MADE IN AMERICA

Beginning in May of 2007 a Bus Tour will travel to 12 major U.S. cities promoting the ‘Free’ MADE IN AMERICA Concert to be held on the Mall in Washington, DC on Saturday, June 16, 2007 (Flag Day Weekend). We are currently looking for big name talent to entertain during the all day event.

The MADE IN AMERICA Bus Tour will have several purposes so as to stimulate the nation’s former military community to get involved in matters that pertain to them, and encourage the American public to get out and vote. Event organizers are very confident that the MADE IN AMERICA project will generate a noticeably higher turnout of 2008 voters. Voter registration personnel will be at every stop of the bus tour and visible at every stage of the production. During the Bus Tour, raffle tickets will be sold for a drawing to win a custom-painted motorcycle. The motorcycle will be presented to the winner during the free concert on June 16^th. Both the MADE IN AMERICA concert and all stops made by the Bus Tour will be broadcast live over the internet via Stardust Radio www.stardustradio.com

Over past decades there have been many extremely honorable and moving somber public celebrations and ceremonies recognizing Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day (4^th of July), and Veteran’s Day. The MADE IN AMERICA Bus Tour & Concert will be a high-energy celebration for former service-members of our United States. Never before in our country’s history has a national bus tour and free concert been produced specifically for our former military personnel to include their families. These proud Americans are our primary focus which is the reason for the production of this event.

Sadly, in recent past, some network executives have rejected programming ideas intended to show support and recognize the men and women who serve our country so loyally. Apparently, these network executives do not want to ‘appear’ supportive of the current administration’s military operations by airing programming in support of our troops. Unlike the Bob Hope USO tours of yester-year when entertainers and producers made every effort to openly show support for our deployed service members, whether they agreed or otherwise, today’s service members lack that essential support. Bob Hope’s enthusiastic support for our troops not only raised our service members’ morale; it also gave their families a sense of comfort knowing positive reinforcement was being shown to our troops.

Our ‘Veterans’ on the other hand, are no longer serving on active duty. These Great Americans have no connection to current military operations; however, many of these veterans are concerned with the future services and benefits that will be available for our active military troops after they are discharged. A large number of veterans are elderly and retired. Many are disabled, or living their last days in a nursing home. In addition, homelessness among veterans is at an all time high. Now, there are our new ‘disabled veterans’ recovering at Walter Reed and Brook Army medical centers. This project is dedicated to all of them.

After ALL outstanding bills have been paid; the proceeds from the entire project will go to helping our homeless and low income veterans. Our homeless former military families are in the greatest need for assistance at this time. We will do a two prong approach to helping these proven Americans. There are 9,778 surplus FEMA housing units in Hope Arkansas, another 5000 in Texas, and 3 out of 4 homeless in San Diego, California are veterans.

If we can provide some of these families a new and fresh start in life, we will all have accomplished a positive contribution of which we all be very proud of. We will also encourage corporate America and all national veterans’ service organization to follow our lead.

1. If there are significant funds raised, moneys will be used to purchase surplus FEMA mobile homes for pre-qualified homeless and low income veterans.

2. Several reputable homeless veterans outreach programs will be chosen to receive donations from the proceeds.

Another very important group of Americans that are expected to support the MADE IN AMERICA project are our nation’s labor Unions. American labor Unions are a valuable factor in the success of this project, as their core values are basically the same core values as our veterans. One group protects America, and the other protects American jobs. In addition, many veterans and their families are union members themselves. Several labor Unions in the New York area have already endorsed Operation Firing For Effect’s mandatory funding resolution, and more unions are expected to follow suit.

At each stop on the bus tour, a 2 hour program will be presented. The program will be hosted by Operation Firing For Effect. Each program will consist of a combination of live music and rally speeches. In addition, Gene Simes and Jere Beery will promote the sale of raffle tickets, voter registration, and a Resolution urging full mandatory funding for veterans’ healthcare.

· We will include any veterans’ service organization, labor Unions, or companies that participate in this project in our promotions.

· Between speakers and activities the tour band will play pre-arranged songs which enhance the theme of the program.

We will choose 6 cities based on their veteran/military population. As an example; we could consider Jacksonville, Florida and San Diego, California which have high numbers of veterans, as well as active military personnel. The remaining 6 cities will be chosen based on the size of labor unions/veteran population.

