VVA Chapter 154

06/18/2026

Veterans / Care Partners -- thank you for your service! Our upcoming support group is June 18, and our guest speaker is Retired Brigadier General Doug "Odie" Slocum.

Retired Brigadier General Doug "Odie" Slocum concluded 35 years in the Air Force and Air National Guard in 2019, commissioned via East Carolina University ROTC in 1984.

Military Leadership: As Commanding General of the 127th Wing and Selfridge Air National Guard Base (2014-2019), Slocum led the organization to numerous top accolades, including the Meritorious Unit Award. A career fighter pilot with over 4,100 hours in F-4, F-16, and A-10 aircraft, he is in the top 1% of experienced fighter pilots. He also served as the Air National Guard Inspector General.

Safety Innovations: As Air National Guard Director/Chief of Safety, he oversaw the four safest years in the organization's history. His innovative program addressing human error in maintenance led to a 76% decrease in preventable mishaps for the U.S. Air Force, saving over $78 million. He championed nationwide programs for su***de prevention, fatigue management, and mid-air collision avoidance (SeeandAvoid.org). He was inducted into the Air Force Safety Hall of Fame in 2013.

Educator & Speaker: Slocum is a world-renowned speaker, delivering over 750 addresses to more than 150,000 attendees. He authored over 250 professional publications and wrote Violent Positivity (2024) based on his leadership style, which he brands as "violent positivity."

Community: He is known for expanding partnerships in Southeast Michigan and has received DTE’s Environmental Steward of the Year Award (2019) and Macomb County’s Economic Partner of the Year (2018), and was inducted into the Macomb County Hall of Fame (2017) and the Michigan Military and Veterans Hall of Honor (2026). He is a consultant, veteran advocate, and State President of the Michigan Air and Space Forces Association. General Slocum lives in Southeast Michigan with his wife and 19-year-old daughter.

We look forward to seeing you all in person at our upcoming Veterans with Parkinson's Support Group on Thursday, June 18 @ 2PM. Our support group meets on the third Thursday of every month.

When: Thursday, June 18, 2026 @ 2:00-4:00PM

Where: Macomb County Detachment #154/American Legion Post 351, 46146 Cass Avenue, Utica, MI 48317.

Contacts: Nate Jolliff (USMC) M:(248) 464-3258 [email protected] or Marc Trail (Navy) M:(586) 693-0434 [email protected]

We have a Zoom call option for those unable to attend in person. Please click on Zoom link below and register. Registration is a one-time task that you'll not have to repeat:

Join Zoom Meeting https://parkinsonsmi-org.zoom.us/j/82609366028?pwd=kGHx6P0oDIaEIalN7HUn79VeTit6sx.1

See you soon!

Nate Jolliff, USMC / Board Member / Veterans' Advocate
M: (248) 464-3258

06/18/2026

Fraud Alert: Beware the “Veterans Savings Program” Postcard Scam. On June 10 the VA released an alert regarding a new scam targeting veterans. The latest tactic involves sending fraudulent postcards claiming you (or your spouse) are entitled to “extra VA benefits” or additional payments, including CHAMPVA, TRICARE, and dental coverage, regardless of a VA disability rating. Don’t fall for it. These scammers claim to be affiliated with VA. They might instill a sense of urgency, pressuring you to contact them as soon as possible, or within five days. Their goal is to get you to call the number provided. Once you do, they will often use flattery and praise regarding your military service to gain trust. The scammer will attempt to obtain personal identifying information like your Social Security Number, bank account details, or other sensitive information. Never give this information over the phone or on the internet. VA is monitoring the situation and urges you to remain vigilant against these fraudulent attempts to steal personal identifying information. Refuse to engage; do not call unverified numbers; and hang up immediately if you are contacted by unsolicited numbers.
https://news.va.gov/147334/veterans-savings-program-postcard-scam/

06/16/2026

06/16/2026

Do you know how to spot a government imposter?

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) joins the Elder Justice Coordinating Council and other government agencies and organizations across the country on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day to spread the word about government and business imposter scams. You answered the call to protect our country. Now VA wants to help protect you and your loved ones.

Government imposter scams are a serious problem: In 2025 alone, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received more than 375,000 reports about government imposters, with reported losses of $917 million. These criminals pose as officials from various government agencies including VA.

These imposter scammers lie and pretend to be someone they’re not. Their goal is to trick you into giving them money, access to your financial accounts, or your personal information. They make up complicated stories about so-called emergencies, so you’ll panic and act quickly before you have time to think about what to do or talk to someone you trust.

