HERDWORD

1- 173d Airborne Brigade is deploying and as the old cadence call says "mission unspoken, destination unknown". As one can expect, rumors are running rampant but I expect we will hear more in a few weeks. I will try and get the facts to you. Wherever they go, I know they will be making history. I pray that God goes with them.

2- 2004 Calendar project is moving forward, I need your input, photos, etc, Read about the project, Click here! (http://www.173rdairborne.com/2004calendar.htm)

3- New Books, 173d authors have books in development. Chuck Dean has another book coming out. Colonel David G. Fitz-Enz has another book coming out also. Once these come out I'll get the info to you all.

4- The 173d Airborne Brigades' CSM now starting a Sky Soldier library. If you have any 173rd books you like to donate, please mail to...HEADQUARTERS, 173rd Airborne Brigade, Command Sergeant Major William Gunter, BOX 1972, CMR 427, APO AE 09630.

5- VA disability rating. The manual on VA rating disabilities is Code of Federal Ratings, Title 38--Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief , Chapter 1, Department of Veterans Affairs. Click here to see the current CFR 38.(http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/cfrhtml_00/Title_38/38cfr4_00.html)

6- New Website from a European that says Thank You to U.S. Military personnel. Check it out, click here! http://europethnksusa.homestead.com/

7- VA Copay Increase Proposal; The fine print in this years’ federal budget contains some surprises for veterans seeking health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs. For example, veterans whose disabilities are not service connected and who don't pass the "means test" would face a $250 a year enrollment fee. They also would see co-payments for outpatient visits jump 33 percent, from $15 to $20, and find prescription drug co-payments more than doubled, from $7 to $15. (The "means test" kicks in for earnings of $24,600 per year or more if single, $29,576 with one dependent, plus $1,653 for each additional dependent.) Also, long-term nursing home care would be restricted to veterans with a disability rating of 70 percent or greater. [Source: Armed Forces News Feb. 14, 2003]