic control and medical and logistical support - as well as pla= ying music and marching in the inaugural parade.

"Those National Guard personnel will help quite a bit," C= athy Lanier, the District of Columbia's police chief, said last week. "[They] help us ... keep law enforcement focused on law enforcement."

The Guard's support to civilian authorities works well because relationships are already well-established through previous events = and shared training exercises. "They know that we will be there and that we will perform professionally, no matter what the situation," Bolden said.

Contributing National Guard states include Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

**Members of the 257th Army National Guard Band are am= ong 250 troops on duty from the District of Columbi= a. The band is providing ceremonial and inaugural ball support. "We're so proud of them," Bolden said. "This has never happened before, our = Army National Guard Band participating in an inauguration."
**More than 2,000 National Guardsmen and women from <= span style=3D'mso-bookmark:"LETTER\.BLOCK18"'>= Maryland and = Virginia are working in support of their states' lead law enforcement and transportation agencies to assist with traffic flow into and out of the District of Columbia.<= br> **It's Iowa's = first time supporting an inauguration: The Iowa National Guard is sending about 1,000 Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division.
**More than 200 members of the New York= National Guard are helping with communications and traffic control.
**In addition to about 400 Soldiers and Airmen, the <= span style=3D'mso-bookmark:"LETTER\.BLOCK18"'>= West Virginia National Guard is providing specialized homeland defense and securi= ty units, fixed wing and rotary aircraft and mobile satellite communications equipment in support of federal and local agencies to help manage the large crowds expected at the event.
**<= span style=3D'font-size:8.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Com= ic Sans MS"; color:black'>Tennessee's contribution includes Airmen from the 228th Combat Communications Squadron and the 118th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadr= on and Soldiers from the 117th Military Police Battalion.

The National Guard Bureau participates in Armed For= ces Inaugural Committee efforts while coordinating the support provided= by the National Guard with federal and state civil authorities. A joint operations center is being staffed around the clock through the inauguration.

The National Guard has a long history of supporting presidential inaugurations. Local militia units marched with George Washington a= s he proceeded to his first inauguration on April 30, 1789, according to Guard historians.

"The National Guard is proud to continue this tradition of supporting and defending both the president of the United States, o= ur constitutional form of government, and our American way of life,&qu= ot; Pacheco said.

Guardmembers are proud of their role helping ensure a safe and secu= re environment for the event, Bolden said. "Every Soldier and Air= man that comes here will be sharing this historic event with their fami= lies for many years to come," Bolden said.

(article by Staff Sgt. Jim Greenhill, National Guard Bureau)

Sergeants Major Academy May Move to Fort Leavenworth<= br>
The north Kansas former cavalry post in Leavenworth could soon incl= ude the Sergeants Major Academy and the Warrant Officers Career College. The move to relocate the schools may be a few years = off, but the idea is getting consideration and is officially being studi= ed.

The initiative is aimed at bringing together battlefield leaders wi= th shared experiences and increasingly overlapping levels of responsibility.

The Sergeants Major Academy at Fort Bliss, Texas, is largely a classroom environment but the Warrant Officer Career College Fort Rucker, Alabama, involves some field exercises that require ranges = and training lanes that Fort Leavenworth cannot currently accommodate.<= br>
Issues being addressed in the study include the number of soldiers, family members and civilians who would have to be relocated, the capacity of current facilities to handle the population influx, what would need to be built and how long it would take for such a plan to fall into the budget process.

Officials estimate it would take until fiscal 2015 to get military construction money, depending on how high a priority it would be for the Army. The study also will assess the benefit to the Army = of having field grade officers, sergeants major and warrant officers co-located for all those educational activities at Fort Leavenworth. That is expected to bring better opportunities f= or future interaction and collaboration in the operational Army.<= /o:p>

CBO Publishes Options for Health Cost Cuts<= span style=3D'font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:black'> =

In December, the Congressional Budget Office published a 226-page report that suggests some military retirees and veterans could face higher out-of-pocket costs if the new Obama administration uses the report to reform federal health care. Budget options are put = out by the CBO every two years regardless of administration. They= are not legislative proposals, and they are not new administration goal= s.

