April 25, 2003

How To Show Support for Troops

The Department of Defense has asked the general public to stop sending unsolicited letters and packages to service members in Iraq. Instead, DoD suggests: (1) sending e-mail or donating a prepaid calling card to members at www.defendamerica.mil/support_troops.html ; (2) donating $25 to Operation USO Care Package by calling 866-USO-GIVE (866-876-4483) or visiting www.usocares.org/ ; (3) supporting families of service members by calling the local American Red Cross chapter or visiting www.redcross.org/; (4) sending a $10 or $20" Gifts from the Homefront" certificate that troops can use at post exchanges by calling 1-877-770-GIFT or visiting www.aafes.com/docs/homefront.htm; (5) visiting veterans under care at Veterans Affairs Hospitals; (6) sending donations to one or more of the service relief organizations: Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society at www.nmcrs.org/; Air Force Aid Society at www.afas.org/; Army Emergency Relief at www.aerhq.org/ and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance, www.cgmahq.org/.

Veterans of the Vietnam War, Inc. will also send a care package to the service man or woman of your choice who is deployed overseas in the war against terrorism. The package cost the VVnW $35 each but will be sent to your service member at no charge. Of course they would be happy to accept cash donations to help defray the costs. If you would like to get involved in this project contact the Veterans of the Vietnam War Inc., at 805 S. Township Boulevard, Pittston, PA 18640, phone 570-603-9740 or on their website www.vvnw.org/.

Good-intentioned citizens and family members have been sending flea and tick collars overseas with detrimental results. The DoD is reminding service members that flea and tick collars are not approved for humans and can be detrimental to the skin. There is also the potential to absorb pesticides (from the collar) into the skin.

The Army has activated a Family Assistance Hotline for Operation Iraq Freedom at (800) 833-6622 to provide referrals and information to the families of deployed or activated soldiers. The Marines have two hot lines. For Marines previously based on the East Coast the number is (800) 336-4663 and West Coast (800) 253-1624. The numbers are for family members only.

Although Concurrent Receipt was not passed into law last year the Department of Defense is about to release details and applications for certain retired veterans enabling them to receive special compensation. According to Steve Strobridge of the Military Officers Association of America the DoD should publish in May the procedures and applications. The potential beneficiaries are retirees with a Purple Heart and at least a 10% VA disability and retirees with a VA disability rated 60% or more received from combat situations, combat -oriented training, hazardous duty, or conditions simulating combat.

Disturbing News about Heart Attack Care at VA

According to the Armed Forces News Issue, Friday April 18 2003 heart attack victims who went to Veterans Affairs Hospitals during 1997 through 1999 had higher death rates than Medicare patients treated in civilian hospitals. The Armed Forces News article refers to a VA study release in early April that also found that VA patients were less likely than Medicare patients to have procedures such as angioplasty, angiography, or surgery. Furthermore, the study found that 50 percent who had heart attacks in 1997 died three years later compared to 40 percent of Medicare patients. Death percentages were also higher after two years and one year. The article continues to say that Secretary of Veterans Affairs has ordered a review of cardiac care at all VA facilities, called for modernization of high volume sites, and ordered that 24/7 care be available for heart attack victims at VA facilities.

The Veterans Corporation in partnership with the Small Business Administration has launched an interactive directory of Veteran owned Businesses providing the opportunity for veteran business owners to market their good and services to a public that wants to buy from veterans. www.veteranscorp.org . Another site for veterans to get information and assistance starting business is www.vetbiz.gov/

In a previous issue of Veterans News I reported that the Republic of China was issuing medals to service members who fought in the China Theatre during World War II. I have since been informed that the supply of medals has been exhausted and that the Republic of China has no plans to reorder the medals.

Nassau County has announced that a contract has been awarded and work will begin soon to replace all the broken tiles at the Veterans Plaza in Eisenhower Park. The work will be completed before Memorial Day.