Living in South Florida you learn that the weather can be unpredictable. The morning is beautiful, bright, and sunny. The early afternoon breaths down on us with high heat and humidity that makes it look like you ran a marathon in 30 seconds as the sweat runs down your forehead. Somewhere around 2 pm thunderstorms role by with torrential winds making everyone scurry to their corner and late for their next appointment. And then… the day becomes clear and crisp with endless amounts of humidity and air that feels smog-free.
It sounds like life! We start of strong and then the trials and tribulations start. Work, traffic, family life, memories of he past, and so much more are like the rainstorm. Once the problem resolves itself, we are back to a nice sunny day.
What is the lesson or moral of the story? It is simply that after every rainstorm, there will be another sunny day. Our problems will come and go. We must find a way to remember that while we are in the rainstorm a brighter day is to come. We must focus on the beautiful end to the situation.
Steven Covey talked about “Begin with the end in mind”. The bible talks about our salvation and the glorious Heaven we win by following God. Goal setting requires us to know what the goal is so we can make it happen. The result can be great if it is part of your daily focus.
Today I encourage you to find that great ending. It is my hope that in some small way I have made your life better. Good Luck!
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has reopened the registration period for claiming an Economic Impact Payment. Individuals who receive Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Railroad Retirement, or certain Veterans benefits – but didn’t receive the $500 payment per child earlier this year – can still file for the $500 payment.
Have not already used the Non-Filers tool to provide information about their qualifying child
Have not filed their 2019 or 2018 tax return
Social Security, SSI, Railroad Retirement Board beneficiaries, and certain VA recipients who have already used the Non-Filers tool to provide information on children don’t need to take any further action. The IRS will automatically send a payment in October.
How to Apply
Federal benefit recipients can use the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here tool to get a catch-up payment for a qualifying child. The Non-Filers tool is available on IRS.gov in both English and Spanish. Eligible individuals can use the tool until Wednesday, Sept. 30 to enter information about their qualifying children to receive a catch-up $500 payment per child.
What to Expect
Eligible recipients can check the status of their catch-up payment using the Get My Payment tool on IRS.gov. They will also receive another Notice 1444 in the mail after the payment is issued; this notice should be kept with individual tax records. The payment will be issued in October.
Those who received their original Economic Impact Payment by direct deposit will also have any catch-up payment direct deposited to the same account. Others will receive a check.
Those unable to access the Non-Filers tool may file a simplified paper return following the instructions in this FAQ on IRS.gov.
Anyone who misses the Sept. 30 deadline will need to wait until next year and claim the payment as a credit on their 2020 federal income tax return.
eterans advocates on Tuesday launched a new campaign for additional recognition and aid for troops exposed to toxic burn pit fumes during overseas deployments at the height of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, saying time is running out to provide real help to the victims.https://195e588e01c9a321bddeae75c13825ea.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html
“This is not about science, this is about money,” said comedian Jon Stewart in an emotional press conference on Capitol Hill featuring numerous families of dead and dying veterans whose rare illnesses aren’t officially recognized by federal officials as stemming from burn pit exposure.
“Listen to these families … Delaying care and waiting for veterans to die is not a mantle worthy of our country.”
Tuesday’s event coincided with new legislation introduced by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Calif., which would provide presumptive benefit status for any veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan during the wars, as well as a host of other overseas military sites where burn pits were frequently used.
It can be tough to get treatment for burn pit exposure, but this project helps service members and veterans pinpoint the Pentagon documents that detail their risks.Meghann Myers
Advocates for years have criticized the Department of Veterans Affairs for insisting that individuals prove a direct connection between the toxic fumes they breathed during deployments and rare cancers and respiratory illnesses, even though the Defense Department acknowledges little tracking was done over the years to provide a true accounting of the poisons in the air.https://195e588e01c9a321bddeae75c13825ea.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html
“Service members are returning from the battlefield only to become delayed casualties of war,” Ruiz said. “This is the Agent Orange of this generation … We need to be taking care of our veterans and saving lives.”
As many as 3.5 million veterans could be eligible for the benefits under the legislation, if they showed signs of serious, uncommon illnesses believed to be the result of toxic fumes.
The legislation echoes previous measures passed by Congress related to compensation for emergency services personnel who worked in New York following the Sept. 11 al-Qaida attacks. Stewart was a key advocate in that legislative fight, and said he hopes to bring the same attention and resources to the burn pits issue.
“Today, we plant a flag on this,” he said. “I can’t imagine anybody wouldn’t be on board with this cause.”
