October 14, 2008

Stand Down for Veterans in Need

County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi has announced the 9th Homeless Veterans Stand Down will be held on November 24, 2008 at the New York State Armory in Freeport from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.  Donations of winter coats will be accepted at the Veterans Service Agency at 1425 Old Country Road, Building H, Plainview, NY 11803 from now until November 21, 2008.  Funded by the U.S. Department of Labor VETS Program and with donations from veterans and community organizations and businesses, two hundred volunteers, government and social service agencies, workers will provide haircuts, showers, a turkey dinner, food pantry,  job opportunities, health and mental health counseling, legal help and shelter.

Gulf War Diseases

A thousand or more Nassau County veterans served in Iraq or Kuwait during the first Gulf War.  They were exposed to conditions that have led the Department of Veterans Affairs to recognize certain diseases that are more likely to affect these veterans.  Gulf War veterans who have chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome should apply for a service connected disability.  Other undiagnosed illnesses such as skin  disorders, chronic headaches, muscle pain, joint pain, neurological symptoms, neuropsychological symptoms, respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal symptoms, sleep disturbances, abnormal weight loss, and menstrual disorders may also be associated with service in  Iraq or Kuwait and veterans  should apply for VA health and disability benefits.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease was also noted to be higher among Gulf War veterans than the rest of the population. Further study however has convinced the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs to conclude that just serving in the military for more than 90 days active duty increases your chance of contracting this disease that kills between 20,000 and 30,000 people per year. Veterans with ALS or surviving spouses of veterans who have died of ALS should contact the Veterans Service Agency for help in filing a claim.

Marines Remembered

Thursday, October 23, 2008 is the 25th anniversary of the bombing of the Marine barracks in Lebanon. At 0622 hours a suicide bomber with 12,000 pounds of TNT killed 220 Marines and 21 other servicemen while they were sleeping.  A service will be help at PFC William Moore Park, located at 108St and Corona Avenue in Corona, Queens at 6:30pm.

Flu Shots at VA Medical Center

Enrolled veterans can “walk in” to the VA Medical Center, Northport Quad 2F, Pavilion,  Wednesday mornings from 8:30 am to 11:30am and Friday afternoons 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm  and request a flu shot.  The VA clinic in Plainview is offering flu shots on a walk in basis Wednesdays only from 8:00 am to 11:00 am.  Flu shots are also available during regularly scheduled appointments.

V-22 Osprey Update

The latest information on the V-22 Osprey an aircraft that uses tilt rotor technology to take off and land like a helicopter and fly with the range and speed of a fixed wing aircraft will be presented at a joint meeting of the Long Island Section, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers on November 13, 2008 at 7:00pm at the Bethpage Public Library, 47 Powell Avenue, Bethpage, NY 11714.  Brett Hoffstadt of Boeing Rotocraft Systems will be the speaker and reservations are required. A $5 charge for members and guests will be collected.  Contact Dave Paris at 516-458-8593.

Happy Birthday Marines

Monday November 10, 2008 is the 233rd Marine Corps Birthday.  The Marine Corps League is sponsoring a Golf Tournament at the Long Island National Golf Club, Riverhead, and NY to benefit the MCL Scholarship Fund.  Contact Jon Schippers at 631-369-3321 x 2.  Cost $130

Sunrise Detachment Marine Corps League is hosting a Birthday Ball on November 7, 2008 at the Chateau Briand, Carl Place, NY. Contact  Jim McMillan 516-314-8653 for tickets.

1st Marine Corps District is holding their Birthday Ball at Leonard’s of Great Neck also on November 7.  Contact  S/Sgt. Smith 516-228-5616 for tickets.

AMVETS Plan for Pearl Harbor Day

American Veterans Post 88 is planning their annual Pearl Harbor Day Ceremony for Sunday, December 7, 2008 at 2:00pm (participants are asked to get there at 1:00pm) at Long Island National Cemetery on Wellwood Avenue in Farmingdale.

Heroes

Greg Hallstein from the Asplundh Tree Expert Co. is still telling me he has jobs for veterans, especially veterans who are good at climbing trees.  Contact Greg at 516-790-8809 or 631-205-9323.

