Page 26 - FOP May 2019 Magazine

This Memorial Day, honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has issued
preparing my platoon for Desert Shield/Storm. We were having our last drinks before deploying at an impromptu gathering. As I walked in to tell them that we were leaving the next day, my soldiers were playing Lee Greenwood’s song “God Bless the U.S.A.” loudly and proudly. The lyric that stands out the most for me, even to this day, is: “And I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free. And I won’t forget
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rescinds the version dated Dec. 1, 2017. EO
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suggest that all Reserve and National Guard Report members read EO 1-14 to see how the changes
T
JERRY CRUZ
may affect them.
One immediate change is that officers are now able
to switch their regular day off (RDO) to attend battle assemblies (drill weekends). EO 1-14 IV C 2 states: “If a member desires to vol- untarily change a day-off group or furlough to attend inactive duty for training (weekend drills), then the affected member will sub- mit a To-From-Subject report to the member’s unit commander or commanding officer for approval. This request will be granted or denied on a case-by-case basis, subject to department manpower needs and business necessities.”
If anyone gets denied the RDO change, please contact me. Though I can’t understand why a commander would deny the RDO change, since the officer is not going to work his or her regular workday anyway in order to attend battle assembly.
As Memorial Day approaches, I hope that all of us will take the time to reflect on the true meaning of this solemn holiday. This is the one day that we, as a nation, take the time to remember those few who committed the ultimate sacrifice so that all of us may live in freedom.
In my reflection, I recalled when I was a young first lieutenant
the men who died, who gave that right to me.”
We are truly blessed by our creator to live in liberty, so take the time to be thankful for those who gave their lives in the name
of freedom.
Hey, did you know that between 2003 and 2015, a government
contractor sold defective earplugs to the U.S. military? The du- al-ended Combat Arms Earplugs were found to have defects that decreased their effectiveness in protecting the hearing of soldiers using the plugs. The VA recognizes these defects and is granting benefits and compensation to those with hearing loss.
There are lawsuits pending against the manufacturer of Combat Arms Earplugs and the U.S. government is not a defendant. There have been many articles written about the defective ear plugs. I read this one from CBS News online: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ military-veterans-claim-defective-3m-earplugs-caused-hear- ing-loss/.
Keep in mind that if you are part of the lawsuit, it will not affect your VA benefits or compensation.
If you have questions, concerns or comments, please email LTC_Cruz@wowway.com.
26 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ MAY 2019