Here are some options that would touch a few of our members:

TRICARE-For-Life Fees - = The military's supplement to Medicare could see higher user costs if the report options were to be adopted by Congress. Beneficiaries would = pay the first $525 of yearly medical costs plus one half of the next $4= 725 of costs charged to Medicare. So the extra out-of-pocket cost for T= FL users would be up to $2887.50 a year. This amount would be indexed to rise with Medicare costs. But CBO said it also could discourage some patients from seeking preventive care or proper management of chron= ic conditions which may negatively affect some patients' health.<= /o:p>

ESGR - Freedom Award Nomination Season<= br>
Each year, the National Committee for Employer Support of Guard and Reserve (ESGR) honors 15 employers across the nation with the Freed= om Award for their outstanding support of their National Guard and Res= erve employees and their families.

National Guard and Reserve employees or a family member may nominate their employers for this prestigious award - it is the US Governmen= t's highest recognition given to employers for their outstanding suppor= t of employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. The nomination season is open through January 19, 2009.

To nominate an employer or to learn more about the Freedom Award, v= isit www.Fre= edomAward.mil.

Free, Multi-day Admission to Disney Parks in 2009<= br>
As Disney Parks ask "What Will You Celebrate?" and invite= guests to turn their personal milestones into magical family vacations in 2009, America's military personnel will have one more reason to celebrate: Free multi-day admission to Disney's U.S. theme parks.
With the "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" offer, active and retired U.S. military personnel, including active members of the Un= ited States Coast Guard and activated members of the National Guard or Reservists, can enjoy complimentary, multi-day admission into Disne= y's U.S. theme parks, great rates at select Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort hotels, and additional special ticket offers for family members and friends.

At Disneyland Resort in Southern California:
From January 4 to June 12, 2009, each active or retired member of t= he U.S. military can receive one complimentary three-day "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" ticket valid for admission to both Disney= land and Disney's California Adventure parks. During the offer per= iod, active or retired U.S. military personnel also may make a one-time purchase of an adult or child three-day "Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion" ticket for up to five family members (includ= ing spouse) or friends for the price of an adult 1-Day Park Hopper tick= et.

Disneyland Resort hotels are also offering special room rates for a= ctive or retired military personnel. For example, at Disney's Parad= ise Pier Hotel, active or retired members of the military and their families may find hotel rooms starting at $119 per night during val= ue season, with great savings during other times of the offer period. = This offer is available through June 12, 2009, and the number of rooms available at these special rates is limited.

For information regarding "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" = at the Disneyland Resort, or to make reservations, military personnel = may call 714-956-6424.

At the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida:
From January 4 to December 23, 2009, each active or retired member = of the U.S. military may obtain one complimentary five-day "Disne= y's Armed Forces Salute" ticket with Park Hopper and Water Park Fun & More options. This ticket is valid for five days of admission into the four Walt Disney World theme parks, plus a total= of five visits to a choice of a Disney water park, DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive Theme Park or certain other attractions. During t= his offer period, active or retired U.S. military personnel may also ma= ke a one-time purchase of up to a maximum of five, five-Day "Disney= 's Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets for $99 per ticket, plus tax, for family members (including spouse) or friends. Althou= gh this ticket for family members and friends does not include either = the Park Hopper or Water Park Fun & More options, this ticket can be upgraded to add either such option, or both, for an additional $25, plus tax, per option. All tickets and options are non-transferable and must be used by Dec. 23, 2009.

Ask about the great rates that may be available at select Walt Disn= ey World or Disneyland Resort hotels for active or retired U.S. milita= ry personnel during this offer period.

For information on the "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" off= er at the Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort, or to make reservati= ons, active and retired U.S. Military personnel may call the ITT office = on their base. Information is also available at www.dis= neyworld.com/military.

The Internet Makes Money for EANGUS

&= nbsp;

Book your travel where it makes a difference! Vi= sit the EANGUS travel site at www.= eangustravel.org. You'll get great travel prices and help EANGUS raise money at the same time.

