June 25, 2004

The Drifters the classic group from the 50s, 60s and 70s will headline a Salute to Veterans at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow on Saturday August 7, 2004 The concert follows a ceremony honoring on Islands active duty, reserve and National Guard. Also honored will be five individuals receiving the County Executives Service To Veterans Award. The ceremony starts at 6:45PM the free concert follows immediately. For information call 516-572-0200.

Veterans News Now on Television

Veterans News is now a weekly television program on Cablevisions Public Access Channel 20. Produced by the United Veterans Organization of Nassau County and hosted by Nassau County Director of Veterans Services Edward G. Aulman the program covers items not reported in any other television news show. Two veteran leaders discuss their organization and issues that are important to their members. Taped monthly at Cablevision studios the show is broadcast every Wednesday at 7:00PM.

Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association Changes Name and Mission

The EPVA is now the United Spinal Association. According to Orbit their monthly publication the organization " is dedicated to enhancing the lives of all individuals with spinal cord injuries or diseases by ensuring quality health care, promoting research, and advocating for civil rights and independence." A review of Orbit shows that veterans are still the foundation of the organization. Employment, housing, discrimination, medical care and research are issues all disabled individuals share and United Spinal Association is reaching out to a larger community now. For information contact: United Spinal Association, 75-20 Astoria Blvd., Jackson Heights, NY 11370-1177 718-803-3782. Diabetes and Prostrate Cancer Claims Increasing

Service in Vietnam after January 9, 1962 means a veteran was likely exposed Agent Orange or other chemical herbicides. In the last several months there has been an increased number of veterans coming to the Veterans Service Agency in Plainview applying for compensation now that they have been diagnosed with Prostrate Cancer or Diabetes Type II. Frequently a common remark is " I did not know I was entitled to anything". Eleven diseases are associated with service in Vietnam and the VA is ready to treat the condition and/or pay compensation. Other diseases are chronic lymphocytic leukemia, respiratory cancers of the lung, larynx, trachea and bronchus, Hodgkin's disease, non Hodgkin's lymphoma, soft tissue sarcoma (other than osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, ormesothelioma), multiple myeloma, chloracne, porphyria cutanea tarda and acute and subacute transient peripheral neuropathy. Veterans who have a diagnosis for any one of these diseases should call the Veterans Service Agency at 516-572-8452. For information about Agent Orange call 800-749-8387 or on the web at www.va.gov/agentorange.

Senator Schumer Attacks Widows Tax

At a press conference at Eisenhower Park in early June Senator Charles Schumer endorsed a bill that he also said has bi-partisan support to end the social security offset that reduces the amount a widow can receive from her husbands military pension. The "Widows Tax " as it has been called reduces the amount of survivor's benefit a military retirees spouse receives when she (or he) turns 62 and is eligible for social security. The House Armed Services Committee has recommended a phased in plan to eliminate the offset. The Military Officers Association of America has been a leader in the push to eliminate this Survivors Benefit Plan (SBP) offset.

Go Ahead Get Married

Public Law 108-183 signed on December 16, 2003 allows survivors of veterans receiving dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) to remarry after the age of 57 without losing the $967 monthly DIC payment. The law also allows those who did remarry before the age of 57 to reapply for the benefit. December 16, 2004 is the deadline for reapplying. VA Form 21-686c must be completed. Call the Veterans Service Agency at 516-572-8452.

Separate Medals for Iraq and Afghanistan

The Senate has voted 98-0 and the House 423-0 to correct a policy only the Administration supported. The Global War on Terrorism Medal was to be awarded to a veteran who served in Afghanistan or Iraq. If the president signs the bill separate medals will be awarded for each war. This is important to veterans and active duty warriors alike because medals on a uniform tell everyone where you were and what you did and when you did it.

Forgotten Program

Veterans returning from Iraq are eligible for the GI Bill. Most contributed $1,200 to the Montgomery GI Bill and can attend college with the government paying most of the expenses. Many veterans however will never take advantage of this benefit. Going to work, getting married or other distractions may postpone higher education. On the Job Training in an approved apprenticeship program can be substituted for the traditional use of the GI Bill. In such a program the veteran receives a monthly payment from the VA while he learns a business that will pay more later. For information call John Scarimbolo at 212-564-8414.

Jewish and Hispanic DSC Recipients Sought by Army

The United States Army is looking for information on Jewish and Hispanic American veterans who received the Distinguished Service Cross between December 7, 1941 and December 12, 2001. An Army board will review the case files and try to determine if omissions were made that led to the awarding of the DSC rather than the Medal of Honor. Previous reviews of African and Asian American veterans have already been conducted. Anyone interested in providing information can call 866-730-8405.

VA Awards 11 Million to California Veterans Home

The Department of Veterans Affairs announces three grants totaling 11 million will go to the Yountville Veterans Home enabling the Home to make major renovations. The grants for this 1,200 residents facility represent 65% of the total cost of modernizing the electrical and water systems and to renovate a building for a new dementia unit.

Improved benefit for Guard and Reserve Expected

According to a release from Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton the Senate is backing in a bipartisan fashion an amendment to this years Defense Authorization bill giving the National Guard and Reserve veterans easier access to TRICARE. Many families of activated guard and reserve face losing employer-sponsored health insurance when the husband or wife is activated. Readers keep an eye on this some great proposals die in committee.

Attorney General Wants to Assist Returning Veterans

Returning Iraq veterans who were called to active duty should expect to return to their civilian jobs with out any problems if: they have a certificate of completion of service; make a timely application for reemployment (90 days); and still be qualified to perform the duties of their job. Any veteran experiencing any difficulty should contact Assistant Attorney General Devin Rice at 212-416-8700.