FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 19, 2018
VA and IBM Watson Health Extend Partnership to Support Veterans With Cancer
WASHINGTON — Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and IBM Watson Health announced the extension of a public-private partnership to apply artificial intelligence (AI) to help interpret cancer data in the treatment of Veteran patients.
First announced two years ago as part of the National Cancer Moonshot Initiative, VA oncologists have now used IBM Watson for Genomics technology to support precision oncology care for more than 2,700 Veterans with cancer.
Precision oncology is the practice of biologically directed cancer care. For example, the mutations in a cancer's genome (the cancer's DNA) can significantly impact the treatment options available to treat that cancer and the likely outcomes after treatment. By knowing the cancer genome, oncologists and patients are able to choose therapies that specifically target the patient's cancer.
VA’s precision oncology program primarily supports stage 4 cancer patients who have exhausted other treatment options. The partnership extension with IBM will enable VA oncologists to continue using Watson for Genomics through at least June 2019.
“Our mission with VA’s precision oncology program is to bring the most advanced treatment opportunities to Veterans, in hopes of giving our nation’s heroes better treatments through these breakthroughs,” said Acting VA Secretary Peter O’Rourke. “We look forward to continuing this strategic partnership to assist VA in providing the best care for our Veterans.”
VA treats 3.5 percent of the nation’s cancer patients — the largest group of cancer patients within any one health-care group. In order to bring precision oncology advances to this large group of patients, with equal access available anywhere in the country, VA established a central “hub” in Durham, North Carolina.
In this facility, a small group of oncologists and pathologists receive tumor samples from patients nationwide and sequence the tumor DNA. They then use AI — the ability of a computer program or a machine to think and learn — to help interpret the genomic data, identifying relevant mutations and potential therapeutic options that target those mutations.
More than one-third of the patients who have benefited from VA’s precision oncology program are Veterans from rural areas where it has traditionally been difficult to deliver cutting-edge medical breakthroughs.
“VA is leading the nation to scale and spread the delivery of high-quality precision oncology care, one Veteran at a time,” said Dr. Kyu Rhee, chief health officer for IBM Watson Health. “It is incredibly challenging to read, understand and stay up-to-date with the breadth and depth of the medical literature, and link them to relevant mutations for personalized cancer treatments. This is where AI can play an important role in helping to scale precision oncology, as demonstrated in our work with VA, the largest integrated health system in the U.S.”
For more information about the VA’s precision oncology program, visit https://www.research.va.gov/pubs/varqu/spring2016/4.cfm.
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Very Respectfully,
Paula A. Paige
Office of Media Relations, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
VA on Facebook. Twitter. YouTube. Flickr. Blog
Download: VA and IBM Extend Public Private Partnership to Support Veterans with Cancer
WASHINGTON --
The Defense Department has identified more than 130,000 veterans who may be eligible for a refund for taxes paid on their disability severance payment, a DoD tax expert said.
Veterans who are eligible for a refund for taxes paid on their disability severance payment can submit a 1040X Amended U.S. Individual Tax Return for their reimbursement. Army Lt. Col. David Dulaney, the executive director for the Armed Forces Tax Council, said the Defense Department has identified more than 130,000 veterans who may be eligible for the refund. DoD photo by Lisa Ferdinando
Army Lt. Col. David Dulaney, the executive director for the Armed Forces Tax Council, said the department began mailing notices to veterans July 9.
The deadline to file for the refund is one year from the date of the Defense Department notice, or three years after the due date for filing the original return for the year the disability severance payment was made, or two years after the tax was paid for the year the disability severance payment was made, according to the IRS.
One thing every Marine has in common is that none will ever forget that they are a Marine first and foremost, regardless of any other title or position that they hold, ever held, or ever will hold.
MOS? Irrelevant. Duty Station? Irrelevant. EGA? Totally relevant.
I would imagine that if the first Marines were able to meet the Marines of today, they would give today’s Marines a hard time, because that is just what the old salts do. But I am also sure that the first Marines would be proud to see that the very essence of a Marine stands today as it did in 1775.
