COVID-19 Vaccine, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Radio Podcasts, and Frank Fenno’s Story
December 12, 2020
In the above video and below article, we are bringing you some recent news, topics of discussion, and interesting story’s you may want to look at. News topics include: VA COVID-19 Vaccine Guidelines, Secretary of VA News, Veterans Radio Podcasts, and Frank Fenno’s Heroic Story.
Veterans Affairs COVID-19 Vaccine Guidelines
In recent news, two COVID-19 vaccines – made by Pfizer and Moderna – have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and distribution is currently underway. The Department of Veterans Affairs has released the following guidelines regarding vaccinations:
The Department of Veterans Affairs will have a limited number of vaccines distributed to 37 VA health care facilities. VA is currently working with the CDC and other federal group to develop a phased plan governing the distribution. Under this phased plan, VA will offer vaccines to 2 groups:
- Veterans living in VA long-term care facilities, and
- VA health care workers.
After vaccinating the first 2 groups, VA will then begin to offer vaccines to more Veterans that are at a higher risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19. Factors that may influence your increased risk of illness from COVID-19 include:
- Age: Increased age poses a higher risk of developing severe illness or death from COVID-19.
- Underlying health conditions: Individuals with underlying health conditions (including diabetes, heart disease, or obesity) pose a high risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19.
- Other factors: Factors that raise an individual’s risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19, including living in a nursing home or other group living facility.
In terms of where vaccines will be offered, VA has stated since the first authorized COVID vaccines require special storage and handling, they will send the first doses to certain VA medical centers. As more become available, VA will decide if they can provide more vaccines through their community partner network. VA’s current plan is to offer vaccinations for free to all veterans receiving VA health care, once more become available.
For more information about VA’s COVID-19 Vaccine Guidelines, Click Here.
Joe Biden to pick Denis McDonough as Secretary of Veterans Affairs
It has been reported by sources close to the situation, President-elect Joe Biden is expected to nominate Denis McDonough as Secretary of Veterans Affairs. We recently wrote an article on this news development, click here to read more.
The main controversy from this reported appointment revolves around McDonough’s experience, more so the lack of. McDonough is neither a veteran nor a health expert, so this report confused numerous veterans and veteran service organization leaders. For most of his career, McDonough has worked in Washington D.C., is a longtime aide of former President Obama, serving as the President’s chief of staff from 2013 to 2017.
Prior to this report, many networks listed candidates like Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg, Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth, or even former Pennsylvania Rep. Patrick Murphy. But President-elect Biden reportedly chose McDonough because he feels he is crisis-tested and understands the process of pulling the levers of government.
Veterans Radio Podcasts: Dennis Zotigh and the National Museum of the American Indian
In coordination with our radio partner, Veterans Radio America, Veterans Benefits Attorney Jim Fausone interviewed Dennis Zotigh on a recent episode of Veterans Radio Podcasts.
Dennis is an author and cultural specialist at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian that has written about military service and valor by native people.
Jim and Dennis discuss topics such as the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, the recent dedication of the Native American Veterans Memorial at the museum. As well as his tribal heritage and Native American Heritage Month.
Watch the video above for a short preview or click here to stream the full podcast.
Frank Fenno’s “Golden Voyage of the Trout”
Along with our partnership with Veterans Radio America, Legal Help For Veterans, PLLC also has a Medal of Honor and Military History research website called Home of Heroes. Home of Heroes is the top resource to use when searching for Military Award recipients, Military History, Medal of Honor recipients, and Heroes Stories.
This featured hero’s story is from World War II and quite timely for the month of December, Frank Fenno’s “Golden Voyage of the Trout”. In the pre-dawn hours of December 24th, 1944, the fall of the Philippine Islands drew closer. To avoid further financial turmoil the nation would surely face if captured by Japanese forces, the Philippine Treasury coordinated the transfer of its physical wealth to Frank Fenno and the U.S. Navy for smuggling out of the country.
Almost $10 million in Philippine paper currency, coins, and gold were snuck out of Manila on the USS Trout and taken back to the United States for safekeeping until the end of the war. Frank Fenno would go on to receive the Distinguished Service Cross for his incredible actions in evacuating the nation’s massive treasure.
To learn more of Frank Fenno’s Heroic Story, Click Here.
Medical Issues / Disability, Mental Health, News and Press, Uncategorized, Veterans Law