Nick Graziano, Chairman of the Nassau County Monument Fund, Inc announced this week the support of the United Veterans Organization and the County Executives Veterans Advisory Committee to begin construction of a monument to our Vietnam veterans in Eisenhower Park in East Meadow. The monument will cost $153,000. Corporate and private donations are welcome. Please call the Monument Fund at 516-681-8214. There are approximately 30,000 Vietnam veterans living in Nassau County.

Helping the Active Duty on Long Island

There is an estimated 2,000 active duty men and women from Long Island serving in Iraq and Afghanistan and many more serving in the US and abroad. "Parents and Families of Deployed Military" is a self-help organization of Long Island families that supports its members with friendship and links to government and military services. The Department of Defense has made it impossible to send cards or packages to "any soldier" so knowing the address of a specific service member is required. Contact the "Parents and Families of Deployed Military" at http://parentsofdeployed.homestead.com if you would like to support our armed forces or if you have a family member in the service and would like information about their services.

New York Guard Helps Hospitalized Veterans

The 13th Civil Affairs Regiment, New York Guard is an all-voluntary unpaid unit that is looking for members from 18-55 years old. Major Tom Dwyer Thomas.dwyer5@verizon.net says that the Guard trains for state emergencies and also volunteers at Veterans Hospitals in New York City and Long Island.

Secretary Of Veterans Affairs Anthony Principi Resigns

Awarded the James J. Peters, " Veterans Leadership Award" by the United Spinal Association and praised lately by the Disable American Veterans, Anthony Principi notified the President that he would resign. The President has nominated Jim Nicholson a West Point graduate, Vietnam veteran, ambassador to the Vatican, and former Chairman of the Republican National Committee will replace Sec. Principi. Principi initiated the CARES program to consolidate and modernize VA facilities. Also under his direction the VA eliminated enrollment of new category 8 veterans (non disabled veterans with incomes over a geographic limit).

Iraq Casualties at Landstuhl get Help from the Home Front

Many troops injured in Iraq are quickly evacuated to Lanstuhl, Germany with nothing but the clothes on their backs. The Army& Air Force Exchange is standing by to assist with a personal shopper who can get their non-medical needs from the base PX. This program is supported only by "Gifts from the Homefront" certificates. These certificates can be purchased by calling 1-877-770-4438 or logging on to www.aafes.com/docs/homefront.htm( From The Officer, November 2004) Flu Shots at VA

The Northport VA Medical Center does have the flu vaccine. However, a veteran must be 1) enrolled for benefits, 2) be over 65 or under 65 with a chronic medical condition, and 3) have used the VA Medical Center at least one time during the last 12 months. For information about eligibility to use the VA Medical Center in Northport or the Community Based Out Patient Clinics on Long Island call 631-266-4400

Survivor Benefit Plan Update

Survivors of retired military will see their social security offset improve from 35% to 55% over the next fours years as a result of passage of the 5005 Defense Authorization Act. In addition, a one year open enrollment period will start in October 2005 to allow retirees not enrolled in SBP to participate, provided they make a lump sum payment covering back premiums, plus interest since their retirement.

Reservists and National Guard to Get GI Bill Benefits

Although the Department of Defense has not yet released the details of the program nor the applications reservists and members of the National Guard activated for at least 90 days in "Contingency operations" will be eligible for an education benefit similar to the GI Bill. The new law will be retroactive to September 11, 2001 so reservists discharged for medical reasons should contact a veterans service officer (516-572-8452) or your former reserve unit. More details about this benefit are expected in March or April of 2005. Reservists discharged for a disability have 10 years to use this benefit otherwise continued membership in a reserve of National Guard unit is required.

Rare Blood Infections Surface in Iraq

According to the New York State Division of Veterans Affairs an unexpectantly high number of U.S. soldiers injured in the Iraq and Afghanistan are testing positive for a rare and hard to treat blood infection. Recently discharged war zone veterans are reminded to enroll at the Northport VA Medical Center for two years of co-payment free service for any service related condition. 631-241-4400

New York City VA Hospital Safer

The President signed into law PL 108-422 on November 30, 2004. Among many changes sec.414 is particularly important to New York veterans. The law imposes restrictions of the power of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to close or change the mission of specific VA medical facilities including the VA Medical Center in New York City. The CARES commission and the former VA Secretary Principi had targeted the 23rd St VA Medical facility for closing but backed off after veterans protest. A study is still under way to find ways to close or restructure the facility. Before the facility can be closed or the mission changed the new VA Secretary will have to report to the House and Senate veterans Committees.