Operation Firing For Effect is currently working closely with many Union leaders in an effort to promote implementation of mandatory funding for veterans healthcare and services.

The Department of Veterans Affairs currently recognizes 48 Congressionally Chartered veteran service organizations nationwide. The top 6 such service organizations are: American Legion, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Veterans of Foreign War (VFW), Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), and Am Vets. Many of these organizations own large acreage adjacent to their Post. We are confident that we can locate and utilize one or more of these organizations’s property to present our program(s). However, if that turns out to be a problem, we will shoot for county fair grounds and union halls in the areas we are visiting. We will also line up alternative sheltered locations in case of rain. Many county fairgrounds have large covered areas, and there are also some large union halls. Even a large armory would suffice.

Operation Firing For Effect will sell T-shirts, ball caps, posters and American flags at all stops along the tour. ALL of these items will be ‘Made in America’ and have a tag stating so.

At some point in our program we will give away items to individuals to fit the theme of our program. Because the MADE IN AMERICA Concert will be on Flag Day weekend 2007, the visible display of the American Flag is encouraged and expected.

A ‘Key’ to the success of this entire concept is the custom-painted motorcycle. Orange County Choppers, Inc is the ideal choice. Not only would the advertising be appealing to OCC, but their film crew could produce one of their TV programs around our efforts. In addition, if we take a camera crew along with the bus tour, we could produce a DVD of the bus tour and concert as well. In other words, everyone gets something from MADE IN AMERICA.

If OCC cannot custom build a bike for the raffle, they could utilize one off their showroom floor and give it a custom MADE IN AMERICA paint job. In addition, the OCC Band could play a set at the concert in DC. Additionally, the Paul Teutul family would be welcome to make a guest appearance at the event.

In the event OCC declines our offer to get involved, we could approach Harley Davidson, after all they are MADE IN AMERICA also.

This trailer will act as a showcase for the custom-painted MADE IN AMERICA motorcycle. The décor and lighting will be determined after we get the bike. This ‘shadowbox effect’ must have special lighting to give the most appealing appearance possible. This trailer must be equipped with a security system and 24 hour monitoring by our road crew. The bike will be secured to the trailer floor, and remain that way until we finish the tour.

The Stage Trailer should be completely pre-set before the tour departs. All band equipment must be secured and pre-set in a plug-play condition. When the tour reaches a production location, lift the side of the Stage Trailer, setup the lighting and public address system, and we are ready to roll.

(a) One trailer will showcase the custom-painted motorcycle and the other trailer will be for the main program and entertainment.

(b) Both trailers will be dressed with MADE IN AMERICA tour graphics, both on the inside and outside.

[NOTE:] All equipment and merchandize ‘should’ be made and marked Made in America]

The motto for the Department of Veterans Affairs is; “to care for him who has borne the battle, and his widow, and his orphan.” These words were spoken by President Abraham Lincoln during his 2nd Inaugural Address on March 4, 1865. Some 75 years pryor to Lincoln’s address, President George Washington said; "The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceived veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by our nation." Clearly, Presidents Abraham Lincoln and George Washington knew the need to value our nation’s veterans and to continue to honor and care for them long after their active service. For this reason, permits have been applied for the area in North West front of the Washington Monument facing the Lincoln Memorial for the main stage of the MADE IN AMERICA concert.

We need some headliners for the DC concert. In an effort to allow our concert promoter ample time to line up talent, and stimulate curiosity among the general public and media, the list of performers could be kept ‘Top Secret’ until we have conformation from musical talent to attend. Our publicity could play-up this ‘secrecy’ to promote this event. Many people will attend the concert out of fear of missing something very special, others because it is free, and yet others for the raffle drawing. Many will attend because they heard about the concert on the news, which will be generated by our 12 city bus tour.

It would be ideal to have more than one high-ticket item for the DC concert raffle. We will consider ANY company that is American based and interested in participating. Theoretically, any American based company or corporation should jump at the opportunity to participate in this venture. The real question is; where do we start? General Motors, Ford, Harley Davidson, General Mills, AT&T, AOL, Time-Warner, Microsoft, Anheuser-Busch? There is no end to the list of potential sponsors. This project is only limited by time and imagination.

Once again, theoretically, any performer or band should jump at the opportunity to perform on the Mall in DC. There are several recording artist that have produced a number of contemporary patriotic songs over the past 10 years. Any concert promoter would know how to contact them with an invitation to be a part of the MADE IN AMERICA Concert. Here are a few suggestions we might consider.

