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- Homefront Report - New Camp Lejeune Legislation Introduced & Top VA Loan Misconceptions
Homefront Report - New Camp Lejeune Legislation Introduced & Top VA Loan Misconceptions
Plus an interview with Major General Kent Hillhouse on Commanding Tanks in Vietnam
Nick Kellermeyer
July 09, 2024
The Homefront Report brings you the best news and resources that U.S. military veterans need to know.
This week we cover:
Legal News: New Bill for Camp Lejune Plaintiffs
Health & Wellness: Managing PTSD with Barre and Service Animals
Finance: Misconceptions About VA Home Loans
Product Of The Week: Combat Flip Flops
Veteran’s Story: Vietnam Through Major General Hillhouse's Tales
LEGAL NEWS
A bipartisan group in Congress has introduced legislation to expedite the legal process for veterans affected by Camp Lejeune water contamination. The bills, introduced in both the House and Senate, aim to address the slow progress of over 1,800 lawsuits filed since the 2022 law allowing victims to sue for damages.
The contamination at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune exposed up to a million people, mostly Marines and their families, to toxic chemicals in drinking water from the 1950s to the mid-1980s.
Despite over 232,890 administrative claims and more than 1,800 lawsuits, only 58 settlements totaling $14.4 million have been made since September 2023.
Rep. Greg Murphy, R-N.C., sponsor of the House bill, emphasized the importance of allowing veterans to present their cases to juries, a key proposition of the new bill.
"We have to have at least an ability for veterans, if they wish, to go in front of a jury and tell their story. I think that's a hallmark of the American judicial system."
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Retired veteran Pierre Anthony used Pure Barre workouts to manage PTSD, lose 37 pounds, and improve his physical and mental health.
A study of 156 post-9/11 veterans showed service dogs significantly reduce PTSD symptoms, improve quality of life, and lower PTSD diagnosis odds within three months.
PRODUCT OF THE WEEK
The Product: Combat Flip Flops creates stylish, high-quality footwear and apparel that support wounded veterans and communities in conflict zones.
The Story: Combat Flip Flops, founded in 2012 by former U.S. Army Rangers Matthew "Griff" Griffin and Donald Lee, aims to impact conflict-affected countries positively. Inspired during a trip to Afghanistan, Griff saw the potential for creating jobs and economic stability by manufacturing flip-flops.
The company began operations in Afghanistan, providing jobs and reducing conflict. Each product sold supported causes like funding Afghan girls' education and clearing unexploded ordnance in Laos.
After the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in 2022, they regrouped and refocused their efforts on other conflict zones around the world and have since expanded to Colombia and Laos.
“We were gonna take military capacity that was established to manufacture tools for war, and we were gonna manufacture commercial products for peace. And then we're gonna ship them all over the world, and help a whole bunch of people along the way.”
FINANCE
Despite soaring housing prices, VA home loans remain one of the most powerful benefits of military service, offering significant savings for veterans.
However, misconceptions abound regarding how VA loans work, the origination process, and the extent of their advantages.
VETERANS’ STORY
Afghanistan veteran Ryan Fugit interviews Major General Kent Hillhouse for a gripping account of his experiences as an armor officer in Vietnam from 1967-1968.
"All of a sudden, I sensed something going on to my side, and there was a guy, North Vietnamese soldier, trying to climb up on the back deck [of the tank]. He didn't see me. I don't know why he didn't see me. I saw him. He had a stick grenade and a tank grenade in his left hand, and a 7mm pistol in his right hand"
Disclaimer: The Homefront Report, in association with HomefrontLaw.com, is an informational newsletter. The content of this email does not constitute legal, health, or financial advice.