One common scam starts with an unexpected call from someone who says they’re from a well-known business, saying there’s suspicious activity on your account.

To “help” you, they transfer you to someone who says they’re from the government. This so-called helper, who claims to be from the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), the FTC, or some other law enforcement agency, urges you to move your money to “protect it” — maybe by transferring it to an account they give you, depositing it in a “government account” or crypto ATM for “safekeeping,” or getting cash or gold and giving it to a courier. But this is all a lie. No one from the government will ever ask you to do these things. Only scammers will pressure you to transfer funds.

Other lies might involve a “suspended Social Security number” or supposed eligibility for government benefits. In all cases, that scammer will attempt to convince you they’re with the government, perhaps even using fake caller ID or official-looking letters. The agency name might be real or made up (but real-sounding), and some scammers may show you an employee ID or badge — all to seem more real. But they are not legitimate government representatives.

To recognize and avoid a government imposter, keep these things in mind:
Never ever will someone from the government say: “Your money isn’t safe. Move it to protect it.” Only a scammer will.
Never ever will someone from the government threaten to suspend your government benefits if you don’t pay immediately. Only a scammer will.
Never ever will someone from the government demand that you pay with a payment app, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or gift cards.
Talk to someone you trust if you’re worried about a problem with your account or identity — especially if the stranger says they’re from the government or the situation is serious or involves a crime. Visit ejcc.acl.gov/imposters for more on imposter scams. VA is committed to protecting the hard-earned benefits and financial safety of all Veterans.

Contact VA: If you miss a VA benefits payment, identify a discrepancy in payments, or find suspicious activity with your direct deposit account, contact VA immediately at 1-800-827-1000.
Contact VSAFE: Veterans or survivors who suspect they have experienced fraud should seek additional information and report the incident to the appropriate agency at VSAFE.gov or by calling 833-38V-SAFE (87233).

EJCC Avoid Imposter Scams

06/13/2026

Maj. James Capers, Jr (USMC, Ret.) will be presented with the Medal of Honor during a White House ceremony scheduled for Thursday, June 18, 2026. Maj. Capers is receiving the MOH for his lifesaving actions during a brutal firefight in April 1967 during the Vietnam War.

Here is a link to a June 2025 news story about efforts to authorize Maj. Capers' Medal of Honor. Highly decorated ENC Marine to receive Medal of Honor this month

Please share this information with others who may be interested in the subject matter.


(Ms.) Marty Eddy
Michigan Coordinator for the National League of American Prisoners & Missing in Southeast Asia (aka National League of POW/MIA Families)
~and~ Secretary/Treasurer, POW Committee of Michigan
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 248-214-6398

06/13/2026

Gov. Whitmer Lowers Flags to Honor Identified MIA WWII Soldier

LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags to be lowered to half-staff throughout the state of Michigan on Saturday, June 13 to honor the life and service of Army Cpl. George F. Sepsey. The flag honors will coincide with his funeral.

"Corporal Sepsey served our country with honor and dignity," said Governor Whitmer. "After so many years of uncertainty, the return of Corporal Sepsey’s remains will help to provide some closure to his family. We will always work to fulfill our pledge to never leave a servicemember behind no matter how long it takes. I have lowered the flags to honor his life and signify our state's appreciation to finally have him home."

In late 1942, Sepsey was assigned to Company M, 126th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division, and deployed in present day Papua New Guinea. He was reportedly killed in action on Nov. 26, 1942, during a grueling fight against Japanese forces along the Sanananda Track. His remains were not recovered after the war as they were labeled as an unknown soldier and only recently identified through laboratory analysis.

Cpl. George F. Sepsey will be buried at Mount Hope Catholic Cemetery.

The State of Michigan recognizes the duty, honor and selfless service of Cpl. George Sepsey by lowering flags to half-staff. Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments and other organizations also are encouraged to display the flag at half-staff.

To lower flags to half-staff, flags should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The process is reversed before the flag is lowered for the day.

Flags should be returned to full-staff on Sunday, June 14.

06/10/2026

There will be a chapter meeting today 6/10/2026 at VFW 1146 Bruce Post starting at 3pm. We will be awarding five chapter scholarships at the meeting please stop by to support the young men and women receiving them. Their biography of the people nominating them are very interesting or if they choose a MI POW-MIA to tell their story is also very well done. Thank­­-You GARY PURCELL