November 19, 2007

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

Stand Down Thank You

County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi wants to thank the hundreds of volunteers who made the Veterans Stand Down a success on November 19, 2007.  Several hundred homeless and needy veterans were provided services from 30 organizations and given dinner, clothes and other services.

AUSA Reception

The Greater New York – NYC Chapter Association of the United States Army (AUSA) is having its Annual Corporate Member Appreciation and Recognition Reception at the Mutual of America Building, 320 Park Avenue, 35th Floor (between 50th & 51st Street) New York City.  Cocktails & Reception start at 6 p.m.  Dress in Business Attire/Military Dress Green or Blue.  For more information, please contact Diane Dady via e-mail: daddy@vai.net or call (800) 824-7776 ext. 236.  You can also visit the AUSA website at: www.ausanyc.org.  RSVP by no later than Nov. 21.

The New York Military Affairs Symposium Lecture Series

The New York Military Affairs Symposium is an independent, not-for-profit educational body. The membership includes scholars, active and retired military personnel, and concerned civilians. All NYMAS talks are held from 7to 9 p.m. most Friday evenings during the academic year and are free and open to the public. Talks are held, except as noted, at the City University of New York Graduate Center on 365 Fifth Avenue between 34th and 35th streets in midtown Manhattan. These Friday lectures are usually held on the 6th floor in room 6-495. Please confirm the room number with the guard at the street-level entrance. www.nymas.org

Nov. 30: “Was the Nineteenth-Century Army Isolated from American Society?” Speaker: Samuel Watson, United States Military Academy.

Dec. 7: “Japan Under the Bombs: The Air War from Target Level.” Speaker: Theodore F. Cook, Jr., William Paterson University of New Jersey.

Dec. 14: “Command in the Continental Army.” Speaker: Maj. Jason “Dutch” Palmer, USMA.

Dec. 21: “Al Qaeda’s Doctrine for Waging an Insurgency.” Speaker: Norman Cigar, Marine Corps University.

Cradle of Aviation Honors Astronaut

The Cradle of Aviation will host the 5th Annual Air, Space, Science & Technology Gala on November 28, 2007.  Honored will be Astronaut Eugene Cernan- the last man to walk on the moon. Tickets are $275 each and can be purchased by calling 516-572-4026or online at www.cradleofaviation.org.

Homeless Veterans

The Alliance to End Homelessness released a report last week that was picked up by Military.com and most of the news media.  According to the report one out of every four homeless are veterans. While the history of veteran homelessness indicated that the majority of veterans who experience homelessness do so 10-12 years after discharge the increased number of Iraq/Afghanistan veterans at shelters now indicates that the problem will get  much worse.  The VA Medical Center Northport, Salvation Army, Beacon House, Family and Children’s Association and the Catherin Martin Inn have services for veterans on Long Island.  PTSD counseling is available fro the VA and a variety of private facilities.  The Nassau County Bar Association is offering pro bono legal services and employers are listing jobs on the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency web site.

Pearl Harbor Day

Pearl Harbor day will be remembered with a huge ceremony at Republic’s Air Power Museum in Farmingdale.  Sponsored by the Air Force Association this 66th anniversary event will feature the Dropping of the Roses Statue of liberty Fly over.  Event is December 7, 2007 at 10:30 am.

The VFW and American Legion in Oyster Bay will be conducting their own ceremony at the same time at Theodore Roosevelt Part in Oyster Bay, while the Chosen Few are organizing a similar service at Mill River in Rockville Centre.

The American Veterans (AMVETS) will, as usual, get the jump on remembering Pearl Harbor by having a ceremony at Long Island National Cemetery on December 2,2007 at 2:00 pm with a reception following at their post building  in Massapequa. 

Paul J. Hunter new VA Secretary

A former infantry officer and thirty year veteran of the Army and Army Reserve is the new Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs.  Paul J. Hunter has served for the past 15 years in the VA’s Office of General Counsel.  He holds a masters degree from Pepperdine University and received his LL.M at the Judge  Advocates School in 1987.

New Scam Targets Military Spouses

The American Red Cross is warning military spouses about a new identity –theft scam that involves a person telephoning a military spouse, identifying herself as a representative of the Red Cross, and telling the spouse that her husband was hurt in Iraq and was medically evacuated to Germany. The spouse is then told to verify her husband’s Social Security number and date of birth to start the paperwork.  Military family members are urged not to give out any personal information over the phone if contacted by unknown individuals, including confirmation that their spouse is deployed.  Any military family that receives such a call is urged  to report it to  the local family readiness group or military personnel flight.

Heroes

The Fund for Veterans Education is making grants to Iraq /Afghanistan veterans. Since the GI Bill covers about half of Long Island college costs this can make the difference between graduating and not.   www.veteransfund.org.

Thomas J. Force of Financial Medical Systems Inc.,in Hauppauge 631-840-5253 has notified me that he wants to hire veterans.  So to has GSE Dynamics www.gsedynamics.com an aircraft company in Suffolk County and  and Bicor Processing Corp, a pillow manufacturer in Brooklyn  check out www.bicorprocessing.com.

The Nassau County Bar Association Military Law Committee is anxious to help Iraq/Afghanistan veterans with pro bono legal services .  Call 516-747-4832 .

Brooklyn Salute to Vietnam Veterans

The  Brooklyn Historical Society 128 Pierrepoint Street, Brooklyn, NY will open a one year exhibit on December 14, 2007  called “In Our Own Words: Portraits of Brooklyn’s Vietnam Veterans”.   Oral histories will play in front of life sized photographic portraits of 100 veterans.  For information go to www.brooklynhistory.org.