EANGUS Travel Advant= age Deal of the Week--follow this link:

<= /span>

Travel = deal of the Week

= EANGUS Merchandise

This is the official website to order your custom EANGUS apparel. www.com= panycasuals.com/eangus<= o:p>

<= o:p>

For further information, call AdPro Graphics 208-938-0660.<= o:p>

<= o:p>

For a full line of other products visit our site: www.com= panycasuals.com/adpro<= o:p>

&nbs= p;

= E= ANGUS

38TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

AUGUST 9-12, 2009

RAH-RAH-ROCHESTER

<= o:p>

Legislative Workshop & Awards Ceremony =

March 2-4, 2009 in Alexandria, Virginia =

REGISTRATION & INFORMATION

= EANGUS MINUTEMAN UPDATE

January 8= th, 2009

This is= an official publication of the Enlisted Association of the National Gu= ard of the Unite= d States. Feel free to forward and share this information. EANGUS is non-part= isan. We report the facts - you decide on your position.<= o:p>

Quote of the Week--

Wisdom has two parts: having a lot to say, and n= ot saying it.

Happy New Year! <= /span>

Everyone at the National Office in Alexandria, Virginia= , wishes you the happiest and best 2009!= <= /p>

New Members of Cong= ress Sworn In =

54 new Representatives, 2 new Delegates, and 9 new Senators Tuesday were sworn into the 111th Congress as it began its 1st Session. 12 of the new members of Congress have = prior military service.

The Minnesota Senate race is yet to be determined (by legal appeal) and there are 4 Senators to be replaced due to appointments (Obama, Biden, Clinton, and Salazar). =

We welcome the new members of Congress and look forwar= d to working with them in 2009.

Inaugural Balls in = Washington DC

When January 20th rolls around a new president will be sworn in and= it will be time to celebrate with inaugural balls, some of the premiere events for Washington<= /st1:City>, DC society.

Inaugural balls are a perfect reason for citizens across the countr= y to come to Washington, dress to the nines and celebrate the incoming president after the formal coronation and inaugural parade. There will be a plethora of balls to attend (106 listed below). Tickets are required, with pric= es running $75 per person for the Youth Inaugural Ball to $300 and abo= ve per person for others.

The inaugural balls weren't always as grand, as you can imagine. Ge= orge Washington held the first, where he danced two cotillions and a min= uet. James Madison held the first "official" ball at Longs Hot= el in 1809, with wife Dolly turning into more of a spectacle than any first lady before her.

The balls continued through the years, with some presidents facing major problems - such as below-zero temperatures that killed the ca= ged canaries. Woodrow Wilson and Franklin D. Roosevelt skipped the ball= s, but when Harry Truman brought the event back it paved the way for t= he major galas that occur today. While Truman only had one, Dwight Eis= enhower had two, John F. Kennedy had five, and Ronald Reagan made it up to = 10.

The balls normally include terrific entertainment and an assortment= of food, depending on the venue. Not to mention and opportunity to bru= sh elbows with Washingto= n society - and a new president!

