Appreciating Our Veterans

VETERANS GATHERING

VETERANS GATHERING - Congressman Saxton holds an annual veteran leaders meeting in Burlington County each year. This year s meeting was held at Fort Dix.

(updated Aug. 15, 2006)

Dear Veteran:

I am extremely concerned about recent breaches of VA personal data security, in regards to the recent thefts or otherwise loss of computers. Although the stolen laptop was recovered in June (apparently with the data intact), I was disheartened to learn in early August that another theft took place, this time potentially impacting some 2,000 South Jersey vets who are service-connected disabled. Congress held a series of congressional hearings in June to consider ways to tighten security, and rest assured I will support reforms to address this unacceptable problem.

I was happy to meet up with leaders from the VFW, the American Legion and other vet groups at Fort Dix for my annual veteran leader gathering this spring.

We met at the post s Forward Operating Base (FOB) where mobilizing service members conduct simulated planning and operations training prior to their deployment to theater.

After discussing the many positive changes that the BRAC 2005 decision has triggered at the Joint Base, and learning about the training conducted at the FOB, we focused on veteran and military issues.

We discussed the necessity to fight VA copay increases and to shorten the length of claims approvals. Deputy Asst. Secretary of the VA Christine Hill joined us, providing information on the new initiatives that the VA is instituting to better serve America s veteran population.

Congress is working on the 2007 budget, and funding for veterans and military retirees will be a top priority. I will work to insure adequate funding for VA claims processing, TriCare, and more reasonable co-pays for VA health care.

In February, the Marines launched its first Special Forces command at Camp Lejeune; I was pleased to have had a role in creating this force.

Locally, the coming Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst which stretches across Ocean and Burlington Counties, is slated to receive $35 million in new construction for 2007 at Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Station. Fort Dix is gearing up for a new, $40 million-plus Army Reserve Command headquarters, the largest project ever built at Fort Dix. For McGuire, where we recently opened $80 million worth of new infrastructure to allow the base to continue its critical role in the fight against terrorism, I was able to obtain funding for a $13 million joint service that will serve all three bases.

We ve been working on these projects and others on the bases for a few years, and it s good to see them taking shape. They are necessary as we transform the three bases into a joint complex as outlined in the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) hearings.

As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I will continue to seek ways to better serve our military retirees and vets, and the issues that affect them their families.

Sincerely,

Member of Congress

Starting now, VA Patients can refill their prescriptions online!

Starting now, veterans can use My HealtheVet to refill their VA prescriptions and view their VA prescription history online! This service is designed exclusively for VA patients to manage medications prescribed by VA doctors. Online prescription refill has been the most popular request for My HealtheVet. So, veterans asked for it, and now it's here!

Veterans will need to be a registered user of My HealtheVet to use this new feature. In order to register, click HERE.

Once registered, veterans can use the site to obtain prescription refills and many other features of My HealtheVet, including the Personal Health Journal, where veterans can record and track their health conditions online.

To learn how to use the on-line prescription refill, click HERE.

ENTERTAINING MEETING

ENTERTAINING MEETING - Congressman Saxton recently met with the officials from the United Service Organization, the non-profit group that entertains American service members overseas to talk about issues affecting the troops. Shown with Mr. Saxton is Edward Powell, President & CEO of USO World Headquarters.

Press Releases

LoBiondo, Saxton Outraged by New Breach at VA; Personal Information in Contractor's Computer Stolen, Affects Philly-South Jersey Area Veterans (8/7/06)

Saxton Adds Provision to 2007 Defense Bill for NJ Nat. Guard Members Who Responded to 9/11; Would put N.J. Guard on equal footing as Va., N.Y. Guards (4/28/06)

Saxton on Death of Burlco Surrogate Elton Conda; Conda was a war hero, public servant, & political icon (4/21/06)

Saxton Holds Annual Vets' Meeting at Ft Dix's F.O.B.; Vet Leaders Briefed on VA, military issues at Ft Dix's 'Tactical Tiger Base;' VFW Gives Saxton Gold Medal (3/27/06)

Rep. Saxton Hails New Marines Special Forces; Chairman sees birth of new force at Camp Lejeune (2/24/06)

Saxton Leads Area Officials on Tour of 'Megabase'; Will lead drive for $300M in construction funding (12/12/05)

Burlco Vets Cemetery Awarded VA Grant (9/9/05)

Cong. Saxton Welcomes WWII Vets to World War II Memorial (5/5/05)

Rep. Saxton Holds Annual Meeting with Vet Leaders at McGuire (4/18/05)

Reserve Retirement Bill Unveiled (2/16/05)

VA Secretary Tells Saxton Vets Cemetery Improvements Approved (10/29/04)