The Fourth of July is rapidly approaching, and we all have our own schedule of events planned for that day. We should all take a moment to reflect on not only our county’s past, but also the sacrifices of our forefathers, who gave us the freedoms we enjoy today. WE, as veterans, are all to well aware of the fact that freedom does not come cheaply, and we should use every opportunity to remind the rest of America of that. I have attached an article that tells the tale of what happened to our founding fathers, after they signed the Declaration of Independence. I ask that you share this with as many of your family and friends as possible. This article really brought it home for me, and I’m sure it is not something that is not generally taught to our children.
 

Happy birthday america
	TEACH YOUR CHILDREN, FREEDOM REQUIRES SACRIFICES

The parade that will occur in conjunction with the Courthouse “Re-dedication” will begin at 11:00 AM. Veterans groups should start to form-up at about 10:30, on East Jackson Street (in Port Washington). We will be leading off the parade with a “massing” of the colors. We will also do a flag raising and rifle salute at the end of the ceremonies.

If you’ve been reading the local papers lately, you will probably have seen articles related to the re-dedication of the County Courthouse, the OLD one in downtown Port. There has been a flurry of activity around this place of late, with many plans that need help.

JULY 4th is the day for re-dedication!!

The Parade starts at 11:00 A.M.

Did you know that when they laid the cornerstone to the building in 1901, they put a “time capsule in it? The county will be opening the time capsule displaying its contents. The county is also seeking input from around the county on what should be placed into a “new” time capsule to go back in the cornerstone for the next 100 years.

VA HEALTHCARE ENROLLMENT

Well, it’s been almost three years since the VA changed it’s regulations regarding Healthcare Enrollment for ALL veterans, and it appears that there are still some out there with the wrong information. So here are the FACTS, once again. Enrollment in the VA Healthcare System is open to ALL veterans.

There is NO CHARGE for initial enrollment, or for continued enrollment.

IF, you do not have a service connected disability, then the VA will review your annual income and assets to determine if you will be subject to a co-payment to use the system, this includes the income and assets of your spouse.

Prescription medications are available, at a significant discount, ONLY if you utilize their system, and see their doctors. The VA WILL NOT fill a prescription written by any doctor other than their own.

There is NO coverage for your spouse or children, unless they are veterans themselves, or unless you are rated at 100% Service Connected yourself.

There is a significant time delay between the time you make application and when you can be seen by the VA doctors. This is due to the large volume of veterans now entering the system. The ONLY exception to this is if you have an ACUTE illness. My experience has been that the only acute illness that gets immediate attention is an active cancer.

I have tried to encourage ALL veterans to make application to the system, whether you intend to use it now or not. This could provide you with a potential “safety net”, if you should develop a serious condition in the future. It will only cost you a little time to complete the application

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WDVA BUDGET for 2002-2003

The Governor and WDVA have presented their budget proposal to the legislature, and it has good and bad things in it. The CVSO Association of Wisconsin has already started work to try to correct the “bad” things .

A number of the “bad things” were corrected by the Joint Committee on Finance, when they deliberated last month.

BUDGET CORRECTIONS ARE IN PROGRESS

More will undoubtedly be corrected as the Senate and Assembly caucus. Then all is subject to a final review and reconciliation in a conference committee.

The support of the Veterans Organizations has been vital in our efforts to make corrections to the budget.

Our State Association will continue to monitor things in Madison, and keep you informed of developments.

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French Issue “Thank-You” Certificates

The French Government has recently announced that they will be offering “Certificates of Appreciation” to all those WWII veterans who helped to liberate France. The requirements are that you were actually in France at any time from D-Day to May 5, 1945. This must also be reflected on your DD-214 equivalent. Those who desire to apply, can obtain the application from my office. Unfortunately, the French Government Will NOT issue these certificates to the families of deceased veterans. (NO EXCEPTIONS) I have the details available here in the office. If you qualify, and would care to apply, give us a call.

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CONMPENSATION vs PENSION

If there has been one thing that I have learned since taking over the office here, it is that there is a mass of confusion over theses two terms. In an attempt to clear up this confusion…. Compensation: this is money that the VA pays veterans every month for their SERVICE CONNECTED DISABILITIES. In order to receive compensation, you must first file a claim with the VA, provide medical evidence to support your claim, and usually get a medical examination by the VA. Compensation is payable to the veteran for any injury or illness that occurred during service, or was aggravated by your service, AND FOR WHICH YOU STILL SUFFER AFTER YOUR DISCHARGE. This does NOT require war time service.

Pension: This is a monthly payment made to a veteran, or his surviving spouse, if the family is extremely low-income. This benefit is available ONLY to veterans/spouse with war-time service. When I say “low-income” here are today’s numbers…

Vet and spouse income must be below $8,989 annual income.

Widow only, income below $6,026 per year.

God help you, if you qualify for Pension!

If you missed the news reports…

A joint mission of American and Vietnamese military and civilian personnel were killed recently in a helicopter crash in Vietnam.

The group was going out for a field investigation of a suspected MIA site.

These individuals were trying to fulfill their country’s obligation to bring all of our troops home.

This was just another sad reminder, that even in peacetime, military operations remain a dangerous, and sometimes life-threatening activity.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (Federal) will be conducting a nation-wide survey of veterans through November of this year. The purpose of the survey will be to allow the VA to better plan needs in different areas of the country. The VA will be able to follow changes in the veterans population, compare characteristics of vets that use the VA Healthcare system to those who do not. They VA will also study its role in delivering services to the veterans. The VA intends to interview 20,00 veterans as part of this survey. The last time a survey was conducted was in 1993. So if you get a call, give them a piece of your mind, graciously of course!