December 8, 2005

Veterans News, By Edward G. Aulman, Director
Nassau County Veterans Service Agency

Guide for Parents of Deployed Soldiers

Please let the parents of deployed service men or women know about this 64-page manual available on the internet at http://www.ausa.org/pdfdocs/yoursoldier.pdf. “Your Soldier, Your Army: A Parents Guide” was written by Vicki Cody wife of Army vice chief of staff Gen. Richard Cody and mother of two sons who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Northport Veterans Hospital Wish List

Guest Services 631-261-4400 x 5823 at the VA Hospital in Northport is often asked what can I do to help and is there anything I can send that the patients might enjoy. Organized veterans groups and individuals should know that the following items would be appreciated: underware-assorted sizes and styles, slipper sox, denture tabs, denture adhesive-Fixodent, combs & hairbrushes, toothpaste-small and medium size, toothbrushes, bar soaps, shaving cream, phone cards-10 &15 minute, laundry detergent(power)buckets, knit hat and gloves, scarves, sweat shirts-sweat pants, postage stamps. If Santa or any other good hearted individual has the means a fooseball, ping pong, or pool table would be enjoyed by many of the disabled veterans. Ask for Joan Antonaccio.

High School Diplomas for Vietnam Veterans

A new New York State Law has been enacted authorizing the New York State Commissioner of Education to develop a program that would allow Vietnam veterans who did not complete their secondary education to receive their high school diploma. Previous legislation, known as Operation Recognition, provided for the issuance of diplomas to veterans of WWII and the Korean War. Interested veterans should call the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency (516-572-8452)

New York State also improved the education benefits for wartime veterans by exempting eligible veterans from parking and vehicle registration fees at campuses of the State University.

Medicare New Prescription Drug Coverage vs. VA Prescription Program

The new prescription program under Medicare Part D may be confusing to most seniors. One question veterans must have is if I use the VA do I need part D? The best way to get that answer is to request Veterans’ Administration Benefits Tip Sheet of August 16, 2005. Call the Veterans Service Agency (516-572-8452) for a copy. It is important to note that as a veteran enrolled in a VA Medical Center, you are not subject to the higher premium if you decide to join a Medicare drug plan at a later date.

Military retirees are reminded they can call Tricare for advice at 1-866-363-8779.

VA Awards $ 737,000 to Stony Brook Veterans Home

The department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has awarded a grant of $737,000 to the New York State Veterans Home in Stonybrook for needed improvements. The overall cost to renovate utilities at the Home will cost $1.1 million. The State Veterans Home at Stonybrook is a full service nursing home open to all honorably discharged veterans who served at any time. Adult Day Care is also available with transportation provided in some areas. For information call 631-444-8548.

VA Budget Passes both House and Senate

The Congress has passed the 2006 VA budget. The $70 billion budget includes a $2.1 increase for the Veterans Health Administration.

The 2006 National Defense Authorization Act however is still in committee and hopes may be dashed for improvements in Reserve benefits this year. Drilling Reservists are the only part time federal employees that are not offered a health insurance plan. Senators Lindsey Graham(R-SC) and Hillary Clinton (D-NY) introduced an amendment that would have made the Guard and Reserve more attractive by providing the coverage other federal employees enjoy. The Reserve Officers Association urges voters to contact your Congressman and support the Graham/Clinton amendment.

Note: 144,577 men and women in the National Guard and Reserve are presently on active duty or about 11% of our total Guard and Reserve.

Absentee Voting Rights for Active Duty Improved (Sort of)

This year hundreds of active duty service men and women in Iraq, Afghanistan and on ships at sea were denied their right to vote in Nassau County because the ballots were mailed out 10 days late. In the best of times according to the National Defense Committee, Military Voting Rights Project Director Samuel F. Wright, “25% of all military personnel who try to vote are unable to do so because their ballots arrive too late or not at all.” Since a suite over the Independent Party primary results held up the Board of Elections from mailing out absentee ballots this year on time many more military ballots were not returned on time. New York State has extended by three days the deadline for military ballots to be received and counted. The National Defense Committee is advocating that military ballots be sent to the active duty voters 45 days in advance of Election Day or 15 days earlier than we do in New York. In fact Washington, Georgia, Connecticut, Main and California mail to certain military voters 90 days prior to Election Day. New York should do better.

Thanks, to the Nassau County VFW Commander Rick Gales who is pushing NYS to change the law.

Veterans Organizations Lose Voice

The House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Steve Buyer announced that veterans service organizations will no longer have the opportunity to present testimony before a joint hearing of the House and Senate Veterans’ Committees, a tradition of legislative presentations by veterans organizations that dates back to the 1950s. Leaders from the American Legion, VFW, Disabled American Veterans and others have used these hearings to explain their legislative agendas. (Article from Military.Com12/3/2005)