Many will be rejoicing over the holidays but in the back of their minds they know the New Year will bring them another battle to fight…finding a job in an already broken economy.

Below is a video of just one of the stories of how this new war is impacting our heroes…Are we going to let the same thing happen to these soldiers too?

Please pass on to other vets.

The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) has provided the following web site for veterans to gain access to their DD-214′s on-line:

http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/

This may be particularly helpful when a veteran needs a copy of his DD-214 for employment purposes. NPRC is working to make it easier for veterans with computers and Internet access to obtain copies of documents from their military files.

Military veterans and the next of kin of deceased former military members may now use a new online military personnel records system to request documents.

Other individuals with a need for documents must still complete the Standard Form 180, which can be downloaded from the on-line web site. Because the requester will be asked to supply all information essential for NPRC to process the request, delays that normally occur when NPRC has to ask veterans for additional information will be minimized. The new web-based application was designed to provide better service on these requests by eliminating the records center mail room and processing time.

Please pass this information on to former military personnel you may know and their dependents.

Take a couple moments to visit the website and watch some of the videos. If you find the site valuable, you can help by linking to the campaign. Additionally if you know of a Veteran who is going through any the situations explained, please forward the appropriate video to them so they can view how a fellow Veteran found the care and support they needed to improve their lives.

This is just one of the videos you will find there…

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has embarked on a major initiative to reach out to women Veterans in order to solicit their input on ways to enhance the health care services VA provides to women Veterans.

“We are taking a proactive approach to enhancing VA health care for women Veterans,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “We are seeking the input of women Veterans so that VA can continue to provide high quality health care to the growing numbers of women Veterans.”

Representatives at VA’s Health Resource Center (HRC) are placing calls to women Veterans nationwide, asking them to share their experiences with VA and suggest potential enhancements that will further VA’s mission to provide the best care anywhere.

Women Veterans are one of the fastest growing segments of the Veteran population. Of the 22.7 million living Veterans, more than 1.8 million are women. They comprise nearly 8 percent of the total Veteran population and 6 percent of all Veterans who use VA health care services.

VA estimates by 2020 women Veterans will constitute 10 percent of the Veteran population and 9.5 percent of VA patients. The HRC, which started placing calls on June 1, is contacting women Veterans who have enrolled, but have not begun using VA services.

“Through this contact center, we are placing friendly, conversational calls to women Veterans,” said Patricia Hayes, chief consultant of the VA’s Women Veterans Health Strategic Health Care Group. “We want these Veterans and their caregivers to talk candidly about why they are not using VA, whether they are aware of the gender-specific services we offer, and what additional services they would like to see VA offer.”

The HRC representatives making the calls are also informing women Veterans about the services VA offers and quickly connecting them with appropriate departments if they are interested in trying VA health care. Veterans who have complaints about VA are connected to a patient advocate who helps resolve issues.

VA has trained professionals in all aspects of women’s health, including general primary care, osteoporosis management, heart disease, mental health care, menopausal services and obesity-related issues, such as diabetes. Preventive screenings for breast and cervical cancer are also areas in which VA excels. Soon, all VA facilities will offer comprehensive primary care for women from a single provider.

The Women Veterans Health Care program has made significant changes in the last few years to enhance the health care offered to eligible women Veterans. This progress includes:

• Adopting key policies to improve access and enhance services for women Veterans;
• Implementing comprehensive primary care for women Veterans;
• Conducting cutting-edge research on the effects of military service on women’s lives;
• Improving communication and outreach to women Veterans; and
• Providing mental health, homelessness and other services designed to meet the unique needs of women Veterans

When snow covers the landscape and the air dips into freezing temperatures, American citizens’ throughout the country bundle up in warm coats, hats and gloves then scurry home to where it’s warm and cozy. Unfortunately, since they are consumed with their own selfish needs they overlook others who are in pain – our homeless.

Each day, Americans pass someone on the street that is down on their luck, living on the streets. Many of these individuals crave a roof over their head, running water, heat and the luxuries that make up the American dream.

Research shows the majority of our country’s homeless are on the streets not because they want to be there, but because of two economic trends – lack of jobs and a shortage of affordable housing; both rental property and mortgaged properties.

