National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic Underway.  On its website, KGTV-TV San Diego, CA (9/21) reported, "Disabled veterans from around San Diego Country will be surfing, sailing, kayaking, cycling and competing in track and field around San Diego this week as part of the second annual National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic," which offers veterans a "chance...to compete, learn and talk with other people who understand what they've been through." On Monday, Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki "came from Washington D.C. to observe" the clinic, which he "said...helps the veterans physically and mentally." Jason McKean, who "was badly injured by an IED in Iraq," made similar comments, saying the clinic "means a lot" because "I can...do stuff I used to do before my disabilities."
Impact: Summer Sports Clinic

Veterans Alerted To Phone Scam. In continuing coverage, WNCN-TV Raleigh-Durham, NC (9/21, 7:02 p.m. ET) broadcast, "A consumer alert tonight from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Officials say someone claiming to be from their agency is trying to scam veterans." Scammers "have been calling people" and "claiming that the VA has changed its prescriptions policy and that they need their credit card numbers to clear things up. Veterans with concerns about their account should contact their nearest VA medical center." WFMY-TV Greensboro, NC (9/21, 6:05 p.m. ET) and WGHP-TV Greensboro, NC (9/21, 5:55 p.m. ET) aired similar reports.
      The Omaha (NE) World-Herald (9/21, Glissman) also noted the scam, adding, "'The VA is never going to ask a veteran for their credit-card number for prescriptions - or anything, for that matter,' said Will Ackerman, a VA spokesman for Nebraska and western Iowa. Representatives from veterans service organizations across the country have told the VA about the attempts," but Ackerman "said he knew of no one in Nebraska or western Iowa who had fallen prey to the scammers."
Impact: Telephone scam