Board Minutes December 2007

WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
WDVA Briefing of December 13, 2007

Union Grove, Wisconsin
Board Members Present Council on Veterans Programs Present

Peter Moran Russ Alsteen, NCUSA
Marv Freedman Paul Bialk, MCL
Rodney C. Moen Cleon Brown, USSVWWII
Jackie Guthrie Rick Cherone, MOPH
William Andersen Donna Chrzas, CVSO
Walter Stenavich Phil Cote, Am. Legion
Mark Foreman, VVAW
Legislative & Program Review Members Present Bill Hustad, WVV
Marv Freedman Chris Kanios, VFW
Vera Roddy John Margowski, VVA
Steve Lawrence Max Oleson, ARC
Duane Miskulin Jerry Rabetski, PLAV
Jim Young Clif Sorenson, WACVO
Tim Thiers Clarence Stoel, DAV
Mike Furgal Tim Thiers, AMVETS
Scott Berger Paul Weprinsky, JWV
Paul Weprinsky
Others Present
Long Term Care Committee Members Present Gus Sorenson, WI Paralyzed Veterans
Rod Moen Don Fell, WI paralyzed Veterans
Jackie Guthrie Ken Brown, Ozaukee CVSO
Lewis Harned Bill Crivello, DAV Member
Rick Scollon Marcie Stuekart, Am. Legion Auxiliary
Jerry Polus Jim Young, Vernon CVSO
Christine Jordan Marcia Ziegler, Clark CVSO Staff
Mary Meyer Roger Fetterly, MOAA
Alan Walker Robert Cocroft, CVI President
Ken Wendt
WDVA Staff Members Present
Financial Committee Members Present John A. Scocos, Secretary
Bill Andersen Bill Kloster, Deputy Secretary
Walter Stenavich Anthony Hardie, Executive Assistant
Al Richards Bill Crowley, Commandant, King
Mike Demske Jimmy Stewart, Chief Legal Counsel
Jim Gausmann Ken Abrahamsen, Budget Director
Joe Campbell Colleen Holtan, Budget Office
Al Kochenderfer Mike Diaz, Division Administrator
Bill Hustad Gary Wistrom, Acting Commandant, WVH-UG
Ken Black, Division of Veterans Benefits
CVSO Advisory Council Present Andy Schuster, Public Affairs Director
Jon LiDonne, CVSO Association President Mel Brandl, Regional Coordinator
Mark Grams, Dodge CVSO Nate Nez, Regional Coordinator
John Solis, Rock CVSO Pat Shaughnessy, Deputy Commandant
Robert Stone, Winnebago CVSO Ken Grant, Bureau of Program Services
Nick Benzinger, Shawano CVSO Seth Perelman, Division Administrator
Ted Mynyk, Iowa CVSO Julie Van Metre, Executive Staff Assistant
Fred Kaiser, Waushara CVSO
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The briefing session by WDVA staff for Board, Council and Committee members commenced
at 1:10 pm. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by John A. Scocos followed by a moment of silence in
memory of former WDVA Secretary John Moses, those missing in action, and prisoners of war.
1. Certification of Notice of Meeting and Roll Call

It was certified that the meeting was properly noticed.
Roll call of Board members: 6 members present for a quorum.
Roll call of Legislative and Program Review Committee members: 9 members present for a quorum.
Roll call of Long-Term Care Committee members: 9 members present for a quorum.
Roll call of Financial Committee members: 8 members present for a quorum.
Roll call of Council on Veterans Programs members: 16 members present for a quorum.
Pete Moran welcomed home Secretary John A Scocos from his presence out in the freedom
frontier.
2. Board Committee Appointment

Board Chairman Moran appointed Marcia Anderson to serve as Vice Chair of the Legislative
and Program Review Committee.
3. Legislative Report
Anthony Hardie reported that in the Senate, Congress has been having challenges in the last
couple of months. It looks unlikely that anything but two measures will be addressed before the end of
the year: an omnibus appropriations act as well as a fix for the alternative minimum tax (AMT). The
House is currently considering a continuing resolution regarding the appropriations act in order for the
government to continue operations. The Qualified Veterans Mortgage Bond issue is included in H.R.
3997 known as the Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act (HEART) which was passed in the
House of Representatives. We hope to see some action in the Senate soon.
Mr. Hardie said the Department had the opportunity to testify at a number of legislative
hearings at the State Capitol. The Department testified in favor of SB 307, veterans’ tuition
reimbursement program. Assembly Bill 555 is the companion bill and both will remove the
requirement for a pre-application. About 5.6% of all applications filed for the VetEd Program have
been denied due to pre-application reasons. Other bills having a hearing and for which the Department
provided testimony in favor were: AB 370 relating to commercial driver license testing for military
license holders, The Department also registered in favor of AB 32 prohibiting employment
discrimination because an individual is or applies to be a member of the national guard; AB 80 relating
to special distinguishing registration plates for persons who have had an immediate family member die
while in military service; and AB 351 designating a bridge in Columbia County as the Veterans of the
American Revolution Memorial Bridge. A Committee executive session was held on all of the above
bills on December 6th and they all were voted out of Committee on a 5-0 vote, including AB 75,
assistance for veterans affected by depleted uranium.
The Senate Committee on Higher Education held a hearing on November 14th that began with
an informational briefing on the veterans tuition remission and Mr. Hardie gave a presentation and
answered questions on the WI GI Bill, the federal GI Bill and various veterans educational programs at
all levels. The essence of the hearing was that this is an important program, the legislature is
supportive of it, but there are funding issues. Senate Bill 100 was also heard, this expands the
Wisconsin GI Bill with regards to residency so that only ten years of continuous residency would be
required. Mr. Hardie testified in favor, he noted that Vets for Vets, the student organization for
veterans on the UW campus testified against not because they didn’t support the concept of the bill but
because they thought ten years wasn’t short enough, they wanted between one and five year’s
residency. On December 12th there was a hearing of the Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee and
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AB 555, a companion to SB 307, received testimony in support from the CVSO Association and the
WDVA. There was an executive session immediately following the hearing and the bill was voted out
of Committee. In a discussion about the closure of the CBOC at Rice Lake and Hayward Mr. Hardie
identified the measures that the Secretary and the Department took to try to be helpful. This topic is
on the Department’s website on the “Hot Topics” page.
Mr. Hardie highlighted the following bills:

• SB 136 introduced by Senator Joe Leibham will discontinue the automatic distribution of the
Wisconsin Statutes to certain government officers, including County Veterans Service
Officers. WDVA communicated with the CVSO Association, which chose not to take a
position.
• AJR 34 creates a constitutional amendment that would prohibit interfund transfers. It would
have a significant impact on WDVA as the transfer of cash and assets between the mortgage
loan repayment fund and the veterans trust fund has taken place for many decades. Mr. Hardie
will monitor the legislation closely.
• SB 352 was introduced on December 10th and it relates to residential mortgage loans. The
Department is currently determining what impact the bill will have on veterans mortgage loans.
• SB 49 has passed the Senate; it would provide free access to state parks and state trails by
certain disabled veterans and former prisoners of war.
• SB 109 requires that all employers in this state grant a paid leave of absence on Veterans Day
to employees who are veterans. The bill is in the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.
• AB 32 prohibits employment discrimination because of military status; it has passed the
Assembly and had a hearing in the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, with WDVA
registering in support.
• AB 43 and SB 19 regarding creditable military service under the Wisconsin Retirement
System—the budget act did provide funding for an actuarial study.
• AB 243, prohibiting consideration of veterans disability payments when ordering maintenance
had a public hearing in the Committee on Children and Family Law.
• AB 400 relates to the powers and duties of the Department of Military Affairs as detailed in
Chapter 20.
• Legislation authored by Rep. Sherman encourages state agencies to use 30% or greater service
disabled veteran owned businesses in state contracts.
• Legislation currently pending would provide stop-gap state level health insurance for low
income veterans.
Mr. Hardie highlighted legislation affecting veterans that passed into law this biennium:
• The budget bill—Wisconsin Act 20
• AB 63, Hire a Veteran Week, Veteran Recognition Week, and veterans who volunteer in
schools is Wisconsin Act 22
• AB 130, issuing hunting approvals to members of the Wisconsin National Guard is Wisconsin
Act 23
• AB 131, issuance of certain hunting approvals to certain members of the U.S. Armed Forces is
Wisconsin Act 24
• AB 270, changing the membership of the Council on Veterans Programs is Wisconsin Act 25
• AB 106, designating and marking a bridge on STH 156 in the Town of Navarino as the Avery
Wilber Memorial Bridge is Wisconsin Act 30
• A number of senate and assembly joint resolutions have passed honoring our fallen service
members.
Mr. Freedman asked if AJR 34 will ultimately be referred to Joint Finance and if so at what
point would that happen. Mr. Hardie could not answer that question but he did know that the
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resolution passed the Assembly on December 11th and was referred to the Senate. This is a key issue
for the Legislature and Mr. Hardie anticipates additional discussion. There are a number of agencies
impacted in various ways by this legislation. Mr. Freedman said there seems to be a potential that a
constitutional amendment would go through even with the amendment and that there would be some
arguments made as far as the kinds of transfers that WDVA makes internally, among various veterans
affairs related accounts, as not what the authors and cosponsors of this bill are going after. Mr.
Freedman asked that Mr. Hardie apprise the Board at its February meeting as to whether it would be
advisable to draft for introduction and enactment legislation that would anticipate possible challenges
with these transfers if the constitutional amendment were to go through. Issues were documented by
WDVA in a December 11th letter addressed to the Speaker and Minority Leader in the Assembly with
copies to the co-authors and Governor’s office, the Senate Veterans Committee and other key leaders
in the legislature. Mr. Moen asked the Secretary to send a similar letter to the leadership of both
parties in the Senate and also to those individuals who have signed on to the bill.
Mr. Hardie provided a written report of recent events, activities, and outreach that have taken
place since the last meeting of the Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs, including:
• Supermarket of Veterans Benefits on October 23rd in Baraboo
• Consulate General of France presentation of French Legion of Honor Awards on October 25th
in Milwaukee
• Supermarket of Veterans Benefits on November 6 & 7 in Waukesha, over 800 attended
• Veterans Day ceremonies at the Northern, Southern and King Cemeteries as well as at the
State Capitol
• Dedication of Klein Hall in Chippewa Falls
• Pearl Harbor Day ceremonies at King and Union Grove
• The Fall 2007 Forward Veterans newsletter is on WDVA’s website
• Gulf War Illnesses Recognition Day Conference will be held on January 17th in Madison
• Stakeholders Conference and Salute to the Legislature will be on February 20th at the Monona
Terrace and Convention Center in Madison from noon to 5 p.m.
4. Programs Report
Ken Black reported that the following CVSO Bulletins were sent out:
• Bulletin #811 announcing modifications to the Assistance to Needy Veterans Grant
• Bulletin #812 announcing a decrease in the Primary Mortgage Loan interest rate
• Bulletin #815 announcing changes to the Assistance to Needy Veterans Grant Program
State Veterans Cemeteries

• Expansion at the Northern Cemetery nearly completed
• 14 columbarium interments remain to be scheduled
Veterans Homeless Program (VAP)