Every effort will be made to have celebrity non-musical guest appearances during the concert. As a general rule, after every musical group finishes their set, 10 to 15 minutes is required to set-up the upcoming band. We could use this time between entertainers to allow high-profile celebrities to come on stage and say a few words. This will keep the over-all energy of the event up and provide a non-stop ride for the audience. We suggest we avoid active political guests, and stick to entertainers and former military personnel. Here are a few suggestions we might consider.

· Former Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Max Cleland (Vietnam combat disabled veteran)

1. Veterans For Veteran Connection, Inc is a registered 501-3C non-profit corporation, and all talent donations are tax deductible.

3. Their involvement would help our country’s former military personnel and their families.

A DVD documentary of the bus tour leading up to the free concert in DC would be very simple to produce. Combined with video of the concert, we would have a very desirable product.

In addition, the finished product could be offered to a number of cable network outlets for rebroadcast, (i.e.: CMT, MTV, A&E, Discovery Channel).

We would need to lock-in the pre-production schedule no later than January 1, 2007 if we are to even have a chance of actualizing the bus tour and the concert. If we can’t find a concert promoter by January, we will put the bus tour on hold for now and concentrate on our plans to put together a free concert for June 16 in DC.

If we acquire a promoter/producer for the entire concept, we would need to leave on the bus tour no later than May 1, 2007. This would give us 6 weeks to hit 12 cities before the DC concert. We would need everything in place for the road trip by April 15, 2007, and prepared for full dress rehearsal no later than April 25th.

As soon as we receive a commitment on the motorcycle, we need to have the first run of 10,000 raffle tickets printed up. This way we can sell tickets long before we do the bus tour. The cost will be $20 per raffle ticket. Our target number for ticket sales is 20,000. If we reach this goal, we will have raised $400,000 just on the bike raffle alone. With the help of union members and veteran organizations, we might even top that. We could buy approximately 40 FEMA mobile homes with $400,000.

OFFE will be responsible for acquiring the necessary permits for the DC concert.

In the event the concert is rained out for June 16^th, arrangements will be made to have the concert on the following Saturday, June 23^rd.

Please read the following statements twice. We must all abide by the following guidelines.

· We must avoid (at all cost) the appearance of endorsing or condemning any/all current U.S. military operations. We do not want our efforts misconstrued or confused with anit/pro war activities.

· We must avoid (at all cost) the appearance of endorsing any one particular politician over another. Our objective is to get people out to vote, not tell them who to vote for.

· We must avoid (at all cost) the appearance of casting blame on the Department of Veterans Affairs. There are many very fine people that work for the VA. We want to help them, not hurt them.

MADE IN AMERICA is a grassroots, non-partisan production. Operation Firing For Effect (OFFE) is a subsidiary of Veterans for Veteran Connection, Inc., a registered 501-3C non-profit, grassroots veteran’s rights organization.

Veterans For Veteran Connection currently owns a 2.5 million dollar liability policy, and will be using this policy for event insurance requirements.

This project is very producible, however, time is essential. If you are interested in participating in the development of MADE IN AMERICA, you have to get involved now! There is no time to waste. OFFE has provided a comprehensive overview of the project and production break down. The rest is up to you. We need support and commitments on this project ASAP.

OFFE is very confident that the MADE IN AMERICA Bus Tour and Concert will produce a very significant event in American history. The success of our labors will come from tapping into veterans groups, labor Unions, and corporate America. Occasionally, we all must be reminded of the value of service to our country, and MADE IN AMERICA will help refresh everyone’s memory. By creating a positive environment in which all Americans can come together for a common cause, we are making a better tomorrow (Through Unity) for our country and our fellow countrymen. MADE IN AMERICA will be our veteran’s ‘Woodstock’, and could very easily become an annual event. With your help, we will make 2007 the year of the Veteran.

OFFE MISSION STATEMENT

Ø Draw public awareness and media attention to serious problems facing our former military personnel and their families.

Ø Send a message to our Congress and Senate demanding Veterans Affairs issues take precedence over special interest issues.

Ø Convey a message to our deployed troops that we support them and they can count on us to fight for the protection of their earned benefits and services.

Ø Improve the State of Veterans Affairs in this country in an effort to increase enlistment and improve retention in the U.S. military.

Ø Provide our former military personnel and their families a voice in matters that affect them.

