On June 1, 1813, James Lawrence was just two months removed from being promoted to Captain when his frigate — the USS Chesapeake — encountered the blockading Royal Navy frigate Shannon on his way to Boston. By this point, the United States of America was just 37 years old, and the War of 1812 presented…
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi thanked the Association of the United States Navy by name for their support of a bill that would aim to remove a tax that severely impacts Gold Star Families during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, which AUSN attended. The so-called “kiddie tax,” an unintended part of the…
The House of Representatives voted unanimously Tuesday evening to pass HR 299, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019. The bill would provide benefits to “Blue Water” Navy veterans who were exposed to the herbicide Agent Orange while on ship despite never setting foot on the ground. At 410-0, it was an even…
The Association of the United States Navy joined other Military and Veterans Service Organizations in a meeting May 8 with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.), House Veterans Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (Calif.), and several other members of Congress to discuss issues affecting veterans. During the meeting, Takano noted that his committee had marked up HR…
The Association of the United States Navy held its annual Capitol Hill Reception on Wednesday, May 1, honoring Rep. Joe Courtney (CT) and Sen. Steve Daines (MT) for their work on behalf of Navy Sailors, Retirees, and Veterans. The event also featured special guest speaker Anna Kerry, a Navy veteran who has been involved with…
The Association of the United States Navy submitted the following letter to the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs this week regarding HR 299, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019: —————————————————————- April 30, 2019 The Honorable Mark Takano Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs B234 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC…
Supreme Court Delays Final Ruling On ‘Blue Water’ Navy Decision The Supreme Court has granted a 30-day extension to the Department of Justice as it mulls whether to appeal a lower court ruling earlier this year that would extend presumptive benefits to tens of thousands of Navy veterans who served on ship during the Vietnam…
By LTC Frank Womble (USA, Ret.) The roar of motorcycle engines interrupted the quiet Saturday morning in the rural town of Murfreesboro, North Carolina. A Patriot Guard escort, American flags snapping briskly in the breeze, led a black hearse followed by a convoy of family members in a solemn procession down Main Street on the…
Major Blue Water Navy Push Coming Soon: Report Lawmakers are getting ready to make a big push to settle the Blue Water Navy-Agent Orange issue once and for all in the wake of the Procopio decision earlier this year. Military Times reports that Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (NY) and Steve Daines (Mont.) have “announced plans to…
Guest column by Cassidy Drew For those facing the prospect of retirement, transitioning from the Navy to a civilian role can be a daunting task, especially for those who leave with many decades worth of service behind you. The Navy provides a definitive sense of purpose and belonging to an individual and leaving that familiar territory…