June 15, 2006

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

VA Look-A-Like

The Veterans Administration has put out a warning regarding involvement with an organization calling itself Veterans Affairs Services (VAS). This organization is gathering personal information on veterans under a VA services look-alike website www.vaservices.org. This organization is not affiliated with the VA in any way and in reality is a private company based in California. From Walter Schmidt 5/1/06.

County Executive Recognizes Veterans

County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi will present the Distinguished Service to Veterans Medal to five Nassau residents on Saturday evening August 5, 2006 at the Harry Chapin Theatre in Eisenhower Park, East Meadow, N.Y. at 6:45 pm.

Patrick Murphy, Past Commander of the Floral Park American Legion will be honored posthumously for his years of volunteer work at St. Albans VA medical Center and with the Flag Education Committee of the United veterans Organization.

Dan Brandi, President of the Chosin Few will receive his medal for his work on Pearl Harbor Day Ceremonies in the Village of Rockville Center, for his volunteer work on 24 episodes of Veterans News on Public Access Television, for his lectures to school children on the meaning of Veterans Day and for his personal involvement in bring final honors to a World War II veteran. Dan has already been installed in the New York State Veterans hall of Fame.

Rudy DiCristina from East Meadow will be honored for his volunteer work with veterans at A. Holly Paterson Nursing Home, and the VA Medical Center at St. Albans, and the Naval Retirement Office in Amityville. A past VFW Post Commander, Rudy is a member of the Nassau County Korean War Veterans Association and serves as their representative to Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale.

Edmund Farah of Wantagh is past President of the 1st Marine Division Association, New York Chapter. Ed will be presented his medal for the many times he has provided free financial seminars to the reserve Marines of 2/25 in Garden City, for his efforts to remember the veterans of the last battle of World War II, Okinawa, and for the many ceremonies and visits he has arraigned for veterans.

William J. Beach of Bethpage will receive his medal for his volunteer work at VA Medical Center, Northport, and the New York State Veterans Homes in Oxford, and Stonybrook and for his work at the 2005 Homeless Veterans Stand Down at the Freeport Armory. Bill has been very active in programs that have resulted in the dedication of a monument to Submariners in New Suffolk and the dedication of a United States Submarine Memorial Highway in Mattituck. Bill is Commander of the United States Submarine Veterans Inc. Long Island Base.

Following the presentation of awards The USO Troupe of Metropolitan New York and the Kingston Trio will perform a free live concert.

Social Security Bonus for Veterans

If you are about to apply for Social Security benefits make sure you bring a copy of your DD-214 or proof of reserve duty for training to you Social Security Office. If you served before 1957 you did not pay Social Security taxes but you are still entitled to special credit for some of your service. According to the Mineola office of the Social Security Administration 9 out of 10 veterans are already receiving the correct amount of Social Security benefit. However if you think you are part of the 10% that “never gets the word” you may want to send a letter to, Social Security Administration, 211 Station Road, Mineola, NY 11501. Your letter should request an increase in your monthly social security check and all retroactive benefits you may be entitled to. Your letter must also include a copy of your DD-214, Discharge/Separation Document if you are a World War II era veteran, or proof of Reserve Duty. A good idea would be to also provide your phone number. Thanks to Fred Camera.

Veterans Medicare Assistance Act of 2006

Representative Sue Kelly (NY) has introduced HR 4992 with bipartisan support. If passed Medicare-eligible veterans could use Medicare to pay for care at VA Medical Centers. Using Medicare money to finance the VA Medical Centers would solve the annual budget crises the VA faces, but such a simple idea will probably die in committee as it has for many years.

Individual Unemployability Under Scrutiny

As part of its Disability Compensation program, the Department of Veterans Affairs provides Individual Unemployability (IU) benefits to veterans of any age who are unemployable because of their service connected disabilities. Over the last decade the number of veterans receiving IU have more than tripled costing the government $3.1 billion. Look for Congressional action to limit IU in the future or Administration pressure to make the VA focus on getting veterans work ready rather then paying them when they can not work.

Thank You

Here are five more heroes of the Veterans Service Agency. These individuals have never asked for recognition but week after week they donate their time to drive disabled veterans to doctor appointments at the VA Medical Center in Northport or the Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Plainview. Jim Lever of Levittown and Walter Elbert of Floral Park have been driving since the program began in 1992. Greta Hicks of Hicksville has been assisting as a dispatcher when she is not sorting clothes for the Homeless Veterans Stand Down. Henry Eill of Plainview has been driving for two years and Richard Meyer of Oceanside is a dispatcher when he is not fighting for Agent Orange recognition for the Order of the Silver Rose.