Whereas, the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) mission and motto is, “to care for him who has borne the battle, and for his widow and orphan”; and

Whereas, President George Washington stated, “The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportionate to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their country”; and

Whereas, whenever the United States military has ever been called upon to send forces into harms way, including sons and daughters of our great County of _______________, in the State of ____________________ , they have proudly answered the call; and

Whereas, we, as citizens of the United States of America, have promised our troops through military enlistment contracts comprehensive quality accessible healthcare for those veterans honorably discharged from The United States military past, present and future; and

Whereas, the legislative bodies of our government at all levels have recognized the importance of supporting those who serve our great country, legislation itself has fallen short of meeting the healthcare needs of our veterans. The current discretionary funding mechanisms for veterans healthcare is beset by numerous flaws preventing many veterans from receiving the quality healthcare they earned and deserve; and

Whereas, on March 16, 2006, the United States Senate voted down mandatory funding for veterans’ healthcare services (Ref: Stabenow Amendment No. 3141), which would have insured mandatory funding for our veterans’ healthcare needs (YEA 46 / NAY 54); and

Whereas, a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report in 2005 highlighted the lack of resources experienced by the Veterans Administration and its understaffed workforce as they attempt to process an increasing backlog of our veterans claims; and

Whereas, former Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi has publicly stated the Department of Veterans Affairs has been struggling to provide promised healthcare services to the rapidly rising number of veterans requiring healthcare services;

Therefore be it resolved, as proud citizens of this great nation we fully support mandatory funding for veterans’ healthcare services; and

Therefore be it further resolved, the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate move to ensure that these healthcare obligations to our veterans be recognized and legislation be introduced and passed for signing by the President of the United States of America to guarantee full mandatory funding of veterans’ healthcare services; and

Therefore be it further resolved, that a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the President of the United States, members of the United States Congress and members of the United States Senate.

(Please include this footnote on all copies! This Resolution was authored on (11/11/06) by Operation Firing for Effect, (OFFE). You are encouraged to duplicate and distribute this document to all interested parties and elected officials. Send all notarized copies of this Resolution to; OFFE, P.O. Box 77303, Rochester, NY 14617. Direct all questions to OFFE National Chairman, Gene Simes, (315)986-7322

Among the many projects OFFE volunteers have been working on is a resolution which calls for mandatory funding for veterans’ healthcare. Contrary to popular belief, the Department of Veterans Affairs receives only discretionary funding from the Department of Defense annual budget. Many veterans’ advocates see this as the primary reason the VA health care system cannot keep pace with the fluctuating number of eligible veterans enrolling in the system, and the rising cost of healthcare. Mandatory funding would put veterans funding in a budget category by itself and would solve many of the understaffing problems the VA now faces.

Earlier this year, the funding issue made it to the Senate floor. On March 16, 2006, the United States Senate voted down mandatory funding for veterans’ healthcare services (Ref: Stabenow Amendment No. 3141), which would have insured full mandatory funding for veterans’ healthcare needs. The final vote was YEA 46 / NAY 54. Evidently, 46 Senators thought is was a worthy idea and voted for the Amendment..

Vietnam combat disabled veteran Gene Simes is National Chairman for OFFE. “Think about it. 8 Senators stood in the way of legislation that would have served over 25 million veterans. That is totally unacceptable,” Sime said in a recent FBN telephone interview. “The vote was right down party lines. These Senators are playing political football with the healthcare earned by our veterans,” Simes added.

OFFE Public Relations Director Jere Beery weighted in on the matter this way, “Our military has artillery shells that cost over $250,000.00 each. Our current President has pledged 500 billion dollars for Mars exploration. We send billions overseas for aid to foreign countries that don’t even like us. And we have VA hospital emergency rooms closing at 4:30 in the afternoon? Give me a break. The time has come for the America people to voice their support for full mandatory funding of VA system. Our former military personnel deserve nothing less,” Beery stated.

Simes and Beery are asking everyone to support full mandatory funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs. “We want everyone reading this article to print the Resolution out, sign it, and send it in,” Sime said. “Take it to work and have your company and co-workers sign a copy. Take it to church, or union meeting, or high school, or your city council, or the governor of your state, VFW Post or DAV chapter. This issue belongs to every red blooded American,” Simes said.

OFFE is attempting to get the mandatory funding issue on the 2008 national election ballets. The more signed resolutions they can disturb and collect the better the chances the American people will determine this issue.

