February 8, 2006

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

 
Veterans Benefit Seminar

County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi has announced that a Veterans Benefit Seminar will be held at the Old Bethpage Village Restoration in Bethpage on May 6, 2006.   From 9:00 am to noon service officers from the U.S.  Department of Veteran Affairs, New York State Division of Veterans Affairs, The American Legion and the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency will explain the many services available to  veterans.

VA Budget For 2006

While the President is asking other domestic spending programs to be cut the VA Budget for 2007 is proposed to be 12% larger.  This should be good news to the nation’s 24 million veterans.  Built in to the budget however for the third year in a row is an attempt to divide veterans and reduce the number of veterans using the veterans hospitals.  Since January 15, 2003 category 8 veterans have not been aloud to enroll for services.  This year, as in the last three,  category 7 & 8 veterans are being asked to pay an annual enrollment fee of $250 and the prescription drug co-pay that was only  $2 in 2001 will be  $15 for veterans in these  two categories.  Former POWs, Purple Heart recipients, low income, and those with service connected illnesses or injuries will not have to pay an enrollment fee.

According to the VA press release this budget will allow the VA to treat 5.3 million veterans. In 2003 there were 6.9 million using the VA hospitals. Almost 260,000 veterans were turned away from VA Hospitals last year.

Local Heroes Called Again

Marines and Soldiers from Nassau County reserve units are again being called to active duty for service overseas.  The 310 MP Battalion and the 2nd Battalion, 25 Marines are getting ready for a third activation.  These citizen warriors are again leaving civilian jobs and in many cases growing families and picking up a gun and putting on a uniform.

While individuals can buy phone cards at your local post offices to show support organization and veterans groups may be able to do more.   The Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 82 last year adopted New York’s Fighting 69th and the Nassau County American Legion is currently supporting the 344th Hospital Support Unit.  Support for the families or collection drives (including postage) of goodies from home are projects an organization should consider.  To “adopt” the 310 MP Battalion contact Edward G. Johnson, Supervisory Staff Administrator at 516-481-3247.   

Benefit for Long Island State Veterans Home

The LI State Veterans Home in Stony Brook and The New York Islanders are offering discount tickets that will benefit  the nursing home.   The “Salute to Veterans Night” will be March 25, 2006.  The Islanders will face the Atlanta Thrashers at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.  The $35 tickets must be purchased through the LI State Veterans Home.  Call 631-444-8615.

Community Emergency Response Team

Veterans are signing up for Nassau County CERT training.  Funded by  FEMA and the NYS Emergency Management Office  eight member from the Floral Park American Legion have enrolled in the CERT course that begins this month  in Floral Park and 25 members of the Sunrise Detachment Marine Corps League have signed up for a future course.  CERT members are trained by Nassau County to protect themselves, their family, and their community in an emergency.  Contact the Nassau County Office of Emergency Management at 516-573-0636 for more information.

Mini-Med School

The VA Medical Center in Northport is sponsoring two classes open to the public in March.  March 2, “What’s up with Nutrition,” will let us know if fat is back in or not. On March 16, Dr. Ganesan Krishnamoorthy will discuss Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  Both classes meet in Conference Room A 1-5 in Building 200. For more information on the Mini-Med series call 631-261-7773.

Veteran Friendly Employer

The Nassau Suffolk Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (J.A.T.C.) is accepting applications on a continuous basis for their 5 year Apprenticeship Program for Construction Electrician and Electrical Repairer. Iraq/Afghanistan veterans are particularly welcome to apply.  VA benefits can supplement your income while in an approved apprenticeship program.  Call 631-434-3939 for details.

DU the New Agent Orange?

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (Bronx) has followed the lead of Connecticut Rep. Roger Michele by introducing a bill requiring an agency of New York State to assist veterans to file claims for illnesses caused by exposure to Depleted Uranium (DU).  According to a VA Protocol published June 25, 2003, “DU is natural uranium left over after most of the U-235 isotope has been removed for special purposes, such as fuel for nuclear power plants.  It is about half as radioactive as natural uranium and is a radiation hazard primarily if internalized, such as in shrapnel, contaminated wounds, and inhalation.  In addition to its radioactivity, DU has some chemical toxicity related to being a heavy metal (similar to lead).  During the Gulf War, DU was used by the United States military in projectiles and armor for tanks.  Service personnel who may have had potential inhalation exposures to DU include those on, in or near vehicles hit with “friendly fire”, rescuers entering burning vehicles, individuals near fires involving DU ammunitions, individuals salvaging damaged vehicles, and those near burning vehicles.”

The VA says the effects of exposure to DU are still being evaluated and no clinically significant adverse effects have been determined.   VA Medical Centers however were directed to include DU protocol examinations for any veteran who believes he/she was exposed or suffers from a DU caused illness.  To be continued…