July 15, 2005

Five distinguished Nassau County residents will be recognized on August 6, 2005 for their service to veterans. County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi will present the Distinguished Service to Veterans Award to: Herbert A. Friedman, Bellmore; Michael Guerriero, West Hempstead; Aaron Reiff, Port Washington; Joel Tuchfeld, North Merrick; and Raymond O'Connor, Seaford. The presentation of awards will precede a USO concert and featured performance by THE RETURN The Ultimate Beatles Tribute Band. This year's salute remembers the 30th Anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. Color Guards are welcome. The activities begin at 6:45PM.

VJ Day Remembered

The Cradle of Aviation Museum will celebrate the end of World War II by providing all veterans and guests with free admission to the museum on Sunday, August 14th. A ceremony will take place at noon with a special plaque commemorating the role that Long Islanders played here and abroad to support the war effort. The plaque will be presented to Ed Aulman; Director Veterans Service Agency for Nassau County and it will also be displayed on the Cradle of Aviation's Aerospace Honor Roll.

Displays of military artifacts and military history will also be part of the day's activities providing veterans and their families with an exciting day.

Blinded Veterans Loosing Out

Suffolk County New York has about 13% more veterans than Nassau County. But according to a recent report of the New York State Division of Veterans Affairs Suffolk has 25% more veterans receiving the Blind Veterans Annuity. To be eligible for this New York State Benefit of $1,000 per year the veteran must have been on active duty during a period of war. The veteran must be legally blind but blindness does not have to be service related. The surviving spouse can be eligible to continue to receive the annuity. There are blind veterans in Nassau County that do not know about this benefit. Call the Veterans Service Agency at 516-572-8452 for an application.

DOD Releases Study on Diabetes

July 8, 2005 the Department of Defense released another study confirming the link between Agent Orange and Diabetes Type II. Many Vietnam Veterans still do not know that since May 2001 the VA has recognized Diabetes Type II to be a disease caused by exposure to the chemicals in the defoliant known as Agent Orange. A veteran who served in Vietnam between 9 January 1962 and 7 May 1975 can receive free medical care and compensation for Diabetes Type II and fourteen other diseases associated with exposure to Agent Orange. The compensation can start at $108 per month but in serious cases exceed $2,300 per month. Call the Veterans Service Agency for assistance filing a claim or go to www.va.gov/agentorange for more information.

Helmets to Hardhats

Recently discharged veterans are encouraged to take advantage of their GI Bill Education Benefits. After 10 years those benefits expire. About half of our veterans go right to work and miss out on about $30,000 in tuition assistance. Non-college bound veterans should consider an alternative.

Helmets to Hardhats helps veterans locate jobs and training in the construction trades. The Center for Military Recruitment, Assessment and Veterans Employment says," If your military skills make you an expert in a construction trade, you can enter the industry at a high level, with full credit for your experience. If you need to learn a building or construction trade, you can be trained at no cost, earn a good wage and benefits while you're learning and may be eligible for GI Bill funds that will boost your income above the average wage for that field." Contact Helmets to Hardhats at 866-741-6210 or www.helmetstohardhats.org.

New York State also operates a Bureau of Veterans Education that can assist veterans with other apprentice and on-the-job (OJT) opportunities that can result in monthly payment from the VA while you begin a new career. Call 212-564-8414.

VA Hospital Enrollment for New Veterans

Recently discharged combat veterans have the benefit of cost free care at a VA Medical Facility for conditions possibly related to military service if their combat was after November 11, 1998 and if they enroll within two years of their discharge. Veterans who enroll with VA under this authority will retain eligibility even after their two-year post discharge period ends under current enrollment policies. There is no longer an open enrollment for all veterans at the VA so new veterans should take advantage of this open window. Enrollment for other veterans is now based on a compensable service related disability, VA pension status, catastrophic disability determination or the veteran's financial circumstances. Call the Northport VA Medical Center 631-261-4400 for details.

Korean War Memorial Dinner

The Chosen Few, (Survivors of the 1950 Battle of the Chosin Reservoir) New York Chapter will hold at their Annual Gala Affair at the Stewart Thomas Manor 2134 Boundary Avenue, Farmingdale, NY on October 15, 2005 from noon to 5:00PM. For tickets contact Bill Galvin 646 Evelyn Avenue, East Meadow, NY 11554. 516-781-2073.

National Museum of the Marine Corps

The United States Marine Corps is the only branch of the military services that does not have a significant Museum to share its story with the world. That should change on Veterans Day 2006. The National Museum of the Marine Corps will open that day in Quantico, Virginia. Old Jarheads, Grunts, Leathernecks, Old and New Corps who wish to help should go on line to www.usmcmuseum.org for more information. Semper Fi!