Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 28, 2014.  “I respect the independent review and recommendations of the Office of Inspector General (OIG) regarding systemic issues with patient scheduling and access. I have reviewed the interim report, and the findings are reprehensible to me, to this Department, and to Veterans.  I am directing that the[Read More…]

Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—May 28, 2014. OIG provides an interim report of the ongoing review at the Phoenix Health Care System (HCS). The report identifies the allegations substantiated to date, and provides recommendations that VA should implement immediately. Allegations at the Phoenix HCS include gross mismanagement of VA resources and criminal misconduct[Read More…]

West Point, New York–(ENEWSPF)–May 28, 2014 – 10:22 A.M. EDT   THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Thank you so much.  Thank you.  And thank you, General Caslen, for that introduction.  To General Trainor, General Clarke, the faculty and staff at West Point — you have been outstanding stewards of this[Read More…]

Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—May 27, 2014. Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby provided the following statement: Today, Secretary Hagel ordered a comprehensive review of the military health system to begin immediately. Dr. Jonathan Woodson, the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs), will lead the review which will focus on access to[Read More…]

Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—May 27, 2014. I strongly support the president’s decision to maintain a limited U.S. troop presence in Afghanistan after our combat mission ends there later this year. This presence, which is contingent on a signed bilateral security agreement, will help ensure that al Qaeda cannot reconstitute itself in Afghanistan,[Read More…]

Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—May 27, 2014. The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing from the Korean War, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors. Army Pfc. James R. Holmes of Warren, Ohio, will[Read More…]

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill.–(ENEWSPF)–May 27, 2014.  Following an appearance in the Arlington Heights, Ill. Memorial Day Parade, U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) today presented a posthumous Bronze Star to the family of World War II veteran John W. Bock. Bock was drafted into the U.S. Army during the war and attached[Read More…]

Visits Cities Across Illinois to Promote Program and Continues Push to Protect Critical Veterans Services from Budget Cuts WINNEBAGO–(ENEWSPF)–May 25, 2014.  As part of his agenda to support our veterans in honor of Memorial Day, Governor Pat Quinn today will visit cities across Illinois to discuss his Welcome Home Heroes[Read More…]

“Portrait of a Soldier” Memorial Exhibit on Display at Illinois Tollway Oases through Independence Day SCHILLER PARK–(ENEWSPF)–May 24, 2014.  Governor Pat Quinn today commemorated Memorial Day by unveiling the “Portrait of a Soldier” memorial exhibit at the O’Hare Oasis and announced the summer exhibit schedule at Tollway Oases in northern[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 23, 2014.  REAR ADMIRAL JOHN KIRBY: I apologize for keeping bumping this thing back. Schedule thing today. I don’t have anything huge to drop. (Laughter.) However, that said, other than this, I do want to just open up with a couple of comments on schedule items. So, let[Read More…]