January 22, 2004

The most significant event of 2004 other than the election of our national leaders will be the dedication of a World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. on May 29. Sixteen million Americans went to war in 1942 and all they did was to change the world. An extremely proud generation they never demanded a monument for their accomplishments. Ask any one of the World War II veterans and they will tell you they just did their duty. I hope many of our Nassau County WWII veterans get the opportunity to go to D.C. for the dedication ceremony but for those that can not make the trip we are planning a ceremony here in the county that will be linked by satellite to D.C.

The Veterans Service Agency is planning a Jobs and Education Fare for veterans, active duty and reserve military only. Site selection process is now in progress. Any Veterans post that would like to make their facilities available is urged to contact me at 516-572-8450.

This week we put two homeless veterans in the Veterans residence in Northport. The first was a 72-year-old Korean War veteran living in his car. If you know the where about of a homeless veteran call me and our outreach team led by Pat Yngstrom will visit the veteran anywhere in the county and try to help.

According to VA Secretary Anthony Principi, "Right now, the number of homeless male and female Vientam Veterans is greater than the number of service persons who died in the war."

Service connection for tobacco related diseases have been routinely denied by the VA because of a law prohibiting a service connection. A recent General Counsel Opinion however has opened the door slightly when the tobacco addiction was secondary to an in service mental condition. This is not an easy claim to pursue but with enough medical evidence a veteran can be successful. Contact the Veterans Service Agency.

The President signed in December a law that as granted full veterans benefits to 9,000 Filipino veterans living in the United States who are citizens or lawful residents. The Filipino s must be World War II veterans of the Commonwealth Army, New Philippine Scouts, or organized guerrilla units. The benefits extend also to the eligible survivors.

The Vet Center in Babylon is offering Bereavement Counseling for Surviving Family Members of service men and women who die during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Call 631-661-3930 for information.

Operation Uplink is a program organized by the Veterans of Foreign Wars that keeps military personnel and hospitalized veterans in touch with their families and loved ones by providing them with a free phone card. Information about this program can be found at www.operationuplink.org/. Information about five other Military Relief Societies is available by calling me at 516-572-8450

According to the Armed Forces News11 Dec03 the origination fee for active duty and veterans for a VA Home loan will go up from 2% to 2.2% of the value of the loan.

Waiting for a VA hearing aid? A veteran recently asked me how long should it take to get a hearing aid repaired if he mailed the hearing aid in a VA provided mailing box. According to Patrick Masone Au.D. FAAA Chief of Audiology & Speech Pathology Service at Northport VAMC it should take 6-8 weeks because of current staffing problems. If you have already waited six to eight weeks call 303-914-5141 to check the status of your repair.

The Cares report that may have a major impact on how the VA delivers medical care in the next twenty years is delayed. The final report is now expected to be presented to the secretary in February 2004. At a recent meeting I attended with Secretary Principi, Senator Clinton and veterans leaders in New York City the Secretary expressed concern that the VA maintains over 3,000 beds in three NYC VA Hospitals but at any one time only 10% are occupied.

Military personnel who have been deployed or mobilized are not required to make student loan payments during their absences. Nice change in the law. I remember getting collections letters from Chase Manhattan Bank on a mountaintop in Vietnam. You can guess how I responded to that letter.

Vietnam Veteran, 65 year old David Cronauer made famous by the movie Good Morning Vietnam has recently been admitted to practice law at the U.S. Supreme Court.

The VA is expediting claims for disabilities from Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.

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