U.S. Rep Bass Calls on Pentagon to Resolve Holiday Mail Delivery Day for Troops Serving Overseas

Hears from constituents expressing concern that servicemembers in Middle East are not receiving packages

WASHINGTON – After hearing from numerous nonprofit organizations, veteran service organizations, and servicemembers and their families, Congressman Charles F. Bass (NH-02) today in a letter called for the Defense Department to examine and fix the developing problems in the delivery of mail to servicemembers serving overseas in Kuwait and Iraq.

With the rapid drawdown of troops currently happening in Iraq, many of them are being sent to Kuwaiti bases, which are unprepared to handle the influx of soldiers and subsequently their mail.  It appears that letters and packages sent to servicemembers in Iraq are being delayed or returned to the sender because soldiers have not been provided with new addresses.  This will significantly impact packages and mail sent during the holiday season.

Bass said:

“I have serious concerns about mail from loved ones not reaching U.S. servicemembers in Iraq and Kuwait in time for the holidays, despite individuals meeting delivery deadlines in early November to ship packages.  With so many servicemen and women still away from their families and friends during the holidays, it’s disappointing that logistical challenges are affecting the prompt delivery of messages from home. 

“The Pentagon must look into this issue immediately and resolve this issue without delay.  My staff and I will continue to monitor the situation and work to get answers for New Hampshire families.”

The text of Bass’ letter to the Secretary of Defense follows:

December 13, 2011

Dear Secretary Panetta:

I am writing to request your attention to a matter of the utmost importance to me and my constituents in New Hampshire's Second Congressional District.

It has recently been brought to my attention that as the American military works to withdraw troops from Iraq, problems have developed in the delivery of mail to our soldiers currently serving in the Middle East. My understanding is that in most cases mail currently awaiting delivery in Kuwait and Iraq is going to be returned to the sender because soldiers have not been provided with new mailing addresses from the Department of Defense. While I understand the immense logistical challenges associated with troop reduction and reassignment, I am deeply concerned over this situation and believe it is imperative that our men and women in uniform are able to communicate with their loved ones during the holiday season.

This issue affects our troops, not only from New Hampshire but across the country, and could have a significant effect on morale. I urge you to become personally involved in seeking a prompt resolution to this issue and ensuring that a disruption to mail delivery for the Americans who have already sacrificed so much in service to our nation does not occur. In addition, I respectfully request information that I could pass on to New Hampshire families looking to contact friends and family members currently serving our nation. I look forward to a favorable resolution of this problem.

Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter and please let me know if I can be of any assistance.

Sincerely,

Charles F. Bass

Member of Congress

http://bass.house.gov

NH DHHS - National & State Military Speakers Coming to Berlin

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services

(DHHS) is announcing the North Country Veterans Conference taking place

this Friday, September 30, from 8:00am – 4:00pm. The event will be held at

the Berlin Armory, and is open to all veterans, military families,

community agencies, legislators and the public.


This conference is bringing together military and civilian agencies,

services, entertainment, as well as local, state and national speakers.

Retired Major General Gale Pollock, who served as the Surgeon General of

the Army Medical Department and 22nd Chief of the Army Nurse Corps will be

speaking on Generations of Service. Major General William Reddel,

Adjutant General of the NH National Guard will be presenting on the

activities of the NH National Guard, and Vietnam Veteran David Canter will

be speaking on his experiences during Vietnam, as well as upon his return.


“Close to 40 agencies will be available during the day to provide

assistance with VA enrollment & benefits, services for family members,

care-giving supports, homeless information, and much more,” said Jo

Moncher, Bureau Chief of Community Based Military Programs with DHHS. “The

event will also host an Intergenerational Panel of veterans and family

members who will share their personal experiences – from World War II to

today – including the people, agencies and resources that have helped them

along the way.”


The White River Junction VA Medical Center will have staff available from

numerous program areas to meet with veterans privately and to answer any

questions they may have. The NH National Guard will also have a strong

presence. “This conference is an opportunity for veterans of all

generations to understand the support they have available to them as

members who have served our great military,” said Brigadier General Carolyn

Protzmann, Deputy Adjutant General for the NH National Guard. “So often

veterans, whose job is to serve, find it difficult to seek help; after all,

they are the ones this nation relies on for our freedom, they are the ones

we seek for support in response to our nation’s call. We welcome all

veterans and families to participate in this conference, to listen to the

discussions, make connections with other veterans and to visit face to face

with those agencies committed to their well-being.”