This country has not seen this type of trend since before World War II, where the poverty level affected millions of Americans during the Great Depression. Those Americans gathered in what was called the old “Hooverville” or old “shanty towns.” Some blame Hoover for our slide into the depression, while others say it was the greediness of Wall Street and the Crash of 1939. In my research over the last few days, I found it ironic that the man who created the term “Hooverville” was none other than Charles Michelson, the public relations guru of the time for the Democratic National Committee. Many throughout Washington still call our modern day tent cities Hooverville. These individuals feel it necessary to institute policies to help destroy those living in these modern day tent cities because they live in plush homes in Georgetown, Capitol Hill or across the river in Alexandria, Virginia. They like to use this derogatory term to further degrade another human being when they are down on their luck.

If we were to compare the homeless situation of today, to that of the Great Depression, we can see a similar trend making its way to the surface; this time over 7 million Americans are homeless because of a decline in the economy and the mortgage foreclosure crisis. In today’s crisis, if we factor in the number of military family foreclosures, over 20,000 reported in February 2011, you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to see the writing on the wall – a new homelessness crisis is on the rise.

This looming crisis isn’t just because of lack of respect on Capitol Hill or lack of responsibility of those on Wall Street; this is a lack of responsibility by none other than the American People who refused to take care of their own family members, their own neighbors and those who served honorably in the United States Military.

Today’s crisis is even more threatening because we have an increase of veterans suffering from depression, service connected medical disabilities or have just been taken advantage of by a slumlord. Just this past week, I came to Kentucky on business and visited with an old friend who is a Disabled non-combat Veteran – service connected brain tumor, MIT and PTSD – and her two service dogs. Upon my arrival, I was appalled at the condition of her living conditions – no running water, no heat, no bathroom facilities, whereby forcing my friend to defecate in a plastic bag. There were no steps to enter the dwelling because the former steps were broken with nails sticking out, ready to cause injuries.

After gingerly asking some important questions, I determined she was dealing with a slumlord. Who is this slumlord, she is a fifty-eight year old German woman who married an American Soldier and came to live in America. The wife of a disabled American Veteran is none other than Kentucky’s number one slumlord who owns seventeen properties in and around Ft. Knox and Louisville, Kentucky. I was so livid at the way my friend was being forced to live, I began contacting every agency and every politician in the area. During every phone call and meeting I learned this landlord is very well known in the area as a slumlord; yet nothing has been done to stop her criminal acts against innocent victims. She is known for renting property to people who aren’t able to afford an attorney or have the cognitive skills to fight back. Each renter is a financial victim to this slumlord. In Kentucky, if you don’t have a lease you are on your own; a landlord can take advantage of you and throw you out without provocation. This slumlord refuses to provide a lease to her tenants because she knows she will be legally bound to provide proper housing.  When a person buys land and rents the dwelling to innocent victims in order to pay off the property they should be legally bound to provide proper living conditions; even if they don’t offer a lease to the tenant. These victims don’t know their legal rights and in Kentucky the Landlord Tenant Act only covers three counties. Welcome to Kentucky!

Many of the tenants being abused by this slumlord are veterans, disabled veterans.  These are the men and women who once served proudly in the United States Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. Each of them thought they would be taken care of by the very nation they served. Instead of taking care of these individuals, they are forced to find rental property offered by slumlords who are more interested in their money then providing a home that is habitable by a human being – a place with heat, running water and a bathroom that is working properly. Unfortunately, the very agency set up to assist our veterans and disabled veterans are filled to capacity or there is so much red-tape it will take months to help obtain services to help these innocent victims live a quality of life all Americans deserve.

