Ferbruary 14, 2007

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

Vet Center for Nassau County

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson has announced that Nassau County would be among 23 other locations nationwide to receive a new Vet Center.  County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi has offered to assist the VA finding a location for the center  that specializes in treating veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and offers bereavement counseling to families.

Salute to Veterans

Gary Pucket  who along with the “Union Gap” had many number one hits in the 70’s will be the feature entertainer at the August 4, 2007 Salute to Veterans  Concert at Eisenhower Park.  Also on the show will be the USO Troop of Metropolitan New York, a classic car show, and a military equipment show.  County Executive Suozzi will award 5 medals to recipients of his Distinguished Service to Veterans Award.

Home Land Security Update

The Nassau County Office of Emergency Management has announced 4 additional Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) basic courses in 2007. Eight three hour classes cover topics such as organization, medical, search and rescue, human services, terrorism, fire suppression and outreach.  The basic course will be offered in Long Beach in March, Levittown in May, Freeport in August and Glen Cove in October. CERT is an organized, trained team who is able to prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate against any major disaster.  When an emergency overwhelms our first-line responders, CERT will be able to provide assistance to the local community.

For information go on line to oemcert@nassaucountyny.gov or call the CERT training desk at 516-573-0648.

MY “HEALTHEVET”

The Northport VA Medical Center now has MY Healthevet website this site provides the following features: (1) Submit prescription refill orders online. (2) Check status of refill orders. (3) View and track your prescription history. Access 3 trusted sources of health information available in the Heath Info section. You can learn more about your health and medical conditions. Look up information online and explore options for improving your health.  Maintain up-to-date personal contact information on a wallet-sized ID card. Enter information about your health status into your private health journal. You decide who gets to see the information.  Keep track of your health status by entering personal health readings information.  Manage your prescription refills and track you prescription history.  Easily link to benefits and resources available in VA and other federal sources. In the future you will be able to read key parts of your actual VA medical records and view and monitor your appointment dates online. In order to use the site you need to do the following steps: 1. Be registered in Myhealthevet.  2. View an eleven minute video on the Myhealthevet website. 3. Sign participation form you can print it after watching the video or sign it at Northport.  4. Come to the Release of Information Office in Building 200, Room B1-7 with your signed form and your VIC card or your driver’s license.  For additional information contact M. Lynn Griffith, Patient Education Coordinator at 631-261-4400 ex. 7773 (Larry Altenburg)

VA Budget The Good the Bad and the Ugly

The proposed 2008 VA budget of $87 billion represents a 13.3% increase over  2007. Good!

The VA again proposes to increase prescription co-pays  for some veterans by more that 100% and add enrollment fees of up to  $750 per year for  non service connected veterans. Bad!  Congress has yet to appropriate the money for the 2007. Ugly!

Military Social Club

Retired active duty or reserve you are welcome to get involved with the active  Fort Hamilton Community Club at where else  Fort Hamilton Army Base, Brooklyn, NY.

Bingo starts at 1830 PM Thursdays.  Happy hour is two hours long  1700-1900.  A buffet dinner is served 1900-2100.  For membership information call 718-833-9772.

U.S.  Army Women’s Museum

Add this to your must see vacation stops this spring .  The U.S. Army Women’s Museum at Fort Lee Virginia,  has opened a new exhibit which recognizes the contributions of women soldiers during the Global War of Terrorism.  For more information go the www.awm.lee.army.mil.

Job Fair

New York City’s Hilton Hotel, 1335 Avenue of the Americas is the site of the Military Stars Northeast Regional Career Expo on Thursday, February 22, from 1000 to 1400.  Attendance and registration is free.  Come to meet face to face with 30-40  military friendly companies. These companies are offering nationwide opportunities in

Logistics, Operations, Production, Security, Training, General Management, Sales, MIS/IS, Computers/Programming, Engineering, Networks, System Analysis, Information Technology, and more. To pre register go to www.militarystars.com.Click on the “Northeast Regional Event-New York, NY” link, then “Click Here to Attend”.  You can also go to www.militarystars.com/career_expos_newyork.htm.

Marine Corps League Run

It is not too early to start getting in shape for the Second Annual Marine Corps League 911 Run. This 5K race will be held on September 9, 2007 starting at Veterans Plaza, Dennison Building, 100 Veterans Memorial Highway, Hauppauge, NY.  Proceeds will go for a traditional sterling silver serving tray for the U.S.S. New York the amphibious assault ship being built in part with steel from the World Trade Center.

AMVETS Host Loyalty Day Parade

Post 88 of the American Veterans (AMVETS)  will again be hosting a Loyalty Day Parade on Sunday May 6, 2007.  The starting time is 1300 Sharp!  The parade begins on North Utica Avenue in North Massapequa and goes south on Broadway about one mile to Toronto Avenue. Contact Rich Maenza 516-799-4513 or 516-798-9188 if your organization would like to participate.

VFW Past Commander to be a National Service Officer

Rick Gales, Nassau County Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Past Commander has just been selected to be head of the Purple Heart Association’s New York Regional Office. Mr. Gales will supervise the claims application process  for thousands of veterans who chose the Purple Heart Association as their Service Organization representative.  Good Luck Rick!

Heroes