December 13, 2006

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

National Guard Birthday

December 13, 2006 is the 370th anniversary of the National Guard. The New York National Guard started as a Colonial Militia but since 9/11 has become an indistinguishable part of the U.S. Army in Iraq, first responders in natural disasters, and guardians of our critical infra structure like airports and train stations.

Memorial Day Flags

One hundred and thirty veterans organizations in Nassau County are eligible for free American Flags to mark veterans’ graves on Memorial Day weekend. County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi said, “It is fitting and proper that we show our appreciation for their service by this simple gesture.” National cemeteries have for years provided these flags for volunteers to place at the graves but the federal government has cut back on this program. Veterans’ organizations who would like to flag the graves of veterans at private or national cemeteries should send a letter to Edward G. Aulman, c/o Nassau County Veterans Service Agency, 1425 Old Country Road, Building H, Plainview, NY 11803. Letters with the number of flags requested must be received by April 1, 2007.

Candlelight Evenings at Old Bethpage Village

How about a really old fashion Christmas? From 5 to 9:30 PM Saturday and Sunday, December 16 and 17; and Tuesday through Saturday, December 26-30, Old Bethpage Village Restoration will be featuring a 19th century Christmas. Magic Lantern Shows, 19th century music, a Holiday Brass Quartet, traditional dances, story telling and fiddle music will fill the air in the candle-lit, restored buildings. Call the Village at 516-572-0396 for more information.

VA Home Loan Expanded

Last week the House and Senate passed legislation that permits veterans to use the VA Home Loan to purchase a co-op. The new law contains language originally introduced by Senator Schumer and Rep. Carolyn Maloney. Under the old law the VA Home loan could only be used to buy a house, townhouse, condominium, or mobile home but not a co-op.

Attorneys for Veterans

The House and Senate have passed legislation (S 3421) that will permit lawyers, for a fee, to assist veterans appealing unfavorable decisions by the VA Regional Offices. The law should go into effect in about six month, but the Secretary of Veterans Affairs must prescribe in regulations what level of experience or training is necessary before a lawyer represents veterans. Under the new law, a lawyer can collect 20% of retroactive payments from the veteran, and a lawyer may assist the veteran for a fee only after a VA Regional Office has denied a claim. A veteran can request the assistance of a County Veterans Service Officer, State Division of Veterans Affairs Counselor or service organization service officer in opening or developing a claim at no charge to the veteran.

Stolen Valor Act

December 6, 2006 the House passed a Senate approved bill that sets fines and jail sentences for persons who verbally or in writing claim to have received awards authorized for members of the armed forces. The bill is not just for medals the legislation includes badges, ribbons, buttons and rosettes. The fines of $5,000 or jail terms of six months can be doubled for fraudulent claims for awards for combat valor such as services’ crosses, the Silver Star, and the Medal of Honor. (Marine Corps Times, 18 December 2006)

Community Emergency Response Team

Volunteers are still needed for the CERT program and veterans are becoming a strong part of this community based self help training initiative. CERT is an organized, trained team who is able to prepare for, respond to, recover from and mitigate against a major emergency or disaster. When an emergency overwhelms our first-line responders, CERTs will be able to provide assistance to the local community. Basic training courses are being offered in January and March 07. For information or to sign up for Basic Training contact the Nassau County Office of Emergency management at 516-573-0648 or go to their web site: www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/OEM/CC/CERT.

Individual Unemployability Under Fire

Veterans not rated 100% for their disabilities can still receive the financial benefit of a 100% rating ($2,471 per month) if they can establish that their service connected disability makes them unemployable. Under current rules a veteran must be at least 70% service connected for multiple conditions and have at least one condition at 40% or be 60% service connected for a single condition. The Government Accounting Office has identified this VA program as high risk and in need of modernization in part because, “it is poorly positioned to provide meaningful and timely support to help veterans with disabilities return to work.” The GAO found that almost half of those being awarded Individual Unemployability (IU) benefits were over age 60 and 19% were age 75 or older. (NACVSO News, Nov-Dec 2006)

NYS Focuses on Depleted Uranium

The Depleted Uranium Bill was signed into law by Governor Pataki on November 17, 2006. While no state monies will be spent on treatment or tests, the bill does require the State Adjutant General to conduct a study of the effects of depleted uranium exposure on members of the New York Army National Guard and New York Air National Guard. The new law requires the State Division of Veterans Affairs to assist veterans and members of the guard to get the medical care they deserve from the VA Medical Centers. The law creates a task force of veterans and medical professionals to conduct a scientific conference to study the health affects on veterans since depleted uranium was used to harden some ammunition since August 2, 1990.

Forcing the public and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to pay attention to the hazards of depleted uranium and the health affects on service people exposed may be the real consequence of this law.

Thank You

Veterans in Nassau County are fortunate to have the support of many groups and individuals. The local American Red Cross volunteers and the Telephone Pioneers, and the Elks are some of the groups that continue to help our veterans. The following veterans donate time every week to drive disabled veterans to appointments at the VA medical Center in Northport and the Plainview Clinic: Norman Weiss of East Meadow (he is also a CERT volunteer), Carl Vitale a retired printer from Melville, Benjamin Kreling from Wantagh, and Timothy Foley from Floral Park and Tom Fierro of Syosset.