Comedian Jon Stewart (center) speaks to a crowd of reporters and advocates about benefits for veterans who suffer from illnesses related to exposure to war zone burn pits during a Capitol Hill rally on Sept. 15, 2020. (Leo Shane III/Staff)
But fears over the costs of such benefits extensions have sidelined similar past efforts. Rosie Torres, executive director of Burn Pits 360, said after more than a decade of advocacy work on Capitol Hill, only a few significant measures have passed into law, and even those with significant flaws.
VA’s burn pit registry, for example, contains the names of more than 200,000 individuals who claim serious health problems related to the open-air waste pits, but Torres said a tiny fraction of those have received any compensation for the injuries.
Former VA Secretary David Shulkin noted that a study last week from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine found widespread problems with how scientific data is collected and analyzed regarding the burn pits, an analysis he said undermines VA’s strict requirement for scientific links before benefits can be awarded.
“What do you do when you have vets suffering?” he said. “Right now, we’re making our vets wait without getting help. That’s just wrong … We have to change our system.”https://195e588e01c9a321bddeae75c13825ea.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html
More than 770 veterans have died from the virus in the last two months.Leo Shane III
Stewart, advocates from the 9/11 responders fight and veterans families vowed to do that. The legislation faces long odds of becoming law in this year’s shortened fall congressional legislative session, but coalition members vowed to return over and over again until the issue is resolved.
Danielle Robinson — wife of Sgt. 1st Class Heath Robinson, who died in April after a lengthy battle from respiratory illnesses he believed was related to his burn pit exposure — praised the effort but also acknowledged the latest campaign brings with it some personal bitterness.
“My husband is dead because America poisoned its soldiers,” she said. “It’s a national disgrace that our war heroes need celebrities to speak out on their behalf to get this addressed.”
Leo covers Congress, Veterans Affairs and the White House for Military Times. He has covered Washington, D.C. since 2004, focusing on military personnel and veterans policies. His work has earned numerous honors, including a 2009 Polk award, a 2010 National Headliner Award, the IAVA Leadership in Journalism award and the VFW News Media award.
Find out where to get your flu shot–either at a VA medical center or at community care providers and pharmacies–and remember to continue wearing a face covering, practicing social distancing, and washing your hands often.
Shots at retail pharmacies
If you are enrolled in VA health care, you can receive the seasonal flu vaccination at more than 60,000 locations through the Community Care Network in-network retail pharmacies and urgent care partners. VA will pay for standard-dose and high-dose flu shots. Even if you haven’t had a flu shot lately, make this the year that you do!
William “Bill” Watts, Sr., earned numerous awards during his service, which included tours in Egypt and Korea and service as a Gulf War combat Veteran. But the reward he values most today is the one he receives as an advocate helping his fellow Gulf War Veterans with their individual challenges.
“I am in favor of Veterans helping Veterans. Quality of life begins with quality of health care,” said Watts. Watts’ work with Veterans has earned him the Congressional Veterans Commendation Award. His work includes volunteering with Veterans in his community and meeting with researchers and health professionals to make sure that the health concerns of Gulf War Veterans are recognized and addressed.
Watts (photo above) and others are now marking the 30th anniversary of their Gulf War service. Watts served in the U.S. Army from 1989 to 1996. He was in the 4/5 ADA 1st Cavalry Division, 2nd Infantry Division, 24th Infantry Division and 3rd Infantry Division.
Fishing the Everglades to reduce stress
One of Watts’ passions is helping Veterans manage their health problems by finding non-drug alternatives. As a resident of the South Florida city of Doral, he volunteers with the non-profit Fishing with America’s Finest and also serves as the group’s director of operations. Fishing with America’s Finest takes combat Veterans bass fishing in the Florida Everglades to help reduce the stress and anxiety from PTSD.Long Description
Gulf War Veteran William “Bill” Watts, Sr.
“We try to teach them to the point that they can go on fishing tournaments if they want to.” He is also a team member of Dive4Vets, a group that takes Veterans who suffer from physical and mental health issues scuba diving to help to heal. Watts is eligible for the Gulf War Registry and Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pits Registry and enrolled many years ago.
Researching the health of Gulf War Veterans
Watts understands that some Gulf War Veterans are older. They may not be comfortable with completing an online-only registry like the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry. A local Environmental Health Coordinator can help with this process.
Watts also is a member of VA’s Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses. He participates in research on the health of Gulf War Veterans at the Miami VA Hospital. He also volunteers to coordinate and recruit local Veterans for research.