Many of us have encountered veterans such as my friend. Over the last thirty years I have become friends with many who are homeless veterans. Those of you who have taken the time to get to know these people know they aren’t living on the street because they want to live there. Many of us have taken them to a restaurant and bought them a hot meal or paid for a hotel so they could take a shower and have a real bed to sleep in for a few nights. We’ve taken money out of our own pockets to ensure they had enough to buy a few more meals once we leave. We’ve lobbied Capitol Hill and the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure benefits were forth coming. I personally have testified before the Congressional Committee on Veterans Affairs about PTSD issues and many other issues affecting our veterans and warriors.  Many of us have taken time away from our private and professional lives to take these veterans to service organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans to help get their paperwork filled out properly. We’ve taken them to the Social Security Office to apply for benefits and the welfare office to help get them assistance. We don’t do this because we want personal recognition; we do it because we love our country and those who wore the uniform of the United States Military. We do it because these veterans and our warriors deserve our respect and admiration for what they sacrificed for our freedom; yet there are many out there who do nothing to help them. There are many out there who can afford to cover a hotel bill, a few meals and even the gas money to help these veterans when they are down on their luck, yet you do nothing – WHY?

For those attorney’s out there who list your self with the Veterans Affairs Legal Aid office, don’t ask a victim of a slumlord for a fee. If you listed yourself as an attorney willing to do pro-bono work, perform that pro-bono service and help a veteran regain funds stolen. Find it in your heart to do the right thing when you know someone is taking advantage of a veteran because they know the law and a veteran is incapable of defending themselves against such a person.

I am asking all those who are reading this article to please sacrifice your latte or that six-pack of beer for another human being? Those two things are a luxury you can live without. Can’t you find it in your heart to help your American brothers and sisters who gave up that lucrative career in order to serve their country?  Unless we as Americans change our ways, the issue of homelessness is going to increase and we will have more veterans with disabilities living in shanty towns across America. Do you want that to happen to someone you know? I don’t, so I ask you to please volunteer your time, dig deep into your pockets and help these men and women who deserve to be treated better than a second class citizens just because they have a problem with finding a job or are having medical issues associated with their time in the service. They deserve a decent place to live.

Resources to look into should you encounter a veteran in need:

• Adult Protective Services
• Veterans Administration’s Homeless Veteran Advocate Office
• Disabled American Veterans
• County Attorney’s office should criminal activity be occurring
• Every Politician you can contact from local Mayor, local Magistrate, State Legislator, even the Governor and Congressional and Senatorial Representatives of your state. Make them aware of what’s happening in your area.
• If a slumlord is accepting food stamps in lue of rent, report them to the Welfare Fraud Hotline in your area because it’s a criminal offense for anyone other than the person issues food stamps to be using them.

Elizabeth Kilbride is host of ALL FIRED UP Military Monday Show and the author of “Soul of American Warrior: A Writers Journey Comes Full Circle” and “America United: A Generation’s Sacrifice during World War II”

As reported here for the last two years, the Post-9/11 GI Bill — although great in some ways, fell short in others. The good news is Congress finally passed a laundry list of substantive fixes that will help improve the Post-9/11 GI Bill and virtually eliminate the need for new servicemembers to consider paying the onetime $1,200 contribution for the Montgomery GI Bill.

However, like the original Post-9/11 GI Bill, not all the changes are positive. In fact, it will mean a reduction in benefits for some current student vets and leave others without benefits during school breaks. It seems Congress is unable to find a way to pass a GI Bill that doesn’t have unintended consequences and collateral damage.

Both the American Council on Education (ACE) and the National Association of Veterans Program Administrators (NAVPA) have voiced concerns that some aspects of the Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Improvement Act of 2010 will result in a loss or reduction in benefits for some veterans. The House version of the bill had included “hold harmless” language which would protect veterans from losing benefits. Unfortunately the final version did not.

Here is a quick summary of the major fixes and substantive changes included in Senate bill S.3447 -  the Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Improvement Act of 2010. Keep in mind that most of the fixes do not take effect until August 1, 2011.

Note that some of the following details are subject to change as this bill progresses from Act to Law to VA Policy.