Presidential Inaugural Balls (not necessarily an all inclusive list)&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p;
A Celebration of Change Gala
A Time For Hope Inaugural Jazz Gala
Africa Aspire Inaugural Celebration
African American Church Inaugural Ball
All American Ball
American Indian Ball
American Music - Legends Ball
American Music - Urban Ball
American Scholars Ball
Ancestors Dream Inaugural Ball
Arizona Presidential Inaugural Ball
Arkansas State Society Ball
Audacity of Hope Ball
Baltimore Washington Black McDonald's Operators Association Ball
Be The Change Inaugural Ball
Believers Ball
Biden Home States Inaugural Ball
Bipartisan Inaugural Gala
Bluegrass Inaugural Ball
BSA Presidential Inaugural Ball
Bytes and Books Ball
California Bash Inaugural Celebration
California State Society Inaugural Ball
Catholic University of America 2009 Inaugural Ball
Change Has Come Inaugural Gala
Children's Inaugural Ball
Commander-In-Chief Ball (OFFICIAL)
Concerned Black Men & Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inaugural Ball=
Constitution Ball (OFFICIAL)
Creative Coalition Inaugural Ball
Delaware State Society Ball
Democracy Ball (OFFICIAL)
Disability Power and Pride Inaugural Ball
Eastern Inaugural Ball
Florida Sunshine and Stars Ball
Foreign Diplomats Inaugural Ball
Freedom Ball
Garden State Inaugural Gala
George Washington University Ball
Georgia Inaugural Gala
2009 Green Inaugural Ball (hosted by Al Gore)
Grits and Granite Inaugural Ball
Hawaii State Society Inaugural Ball
Health For All Diamond Inaugural Ball
Historically Black Colleges & Universities Inaugural Gala Ball<= br> Heroes Red, White, and Blue Inaugural Ball
Historic Inaugural Ball
History in the Making Inaugural Ball
HOPE (Honoring Our President Elect) Inaugural Youth Ball
2009 Hope Won Inaugural Gala
Human Rights Campaign Equity Inaugural Ball
Illinois Presidential Inaugural Gala
Inaugural Gala A Formal Affair for Change
Inaugural DC Ball
Inaugural Peace Ball
Independence Ball (OFFICIAL)
Indiana State Society Inaugural Gala
International Conservation Caucus Foundation Gala
Junior State of America Inaugural Ball
Kentucky Bluegrass Ball
Land of Enchantment Inaugural Ball
Latino Inaugural Gala
Liberty Ball (OFFICIAL)
Lincoln 2.0 Inaugural Ball
Link Live Presidential Inaugural Gala
Maryland Democratic Party Inaugural Gala
Masonic Inaugural Ball
Metromix All American Ball
Metropolitan Gala on the Georgetown Waterfront
Mid-Atlantic Inaugural Ball
Midwest Inaugural Ball
MTV Be The Change Inaugural Ball
National Association of Manufacturers Inaugural Celebration
National Caucus of Black Women Ball
Nebraska State Society Inaugural Ball
Neighborhood Inaugural Ball
New Mexico State Society Inaugural Ball
North Carolina Society Inaugural Gala
Obama Home States Inaugural Ball
Ohio Inaugural Celebration
Patriot Ball (OFFICIAL)
Pearl Presidential Inaugural Gala
Pennsylvania Inaugural Gala
PYIC Inaugural Ball
Servant Forge Humanitarian Ball
Soccer Moms for Obama Inaugural Ball
South Carolina Inaugural Ball
Southern Inaugural Ball
Spirit of Asia in America Inaugural Ball
Spirit of Hope Inaugural Ball
St Louis Inaugural Ball
Stars and Stripes Ball (OFFICIAL)
Texas State Society Black Tie and Boots Inaugural Ball
The Change Has Come Presidential Inaugural Gala
The Creative Coalition Gala Inaugural Ball
The Dream Realized Inaugural Ball
The Hill Inaugural Ball
The Inaugural Purple Ball
The Peoples Inaugural Ball
The Presidents Ball
Unity in Service Inaugural Ball
We the People Inaugural Ball
Welcome to Washington Black Tie Gala
Western Inaugural Ball
Yes We Did! Celebration
Youth Inaugural Ball

VA Plans To Expand Health Services for Some Vets <= /span>

House appropriators were told this Monday in a VA brie= fing how fiscal 2009 funding will be used to enroll about 265,000 vets w= ho have been denied VA health services since 2003.

A $375 million provision was included in the fiscal 20= 09 VA spending bill measure (PL 110-329) to allow the department to br= ing into the system more "Priority 8" veterans - those who typically earn more than $30,000 a year. The funding aims to expand= the enrollment of Priority 8 veterans by 10 percent. Priority 8 refers = to a subcategory of veterans. Priority 1s have the most need for care and Priority 8s the least.

New Priority 8 veterans were blocked from enrolling for VA benefits= in January 2003 if their income exceeded about $30,000 annually. Prior= ity 8 veterans who were already enrolled in the system before January 2= 003 were allowed to remain in the system.

The VA told members of the House committee that funding will be formally disbursed to VA hospitals and clinics later this month in order to implement the new enrollment plan by June.

