August 10, 2006

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

CERT Training Planned

County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi has announced that the Office of Emergency Management will conduct basic training for the Community Emergency Response Team program in the Syosset/Hicksville area on eight consecutive Tuesdays from August 22-October 10, 2006. Anyone over 18 years of age is welcome to join CERT and take the training course that includes CERT organization, First Aid, Light Search and Rescue, Terrorism, Disaster Psychology, Firefighting and Disaster Simulation, Human Services, Shelter Introduction and Community Outreach & Education. Classes 1 and 2 will be held at the Hicksville Community Center 28 W. Carl Street, Hicksville. Classes 3 to 8 will be held at the TOBY Facilities 150 Miller Place, Syosset. Classes are from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Refreshment will be served. Missed classes can be made up, however some restrictions apply. For information and registration contact Karen Luciano at Karenann.luciano@otda.state.ny.us.

Opportunity for Veterans Owned Businesses

The Nassau County Office of Economic Development is inviting business owners to attend an Empire Zone Business and Community conference on September 7, 2006 at 7:00 pm at the West Hempstead High School, Video Conference Room, and at 400 Nassau Boulevard, West Hempstead, NY. A panel of economic developers will discuss various incentives available to businesses seeking to invest or expand within the Empire Zone areas. For more information call 516-571-1784.

Invitational Drill Competition

“The Old Guard”, the US Army 3rd Infantry Regiment Drill Team and the ceremonial unit at Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknowns will be part of the Q-8 Invitational Drill Competition at Eisenhower Park on Saturday October 14, 2006. From 8:00 am to 2:00 pm, the best precision rifle drill teams from across the nation will compete in Exhibition Drill, Standard Drill, Saber, and Color Guard as well as Marksmanship. Aircraft over flights, 21-Gun Salute, and Artillery Salute as well as a retreat ceremony are planned. The event is sponsored by the Q-8 Alumni Association (Hofstra ROTC Graduates).

Agent Orange in Korea

The VA recognizes that many diseases, including diabetes type II, prostate cancer, respiratory cancers, are connected to exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975. Agent Orange was also sprayed on the DMZ in Korea between April 1968 and July 1969. Veterans who served with the following units during that time and develop serious health concerns should contact the Veterans Service Agency: the four combat brigades of the 2nd Infantry Division: 1/38th, 2/38th, 1/23rd, 2/23rd, 3/23rd, 3/32nd, 1/9th, 2/9th, 1/72nd, and 2/72nd Armor, and 4th/7th Cavalry and from the 3rd Brigade of the 7th Infantry Division 1/17th, 2/17th, and 1/17th Armor, and 2/10th Cavalry.

New Benefit for Guard/Reserve Retirees

National Guard and reserve personnel who enroll in the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program within 120 days after retirement are eligible to skip the 12 month waiting period required for certain benefits (such as crowns, bridges and braces). Call 888-838-8737 or contact www.trdp.org. (From NACSO News, Aug-Sept.06)

Senate Moves Fast to Help Lawyers

Working at a speed unusual for the US Senate, Senator Larry Craig’s Bill 2694 has passed the Senate. Several good items were added to this bill including: money for national cemeteries on Native American lands, removing the ashes of a double murderer from Arlington Cemetery, and improvements in the GI Bill and Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance Benefit Program. If the bill passes in the House, veterans will get the ability to pay lawyers to help them file for VA benefits. Trained and accredited State and County Veteran Service Officers now provide that service free of charge to veterans and dependants.

Newsday is Looking for Veterans

Newsday will celebrate Veterans Day 2006 with a special magazine and internet collection with veterans photos and stories. Send the non-returnable photos to Newsday Veterans Magazine, Main Newsroom, 235 Pinelawn Rd., Melville, NY 11747-4250 or e-mail to veterans@newsday.com. Include a note stating where and when you served and any memories you wish to relate as well as your name, address and phone number or e-mail address.

38,000 VA Records Lost

Following the loss then recovery of 26 million VA records, the Department of Veterans Affairs cancelled plans to give all veterans a year’s worth of free credit monitoring. The VA also changed a policy that allowed many workers to take home laptops slowing down the claims decision making process. Now the VA reports that a subcontractor has reported the loss of a desktop computer that has vital information on 38,000 veterans who received medical care at two VA Medical Centers in Pennsylvania.

Local Heroes

Nassau County veterans are blessed to have sixty good Samaritans that take turns driving disabled veterans to medical appointments in Northport and the VA clinic in Plainview. Larry Paul, a Vietnam veteran from Seaford; Jack Lewin, a grandfather and computer whiz from Woodmere; Mel Blair from Hicksville (when not traveling); Jim McDonough, an artist and chef from Massapequa Park; and Stan Kuchlewski, a VFW Commander and VVA officer from Levittown are five of these great people.

Call for Help

The Veterans Service Agency is open Monday-Friday 9-4:45 at 1425 Old Country Rd. Building H, Plainview. We have out stations in Franklin Square, Levittown and Oyster Bay. Call us at 516-572-8452 for any veterans related issue.