A Marine is a Marine is a Marine.
It is not the gear, gadgets, types of weapons, or trucks that make any difference in the Marine. The Marines do with what they have to get done what needs to be done, regardless of where it needs to be done. It is the Marine, not the things or places that matter.
The Essence of a Marine.
Marines never leave the Corps. Sure, the end of active service may come for some. Others may have given their lives in duty, but none ever leave the Corps. The Corps is instilled and hardened in Marines as if sealed in amber. Those who live on past their service days might no longer run a perfect fitness test, or be able to carry the heavy packs that they carried many moons prior, but their hearts beat with the values of the Marine Corps, and those with enough left to give, still give every day to others.
The essence of a Marine is that Marines don’t believe that they are better than anyone else, or stronger, or faster. Marines just know that they will do whatever it takes to accomplish the mission first. A key point is that the missions are never for the individual Marine, but missions for others. For the Brotherhood. For the Corps. For the country. That is what makes Marines different: giving all for others. The essence of a Marine.
Duty Day, July 17, 2018 at Tahoma National Cemetery rendering military honors for comrades in arms.
Members of U.S. Marine Corps Evergreen State Platoon 3041 take part in a ceremony in the rotunda at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash., Thursday, July 12, 2018. The event was held to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of when members of the platoon joined the Marines in 1968. Many of the platoon served in the Vietnam War, including six who were killed in action. The Spokesman-Review
Distinguished Citizenship Award for Eagle Scouts
The Marine Corps League considers it an Honor and Privilege to recognize America's future leaders for earning the Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout Award by presenting them the Marine Corps League's "Good Citizenship Award" Certificate and to have the Eagle Scout become aware of the skills that he has mastered to become an Eagle Scout are also held in very high regards by the Marine Corps League and Corporations throughout the United States.
On Saturday, March 8, 2017, Eagle... Scout Matthew Pand of Troop #517, receives the "Good Citizenship Award", at the Court of Honor Ceremony held at the Peace Lutheran Church, Kent, WA., presented by Pete Hupperten III, Adjutant/Paymaster.
Peter Gockowski
0900, Monday, July 2, 2018
Seattle High School Memorial Stadium
Good morning, my name is Larry Alcantara, Past Commandant, Marine Corps League Puget Sound Detachment 336, Redmond, WA and I am joined by Scott Eliason, VFW Post 6785, Kent Meridian Scout Chair and Honor Guard Commander. Both Scott and I perform military honors for veterans of all branches of the US military at internment at Washington State’s only national cemetery, as members of the Tahoma National Cemetery Support Group.
We are here this morning to honor and present the Marine Corps League’s “Good Citizenship Award” to Eagle Scout Peter Gockowski for achieving the Boy Scout’s highest rank of Eagle Scout.
The rank of Eagle Scout is not given it is earned. So, it is with the title of US Marine. You can join the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard but the title of US Marine, like that of the Eagle Scout, must be earned. Earning the rank of Eagle Scout is an accumulation of a scout’s lifetime achievement. Only 2% of scouts earn the Eagle Scout standing. We recognize that this was made possible through the assistance of his Scoutmasters, Troop leaders, fellow Scouts, parents, family, friends, and members of the community.
Eagle Scout Peter applied all the scouting lessons learned and demonstrated his merit for the rank of Eagle Scout by choosing to bestow the rightful honor and respect to the 800 Seattle High school alumni whose names are engraved on this 1947 Memorial Wall for making the ultimate sacrifice for American ideals and our heritage of freedom.
I too, am a product of the Seattle public school system, Franklin High School class of 1965. I too lost a high school friends defending America’s freedom. Louie Albanese, Medal of Honor recipient, gave full measure for the country that he served just one year before I too joined the battle and survived the 1968 Tet Offensive.
I was stirred spiritually to learn of Peter’s act of restoring the Memorial Wall. Noticing that the wall was partly obscured by trash-strewn, overgrown hedges Peter leapt into action. The first hurdle was securing approval from the Seattle School District and the City of Seattle, no small feat in of itself.