GOOD MORNING – I would like to thank all the Organizers, Veterans, Ranking Dignitaries and Researchers for participating in this meeting. My name is William A. Watts Sr., but everyone knows me as Bill Watts. I live in Doral, Florida. I am a Desert Storm Veteran from the 1990-91 Gulf War. I served with the 7th Corps, 1st Cavalry Division, 4/5 Air Defense Artillery Battalion – C Battery.
I suffer from most of the major symptoms related to Gulf War Illness for males. Some of my symptoms started within 3 days of arriving the in the Gulf. I cleared bunkers, vehicles that were shot with depleted uranium rounds, and was exposed to vehicles damaged in combat covered in the blood of my friends. I experienced many of the toxic exposures that today we know contributed to Gulf War Illness.
Research is Vital in the role of Treatment for Gulf War Illness and has helped me immensely. A great example is my results from the Integrative Modeling or Miff-a-priston/Embrel study. For months after, everyone noticed my mental and physical well-being had improved.
I am a Strong Veteran Advocate for Veteran Healthcare and Quality of life. Currently I am the Director of Operations for Fishing with America’s Finest, a 501-C3 non-profit which uses Fishing to help Veterans who suffer from PTSD by giving them a Quality of Life instead of becoming a suicide Statistic. My love for my fellow veterans runs deep, which is why I serve on Local and National Research projects and committees, including as a Peer Reviewer for the Gulf War Illness CDMRP, and as a member of VA’s Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses and one of its Subcommittees. I have been recognized for my support with numerous awards Such as the Congressional Commendation and Florida Senate Veterans Champion Award.
I would like to give you my brief perspectives as a Gulf War Veteran with Gulf War Illness:
First, I believe that Quality of Life begins with Quality of Care
This means that Fundamental Needs must be met first, meaning Health Care. This Gulf War Research is Vital in the role of Treatment and appropriate healthcare.
This also means that National Environmental Health Clinics should be strategically place throughout the US.
And from my experience working with Numerous Gulf War Veterans in my fishing non-profit, they have made it clear they believe VA’s compensation and pension rating Exams are rigged against them because most of the time they are denied.
Research and educating clinical providers could make a difference in all of these areas of clinical care and quality of life.
Second, for Gulf War veterans, our Trust must be earned (We are not lab rats and from my experience participating in Gulf War research, researchers must explain this to us as study participants.)
This means Being truthful and using clear communication as all veterans are not versed in medical terms. You may have to take the time to break it down to everyday terms. I only trust a handful of health care personnel with my life. Those include my PCP and Researcher Dr. Nancy Klimas and her team, who have earned my trust.
Earning our trust also means Providing information to us Gulf War veteran study participants about the results of the research study we are participating in and, whenever possible, providing us with the test results so they may be added to our medical records
Earning out trust also means that Clinicians must explain the importance of this research. What may not work for one of us veterans may work for someone else.
Third and finally, I believe that Doctors and Researchers must also consider the impact of Gulf War Illness on us Gulf War veterans.
Today, I would like for you to think about being really sick. Most of the time you can run to the drug store and symptoms are gone within hours if not a day or two. Image what it is like being sick for 30 years like us Gulf War veterans and the 1st thing you do when you walk into a new location is check to see where the bathrooms are located or not eating for hours so you won’t get sick because with IBS you never know. So – your research is critically important to helping us.
The impact is also clear in the fact that studies have consistently shown that as many as one-third of the 700,000 of us 1990-91 Gulf War Veterans suffer from Gulf War Illness, so this is a big issue in our relatively small community.
Finally, and I don’t know who needs to still hear this, but Gulf War Illness is not ALL in our heads as the research has continually shown. Doctors need to be better informed about all the ongoing research about Gulf War Illness so they don’t treat Gulf War veterans like one did with one of my fishing program participants earlier this month, who just recently was told GWI is all in his head and referred to Mental health even though he has mirror image symptoms as myself.
We need to act as if GWI is Covid 19 and get a move on as it has been 30 years! So thank you for your efforts to help us as soon as possible.
“Vet Info” was created by William “Bill” Watts (Veteran),Precious Leaks-Gutierrez (Veteran’s Daughter) and Mark Pinilla (Veteran’s Son) to support our fearless soldiers who served our country.
Our goal is to provide you with the resources available to you. We are here to help you.
/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-mco.s3.amazonaws.com/public/6VQS5HQOGNDCDLZCHL6EK4XVHM.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/mco/6UWTN46SLVBQ3I3AC6GXML5ZNQ.JPG)
/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-mco.s3.amazonaws.com/public/JVYA7KTA4REENBNI5K6G4AYLC4.jpg)
