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

New Flag Disposal Alternative

Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi has announced that worn and unserviceable American flags will receive proper and private disposal at the Nassau County Fire Service Academy.   Chief Instructor John Brown says the facility, located at Administration Building “A” 300 Winding Road, Old Bethpage, NY 11804, will accept large quantities of American flags collected by veterans’ organizations for burning by county fire personnel.  Veterans organizations can deliver the flags between 8 am and 10 pm M-F for storage pending an annual safe and appropriate ceremony.

Nadine Bruh-Schiffer, Director of Long Island National Cemetery, Farmingdale reported that due to space and other limitations, LINC is  not currently accepting American flags for disposal and is very appreciative of the Nassau Fire Academy’s offer.

Private individuals should continue to dispose of worn American flags by placing them in receptacles located in front of many VFW and American Legion Posts throughout the county.

Heroes

Since 2003, the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency has helped hundreds of homeless and needy veterans find shelter, food, jobs, training or regular income.  We did this without beds, food, jobs, money or teachers, but with several very good friends and organizations working with us.  The Salvation Army’s Veterans Residence at the Northport VA Medical Center Campus (mailing address: PO Box 300, Building 11,  East Northport, NY 11731) gives veterans a place to stay while they undergo a number of VA  rehabilitation programs.   United Veterans Beacon House PO Box 621, 146 Fourth Avenue, Bay Shore, NY 11706 maintains a dozen transitional homes for veterans on Long Island  and helps veterans find work.  Island Harvest, 199 Second Street, Mineola, NY 11501 has supported our 7 Homeless Veterans Stand Downs with tons of supplies.

This month we are losing a great supporter of veterans in need.  Carol Krishnamoorthy, LCSW Social Work Section Chief and Coordinator of the Northport VAMC  Homeless Veterans Program, will be retiring after a 24 year career with the Department of Veterans Affairs.  We will miss your tough heart.

JOBS FOR VETS

Two business owners have contacted me lately expressing a strong desire to hire veterans.

Mike Reali, owner of Eagle Sanitation, is looking for Class B drivers to work 5 days a week in his private sanitation company in West Babylon.  This is a union job. Call 631-491-1311

The Asplundh Tree Experts Company, with 40,000 employees nationwide, is looking to hire veterans on Long Island and nearby areas.  Must have a CDL or be able to get one.  Climbing experience is a plus. Pay can range from  $17 to $35 per hour. Call 631-205-9323.

VA Expands Adaptive Housing Help

New VA Secretary Dr. James B. Peake announced in January new rules for the Specially Adapted Housing Grants Program that will aid the most seriously injured of our new veterans.  Under the old rules seriously disabled veterans must own and have title to a house in order to apply for one of two programs that they could use only once.  The new rules permit the qualifying veteran to apply up to three times, as long as the total amounts stay within specified limits. They may also be used in a family member’s home where the veteran is temporarily living.  The grants are used for modifying a home to provide a barrier –free environment for the severely injured veteran.

New VA Call Centers

An increasing trend in business is  to reduce the work force in one location by moving similar tasks to a specialized center.  The “help desk” for many products may even be relocated out of the country, and the business success of these techniques is moving into modern government.   Last August the VA created a 24/7 toll free line that connects to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.  This Rochester, NY based operation 1-800-273-8255 provides a quick way to find help if  the depressed veteran does not have a local mental health care provider.

For general information or for information about the status of a claim, the VA has been recommending that veterans call 1-800-827-1000.  Although the number uses a 1-800 exchange the person who answers after several automated prompts was working at one of 59 local VA Regional Offices.  By March 2008 all calls formerly directed to the New York Regional Office will be directed to one of 9 call centers around the country.  The New York Regional Office receives 12,000-14,000 calls a month that are handled by 10-12 individuals. By March, these twelve VA employees will be able to work on other tasks, such as the claims back log.  Use the services of an accredited service officer to handle your claim and avoid the aggravation of calling the VA whenever possible.  The Nassau County Veterans Service Agency  number is 516-572-8462 and a human being answers the phone M-F 9am - 4:45pm.

VA Surveys Burial Program

During January and February 2008 the VA will conduct a through the mail survey of how well they are administering the Burial Benefits Program. 38,733  surveys will be sent to veterans and next of kin in two parts.  The second letter received will contain a questionnaire that is to be returned a few days later.  This will not be done by phone.

US Volunteers Provide Honors when Government says NO

Recently, the US Volunteers of Nassau County, an organization of mostly retired military officers, provided final military honors to a World War II Navy veteran who was denied official government honors because the family could not produce a discharge.   The veteran was a member of the VFW and had many friends who verified his service.  Since he was Jewish and the family wanted to observe religious tradition, a burial was planned quickly.  Confirmation of the veteran’s honorable service came too late for the funeral director to arrange for an official military service.  The US Volunteers stepped in folded and presented the flag and even played taps and fired a rifle salute.  Avoid the last minute anguish of not being able to prove honorable service.  Call the Veterans Service Agency 516-572-8452 if your veteran does not know where his discharge documents are.  We can request a  replacement discharge and medals earned or you can do it yourself by going on line to vetrecs.archives.gov. (Note do not use www.)

Veteran Asking for Bone Marrow Donor

George Fehlker a disabled Vietnam veteran and volunteer driver for the Nassau County  Disabled Veterans Transportation Program is seeking a bone marrow donor for his daughter Karen. Anyone who can share the “Gift of Life” with Karen is urged to contact Viri Pettersen at:   vpettersen@rvcschools.org.