The Patriot Guard Riders will be providing a Flag Line at the entrance to

the Berlin Armory, the Mobile Vet Center will be available throughout the

day to provide supports, and patriotic songs will be performed during

lunch. This conference promises to be a great day for NH Veterans and

their families.


Continental breakfast and lunch are free, but everyone must register. To

register, please contact Sue Johnson at sljohnson@dhhs.state.nh.us or call

at 1-800-852-3345, extension 4301.

US Rep. Frank Guinta calls for moment of silence on July 4th to honor fallen NH Army Spc. Nicholas Bernier

“Our hearts are filled with a combination of sorrow and pride over the ultimate sacrifice that Army Specialist Nicholas Bernier made for his country.  My deepest sympathy goes out to his family and friends.  His loss can never be replaced, but the legacy of his sacrifice can be honored.  I urge everyone in New Hampshire to pause for a moment this Fourth of July holiday in a tribute to Nick and all who have fallen in service to their country.”    

Veterans-For-Change Requests Congress to Hold Hearings Related to These Actions

Garden Grove, CA – June 20, 2011 – As you may have heard or seen in recent news articles from both U.S. and South Korean News Departments, major reports have been reported about toxic herbicides being buried throughout Korea by U.S Army personnel. Searching on the Internet with Google, delivered 58,400 hits under the key words of ‘toxic herbicides being buried throughout Korea by U.S Army personnel,’ including an interesting article at the website, http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2011/05/116_87802.html. In addition, some documents and testimony has been made public which indicates the deployment of the Dioxin contaminated herbicides Agent Orange, Agent Blue and Monuron covered a much wider date range than has historically been reported by the Departments of the Army and Defense at hearings in Congress. For those who have never heard the terminology of Monuron, Monuron is a herbicide “recommended for use in non-crop areas for total control of weeds, and it would be released to the environment as a result of this use. Monuron's registration with EPA for use as a herbicide was cancelled in 1977, and therefore if it is still manufactured, it would be manufactured for export. In soil, monuron is transformed to its metabolites primarily by biodegradation.” http://www.speclab.com/compound/c150685.htm  additionally, the attached document from the Appeals Management Center of the Department of Veterans Affairs -- clearly states that the areas where these toxic herbicides were deployed is far greater than reported - in fact into areas far to the south of the DMZ, Demilitarized Zone.

Veterans-For-Change, respectfully request that both Houses of Congress hold hearings immediately to call the Department of Defense, Department of the Army and the Department of Veterans Affairs to explain the following:

1)       Why was this information, which clearly existed in the files center for Unit Records Research, were not previously reported so that affected former service members would know what is causing their serious health problems today?; and

2)       Why have the records of this deployment of toxic herbicides and the Unit Histories suddenly become unavailable to former Service Members since the cited document was revealed by the Board of Veterans Appeals?; and

3)       How many more Veterans of Korean Service and Korean Civilians must suffer and die from the many diseases associated with and proven to be a result of poisoning carried out by the U.S. Departments of the Army and Defense before the U. S. Government reveals the complete truth?; and finally

4)       Why has this Appeal Case Decision not been posted in the Board of Veterans Appeal on-line files despite the fact that ruling was issued in late 2009?

The time has arrived for a thorough investigation of the items listed above, along with a thorough investigation/hearings to make the Department of Defense, Department of the Army and the Department of Veterans Affairs accountable to all effected parties, including our Veterans. As your constituent, Veterans-For-Change expects actions among the leaders in calling for this hearing. It is time for our United States Congress to be accountable about the issues concerning the United States of America and our military and not dwell so much about the actions, morals, or lack of morals from our representatives.

US Rep. Frank Guinta statement on resolution to withdraw U.S. troops from Libya

(Washington –  June 3, 2011)    Rep. Frank Guinta (NH-01) released the following statement on House Con.Res. 51, directing the President to remove United States Armed Forces from Libya:

“Two months after military action began in Libya, President Obama has failed to explain to the American people what, if any, national interests are at stake there.  He has failed to consult with Congress about this constitutionally sketchy mission.  Too many unsettling questions remain unanswered.  Withdrawing U.S. troops from this operation is the right step, and that’s why I voted for this bill.”