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Veteran's Corner. . . Truth By Diane Calfee ANOTHER NATIONAL HOLIDAY? While the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have brought the nation's focus to recent military survivors, some veterans' widows still don't receive recognition as a group. Today there are more than 1 million veterans' widows, many of whom struggle to survive on their own. Veterans' Widows International Network Inc. is working to establish June 28 as Veterans' Widows Day. That date signifies the earliest historical date on which mention is made of military widows in the U.S., during the American Revolutionary War. The group, which has gathered the support of members of Congress, governors, and veteran's organizations, is hoping that President Bush will grant its request. Its members cite the women's support of their military husbands, following them wherever they moved, giving up career opportunities, and raising families on the go. For more information about the widow's group, visit www.members.aol.com/vetwidows. My opinion, if it becomes a National Holiday, they should change the month to March or April, where we could use a holiday. June 28 is so close to July 4th. SPREAD THE NEWS! They don't want to remind us in these times of war, but Section 519.332-Funeral of Immediate Relatives Who Died in Combat Zone- states that Administrative leave not to exceed three days is granted to employees to make arrangements for, or to attend the funeral of, or memorial service for, an immediate relative who died as a result of wounds, disease, or injury incurred while serving as a member of the Armed Forces of the U. S. in a combat zone. An immediate relative is defined as: A. Spouse or his or her parents B. Children and their spouses C. Parents D. Brothers, sisters, and brothers-in law and sisters-in-law (brothers and sisters of spouses and spouses of brothers and sisters) Many employees of the Postal Service have relatives overseas now in combat. This information hasn't been posted for the employees, so spread the word! GET ON THE LIST Log on to www.va.gov and subscribe to automatic 3-mail to obtain the latest information from the Dept. of Veterans Affairs. It's called a list server device which provides all interested with VA's written products within seconds of their formal release in Washington! I signed up and it's really great! OTHER WEBSITES FOR VETERANS VA Consumer Affairs: www.va.gov/customer/conaff.asp VA Benefits Online Application: www.vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp VA Health Benefits and Services: www.va.gov/vbs/health/ VA Burial and Memorial Benefits: www.cem.va.gov/ VA Education Benefits and Services: www.gibill.va.gov/ VA Home Loan Guaranties: www.homeloans.va.gov/ VA Forms: www.va.gov/forms/ Board of Veteran's Appeals: www.va.gov/vbs/bva Department of Defense: www.defenselink.mil/
REMINDER The first Tuesday of each month, the Benefits Presentation, for all veterans interested, is still going on. The location is the South Regional Courthouse, Room 175 at 3550 Hollywood Blvd., and the phone number is (954) 831-0420. You can get direct answers to any questions you may have. The time is 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. CLASSIC QUOTE Every now and then, it takes a true military mind to come up with a classic quote. In a recent interview, General Norman Schwartzkoph (who commanded military forces during the first Gulf War) was asked if he thought there was room for forgiveness toward the people who have harbored and abetted the terrorists who perpetrated the 9/11 attacks on America. His answer: "I believe that forgiving them is God's function. Our job is simply to arrange the meeting." Park Ridge Post Publication |
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