The Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. has taken the Department of Defense to federal court over the issue of with holding information from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Some 6,000 Army, Marine and Navy personnel were exposed to biological and chemical agents during 112 tests mostly aboard ships during the 1960s and 1970s. The VVA is trying to get the DoD to release crucial dosage information. Information about Project SHAD can be found on line at www1.va.gov/shad or by calling me at the Veterans Service Agency 516-572-8452.

Disabled Looking for Veterans

Don Dryer, Executive Director, Nassau County Office of the Physically Challenged is looking for veterans to become Handicapped Parking Enforcement Volunteers. Candidates will be trained by the Nassau County Police Academy to photograph violators who park in handicapped spaces. For more information call Mike at 516-571-3113.

POW/MIA Candle-Light Vigil

The Nassau County Veterans Advisory Committee is planning a POW/MIA Remembrance for Sunday, 26 September 2004 between the flagpoles at the Veterans Plaza, in Eisenhower Park, East Meadow, NY (use parking lot 6). The annual event is dedicated to the 88,000 US Prisoners of War (POW) and Missing in Action (MIA) since World War II. A highlight of the ceremony is the lighting of candles by the expected 500 to 1,000 and the reading of the names of the 37 known Nassau County POW/MIAs. Former POWs are always on hand and will be recognized. Note September 14 is National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

Homeless Veterans Stand Down

Freeport’s New York National Guard Armory will be the location for this year’s Homeless Veterans Stand Down. Monday, 22 November 2004 homeless veterans will be offered new clothes, showers, turkey dinner, haircuts, medical screening, job counseling and other services from twenty five county, state, federal and private agencies. Donations of goods and services and volunteers are welcome. Call the Veterans Service Agency.

Free BOCES Training for Veterans

Veterans of any age with a discharge other than dishonorable are entitled to free BOCES training under Section 3202 of the New York State Education Law. GI Bill education benefits expire 10 years after a veteran’s discharge but this New York State benefit does not expire. The veteran must first visit his local High School and indicate a desire to enroll in BOCES. Contact the Veterans Service Agency if you have any difficulty enrolling.

No Brainer for the Governor

For the New York State Senate and Assembly to agree on anything is a rare occasion. They have agreed on the DiNapoli/Fuscillo bill A3796/S2331. This bill when signed by the Governor will end a discrimination against Long Island veteran’s buildings. A 1998 law required all power companies in New York State to charge residential rates to veterans buildings that use single-phase electric. LILCO was in the process of selling its electric distribution to LIPA and, somehow, the 1998 law did not cover Long Island veterans. It has taken six years to correct this oversight. Now we need the Governor to sign the bill.

VA Backlog

The VA is declaring success reducing the backlog of pending claims. The National Association of County Veteran Service Officers however says the backlog is over 500,000 claims. The House Democratic Appropriations Committee says 327,000 claims are pending up from 253,000 at the end of 2003. The VA Regional Office in New York has lost staff and the VA is proposing to reduce another 540 personnel nationwide in 2005.

New York State Access Pass

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation has an “Access Pass” available to all wartime veterans who are rated 40% service connected . An “Access Pass” entitles the holder to free use of state parks, historic sites and recreational facilities. You can go on line www.veterans.state.ny.us/accesspass.htm or call the Veterans Service Agency.

Supporting our Men and Women in Iraq

Unlike in previous wars, we are prohibited (for security reasons) from sending packages or mail addressed to “any service member.” We can show our support by sending prepaid phone cards either to an individual at his or her deployed address or to “any service member.” The Defense Department has authorized the Armed Forces Exchanges to sell prepaid phone cards to any individual or organization that wishes to purchase cards for troops who are deployed. Log on to any of the three Armed Forces Exchange web sites: Army and Air Force Exchange www.aafes.com/; the Navy Exchange www.navy-nex.com/; or the Marine Exchange www.usmc-mccs.org/. Click the “Help our Troops Call Home” link.

VET Center Open For Business

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and mental issues associated with sexual trauma can affect a veteran and his or her family for a lifetime. The Vet Center, 116 W. Main Street, Babylon, NY 11702; 631-661-3930 can help with professional counseling for combat veterans from World War II through today’s war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Veterans who experienced sexual trauma can seek assistance regardless of their period of service.