• Expands current Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility to include National Guard activation for events like national emergencies and AGR service. This is retroactive to Aug. 1, 2009, but benefits will not be paid until Oct. 1, 2011.
• Removes limitations for non-degree granting programs including certification courses, vocational-technical training, and Apprenticeship and On-the-Job Training programs similar to the Montgomery GI Bill. Effective Oct. 1, 2011
• Simplifies the tuition payment rates by eliminating the state-by-state “undergraduate level” cap for tuition and fees. The VA will pay all actual tuition and fees for public (state) institutions for all levels of higher education. Effective Aug. 1, 2011. — Also applies to active duty servicemembers and their families, which goes into effect 60 days after enactment.
• Sets an annual tuition and fee cap for all private institutions of $17,500 a year. This translates into $52,500 total for tuition and fees over the life of the benefits (36 months). Effective Aug. 1, 2011
• Limits the monthly housing stipend by prorating the payment to the rate of pursuit (based on number of course hours taken). For example a half-time student will receive 50 percent of the current BAH. All other locality payment rates still apply. Effective Aug. 1, 2011
• Expands eligibility for the monthly housing stipend to all half-time of better “distance learners” at a rate of 50 percent of the national average for BAH (approximately $650) – which will also be prorated to the rate of pursuit (based on the number of course hours taken). Effective 10/1/2011 – not retroactive.
• Limits housing stipend payments during break periods (spring break, summer semester, winter break, etc.) to four weeks a year. Effective Aug. 1, 2011.
• Expands the annual book stipend eligibility to include active duty and their spouses. Effective Oct. 1, 2011
• Enables disabled veterans who are entitled to subsistence under the Voc-Rehab (VR&E) program and Post-9/11 GI Bill to take the P911 Housing Stipend in place of the VR&E subsistence payment. Effective Aug. 1, 2011
• Removes the limit of just one test for licensure or certification and expands coverage to include “National Tests” like SAT, GRE, LSAT, and tests for college credit like the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Effective Aug. 1, 2011.
• Grants GI Bill eligible care givers an extension on their 10 year deadline for using benefits. Effective Aug. 1, 2011.
• Enables eligible NOAA and USPHS members to transfer GI Bill benefits like all other eligible members. Effective Aug.1, 2011

Note: Many of the other changes included in the bill are technical fixes to eliminate ambiguity, patch holes and close loop holes in the original Post-9/11 GI Bill.

Most of the changes are positive, however, some leave room for further improvement – some actually may cause financial harm to some veterans. Let’s hope the next Congress is willing to go back and finish the clean up.

Article Source:  Military.com Education

Director of Nassau County Veterans Service Agency, Patrick Yngstrom will be on our Veterans Day Telethon November 6th, to talk about services available to veterans on Long Island.  Mr. Yngstrom, a Vietnam veteran himself, is a past president of the United Veteran’s Organization which fights to ensure that every veteran is treated with dignity and respect.

There are many federal, state and local agencies as well as non-government organizations that offer benefits to our veterans.  Often service members returning to civilian life don’t know about the programs set up to help them.  Or, if they do know, the paperwork to access these benefits is too daunting for them to tackle alone.

The Nassau County Veterans Service Agency, which was created with that need in mind, performs two important functions.  First, they help veterans pick their way through the tangle of agencies to find the services they need.  In addition they run an active volunteer program.

There are an incredible number of benefits and services available to veterans in Nassau County. The federal services, of course, are available nationwide.  They include access to a large network veteran’s hospitals.  Locally that is the Northport VA Hospital and the Plainview Clinic.  Veterans who need transportation to either of these facilities are encouraged to call the agency which will, in turn, contact volunteers willing to provide rides.  They have a wheelchair accessible van for the convenience of disabled vets.

The agency isn’t just a place to call for a ride.  They offer many other services including help for veterans who want to file claims benefits, from federal and state agencies.  They can also help file discharge or separation papers (DD-214), and file for veteran’s state tax exemption status.

Returning service members can find help in obtaining medals, and medical and personnel records.  The agency assists with appeals and offers employment counseling.  They can also help a veteran who is trying to get his discharge upgraded. And finally, as stated earlier, they will refer the ex-serviceman to other county, state and federal agencies which offer benefits.

In addition to all of this, the agency coordinates an annual “Stand-Down”.  Stand-Downs are a nationwide effort by the Department of Veterans Affairs to address the needs of America’s homeless veterans.  Since the first Stand-Down was organized in 1988, these events have helped hundreds of thousands of people.