Upon hearing of Peter’s remarkable choice, the first thought I had was the Leatherneck Honor Guard’s motto, “Only the forgotten are truly dead.” It was Thomas Jefferson that said, "The price of liberty is eternal vigilance." Peter’s vigilance insures our fallen heroes are not forgotten.
(Award presentation)
I present the Marine Corps League Good Citizenship Award to Peter Gockowski for attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. Congratulations Eagle Scout Gockowski!
Optional Readings:
As an Eagle Scout is an elite status among Boy Scouts, so US Marines are elite warriors. As such we share the common values. Our “Marine Corps values” are, honor, courage, commitment.
Honor means, always do what’s right, even when no one is watching. A U.S. Marine must never lie, never cheat, never steal, but that is not enough. This code of conduct, being accountable for our actions and holding others accountable for theirs. And, above all, honor demands that a Marine never stain, or bring dishonor, to the reputation of his Corps.
Courage is to put honor into action, a moral strength to behave to a higher
standard regardless of what others around you are doing; the will to do what is right regardless of the actions of others. It is mental discipline, doing what is right and not what is popular.
Commitment is a combination of selfless determination and relentless dedication to excellence. Marines never give up, never give in, never willingly accept second best. Commitment never dies. Excellence is always the goal. And there is no such thing as an Ex-Marine; once a Marine, always a Marine. We live by these Corps values even after we leave the military service. Honor, courage and, commitment.
The service to others is a way of life, a touchstone to guide our decisions every day. It is in this spirit we serve our community, state and nation. Let our rules of conduct guide us throughout our lives.
Be sure to check out your detachment's new website and if you are a current member, register here: REGISTER HERE (you can leave the "details" section blank if you prefer). Once approved, you can also subscribe to the newsletter. By signing up for the newsletter, we will email you reminders for the general membership meetings, events, and other topics pertinent to you.
Once your membership status has been verified, you will have access to detachment file downloads and the social group for communications with members. We want you involved in the detachment, and to be involved, we will work to keep you up to date with everything we are doing in our community to support our fellow Marines, FMF Corpsmen, and FMF Chaplain. There are few greater things you can do in your life than that of helping others succeed, support those who would fall otherwise, and to be a pillar for which to be leaned on.
If you are transitioning out of the Corps, make the Marine Corps League your first stop. Don't wait. Don't postpone. Find the nearest detachment and go to the next meeting.
Let me tell you now that I know the reason you are not thinking about going. Coincidentally, your reason to not go is the primary reason that you should go.
You just spent years in the Corps. Everything you did was for someone else. Your company. Your platoon. Your squad. Your Fireteam. Your buddy. You are instinctively supportive of others, and that is a good thing. But now let us help guide you on your new life. Let the Marine Corps League help put you on a path of success, or pull you out of a pit of despair. The League is here for you. I am talking to the FMF Corpsmen and FMF Chaplains too. The US Congress chartered the Marine Corps League for you, so take advantage of it.
I am going to spoil a few things for you, so stand by.
When you go to your first meeting, you will be overwhelmed with hugs and handshakes from the most gentle, but fierce-some veterans you'll ever met, young and old. MOSs don't matter, combat service or not, and nor does any prior rank held make a difference. The common bond is the EGA held by all.
Once you get set up in your new life, met and made a few good friends from your detachment, consider becoming a regular member at the detachment. Consider giving a hearty handshake to that next transitioning Marine, FMF Corpsman, or FMF Chaplain who just walked off base into their new life. Be that Marine.
And if you are in the Greater Seattle area, make no mistake: I want to meet you at our next League meeting to greet you on your new life.
For those who have been out more than a day (or many years!), you are as welcome and we wait for you to come on in too. In fact, we kinda expect you to be there next meeting so that we can share in this thing called Brotherhood.
Semper Fi.
Brett Shavers, Public Affairs Officer, Marine Corps League, Detachment 336
http://www.pugetsoundmarines.org