Jack Maxwell - 5 days after having a stroke - was leading 30 of his members of AMVETS 88 at the Michael P. Murphy (MOH) 5K Memorial Walk/Run.

Caring for Military Families

Presiding Officer of the Nassau County Legislature Diane Yatauro and Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel are sponsoring the second training conference of the Veterans Health Alliance of Long Island.  Admission for this all-day conference is free, but registration is required.  The conference will be held on October 23, 2008 from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm at the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building 1550 Franklin Avenue, Mineola, NY.   Contact the Mental Health Association of Nassau County at 516-489-2322, x 1101 for registration by October 16.

Job Fairs

The Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency is hosting a Veterans Job Fair on Friday, October 17, 2008 at the Suffolk County Fire Academy, Maple Avenue, Yaphank, NY for 10:00am to 2:00pm.

The Military.com Career Fair is set for October 20, 2008 at the Huntington Hilton, 598 Broadhollow Road, Melville, NY 11747, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. To register, go to www.nationalcareerfairs.com/military. 

5K Race Benefits Military Families

On Sunday November 9, 2008 9:00 am, come out and cheer for or run in the Long Island 5K/1 Mile Fun Run for the Warriors.  For details go on line to www.hopeforthewarriors.org or call Toni Aurilio 910-546-1120.  After the race, head to Veterans Plaza by Parking Field 6 for the annual Veterans Day Ceremony sponsored by the United Veterans Organization of Nassau County.  The ceremony starts at 10:30am and will recognize our Korean War veterans.

NYS Looking for Veterans Business Advisor

If you are interested you must act quickly:  the New York State Small Business Development Center is looking to hire a veteran to work at its Brooklyn office.  The veteran must have a bachelor’s degree, several years of business experience, be able to travel and is experienced working with culturally diverse groups.  For more information or for advice on starting or growing your veteran-owned business, contact John Narciso 631-370-8891.

Don’t Miss This!

Sunday November 9, 2008 at 1:00pm “THE REMBEMBERED”, a play by Elliott Levine based on a book by Michael Sofarelli, recounts moving stories from the Vietnam War.  The play draws on letters left at the Vietnam War Memorial, and reminds the audience that many still suffer the consequences of our most controversial war. The play, first produced at Hofstra University in October 2007, will be offered at the Hicksville VFW Post 3211, 320 South Broadway Hicksville, NY.  Contact Dan Rysanek 516-578-1079 for tickets.  Book signing of “Letters on the Wall, Offerings and Remembrances from the Vietnam Veteran Memorial" by the author will precede and follow the performance.

“Salute to Our Veterans” from Shades of Green on Walt Disney World Resort

Historically, Shades of Green on Walt Disney World has extended its thanks to active, Reserve, National Guard service members, as well as retirees, DOD and Coast Guard civilians by offering a well-deserved vacation at its 586-room resort. Now, Shades of Green extends that debt of gratitude to ALL honorably-discharged veterans. Those who’ve served in the military less than 20 years and received an honorable discharge are eligible to stay at Shades of Green during the months of January and September only. For assistance in making reservations during other times of the year, visit www.shadesofgreenvets.org or call (407) 827-VETS (8387). (The Army Public Affairs Northeast).

Hockey Deal on Veterans Day

The New York Islanders are offering a Veterans Day deal for veterans, active duty, National Guard and reservists. Ticket prices are up to 50% off for the Islanders vs. Philadelphia Flyers afternoon game.  Contact Rick McCarthy at 516-501-6804.

The VA May be Calling You

Some 2,000 veterans in the metropolitan area will receive a call for the VA between now and the first week in December.   The purpose of this national phone survey is to provide information that is incorporated into the annual Veterans Hospital Administration projections of enrollment, utilization and expenditures as well a budget and policy issues.   The interviews are about 15 to 30 minutes, and the VA caller will not ask confidential questions such as your date of birth or social security number. If the caller does, hang up the phone.

Rolling Thunder Rides for Heroes

Rolling Thunder, NY-1 will conduct an Honoring our Heroes Ride this Sunday beginning at the Caesar’s Bay Parking Lot 1630 Shore Parkway, Brooklyn at 10:00am arriving at Long Island National Cemetery about 11:15 am.  Following a ceremony the group will return to Manhattan and end the ride at Pier 62, Chelsea Piers about 1:15pm.