November 22, 2004 Nassau County Veterans Service Agency in association with the United Veterans Organization and over a hundred volunteers from the American Legion, VFW, Amvets, Marine Corps League, Vietnam Veterans Organizations, and other veterans groups and the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Beacon House, Departments of Veterans Affairs, VA Medical Centers, Department of Labor, Social Security Administration and twenty other private not for profit and local government agencies will join at the Freeport Armory for the second Homeless Veterans Stand Down. All veterans in need are welcome to come to the armory from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM for benefit counseling and applications, job information and training opportunities, medical screening and even hair cuts and showers. Volunteers and donations of clothes are welcome. Two hot meals will be served.

BENEFIT FOR VETERANS IN NURSING HOMES

An almost unknown benefit for wartime veterans living in nursing homes is a $90 pension paid directly to the Nursing home but for the exclusive use of the veteran. To qualify all or part of the veterans expenses must be paid by Medicaid. The Veterans Service Agency in Denton, Texas has been able to successfully get this benefit extended to wartime veterans living in Assisted Living facilities as long as the veteran is certified by a physician as being housebound or in need of aid and attendance by another person.

A veteran in an assisted living facility who has financial assets of less than 40,000 and who pays all or most of his income to the assisted living facility may qualify for hundreds of dollars every month from the VA that cannot be taken by the facility. There are many conditions and limits involved but interested wartime veterans in nursing homes or assisted living facilities should seek the counsel of a veterans counselor.

DOD RECOGNIZES DANGERS OF NOISE EXPOSURE

The following is a quote from a standard health record page of a recently discharged Iraq War veteran. The veteran was required to sign after reading this warning about the use of hearing protection.

Temporary or permanent hearing loss WILL result from not wearing your hearing protection in noisy environments. Permanent hearing loss can occur (when not wearing protection) from a single incident such as firing guns or standing beside jet engines during run ups. Permanent hearing loss may also occur gradually from low unprotected exposure such as using drills, sanders, AGE equipment, or other items that are not loud enough to cause pain or other items that are not loud enough to cause pain or significantly interfere with communications. Permanent hearing loss is not correctable, so prevent it while you can!…"

The statement goes on to say that it is the duty of the serviceman to use protective equipment.

Veterans of combat and others who were exposed to loud acoustic trauma are encouraged to see a veterans counselor if they have experienced increasing hearing loss through out their life. Having fine hearing until old age and then suddenly needing a hearing aid is probably not service connected. Gradual hearing loss over the years following a period of armed service where you were exposed to loud noise should be considered service connected. Contact a veteran's counselor at 516-572-8452.

Hofstra University Veterans Day Salute

Hofstra University has invited the color guards of all Nassau County veterans' organizations to participate in the annual Salute to Veterans on November 13, 2004 when Hofstra hosts Northeastern University at the James M. Shuart Stadium in Hempstead at 2:30 PM. A reception follows at the Libby and Joseph G. Shapiro Alumni House where recipients of the Hofstra Veteran of the Year Award and Veterans Endowed Scholarship award will be recognized. Call the Alumni office at 516-463-6636 if you would like to participate.

Election Day Service

Jim Colwell, Commander of the Farmingdale Post # 449 of the American Legion provided a service to the Farmingdale community that should be recognized. On Election Day members of this American Legion Post provided free transportation to any voter who need a ride to the polls.

Veterans Day Ceremonies

Sunday November 7, 2004 the United Veterans Organization of Nassau County will host a ceremony beginning at 10:30 AM at Veterans Plaza, in Eisenhower Park, East Meadow, NY. Organizations are asked to assemble in parking lot 6 at 10:00AM. The public is invited.

The United Veterans Organization of Hicksville is planning a Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11, 2004 at 10:30 AM at the Hicksville Middle School on Jerusalem Ave.

The Freeport American Legion will host a ceremony at the Freeport Library 144 W Merrick Road, Freeport at 10:45AM on November 11, 2004