It is important for all of us, no matter our political persuasion, or whether you support this war or not, to show our unified and unfailing support for our men and women in uniform.

Never again, can we have our troops feel their efforts are not appreciated, and more so, unwanted, as our troops had to deal with upon returning from Vietnam.

This was a disservice not only to the military members returning, but also to the families of those who would never return.

 Contrary to the thinking of many, our office does not get overly involved in the arena of employment. We specialize in benefits.
We do have the good fortune of having a Workforce Development Office in Mequon, on the campus of MATC (North) They specialize in employment matters.
The Mequon office is staffed during normal working hours, and provides counseling as well as listing of current employment opportunities in our area
If you have, or know someone who has, employment related issues, you should refer them to the Workforce Development Office.
I periodically do have contact with these counselors, but the basic understanding we have is: I don’t do employment, they don’t do veterans benefits.

 The annual American Legion Youth and Government Day was held on Wednesday March 5, 2002.
This annual event was a great success once again. We had nearly 80 students participate from ALL of the county’s High Schools.
My thanks to all who showed up to assist with this annual event, and my hats off to Bill Prahl for pulling it off once again.
A special thanks to my secretary Suzanne Maurer, who has to make up the certificates every year, and make last minute changes due to substitutions of students. The process is very tedious and time consuming. 

 The annual salute to the legislature was held Wednesday, February 5, 2003 at the Manona Terrace Ballroom.
I was pleasantly surprised to see a number of legislators in attendance, even though they were fighting the budget battles.
We had a good crowd of our own from Ozaukee County, unfortunately, none of our elected representatives stayed to talk with us.
Maybe next year!

The VA Medical System remains open to all veterans.
That’s the “good” news.
Because of the HUGE number of applications that they have received, there is a significant “backlog” of people waiting to actually start using the VA.
Contrary to popular opinion, I do not have any “special pull” nor do I have a magic wand to get you into the system any faster. The current wait from time of application to first appointment is 15 months.
If you have an acute and immediate need for care, you can go to the VA Medical Center Emergency Room (take a copy of your DD-214), you will receive care for that immediate need, they WILL NOT fill any other prescriptions for you at that time.

The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs will be conducting its next “supermarket” in Milwaukee on May 9 and 10.

This is an opportunity for those individuals who want to get information on benefits from a variety of sources, all under one roof.
The event will be held at Miller Park.

As always, if you don’t want to travel, I either have the information, or will find it for you.

I have received a number of phone calls from Ozaukee citizens, wanting to know what they can do to help out the troops.

My best suggestion is to go through either the USO, the Red Cross, or the Salvation Army. All of these organizations have programs to send “care packages” either overseas to the troops, or to provide aid to the families left behind.

If you have a computer, you can go online to any of the Military Exchange web sites, where they are accepting cash donations, that will be given to the troops and their families in the form of gift certificates for use at the exchange.

Most of the local Veterans Service Organization Posts are standing by to assist any families in our area who could use help around the house, while the service member is deployed. If you know someone who could use their assistance, either contact the nearest Post, or call my office, we will get in touch with them for you.

I gave up on keeping track of that line a loooong time ago.
I know that all of you are well intentioned, but sometimes what you tell your buddies, may not be quite the whole story, so…...
If you have a friend, or acquaintance who has questions about Veterans Benefits, please have him call me, so that he/she gets it right the first time.

This war is different from any other war we have fought in many ways. The newest “twist” is to have reporters “embedded” with our troops. This is an experiment in not only the public’s “right to know”, but also in trying to show the World, that the battles are tough, and that our coalition troops are doing their level best to avoid civilian casualties, and provide humanitarian aid, as we advance on Baghdad.
This is also a great way to show the American public what conditions are troops are faced with on a daily basis. Vietnam was the first “televised” war, but this one is the first LIVE televised war. An interesting “experiment”.

The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs has three separate loan programs that it offers qualified Wisconsin Veterans.
Primary Mortgage Home Loan– can be used more than one time, requires 5% down payment. Is a fixed 30 year mortgage. Can not be used to refinance an existing loan.
Home Improvement Loan– just what it says. Can be used to make repairs or additions to your existing home. Requires a minimum of 10% equity in your home. ($25K)
Personal Loan Program— can be used to consolidate debt, pay medical bills, or assist with paying for your or your children’s education. ($15K). Must either have 10% equity in your home, or have a guarantor.
These loan programs not only help you now, they proceeds from the loans help fund WDVA’s other loan and grant programs

As of today, there are 7 known POWs from our War to Free Iraq.
From all indications, the Iraqi’s are treating our POWs with the same degree of disrespect that they did during the first Gulf War. This type of behavior by any “civilized” country is beneath contempt.
The late breaking news had a gem in it, with the rescue of one of our soldiers that had originally been listed as MIA. We only pray that her time in captivity does not leave her with significant health or psychological problems.
Welcome Home Jessica, let us pray that soon all of your fellow MIAs and POWs are returned also.

While “surfing the net” the other day, I ran across the following article, which was written by a Washington Times columnist. I found it amusing, and hope you do too.
Go Figure: “how have we lived so long?” Cricket Stewart writes her favorite columnist, who celebrated yet another birthday yesterday (please no belated gifts).
She sends birthday reflections, worth passing along to those who grew up in a far different country than children find themselves in today. The original author is unknown.
“Looking back, it’s hard to believe that we have lived as long as we have. Our baby cribs were covered with bright colored lead-based paint, with slats of wood several inches apart. We had no child-proof latches on medicine bottles or cabinets. We learned what the word “NO” meant.
When we rode our bikes, we had no helmets. We drank water from a garden hose, not expensive bottles. If a class mate or loved one passed away, we didn’t have counselors or psychologists rushing in to aid us. We learned that death is imminent and part of life, and we coped with it.
We would leave home in the morning and play all day; nobody was able to reach us. We played dodge-ball and sometimes the ball would really hurt. We ate cupcakes, bread and butter, and drank soda, but we were never overweight.
Little league had try-outs, and not everyone made the team; those who didn’t had to learn to deal with disappointment, also part of life. Some students failed and repeated a grade, not diagnosed as having a learning disability and prescribed drugs. Those generations produced some of the best risk-takers and problem solvers the world has ever known.
How have we lived so long?

SEE YOU AROUND THE COUNTY !!!