• VAP Klein Hall dedicated on December 4th with about 150 attendees
• VAP received over $1,100 in cash donations in November, as well as $14,000 worth of
furniture and equipment from the Naval Reserve Unit that recently closed in Duluth
• Meeting with Tribal Benefit Specialists and other tribal personnel
• One SRO room is filled at Chippewa Falls, 11 pending applications for that VAP program
• Working with Southern Wisconsin Center to mothball Cottage 1. At Cottage 15, 5 of the
SROs are occupied.
• PERMAR was selected to provide security at Ft. McCoy
• VAP received federal VA per diem increase to $31.30 per day
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VetEd Grant Program
• Wisconsin G.I. Bill to 100% at UW and Technical Colleges, the Department is preparing for a
surge of applications.
National Guard Reintegration

• Since August the Department has participated in four events, serving over 550 returnees.
WDVA will be supporting another five events through July 2008.
State Approving Agency (SAA)

• The SAA works with the Wisconsin Institute of Higher Learning to prevent waste, fraud and
abuse of the Montgomery GI Bill. WDVA staff meets with individuals at schools across
Wisconsin to determine if they meet the criteria for the federal Montgomery GI Bill. Several
new schools may soon be approved—a commercial flight training course in Madison, two
cosmetology schools in the Fox Valley, and an AMT paramedic training at Janesville Hospital.
Troops to Teachers (TTT)

• We continue to work with our Congressional delegation and the NASDVA to increase the
number of school districts where TTT participants can teach.
Loans
• Loan volume in the Home Loan Program was $5.5 million in October and $1.9 million in
November
• Loan volume in the Personal Loan Program was $308,370 in October and $319,563 in
November
• Loan volume in the Home Improvement Loan Program was $170,996 in October and no HILPs
were done in November
• The Veterans Trust Fund delinquency rate was 2.10% in October and 2.12% in November
Assistance to Needy Veterans Grant

• The Process Action Team met on December 5th and is scheduled to meet again on January 9th
5. Veterans Homes Report

Mr. Diaz highlighted the following Division of Veterans Homes matters:
• CVSO Bulletin 819 announced new Home rates effective 1 January 2008
• The Division submitted a memo detailing the citations report for the Homes for the months of
September through November 2007
• Pathway Health Services began work on the Operational Study of the Homes
• A financial transaction audit and survey of Union Grove’s internal controls is being conducted
by a company called Titus
• Demolition began at the Fairchild Hall assisted living facility, construction will follow that will
convert some of the rooms to singles and provide ADA compliant bathrooms for the remaining
double rooms
• The federal appropriation for the State Home Construction Grant Program has been approved
by conference committee for federal fiscal year 2008 for $165 million for construction grants
and $35 million for cemetery construction grants
• The Division is conducting exploratory discussions with a private firm to conduct an
independent survey of food service operations
Mr. Stenavich asked what the difference was between the food service survey that was recently
conducted and the second survey being explored. Mr. Diaz said the first survey was done in-house
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and the Board asked that an independent firm conduct the survey to avoid the appearance that we were
manipulating the numbers or suggesting answers by the members. The cost to conduct the second
survey would be approximately $4,500. Mr. Stenavich said he would like the Board to reconsider the
additional expense for a second food survey. Mr. Moran referred that suggestion to the Long Term
Care Committee for its recommendation to the Board.
Mr. Crowley said the census at King was 709 at the end of November with 59 pending
applications in different stages of processing. The average time from receipt of the application to
admission during this reporting period is 131 days. Commandant Crowley gave the following
construction update: well #2 is complete and they are testing for the required approval by the DNR.
By summer of 2008 the campus will be converted to well water. The resident ceiling lift project is
being designed and the budget estimate and project scope are being reviewed. The Olson Hall
domestic water piping replacement project design was sent to the VA. Bids are due December 12th.
The architect/engineer has been selected to design the wandering resident monitoring system that will
replace the existing system. The receipts in the Home Exchange operations were approximately
$45,000 with a net operating loss of $1,454. The past 12 months saw receipts of $247,160 and a loss
of $623.00. The gifts and bequests revenue since the last report is $166,114 and total expenditures
since the last report is $97,462 for a net gain of $68,650.
Mr. Anderson asked what was purchased with the $97,462 expended from Gifts and Bequests.
Mr. Crowley said he would have to get that information to him tomorrow morning; he did not know
off hand, but it would have been for things that directly benefit the members of the Home.
Mr. Wistrom welcomed everyone to the Union Grove campus. The census is 78 members in
skilled nursing and 98 in assisted living for a total campus census of 176 (as of November 30, 2007).
There are nine pending applications and five on a waiting list. The third floor of Boland Hall will be
opening for admissions next week. The average application processing time is 35 days. The
conversion of ten double rooms into fifteen single rooms in Fairchild and Shemanske Halls started in
mid November and could be done in 12-15 months. The modification to loading docks at Maurer and
Boland Halls is complete. The delicatessen in Maurer Hall is open for business. The fourth of four
new busses has arrived; they are used for activities and medical transport. There was a Pearl Harbor
Day Program on December 7th in conjunction with the official countdown to the National Moment of
Remembrance on Memorial Day. There are many holiday activities planned as well as preparations
for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
6. Financial Report
Ms. Holtan began with the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King. Operating revenues increased
7% to $23,024,667 and operating expenses increased 6% to $23,995,832 resulting in a year-to-date
operating loss of $971,165. The operating loss caused fund equity to decrease to $44,383,582 as of
November 30th. Cash and cash equivalents increased $3.1 million to $20.8 million at November 30
due to cash receipts exceeding uses.
Operating revenues at the Wisconsin Veterans Home at Union Grove were $4.8 million
through November 30, an increase of $3.4 million over the same time period in fiscal year 2007.
Operating expenses were $6,250,027, or $2.5 million greater than through November 30, 2006. The
net loss and decrease to fund equity through November 30, 2007 were $1,454,666. Cash and cash
equivalents decreased $1,557,655 at November 30, 2007, a decrease of $1,363,579 fiscal year to date.
The Veterans Trust Fund operating revenues decreased while operating costs increased,
resulting in a fiscal year 2008-to-date operating loss of $2,213,005. Non-operating revenues also
decreased while non-operating expenses increased, thereby increasing the fiscal year-to-date net loss
in the Veterans Trust Fund to $2,449,841. Assets in the VTF totaled $68.8 million as of November
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30th, a decrease of nearly $7.1 million since November 2006, including decreases in cash and the
unpaid principal balance of veterans and mortgage loans outstanding of $2.8 million and $4.3 million
respectively. The November 30, 2007 cash balance was $25,633.996.
The Mortgage Loan Repayment Fund (MLRF) on November 30th totaled $399.6 million which
is $15.6 million less than the November 30, 2006 balance. Liabilities and fund equity decreased a
combined $15,569,655. Fiscal year-to-date operating expenses have exceeded operating revenues
resulting in an operating loss of $7.2 million. The cash balance in the MLRF was $116,855,288 as of
November 30, 2007.
The Veterans Trust Fund loan portfolio delinquency rate for November was 2.12% overall, and
2.13% for the Personal Loan Program. The Primary Mortgage Loan delinquency rate for October was
0.75%. Fifteen Primary Mortgage Loan applications were received in November 2007, down from 31
for the same period in 2006.
7. Recess/Adjournment
It was moved by Mr. Moen, seconded by Mr. Stenavich and carried on a voice vote that the
Board adjourn until 9:30 a.m. on December 14.
It was moved by Mr. Lawrence, seconded, carried on a voice vote that the Legislative and
Program Review Committee stand in recess.
It was moved by Mr. Wendt, seconded by Ms. Meyer and carried on a voice vote that the Long
Term Care Committee stand in recess.
It was moved by Mr. Hustad, seconded by Mr. Gausmann and carried on a voice vote that the
Financial Committee stand in recess.
It was moved by Mr. Margowski, seconded, and carried on a voice vote that the Council on
Veterans Programs adjourn until 8:00 a.m. on December 14.
It was moved by Mr. Grams, seconded by Mr. Mynyk and carried on a voice vote that the
CVSO Advisory Council stand in recess for ten minutes.
The time was 2:45 p.m.
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MINUTES
CVSO ADVISORY COUNCIL
December 13, 2007
Members Present Others Present

Nick Benzinger, Shawano Charles Allen
Mark Grams, Dodge Russ Alsteen, NCUSA
Jon LiDonne, Waupaca Bill Andersen, Board Member
Fred Kaiser, Waushara Scott Berger, Marathon CVSO
Ted Mynyk, Iowa Ken Brown, Ozaukee CVSO
John Solis, Rock Scott Berger, Marathon CVSO
Robert Stone, Winnebago Gerald Beuthin, Green Lake CVSO
Ray Boeckman, Sawyer CVSO
Members Excused Ken Brown, Ozaukee CVSO
Andrew Clark, Outagamie Joe Campbell
Mike Haley, Chippewa Rick Cherone, MOPH
Donna Chrzas, Columbia CVSO
WDVA Present Robert Cocroft, CVI
John A. Scocos, Secretary Phil Cote, American Legion
Bill Kloster, Deputy Secretary Mike Demske, VVA President
Anthony Hardie, Executive Assistant Roger Fetterly, MOAA
Jimmy Stewart, Chief Legal Counsel Mark Foreman, VVAW
Ken Black, Division of Veterans Benefits Mike Furgal VFW
Seth Perelman, Division of Administration Jim Gausmann, La Crosse CVSO
Andy Schuster, Communications Director Jackie Guthrie, Board Member
Mike Diaz, Division Administrator Lewis Harned
Bill Crowley, Commandant Bill Hustad, VFW Commander
Gary Wistrom, Acting Commandant Chris Jordan, Walworth CVSO
Pat Shaughnessy, Deputy Commandant Kevin Kavanaugh
Ken Abrahamsen, Budget Director Al Kochenderfer
Colleen Holtan, Budget Steve Lawrence, VFW Adjutant
Mel Brandl, Regional Coordinator Mary Meyer
Nate Nez, Regional Coordinator Duane Miskulin
Julie Van Metre, Executive Staff Assistant Rod Moen, Board Member
Peter Moran, Board Chairman
Max Oleson, American Red Cross
Jerry Polus, Brown CVSO
Jerry Rabetski, PLAV
Al Richards
Vera Roddy, UWV President
Rick Scollon
Clif Sorenson, Eau Claire CVSO
Clarence Stoel
Tim Thiers
Ken Wendt
Jim Young, Vernon CVSO
Marcia Ziegler, Clark CVSO Staff
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1. Call to Order and Roll Call
The meeting of the CVSO Advisory Council was called to order at 2:55 p.m. The Pledge
of Allegiance was recited. A quorum was present.
2. Certification of Notice of Meeting

So noted.
3. Approval of Minutes of September 27, 2007

It was moved by Mr. LiDonne, seconded by Mr. Benzinger and carried on a voice vote to
approve the minutes of the September 27th CVSO Advisory Council meeting.
4. Announcements and Introductions