Operation Firing For Effect (OFFE) is subsidiary of Veterans For Veteran Connection a registered 501-3C non-profit organization home based in Rochester, New York. OFFE is devoted to protecting and improving the healthcare service for our former military personnel and their families. Operation Firing For Effect has representatives and members in many states nationwide. For more information, contact Gene Simes (315)986-7322).

On December 8, 2006, history was made during a labor union Christmas meeting and dinner. Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 46, Rochester, New York unanimously passed OFFE#1MF, a grassroots resolution aimed at full mandatory funding for veterans healthcare and services. The resolution was authored by Operation Firing Effect (OFFE), a non-profit veterans’ rights service organization with headquarters in Rochester, NY. The 700 members of Local 46 are the very first labor union members to endorse this resolution.

Chris M. Hollfelder is President of Local 46, and he was instrumental in the development of the resolution. In an FBN interview, Hollfelder said that he thought this resolution would take off like wildfire. “We have passed the resolution along to our state Sheet Medal Workers Union leadership asking them to endorse and pass the resolution statewide in an effort to provide support for our veterans,” Hollfelder stated.

OFFE national chairman, Gene Simes was present at the vote and signing of the resolution. “I will be frank, I was moved to tears of joy over the support our resolution received from Local 46,” Simes told the FBN. “The union members are very sincere about their desire to help our veterans and they have pledged to solicit additional union endorsement nationwide,” He added.

Local 46 union leaders and Operation Firing For Effect representatives Gene Simes and Bob Fink

Vietnam combat disabled veteran Jere Beery is OFFE Public Relations Director. “We went to great effort to write a resolution that was very focused on one issue. We wanted anyone to be able to read and understand this document,” Beery told FBN.

Chris Hollfelder told the FBN that the core principles and values of our organization and our veterans were virtually identical. “Our labor unions protect the rights and benefits of their members. Our military protects our rights to do that,” Hollfelder said.

The FBN would like to hear your comments about this article. Send your input to Rick Townsend; firebaseadrian@tc3net.com

OFFE Extremely Concerned about Death of Two Veterans and lack of funding for VA Healthcare

One might think that if they were to have a medical emergency requiring immediate attention, ‘a hospital’ would be the first place to go.

Vietnam combat disabled veteran, Gene Simes is the national chairman for OFFE, a non-profit veteran’s advocacy group headquartered in Rochester, New York. Over the past year, Simes and OFFE members have been monitoring a number of incidents where veterans have been turned away from VA hospital emergency rooms. In at least two of these cases the veteran has died. According to Gene Simes, he believes many military veterans have a false sense of security about the VA healthcare system and services they provide.

On April 24^th of this year, 70 year old Korean War veteran Kenneth Baze arrived at the Spokane VA hospital in severe pain and extremely low blood pressure. The VA refused to see him. According to his wife Trina Baze they returned home hoping her husband’s condition would improve. However, about two hours later Mr. Baze collapsed and was rushed to Holy Family Hospital where he died from complications from an undetected aortic aneurysm. “The woman receptionist at the VA was very rude,” Mrs. Baze said. “I told the lady that my husband’s blood pressure was 70/40! What do we do? The receptionist said; ‘we’re to busy to see you right now, you need to come back tomorrow’,” Mrs. Baze stated.

In August, in another incident at the very same VA Urgent Care Center / Hospital, 72 year old Korean veteran, Leonard Kissner was refused medical care. Kissner fell unconscious in the Spokane VA urgent care center’s parking lot and was denied admittance into the VA hospital. However, this time Leonard Kissner lived to tell about it. “I needed immediate medical care and they had no one to take care of me,” Kissner told a local newspaper reporter.

In yet another VA Spokane Hospital incident on September 1^st, 81 year old World War II veteran Lewis Pancoast was vomiting and in severe pain when he was turned away from medical treatment by VA medical center staff. The reason; He arrived after the hospital had closed. “The receptionist there put up her hands and said; “No, you can’t come in. You can’t get in here. You’ve got to go somewhere else,” recalled Pancoast. The ailing veteran then went to Holy Family Hospital where he was hospitalized and treated for an inflamed hernia.

