Inter-County Leader, Frederic: March 21, 2012 -Page 19a Frederic, WI
MARCH 21, 2012
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INTER COUNTY LEADER -
Scar tissue
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NEWS SECTION A PAGE 19 -
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Veterans listening session brings the future to light by Greg Marsten
Leader staff writer BALSAM LAKE - A veterans listening session drew about two dozen people to he United VFW Post 6856 outside Milltown on Tuesday, March 20, as Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary John Scocos spoke about changes, challenges, innovations and the candid reality of the challenges for returning combat veterans, how years of war have left us with new challenges. The session was the first of three such forums in the 10th Senate District, and Sen. Sheila Harsdorf addressed the crowd and introduced Scocos, while also noting that Gov. Scott Walker declared 2012 the Year of the Veteran last December. "You really are the ones who made the sacrifices for where we are today," Harsdorf said. "And not only you, but your families." Scocos noted Harsdorf's help in bring, ing the Wisconsin GI Bill to life, which allows any veteran to pursue the option for up to a doctorate degree, with reimbursements being among the best in the nation. Scocos also credited Polk County Veterans Service Officer Richard Gates for his work as a liaison to local vets to Washington, D.C., and also noted that Gates makes sure that "they spend 100 percent of grant money dedicated to veterans," Scocos said. "He's dedicated to those vets and fights for them." But Scocos was also candid about the serious issues facing returning combat veterans, from employment to mental health issues, post-traumatic stress disorder, and even housing and unique IED injuries. He noted recent changes to allow combat veterans to get license credits for their relevant experience overseas, from EMTs on the front lines as medics, to plumbers and electricians on Navy
Polk County Veterans Service Officer Richard Gates has been a strong liaison and advocate for local veterans benefits, concerns and assistance. He spoke at the listening session about the need to notice the effects of more reliance on Guardsmen and Reservists for overseas combat duty, as well as the growing number of multiple combat tours.
Nancy and Rich Hess of Burnett County raised serious concerns about returning combat veterans, on top of the exceedingly higher age of combat casualties. "These are grandpas that are dying. That is unacceptable," Rich Hess said.
"Look at the ages of the casualties ... 50, 55 even 60 years old ... that is scary. These are grandpas that are dying in combat! That just is unacceptable," - Rich Hess ships. He mentioned that many returning vets are incredibly capable technology experts, but still face job and hiring issues as a top concern. "A lot of employers tell us they want to get vets to work for them, but they don't have the training tools, "Scocos said, citing 16 upcoming job fairs exclusively for veterans, with the closest being on Tuesday, March 27, in Eau Claire at the National Guard Armory. The Guard and Reserve changes were also front and center, as both Scocos and Gates, as well as several audience members, mentioned the increasing reliance on those branches of service for repeated tours of combat duty. "We'll always have vets," Gates said.
"But in the past, you could be in the Guard or Reserve for 20 years and never get called up. Now? Well, you're getting called. Sometimes they're used five or six times for deployment. Why? They're filling the holes [of active-duty personnel] and when they're called up that many times, you're going to have problems." That sentiment was echoed by Scocos, who has served two tours overseas in war zones and noted the growing concern for returning combat vets, who may have mental health issues that haven't been seen in the past, due in part to of the multiple tours. "Honestly, mental health issues are going to be one of our biggest challenges in the next 15 years," Scocos said.
Secretary Scocos and Sen. Sheila Harsdorf presented an Award of Commendation to the United VFW Post No. 6856 on March 20, for their strong local presence and involvement with the community. Pictured (L to R) are: Sen. Sheila Harsdorf, R-River Falls, Carl Holmgren - commander, United VFW Post No. 6856, Secretary John Scocos, Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs. - Photos by Greg Marsten
Teacher recruitment starts amid flood of retirees n by Chuck Quirmbach
Wisconsin Public Radio MILWAUKEE An expected flood of -
teacher and principal retirements has schools going on the hunt for new employees. Recruitment is under way in Wisconsin's largest school district. About one-eighth of the 9,100 in the Milwaukee Public Schools will be eligible to retire in June, and the percentage will go up over the next three years. MPS human resources director Karen Jackson says as other districts also see more retirements triggered by cuts in collective bargaining and school budgets, Milwaukee will be in a statewide fight for
new staff. "We're worried about being able to attract high-quality candidates to Milwaukee Public Schools, after all we're competing against everybody else statewide," she says. Jackson says there are contract flexibilities in Milwaukee that still make teaching financially attractive. Among the dozens of prospective teachers who came to a recruitment kickoff Thursday, March 15, was MPS student teacher Ashley Manthey. "I do want to be comfortable and be able to make a living and support my family, but I knew I wasn't going to become rich being a teacher," she says. MPS says it hopes to hire most of its new teachers by June.
pack to the '50s
FREDERIC - Remember '57 Chevrolets, poodle skirts, bobby socks, ponytails, the hand jive and of course Elvis Presley? Well, on Tuesday, March 27, at 7 p.m. at the Birch Street Elementary, all of that will come alive! Our first-, second- and thirdgraders will be taking a stroll back in time. You'll hear and see some of the '50s greatest singers, songs and dances. So get out your poodle skirts so we can all "bop" back in time. It's a night you won't want
to miss! This show is directed by Troy Wink and Pat Anderson. - submitted
Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary John Scocos knows firsthand the need for more attention to returning combat veterans, as he has done two tours in Iraq.
Others reiterated that concern, some of them quite passionately. "Look at the ages of the casualties ... 50, 55, even 60 years old ... that is scary. These are grandpas that are dying in combat! That just is unacceptable," stated Rich Hess of Burnett County. Scocos and Gates agreed, and Gates even mentioned that he has one Polk County serviceman who is on his seventh tour of duty overseas. He noted that the "hawks of war" are not who you would always suspect. "I always say that the nice thing about veterans benefits and issues is that they are a purple issue," Gates said. "It's not red or blue. People pretty much come together on (veterans) support and issues." But Scocos also cited the increasing need for the VA to address new challenges, from thousands of women returning from the theater of war for the first time ever, to a real lack of jobs, affordable housing, homelessness and more. He said that the VA home loans are admittedly not as competitive as private banks and cited serious concerns about things like traumatic brain injuries and concussions. "They all have different needs, specific needs and special needs," Scocos said. "We're looking at all of those issues too." Scocos outlined several VA facility changes, expansions and even plans for specialized facilities that are in response to those needs, while also mentioning new ways to communicate the changes to vets in a "language they understand," which might mean call centers for older vets, and chat rooms, Web sites and emails for younger vets. "I think we've done a great job," he said, "but I know we can always do better. But we need to hear from you." Scocos admitted that the VA and the government "needs to learn from past mistakes" and correct the foibles and dedicate their efforts even more to welcoming, helping and offering the best services, health care, treatment and employment opportunities to returning and active veterans. "Honestly, we dropped the ball (on Vietnam veterans) and we learned a lot of lessons for today," Scocos said frankly. "We need to honestly be prepared for the issues facing a postwar generation ... again, we can always do better." Gates and Scocos both encouraged local veterans to contact them for issues, advice and guidance of all kinds, while also encouraging them to seek help and counseling, if needed. "That's why we're here," Gates said. "I hope we put ourselves out of business!" Scocos said with a smile. "But we can't do our jobs without hearing from you."