None.
5. Resident Weight Limits at Homes

Mr. Solis said that there are different member weight limits for Union Grove than at
King. Mr. Kloster said there is nothing in writing policy-wise. Mr. Shaughnessy said that there
is a medical change in services that have to be provided at 350 pounds. He said that 350 pounds
is considered bariatric, which requires specialty beds and specialty lifts. Union Grove does not
have that equipment, therefore they do not admit veterans in that weight category. Mr. Kloster
said that both Homes will take a member up to 350 pounds. That is a generally accepted nursing
home standard.
Mr. Grams asked how much would it cost to add the specialized equipment to be able to
admit persons over 350 pounds. Mr. Shaughnessy said one of the problems is that wider
doorway entrances into the member room and bathroom are needed. The bariatric beds are
generally too wide to fit through the current doorways so reconstruction would be the biggest
cost. Mr. Grams asked where the over 350 pound person would go. Mr. Shaughnessy said there
are some facilities that have specialty programs; there is a place in South Milwaukee that has
bariatric suites with special showers, special bathroom doors, etc. It was requested that CVSOs
get a list of those facilities that can accommodate the special needs of a person over 350 pounds.
Mr. Shaughnessy said if a member should go over 350 pounds while a resident, it
presents a significant challenge. They would have a dietician and nursing staff work closely
with the member. It would be very difficult to discharge a member based on weight, so they
would do their best to work around it.
Mr. Kloster added that similar situations happen at the cemeteries at Union Grove and
Spooner with the pre-set liners. All those liners are one size and occasionally we get caskets that
will not fit in those liners. We will then purchase an oversized liner and that liner will be placed
in a separate burial garden at the cemetery.
6. Eligibility Affidavits from Family Members

Mr. Solis said that CVSOs received training from Marianne at a Southeast meeting and
the affidavit question came up and her response was that we get a notarized affidavit from parent
or sibling or two notarized affidavits from neighbors, friends or other relatives. Mr. Kloster said
that since Marianne gave that briefing, WDVA has some new programs. Mr. Perelman said that
starting in the 1980’s, Chief Legal Counsel Fitch Taylor determined that affidavits of residence
by people who stood to benefit from establishing residency constituted a conflict of interest and
were, therefore, inappropriate. In the 1990’s Chief Counsel John Rosinski, in modifying Fitch
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Taylor’s finding, found that in those cases where veterans were minors and therefore presumably
resided with their parents, it was appropriate to accept an affidavit from parents, even though
they might benefit. Then more recently we administer programs for a number of agencies who
do not accept affidavits at all--the University of Wisconsin System, Wisconsin Technical College
System and Department of Revenue. Those agencies require one of three documents in order of
preference: (1) a Wisconsin income tax filing, (2) the DD Form 2058 and (3) either forms 214 or
215, separation record indicating place of residence when they entered service. However, if an
individual cannot provide one of those three documents, and they are not applying for those
programs but are only trying to establish Chapter 45 eligibility, they should be referred to
WDVA Office of Legal Counsel to be worked on a case-by-case basis.
7. Marking of DD214’s on File at WDVA

Mr. Solis said they are looking for a status report on the decision to mark DD214’s that
WDVA knows comes from a reliable source. CVSO Bulletin #817, published November 16th,
explained the changes. Those changes went into effect on November 20th so the Department is
now certifying those DD214’s which they can and indicating those that cannot be certified as
being an uncertified copy on file. The use of the embossing seal is being reinstituted. So now,
whether it is an uncertified copy or the stamp that certifies a copy, WDVA will emboss through
it for a little added security so that CVSOs know that it came from WDVA. Mr. Perelman said
we are only going to certify those DD214’s as genuine if we are absolutely sure of their chain of
custody. The only one at this point that we know is a genuine document is the Copy 6 that
comes to us straight from the separation center. Anything else, we are going to stamp uncertified
copy.
8. Definition of “underemployed” as it Relates to the WDVA Retraining Grant

Mr. Stewart said the definition of underemployed is found in Chapter VA 2.03 (1)(f). A
frequently asked question paper about the term underemployed was provided to the Council.
Mr. Benzinger asked if self-employment is something different than underemployment.

Mr. Stewart said self employment has several different facets in terms of the Department making
a capable analysis of the income situation. Some of the issues that come up with self
employment are the failure to give a properly prepared accounting of the business that allows us
to make a determination of eligibility. One of the other issues that comes up is that the
Administrative Code doesn’t allow us to give a retraining grant to an individual who has a loss
of employment or income due to their own fault. The fact that an individual determines that his
business is no longer viable is subjective as to whether that’s the individual’s own fault or not.
9. WI GI Bill Eligibility
Mr. Stewart said an issue identified is the fact that the term “active duty” as it is used in
both Chapter 36 and Chapter 38 is not defined. There are three different places to seek definition
for active duty. Chapters 36 and 38 both use the definition for Chapter 45 veteran. Two other
places have the definition of active duty—Title 10 of the US Code and Title 38. Both the UW
System and the Technical College System have been notified that WDVA has been defining
active duty under the Title 10 definition which includes active duty for training in both the
National Guard and Reserves. The UW System has not told us to change that interpretation. It
is their statute to interpret, should they tell us they want a different interpretation, we would
comply but to date they have not done that.
Mr. Grams said that if we knew from the beginning that active duty for training was
eligible for the WI GI Bill and nobody applied for it until a year ago, will we advertise that now.
Mr. Stewart said we have not put out a bulletin because it is not our statute to interpret. It is not
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a WDVA program to advertise. Mr. Grams said information could be put out in Forward
Veterans to notify that population of veterans that they are eligible and the CVSO community
needs to get the information out.
There was discussion on uncharacterized discharge. If one uses a liberal interpretation of

that, it should be an honorable discharge. Mr. Stewart said individuals who are discharged
administratively under 180 days can be labeled as uncharacterized. Individuals who complete 90
or more days up to 179 days can be labeled as either uncharacterized, under honorable
conditions, under general with honorable conditions or any of the normal discharge
characteristics. Individuals that WDVA would be looking at with respect to our own personal
eligibility within the 90 to 180 days, uncharacterized has and always will be an honorable
discharge under Chapter 45. The UW System and Technical College System want that discharge
to say under honorable conditions just like their statutes say.
Ms. Guthrie said that we, as leaders in the veterans community have an obligation to our
veterans, whether it is a state or federal benefit. She was adamant in her feelings that we need to
come together as a community to clarify what a veteran is and the definition of a veteran.
Mr. Margowski asked if there has been any guarantee out of the UW System for the
veteran who goes through the long process to get an honorable discharge to be able to get the
tuition remission reimbursed to him or her. Mr. Stewart said the statutes that this program is
governed by don’t have time limits. One of the things that both systems started was telling the
veteran that they had so many weeks to apply; however, the statute has no time limits.
10. Secretary’s Matters

Secretary Scocos thanked the CVSOs and congratulated Jon LiDonne on his election as
CVSO Association President. He looks forward to working with him in the year ahead. The
next two to five years are critical for the financial situation of the Department of Veterans
Affairs. The solvency plan goes out to the year 2013. The Board of Veterans Affairs will be
faced with serious decisions to make in terms of our Homes. Thanks to all the folks who helped
the homeless program and all the support over the last budget.
11. Public Input

Mr. Polus said that under the Wisconsin GI Bill in the Technical College system you can
obtain eight semesters, 128 credits in one system and go to another and get that same benefit.
Mr. Polus was told that they have not closed that loophole.
12. Council Members’ Matters (Not Subject to Adoption)

Mr. Grams complimented the loan analysts at the Department.
Mr. Mynyk talked about the Assistance to Needy Veterans Program and assistance to
deployed service members’ spouses and families and the monetary contributions made to that
program. He asked about the status of those contributions. Mr. Kloster said that under the
budget process there was an initiative to take that program completely out of the Department of
Veterans Affairs and move it to the Department of Military Affairs and WDVA was supposed to
transfer the money. An update on that program will be provided to the CVSOs.
13. Next Meeting Schedule

Next year’s meeting schedule will be set by the Board.
4
14. Adjournment
It was moved by Mr. Stone, seconded by Mr. LiDonne and carried on a voice vote to
adjourn the CVSO Advisory Council meeting, the time was 3:55 p.m.
John Solis
Chairman
5
MINUTES
FINANCIAL COMMITTEE
Meeting of December 13, 2007
Committee Present Others Present

Bill Andersen Charles Allen
Al Richards Russ Alsteen, Navy Club
Jim Gausmann Scott Berger, Marathon CVSO
Joe Campbell Cleon “Pat” Brown, USSVWWII
Bill Hustad Ken Brown, Ozaukee CVSO
Al Kochenderfer Rick Cherone, MOPH Commander
Mike Demske Donna Chrzas, Columbia CVSO
Mark Foreman, VVAW
Committee Excused Marvin Freedman, Board Vice Chair
Walter Stenavich Mike Furgal
John O’Brien Lew Harned
Bill Bottoms Chris Jordan, Walworth CVSO
Steve Lawrence, VFW Adjutant
WDVA Present Mary Meyer
John A. Scocos, Secretary Duane Miskulin
William Kloster, Deputy Secretary Rod Moen, Board Member
Ken Black, Division Administrator Pete Moran, Board Chairman
Bill Crowley, Commandant, WVH-K Jerry Polus, Brown CVSO
Pat Shaughnessy, Deputy Commandant Jerry Rabetski, PLAV
Mike Diaz, Division Administrator Vera Roddy, UWV President
Ken Abrahamsen, Budget Director Rick Scollon
Colleen Holtan, Budget Tim Thiers, AMVETS
Ken Grant, Bureau of Program Services Al Walker
Andy Schuster, Public Affairs Director Ken Wendt
Julie Van Metre, Executive Staff Assistant Jim Young, Vernon CVSO

The meeting of the Financial Committee was called to order at 4:00 p.m.; a quorum was
present.

It was certified that proper notice of the meeting occurred.
3. Approval of Minutes
It was moved by Mr. Campbell, seconded by Mr. Hustad and carried unanimously on a
voice vote to approve the minutes of the October 18, 2007 Financial Committee meeting.
1
Mr. Kloster said that during the summer when the budget was in debate, we often talked
about if the budget did not pass we were going to lose $10 million and that was true. The budget
did pass and we went out seeking that $10 million worth of bonding authority. We found that if
we bonded for that money, the coupon rate on the bonds plus the necessary add-ons would have
put us at an interest rate of about 6.4% which is four-tenths of a basis point above our current
average. Also, the State of Wisconsin Investment Board (SWIB) rate on our funds with the state
is less than 4.9%. We were also looking at a coupon rate that was 4.5%. What we would be
paying as debt service was very close to what we would have been making in interest on money
in the bank. So we were probably going to be facing a situation where we were paying more for
the money than we were going to make on it, coupled with the fact that there has been a huge
downturn in the last couple of months in lending activity. So, Mr. Kloster said he made the
decision not to pursue that $10 million. Although the federal prime interest rate dropped, bond
interest rates are going up and so our money is getting more expensive. It would have been a
bad financial decision for the Department to seek that money. We still have projected Primary
Mortgage Loan availability through September of 2009.
Mr. Kloster said the plan to transfer the $7 million from the Homes account into the Trust
Fund so that we can get the interest on that money, is still being worked on. It was originally
planned to do that around the first of the year, so even with the budget passing late, we might not
be too far behind schedule. The bad news is, if the SWIB rate continues to go down, the
projections we made in June are going to be less.
Mr. Andersen said that Mr. Kloster made a wise decision and he asked how much money
we had available for loans. Ms. Holtan said approximately $24 million and we have the
opportunity to do refunding again on existing bonds, probably to be done in the April timeframe,
for approximately $36 million to generate cash for new loans. In addition to that there will be
$15 million of QVMB new authority that we will get on the first of the year.
Secretary Scocos said that Mr. Kloster and Colleen Holtan and the budget folks have
done an outstanding job with the complexities that we face. The financial future and solvency of
our Homes are critical. The Board is going to set the course for the future of our financial
stability at our Homes. The Department will work with appropriate legislative avenues to again
attempt to get general purpose dollars for our Department.
Mr. Andersen asked when the Homes study would be complete. Ms. Holtan said a lot of
the on-site field work has been completed. Pathways will be working on drafting some
preliminary recommendations from their observations. They will present that information to an
advisory committee and the first full week of January is targeted for them to bring us an
operational assessment review. Once the operational assessment itself is completed, however,
we still will have work on the financial assessment from which we can do some projections as to
cost. Ultimately we have a capital project component that we have to look at to estimate the
right-sizing for the Homes. WDVA will get a comprehensive written report from the consultant,
Pathways, and they will assist with a briefing to the Board when that is complete. Optimistically,
that preliminary report will be brought to the Board at its next meeting in February.
2
Mr. Andersen asked for confirmation that we are spending a quarter of a million dollars
for the study. Ms. Holtan said the estimated cost was $250,000 but the contract was let for
$107,200.
5. Public Input
None.
6. Committee Members’ Matters (Not Subject to Adoption)

