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The above mural honoring our Veterans through the era’s is on display in our hallway and was created by local artist Galen McCarthy

ictor ierra scar Vol 1 Number 8 “America’s Veterans embody the ideals upon which America was founded.” November 2018

This publication is for all Veterans, their families and their communities compiled solely by the Jackson County Veterans Service Officer. The

information provided herein is to keep you informed of upcoming events, newsworthy items and

historical data of interest.

Proud member of

MN and National Associations

of Veteran Service Officers

“In the aftermath, we are because they were.”

― R.J. Heller,

OFFICE INFORMATION

The Jackson County Veterans Service Office is located at:

402 White St. (Door 6) Jackson, MN 56143

507.847.4774 jeff.gay@co.jackson.mn.us

Monday 8am-4:30pm Tuesday 8am-4:30pm

Wednesday 8am-Noon Thursday 8am-Noon

Friday Closed

(Available for after hour appointments case-by-case)

www.co.jackson.mn.us/veterans You can find us on FaceBook too

DENTAL/VISION PLANS

By Jeffrey L. Gay

If you are a current member of TRDP (TRICARE Retiree Dental Plan) you’ve probably received your FEDVIP notification of the plan administration changes.

It’s quite important that you follow up with the open enrollment season for choosing a replacement for your plan or you will be without insurance the beginning of January! Open

enrollment begins Nov 12th

and runs through Dec 10th

. Begin by checking out the program at https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/4587.

If you wish to check eligibility find out whether you or your family, as a military retiree or active duty military, are eligible for the FEDVIP dental or vision plans you can go on-line at https://tricare.benefeds.com/InfoPortal/indexAction.

As a military retiree myself we are in this together and I’m as confused as I’m sure many are. Well, I’ve been making phone calls, sending e-mails and reading information about what a person has to do to get the ball rolling. So, with that said I hope that I am giving you good advice and an inside track to explore the new and existing programs.

I have had TRDP for several years now as administered by Delta Dental and have also been a member of VSP (Vision Service Plan) for my vision needs. Now, instead of having two plans it appears that I can combine (or bundle) them through FEDVIP. I can’t say enough about either of the plans as they’ve been good for me over the years helping to save $$$ for check-ups, dental procedures and glasses.

There are many more choices now for both dental & vision providers and you can go on-line to compare their plans and costs to help guide you to a decision: https://tricare.benefeds.com/InfoPortal/containerPage?EventName=plans&

ctoken=dvWb0HzG. For non-military retires & families check out page 5!

After comparing plans I believe I have made my choices but now comes the big hurdle, getting the official okey dokey from my household “six”! I’ve learned over the years, as do most husbands, that our logic and our significant others logic is not always on the same level.

With this in mind don’t call and ask me which to choose because this is your choice and your needs may be vastly different than mine. All I can do

is get out the old Lensatic Compass and “attempt” to help you navigate to the destination you want.

I hope that this has been of some value to you in your quest for continuing your Dental benefits and/or considering Vision benefits. Again, don’t wait, do it now, time’s wastin’! Open enrollment is Nov 12 – Dec 10, 2018.

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STATE OF YOUR VSO Jeffrey L. Gay, CVSO

It’s been six months since Jeff Johnson retired and I have had the honor to take the reins.

Wow, what an adjustment!

Prior to my accepting the VSO position I had retired from the Guard with both active duty (Title 10 & 32) and M-day service. I then worked ten years contracted through a DoD program working closely with military Families and Servicemembers to ensure cohesion prior to, during and following their deployments.

In doing this, much of my work was in unison with local VSO’s in order to help the Veterans in the 23 Counties under my prevue as well as the surrounding area of two other states.

I retired…………… Everybody’s dream! (Well, most)

During my short shot at retirement I found myself becoming restless and began feeling like I had no real self-worth or purpose in life. I was at home with my power tools and kitties working studiously on the good old “Honey-Do List” while taking time for numerous visits to the ER because of those aforementioned power tools.

The CVSO position came available, I applied and I was blessed with the good fortune of being accepted.