In the meantime, the VA will work with the Office of Management and Budget to author new regulatory authority and propose it as a rule = in the Federal Register. As the regulatory authority is developed, the VA's enrollment system will be modified to allow enrollment for veterans whose income exceeds the current threshold by 10 percent or less.

Returning eligibility to Priority 8 veterans has been a priority fo= r a number of high profile members of Congress. President-elect Barack Obama also pledged during his campaign to return eligibility to all Priority 8 veterans.

No Purple Hearts for PTSD =

The Purple Heart will not be awarded to service members suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, the Pentagon confirm= ed Monday. The decision, reached Nov. 3 but not made public until this week, followed months of evaluation by military and outside officia= ls. That evaluation was spurred when Defense Secretary Robert Gates was asked at a May press conference whether he would support awarding t= he Purple Heart to PTSD sufferers.

The Purple Heart recognizes those individuals wounded = to a degree that requires treatment by a medical officer, in action with= the enemy or as the result of enemy action where the intended effect of= a specific enemy action is to kill or injure the service member. PTSD is not a wound intentionally caused by the enemy from an outsi= de force or agent, but is a secondary effect caused by witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can develop "after exposure to a terrify= ing event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened." The affliction is one of several reported in high numbers among veterans returning from duty in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, both marked by long tours and high exposure to co= mbat trauma.

Several additional factors were identified in the Pentagon's decisi= on:
·Based on the definition of a wound, "an injury to any = part of the body from an outside force or agent," other Purple Heart award criteria, and 76 years of precedent, the Purple Heart has been limited to award for physical wounds, not psychological wounds;
·PTSD is specifically listed as an injury not justifying awa= rd of the Purple Heart in Title 32 of the Code of Federal Regulations.=
·The requirement that a qualifying Purple Heart wound be cau= sed by "an outside force or agent" provides a fairly objective assessment standard that minimizes disparate treatment between serv= ice members. Several members could witness the same traumatic event, for instance, but only those who suffer from PTSD would receive the Pur= ple Heart.
·Current medical knowledge and technologies do not establish PTSD as objectively and routinely as would be required for this awa= rd at this time.
·Historically, the Purple Heart has never been awarded for mental disorders or psychological conditions resulting from witness= ing or experiencing traumatic combat events - for example, combat stress reaction, shell-shock, combat stress fatigue, acute stress disorder= , or PTSD.

Service members diagnosed with PTSD still warrant appropriate medic= al care and disability compensation.
(articled truncated from Army Times-William McMichael reporting)

2009 Pay Dates

Payday is always the first business day of the month. If the first of the month is a Saturday, Sunday, or a holiday, payday occu= rs the next business day.

The paydays for 2009 are:

Friday, January 2
Monday, February 2
Monday, March 2
Wednesday, April 1
Friday, May 1
Monday, June 1
Wednesday, July 1
Monday, August 3
Tuesday, September 1
Thursday, October 1
Monday, November 2
Tuesday, December 1

Increased Returned Check Fees in Virgini= a

Many of our members send a check into the National Office to pay th= eir dues and for certain other reasons. The National Office has b= een notified by the State of Virginia that the returned check fees have increased for 2009.

We will continue to accept checks as a method of payment, but we ne= ed you to ensure that there are sufficient funds in your account to co= ver the amount of the check so that you won't be charged the returned c= heck fee. We process the checks received in our office using TeleC= heck, a national firm, which electronically transfers the funds from your account to ours on the day we receive your payment. If the payment is returned unpaid, you will incur the return fee which wil= l be electronically drawn from the same account.

In the past, the returned check fee in Virginia was $35.00. Eff= ective January 1st, 2009, the returned check fee has increased to $50.00.

FREE Federal Guides=

GovAmerica.org has announced that it has just added 21 new FREE gui= des to its website at www.govamerica.org for immediate downloading.