None.
7. Next Meeting Date

To be determined by the Board.
8. Adjournment
It was moved, seconded, and carried unanimously on a voice vote to adjourn the meeting;
the time was 4:15 p.m.
Bill Andersen
Chairman
3
MINUTES
LEGISLATIVE AND PROGRAM REVIEW COMMITTEE

Marvin Freedman Charles Allen
Scott Berger Russ Alsteen, NCUSA
Mike Furgal Nick Benzinger, Shawano CVSO
Steve Lawrence Cleon “Pat” Brown, USSVWWII
Duane Miskulin Ken Brown, Ozaukee CVSO
Vera Roddy Rick Cherone, MOPH
Tim Thiers Donna Chrzas, Columbia CVSO
Jim Young Bill Crivello
Phil Cote, American Legion
Committee Members Excused Mike Demske, VVA President
Marcia Anderson Mark Foreman, VVAW
Paul Weprinsky Jackie Guthrie, Board Member
Don Heiliger Lewis Harned
Bud Mautz Bill Hustad, WVV
Christine Jordan, Walworth CVSO
WDVA Present Fred Kaiser, Waushara CVSO
John A. Scocos, Secretary Al Kochenderfer
William Kloster, Deputy Secretary Kevin Kavanaugh
Bill Crowley, Commandant, WVH-K Jon LiDonne, Waupaca CVSO
Gary Wistrom, Acting Commandant, WVH-UG Mary Meyer
Mike Diaz, Division Administrator Rod Moen, Board Member
Ken Black, Division Administrator Pete Moran, Board Chairman
Ken Grant, Bureau of Program Services Jerry Polus, Brown CVSO
Andrew Schuster, Public Affairs Director Jerry Rabetski, PLAV
Nate Nez, Regional Coordinator Al Richards
Julie Van Metre, Executive Staff Assistant Rick Scollon
Clif Sorenson, WACVO, Eau Claire CVSO
Al Walker
Ken Wendt

The meeting of the Legislative and Program Review Committee was called to order at
4:20 p.m.; a quorum was present.

It was noted that proper notice of the meeting occurred.
It was moved by Mr. Lawrence, seconded by Mr. Thiers and carried on a voice vote to
approve the minutes of the October 18, 2007 meeting.
1
4. Discussion and Action on SB 307 and AB 555 Relating to the Repeal of the VetEd Pre-
Application Requirement
Chairman Freedman said the Committee previously went on record supporting the repeal
of the VetEd pre-application requirement.
It was moved by Mr. Thiers, seconded by Mr. Miskulin and carried unanimously on a
voice vote that the Legislative and Program Review Committee recommends that the Board of
Veterans Affairs endorse the enactment of SB 307 and AB 555 repealing the VetEd pre-app
requirement and direct the Department to continue making the passage of SB 307 and AB 555 a
high legislative priority.
5. Discussion and Action on the Need for Additional USDVA Vet Centers in Wisconsin
Chairman Freedman said that since the Committee first talked about this matter in
August, there has been considerable movement on the initiative to try and get two additional Vet
Centers for Wisconsin. Senator Feingold has taken the lead in trying to bring this about. The
way that new Vet Centers are located is that they have an appropriation in any given budget year
that goes to the construction of new Vet Centers and enhancing existing ones. They have a
process that is overseen by the Under Secretary of Health for the Veterans Health Administration
within the VA. This is something that impacts not just veterans in a particular area but it goes to
the whole issue of how you best serve all Wisconsin veterans and how you deal with a situation
where the only two Vet Centers in the state are both located in the far southern portion of the
state. Senator Feingold circulated a letter prepared by his staff attorneys to the Congressional
delegation and every member of the Wisconsin Congressional delegation signed on to it quickly.
Mr. Freedman asked that a copy of the letter be attached to the minutes of this Committee’s
meeting.
It was moved by Mr. Berger, seconded by Ms. Roddy and carried unanimously on a
voice vote that the Legislative and Program Review Committee recommend that the Board of
Veterans Affairs goes on record in support of the opening of two new Vet Centers; one in Brown
County and another in LaCrosse County by the US Department of Veterans affairs at the earliest
possible time to more properly address the mental health and readjustment needs of Wisconsin
veterans in general and the needs of Wisconsin’s returning Iraq War and Afghanistan War
veterans; that the Board of Veterans Affairs endorses in principal the December 11, 2007 letter
and its rationale which was signed by every member of the Wisconsin Congressional Delegation
to the US Department of Veterans Affairs calling for the establishment of new Wisconsin Vet
Centers in Brown County and LaCrosse County; that the Board of Veterans Affairs commend
and thank US Senator Russ Feingold for his leadership and support in this cooperative, by-
partisan effort and commend and thank each member of the Wisconsin delegation for their
cooperative efforts and support of this initiative to create two new Vet Centers in Wisconsin; and
that the Board of Veterans Affairs direct the Department of Veterans Affairs to fully support and
assist in the efforts of US Senator Feingold and the Wisconsin Delegation to bring about the
opening of new Vet Centers in Brown County and LaCrosse County.
Mr. Thiers would like a copy of the letter distributed to the Council on Veterans
Programs so that they can bring it back to their respective organizations for action.
2
Secretary Scocos thanked the Committee for its support on budgetary issues that were
passed. He looks forward to see what legislation can be enacted to help our veterans.
7. Public Input
None.

Mr. Thiers said that AMVETS would like to be a major sponsor to the February 20th
Veterans Salute to the Legislature. He advised that those attending the Salute, also plan to attend
the Stakeholders Conference earlier that same day.
Mr. Thiers said that Anthony Hardie was the speaker for the AMVETS United Veterans
Council banquet. He did an excellent job explaining how to get things done on the legislative
side.

To be determined by the Board of Veterans Affairs.
10. Adjournment
It was moved by Mr. Thiers, seconded by Mr. Furgal and carried on a voice vote to
adjourn the meeting; the time was 4:35 p.m.
Marvin Freedman
Chairman
3
<tCongress
of tbeWnfteb~tates
.a~bington. IH! 20510
December11,2007
The Honorable Michael J. Kussman, MD

Under Secretary for Health for the Veterans Health Administration
Department of Veterans Affairs, Central Office
810 Vermont Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20420
Dear Dr. Kussman:
We write to urge you to establish two additional Vet Centers in the state of Wisconsin, one in
La Crosse County and another in Brown County. We were disappointed that none of the 23
new Vet Centers to be opened in the United States in 2007 and 2008 will be located in
Wisconsin, which is greatly underserved withinthe current Vet Center system. We are very
concerned that roughly forty percent of Wisconsin veterans do not currently have reasonable
access to a Vet Center. Servicemembers are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with
alarming rates ofPTSD and other mental health and readjustment issues. Additional Vet
Centers are urgently needed to ensure that Wisconsin veterans and their families have
reasonable access to necessary counseling in the welcoming, non-clinical environment that
Vet Centers offer.
Wisconsin only has two Vet Centers, both in the southern part of the state, to serve 469,000
veterans. Most states with similar veterans populations have over double this number of Vet
Centers. Maryland has fewer veterans than Wisconsin and is one fifth the size of the state
but nonetheless has four Vet Centers. Massachusetts is nearly one eighth the size of
Wisconsin with only a slightly larger veterans population, but it has seven Vet Centers.
When you compare the number of Vet Centers in Wisconsin relative to the number of
veterans in the state and the size of the state, Wisconsin ranks seventh from the bottom in
terms of the availability of Vet Centers.
We have heard from many Wisconsin veterans and veterans service officers who are
concerned that there are insufficient counseling resources in Wisconsin. Our research
indicates that, based on the VA's 2005 data, roughly 185,912 Wisconsin veterans (40%) do
not have a Vet Center close enough for them to seek counseling on a regular basis. See
attached map. To seek care at a Vet Center, these veterans would need to drive over two
hours round trip. This makes it extremely difficult for these veterans and their families to
seek care routinely or easily, especially in instances when an individual suffering from
combat-related stress needs to speak with a counselor in person, upon short notice.
As a result, too many veterans and families in Wisconsin will not be able to readily access
the Vet Center counseling they need, sometimes desperately. Ifthe VA were to establish two
new Vet Centers in these proposed locations, roughly 82% of Wisconsin veterans would be
within an hour drive of a Vet Center.
The La Crosse County location would also benefit the approximately 7,000 veterans in
Houston and Winona Counties in Minnesota. Currently these veterans must travel over an
hour to the Vet Center in the Twin Cities. Allamakee County in extreme Northeast Iowa
with about 2,000 veterans would also benefit from this Vet Center.
We appreciate that the VA is in the process of establishing 23 new Vet Centers and that these
centers are complemented by private counselors and phone counseling. Unfortunately, the
availability of contracted-out, private counselors and phone counseling does not substitute for
the availability of Vet Centers. As you know, Vet Centers play an important outreach role.
Many veterans would never learn about the availability of a range of VA services, including
private counselors, if it were not for the fact that there is a Vet Center in their community
where they can ask for assistance in a non-clinical setting. In addition, telephone counseling
does not provide the human contact that many veterans need to establish a meaningful
therapeutic relationship with a counselor.
We therefore urge you to consider our request to establish two new centers in Wisconsin, one
in La Crosse County and one in Brown County. Thank you for your attention to our urgent
request. We look forward to working with you to bring about two new Vet Centers in
Wisconsin in the very near future.
Sincerely,
~ Pf"~ ftJtJi /'\
---I{(-
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~ ,."
Proposed Vet Centers
Pepi
L1 Crosse
\
"
\
..".~---
Map CoJDe Number ofVeterans

P81UeBille 0..2000
Existing centers are indicated in black. 1'IJrqu(;i~ . 2()J}04000
Proposed new centers are indicated in orange. Lighl Blue. 4000-6'ODO
Circles represent roughly an hour driving time. Blue ~ OOf)O.sOOO
Datt . Blue
.
.
.
..
0000.10000
Purpe .. 100DO-12000
.
Pink,
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.
12000-14000
14000-16000
>16000
MINUTES
LONG TERM CARE COMMITTEE

Rod Moen Russ Alsteen, NCUSA
Jackie Guthrie Nick Benzinger, Shawano CVSO
Charles Allen Rick Cherone, MOPH
Christine Jordan Phil Cote, American Legion
Kevin Kavanaugh Mike Demske, VVA President
Mary Meyer Mike Furgal
Jerry Polus Mark Foreman, VVAW
Rick Scollon Fred Kaiser, Waushara CVSO
Lew Harned Al Kochenderfer
Alan Walker Jon LiDonne, Waupaca CVSO
Ken Wendt Duane Miskulin
Pete Moran, Board Chairman
Committee Members Excused Jerry Rabetski, PLAV
None Al Richards
Vera Roddy, UWV
WDVA Present Clif Sorenson, WACVO/Eau Claire CVSO
John A. Scocos, Secretary Tim Thiers, AMVETS/Manitowoc CVSO
William Kloster, Deputy Secretary Marcia Ziegler, Clark CVSO Staff
Anthony Hardie, Executive Assistant
Jimmy Stewart, Chief Legal Counsel
Bill Crowley, Commandant, WVH-K
Gary Wistrom, Acting Commandant, UG
Pat Shaughnessy, Deputy Commandant
Ken Abrahamsen, Budget Director
Colleen Holtan, Budget
Mike Diaz, Division Administrator
Ken Black, Division Administrator
Nate Nez, Regional Coordinator
Andy Schuster, Public Affairs Director
Julie Van Metre, Executive Staff Assistant

The meeting of the Long Term Care Committee was called to order at 4:40 p.m., a
quorum was present.

