March 11 , 2006

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

Funds Identified for Clinic Move

Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi has announced that the funds necessary to relocate the Plainview Veterans Clinic to the Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC) have been identified.   The VA’s Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Plainview and the County’s Veterans Service Agency are currently in a building no longer owned by the county and the new owner has plans for the property. Moving the Clinic and the Veterans Service Agency to NUMC in East Meadow will make the facilities more accessible to mass transit and bring the clinic closer to more veterans.  The County Executive has also asked the VA to extend to 2020 the agreement to provide Nassau veterans with their own clinic.

UVO Legislative Breakfast

Laws often are passed or amended when veterans get together and demand change.  The United Veterans Organization of Nassau County is hosting a Legislative Breakfast on Sunday, April 23, 2006 at the 1st Marine Corps District Headquarters 605 Stewart Avenue, Garden City.  Tickets are $15 and can be purchased by calling Lt. Col. Joseph Reale (USA, Ret) at 516-352-8539.  The super sized breakfast begins at 0830.  The presentations from our federal, state, and local officials and the questions and answers follow the SOS.

Marines Expand CAR Eligibility

Due to the terrorist tactics in the War in Iraq many combat veterans have left the Marine Corps with out the coveted Combat Action Ribbon (CAR). Under the old interpretation of the regulations Marines and Navy personnel not involved in an actual firefight with the enemy were denied the CAR.  Marine Commandant Mike Hagee has issued a directive to all commands that Marines and navy personnel serving with Marines who are exposed to a detonated improvised explosive device (IED) and take the appropriate actions during such an engagement meet the CAR eligibility requirements.  Discharged Marines or sailors who feel they are entitled to the CAR should contact the Veterans Service Agency and complete a DD149 Correction of Military Records form.

$20,000 Veteran Giveaway

TSS Photography of Duluth, Georgia is giving away a franchise territory they estimate as worth $20,000 plus $5,000 in equipment to at military retiree or honorably discharged veteran. To win this franchise the applicant must write an essay focusing on what their service to America has meant to them and why they would be an excellent franchise owner. For more information go on line to www.tssphotography.com/new/veteran.asp.

Loyalty Day Parade Sunday May 7, 2006

American Veterans (AMVETS) Post 88 of Massapequa will be conducting the Loyalty Day Parade in Massapequa.  As far as we know, this is the only celebration of Loyalty Day in Nassau County.  At 1300, rain or shine, the parade will begin at the corner of North Utica Avenue and Broadway in North Massapequa, traveling south on Broadway and concludes at the corner of New Hampshire Avenue.  For more information contact Denis B. Collins at 516-798-5033 or 729-0646.

POW/MIA SERVICE

The American Legion Post 160 and VFW Post 372 both of Great Neck are jointly sponsoring a POW/MIA Remembrance Service at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Chapel, Kings Point on Sunday April 23, 2006 at 10:00AM.  Please RSVP by April 15, 2006 to Jim Barton at 516-484-4471.

Franklin Square VFW Hosts Hospitalized Veterans

April 30, 2006 the Franklin Square VFW will host a dinner party from noon to 3:00PM for residents of the St. Albans VA Nursing Home.

TID BITS

Not all the dangerous duty is going to Soldiers and Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan.  The Navy is assigning an additional 2,000 Sailors to ground combat duty in the Central Command Area. Total Navy personnel in combat areas will increase to 12,000.

The Air Force has eliminated the Good Conduct Medal. Brig. Gen. Robert R. Allardice, Director of Airman Development and Sustainment said, “…we expect good conduct from our Airmen.”  (Armed Forces News.)

Northrop Grumman Helps Veteran Owned Business

March 23, 2006 Northrop Grumman Corporation will host an Outreach Conference for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses. The Conference, held in Bethpage, begins at 7:00AM with registration and continental breakfast and concludes at noon.  Contact Stacy Simpson at 516-346-7381

Air Force News

The Air Force is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year by beginning construction of a 270 feet tall monument on a hill overlooking Arlington Cemetery. In total 54,000 service members have been killed in while serving in the Air Force and Army Air Corps.  For more information on the Air Force Memorial go to www.airforcememorial.org.

United States Volunteers

I received a letter recently from Colonel Thomas Dwyer of the 2nd NY Brigade, United States Volunteers.  This organization formed in 1998 is presently organized in 26 states.  The mission of the United States Volunteers is “To give Final Honors to the deceased members of the Military and Homeland Security”.  For more information contact Thom Dwyer at 516-579-6168 or at Thomas.dwyer5@verizon.net.

Veterans Owned Business

If you are a veteran business owner and you do not know John Narciso, you are already losing money.  Call John at the Veterans Business Program 631-370-8891.