This past summer, Agency Director Patrick Yngstrom and his staff and volunteers hosted their “Stand-Down” for the area’s needy and homeless vets at the Hempstead American Legion Post. Inside the post, veterans were assisted through various aid stations where they received information about benefits to which they were entitled as well as employment counseling.  They were also directed to civilian social service agencies which could help them with housing or substance abuse problems.

Other aid stations were set up to offer veterans basic medical evaluations.  One table was devoted to blood pressure checks, while at another, the men got eye exams and glasses.  Another station offered free haircuts.  The men didn’t leave empty-handed.  They were also given clothes, and toiletries.

The Sound Kitchen is cooking up another great concert this year to raise money for the Building Lives Foundation.  The “We Are Building Lives” Third Annual Concert will be held Saturday, October 30,2010 from 6 to 10pm at the Sound Kitchen, 112 Seaboard Lane. Franklin, TN.  Performers this year include the Aqua Nets, Platinum 54, Joshua Adams. Eric Lee Beddingfield and Bluesgrass.

The Building Lives Foundation (BLF)is dedicated to helping homeless veterans and their families by providing job placement and housing assistance, help in obtaining a vehicle and counseling.  In order to get veterans into affordable housing, the BLF is willing to pay up to the first two months rent plus deposits.

As if that wasn’t enough, the organization also will provide the individual with an apartment package that includes sheets and blankets, pots and pans and toiletry items.  They even provide furniture if it is available.

Mentors help these clients hold all of this together through financial and psychological counseling.  The volunteers at BLF are usually retirees who are assigned to one or two veterans.  They encourage their clients through rough spots.  Since many of these homeless veterans are in trouble they are involved with the court system.  Mentors often use the legal system as a resource or guide to help them figure out what to do next in a tricky situation that they have never had to deal with before.

Although helping the homeless can be difficult, many of the men helped through the Building Lives Foundation come to that organization already motivated to make the changes necessary to get themselves back on their feet.

The BLF is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization, that currently works only in the middle Tennessee area. Using the motto, “Leave No Veteran Behind“, they have already helped over one hundred individuals and families regain their lives. They still have a lot to do since on any given night in Tennessee alone, thousands of veterans sleep on the streets.

Tickets for the “We Are Building Lives” Concert are $150 and can be purchased through PayPal.  Corporate Sponsorships are available.  Contact Tammie Shannon at 615 972-3451 or tshannon@shannoninsurancegroup.com for more information.

Donations of time, money, vehicles and property are all helpful to furthering the goals of Building Lives Foundation, Inc. Mentors are a vital part of the successful reintegration of the veterans into the community.  Visit their website for more information on “How to Help”

Jack Hipp is a Vietnam era veteran and 6th consecutive year commander of the largest American Legion Post (1066) in Nassau County.  Jack served his country as a Navy Cryptologist only to then continue serving his community and country as a NYC Detective.  Jack is also an active member of the VFW and AMVets.  In September 2010, Jack was awarded the National County Distinguished Service to Veterans Award.

With that said, it is no surprise that Jack and Post 1066 raised their hands to host the 2010 Veterans Day Telethon on November 6th.  They will kick off the telethon with ceremonies honoring POW/MIA, Memorial Dedications and the proper disposal of damaged flags.  We are honored and grateful to be working with them!

American Legion Post 1066 sets the example for other posts to follow with their active outreach program to newly discharged veterans in and around Massapequa, NY.  They actively encourage both the newly discharged and those preparing to discharge to reach out to their local American Legion and other veteran organizations immediately so that Service Officers like Jack Ryan can “point you in the right direction” and save you the runaround often encountered at the VA.

Jack Hipp and American Legion Post 1066 exemplify the 4 pillars by which the American Legion stands:

• Strong National Security
• Taking Care of Veterans
• Mentoring Youth
• Patriotism and Honor (Americanism)

Each of these pillars encompasses a variety of programs that benefit our nation’s veterans,its servicemembers, their families, the youth in America and ordinary citizens.These programs make a difference in hundreds of thousands of lives each year.

Contact American Legion Post 1066 at 516.795.1504 or by email at jhipp@MassapequaPost1066.com.