1
It was moved by Mr. Walker, seconded by Mr. Wendt and carried unanimously on a
voice vote to approve the minutes of the October 18, 2007 Committee meetings.
4. Discussion about Standardizing Uniform Reports Relating to the Operations of the

Wisconsin Veterans Homes at King and Union Grove
Mr. Diaz said he has been asked to provide a more concise report. He provided sample
reports and charts for Committee members to review and provide suggestions. Committee
member Scollon said he would like to see the Homes financial reports. Mr. Kloster cited the
Rules of Procedure for the function of the Long Term Care Committee. The Committee shall
consider problems related to policies adopted by the Board for the administration of the Homes,
the needs of the members of the facilities, the proposed building programs for the facilities, the
funding for the operations of the facilities and request for disbursement of funds from Gifts and
Bequests Funds for the purposes of the facilities. Those are the identified purposes in the rules
and whatever reports you need to do those functions are the reports the Department should be
providing. Mr. Kloster said he wants to provide information that is useful to the Committee.
Committee member Walker would like to know what the trends were and are now and what will
be the projected trends. Also, what we can anticipate for long term and health care provisions
for members of the Homes.
Mr. Kloster said that we operate as a program revenue agency which means that we have
to make the money that we use to operate. So in that respect we are like a business on the
outside. We have to operate under all the state rules and cannot do a lot of the things that a
private entity can do. For example, 58% of the budget for California’s Homes is supported by
tax dollars, Wisconsin gets zero tax dollars. We get Medicaid, Medicare and private pay by
citizens or their insurance. Those are the sources we have to make ends meet. We are in the
state environment and have to follow state and federal rules and regulations.
Committee member Polus would like to see a one page summary by each Home director;
one paragraph on admissions, discharges, current census, beds available, average time for
admission; second paragraph, financial data summarization; third paragraph, facilities and
buildings construction issues; last paragraph, concerns and trends.
Secretary Scocos said he would take Committee member email suggestions and have a
couple samples put together and get it out to the Committee in the next couple weeks. Chairman
Moen said that funding for the operation of the facilities falls under the Long Term Care
Committee so he would like something like that in the report.
Secretary Scocos said the Homes strategic plan is critical for the future. The financials
and employee retention are critical and he is looking forward to the Pathways study report.
6. Public Input
Mr. Sorenson said that immediately following adjournment there will be a special
meeting of the ad hoc committee for the Council on Veterans Programs.
2
Mr. Moen said that there was a request by the Board Chair that this Committee take a
look at the Cook-Chill survey and possibly make some recommendations. The Board’s view
was that by having an outside agency do the survey, it would remove any institutional bias. If
the Long Term Care Committee members wish to bring this matter up on the next meeting
agenda, we can do that.
Mr. Wendt presented the following checks: A $1,400 check to the King Recreation Fund
on behalf of the AMVETS Department of Wisconsin Camping Fund; a $300 check to Union
Grove from the AMVETS Camping Fund; a $100 check from AMVETS Post 99 for Union
Grove; a check for $200 to the Veterans Assistance Program at Union Grove from AMVETS
Post 99 in Manitowoc; and a check for $200 from the AMVETS Third District in Sturgeon Bay
to Klein Hall VAP Center.
8. Next Meeting Schedule

To be determined by the Board.
9. Adjournment
It was moved by Mr. Wendt, seconded by Mr. Kavanaugh and carried unanimously on a
voice vote to adjourn the meeting; the time was 5:10 p.m.
Rod Moen
Chairman
3
MINUTES
COUNCIL ON VETERANS PROGRAMS
Members Present Others Present

Russ Alsteen, NCUSA Bill Andersen, Board Member
Paul Bialk, MCL Nick Benzinger, Shawano CVSO
Pat Brown, USSVWWII Scott Berger, Marathon CVSO
Rick Cherone, MOPH Paul Bernanden, DOT/DMV
Donna Chrzas, CVSO Association Joe Campbell, VVA 324
Phil Cote, American Legion Mike Demske, VVA President
Paul Fine, ANU Roger Fetterly, MOAA
Mark Foreman, VVAW Mike Furgal, VFW
Jesse Haro, CWV Mark Grams, Dodge CVSO
Bill Hustad, WVV Jackie Guthrie, Board Member
Chris Kanios, VFW Lewis Harned
John Margowski, VVA Chris Jordan, Walworth CVSO
Max Oleson, ARC Fred Kaiser, Waushara CVSO
Jerry Rabetski, PLAV Al Kochenderfer
William Sims, NABV Ken Kuehnl, DAV Adjutant
Clif Sorenson, WACVO Steve Lawrence, VFW Adjutant
Clarence Stoel, DAV Jon LiDonne, CVSO Assoc. President
Tim Thiers, AMVETS Tom Ludka, American Legion VSO
Paul Weprinsky, JWV Duane Miskulin, AMVETS
Marci Mylan, Minneapolis VAMC
Members Excused Reggie Paradowski, DOT/DMV
Connie Allord, UWV Vera Roddy, UWV President
Walter Peterson, Am. Ex-POWs Fernando Rodriguez, WI American GI Forum
Jack Stone, PVA Rick Scollon
WWI vacancy John Solis, Rock CVSO
FCDV vacancy Walter Stenavich, Board Member
Victor Vela, WI American GI Forum
WDVA Present Al Walker
John A. Scocos, Secretary Jim Young, Vernon CVSO
William Kloster, Deputy Secretary Marcia Ziegler, Clark CVSO Office Staff
Anthony Hardie, Executive Assistant
Jimmy Stewart, Chief Legal Counsel
Seth Perelman, Division of Administration
Ken Black, Division of Veterans Benefits
Mike Diaz, Division Administrator
Bill Crowley, Commandant WVH-K
Gary Wistrom, Acting Commandant, UG
Pat Shaughnessy, Deputy Commandant
Colleen Holtan, Budget
Andrew Schuster, Public Affairs Director
Ken Grant
Nate Nez, Regional Coordinator
Julie Van Metre, Executive Staff Assistant
1
1. Call to Order and Roll Call of Members
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The meeting of the Council on Veterans Programs
was called to order by Chairman Sorenson at 8:00 a.m.

3. Introduction of Guests and Announcements

Introductions included: new member Max Oleson who represents the American Red
Cross and Phil Cote of the American Legion; VFW Commander Bill Hustad; Duane Miskulin,
AMVETS National Finance Officer; VVA State Council President Mike Demske; and CVSO
Association President Jon LiDonne.
4. Approval of Minutes of October 18-19, 2007 Meetings

It was moved by Mr. Thiers, seconded by Mr. Margowski and carried unanimously on a
voice vote to accept the minutes of the October 18-19 meetings.
5. Council Communications
None
6. Museum Foundation Report

Mr. Hustad said the Museum had a successful Museum Gala. Planning is underway for
the annual golf outing, another fundraising event.
7. Discussion/Action on American GI Forum as a Member of the Council on Veterans

Programs
The item was tabled since no member of the American GI Forum was present.
8. Discussion of Fisher House—VA Enhanced Use Lease

Joe Campbell spoke on behalf of the Milwaukee County Veterans Board, the Allied
Veterans Council and the Vietnam Veterans of America. He reiterated what transpired at the VA
in Milwaukee as far as an enhanced use lease (EUL) and possible sell off of roughly 37 acres of
land to private interests. Regarding the Fisher House, the VA did submit an application to the
Fisher House Corporation and Milwaukee is slated for 2011. There is a Fisher House going in at
the Hines Hospital in Chicago. A Fisher House is for families of veterans who need housing
while their family member is recovering. If the 37 acres at the Milwaukee VA is sold, there will
be no land for a Fisher House. Another issue is the reopening or expansion of Wood Cemetery.
A proposal for a columbarium was refused by the VA in Washington. They said there would be
no reopening of Wood and no columbarium. Mr. Campbell has asked Secretary Scocos to look
at combining a state and federal expansion at Wood Cemetery. With veterans support, Mr.
Campbell is going to go back to the City and County of Milwaukee, as well as Senator Sullivan
to discuss Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, traumatic brain injury, homeless shelter and a
women’s treatment center that gives veterans the dignity and respect that they deserve. The
buildings and land are there and veterans letters of support are needed that request an extension
or a moratorium on any EUL transactions, at least until the GAO report comes out and then a 90-
day time period so that it could be studied. This is not a Milwaukee issue, it is a national
cemetery and a major regional medical center that is there to take care of our veterans.
Mr. Hustad requested that Joe Campbell and Russ Alsteen work together to draft a letter
to the Secretary of the US Department of Veterans Affairs requesting an extension on any
2
enhanced lease use transactions and that the draft letter be a part of the next meeting of the
Council on Veterans Programs.
9. Discussion/Action on American GI Forum as a Member of the Council on Veterans

Programs
Without objection, the Chairman removed this discussion item from the table and took it
up at this time. Commander Victor Vela said the American GI Forum has been in the State of
Wisconsin for the past 10-12 years. They are a family organization whose members have been
involved in the community. They have membership of 30 throughout the state that work with
other veterans organizations. They especially do outreach to the Latino veteran population. The
mission of the National organization is to assist veterans. The only criteria for membership is to
be a veteran. The website is the American GI Forum. Secretary Scocos spoke on behalf of the
GI Forum for membership on the Council.
At the last Council meeting an Ad Hoc Committee to Study the Potential Changes in
Membership Eligibility for the Council on Veterans Programs was formed. It was moved by Mr.
Alsteen, seconded by Mr. Stoel and carried on a voice vote to table action on membership by the
American GI Forum until the Ad Hoc Committee comes back with its final report.
10. Military License Plates—Department of Transportation

Paul Bernanden and Reggie Paradowski from the Department of Transportation, Division
of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Vehicle Service, Special Plates Unit were introduced. Mr.
Paradowski talked about special military license plates. The new license plate design has
replaced the red, white and blue design. The new design is DMV’s response for a request from
law enforcement to have more uniformity in all license plates. In 2007, the DMV was required
by law to send customers new plates at renewal—it’s a law that affects plates every ten years.
The military group plates were due for renewal in 2007 so it was a perfect time to go to a new
design to comply with law enforcement’s request. They wanted easy readability both for the
plate number and so that the decal stands out on the license plate. They wanted to retain the red,
white and blue symbolism by putting the flag on the upper corner of the plate. Currently there
are over 18,000 military group license plates in the state and the DMV has reissued the new
design to 12,000 of those license plate holders. Illegible plates or damaged plates are a printing
process flaw and will be replaced for free. Disabled veterans plates are not scheduled to be
reissued until 2010. Service stickers cannot be ordered separately to place on an existing license
plate. The military license plate is not made with the disabled ISA symbol.
Mr. Sorenson said that the Council went on record at its last meeting with a vote to
support Representative Musser’s bill to revert to the red, white and blue plates because of the
support for them.