The position is 25 hours weekly leaving enough time for me to still make sawdust out of perfectly good boards. However I am finding that it’s not really enough to do the job to my own satisfaction. It is what it is and we adapt and conquer…

My time in the office has been interrupted by training for the position. Although I had somewhat of a leg up on much of it due to my past experience with the DoD position is soon found out there is sure a lot more to learn! Now that I have the basics the rest is merely learning by doing.

When I first came here I began publishing a monthly newsletter and initiated a VSO Facebook Page as well as updating the original Jackson VSO website. So many of our new veterans being tech savvy it’s easier to reach them in this manner with their busy lives. I’ve also found that our more seasoned (older like me) Vets are also connected and use technology. For back issues of the newsletter go on-line to www.co.jackson.mn.us/veterans

For Vets whose visits to the VA CBOC in Spirit Lake or the VA Medical Center in Sioux Falls are a real inconvenience we have installed a computer in the office to help with Tele-Health or other Tele-Video appointments. You may also check your on-line Veterans e-Benefits and your MyHealtheVet secure mail or medical charts.

I am planning monthly half day visits to outlying communities (Lakefield and Heron Lake) to set up for

Veteran visits. This will make it more convenient for, especially, the older Veterans in our county.

Outreach is an important tool in any business and it’s no different with this office. Speaking to civic groups and Veterans Service organizations is very effective as are posters, media advertising and more. I am available if you have a group needing to be “entertained” for a few moments. Especially someplace the pie and coffee is good! Nothing like shootin’ the breeze over a steaming cup-a-joe! Static displays and parades are fun too!

All in all I hope that what I have done and continue to try to do is acceptable. I realize I cannot always please everyone but if I can at least please you most of the time I am doing my job. Sometimes, no matter how much you want it, you cannot get the answer you wish but hopefully I have enough other resources to make it less painful…

Please stop in and see me if even just to visit. We can update your records and talk about changes in benefits! If you’ve never been in don’t forget to bring a copy of your Discharge (DD form 214). That’s the first stem in realizing the VA benefits you’ve earned… I’m here to serve…

YOUR VA MEDICAL BENEFITS!

Are you using your VA medical benefits? You’ve earned them…

Since I have been in the office I have had several Veterans come in who have never used their benefits. Some of they have enrolled in the VA but never visited any of the facilities ranging in age from 50’s to 90’s.

When asked why, the answer is overwhelmingly that they didn’t want to take any of the benefits away from the younger vets. It’s the way many of us were raised, family values and humility. Others have told me that they have insurance. Well, that’s fine too but you still need to ensure that you are getting the biggest bang for your hard earned bucks…

Well GUESS WHAT?!?!?! They’re YOUR benefits too and YOU’VE EARNED THEM so use them!

If you haven’t visited the VA but do go to the doctor on occasion you should stop in to be sure that you’re eligible and that you are enrolled, it only takes a moment to get the proverbial ball rolling!! I’m looking forward to you visiting me, and soon! See you then!

NOTE: When you bring your DD form 214 in be sure it’s an original or one that’s been certified as original information. We’ll make a copy and begin a file.

You should also file a copy with the County Recorder’s Office so if you ever need a certified copy and cannot find yours they can provide one.

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NOVEMBER SPECIAL DAYS

NATIONAL MILITARY FAMILY MONTH WARRIOR CARE MONTH Daylight Savings Time Ends – Nov 4

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ELECTION DAY – Nov 6th

HOORAY!

USMC Birthday, OORAH! – Nov 10th

Veterans Day – Nov 11th Honor our Vets…

Thanksgiving Day – Nov 23rd

https://militarybenefits.info/military-calendar-holidays-events-observances/

HOLIDAY GREETINGS…

Once again we are entering the season of the family! We begin with Thanksgiving, move on to Christmas and top it

off with New Years… Time to celebrate our family “gobbling”

down a feast and cheer, conversation and football, hello hugs and waves goodbye. Myself? Well, I just wait for that turkey induced comatose nap following lunch…

Plan your trip and drive to arrive safe! We all

want you to be around for the other holidays

and you don’t miss the turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, dressing and all the trimming!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY USMC

242 years ago on November 10th

1775 the United States Marine Corps was “born”.

The “Tun Tavern”, in Philadelphia, PA, is regarded as the birthplace of the Corps as the location of the first Marines to enlist under Commandant Samuel Nicholas.

When the Revolutionary War ended in 1783, the Continental Navy was disestablished and with it the Continental Marines. The Corps was re-established on 11 July 1798, when the "act for establishing and organizing a Marine Corps" was signed by President John Adams.

VETERANS DAY 2018

WHATS IN A MEMORIAL?

Jeffrey L. Gay, CVSO

The definition of memorial, as explained by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary: 1: something that keeps remembrance alive: such as

a: monument b: something (such as a speech or ceremony) that commemorates c: keepsake, memento

2: record, memoir

The Veterans Memorial in Lakefield is a standing monument to local citizens those who were killed in past wars our nation has fought to include the Civil War, men and women who sacrificed their lives to keep our way of life free and safe.

Over the years the site has degraded due to weather, inattentive drivers and road salt from the snow plows. It’s time to take a serious look at honoring these Veterans, and ALL Veterans by bringing it back to not just its original beauty but a far more noticeable and aesthetically pleasing place people will want to stop, sit a spell and return to.

Its location is prime sitting proudly along MN Highway 86 adjacent to the Jackson County Historical Museum. A person who stops to see one can experience the other as well.

Some of the needed repair includes lighting, tuck & pointing the brickwork, replacing the fence and capping the top of the brick to deflect moisture. Moisture seeps into the cracks between the mortar and what’s left in there freezes in the winter swelling and causing the brick and mortar to crack.

This is not to say we cannot make it better and eye-catching as we make repairs. It’s time for a makeover! There many things that can be done with little cost. This is your memorial and I would like you to bring ideas to the proverbial table, you all have imagination and pride in your community.

As you consider this please take notes and then call or e-mail me with any of your ideas and/or feedback! The planning should be done over the winter so work can begin immediately in the spring so it’s ready for the summer!

More information will be forthcoming as the months go by so keep an eye out and call me with any questions.

Phone: 507.847.4774 FAX: 507.847.2767 e-Mail: jeff.gay@co.jackson.mn.us

Address: Jackson County Veteran Service Office

405 4th

Street Jackson, MN 56143

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EMERGENCY

FUNDS/GRANTS?

WHAT IS “SSAP”?

Minnesota has a program to assist Veterans in need, it’s referred to as SSAP (State Soldiers Assistance Program). It’s available to Veterans and their immediate dependents who meet strict income guidelines.

The MDVA SSAP may be used for a number of things to include help with optical and dental costs. SSAP is NOT insurance, it’s a grant whose coverage, if approved, extends for five approx. 6 months (150 days).

This means that if it’s approved and you are having dental procedures done over a period of time you will have at least that long to exhaust the amount approved. Extensions “may” be granted if requested in writing from your local CVSO prior to the expiration date.

If an applicant already has health or dental insurance they must inform the provider to insure that their insurance is billed first. IMPORTANT NOTE: BALANCE BILLING IS PROHIBITED! All bills are sent to the MDVA for payment directly to the provider, payment is not rendered to the applicant.

The provider and participant must wait for the receipt of a referral approval letter from MDVA before providing/receiving services.

This is NOT an automatically renewed benefit. It may be requested annually, you must re-apply each year if needed.

SSAP is a “Minnesota Only” program and cannot be extended to those residing outside of Minnesota borders. If you have a VA office outside of MN (such as Sioux Falls, SD) they may not be aware of this benefit and they cannot request it for you, it must be requested through a CVSO in Minnesota.

WHAT IS THE “SPECIAL NEEDS GRANT”?

MDVA Special Needs assistance provides a once-per-lifetime financial grant to help Veterans and dependents stabilize their lives in a time of hardship.

Requests are reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis and applicants must demonstrate future sustainability beyond the requested amount of assistance. Approved amounts of assistance are paid directly to the vendors chosen by the Veteran as part of their application.

Please contact your County Veteran Service Officer for assistance in applying for Special Needs benefits. Find your CVSO at www.macvso.org or by calling 1-888-LinkVet (546-5838), MDVA's one-stop customer service line for all Minnesota Veterans and their families.

Another similar grant is the MN Military Family Foundation grants. These are similar in nature to the

MDVA Special Needs Grants but they may only be requested by MN Military Family Assistance Center

representatives. These grants are primarily for “still serving” Veterans of the National Guard or Reserves.

There are other qualifying rules and you would have to speak with your local Military FAC Rep. Again this is a “Minnesota Only’” benefit. For more information go to http://minnesotamilitaryfamilyfoundation.org/

“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, learning from

failure.” ~~ Colin Powell

VA PENSIONS HELP VETERANS

AND THEIR FAMILIES COPE WITH

FINANCIAL CHALLENGES

Beyond disability compensation, health care and home loans, VA offers pensions to qualifying wartime Veterans and their families to help them deal with financial difficulties. This is a needs-based, tax-free, monetary benefit.

Qualifying Veterans must have limited or no income, be 65 or older or have a permanent and total non-service-connected disability. Veterans who are housebound or require the aid of another person to perform daily activities may qualify for an increased pension rate.

Filing a Fully Developed Claim is the fastest way to receive a decision. Here are typical steps:

1. Select the type of pension claim and gather the evidence it requires.

2. Collect military medical and other records. 3. Gather any private medical records. 4. Certify there is no more evidence. 5. Submit your application.

Visit Explore.VA.gov to see if you or a loved one qualifies for pension benefits or click below to learn more about all VA benefits.

However, the safest way to be sure it’s done correctly stop in to your local County Veterans Service Office and have them file the claim.

ALIGNMENT OF ELECTRONIC VA HEALTH

RECORDS SYSTEM ROLLOUT

WASHINGTON October 10, 2018 — The U.S. Secretaries of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Defense (DOD) signed a joint statement Sept. 26 pledging that their two departments will align their plans, strategies and structures as they roll out a new electronic health records (EHR) system that will allow VA and DOD to share patient data seamlessly.

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Signed by Defense Secretary James N. Mattis and VA Secretary Robert Wilkie, the joint statement reinforces both departments’ commitment to ensuring the successful transition from a legacy patient-data system to a modernized one that will continue to support active-duty service members, Veterans and their families.

“The joint statement between DOD and VA represents tangible evidence of our commitment to change how we deliver Veteran-focused, provider-friendly care,” Wilkie said. “The new EHR system will be interoperable with DOD, while also improving VA’s ability to collaborate and share information with community care providers. This will ease the burden on service members as they transition from military careers and will be supported by multiple medical providers throughout their lives.”

VA signed a contract with Cerner Corp. May 17 to replace VA’s 40-year-old legacy Veterans Integrated System Technology Architecture (VistA) health care records technology over the next 10 years with the new Cerner system, which is in the pilot phase at DOD. Collaborating with DOD will ensure that VA: understands the challenges encountered as DOD deploys its EHR system called Military Health System GENESIS (MHS GENESIS); adapts an approach by applying lessons learned to anticipate and mitigate known issues; assesses prospective efficiencies to help deploy faster; and delivers an EHR that is fully interoperable.

"We are committed to partnering with the VA to support the lifetime care of our service members, Veterans and their families," Mattis said. "This modern electronic health record will ensure those who serve our nation have quality health care as they transition from service member to Veteran."

“The EHR will give health care providers a full picture of patient medical history, driving better clinical outcomes,” Wilkie said. “It will also help us identify Veterans proactively who are at higher risk for issues, such as opioid addiction and suicide, so health care providers can intervene earlier and save lives.”

For more information about VA’s Office of Electronic Health Record Modernization, go to www.ehrm.va.gov.

VA ACHIEVES MAJOR MILESTONE

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently completed a significant modernization effort in which more than 7.8 million paper files were removed from 60 locations in fewer than 22 months, enabling rapid scanning into VA's electronic claims processing system by multiple third-party vendors. This will lead to faster claims decisions for Veterans. For mor on this go on-line to www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=5131

SHOP, SHIP & SHARE

For more information please contact: Lane W. Stunkel, 4th District Commander American Legion Department of Minnesota

District HQ – Arcade Phalen Post 577 1129 Arcade St, St. Paul, MN 55106 (651) 895-5340 / lanewstunkel@yahoo.com

Each year, the 4th

and 5th

Legion Districts hosts Shop, Ship and Share in partnership with the U. S. Post Office, to ship holiday packages to our deployed military members stationed in various locations around the world. Our goal is to provide them with a touch of home during the holiday season and it has been a great success as we are now our 14th year!

Our 2018 Shop, Ship and Share event to pack and ship gift boxes will be held at Maplewood Mall on November 30

th and

December 1st. There will be a formal program on

Saturday, December 1st. at 2:00 pm.

Shop, Ship and Share, we rely on donations to ship these packages. Based on last year’s shipment of over 1,000 boxes to our military members, our financial goal this year is $30,000. We are grateful to receive any amount from $5 to $5,000.

“The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it.”

~~ Norman Schwarzkopf

AMERICAN LEGION

CHILD WELFARE FOUNDATION

Our youth are our tomorrow! In time it will be up to them to take the baton and keep running with it for America. Are they prepared for this challenge?

It’s up to us to ensure that they receive the education needed to be successful. Education including not only the “3-R’s” but in problem solving, negotiation, tactics, fairness, service, respect and more! Are they receiving all they need at home?

With many single parent families now days and dual parent families where both the parents work it’s tough to spend quality time, especially if the child has special needs or they live in communities where opportunities are few or obstacles such as street violence, bullying and fear keeps them shut in.

Not all American children grow up inside the comfortable definition of normal childhood development. For thousands, each day is a challenge marked by pain, prayer and perseverance.

Many of these children require specialized care. To overcome their obstacles, they need help from you and The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation.

Established in 1954, The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation (CWF) was developed as a repository of funds from individuals who wished to contribute to the

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betterment of children in this country.

Our foremost philanthropic priority is to contribute to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual welfare of children and youth by aiding progress in the field of child welfare through dissemination of knowledge about research, studies, surveys, projects, or by supporting programs and activities benefiting the welfare of children and youth.

BOTTOM LINE! If you have a program designed to enhance the future of our youth consider sending it to CWF to see if it qualifies for grant money to help you further it in your community!

For more information go on-line and check out their website, www.cwf-inc.org/ or the American

“I don't know what effect these men will have upon the enemy, but, by God, they terrify me.”

~~ The Duke of Wellington

WORK/JOBS AT MDVA The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is looking for individuals across the state interested in joining a team that is committed to helping serve Minnesota Veterans and their families. Whether you are a Veteran, family member, or an individual who wants to show your support for our nation’s heroes, we are confident you will find a career path that is diverse, team-oriented and focused on making a real difference. A full listing of positions can be found at the Minnesota Careers website. Some of our current job openings:

Fergus Falls

Human Services Technician (closes Dec. 31)

Licensed Practical Nurse (closes Dec. 31) Luverne

Human Services Technician (closes Dec. 28) Minneapolis

Licensed Practical Nurse (closes Dec. 31)

Certified Nursing Assistant (closes Dec. 31)

Plumber Master In Charge (closes Dec. 3) Silver Bay

Registered Nurse (closes Oct. 31)

Certified Nursing Assistant (closes Oct. 31)

Resident Assistant (closes Oct. 31)

Volunteer Service Coordinator (close Oct. 29)

IMPROVING YOUR EXPERIENCE! JEFFREY L. GAY, Veterans Service Officer

Here is your chance to tell us what you would like to see or what you expect from your local Veteran Service Office services.

In doing our job we have certain responsibilities to provide you services. However, you as the Veteran seeking help have responsibilities too.

If you are looking for assistance you need to provide the information needed or asked for

by your CVSO and answer all of their questions honestly. If you do not remember it’s OK, but tell your CVSO all you do remember and know.

A large part of our job is information collection so we are able to use that as evidence for what it is you’re claiming. This includes paperwork, pictures, sworn statement, statements from family or other 3

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parties who have knowledge of the issue, medical treatment records (both military and/or civilian), and possibly more.

Without your honesty and the compilation of your paperwork a claim cannot be written and if there is too little information a written claim may be weak. You have to work with your CVSO together to ensure that the information on the claim is sufficient to render a positive outcome.

Besides that, another part of the CVSO’s job is to educate you, your family and your community as to what we do and what’s available for the Veteran.

There are many other aspects of the role of the CVSO which many people don’t see both administrative and out of the office. The position in Jackson County is only 25 h ours weekly so you must be cognizant of the normal hours based on this. BUSINESS HOURS ARE POSTED ON PAGE ON OF THIS DOCUMENT.

If you have any ideas or desires for this office please call or e-mail and let us know. THIS IS YOUR OFFICE and as such you drive the train in many ways.

To let me know of your concerns or desires please call me (preferable during office hours) at 507-847-4774 or e-mail to jeff.gay@co.jackson,mn.us. Together

we can help each other! Let’s talk, get the conversation going!

OPERATION PROTECT VETERANS The AARP Fraud Watch Network is working with the US Postal Inspection Service to raise awareness of common scams that target America’s military Veterans.

Watch for suspicious emails, phone calls, or mailings targeting military Veterans and report them to protectveterans@aarp.org

Download the AARP's Watchdog Alert Handbook, Veterans Edition >>

Visit the AARP's Fraud Watch Network website >>

“A leader is the man who has the ability to get other people to do what they don't want to do, and like it.”

~~ Harry S. Truman

As the test pilot climbs out of the experimental aircraft, having torn off the wings and tail in the crash landing, the crash truck arrives. The rescuer sees a bloodied pilot and asks, ‘What happened?’

The pilot’s reply, ‘I don’t know, I just got here myself!’

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DISCOUNTED DENTAL COVERAGE

Delta Dental of California and MetLife will offer private insurance coverage for enrolled VA Veterans and their families again this year at: https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/53469/discounted-dental-insurance-coverage-veterans/ VA has selected Delta Dental of California and MetLife to once again offer private insurance coverage for the VA Dental Insurance Program (VADIP).

Veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system and beneficiaries and their dependents of the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the VA (CHAMPVA) can enroll in the program beginning Monday, November 12, 2018, for coverage to start December 1, 2018.

VADIP is insurance for Veterans who are not eligible for dental care through VA (e.g. less than 100% service connected). This insurance requires a premium and copays.

VADIP offers eligible individuals the opportunity to purchase discounted dental insurance coverage that includes diagnostic services, preventive services, endodontic and other restorative services, surgical services, and emergency services.

Participants pay entire premium and copays

Each individual covered by the dental insurance plan will pay the entire premium for coverage under the dental insurance plan, in addition to the full cost of any copays. Enrollment is voluntary and does not affect eligible individuals’ entitlement to existing VHA outpatient dental services and treatment.

Coverage for VADIP dental services is provided in the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Multiple plan options allow individuals to select a plan that provides benefits and premiums that meet their dental needs and budget.

For more information go on-line to https://feds.deltadentalins.com/vadip/plans/rate1.html, specific information regarding registration, rates, and services for Delta Dental Insurance or call Delta Dental at 1-855-370-3303.

Go to www.metlife.com/vadip/ for specific information regarding registration, rates, and services for MetLife Dental Insurance or call MetLife at 1-888-310-1681.

The Department of Veterans Affairs Dental Insurance Reauthorization Act of 2016 extends VADIP until December 31, 2021.

“Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their

ingenuity.” ~~ George S. Patton

YET ANOTHER BENEFIT FOR VETS!

Launching November 13! Just in time for holiday shopping – www.ShopVCS.com.

It’s the Veterans Canteen Service! Veterans enrolled in VA health care and VA employees are eligible to shop on this site, which will include 100,000 products from hundreds of name brands where you can easily and securely shop from any device.

Veterans and VA employees can create an account to have exclusive access to the online shopping. Customers will receive $20 off their initial purchase of $120 or more through Dec. 24. There will also be national register-to-win drawings for Dell laptops and LG 65-inch Smart TVs. Like other VCS entities, there will be no tax on purchases.

MEMORIAL FLAG MEMORIES

Memories are something special, made from special times and happenings. Following Veteran’s funerals the

burial flag is ceremoniously folded and presented to the family of the deceased. Some people donate the flag to the cemetery to fly on special days while others may slide it in a drawer or closet.

A burial flag is a memorial in itself and is in honor, a memory of someone close who served his or her country and family. Someone who you made many more memories with to recall at family gatherings or in the quiet of your mind.

A great way to preserve this memory is to encase the flag in a glass case where it will not get soiled and it may be placed in a position of honor within your home. You can get of these specially designed cases through various venues,

some are cheap and others are quite expensive.

At our office we have two on display sized specifically for the larger burial flag. One is

walnut and the other oak and are hand crafted locally. They are not mass produced and may quite possibly be redesigned to fit other mementos of the Veteran’s life.

Stop in and take a look. The price of these cases are very reasonable and the finish may be made to order to your specifications.

Ranking Member Walz Urges Senate

Veterans Affairs Chairman To

Advance Bipartisan Blue Water Navy

Vietnam Veterans Act of 2018

The Honorable Johnny Isakson, Chairman Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs United States Senate

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412 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20515

Dear Chairman Isakson:

We are writing to request that HR 299, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2018 that passed the House on June 25, 2018 by a unanimous vote of 382-0, be cleared by the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and brought to the Senate floor as soon as possible so that the 40-year wait for fair compensation by the nation’s Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans – many very sick and in pain -- might finally end.

It is a very sad reality that every day of delay means there are fewer Blue Water Navy veterans who earned and deserved compensation and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) care for their illnesses. In just a few months, as the House considered the bill this Congress, at one point the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reduced the cost of implementation of HR 299 from $1.2 Billion to $880 Million because the population of eligible veterans is dying.

As veterans’ advocates we have all heard from frustrated veterans who say it sometimes looks to them as if the Congress and the VA are denying benefits just waiting for them to die. Unless Congress passes this bill, it will be hard to argue against that notion.

HR 299 passed the House unanimously after months of consideration and discussion. It was a day many thought would never come. Finding over a billion dollars in the Federal budget that could be redirected is not an easy task. Many thought it was impossible. Yet the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman, Dr. Phil Roe and the Ranking Minority Member Tim Walz built a coalition of support in Congress and together with the Veteran Service Organizations found a way. It is his number one legislative priority, the Chairman said many times.

HR 299 is an example of what we can accomplish when we work together in a bipartisan manner. The VA did not support adding presumptions for Blue Water Navy veterans as it worked its way through the House. VA will continue to object and try to find roadblocks. It is the Congress’ job to say enough is enough.

We respectfully ask that the way be cleared for full Senate consideration.

It appears as if exposure to toxins by American servicemembers in theatres of war will always be a reality. As Members of Congress our task for the future will be to take the lessons learned from the use of Agent Orange in Vietnam so many decades ago, and find ways to forthrightly acknowledge the exposure, determine the service connection and then compensate servicemembers in far less than two generations. When we do, we can dedicate this work to the Vietnam era veterans who died waiting for their recognition.

Rep. Tim Walz. Ranking Member

“The soldier is the Army. No army is better than its soldiers. The Soldier is also a citizen. In fact, the highest obligation and privilege of citizenship is that of bearing arms for one’s country.”

~~ George S. Patton Jr.

ADDRESSING LATE GI BILL PAYMENTS *FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Tim Walz sent the

following letter to Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie expressing concern about the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) processing delays for GI Bill tuition, fees, and housing allowances and to urge the Department to communicate immediately and accurately to

beneficiaries facing financial hardship as a result of the delays about the assistance available to them. Ranking Member Walz was joined by other member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs in sending the letter.

Dear Secretary Wilkie:

We write to express concern about the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA’s) processing delays for GI Bill tuition, fees, and housing allowances and to urge VA to communicate immediately and accurately to beneficiaries about the assistance available to those facing financial hardship as a result of the delays.

