VFW Action Corps Weekly

Debt Limit Increase Passes Congress: The Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 passed the House and Senate with broad bipartisan support. This bill would raise the United States’ debt ceiling to ensure federal debts are paid on time, otherwise many federal benefits could be in jeopardy. The VFW is glad to see this legislation pass both chambers of Congress. This bill now heads to the president for signature.

VFW Participates in Memorial Day Events: VFW National Commander Tim Borland participated in commemoration events in and around Washington, D.C., during Memorial Day weekend. On Sunday, Borland visited USAA’s Poppy Wall of Honor on the National Mall where he engaged with veterans and other visitors. The display pays tribute to the 645,000 members of the American armed forces since World War I who died while in service. He also visited the Humana exhibit at Thunder Alley to watch the Rolling to Remember motorcycle demonstration. The annual event brings awareness to the mental health crisis among veterans and to the full accounting of America’s POWs/MIAs. On Monday, Borland attended a breakfast at the White House for special guests including Gold Star Families. He then joined President Biden for a wreath laying ceremony and special program at Arlington National Cemetery. Borland concluded the day by laying a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial where a ceremony was held to honor the fallen.

Mental Health Care Services During Transition: The Military Health System’s inTransition program aids service members, veterans, and retirees — regardless of component, time served, or discharge category — to establish or transfer mental health care during times of transition. This program is a free service that is not time limited. It is staffed with qualified coaches familiar with military culture who stand ready to assist individuals to connect with the care they need. Read more.

MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced three burial updates for service members who have been missing and unaccounted-for from World War II and Korea. Returning home for burial with full military honors are:

--Army Pvt. Robert R. Gruwell, 20, of Los Angeles, California, was assigned to Company G, 3rd Battalion, 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team. On Aug. 15, 1944, he went missing during Operation Dragoon, and was later declared killed in action on May 15, 1945. He will be buried in Riverside, California, on June 8, 2023. Read about Gruwell.
--Army Pfc. Billy A. DeBord, 18, of Miamisburg, Ohio, was a member of F Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, Eighth U.S. Army. He was reported missing in action on July 25, 1950. The Army issued a presumptive finding of death on Dec. 31, 1953. He will be buried in his hometown on Nov. 11, 2023. Read about DeBord.
--Army Pfc. Leonard E. Adams, 25, of Dana, Indiana, was assigned to Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division. He was killed on Jan. 20, 1945, near Reipertswiller, France, and was later declared non-recoverable on May 4, 1951. He will be buried in Radcliff, Kentucky, on a date yet to be determined. Read about Adams.

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