Secretary Scocos wished Clif Sorenson a happy birthday and wished everyone a happy
holiday. He is looking forward to the Salute to the Legislature and Stakeholders Conference on
February 20th. He said the Department faces serious challenges ahead and together we can
continue the fight to do what’s right. Working together as a team we can accomplish much.
12. Old Business

None
3
13. New Business
Mr. Foreman asked about unifying the power of the Council in getting the message to
Washington, DC concerning the 37 acres of land at the VA in Milwaukee. Right now the
proposal is for Alsteen and Campbell to compose a letter in the name of the Council. Would it
have more power to have all of the members of the different organizations to write letters and
they all be sent together. It was suggested that all members of the Council could sign the letter.
It was moved by Mr. Cherone and seconded by Mr. Foreman that once the draft letter has been
approved that it be individually signed by Council members. Mr. Fine felt it should be
individual letters, individually signed. Mr. Hustad said the letter can be duplicated and sent out
individually by each member. The motion was amended to have each member get a copy of the
letter to sign and send. Mr. Foreman seconded the amended motion. The motion carried on a
voice vote.
14. Activities within the Veterans Community

• Mr. Sorenson was at the dedication of the Klein Hall VAP site
• AMVETS is starting up a chapter of AMVET riders
• February 9th is the AMVET Post 51 Sweetheart Dance in Sturgeon Bay
• AMVETS will be a major sponsor again this year for the Salute to the Legislature
• Stakeholders meeting is February 20th
• January 8th Department of the Navy Recruit of the Year Award at the War Memorial in
Washington, DC with the Secretary of the Navy
• Vietnam Veterans Against the War along with Veterans for Peace banned together to
help the homeless veterans in Milwaukee. Money was raised for Repairers of the
Breach. They will put on many more fundraisers.
• Milwaukee War Memorial Board named Colonel Ken Lee as Veteran of the Year
• January 9th the Zablocki VA will host a Women Veterans Health Fair
15. Public Input

Mr. Grams talked about the security of the DD214 and the military separation that has to
be sent into the Department of Transportation for verification to get a military license plate.
What kind of security do they have and what happens to the document once the plates are
issued? Mr. Paradowski said that after the application is processed, the paperwork is imaged and
it is handled as a secure document. After imaging the document the paper gets shredded. Are
there open records requests that could access that? Mr. Paradowski said they would comply with
an open records request but they would redact any personal information. Secretary Scocos said
that it is his understanding that without authorization, a person’s DD214 can never be given out.
Mr. Schuster said the 2008 Conference on Gulf War Illnesses is being held on January
17th in the Education Center of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs from noon until 5
p.m. The Stakeholder’s Conference and Salute to the Legislature is on February 20th beginning
at noon. The third annual WDVA awards to recognize veterans in seven categories—Veterans
Advocate of the Year, Mission Welcome Home Supporter of the Year, Veterans Legislative Staff
of the Year, the Iron Mike Government Official Service to Veterans Award for Action, Courage,
Compassion, Dedication and Reverence on behalf of Wisconsin Veterans, the CVSO of the Year,
the Veterans Service Officer of the Year and Veterans Volunteer of the Year will be given out at
the stakeholder conference.
Mr. Walker said that on February 3rd the Milwaukee VA will hold the Four Chaplains
Service at 2:00 p.m.
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Ken Kuehnl said the DAV will be in Washington, DC March 1-5; the DAV has secured
DAV Day at the ball park for May 10th; and the DAV State Convention is the second week in
June in Appleton at the Paper Valley.

To be determined at the Board of Veterans Affairs meeting.
17. Adjournment
It was moved by Mr. Fine, seconded by Mr. Kanios and carried on a voice vote to
adjourn, the time was 9:20 a.m.
Clif Sorenson
Chairman
5
BOARD MINUTES
Board Members Present WDVA Present

Pete Moran John A. Scocos, Secretary
Marv Freedman Bill Kloster, Deputy Secretary
Rod Moen Anthony Hardie, Executive Assistant
William Andersen Bill Crowley, Commandant-King
Jackie Guthrie Jimmy Stewart, Chief Legal Counsel
Walter Stenavich Mike Diaz, Division Administrator
Ken Abrahamsen, Budget Director
Board Members Excused Colleen Holtan, Budget Office
Marcia Anderson Ken Black, Division of Veterans Benefits
Gary Wistrom, Acting Commandant-UG
Council on Veterans Programs Present Pat Shaughnessy, Deputy Commandant UG
Russ Alsteen, Navy Club Seth Perelman, Division of Administration
Cleon “Pat” Brown, USSVWWII Andy Schuster, Public Affairs Director
Rick Cherone, MOPH Ken Grant, Bureau of Program Services
Donna Chrzas, CVSO Association Nate Nez, Regional Coordinator
Phil Cote, American Legion Julie Van Metre, Executive Staff Assistant
Paul Fine, ANU
Mark Foreman, VVAW Others Present
Jesse Haro, CWV Nick Benzinger, Shawano CVSO
Bill Hustad, WVV Scott Berger, Marathon CVSO
Chris Kanios, Sr., VFW Glen Brower
John Margowski, VVA Joe Campbell
Max Oleson, American Red Cross Mike Demske, VVA
Jerry Rabetski, PLAV Roger Fetterly, MOAA
William Sims, NABV Mike “Gunner” Furgal
Clif Sorenson, WACVO Mark Grams, Dodge CVSO
Clarence Stoel, DAV Chris Jordan, Walworth CVSO
Tim Thiers, AMVETS Fred Kaiser, Waushara CVSO
Al Kochenderfer, VFW
Ken Kuehnl, DAV Adjutant
Steve Lawrence, VFW Adjutant
Jon LiDonne, Waupaca CVSO
Tom Ludka, American Legion VSO
Duane Miskulin
Dr. Marcie Mylan, Minneapolis VAMC
Renee Oshinski, VISN 12
Vera Roddy, UWV President
Fernando Rodriguez, WI American GI Forum
Rick Scollon
John Solis, Rock CVSO
Victor Vela, WI American GI Forum
Alan Walker
Jim Young, Vernon CVSO
Marcia Ziegler, Clark CVSO Office Staff
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1. Roll Call and Introductions
The meeting of the Board of Veterans Affairs was called to order at 9:40 a.m. The
Pledge of Allegiance was recited followed by a moment of silence. A quorum was
determined present after roll call of members. Mr. Moran read a welcome back letter that he
sent to Secretary Scocos and he read a letter of appreciation that he sent to Deputy Secretary
Kloster.
At this time WDVA certificates of outstanding achievement were presented by

Secretary Scocos and Chairman Moran to former Commandant Glen Brower and Division
Administrator Seth Perelman in recognition of their retirements. Mr. Perelman asked that his
remarks be made a part of the record and they are attached to these minutes.
Former Board member Mack Hughes was to have received a plaque today, however,
weather prevented him from making the trip to Union Grove from Kentucky. His leadership
will be recognized at a future Board meeting.

It was certified that proper notification of the meeting occurred.
It was moved by Mr. Stenavich, seconded by Mr. Moen and carried on a voice vote to
approve the minutes of the October 18-19, 2007 meetings.
The Board met via Teleconference on October 23rd; however, consideration of those
minutes was inadvertently omitted from the agenda. The unapproved minutes of the
teleconference are available upon request and will be considered at the next Board meeting.
It was moved to go directly to the following agenda item:
8. VISN 12 and 23 Reports

Steve Kleinglass, Director of the Minneapolis VAMC was present via teleconference
and Dr. Marcie Mylan, Assistant Medical Center Director from the Minneapolis VA attended
in person regarding the issue of the closure of the community based outreach clinics in
Hayward and Rice Lake.
Mr. Kleinglass said that there is a need to have a clinic in northwestern Wisconsin.
The Minneapolis VA is extremely committed to re-establishing a presence there. The
unfortunate thing about this is that unbeknownst to him, the contractor who was operating
the clinics unilaterally decided to close the clinics, lock up and abandon the patient care
activities. Because of contractual issues there has been a long, legal discussion with the
attorney in Washington, DC who is helping Minneapolis VAMC with this matter. While Mr.
Kleinglass is cautiously optimistic, he believes that one way or another they are going to re-
establish a presence in those areas, particularly in Rice Lake, perhaps as early as Monday. It
is the Minneapolis VAMC’s desire to take over the operation of these clinics where they will
be VA run and VA managed in a different format. Patients will be taken care of by diverting
them back to other sites or fee basing those patients in the community.
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Contact had been made with the vendor in November stating that in June of 2008
their contract would be stopped. Mr. Kleinglass had no advance notice that the vendor was
going to close up.
Veterans who are regular patients at Rice Lake and Hayward have been personally
called by staff from the Minneapolis VAMC informing them that the clinics were closed and
offering them several options for care, such as to go to Chippewa Falls CBOC, go to
Maplewood CBOC or Twin Ports or be fee based out into the community and the VA will
pay for that service. All of the patients who had labs or x-ray done the week before have
been reviewed and if there are any outstanding issues that haven’t been communicated to the
patient, it is now being done either by telephone if it is an urgent issue or by letter. All the
patients are directed to call the 1-800 number, the call center, that can help work through
with them what issues they are having and how they can best be taken care of. The telephone
number is 1-866-414-5058 extension 91100. When the patient phones into this call center, if
it is decided that fee basis is what is best, the call center can handle the paperwork and make
sure the business office gets the information that it needs to pay the bills.
Mr. Kleinglass said about 100 patients throughout the week in both locations were
affected—about 60 in Rice Lake and 35-40 in Hayward. There is a psychiatrist seeing
patients in Hayward one day a week. He did see patients this Wednesday in an office that
was donated by the CVSO. They have plans to maintain the psychiatric practice in Hayward
from here forward using that space.
Mr. Moran said he would like the Secretary to be proactive and activate the veterans
organizations to do whatever possible to get transportation for patients who are not using fee
basis in the community and need to travel to other CBOCs. Secretary Scocos said he would
work with the CVSO Association and veterans groups and report back.
Ms. Oshinski continued with the normal VISN 12 and 23 reports. VISN 23 is taking
a very proactive approach to trying to bring access to care closer to veterans in rural areas.
They have a number of clinics that have been approved and that are scheduled to open in
2008 and there are seven more that are under review by VA central office for 2009.
There is likely to be an agreement to extend the continuing resolution for the federal
government for another week. The President’s budget is a healthy budget for the VA for
2008. Both Networks continue to add more staff to make sure people get care within 30 days
with a particular emphasis on mental health care within 14 days.
There were hearings held in the Senate for President Bush’s nomination for Secretary
of Veterans Affairs, Lt. Gen. James B. Peake (Ret), M.D. President Bush declared a holiday
on the 24th of December so medical centers are working to reschedule clinics. There is a VA
website regarding how the VA helps employees and veterans stay healthy, check it out at
www.prevention.va.gov.
Ms. Oshinski talked about initiatives in VISN 12 to reduce wait times. Audits were
scheduled at every facility by experts from five of their sites and that group will go around to
all the different places to audit their processes from the time the physician writes the order
for the patient appointment to the actual scheduled appointment date. A recall and reminder
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computerized system was implemented as well as appointment monitoring across the
Network. Primary care providers have been added along with better utilization of primary
care providers to be sure that they have the appropriate level of staff to be seeing patients.
The audit at Tomah was completed this week and Ms. Oshinski will prepare a report
to the Board on what has been found to date.
Vera Roddy, UWV, asked that a federally approved medication for the treatment of
fibromyalgia be added to the VA formulary. Mark Foreman, VVAW, said that suicide
among Iraq veterans is about 130 a week, more than any other war. What kinds of therapy
are being offered for these veterans and are alternative treatments covered for veterans’
therapy? Ms. Oshinski said a variety of mental health care is being offered. A veteran has to
come into the VA system to be evaluated first before going into the private sector to look for
care. Tom Ludka, service office for the American Legion, said that when a veteran calls to
cancel and/or reschedule a C & P exam, the computer reads it as canceling his or her claim.
Is there something that can be done to recode the computer program? Ms. Oshinski will look
into the problem. Alan Walker, WI American Legion District Commander, asked if service
members are automatically checked for medical problems before they are released from
service or do they have to come in on their own. Ms. Oshinski said there is a post-
deployment health assessment. Ms. Guthrie said the intention is that they get medical
services offered to them, the opportunity is there and it is up to the service member to take
the responsibility to get it. Rick Cherone asked if treatment is available to the children of
deployed service members. Ms. Oshinski said legislation is being written to allow the VA to
begin to treat more than the veteran. Ken Kuehnl asked about the claims process backlog
and where that stands. Seth Perelman, WDVA, said that information is received on a regular
basis and he would make sure it is shared with him.
4. Board Members’ Matters

