Rao bulletin 15 October 2013 html edition this bulletin contains the following articles

Autumn, 1945…For countless American boys who sailed off to war in the Pacific, the Golden Gate Bridge was their last sight of home. Many would never return. In this scene, many veterans who had for months and years experienced some of the most horrific chapters in history are finally returning home to the nation they served. Over the period following the surrender of Japan on September 2, 1945, military vessels of virtually every type, in addition to ‘liberty ships’ participated in Operation Magic Carpet, transporting many thousands of American troops home, between September ‘45 and into the beginning of 1946. Here, as watercraft excitedly escort some of these vessels into San Francisco Bay, several F4U Corsairs roar past. Several are from VMF-214, the “Black Sheep”, based in California at this time, bearing small crests of the emblem made famous by their successors who served several years before under the command of Greg ‘Pappy’ Boyington. Joining these new late model F4Us is an old war-weary ‘birdcage’ Corsair, symbolizing the ‘early’ days when our forces were fighting for Guadalcanal and other enemy-held territories on the eventual road to Tokyo. Like the heroes below them, this tired fighter will soon retire, its mission accomplished. America is free…no homecoming would be sweeter than this.

Grassroots lobbying is the most effective way to let your Congressional representatives know your wants and dislikes. Members of Congress are the most receptive and open to suggestions from their constituents. The key to increasing cosponsorship support on veteran related bills and subsequent passage into law is letting legislators know of veteran’s feelings on issues. You can reach their Washington office via the Capital Operator direct at (866) 272-6622, (800) 828-0498, or (866) 340-9281 to express your views. Otherwise, you can locate your legislator’s phone number, mailing address, or email/website to communicate with a message or letter of your own making at http: //thomas.loc.gov/bss/d111/sponlst.html. Refer to http: //www.thecapitol.net/FAQ/cong_schedule.html for dates that you can access them on their home turf.

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  H.R.3181 : Defending Veterans from Sequestration Act of 2013. A bill to amend the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to clarify the treatment of administrative expenses of the Department of Veterans Affairs during sequestration.
  

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  H.R.3225 : Vet Benefit Appropriations During Shutdown. A bill to Make continuing appropriations for veterans benefits in the event of a Government shutdown.
  

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  H.R.3230 : Pay Our Guard and Reserve Act. A bill to make continuing appropriations during a Government shutdown to provide pay and allowances to members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces who perform inactive-duty training during such period.
  

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  H.R.3241 : Pay our Guardsmen and Civilian Defense Personnel Act. A bill to amend the Pay Our Military Act to provide for continuing appropriations for defense civilian personnel (including military technicians (dual status)) and members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces performing inactive-duty training.
  

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  H.R.3274 : Fallen Heroes and Families Assistance Act. A bill to amend the Pay Our Military Act to make appropriations available to continue the payment of a death gratuity and certain other death-related compensation in the event of the death of members of the Armed Forces and certain other persons who pass away during a Government shutdown.
  

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  H.R.3287 : VSO Access to DVA Facilities. A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide veterans service organizations with the same access to Department of Veterans Affairs facilities during the Government shutdown as such organizations had immediately prior to the shutdown, and for other purposes.
  

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  H.R.3289 : Military Death Benefits Payment During Shutdown. A bill to provide funds during the lapse of appropriations for the payment of military death gratuities and funeral and related transportation and housing expenses through the transfer of unobligated amounts in the Health Insurance Reform Implementation Fund.
  

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  S.1558 : Veterans Outreach Enhancement Act of 2013. A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a program of outreach for veterans, and for other purposes.
  

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  S.1559 : Benefits Fairness for Filipino Veterans Act of 2013. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the method of determining whether Filipino veterans are United States residents for purposes of eligibility for receipt of the full-dollar rate of compensation under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
  

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  S.1564 : Protecting Those Who Protected Us Act of 2013. A bill making continuing appropriations for veterans benefits and services in the event of a Government shutdown.
  

[Source: http: //www.loc.gov & http: //www.govtrack.us/congress/bills 12 Oct 2013 ++]

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  (Hearing has been postponed)  SVAC will hold a hearing on claims transformation and efforts at reducing the backlog.  The hearing will build upon the claims hearing SVAC held in March.
  
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  (Hearing has been postponed)  October 23, 2013.  HVAC, Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity will conduct a hearing entitled, “VA’s Independent Living Program – A Program Review.” 
  
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  (Hearing has been postponed)  October 24, 2013.  HVAC will conduct an oversight hearing entitled “”Building VA’s Future – Confronting Persistent Challenges in VA Major Construction.” 
  
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  (Hearing has been postponed)  October 25, 2013.  HVAC-DAMA will conduct a hearing entitled, “Focused issues on Dignified Burials: A National Cemetery Update.”  10:30 A. M.; 334 Cannon