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

Flags for Memorial Day Graves

County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi has announced that veterans organizations wishing to place small American Flags on the graves of veterans on Memorial Day can secure those flags from the Veterans Service Agency.   Although the Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale provides the majority of gravesite flags for Memorial Day observances a shortages of flags was reported last year and the cemetery expects to be short again this year.  Veterans organizations wishing to secure flags for the honoring of veterans graves should send a letter stating how many flags are required to Edward G. Aulman, Director, Nassau County Veterans Service Agency 1425 Old Country Road, Building H, Plainview, NY 11803.  Requests must be received by April 1, 2007.

OIF/OEF Veterans Benefit and Jobs Fair

The Cradle of Aviation, Charles Lindbergh Boulevard, East Garden City, NY will be the site of the three Benefit and Jobs Fairs in 2008.  The first event will be held Monday, March 17, 2008 from 9 am to 1 pm.  Representatives from the US Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Medical Center, New York State Departments of Labor and Veterans Affair, Nassau Community College, MTA Long Island Bus, National Grid, and Long Island Jewish Health System and other employers will be there to advise, assist or hire veterans.

Reservists, National Guard and active duty short timers are welcome.

Working for Nassau County

There are many Civil Service jobs available that you can acquire by taking a Civil Service examination. You can monitor these upcoming examinations by completing the following steps:

1) Access the website at www.nassaucountyny.gov
2) Click on the “County Departments” Icon
3) Click on the “Civil Service Department” Icon
4) Click on “Upcoming Exams.”

All the exams will be listed.  Access and complete the test application if you qualify. Either print out (and mail or hand deliver) the test application from the website or go to Civil Service Headquarters located at 40 Main St. Hempstead - 2nd floor. The exams encompass multiple choice formats and they usually allot you 4-8 hours for the test. The exams are graded within 6 months.  Usually, if you score within the top 5% of test takers, you will be considered (canvassed) from the list to go on an interview with the department that chose you.  Disabled and non-disabled veterans who wish to use war time credits must claim these credits when filing an application.

The main contact number at Civil Service is 516-572-1882.  You may call with any questions you may have regarding upcoming exams.

Gold Star Annuity

Parents who have lost a son or daughter in the current or previous wars who are residents of New York State and have an income less than $20,800 (single)/$28,000 (couple) are eligible for an annual annuity of $500 per Gold Star Parent. The annuity is capped at $1,000 per service member and the program is administered by the New York State Division of Veterans Affairs.

In order to be approved for the Gold Star Parent Annuity the applicant must complete and submit to the Division the following:

• Application Form
• Evidence of Military Service of the Deceased Veteran
• Copy of previous years Federal Income Tax Return or a fully executed affirmation, which certifies that the applicant was not required to file a federal Tax Return
• Direct Deposit Form
• Proof of NYS Residency.

            Forms, information and assistance are available at the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency 516-572-8452.

Contracts for Disabled Veteran Businesses

Up to three set aside service disabled veteran owned indefinite delivery type environmental architect engineering service contracts worth up to $5M each within the Great Lakes and Ohio River Division Mission boundaries and the Nationwide Reserve Missions will be awarded by the US Army Corps of Engineers.  The original response date is February 26, 2008.  For information contact Lisa Roseberry 502-315-6190 or lisa.a.roseberry@usace.army.mil.

For more good business advice veterans should contact John Narciso, Business Advisor at the Veterans Business Outreach Program at SUNY Farmingdale 631-370-8891.

Iwo Jima, Okinawa Remembered

February 19, 1945 half of the then US Marine Corps and at least one US Army Regimental Combat Team with a big assist of the US Navy and Coast Guard invaded an island called Iwo Jima.  On April 1, 1945, the other half of the Marine Corps and 4 divisions of the Army attacked the Japanese on Okinawa, which became the last major battle of World War II.   On April 5, 2008 veterans of these two historic battles will reunite and be honored at a dinner sponsored by the 1st Marine Division Association.  Contact Jim Stasio at 516-826-8310 for dinner tickets for this event that will be held at the Stewart Thomas Manor, 2143 Boundary Avenue, Farmingdale from noon to 5 pm.

Tax refund for CWT

Payments received in the Compensated Work Therapy Program and Incentive Therapy Program are no longer taxable according to the IRS. Veterans who paid taxes on these benefits in the last three years can claim a refund.

“Technology Opens Doors”

“Technology Opens Doors” is the theme of the New York State Governor’s Expo on Assistive Technology Thursday, May 15, 2008 at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany, NY. At the Expo, hundreds of exhibits and workshops on assistive devices and services will be showcased.  You must register at www.ATEXPO2008.com or call Michelle Murry, NYS Commission on Quality Care and Advocacy for persons with Disabilities 800-522-4369.

 “Veterans News on the Air”

The United Veterans Organization production of “Veterans News” features interviews with government officials, veteran leaders, and outstanding volunteers all who have something important to tell veterans or their dependents.   During February and March the show will air at  7:00pm on cablevision’s public access channel 20. The Town of North Hempstead and the Villages of Malvern, Lynbrook, South Floral Park also broadcast “Veterans News” at various times on their government access channels. 

Later this month we will be competing for a new time slot that runs from April to September 2008.  So keep flicking the remote until you find “Veterans News” for the best 30 minutes of commercial free public access television. 

The “Veterans News” crew needs new blood - director, producer, host, audio, and camera persons are needed and we will train.  Pay is something we never talk about.