Chairman Moran reported:
• Thanks to Commandant Wistrom and the Union Grove staff for courtesies extended
throughout the Board meeting. Board members appreciated eating lunch with the
members of the Home.
• Received written testimony from the CVSO Association in support of the
Administrative Rule change allowing for the 180 day delimiting date on the pre-
application requirement under the VetEd Grant Program.
• Received and responded to an inquiry from Victor Vela regarding placement of the
Wisconsin GI Forum on the Council on Veterans Programs.
• Attended the French Legion of Merit presentation on October 25th at the Milwaukee
War Memorial Center.
• As Chairman of the Board, addressed the membership at King on Veterans Day and
later in the day toured the central kitchen at King.
• Attended the dedication of Klein Hall at the Northern Center in Chippewa Falls on
December 4th.
• Met with Secretary Scocos before the Klein Hall dedication to brief him on Board
activities and initiatives.
• Met with Governor Doyle’s veterans’ policy advisor, Angela Russell, on December
12th to talk about various Board and veteran matters.
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• The first Veterans Lifetime Achievement Award was presented in October. The
award will be given out again at the February meeting.
Vice Chairman Freedman reported:

• On December 7th he represented Chairman Moran and the Board at the 25th
anniversary of the opening of the Madison Vets Center. The event doubled as a
grand opening of their new location.
Rod Moen reported:

• Attended the dedication of Klein Hall in Chippewa Falls.
• Participated in the Veterans Day Program at his Alma Mater in Independence.
Bill Andersen reported:

• Attended a stand down hosted by CVSO Jim Gausmann on August 23rd. About 300
veterans were taken care of that day.
Wally Stenavich reported:

• Attended the Veterans Day Program at Union Grove.
• Attended a Pearl Harbor Day event on December 7th at Union Grove. Gold medals
were presented to the children of Staff Sgt. Todd R. Cornell that day. Staff Sgt. Todd
R. Cornell, of West Bend, died November 9 in Fallujah, Iraq.
• Attended a Council and resident meeting at Gates Hall on November 7th. Department
heads were there to answer member questions.
• Jim Fonte, WVH-UG, has ornaments for sale today.
Jackie Guthrie reported:

• Everyone uses the term veteran and everyone has a different definition of a veteran.
The term veteran carries a lot of honor and to make the definition of a veteran
synonymous with benefits, takes away that significance. In Wisconsin, we do have a
statutory definition of what a veteran is and it says, “…..the men and women of
Wisconsin who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces or in forces
incorporated in the U.S. Armed Forces and the men and women who served in a
reserve unit of the United States Armed Forces and the men and women who served
in the National Guard.”
5. Board Discussion and Action on a Motion Recognizing the Service and

Accomplishments of WDVA Secretary John R. Moses from 1961 - 1982
Mr. Freedman offered the following motion:
John R. Moses, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs from 1961 – 1982,
passed away on Saturday, December 8, 2007 at the age of 88.
He entered military service in September 1941 and served 14 months in an anti-aircraft unit
at Dutch Harbor, Aleutian Islands during which time it came under Japanese air carrier
attack. In 1943, he graduated from Armored Force Officer Candidate School at Fort Knox,
Kentucky was later assigned to the 10th Armored Division and ordered overseas in August
1944. He participated in the attack of German forts at Metz, France, led the point platoon in
General Patton’s drive across the Moselle River to the Siegfried Line, was severely wounded
5
in combat on the German border and was subsequently hospitalized for 13 months. He
retired as a first lieutenant on permanent disability in December 1945.
Mr. Moses was educated at the University of North Dakota, George Washington University
and the University of Wisconsin, graduating in 1951 with a law degree. He practiced law for
10 years in Madison and Gays Mills and was active in the Gays Mills community. He was
appointed by Governor Gaylord Nelson as Director and then Secretary of the Wisconsin
Department of Veterans Affairs, serving from November 1961 to October 1982, a tenure far
longer than any of his predecessors or successors. He greatly expanded state programs of
assistance to veterans, including the part-time study grant program to enhance veterans’ job
skills, created a new veterans home loan program, created the only statewide outreach
program in the nation to find and assist returning Vietnam War veterans, directed the
conversion of the Wisconsin Veterans Home from an old soldiers’ home to one of the largest
skilled nursing care facilities for veterans in the nation, and improved and expanded the
exhibits at the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall in the State Capitol in the 1960’s,
a museum dedicated to Civil War memorabilia which eventually was transformed into the
Wisconsin Veterans Museum, considered to be the finest state veterans museum in the United
States.
Mr. Moses was a member of the Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars,
Retired Officers Association, Wisconsin Association of Concerned Veterans Organizations,
the 206th CA (AA) Association, 10th Armored Division Veterans Association and the Military
Order of the Purple Heart.
He was always very proud of the many friendships and relationships he developed over the
years and countless people whose lives he touched took pride in calling him their friend,
including so many veterans whose service and sacrifice spanned generations.
The Board of Veterans Affairs joins the Wisconsin veterans community in mourning the loss
of John R. Moses, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs from 1961 –
1982, and extends its deepest condolences to his wife, Mildred Jaynes Moses, his children,
stepchildren, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and all of his other family members and
friends.
The motion was seconded by Mr. Stenavich and carried unanimously on a voice vote.
Mr. Moran asked for a moment of silent remembrance.
6. Presentation by McKinley Smith, Midwest Representative for The White House

Commission on Remembrance
Mr. Smith was unable to attend the Board meeting. Board member Stenavich filled
in by saying that the White House Commission on Remembrance is an independent, non-
partisan, government agency. The Commission was established by Congress to promote the
values of Memorial Day by acts of remembrance throughout the year. American’s, wherever
they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day, should pause in national unity. In this shared
remembrance we connect as Americans. It is something that we remember for the surviving
children. Mr. Freedman said the presentation of gold medals to the children is part of a
program from the Remembrance Commission and those gold medals are available to be
presented to the children of anyone killed in action. Please go to their website if you know
of children who might qualify.
7. Board Action from Committee and Council Meetings

CVSO Advisory Council, December 13, 2007. Mr. Solis said the Council had no
items for Board action.
6
Legislative and Program Review Committee, December 13, 2007. Mr. Freedman
said the Committee acted upon two matters with recommendations to the Board. They are
both listed as Board agenda items 9 and 10. Mr. Freedman asked the Board Chairman to
invite Mr. Hardie to update developments with respect to QVMB.
Mr. Hardie said the House Ways and Means Committee contacted him shortly after
his Legislative Report yesterday and alerted him that the Senate had unexpectedly taken
action on H.R. 3997 and removed a number of provisions, including the QVMB provision.
Oregon and Alaska as well, were not aware that this would happen. All the costs of H.R.
3997, the Heroes Tax Act, were fully offset as is required in the current Congress and the
House plans to take action as early as next week. It is expected that the House will send back
the same version of H.R. 3997 as what was passed before. In the flurry of activity yesterday,
Mr. Hardie coordinated a five-state teleconference (the other affected QVMB states) that will
take place today at 1:00 p.m.
Long Term Care Committee, December 13, 2007. Mr. Moen said the Committee had
no items for Board action. He highlighted that standardized, uniform reports are being
developed by the Department for ease of review by the Committee members. It was
determined that the financial data of the nursing homes should be going through the Long
Term Care Committee. Some Committee members recommended reconsideration of the
cook-chill survey because there was mixed feelings among members as to whether or not the
survey needed to be done.
Financial Committee, December 13, 2007. Mr. Andersen said the Committee had no
items for Board action. The Home Loans program balance is $24 million available for loans.
We have between January and the end of the calendar year 2008 to add an additional $15
million QVMB if necessary. In the May timeframe we have the opportunity for an additional
$36 million in refunded bonds. Finally, $10 million in bonds that are currently available will
not be transferred into the Home Loan pot of money because the interest rate is not
competitive in the market. Mr. Andersen said that $7 million will be transferred from the
Homes account to the Trust Fund in the first of the year to be able to get the interest from
that money. The State of Wisconsin Investment Board interest rate affects the amount that
will be realized from this $7 million transfer. Mr. Andersen said that the Veterans Homes
study is about to be completed and the Board will receive a briefing from the Department.
This morning, Mr. Andersen received the information on the Gifts and Bequests fund that he
requested from Commandant Crowley yesterday and it was all in order.
Council on Veterans Programs, December 14, 2007. Mr. Sorenson said the Council
had no items for Board action. The Ad Hoc Committee met to discuss who future members
of the Council should be and the criteria they should follow in their recommendation to the
Legislature. The American GI Forum addressed the Council. Mr. Joe Campbell gave an
update on the Fisher House project and the VA enhanced use lease activities on the
Milwaukee VA campus. The military license plate issue was explained by the Department of
Transportation.
It was moved by Mr. Moen, seconded by Mr. Freedman and carried unanimously on a
voice vote to accept the reports of the Committees and Councils.
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9. Discussion and Action on SB 307 and AB 555 Relating to the Repeal of the VetEd Pre-
Application Requirement
Mr. Freedman said the Legislative and Program Review Committee unanimously
adopted a motion that recommended that the Board of Veterans Affairs endorse the
enactment of SB 307 and/or AB 555 repealing the VetEd pre-application requirement and
directed the Department to continue to make the passage of SB 307 and/or AB 555 a high
legislative priority. Mr. Freedman said that the Board previously endorsed as its position
that it is in support of the repeal of the VetEd pre-application requirement. The Department
has been doing a great job of representing the Board on this matter and appeared at the
legislative committee hearings on both bills.
For purposes of discussion Mr. Freedman offered the following motion: That the
Board of Veterans Affairs endorses the enactment of SB 307 and/or AB 555 repealing the
VetEd pre-application requirement and directs the Department to continue to make the
passage of SB 307 and/or AB 555 a high legislative priority. The motion was seconded by
Mr. Andersen and carried unanimously on a voice vote.
10. Discussion and Action on the Need for Additional USDVA Vet Centers in Wisconsin
Mr. Freedman said the Legislative and Program Review Committee unanimously
adopted a motion that the Legislative and Program Review recommends that (1) the Board of
Veterans Affairs go on record in support of the opening of two new Vet Centers, one in
Brown County and another in La Crosse County by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
at the earliest possible time to more properly address the mental health and readjustment
needs of Wisconsin veterans in general and the needs of Wisconsin’s returning Iraq War and
Afghanistan War veterans; and (2) the Board of Veterans affairs endorses in principal the
December 11, 2007 letter and its rationale which was signed by every member of the
Wisconsin Congressional delegation to the U.S. Department Affairs, calling for the
establishment of new Wisconsin Vet Centers in Brown County and LaCrosse County, and (3)
the Board of Veterans Affairs commends and thanks U.S. Senator Russ Feingold for his
leadership and support in this cooperative, bipartisan effort and commends and thanks each
member of the Wisconsin delegation for their cooperative efforts and support of this
initiative to create two new Vet Centers in Wisconsin; and (4) the Board of Veterans Affairs
directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to fully support and assist in the efforts of U. S.
Senator Feingold and the Wisconsin Congressional delegation to bring about the opening of
new Vet Centers in Brown County and La Crosse County. Mr. Freedman mentioned that
although this initiative originated with Senator Feingold, every member of the Wisconsin
Congressional delegation signed on.
Mr. Freedman offered an identical motion to the above paragraph except it would not
be the Legislative and Program Review Committee recommending those positions of the
Board; it would be the Board taking those four positions. The motion was seconded by Mr.
Anderson and carried unanimously on a voice vote.
11. Discussion and Action on Locations for 2008 Regular Board Meetings
February 20-21 in Madison
April 17-18 in Chippewa Falls/Eau Claire
June 19-20 at the Wisconsin Veterans Home-King
August 14-15 in Superior
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October 16-17 in Appleton
December 11-12 at the Wisconsin Veterans Home-Union Grove
It was moved by Mr. Stenavich, seconded by Mr. Andersen and carried unanimously
on a voice vote to approve the above 2008 Board meeting schedule.