On September 30^th of this year, 83 year old veteran Clinton L. Fuller was very ill and in need of emergency medical care. Fuller’s minister and dear friend Rev. Eugene Singleton drove him to the Spokane, Washington VA hospital. It was a trip the two men had taken many times in the past, as Fuller was a registered patient at the VA and was receiving treatment from this particular facility. In a FBN telephone interview, Rev. Singleton said his friend slumped over onto his shoulder on the way to the VA, and he couldn't wake him. The two men arrived at the VA hospital about 4:35 p.m. Singleton ran into the VA urgent care center and yelled for help before returning with a wheelchair for his friend Fuller. A VA security guard came outside and said the medical center closed at 4:30 p.m., but 911 had been called. According to Singleton, there were still patients waiting to be seen by doctors in the main waiting room. “There is no doubt in my mind that there were doctors in the building,” Singleton said. "Unfortunately, this combat veteran who fought three wars was dying in front of the VA Hospital, and no one inside would help. I thought a professional person, no matter who you are, who has taken an oath to save lives, would help Deacon Fuller,” he added.

Paramedics arrived within about 13 minutes according to Rev. Singleton. Clinton Fuller was transported to Deaconess Medical Center, where he died an hour and 10 minutes after collapsing. “You have to understand, I had Brother Fuller at the front door of the VA and they refused to take him into the hospital and help him,” Singleton told the FBN.

Medically, the patient (Fuller) was handled appropriately, said Joe Manley, director of the VA center, which had stopped offering nighttime care and was now closing at 4:30 p.m. "The patient arrived at our facility in respiratory distress," he said. "The most skilled people we had went out to the patient, but you have to have the professional equipment to do the work. The procedure Fuller needed would have required a tube being put down his throat to help him breathe,” Manley explained.
The timing, he claimed, had nothing to do with Fuller not being helped by VA staff.
"Calling the fire department was quicker than getting equipment and bringing it back out or finding someone who could offer the medical assistance," he said.

The Spokane VA hospital, which underwent a $3.2 million expansion in 2005, eliminated the urgent care center's nighttime hours in July. Hospital officials said very few patients visited after 4:30 p.m. According to Rev. Singleton, they had no idea the hospital would be closed.

Mr. Simes said he is hearing more and more incidents where VA hospitals are refusing to treat patients under emergency conditions. Simes told the FBN that he feared years of budget cuts were now trickling down and adversely affecting emergency care offered by VA hospitals. “I would like everyone reading this article to imagine being critically ill or injured and going to a hospital emergency room just to be told it was closed,” Simes said.

These incidents have sent a chill through veterans all over the country. Many see this as a sign that the VA will be getting out of the medical care business all together. In fact, earlier this year the VA announced a list of 18 VA medical facilities that are scheduled to be closed in the very near future. OFFE is currently involved in efforts to keep Canandaigua, New York VA Hospital open.

Simes pointed out that he is very concerned about the growing number of veterans being denied emergency medical treatment at VA hospitals. “Spokane VA hospital may be the focal point of this article, however, the Department of Veterans Affairs is a national healthcare service provider. Whatever policies are implemented in Spokane can surface at any VA hospital in the country,” he said. “These issues dramatically illustrate the need for mandatory and full funding of the VA health care system. When we have hospital emergency rooms closing their doors at 4:30 in the afternoon - something is very wrong,” Simes continued. “Although I hesitate to say anything that may discourage veterans from going to a VA hospital for needed medical care, I feel a moral obligation to advise my fellow veterans to call 911 for all emergencies,” Simes added. Telephone answering system recordings at all VA medical centers give the very same advice.

Gene Simes and OFFE claim full funding of the VA healthcare system is the answer to many of the problems facing VA medical centers all over the country. “We are launching a major nationwide campaign to address this very important issue,” he said. Our objective is to get mandatory funding for veterans healthcare on the 2008 national election ballot in every state in the U.S.,” he added. “We are counting on our former military personnel and their families to help us do just that,” Simes concluded.

Secretary James Nicholson of the Department of Veterans Affairs could not be reached for comment.

For more information on “Operation Firing For Effect – Campaign 2008”, contact; Gene Simes (315)986-7322

The FBN would like to hear from you concerning this article. Please send your comments to Rick Townsend - firebaseadrian@tc3net.com

Last month, Operation Firing For Effect, (OFFE) hosted a rally in Newark New Jersey for full funding of veteran’s health care. Well known comedian and former Navy Corpsman Bill Cosby was a guess speaker at the event, which was held in Washington Park in Newark on September 6th. http://jerebeery.com/Cosby%20Newark.htm

Now, OFFE is at it again and looking for new innovative ways to help this country’s former military personnel and their families.