= FREE 2009 Federal Guides:
* 2009 FEDERAL CAREER GUIDE
* 2009 FEDERAL HEALTHCARE GUIDE
* 2009 RETIRED FEDERAL GUIDE

= FREE 2009 Military Guides:
* 2009 MILITARY RETIREMENT GUIDE
* 2009 ACTIVE MILITARY GUIDE
* 2009 VETERANS AND DEPENDENTS GUIDE

= FREE 2009 Family Guides:
*= 2009 FAMILY FINANCIAL GUIDE
* 2009 CONSUMER ACTION GUIDE
* 2009 IDENTITY THEFT GUIDE
* 2009 HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE
* 2009 CREDIT AND LOAN SAVINGS GUIDE
* 2009 PERSONAL CREDIT GUIDE
* 2009 CHILD SAFETY GUIDE
* 2009 SCHOOL SUCCESS GUIDE
* 2009 HOMEWORK HELP GUIDE
* 2009 PREVENT BULLYING GUIDE
* 2009 SAVING ENERGY GUIDE
* 2009 DIGITAL TV TRANSITION GUIDE
* 2009 WEIGHTS AND MEASURES GUIDE
* 2009 FUEL ECONOMY GUIDE
* 2009 PROTECTING KIDS ONLINE GUIDE =

Message from ASA, M&RA<= br>
Our Army is doing a tremendous job defending America's freedom.&nb= sp; However, our success depends on strong supporters standing with us = as we fight the Global War on Terrorism. I encourage you to take the time to say "Thank You" to those special individuals that help us accomplish our duties.

The U.S. Army's Freedom Team Salute program was initiated by the Secretary of the Army and the Army Chief of Staff to provide all currently serving Soldiers a sincere, heartfelt way to recognize th= eir Parents and Spouses for their support and sacrifice. Guard and Reserve Soldiers can also recognize their Employers during these tr= ying times. Additionally, anyone can honor the millions of dischar= ged U.S. Army Veterans who served with distinction; and, other Army Supporters, who continue to make significant contributions to the Army's mission (for example, a Soldier's child or other relative, a Family Readiness Group Leader, Department of the Army Civilians, or= an active community member, etc.).

Those honored will receive a personalized letter of thanks and certificate of appreciation signed by the Secretary and Chief of St= aff of the Army; an official Army lapel pin; and, Army decals. The enti= re commendation package is prepared and mailed at no cost to either yo= u or the recipient.

Honoring someone is quick and easy. Simply visit the U.S. Army Freedom Team Salute website at www.FreedomTeamSalute.com and comple= te an online commendation form. For additional information or assistance, please contact Freedom Team Salute at info@FreedomTeamSalute.com.

Army Strong!

/signed/
Ronald J. James
Assistant Secretary of the Army
(Manpower & Reserve Affairs)

The Internet Makes Money for EANGUS

What if the EANGUS "We Care For America" Foundation earned a penny every time you searched the Internet? Or = how about if a percentage of every purchase you made online went to sup= port our cause? Well, now it can!

GoodSearch.com is a new Yahoo-powered search engine th= at donates half its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to = the charities its users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine, get quality search results from Yahoo, and watch the donati= ons add up!

GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates up to 37 percent of each purchase to your favorite cause! Hundreds of great stores including Amazon, Target, Gap, Best Buy, eBay, Macy's and Ba= rnes & Noble have teamed up with GoodShop and every time you place an order, you'll be supporting your favorite cause.

Just go to www.goodsearch.com and be sure to enter EANGUS We C= are For America Foundation as the charity you want to support. And be s= ure to spread the word! You can easily load the GoodSearch Bar to = your Web browser.

We need your help so we can continue to help our National Guard soldiers and Airmen. It cost nothing but a click on your comp= uter to use the GoodSearch.com search engine.

<= !--[if gte vml 1]> E= ANGUS Travel Advantage Deal of the Week

Follow this link for travel values: =

Travel = deal of the Week

= EANGUS Merchandise

This is the officia= l website to order your custom EANGUS apparel. www.com= panycasuals.com/eangus<= o:p>

<= o:p>

If you have further inquiries, please call AdPro Graphics 208-938-0660...... <= o:p>

<= o:p>

For a full line of other products visit our site: www.com= panycasuals.com/adpro<= o:p>