July 15, 2004

According to Marc Michlet, Deputy Assessor of Nassau County veterans of the Guard and Reserve who were called up for active duty for any service other than training during a period of war are entitled to veterans exemption on the town and county portion of their real estate taxes. This is a change from past practices and may benefit many more veterans. A difficulty remains however since the veteran must provide proof that his service was for other than training. Copies of orders showing that the service was for other than training must be presented to the Assessors Office along with the application and a copy of the deed. If you think you qualify call me at the Veterans Service Agency at 516-572-8452.

Other improvements at the Assessors Office include keeping the Veterans Desk open year round instead of September -December and cross training assessment personnel to handle veterans and other exemptions and updating the almost 70,000 files.

The veterans exemption is for wartime veterans and their spouses only. If the veteran dies the widow retains the exemption but it cannot be passed on to other family members or a new owner of the home. This fall numerous letters will be mailed to verify eligibility of some recipients. VA Insurance Now Online

Veterans that maintained their Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI) can now access their account on line at www.insurance.va.gov/ or using an automated interactive voice response system by calling 1-800-419-1473. Both systems will allow the veteran to obtain basic information about their policy and report a change in address.

Freeport National Guard Activated

For the first time since World War II the 42 Infantry Division Band (-) headquartered at the Army National Guard in Freeport has been activated for duty in Iraq. The unit that can provide music for military occasions is primarily a communications security unit as is going to a combat area to provide that service.

Pentagon Recalls 5,600 Reservists

Approximately 5,600 Individual Ready Reserves (on reserve status but not attending regular training) have been called up to report to Army Reserve organizations that are being mobilized for deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan. 20,000 troops due to rotate home have been extended for duty in Iraq. Applications from retired members of the Army are being accepted to fill shortages or to augment deployed or supporting units. One third of our forces in Iraq are members of the Reserve or National Guard.

Nassau Invites Military to Use Pools

Active duty, Reserve and National Guard Families are now permitted to use Nassau County pools free of charge. A Military ID must be presented to receive this privilege. Call 516-572-0200 for pool locations.

VA Medical Centers Losing Patients

In January 2003, the VA restricted the number of veterans allowed to use the VA Medical Centers to those with a service connected disability and those that fell below a geographic income level. The plan was to stop the increasing number of veterans wanting to use the VA to obtain affordable prescriptions. The plan is working too well. For the first time since 1996 the number of veterans in the Metropolitan area using the VA Medical Centers has decreased.

Veterans Service Agency Continues to Help the Homeless

The Nassau County Veterans Service Agency(VSA) has been awarded second year funding for the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program. A homeless veteran is any veteran who does not have a place of his or her own. He or she may be living on the street, at a shelter, or living with friends or family. The VSA working with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Social Services and many other private businesses and agencies are helping these veterans find employment.

Eisenhower Park Needs Vietnam Monument

A visitor the Veterans Plaza in Eisenhower Park will see over two dozen monuments to our veterans from every war and veterans organization. The location is quite beautiful and schools have started bring students there for history field trips. 58,000 men and women died in Vietnam yet that war is not yet recognized with an appropriate edifice. If you would like to make a donation to construction of a Vietnam Memorial or if you would like to have a veterans name inscribed on the Walls of Honor contact the Monument Fund at 516-681-8214.

Wounded Warrior Project

There are over 5,000 wounded service men and women caused by the War in Iraq. The United Spinal Association's Wounded Warrior Project will help ease the financial and emotional burden of families by subsidizing necessities such as housing, food, daycare, airfare and ground transportation while they are visiting their loved ones. Learn more on their website www.soldierride.com/ OR CALL 631-267-3142

Department of Defense Withholds Benefit

Unemployed and uninsured drilling reservists should be able to purchase low cost health insurance from the Department of Defense according to section 702 of The National Defense Authorization Act for 2004. However DoD has yet to enact this provision of the law.