Last Friday, Congress approved a homeland security spending bill that included a provision allowing FEMA to sell or donate the trailers in Hope Arkansas to municipalities, nonprofit groups or American Indian tribes across the country.

Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., said he would prefer that the homes had gone to hurricane victims as originally intended, but selling or donating them to cities or community groups was better than letting them sit unused. "Allowing the homes to sit and deteriorate at the airport is an abuse of taxpayer funding and should not be an option," Pryor said in a statement.

Operation Firing For Effect is a non-profit, non-partisan, grassroots veteran’s service organization headquartered in Rochester, New York. Vietnam combat disabled veteran Gene Simes is OFFE National Chairman and Sparkplug for the organization. One of many special projects OFFE has been working on for the past several months involve the 9,778 mobile homes currently deteriorating at an airfield in Hope Arkansas. These brand-new mobile homes were tagged for Hurricane Katrina survivors and are currently owned and under the control of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, (FEMA). But, because of zoning restrictions within the flood plains of New Orleans, nearly 10,000 furnished mobile homes sit surplus in another state.

In early May of this year, Gene Simes wrote two separate letters to President Bush requesting two of these surplus mobile homes be awarded to eligible homeless veterans. Mr. Simes submitted the names of two homeless combat disabled veterans for review and consideration for receipt of these homes. In his letters, he wrote that homelessness among former military personnel is at an all time high, and that the surplus housing could be put to good use immediately.

In a FBN telephone interview, Simes admitted he was thinking way ahead. “We figured if we could get two trailers donated, we could possibility get more approved for homeless vets,” he said.

Gene Simes says he is currently in contact with FEMA officials about his May request to President Bush. “We are going to keep a very close eye on the distribution of these homes,” Simes said. “Operation Firing For Effect and our supporters will be doing everything we can to insure that our homeless veterans have priority and that a large number of these government surplus trailers are awarded to needy veterans or direct family members of veterans,” Simes stated. “We expect our former military personnel and their families to be given the first opportunity for awards of these homes,” Simes added.

Mr. Simes has already contacted several labor unions leaders for assistance in transporting and setting up the first two of these mobile homes. “I am humbled by the response I have received thus far. Everyone wants to get involved and help get these homes to needy families as soon as possible. I have verbal commitments from Union plumbers, electricians, and truckers to get this project off the ground ASAP,” Simes said.

According to Mr. Simes, Operation Firing For Effect is at the forefront of a national grassroots movement designed to find innovative ways to improve healthcare and services utilized by our discharged and retired military personnel. “Homeless veterans are at the top of our list,” Simes stated.

If you would like to know more about Operation Firing For Effect Homeless Veterans Project, contact Gene Simes at (315)986-7322.

Former Navy Corpsman & Actor Bill Cosby Speaks Out on Veterans’ Healthcare

Last week, on September 6^th, well-known actor and civic activist Bill Cosby was the guest speaker at a veteran’s rights rally sponsored by ‘Operation Firing For Effect’ in Newark, New Jersey. Mr. Cosby publicly voiced his concerns about the current state of veterans’ healthcare in the U.S. The Newark Rally was the latest rally in a continuing series of events sponsored by the grassroots veteran’s rights group, Operation Firing For Effect (OFFE).

Bill Cosby, a well-known television and movie personality, flew in from Los Angeles to speak at the rally, and said he agreed to fit the rally into his schedule because he believes veteran’s issues have been lost as the debate in Washington remains focused on the current wars. Bill Cosby is also a former U.S. Navy Corpsman who served for 4 years during the 1950s and saw firsthand the horrors of war injuries and death.

"I can't believe they bring home our warriors and then turn out the light on them," said Cosby. "People coming home sick and not allowed to be. This is a cause no one can deny."

Cosby pointed out that when we were attacked (on 9/11/2001), all the politicians sang 'God Bless America’. "Then they went in a back room and said 'Let's make some cutbacks (to veterans programs)," Cosby added.

In a phone interview, New Jersey OFFE Chairman and rally organizer, Don Scholtes said, “The rally was extremely positive and powerful and I predict the overall effects from this event are yet to be recognized. Mr. Cosby’s comments were right on the mark,” Scholtes stated.