Secretary Scocos thanked the Board for its work during the budgetary process. He
thanked all the Department staff for a superior job while he was gone. Since returning the
Secretary was at a bill signing with Governor Doyle, he was at the Klein Hall dedication in
Chippewa Falls, and the Pearl Harbor Day event in Union Grove. Secretary Scocos looks
forward to working with the Board in the coming year and the CVSOs and veterans groups
as we engage in serious issues supporting our veterans. He strongly believes that the way
ahead for our veterans is raising and advocating these issues and working together with
stakeholders to find solutions for our future. The issues range from the solvency of our Trust
Fund to bonding, destigmatizing PTSD, and making sure that the VA continues seamless
transition for our returning veterans. We honor veterans when they come home—past,
present and future.
Mr. Andersen asked for clarification on the last page of the Biennial Report. Mr.
Kloster said there was an error which will be corrected and distributed to the Board
members.
13. Public Input

Mark Grams, Dodge CVSO, referred to the presentation by the Division of Motor
Vehicles (DMV) to the Council on Veterans Programs about what they did with the
documents that need to be submitted for veteran’s plates. They reported that a DD214 is
required to be submitted by an applicant for a veteran license plate. That DD214 is scanned
into the records of the DMV and is subject to open records requests. Mr. Grams is concerned
about this practice. In order to get a disabled veteran plate, the VA regional office is
required to provide documentation stating that the veteran has a service-connected disability
that inhibits mobility. That information, too, is scanned into their database and subject to
open records requests. Mr. Grams said that something has to be done soon to rectify that
problem.
Mr. Moran asked the Secretary to do a study of the DOT handling of DD214’s and
make this subject an agenda item for the February meeting. Mr. Freedman offered that once
DOT reviewed a DD214 for purposes of a special plate that they should not keep a copy of it
but return it to the veteran or destroy it.
Mr. Campbell said that he and Judith Singer created “Being There, Reaching Out”
about four years ago. The group is in regular communication with all the families who lost
loved ones in Iraq and Afghanistan. The unfortunate situation of the gold medal presented to
the Cornell children was that their grandparents could not be in attendance because they did
not know about it. These things happen and Mr. Campbell and Ms. Singer do their best to
bridge the gap through their organization. Additionally, Mr. Campbell went on record as
saying whoever is writing the blog against the Department and the Board is a coward.
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14. Other Matters (Not Subject to Adoption)
There were no other matters that came before the Board.
15. Next Meeting Date and Location

February 20-21, 2008 in Madison. A stakeholders conference and the Salute to the
Legislature will be held on February 20th.
16. Adjournment
It was moved by Mr. Freedman to adjourn the regular meeting of the Board and
reconvene in closed session to discuss personnel issues pertaining to certain employees at the
Wisconsin Veterans Home at King, the on-going internal and external investigations of
financial issues at King, the on-going internal investigations of personnel issues at King and
whether there is a need for additional investigations of financial and/or personnel issues at
King, including related legal strategies. The statutory provision that allows the Board to
meet in closed session as well as the date and time and subject matter was noticed to the
general public at least 24-hours in advance of this meeting. The motion was seconded by
Mr. Moen. Roll call vote: Moran, aye; Freedman, aye; Moen, aye; Andersen, aye; Guthrie,
aye; Stenavich, no. The motion passed. The time was 12:10 p.m.
Pete Moran
Chairman
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Mr. Perelman asked that his remarks be made a part of the record and they are included
herewith as Attachment 1:
I have always prided myself on working unobtrusively; nevertheless, I am gratified to have what contributions I
have made receive public recognition. So, in the first place, I want to thank those whose respect I enjoy for
their kindness.
Secondly, as a member of the veterans’ community rather than as a retiring employee, I would like to remind all
those here today of something the great historian, Barbara Tuchman wrote in 1978. Please permit me to quote
her accordingly. She warned of the “overload of the negative”, namely “…the disproportionate survival of the
bad side- of evil, misery, contention and harm. In history this is exactly the same as in the daily newspaper.
The normal does not make news. ….This has led me to formulate Tuchman’s Law, as follows: ‘The fact of
being reported multiplies the apparent extent of any deplorable development by five to tenfold’….”
I bring this concept to the attention of the Board because I hope that, as you do your laudable work of
oversight, you will not lose your sense of proportion or therefore your awareness of the very significant
achievements of this Department which I have been privileged to witness. I am referring to accomplishments,
most of which enjoyed either the tacit or the active support of Governor Jim Doyle and which have affected the
very heart of this organization. This is as opposed to those relatively far less significant matters reported much
more prominently and widely in the legitimate press and worse in the lies, deliberate distortions and
McCarthyite smear campaigns of a mere provocateur on the web.
Allow me to name just a few examples of these vital contributions to the veterans’ community:
o Rescuing the Veterans Trust Fund from imminent insolvency.
o Acting in concert with a few other states to secure Congressional approval of receipt of both
VA per diem and Medical Assistance for veterans at our homes thus greatly improving the
fiscal posture of the institutions as well.
o Again, working with a few other states and our Congressional delegation in obtaining
reenactment of QVMB and soon too hopefully its significant expansion.
o Working with Capitol Finance to create a SWAPS funding strategy, that along with QVMB,
may assure the Mortgage Loan Repayment Fund.
o Creating Mission Welcome Home.
o Considerably improving direct care staffing at King with a consonant improvement in labor
relations to an all time high.
o Protecting veterans’ information against the possibility of its compromise inherent in the
Shared Information Systems Initiative.
o Advocating for and defending the Wisconsin GI Bill.
o Advocating for the Property Tax Credit.
o Opening Gates and Boland Halls here at Union Grove.
The list goes on, but the point here is that I hope, in judging the work of this Department, you will not overload
the negative for that would ultimately constitute an unfortunate disservice to Wisconsin’s community of
veterans.
Thank you for allowing me a few moments to address you. I am providing Julie VanMetre with a copy of my
comments today because I would like them to be made part of the public record verbatim should anyone wish
to consider them further.
11
B O A R D M I N U T E S--CORRECTED
Closed Session of December 14, 2007
The closed session meeting of the Board of Veterans Affairs was called to order at 12:20
p.m. on Friday, December 14, 2007 in Union Grove, Wisconsin.
It was certified that proper notification of the meeting had occurred.
A roll call of members was taken with the following members present: Moran,
Freedman, Moen, Stenavich, W. Andersen and Guthrie; and the following member
absent: M. Anderson. A quorum of the Board was present. No other parties were
present.
The matters noticed as the subjects of the closed session meeting were discussed. No
motions were made or acted upon as a result of the discussion
The closed session adjourned at 1:04 p.m.
Peter J. Moran, Chair

Board of Veterans Affairs

Board Minutes December 2007

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Board Minutes December 2007

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WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

WDVA Briefing of December 13, 2007

Board Members Present Council on Veterans Programs Present

1. Certification of Notice of Meeting and Roll Call

2. Board Committee Appointment

Mr. Hardie highlighted the following bills:

State Veterans Cemeteries

Veterans Homeless Program (VAP)

National Guard Reintegration

State Approving Agency (SAA)

Troops to Teachers (TTT)

Assistance to Needy Veterans Grant

5. Veterans Homes Report

Members Present Others Present

2. Certification of Notice of Meeting

3. Approval of Minutes of September 27, 2007

4. Announcements and Introductions

5. Resident Weight Limits at Homes

6. Eligibility Affidavits from Family Members

7. Marking of DD214’s on File at WDVA

8. Definition of “underemployed” as it Relates to the WDVA Retraining Grant

Mr. Benzinger asked if self-employment is something different than underemployment.

There was discussion on uncharacterized discharge. If one uses a liberal interpretation of

10. Secretary’s Matters

11. Public Input

12. Council Members’ Matters (Not Subject to Adoption)

13. Next Meeting Schedule

Committee Present Others Present

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

2. Certification of Notice of Meeting

6. Committee Members’ Matters (Not Subject to Adoption)

7. Next Meeting Date

Committee Present Others Present

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

2. Certification of Notice of Meeting

8. Committee Members’ Matters (Not Subject to Adoption)

9. Next Meeting Date

The Honorable Michael J. Kussman, MD

Dear Dr. Kussman:

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Map CoJDe Number ofVeterans

Committee Present Others Present

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

2. Certification of Notice of Meeting

4. Discussion about Standardizing Uniform Reports Relating to the Operations of the

8. Next Meeting Schedule

Members Present Others Present

2. Certification of Notice of Meeting

3. Introduction of Guests and Announcements

4. Approval of Minutes of October 18-19, 2007 Meetings

6. Museum Foundation Report

7. Discussion/Action on American GI Forum as a Member of the Council on Veterans

8. Discussion of Fisher House—VA Enhanced Use Lease

9. Discussion/Action on American GI Forum as a Member of the Council on Veterans

10. Military License Plates—Department of Transportation

11. Secretary’s Matters

12. Old Business

14. Activities within the Veterans Community

15. Public Input

16. Next Meeting Date

Board Members Present WDVA Present

At this time WDVA certificates of outstanding achievement were presented by

2. Certification of Notice of Meeting

It was moved to go directly to the following agenda item: