Vol. 65, No. 3 by JM Publishing

AMVET NEWS MICHIGAN

Fall, 2010

SERVING VETERANS SINCE 1945

Vol. 65, No. 3

COMMANDER'S CORNER

BY CMDR. Vince Carr

s many of you may not know judging from the turnout, on Sunday, June 27. I was swept into the office of AMVETS Department of Michigain Commander on one unanimous vote at the AMVETS Department of Michigan 66th Convention without opposition. I don’t know that it is a good thing but that’s the way it went. I would like to thank the AMVETS family of Post 121 in St. Clair Shores, all of the posts of District II, and my friends throughout the state for their support in this endeavor. Congratulations to all of the AMVETS Department Officers, the District Commanders, Ladies Auxiliary President Yvette Rusak, Son’s of AMVETS Commander Douglas Beedon, AMVETS Junior President Ashley Keizer, Sad Sack Saddest John Hoecherl, AMVETS Riders President Josh Feltman, and all of the officers they will be serving with this year, on their successful elections. I am looking forward to the coming year serving with each of you. We start the year with many problems that need to be dealt with, fortunately I have an experienced Executive Director in

Dave Cogswell, my State Executive Committee, the names are listed on the inside cover of this publication, and a knowledgeable group of past department commanders (PDCs), to call upon for support. Even with all of this, I need the assistance of you the membership and ask that you accept the changes that will be coming to AMVETS over the coming year. There will be increases in dues, there will be requests for financial support from posts, and there will likely be fund raisers that you will be asked to participate in. It all comes down to creating the funding required to operate an organization of this magnitude. So help out where you can and we will move forward. Shortly after my taking office July 5, we had news that PDC Vince Humphries 1968 – 1969 had died at his home in Virginia. Vince was a member of Post 121 also and I had benefit of his support over the past years, he will be missed by many. Questions or complaints come to the Fall Conference October 1 – 3, at the Ramada Inn in Grayling, we’ll talk. 

To all Life Members of AMVETS Dear Members, I write this letter today to ask for your help. As many of you know your Department of Michigan Headquarters is in financial trouble. There are a number of reasons for us being in this position and I’m sure there is plenty of blame to be spread around. However I feel that it is time to shift our focus and stride forward in order to make our organization and Department

once again a strong and prominent voice in the community and in Lansing. The State Executive Committee and the Membership voted at our 66th Annual Convention to increase the Annual Membership dues by $5 a year and the Life Membership dues by $50. Both of these raises will take effect with the 2011 Membership Year which starts in September of this year. Currently there are approximately 9,900 members in the AMVETS Department of

Michigan with approx. 3,000 Annual members and the remaining 6,900 are Life Members. The only income to the Department from the Membership dues is currently $7 per annual member or $21,000 Annually. With the increase this will raise to $36,000 which is indeed a help but not a fix. As most of you know, in accordance with our Constitution and By-laws any portion of the Life Membership dues retained by the Department is placed into an investment account and Continued on page 3

1st Vice Commander's Report

ongrats to all the newly elected officers, of the AMVETS family. We all have our jobs to do and mine is membership. I am looking forward to a good year for us and I will see you at the fall conference. Yours in AMVETS, Anthony M. Lema 1st. Vice Commander Dept. of Michigan

By Anthony Lema 1st Vice Commander

Give the gift of membership this year. Be present.

Upcoming Events

AMVETS Department of Michigan 2010 – 2011 State Executive Committee

Department Commander............................................................. Vincent Carr 1st Vice Commander...........................................................Anthony M. Lema 2nd Vice Commander............................................................... Roger Lanting 3rd Vice Commander...................................................................William Day Finance Officer............................................................................ Rob Hosken Judge Advocate......................................................................James Meloche Provost Marshal...........................................................................Andy Cicala NEC Man.......................................................................................John Dowd Alternate NEC............................................................................Mary Wilseck Immediate PDC.......................................................................Robert Downer District I Commander................................................................Aaron Ricketts District II Commander.....................................................................Greg Rose District III Commander......................................................Michael Wainwright District IV Commander................................................................Robert Pace District V Commander................................................................ Perry Corwin District VI Commander............................................................... Paul Ladochi District VII Commander...............................................................Carol Hebert Executive Director.................................................................. David Cogswell Aide De Camp...........................................................................Norman Hupp lain............................................................................................... Ken Petrack Legislative Director.................................................................. John Hoechrel Inspector General............................................................. Daren R. Heckman Department PRO......................................................................John Hoechrel

AMVETS Department of Michigan Fall Conference and SEC October 1-3, 2010 Ramada Inn Grayling 2650 I75 Business Loop (989) 348-7611 Rooms Rate: $60

Veterans Day Dinner Dance November 6th, 2010 at Post 57

Subordinate Organizations

Service Foundation President........................................ PDC Harold L. Reed Service Director....................................................................Glenda Cogswell Ladies Auxiliary President.........................................................Yvette Rusak Auxiliary Legislation/Liaison........................................................Kathy Keizer Auxiliary Executive Secretary............................................... Nancy Middleton Sons of AMVETS Commander............................................. Douglas Beedon Sons of AMVETS Coordinator........................................ PDC Harold L. Reed Saddest Sad Sack....................................................................John Hoechrel Jr. AMVETS President...............................................................Ashley Keizer Jr. AMVETS Coordinator.........................................................Robert Raymor AMVETS Department Riders President.................................... Josh Feltman

2010 FALL NEC DECEMBER 3-5, 2010 Hilton Washington Dulles Airport 13869 Park Center Road Herndon, VA. 20171 www.washingtondulles.hilton.com Reservations: (800) 445-8667 (703) 478-2900 Room Rate: $99-109 Cut-off Date: TBD Parking: Complimentary

Next DEADLINE for The Michigan AMVETS News is 10/07/2010 ANNUAL DEADLINE DATES Spring Issue Summer Issue Fall Issue Winter Issue

January 7 April 7 July 7 October 7

The Michigan AMVET News Official Publication of the AMVETS Department of Michigan American Veterans who have served honorably since September 1940 Chartered by Congress July 28, 1947 Owned, Edited and Operated by the AMVETS Department of Michigan Published Quarterly Publication design by JM Publishing Editorial Office: Mail: P.O. Box 254 Dryden, MI 48428 UPS: 5489 Main St. Dryden, MI 48248 Phone 810-796-3876 Fax 810-796-3896 E-mail address: miamvet2008@yahoo.com The Department Headquarters business hours are 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday. NON-PROFIT POSTAGE PAID IN ROYAL OAK, MICHIGAN Subscription Rates: 50 cents per year to members * $1 per year to non-members Advertising Rates on Request

Michigan AMVETS News

2nd Vice Commander Report

would like to thank everyone for there support and confidence in electing me as your 2nd Vice Commander for the year 2010-2011. I will carry out my duties as expected.This is going to be a very trying year but i am confident we will prevail as we go along, I ask everyone to give all your support to all the new officers for this year. At this time there are only 9 Post doing Program reporting. We need to get more post involved. I’m sure your post has programs that are worth reporting. If you have any questions on how to do this, please fell free to contact me or make sure you are at the Fall conference for the information you need. 2nd Vice Commander Roger Lanting rlanting@sbcglobal.net

-2-

Vol. 65, No. 3

Letter continued from cover may not be used for operational expenses without express permission of the Finance Committee, the State Executive Committee and the Membership. Our intention is to continue with this program in order to bring the investment account back up to where it should have been. We also have additional income from a solicitation company that does phone solicitations in order to raise money for the Department but of all of the funds collected the Department keeps only 10% for an average annual income of $15,000.00. This company is under contract that was established years ago and finally comes to an end in April of 2011. Our intention is then to seek out a different company that will provide a greater percentage to the Department. Okay, so that’s what we have coming into the Department, approx. $36,000 per year now and a

Executive Director's Notes

hope that with the increase in dues this will raise to $51,000. I know to most of us this seems like allot of money for the Department to operate but it truly is not. Like all of you, we have the expenses of housing, phone, electricity, office equipment, vehicle costs, fuel, some travel costs and a number of basic costs for office supplies and the like. These costs well exceed the income in spite of reducing costs in almost every conceivable area. Employee expenses also have not been considered at this point. At one time the Department employed an Executive Director and two secretaries (One full time and one part time). This is no longer the case. Currently the only one in the office is me. The Executive Director. And I am currently working at a reduced wage and will continue to do so until the Department can get back on its feet. Based on this reduction in work force I fear that the service to you the members and to the posts who depend on the Headquarters for information and administrative By David Cogswell support will be short Executive Director changed. I could go on and on crying the woes of the Department and our problems but I won’t. My intention is to provide you with a clear picture of where

s all of you should be aware by now there have been a few changes in the Department recently. First we have a new group of officers elected to the key positions within the Department starting with the new Commander Vince Carr. I look forward to working with Vince as well as all of the Officers, and am confident that together we can continue to improve the Department and this Organization. Glenda Cogswell (Past ED) has been moved to the position as Service Director and she as well as the Service Department will fall under the supervision of the Service Foundation and it’s President Harold Reed. I was hired by the SEC with the recommendation of the Personnel Board as the new Executive Director and promise to do everything within my power to continue with the professionalism and dedication that you have come to expect and deserve. I was however disappointed with the representation of Posts that had sent delegates to the 66th Annual Convention in June. It was a shame that the decisions and elections of your representatives, which will affect all of us in the coming years, are decided by only a few posts that see fit to send the delegates. I urge each Post Commander to consider getting more involved in the direction we are taking this organization. Let’s start getting a true picture of what our membership wants and not leave every decision to a few or a general location of the state. I want you to know that I work for you, the membership, and will always be there to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Feel free to call the Headquarters or stop by for coffee when you are in the area. I welcome your suggestions or comments. As many, if not all, of you know we are financially in trouble and need your help. In this issue of the Michigan AMVETS News you will find a letter written by me primarily to Life members but in general to all members and non-members alike asking for donations. I urge you to read it and if you can see fit to send in any donation that you feel you can afford. Every little amount will compound to produce a great result. Again I look forward to working with and for all of you and am confident that we can again be the strong voice in the community and state that we once were. 

Michigan AMVETS News

we are currently and where we hope to be in the future. It is that goal that prompts me to ask for your help! My request is that every Life Member and for that matter every Member of this organization look deep into their hearts and remember why they joined the AMVETS. Not only is this a great organization of Veterans from all walks of life but a brotherhood which sticks together for the common good of all Veterans. Please consider helping your Department by sending in a contribution in any amount that you feel appropriate to show your support. We will be grateful for any help that will assist us in getting back on our feet. You will find a pre-printed donation form at the bottom of this letter as well as in this and upcoming issues of the Michigan AMVETS News. All contributions are tax deductable and a receipt will be issued upon request. Let me take this opportunity to thank all of you for your assistance and look forward to working with each of you in the future. Yours in service, David P. Cogswell Executive Director AMVETS Department of Michigan.

DONATION FOR THE AMVETS DEPARTMENT OF MICHIGAN I would like to do my part for my organization, so please accept the enclosed donation to assist with the operational costs of the AMVETS Department of Michigan.

Amount Submitted ________________ I would like_____/not like______ a receipt for my donation.

-3-

Please send the receipt to:

Please mail the donation to:

Name:__________________________ Street Address: ___________________ City, State, Zip: ___________________

AMVETS Department of Michigan PO Box 254 5489 Main St. Dryden, MI 48428

Vol. 65, No. 3

Service Department News By Glenda Cogswell

s most know we survived the new grant process that the state has now started using. We only cover the southeast quarter of the state now since the grants are area specific. Post 23 assisted with upgrading the service department with laptops, printers and blackberries, which were also requirements of the grant. A big THANK YOU to Post 23 and along with these changes I have gone back to the Service Department as Service Director. We are striving to cover as much area as possible with in our grant area. We now have four Service Officers plus myself and one Administrative Assistant. We are always willing to make trips to our posts if you have a unit returning from deployment that needs assistance and can arrange an area in the post for us to meet with them, we will send a team to process claims for them. We are striving to make our service department better and more efficient.

We will also be getting back to Post Service Officer Training. There will be classes held at Fall Conference in Grayling. I would like to see two training sessions, one in the spring at Higgins Lake and one in the fall at Fall Conference. I believe that by doing this the Post Service Officers will be more familiar with what is required for a claim and will also have the ability to assist veterans in their area with information, some of the paperwork required for claims. The days of the Post Service Officer being an almost inactive position is over, I believe that since the Veterans Service Organizations doing service work has been cut from 11 to 6 that our Post Service Officers are more important than ever and the more they know the better assistance the veterans will receive from the AMVETS. 

DEPARTMENT of MICHIGAN 477 Michigan Ave 12th Floor Rm 1227, Detroit, MI 48226 (313) 964-6920, FAX # (313) 964-0176 AMVETS Service Department

Derek Seymore Service Officer 810-627-0111 Detroit, Jackson, Temperance

Glenda F. Cogswell Service Director 586-604-4744 Detroit, Sandusky, Bad Axe Vassar, Dryden

Francine Jackson Administrative Assistant AMVETS Service Department 477 Michigan Ave, Rm 1227 Detroit, MI 48226 313-964-6920 Fax 313-964-0176

David Downer Service Officer 810-627-0050 Saginaw, Bay City, Eaton Rapids, Lansing, St John’s, Grand Blanc

Kevin Reed Service Officer (810)627-0082 Detroit, Mt Clemens, Richmond

Nathan Pierpont Service Officer 810-627-0104 Mt Morris, Ann Arbor, Corunna, Durand Fenton, Hamburg, Linden

- - - - - - - VA NEWS - - - - - - VA Announces Change to Medication Copays for Some Veterans

WASHINGTON - As previously announced on January 7, 2010, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) froze prescription copayment increases for six months. Veterans who generally have higher income and no service-connected disabilities - referred to as Priority Groups 7 and 8 Veterans - will now pay an additional $1 for each 30-day supply of outpatient medications. Taking effect July 1, the increase to $9 from $8 is the first change in VA’s medication copay since Jan. 1, 2006. “Because of the harsh economic reality facing many Veterans, we delayed the change,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “We’re now ensuring the Veterans most in need of VA care are those least affected. Yet, even with this increase, VA medication copays are lower than much of the private sector.” This change does not impact Veterans in Priority Groups 2 through 6 who will continue to pay $8 for each 30-day supply of medications for their nonservice connected conditions unless otherwise exempted. These Veterans will also continue to have their out-of-pocket expenses for VA outpatient medications capped at $960 per calendar year. Veterans who have an injury or illness connected with their military service resulting in a disability rated 50 percent or greater – who are known as Priority Group 1 Veterans -- are exempt from the copay. VA generally sets its outpatient medication copay rate based upon a regulation that ties the rate to the Medical Consumer Price Index for prescription drugs. Veterans who have difficulty paying copayments for outpatient medications should discuss the matter with their local VA enrollment coordinator. Veterans may also contact VA at 1-877-222 VETS (8387) or visit VA’s health eligibility Web site at www.va.gov/healtheligibility.

Michigan AMVETS News

New Law Authorizes Veterans’ Salutes during National Anthem

WASHINGTON -- Veterans and active-duty military not in uniform can now render the military-style hand salute during the playing of the national anthem, thanks to changes in federal law that took effect this month. “The military salute is a unique gesture of respect that marks those who have served in our nation’s armed forces,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. “This provision allows the application of that honor in all events involving our nation’s flag.” The new provision improves upon a little known change in federal law last year that authorized veterans to render the military-style hand salute during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag, but it did not address salutes during the national anthem. Last year’s provision also applied to members of the armed forces while not in uniform. Traditionally, members of the nation’s veterans service organizations have rendered the hand-salute during the national anthem and at events involving the national flag while wearing their organization’s official head-gear. The most recent change, authorizing hand-salutes during the national anthem by veterans and out-of-uniform military personnel, was sponsored by Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, an Army veteran. It was included in the Defense Authorization Act of 2009, which President Bush signed on Oct. 14. The earlier provision authorizing hand-salutes for veterans and out-of-uniform military personnel during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag, was contained in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008, which took effect Jan. 28, 2008. For the latest news releases and other information, visit VA on the Internet at http://www.va.gov/opa. To receive e-mail copies of news releases, subscribe to VA’s list server at: http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/opalist_listserv.cfm.

-4-

Vol. 65, No. 3

Veterans News & Updates, cont. more than 300,000 employees serving a population A New Membership of more than 23 million Veterans and working hard to live up to America’s promise to all who served Benefit For All yesterday, serve today and will serve tomorrow. Amvets Department Of Michigan Members VA Announces New Hotline In Good Standing. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) has

Accidental Death And Dismemberment Benefit Of $3,000 Per Member

Recently each Member of the AMVETS Department of Michigan should have received a letter announcing the addition of the benefit and provided a card to be returned to the Insurance carrier in order to designate a beneficiary as well as receive a Health Insurance Discount Card. We are happy to work with the American Income Life Insurance Company in providing this benefit to all of our members at no cost to the members or the Department. If you did not receive a copy of the letter or return card it may be that we no longer have a current address on record. Please drop us a line or give us a call and update your address information and we will be happy to send out a packet. Your Department Headquarters is continuously looking for new and better benefits for all of our membership and will attempt to keep you informed as new benefits are gained.

Happy 80th VA!

On July 21, 1930, President Herbert Hoover issued Executive Order 5398 (Coordination and Consolidation of Governmental Activities Affecting Veterans), which established the Veterans Administration (VA) to, as he said “…make important economies in administration of hospitalization and domiciliary questions and in the better handling of fiscal relations with veterans.” The Order consolidated three offices: the Bureau of Pensions (from the Department of the Interior) responsible for providing pensions to eligible Civil War and Spanish American Veterans; the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers (ten domiciliaries for homeless or elderly veterans established to care for indigent Civil War veterans); and the United States’ Veterans Bureau, which included a veteran’s health care system of 97 hospitals, the Nation’s compensation program for disabled veterans, an insurance program, and a vocational rehabilitation program. Today’s VA is a cabinet department of Michigan AMVETS News

announced a new telephone hotline to provide emergency support and resources to homeless veterans. The hotline of the new National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-4AID VET will provide homeless veterans with timely assistance and coordinated access to VA and community services. Family members, workers at community agencies and non-VA providers also may call the hotline to find out about the many programs and services available to assist homeless veterans.

VA Simplifies Access to Health Care and Benefits for Veterans with PTSD

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced a critical step forward in providing an easier process for Veterans seeking health care and disability compensation for PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), with the publication of a final regulation in the Federal Register. “This nation has a solemn obligation to the men and women who have honorably served this country and suffer from the often devastating emotional wounds of war,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “This final regulation goes a long way to ensure that Veterans receive the benefits and services they need.” By publishing a final regulation in the Federal Register to simplify the process for a Veteran to claim service connection for PTSD, VA reduces the evidence needed if the trauma claimed by a Veteran is related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity and is consistent with the places, types, and circumstances of the Veteran’s service. This science-based regulation relies on evidence that concluded that a Veteran’s deployment to a war zone is linked to an increased risk of PTSD. Under the new rule, VA would not require corroboration of a stressor related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity if a VA doctor confirms that the stressful experience recalled by a Veteran adequately supports a diagnosis of PTSD and the Veteran’s symptoms are related to the claimed stressor. Previously, claims adjudicators were required to corroborate that a non-combat Veteran actually experienced a stressor related to hostile military activ-5-

ity. This final rule simplifies the development that is required for these cases. VA expects this rulemaking to decrease the time it takes VA to decide access to care and claims falling under the revised criteria. More than 400,000 Veterans currently receiving compensation benefits are service connected for PTSD. Combined with VA’s shorter claims form, VA’s new streamlined, sciencebased regulation allows for faster and more accurate decisions that also expedite access to medical care and other benefits for Veterans. PTSD is a medically recognized anxiety disorder that can develop from seeing or experiencing an event that involves actual or threatened death or serious injury to which a person responds with intense fear, helplessness or horror, and is not uncommon among war Veterans. Disability compensation is a tax-free benefit paid to a Veteran for disabilities that are a result of -- or made worse by -- injuries or diseases associated with active service. For additional information, go to www.va.gov or call VA’s toll free benefits number at 1-800-8271000.

VA Takes Action to Strengthen Measures to Protect Veterans Lessons learned from St. Louis VA Medical Center are applied VA-wide

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) primary mission is to serve our nation’s Veterans. President Obama has charged the Department with ensuring the VA medical network is a topnotch health care system. “The mistakes made at the St. Louis VA Medical Center are unacceptable, and steps have been and continue to be taken to correct this situation and assure the safety of our Veterans. VA will not tolerate risk to our Veterans,” said Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki. “VA employees at the St. Louis VA Medical Center, along with all of our employees, have a solemn responsibility to provide safe, quality care for the well being of all our patients.” Under the Obama Administration, in the past 18 months, VA has implemented more stringent oversight of the safety of all its medical facilities. It is this more rigorous standard that directly led VA to identify and address problems at the St. Louis Medical Center. Additional resources have been allocated and new procedures and stricter enforcements are in place to ensure the safety of all Veterans who seek care at VA facilities. VA mandates transparency and accountability in its handling of mistakes or failures to meet VA’s high standards. VA’s processes lead the nation in terms of transparency and accountability.

Vol. 65, No. 3

Veterans News & Updates, cont. “VA is committed to ensuring that all our health care facilities are safe,” said Shinseki “VA will continue to investigate the actions of individuals involved and the proper administrative and disciplinary measures will be taken.” The St. Louis facility has undergone a thorough examination, and many safeguards are in place that are designed to prevent a similar situation from occurring again. In-depth staff training and management reviews were immediately conducted by the St. Louis leadership, medical staff, and VA’s Supply, Processing and Distribution (SPD) program office teams. “The Veterans we serve are our friends, our neighbors and a part of our family,” said Dr. Robert Petzel, VA’s Under Secretary of Health. “Under the direction of Secretary Shinseki I have determined there is a need for an independent, national Administrative Investigation Board (AIB) to determine the reasons for failure to follow correct procedures. The Chief of Dental Services has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.” Immediate actions were taken to ensure all personnel were properly re-trained and all equipment is being handled in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions. All pre-washing of dental equipment which was performed by dental personnel prior to sterilizations is now being done by qualified SPD staff. No Veterans are currently ill as a result of this incident. The potential risk to Veterans is extremely low. “The St. Louis VA Medical Center provides excellent care to more than 50,000 Veterans a year, and the dental clinic equipment issue does not reflect the level of care provided by the more than 2,600 dedicated medical center staff,” added Petzel.

cating Veterans’ claims for many years,” said Rick Weidman, Executive Director for Policy and Government Affairs of VVA. “We’re very pleased to see that this Administration is taking on the problem of claims processing head on. This automated program will make a big difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of Veterans.” Veterans exposed to herbicides while serving in the Republic of Vietnam who today have B-cell leukemia (hairy-cell leukemia), Parkinson’s disease, or ischemic heart disease are slated to be the first users of the automated system. The final regulation implementing the presumption of service connection for these three diseases is poised to become effective later this year. While the first use of the new system will be limited to this pending subset of disabilities, usage will expand over time to include claims for other conditions. The new system will guide Veterans through automated, program-assisted menus to capture the information and medical evidence that will drive faster claims decisions. In the initial configuration, VA estimates the new system may assist as many as 100,000 Veterans. As part of the implementation of the new claims system, VA has awarded a $9.1 million development contract to Bethesda, Md.,-based IBM. The IBM team will work closely with VA developers and will implement the online application system by November, permitting Veterans easier and faster access to VA and more accurate and quick claims processing for the initial set of qualifying conditions. The new system, funded by the VA Innovation Initiative, represents one of several efforts VA has underway to transform the department into a 21st Century organization. As a first step in integrating new technologies into claims processing, it represents a significant step towards meeting VA’s goal to “break the back of the claims backlog” and provide all Veterans with high quality decisions on their claims in no more than 125 days.

VA Launches Development of New Online Claims System VA Makes Filing Advances Transformation Claims Easier and Toward a Paperless VA WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Faster for Veterans Eric K. Shinseki announced today plans to develop a fully automated, online system for handling Veterans’ disability compensation claims. More than a simple digitization of existing paper-based claims, the new system is part of VA’s modernization of the end-to-end processing workflow. Automation will substantially reduce processing time and increase accuracy while simplifying the way that Veterans interact with the claims process. “This new program accelerates our effort to eliminate the claims backlog through automation and modernization of our systems,” said Secretary Shinseki. “It’s another step in transforming VA into a 21st Century department that better serves our Veterans.” “Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) has been advocating for substantial process change in adjudiMichigan AMVETS News

Simpler Forms and New Program Reduce Paperwork and Speed Process

WASHINGTON – As part of Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki’s effort to break the back of the backlog, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is reducing the paperwork and expediting the process for Veterans seeking compensation for disabilities related to their military service. “These reductions in paperwork, along with other improvements to simplify and speed the claims process, symbolize changes underway to make VA more responsive to Veterans and their families,” said Secretary Shinseki. -6-

VA has shortened application forms to reduce paperwork for Veterans. The new forms, which are being made available on VA’s Web site at www.va.gov/ vaforms, include: A shortened VA Form 21-526 for Veterans applying for the first-time to VA for disability compensation or pension benefits. This form has been cut in half – from 23 to 10 pages. It is immediately available to Veterans via Web download, and will be available through VA’s online claim-filing process later this summer at http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/ main.asp VA Form 21-526b for Veterans seeking increased benefits for conditions already determined by VA to be service-connected. This new form more clearly describes the information needed to support claims for increased benefits. In order to make the claims process faster, VA has also introduced two new forms for Veterans participating in the Department’s new fully developed claim (FDC) program, which is one of the fastest means to receive a claims decision. Gathering the information and evidence needed to support a Veteran’s disability claim often takes the largest portion of the processing time. If VA receives all of the available evidence when the claim is submitted, the remaining steps in the claims-decision process can be expedited without compromising quality. To participate in the FDC program, Veterans should complete and submit an FDC Certification and VA Form 21-526EZ, “Fully Developed Claim (Compensation),” for a compensation claim, or a VA Form 21-527EZ, “Fully Developed Claim (Pension),” for a pension claim. The forms were designed specifically for the FDC program. These six-page application forms include notification to applicants of all information and evidence necessary to “fully develop” and substantiate their claims. With this notification, Veterans and their representatives can “fully develop” their claims before submission to VA for processing. Along with the application and certification, Veterans must also submit all relevant and pertinent evidence to “fully develop” their claims. A claim submitted as “fully developed” may still require some additional evidence to be obtained by VA, to include certain federal records and a VA medical examination. VA provides compensation, pension, education, loan guaranty, vocational rehabilitation, employment, and insurance benefits to Veterans and their families through 57 VA regional offices. Disability compensation is a tax-free benefit paid to a Veteran for disabilities that are a result of -- or made worse by -- injuries or diseases that happened while on active duty, active duty for training or inactive duty training. Pension is a benefit paid to wartime Veterans with limited income, and who are permanently and totally disabled or age 65 or older. For additional information, go to www.va.gov or call VA’s toll free benefits number at 1-800-8271000.  Vol. 65, No. 3

Arranging Burial in a VA National Cemetery

urial in a national cemetery is open to all members of the armed forces and veterans who have met minimum active service duty requirements and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. Their spouse, widow or widower, minor children, and, under certain conditions, unmarried adult children, may also be eligible for burial. Eligible spouses and children may be buried, even if they predecease the veteran. Members of the reserve components of the armed forces who die while on active duty or while performing training duty, or were eligible for retired pay, may also be eligible for burial. • Gravesites in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national cemeteries cannot be reserved in advance. However, families are encouraged to prepare in advance by discussing cemetery options and setting aside copies of any discharge documents. • VA will provide—at no cost to the veteran’s family—a gravesite, headstone or marker, Presidential Memorial Certificate, U.S. flag, perpetual care of the gravesite and will open and close the grave. Fees for services provided by funeral directors and other related costs must be paid for by the veteran's family. • VA's Veterans Benefits Administration pays a burial and plot allowance for those veterans eligible by law. For information, please contact the nearest VA regional office at 1-800-827-1000. • To establish eligibility for burial in a VA national cemetery, the family should provide: the veteran's discharge document; report of casualty; or the veteran's full name; military rank; branch of service; dates of entry and discharge; serial, social security, and/or VA claim numbers; date and place of birth; and date of death. • If the discharge document is not available, a copy may be obtained from the National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records Office, 9700 Page Boulevard, St. Louis, Mo. 631325100. This should be done prior to the time of need. • At the time of need, a funeral director or the next of kin should contact the national cemetery where burial is desired. • The same procedures should be followed to determine the eligibility of a veteran's spouse or dependent. In most cases, one gravesite is pro-

ments have been made in advance with the cemetery director. • National cemeteries do not usually conduct burials on weekends or federal holidays. However, weekend callers may schedule burials for the upcoming week. • Floral arrangements may accompany the casket or urn and will be placed on the grave after burial. 

vided for the burial of all eligible family members, marked by a single headstone or marker. When both spouses are veterans, two gravesites and two headstones or markers may be provided, if requested. • The Department of Defense (DOD) is responsible for providing military funeral honors. The DOD program “Honoring Those Who Served” calls for funeral directors to request military funeral honors on behalf of the veteran’s family.

Veterans’ organizations may assist in the provision of military funeral honors.

Source: Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration Communications & Outreach Support Division

• Formal funeral services are not held at national cemeteries, but a final committal service may be performed at the cemetery. For safety reasons, these services are held in committal shelters located away from the gravesite. Burial will take place following the committal service. Immediate family members may be allowed to view the actual burial only if arrange-

Washington, DC 20420 (202) 461-6240 FAX (202) 273-6698 www.cem.va.gov public.inquiry@va.gov

OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF) U.S. CASUALTY STATUS * FATALITIES AS OF: July 2, 2010, 10 a.m. EDT OIF U.S. Military Casualties by Phase Combat Operations 19 Mar 03 thru 30 Apr 03 Post Combat Ops 1 May thru Present OIF U.S. DoD Civilian Casualties Totals

WIA RTD ** WIA Not RTD **

Total Deaths

KIA

Non-Hostile

139

109

116

429

4,261

3,370

891

17,782

13,547

4,413

3,488

925

17,898

13,976

OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF) U.S. CASUALTY STATUS FATALITIES AS OF: July 2, 2010, 10 a.m. EDT OEF U.S. Military Casualties

Total Deaths

KIA

Non-Hostile

In and Around Afghanistan***

1057

841

216

1,137

850

287

Other Locations**** OEF U.S. DoD Civilian Casualties Worldwide Total

WIA RTD ** WIA Not RTD ** 2,973

3,649 1

2,973

3,650

* OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM includes casualties that occurred on or after March 19, 2003 in the Arabian Sea, Bahrain, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Persian Gulf, Qatar, Red Sea, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates. Prior to March 19, 2003, casualties in these countries were considered OEF. ** These columns indicate the number of servicemembers who were Wounded In Action (WIA) and Returned to Duty within 72 hours AND WIA and Not Returned to Duty within 72 hours. To determine the total WIA figure, add the columns "WIA RTD" and " WIA Not RTD" together. These figures are updated on Tuesday unless there is a preceding holiday. *** OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM (In and Around Afghanistan), includes casualties that occurred in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan. **** OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM (Other Locations), includes casualties that occurred in Guantanamo Bay (Cuba), Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Philippines, Seychelles, Sudan, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Yemen.

Michigan AMVETS News

-7-

Vol. 65, No. 3

2010 state Americanism Winners

essay Contest

theme: Why Do We Celebrate the Fourth of July? 6th Grade 1st Place – Jessie Fergusen $100.00 check Sponsored by: Aux. #1941

2nd Place – Kensington Garvey $50 check Sponsored by: District V

7th Grade 1st Place – Renae Lyons $100.00 check Sponsored by: Aux. #1941

2nd Place – Gunnar Phillips $50.00 check Sponsored by: District II

poster Contest

8th Grade 1st Place – Lexie Hawkins $100.00 check Sponsored by: District I

2nd Place – Kayla Viaene $50.00 check Sponsored by: District II

2nd Grade 1st Place – Elizabeth Orozco $50.00 check Sponsored by: Aux. #171

2nd Place – Matt Rees $25.00 check Sponsored by: District I

9th Grade 1st Place – Ashley Keizer $150.00 check Sponsored by: District V

2nd Place – Taylor Zywica $75.00 check Sponsored by: District VI

2nd Place – Tom Quinn $25.00 check Sponsored by: Aux. #1988

10th Grade 1st Place – Matthew Burns $150.00 check Sponsored by: District II

2nd Place – Taylor Reinke $75.00 check Sponsored by: Aux. #115

2nd Place – Sydney DeBlander 50.00 check Sponsored by: District I

11th Grade 1st Place – Phillip Majewski $200.00 check Sponsored by: Aux. #121

2nd Place – Will King $100.00 check Sponsored by: District II

12th Grade 1st Place – Jamie Holden $200.00 check Sponsored by: Aux. #1941

2nd Place – Chelsea Paige $100.00 check Sponsored by: Aux. #93

Flag Drawing Contest Kindergarten 1st Place – Hayley Gillingham $50.00 check Sponsored by: District V

2nd Place – Desiree Sabo $25.00 check Sponsored by: District II

1st Grade 1st Place – Dylan Hoffman $50.00 check Sponsored by: District I

2nd Place – Kayleigh Kolb $25.00 check Sponsored by: Aux. #171

3rd Grade 1st Place – Jarrod Heyboer $50.00 check Sponsored by: District V 4th Grade poster 1st Place – Connor Thompson $75.00 check Sponsored by: District II 5th Grade 1st Place – Jaycie Burger $75.00 check Sponsored by: Aux. #1957

2nd Place – Riley Garland $50.00 check Sponsored by: Aux. #110

Bolt one on for the troops today! Yes, today! The Michigan Support Our Troops! plates are available at all branch offices of the Secretary of State and on the Department of State’s Plate It Your Way website.

Isn’t it time to show them how much we care? Switching into the Michigan Support Our Troops! Plate costs just $35.00 (the same as other specialty plates), and the troops are more than worth it. Nothing compared to what they do for all of us. Funds will benefit the programs of SupportOurTroops.Org, working for the troops and their families. Act Now! Don’t Delay. Don’t wait for your renewal month to get into this great new plate!. The troops didn’t wait. They went half way around for the world for us; let’s all do this simple thing for them! For more information you can go to www.supportourtroops.org Michigan AMVETS News

-8-

Vol. 65, No. 3

Friends Bryan’s Neighborhood Cony Cindrich Mahalak & Co. Dmf Bait Co. Family Living Farm Credit Services Kurek Tool Inc. Muehlenbeck Distributing Co. Murin Co. Peter M Schneiderman & Assoc.

Department of Veterans Affairs Burial Flags Why Does VA Provide a Burial Flag? A United States flag is provided, at no cost, to drape the casket or accompany the urn of a deceased veteran who served honorably in the U. S. Armed Forces. It is furnished to honor the memory of a veteran's military service to his or her country. VA will furnish a burial flag for memorialization for each other than dishonorable discharged      

veteran who served during wartime veteran who died on active duty after May 27, 1941 veteran who served after January 31, 1955 peacetime veteran who was discharged or released before June 27, 1950 certain persons who served in the organized military forces of the Commonwealth of the Philippines while in service of the U.S Armed forces and who died on or after April 25, 1951 certain former members of the Selected Reserves

Who Is Eligible to Receive the Burial Flag? Generally, the flag is given to the next-of-kin, as a keepsake, after its use during the funeral service. When there is no next-of-kin, VA will furnish the flag to a friend making request for it. For those VA national cemeteries with an Avenue of Flags, families of veterans buried in these national cemeteries may donate the burial flags of their loved ones to be flown on patriotic holidays.

How Can You Apply? You may apply for the flag by completing VA Form 21-2008, Application for United States Flag for Burial Purposes. You may get a flag at any VA regional office or U.S. Post Office. Generally, the funeral director will help you obtain the flag.

Can a Burial Flag Be Replaced? The law allows us to issue one flag for a veteran's funeral. We cannot replace it if it is lost, destroyed, or stolen. However, some veterans' organizations or other community groups may be able to help you get another flag.

How Should the Burial Flag Be Displayed? The proper way to display the flag depends upon whether the casket is open or closed. VA Form 212008 does provide the correct method for displaying and folding the flag. The burial flag is not suitable for outside display because of its size and fabric. It is made of cotton and can easily be damaged by weather.

For More Information, Call Toll-Free 1-800-827-1000 or Visit Our Web Site at http://www.cem.va.gov. Compensation and Pension Service – October 2008

Michigan AMVETS News

-9-

Vol. 65, No. 3

Department of Veterans Affairs Pension What Is VA Pension? Pension is a benefit paid to wartime veterans with limited income, and who are permanently and totally disabled or age 65 or older.

Who Is Eligible? You may be eligible if:  you were discharged from service under other than dishonorable conditions, AND  you served 90 days or more of active duty with at least 1 day during a period of war time*, AND  your countable family income is below a yearly limit set by law, AND  you are permanently and totally disabled, OR  you are age 65 or older. *Note: Anyone who enlists after September 7, 1980, generally must have served at least 24 months or the full period for which called or ordered to active duty. Service from August 2, 1990 to present is considered to be a period of war (Gulf War) in addition to other periods of war such as World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

FAMILY INCOME LIMITS (EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 1, 2008) If you are a... Veteran with no dependents Veteran with a spouse or a child (Veterans with additional children: add $2,020 to the limit for EACH child) Housebound veteran with no dependents Housebound veteran with one dependent Veteran who needs aid and attendance and has no dependents Veteran who needs aid and attendance and has one dependent

Your yearly income must be less than... $11,830 $15,493 $14,457 $18,120 $19,736 $23,396

Note: Some income is not counted toward the yearly limit (for example, welfare benefits, some wages earned by dependent children, and Supplemental Security Income.)

How Much Does VA Pay? VA pays you the difference between your countable family income and the yearly income limit that describes your situation (see chart above). This difference is generally paid in 12 equal monthly payments rounded down to the nearest dollar. Call the toll-free number below for details. Note: Certain expenses (i.e., medical expenses, education expenses, or expenses related to the last illness or burial of a dependent) paid by you are taken into consideration when arriving at your countable family income.

How Can You Apply? You can apply by filling out VA Form 21-526, Veteran's Application for Compensation and/or Pension. If available, attach copies of dependency records (marriage & children's birth certificates) and current medical evidence (doctor & hospital reports). You can also apply online through our web site at http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp.

Related Benefits Vocational Rehabilitation Program Medical Care

For More Information, Call Toll-Free 1-800-827-1000 or Visit Our Web Site at www.va.gov. Compensation and Pension Service – December 2008

Michigan AMVETS News

- 10 -

Vol. 65, No. 3

More Words Less Pictures

The Michigan AMVETS News DO's and DON'TS DO have the articles in before deadline! Deadlines are: 7th of October for the Winter Issue 7th of January for the Spring Issue 7th of April for the Summer Issue 7th of July for the Fall Issue. If articles are not in by the deadline they WILL NOT appear until the following issue. If you are having an event that you want in the paper ensure that the information is received in time for the appropriate issue before your event. DO make sure the pictures are clear and well-contrasted. Fuzzy or dark pictures won’t reproduce well. Black and white are the best, but color will do if contrasted well. DO send in articles. Posts and districts have something newsworthy going on. Why not share it with the rest of the department? If you send pictures make sure you have an article for them. I will not write your article and the pictures will not appear in the paper. DO send credits with your articles. Also send credits for articles from other publications and permission to reprint if necessary. DO write post numbers on the back of each picture so they can be returned to you. DO refer to an individual as an AMVET. The organization is AMVETS.

Submit your digital original directly to the editor!

We accept almost any file from a computer. Simply type your report, including the title, byline and story, and add numbered captions at the end. Name the photo files to correspond with the caption number in your report and you’re ready to go!

Questions? Call me anytime at

810-796-3876. E-mail your submissions to: miamvet2008@yahoo.com

Michigan AMVETS News

DO refer to the AMVETS Auxiliary as the “AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary.” DO type the article. You’re the only person who can read your writing. DON’T use all caps when typing.

DON’T EMBED YOUR PHOTOS IN A WORD DOCUMENT DON’T tape pictures to articles. Paper clip them to the article. We have to be able to scan the pictures to put them in the paper. This can’t be done if pictures are taped to the article and the article gets torn when we try to remove the pictures. DON’T print or type your captions on the back of photos. Ink smears! DON’T think we’re being too tough! We just want to make sure the paper is done right.

THIS IS YOUR PAPER IF YOU DO NOT LIKE THE CONTENT THEN YOU SHOULD SUBMIT ARTICLES FOR IT.

n an effort to make the Michigan AMVET News a true newspaper and not a pictorial quarterly, the publications committee is asking all contributors to consider writing more articles and submitting fewer pictures. The old saying “a picture is worth a thousand words” is only true if everyone knows what the picture relates to. Keep in mind the four Ws:

Who, Where When, What

This will make your articles easier to write. Articles should normally be 300 – 500 words and may be accompanied by one or two pictures for each article. By increasing the number of written articles, we can increase the reading time of the paper vastly and spur members’ interest in what’s going on around the state. You do want a better Michigan AMVET News, don’t you?

 TOP TEN Posts  As of July 1, 2010

CITY

POST

DISTRICT MEMBERS

1988

BALDWIN

1,189

120

MESICK

454

MT. CLEMENS

426

KENTWOOD

375

171

WESTLAND

307

121

ST. CLAIR SHORES

275

BAY CITY

268

2273

DURAND

III

255

HARPER WOODS

241

10.

1957

ADRIAN

240

- 11 -

Vol. 65, No. 3

Post News

Post 72 -

Post 57 - Harper Woods

Submit your post news to: AMVETS Department of Michigan

ď&#x20AC;Ş miamvet2008@yahoo.com

Michigan AMVETS News

- 12 -

Vol. 65, No. 3

Post News

- New Haven Aleda E. Lutz Veterans Medical Center Bbq By Jim May

or the enjoyment of the patients at the aleda e. Lutz veterans medical center in saginaw, amets duncan sullivan post 72 held our 14th annual bbq on august 7th 2010. Among the food enjoyed were hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, baked beans, fresh vegetables, fuit, salads and soft drinks. We certainly can’t thank valerie morley and the hospital staff enough for all their hard work toward this event. Also a special thanks to member richard foster for the use of his bus and his help at the hospital. 

New Haven Memorial Day Parade By Jim May

uncan Sullivan Post 72 again had the honor of sponsoring the New Haven Memorial Day Parade. Just behind the New Haven Police and Fire Department was Post 72 Honor Guard, Rifle Squad and Ladies Auxiliary. The Sons of AMVETS, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Little League and guests also attended. The parade marched from the old fire hall to the village cemetery where we held services and a rifle salute, then marched to the village flag pole for another service. We then returned to our post where we held our own services with prayers and a rifle salute with TAPS. We also planted a tree in rememberance of the members we have lost in the last year.

Michigan AMVETS News

- 13 -

Vol. 65, No. 3

Post News

Post 2497 - Alpena

Want to help your favorite charity and have fun, too? Join Team PAWS with a Cause on October 3rd at The Big House Big Heart! Go to http://www.thebighousebigheart.com and register today! PAWS (www.PAWSwithaCause.org) as your non-profit!

Make sure you list

Contact Angela Wholehan (garret60@msu.edu) for fundraising information! Not able to participate, but want to help out? Sponsor our team! You can sponsor an individual, or sponsor our team as a whole! Visit http://www.firstgiving.com/bhbhteampawswithacause.

We are also on Facebook!

Search for Big House Big Heart Team PAWS with a Cause!

Hope to see you there!

Michigan AMVETS News

- 14 -

Vol. 65, No. 3

AMVETS DEPARTMENT OF MICHIGAN - POSTS post# city

address

district#

post# city

address

district#

1957

Adrian

122 N Main St

Higgins Lake

8009 N. Au Sable Rd

2497

Alpena

No Post Home

204

Holland

DAV Post

Armada

75185 North Ave

362

Howell

A/L Post

1988

Baldwin

1959 W 24th St

777

Iron Mountain

Vet Center

Battle Creek

A/L Post 54

122

Ishpeming

Lake Unkey Co Rd CD 7

Bay City

520 Pine St

Kalamazoo

Eagles Lodge 5264

Beaver Island

St James Twp Hall

1234

Kent City

No Post Home

436

Beechwood

No Post Home

Kentwood

98 52nd St. SE

1941

Big Rapids

320 Fourth St

1072

Kingston

VFW Post 3719 Ross St

110

Cadillac

127 W Cass

1899

Kinross

4884 W Curtis

1190

Covington

VFW Post 8945 13505 VFW Rd

Lugington

No Post Home

1569

Davison

VFW 9474 Lapeer Rd

120

Mesick

M-37 S

Dearborn

K of C

3652

Midland

VFW Post 3651

Dearborn

Romanian Orthodox Church 1

254

Mikado

2205 Alger St

Detroit

55 Victor

2006

Milford

A/L Post

Detroit

No Post Home

1942

Monroe

VFW 400 Jones Ave

Detroit

No Post Home

Mt Clemens

1 AMVET Dr

Detroit

No Post Home

New Baltimore

51285 County Line Rd

910

Detroit

21431 Fenkell

New Haven

57581 AMVET Dr

2273

Durand

8495 M-71

1978

Niles

1117 E Bertrand

Eastpoint

No Post Home

108

Oxford

130 E Drahner

1583

Eaton Rapids

Conf. Rm of 223 N. Main St.

4064

Perry

VFW Post

588

Edmore

Veterans Memorial Bldg

101

Pontiac

VFW Post

114

Elk Rapids

410 Bridge St

115

Port Hope

8011 Rubicon Rd

123

Escanaba

1315 N Lincoln Rd

Rabe-Goetzville No Post Home

Evart

4681 85th Ave

2965

Reed City

VFW Post 2964

1020

Farwell

No Post Home

316

Saginaw

3309 Ruckle St

1993

Fenville

VFW 2373 S 53rd St

1994

Spring Lake

No Post Home

8962

Germfask

VFW Post

121

St Clair Shores

22427 E Nine Mile Rd

Grand Rapids

No Post Home

3720

Swartz Creek

VFW 4063 3131 Elm Rd

126

Grand Rapids

2929 Marshall SE

Warren

VFW

Hamtramck

No Post Home

171

Westland

1217 Merriman

Harper Woods

199730 Harper

Wyoming

No Post Home

Michigan AMVETS News

- 15 -

Vol. 65, No. 3

Friends

Veterans’ Medallion Available for Order New Option for Marking Veterans’ Graves in Private Cemeteries

Tony Holtz Trucking

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki announced today that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is offering bronze medallions to attach to existing, privately purchased headstones or markers, signifying a deceased’s status as a Veteran. “For Veterans not buried in a national or state Veterans cemetery, or those without a government grave marker, VA is pleased to offer this option that highlights their service and sacrifices for our country,” said Secretary Shinseki. Each service has own medallion. The new item can be furnished instead of a traditional government headstone or marker for Veterans whose death occurred on or after Nov. 1, 1990, and whose grave in a private cemetery is marked with a privately purchased headstone or marker. Under federal law, eligible Veterans buried in a private cemetery are entitled to either a government-furnished grave marker or the new medallion, but not both. Veterans buried in a national or state Veterans cemetery will receive a government headstone or marker of the standard design authorized at that cemetery. The medallion is available in three sizes: 5 inches, 3 inches and 1 ½ inches in width. Each bronze medallion features the image of a folded burial flag adorned with laurels and is inscribed with the word “Veteran” at the top and the branch of service at the bottom. Next of kin will receive the medallion, along with a kit that will allow the family or the staff of a private cemetery to affix the medallion to a headstone, grave marker, mausoleum or columbarium niche cover. More information about VA-furnished headstones, markers and medallions can be found at http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/hm/hmtype.asp. VA is currently developing an application form for ordering the medallion. Until it is available, applicants may use the form for ordering government headstones and markers, VA Form 40-1330. Instructions on how to apply for a medallion are found on the VA Web site at www.cem.va.gov/hm_hm.asp. Veterans with a discharge issued under conditions other than dishonorable, their spouses and eligible dependent children can be buried in a VA national cemetery. Other burial benefits available for all eligible Veterans, regardless of whether they are buried in a national cemetery or a private cemetery, include a burial flag, a Presidential Memorial Certificate and a government headstone or grave marker. The new medallions will be available only to Veterans buried in private cemeteries without a government headstone or marker. Families of eligible decedents may also order a memorial headstone or marker when remains are not available for interment. VA operates 131 national cemeteries in 39 states and Puerto Rico and 33 soldiers’ lots and monument sites. More than 3 million Americans, including Veterans of every war and conflict -- from the Revolutionary War to the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan -- are buried in VA’s national cemeteries on more than 19,000 acres. Information on VA burial benefits can be obtained from national cemetery offices, from the VA Web site on the Internet at www.cem.va.gov or by calling VA regional offices toll-free at 1-800-827-1000.

Michigan AMVETS News

GOLD Advance Pathology Service PC Alkar Steel Freeborough Automotive Inc. Great Dane Heating & A/C Pms Endeavors Llc

VA FUNDRAISER FOR FUN

September 25, 2010 POOL TOURNAMENT Starting at 10:00 a.m. play until 5:00 p.m. $10 per person NORTHERN MI vs SOUTHERN MI Traveling Winners Trophy ALSO: Silent Auction, 50/50 Raffles, other items to be raffled Grayling Moose Lodge to have food and beverages for sale ALL PROCEEDS DONATED TOWARDS MICHIGAN VA HOSPITALIZED VETERANS CONCERNS AND NEEDS Lodging available at the AMVETS Lodge $30-$33 per night Call Mike Hettinger (989) 348-4055 Frank Rusak (586) 219-5059 Or Higgins Lake Lodge (989) 821-6574 for information SPONSORED BY THE VA FUNDRAISING FOR FUN INC.

- 16 -

Vol. 65, No. 3

Fact Sheet 16-9 May 2010

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

he Department of the Navy has initiated a mail There is limited/suggestive evidence of an association becampaign to notify Veterans stationed at Camp tween chronic exposure to PCE or TCE and adverse health LeJeune Marine Corps Base in North Carolina of the outcomes such as: presence of toxic chemicals in the drinking water between • Kidney cancer 1957 and 1987. The letter invites service members and their • Esophageal cancer families stationed there during this time period to participate in • Bladder cancer a registry of who may have consumed contaminated drinking. • Breast cancer, and • Lung cancer Contamination Two of the eight water treatment facilities supplying water to the Camp LeJeune base were contaminated with volatile organic compounds: Water from the Tarawa Terrace Treatment Plant was primarily contaminated by PCE (perchloroethylene). The source of the contamination was the waste disposal practices at an off-base dry cleaning firm. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) determined that the contamination at the Tarawa Terrace system had PCE levels that exceeded the current standards between November 1957 and February 1987. Water from the Hadnot Point Treatment Plant was contaminated primarily by TCE (trichloroethylene). The system was contaminated by multiple sources: leaking underground storage tanks, industrial area spills, and waste disposal sites. The Department of Health and Human Services’ Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ASTDR) estimated that the level of PCE in drinking water exceeded current standards from 1957 to 1987 (when the contaminated wells were shut down) and represented a potential public health hazard.

VA Benefits Associated With Exposure

There are currently no health screenings or health benefits associated with this potential exposure. However, Veterans who may have been exposed are encouraged to apply for enrollment, and if enrolled, should discuss any specific concerns with their VA healthcare provider. VA health care providers may direct concerned Veterans to VHA Environmental Health program staff located at each medical center. These staff can offer informed discussions and answer health-related exposure questions. VA Environmental Healthcare providers can provide Veterans with information regarding the potential health effects of exposure to volatile organic compounds. Veterans are encouraged to file a claim for VA disability compensation for any injury/illness they feel is related to their military service.

Additional Information

Veterans who received the letter from the Department of the Navy may visit the following websites for the most current updates: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/sites/lejeune/index.html Impact www.marines.mil/clsurvey/index.html An ASTDR study begun in 2005 is evaluating whether For more information, call the Department of Navy tollchildren of mothers who were exposed while pregnant to con- free at (877) 261-9782. The Call Center staff can be reached taminated drinking water at Camp LeJeune are at an increased Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., or by risk of spina bifida, anencephaly, cleft lip or cleft palate, and email at clwater@usmc.mil. childhood leukemia or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The results Former residents and employees of Camp LeJeune can of this report have not yet been released. now register at the official Marine Corps water study website for notification and information regarding past drinking water contamination. The address is https://clnr.hqi.usmc.mil/

Michigan AMVETS News

- 17 -

Vol. 65, No. 3

f you are planning a vacation, now is the time to call Kari at the AMVETS Higgins Lake Lodge and reserve your dates. If you are unaware, there are six - four-bedroom, two-bath cottages, one two-bedroom cottage, and the lodge with 17 bedrooms and meals. A swimming beach, a boat dock, fire pits, five row boats (no motors) for fishing. In the fall there are color tours. Call Kari, our manager at 1-989-821-6574.

mAKE yOUR rESERVATIONS tODAY!

For your next vacation you must visit the AMVETS Lodge on beautiful Higgins Lake. 106 Thorpe Ave, Roscommon, MI 48653 I-75 Exit 244 or US127 Military Road Exit

For reservations call : 989-821-6574 Four Bedroom Cottages

Roy Love Memorial Room

Plus applicable taxes.

Per night – Plus applicable taxes.

Per Week............................... $850

One bed.................................. $50 Two beds................................. $60 Three beds............................... $70

(Sat. 4 PM – Sat. 10 AM) *$100 security deposit

Weekends................ $180 Plus Tax

Cabin

Friday-Sunday per night

Per night – Plus applicable taxes.

*$100 security deposit

One bed.................................. $50 Two beds................................. $60

Lodge Per night – Plus applicable taxes.

Meals in Lodge

AMVETS................................ $30 Non-Members......................... $33 Michigan AMVETS News

Breakfast or Lunch...... $5 Plus Tax Dinner........................ $8 Plus Tax - 18 -

Vol. 65, No. 3

Auxiliary NEWS President's Corner By Yvette Rusak, DEPARTMENT PRESIDENT

Ramada

X I L I A RY

Yvette Rusak Michigan AMVETS News

- 19 -

Vol. 65, No. 3

Post 57

Michigan AMVETS News

Auxiliary NEWS

- 20 -

Vol. 65, No. 3

Post 115

Michigan AMVETS News

Auxiliary NEWS

- 21 -

Vol. 65, No. 3

Women Veterans Council of Michigan Invites All women who have served in any branch of the military to attend a Women Veterans Benefits Seminar Benefits information on education, employment, housing, medical care, small businesses and more will be provided by: State of Michigan Department of Military & Veterans Affairs State of Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth United States Department of Labor United States Department of Veterans Affairs Health and Benefits Administrations The Women Veterans Benefits Seminar is FREE! Five dates and locations are available for your convenience. Pick the date and place of the seminar you want to attend, then call to register. Check in begins at 8:30 am Presentations start at 9:15 am *Lunch Provided* Seminars end by 3:00 pm Join us for the day to learn about YOUR benefits! They can vary throughout your lifetime.

Seminar Dates Tuesday – October 12, 2010 DJ Jacobetti Home for Veterans – 425 Fisher St., Marquette, MI Thursday – October 14, 2010 American Legion Post 416 – 10064 Ford Dr., St. Helen, MI Monday – October 18, 2010 American Legion Post 439 – 5190 Weiss, Saginaw, MI Thursday – October 21, 2010 Grand Rapids Home for Veterans – 3000 Monroe N.E., Grand Rapids, MI Friday – October 22, 2010 American Legion Post 216 – 510 W. Commerce, Milford, MI

REGISTER BY CALLING: 517-373-3130 or 517-335-6523 Registration required to provide accurate lunch count to sponsors THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE

SONS OF AMVETS NEWS

reetings from the Sons of AMVETS Department of Michigan, I would like to start off by congratulating all of the 2009-2010 AMVET Family Department officers, for their dedicated service to the Department of Michigan. Once again the Membership has re elected me as your Department Commander. This year the Sons of AMVETS Department of Michigan will be concentrating once again on membership renewals, and as always we will gladly accept any new members wishing to serve. Membership is the life blood of any organization, and it will be difficult for us to survive without it. Our Sons of AMVETS Department of Michigan officers for 2010-2011 are as follows: Commander Douglas S. Beedon Squadron 126 1st Vice Commander Gregory Charbeneau Squadron 29 2nd Vice Commander John Aldrich Squadron 4064 3rd Vice Commander Ron Gossman Squadron 126 Adjutant Steve Dunn Squadron 29 Finance Officer Don Torr Squadron 121 Judge Advocate/NEC George McNees Squadron 126 Provost Marshal Don Parr Squadron 29 Chaplain Gary Glumm Squadron 22 VAVS Coordinator William Chiddester Squadron 1988 Jr. AMVETS/Les. Dir Mike Coleman Squadron 1988 Imm. Past Commander Bruce Ringler Squadron 1988 I would further like to encourage all of our membership to fill out Project Report forms, we all volunteer by serving our veterans and communities, and by turning in Project Report forms we can show the nation that Sons of AMVETS Department of Michigan are the best. This year I have chosen a personal project where I would like the members of this Department help me to place a complete Wii Entertainment system in all the Veterans hospital in the State. This will be a self contained unit that I”m calling Wii in a Box. The Wii Entertainment System is currently being used by the Physical Therapy Department at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans, and I feel all VA Hospitals and State Home would benefit. More information will be sent to all the Post. If you need more information please feel free to call.

SONS OF AMVETS SQUADRON 23, KENTWOOD, MI Wants Your Used Scooter And Electric Wheelchairs

e would like to announce that we are accepting donations of used scooters, and electric wheelchairs in good

condition. Members of the squadron will pick up your donations and send you the required i.R.S. Letter for a tax deduction on your next federal income tax. Depending on distance, the scooter and/or wheelchair can be picked up by the members of squadron 23, and delivered to the grand rapids home for veterans. This is an opportunity to make room in your home – help our american heros at the home – get a tax deduction – and give you that good feeling about helping a veteran. Call amvets post 23 at 616-531-5438 and leave your name and telephone number, ask to have squadron commander dale pepinski call you about making a donation to the sons of amvets scooter program.

Yours in Service to our Veterans Douglas S. Beedon Commander Sons of AMVETS Department of Michigan 1715 N. Greenfield Cir. NE #101 Grand Rapids MI 49505 dsbeedon@comcast.net 616-719-2294 Home 616-304-5479 Cell

Michigan AMVETS News

- 23 -

Vol. 65, No. 3

THE MICHIGAN AMVETS NEWS

5489 Main St. P.O. Box 254 Dryden, MI 48248

AMVETSMICHIGAN.ORG

NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

ROYAL OAK, MI 48068 PERMIT #792

Application for Membership

DUES AT LARGE ARE $37. DUES VARY AT POSTS.

AMVETS

MICHIGAN HEADQUARTERS 5489 Main St., P.O. Box 254, Dryden, MI 48248 (Please Print Information Below)

I APPLY FOR ____NEW ANNUAL ____ RENEWAL ____LIFE MEM. AND PRESENT $__________FOR DUES

POST#__________ STATE__________

SPONSOR__________________________________________________________________ NAME__________________________________________________ SPOUSE____________________________ ADDRESS___________________________________________________ PHONE_________________________ CITY, STATE, ZIP______________________________________________________________ BRANCH OF SERVICE______________________ YEAR ENTERED SERVICE____________ DISCHARGED__________SERVICE NUMBER______________________________ TYPE OF DISCHARGE________________ SEX_____M _____F DATE OF BIRTH_______/_______/_______ SIGNATURE_____________________________________________________

DATE___________________________________ POST_____________________________________________ AUTHORIZING OFFICER_____________________________________________________________________

AMVETS

JOIN AMVETS TODAY!

MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY: ANY PERSON WHO SERVED OR IS CURRENTLY SERVING IN THE ARMED FORCES OF THE U.S.A. AT ANY TIME AFTER SEPTEMBER 15, 1940 INCLUDING RESERVISTS AND NATIONAL GUARDSMEN WITH HONORABLE DISCHARGE, HONORABLE SEPARATION OR GENERAL DISCHARGE UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS.

TEMPORARY MEMBERSHIP CARD NOT VALID MORE THAN 60 DAYS AFTER DATE ISSUED

Your official Membership Card will be forwarded to you. If you do not receive your card within 60 days, contact AMVETS Michigan Headquarters. DATE_________ POST#_________ STATE_________ THE SUM OF $__________IN PAYMENT OF AMVETS MEMBERSHIP DUES FOR THE YEAR ____________ HAVE BEEN RECEIVED FROM: NAME_______________________________________

PERSON RECEIVING DUES NAME______________________________ PHONE (HOME)______________________ (WORK)____________________________ ___________________________________ SIGNATURE OF PERSON RECEIVING DUES