Latest federal figures show a reduction of 2% in claims for benefits at the New York VA Regional Office. As a consequence, staffing at VARONY will be reduced by one Decision Review Officer and other support staff. Nationwide claims submitted to the Department of Veterans Affairs are up 5%.

Gulf War Illness to Under Go More Research

The Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Illness a committee formed by Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi is proposing expenditure of $60 million over the next four years to monitor and research the health of hundreds of thousands of Gulf War veterans and their children. The Pentagon says that 100,000 soldiers were exposed to nerve gas when Iraq weapons cashes were destroyed and others were overexposed to pesticides. Undiagnosed Gulf War illnesses include; chronic fatigue, loss of muscle control, diarrhea, migraines, dizziness, memory problems, and loss of balance. Gulf War veterans with these symptoms are urged to call the VA Medical Center in Northport at 631-261-4400 or in Queens at 718-439-4300.

Home Depot Wants to Hire Veterans

According to a release from the New York Division of Veterans Affairs, the Home Depot has unveiled a new program to hire U.S. Military retirees, veterans and military spouses. The Home Depot hired 10,000 veterans in 2003 and expects to surpass that number in 2004. The Home Depot pledged to work with its military associates to provide transfers in the case of reassignments of duty stations, retirement or separation, depending on store and job availability.

Helping Service Men and Women Now

How can I help the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan is a question I get often. The easiest way and the quickest is to walk down to your nearest Post Office and buy a Operation Phone Home phone card. Donations begin at $10 and the cards are distributed to our fighting forces overseas. Military families can be helped by contacting Army Emergency Relief at www.aerhq.org; Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society at www.nmcrs.org/; Air Force Aid Society at www.afas.org/; and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance at www.cgmahq.org/.

Tricare Region North

Retired military and spouses have a new phone number and web site for any health insurance related questions. (877) 874-2273 and www.tricare.osd.mil/ and www.healthnetfederalservices.com/ are available for information on enrollment and network providers; procedures for filing claims; claims status and history; access to virtual TSC and locations of Tricare Service Centers; and various programs that allow beneficiaries to manage their own care.

EPIC

Veterans with an Honorable discharge, a VA rated disability or an income on Long Island of under $49,000(married) can enroll in the VA Health Care System and take advantage of $7 per month prescriptions. The veteran's spouse however cannot. The Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) Program can save 80% of the cost most medications if the family income is less than $50,000. For information call (800) 332-3742 Monday-Friday 8:30AM-5:00PM. Applications can be downloaded at www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/epic/doh-3409.pdf

Pearl Harbor Day Ceremonies

December 7, 1941 a day that still lives in infamy will be remembered in several locations locally on December 7, 2004. The Pear Harbor Survivors and the Oyster Bay Veterans of Foreign Wars will conduct what may be the longest running memorial at the Theodore Roosevelt Park at 10:00 AM in Oyster Bay. The "Chosin Few" and the Village of Rockville Center will conduct a wreath laying ceremony at Mill River, South Park Avenue, Rockville Center (West End) at 11:00 AM as a salute to the heroes of Pearl Harbor. The Long Island Air Force Association will present a "Dropping of the Roses" Pearl Harbor Memorial at 10:30 AM at the American Air Power Museum, Republic Airport, Farmingdale. At the conclusion of this ceremony planes will take off from the airfield and drop roses near the Statue of Liberty. Sunday December 5 a ceremony at Long Island National Cemetery, Farmingdale will be sponsored by the American Veterans (AMVETS) at 2:00PM. Remember to fly your American Flag at half staff on December 7.

Service Disabled Veterans Insurance

Many veterans are applying for and receiving disability ratings from the VA for hearing loss, PTSD, or for disabilities associated with exposure to Agent Orange. An additional benefit they are entitled to is Service Disabled Veterans Insurance. Available for up to two years after receiving the disability rating this $10,000 policy can be deducted from their disability payment.

POW Benefit

Governor Pataki signed into law Chapter 485 of the Laws of 2004 (Tocci/Larkin) exempting all former prisoners of war regardless of age, from the payment of motor vehicle registration fees for distinctive plates.

Mandatory Funding's Uphill Battle

From the Congressional Quarterly this note. Senator Larry E. Craig (R-Idaho) is the new chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. Veterans' influence in Idaho is limited and Sen. Craig has already expressed skepticism about increased veterans benefits.