Scholtes told the FBN that he was very pleased with the way the rally unfolded. “Mr. Cosby has gained a great deal of respect and admiration from many veterans across this country, especially our disabled veterans. His endorsement and active involvement in the grassroots movement to improve and protect the healthcare entitlements earned by our former military personnel makes Mr. Cosby a ‘Great American’ under any definition,” Scholtes said.

The primary issue highlighted by the Newark Rally was mandatory / assured funding for veterans’ healthcare and services. On March 16, 2006, the United States Senate voted against mandatory funding for veterans’ healthcare (Ref: Stabenow Amendment No. 3141), which would have guaranteed assured funding for veterans’ healthcare. The Amendment was defeated by the narrowest of margins, eight votes, (YEA 46 / NAY 54). Many veterans across the country were very disappointed that it took only 8 Senators to determine the failure of an Amendment that would have affected over 26 million veterans.

OFFE is a national grassroots veteran’s rights organization that has been pushing for increased funding for veterans' medical care and services. OFFE is the creation of Gene Simes and Veterans For Veteran Connect, Inc. VFVC is a registered non-profit 501 organization devoted to providing a voice for this country’s former military personnel and their families on issues of importance to them. Although the VFVC is not a Congressionally Chartered veterans’ service organization (NVSO), many veterans have joined this grassroots effort in hopes of accomplishing things the NVSOs cannot, because the NVSOs can only do so much under the Congressional restrictions of their charters.

Mr. Gene Simes (OFFE) attended and spoke during the 4 hour rally. Simes told the group that if they did nothing, nothing would change. “The future treatment of our veterans is in our hands. We have the power to influence the way our children and grandchildren are treated if they join the U.S. military. Today’s infants are tomorrow’s military forces,” Simes told the 200+ group. “Mr. Cosby is the first celebrity to speak out in support of increased funding for veterans’ healthcare,” Simes said. “I pray that other celebrities will follow Mr. Cosby’s lead and join our national movement to improve and protect the entitlements and services earned by our men and women in uniform,” Simes added.

OFFE Public Relations Director Jere Beery of Jefferson Ohio also spoke at the rally. Beery is a long time veteran’s rights advocate who has been at the forefront in the battle to protect veteran’s entitlements and services for more than 20 years. Beery pointed out the connection between veteran’s affairs and military enlistment and retention. "Veterans’ affairs are a national security issue. How are we going to recruit a young American whose father has post-traumatic stress from Vietnam or Iraq and can't get help from the VA because the wait is too long or he makes too much money or doesn’t have a Purple Heart?," Beery asked. “It used to be the VA was for all veterans in need of medical care or educational assistance or help buying a house. A veteran was a veteran. It appears that just joining the military no longer means as much any more, and that is not a good thing,” Beery added.

U.S. Navy veteran Bill Cosby talks to fellow veterans about issues important to them

Other speakers at the OFFE Rally were; Herb Worthington, past president VVA of NJ who spoke about veteran’s entitlements; Joseph Tuckman, who talked about the needs of homeless veterans; Patrick Kelly, addressed Anthrax vaccinations; Bob Stephens, talked about living with PTSD; Dr. Walter Glenn Folrek, spoke on PTSD care; Rev. Louise Bates Jennings, spoke on homeless outreach programs; Mayor Wayne Smith, of Livingston NJ publicly pledged his support for our mandatory funding; Jim Collura, represented the Newark Counsel on Veterans Affairs; Dolores Reed, addressed VA inefficiencies; Rep. Frank Pallone, (D-6th Dist.), who spoke at the rally said that the best way for veterans to get and keep Congress' attention is to keep raising their issues.

OFFE Rally organizers; Bob Stephens, Former Navy Corpsman & Actor Bill Cosby, Don Scholtes, and Bob Whitley pose for pictures after the rally

In a FBN phone inquiry, a spokesman for the Veterans Administration in Washington declined to address any specific criticisms of the agency's budget at last week’s OFFE rally. Instead, he cited a speech President Bush gave to the American Legion the week before, in which President Bush noted that the budget for veterans' health care has grown 75 percent since he took office.

OFFE organizers counter that the increases haven't kept pace with a patient population that has grown from 4 million to 7.5 million. Many Vietnam veterans have begun to use the system for the first time and are joined by veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan.

OFFE’s next project is a meeting with law makers and elected officials in Washington, DC on September 18, 2006. For more information, visit: