August 25, 2003

Homeless Veterans Are Hard to Help

For about a month now the outreach counselors from the Veterans Service Agency have been literally beating the bushes trying to help homeless veterans. Michael Kilbride from Levittown and Pat Yngstrom from Merrick have searched the parks late at night, visited soup kitchens and shelters, and responded to parish out reach centers. What enables Pat and Mike to conduct their search is a grant from the U.S.Department of Labor to Nassau County called the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program. 50 Homeless veterans men and women have been interviewed. Four were willing to accept help and are now living at the Veterans Residence run by the Salvation Army in Northport and are in treatment. The goal of the HVRP is to help the veteran get back into the workforce using all the supportive tools available to local government. If you know of a veteran who has no place to live that he or she can call their own call Pat Yngstrom, Project Coordinator at 516-572-8452. "All the work we do at the Veterans Service Agency is rewarding but getting a homeless veteran off the street and back to work is like going back for a wounded buddy and getting him off the battlefield," said Mike Kilbride.

POW/MIAs will be remembered by Nassau County on September 20, 2003 at a candlelight vigil beginning at 7:30 PM at the Veterans Plaza in Eisenhower Park. The public who was sorely missed last year is encouraged to attend. The names of 37 POW/MIAs from Nassau County will be read during the event. The joy we all felt when our POWs were rescued during Operation Iraqi Freedom and the still ever present POW/MIA flags we see daily should spur us to do more.

The Korean War Chapter #1 is currently working with Nassau County to set up a museum exhibit in October to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the end of the Korean War. President Tom Riley of Freeport is seeking memorabilia, photos, maps, letters, newspapers and other items reminiscent of the Korean War. Call him at 516-868-8607 or fax with a list of the items you have to 516-608-0564. All items will be returned.

The American Legion of Nassau County is planning a legislative breakfast for Sunday, October 12, 2003 at 9:00 AM at The Andrew Fatcher Post# 854, 51 Roosevelt Avenue, Valley Stream, NY. Call Peter Holowecki at 516-741-4568 for details.

The Nassau County VFW is planning a legislative breakfast for October 5, 2003 at Post # 1790, 65 East Merrick Road, Valley Stream, 9:00AM. Call Tom Bennet at 516-437-6248 for details.

8,000 retired military families live in Nassau County. 75% of the 325-340 daily shoppers in the Commissary in Mitchel Field are retirees. Retired and active duty family members also depend on the military clinic at Mitchel Field . Nassau County has a small military presence. 400 active duty families live in government housing between Mitchel Field and Mitchel Manor in East Meadow. The Navy Department manages the housing for all the branches in Nassau County and they have indicated that they wish to get out of the housing business. As small as it is losing base housing could lead to the military leaving Nassau County with the loss of the Commissary and the clinic that so many retirees depend on.

200,000 veterans will be affected by a new "benefit" announced by the VA. The veteran population using the VA Medical Centers has doubled since 1996. The chief reason is the low cost prescription drugs. The most bothersome aspect of the program is that the VA would not fill a prescription until a VA doctor wrote the prescription. On Long Island it can take eight months to see a VA primary care doctor for the first time. That means eight months of paying for higher priced prescriptions unless the veteran gets treatment through the VA emergency room. The new benefit offered by the VA is complicated but helpful for some. The VA pharmacy will fill your privately written prescription if: 1) the veteran enrolled in the VA Medical Center before July 25, 2003. 2) The veteran requested a primary care appointment before July 25, 2003. 3) The veteran must be waiting at least 30 days for their first appointment before Sept. 22, 2003.

Richard Turan, President of the Nassau University Medical Center has announced plans to open a Veterans Section in the East Meadow Hospital. He can use your help by asking our federal representatives to support a plan that would require the VA Medical Centers to fill all prescriptions for veterans whether they see a VA doctor or not.

The Farmingdale State Small Business Development Center invites all veterans (and non vets) to attend the open house of their new Satellite Center at C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University, Tuesday, September 16, 2003 3:00-5:00 PM, Lober Hall, Room 100. RSVP is required 631-420-2765.

The Veterans Alumni Chapter, Hofstra University is planning a Veterans Day Salute for November 8,2003 at a football game with Villanova University. Veterans Color Guards are welcome to arrive at 6:00 PM at the James M. Shuart Stadium. A reception in honor of the Hofstra University Veteran of the year and recipients of the Veterans Endowed Scholarship award will precede the game at 4:00PM. Organizations that would like to participate are urged to send a letter to Charles Churchill, Veterans Alumni Chapter, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY 11550-9814. Please provide the approximate number of participants, the name of your organization, and if you will bring your color guard.

For information on any item in this article call me at the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency at 516-572-8452.