October 12, 2005

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

Vietnam Veterans Build Monument

November 6, 2005 at Noon the Nassau County Veterans Monument Fund, Inc. will dedicate a 12’ high sculpture of clasped hands at Eisenhower Park’s Veterans Plaza, East Meadow. “All we ever had was ourselves” is the theme this monument will depict to present and future generations. Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi pledged to have this monument in place by Veterans Day this year and a donation from the Nassau County Legislature and others plus thousands of hours of volunteer work made it possible.

Military Voters Disenfranchised at the Polls

As I write this Veterans News hundreds of absentee ballots that should be on their way to ships at sea, the mountains of Afghanistan and the cities and camps of Iraq are sitting at Board of Elections in Mineola. New York State law requires absentee ballots to be mailed to the active duty military personnel 30 days prior to Election Day. Because of a dispute involving a minor party and a court order those ballots have not been mailed. According to the National Defense Committee even if the ballots went out on time 25% of the military votes would not be counted because the ballot would not be returned on time. At this point half or more of the estimated 1,200 who requested ballots will not receive them on time.

November 19 Concert Salutes Veterans

On November 19, 2005 at 8:00PM Long Island Masterworks presents a concert titled SONGS OF LOVE, WAR AND PEACE-A SALUTE TO VETERANS. The program includes works by Bach, Handel, Vaughan Williams and Copland and features Songs of Love and War by Paul Moravec. The concert will be held at St. Peter’s by- the- Sea, 500 South Country Road, Bayshore, NY. Veterans in the audience will be recognized and will receive a discount on the price of admission. Long Island Masterwork is a non-profit organization that presents concerts of choral music with orchestral accompaniment. For ticket information call 631-262-0200.

More on Tax Exemptions

Gold Star Parents have been entitled to a tax exemption on part of their Town and Nassau County taxes since 2002. The local families who have lost sons in Iraq have been notified. Although this benefit was advertised by two Assessors and in Veterans News it is thought that there are still some parents who lost a child in the Vietnam War and have not applied for this tax exemption. For an application call 516-571-1386.

New Publication

For the latest up to date and through information for Vietnam Veterans get a copy of the First Annual Vietnam Veterans Issues Update from Chapter 82 of the Vietnam Veterans of America. Call Walt Schmidt at 516-799-8300.

Latest Medal of Honor Recipient

In fitting recognition of his heroism in combat and his conduct as a prisoner of war Tibor Rubin, was awarded the Medal of Honor by President George W. Bush on 23 September 2005. A member of the First Calvary Division in 1950 Corporal Rubin was three times recommended for the Medal of Honor and during captivity was credited with keeping 35-40 men alive.

Veterans Disability Benefits Commission

The President and leaders of Congress have appointed a commission to carry out a study of the benefits under the laws of the United States that are provided to compensate and assist veterans and their survivors for disabilities and deaths attributable to military service. The existence of this commission has many veterans concerned that this is another attempt to reduce benefits. The commission began having public meetings in May 2005. To read the minutes of these meeting go to www.va.gov/vetscommission.

Jacobs Light Foundation Packages to Iraq

Doreen Kenney, mother of Spec. Jacob Fletcher who was killed in Iraq in 2003 has been sending thousands of pounds of care packages to Iraq for Soldiers and Marines from Long Island. For information on her organization go to www.jacobsprogram.org.

Other organizations supporting the troops can be found at www.operationac.com and www.woundedwarriors.org.

Veterans News New Time and Day

The United Veterans Organization produced Veterans News is now seen every Tuesday at 6:30PM on Cablevision Channel 20.

George Lang Recognition

A plaque will be unveiled on Veterans Day November 11, 2005 at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza 55 Waters Street in New York City for Nassau County’s Medal of Honor recipient George Lang. George Lang who died on March 16, 2005 was also recently remembered at the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines Club Military Ball at the Hotel Pierre in NYC.

The Nations Parade

Following the service for George Lang you may enjoy a walk uptown to 5 th Ave and 23 Street for the largest Veterans Day Parade in the nation. The parade is expected to have 23,000 participants. After the parade consider a visit to the Intrepid Sea- Air- Space Museum located at 46 th St. and 12 th Avenue for a “Veterans Fair”.

Gulf War Veterans to Hear from DOD

The Department of Defense is sending a third letter in eight years to veterans of the Gulf War concerning exposure to low levels of chemical agents contained in munitions destroyed in Iraq in March 1991. The letter will remind the veterans to seek help from the VA Medical Centers if they are concerned about their health. An increased number brain cancer death has been discovered in veteran populations exposed to the munition destructions in Iraq.