Lynn and I returned from a nice trip to North Carolina where the weather was just what we hoped for, 80’s and sunny. We arrived home Saturday night and woke up to snow Sunday and Monday. Not what I ordered for sure.
The trip was wonderful and now back to reality and some cold weather. It will end soon and I will start to complain that the temperature is too hot.
We had our bingo night while I was away and thank you to all who came and enjoyed the games. Our next bingo nights will be Thursday May 7th and May 21st. We are looking forward to a nice crowd and fun for all. Make sure you put that on your social calendar.
For all veterans in the area, I have some news of interest for you. First of all, The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs held an oversight hearing on the reduced backlog of VA disability compensation claims.
There were approximately 264,000 backlogged claims –– defined as pending for 125 days or more –– on January 20, 2025. In February 2026, this number dropped below 100,000 for the first time since 2020.
VA witnesses attributed the reduction to focused management, more effective use of the National Work Queue, targeted overtime and the expanded use of automated decision tools.
In VFW’s statement for the record, VFW provided recommendations to the committee to ensure continued progress in claims processing, such as continued development of electronic tools and investment in VA’s workforce. Please, as I have mentioned in earlier articles, use the VFW Service Officers to process your claims.
Secondly: Since May 2025, when VA allowed the Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase (VASP) program to expire, veterans have contacted the VFW noting that foreclosures are on the rise.
VA stopped accepting new VASP applications last year before a permanent replacement relief program was in place. Congress responded by passing the VFW-supported VA Home Loan Program Reform Act (Public Law 119-31) into law on July 30, 2025, establishing a permanent partial claims program to help veterans bring delinquent mortgages current and avoid foreclosure. As of today, VA has yet to implement the program.
At a recent hearing of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, a VA witness confirmed veterans must rely on temporary measures such as forbearance and loan modifications until partial claims programs are implemented, which is not expected until June.
Lawmakers expressed frustration with the delay and urged VA to use every available authority to prevent veterans from losing their homes.
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced two identifications and four burial updates for service members who have been missing and unaccounted for from World War II and the Korean War.
With the recovery of the airmen that were recovered in the war we are fighting now in Iran, you heard "Never Leave a Fallen Comrade” stated and this is what it means.
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced today that U.S. Army Sgt. Celestino Chavez, Jr., 19, of Gallup, New Mexico, killed in action during the Korean War, was accounted for April 15, 2025. In late 1950, Chavez was assigned to D Battery, 15th Anti-Aircraft Artillery, Automatic Weapons Battalion, 7th Infantry Division. He was wounded while defending his position near the Jangjin (Chosin) Reservoir, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and evacuated to an aid station on Nov. 30. He was reported missing in action on Dec. 2, when his convoy was ambushed by opposing forces in route to Hagaru-ri. The U.S. Army did not receive any indication that he was ever held as a prisoner of war and with no evidence of his continued survival, issued a presumptive finding of death on Dec. 31, 1953. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for continuing to man his position despite his wounds during the Nov. 30 attack.
On July 27, 2018, following the summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un in June 2018, North Korea turned over 55 boxes, purported to contain the remains of American service members killed during the Korean War. The remains arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii on Aug. 1, 2018, and were subsequently accessioned into the DPAA laboratory for identification.
Chavez was buried in his hometown on April 15, 2026. As veterans of all wars, we are thankful that our comrades are not forgotten. Keep all those POW/MIA servicemen and women in your thoughts and prayers along with the still serving our country. God bless America and our brave service men and women.
Marc Farmilette, PDC – VFW Post 1545.
Army Sgt. Celestino Chavez, Jr.,