As you are aware, VA’s recent efforts to improve information technology (IT) functionalities for GI Bill processing have consistently missed key deadlines. Despite VA’s goal of implementing these IT functionalities prior to the beginning of the current academic year, VA remains unsuccessful in its implementation. As a result, beneficiaries are not only experiencing long delays in receiving their tuition, fees, and housing allowances but many are still waiting for these funds to arrive at all, several months into the start of the academic year. In addition, beneficiaries who are receiving their housing allowances are currently receiving incorrect amounts due to the IT implementation delay of updated housing allowances per the Harry W. Colmery Educational Assistance Act of 2017.

This has caused considerable confusion among schools and beneficiaries. This confusion has been compounded by VA’s failure to communicate in a transparent manner with beneficiaries about what they can expect and how they can get help. Although VA has been diligent about updating this Committee about its progress, its communication with beneficiaries, who are the ones most in need of up-to-date information about their payments, has been severely lacking.

Most of VA’s communication about these issues with beneficiaries has taken place via its Facebook page. While these posts reach tens of thousands of Facebook users, it’s unclear how many actual GI Bill beneficiaries

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are seeing these posts. The posts also cannot take the place of directly reaching out to the beneficiaries of the more than 100,000 pending claims that are currently still being processed. In addition, when VA finally sent an email directly to beneficiaries on October 9, 2018, the email contained incorrect information about the fastest way that beneficiaries who are facing financial hardship can receive assistance; the email directed beneficiaries to a website in cases of financial hardship, but on October 17, 2018, VA briefed Committee staff that beneficiaries who call are placed in the financial hardship queue quicker.

Such lack of coordination and communication is unacceptable as we have received requests for help from veterans who are facing school disenrollment because of delayed tuition payments, as well as those facing eviction and even homelessness due to delayed housing allowance payments. Although the Committee has been working with VA to get these individual cases processed immediately, we are concerned about the many beneficiaries who are facing similar circumstances but who have not managed to reach out to Congress or a veteran service organization for help. If VA had provided beneficiaries with the correct information on how they can get their claims processed immediately for financial hardship as soon as VA knew it was not going to be making payments on time, VA could have prevented these beneficiaries from being removed from school and facing the loss of their homes.

We therefore urge you to address beneficiaries directly on this matter and to issue up-to-date and accurate information on the payment delays and financial hardship assistance as soon as possible. We also urge you to provide this information not only directly to beneficiaries but also on the VA website in order to ensure transparency going forward. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT WITH

YOUR VSO?

Of course during normal working hours is best but any time is the right time. The best time is when you first return from Active Duty or from your Guard/Reserve Initial Active Duty for Training.

Come in right away and at least touch base and file your Discharge with the county so if you ever need a certified copy and you can’t find yours you can get it from us.

During that initial visit we can get each other and discuss what benefits you might be eligible for. We can exchange contact information so if something new is on the horizon we can send you an e-mail to give you a heads up!

You get a briefing upon leaving the service but that’s far from all-inclusive. Many states, such as Minnesota, also have “State Specific” benefits that only MN residents can apply for. We may also make sure you

are enrolled in the VA so you can use the VA medical facilities to include the VA hospitals (VAMC) in Sioux Falls, Minneapolis or St Cloud or any of the Community Based Outreach Clinics (CBOC) near you! Just Do It! Just c’mon in and say hi!

“Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.” ~~ Colin Powell

URGENT INFORMATION

Please place these numbers close by in case you would ever need to call one. We

hope that the need never arises but we also understand that it’s a real possibility.

Better to be prepared and to know where to call for help when help is needed…

OR TEXT TO “838255”

“The soldier is the Army. No army is better than its soldiers. The Soldier is also a citizen. In fact, the

highest obligation and privilege of citizenship is that of bearing arms for one’s country.”

~~ George S. Patton Jr.

JACKSON VETERAN SERVICES

DON’T FORGET – LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! www.facebook.com/JacksonCountyMNVeteranServices

or visit online at www.co.jackson.mn.us/veterans

See ya next month! The sole responsibility for content is Jeffrey Gay, Jackson

Veteran’s Service Officer.

JACKSON VETERAN SERVICES